An Open Letter to YB Dr. Dzul

My response to MP YB Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad on his suggestion that PAS can have a non-Muslim Deputy President as published in The Malaysian Insider;
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/litee/sideviews/article/an-open-letter-to-yb-dr-dzul-eidit-hashim/

In one forum on February 28, PAS MP and CWC (Dewan Harian) member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad suggested that his party is ready to accept a non-Muslim as the deputy president and later claimed that efforts are on-going to move towards that.

PAS in-built check-and-balance mechanism such as the Majlis Syura will ensure that non-Muslims in higher leadership role will comply with the syariah. Such will reflect PAS intellectual renewal and a refreshing style of new politics.   

While YB Dr Dzul has reiterated that his statement is not to fish non-Muslim votes, it definitely has disquieted a number of people within PAS itself. The head of the PAS Youth wing, Nasrudin Hassan, was among the first to issue a lengthy explanation in his blog, critical of such a proposal. It is a statement deemed unnecessary, careless, void of truth and brought anew accusation that a faction within PAS is challenging the tradition of ulama leadership.

First of all, the PAS No. 2 position should not be brought to a position of disrepute as if it is a mere celebratory role. By invoking the thawabit (fixed) vs mutaghayyirat (interchangeable) rule, YB Dr Dzul has inadvertently posited that the deputy presidency role is not central to PAS’s Islamist tradition. Let us all be reminded that the deputy president will be the second-in-command of the largest Islamic movement in Southeast Asia. In case of the president’s absence, the No. 2 is expected to automatically assume presidential responsibility. This is Management 101 really. It will be beyond imagination that at such critical moment, no matter how brief it will be, that Muslims in Malaysia will be led by a non-Muslim.  

And it is utterly wrong to place the burden of check and balance onto the shoulders of the Majlis Syura alone. In Islam such a responsibility is shared by all and both the president and the deputy president are expected to lead the party’s bureaucracy to offer their own means of check and balance in the best tradition of Islam, iman and ihsan. I guess it will be politically wrong to argue much about a non-Muslim spiritual disconnection to the Islamic cause but I am sure many would prefer a deputy president whom one can point to the imam’s spot during a prayer congregation and whose doa we can confidently amen.   

I do not wish to comment within the post-Islamism context an issue brought to the fore by the PAS Policy Centre (which you led) through a forum late last year, because your thinking is post-Islamism essentially and this would mean a new level of debate altogether. But I do wish to point to the fiqh al-harakah you apply in reference to Egypt’s Ikhwan al-Muslimin to legitimise your argument. The Coptic Rafik Habib was elected within the Freedom & Justice Party (FJP), which has its own separate constitution, structure and objective from Ikhwan. To argue that Ikhwan has a non-Muslim deputy leader is simply a flawed contingent, unless you are suggesting that PAS should abandon its “Harakah Islamiyyah” roots, transform into a pure political institution ala FJP and thereby let others (?) assume the mantle of Islamic movement leadership in this country.

But I am sure that YB Dr’s statement is a mere rhetoric driven by a hypothetical thinking. Because one can infer that if PAS can have a non-Muslim deputy president, surely we can have a non-Muslim yang di-pertua kawasan (YDP), a non-Muslim vice-president and even a non-Muslim director of the Policy Study Centre. Or one may argue why stop at the deputy president? Why not have a non-Muslim president too since PAS has the unique Majlis Syura mechanism (which is actually non-executive in nature) to make sure the leadership is syariah compliant. Ironically, it does sound like a bank now.

Because above all the rhetoric, I am sure that YB Dr Dzul realises that Bab 7, Fasal 25 (2) of PAS constitution states that the deputy president must be a PAS member and PAS member according to Bab 4, Fasal 11(2) must be a Muslim. Surely as a self-proclaimed Islamist-democrat, you certainly want PAS members to unite on important issues such as Buku Jingga and Negara Berkebajikan agenda and not to create division just to prove your point that a non-Muslim can be PAS deputy leader especially now we are at Ambang PRU 13. While that would certainly be new politics, it’s definitely NOT smart politics, right? Arguing that such a move is in-line with Negara Berkebajikan is certainly not helping the party to properly explain its virtues now that your rhetoric has given ammunition to PAS mortal enemies.

But actually, we can all move pass the rhetoric to test your hypothesis. As an elected member of the central working committee and head of the party’s think-tank, YB Dr Dzul is at the best position to formally propose to the party hierarchy that the PAS deputy presidency can be contested by a non-Muslim. Surely then, we can see whether your hypothesis, that the party is ready to accept a non-Muslim deputy president will ring true or false.

People say Tan Sri Hassan Marican's appointment at Singapore Power is classic Malaysia brain drain problem. I say, "Tan Sri, spread your wings and go make Malaysia proud!"

Many of my friends say that Tan Sri Hassan Merican appointment’s as chairman of Singapore Power is an epitome of Malaysia’s brain drain problem especially in the back of World Bank warning of the increasingly severe brain drain problem in the country. I say, check carefully the World Bank’s definition and compare it with Tan Sri Hassan’s CVs. 


Brain drain is about migration (hints; permanent employment. emigration). In the good Tan Sri’s case, chairmanship is not exactly permanent employment especially that it is not an executive position (SP has a CEO position). I would argue that Tan Sri Hassan 's appointment it’s not an example of brain drain but a rare case of a global, towering Malaysian–Muslim–Malay. It should not be lamented but celebrated. He never actually left Malaysia. The last time I check, he is still involved with Sarawak’s SEB and SCORE, ECER, IMT-GT and god knows how many more local companies, charities and foundations that he’s in. Technically, his knowledge, competencies and know-who never really left the country. In the past, they were solely for Malaysia. Now he is sharing them with the world – with ConocoPhillips, with SembCorp etc. etc. etc. Please don’t bring Tan Sri Hassan’s name into this whole brain drain issue. I feel that when people (especially politicians) comment his SP appointment, it brought Tan Sri’s name into a disrepute. I think it just inappropriate to say that Tan Sri Hassan ply his trade in Singapore because Malaysia can't offer better opportunity or that he is sulking from his Petronas "ouster" that would probably put him in the mould of Mitt Romney or Nicholas Anelka. People who migrate has been/can be labelled as unpatriotic and Tan Sri Hassan is definitely not one! I say it is a crime to humanity to let talent like his remain stuck in this country.  Did you see the list of SP’s BoD and management team?; All are (probably) Chinese and his Muslim-Malay name stuck like a sore thumb! (sorry…playing the racial card a bit here).   

He left Petronas in a much-publicized spat with PM Najib. I am sure there were some truths in it though I feel in 20 years of service with Petronas, surely he had an even more serious spats with the PM institution. I feel that there is a combination of factors him leaving Petronas. And a big one would be the death of Tan Sri Azizan. The duo was perhaps THE best tag team in our corporate world (the honours now fell to Tony-Kamarudin) His untimely death must have made an impact to Tan Sri Hassan. Wallahualam.

Still, I think the World Bank report is another slap on the face to Talent Corp specifically. Stories from overseas describe their arrogance, incompetence and plain apathy to the needs of overseas Malaysian. (Who's advising them anyway? McKinsey, Hewitt?) But most importantly, I think Talent Corp’s business model itself is flawed. Instead of focusing to bringing back our talents, Talent Corp should focus on globalizing them. Instead of asking them to leave Sillicon Valley, the greatest IT hub in the world for MSC(!?), assist them to start projects in India, Singapore, London and Malaysia. In this case, we are bridging them to their roots but at the same time expanding their horizon. The game is no longer about Made in Malaysia. The world is flat….it should be about cloning more Tan Sri Hassans.

Tan Sri Hassan appointment though is interesting. Come to think about it, his board seat in SEB is perhaps part of his learning curve on the utilities sector to tackle the energy industry on the whole. Last year Petronas bought a 30% stake in GMR that hold retail electricity license in Singapore, their first dabbling into utilities. TNB 4^th Quarter loss RM493 million and the impending CEO Che Khalib retirement means that TNB is ripe for a major restructuring. Khazanah (fire)sale of its non-strategic investments and its under weight holdings in energy sector despite the immense potential means it is readying its coffers. Now that Tan Sri Hassan is chairing the corporate board of SP, he is now in the direct position to influence the company’s direction. And YTL is awfully quiet. Don’t forget San Miguel too with its Phillipines, Mahathir-clanship connection. So this is my bet; Khazanah (and Petronas), using its newfound friendship with the all-powerful Temasek will maneuver an ambitious plan to create Asean’s and most probably the world’s biggest utility company (TNB is already connecting power cables between Sumatera and Peninsular Malaysia). I am sure someone would have read the always brilliant Friedman’s piece predicting the coming of an energy crisis. So I am sure green technology will be the focus (a role for Lynas?). A cross merger of TNB-SP will of course create more polemic but the cards are in place. If you play the stock market, you should be closely watching all the utility players.         

The "two-state solution" should not be read as supporting Israel's security; Why Anwar's position is flawed and why a full retraction and an apology are due?

The field of international diplomacy and relations is known for its over-scrutiny of words to check for meaning, gap and intention. In that infamous AWSJ article, Anwar clearly use the word “security for Israel”, which he later argues must be read within the context of the “two-state solution”. In reality, security of Israel is never part of the “two-state solution” agenda. While Palestinian Authority (PA)/Arab League may recognize Israel as a state, Hamas at least, will never guarantee or place responsibility of Israel’s security onto the Palestinians-Arabs. Meaning that, even if Israel got recognized as a country, the state of violence might continue. While trying to defend his AWSJ interview, Anwar’s interpretation of “two-state solution” is still ideologically flawed. Dr. Nur Manuty audaciously claim that Anwar’s AWSJ statement is in line with Hamas’s position despite the press article on Hamas ‘s position contradicting both Anwar/Nur Manuty’s is actually posted on Anwar’s blog for everyone’s reading.  

At best, Anwar’s choice of words was bad. At worst, he is trying to pacify his Jewish friends in the West. He used the word “tricky” to describe the possibility of Malaysia having diplomatic relations with Israel as if formal relations between Malaysia and Israel is a possibility. Both words “security” and “tricky” are pacify agents, no matter how they are explained and rationalized. To pacify whom? Let’s leave that to the political pundits. But I honestly can’t see someone with Islamist background, say TG Haji Abdul Hadi Awang, using such words to explain his positions on Israel and Palestine. Anwar can accept the “two-state solution” if he wishes to but don’t go as far as supporting Israel’s security. Again, security of Israel is not part of Palestinian's "two-state solution". The Palestinians won’t go that far so why the need to say so? Equally important, don't go around the country influencing others to accept your stance on Israel's security!

The “two-state solution” viability is contingent on Zionist regime agreeing to demands that Palestinian refugees are allowed to return to their land and becoming full citizen of the Israel and that East Jurusalem is anointed as the head state of Palestine. Zionist position is to claim full control of East Jurusalem and declare Israel a “Jewish” state (thus making it impossible for Palestinian-Arabs to reclaim their land). In essence, the “two-state solution” is dead.   

Things have become more interesting; while it is publicized that Hamas leadership is open to the “two-state solution” using “1967 UN resolution” borders, PAS rejected the idea. It even hinted that Palestine’s cause is a responsibility of the greater Muslim Ummah thus should not be decided at the Pan-Arabia geo-political stage alone. From my (poor) memory, this is the first time that PAS has ever diverged formally and openly with its Islamist brethren if the Hamas report is to be true and this is indeed refreshing. This is not a matter of who’s right or wrong because even if PAS disagrees, I think their opposition to the “two-state solution” is academic. What really at stake is the future of Malaysia’s foreign policy.  Even if Israel got its prized recognition from PA/Arab League, PAS argues that Malaysia should not ever consider likewise and would just do by keeping the status quo. For PAS, the terrible religious, moral, legal and international wrongs committed by the Zionists are too much to bear that Malaysia should not ever, ever consider give its recognition to Israel, what’s more a formal relation, no matter what happens in Middle East.           

For PAS, there is no “tricky”. Just plain NO. Mabruk!

I seldom hit the newspapers nowadays. But a few days back, an article in The Star openly criticize Malaysia’s foreign policies and administration, even calling Wisma Putra a “black hole” for its ineffectiveness, incompetence and malaise. At a glance, the accusation looks true. Malaysia is no longer punching above its weight, the article said which I think is aptly described. It is a lengthy article, a rare open rebuke which unfortunately, I was too lazy to cut and safekeep. Even in Muslim affairs, despite being an OIC founding member, we have now let Turkey, Indonesia and Iran took leadership. I could only imagine the kind of sh*thole we have fallen into if we would ever consider to actually establish formal relations with Israel.   


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My study supervisor received an interesting explanation from Dr. Azzam with regards to Ismail Haniyeh's statement which have been widely quoted as Hamas's agreement to the "two-state solution". (Note : Prof Md. Nazari was one of Dr Azzam reviewers for his book on Hamas)


Ismail Haniyeh was actually commenting on Hamas's 'Hudna' (long-term truce) proposal based on the UN resolution of 1967 borders which would somehow create a "two-state situation". Ismail Haniyeh rejected a 'solution' because it will tantamount to a finality and a recognition of the Israel state which Hamas can never accept. The press accepted Hamas "two-state situation" explanation as THE "two-state solution" hence the confusion.


This explanation is definitely closer to Hamas general position and actually makes more sense. It also confirms that PAS policy remain in tandem with its Islamist counterpart and Anwar's AWSJ statement is neither aligned with Hamas nor the wishes of the Palestinians. 

How to break the little devil called the Writer's block?....some musings.

I (definitely) can’t say for everyone but being hit with writer’s block not only slows your research productivity, it’s also slowly killing your confidence as a fellow researcher (and a person too!). Here are some of the things I am experimenting that seems to be working:

1. Break all rituals

Change the scenery by choosing different locations to write. Move out from the room and get into libraries, kopitiams, mosques etc etc. A change in your surrounding can do wonders to your thinking and writing process.  

If you are used to stuffing foods to keep you going, try fasting for a change. A relaxed stomach can get you focused on the work at hand.

If you are used to all peace and quiet, perhaps a little bit of noise can push your writing a bit (or vice versa).  

2. Be clear…exceptionally clear…about what your article is all about!

Often the case, we are not clear about what we want to write. This is not an exercise of novel writing where you can just write and write (or type and type…); trust me, I know how it feels to write a novel since I am experienced of writing one! Writing a PhD article is extremely technical and this is no exaggeration. Try read the articles from the top ISI journals and you’ll appreciate the technical nature of academic writing better.  The best way to get around this is to start at the “Objective(s)” section of your article. Being clear about the objective in your mental model (aka mind) is perhaps only quarter of the battle. Until you are able to actually write, or type – the exact words that can exactly describe your thinking, you are no close to being clear about your article. A wise teacher once said to me…your intellect is only as good as the words that you know. How true!     

In my case, my writer’s block always seems to hit at the “Introduction” section. There is always that extra pressure to write a great opening punch line. I am realizing now that no matter how hard my “punches” will be, it will be hollow because at the end of the day, it will be irrelevant because as you type further and move from the introduction section to the body of content, a realization will hit you that your ideas are still fuzzy.   

A razor sharp objective will also keep you disciplined. As you type, new inspiration will surely come which can be overwhelming. If the same “new” inspiration keeps coming, perhaps there is some weakness in your “objective” statement (meaning that it is not clear enough!). One way of keeping this in check is to continue writing/typing though in my case, it can still be nuisance to the whole process. What I am finding out right now is that if your objective is clear, you have more confidence in pushing away these new inspirations or that being able to assimilate the ideas better into your writing.

3. Write, not just type

The PC era and the invention of notebooks have made writing a more pleasurable experience. What’s more if you are using one of those new shining, thin Macbook Airs. (Thanks Steve, you have certainly made typing more glamorous and even sexy). But all these hyper tools should not mean that you should put aside your boring, old school note book and definitely not a reason for you to actually stop thinking! So before you start typing, try to thrash out your thinking on some piece of paper. In fact, try to visualize your points, paragraphs and all on that paper before you actually type. In my case, I found writing the whole article on paper before typing as cumbersome and perhaps a bit counter productive. So I only write key sentences and words which I “will and must” use in my typed essay. It does help in giving clarity to my core arguments while speeding up my typing process.

I have a tablet (a Playbook actually). While its good for Angry Birds, it is still not good enough for content creation and this include writing. I am not sure what’s the case with iPad but I would most probably stick with the PC and notebook at the moment and wait until the tablet technology matures further to allow some heavy hitting typing.   

Doa

I am not proud to say that this is the least thing I am doing right now. A respected school senior once said to me many years ago, no matter how hard we study (I meant really, really hard) it accounts to only 1%. The 99% comes from Allah’s will. You can use the best notebook available, stay at the best library around or sit with some of the best minds around – all of these are futile without Allah’s will. We are not just mere social being of body and mind. There is also a spiritual aspect to ourselves that need to be addressed.   

I am deeply humbled by a piece of doa recitation placed at virtually all study  tables in the spanking new IIUM Kuantan library. Nothing beats the Arabic recitation but for the purpose of this blog perhaps a translation would suffice. It says; Dear God, give me Knowledge and instill in me Wisdom. Subhanallah!

In this modern age, secularists would argue that knowledge has become so easily accessible. But wisdom…ahh, you can’t buy that. And the experience is truly humbling – I have scoured the wikipedia, read top journals, business magazines and all but that one breakthrough idea that is to become the core subject in my articles remain elusive. That my dear friend is wisdom! So pray you must for it to come and when it does come, sujud syukur you do to celebrate.   

Honestly, this blog piece stands no more than being a reminder to myself than as an advice to others in breaking the writer’s block. That I need to remain committed to these experimental processes. And still, I am learning and experimenting. 

Melt in your mouth, not in your hands...seriously!!?

Remember National Laureate Prof. Shahnon Ahmad’s SHIT? Probably the same group of people defending the good ol Prof’s work then is now hurling grouses and curses to the UMNO men who sent the shit-like cakes.  In both cases, they are essentially “shitty” so why the double standard? In this holds-no-barred pre election run up, you can expect more of these kinds of political stunts. In a nutshell, it will be fun! It should be.

By now hundreds of blogs, tweets and fb messages are already up there in the cloud, commenting on the parallels of this incident and when Rasullulah SAW was spit at and splashed with filth. Perhaps soon, some people (very much learned but yet wise?) begin to rationalize Syed Ramadhan al-Buti’s Fiqh Sirah and start producing edicts of condemnation! Who am I to contradict such wisdom but I fear that we respond with such hate and anger because perhaps that is the easiest thing to do to be seen as heroic. 

I was reminded of a story - former Obama’s chief of staff Rahm Emmanuel, then a Clinton’s pol aide sending a dead fish to a certain Republican senator – stuff of legend! Too far fetched? Lest we forget TG Nik Abdul Aziz 1990’s election battle cry; bagi duit ambil, bagi gula kacau, bagi kain pakai…bila mengundi pangkoh Bulan. Such simplicity! Mere words were enough to neutralize the BN goodies juggernaut that was impossible to be matched by PAS.  In fact, coming from a respected spiritual guide, those words (they actually rhymed rather nicely too) provided comfort to people being unsure about actually using the free gifts for fear of corruption sin. They are gifts for God’s sake! Just take it! But then remember; don’t let it buy your choice.

Seriously, in today’s politics, I no longer see such clever responses. Everybody wants to become Umar al Khattab r.a.– tough, ferocious and super confident.  And people forget about the diplomatic Abu Bakr r.a, the enterprising Othman Affan, the intellectual Ali k.w, and the beautiful words of Zaid Tsabit r.a.  Instead of sword, we wield our Blackberrys and iPhones to launch our over-stimulated attacks. And those words can actually become much sharper than swords that the injury it caused is more difficult to heal. We may have been so ingrained into our political ideals and partisanship that it becomes almost impossible to share a good laugh with someone from the other side of the fence. The picture of LGE laughing with Mindef's Dato' Zahid at the LIMA 2011 event despite all the ho hum of political mudslinging and critical opinions is refreshing and perhaps confusing to some. It is refreshing that our pol leaders are actually good natured humans after all and it brought us to some level of realization that political fights should not hinder personal relationship. And if you are confused why they are patting each other's back instead of the expected sour face, you should not. Political differences must never stop us from reaching to the other side. To my Muslim friends, we must not forget the theological schism between Sunni and Syiah which brought hundred of years of fighting and killing actually started due to some political differences. Its a path we can't afford to take once again.        

It's the way we respond that will determine whether our conscience statement and sense of humor indeed have etched a special place in our country’s political stories and folklore that will be told and retold long into the future. Kudos to the Anti-Lynas group for their creative and resourceful approach to civil opposition. I may not entirely agree on their interpretation of the facts but their strategies and activities are refreshing, a far cry from the same old, same old shouting demonstrations that may have become an overused tool. So for the cakes, be certain there will be no M&M treatment. It will not going to melt in LGE’s hands what’s more his mouth! So instead of the so-serious, 'ol school' condemnations and letting the cakes go to waste as they are already subjects of publicity, why not feed it to the cows - a reminder to the public that the whole NFC thing is actually the REAL shit. Call the press and make sure The Malaysian Insider, The Rocket, Harakah, Suara Keadilan etc etc. are there as well to cover the event in case it will not go into the mainstream. More importantly, do it with a jest.

Amacam, ada berani?  

As to Prof. Shahnon, I pray for your good health and abundance of energy. SHIT II perhaps?   

The Malaysian Insider; Time To Write The Great Malaysia Historical Masterpiece

*This is my article published in The Malaysian Insider on Prof. Zainal Kling's "Tanah Melayu Tak Pernah Dijajah" statement

SEPT 20 — It is unfortunate that as we age as a nation and in the midst of celebrating our 54th year of Independence, we have become cynical about our past and less sure about our heritage truth. It all started with PAS Deputy President Mohamad Sabu’s controversial speech about the Bukit Kepong incident which later spilled over into a larger history debate. The latest polemic is, of course, on Prof. Zainal Kling’s statement, representing the History, Legacy and Sociocultural Cluster of National Professor Council, claiming that Tanah Melayu states were actually never colonised. It is a statement that has serious repercussions especially since it comes from the most prestigious academic body of the country. Apart from Deputy PM/Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin agreeing to a review of history textbooks, the rest of the government, including its media, are somewhat hesitant to comment further. The opposition, meanwhile, was quick to pounce. PAS revered spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat slammed Prof. Zainal as someone who had just woken up from a deep slumber. A police report was even made against the professor! And now MP YB Manoharan wants to change the national flag. How funny.

Watching the video clip of Prof. Zainal’s press conference, he made it clear that the Malayan states were indeed colonised. The points he raised ironically contradicted the grand statement he made during the opening of that same press conference; Malaya was occupied by Imperial Japan from 1942 to 1945. Then, the whole of Malaya was placed under British Military Administration from 1945 to 1946 and consequently, by the civilian government of Malayan Union from 1946 to 1948. He argues that Persekutuan Tanah Melayu succeeding the Malayan Union was not a subject of the Crown thus Malaya was no longer colonised after 1948. Whatever the arguments are on events prior to 1941 and after 1948, World War II has indeed turned the Malay states into a colonised nation! So it is rather amusing to see a seasoned academic so used to public speeches making such a sweeping statement only to be contradicted later by his own points. Perhaps a case of the mic being too hot to handle?

The public confusion may have come about for all sorts of different reasons. Apart from Prof. Zainal’s poor choice of words, we have been over-emphasising the early period of British involvement. Prior to 1941, the fact is that only three states – Penang, Malacca and Singapore — were placed under direct Crown rule while the rest were Protectorates (and not Colonies). While some may rightly argue that Protectorates were merely another form of colonisation, the terms used in the treaties signed between the Rulers and the British are there for us to see and the literal meaning of the terms suggests that the Malay states are not colonies. So to a certain extent, there is some truth to the argument that the Malay states were not colonised. (Prof. Khoo Khay Kim in fact brought up the same issue in a piece published in the New Straits Times newspaper a few years ago and he repeated this opinion again in a forum recently). But all these debates became academic when World War II broke out. It was a game-changing event on a global scale that should erase any doubt that the whole of Malaya, including those of unfederated Malay states, were colonised and placed under direct Japanese and British rule until 1948 (if we are to agree with Prof. Zainal’s version).

Even then, his version of events after 1948 is also debatable. Yes, the Malayan Union was indeed dissolved and the Federation was conceived. Besides stricter immigration and nationality rules, the return of selected powers to the Rulers, the controlling structure of the Malayan Union remains intact. The states were administered by chief ministers who hailed from the British elite: the High Commissioner Sir Henry Gurney, was an officer of the Crown and held executive powers on virtually all administrative matters. Of course, this is open to debate and the legitimacy of this (or any) opinion will ultimately depend on the evidence trail, international law interpretation and historical documents. But I do believe that Tunku Abdul Rahman’s declarations of Merdeka on August 31, 1957 had meaning and were not a mere act.

The press is also to blame. Online news portals, obviously the news source of this controversy, used the provocative headline that “Tanah Melayu Tidak Pernah Dijajah”. (But to be fair to the editors, those are the exact words used by Prof. Zainal.) And we mortal beings being too lazy to investigate further were quick to react. The famous Viktor E. Frankl once said that between stimulus and response there is space. And in that space lies our power to choose. In this case, we got over-stimulated and chose to respond incoherently.

Still Prof. Zainal’s main contention that we were never colonised for 400 years was supposed to be both inspiring and provocative. It is inspiring because we were actually a nation of free people for most of our written history. If this is to become our new truth, it is a truth that we should be proud of. The Thais are proud that their nation remained free and independent throughout the ages. Shouldn’t we be equally proud that our country for most of the time was actually free? It is also provocative because it tells that something is terribly wrong with our history curriculum (400 years vs. 10-15 years?). Perhaps less public is Tan Sri Prof Syed Naquib Alattas’s “History Fact and Fiction” book launch recently in UTM KL. While our history books have been telling us that Nusantara received Islam from the merchants and ulamas of Southwest Asia, Prof Syed Naquib offers evidence and explanation that the Nusantara’s dakwah message was in fact communicated directly from the Arabs, possibly from descendants of the noblest family of Prophet Muhammad saw and His Sahabah r.a. His speech that day brought an immediate response from Minister Dato’ Khaled Nordin who amid the blushes, admitted that our history books need to be reviewed. It is a hollow commitment since he is in charged of higher education and not our schools and their curriculum content (how I wish it is Muhyiddin that day who came). So instead of sensationally labelling Prof. Zainal as an Umno stooge or professor kangkung, we should at least thank him for pushing an alternative opinion that surely will not sit well with the politicians and bureaucrats in power. Now there is a valid reason, an opening created by NPC, to push for a total review of our history books and correct the misconceptions that have been taught for generations. And if the NPC’s argument stood true to the test of academic rigour, what the government did over the years is nothing short of a scandal. Heads must roll and they will. But the opposition’s response has been mixed and confusing at best.

As far as my reading is concerned, there is no statement saying that this issue will be raised in the Parliament. In fact, the message the opposition communicated to the public is that the Malay states were colonised as taught in the history books. Their rationale; If we are not, then what is to become to Mat Kilau, Tok Janggut and Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong? Whether we were colonised or not, the fact remains that British interventions were real and these national heroes were up against those interventions. Perhaps without them, we would have been truly colonised!

With all the hoo-hah that it has been created, the NPC cluster now has the moral and academic responsibility to publish and present its findings in an intellectual, open seminar. Better still, get it published in an ISI-ranked journal. If NPC suddenly has cold feet, the challenge should be taken up by either private academic institutions or college-universities under the Pakatan Rakyat states. But don’t let this issue die a natural death in the grind of the media spin cycle. Because if this fades away, it is an academic crime of national proportions. Perhaps the time has come to for us to follow in the great footsteps of Tun Sri Lanang and commit ourselves to the publication of a true, great Malaysian historical masterpiece.

* Eidit Hashim reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

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NST today reported that the Education Minister has met with members of committee appointed to review our history text books and curriculum. Below are the full article;

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today met members of the newly-formed special committee to study the History curriculum and textbooks for secondary school.

The committee, whose members were appointed today, is headed Malaysian Historical Society chairman Datuk Omar Mohd Hashim while the Dean of Universiti Teknologi Mara's Administrative Sciences and Policy Studies Faculty Datin Paduka Prof Dr Ramlah Adam is the deputy chairperson.

Other members of the committee are historian Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim of University of Malaya's (UM) Department of History; archaeologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Suhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Prof Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken of UM's Department of History; Prof Dr Ranjit Singh a/l Darshan Singh of Universiti Utara Malaysia's College of Law, Government and International Studies; Head of Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Department of History Associate Prof Dr Ismail Ali; Assistant Prof Dr Shamrahayu Abdul Aziz of International Islamic University Malaysia's Law Faculty; Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat who is the Deputy Dean of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's Social Sciences Faculty, and Dr Benedict Topin of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association. 

The meeting took place at the Education Ministry, here.

In a statement, the ministry said the committee was set up to help look into the content of secondary school's History curriculum and textbooks to ensure they were able to nurture patriotism and loyalty to the country among students and strengthen their identity as Malaysians.

Copyright © New Straits Times 2010

MAS - AirAsia CCF: A case of more then what Tony can chew?

The story behind MAS - AirAsia tie-up is unravelling fast into the most talked about corporate spectacle of 2011. 


For the detractors, their argument is classical and populist- a creation of monopoly that will not serve the best interest of the consumers. It is a valid concern but at this moment, should become the least of our worries. In fact, there are more urgent issues at stake that require in-depth deliberation. The forces of deregulation and regionalization/globalization for one will surely force airliners to keep price and network coverage in-check. Take the Jakarta-KL flight for instance - besides MAS/Garuda and Air Asia, there is also KLM that uses Boeing 757 for the route. On a comparable schedule, KLM price offers are at an average of only RM 80 premium then what is offered by AirAsia (and that with assigned seating, food and comfort of KLIA as well). Where AirAsia and MAS fail to provide adequate service to the liking of the marketplace, there will always be the likes of Tiger Airways, SIA,Thai etc. to pound at the opportunity. So for the consumerists, we should be on the look-out for at least two signals. On the more immediate front will be the liberalization of the KL-Sydney route currently monopolised by MAS. AirAsia X has loudly complained about the MAS advantage over the route and if they withdraw from this demand, it will prove that the MAS - AirAsia collusion is indeed bad for consumer. Since AirAsia X will be publicly traded soon, investors will be closely looking at its network expansion and they are bound to further encroach into MAS territory. To see them backing down from this demand will be dumbfounding and detrimental to AirAsia X business value. The second, more long-term signal will be the fate of Firefly. It is a counter strategy to AirAsia's low cost model. And the collaboration between MAS and AirAsia has made this counter strategy counter productive. The best way to advance consumer interest will be to spin-off Firefly into an independent entity (using management buy-out?) thus allowing the fledgling airline to unlock its value potential. The government has set up a special advisory panel headed by former PM Tun Abdullah Badawi. Since the panel tackles public interest, it has the moral obligation to make public its findings. Perhaps the idea of spinning-off Firefly should be explored by this panel. 


The greater worry is actually on the Malaysian airline industry itself, specifically on AirAsia being that rare example of successful Malaysian enterprise gone global. This deal has only amplified AirAsia's exposure to unnecessary risk considerably by tying its fate to the money-losing MAS. Now there is a valid concern that MAS losses are threatening to pull AirAsia along as well. Yes, the share swap deal involves no hard cash infusion at the moment but god forbid, at a certain point of time, TuneAir may have to channel AirAsia's profits to prop up MAS. Need we to remember that MAS has a history of undoing the strength of its owners in Tajudin and Naluri/TRI.  The issues facing the airline are more than enough to suck the energy out of its owners and divert focus that in the end not only saw Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli having to relinquish control of MAS, but also finally losing TRI-Celcom. History may again repeating itself, this time on TuneAir and AirAsia. 


Time is of essence. The plan if of course to execute a quick turnaround plan for MAS, something of which Tan Sri Tony Fernandez and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun are experts in doing. But MAS, unlike AirAsia, is a different beast to tame altogether. That speed advantage may have been blunted by several factors.


People-wise, MAS is one of the most unionized organization in Malaysia and the union has been involved in some very public spat with Tan Sri Tony a few years back regarding flight privillege to the AirAsia CEO. Tony himself considers the word union as a dirty five-letter word thus the all out effort to ensure AirAsia free of union intervention. While the response has been diplomatic so far, MASEU will be mindful of Tony and Kamarudin "brash" cost-leadership style and changes will not be as smooth sailing as it is in the more nimbler AirAsia. Of course, this issue will become more relevant if Tony decides to move into management. And he should. If they are concern about protecting TuneAir market value in the long-run, he better be more hands-on with MAS.

The benefit from bulk purchases will also not come as directly and as quickly to make a significant impact on MAS balance sheet. Central to the cost structure is the hardware of both airlines; MAS being largely a Boeing-based operation while AirAsia placing its faith wholeheartedly on Airbus meaning that areas such as parts, engineering, training - items listed in potential cost savings in the CCF are all dissimilar. In this kind of collaboration, to argue that achieving economies of scale is a standard goal but the two airlines will first need to navigate the complicated service level agreements (SLAs) and maintenance bulletins issued by principals before both airlines can actually share and exchange resources. This is a time-consuming process yet MAS business turnaround is urgent and investors patience is thin. Even if there is an extremely quick and huge potential to be reap in this aspect, surely both parties did not need a share swap agreement to realize this? A less complicated operational agreement will do. The expectation is to hard wire the collaboration within 6 months. It begins to look that they will need more.
    

And certainly, Tony & Co must have knew about MAS legacy issues involving Naluri and Tajudin. Bar Council throw in more caution into the wind by reminding the fact that board members would be liable to any arising legal problems. As newly appointed directors of MAS, Tony and Kamarudin are now made accountable to a certain extent. But on the other hand, their inclusion into the Board is a shrewd move by Khazanah/MAS. The F1 Lotus brand ownership and countless other issues have proven that both personalities do not shy away from a fight. Their presence will make MAS Board more combative, not so much about fending-off all the legal claims but perhaps more importantly, to challenge the government bureaucracy that is stifling MAS performance and operational flexibility in the first place. One of the issues plaguing Idris Jala's MAS Transformation Plan is the reluctance of DCA and the relevant ministries to let MAS operates closer to market demand which involves restructuring of unprofitable routes and rescheduling of flights. We can certainly expect more confrontation between the new MAS and the bureaucrats in this near future as MAS seeks deeper cost cuts.   

But the deal is speedy indeed, which brought our attention to the CIMB connection. They have a former executive and current Group chairman sitting in the board of Khazanah. In fact, Tan Sri Md. Nor Yusof is the Khazanah's signatory to the deal. And surely the Tun Abdul Razak clan-ship does play a role. In the high world of finance where connection is everything, non-CIMB bankers are sure green with envy. But let us put aside any claim of favouritism, cronyism or insider trading for a moment and examine CIMB's level of involvement and accountability in this deal. 


To push for a merger between Golden Hope, Guthrie and Sime Darby, CIMB took the unconventional approach by setting-up Synergy Drive to move the deal. It is an arrangement where for the first time a merchant bank, with the full backing of the government, is initiating a merger of government-linked enterprises. Such underlies CIMB aggressiveness in deal-making. So given Tony's comment lamenting the speed of things, it is plausible this deal is initiated by CIMB. And if this arrangement proves to be a bad deal for Malaysia Inc, will CIMB take responsibility? Could they be making a bad advice to TuneAir, taking advantage of Tan Sri Tony's penchant for deal making at the expense of TuneAir-AirAsia long-term corporate health for a quick profit on transaction commission? But then of course, these are big ifs. 


Still, this whole deal is about saving a Malaysian icon. While everybody is entitled to raise their concern, let us also not forget to wish Tan Sri Tony and Datuk Kamarudin, our Malaysian-bred aviators the best of luck as well. If they are successful, we can be proud and relieved that our 'Wau' can continue to fly high.