Merdeka 曖昧

Tagged by Rajan Seri yesterday, and Bob today, so I have no choice but to… Sorry I dissappointed you because there’s no bahasa rojak.

1985 : 20 Years Ago

My first trip to Bangkok and Pattaya. No such thing as Skytrain, MRT or elevated highway yet. The same Donmuang airport, the same rose garden and floating market. Innocent me didn’t know what was Patpong or Pattaya famous for, yet. Should have visited some gigantic Buddhist temples too, but can’t remember. You see, selective amnesia is common among political keensters.

Can’t really remember much of 1985. Don’t ask for too much from a kid. But one thing I am very sure of. Thank to my sensitive nose, have been visiting countless doctors. Emigrated from Bukit Mertajam to KL, we lived near Pusat Tarbiyyah Taman Melewar back then.

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Blogger Wan Saiful has presented a very well-written entry, pointing out some problems he had with my You’ll Never Walk Alone and You’ll Never Walk Alone (2). Quoting him,

Denigrating the syariah, too, is not a way forward. She should realize that there are many people out there who are progressive but still believe in syariah. As a Muslim, it is my democratic right to want the syariah, and if we were to work together, appreciation of others is a must.

Throughout my You’ll Never Walk Alone and You’ll Never Walk Alone (2), I did not bring up the issue of Syariah, much less denigrating it. Syariah together with Common Law as part and parcel of the legal system in Malaysia, on principle poses no problem to me at all, eventhough I might have some issues on it’s detailed implementations. It is neither my nor Keadilan’s intention to abolish or alter the Syariah system we currently have.

I also did not say those Muslims who want Syariah cannot work towards such a target within democratic platform. All I have done is :

1. presenting my opposition to the inhumane part of Hudud, and
2. stating that votes for Barisan Alternatif was severely reduced because one of its component parties adopted Hudud as their policy.

Yes, I agree totally that appreciation of the others is a must. Also, try to appreciate what attracts and drives away votes, if one wishes to win elections.
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