Author Archives: wcw

A high five for Kedah farmers

Growing potential: Modern farming methods including the use of drones will help the farmers in Kedah hit their targets. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

LET’S give credit where it’s due.

Previous prime ministers have talked about helping padi farmers, giving endless speeches on how farmers should increase their yield and production.

But it has largely remained empty talk.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, however, is the first to walk the talk. He has announced an allocation of RM1bil to kick start the “five padi planting seasons in two years” plan from this month, with RM5bil as the overall figure.

The project, covering 11,000ha of fields in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) area, is expected to increase padi yield by 15% and the income of 6,100 padi farmers by 43%.

The entire cost of the project, to be carried out in stages, will come up to RM5.376bil and the Federal Government hopes it will be a game changer.

What needs to be mentioned here is that the Mada area is in Kedah, which is under a PAS government.

The population who will benefit, including the farmers, are predominantly Malays who probably support the Islamist state government.

But politics has not been allowed to be a stumbling block to the efforts to improve the livelihood of farmers, who may not even cast a vote for the Madani government.

The PM has rightly put aside politics and focused instead on the potential advantages, including increased productivity within the same amount of time, while increasing the farmers’ income. If successful, it will mean economic stability throughout the years.

Besides helping to reduce the financial instability that often comes with seasonal farming, it could also encourage younger people to take up padi farming as a livelihood and not equate it to poverty.

Modern farming methods, including the use of drones, will help the farmers hit their targets.

Beside training school-leavers to be drone pilots, there will be other jobs created, both directly in farming and in related sectors such as transportation, processing, and marketing.

The spin-off can also include agrotourism, which has been successfully implemented by farmers in Sekinchan, Selangor.

There is no shame in the Kedah farmers learning from their counterparts in Selangor. Joint ventures can also be mooted.

The government has in fact encouraged the use of agricultural technology to boost rice yields through the Ala Sekinchan Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (SMART SBB) programme.

The “five seasons in two years” project will also mean better utilisation of resources, as more frequent planting cycles can lead to more efficient use of land, water, and other agri- cultural inputs. This can maximise the productivity of the available farmland.

It will also help Malaysia reduce its food import bill. Malaysia’s food imports hit RM71.6bil in 2023, with grains and grain products alone making up RM10.84bil.

Imports of animal feed material came up to RM7.85bil, while meat and meat products amounted to RM6.61bil.

We imported 1,358,718 tonnes of rice in 2024 from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myan-mar, Pakistan, South Korea, Thai-land, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Spain.

If the Kedah farmers hit their targets, it will help cut our import bills and contribute to national food security by ensuring a more consistent and reliable supply of rice, Malaysia’s dietary staple.

There’s much to be done, though. The farmers will need plenty of support and help for modern farming, including training, infrastructure development, research and development, and market competitiveness.

A huge amount of money has been allocated and there is no room for failure. It will require careful planning, investment in infrastructure, and adoption of advanced agricultural practices.

There are other factors such as water availability, soil health, and climate conditions that must be carefully managed to ensure the success of this initiative.

Most importantly, Kedah must put politics aside, and forget those claims that it has been left out of development.

New book explores pioneering nuns’ journey in founding missionary schools

In a new book, author Chen writes that despite the hardships of WWII, the surviving nuns remained resilient, and their schools soon thrived once more. Photo: Handout

Convent Light Street in Penang will always be special for me. It remains the only sister school of my alma mater, St Xavier’s Institution (SXI), where I had my primary and secondary education.

CLS, as it was known, sits next to SXI, and both share a sports field with an incredible seafront view. Not many students in Malaysia can boast of playing games under the sun while enjoying the sea breeze.

In CLS, students in some classrooms also get to enjoy the picturesque view.

Studying in a boys’ school, my first meaningful interaction with the fairer sex came when I was a boy scout working with the girl guides at CLS, and other convent schools in Penang.

My wife is from Convent Datuk Keramat, the only missionary school which offered Chinese as a medium of instruction at primary level.

CLS has a special place in the history among missionary schools, because it was the first such school. It has a history no other school can match.

It was founded by French Catholic nuns in 1852, and is the oldest English medium girls’ school in South-East Asia, besides being one of the most highly regarded missionary schools in the country.

It all began in 1852 when five young Sisters, on their maiden mission outside France, set sail for Penang. Only three arrived on the island in April that year. Their leader Mother St Pauline lost her life at sea and the only member competent to teach in English deserted the team.

The 30-year-old Sister Pulcherie Bath – the only British native among them – was said to have fallen in love with the captain of the ship, which influenced her decision to leave the institute. She deserted the team to join the local lay Catholic community upon reaching Singapore.

All the Sisters studied Malay and English each day besides carrying out their religious routines during the voyage.

“Mother St Mathilde and three others arrived later, and over the next two decades, they progressively strengthened their base in Penang. By the first half of the 20th century, their unique brand of convent schools had spread across many parts of the Malay peninsula,” wrote Chen Yen Ling in her 2019 book, Lessons From My School – The Journey Of The French Nuns And Their Convent Schools.

It was a story of a long and perilous journey. And an ironic one too. These were French nuns, and most could hardly speak English. Yet, they were supposed to set up an English school in Penang!

That’s not all. The founder of Penang, Captain Francis Light, occupied the Government House as his residence, and that building stands in what is now CLS.

The founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, also spent time working in the building. In fact, it is said that he spent more time in Penang than in Singapore.

Chen, a chartered accountant turned author, has now come out with a follow up book – Convents Of The Saint Maur Sisters, A Nostalgic Road In The East.

This book traces the journey of Mother St Mathilde’s teams, and how they set up their first mission in Bangkok in 1885, as well as other schools in Singapore, and Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan.

In all the schools, Mathilde was to play a major role. The nuns’ epic journey through these countries was one that was filled with perils, hardship and sacrifices.

In most cases, when they arrived in these countries, they did not even have proper accommodation for themselves, let alone a school building.

Even when they left their homes in France, they knew they would never return home and starting with Penang, they knew that the days would likely end in the hot and humid tropics.

WWII was cruel to all, including the nuns. The Japanese Navy took over CLS, and used the Government House as a base and interrogation centre.

“The walls inside the House bear the signatures of some imprisoned American sailors who etched their names with their belt buckles,” goes the story, according to the Penang Wiki site.

Chen writes that English education was forbidden in Malaysia while in Japan, most of the sisters’ buildings were flattened by bombs.

“But it did not break the spirit of the survivors and soon their schools were flourishing again,’’ she writes.

Indeed, these institutions, which became known for high quality education, discipline, character building and instilling proper values, have benefited many.

There are 51 such schools in Malaysia, 11 in Singapore, 20 in Japan and six in Thailand, at kindergarten, primary, secondary, international, and vocational levels.

Today, the graves of Mathilde, her accompanying pioneer, Sister St Gregory, and other sisters who served in Japan can be found at the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery.

“Strikingly, a single memorial headstone consisting of 15 names stood out. Out of these, 10 lost their lives during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923,’’ wrote Chen.

Her two books are the result of the cumulative of 15 years of labour, which she described as a “worthwhile discovery, educational and enrichment venture.’’

It is most commendable that Chen has taken this painstaking exercise to record the sacrifices of these Sisters in our education history. In fact, in all these places, they also had to be mothers too – as they found that they had to turn their school buildings into orphanages.

Chen has also little gems to tell – like how the Kedah and Johor royal households provided land and money to these Sisters to set up schools including in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani and Kulim in the 1930s and 1940s.

“In the annals of St Nicholas Convent Alor Setar and St Anne’s Convent Kulim respectively, specific mention was made about then prince Tunku Abdul Rahman and close family member Ma Che who offered one of her houses while Tunku himself allowed the Volunteers’ Drill premises to be used by the sisters for their school,’’ Chen wrote.

“In Johor, the progressive western educated and widely travelled Sultan Sir Ibrahim generously presented Mother St James with two acres (8,094sq m) of land and 10,000 Malayan dollars to build the first convent school of Johor Baru in 1926,” she added.

Let’s hope the stories of the sisters do not end here. I am most fascinated with the story of Sister Marie Jombunud, a Thai princess, who grew up in the palace, but entered the convent, became a teacher at CLS in Penang and a principal at St Theresa’s Convent in Singapore but returned to Thailand in 1970. She passed away in 1997 at the age of 81.

We know how these missionary schools, including the convent schools, are struggling to keep the enrolment as they face competition from Chinese primary schools as well as private and international schools.

Some of these Convent schools including CLS have been turned into international schools with its female students now studying at SXI.

Their iconic buildings, many over a century old, stand idle in some cases with declining student population. But we pray that the Sisters will succeed in continuing their mission, and we believe they will.

Unlike many other mission schools which have Latin mottos, the Infant Jesus Sisters’ Convents worldwide have a French one – Simple Dans Ma Vertu, Forte Dans Mon Devoir, which means Simple in My Virtue, Steadfast in Duty.

Convents Of The Saint Maur Sisters, A Nostalgic Road In The East is available at the Infant Jesus Sisters Provincialate at Convent Bukit Nanas (from Tuesday to Thursday), Areca Books, Gerakbudaya and other major bookstores. Email ij.books18@gmail.com.

Take these ‘sweet nothings’ with lots of salt

Dangerous for the waistline: For many Malaysian men, the main sweet loving they are getting is from the sugary drinks and delicious local food. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

MOST Malaysian men, adult, older and reasonably better off, must have read with interest and great amusement a report that listed Malaysia as having the third largest number of sugar daddies in Asia.

Malaysia, it seems, has 32,000 sugar daddies – we’re tied with Japan. India tops the list with a whopping 338,000 sugar daddies while Indonesia came in second with 60,250.

As with many postings on social media, one should never take such claims too seriously.

Sugar daddies, of course, refer to wealthy older men who provide gifts and money to younger girls (sometimes boys) in exchange for companionship or sexual favours.

If I am not mistaken, this is the second time this news has gone viral. The survey was said to be carried out by a media company in 10 countries in Asia.

As expected, no one knows the methodology, margin of error, and number of respondents but no one cares in the wild, wild, world of social media. It’s the heading and clicks that matter.

It was also not surprising that Singapore portal 8days.sg put up a follow-up with the heading “Singapore Did Not Make It onto List of Top 10 Asian Countries With Most Sugar Daddies’.’

I am not sure if there was a tinge of regret in the report on Feb 9, which said, almost sadly: “Singapore, however, did not make the cut”.

“While the methodology of the survey was never revealed, netizens suggest that the data had been pulled based on where the users live.

“We can’t help but wonder if this means our population is just too small in comparison or maybe, just maybe, Singaporeans are just not into sugar daddy-baby relationships.

“Though seasia.stats claimed the survey was done by Seeking.com, previously knowing as Seeking Arrangement, the dating site subsequently clarified with 8days.sg that they ‘have not released any statistical data on numbers in Asia’.’’

So we don’t really know if Malaysia has that many sugar daddies. What we know for certain, however, is that we have the highest number of diabetic cases in Asia. Malaysia is in the top five in the world. And we can assume the figures would include many wealthy older men.

It has been reported that Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes in the Western Pacific region and one of the highest in the world, with approximately one in five adults reporting high sugar readings.

An article by Monash University on Nov 14, 2024, said diabetes in Malaysia was at an epidemic level and described it as alarming. “More than 11% of Malaysians have pre-diabetes, a condition characterised by an elevated blood glucose level.’’

So there you go. Older Malaysian men have bigger sugar problems to worry about.

We are definitely very sweet people, but we also blame the Bangladeshis and Indians at mamak restaurants who continue to bring us sweet, sweet teh tarik despite our continuous instructions for less sugar. “Kurang manis, ya, bang!”

It has now risen to become a serious situation that warrants the attention of the National Security Council. The authorities need to even investigate possible elements of sabotage against Malaysians, with sugar used as a weapon.

Malaysian women are under attack in a different way. It seems Pakistani men are now marrying them, especially the Kelantanese women who are renowned for being attractive.

Kelantan Immigration Department director Mohamed Yusoff Khan was quoted as saying the data is based on the number of applications for Social Visit (Long Term) Passes by foreigners.

So where have all the Kelantanese men gone? Off to Thailand, according to Mohamed Yusoff, to marry Thai women.

We may be the Chair of Asean but this is taking neighbourly love a little too far.

Then there is another ridiculous news report, which was also started on social media and unnecessarily picked up by the mainstream media, which claimed that Kuala Lumpur was the most dangerous city in South-East Asia, and fifth most dangerous in Asia.

This is, apparently, according to Numbeo’s Crime Index 2025. Again, no one knows the criteria for such measurements, which is seriously damaging to Kuala Lumpur and the other cities mentioned. None of the Malaysian media took the trouble to challenge or question the index.

Klang was listed as a dangerous town. It may not be the cleanest nor the best organised but crime-infested? I don’t think so. I am sure there are far worse townships elsewhere.

But Klang certainly is dangerous – for the waistline. The food is dangerously good, especially its famed bak kut teh.

Just about anyone can come up with any claims or surveys on social media and create news out of it. Perceptions and opinions from crowd-based data seem to have become prevalent now.

Malaysians who travel frequently can tell you that Kuala Lumpur is far, far safer than London or Paris where your chances of getting robbed or pick-pocketed are higher.

This would include having your phones snatched or your bags stolen in London’s Underground or in shops.

There is also indifference by the cops or shop security guards there. They often take a “you should have known better’’ attitude, which shouts “you deserve it’’ as you share your frustrations with them.

Then there is the Notting Hill Carnival, an annual Caribbean festival in London where people get beaten up or even killed almost every year. The record of the police in ensuring safety at the parade is pathetic.

Really, we all must learn to be cautious with such social media reports. Take them with a pinch of salt. No sugar, of course.

From Exile To Influence: Thaksin Navigates New Roles In Thai Politics And Regional Affairs

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) — The road leading to Thaksin Shinawatra’s opulent residence on the outskirts of Bangkok is a myriad of narrow alleys.

His sprawling Chan Song Lor mansion in Soi Charan Sanitwong 69 is located in the Bang Plat district, which is just a 30-minute drive from the city, even during the peak traffic hours at lunchtime.

I had expected his family home to be in a leafy neighbourhood with wide roads, but no one should expect conventionality from Thailand’s most controversial leader.

After 17 years of self-imposed exile, the political strongman is finally home, literally.

Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for corruption stemming from his 2001-2006 tenure as Prime Minister. However, he received a royal pardon soon after his return to Thailand in 2023, which reduced the jail sentence to only one year.

Less than 24 hours after returning to Thai soil, he was sent from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital for medical treatment.

At 75, Thaksin no longer holds any political or government positions, but the media continues to refer to him as the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

With his daughter, Paetongtarn, as the country’s youngest PM at 38 years old, Thaksin is widely expected to shape the current government.

Even his detractors privately acknowledged that he continues to be a force to be reckoned with, his hands still pulling the strings. They admit that his influence extends outside Thailand, especially to Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

His loyal supporters continue to insist that Thaksin has been a victim of political power play, which led to his exile.

“Do you know that I cannot do meditation? Each time I close my eyes, my mind goes off somewhere. I am always thinking of something.

“I am already up at 5.30 am. I do some exercise, have my breakfast, and by 9.30 am, I am working,’’ he quipped during our interview conducted at a holding room, which is lined with family photographs.

Thaksin understands that ASEAN countries are concerned with the gangs running the scam centres along the Thai-Myanmar border and in certain areas of Cambodia and Laos, which he described as “dirty money.’’

“It is this dirty money that is financing the fighting between the Myanmar junta and the many factions,” he said, explaining the complexities of the civil war, but said the fighting has to end.

Early this month, Paetongtarn ordered the power and telecom services cut to Shwe Kokko, a Myanmar town where thousands of people have been trafficked and forced to run online scams targeting victims around the world.

She had made the move on the eve of her trip to China, where she met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Thaksin said although the locals staying in such areas would be affected by such disruptions, it had to be done “as Thailand wants the local people to pressure these scam gangs to leave the place.”

On Feb 13, the Bangkok Post reported that Chinese businesses had deserted Payathonzu, a Myanmar border town adjacent to Kanchanaburi province in Thailand after power supplies were stopped.

The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which controls the area, reportedly ordered illicit businesses to leave by Feb 28. The disconnection of utility services from Thailand affected over 50,000 people in Payathonzu, the newspaper said.

Thaksin agreed that Myanmar is the “elephant in the room” for ASEAN, of which Malaysia now holds the chairmanship.

He has got down to work to assist and advise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he described as a “good man with a sharp mind who sees things from a wide and detailed perspective.”

Saying Malaysia will do a good job as the regional bloc’s chairman, Thaksin said he has started to meet the various resistance group key leaders in efforts to resolve the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar, which has raged for over three years.

The Thai media has reported that Thaksin had met leaders of the Shan State Reconstruction Council and Shan State Army in Chiangmai in March and April.

“They came with a long list of demands, but I told them to return with a shorter list, which must be pragmatic.

“The Myanmar junta also need to adopt a more inclusive approach to bring in these groups before talking of holding a general election, which may end up not being recognised. It will be a waste then,” he warned.

At the same time, Thaksin suggested that it would be good if ASEAN could “concede a little bit” if the army junta agreed to engage with the various ethnic groups.

He agreed with Anwar that all sides needed to engage in talks as a way of defusing the conflict.

Thaksin also said that he hoped to make a proposal and recommendations to ASEAN to start working towards adopting a cryptocurrency, adding that ASEAN nations must not miss the opportunity as United States President Donald Trump was expected to push for wider use.

“Trump has openly expressed his support for Bitcoin and other digital currencies, so ASEAN needs to study how we move forward so we do not get left behind,” he said.

Last month, Trump called for a working group to be set up tasked with proposing new digital asset regulations and explored the creation of a national cryptocurrency stockpile.

On the geopolitical rivalries between the US and China, Thaksin said ASEAN is aware of the complications but emphasised ASEAN has always maintained the need to be neutral.

“The US has been our ally for a long time, but China is our neighbour. It would be good if the US would engage more with ASEAN,” he replied when asked if Trump would show more interest in ASEAN this time.

Thaksin said ASEAN was a region with over 600 million people and a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD3 trillion, and certainly, it deserves attention.

Royal hands that bind

In harmony: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah with Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and other leaders joining in the tossing of Yee Sang at Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom during the recent Selangor Chinese New Year Celebration 2025. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

THE senior Malay Rulers have again risen the occasion, assuring rational Malaysians that they play a crucial and significant role in ensuring religious moderation in this country.

It is most unfortunate that many of our politicians prefer to play safe by remaining silent or make things worse by stoking negative religious and racial narratives when it comes to controversial issues. Both these approaches do not help Malaysia.

Thus it is most encouraging that the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah spoke up against the proposed guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events, which would have affected his state if eventually adopted.

His Royal Highness said the proposals created uneasiness among the people and disrupted harmony at a time when Malaysians were striving to strengthen national unity.

To walk the talk, the Selangor Ruler attended Chinese New Year celebrations at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Selangor. When he signed the commemorative plaque at the temple, Tuanku was flanked by monks and guests.

In a statement released hours before the visit, the Ruler said he believed Muslims were aware of the religious boundaries of their faith and would not be easily influenced as they could discern between good and bad.

Most Malaysians, regardless of their faith, would ensure that their fellow Malaysians would feel comfortable when serving food or drinks at festivals.

It is a given that non-Muslims would ensure that food for Muslims adhere to halal standards while beef is kept away to ensure Hindus can join in and enjoy the food, for example.

Two years ago, His Royal Highness and his son, Raja Muda Tengku Amir Shah, visited the house of the Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, the Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute. A series of photos were posted showing Sultan Sharafuddin touring the historic Bishop’s House including the library and the chapel. This was widely reported in the Sarawak media.

In 2022, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustaffa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajjah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at London’s Westminster Abbey, together with other Muslim leaders.

We ordinary people have always attended funerals or wakes to bid goodbye to people we have known – friends, colleagues, or family members.

It’s the decent and proper thing to do as human beings. We do not expect Muslims to take part in non-Muslim rituals, and vice-versa at such moments.

As a Christian, I have politely declined to use the joss sticks at wakes of Taoists but I bowed to show my respect to the deceased. I have also lost count of the number of times I was present at Muslim burials.

No one has questioned the presence of Muslims at non-Muslim festivals, including religious ones, but for sure they are not expected to take part in rituals, which would be wrong.

In 2023, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, attended a luncheon in conjunction with Thaipusam at the Arulmigu Sri Bala Subramaniar Temple in Skudai, Johor.

The post on his Facebook included photos showing the Ruler being welcomed by a huge crowd of devotees at the temple and garlanded by a member of the temple committee.

Just before that, the Johor Islamic religious committee issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from attending and taking part in religious rituals of other faiths in the state.

The committee said Sultan Ibrahim had consented to the fatwa, which came into effect on Feb 2. Later the same day, the Ruler said the fatwa did not conflict with interfaith values of tolerance, unity, and understanding as espoused under the “Bangsa Johor” concept.

He clarified that it only prohibits Muslims from taking part in rituals of other religions “but they can still attend festive events of other faiths’’.

Sultan Ibrahim has also in the past attended the annual Chingay procession of the century-old Johor Ancient Temple, which is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations in the state.

The Chingay parade has been a cultural event of the Chinese community in Johor since 1870, and has become one of the symbols of the Bangsa Johor spirit that celebrates the diversity of religions and cultures in the state.

The Sultan of Perak has also consistently spoken about the middle path of moderation in Islam. Sultan Nazrin Shah has said that efforts to foster unity have become even more critical now to counter voices that provoke the people’s emotions in the name of ethnicity or religion, adding that voices that fuel hostility, if left unchecked, had the potential to poison the minds of the people, leading to conflicts, frictions, and divisions.

“After almost 66 years of gaining independence, it is crucial for citizens not to be swayed by hostile voices that can cause disputes,’’ HRH said in a lecture in 2023.

Most politicians have let Malaysians down, allowing political theologians to become an increasingly divisive force, using religion to justify their agenda.

Only our Rulers can tell them off. They are the heads of Islam in their respective states, and their role empowers them to oversee Islamic affairs, ensuring that religious practices and policies align with the principles of moderation and harmony.

Their authority helps prevent extremist interpretations of Islam from gaining traction, as they can influence religious institutions and policies.

Malaysians, especially non-Muslims, regard the Rulers as unifying figures who transcend political and ethnic divisions. Their involvement in religious matters has helped maintain a balanced approach, ensuring that Islam is practised in a way that promotes national unity and social cohesion.

By consistently advocating for moderation, as Sultan Nazrin has done, they help bridge differences between various religious and ethnic groups in multicultural Malaysia.

Whether it is through their speeches, statements, or mere presence at events hosted by the other faiths, the Malay Rulers play a critical role in promoting a moderate and progressive understanding of Islam.

Their constant pronouncements against radical ideologies and emphasis on the importance of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect helps to counteract the spread of extremist narratives that could threaten Malaysia’s social harmony.

While many would like to see more Rulers speaking up, it is sufficiently comforting that the key Rulers have helped maintain a balanced and harmonious approach to Islam, which is essential for Malaysia’s diverse and pluralistic society.

It is common sense that we want to see more Malaysians of various races, religions, and cultures come together and appreciate our differences and similarities, and not find ways to keep us away from each other.

Unity must be our guiding principle

Colourful celebration: Visitors at the annual Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple CNY Lantern and Floral Festival in Jenjarom, Selangor. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

IT’S good that the Cabinet has put its foot down and said no to the proposed guidelines for the involvement of Muslims at non-Muslim events. Had they been adopted, approval from religious authorities to attend funerals and celebrations would be required, among other things.

The statement by the Prime Minister was clear: There is no need for guidelines for Muslims visiting non-Muslim houses of worship or events.

He stated that Muslims are already aware of religious guidelines for visiting these sites, particularly about not participating in non-Muslim prayers.

And Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chose to emphasise his point by visiting Batu Caves Temple on Friday, ahead of the Thaipusam celebrations there on Tuesday.

An earlier joint statement by Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Dagang was not explicit enough, although they had spelt out that the guidelines are advisory in nature and not policy.

The Cabinet had decided every policy formulated must consider national unity, and must first get its approval.

In short, without saying more, Na’im’s proposed guidelines have been canned. While there was some good advice given to ensure no religious sensitivity complications, there were also impractical guidelines that, unfortunately, led to a backlash.

This is the second gaffe that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) has made that put the Madani government in an awkward position.

Barely five months ago, the Cabinet rejected a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork or alcohol following Jakim’s idea of making halal certification a requirement for these restaurants. Jakim is the federal government agency that administers Islamic affairs in Malaysia.

The proposal, which was also announced by Na’im, led to an uproar, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi having to step in to say that non-Muslim business operators could not and should not be forced to obtain halal certification.

In both cases, Anwar ended up on the receiving end of criticisms, which is unfair since this was a minister’s oversight that had nothing to do with the PM.

Many even think that Na’im is a PKR Member of Parliament when in actual fact he is a senator and not even a PKR member. Worse, it was as though the proposal came from the PM and his government.

Na’im’s blunders have been politically damaging to the PM and the Madani government, as many ordinary citizens do not understand that all religious matters are under the purview of the Rulers. The PM has no power or authority to decide on the proposals made by Na’im in the first place.

When Na’im was appointed the Minister for Religious Affairs by the PM in 2022, there was a sense of relief.

It was felt that the post should be held by a non-politician, and a legal scholar with impeccable credentials.

Na’im is a former lecturer, lawyer, and Syariah Court judge who studied at the International Islamic University before obtaining a Masters in Law from the University of London, and a PhD in Syariah from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

He has also been a visiting fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies at Oxford University and at Harvard Law School.

Na’im was a refreshing change from the previous person in the post, PAS ideologue Idris Ahmad who was known for hardline views. The Terengganu MP had consistently pushed for hudud laws and the setting up of an Islamic State.

His objections against the staging of the Japanese cultural festival Bon Odori in 2022 earned him a rebuke from His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who warned him not to use Jakim to make “confusing and inaccurate statements’’.

It is understood that the Rulers welcomed the appointment of Na’im as they, too, had lost their trust in a politician minister for religious affairs.

They believed Na’im would be able to bring forward the religious agenda in the context of modern Malaysia.

But instead, he has been placing the Madani government in difficult spots because of his premature statements.

Last week, he announced the proposed guidelines aimed at outlining the participation of Muslims at non-Muslims events, including celebrations. Under the guidelines, there can be no songs or speeches with religious “propaganda” or performances that may insult Muslims.

Organisers of these events would have to seek permission from relevant authorities and the views of Islamic agencies when inviting Muslims for events at a non-Muslim house of worship.

Questions were immediately raised about whether Muslims, including MPs, could pay their last respects at funeral homes or places of worship as a result of such guidelines.

In fact, there are many non-Muslims who have close family members who are Muslims, so this certainly caused confusion.

Do lawmakers then need to get approval from religious authorities to attend Christmas functions or Thaipusam, a Hindu religious affair, and can they approve such requests in the first place?

The guidelines also specified that the events must not be held too close to a surau, mosque, Muslim cemetery, or wakaf (endowment) land, and that the premises should not contain non-Islamic religious symbols.

In his written reply to PAS MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamed Jan (Permatang Pauh-PN), Na’im said the guidelines were being updated to prevent incidents which could touch on the sensitivities of Muslims.

Certainly, his intentions seem good and aimed at preventing any untoward incidents, particularly involving the Islamic faith, but Na’im had obviously not thought the guidelines through as Malaysia is a multiracial and multi-religious country.

Perhaps he is not politically savvy, or has forgotten that the Madani government is not a PAS government.

But the question is why was there a need for Na’im to provide so many details – all of which are merely proposed – to an MP from the Opposition when the guidelines have not even been finalised at the Majlis Kebangsaan Islam (MKI) meeting scheduled to be held between Feb 25 and Feb 27.

The MKI, or National Council for Islamic Affairs, is chaired by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Raja Azlan Shah.

By his own admission, Na’im reportedly said, “These guidelines are still being deliberated with the engagement of the relevant Islamic authorities that include the State Islamic Religious Councils”.

Following the backlash, Na’im appealed to all quarters not to create misunderstandings by polemicising this issue “to the point of causing public unrest because the underlying purpose of developing these guidelines is noble’’.

Certainly, many of these proposals would be respected by Malaysians of all faiths, but some need further deliberation for practical reasons.

While Na’im has repeatedly said these are proposed guidelines, many have interpreted that to mean these are proposed laws, although guidelines are only advisory in nature. These are serious religious matters.

The most pressing question is whether our leaders, including officials and ministers, are aligned with the Prime Minister’s principles and the vision of the Madani government.

If not, they should leave honourably and join the Opposition.

Over the weekend, Anwar set up good optics by visiting Batu Caves, while last night, the Sultan of Selangor attended a Chinese New Year celebration at the Fo Guan Shan Dong Zen Temple in Klang.

These are positive signs for Malaysia and surely speak volumes for national unity even as some attempt to put up stumbling blocks.

Malaysia’s Support For Gaza: A Drop In The Ocean Or A Vital Lifeline?

Credit: Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) — The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Malaysia intends to build a hospital, school and mosque in Gaza has led to various reactions.

While there are those who feel that this is something that Malaysia can afford to carry out in a place that has been completely razed to the ground, others feel that charity should begin at home.

They pointed out that many schools and hospitals, especially in the rural areas, needed immediate attention and they deserve priority over the Palestinians, but we need to take a step back as we discuss this issue in order to have a better perspective of the case.

For one, not many Malaysians are aware that, in 2019, the Dr Siti Hasmah and Enaya Physiotherapy Centre, a medical facility, was set up in Palestine by Malaysia.

Located in Khan Younis, in the southern part of Gaza, it was a collaborative effort involving the Perdana Global Peace Foundation founded by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, alongside other Malaysian non-governmental organisations. The facility was designed to provide physiotherapy and rehabilitation services to residents in the area.

Without a doubt, the facility was a noble idea but tragically, a year later, the centre was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. It was reported at that time, five Palestinian families had sought refuge in the facility after their homes were bombed. Four members of these families perished in the strike.

There is also an Indonesian hospital in north Gaza that is used to treat patients or the wounded, but it is reportedly out of service now. Construction of the hospital started in 2011 and finally opened in 2016. The project cost IDR126 billion (RM34.25 million) and was funded by the Indonesian people, the Indonesian Red Cross Society and Muhammadiyah, a non-governmental organisation.

In November 2023, as part of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, at least 12 people were killed in the attacks at the hospital. Last month, Israeli soldiers surrounded the hospital, where many displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, according to Al-Jazeera.

Malaysia has in the past donated huge amounts of money, certainly running into millions of ringgit, to help rebuild Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Bosnian War (1992-1995). We provided food, medical supplies, and financial aid to Bosnia refugees and displaced persons during and after the war.

Malaysia also invested in Bosnia’s rebuilding efforts, including infrastructure efforts, telecommunications and banking, as we helped to rebuild roads, bridges, and buildings destroyed during the war.

I had the opportunity to travel with Dr Mahathir to see firsthand the destruction of Bosnia shortly after the war ended.

Lest we forget Dr Mahathir also offered scholarships for Bosnian students to study in Malaysian universities. If we do the same for the Palestinians today, there will be an outcry from some.

Former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who was critical of Malaysia's plans in Gaza, should certainly remember our multi-million ringgit aid to the Bosnians.

We played our role to defend the African National Congress (ANC) against the South African apartheid regime. Certainly, Malaysia provided direct financial aid to the ANC to support its political and resistance activities. Again, Malaysia also offered scholarships and education opportunities for South Africans affected by apartheid.

This writer was there in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1990 to witness Dr Mahathir – the only non-African leader – to welcome iconic ANC leader, the late Nelson Mandela, following his release.

So, why should countries including Malaysia help Gaza? There are plenty of compelling humanitarian reasons, rooted in human rights, international laws, and simple moral responsibility.

Surely as decent human beings, we cannot turn a blind eye to helping the thousands of people including women and children, who are affected by displacement, injuries and loss of immediate families and livelihoods. These are not Hamas fighters or terrorists but simply fellow human beings.

Have some of us lost our hearts and sense of helping people?

Do you have prejudices against them because they are Muslims? Well, there are many Christian Palestinians too.

There is even a 140-year-old Baptist Hospital which was bombed by the Israelis killing over 500 people.

The International Law specifically states that civilians in conflict zones should have access to humanitarian aid, but Israel has completely impeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The people in Gaza are struggling to cope with its healthcare system that has been destroyed.

That’s not to forget that extreme hardship and desperation can fuel radicalization while humanitarian aid provides hope and creates stability.

All religions promote the importance of helping those in distress. It is about preserving human lives and dignity, alleviating suffering and upholding international humanitarian values.

Malaysia’s pledge to build a school, hospital and mosque in Gaza, if it materializes, is just a drop in the ocean.

We are not talking about rebuilding the entire Gaza, and it is not even going to be easy to construct these Malaysian projects.

United States President Donald Trump already has plans to get rid of the Palestinians and in his own words, “take over” the place, and end any hopes of creating a Palestinian state – much to the glee of Israel.

ASEAN Chairmanship Deserves Support, Not Prejudice

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 (Bernama) – There will be over 300 meetings of all levels involving ASEAN member countries this year which Malaysia will play host.

So, it’s inequitable for anyone to write off Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship by claiming that the expectation of Malaysia as the 2025 leader of ASEAN “may be hard to fulfil” and the chairmanship “risks the potential of being too much about Anwar, and not enough about ASEAN.”

There is still a full year ahead, so let’s not be too quick to make judgements with little sound arguments but plenty of prejudices.

But this was the preamble to an article by political scientist Bridget Welsh entitled “Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship is off to a disappointing start”, which was recently published in the Jakarta Post.

Her assumption was based on the recent ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi last month, which she claimed had little meat, but surely it is a premature premise.

Let’s take a hard look at the candidacy of Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair. We have experience, diplomatic balance, economic leadership and proven commitment to regional stability.

This country is a founding member of ASEAN and has chaired the intergovernmental organisation multiple times, with the last in 2015. We played a key role in the setting up of the ASEAN community, which has stayed intact.

Malaysia also has a track record of effective leadership and has managed to balance regional interests with global powers like the United States, China, the European Union and Japan.

Certainly, we have handled the claims over the South China Sea islands very well, without running into conflicts, and have managed the tensions maturely. Let’s give credit to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Wisma Putra.

We remained committed to regional security and stability, particularly counter-terrorism, cyber security and maritime security in ASEAN.

For sure, Malaysia, as the Chairman of ASEAN, understands the seriousness and impact of the global scam economy, which operates along Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

In fact, more than 500 Malaysians have been rescued from scam centres since 2022.

Myanmar is the elephant in the room for ASEAN. That is precisely why the Government has appointed an experienced diplomat, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, as its Special Envoy to Myanmar.

It’s a tough job as his responsibilities include dealing with the various heavily armed feuding groups, headed by powerful warlords, in Myanmar.

He must bring home Malaysians trapped as scam victims, as well as address ways to end violence by the government junta against the local population.

It would be naïve to assume that Malaysia, or ASEAN, does not take this issue seriously.

Malaysia alone cannot resolve the issue in Myanmar and it needs the backing of Thailand, especially, as it shares the borders with these countries, which are also ASEAN members.

It’s easy to criticise the appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as an informal adviser of Anwar on ASEAN, but no one can dispute the Thai leader’s deep understanding of the region, including the complex Myanmar issue.

We are talking of a powerful personality with deep influences in the region, as well as global players, and he will certainly be helpful in playing a backroom role in supporting Malaysia, as the chairman of ASEAN.

Credit must be given to Anwar for his readiness to reach out to the old-timers like Thaksin and former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo. As they no longer hold official positions, they are in a better position to provide advice without their hands being tied.

US President Donald Trump has a record of disinterest in ASEAN, and no one is sure if he will turn up for the ASEAN Summit, scheduled in October, but his shadows certainly loom wide.

The US policies have had a tremendous impact on the world, and that includes ASEAN and Malaysia.

While Welsh has been critical of Malaysia, she has left out that, for the first time, there will be a Summit of ASEAN, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, in May.

The GCC countries comprise Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kudos to Wisma Putra for pulling this off.

And why should Anwar be an issue if there is media focus on him as if he is a regional personality and experienced statesman with deep diplomatic and governance experience?

Besides Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was acknowledged internationally, none of his successors have been able to match his stature. Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is making international news for the wrong reasons.

So, if PMX Anwar can put Malaysia on the world stage for positive reasons, why should he be accused of seeking international attention? The international media will not provide that kind of attention if he does not deserve it and is of no news value.

Anwar’s focus on economic reform in Malaysia, for example, could translate into policies that promote stronger economic ties and trade within ASEAN.

His diplomatic skills could help ASEAN to maintain neutrality and strategic balance – which he repeatedly emphasises.

More importantly, his leadership as the ASEAN Chairman could strengthen ASEAN’s global relevance, with a combined population of 670 million with a total gross domestic product of all ASEAN countries amounting to USD3.67 trillion, while maintaining regional harmony.

Let’s help support Malaysia to be an effective ASEAN Chairman, and not allow anyone to pull us down.

Reality rules

A man for all seasons: The PMX, here speaking in the ‘A Conversation with Anwar Ibrahim’ session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, has worked tirelessly to convince his overseas listeners why Malaysia should be the preferred destination for investments. — Bernama

THE past one year has been good for Malaysia, with enough statistics to show it.

The ringgit has grown stronger, we have sound economic growth, strategic positioning in global supply chains, solid initiatives, and regional cooperation as we increasingly align with Singapore through efforts like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Malaysia also has robust financial management through Bank Negara Malaysia with stable monetary management.

These combinations of factors have contributed to Malaysia’s commendable economic performance.

But Malaysians also have short memories. We have almost forgotten that we had four prime ministers in a short span of time at one point.

The current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has been keeping a steady hand on the tiller despite continuous criticisms from his detractors.

He has worked tirelessly to compete for investments. Certainly, his persuasive skills, charm, and international networking has helped a lot on these missions.

PMX has to convince his overseas listeners that Malaysia should be the preferred destination for investments.

It is interesting that in the Indonesian media – whether mainstream or social media – they have been incessantly asking why Malaysia had been picked over Indonesia in many instances.

Despite claims that PMX’s government has turned authoritarian, the fact that critics could “wallop” the premier without any consequences proves otherwise.

Some from the legal fraternity have continuously criticised him but concealed the fact that they had represented his political opponents or could still receive retention fees.

During the Chinese New Year gatherings, one of the most frequent topics was China’s ability to produce the low-cost AI chatbot, DeepSeek. China deliberately chose to unveil this latest AI model during the Spring Festival celebrations.

Then there was the humanoid robot dance on China Central Television’s Chinese New Year Eve gala show, which has an audience of over 780 million in China annually.

The country has done well because it has remained focused.

Despite the many restrictions placed on Chinese technology companies, it has managed to find a way around them somehow.

There is no time wasted on political squabbles. There is no room for debates or dissension.

Malaysia, on the other hand, struggles with unending political issues with a seeming lack of focus on long-term development.

Politicians have stepped up efforts to play up race and religion issues because they believe a general election could be held next year or by 2027, the latest possible date to hold elections.

So we have politicians drumming up the perception that Malays – the predominant voters – are under siege.

Sponsored social media portals and podcasts hosts have become increasingly louder and critical.

It doesn’t help that some DAP leaders, usually the prime target, also scored own goals without thinking thoroughly before opening their mouths. Their brash statements are easily manipulated by their opponents.

Looking at the politics taking place, unless the components of the unity government can carve out an agreement for the next general election, we may see another round of components contesting against each other.

The last thing Malaysia needs is a repeat of shifting alliances and party-hopping, leading to instability.

Investors have begun to pick Malaysia over Indonesia and Thailand because we are finally seen as politically stable.

Likewise, Malaysia has gained more China tourists during the CNY period compared with Thailand because of our neighbour’s lack of stability.

It is further helped by the visa-free policy, great culinary appeal, pro-environment attractions, and Malaysians’ multilingual ability, including of course cultural familiarity.

A report in Tour and Travel World dated Jan 29 said many China tourists ditched Thailand for Malaysia.

It said Thailand lost out because of safety concerns following high profile cases of Chinese visitors being kidnapped.

The report said Malaysia saw a 79.2% rise in the number of Chinese visitors, many of whom said they felt welcomed in Malaysia.

So it really doesn’t help if myopic politicians continue taking potshots at mighty China and its nationals.

Fortunately, the relationship between Malaysia and China has reached a mature enough level to withstand these irritants.

Malaysia has many good things ahead of us, we can’t afford to be diverted from governance and implemented policies.

For sure, we still haven’t woken up to the fact that ethnic and religious politics are being exploited by some politicians who use them as tools to gain support and not focus on economic and structural reforms.

Political discourse is often about minor and inconsequential issues, which are amplified for no good reason.

Political manoeuvring and theatrics are allowed to dominate the news instead of real issues such as economic competitiveness and innovations.

Then there are weak institutional frameworks where corruption, money politics, and the lack of strong independent institutions allow politicians to prioritise personal and party interests over national development.

Worse, we have politicians who defend the corrupt.

In every election, populist short-term actions are promised, often in the form of subsidies, and handouts, giving the impression that many policies are designed to win elections rather than to ensure sustainable growth.

Many of these handouts, including bonuses, seriously affect our national coffers.

This is perhaps a political reality where the means must justify the ends. But for Malaysia to move forward, to achieve high-income aspirations, we cannot afford inconsistent, flip-flop policies and perceived slow reform efforts.

With a little less than two years to go before the next general election must be held, we can be sure that the national economic agenda will be disrupted by unproductive political rhetoric.

Unfortunately, those who push the race and religion issues, often the worst of the political lot, will continue dominating the headlines.

Malaysia’s strength is the moderate, diverse, and progressive make-up of her wonderful people.

For sure, we cannot allow anyone advocating a theocratic state to be voted in.

We can quarrel over the unity government but the other option is terrifying.

We can’t afford to send the wrong message to the world – and very much to the glee of our neighbouring competitors.

PAS still hasn’t learned its lesson

Why do we have this feeling that PAS leaders have not learned from their habit of making baseless accusations?

There seems to be a pattern to their gaffes which included linking DAP leaders to Singapore and Communist Party of Malaya leaders.

The latest is alleging Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to be a “daughter of YTL.”

The Islamist party also had a seeming record of prejudices against China.

But the latest bizarre claim is by Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria.

The Semanggol state assemblyman had linked the DAP leader to the Yeoh family behind the successful YTL Corporation Bhd.

Realising his gaffe, Razman, in a Facebook post, has apologised to Hannah.

Still putting on a brave face, despite his ludicrous claim, he insisted the statement was not the main point of his speech, delivered at a four-day event.

”The news report referred to my statement about Hannah Yeoh, which lasted approximately ten seconds of my more than half-hour speech.

”I acknowledge my factual error regarding the connection between Yeoh and the corporate giant YTL. I admit that Yeoh has no ties to any corporate figure or YTL. This was an unintentional slip of the tongue.”

He extended an apology to Yeoh, YTL, and any parties affected or offended by the misunderstanding caused by his factual error.

The PAS lawmaker then called for media reporting that “sharpen public intellect rather than intensify divisions among the people.”

Well, we wish the same could be said about the kind of statements that come from the party.

As Hannah, the Segambut MP, rightly responded: “PAS needs to know that not all Yeohs are related.”

Recently, PAS Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad was found guilty of defaming DAP leaders Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng by linking them to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng in her election speeches.

She has since raised RM830,000 to pay off her damages and legal costs, as ordered by the courts.

In another case, Razman had to apologise to Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming after wrongly accusing the federal minister of taking part in a parade where China flags were waved.

It is not clear if the PAS faithful have grown tired of the kind of politics pursued by the party.

Their leaders do not seem to fact-check, or maybe just do not bother, the contents of their speeches.

Perhaps they do not mind ignoring the facts in their rhetorics believing that their speeches are often made in rural areas, and they would get away with it.

Of late, they have also pushed harder on the race and religious narrative to their audience.

It would not be surprising if they have given up on the non-Muslim votes and have decided to just use the Malay and Islam angles.

Non-Muslims have still not forgotten a suggestion by a Selangor PAS leader that its members should take wives from other races and cultures to get non-Malay votes.

PAS should not expect non-Muslims to support the party when its leaders continuously make absurd statements.

The party gets upset when they are likened to the hard-core Taliban but they only have themselves to blame as its stand on many issues does not give any assurances.

Take a look at tourism in Langkawi, it is as good as dead.

The endless imposition of regulations isn’t going to win tourists arrivals.

The Kedah state government cannot even convince its own people to holiday in Langkawi as they prefer nearby Hatyai, Thailand.

Let’s be honest, even Bersatu and Gerakan leaders, their partners in Perikatan Nasional, privately shake their heads indignantly, when the conversation turns to PAS.

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muyhiddin Yassin was sacked from Umno for speaking up against corruption.

PAS, on the other hand, has a pitiable record when it comes to corruption issues.

In fact, they have even been apologists, and that comes from a party which harps on religious values.

If not all Yeohs are related, the same can be said about Wongs.

I am certainly not related to the legendary kung fu master, Wong Fei Hung.