Eid Mubarak 1444H
The Prophet Muhammad’s Transformative Legacy and the Call for Structural Change
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) holds a significant place in history as a transformative figure who was sent to mankind with a divine mission. His arrival in the 7th century CE marked a turning point in the Arabian Peninsula, where society was plagued by corruption, discrimination, injustice, elitism, racism, and the oppression of the weak. As the last and final prophet in Islam, Muhammad (pbuh) was tasked with establishing profound structural changes to rectify these societal ills and guide humanity towards a path of righteousness and justice.
Challenging Pre-Islamic Society:
During the pre-Islamic era known as the Jahiliyyah, the Arabian society was deeply entrenched in a state of moral decay. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) emerged as a beacon of light, delivering a message of monotheism, equality, and social justice. He preached the oneness of God and called upon individuals to transcend their tribal and societal divisions. The Quran emphasized the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings, irrespective of their social standing, ethnicity, or gender. Muhammad (pbuh) actively challenged the existing power dynamics and sought to uplift the marginalized and vulnerable members of society.
Promoting Social Justice and Economic Equality:
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advocated for the rights of slaves, emphasized the importance of justice and fairness in governance, and implemented a system of welfare known as Zakat. These measures aimed to address social injustices, economic disparities, and the oppression of the weak. The Prophet’s teachings and actions emphasized ethics, integrity, and the redistribution of wealth to alleviate poverty, fostering a more equitable society.
Parallels with Contemporary Challenges:
Examining the structural changes initiated by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) allows us to draw parallels with contemporary challenges such as corruption and capitalism. Upholding justice and accountability, combating inequality and exploitation, emphasizing ethics and integrity, and redistributing wealth and alleviating poverty are crucial aspects that resonate with the present-day issues.
The Madani Concept:
Inspired by the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Madani concept, introduced by Anwar Ibrahim, emphasizes justice, equality, and good governance. It calls for a shift in mindset, where the pursuit of long-term prosperity and sustainable development takes precedence over short-term gains, particularly in the context of elections. Central to this concept is the active cooperation and participation of the people, sacrifice for structural transformation, and a focus on sustainable development.
Breaking the Cycle of Dependency:
The Madani concept recognizes the prevailing issues of cash handouts, political instability, and lack of policy innovations. It highlights the need to break away from the cycle of cash handouts and foster a societal shift where individuals are willing to make sacrifices for sustainable development. This includes investing time, effort, and resources in activities that facilitate structural change and prioritizing the long-term well-being of the nation over immediate personal benefits. It also emphasizes the importance of establishing social protection mechanisms to alleviate the burdens faced by vulnerable segments of society.
In conclusion, the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) transformative legacy serves as a guiding light for addressing societal challenges and calling for structural change. By embracing the Madani concept and its principles of justice, equality, and good governance, societies can strive for comprehensive development, break away from a culture of dependency, and work towards a more prosperous and equitable future. It is through collective efforts, shared responsibility, and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good that transformative change can be achieved.
Selamat Menyambut Eid al_Adha 1444H
A treaty to end the age of plastic
A Treaty to End the Age of Plastic-At the global plastics treaty talks, we, the people, need to speak louder than the plastic-addicted corporations https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/11/27/a-treaty-to-end-the-age-of-plastic
I wholeheartedly agree with Marian Ledesma’s call for action and support her advocacy for a strong global plastics treaty. It is high time we address the plastic pollution crisis that has had devastating effects on our environment and communities.
The upcoming negotiations present a crucial opportunity to make a real difference. We must ensure that the treaty addresses the entire lifecycle of plastic, including production, use, and waste management. Limiting and reducing total plastic production and encouraging refill and reuse systems are essential steps towards sustainability and climate change mitigation.
It is disheartening to see big corporations falling short of their commitments and obstructing legislative efforts. This further highlights the urgency for individuals and communities to raise their voices and hold these companies accountable. We must amplify the voices of those directly impacted by plastic pollution, including front-line communities, waste pickers, and displaced populations, to ensure that their experiences and knowledge shape the decision-making process.
Furthermore, the treaty should prioritize environmental justice and a just transition for all stakeholders. It should take into account the disproportionate burden borne by communities near plastic production facilities and those most vulnerable to plastic pollution. By centering the interests of people and the planet, we can foster a more sustainable and equitable future.
We must support the reuse revolution and champion local and national policies that drive systemic change. Plastic bans and extended producer responsibility measures are steps in the right direction, and we should continue to push for their implementation.
As concerned citizens, let us unite and make our voices heard louder than ever before. Let us demand that the Global Plastics Treaty lives up to its potential and becomes a milestone in environmental history. Together, we can end the age of plastic and pave the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world.
The World We Have Created
It is deeply disheartening to witness the consequences of apathy and indifference towards our environment. The deteriorating conditions of our waters, such as the depletion of oxygen levels leading to the cruel deaths of thousands of fish, and the expansion of low-oxygen areas in the open ocean, are stark reminders of the urgent need for collective action.
The world we inhabit today is indeed a product of our choices and actions. Our failure to prioritize environmental concerns and address them with the necessary political will has led us down this path. However, acknowledging this reality should not discourage us from striving for change. Rather, it should serve as a wake-up call to reevaluate our priorities and take immediate and decisive steps to rectify the damage caused.
To address these issues, it is crucial that we foster a sense of environmental responsibility among individuals, communities, and governments. We need to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of our actions and the health of our ecosystems, emphasizing the long-term implications for both human and non-human life. This includes promoting sustainable practices, reducing pollution, and conserving our natural resources.
Furthermore, we must hold our elected officials accountable for their actions or inactions on environmental matters. By demanding that environmental concerns be treated as critical priorities, we can encourage politicians to enact meaningful legislation and policies that prioritize the preservation and restoration of our ecosystems. Additionally, supporting and engaging with organizations and initiatives that advocate for environmental protection can amplify our collective voice and effect positive change.
While the challenges we face may seem daunting, it is essential to remember that small actions can have a significant impact when multiplied by the collective efforts of concerned individuals. By working together to address apathy, indifference, and the lack of political will, we can begin to create a world that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.
Pendakwaan terhadap presiden di kongres
Saya telah menyaksikan perbahasan pendakwaan salahlaku (impeachment of) bekas Presiden Donald Trump di Kongres AS. Berpuluh ahli kongres, Republican dan Domocrat telah mengemukakan hujah setiap pembahas dibenarkan dalam masa antara satu hingga tiga minit. Ketika pembahas berucap, tiada suara/bunyi lain yg kedengaran hanya suara pembahas ketika berucap. Tiada gangguan, celahan, pekikan, kebisingan yg disengajakan, dan usaha-usaha mensabotaj mesej yg ingin disampaikan oleh setiap pembahas. Tiada yg membantah keputusan speaker yg adil. Dan pembahas sentiasa memohon izin utk sesuatu yg diluar ketetapan masa yg telah ditentukan.Sungguh beradab walaupun isu yg dibahaskan sangat panas.Di akhir perbahasan, impeachment terhadap bekas Presiden Trump diluluskan dengan 232 undi [222 Democrat, 10 Republican] daripada 433 ahli kongres secara aman dan rela hati. #DemiRakyat
Bagaimana menyingkir ketua negara yg tidak di kehendaki ramai, yg paling berkuasa di dunia?
Bagaimana menyingkir ketua negara yg tidak dikehendaki ramai, yg paling berkuasa di dunia?
Dengan kombinasi faktor-faktor berikut:
komitmen utuh Rakyat menerusi pilihan raya dan desakan susulan,
sistem kehakiman yang menegakkan kebenaran,
ahli-ahli parlimen (pembangkang dan kerajaan) yang menegakkan dan mempertahan nilai2 demokrasi dan kebenaran,
speaker parlimen yang mendokong prinsip-prinsip demokrasi,
party chief whips yang membenarkan ahli-ahli parlimen mengundi mengikut conscience mereka,
ketua-ketua negeri yang menegakkan apa yg betul,
kakitangan kerajaan yang kompeten dan istiqamah dalam melaksanakan apa yg betul,
para cendikiawan yang bersungguh-sungguh menyatakan kebenaran,
media massa yang tidak jemu menjelaskan kedudukan sebenar isu dan situasi,
dan doa-doa Rakyat & orang-orang yang dizalimi oleh ketua negara tersebut.
Telah dibuktikan dgn tersingkirnya ketua negara tersebut dengan rasminya pada 20 Januari 2021 di Amerika Syarikat.
The Migration
He says,“And those who emigrated for[the cause of] God after they had been wronged-We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know”(Quran 16:41).
Countries which are willing, must be allowed FREELY to help refugees all over the world.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was an immigrant.
The initiation of Muhajirin-Ansar brotherhood could be an exemplary culture to save mankind (suited to contemporary needs and practicality).
Whence does the political will to work that out?
Maal Hijrah
1 Muharram 1441H
1 September 2019
Kemerdekaan ke atas manusia telah wahyukan oleh Pencipta manusia.
Merdeka Manusia!
Para pemimpin yang merdeka (yang tidak dibelenggu oleh pemikiran, agenda sempit dan jangka pendek, kepentingan diri dan kesetiaan ekstrim kepada kelompok) di kalangan manusia menerima hakikat itu sepenuhnya.
Dengan itu, memberi kebebasan kepada semua yang dipimpin oleh mereka.
Umat manusia masih menantikan pemimpin yang merdeka untuk memerdeka dan memimpin manusia sejagat.
Pemimpin yang merdeka adalah mereka yang memimpin manusia dengan adil, belas kasihan dan kasih sayang, tanpa ancaman, diskriminasi, dominasi, penyelewengan, manipulasi, korupsi, kekejaman, pembunuhan, kecuaian yang disengajakan, rasis, anti-kepelbagaian, rakus dunia, keegoan yang menganggap murah nyawa manusia dan memusnahkan alam sekitar serta khazanah dunia lainnya.
Rakyat yang merdeka senantiasa membantu para pemimpin yang merdeka hati dan jiwanya.
Sampai waktunya, Allah (SWT) pantas dalam keputusanNya…terbela manusia dan kemanusiaan di serata dunia…dalam perjuangan mereka memerdekakan diri dari belenggu kuasa manusia rakus dan berpura-pura berperikemanusiaan.
31 Ogos 2019, Malaysia
P.S. : Malaysia apa yang diingini oleh Rakyat Malaysia? Adakah mungkin tercapai kesepakatan?
Asap Rokok Cigarette Smoke
LIMA kesan asap rokok kepada ibu hamil.
1. Keguguran janin
2. Tumbesaran janin terencat
3. Kematian janin dalam kandungan
4. Pendarahan dari uri
5. Kurang berat badan.
Asap rokok, asap rokok basi (secondhand smoke) dan sisa asap basi (thirdhand smoke) bahaya kpd wanita hamil – KKM Putrajaya @KKM Putrajaya
Secondhand smoke is smokefrom burning tobaccoproducts, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. 1,5,6. Secondhand smokealso is smokethat has been exhaled, or breathed out, by the person smoking. 5,6. Tobacco smokecontains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer –
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/index.htm
Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces.Jul 13, 2017 –https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/third-hand-smoke/faq-20057791
News: Stop Lynas
Anti-Lynas rally kicks off with 500 people
Around 500 protesters against the government’s decision to extend Lynas’ permit to operate a rare earth refinery in Pahang have gathered at Taman Gelora, Kuantan today.
The protest, which kicked off at about 8am, saw protestors carrying placards and banners denouncing the government and demanding the resignation of Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh and Bentong MP Wong Tack.
Fuziah – a deputy minister – and Wong are two of Pakatan Harapan’s most recognisable faces in the anti-Lynas campaign.
One placard featured a caricature of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and read “environmental colonialism”.
The protesters also chanted ‘No u-turn’ and ‘Close Lynas’ when they featured a mock bus carying the message: ‘Pakatan breaches its promise’.
The mock bus also carried the images of the premier, Harapan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.
Another placard contained Chinese calligraphy and was held by DAP assemblyperson Ronnie Liu, which contained a sarcastic message aimed at the federal government.
“While loving the people like his own child, money is also his child,” read the message. Liu is the lawmaker for Sungai Pelek in Selangor, but hails from Raub, Pahang.
Liu’s colleagues in DAP, including Bentong MP Wong Tack, Tras state assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui and Tanah Rata state assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong appeared later.
Teruntum state assemblyperson Sim Chon Siang, whose constituency is where the protest venue is today, also appeared with PKR Semambu state assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung.
At one point, Parti Sosialis Malaysia members, who participated the rally, turned to the representatives and demanded they fulfill the Pakatan Harapan pledge.
“Fulfill your pledge and don’t cheat the people,” they chanted.
The rally organiser Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) also showed on stage the portraits or images of 40 Harapan ministers, lawmakers and leaders who had pledged to close down Lynas factory.
The group then chanted on stage ‘jon-loi loh‘ (‘come back’ in Hakka dialect) to symbolise calling these Harapan leaders, who have forgotten about their pledge, to come back and stand together with the people.
The rally, which began with morning exercises at the famous tourist spot, ended with SMSL chairperson Tan Bun Teet and the protesters tearing apart the relevant page of Pakatan Harapan.
The rally ended by 9.30 am.
Local authorities had not given the protest organisers permission to use the venue. The local police had advised them to rally elsewhere and the law can be applied because organisers did not obtain permission from the venue owner.
When met later, Tan appeared to be happy with the crowd size as he expected only 200 protesters to turn up.
However, Tan disagreed with some protesters who urged both Wong Tack and Fuziah Salleh to go.
“If they resign, it will leave behind the ‘yes man’, we need to have some opposition voices inside,” he said.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/488406
“Don’t bully us, Lynas” Video Clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJgFWswYq0&feature=youtu.be
Freedom of Oversight
Much has been said and written on freedom of speech. One can have freedom of speech when one is empowered. An empowered individual makes decisions independently and to state what needs to be said without retribution.
There are contexts and normative understanding that need to be considered before exercising freedom of speech. Importantly, the public’s interest is always at heart.
There has been a marked change from the BN to Pakatan era in the state legislative assembly. The earlier experience at Selangor saw some reforms, including expressing opinion freely in longer debates – an admission from the Opposition in the Selangor Pakatan era.
Elected representatives have the specific responsibility to fulfil the function of legislative oversight. Legislative oversight function compels government to account for all its decisions (and indecisions) and activities/gaps between what is mandated and has been implemented (government accountability). Failure to be responsive to questions (in the forms of the various tools available) by members of parliament or state legislative assemblies may face the consequence of impeachment; in Malaysia, however, it has never happened.
Do legislators (the MPs or members of state assemblies) effectively undertake their function in
overseeing the executive (the government)?
What does effective legislative oversight mean?
Do legislators freely engage in legislative debates and question times?
Do we even care?
The Malaysian 2019 Parliamentary Budgets (Malay) in RM millions:
“Asking questions to get to the truth”
Justice for All 