TUESDAY PICKS -02

The real insult and the real hurt cannot be felt by you (IBRAHIM ALI). It is in reality felt by the hundreds of millions of Muslims in all those countries who are victims of corruption and bad government and who struggle to make a decent life for themselves. The true immorality is found among those who will not face up to the facts as they are and instead pretend to be their champions with bluff and bluster.

Yours sincerely,
uppercaise

Dear Ibrahim Ali, some data on corruption

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It is through the contributions of all Malaysians that we are where we are today - in fact, as Syed Akbar points out, more so, perhaps, due to the contributions of the non-Muslims/Malays.

But Malaysia's continued prosperity is at risk, not because there is not enough religion, but because there is too much of it in the public sphere. Already, we are seeing religion being the basis of communal hatred and animosity, which fortunately, is not yet widespread. And the real danger is that apparently the majority of Muslims in this country misguidedly want more religion in the public sphere. More, they want an "Islam"-ic state.

Perhaps it's appropriate that Walski closes this review with the following quote, attributed to Albert Einstein :

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

The failure of the Islamic states the world over can be clearly seen. The reasons, too, are clear, as pointed out by Syed Akbar in his book. If the Muslims in this country can get over their deep seated denial (chapter 5), and accept that the root cause of their failure is their religion (not Islam), perhaps there is some hope yet.

Otherwise, we will surely succumb to the insanity of knowingly repeating the mistakes of others, and Malaysia, too, may one day become a full-fledged member of the dubious Club of Doom.

Malaysia and the Club of Doom

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A READER SAID:

Kee Thuan Chye is a rare breed. We were students back in USM in the 1970s. Our path did not cross, but I remember him. He got himself into a pickle with the university administration over the orientation of a freshman, over something as innocent as having the student carry carton boxes for him. He was hauled up by the vice chancellor and made to apologise to the student. Kee stuck to his guns. I'll leave it to him to fill in the blank. Watching him from afar, his work and the challenge he faced steering his career through the bowels of the MSM, he came out whole. He kept his youthful ideals. In our transcient age that rewards superficiality and expedience, where people change commitments, renounce comrades and switch camps with no second thought, that's consistency for you. A very, very rare quality indeed.

Kee Thuan Chye unmasked

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The game plan in this libido-enhanced economy is to accumulate as much wealth as one can in the shortest period of time by using other people's money to become the best bubble economy in a country where bankruptcy is a guarantee.

A 'tongkat ali society' is also characterised by a libidinal economy and dispossessed youths. We put band aids on problems that could have been prevented through a sound education system and a thorough understanding of cultural change.

We also see the use of massive public funds to educate a small number of people who we call “gifted and talented” - leaving the intelligence and creativity of a large number of children unattended to.

The rise of the Tongkat Ali society

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Living ten thousand miles away I have little to do with the Malaysian civil service. My daily life is thus not affected by these tiada maruah (lack of integrity) folks at the top. The organization however, is essentially Malay; likewise the political establishment. These top civil servants and political leaders are thus seen as representing the best of not just their organizations but also of Malays. Consequently, their shortcomings are viewed less as personal failures but more of our community. When they behave tiada maruah, collectively Malays are also seen as such. That is what makes me angry.

Tiada Maruah (Lack of Integrity) At The Very Top