Well said by Malaysians…

on malaysiakini.com about Anwar Ibrahim, homophobia and sodomy. We need to clean up Malaysia and be more accepting and tolerant.

• Khairul Anuar Jaafar: I think it’s just plain disgusting that Anwar Ibrahim has been accused of ‘sodomy’, yet again, to discredit his political future. Enough has been said about the possible political motivations of such a plot, so I won’t add my voice to this particular chorus, which is already strong.
• What I would like to point out is that Anwar is being discredited in this way because obviously, some people want us to reject his potential leadership on the basis of his alleged sexual preferences. This is a complete violation of human rights.
• I, as a Malaysian, a Malay, a Muslim and a man, do not care what Anwar’s sexuality is – as far as I am concerned, any discussion on this is solely between him and his wife. Their privacy must be respected. I would only be interested in a politician’s sex life if such a politician was embezzling state funds or abusing public institutions to fuel their sexual fantasies or ambitions.
• I hope Malaysians will come out and oppose this repulsive allegation. Sodomy laws in ex-British colonies have not only been used to persecute politicians – they also hold gays and lesbians hostage.
• The law, in effect, criminalises and stigmatises all non-heterosexual relationships. Gays and lesbians have been persecuted, arrested, tortured and even killed because of such homophobia.
• But gays and lesbians form a productive part of our society. They pay taxes, they vote, they contribute to the economy, they lead charitable organisations, some of them do very good work in our mosques, churches and temples, and yes, some of them get involved in politics.
• The test of whether or not someone is fit for leadership should never be premised on whether or not that person is perceived to be gay or straight. I hope Malaysians are mature enough to speak out about this right now. My sympathies are with Anwar and his family.
• I think Pakatan Rakyat should categorically condemn homophobia and this sort of homophobic- baiting, not just of Anwar but of any leader. The credibility of Pakatan Rakyat, specifically of PKR, would soar dramatically (at least in my eyes) if it came out and demanded a full repeal of Sections 377A and 377B of the Penal Code.
• These sections outlaw ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’, and have been used in the past (and it looks like in the present also) to persecute individuals and groups simply because they are perceived to be non-heterosexual.
• Pakatan Rakyat has already given us new hope by speaking out against corruption and racial and religious politics. If Pakatan can defend sexual diversity in the same way that they so convincingly defend racial and religious diversity, I have no doubt that they will continue to be the obvious choice for government.
• Rachel Chan Suet Kay: What is sodomy? It is a word which is much equated with Anwar Ibrahim, but let us also examine the etymology of the word. To sodomise is to make contact between the genitals of one and the anus of another.
• In Jewish theology, Sodom was destroyed not because its citizens were homosexual, but rather because they were nasty, corrupt, and selfish.
• Whether Anwar is the sodomite in this round of allegations only proves one thing – that Malaysia discriminates against homosexuality. The question here is whether sodomy is a heinous crime, and how it has been used to demonise the alleged perpetrator.
• Should Malaysia not have any laws against homosexuality then it would be ineffective for one to ‘accuse’ Anwar or any other of the ‘crime’.
• Let us look at how people view the issue. The main intention of accusing Anwar of sodomising is, of course, to vilify him as a disgusting crook of a man who enjoys the rear end of others.
• However, when Rahim Thamby Chik was said to have committed statutory rape, the issue was easily let off the hook.
• With Section 377, Malaysians are prohibited from homosexual sodomy and are liable to face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. Compare this with the punishment meted out to rapists.
• Offenders may only face up to a minimum of five years. While rape by definition carries the meaning of a forced act, sodomy, even if consensual, is treated as the larger sin.
• People who do not fulfill traditional gender roles or heterosexuality often have no choice but to become commercial sex workers due to discrimination, with no legal protection from it. This is much, much sadder than whether a well-known political figure has committed sodomy.
• The point is, sodomy is used as the ‘absolute sin of all’ in political maneuvering to create controversy when there are many others suffering from coerced sexual intercourse.
• Instead of focusing our attention on whether Anwar has or has not committed this ‘absolute sin’, why don’t we turn our attentions to greater justice for rape victims and greater civil rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community?

www.malaysiakini.com

Officially Changed My Name

My new I.C. is ready and i am just so thrilled…. I remember when i told my grandfather i was changing my name…. from his eyes I could tell he was over the moon and proud that his granddaughter will be bearing his name. I will never forget that moment, it is burned into my heart forever.

I love you Grandpa so very much, and I know you are smiling!

 

“Ban Consumption of Cats and Dogs”

 ’Ban Consumption of Cats & Dogs’

With much dismay, we refer to an article published in The Star, 25th
June 2008 titled ‘Foreign Workers Eating Dog Meat’. Time and time

again, this issue has been highlighted in the local media, but not
much has changed for these poor stray dogs and puppies.
As an animal welfare organization, we find the practice of foreign
workers consuming dog meat (and often cat meat) completely
unacceptable – culturally and for humane reasons. Though there are no
laws prohibiting such despicable acts, the consumption of dog and cat
meat is inhumane because the methods of slaughter used are crude and
cruel, often leading to prolonged suffering of the animals – death by
bludgeoning, strangulation and stabbing. There are local laws against
animal cruelty, but unfortunately these laws are not enforced against
these foreign workers. The Animals Act 1953 (revised 2006) in Part IV:
44(1) clearly states that any person who cruelly beats, kicks,
ill-treats, overrides, overdrives, overloads, tortures, infuriates or
terrifies any animal; shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty and
shall be liable to a fine of two hundred ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term of six months or to both.

Though consumption of cats and dogs is widely acceptable in the
homelands of the foreign workers – Vietnam, Indonesia and in some
instances even Myanmar – this cuisine is alien to us Malaysians and is
abhorred by all animal lovers here. How much longer do we have to
watch these homeless animals suffer at the hands of people who have no
respect or consideration for them as living, breathing, sentient

beings? On the other hand, the public should also play a part by not
abandoning their dogs or cats, which will lead to continuous breeding
and to be preyed upon by foreign workers, viewing them as food.

SPCA Selangor will initiate an active government-lobbying campaign to
ban the consumption of cats and dogs in Malaysia. We will also be
contacting the relevant embassies and a police report will be lodged

soon after we have interviewed the witness of the incident. It is time

for our Government to look into this issue seriously, as this culture
must not be allowed to spread and gain popularity. Pet owners and
people caring for community animals have lost many a loved one in
recent years to the miserable situation. Hong Kong, the Philippines,
and Taiwan have banned the practice – that is the precedent to follow.

Best Regards,

Christine Chin
Chairperson

SPCA Selangor

Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama,
68000 Ampang Jaya

spca@streamyx.com

 

Article in the Star can be found at

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/25/nation/21646007&sec=nation
Be their voice because it is the right thing to do.

“A Mother’s Love Knows No Boundaries”

is what I was reading today in the May edition of Challenges, the only magazine in Malaysia that devotes itself to people with disabilities– be it intellectual, mental or physical. I must relinquish that I sobbed. weeped and cried at this article because it was very touching to read about moms who sacrifice their lives so that their special children could experience a whole one. Nothing in my personal opinion is more powerful than a mother’s eternal love for her child, despite the child’s disabilities…what greater unconditional love is there?

Belief in the child is all the more important, in this story, three moms held the belief that their children, notwithstanding their disabilities, could overcome life’s challenges and contribute positively to society. And indeed so, because of their moms’ love and encouragement, these kids went on to conquer the world… be it a talented pianist or a school teacher.

I cannot stress how important it is to have your mother’s belief in your capability despite the obvious circumstances. When you don’t have that belief, as Leonard Chua said, “I would be dead”.

Hence, this week’s poem is about a mother’s never-ending love and it is in honor of all mothers who have given up their comforts so that their special children may succeed. I salute all of you moms out there who have given your child the gift of life.

If I ever become a mom one day, I hope to be just as good as all of you have been.

On another note, YL & I have decided that 30% of all proceeds of this book should benefit underprivileged children who can’t afford school supplies, and this proposition of course, is due in part to who my grandfather was.

 That’s all for now, buh bye

Across the Great Divide

I along with YL, finished our second poem for our anthology, and it is entitled, Across the Great Divide. We had to discreetly and meticulously choose our words due to the fact that this poem concerns itself with racial disharmony which unfortunately plagues our country. Consequently, it took us over 3 hours to brainstorm and come up with a poem that conveys a powerful message. As always, it is very simplistic where poetic devices are concerned, but the message stands firm. Without divulging too much of the details, the message is that if we put aside our differences and work together, we can accomplish great things.

Maya Angelou inspired me to write this poem from her poem, the Human Family. As she said, “In minor ways we differ, but in major ways we are the same.”

On another note, I had a pleasant weekend. On Friday, I spent the day with my half siblings. It gives me a sense of purpose in life to able to do little things for them that mean the world to them. They are great kids, and they truly deserve the best.

I watched Made of Honor yesterday night at 1utama, it was hilariously funny, although I think Patrick Dempsey is too old to be acting in these romantic comedies, lol. He’s still flaming hot though!

 

Until I write again, toodles!

xoxoK

 

Racist and Disgusting

For all Americans who are republicans and support this kind of racist bigotry, how disgusting and shocking!

 

Melt!!!!!!!!!!!

Noah melts my heart, look at that innocent face!!!!

 

Success!

Yes! I along with TYL have completed our first poem for our book, Life Poetry. The title is called “Where Were You?” and it challenges the reader’s conscience regarding civic-mindedness, cool huh?

 

Might I say it was a difficult poem to compose, took us nearly 3 hours. I think choosing the right words can be an arduous task!

 

Anyway, I think it’s a good poem… don’t forget to get yourself a copy when it’s published, we promise not to let you down!

 

Going for my walk now with Chanel, ta!

 

Embarrassed, Angry & Disappointed

On Thursday evening, during rush hour traffic, I took my dog Chanel for our daily brisk walk around the Hartamas neighborhood. While I was walking on the sidepath, I accidentally tripped and fell forward. Since the walk-way was laden with cement, I ended up scraping both my knees. As I was trying to fathom how I fell down ( i.e. uneven ground, clumsiness, accident), I noticed blood spattering down both my knees, and I thought to myself “Oh boy, I better get up and go home to get this cleaned up”. So i grabbed on to the railling next to the pathway, and proceeded to lift myself up, bearing in mind, Chanel was being a good doggy by just sitting there. I then realized I was getting up using my left side, which happens to be the weaker side of my body so as I was turning around to tug on to the railing with my right hand, I somehow lost control of my left hand and subsequently hit my head against the metal railing.

The impact of the hit somehow reached my spine and for a long while I felt paralyzed and dizzy.. nerve impulses were shooting all over the place. It doesn’t stop there  though, there’s more..

NO ONE IN A BUSY PUBLIC VICINITY BOTHERED TO HELP ME. Three Women saw me struggling as they walked by and didn’t do a damn thing. Cars were going up and down and NONE stopped to help me, I was obviously in need of help.

Where was Malaysian civic-mindedness? Where was Malaysian so called hospitality? Where was Malaysian ‘Unity’?

I am terribly embarrassed falling down twice in a row, but I am beyond flabbergasted at the attitudes of the sophisticated masses of Malaysia. Would it have been so hard to extend a little bit of kindness and courtesy?

I am so ashamed of this country. I am honestly not proud at this point to be called a Malaysian.

I know some people in this country would have the decency to help, in retrospect however, most of them don’t.. All I received were empty stares.

Going back to when I was temporarily paralyzed, I shut my eyes and asked my Grandpa to help me. A little while later, I found the strength to get up and walk home with Chanel. God only knows how I walked home, because my entire body was aching.

As I still was rather disorientated, I managed to grab some dettol and proceeded to clean my wounds. I let my emotions overwhelm me and I began to sob uncontrollably. Do I have to suffer for the rest of my life with a damaged spine? Will I be able to gain back a life I once had?

I don’t know. I just feel my body wearing away year after year… sigh….it is honestly a very tough thing to go through suffering every day of your life.

 

“The Business of Dialogue” – Farish Noor

Today  I was browsing through Lim Kit Siang’s blog when I came upon a well-written article by Farish Noor. While I agree that the so called “gap” between the West and the Muslim world can be questioned (both cultures have pervaded each other), I humbly disagree with the implication that the root cause of terrorism is “primarily a political-economic problem and not a theological one”.

I quote from his article, “Surely it can be seen that much of what fuels this resentment towards the West, and towards America in particular, is the perception that the elites of Western societies have their own agenda to manipulate, control and dominate the economic and political systems of the Muslim world.”

I agree with this statement, consider Dick Cheney, who used his political position as vice president to secure building oil refineries in post-war Iraq. Do you know that Halliburton was awarded a sole contract to revamp the oil pipelines and in return, have access to pump out crude oil for corporate gain?

And again I quote from his article, “And surely much of this can and should be seen as a political response to what is primarily a political-economic problem, and not a theological one?”

Sure, I can sympathize with the Muslim world, they have a right to be enraged, but it becomes theological when extremists (as they are referred to) use Islam as a justification of suicide attacks, bombings and so forth. (Scream Jihad, shall we? How many times have you heard, “in the name of Islam…”?)

Think about it.

But you know, to be fair, the article was mainly concerning the business of inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue and how these seminars are basically predominated by elitists who want to further their agenda. It really is a complete waste of time and it bores me to tears!!!

Have a look and judge for yourself.

The Business of Dialogue

By Farish A. Noor

Dialogue is a funny business, particularly when it happens to be dialogue of the inter-civilisational and inter-religious kind. Having just attended yet another Dialogue between Islam and the West in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I find myself compelled to pen these thoughts before my blood pressure rises any further and I risk doing serious damage to myself and the furniture in my office…

The theme of the dialogue conference I attended was ‘Islam and the West: Bridging the Gap’. Now, allow me to state some rather commonsensical yet important observations at this point. If we were to begin the dialogue process by stating that there exists a gap between the Western and Muslim worlds, then in a sense we have introduced the very same problem that we wish to rectify in the first place. How and why has such a gap emerged between the West and Islam; what are the historical and more importantly, political, processes and mechanisms that contributed to this gap; and do Muslims and Westerners perceive there to be a gap in the first place?

It is important to emphasise again and again that the Western and Muslim worlds have been among the oldest civilisational neighbours in the history of humanity. After all, the Muslim world has lived side-by-side next to Western Europe for more than 1,400 years; and if after such a long period we still do not understand each other then we really must be the worst of neighbours. History, however, is replete with examples and instances of genuine dialogue and interaction in all forms and all registers: from the cultural-intellectual borrowing and cross-fertilisation that took place in both communities leading to the renaissance of both the European and Muslim worlds to the enduring traces of cross-cultural contact and appreciation that exists in the hybrid pop culture of both societies until today.

A cursory look at the modern urban landscape of every single postcolonial Muslim-majority country today would testify to the fact that modern Muslims live in a hybrid social space where the public domain is just as much coloured by Islamic norms as it is by Western norms and values: Muslims dream of living in suburban homes, owning two cars, having two kids, two pets, membership to the country club and spending their weekends going to the mall and dining of Western fast food. (When they can afford it) Likewise Europeans and North Americans have no problems eating kebabs and bryani, listening to Rai music, appreciating the poetry of Rumi and the aesthetic delights of Ottoman or Moghul art. (When they can afford it.) So where on earth is this ‘gap’ between the West and Islam?

On a societal level it is hard to see how and why Westerners and Muslims should look askance at each other, for social interaction and dialogue have, in fact, been going on for centuries. If there is a gap to speak of, it is a political one and one that is determined by the workings of power and power-politics on the global stage.

The aim of such dialogues, we are told, is to correct the misunderstandings and misperceptions of Islam in the eyes of the West that have arisen as a result of the escalation of ‘religiously-inspired’ terrorism in the name of Islam. But ask yourselves this question: Prior to the creation of the state of Israel; prior to the intervention into Arab political and social affairs by the American government; prior to imposition of the Washington economic consensus on the economies of the Arab-Muslim world, were there so many instances of Arab-Muslim ‘terror’ against the West?

And if and when these instances of ‘terrorism’ occur, who and what are their targets? Why is it that the attacks on the West seem primarily directed towards the symbols and emblems of American political, military and economic hegemonic power? Why is it that it is Western oil companies, embassies and military bases that are attacked time and again?

Surely it can be seen that much of what fuels this resentment towards the West, and towards America in particular, is the perception that the elites of Western societies have their own agenda to manipulate, control and dominate the economic and political systems of the Muslim world. And surely much of this can and should be seen as a political response to what is primarily a political-economic problem, and not a theological one?

So why is it that Islam is put on trial and Islam has to account for itself? My concerns about these dialogue conferences are manifold, but they can be summed up as follows: Most of these dialogues are held on an inter-governmental level, and they involve the participation of elites from both Western and Muslim societies. Hence the predominance of Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents and princes at these high-level meetings that take place in 5-star, 6-star or even 7-star hotels and resorts. Yet these are precisely the very same elites who are collaborating in the skewered geo-political process that has created and perpetuated the gap of power and power-differentials in the first place; and in many ways it is the politics that they practice that is the source of the problem, and not the solution.

My second concern is how these dialogues have rarely ever taken off on an even footing, where both sides engage in meaningful, frank exchanges on an equal basis. In fact, more often than not what happens is that the same coterie of Muslim apologists are invited to ‘explain’ Islam to the West, and to ‘explain’ why Muslims take the course of violence by recourse to some theological explanation. Such an approach places all the blame of Muslim theology and none of the blame of geo-politics and the workings of global capital. But consider the oddity of it all: When a Muslim walks into Mc Donalds to order a Big Mac, nobody asks him if Islam compels him to do that, or suggests that it is the Qur’an that determines his tastes and preferences! Yet when a Muslim protests against American oil companies exploiting the resources of his country, the explanation for this anger and indignation has to be found in Islam somehow.

So how then do we account for the protests against America that have been taking place in Mexico, Venezuela, the rest of Latin America and Africa; where Muslims are few and far between and Islamic religious scripture has little impact? The only conclusion I can come up with is that Islam is once again being set up as the nasty culprit responsible for every act of defiance against Western hegemony that we see in the Third World today.

All in all, the cynical conclusion I have come to is that these high-level inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue conferences and seminars that are held routinely in hotels and resorts the world over have become an end in themselves: A convenient meeting point for Western elites and their third world compradore counterparts to come together and agree upon the terms of the Washington neo-liberal consensus. A waste of time they certainly are, but more than that they also mean big bucks for those who have to foot the bill. Perhaps the only ones who really benefit from them are the hotel managers and owners, who seem to be doing a roaring business whenever dialogue season starts. The funny business of dialogue has become a business, in the end.