All pain, no gain: Kelantan folks are very hardworking but the state remains the poorest in the country.

Kelantan is clearly a failed state and its PAS government doesn’t have a clue how to uplift the standard of living of the people there. They certainly deserve better.

IT is bizarre to hear PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang dismiss the present system of government as a failure.

The real failure is Kelantan which his party has ruled for the last 22 years. It is a failed state and the PAS state government doesn’t have a clue, nor does it care, how it is going to uplift the standard of living of the people there. I guess Hadi doesn’t care because the Islamist party gets voted in again and again.

Speaking at the recent party general assembly, he said although present systems such as democracy, socialism and capitalism have borrowed some elements from Islam, they do not take “faith, sin and blessings” into consideration.

The hardliner PAS politician said: “We intend to take a new approach to revive what was implemented by Islam 1,400 years ago.”

No one, regardless of their faith and political allegiance, will argue that God’s law is perfect but we know those claiming to speak on God’s behalf are mere mortals with plenty of flaws.

These are the politicians invoking God’s name and worse, for some, they begin to think they are God – and here I am talking generally, with no reference to any one party.

We have all experienced, in all kinds of religions, how those who use religion to exert their authority often have little tolerance for dissent.

Critics are often dismissed, if not punished, for giving their views.

They are deemed to lack the expertise to question these leaders. In the case of minorities, they simply are not entitled to even speak.

What is taking place in Kelantan is a pity because the people of Kelantan are the most hardworking lot.

I have plenty of friends from that state since my student days in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia who have been truly successful in their careers. But it’s the same story – they have abandoned Kelantan and are working in Kuala Lumpur.

If Kelantan is the PAS model of a successful administration system, then there must be something fundamentally wrong with the party because of its failures in many areas that they do not talk much about.

Behind the puritanical environment imposed by the PAS state government, it is a sad fact that women top the list of those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, as compared to those in other states.

According to one news report, their affliction has been attributed to their spouses or boyfriends often making “pleasure” trips to Thailand.

The promiscuous lifestyle of those men was a main factor for indirect exposure of HIV/AIDS to the women, Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) president Datuk Mohd Zaman Khan was quoted as saying. The state also remains consistently the one with the highest number of AIDS cases.

Take for instance in 2010, the number of Kelantanese diagnosed with HIV was 28.2 people for every 100,000 population. The national ratio then was 12.9 people for every 100,000 population.

And in 2009, a total of 616 HIV/AIDs cases were detected of which 16% were women. Of the figure, 40% were housewives.

In 2014, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi said Kelantan also recorded the highest rate of methamphetamine distribution in the country.

The state also is also among the top ranked for rape – and yes, we know the standard accusation by PAS leaders – that the cause of such crimes is due to the victims being “indecently dressed.”

Yet, we all know that most of these rapes in rural areas involved known perpetrators, including relatives. And in a rural setting, it is ridiculous to suggest these victims would be sexily attired.

The late Kelantan PAS Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat may be a respectable religious teacher but he would also be remembered as saying that girls who did not cover their aurat (flesh that should remain covered) deserved to get raped.

The PAS answer to crime in the state seems to be to just increase punishments – it has never bothered to find out the root causes for the offences. Perhaps, PAS does not want to know.

Other states, without the social oppression, do not seem to have the kind of problems faced in Kelantan. At least, not as prevalent as Kelantan.

But the saddest crime are actually being committed by the PAS leaders – how can they explain why Kelantan remains the poorest state in the peninsula?

The average household income in Kelantan today is the lowest in Malaysia and is about a third of a household in Kuala Lumpur.

That’s not all. Kelantan reportedly has the highest infant mortality rate in the country. It has been reported that the risk of a newborn child in Kelantan dying before reaching age five is twice that of a child in Kuala Lumpur.

By very conservative estimates, 15% of children in Kelantan live in poverty while at least 7% are under-nourished, it is said.

The people of Kelantan deserve better. For decades, they have placed their faith in a party that supposedly has the best answers, but the reality is that they cannot rule a state in a modern society with its myriad of complex issues.

A properly run modern state must have leaders with strong training and expertise in business, economics, finance and management.

It is obvious PAS has none. In fact, at its recent general assembly, there was zero discussion on the economy, and the perception is they have little knowledge, if not, no interest to the issues affecting Malaysia and the world.

Has the gender segregation, lit up cinemas, ban on Malay culture with supposedly Hindu influences, summons on tight clothing and fines on unisex hair salons helped? You figure it out rationally.

Do the ex-PAS leaders in Parti Amanah Negara, or those aspiring to join the new party, make any difference? None at all. They are the same guys pushing for hudud to be implemented when they were in PAS and it is well documented in the media.

We should know better than to trust theologians wanting to be politicians and politicians aspiring to be theologians. The people in Kelantan deserve better.

Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin

WE need to have some sense of decency in Malaysian politics. It has reached a point where profanity, rants and shocking wishes have become almost a daily norm, especially on social media. For sure, it is a reflection of our messed-up psyche.

It is perfectly normal in a democracy or dictatorial society to hate our politicians even though they may think they are much loved, thanks to their hangers-on who will tell them just that.

The large crowds that greet our leaders at each event can sometimes lead to a delusion of grandeur. Yet no political hanger-on would want to tell his puffed-up leader that the numbers may not be a genuine reflection of strength or popularity.

Pouring scorn on democratically elected politicians is one thing, but we have certainly gone past the point of decency when some of us can even “rejoice” over tragic personal events that involve them.

For example, take those who made insensitive remarks on the tragic death of the son-in-law of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or those who wish for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be the victim of a helicopter crash.

What’s wrong with these people? Have some of us become so shamefully insensitive or inhumane that we rub our hands in delight when such tragedies take place?

Politicians are players and they know the game can be rough and even unforgiving but any properly brought-up person, regardless of his race or religion, would never wish for misfortune to befall another person.

In the case of the late son-in-law of the Deputy Prime Minister, who passed away during dental surgery, he was not even a politician.

It is incredible that some can be emotionally charged, or more precisely mentally deranged, that they continue to justify and defend their uncouth and stone-hearted wishes even after being condemned for their remarks.

These recalcitrants simply cannot see their wrongs and arrogantly continue to gloat maliciously with more hurtful words. They need psychiatric help, really.

There’s a German word for people with such a disorder and it is called schadenfreude. The word describes people who derive pleasure from the misfortunes of others. Essentially, clinical studies have shown that such diabolical people often have low self-esteem, among others.

It also doesn’t help that in Malaysia, the rebuttals against such people are badly articulated. Given our inability to debate intelligently, race and religion always creep into the argument from both sides. Yes, argument, not discourse because civil debate is not a norm here. Certainly, two wrongs do not make a right.

Last week, Perak Amanah deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Nizar Jamaluddin did the right thing when he apologised to the family of the late Kuala Kangsar incumbent for reportedly stating that the by-election was “divine retribution” for Barisan Nasional’s hand in overthrowing the Perak government in 2009.

“In the spirit of Ramadan Al-Mubarak, I who am also a father and husband offer my hand and humble unreserved apology to the wife, children and family members of the deceased (Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad) as well as to the divisions, state and central party leaderships.

“My unreserved apology is a token of my sincere and deepest sympathy for what God had decreed to befall his family,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

But Nizar should have just come clean. There was absolutely no need for him to claim that his statement was taken outside the context of his speech by “inaccurate or misreporting on social and print media until causing hurt, insult or any feelings of unease to all concerned”.

Blaming the press is always the easiest way out for cowardly politicians. Nizar should have taken it like a man and admitted that it was the result of his loose mouth.

Prior to that, Umno Youth member Syed Rosli Jamalullail also found himself in a bad light when he used profanity to express dissatisfaction with the party leadership’s decision to nominate Wan Mohammad Khair-il’s widow, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid, to contest the Kuala Kangsar seat.

In 2013, Wan Mohammad Khair-il was elected by a majority of 1,082 votes against a PAS and an independent candidate.

Syed Rosli found himself under heavy criticism for his obscene words against Mastura because the latter is a woman and an elderly person. His choice of words was certainly unacceptable in our Malaysian culture.

He, too, later apologised and admitted his mistake, claiming he did so in a fit of anger and disappointment over Umno’s choice. But the apology sounded hollow as it was said in a defiant tone.

But who can blame the party members if they are simply following in the footsteps of their leaders, especially the lower – and middle – ranking ones who make the uttering of profanity their standard campaign style?

The worst must be DAP’s Hiew Kuan Yao, who has earned a reputation for the shameful use of profanity at his ceramahs. He is a national disgrace to Malaysian politics.

Those who understand Chinese should just do a quick Google search to see the kind of crude and lewd words he uses, which are totally unacceptable.

He is no different from the bottom pile of a few Umno activists who see themselves as communal champions with their racist remarks.

We don’t have to be religious or pretend to look pious to know that it is not right to hurt others or wish misfortune on them, no matter how much we dislike a person or his political beliefs. That’s immature politics.

NOT many non-Muslims are going to be convinced by the explanation of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang that his Private Member’s Bill is merely intended to uplift the status of the Syariah laws, and not to implement hudud.

The fiery hardliner explained, “It is just to give the Syariah courts enhanced punishment. From six strokes of caning to a few more, depending on the offences.”

Under Malaysia’s legal system, the Syariah courts are empowered to only mete out punishment not exceeding three years’ jail, a RM5,000 fine, or six strokes of the rotan for certain offences, what is commonly referred to as the 3-5-6 maximum punishments.

Let us be clear about how Hadi has consistently articulated the Islamist party’s agenda, which is to set up an Islamic state and to implement hudud.

And amid his attempts to explain what the Bill is all about on one side of the country, when he went back to the east coast to open the 62nd PAS Muktamar in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan on Thursday, the message remained the same.

Speaking to reporters after the opening, he said PAS insists that Malaysia must be governed according to Islam because the present system has failed.

“We intend to take a new approach to revive what was implemented by Islam 1,400 years ago,” he said.

He added that although present systems such as democracy, socialism and capitalism have borrowed some elements from Islam, they do not take “faith, sin and blessings” into consideration.

“This is what happens when you separate Islam from politics.

“People will choose to do whatever they want because there is no concept of sin and blessings,” he said.

We should not be surprised.

From gender segregation to banning Malay culture deemed to be unIslamic, such as wayang kulit, and making it compulsory for lights to be switched on in cinemas, this is not the kind of Middle Eastern lifestyle that many Malaysians, including Muslims, would want. Even unisex hair salons operated by non-Muslims have seen harassment when female stylists dealt with male clients.

Kelantan is the PAS model of what Malaysia would be like if it comes to power or is part of the ruling government.

Moderate Malaysians, in general, do not have faith in PAS. But thanks to the DAP and its blind political ambition, it helped PAS get the votes in the 2013 general election. The consequences have been disastrous.

Now, it appears to be a matter of political expediency again as Umno and PAS work on the Malay votes, seemingly having given up on Chinese voters.

In March last year, Kelantan PAS assemblyman Hasan Muhammad went on record to say the implementation of hudud is the party’s aim.

He said Kelantan is trying to emulate the success of Zampara, a province in Nigeria whose hudud laws inspired nine other provinces to follow.

“Kelantan wants to be like Zampara. Maybe hudud can start in Kelantan and later other states would follow,” he said while debating the amendments to the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment 1993 in the state legislative assembly.

In 2015, Hadi declared that he is adamant about implementing hudud in Kelantan, saying there was no compromise over implementing hudud.

He has consistently used the word “hudud” and a Google of his statements would verify that. He has never sought the press to correct the usage of the word “hudud” and so we will not buy the sugar-coated line that it is “to uplift the status of the Syariah law.”

It is clear that PAS is looking for the little window to pursue its ambition. Its continuous argument is that the Bill will not affect non-Muslims, and it is not hudud but merely to enhance Syariah punishment. It is alarming to non-Muslims because what PAS has been saying is now being repeated by Umno leaders.

It is simply logical that in a plural society there will be crimes involving Muslims and non-Muslims. How can anyone say, and for that matter actually believe, that it won’t affect non-Muslims? Instead of superficial replies, non-Muslims want to know if a criminal is Muslim and the victim is non-Muslim, can the aggressor opt for Syariah law, which could possibly put the non-Muslim victim or even the police or prosecution in a disadvantaged position?

PAS has also started to put down critics of the Bill by labelling them “anti-Islam” – it’s the easiest way of refusing to enter into a discourse, invoking God’s name under its interpretation and brand of Islam. This is the party that has declared the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as haram.

There cannot be two sets of criminal laws in Malaysia – the Syariah and civil laws – as it would give rise to Constitutional complications such as equality before the law but worst of all, it will lead to greater disunity and enmity between Muslims and non-Muslims, as senior lawyer Jaharberdeen Mohamed Yunoss rightly put.

It is disturbing that an opposition party – which is contesting against the Barisan Nasional, notably Umno, in two by-elections – seems to calling the shots in this issue.

Political consideration is too risky a matter to play with PAS, or some would say, seemingly to please PAS. The timing of the tabling of the motion, just before the party general assembly, has helped the Islamist party chief’s image a great deal.

Once the door is opened, there is no turning back. We will see Terengganu and Kedah, states where PAS is strong, following soon.

Let us remind ourselves that the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman; the second PM, Tun Razak; the third PM, Tun Hussein Onn, and even the fourth, Tun Dr Mahathir (for the first 20 years as PM) had publicly championed and defended the Merdeka compact of Malaysia as a secular democracy with Islam as the official religion.

We would also like to remind Hadi that there is no merit to any argument that says just because the majority of the population of a country is Muslim, the country must become an Islamic State.

There are plenty of countries in the world with Muslim majorities which are not Islamic States. Look at Indonesia, the country with the largest number of Muslims: It is not an Islamic State. In fact, Islamist parties do badly at its polls.

The Indonesians are not afraid to snub these politician-theologians, fending off the attempt by such politicians who use religion to strengthen themselves.

Aceh is the only province where Syariah laws are enforced and it is well documented how its moral guardian operates.

Don’t let Hadi have his way. No one should be afraid to reject the Bill. Don’t let politics get in the way. Sanity must prevail.

The tabling of the Private Member’s Bill in Parliament by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

THREE issues that have surfaced over the past week have terribly disturbed me and I am sure many Malaysians who are rational, reasonable and fair-minded feel the same way. More than that, these actions are slowly eroding the Malaysia that we know.

Minister in charge of Islamic Affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom told Parliament that unilateral conversions are lawful and gua­ranteed under the Federal Constitution.

This writer does not know if Jamil understood what he was reading out, which was presumably prepared by an official, or if he had referred to the Cabinet papers or read up on the Federal Constitution.

There is a 2009 Cabinet directive on uni­lateral conversion and early this year, a five-member Cabinet committee on unilateral conversion also decided that no child can be converted to another religion without the consent of both parents.

The 2009 Cabinet directive also stipulated that children must follow the practised religion of the parents at the time of marriage in the event that one of them converts.

Surely Jamil must be aware of the committee because he is also a member. Among the others in the panel are Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.

The other members of the committee are Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, de facto law minister Nancy Shukri, and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

Jamil and his officials cannot read the Federal Constitution – specifically the provision for conversion – in isolation.

The argument of the singular meaning for “parent” does not hold water as the Interpretation Act 1948 & 1967 clearly indicates otherwise; the term “parent” in Article 12 (4) must necessarily mean both the father and mother.

To construe otherwise would mean depriving, for example, a mother of her rights as a parent to choose the religion of her infant under Article 12 (4), if the father alone decides. In simple English, the Interpretation Act stipulates “parent” to mean plural, not singular.

The Interpretation Acts of 1948 and 1967, which generally apply to all Acts of Parliament, state that words in the singular shall include the plural. Therefore, the Constitution ought to be interpreted in like manner.

Jamil should also put himself in the shoes of other Malaysians, especially non-Muslims. He may be in charge of Islamic Affairs but he is also a leader of all Malaysians.

I don’t think Jamil will be a happy man if his spouse makes a decision without telling him, and we are not even talking about religious issues.

Lest we forget, the Federal Court has ruled that Hindu mother M. Indira Gandhi is allowed to challenge the validity of the unilateral conversion of her three children by her Muslim-convert ex-husband Muhammad Riduan.

The ruling is the culmination of the interfaith custody battle between Indira and Muhammad Riduan that began in 2009. They were married as Hindus and today, no one has been able to trace the whereabouts of Muhammad Riduan (formerly K. Pathmanathan), who had converted the couple’s three children – then aged 12, 11 and 11 months – to Islam without their presence or Indira’s knowledge, just six days before he obtained a custody order for all three in the Syariah Court on April 8, 2009.

Another big surprise last week was the Government’s decision to allow PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to table a Private Member’s Bill in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.

On Thursday, it was at the bottom of the day’s agenda but it was prioritised by two Federal Ministers. It came as a surprise because PAS has brought the Private Member’s Bill four times since 1995, and has never succeeded. On Thurday, Hadi got this first step.

We can be sure that Hadi will repeat his mantra that the Bill only seeks to empower the Syariah Courts and it only involves Muslims.

When tabling the Bill, he said it seeks to amend Section 2 of the Act to state that the Syariah Courts will have jurisdiction over Muslims, and in the case of offences on matters listed in Item 1 of the State List under the Ninth Schedule of Federal Laws.

He said it is also to include Section 2A, which states that in the conduct of criminal law under Section 2A, the Syariah Courts have the right to impose penalties allowed by Syariah laws related to offences listed in the said section, in addition to the death penalty.

What Hadi is pushing for is unacceptable. We live in a plural society. Those who argue that the Syariah law is only for Muslims may have missed this point – can anyone in Malaysia guarantee that crimes would only involve Muslim criminals and victims?

Many kinds of criminal acts affect non-Muslims, including rape. If we follow what Hadi is preaching – we will have to find four male witnesses of repute to testify in a rape case. Women witnesses are not accepted and we wonder where we are going to find four men of good reputation in relation to a rape case.

If non-Muslims already find that judges in civil courts are reluctant to adopt a firm stand on the civil rights of the aggrieved non-Muslim party, we wonder how the Syariah Courts can defend the interest of non-Muslims.

There cannot be a parallel criminal justice system with Muslims and non-Muslims subjected to two different laws. This is not about Islam, as advocated by Hadi and PAS, but simple common sense. But of course, common sense is not that common in PAS but we hope there will be a sense of fair play from Umno, and not the agenda dictated by the likes of Jamil. Sometimes we wonder if Jamil is really from Umno or PAS.

The third disappointment must be a speech made by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob, the controversial Rural and Regional Development Minister, who is well known for his communal remarks.

Last week, he reminded his listeners that Malays must unite to prevent non-Muslims from becoming Prime Minister because the Federal Constitution is silent on the racial origin of the top boss.

First of all, I cannot imagine any non-Malay aspiring to be the PM because, accept it, realistically it is not going to happen in my lifetime. It took 200 years in the United States for a black man to become president, even when the whites and blacks are mainly Christians and speak English.

But it is sad that in this age and time, Ismail is still looking inward and seeing things through his racist lens. Surely, he must have applauded when a Muslim became the first mayor of London, and for that matter, the first mayor in a big Western city.

Even in Jakarta, the capital of the world’s largest Muslim country, a Christian Chinese has been voted in as the city’s governor.

The non-Malays, especially the Chinese, are aware of their position as a minority in Malaysia. Politicians like Ismail should stop using phrases like “they” and “us” in his speeches, because we are all Malaysians.

What he has said serves little purpose, except to hurt feelings unnecessarily. A true mature Malaysian leader will talk about the strength of all Malaysians, regardless of their race and religion, coming together and not going separate ways.

As one lawyer put it aptly in his article, Malaysia is represented by at least 45% of the population who have faiths other than Islam. The important question one needs to address is the line between maintaining social stability and securing individual rights of religious practice and freedom of religion.

He further added, “this needs to be re-evaluated – where the politicisation of the Muslim rights over the non-Muslim citizens and fear mongering has had considerable effect in defining the parameters of the fundamental rights afforded to the citizen by the Constitution.”

Three months from now, Malaysia will celebrate its National Day. As we replay the old visual of Tunku Abdul Rahman raising his hand at Stadium Merdeka, let us not forget that the Alliance created Malaysia as a secular democracy.

Tunku would have been horrified at the thought of what Hadi and his PAS theolo­gians want to do with Malaysia.

He would have also reminded a few Umno leaders, who have no sense of history, that our Independence was made possible because of the unity of Umno, MCA and MIC, and that without Sabah and Sarawak, there would be no Malaysia.

So please think carefully of the hearts and minds of the rest of Malaysians who do not live in Kelantan and do not want to see Malaysia turned into an Islamic State. Let not the first brick be laid.

No confusion here: The shrine at Armenian Park is located at an obsure corner and left to the care of believers.

Being Malaysian is all about being surrounded by those who are different from us in terms of colour, creed and upbringing. And this is something we are proud of.

IT won’t be wrong to say that most Muslims who have lived near the heritage area of Armenian Street in Penang have never become religiously confused over the presence of a Chinese tokong shrine in the vicinity’s park.

After all, it has been there for the last 70 years, tucked inauspiciously at a far end of the park. But going by what Penang Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid had said, this shrine must be right in the middle of the park to generate such controversy.

Speaking at the Penang State Assembly meeting recently, the Umno state legislator reportedly said she was sure that Muslims would not pray there but “some Muslims may be confused.”

Oh, please! Most Penangites believe that our Muslim brothers and sisters have solid faith in their religion and for sure, they won’t be confused. The only one who seems confused is Jahara herself.

Muslims in Penang are the most exposed to other cultures and faiths, I dare say, unlike those from other states that are less ethnically mixed than Penang. It is also by far the most cosmopolitan state historically.

It is bizarre that Jahara raised the subject as no other state under the Barisan Nasional, or specifically Umno, has taken a hard stance on the presence of such shrines which can be found all over the country. Quite frankly, it made her appear to be insensitive to the diversity of the people in this land.

It is for sure not representative of Umno and it won’t be wrong to say that Jahara was speaking for herself. In fact, the other Umno assemblymen did not express support for her ludicrous remarks, which have also put her fellow Barisan component members in an awkward position.

There is no shortage of issues in Penang that she could have picked up to score points. These are issues which affect all Penangites regardless of race and religion.

The only “Tokong” she has to pick on is Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, as he is cynically called for what appears to be his dictating ways, and certainly not the tokong shrine.

Most non-Muslims, especially Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus and Christians, do not have any issue with such shrines. They understand that these shrines often spring up at construction sites and near office blocks or hotels to placate the spirits nearby.

Look, you may not believe it but no one is going to argue with anyone who wants to believe something. These little shrines are often located in some obscure corner and left to the care of the believers.

It’s a case of live and let live. It has been like this for a long time. These shrines have been around before independence – for sure, even before Jahara was born.

It is peculiar only to Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Indonesia, particularly Semarang, which has a large Chinese community.

The local guardian spirits are called Datuk Kong, with strong Malay influence, and some shrines are revered because they are set up near unusual rock formations, huge ant hills, a snake’s nesting ground, or a huge banyan tree. Some shrines also include deities, usually when the believers are from the Taoist background.

In fact, there is a huge shrine in Klang town which even has a big dome-shaped roof and crescent moon motifs. It is painted yellow, which is regarded as the royal colour.

There are plenty of academic studies on this subject by local scholars and no one has raised a ruckus, as far as I can recall, because it is well entrenched that such practices are forbidden in Islam. It is very clear and no one is confused.

It is confined only to the Chinese who took up this practice, a fusion of their Confucianist-Taoist beliefs and their respect for Malay figures and early beliefs, which led to the creation of such shrines all over the country when they arrived as immigrants.

As a child growing up in Kampung Melayu in Penang, I would be reminded by my mother to put my hands together, as in prayer, when I had to urinate at the nearby river and bushes. My mum, a nyonya, burned kemenyan (incense) most evenings. For sure, it kept the mosquitoes away.

I have had my share of experiences visiting shrines which had words written in jawi all over them and listening to stories of purported powerful datuks – and we made sure we refrained from consuming pork when we, as Boy Scouts, visited some islands where these guardians are said to roam. Of course, we respected the belief.

This has made Malaysia interesting. Of course, we can live with these mystical stories, especially when we are on jungle or sea trips. In the end, it is actually more about respecting nature.

As Penangites, we are proud that religious tolerance is alive here. In fact, we detest bigoted politicians who think they can play the racial or religious card to score political points. It is simply unacceptable.

Instead of spewing racist remarks, politicians should organise walks to places of worship, especially down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, commonly known as Harmony Street because of its four ancient houses of worship, ancestral halls and shrines. That’s what the moderates have done.

There is the St George’s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

Apart from Penang, there is also Jalan Tun Sambanthan in Brickfields and Jalan Tokong Besi in Malacca where temples, churches and mosques share the same street.

Thanks to some incredibly stupid politicians and preachers, including foreigners, some of us have been made to believe that one can be instantly converted if they walk into a place of worship other than those of their own faith.

So, the idea of studying and understanding other religions is frowned upon as prejudice grows more deeply rooted and interaction with people of other faiths becomes limited. That’s how religious extremism grows and if we are not careful, we could end up walking the wrong way.

I continue to tell people that I benefitted from taking the compulsory Islamic Studies course as a student in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. It gave me a good understanding of Islam and I have continued to add more books on Islam to my library. As a Christian, I have certainly not become confused despite reading many books on Islam.

Likewise, no one should be worried about reading books of other faiths. Let’s focus on the commonalities and goodness of all religions, and stop harping on how our faith is more superior than others.

Just be mindful that we want to be a better person who is God-fearing, compassionate and tolerant. It’s the heart and mind that matter the most. We don’t have to show or declare to the world how religious and pious we are.

Malaysians must be brave enough to tell off such political and religious figures. Keeping silent is not an option.

We are a secular and liberal country. It is vital for national leaders to make clear to voters at the next campaign trail that theirs is a moderate party. The Sarawak polls has taught us that.

THE opposition could not get their act together in the Sarawak elections and the result was that the Barisan Nasional won by a massive landslide.

In a nutshell, the Opposition got walloped. The DAP lost five of their seats, a clear indicator that the urban Chinese votes, their traditional stronghold, had swung back to the Barisan. As for PKR and PAS, they got clobbered.

In some areas where the DAP and PKR took on each other, even their combined votes were far off those garnered by the Barisan Nasional.

As for PAS, it is a wonder that they even want to contest in Sarawak, where the Islamist party sticks out like a sore thumb.

The results have gone through enough analysis by various commentators but the bottom line is that the electorate cannot be expected to cast their votes for the opposition if they are busy killing off each other.

One video clip that has gone viral has foul-mouthed DAP politician Hew Kuan Yau, in his race-laced speech, telling voters to reject PKR, and in the same breath he also called for the people of Batu Kitang to vote for DAP candidate Abdul Aziz Isa so that Aziz could screw the Malay people.

No matter how the DAP leaders try to explain Hew’s behaviour, the damage has been done.

In Penang, the state government has its hands full trying to control the five assemblymen – four from PKR and one from DAP – from staging a revolt.

Not many want to hear this in urban Malaysia but the opposition isn’t in very good shape at the moment.

Sarawak is already yesterday’s news. Let’s look at the two by-elections that are coming up, namely Sungai Besar in Selangor and Kuala Kangsar in Perak.

The Election Commission has fixed June 18 for the two by-elections, which means that campaigning would be carried out during the fasting period. Nomination is on June 5.

The polls are being called after the MPs died in a helicopter crash on May 5 during the Sarawak elections campaign trail. Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad were the victims.

In the 2013 general election, the Sungai Besar seat was won by Noriah with 18,695 votes, only 399 more than PAS’ Mohamed Salleh M. Husin.

Kuala Kangsar was secured with a bigger 1,082 vote majority from Barisan’s Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar, who also went up against a PAS candidate.

Last week, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) senior leader Khalid Samad hinted that the forthcoming Sungai Besar by-election may see a three-cornered clash, with Pakatan Harapan joining in the projected PAS-BN clash.

Khalid said there is a chance that Harapan would put in a candidate, either from PKR, DAP or his own party Amanah, but we know the DAP is out of the running as this is a Malay majority area. The 42,837 electorate comprises 66% Malays, 31% Chinese and 2% Indians.

In 2008, Noriah won in Sungai Besar with 16,069 votes while her opponent from PAS, Osman Sabran obtained 11,060 votes.

Noriah’s majority that year was 5,009, in a constituency which consisted of 67.90% Malays, 30.3% Chinese and 1.78% Indians.

The Chinese votes are crucial this time but if PAS hopes to secure the community’s votes, they can forget it. Neither will the DAP help PAS as their relationship has ended. If Amanah or PKR is to be fielded, it would mean a minimum of a three-cornered fight.

The consolation for the Pakatan Harapan is that the DAP stronghold of Sekinchan is nestled in Sungai Besar and the Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Yunos isn’t the most popular man with the Chinese community.

His participation in racist-toned protests hasn’t been forgotten and he must have realised his foolishness by now. Reports that he recently adopted a Chinese boy have been met with cynicism because of his track record.

He has to try harder. Maintaining a low profile and leaving the work to Wanita Umno which is likely to field its candidate would be much more strategic.

The opposition vote is as good as split, a lower voter turnout would be expected and in the end it would reinforce the perception that the opposition is not fit to rule Malaysia.

In the case of Kuala Kangsar, the constituency used to be the stronghold of former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. In the 2008 polls, she retained her seat against PAS with a majority of 1,458.

Rafidah, who was contesting in her last general election that year received 10,735 votes while her opponent, Dr Khairuddin Abdul Malik of PAS garnered 9,277.

Kuala Kangsar then had 66.3% Malays, 25.99% Chinese and 7.39% Indians.

In 2013, the late Wan Mohd Khairil won by a smaller majority of 1,082, polling 14,218 votes ahead of PAS’ Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah (13,136) and former Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who contested as an independent candidate.

Voters in Kuala Kangsar increased from 28,325 in 2008 to 33,540 in 2013 with the percentage of Malays increasing to 67.96% as compared to Chinese (23.94%) and Indians (6.96%).

As in Kuala Selangor, we can expect PAS to stake its claim on Kuala Kangsar as well. We can expect the same spoiler reaction from Amanah, unless the latter concedes that it is not able to fight for this predominantly Malay seat.

If Amanah decides to contest in these two seats, it would also put PKR in a spot because it has attempted to keep its line open with PAS, unlike the DAP.

As for the Umno candidates, it is important that the national leaders who show up at the campaign trail tell the voters that it is a moderate party. It is time that its leaders come out to show that it is entirely different from PAS, which wants to set up an Islamic state.

This is a secular and liberal country, as clearly stipulated in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara, and certainly the kind of politics advocated by PAS will be disastrous to the future of Malaysia.

A large segment of the Chinese voters gave their votes to PAS in the 2013 polls. They have learned their lesson. The Sarawakians in the urban seats have got it right, it is time to send the same message to PAS.

I LOVE my half-boiled eggs for breakfast and I regard it as one of the simple pleasures of life. It’s a very Malaysian breakfast because the nearest one can get elsewhere is soft boiled eggs but nothing beats half-boiled eggs with soya sauce and pepper.

My consumption of eggs doesn’t end at breakfast. Along the day, the egg would probably show up in some dishes for lunch or dinner.

I am fed up of people still telling me that eggs are bad or that I should leave out the yolk, the best part of the egg, which is simply unforgiveable.

Look, my 86-year-old mum is right – take two eggs and a cup of Milo daily and you would stay healthy. It is as simple as that. No arguments.

Then, not so long ago, some studies cropped up and advised us to stop eating eggs. Worse, some even said the consumption of half-boiled eggs should be stopped. Yes, purportedly because it was unsafe.

Well, that has since been debunked but the campaign against eggs has remained. The damage is done and nobody wants to update themselves with the latest study that there really isn’t much scientific evidence to limit the consumption of eggs.

According to one report, a study was done whereby people were split into two groups – participants in one group ate several (1-3) whole eggs per day while those in the other group ate something else (like egg substitutes) instead.

The researchers followed the people for a number of weeks/months. In almost all cases, the HDL (the good cholesterol) went up and total and LDL cholesterol levels did not change but sometimes they increased slightly.

In short, studies consistently show that people who eat whole eggs are no more likely to develop heart disease. Some of the studies even show a reduced risk of stroke, the report said.

Then there is the rice issue. Many people I know have stopped eating rice altogether. In a dramatic manner, I have been lectured that rice is equivalent to poison, on the same level of taking sugar.

I don’t know. My mom still tells me I should eat plenty of rice. The Chinese customarily greet each other with “have you eaten rice yet?”. But now, I am not sure if it’s politically correct. They may think I am being seditious.

But I love my rice – nasi lemak, chicken rice, nasi kandar, lotus leaf rice, fried rice and lor mai kai (steamed glutinous rice with chicken) for dim sum.

Now, I am warned that if I refused to listen to advice, my sugar level will shoot up and no insurance company will sell me any medical policy. My legs will be cut off, they warn.

It has frightened me like hell but another new medical report has surfaced – it has now been revealed that eating a daily portion of rice not only makes dieting easier but is linked to improved all-round health.

The report said new research shows that consumers can improve their diet simply by enjoying white or brown rice as part of their daily meals.

In a study published in the journal Food and Nutrition Sciences, study leader Dr Theresa Nicklas, of Baylor College of Medicine, looked at rice intake and diets among more than 14,000 US adults. Yes, a real serious study. Not one done by Ridhuan Tee Abdullah.

She was quoted as saying : ‘Our results show that adults who eat rice had diets more consistent with what is recommended in dietary guidelines, and they showed higher amounts of potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fibre while eating less saturated fat and added sugars.

“Eating rice is also associated with eating more servings of fruit, vegetables, meat and beans. Rice is naturally sodium free and has only a small amount of fat, of which none is saturated.”

There you go! Eat all that you want – if you still have lingering doubts with what I have said – you just have to Google for the information. These are not reports from the National Enquirer, which is the only thing that Donald Trump reads.

Of course, you would have known by now that our all-time favourite – nasi lemak – has been recognised as one of 10 most healthy international breakfasts by TIME magazine.

It has to be the gospel truth. After all, most of us believe most things reported by foreign media.

The article describes nasi lemak as “supremely delicious” and “yes, there’s a bit more fat than is good for you (eat less rice to reduce), but it’s balanced with lots of manganese, protein and carbs.

According to the recent article, “the chilli in the sambal also boosts the metabolism (depending on which nutritionist you talk to).”

There you go. Go ahead, go for two packets this morning. It’s officially one of the top 10 healthy breakfast meals.

I can imagine health freaks, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, eating nasi lemak every morning with this new trend. I am sure they can vouch that the hot belacan paste helps them to sweat even more and is better than any other exercise regimen.

There is more – our rambutans have been declared a wonder fruit. There are just too many articles I have found on the Net.

It has an active substance, known as Geraniin, which can cause the reduction of the sugar concentration and the substance is found only in rambutans.

It seems that rambutan seeds, whether consumed raw, crushed or even combined with other foodstuff, are effective in reducing body fat and even make the skin softer and healthier.

HealthBenefitstimes.com recommends –take a couple of rambutan leaves and clean them effectively.

It added, “include a little water and create a paste of the leaves utilising a blender. Filter the leaves’ extract with a clean cloth. Use the water extract towards the damp scalp and also continue doing this every day. You are able to watch an excellent hair regrowth.”

The benefits of eating nangka or jackfruit is even more amazing and more detailed. So who says eating nangka causes angin or wind which could lead to stomach complications and other effects to other vital organs?

The Mat Salleh medical community has gone crazy over our nangka – which has now become a wonder fruit!

One US nutrition website has described the fruit as a good source of antioxidant vitamin C, “provides about 13.7 mg or 23% of RDA and Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It is one of the rare fruits that is rich in B-complex group of vitamins. It contains very good amounts of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), niacin, riboflavin, and folic acid.”

I don’t know what it means but it sure sounds important and clever. I am definitely convinced that I should eat more nangka.

The moral of the story is this – just eat what you want and like everything else, just do it in moderation. Don’t go overboard and don’t be extreme – the same principle applies in our food intake and not just in politics. It’s food for thought.

Bald spot: Rampant farming and construction on Penang Hill has caused it to become bald in many parts. — Drone photography by Se Vena Networks Sdn Bhd

PENANGITES are furious over the continuing destruction of their beloved hills. We are incensed at the wanton destruction of our hill slopes, whether for agriculture or housing, leaving ugly bald patches on our hills.

The hills fronting the seaside resorts of Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi are more visible and we have seen how, over the years, the plush green slopes are no longer there. And also affected is the quality of the seawater and the beaches.

And we need to be on constant guard because there is always the fear that another spot on the hills there will be singled out for development. It is telling that even the DAP assemblyman there, Teh Yee Cheu, lashed out against hillslope projects in Penang. He even went bald in a symbolic protest over what he deemed as insufficient action taken against the landowner over the bald spot on Bukit Relau in January 2014.

Penang island is geographically unique in that the hills are in the centre of the island. That is why it is possible to cycle round the island, as what many of us did in our younger days. In the much earlier days, we could easily see the development going on in the hills fronting the popular beaches.

But today, the clearing of hillslopes on the other sides of the hills is not so clearly visible to the naked eye.

Which is why our Page One exclusive story last Saturday, “True picture exposed”, (The Star, April 23, 2016) really shook everyone up.

It is a sorry state of affairs for the pictures captured using drones reveal that this has been going on for some time now.

The bald patches caused by slope clearing are getting bigger and the terraced slopes indicate that they are almost ready for the farmers to move in.

This has gone on for far too long. Nobody seems to care and nor does anyone want to be responsible. All the big talk of protecting and respecting the environment by the politicians, especially during the elections, has remained empty promises.

The Star has continued to speak up on the degradation of Penang’s hills because this newspaper started in Penang 45 years ago.

Penang Hill, or Bukit Bendera, is a prime tourist attraction and we are always sensitive towards any development or activities that threaten its pristine environment.

Likewise, we are also sensitive to any activity that threatens the hills of Penang because they are environmentally-sensitive ecosystems. The ramifications to the rest of the island are immediate.

On the peninsula, for example, we are told that activities on the Main Range can have effects all the way to the coastlines. What more an island like Penang where the hills in the middle serve similar functions, like acting as a sponge to ensure water resources are protected?

Many of the senior editors of this media group, including this writer, started our careers in Penang. We are true Penangites because we were born and raised in the state, and we remain connected to the people.

We want our concerns on the continued rape of the hills to be heard because we have already lost much of our beautiful seas. We do not want to see our hills become a footnote in history.

Our seas are now filthy and no longer fit for swimming. We know what we are talking about because the beaches and waters were once clean when we were children.

Come every Sunday, our parents would take us to Gurney Drive to dig for small mussels and it was possible then to collect sea shells. Now, Gurney Drive is just mud and dirt when the tide is low. It’s a disgrace, really.

Take a ride on the ferry back then and one can see jellyfish floating by and even the occasional flying fishes. Even at the Esplanade, we could see sword fishes swimming by the walls of the promenade.

Concerned Penangites, wherever they may be, continue to bring up these environmental issues, including the loss of our forests, mudslides and the pollution of water catchment areas. It is sad when our views are greeted with defensive statements.

Worse, we are dismissed as troublemakers out to challenge the authorities or to embarrass the state government.

It is not just in Penang but in other states too, where each time we highlight such issues, the reactions are similar. We have been consistent in highlighting how rivers, once alive with fishes, have gone dead. In Cameron Highlands, for example, we have repeatedly exposed those who destroyed the hills.

It is incredible that Penang’s hills, as highlighted in our reports, have been cleared illegally and yet they have escaped the attention of the relevant authorities.

The officials boldly claimed they have not been sleeping when shown the evidence, but we wonder why they have not acted and still need to verify the status of such destruction.

Yes, of course, they are “monitoring the situation and studying the next course of action”. A committee will be set up and more sub-committees will also be formed even as the destruction proceeds.

The questions remain – why have the local authorities not monitored the situation and taken preventive action as the cutting down of trees continued.

The Penang Green Council, for example, has remained silent on the many reports that have been brought up by the media.

While the attention of the public and non-governmental organisations are against high-density property development in hilly areas, we must also not forget the illegal clearing by farmers, which is just as bad.

This has been going on for decades but Penangites are now waking up because the bald patches have become more visible.

It used to be known as just Bukit Relau but now Penangites call it Botak Hill to signal the seriousness of the destruction.

Its bald spot can be seen all the way from the Penang Bridge and on a clear day, from the mainland. Yes, that’s how bad it is.

Mitigation work is now being carried out costing possibly up to RM50mil but we have to see how successful the rescue work will be. And no one is prepared to give a commitment that the hill, once healed, would be protected.

Penangites have the right to demand answers and accountability. Enough of throwing challenges for debates, let’s just get the job done.

Things are slowly bouncing back and we must work at strengthening our economy further and getting our confidence back on track.

MALAYSIA needs to go forth. Too much precious time and resources have been wasted on non-stop politicking. We sound like a broken record.

We cannot continue to be a one-issue country, whether we like it or not. Malaysia needs to move forward.

The doomsayers continue to paint everything in a negative light even when the facts show otherwise.

The ringgit is making a bounce back and it has actually become Asia’s best-performing currency this year to date.

It is hovering around 3.88 to the dollar and some of us, especially the doomsayers, just would not admit that at one time, they had predicted that the ringgit would spiral downwards to 5.00 to the dollar.

The price of crude oil is now around US$40 a barrel. No doubt it would never return to US$100 a barrel but at least, it has not gone below US$20 as we feared. The price of crude oil has stabilised and it is indeed good news.

The trouble is that bad news always gets more prominence than good news. It is as if we like to dwell in negativity. Some say it’s a crisis of confidence.

Perhaps, some of us have grown cynical and sceptical. The hearts have hardened, as they say, but the reality is that we have to move ahead.

I agree that some of the good news have not had an immediate impact on the market, especially in instilling consumer confidence.

Many of us continue to question the statistics dished out by the authorities, pointing out that the positive sentiment is not felt on the ground.

The first quarter of 2016 has ended and most companies, which will be announcing their results soon, have already found that the going has been tough and profits have taken a dive, especially on the retail side.

But one small news item must have missed the eyes of most Malaysians. Last week, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Management Accountants reported that business confidence in Malaysia had picked up slightly in the first quarter of 2016.

That is certainly welcome news. ACCA said the Global Economic Conditions survey showed that Malaysia’s economy has at least weathered the fall in oil prices better than most big producers, growing by a relatively healthy 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015.

It added that “the recovery in prices has helped to stabilise the ringgit, which is important given that Malaysia’s foreign currency-dominated external debt is unusually high”.

The survey showed that the high number of Malaysian companies reporting negative effects from recent currency movements fell from 66% in fourth quarter of 2015 to 48% in the first quarter of this year.

In recent weeks, the local stock market has received the largest capital inflow in South-East Asia and chalked up a bull run.

We do not know if the bull will run out of steam but the momentum is encouraging as it helps to boost confidence.

And while some of us moan about the future of Malaysia, the Chinese government has shown greater trust in us.

It has started buying more Malaysian government securities (MGS) and this inflow of new foreign money could rise to 50 billion yuan (RM30bil) in total, according to International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

If China were to buy RM30bil worth of MGS, it would mean supporting 8.5% of Malaysia’s debt in the current MGS market. According to Bank Negara’s website, the value of outstanding MGS stood at RM352.06bil as at April 5, 2016.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Malaysia’s debt markets saw an inflow of RM11.5bil, versus RM1.4bil of outflow in February. The March foreign inflow was the largest monthly inflow since May 2014, according to a Nomura research note on April 7.

If we were to read certain blogs and social media, we would get the impression that Malaysia is turning into another Zimbabwe or Uganda, and that our grandchildren will soon become maids or labourers in some foreign countries.

But what sets us apart from some of these countries is that our system and vital institutions have remained intact. They may have been tested to the limits but on the whole, they continue to function.

That is important even if some of us refuse to accept it, given the rising political temperature in this country.

We are too quick to condemn, and sometimes we react too fast, especially those in authority. Because of their hyper-sensitivity, they see shadows when there are none.

At the extreme end, it has become fashionable and anyone can become popular by just wielding the stick at the Government.

But credit must be given when credit is due. The past one year has been a terribly difficult one for all of us. In fact, the headwinds continue to be a challenge for most businesses.

But there is a calm sea ahead and Malaysians must grab this opportunity to ensure we chart through the safe waters.

We must accept the fact that the challenge against the Prime Minister and Government has failed. The Citizens’ Declaration has failed and even PKR and PAS have refused to be a signatory to it. The reality is that it is going nowhere.

We must move on and refocus the country’s attention on further strengthening the economy and on the good news about our country.

Malaysia simply cannot afford to have any more self-inflicted wounds. Get the ringgit strengthened further, boost the economy, restore consumer confidence, create more revenue streams as we cannot just rely on oil and commodities. And also, we must keep Malaysia moderate.

Not welcome: The Kuching International Airport terminal is the furthest certain trouble makers can get in Sarawak.

IT sure wasn’t a surprise to many Malaysians that Red Shirt rabble rouser Datuk Jamal Yunos was barred from entering Sarawak. We are surprised that he was surprised.

We also hope that this Umno division chief isn’t surprised that he is not as popular as he thinks he is. Certainly not among reasonable Malaysians, whatever their political affiliations may be.

His brand of racist and confrontational politics isn’t what the founders of Umno had in mind when they formed the party.

It was their moderate and consensus-building politics that saw Umno forging a strong relationship with MCA and MIC to form the Alliance in the early days, and subsequently with more parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Last week, Jamal was given a notice of entry refusal by the Immigration Department, signed by Kuching International Airport Immigration Office chief Kamarol Johari on behalf of the state Immigration director.

Other serial trouble makers who have been stopped included academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, who was stopped from entering the state in December 2014.

A Bernama report, quoting sources, said that Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem was not in favour of the presence of Ridhuan Tee for a religious talk and had instructed that the event be cancelled.

Adenan had said previously that Sarawak was tightening its immigration rules and stepping up the scrutiny of visitors from the peninsula to keep out “extremists, religious bigots and racists”.

Controversial Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali is also on the list of personalities from the peninsula who have been banned.

In fact, in March, Adenan had reportedly warned that “I am building a list of people I don’t want to come to Sarawak”, saying Sarawakians were peaceful people, adding “let it stay that way. That’s why I don’t want these people (extremists, religious bigots and trouble makers) to come.”

Adenan’s action may be questioned by some opposition politicians, who have also been banned from entering the state ahead of the state election on May 7, but no one can challenge the Chief Minister’s consistency.

In fact, many non-Muslims in the peninsula would wish we have a CM like him over here. He doesn’t need to play the racial or religious cards to score points.

We won’t be surprised if controversial Indian religious speaker Dr Zakir Naik was barred from entering Sarawak.

While his fans may see Dr Zakir as a misunderstood person, in the age of social media, anyone can check the videos on YouTube to make a more accurate assessment of him. As they said, the jury is out there.

The problem with politicians and religious figures who preach hate messages – and here, let me emphasise that I am not referring to anyone in particular – is that they do not see, nor bother to understand, that their speeches certainly do not unite. In fact, they clearly divide.

The effect of their acid-laced rhetoric on those who are unable to draw logical deductions by themselves is destructive.

All religions are unique but they also have similar values in promoting goodness, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness.

People who claim to speak on behalf of God should emphasise the commonalities instead of just pointing out one’s religious superiority over others.

A preacher may have formal religious credentials but the person needs to be checked when he runs down other religions and worse, endorses violence in the name of religion, basing it on selective verses in the holy books.

When their authority is challenged, they often respond by claiming that others are not qualified to speak. When they expound such views from the pulpit, it is also a monologue as no one in the congregation can speak out.

I have attended a number of services in different churches during the election season when the calm of seeking solitude with God was disrupted by pastors who seemed to be rather partisan.

The sermons were interlaced with their political tirade and snide remarks which made the church service sound like a political ceramah. They also assumed that everyone in the congregation shared their political allegiance or enthusiasm.

I remember one Easter service when a pastor praised a certain blogger who was very popular at that time. This blogger has since changed his political slant and I wonder what the pastor has to say about him now. Let us be reminded that we worship God, not men.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is known as a loose cannon whose sometime uncouth remarks make us uncomfortable. But we would surely agree with him when he said “I think if you want to talk about religion, then just talk about your own.

“When making comparisons between religions, you are bound to conclude that your religion is better,” Nazri was quoted in an interview with a news portal.

It was a joy, for example, to see Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi joining the Sikh community in celebrating the Vaisakhi festival.

Bravo to Zahid for taking time off from his busy schedule to join the community for a quick breakfast at the Gurdwara Sahib last week. His presence also sent a strong message – we must never be frightened of visiting a place of worship of another faith.

Not many of us are prepared to point out the shortcomings of our own religion and also the leaders for fear of being condemned by those of our own faith. So we keep silent for fear of reprisals or simply because we do not want to be seen as traitors to our community. Worse, if our views are considered blasphemous.

The edicts of religious authorities are regarded as the complete truth and are not to be challenged, as it would be perceived as challenging God. So many of us end up fearing men instead of God.

This is partially due to our society’s preference of submission to authority and unwillingness to challenge or question those seen as more learned and more powerful than us. Many of us prefer to conform too, so we just accept things as they are.

We can never go wrong even if we embrace moderation – respect and embrace the goodness of religions. We need more people who promote love and peace and not hate. Work together for Malaysia – we don’t need foreigners to come between us.