Tuesday, November 13, 2012




If there is one piece of legislation we needed most, it's the Freedom of Information Act.

Islam in Malaysia will not allow a Malay to be a non-Muslim. 

Some Islamic scholars however say that there is 


no compulsion in the religion



But scholars have no influence in Malaysia; only religious bureaucrats.

Nurul is brave to express an opinion; but in Malaysia, 



Muslims have no right to an opinion on their own religion. 


They can be punished. Only the state can issue opinions.

Do you believe that Islam has intruded into the public




 sphere at the expense of democratic principles?

It's not Islam that has intruded into public sphere. It is the 



proponent of tyranny and fascist leaders that has used 



religion to control the apparatus of the state. Democracy


 and the rule of law are endangered when you allow 


such leaders to continue to rule.

Communal issues are major issues of the political



 process here; do you think that Pakatan has done 



enough to change this paradigm?

Pakatan strategy is clear - do not talk too much about 



difficult issues; let's get to power first. So that's how 




it will be. Whilst that is not the approach I would


 take, I recognise that politics require many 




different approaches to succeed.

I just hope that when they get to power; 


they will not forget that many hard decisions have to



 be made. If they then said we will wait to win the 


second term before we do them; then I say let's remove them.

So yes, they have not come up with substantive



 plans to change the political paradigm of the country.

Is there a difference between the racial politics of BN and Pakatan?

Racial politics in BN is clear and blatant led by Umno, 




whereas racial politics in Pakatan are more diffused 



and somewhat sheltered by religion and meritocracy.

What is your opinion on affirmative action programmes and


 do you think it nurtures a culture of entitlement?

Affirmative programmes carefully structured and guided 



by transparent principles and good governance can be a 



useful tool to help the poor and the marginalised 



community.

The problem we have is that the Malays no longer



 see affirmative policies as privileges to be g



iven on the need basis; but as



 their rights. Which Malay leaders we have now 


who will dare to explain to them otherwise?

Do you think that affirmative action programmes 



contributed to the ghettoisation of the public and 


private sectors along racial lines?

NONEThe problem we have is the inability 


of some leaders to see the long-term


 pernicious effects of discrimination. 



They want instant gratification and 


support and so they tell the Malays


 they have special rights. When you 



take that path, you then will not 




see you are practicing discrimination.

Only enlightened Malay leaders can tell the difference between 



outright discrimination and affirmative support programmes.


 The Chinese then retaliate and would gang up and support 



each other, thereby making the situation worse.

It's only the Indians and other natives who are 


left alone; desolate and poor.

A recent survey highlighted the racial 




discrimination practices of the private sector. 



Do you think that it is the role of government 



through legislation to even the playing field in the private sector?

Discrimination in the workplace is rampant in the country. 



It's to be expected that when the Malay-led government 




practices discrimination in the public service



there will be a similar response in the Chinese-dominated private sector.
A responsible government must take all steps to end




 discrimination; otherwise, Malaysia will never achieve 



its true potential. It may even sow the seeds 



of future    instability. Legislation is required for this purpose.

What is the one piece of legislation that is desperately needed in Malaysia?




If there is one piece of



If there is one piece of


legislation we needed most

 legislation we needed most, 





it's the 




Freedom of Information Act.





it's the 




Freedom of Information Act. 



WHEN GOVERNMENTS CAN 


OPERATE UNDER SECRECY AS 


THEY DO NOW, CORRUPTION 


AND ABUSE OF POWER WILL CONTINUE,




regardless who comes to power.

It's only when the leaders know the rakyat can see 

what they are doing will things improve.


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