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I know I am in BN and I am supposed to criticize the other side and cheer our own side. That’s how our adversary based political system is supposed to work and that how it has been practiced in this country. Well, I don’t agree. We must praise or criticize based on the merit of the act or policy, not based on party politics.
I read with interest today’s (7th June, 2008) News Straits Times’ report in page 8 entitled “Size no longer matters for places of worship”. The new Selangor State government had abolished the requirement that new non-Muslim places of worship be restricted to 10,000 sq feet. It has also agreed to raise the annual budget for non-Muslim places of worship from the current RM 3 million.
After reading the report, I can’t help but say to “Well done and its about time!”
I am not sure whether the ‘requirement’ of 10,000 sq feet was a ruling or policy matter under the previous BN state government. If my memory serves me right there had been instances where the BN state government had granted one acre or more for new non-Muslim places of worship. However, I also remember that often time, land for new places of worship had been restricted to 10,000 sq feet. Numerous attempts to break this barrier by the then State Exco Member, YB Dato K.Sivalingam had been met with brick wall resistance by the then state administration.
As I understood it, the ‘requirement’ was introduced by a Dato Bandar of Shah Alam (I can’t remember who) and the ‘requirement’ was subsequently adopted by other local councils. No amount of internal objections and arguing persuaded the then state government to drop the unwritten restriction. They probably thought there was only one way of administrating the state. It was either ‘my way or the highway’.
Well, the state BN is on the highway now.
There are lessons to be learnt from all this. Governments must put its people first. It must realize that it is there because of the people and for the people. When we allow the whim and fancy of any officer(s) to take precedent over the need and sentiment of the populace, the people will be left with no choice but to punish the entire administration for the acts of some and inaction of the rest.
Murugesan Sinnandavar
4 comments:
Well said. Giving credit where credit is due should not be beyond us. Just one caveat though, I hope to see this decision being followed through. So far, it appears far too many promises from the current state government fizzle out into hot air.
Vanakam Bro.Muru. Previous state leadership have put up more "Dont's" rather than "Do's" when it's come for the non-muslims religious rights. Well with the new government definitely they will dismantle all the no-sense "dont's" and "do's". This will be their weapons to show to the voters in other state's that PR means business "new malaysia for malaysian". Unfortunatley I don't see the state's under BN learning or taking any drastic actions to counter this issues. They remain with their out dated strategy. As far as they remain silent then MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP will face more difficulties to sell the government policy.
Bravo!
Good on you mate. If MIC has more people like you, with the right mentality and courage to voice out the needs of our community and to safeguard our interest’s and rights, MIC will be back on tract.
We don’t hate MIC. We are just frustrated that the very body that is supposed to protect and champion our cause, seem to be selling us out. MIC had forgotten its purpose and along the way has lost its focus.
If we see more people like yourself within MIC who are vocal and level headed with the determination and boldness to question the wrong no matter who, MIC will surely be able to regain the support of the Indian community.
Just a small advise; I know how party politics works. If you do not get the support within your party, get out and form your own party. I know many Indians who will support you including me.
Regards
Thana
i agree due recognition and praise has to be given to the new selangor govt.
It is time those in the selangor assembly and local councils ponder what stopped them from removing such recognotion
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