Friday, February 3, 2012

venerating (not worship) our ancestors

venerating (not worship) our ancestors

venerating (not worship) our ancestors

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:13 AM PST

refer to my photo blog on komunitikini entitled 'cultural twist to CNY service'.

 

gee i just find out two days ago that this post of mine in komunitikini received so many comments and likes. think by far, this is the most no. of comments for my photo blog/articles in komunitikini.  my other photo blog/articles mostly did not have comments at all or if there were comments, there will be only 3 or so.  i guess it is expected that if we put up controversial issues, there will be lots of feedback.
 
okay before i give my personal view of what i'm going to talk about - THE RITE OF COMMEMORATION (OR VENERATION) OF ANCESTORS – performed after the chinese new year (CNY) mass, first i'm giving an overview of the rite.
 
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The Rite:
 
Every year, during the Lunar New Year, there will be Masses around the churches in Malaysia for Chinese Catholics. Apart from the usual liturgy for the Mass, several churches will include the Rite of Commemoration of Ancestors. Most of the churches in Penang did this during the CNY eve Mass.
 
An ancestral table will be set up at the side next to the altar, where a 'Ancestral Tablet' was placed on the table.
 
This Rite had been a source of controversy all the time as there were differing views that it should or should not be allowed.
 
Many priests do allow the Rite. In the beginning, it was done after the post-communion prayer but as more people complained that it should not be part of the liturgy, now it was done after the final blessing and dismissal.
 
The Rite of Commemoration of Ancestors began with intercessory prayers, where the first few prayers were directed at the ancestors, departed family, relatives and friends.
 
Next to the main altar, a table will be set up, where the ancestral tablet is placed there.
 
After the prayers, the altar boys light up three joss-stick and hand them over to the celebrant. On behalf of the congregation, the celebrant raises the joss-sticks with both hands to the height of his forehead, as a sign of honoring the ancestors. Then he place the joss-sticks into the holder, which is placed a the table (where the ancestral tablet is – let's just refer to it as 'the ancestral table&#39.
 
The congregation is then called to bow three times to the ancestral tablet.
 
This is followed by the offering of gifts. All the gifts offered are symbolic in meaning.
 
Two baskets of flowers, symbolize love for ancestors. Three cups of wine to symbolize remembrance to ancestors, and two tray of fruits to symbolize admiration for ancestors.
 
These are the three basic gifts but in some parishes they also add some other gifts like red candles to symbolize hope and peace, 'Nian gao' (a kind of Lunar New Year sticky cake) to symbolize unity and fellowship.
 
Mandarin oranges, a must-have during Lunar New Year, are then bless and pray over. The oranges symbolize peace, happiness and prosperity.
 
Then came the New Year Greetings. Congregation were called to kneel and bow three times as a sign of worship and thanksgiving to God. They then stand and first, bowed to the celebrant and then to each other.
 
Finally, they came forward in line to receive 'Angpow' (red packet filled with cash) from the celebrant and the blessed orange from the wardens.
 
In some parishes there will be a lion dance performance and letting off of fire-crackers, after the whole thing is over.
 
The Rite of Commemoration of Ancestors had been approved by Pope Pius XII in 1939. This 1939 instruction, is known as "Plane compertum est" . It declared that rituals performed on the occasion of funerals or commemoration for the dead are conducted to demonstrate honour and respect to the ancestors.
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my say/view:
 
what i'm gong to write here will be my own personal view. i'll be writing whatever come out of my mind so there might not be a smooth or continous flow. never mind as i'm not writing for a publication/media. i'm writing for myself in my own blog. that's the good thing about it. i can say anything i like without fear of stepping on people's toes. er… well… i might step on people's toes but they are always welcome to make some comments or more serious, make disclaimer if they think i misquote them or what. but no, most probably i'm not going to quote people. i will mention what some people say but without names, so as the saying say 'siapa makan cabai, dia rasa pedas!' (he/she will know it if i refer to her/him). 
 
well, i'm going to talk about THE RITE OF COMMEMORATION OF ANCESTORS which is done every year AFTER the chinese new year mass in church.
 
some people don't understand, they thought we are worshiping our ancestors when we have this RITE OF COMMEMORATION OF ANCESTORS during the CNY mass. we are NOT. we are honoring our ancestors (or commemorate them, see, the name of the rite).  they said we should only worship god and not our ancestors.  no, when we performed this rite inside church, it doesn't mean we are worshipping them with this rite, we are honoring them. we only worship god, not humans, dead or alive. also some don't understand the rite was done AFTER the mass ended… so it is not part of the mass liturgy. (though it had been the norm to say the rite was done during the CNY mass but actually it was after the mass). of course those who are against it will still argue it does not make any difference if it is during the mass or after the mass. well if your mind is already dead set that this rite is wrong, for sure you will say it does not make any difference… but it does if you understand the liturgy and the rite.
 
personally for me i don't mind this rite being performed after the CNY mass BUT also, to me,  this is something we can do without. i mean though i'm all FOR the rite, i'd rather that it is not performed after the CNY mass. this does not means that i'm against it of course. i'm all for it but i just thought it is not necessary to have it in church after the CNY mass… but at the same time i'm not saying it is wrong… unlike others who feel it is wrong and quick to condemn and criticise.
 
still there are others who said people don't honor their ancestors at home, why do they want to honor their ancestors in church during CNY? well i would say, that's precisely the reason. they don't it at home so need to do it once a year in church. just like we have a valentine's day, a mother's day, a father's day. they need one day in a year to remind them. see, they are obligated to go to church every sunday and receive holy communion. they only receive holy communion in church… not when they are at home, so it doesn't mean that what they don't do at home (take communion), they should not do it in church. 
 
as chinese, to us filal piety is important, thus many chinese will want to honor their ancestors during this special day – the CNY. yes sure we can honor our ancestors when we go to their graves, like on all souls day… but on all souls day we are honoring our ancestors individually as a person or as a family. it is not communal.  see, people will say too that you can always pray at home, why need to go to church to pray? we go to church to pray to gather together as one big community – it's a communal prayer we involved in. likewise, yes, we can honor our ancestors at home (regularly or whatever), we can honor our ancestors during all souls day but we are doing all these as individuals. so during the CNY mass, it will be an appropriate time that for once do this honoring of ancestors as a community.
 
of course some will argue that honoring our ancestors is something personal and we should not do it together as a community. well yes true… if you see it that way. yes the truth is there is no right or wrong answer. there are just different opinion from different people.  
 
then there's this thing about joss-sticks. many people seems to go into a shock when they see the priests (or catholics) holding joss-sticks. why? to them, they think joss-sticks belongs exclusively to the buddhists (or taoist or… confuciousnist?). only the buddhists use joss-sticks to pray. if catholics hold joss-sticks then it is consider sacrilege or what. come one lah, just as you made noise about the word allah is not exclusive to the malaysian muslim (where catholics should be allowed to use), joss-sticks are not exclusive to buddhists. a joss-stick is merely an INCENSE ON A STICK. so anybody of any faith can use a stick to burn incense during their prayers. geddit?
 
whether one is FOR or AGAINST this rite, it doesn't make any difference to the person's faith, like making you less a catholic if you are against it, or maybe more of a catholic if you are against it? simply because this is only a rite of commemoration of ancestors, nothing to do with liturgy, with worshipping god.  
 
one thing i notice that most of those who are against this rite will be the converts (not born christians) or the 'deserters' (sorry for want of a better name, don't know what else to use)…. those who like what we label our politician as 'frog'… who jumped from one denomination to another.  or those who are english educated.  do they feel ashamed of their own chinese roots… to show their chinese tradition? of course the argument will go on and on… no they are not ashamed, they just feel the rite should not be done in church, blah blah blah. yes, their own view… but i'm also expressing my own view here!
 
some people argue that having this rite in church will send the wrong signals to others (esp. non christians) who happened to witness it (live or on photos). they will think catholics are pagan worshippers or what… but hey haven't they heard of education? it's our duty then to educate them why it is not wrong. uh oh but they they will want to educate those who are for it, why it is wrong! well as i said there are no wrong or right answers actually, only views here and there. so i'd better quit talking about this now as even if i talk until the cows (not sharizat cows) come home, it won't end. however, i would like to post here some information i found from the net here and there just for the record in my blog.
 
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taken from the net. (to be updated)
 
ANCESTORS' VENERATION
 
1. Ancestors' veneration refers to those rituals that are performed in order to express honour or respect for the deceased by the family members. In those rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.
 
2. On December 8, 1939, the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree allowing Catholics to participate in ancestors' veneration.
 
3. This 1939 instruction, known as "Plane compertum est" was approved by Pope Pius XII. It declared that rituals performed on the occasion of funerals or commemoration for the dead are conducted to demonstrate honour and respect to the ancestors. It also stated, as a general acknowledgement: "Today, it is clear that, in the East, some ceremonies, although of great antiquity and originally connected with pagan rites, nowadays, on account of changing customs and ways of thinking, have come to have a merely social significance, out of respect for one's ancestors…"
 
4. Vatican II (1962 – 1965) called for the recognition of the native genius of each and every culture throughout the world as expressed through their indigenous traditions. It went beyond simply permitting Catholics to participate in native traditions, such as is allowed in "Plane compertum est" for Chinese ancestral rites:
- The Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church "Ad Gentes", for instance, advised native Catholics to imbue their national treasures with the Christian message.
- The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy "Sacrosanctum Concilium" called for the creation of new rites within the Catholic Church to express clearly the view of a particular race or culture. ("Inculturation" is the term used to describe these processes.)
 
5. On July 18-19, 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan, had an official meeting with Mgr. Joseph Caprio, Pronuncio, and unanimously agreed to issue the following instructions on Ancestors' Veneration:
  1. In remembrance of the deceased, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by the family members is no longer forbidden.
  2. It is allowed to bow or prostrate in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin.
  3. Offering of fruits or food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden.
  4. Burning of joss papers for the deceased is forbidden, because of its superstitious character.
6. Based on these instructions, liturgical texts, known as the "Proposed Catholic Ancestor Memorial Liturgy for Church and Family use" were issued by the Chinese Bishops' Conference in Taipei, Taiwan, on December 29, 1974. These liturgical texts combined Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration.
These texts are probably available in Singapore in Chinese. A proper English translation of them should be made, for a wider use in our churches…
From the Liturgy Commission of Hongkong (thanks to Fr. Henry Siew), here is how the Memorial Rites for Ancestors are conducted (according to liturgical books published):
 
- Such memorial services can be held on All Souls, Quing Ming Day, Lunar New Year, after the Mass.
- An appropriate table is set up, with a Crucifix, an ancestors' tablet, fresh flowers, candles & incense bowl.
  1. All bow once to the ancestors' tablet at the beginning of the rites.
  2. The main celebrant or the head of the family gives instruction on the meaning of the remembrance.
  3. Intercessory prayers.
  4. Offering of gifts: flowers, fruits, wine.
  5. Offering of incense. If the group is small, all participants will offer incense in order of seniority.
  6. Final prayer.
  7. The whole assembly offers three bows.
  8.  
A document from the Office of the Apostolic Visitor, Singapore, dated 4th Nov. 1958: "Propositions and Directives regarding the recent Instructions on the Sd. Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith on the Subject of Chinese Rites", gives a summary of the Chinese Rites controversy and its solution.
 
Although pre-Vatican II, the guidelines it gave then are still relevant today. For example:
"Aims of the Church's change of attitude regarding the Chinese Rites:
- To make known the attitude of the Catholic Church, which is one of understanding and interest towards all human cultures, provided that their manifestation be not intrinsically evil.
- To show, in a tangible way, that Catholics have a respect for traditions and preserve their civic and social qualities, the deficiency of which would be an obstacle to conversions.
- To facilitate the admission of converts into the Catholic Church, by permitting them
a. to observe family rites (for example, showing marks of respect to ancestors) so as not to break their ties with their family and relations.
b. to participate in social ceremonies (for example, on the occasion of a funeral) so as not to isolate themselves from the community to which they belong.
 
Those who have the charge of souls will examine how far the changing customs and ways of thinking have affected the individuals, families and ethnic groups that depend upon their priestly ministry, so as to be in a position to instruct them in conformity with the Church's teaching. In carrying out this enquiry, it will be necessary to bear in mind that:
 
The older generation of Christians, brought up in the old discipline, are not the best judges in this matter.
 
A great diversity in the appreciation of the religious content of the Rites and Ceremonies can be encountered in one and the same family. This appreciation varies even further according to the different provinces of China from which the faithful originally came, and according to the education they have received.
 
On account of the pastoral ministry of the priest and because of his incompetence in this matter, those questioned may easily believe that it is their duty to reply that the rites are tainted with superstitious practices.
 
The best opportunity to clarify doubts on these matters is through the confessional and in the course of religious instruction.
 
Religious Instruction
General instruction in the principles which have guided the Church in her attitude towards the Chinese Rites and Ceremonies. These principles are those of esteem, understanding and sympathy for the traditions and customs of every country, provided they are not bad in themselves. Thus the Church has not the slightest intention or desire of pressing the  faithful to "change their ceremonies, rites and customs, as long as they are not manifestly contrary to faith or good morals."
Particular instruction on such and such a ceremony, whether permitted or forbidden. This teaching must be given in accordance with the mentality of those present on the subject of the religious content of the ceremonies (e.g.: presence of Buddhist monks or Taoist ministers at funerals).
If necessary, these points of moral theology must be clearly explained:
– Superstitious practices and vain observances.
– Active and passive participation.
– The necessity for the participant to make his/her position clear in order to avoid giving scandal.
Liturgy Commission, July 2003
Archdiocese of Singapore

 
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The Chinese Rites Controversy, which began in seventeenth century China and largely concerned disagreement amongst Catholic missionary orders as to whether or not participation in ancestor veneration and Confucian rituals should be permitted by the Church, concluded in 1742 with the bull Ex quo singulari which ruled against Catholics taking part in these rites. However, the Church rescinded this decision in 1939 when Plane compertum est allowed such participation by Catholics of Chinese ancestry. Subsequently, in 1974 the Chinese Bishops' Conference in Taipei, Taiwan approved the "Proposed Catholic Ancestor Memorial Liturgy" in which ancestor veneration became an integral part of Chinese Catholic life. Through extensive library research I trace the history of these developments until 1939. After this date, I attempt to construct the history of the performance of the ritual by Catholics mainly in Taiwan and the United States–as well as to reflect on the meaning of the rite in the Catholic context–primarily through interviews and correspondence with Catholic scholars, clergy and parishioners, recorded personal observation of five such ancestor memorial services, and by a survey. I conclude that the ultimate creation and performance of the ancestor memorial liturgy by the Catholic Church is the practical realization of the ideal to renew attempts at worldwide inculturation as set forth during Vatican II in the 1960s.
 
 

Skandal RM43 Juta Tuntutan Palsu Kontrek UMS – Pemimpin UMNO/BN Sabah Disiasat SPRM ?

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:08 AM PST

SEORANG jurucakap Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) mengesahkan bahawa Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) telah datang ke kampus itu berhubung dakwaan tuntutan palsu melibatkan kontrak bernilai RM43 juta. Beliau, bagaimanapun, tidak mengesahkan jika ada mana-mana fail diambil oleh para pegawai itu kecuali UMS akan memberi kerjasama sepenuhnya kepada SPRM dalam siasatannya. Siasatan itu berhubung tuntutan palsu [...]


The police and a school boy...

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 08:07 AM PST


I did not go to KL Police HQ (IPK KL) this morning to act as a 'lawyer' for a 16-year old schoolboy accused of raping a girl of his age last year. The officer in charge of the case told the boy's mom that the case is postponed to 'sometimes in March'.

Without a man in the house, the duo are trapped in a dilemma over the case. People around them are not even helping. The headmaster and other teachers too are not offering any words of comfort to them.

I don't care if the boy is guilty or not but until full investigation is conducted and a verdict is reached, he remains innocent. Furthermore, there was already signs for the case to be settled outside the court.

What flabbergasted me is the manner the case runs.

A few months ago, the father of the victim (from Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras) lodged a police report at Kepong Police Station over her daughter's remark that the accused (from Cheras Baru) raped her.

A week later, a few officers from IPK KL went to pick up the boy from his classroom when an examination was in progress.

Hey! I am not against the police. I am always in support of the police when others badmouth the whole organisation for corruption, bias, racist, etc. In fact, I've never written anything adverse about the police force.

However, a big force such PDRM is not free from some misconduct and wrongdoing committed by some of its personnel. And who says the MACC is free of corruption.

The issue I'm putting to question now is the 'mishandling' of the boy's case. As one of the persons involved in preparing the 'Laporan Suruhanjaya Diraja Mengenai Penambaikan Perkhidmatan Polis' in 2004, among key elements mentioned in the report was 'penggunaan budibicara dalam menangani kes juvana' (applying good jurisdiction on juvenile case).

But there was no good jurisdiction when the police took away the boy from his classroom before his own teachers and colleagues. It was embarassing. If the boy is produced in court, there will be no point to put him on trial behind close door as too many people already know who the accused is.

And what if he is acquitted?

You may call this a remote case. But still, the officers who 'snatched' him from school should bear in mind the legal repercussion the might face if the boy's mom knows her right to sue the Force for all the embarrassment caused.

Why didn't they wait for him to go home first and pick him up from there instead of arresting him at home?

He was even intimidated to confess of rape or they 'will put him in a dark room and bashed up', according to him and his mom. What's all this? Is it necessary to scare him to death for a crime he could not have commit?

I hope this posting serves as a friendly advise from someone who always appreciate the job of PDRM. The police is one of the most important force to our security. However, in carrying out our duty, we must not act overboard.

The Ant and the Contact Lens

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 06:25 AM PST

'Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.'


The true story...

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb.. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. 'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.

She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying.. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.'

She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.'

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?'

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!
Link

GAMIS Sahkan SMM Banggang!

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 05:00 AM PST


Mahasiswa pro pakatan dah bergaduh,puak komonis bergaduh dengan puak khawarij.Kes tidor atas jalan,langgar cermin,turun bendera GAMIS boleh sabar.Tapi sampai gantung pocong depan ibu pejabat PAS kiranya sudah lawan tauka lah.

SMM tuan dia Anwar & PKR,GAMIS pulak tuan besar dia adalah PAS.Ikuti pendedahan Blog Angin perubahan.

Mohd Yusof Hadhari, bekas Ketua Penerangan Gamis telah membuat tulisan yang mengecam beberapa tindakan Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) yang dilihat membelakangkan front mahasiswa yang lain dalam Harakahdaily, 3 Februari 2012 (baca sini).


Satu analisa yang jelas membuktikan bahawa front mahasiswa Islam tidak bersetuju dengan beberapa pendekatan provokatif dan subversif yang telah dibuat oleh SMM. Malah tindakan SMM cuba untuk membawa masuk budaya pemikiran komunis dalam SMM telah meretakkan lagi front tersebut.


Mana ada lagi konsep syura dalam SMM. Orang yang gagal belajar pun diambil, semuanya dipilih berdasarkan arahan Godfather.


Mana tidaknya, beberapa aktivis setahun jagung SMM yang hanya menempa nama melalui kejadian langgar pintu, tidur atas jalan dan turun bendera sudah mencemar nama front Islam bila berpakat dengan kumpulan yang menyemai pemikiran komunis.


Pernah suatu ketika dulu front ini berbalah teruk pada 2005 bila Setiausaha Agung SMM dari DEMA menyokong Ayah Pin secara terbuka. Bagi fraksi hijau, mereka lebih mementingkan idealisme dan hujah dalam memperjuangkan sesuatu dan berdasarkan isu. Dulu pantang ada isu agama dan berkaitan Israel, fraksi hijau ini akan melompat untuk berdemo. Selanjutnya klik sini

Pisau kata " kan aku dah kata ,bodoh pun takpa asalkan boleh tidor atas jalan & panjat pagar dah boleh jadi mahasewel"

Powerful hand behind granting of TOL to Lynas Corp

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:45 AM PST

Granting Lynas Corp a license to operate is simply allowing them to treat people like lab rats, says Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh. PETALING JAYA: Kuantan MP, Fuziah Salleh, believes that an unseen but powerful hand was behind the granting of a temporary operating licence (TOL) to Lynas Corp. The Australian mining giant received its long [...]


Majlis, Majlis (MDBG), wherefore art thou?

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:06 AM PST

Just came back from the BG District Council, to seek clarification from a letter from them concerning my earlier complaint about my neighbour's vegetable patch and oil drum in front of our house.


A lady enforcement officer reconfirmed that because it did not cause any obstruction, they cannot do anything about it. When asked why my neighbour could plant in front of our house and not theirs, she said they have cemented the place (for parking their precious cars as can be seen in the picture)! Where does that leave us? As decent folks, we would never park our cars in front of their house, let alone plant anything in front of their house. As I have posted earlier http://kosongcafe.blogspot.com/2012/01/cny-greetings-from-our-neighbour.html , in our absence, our bougainvilla was cut down and of course, we have no evidence except the dried plant as can be seen in the above picture. Students of SM Sultan Yussuf who parked their cars in front of their house were given 'summons'!

Asked about the oil drum which is collecting water which might breed Aedes mosquitoes and infect people with Dengue, I was told to complain at the local Health Department. I went straight from MDBG to the Health Department to complain and was told that unless they found larvae, again they cannot do anything about it! In other words, does it mean the Health Ministry cannot be proactive but will only act when there is a case reported, to fog the area?



The lessons I have learned from this is that people who are shameless can do what they like to public places right in your face and the local government cannot do anything about it. If we follow rules of the law and refrain from doing anything tit-for-tat, such thick-skinned people can get away from it. Why do I get the feeling I am in the same position as the opposition when dealing with BN government?

Penyokong PAS Sahkan Umno Bakar BMW Tim PJ PAS Johor

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:46 AM PST


Penyokong PAS didalam Facebook sahkan kejadian kebakaran kereta mewah timbalan pesuruhjaya PAS Johor adalah perbuatan Umno.


Pengesahan ini dibuat berdasarkan apa saja yang berlaku didunia ini adalah kesalahan Umno hatta anak mereka jatuh basikal sekali pun.


Dua kereta milik timbalan pesuruhjaya PAS Johor, Dzulkefly Ahmad serta tingkat bawah rumahnya di Taman Universiti, di Johor Baharu hangus terbakar dalam satu kejadian awal pagi ini.

Kita sendiri pun tak tau sebab dan kenapa kereta BMW M Sport dan Camry tersebut terbakar. Sama ada dia ada hutang along atau memang ada perbuatan khianat.


Satu lagi ,khawarij PAS memang pandai berlakon kononnya susah dan miskin sedangkan mereka kaya raya .

Pisau kata " tu hasil tabung buluh ka?"

Key contractor pulled out of Lynas plant due to safety concerns, says NYT

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:29 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 – A Dutch chemical firm refused to supply crucial resins for Lynas Corp's controversial RM2.5 billion rare earth plant in Kuantan due to safety concerns, according to the New York Times. The influential newspaper cited engineers working for the Australian miner at the Gebeng industrial zone site and internal company e-mails [...]


‘Bangang’..’Kepala Bapak Hang’, Cerca Anwar Kepada Mufti Perak & Fathul Bari..

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 11:21 PM PST

Apabila tembelang beliau terdedah,dia mula maki hamun dan cuba menutup kembali helah beliau.

Inilah Anwar yang anda boleh samakan dengan pepatah arab :-

"Dia pukul orang dia mengadu bahawa orang lain pukul dia, dia memaki orang, dia mengadu orang lain memaki dia"


AIDCNews – 03/02/12 – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mencerca kembali Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, Mufti Perak dan Ustaz Fathul Bari Mat Jahya, Pengerusi Sekretariat Ulama Muda dengan kata-kata sinis, 'Apa hang bangang sangat ni'.. 'Kepala Bapak Hang' apabila mereka berdua menegurnya berkaitan dengan ucapannya di BBC News, 12 Jan.

"(Anwar berkata soalan wartawan kepadanya adalah) 'awak telah difitnah berulang kali mengenai liwat..apakah awak akan pinda undang-undang atau batalkan undang-undang kalau awak jadi Perdana Menteri.


"Saya jawab..kita umat Islam dan saya percaya majoriti bukan Islam..terima institusi perkahwinan di antara lelaki dan perempuan..dan saya tidak pernah minta maaf..itu keyakinan kita..itu apa maknanya..maknanya tak terima lah..apa hang bangang sangat ni..apa hal..


"Kemudian saya sambung..bagaimana dengan undang-undang sekarang..377B..yang kenakan saya, yang fitnah, yang khianat..yang pergi siasat ke bilik-bilik orang..reka..bagi DNA la..(air) mani la..apa semua..saya kata undang-undang sekarang ini..yang ada dibuat undang-undang di Malaysia..bukan undang-undang Islam..undang-undang ini saya kata..usang..jumud..mesti dipinda..


"Tafsirnya panggil ustaz tua sorang, ustaz muda sorang..'eh tak patut..tak patut Anwar kata begini..saya minta dia beristifar dan bertaubat'..Kepala bapak hang..", kata Anwar dalam program Mesra Rakyat Bersama Rakyat, di Dengkil, Selangor, 27 Jan.


Berdasarkan keterangan Anwar di atas, terdapat perbezaan dengan percakapan sebenarnya yang dirakamkan BBC News, Asia.


Dah lama Anwar dan puak pakatan anggap rakyat Malaysia bodoh,hari ini dia kata pulak orang tak reti bahasa.

Jom tengok apa yang dia kata sebelum ni.

Dalam wawancara dari Mumbai itu, wartawan BBC bertanya Anwar soalan seperti berikut :

"Sejauh mana anda mahu menyampaikan mesej kebebasan itu, kerana kes anda yang digugurkan terhadap anda telah memberikan tenaga baru kepada pergerakan perjuangan hak kumpulan homoseksual di negara anda…ramai yang muncul bertaruh walaupun anda telah dibebaskan…apakah anda bersedia untuk mempertahankan sikap anti diskriminasi termasuk hak asasi kumpulan-kumpulan gay?"


Jawab Anwar; "Kita perlu mengkaji semula sesetengah daripada undang-undang kuno dan lapuk itu…kami orang Muslim dan bukan Muslim, secara amnya percaya dan komited menyokong institusi perkahwinan di antara laki-laki dan wanita, tapi kita tidak boleh dilihat sebagai bersikap zalim dan menghukum. Kita juga tidak boleh menganggap undang-undang kuno itu sebagai relevan…kita perlu mengkajinya semula…


"Kita tidak mempromosikan homoseksualiti khalayak awam atau khalayak ramai…saya rasa tidak perlu bagi kami meminta maaf tentang perkara itu…tetapi untuk menggunakan undang-undang itu bagi menghukum atau menganiayai mereka yang tidak bersalah tidak boleh dipertahankan".


Rujuk soalan wartawan dan jawapan Anwar sebenar dalam rakaman video di atas, kiri.


Semasa penjelasan Anwar dalam ceramah di Dengkil, Anwar menyembunyikan fakta soalan wartawan berkaitan soalan khusus tentang gerakan gay dan pindaan undang-undang, tetapi dalam rakaman BBC, walaupun Anwar tidak menyebut khusus tentang undang-undang tersebut, namun di Dengkil, dia mengesahkan bahawa undang-undang itu adalah undang-undang anti-liwat, 377B.


Dalam undang-undang Malaysia, Seksyen 337B Kanun Keseksaan bermaksud hukuman penjara maksima 20 tahun, termasuk sebatan terhadap 'sesiapa yang melakukan hubungan seks luar tabii (meliwat) secara sukarela'.


Mufti Perak, Fathul Bari di TV3


Dalam program Soal Jawab TV3 bertajuk "Akidah dan Homoseksual", 18 Jan, dua orang ahli panel, Harussani dan Fathul Bari dipertontonkan rakaman jawapan Anwar (tanpa soalan wartawan) rakaman dari BBC tersebut.


Rujuk rakaman video TV3,


Berdasarkan rakaman jawapan Anwar di BBC itu, Harussani berkata terdapat dua point penting yang ingin disampaikan oleh Anwar, iaitu pertama, undang-undang lapuk dan kedua, menghukum individu yang tidak bersalah.


"Satu dia kata..undang-undang yang ada berkenaan homoseksual ini dah lapuk ataupun tidak lagi relevan pada waktu ini..apakah yang dimaksudkan di situ, maknanya kita tidak perlu menghukum orang-orang yang membuat perkara macam ni (melakukan aktiviti liwat).


"Kalau itu yang dimaksudkan, maka itu adalah satu ucapan yang cukup salah dari segi syarak kerana hukuman-hukuman liwat itu telah pun wujud dalam Al-Quran yang mensifatkan perbuatan liwat itu sebagai fahisah (zina)", katanya.


Menurut Harussani hukuman terhadap pesalah liwat telah disepakati oleh semua ulama Islam iaitu kesemuanya bersetuju pelaku aktiviti liwat mesti dihukum dan tidak boleh dilepaskan.


"Jadi kalau itu diingkari hukum yang telah disepakati boleh membawa seseorang itu tergelincir daripada akidah..Jadi apabila kita sudah menentang agama yang menentukan hukum, maka sama ada kita mengatakan itu tak betul..kalau itu kafirlah kita..kalau kita kata ianya sudah lapuk, maka fasiqlah kita", katanya.


Aspek kedua yang dibahaskan oleh Mutfi Perak adalah maksud kata-kata Anwar yang berkata menghukum individu yang tidak bersalah.


"Saya rasa ini kalau maksud 'tidak bersalah dihukum'..memang dia pun dalam kes baru ni, memang dia tak bersalah..didapati tidak bersalah, tidak dihukum.


"Jadi kalau dia maksudkan, orang yang melakukan liwat itu, tidak ada kesalahan, (tetapi) dihukum, maka itu tidak adil… maka itu (bermaksud dia) menentang hukum..lagi sekali saya menyatakan orang yang menentang itu tidak mempercayai hukum Allah, maka tergelincirlah akidahnya", katanya.


Fathul Bari pula berkata ucapan Anwar boleh dinilai dari segi niat dan kefahaman tentang Islam.


"Niat beliau, wallahualam..apa tujuan beliau mengungkapkan perkataan-perkataan yang dilihat sebenarnya tidak relevan dengan Islam itu sendiri..kita tak tau yang tu.


"Adapun dari sudut kefahamannya..dilihat di sini, kefahamannya tentang undang-undang Islam, tentang hukum hakam Islam..saya kira, cara beliau bercakap seolah-olah menunjukkan beliau tidak memahami undang-undang Islam dan hukum-hakam Islam itu sendiri", katanya.-


Dalam ceramah di Dengkil beliau turut menyentuh mengenai isu Israel.

Selanjutnya klik AIDC


Jika anda perhatikan inilah yang dipraktikkan oleh Lim Guan Eng dan kesemua pemimpin pakatan.Mereka akan menuduh orang lain yang membuat fitnah sedangkan didalam mulut mereka yang busuk membuat fitnah.


Pisau kata " Anwar kata rakyat Malaysia bodoh tak reti bahasa, betoi ka? hehe"

Jamil Khir Salahguna Wang Yayasan Taqwa (MAIWP) Berkempen Di Parlimen Jerai, Bakal Ditandinginya !

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:31 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Feb: PAS hari ini mendakwa Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom menggunakan peruntukan Yayasan Taqwa untuk membiayai program politik di bahagian Jerai, Kedah. Yayasan Taqwa adalah agensi di bawah Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) yang mendapat peruntukan daripada majlis berkenaan. Mohd Nasaie berkata beliau difahamkan Jamil sedang berusaha [...]


Lip Eng hits back at mayor over budget row

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:30 PM PST

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/story/lip-eng-hits-back-mayor-over-budget-row (by Ikram Ismail, 2/2/2012)
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (pic) has denied claims he did not show up at a public seminar organised by City Hall in mid-December to discuss details of expenditure for City Hall's 2012 budget. He was responding to a claim by KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail after Lim alleged City Hall had denied Kuala Lumpur MPs full details of how the council's RM2.3 billion budget was to be spent. Ahmad Fuad had claimed on Wednesday Lim should not make demands now as he had been given a chance to have his say but did not show up at the forum.
Lim hit back at the mayor, saying he was present at the seminar. "I was there in the afternoon until the seminar ended and the mayor should acknowledge my presence."
Ahmad Fuad had, in The Malay Mail report yesterday, claimed the only MPs who attended the function was Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Batu MP Tian Chua.
Lim said he could not recall which other MPs attended the seminar. "I am just asking for basic treatment. The same type of treatment City Hall owes to other city folk. City Hall can ensure there is transparency by uploading the detailed budget on its website for public scrutiny."



Mayor says he has no hidden agenda behind City Hall's 2012 budget

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:29 PM PST

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/story/mayor-says-he-has-no-hidden-agenda-behind-city-halls-2012-budget (by Azril Annuar, 1/2/2012)
KUALA LUMPUR: "What makes him so special?"
KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail today took a swipe at Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng after the latter alleged City Hall did not disclose the full details of the city's 2012 budget when it was unveiled last month.
Lim had earlier accused Ahmad Fuad of refusing to disclose full details of the the budget to the public and KL's members of Parliament. "We are KL's MPs who have debated the national budget in Parliament. So why can't we look at the detailed city budget?", Lim questioned. Lim claimed that during a meeting between several KL MPs and the mayor that was held prior to Chinese New Year, the MPs had asked for a copy of the budget. However, he said Ahmad Fuad refused to entertain their request and only allowed them to view the summarised hard copy version. Lim also accused Ahmad Fuad of not consulting with the public and the MPs before the budget was approved.
Responding to Lim's allegation, Ahmad Fuad said Lim failed to attend a seminar which was organised by City Hall last year despite being invited to attend.
Ahmad Fuad told The Malay Mail that the city council had engaged with around 200 to 300 citizens and consulted, explained and discussed the tentative budget and invitations were sent to "everyone including Lim". "We called for a seminar, we invited around 500 people and around 200 to 300 showed up. The only MPs who bothered to attend was Nurul Izzah (Lembah Pantai) and Tian Chua (Batu). So why is he bringing this up? Why am I being accused that I did not consult the public or the MP?
"He did not show up. He accused me of having an agenda? What agenda? I have to report to the Ministry (Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing ministry) and the prime minister.
He said that during the seminar, City Hall representatives explained to the public on how revenue for the city was generated and how the city plans on spending the budget allocated. Public concerns were also taken note of and it was included in the budget. Ahmad Fuad said his plate was full as City Hall has to be audited and there are procurement procedures which he has to oversee in addition to attending monthly meetings with the chief-secretary to the government.
"Why does he (Lim) want special treatment and have a 'special meeting' just for him when other concerned citizens can come to the seminar. We even advertised it. "Maybe he trusted us so much that he feels that KL is in good hands," Ahmad Fuad said.

Kelemahan masih ada pada bangsa sendiri, kenapa mencari kasih pada bangsa lain!

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:20 PM PST

Bila bumi dipijak milik orang — Nurul Anuar Kari Nak jawab sikit komen Awang Selamat — Aspan Alias 3 FEB — Awang Selamat dalam tulisannya berdukacita kerana orang Melayu lah yang paling ramai tidak mendaftar sebagai pemilih walaupun mereka layak untuk mengundi. Lain-lain bangsa telah dan sedang bergiat mendaftar sebagai pemilih untuk melaksanakan kewajipan mereka [...]


'Perisik' Thailand dipenjara 10 tahun.'Perisik' Israel Bebas Berceramah

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 10:00 PM PST

KOTA BHARU 2 Feb. - Seorang lelaki yang mendakwa dirinya anggota keselamatan Thailand dan juga perisik di negara tersebut, hari ini dihukum penjara 10 tahun oleh Mahkamah Sesyen di sini kerana memiliki senjata api dan peluru tanpa lesen.

Hakim Azman Mustapha menjatuhkan hukuman tersebut ke atas Adnan Fahamy Sulaiman, 55, yang beralamat di Kampung Baru Hilir, Narathiwat selepas tertuduh mengaku bersalah terhadap pertuduhan yang dibacakan kepadanya.

Bagi pertuduhan pertama, Adnan didakwa memiliki selaras senapang Shot Gun 12 Bore Iver Johnson sepanjang 47 sentimeter ketika dia ditahan di Jalan Doktor di sini pada pukul 10.30 malam, 26 Januari lalu.

Dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 8 Akta Senjata Api (Penalti Lebih Berat) 1971 yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum 14 tahun dan sebatan tidak lebih enam kali jika didapati bersalah.

Tertuduh pada masa, tarikh dan tempat yang sama turut didakwa memiliki tujuh butir peluru hidup tanpa permit sah iaitu kesalahan di bawah Seksyen 8(a) Akta Senjata Api 1960 yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum tujuh tahun atau denda sehingga RM10,000 atau kedua-duanya.

Azman menjatuhkan hukuman penjara 10 tahun bagi pertuduhan pertama dan empat tahun untuk pertuduhan kedua. Beliau memerintahkan hukuman tersebut berjalan serentak dari tarikh tertuduh ditangkap.

Terdahulu ketika prosiding, Adnan yang tidak diwakili peguam bela mendakwa, dia masuk ke negara ini dan menyertai sebuah kumpulan penjenayah atas tugasnya sebagai perisik yang sedang melakukan misi mengesan salah seorang individu yang amat dikehendaki pihak berkuasa Thailand.

''Saya tahu apa yang saya buat adalah salah. Senjata tersebut adalah milik kerajaan Thailand yang digunakan sebagai umpan untuk misi risikan saya yang bertujuan menangkap penjenayah paling dikehendaki di Thailand.

''Saya adalah anggota keselamatan Thailand yang masuk ke Malaysia secara gelap untuk menyamar sebagai penjahat kerana mengesan penjenayah yang terlibat dalam kes pengeboman di Hotel Marina, rompakan bersenjata di Daerah Sungai Golok, Selatan Thailand dan beberapa jenayah lagi,'' dakwanya.-Utusan


Pisau kata " jangan dok muka sangat"

Lynas could pose a 300 year problem for Kuantan

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 08:30 PM PST

I refer to the news report carried in Malaysiakini entitled "Lynas plant license application full of holes" and would like to observe that the temporary operating license sought by Lynas will most likely be granted by tomorrow (30th January 2012). Soon after that and despite ongoing protests, a permanent operating license will also be granted [...]


Rombongan Mencari DANA PRU di Turkey

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 04:49 PM PST


Kita ucap tahniah kepada Anwar yang sudahpun berangkat ke Turki malam semalam (bukan lari dan mencari suaka politik!); tetapi lebih kepada usaha saat akhir untuk mendapatkan bantuan dana PRU yang akan datang daripada beberapa pihak di Turki. Kalau mengikut jadual yang ditunjukkan oleh Saifuddin kepada beberapa petugas Ibupejabat PKR malam semalam sewaktu di KLIA; kita nampak memang lawatan ini mempunyai tujuan yang sangat khusus.


Anwar dijadualkan bertemu beberapa pemain korporat di Turki dalam beberapa hari ini. Dengan berbekalkan beberapa info terkini mengenai tanah, kawasan, tawaran istimewa, kelebihan yang dimiliki oleh Selangor dan Pulau Pinang kepada usahawan Turki; Anwar juga akan berbincang mengenai kemungkinan Turki membantu PKR daripada sudut lain. Ada juga usaha untuk mewujudkan kerjasama politik jangka panjang antara AK Party dan Parti Keadilan daripada sudut pertukaran 'kakitangan' dan kepimpinan yang akan berlangsung untuk masa yang terdekat.


Beberapa orang kalangan pemimpin muda PKR akan dihantar ke Turki untuk belajar kaedah kempen dan modus operandi pilihanraya yang dibuat oleh AK Party. Anwar memang mahukan DASAR PANDANG KE TURKI sebagai agenda baru yang bakal dilaksanakan oleh PKR.


Yang kelakar, semalam sempat Azmin Ali menunjukkan 'metal detector' yang diberikan oleh seorang rakan Amerika kepada mereka. Tak mahu masalah di Patpong dan Bangkok berulang, nampaknya Saifuddin dan Azmin mengambil langkah yang sangat hati-hati. No more problems, tegas Azmin. Semua kakitangan yang ada di sekeliling tergelak. Boleh jadi bahan gurauan nampaknya Anwar sekarang ini.


Anwar juga akan bertemu beberapa tokoh politik. Ahmet Davotoglu memang menjadi pengikut setia Anwar sejak zaman di UIAM lagi.


Anwar juga akan bertemu dengan beberapa 'market analyst' di Turkey – bagi mencari kelemahan pembelian ACIBADEM oleh Khazanah baru-baru ini. Anwar sengaja ingin mencari kalau-kalau ada kelemahan yang dibuat oleh Khazanah dalam dealing tersebut.


Antara wakil-wakil syarikat yang akan bertemu Anwar: Enka Insaat (Construction) dan Akbank (Perbankan). Menarik juga permainan Anwar ini.


Kalau menurut anggaran awal Ibupejabat PKR; dana awal sebanyak RM55 juta akan dapat banyak membantu usaha kemenangan pilihanraya. Kalau Anwar berjaya, nilai Anwar di kalangan Pakatan Rakyat akan meningkat berkali ganda. Salah satu BUKTI bahawa Anwar dapat memimpin dengan baik adalah kemampuan mencari sumber kewangan. Kalau mengikut list panjang usahawan Turki yang bakal Anwar temui – komitmen RM15 juta sekurang-kurangnya memang boleh diusahakan.


Yang pelik, ada 'bullet point' – 'American friends' di dalam jadual Anwar. Siapa dia 'American friends' ini? Di mana mereka berjumpa? Atas sebab apa?


Sebelum meninggalkan rakan-rakan di KLIA – Azmin sempat bergurau, 'this is last we're going as opposition….next time, we are part of PM's Office'. Terburai gelak-Gelagat Anwar

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