Sorry, I was wrong to…
November 26, 2007
In my ‘I will not walk this Sunday &…’ post, I had said :
‘In his letter to the PM dated 20/11/2007, Uthayakumar pointedly states that ‘a malay muslim group and Indian gangsters together with the police Special Branch are trying to disrupt our said peaceful assembly and create chaos and possible violence on 25.11.2007. Please investigate this matter and take the appropriate action accordingly’. It is becoming increasingly plain to me that the Hindraf rally planned for this Sunday will present to UMNO and BN the perfect stage to resurrect their ‘May 13′ bogeyman, blame the ‘chaos and possible violence’ that Uthayakumar himself anticipates on the recent call by civil society to allow the right to peacably assemble, demonise the struggle for greater democracy as that which is plunging this nation into racial tension, and trumpet again that BN is the only one that can maintain racial stability in this country. Surely, this has not escaped Uthayakumar and his friends in Hindraf…I pray that wisdom will also prevail in the Hindraf leadership now and that they will make an early decision to call off the rally.’
This was followed with my ‘Still not walking this Sunday’ post that went up on the morning of the rally where I said :
‘Meanwhile, I pray that my worst fears about the outcome of the walk will prove to be unfounded and that I will have to say I was wrong. Nothing would please me more.’
I have checked most of the blogs and internet news portals that I consider reliable. I have also checked the MSM. Thankfully, there were no reports of inter-racial clashes or incidences instigated by agent provocateurs.
It therefore pleases me to unreservedly say that I was wrong to :
- pay heed to the contents of Uthayakumar’s letter that a Malay Muslim group …with the Special Branch would try to disrupt the peaceful assembly and ‘create chaos and possible violence on 25/11/2007
- pay heed to the numerous e-mails from readers alluding to the possibility of that which was described by Uthayakumar in his letter in fact happening
- fret unnecessarily and without good reason about the possibility of senseless suffering of casualties and fatalities that might befall the many expected to attend the rally to accompany the petition to Queen E to appoint Queen’s Counsel, given that the petition was only a publicity stunt ( no one really expected that she would accede to the petition ) to draw further attention to the plight of a great many Indians in the country, an objective that had seemingly been attained in the days preceding the rally by the government’s attempts to prevent it
- fret unnecessarily and without good reason that any skirmishes in the course of the rally that might be successfully spun as inter-racial clashes and hyped as the prelude to another ‘May 13′ might drive civil society back into its ’slient majority’ days, undoing the little progress we have seen of late
- have troubled some within the Hindraf leadership, on the eve of the rally, to call off the march to the embassy and, in its place, announce through a press conference by the Hindraf leadership webcasted through blogosphere that civil society would show solidarity with their Hindu brothers and sisters throughout the country, on the day of the intended rally and at an appointed time, by standing on the roadside / kerbs wherever they are and hold a lit candle
For all these things, I am sorry.
November 26, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I join you to say sorry too as I too posted in a comment my worst fears. That being that here comes a group that might be prepared for sacrifice, associating the safron to be worn to whats worn during Thaipusam. But there was sheer grit when no where else before had I seen a group almost welcome the water canon.
On the other hand I should say that the police too may have held back on their previous SOPs when they too did not charge with batons and boots as we have all seen in many previous, far less, potentially explosive gatherings.
November 26, 2007 at 9:31 pm
It takes a big man to admit his mistakes. It takes a bigger man to say he is sorry.
Well done Haris. I am sure the guys at Hindraf will accept your apologies.
At last I am finding it within me to sign in with my name. Never will I hide behind my nickname anymore. Phew..
November 26, 2007 at 9:47 pm
It takes a man to do what you just did, bro.
If only more will follow your example. There’s no shame in apologizing and it doesn’t make a guy less potent or a gal less sexy.
On the contrary, i believe, it has the exact opposite effect. i hope this is motivation enough for all to have the courage to sincerely say sorry when the situation warrants it. Better still if it could be in writing.
*tabib*
November 26, 2007 at 10:05 pm
No! Harris. In a way, the rally is wrong. On true principle of united Malaysia the rally was wrong. But as I asked before how else can the other Indians plight be highlighted.
Late 70s I thought NEP was wrong till my family friend who was from Kuala Lipis and showed me the life of Kampung Malays which I discovered for the first time.
Now, it is time for the government to take notice of these people who got nowhere to go after losing the estates (i.e a job, roof over the head, free medical a place to pray and etc.etc not the best deal but was enough for most)
These people now lost that and unsure how to go aboard. They need help. Try spending a few month in a government department then you know the feelings of others, too and why they demo.
Is it so difficult for the PM to read the Memo and addressed the issue raised directly. The are downtrodden and poor because of… ..
Littlebird,
My apology extends only to the matters expressly narrated.
They had the right to peacably assemble. It was not my place to urge them to abandon that right on account of my fears. It is that and only that for which I have offered my apology.
I have not retracted my stand that I would not walk in support, nor have I apologised for this. I do not see a need to.
November 26, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Dear Haris,
It takes a STRONG man with a BIG heart to say ‘I am sorry’. You are that man.
November 26, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Brother,
‘Sorry’ is a word we have not heard our politicians say. You have said it.
There’s a world of a difference between you and them and I don’t think they can cross the chasm to your side.
‘Sorry’ is liberating for it enables you to move on with a clear conscience,stronger convictions and a sharper vision.
The People’s Parliament has just taken itself up a notch higher because you have been tested and you have passed because you kept your word.
Thank you.
Farida,
Actually, all thanks is due to the upbringing my mother gave me.
November 26, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Dear Harris,
That’s really big of you to say so.
I’m a mild-mannered person, seldom ruffled, but in this matter of Hindraf rally I must say: NO WAY I would have supported or walked with them.
In the days before the rally, I was around the blogs including many Hindraf supporter blogs, to find out for myself what it is all about. Some of the pro-Hindraf blogs carried in full the petition to be presented. And what I read in the petition chills me, especially the conclusion: “We fear that this peace-loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils.” Is this a threat? I read it as such.
It is only late in the game that they were calling on non-Indians (more precisely, non-Tamils) to walk with them.
This is a movement with a narrow, racist agenda, with I daresay, militant tendencies even. And so I offer no apologies.
At the risk of offending you, I say ,Harris, your first instinct was the right one.
adamabd,
You do not know me so you will not know that I am not offended by a differing view proffered with grace, which you have done.
Let me repeat here my rejoinder to a comment by Littlebird, with one amendment.
My apology extends only to the matters expressly narrated.
They had the right to peacably assemble. It was not my place to urge them to abandon that right on account of my fears. It is that and only that for which I have offered my apology.
I have not retracted my stand that I would not walk in support, nor have I apologised for this. I do not see a need to.
I will, in a later post, share in full my reasons why I could not walk in support. I, too, will touch on the content of the petition that you have alluded to, as well as other literature generated by the Hindraf initiative.
November 26, 2007 at 11:08 pm
As farida has already noted what immediately struck me was your quick and unreserved apology. Our tutup-satu-mata ‘political masters’ and even some within the Opposition should learn a thing or two from you about how to manage their garguantuan egos.
The humility and sincerity to admit you were wrong and then progress from there is to me the sign of a person that can be trusted.
You have my trust and from the comments above I know I am not alone.
November 26, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Harris,
Thank you for your kind explanation. I have reread your post and now understand which parts of it you offered mea culpa for. It must be in the air… I’m getting hasty.
I look forward to reading your next post. Hope you are teflon-coated. But then you shall disarm them with your candour, no?
November 26, 2007 at 11:49 pm
you did right with your apology, haris. or rather your mum did right in raising you.
i do understand what you are apologising for and what you are not apologising.
in fact earlier when i read your previous post ‘i will not walk this sunday….’, i did think to myself, well ok if you did not want to walk or did not want to support the walk but why on earth were you asking hindraf to call the walk off or asking others not to support the walk. that’s not like you. now that you apologise, i heave a sigh of relief.
in all things, while we may have our own opinion (esp. an unpopular one), we may argue all we want for our opinion and stand by it through thick and thin, but it is not proper for us to try to pull others to our opinion.
ok looking forward to your reason why you could not walk in support. hope it is not because you still think the rally is racist and communal… which i don’t agree to. at any rate even if yes, well it’s your opinion, which i will respect (within valid reasons!).
November 27, 2007 at 12:06 am
Haris,
Your apology to the specific matters highlighted above does not surprise me. Having interacted with you on the few occasions, I know you are someone who stands very firm on what you truly believe in, but yet has the courage and integrity to say sorry when the need arises.
Keep going. You have my full support.
November 27, 2007 at 12:21 am
Bro Haris,
This time I have to disagree with you for saying you were wrong and having to apologise. But thats your prerogative and you have my respect.
While I salute my Indian brothers and sisters for their bravery and solid will to stand up for their rights, they have my greatest respect. But I do not agree that this is a correct approach for what they did on sunday. Just as what was highlighted by Rocky “I won’t walk for someone’s narrow, racist political agenda.”
I do not know what Confucious had said that we may relate to this, but, by retreating one step today, we may gain a further 10 tomorrow.
Bro,
Let me repeat here my rejoinder to a comment by Littlebird, with one amendment.
My apology extends only to the matters expressly narrated.
They had the right to peacably assemble. It was not my place to urge them to abandon that right on account of my fears. It is that and only that for which I have offered my apology.
I have not retracted my stand that I would not walk in support, nor have I apologised for this. I do not see a need to.
I will, in later posts, share in full my reasons why I could not walk in support.
November 27, 2007 at 12:27 am
Hey Harris man, you certainly shocked me at first, but you have showed what constructive debate and respecting anothers rights is all about. Working together is going to be inevitable if only we get past this race issue. How nice it would be to see all the races walk through the streets of Kuala Lumpur or around the country one of these nights each holding a candle for peace and equality between all the races. Now that would be a sight to behold!
November 27, 2007 at 12:34 am
I am wondering why people like Haris and Rocky are so concerned in highlighting why they wouldn’t walk instead of speaking out the plight of the Indians and the terrible brutality of the police itself. Looks so one sided. As long as you don’t feel for others plight and refusal to accept there are wrong doings on your own race it’s difficult to ACHIEVE the bangsa Malaysia that Haris is talking about.
Is Utthaya right on some Malay Muslim Special branch trying to cause prob because in the some pix you can see plains clothes malay men dragging out indians like strayed dogs. I am wondering who these guys are; Are they police or gangsters??? .
Good luck to your bangsa malaysia. Hope you’ll see it in this life time.
My advice to all they’ll never be a man made system in this world that would be fair to everyone only GOD made system can ( the sytem is there in the VEDAS). Till such system comes in place work out of the system.
November 27, 2007 at 1:04 am
You’re cool, Haris. You’re up there, the epitome of a True Malaysian –Bangsa Malaysia. Hey it has to start somewhere, and glad you’re the man at the helm…
All the Best.
Bro,
I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 1:46 am
Haris
You are indeed a gem of a person. I have always trusted you from the moment I laid eyes on you.
I guess they call it instinct.
November 27, 2007 at 2:01 am
The 10Nov rally was totally played down by the mainstream media.
Whereas the Hindraf rally was on the front page of all mainstream media….
I am just wondering, why is this happening ?
November 27, 2007 at 2:01 am
Dear brother Haris,
You did not walk with us, but u were there as an observer for Bar council. You could have opted out but you chose to watch on us.
Don’t apologize for being concerned….
November 27, 2007 at 2:06 am
Devi sounds like a part time clown….go back to the circus that pays u….
November 27, 2007 at 2:26 am
Dear Harris,
Only a honourable wo(men) would humble themself to apologize, but being cynically cautious of any unforseen danger reeking ahead and in undertaking forestalling steps by calling off the march prior, does not dent your credibility.
In retrospect, in Uthayakumar’s letter to the PM, he alleged that agent provocateurs are planted to incite racial clashes in precedent to the bloody May 13th racial riots. On the contrary, when it did not materialized does not mean the intention by any malignat party/ies to incite racial violence is totally debunked.
But I am blissful that apart from police brutalities as this is an old story, no reports of racial clashes occured.
November 27, 2007 at 3:17 am
Saya adalah penyokong kuat Parti Keadilan Rakyat dan PAS.
Daripada tragedi HINDRAF semalam, tiba-tiba saya tergamam apabila PAS dan PKR menyokong mereka.
Persoalan:
1) Antara wadah perjuangan HINDRAF dan DAP adalah mempertikaikan hak orang Melayu. Jadi, jika PKR menang dalam pilihanraya dan membentuk kerajaan, adakah PKR akan melucutkan status istimewa kaum MELAYU dan bumiputra?
2) Mengapa PAS khasnya menyokong HINDRAF dan DAP? Sedangkan dengan terang-terangan mereka MENOLAK Negara ISLAM dan mahukan Negara SEKULAR.
3)Bukankah menyokong aktivis yang berbentuk perkauman ini akan menyebabkan KETEGANGAN KAUM di seluruh Negara? Ini sangat berbahaya.
Saya harap pihak PAS dan PKR dapat menjelaskan perkara ini dan saya juga berharap agar PAS dan PKR tidak terperangkap dengan agenda mereka kerana ia akan menyebabkan kerajaan BN(Barang Naik) itu memainkan isu ini. Ia akan merugikan kita.
Saya memang tidak menyokong BN tetapi saya juga tidak mahu Hak Orang MELAYU tergadai seperti yang terjadi di Singapura. Saya Harap perjuangan PAS dan PKR mesti jelas dan tidak sesekali tersasar dari landasan akibat ingin menjaga hati mereka yang membuat pertikaian ini.
Saya hormat bangsa lain tetapi bangsa lain pon perlu hormat pada orang MELAYU. Hak Orang MELAYU tidak boleh dipertikaikan lagi seperti mana yang tercatat didalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Ini negara Malaysia dan juga masih Tanah Melayu.
Kita Negara ISLAM dan TUannya adalah MELAYU ISLAM..
Diharap saudara dapat mengulas perkara ini.
Sekain
November 27, 2007 at 4:03 am
I came across your article “Islam-as I say-tion” and first learnt about you, and had come to respect you for your intelligence.
And now I respect you even more, your humility and your caution not to be absorbed by your own moral fibre, which I think is the essence of the Malay culture, but alas that is elusive of the self-proclaimed guardians of the Malay race.
I was there, but I wouldn’t completely agree that you had “fret unnecessarily and without good reason…” on point no.4. As much as I wanted to stand by them, to advance their cries for justice and the return of their stolen rights, I couldn’t helped to notice that the whole rally was racial, on the part of the protesters and the FRU personnel.
In my entry I did not elaborate further on the imminent racial tension for I do not wish to divert my readers’ attention away from their plight and the justification of the rally. But I’d like to take this opportunity, with the right context of your blog, I wanted to point out that there was a general hostility among the protesters, not only against the govt,but also against the Malay populace as a group.
I talked with one of the protesters, Mr B***, he said that the Malays had taken everything, and that the Chinese (he’s aware that I’m a Chinese) had saved them from poverty through the private sector. I found that troubling because I do not believe that the Chinese should be favoured over the Malays in that manner, and that that was a sweeping statement.
On the other hand, the FRU, mostly Malays, kept on taunting/bullying the Indian protesters. On one occasion, when an Indian wanted to enter KLCC to rest (while the protest was still ongoing), the FRU personnel shouted at him rudely, as if to suggest that the Indians were “kurang ajar”. Towards the end, at Jalan Ampang, when Mr Siva led the crowd in meditation and singing of what seems to be their religious hymns, an FRU personnel blew his whistle suddenly, clearly intending to ridicule the Indians, as I observed.
I would say the FRU was lucky. I think the protesters, mostly from low-income group, were no where near to getting aggressive. As a result of their experience, and the condition of poverty and inferior self-image that had impressed on them for so many years, their timidness had spared the FRU from angry reaction. But then again, maybe it was Mahatma Gandhi, whose posters were wore by some of the protesters, reminded them to restrain and remain peaceful, but defiant that is.
November 27, 2007 at 5:11 am
Just read an excellent article on Malik Imtiaz’s blog that provides a sensible view on the situation … far better articulated
Looking forward to reading your version.
November 27, 2007 at 6:29 am
Well, bro, this posting looks like a two-parter.
Perhaps, it will become clearer to your detractors when your next posting gets published because, between the black (no malice intended) and white hues of any issue, there’s a whole lot of grey to contend with as well. And CIVIL SOCIETY resides in this middle ground, replete with all its multi-faceted, multi-colored and multi-religious prerequisites for an equitable and sustainable future.
The Penguin, 10-Eleven and Hindraf are done deals, each one different in terms of participation and objectives, and yet the same on the core issues i.e. CIVIL SOCIETY seeking justice, equality and good governance. Your effort towards garnering support for an all-encompassing ‘One voice’ is both commendable and appreciated. You have my continued support (plus my incessant gripings too, eh bro).
——————————————————-
Devi, ‘adopting’ your advice regarding the VEDAS would be anathema to the faithful adherents of other religions. Can we have less ad hominem statements and more pragmatic, albeit humane, solutions, please? Thank you.
Bro, afraid its going to be more like a multi-parter. Mini series, if you will.
November 27, 2007 at 8:23 am
A qualified apology, I see…
Interestingly, there appears to be an almost universal, across the spectrum, support for Hindraf among Indian-Malaysians. They may have issues with Hindraf’s methods, personalities involved, ideological slant; yet, they are supportive. Yes, finally, the moment has arrived, and in the heart of hearts we know that we, as a minority ethnic group, will not lie supinely and let ourselves be trampled upon, as in the past.
Haris, it is one thing to say, yea, we know the negative stereotyping, lack of economic opportunities, poor leadership and other social issues that the Indian-Malaysian community face. But, suppose, you are in a situation where the government purchases the estate you work in, and two decades later, having sold off almost all of the 1,700 acres of plantation land at a huge profit, classifies you as a squatter and sends bulldozers to level your house. And, to add insult injury, allocates 1 acre land for the construction of a Hindu temple and Tamil school next to 39 acres of cemetery. Not a fanciful story, but a reality in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur as I type.
You might be sympathetic to the person, his plight, and his predicaments. But that’s not what he’s asking for: he wants your empathy. More importantly, he wants you to recognise him as your equal, in terms of rights — as having equal rights to education, expression, persuasion, association, economic upliftment, pursuit of happiness, etc. Could you? The Keadilan fellows, despite all their supposed youthful idealism, couldn’t.
This much is patent to me: what’s Reformasi to Malays is what Hindraf is to Indian-Malaysians. If “Allahu Akhbar” isn’t divisive, narrow, than “Indu Samayam vaalva” isn’t, either.
I hazard a guess that what we are witnessing is the birth of the Indian-Malaysian rights movement. Whether it’ll be evanescent or lasting is unclear, but just like the civil rights movement that started with a bus strike, it’ll have characters of different hue, our own versions of MLK Jr., Malcom X and Carmichael.
Enough already, as I think Ananthi’s letter, which I believe you’ve seen, has nailed the matter well.
Ve. Elanjelian,
Qualified apology, no. Selective, yes.
I said 2 things in my ‘will not walk’ post.
Will not walk and, secondly, please call off the rally.
Have not apologised for the first. Have apologised for being taken in by the various concerns that led to my urging that the rally be called off.
I need no persuasion that much needs to be done to uplift the lot of the marginalised Indians in this country.
At the risk of repeating myself, I will merely observe here and expand in greater detail in posts that will follow, that there are also marginalised and underprivileged Chinese and Malays in this country, along with the Orang Asal.
You mention fleetingly that there may be those who have issues with Hindraf’s methods and ideological slant.
Well, let me also fleetingly state here and elaborate in my later postings that often, methodology may be as important, if not more, than the ends sought to be achieved.
The ends do not always justify the means.
And, yes, I am one of those who have issues with Hindraf’s methods and ideological slant. More of this later.
My fears of the communalist politics in this country continuing unabated is, with respect, illuminated by the observations you have made.
You said : what’s Reformasi to Malays is what Hindraf is to Indian-Malaysians.
You also said : I hazard a guess that what we are witnessing is the birth of the Indian-Malaysian rights movement.
Allow me, then, to also speculate : we will soon witness the entry of KJ & co and the ‘ketuanan Melayu’ entourage on the streets with the PM now shrugging his shoulders and saying ‘What can I do? You all started it’
November 27, 2007 at 8:34 am
Dear Harris, I was quite disappointed with your thinking initially, but after reading your piece today, I say ” You are afterall a very nice person and you are indeed great and a very sensible person”
borneopeteliew,
Hold those accolades. I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 8:39 am
Kudos to you, Haris for having the guts to say you were wrong and more so because u apologised.
I’ve been a lurker here for quite some time and this post had me reading with tears in my eyes. I’m of Indian descent and I am ashamed to have not marched with my brothers and sisters. Watching the numerous videos posted online touched me deeply. I was born in a poor Indian family and I am what I am today because I was determined to get out of poverty.
For years, I scorned my fellow Malaysian Indians… belittling them for not being able to achieve what I have. Instead of being compassionate, I have distanced myself from them… from even family members. I am thoroughly ashamed now. These people have more guts in their little bone than I have in my whole body.
God bless u always, Haris
lurker,
May God guide you.
November 27, 2007 at 9:22 am
To Young keadilan,
if you keep on thinking on ‘hak Melayu tidak boleh dipertikaikan’, ‘ketuanan Melayu’, ‘Melayu adalah TUAN’, then, you are no different from UMNO.
If the Malays still have the same thinking like you, then we can just forget ‘Bangsa Malaysia’.
Even the Malays in Singapore are proud to call tthemselves ‘Singaporean’. So, Young Keadilan, what do you think? If let you to compete one-to-one with a Singaporean Malay, I bet you will lose. So, what is the use of so proud being a Melayu Malaysia
November 27, 2007 at 10:13 am
Come election day, all the hawks will turn to chickens and will likely vote the same way as they have voted in the past 50 years. BN worried? Nah!
November 27, 2007 at 10:28 am
Sorry is the hardest word to say, and when said in curcumstances like this only shows you, Haris Ibrahim, is a man of principles… if only our politicians are made of your qualities… Malaysians wouldn’t have to waste time marching on the streets. I salute you Haris Ibrahim.
cjcm
I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 10:35 am
Your fears were valid and i understand where you’re coming from with the apology. I made the round of reading the blogs on the rally and found that in Kg Baru & Kg Pandan, the protesters who were suffering from the effects of tear gas & water were sheltered & ministered to by the residents with police hot on their heels even.
I have more faith in our Malaysian brothers and sisters than any politician out there.
November 27, 2007 at 10:50 am
after people die in a rally then u say sorry… simpan lah.
podah…
November 27, 2007 at 11:01 am
again, you have proven yourself to be someone a gem: a true malaysian.
my utmost respect to you.
lostasylum
Hold those accolades. I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 11:29 am
Haris,
It takes a man of great character to say “I am sorry” knowing he could be wrong and in your case, I believe you have your own reasons and views for not supporting the Hindraf the rally.
If only our Ministers and politicians of the ruling parties could put aside their ego and be man enough to say” I am sorry” when a mistake is made than Malaysia would be a better place for all of us.
Haris, keep up the good work and I am still with you.
Bryan,
I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 11:29 am
There is an urgent need for the leaders of the various races to SIT AND TALK before it is too late.we need to establish urgently inter racial/faith dialogues that should include various people from various backgrounds.I am confident that the majority of us regardless of race/religion wants peace and to understand one another.the only obstacle that lies in front of all of us are the select group of people in each race that wants to keep us split and disoriented for their own selfish reasons.Many of these people say something but their actions are complete opposite.This divide and rule has to come to end.We desperately need people of various races who are open minded and truly believe we can live in peace and harmony to come forward to start ball of positive changes to begin.If we do not start TODAY there will not be a TOMORROW for many of us.MALAYSIA BOLEH KITA BOLEH.We can show the world that we can live together,eat together,laugh together if only the people in power give the ordinary people a chance to talk about issues that the government fears are problematic for all of us.Give us all a chance to understand one another KERAJAAN MALAYSIA.We are after all the same species HUMAN BEINGS
November 27, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I may not enjoy the various previlege given by the govt but neverthless I will always be a MALAYSIAN and die a MALAYSIAN.This is the only home I know for the past 47 yrs and for the many years to come.LONG LIVE MALAYSIA
November 27, 2007 at 12:07 pm
excellent
November 27, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Haris,
I admire you for being such a gem. You are a real man to be able to say sorry. Wish there were more like you around.
godsaveus,
Hold those accolades. I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Bro, I sympathised with Hindraf’s leaders and their intentions but when I read the petition by their leader to the British PM I was forced to revise my views. What’s the difference between him and the BN leaders he’s griping against? The contents seem to be deliberately intended to create racial tension.Mr Hindraf lawyer, please don’t descend to this. Be true to the multitude who are supporting you. They are not in a position to run away and seek asylum when the heat is turned on.
Bro,
I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
November 27, 2007 at 12:30 pm
There. An echo of my own thots of Hindraf. I was reviled as an Indian who forgot her roots. But I prefer to think of myself as a Malaysian first.
I had always thought of their motives are reactionary and their stated aims r bound to cause more divisions than ever.
Thanks Harris, for showing the humility and standing by honest principles. Before I was Indian or Hindu, I was a human being first.
And that makes u, my brother.
galadriel,
If it was a walk to call for all Malaysians to be treated as equal human beings, I am sure you would have walked.
And I would have proudly taken my place beside my sister
November 27, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I dont really know you, but what i understand after reading the Hindraf Memo, i can say that you are absolutely wrong from the very begining.
Salam
tukjanggut
November 27, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for your response. Will wait for the “mini-series”
Meanwhile, two quick points:
1. “…there are also marginalised and underprivileged Chinese and Malays in this country, along with the Orang Asal.” Hope your detailed response would dwell on varied nature of the payoff and support structures that act as constraints for these groups.
2. “… we will soon witness the entry of KJ & co and the ‘ketuanan Melayu’ entourage on the streets with the PM now shrugging his shoulders and saying ‘What can I do? You all started it’” Hmm… will that be something new … don’t they already do this as an annual event, festival even? Just a couple of weeks back KJ & gang openly insulted the Indian-Malaysians. What happened? Nothing, of course. (‘We are the majority-what!’) And btw, has anyone been convicted over the March 8-11, 2001 slaughters? So, I guess, Hindraf or not, UMNO will always create some bogeyman or other for their evil machinations. What we shouldn’t allow is to let them decide our agenda — i.e. we have to be (pardon the cliche) proactive-lah!
November 27, 2007 at 1:52 pm
IS THAT REAL HINDRAF MEMO OR YOU SIMPLY COPIED FROM OTHER HATE WEB???????????
??????????????????????????????
November 27, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Dear Sir,
It’s ok. The most important thing is the “Intention”
Your concerns and decisions earlier were made with good intentions as you were worried of the negative impacts it would be for the nation.
At least you know how to apologise, unlike some of those Ministers up there. Good leadership by example.
Anyway, keep on going with your work for the Malaysian community. Many are watching. Me and my friends support and appreciate your work.
Regards,
Sagaladoola
Bro,
I’ve said before that those who know me, know me. Those who do not, well they just do not.
Thanks for being there and the encouragement.
Latest article: HINDRAF Rally of the Marginalised (Videos and Pics)
November 27, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Harris, you showed a strength of character by apologizing, a class act. In ths days andage we can agree to disagree in a civil manner.
I sympathize with the Indians cos they seem to be the worst off in every way. But ultimately, the Govt’s dosmissal and arrogant attitude is most hurtful and probably the straw that broke the camel’s back The Govt has to realize that everyone of its citizen is acog in the wheel and we all contribute in our own way towards making Msia what it is today. The Indians should just shut down and stop work for 10 days and see how the country will be affected. Every tiny part of a machine is important for the machine to work and everyone should remember this
Angela,
Thank you.
Your suggestion of a 10-day close down should seriously be considered.
Certainly is far more constructive ( from an activist point of view, that is ) than some of the other thoughts proffered here.
God bless.
November 27, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Dear Harris,
I still keep my helmet from a ‘construction site’ theme party. If you need one to fend the brickbats after the ‘accolades’ wear off let me know.
And I have my dream too…that include all. Take care.
arianna,
If you need one, you say? Huh, no ifs.
Should I designate a drop-off point for that helmet?
You take care too.
November 27, 2007 at 4:02 pm
“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”
November 27, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Thank you Mr. Haris for being the kind of Malaysian I have always dreamed of being myself and of others!!!
In Malaysia, being humble and honest is the most difficult thing these days, it seems to me! Yet, you have proven it is possible!
A.B. IPoh
Dear Augustine,
I will soon be trying to explain why I would not walk.
You may not feel the same after that.
November 27, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Saying Sorry..is humbling yourself…
i know how it feels to ask forgiveness and im glad that you experienced the beauty of HUMILITY…
November 28, 2007 at 4:10 am
I think you believe I can save you,
It was I who cracked Time. Was it not?
Then let my hands be the ones to repair it -
We can pretend that the clock never stopped.
I think you believe I can save you,
You are the centurion revealed.
If so, does that make me Messiah?
I speak, and you shall be healed.
In truth, angel, I can’t do it,
For that gift is not granted to me,
I think I’m like a blind jeweller,
Trying to mend parts I can’t see.
In truth, angel, it’s beyond me
I can speak for all I am worth,
And your wounds will not alter the slightest,
No healing, renewel, rebirth.
I cannot be the Messiah,
Repairing Time is beyond my recall,
But perhaps there is an alternative,
A route to the truth of it all.
We must stop the noise of our own breathing,
So that the silence of void may come through
We must discard everything we believe in
Stop craving the things we accrue.
Our brains must be tapped at the earhole
Humanity from our heads must be drawn,
Till only one thing stares from our sockets,
The face of the Universe before it was born.
It’s still not enough for redemption,
Although I’ve heard of worse places to start.
There’s one more thing that is lacking,
We’re lacking a path that has heart.
To be saved is to stand free of judgement
Without losing the desire to care
For the fate of each life we encounter,
Though we can’t change it, we still need to care.
To be saved is to act in each action,
Like birdsong, like winter, like dew,
Like the bell that wove god into being,
Each time that we ring must sound true.
To be saved is to have the size zero,
Because we encompass the all,
There is no room between us and heaven,
Each breath holds that goal, after all.
November 28, 2007 at 4:11 am
It is alarming to note the Police violating the rights of Malaysians of Indian origin to assemble freely as guranteed in the constitution.
Hindraf lawyers were unlawfuly arrested and threathened since the Shah Alam temple demolition excercise carried out by the town council.
These escalating acts of violation only serve to confirm the recent statement of a EU representative that “Malaysia is still under a state of Emergency.”
If the police continue to act as unquestioning servants of Umno or as their agents then citizens in this country will become mere captives similar to that of regimes in Pakistan and Myanmar.
It is disturbing to observe that the police authorised a permit to Umno Youth to conduct street demonstrations while Condola Rice visted Malaysia a few months ago.
The American flag was burnt by Umno youth leaders and death threats were made against America, Israel and the West.All this was witnessed by FRU and other police personell who offered “protection” to them and “proctected” them from the public until they had finished their demonstration.
If such action persists, citizens in Malaysia will be in grave danger. I appeal all citizens to stand with Hindraf as well as others against such tyranny and to ensure that the right of minorities to voice their dissent is not penalised or criminalised.
This is not what multicultural Malaysians agreed to at Merdeka and it is time that the police and the executive cease misusing the authority vested in them.
As to this proposition of “Bangsa Malaysia” – I would respectful state that such a species exists only in Majapahit or in the realm of wayang kulit dreamscape. Those who postulate for a “Bangsa Malaysia” are barking up the wrong durian tree.
This country was built on comunalism, one just has to examine the constitution that states a Malay is a muslim and can only be a muslim till kingdom come. It deliberately conceals the evidence that Malays before the 13 Century were buddists, hindus , animists and ofother religous and non-religous persuasions.
Such fabrications in the constitution as well as historical revisions has led to grave violations of human rights and opression of Malays as well as non-Malays in this country. It is a the highest form of racial and religous apartheid in the country and the best part about it is no one is allowed to talk about it, lest he be ushered into the confines of Kamunting.
So, this issue of “Bangsa Malaysia” is a non-entity masquerading as multiculturan ethopia for Malaysians. It is actually like asking Umno Youth leaders to stop kissing the keris or fantasizing about it in erotic terms of. I would suggest it is more humane and plausible to speak of a “Bangsa Manusia”, to accept each racial group or racially-mixed communities as one’s own. Human beings must be entitled to basis dignity and freedom to chooses one’s religon or cultural practice as enshrined in the UN Charter.
All this malicious postulation that Hindraf is a racist group with racist motivations against Malays and other communities is initself a concealed racist paradigm. Hindraf’s right to express its religous convictions or its concern over threats of “Malay Muslim groups working with Special Branch Personell” or Indian gansters is what democracy looks like without being counterfeited.
There is irrefutable evidence that “Malay Muslim” mobs have instigated riots in the past, against the Chinese as well as Indians, as the declassified records of May 13, 1969 indicate. The outworking of a democratic society is that it entails one to reveal knowledge of such threats and such revelations should not be distorted for any reason
Hitler employed “Turnspeak”(a form of reversal propaganda) against Checkoslavia by stating he was goin there to help them against criminal elements that were against it. Histroy reveals what his true intentions were and what eventually happened. When one attempts to make the victim of opression the agressor, and the aggressor to be the victim, the spirit of Nazism is incarnated.
It is alarming to observe the diatribe and racist insunations against Hindraf in some of the feedback here.Hindraf do not need to apologise for their religous convictions or its demand for justice and equity. Justice does not always operate on a centrifugal manner. Those dying of thrist will not be instanously saved by lectures that there are many thristy people out there in Malaysia and just because you are about to die of thirst “don’t be so outrageously chauvinistic about your state of dying.
Such reasoning, if it could be termed reasoning has as much value as a warm bucket of spit. The Indians in this country has walked with the Malays, Chinese, and other communities in their struggle against injustices, some even at the expense of financial ruin, and some even to the point of death. However, the same cannot be said about the reverse. When the Indians walk to voice their plight, they walk alone, and the chorus from the “Bangsa Malaysia” brigade are similar to the ones sung to the Jews sent to the death chambers. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
Malaysians must not tolerate any attempt or intimidation to silence their voice. Let not those elected by the rakyat consider themselves above the law, and may justice be restored as it was at Merdeka.
November 28, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Hindraf have to refine a bit, maybe take a lesson from this:
The Filipino veterans’ provisions in HR 760 are similar to a plan passed by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
If signed into law, it would provide full veterans’ status to World War II era Filipino soldiers and even their survivors.
This would include pay for service related disabilities, survivor pay for service-connected deaths, as well as pensions and death benefits.
Those who are living in the Philippines, and are not U.S. citizens, would receive $6,000 to $8,400. Low-income widows would receive $3,600.
http://www.timesgazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=147067&TM=54783.2
November 28, 2007 at 5:29 pm
To young keadilan,
Quoting your words:
“Saya memang tidak menyokong BN tetapi saya juga tidak mahu Hak Orang MELAYU tergadai seperti yang terjadi di Singapura. Saya Harap perjuangan PAS dan PKR mesti jelas dan tidak sesekali tersasar dari landasan akibat ingin menjaga hati mereka yang membuat pertikaian ini.”
Sejak bila hak orang Melayu tergadai di Singapura. Tolong semak fakta-fakta dan maklumat kamu atau tanya orang Melayu di Singapura. Semak betul-betul. Memang bengang apabila saya temu pendapat seperti ini, orang Melayu di Singapura adalah gagah dan pandai. Setiap pencapaian Melayu di bumi Singapura adalah melalui titik peluh dan darah tanpa mendapat sebarang bantuan kerajaan tidak seperti Melayu di Malaysia.
Tahukah anda, murid terbaik dalam peperiksaan PSLE (UPSR di Malaysia) adalah seorang Melayu ?
Saudari Natasha Nabila Bte Muhamad dari St. Hilda’s Primary School. Dan saudari Natasha mendapat rekod markah tertinggi 294 dalam sejarah peperiksaan PSLE (17 tahun sejak 1991).
http://www.zaobao.com/cgi-bin/zaobao/buyEng.cgi?url=http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp071123_502.html
http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2007/pr20071122.htm
Jangan samakan Melayu di Singapura dengan Melayu di Malaysia.
Bagi pengetahuan kamu, saya adalah dari bangsa Cina, tetapi saya mempunyai lebih banyak kawan Melayu di Singapura kerana mereka lebih matang dan saya “respect” mereka. Tolong ubah pemikiran sempit kamu.
November 29, 2007 at 1:22 am
i love the character you displayed there you see it is difficult to admit mistakes these days i love that keep it up
November 29, 2007 at 11:27 pm
It is alarming to note the Police violating the rights of Malaysians of Indian origin to assemble freely as guranteed in the constitution.
Hindraf lawyers were unlawfuly arrested and threathened since the Shah Alam temple demolition excercise carried out by the town council.
These escalating acts of violation only serve to confirm the recent statement of a EU representative that “Malaysia is still under a state of Emergency.”
If the police continue to act as unquestioning servants of Umno or as their agents then citizens in this country will become mere captives similar to that of regimes in Pakistan and Myanmar.
It is disturbing to observe that the police authorised a permit to Umno Youth to conduct street demonstrations while Condola Rice visted Malaysia a few months ago.
The American flag was burnt by Umno youth leaders and death threats were made against America, Israel and the West.All this was witnessed by FRU and other police personell who offered “protection” to them and “proctected” them from the public until they had finished their demonstration.
Such Islamic jihadist tendencies are not new, it began before Merdeka. And as such Malaysians need to stand up against its threat to carry out ethnic cleansing as was manifested on May 13, 1969.
If such action persists, citizens in Malaysia will be in grave danger. I appeal all citizens to stand with Hindraf as well as others against such tyranny and to ensure that the right of minorities to voice their dissent is not penalised or criminalised.
This is not what multicultural Malaysians agreed to at Merdeka and it is time that the police and the executive cease misusing the authority vested in them.
As to this proposition of “Bangsa Malaysia” – I would respectfuly state that such a species exists only in an imaginary Majapahit or in the realm of wayang kulit dreamscape. Those who postulate for a “Bangsa Malaysia” are barking up the wrong durian tree. It is a convenient mask to hide behind to conceal ethnocentri Malay centrisms.
Unfortunately this country was built on the stilts of comunalism, one just has to examine the constitution that states a Malay is a muslim and can only be a muslim till kingdom come. It deliberately conceals the evidence that Malays before the 14 Century were buddists, hindus , animists and ofother religous and non-religous persuasions.
Such diabolical developments in the constitution as well as historical revisions has led to grave violations of human rights and opression of Malays as well as non-Malays in this country. It is a the highest form of racial and religous apartheid the country has faced and the best part about it is no one is allowed to talk about it, lest he be ushered into the confines of Kamunting.
So, this issue of “Bangsa Malaysia” is a non-entity masquerading like a Umno enuch in a green kebaya. It is liken to asking Umno Youth leaders to stop kissing the keris or fantasizing about it in erotic terms of.
I would suggest that it is more humane and plausible to speak of a “Bangsa Manusia”, to accept each racial group or racially-mixed communities as one’s own. Human beings must be entitled to basis dignity and freedom to chooses religon or cultural practice as enshrined in the UN Charter.
All this malicious innuendo that Hindraf is a racist group with racist motivations against Malays and other communities is initself a concealed racist paradigm. Hindraf’s right to express its religous convictions or its concern over threats of “Malay Muslim groups working with Special Branch Personell” or about Indian gansters is what democracy looks like without an Umno veil.
There is irrefutable evidence that “Malay Muslim” mobs and young Umno turks who were not pleased with Tunku instigated riots against the Chinese as well as Indians, as the declassified records of May 13, 1969 indicate. It was a coup de tat.
The outworking of a democratic society is that it entails one to reveal knowledge of such threats and such revelations should not be distorted for any reason
Hitler employed “Turnspeak”(a form of reversal propaganda) against Checkoslavia by stating he was goin there to help them against criminal elements that were against it. Histroy reveals what his true intentions were and what eventually happened.
When one attempts to make the victim of opression the agressor, and the aggressor to be the victim, the spirit of Nazism is incarnated and pepetrated.
Justice does not always operate on a centrifugal manner. Those dying of thrist will not be instanously saved by lectures that there are many thristy people out there in Malaysia and that just because you are about to die of thirst “don’t you dare be so outrageously chauvinistic about your state of dying….
Such reasoning, if it could be termed reasoning has as much value as a warm bucket of spit. The Indians in this country has walked with the Malays, Chinese, and other communities in their struggle against injustices, some even at the expense of financial ruin, and some even to the point of death. However, the same cannot be said about the reverse.
When the Indians walk to voice their plight, they walk alone, and the chorus from the “Bangsa Malaysia” brigade are similar to the ones sung to the Jews as sent to the death chambers… “we have the best interest of Indians deep in our hearts, it’s so deep we will lead them to the deep…” With friends like these, who needs enemies?
Malaysians must not tolerate any attempt or intimidation to silence their voice. Let not those elected by the rakyat consider themselves above the law, and may justice be establihed as it was at Merdeka.
December 3, 2007 at 5:21 pm
there cannot be a bangsa malaysia without freedom of religion.
Hindraf was spawned due to the extreme malay-islam policies of the government.
if anyone has issues with the supposedly narrow and centric views of Hindraf, then certainly what Pas n Umno have been doing thus far is far worse.
it is time for the minorities to ask for their rights. And it is certainly time for the malays to stand on their own feet.
ethnic cleansing is going on but on a very subtle note. check out the many cases of spurious conversions. in any case, if u r forced to change religions to marry a person u love thats a kind of ethnic cleansing. if the only way u can get forward is by changing ur religion thats ethnic cleansing. lets get the gov to publish the list of people killed in lock-ups, jails and those shot by police. then the picture will b every clear.
Prem,
I thought Hindraf was spawned because of the widespread incidence of marginalised Indians.
PAS & UMNO have done worse? No disagreement from me.
However, adding one more ethnocentric entity to the dimension does not lend any cure to the root of the problem. It merely adds to it.
With respect, I think you have stretched the purport of ‘ethnic cleansing’ to near breaking point.
Let’s be reasonable.
December 9, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Hi Harris,
Applaud your humility in earlier purported rash judgement. Believe it was an honest error out of caution and unbridled concerns to avert possible human injuries or loss of lives, aside on the questions surrounding the intent and probity of the Hindraf leaders
Believe your intent was to still stay magnanimously cool, be a part of and not be apart from the heated and very sensitive ethnic discussions.
In the on-going heated diatribes, it is understandably difficult for one to have a cool head and think rationally.
It is heartening to read from blogs and comments written by M’sian Netizen in English, I do sense that this underlaying group of rakyat comprising from all races who are:
a. first and foremost are passionate, patriotic and proud of multi-cultural M’sia
b. yearning and dreaming for a new whole bunch of polished trustworthy technocrats (inclusive of opposition) who espouse brave, clean, secular, non-race biased , equality-for-all policies
c. matured, cultured, rational, well-read and intelligent thinkers but may be suffering from inertia paralysis because we are either being a contended idealist holding lofty dreams or being realist and pragmatic because there is just too much sacrifices to be made to fulfill our dreams which are perhaps beyond us .. PS. I’m using reversed psychology here
(Can’t say that of Pak Kadir’s – see Kadir Jasin’s blog, orientation, but admittedly he’s definitely a great intellect)
Which leads me to think, there is hope for an advanced secular bangsa Malaysia thinking in some quarters albeit only a minority – perhaps only 20% of M’sians for now.
But this group are generally professionals, gainfully employed or self-employed in the middle and above income group. As such, they still have the means, time and resources to reflect and partake on issues and discussion of intellect ie ethnicity, economy, arts, religion to advance our being and feed our souls. And not instead of having to figure when and where to scrap our next meal to ease our hunger pangs.
Now, if when economy heads south ie oil wells run dry, FDIs heads to other emerging countries, tourism hit by bird flu/Indon haze etc and jobs are scarce .. will all our cool heads then prevail or do we succumbed to feuds perpetuated along the ugly polarized race schism.
Already, I’ve seen in-family skirmishes and divide because of monetary and wealth matters, how easily would this be extended to the national scale along race fault lines?
What are our safeguards, aside from dreaded draconian ISA measures by our authoritarian government, do we have to ensure that our cool civilized heads will always prevail?
When will we get to the tipping point for us to rally for a fair and better(er) M’sia for M’sians? Or are we contended to see a batter(er) M’sia and battered M’sians?