A Call For Patience

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA

(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457

Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

7th April 2011


A call for patience and careful consideration

The statements of regret and appeals for forgiveness expressed by the Government of Malaysia with respect to the impounding and stamping of the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, the Alkitab, resonate deep within the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

As a body that brings together a wide cross-section of the Christian community in Malaysia, we know about the sinfulness of man and have experienced the forgiveness of God. As such, we receive these expressions with all the sincerity with which they are offered.

We believe the Government’s proposals represent a basis for further dialogue and engagement towards a viable long-term and comprehensive solution.

As such, CFM feels that this process ought not to be hurried. Its constituent bodies are currently undertaking their own internal consultations prior to responding collectively to the 10-point resolution proposed by the Government.

We call for patience and perseverance, and continued prayer and quiet reflection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our deliberations.


Yours sincerely,


(signed)
Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia
Tags: Christian Federation of Malaysia, CFM, Bahasa Malaysia Bible, Alkitab, Christian Community

Being Labelled As An Extremist Christian

Looks like what was stated in the Christian Federation of Malaysia's ("CFM") media statement as per my previous blogpost has been deemed extreme and hence, the CFM has also been labelled as extremists in requesting for its Constitutional rights to be recognised.

Who said that?

The Islamic Defenders Organisation (Pembela), an umbrella body representing nineteen Muslim non-governmental organisations has, on 28 March 2011, came up to say that these Christians should apologise and should use a proper channel to voice out. They suggested that the Committee for the Promotion of Religious Understanding and Harmony Among Adherents is the right place to settle this issue peacefully.

In the first place, the Christians had only issue a memorandum and didn't even stage a demonstration.

Secondly, the Christians are reminding the government of the Constitutional rights.

I think this Pembela has forgotten two things.
One - that the government has encouraged all students to study/learn in the Malay language during school age. No more English language except for one.

Two - that lots of people in Sabah and Sarawak speak/read in the Malay language only apart from their tribal language.

I believed that the Allah issue would be the main thing that caused thousands of Malay language bibles to be detained by the government.

Then the Valentine's Day issue was also thrown at the Christians.

Lately, even a dance movement by the name of Poco Poco has been linked to Christianity especially on its movements which signifies a cross. I almost fainted when I heard that.

These are all divide and rule signs and these are the things that will hold Malaysia back for years to come. Surprisingly, all these protestors are not concerned with the drastic drop in the Foreign Direct Investment or the terrible corruption that has plagued so many government agencies. But we are more concerned with which language the Christians would use or how certain events are linked to Christianity.

Even a Christian prayer rally that was held in Kuching on 23 March 2011, atteended by 3,000 people, was construed as going against the government. It was condemned by the Deputy Federal Minister, Joseph Salang Gandum telling the Christians not to make a fool of themselves.

Out of a sudden, Idris Jala in representing the government and in full view of the upcoming state election in Sarawak, the government has decided that everyone can import bibles of any language into Malaysia. Do I hear any protest from the Pembela now?

Suddenly you see the mainstream media potraying the government as the saviour in this issue.

You call this nation building or whatever you name it, 1Malaysia?

The Interlok book that will be used as a reference book in the secondary school is also another issue. Since there are so many people that are unhappy with it, why can't the government just remove it from being one of the recommended books. Such a simple step but the government insist that it has to be the book. Why? Again it talks about the minorities in Malaysia.

This is a pure divide and rule policy that will help those in power to rule the subjects by creating disharmony amongst Malaysians. Yet many Malaysians would fall for it.

And in many cases, new things will crop up to create a big news in order to cover other news that were hogging too much of a limelight.

This blogpost is not to stir any hatred or any discomfort among Malaysians but if any of the above issues have created tensions, blame it on the current government. Malaysia will not flourish as long as all the races are divided.

Anyhow, CFM has welcomed the government's green light as a positive move.

But then all this negative news have 'flown' all over the world and they are already laughing at us.
Tags: Divide And Rule Policy, Extremist Christian, Interlok, Malay Bible, Nation Building, 1Malaysia, Pembela, Allah, Bible, Christan Federation of Malaysia, Poco Poco Dance

Pay More For Fast Results

Heard of this phrase before "pay more for fast results"?

Two types of services will see an increase of prices / fees in due course which will hit people like me and you.

Firstly - legal fees especially for the fees to be paid to lawyers who will appear in court on your behalf. The Bar Council has announced a potential increase of about 300% to 400% of the legal fees. One of the reasons given for the increase is that the lawyers would have more responsibilities.

With such an increase, it's very doubtful that legal avenue would be out of reach for the general public and the services would only be available / reserved for those rich and powerful.

Even at this point of time, I have friends who are not willing to go to court even though they could hold the advantage of winning a case. Reason? It's already expensive now. To justify the huge increase, it was said that lawyers will have to resolve the cases at a quicker pace to match the courts' KPI where it has to close a case at a faster pace.

For this quicker pace, you and I would have to be prepared to pay through your nose.

Then out of a sudden, the central bank allowed for the huge increase of motor insurance premium between 250% and 450% which will take effect from 2012. However, the increase will be on a staggered basis up to year 2016 before the real premium is left to the market forces.

It was a joke to say that the low income people won't be greatly affected as it's being staggered over a period of four years. What about four years later? The existence of low income people in Malaysia has evaporated?

Main advantage for the huge increase - so that you and I can make a faster insurance claim.

On both of the above increases, the word "faster" is so vague. There's no dateline put on it and it's just plain talk again. Who will lose in the end? The consumers again.

And the government dare to say that the inflation rate is still below 5%?

Reading: Motorists to pay higher insurance premiums but will enjoy faster claims - Star

Reading: Price for faster ‘justice’ - Star

Tags: Legal Fee, Bar Council, Court, Lawyer, Motor Insurance Premium, Central Bank

Gifted Business Class Seat

In this blogpost, I would like to thank Emirates Airlines for the seat upgrades for the Dubai-Kuala Lumpur route that had happened twice now. I think it was due to the Gold Skywards membership that paved the way for it. The first happened just before Christmas Eve and the second time happened just before Chinese New Year where it was peak period for many airlines.

This is the Business Class seat in the new generation of Boeing 777 aircraft. Comes with comfy pillow and it can be converted to a flat bed if you want to sleep.

Well, I enjoyed the flight no doubt about it.

Was served with champagne upon sitting down. Pulled up my screen to see which movies are available for this trip.

The wine list for business class passengers. I opted for the Port - Quinta do Noval LBV 2002 instead which I found that it was so soothing as it enters the mouth.

This was just the snacks. Can't recall fully but I can remember about the roasted duck and some turkey meat as well. Plenty of it.

Here comes my second meal as we had just passed India on the way to Kuala Lumpur.

This was the breakfast. You would be served with a plate of fresh fruits, different types of breads where you can choose a few and I can request for extra butter.

You would also get yoghurt and fruit juice.

After your meal, you can request for either the Ceylon, China, Earl Grey, Camomile tea. Alternatively, you can request for a cappucino which I did. Fantastic indeed.

Somehow, I was captivated with the main meal and forgotten to take a picture of it.

Well, there goes my business class trips as my gold membership will expire and will be downgraded to the silver membership due to lesser travels last year. Anyway, thanks a lot!

Tags: Emirates Airlines, Boeing 777, Emirates Business Class, Gold Skywards

Four Hours Away From South Sudan

Life at site is not as rosy but we make things lively. For instance, we do try to keep fit here. But I admire my fellow colleagues creativity. We can't afford to import a proper gym set but we can still create one.

This body builder toy is made of solid concrete. Really terror! 

This is your pumping bench made of simple steel and a wooden plank.

Even the small dumbbell is made of solid concrete. More effective body exercise.

The long cabin container.

The dining area.

Other blocks of cabin containers.

 

My shared room with just two beds, a table and a aircond plus a toilet.

Cows rampaging up to the road at a very slow pace.

The cows couldn't be bothered by our car. We just moved slowly and you better don't injure any of it.

Some of the cows that had passed through earlier.

Tags: Cows, Southern Sudan, Project Site, Body Builder, Pumping Bench, Dumbbell, Solid Concrete

Dog Abuser in OUG?

Within 24 hours a dog abuser's identity is getting closer to being exposed in Malaysia.

I thought the internet human search happens only in China where their netizens will post relevant issues or events to identify a certain person who has ran foul of the law and trying to hide. Within 24 hours, all major China forums will be posted at all China provinces. The power of internet.

This time, I'm seeing it for the first time that it's being done here in Malaysia and it's picking up pace each hour.

Apparently a video was showing a man that was trying to get this dog, named as Sushi, to stand on two legs. He whacked the dog like nobody's business and really tortured the dog. Somehow he doesn't seem to know that dogs are supposed to stand on four legs, not two. Lacked of education or maybe no a brainer.

This internet human search was really superb. As the man in the video was speaking in cantonese, this internet human search went round Malaysia, Singapore and even Hong Kong.

This video was uploaded by someone who found a USB pendrive that was dropped by someone in the KLCC shopping centre. This video was the only file in the pendrive.

You'll be wondering who was holding the video camera to shoot such an awful event. Rumoured to be the fella's girlfriend by the name of Doreen Loo.

The internet human search is on for this man now. It was rumoured that he could be staying in Green Park Condo located in Taman Yarl.

Have you people in Green Park Condo seen him before? His name could be Allan Tan and driving a Proton Wira (Reg. No. NBC 8313). Does he or the car really exist?

SPCA Singapore has posted that fella's picture in their facebook too which has drawn criticism from many facebook members.

Asiaone, an online newspaper in Singapore, has published an article on this dog abuse on 24 January 2011 - Man treats dog as punching bag.

I really wonder if he would do the same act to a Rottweiler or a Doberman.

Tags: Dog Abuser, Green Park Condo, Taman Yarl, Allan Tan, NBC 8313, Doreen Loo, Sushi, Poodle, Internet Human Search

Power Of A Vote

Iraqis voted for their government just last year. Despite bombings occuring nationwide with some bombs jeopardising certain voting centres, Iraqis still came out to vote.
Reading: Millions of Iraqies defy bomb and rocket attacks to vote - The Times

Why?

In South Sudan, close to 3.5 million people went to vote despite hearing people being stopped or killed while coming back to South Sudan for the once in a lifetime vote.
Reading: Violence mars south Sudan vote - IOL News

Why?

People in this two countries wanted to see changes to their lifes and they have been deprived of their rights for so long. Now it's the time to change and decide for themselves and their future generations.

These people didn't take their single vote for granted.

But it's a totally different scenario in Malaysia.

Many Malaysians have not registered to vote and some who have registered don't intend to vote. Many of these people couldn't be bothered with the Malaysian political situation. Some thought that by not voting, they considered themselves neutral (how wrong are they).

Malaysians who don't vote took their single vote for granted.

Must Malaysia reach the point similar to those situations found in Iraq or Sudan before we decide to determine Malaysia's future destination. I always believe that what you have decided today, especially in your personal life, will determine the outcome of your future (notwithstanding your prayer to God of course). Though a prayer can move mountains, it all depends on your role in making sure the mountains move. Simple example would be praying for straight As in examination results but not wanting to study at all.

Malaysia's next general election i.e. the 13th General Election is rumoured to be forthcoming. For those of you who have not registered before, you can register yourself at the following places:-

(a) The Election Commission Headquarters

Ground Floor, Block C7, Complex C,
The Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62690 Putrajaya
Tel. No.: 03-88856686

(b) State Election Offices

(c) Computerized Post Offices
http://www.pos.com.my/WebsiteBM/MAIN2.ASP?c=/V1/Ournetworks/map.htm

(d) Outreach Programmes with Mobile Registration Centres (no activity for this at the moment)

(e) Embassies, High Commissions and Consular General Offices overseas
Please click http://www.kln.gov.my/bm/?page=mission

(f) Your nearest Assistant Registrar

For those of you who have registered and those who have voted before, please check your voting centre again at the Election Commission's Electoral Roll to ensure that the Election Commission has not secretly decided to throw you to another constituency or another school to cast your important single vote.

Even in the Election Commission's website, the following caption is flashing across their website "Election can happen at anytime. It is your responsibility to vote."

I'm proud to say that I have voted in the last four general elections (1995, 1999, 2004 and 2008). I was also involved in the 12th General Election as a Polling Agent and Counting Agent. I walk the talk!
Tags: Election Commission, Registered Voter, 13th General Election, Right To Vote, Malaysian Voter, Polling Agent, Counting Agent