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Re-post from Lim Kit Siang for Malaysia:
I have received the following very angry email from MS, with a very ferocious heading which I am using – breaking a rule of this blog:
Couldn't help feeling this angry today. I know at my age, I am supposed to be mellowing out, looking forward to a nice chilled day and now what? I find myself with the same amount of righteous anger as I had when I was 16 – going through puberty and finding the world most unfair that my mum wouldn't allow me to have my first pair of cargo pants!
I was sitting in the banana leaf shop this morning having a roti and a coffee when a group of JAWI officers entered the premises. 10 officers to be exact, into this little shop. They spent a good 20 minutes going through the place (and it is a small place!) and finally one officer writes out a writ and gives it to the cashier. They then left. Curious, I asked the cashier what that was all about and he replied that they were not allowed to have their little altars and pictures of their deities in their shop “because otherwise, Muslims cannot come into their shops” . What utter nonsense! Are we still living in the Malaysia that is so “famed” for its “religious tolerance”?? The shop is not a mamak shop. It is an Indian Banana leaf shop. Why would it be surprising that they should have signs of their religious beliefs in their own space? I didn't think that sort of thing was illegal (please correct me if I am wrong). What is wrong with this picture? Will it come down to the point when my Muslim friends should not visit my home just because I have a cross or a Chinese altar there? PLEASE!
Better yet, I discovered as I was leaving , that the JAWI personnel had targeted the other 3 banana leaf shops along that row of old shops (near the vets office – off Jalan Maarof). There were at least 4 nos of vans for the officers , ALL double parked on the main road and causing an inconvenience to the other road users. Is there a separate set of laws that govern these people? Notwithstanding the fact that they are trampling all over the definition of religious tolerance in this country , they also flaunt the general laws of the land. This makes me really angry and sad about the state of our country.
I now find it difficult to speak up for Malaysia when there are arguments comparing Malaysia to other countries. It is sad that we can have the once world tallest building and still think like we came out of the jungle yesterday.
My Personal Big Sad Day today
MS
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Honestly, I don't think these stuff is new. But after the Shah Alam's cow head incident, I guess the fire's stoked. Therefore, getting a lot more sensitive than usual. However, having said that. Seriously, every Friday if you've ever been near a mosque, you have cars from Sagas to 5-series parked double, triple, quadruple by the road side. We didn't say anything. Although I would like to say it's because we're Malaysians and we practise tolerance, but really. It's because we, non-Mosque goers, have gotten used to it. Well, I guess that is some form of tolerance. I think the question is not about the people because it's REALLY OKAY to go to your house of worship (humankind still needs to be reminded of the fundamental values that only a greater-than-we-can-imagine being called 'God' can teach). But I think the issue here is the Malaysian government is practising double standards. I mean, how bout building mosques with basement parkings from now on? Or WITH a parking facility? :/
Come on. Do we need Malaysian Insider to cover the cow head story on YOUTUBE to get every Tom, Dick and Harry to comment before the police finally move in for the arrest? Er. Shouldn't that be something tackled on the spot, DURING the incident? So, for some strange reason, I did suspect it was all a show - part of their campaign. Get it highlighted to the public, few 'good' men say something, police take action, *tada* 1Malaysia. I would have bought that if it happened 10 years ago. Before social media took over the world. Honestly honestly honestly, Mr. Government. You've got to give us netizens a lot more credit that you had. Sigh.
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