April Fool's Day Extended Indefinitely...

Bogus gods spawn bogus monarchies (revisited)

Bogus gods spawn bogus monarchies, and bogus monarchies create bogus aristocracies, which then give rise to bogus ministers and administrations. Bog help us!

Unlike Farish Noor whose academic roots ground him in the empirical approach to truth-speaking, my own perspective on "reality" (and, incidentally, the word "real" itself means very little unless one understands it as pertaining to true royalness or regality; in effect, to be honorable, noble and in total integrity) is not necessarily confined to the flatlands of 3rd dimensional physicality.

Our sensory organs and scientific instruments can only access approximately 0.01% of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. 99.99% of "reality" occurs in what we might call the realm of metaphysics - the domain of thoughts, feelings, ideas and memories unbounded by our familiar spacetime continuum.

Indeed, we began as omnidimensional extensions of the Unified Field of Consciousness (call it GOOD if you will, not GOD!) but voluntarily stepped ourselves down deeper and deeper into static density and specific gravity in order to experience and explore the weird and wonderful worlds of form and structure.

Being trapped for millions of millennia in ever more compressed energy packets made us forget our original limitlessness. Limits became "the norm" for us and we began taking boundaries too seriously.

The first boundary we take too seriously is our personal ego, our definition of individual existence.

The second boundary pertains to our concept of kinship, our blood relations and extended family or clan.

The third boundary is called the tribe, and the fourth is the collectivity of tribes that constitutes our sense of nationhood.

As we evolve to the fifth boundary and see ourselves as inhabitants of various biocultural regions (Asia, Europe, North and South America, and so on), we begin to approach planetary consciousness as global citizens.

One more step and we attain galactic alignment, i.e., the awareness that our nearest star is a member of hundreds of billions of stars that comprise our local galaxy.

I wonder what Jamal Md Yusof would do if offered galactic citizenship - despite his obvious unsuitability for such an adventure, at his present level of consciousness. There's nothing problematic about Jamal as potential GOOD in human form; however, the software he's running became obsolete several generations ago. Well, he obviously missed the 21 December 2012 deadline to upgrade his operating system and integrate it with the impending quantum shift that will propel humanity beyond win-lose zero-sum games into workable win-win scenarios. But then, Jamal is far from being the only one who has missed the boat of onward evolution beyond the fallen angel and modified ape dichotomy.

"Grand Universe" by Antifan Real


Farish Noor: Still dreaming of a Malaysia to call Home 


[First posted 14 August 2011, reposted 15 February 2017]

ONE SURE WAY TO DESTROY A NATION (repost)

This timely and lucid essay by AB Sulaiman was lifted from Malaysiakini as a service to those who have no subscription and therefore cannot access it...

"I do not share the euphoria surrounding the formation of Perkasa. I do not see how its claim to protect race and religion can promote Malay socio-economic progress. Ibrahim Ali's declared intentions show all the promise of repeating the mistake and are an exercise in futility."

PERKASA - REBIRTH OF A DEMON

AB Sulaiman
March 10, 2010
7:31pm


The birth of Malay NGO Perkasa is obviously causing a stir in the Malaysian social, intellectual and political landscape.

It has a declared intention of acting as a "shield against those who question Malay rights, the royalty and Islam," according to its founding head and Independent MP Ibrahim Ali.

Ibrahim Ali (courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)

The target and philosophy is thereby made clear - to protect and promote the sanctity of Islam, the martabat (dignity and honour) of the Malay people, and the spirit of nationalism. This falls under the ideology and banner of untuk agama, bangsa dan negara (for religion, race and nation).

But hasn't the same philosophy and ideology been used by the Malay leadership in governing the country ever since Independence in 1957? Wasn't it adopted in the interests of Ketuanan Melayu (KM) after the launch of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1970?

To be sure it is the same. Yet, over the last 52 years, it has not seen much success.

So what's the idea of creating Perkasa now and making the defence and propagation of religion and race sound like a newfound revelation that must be pursued with such immediacy and enthusiasm? Against what threat is the shield designed to protect? From where does this come from anyway? It is indeed a puzzle.The truth of the matter is that people today are tired of KM leadership. It is so blatantly racist and theological that even Malays are embarrassed by it. Today's citizens think, listen, read, travel and demand more - they are better informed and knowledgeable, and reject racism and religious extremism.

They are also more aware of the situation around them. They are aware of the abuse of power, abuse of the NEP, corruption and the breakdown of institutions of governance. Civil society movements are agitating and demanding liberty and respect for universal human rights.

All this does not bode well for the KM leadership, considering the realisation that KM has not really fought for Malay dignity and honour. It has been fighting more to fill the pockets of a few and to protect a small number of politically-connected individuals.

The disenchantment was amply demonstrated by the results of the 2008 election, leading to BN and Umno - the latter being the most active front for KM - losing the two-thirds majority in Parliament, and the Opposition gaining control of five states.

The influence of Umno is waning. Malays are running away from Umno, as are Chinese from MCA and Indians from MIC.

In other words, BN is in tatters. This is why Perkasa was hastily created - to stem this erosion of support.

Inherent illusions

This quick analysis and conclusion may or may not be right but, to me, it is entirely consistent with the facts and situations surrounding the formation of Perkasa.

I question why it is re-using the religion, race and nationalism card when this has been proven to be obsolete and irrelevant in bringing progress and change to Malay social and economic development. My scepticism is based on the following observations on KM-based thinking and its inherent prejudices and illusions:

• It claims to hold the monopoly on truth. Such thinking holds the view that Islam is the only religion approved by god and that other religions are false. This perception of exclusivity is, of course absurd, for religion is a matter of faith between an individual and his or her god.

• It caries the illusion that the Malay culture is the world's foremost culture, with its pristine budi bahasa and sopan santun coupled with a high sense of morality. Again this is an absurd, unilateral claim, for any culture has its etiquette and morality, no better nor worse than any other. It can be seen therefore that the KM norm is decked with hyperbolism - that being Malay and Muslim is the luckiest draw in the lottery of life.

• It can also be arrogant and has little or no tolerance for alternatives. Indeed its parameters have no avenue to realise its own mistakes. In short, it is black-and-white thinking: 'I am right therefore you are wrong. If you are not for me then you are against me.'

• It is a world of collective delusion of the superiority of the Malay culture and the uniqueness of Islam.Well, the record of Malay governance has shown fairly conclusively that the religion- and race- based philosophy of governance has not worked. This is hardly surprising for any economics textbook will explain that the factors of economic production (or the creation of national wealth) are land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. Of late, knowledge has been included. Further factors favouring the development of a civilisation are secularism, materialism and intellectualism.

Of these eight factors, none refer to race or religion. In concept and reality therefore, the KM formula for social and economic success is way off the mark. Indeed it has been a colossal mistake. The failure of the NEP is proof enough of this sobering contention.

I do not share the euphoria surroundimg the formation of Perkasa. I do not see how its claim to protect race and religion can promote Malay socio-economic progress. Ibrahim's declared intentions show all the promise of repeating the mistake and are an exercise in futility.

Given that this philosophy is no longer viable, it is still a wonder why Ibrahim still resorts to it. Can there be any reason for this? I have a hypothesis explaining his loyalty to a failed philosophy and ideology.

DPM Muhyiddin Yassin (courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)

There is a denial syndrome inherent in KM thinking, particularly since it lacks an avenue for self-realisation of mistakes. It will go on thinking that it has been right all along, and that other alternatives are figments of the imagination of anti-Malay elements.

KM brooks no dissent. Liberal and liberated Malays are quickly branded as ungrateful and 'mudah lupa' (forgetful). Non-Malays are also branded as ungrateful for not appreciating the hospitality of the Malays in giving them citizenship.

KM then states that non-Malays wish to deprive Malays of their rights, hence the birth of Perkasa.

Hidden agenda

Perkasa has claimed an immediate membership of 5,000, with another 50,000 ahead. It has the direct support of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and incumbent deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin. And barely a week ago, the Home Ministry issued a permit for its newsletter.

Based on all this, the suspicion is growing that Ibrahim may have a hidden agenda. As to what this is, only he can say for sure.

In any event, Perkasa's future terms of reference are to recapture and nurture yesterday's status quo:

• Develop a herd mentality among Malays.

• Delay or deny the sense of individual from developing in Malay psychology.

• Promote the prevailing dependence mentality among Malays.

• Nurture the sense of insecurity normally felt by the KM polity, namely political leaders, the ulama, civil servants and officials in government agencies such as the police, military, customs, immigration, and even the police and AG's chambers.

• Make all of them feel that the Malay ethnic group is still not ready to compete against the non-Malays and the rest of the world on a level plain.

With all this revitalised, Ibrahim can put his secret agenda into action.


All said and done, Perkasa's birth reflects the real or perceived sense of desperation and paranoia of conservative and orthodox Malay thinking. Or, it is the rebirth of the spirit of 'Malayness' that has apparently dwindled over the past few decades due to the process of change.

It is the rebirth of the religion and race-based KM demon that does not know its game is up. And sad to note, in the name of religion and race, the KM demon does not want to learn from its own mistakes.

AB SULAIMAN is an observer of human traits and foibles, especially within the context of religion and culture. As a liberal, he marvels at the way orthodoxy fights to maintain its credibility in a devilishly fast-changing world. He hopes to provide some understanding to the issues at hand and wherever possible, suggest some solutions. He holds a Bachelor in Social Sciences (Leicester, UK) and a Diploma in Public Administration, Universiti Malaya.

[First posted 11 March 2010]

PERKASA HAS CROAKED! One minute of hideous noise, please...

I mean... rabid rabid rabid rabid!

Ibrahim "Katak" Ali, founder of ultra-rightwing Malay Supremacist NGO Perkasa, pronounced himself Panglima Perang (War General) and threatened to unleash mayhem and bloodshed against the BERSIH rally. He warned the Chinese to stockpile food and remain indoors...

THIS IS APPROXIMATELY WHAT HAPPENED TO PERKASA ON 9 JULY 2011...

It was no accident... we await the forensic pathologist's report.

"My precioussss dynasty... gone like the dodo!"

Barisan Nazi-onal on the rampage!

Conference of Frogs

Right-wing Malay rights group Perkasa has warned that it will hold a counter-protest to prevent the planned Bersih 2.0 rally from "causing trouble".

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said they are ready to "fight to the end" (lawan habis-habisan) to stop the rally if the organisers insist on taking to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

"(If they proceed) there will be a clash (pertembungan). If that happens, it is for the better," he told a press conference in the Parliament lobby.

Ibrahim, the Independent MP for Pasir Mas, said Perkasa will march against the Bersih 2.0 demonstrators to show that not all Malaysians agree with the latter's claims about 'dirty' elections.

He also stressed that his NGO is acting in the interests of democracy.  [Source: Malaysiakini]

The Evil Empire strikes back!

ISA all Opposition & Civil Liberties Leaders?

Declare Martial Law?

Do another May 13 just like daddy?

WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO.... IT'S TIME TO GO!

Clown vs Clown ~ by Ismail Dahlan

Written by Ismail Dahlan, Malaysia Chronicle

Reading one of the mainstream media newspapers today, we came across an intriguing comment by Nazri Aziz, the Parliament and Miscellaneous Affairs Minister, where he had said that Ibrahim Ali was a clown.

It was very strange because we had always thought that Nazri was a clown. Could there be two of them? Is there some deep-seated professional rivalry between these two clowns? Is there no honor among clowns?

We have always liked clowns, and when we were a little older and could understand them, comedians. Yet we had had no inkling that Ibrahim Ali was a clown. All this time we had considered him to be merely a racist demagogue and ignored him.

Now we are informed by no less than a Minister that he is a clown, and this is a Minister who should know. Could this really be true? We were determined to investigate.

We first used that foremost investigative tool, and googled him. We could find few references to him as a clown, though it is clearly not the first time that he is being called that. However we find that he is often referred to as a frog. Could it be that there is such a thing as a clown frog? It was most mysterious.

Studying a photo of him, we find he looks entirely human. There is some resemblance perhaps, but surely no one would be so mean as to call him a frog just because he looks a little like one. His political history however was more illuminating; it showed him jumping from Umno to Semangat 46 to Independent to PAS to Independent.

The initials of the parties he has joined, since Malaysians are fond of using initials to identify the next Prime Minister, are USIPI. Using a complex mathematical formula, we derive that the next party he will jump to will start with D.

Going through the list of political parties, we find that the party that starts with D is DAP. So! Ibrahim Ali is going to join DAP next.


This, we assume, is because they have announced that they will be giving seats to Malay candidates. And they have been winning elections. While Ibrahim Ali needs to win the next election, which won't happen if he stands as an independent. No other party will touch him, but the DAP is desperate for Malay members, and Ibrahim Ali is desperate to win. It is a perfect match!

After more painstaking investigation, of which details we will spare you, we came to the following conclusions. Nazri is right, Ibrahim Ali is a clown, but he is a sad one. Nazri is without doubt also a clown, but he has the edge over Ibrahim Ali, as he is part of a circus.

And with Samy Velu not around to threaten his position, Nazri will continue to be the clown-in-chief, until he is defeated, in Padang Rengas, which, thankfully, may be soon.

~ Malaysia Chronicle