A Chinese single woman who professes to be a Christian goes to bed with a Malay single man who professes to be a Muslim. Subsequently, the woman ends the affair. Spurned, the man releases compromising photos of the woman into the public realm.
Has anybody done anything wrong?
Questions:
1. Should a woman professing Christianity have premarital sex?
2. Should a man professing Islam have premarital sex?
3. Should they have premarital sex with each other?
4. Should the man release indecent photos of the woman afterwards?
If we look at the questions from the point of law, what are the answers?
Which laws do we use? The regular old law as applied to everybody or Syariah Law since a Muslim is involved?
If Syariah Law says the Malay man must be punished for fornication (zina) or close proximity (khalwat), should we punish the Chinese woman also?
What about looking at the questions from the point of religion?
What does the Koran have to say about this? What does the Bible have to say about this? Do the two holy books agree or will we get two sets of answers?
A Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Sikh and a Christian sat down at the mamak stall today and had a very frank and honest discussion. Since the five of them were of different faiths, they each turned to their own religion for an answer. They each tried to remember what their holy books said were right and wrong.
It was a very difficult struggle because there were mitigating factors: the woman was an advocate for environmental issues, active in the civil rights movement and was an elected Member of Parliament and an assemblywoman. She was a hardworking politician who wasn’t tempted by money.
As the mamak stall conversation went on, one person felt the issue was like asking a man to decide whether he ought to be punished for embezzling RM10,000 in public funds when he had never been caught sleeping with another man’s wife, persecuting others from different faiths, chopping down the five-hundred-year-old tree in his village, spitting in public.
Should a man be punished for stealing when he has never ever been promiscuous, racist, sexist, or rude to mother nature?
Then another person thought it was unfair to even ask such the questions or talk about the Chinese woman and the Malay man. Sex is private, he yelled, leave them alone.
To which one of his friends retorted: Oh yeah, look what happened to Anwar Ibrahim. If sex were private, nobody would have anything to say about gay sex, group sex, animal sex, kid sex, and Chua Soi Lek sex. Oh no, sex is a very public matter indeed.
But there was consent, his friend said. Consent!
His friend replied: One can also consent to be killed but that doesn’t make euthanasia right.
Everybody fell silent. The Hindu, the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Sikh and the Christian. Each was worried about what they were going to say when they got home tonight. Their sons and daughters were going to ask them: ‘Papa, Mama, is it all right for me to sleep with a Muslim/Sikh/Buddhist/Christian/Hindu single person, break up, and then one of us puts nude pictures of the other person on the Internet?’
How should they answer? Has anybody done anything wrong?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, April 3, 2008
So It's Just A Football Game
So more and more Malaysians are calling for Pak Lah to step down. Muhammad ‘Mat Tyson’ Muhammed Taib yesterday equated such calls as unfair. How can one change the rules of a football game midway, he says, arguing Pak Lah ought to be allowed to finish his term as Prime Minister and leader of Umno.
Surely Mat Tyson has missed the point. Surely Mat Tyson is not a football player, nor a fan, not even a casual supporter.
For Malaysians to call for Pak Lah to take responsibilities for the state of the country is not changing the rules of the football game. It is an enforcement of the rules of the game.
A Mongolian woman gets blown up with military explosive, babies molested, little kids kidnapped and whisked off into thin air, snatch thieves roaming the cities, food prices going up up up, judges gallivanting with lawyers and businessmen, throwing some poor Indians into jail just because they’re fed up of being treated like pariahs and demand respect, muzzling the press and castrating all the editors-in-chief, satay sellers building palaces in Klang, highway tolls that never die despite being around for donkey years, petroleum money that is gushing out of Terengganu into God-knows-where so much so that even the Sultan is shouting ‘what the heck is going on?’ … the rules of our football game have been not only broken but stomped upon with glee and relish.
The players have gone offside so many times the spectators can’t even keep count. The referees have been issuing one yellow card after another. But the foul play continues. Not only are the players pulling shirts and using their elbows, they are now openly jabbing opponents in the eye and kicking them in the groin.
On March 8, a red card has been flashed. If the player won’t get off the field by himself, don’t blame the spectators for hissing and booing.
Everybody knows what the rules of the football game are. Mat Tyson, do you?
Surely Mat Tyson has missed the point. Surely Mat Tyson is not a football player, nor a fan, not even a casual supporter.
For Malaysians to call for Pak Lah to take responsibilities for the state of the country is not changing the rules of the football game. It is an enforcement of the rules of the game.
A Mongolian woman gets blown up with military explosive, babies molested, little kids kidnapped and whisked off into thin air, snatch thieves roaming the cities, food prices going up up up, judges gallivanting with lawyers and businessmen, throwing some poor Indians into jail just because they’re fed up of being treated like pariahs and demand respect, muzzling the press and castrating all the editors-in-chief, satay sellers building palaces in Klang, highway tolls that never die despite being around for donkey years, petroleum money that is gushing out of Terengganu into God-knows-where so much so that even the Sultan is shouting ‘what the heck is going on?’ … the rules of our football game have been not only broken but stomped upon with glee and relish.
The players have gone offside so many times the spectators can’t even keep count. The referees have been issuing one yellow card after another. But the foul play continues. Not only are the players pulling shirts and using their elbows, they are now openly jabbing opponents in the eye and kicking them in the groin.
On March 8, a red card has been flashed. If the player won’t get off the field by himself, don’t blame the spectators for hissing and booing.
Everybody knows what the rules of the football game are. Mat Tyson, do you?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Look Ma, No Hands
At the rate things are going, Pak Lah won’t have a Cabinet to tie two shoelaces together.
Today, another Cabinet member threw in his towel.
Ghapur Salleh, who is natural resources and environment deputy minister, has quit his post just eight days after accepting his appointment.
His reasons? ‘I don’t want to be tied down to government duties ... I just want to do my own thing.’
Why then did Ghapur Salleh accept the appointment in the first place? And what is the ‘own thing’ he’s wanting to do?
Anyway, Ghapur Salleh says he’s not quitting the party. He’ll be staying on as Umno Kalabakan chief. Ghapur Salleh, 64, is MP for Kalabakan. In 1990s, he was a deputy chief minister of Sabah.
In the last few days, Umno’s partners in Sabah have had to put up with some serious disrespect from the big boys in Kuala Lumpur. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ghapur Salleh’s fallout has something to do with this.
Adnan Mansor, upon taking power as Umno secretary-general on March 19 after Radzi Sheikh Ahmad chucked the job, said Barisan Nasional should send people over to East Malaysia to check that no Barisan Sabah leaders attempt a defection to the opposition side.
Adnan’s suggestion has been lambasted by Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee as 'insulting' and likens it to ‘spying on party colleagues.’
Poor Sabahans. This is the thanks you get for sticking up for your mates in KL.
Today, another Cabinet member threw in his towel.
Ghapur Salleh, who is natural resources and environment deputy minister, has quit his post just eight days after accepting his appointment.
His reasons? ‘I don’t want to be tied down to government duties ... I just want to do my own thing.’
Why then did Ghapur Salleh accept the appointment in the first place? And what is the ‘own thing’ he’s wanting to do?
Anyway, Ghapur Salleh says he’s not quitting the party. He’ll be staying on as Umno Kalabakan chief. Ghapur Salleh, 64, is MP for Kalabakan. In 1990s, he was a deputy chief minister of Sabah.
In the last few days, Umno’s partners in Sabah have had to put up with some serious disrespect from the big boys in Kuala Lumpur. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ghapur Salleh’s fallout has something to do with this.
Adnan Mansor, upon taking power as Umno secretary-general on March 19 after Radzi Sheikh Ahmad chucked the job, said Barisan Nasional should send people over to East Malaysia to check that no Barisan Sabah leaders attempt a defection to the opposition side.
Adnan’s suggestion has been lambasted by Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee as 'insulting' and likens it to ‘spying on party colleagues.’
Poor Sabahans. This is the thanks you get for sticking up for your mates in KL.
Blink And You’ll Miss It
Following his meeting with Sultan Mizan yesterday, Pak Lah announced Umno has decided to accept Ahmad Said as Mentri Besar of Terengganu.
So the ruler has made his point.
Too bad to those assemblymen who had wanted Pak Lah to stay firm and insist Idris Jusoh be reappointed MB.
So what’s the beef with Idris Jusoh and the Sultan?
Apparently, His Highness wanted the answer to one question: What’s happened to the 5% oil revenue that was promised to Terengganu?
There was no answer.
The 5% is understood to translate into RM1 billion.
No wonder the Sultan is angry. It’s about time someone stood up for those poor folks in Terengganu.
Ahmad Said who is Kemaman Umno chief took office on Tuesday. Perhaps he has been assigned to track down the missing money.
So the ruler has made his point.
Too bad to those assemblymen who had wanted Pak Lah to stay firm and insist Idris Jusoh be reappointed MB.
So what’s the beef with Idris Jusoh and the Sultan?
Apparently, His Highness wanted the answer to one question: What’s happened to the 5% oil revenue that was promised to Terengganu?
There was no answer.
The 5% is understood to translate into RM1 billion.
No wonder the Sultan is angry. It’s about time someone stood up for those poor folks in Terengganu.
Ahmad Said who is Kemaman Umno chief took office on Tuesday. Perhaps he has been assigned to track down the missing money.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Pete Out Of Pocket RM4 Million
Raja Petra Kamaruddin has just been ordered to pay RM2 million to an academician whom he has been said to have libelled.
The academician in question is Universiti Utara Malaysia vice-chancellor Nordin Kardi.
Alor Star high court registrar Priscilla Gengadaran gave judgement to Nordin today when Pete failed to enter his defence.
Pete is said to have posted the libellous article posted in his blog on Dec 16, 2006.
Nordin also sued Parti Keadilan Rakyat, its chief editor and the editor of the party bulletin Suara Keadilan. All in, the registrar gave Nordin damages of RM 7 million.
It is understood Nordin and UUM had first sought to obtain a whopping RM85 million in damages but later changed their minds.
None of the defendants dignified Nordin’s suit with a response or defence.
The offending article is entitled 'Datuk Dr Nordin Kardi Ciplak Karya Saya? Mohon Penjelasan... (Has Datuk Dr Nordin Kardi Plagiarised My Work? Please Explain...).
The article is written by one Muhtar Suhaili who said his essay 'Mahasiswa Dan Tanggujawab Menguruskan Kejayaan (Graduands And The Responsibility Of Managing Success) was plagiarised by a chap going by the name of Nordin Kardi.
After Pete posted the article on his blog, Suara Keadilan used it in their publication on Dec 27.
According to the media, Pete also has to pay RM2 million to UUM while Suara chief editor and editor are to each pay Nordin RM1 million and the university RM500, 000. The libel case against Keadilan itself has not been heard.
Nordin was seen on TV today crowing over the win, describing it as a landmark decision against cyber misconduct, and urged others to pursue lawsuits against bloggers.
Will the bloggers strike back?
The academician in question is Universiti Utara Malaysia vice-chancellor Nordin Kardi.
Alor Star high court registrar Priscilla Gengadaran gave judgement to Nordin today when Pete failed to enter his defence.
Pete is said to have posted the libellous article posted in his blog on Dec 16, 2006.
Nordin also sued Parti Keadilan Rakyat, its chief editor and the editor of the party bulletin Suara Keadilan. All in, the registrar gave Nordin damages of RM 7 million.
It is understood Nordin and UUM had first sought to obtain a whopping RM85 million in damages but later changed their minds.
None of the defendants dignified Nordin’s suit with a response or defence.
The offending article is entitled 'Datuk Dr Nordin Kardi Ciplak Karya Saya? Mohon Penjelasan... (Has Datuk Dr Nordin Kardi Plagiarised My Work? Please Explain...).
The article is written by one Muhtar Suhaili who said his essay 'Mahasiswa Dan Tanggujawab Menguruskan Kejayaan (Graduands And The Responsibility Of Managing Success) was plagiarised by a chap going by the name of Nordin Kardi.
After Pete posted the article on his blog, Suara Keadilan used it in their publication on Dec 27.
According to the media, Pete also has to pay RM2 million to UUM while Suara chief editor and editor are to each pay Nordin RM1 million and the university RM500, 000. The libel case against Keadilan itself has not been heard.
Nordin was seen on TV today crowing over the win, describing it as a landmark decision against cyber misconduct, and urged others to pursue lawsuits against bloggers.
Will the bloggers strike back?
LIMA Chief Thumps Ruler's Decision
Perak is experiencing more pangs in the lead-up to the birth of its new government, a multiracial government that ignores the old wisdom of Malay for Malay, Chinese for Chinese and Indian for Indian.
And the state’s newly appointed Mentri Besar appears to be a rather feisty fellow with a fairly egalitarian outlook despite his PAS affiliation and meek demeanour.
Today, after a meeting with some village chiefs, Mohamed Nizar Jamuluddin tackled head-on the mischievous attempts of some chauvinistic NGOs to subvert the authority of Sultan Azlan.
You’re playing with fire, is basically the message Nizar wants to send out to these NGOs, understood to be about 20 of them, who are making noise over the race of the assemblymen chosen to serve in new state executive council.
Nizar is PAS state secretary.
Perak’s proposed state executive council is to comprise six DAP assemblyman, three Parti Keadilan Rakyat assemblyman and one PAS assemblyman.
The NGOs, led by one Nonee Ashirin Mohamed Radzi of a club that calls itself Prowaris, is protesting the line-up on the basis that it does not reflect the state’s racial makeup. Perak, they insist, is largely comprised of Malays and as such the state exco should have more Malays.
The NGOs, representing several trade associations and guilds, are also questioning the Sultan’s decision to appoint two Deputy Mentri Besar to assist Nizar. It is unclear whether these NGOs are part of Prowaris but their spokesman Nonee, a law graduate, is understood to be ‘director of defence’ for Prowaris and CEO of World Aerospace, the company which organized Lima ’07.
Prowaris stands for Pertubuhan Profesional Melayu Dan Pewaris Bangsa. Roughly translated, the name reads ‘Society for Malay Professionals and Heirs of the Race.’
Yesterday Nonee derided the ruler’s decision to have two Deputy MBs as a tool ‘to serve the DAP’s political interests.’ She insists Perak’s constitution has no provision for the post of two Deputy MBs.
Nizar, as newly appointed MB, appears to be taking a hard line against the bigotry and chauvinism of these NGOs.
He says the palace has already accepted the coalition’s proposed line-up and given its consent. A challenge to the line-up at this stage, reasons Nizar, is a challenge to the authority and will of Sultan Azlan.
Nizar says these NGOs are ‘inviting trouble from the palace’ if they keep insisting more Malays be put into the exco.
According to the media, Sultan Azlan is away in London and will be returning home soon to swear in the Deputy MBs and new state exco. DAP state chief Ngeh Koo Ham has been named the Deputy MB I. The Deputy MB II position is to be given to an assemblyman representing the Indian community and has yet to be named.
And the state’s newly appointed Mentri Besar appears to be a rather feisty fellow with a fairly egalitarian outlook despite his PAS affiliation and meek demeanour.
Today, after a meeting with some village chiefs, Mohamed Nizar Jamuluddin tackled head-on the mischievous attempts of some chauvinistic NGOs to subvert the authority of Sultan Azlan.
You’re playing with fire, is basically the message Nizar wants to send out to these NGOs, understood to be about 20 of them, who are making noise over the race of the assemblymen chosen to serve in new state executive council.
Nizar is PAS state secretary.
Perak’s proposed state executive council is to comprise six DAP assemblyman, three Parti Keadilan Rakyat assemblyman and one PAS assemblyman.
The NGOs, led by one Nonee Ashirin Mohamed Radzi of a club that calls itself Prowaris, is protesting the line-up on the basis that it does not reflect the state’s racial makeup. Perak, they insist, is largely comprised of Malays and as such the state exco should have more Malays.
The NGOs, representing several trade associations and guilds, are also questioning the Sultan’s decision to appoint two Deputy Mentri Besar to assist Nizar. It is unclear whether these NGOs are part of Prowaris but their spokesman Nonee, a law graduate, is understood to be ‘director of defence’ for Prowaris and CEO of World Aerospace, the company which organized Lima ’07.
Prowaris stands for Pertubuhan Profesional Melayu Dan Pewaris Bangsa. Roughly translated, the name reads ‘Society for Malay Professionals and Heirs of the Race.’
Yesterday Nonee derided the ruler’s decision to have two Deputy MBs as a tool ‘to serve the DAP’s political interests.’ She insists Perak’s constitution has no provision for the post of two Deputy MBs.
Nizar, as newly appointed MB, appears to be taking a hard line against the bigotry and chauvinism of these NGOs.
He says the palace has already accepted the coalition’s proposed line-up and given its consent. A challenge to the line-up at this stage, reasons Nizar, is a challenge to the authority and will of Sultan Azlan.
Nizar says these NGOs are ‘inviting trouble from the palace’ if they keep insisting more Malays be put into the exco.
According to the media, Sultan Azlan is away in London and will be returning home soon to swear in the Deputy MBs and new state exco. DAP state chief Ngeh Koo Ham has been named the Deputy MB I. The Deputy MB II position is to be given to an assemblyman representing the Indian community and has yet to be named.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Terengganu MB Sacked, Sultan Mizan Miffed
Silat kilat, that’s what it is. Terengganu has just shed its reputation as the sleepy hollow of Malaysia in a lightning turn of events that has left federal politicians gasping for breath.
In seven days, its sultan has cast aside the state’s incumbent Mentri Besar, appointed a ‘streetfighter’ sort of fellow as its new chief minister, and is now moving towards a final showdown with Umno’s highest leadership.
Sultan Mizan may be right or wrong in his choice of appointing Ahmad Said as mentri besar but for what it’s worth, it is truly something to see a ruler stand up to the dictating of federal politics to make his own political choice.
On Saturday, Ahmad Said was supposed to be sworn in after 14 days of uncertainty over the state government’s leadership. However, as a result of the boycott by 22 state assemblymen who support Idris Jusoh, Ahmad Said only received his letter of appointment from the palace and was told to wait for his swearing-in ceremony to be held in three days.
On Sunday, however, Umno sacked Ahmad, stripping him from all his posts and his membership.
It is unclear whether the sacking is effective but if it is, this may make Ahmad Said the first Independent Mentri Besar in Malaysian history. That is if he doesn’t hop over to PAS, PKR, DAP (stranger things have happened) or challenge the legitimacy of the sacking.
Ahmad Said, who is Kemaman Umno chief, is said to be a gauche sort of politician, the sort who’d use fisticuffs rather than words to settle an argument. Why the palace has taken a shine to him is a mystery. In fact, quizzed about this in the past few days, Ahmad Said declares: ‘I never asked for this job. I only knew about my appointment as the menteri besar two days before receiving the letter of appointment form the Regency Advisory Council and I was asked to keep it a secret. Honestly, I do not know the reason. And I do not know if it was proper to decline an offer by the Sultan. I will leave it to you to make the assumption on my appointment.’
We may never know the reason. This could be another one of those ‘OSA state secret’-sort of thing. What we do know is Ahmad Said has been frequenting Istana Tamu having chats with Sultan Mizan before the appointment, after the appointment, etc.
What we do know is Ahmad Said, 51, is grinning a lot these days, his crooked toothy smile plastered in all the papers.
What we also know is the Sultan dislikes Idris Jusoh. Why, we don’t know. Sultan Mizan has kept the offence to himself.
Idris, who is Kijal assemblyman and state liaison chief for Umno, is Pak Lah’s choice for Mentri Besar. A suave, urbane creature, he had received his letter of appointment from Pak Lah earlier on and was under the impression this meant an automatic reappointment to the post of MB. His shock and consternation when the grinning Ahmad Said is called to the Istana instead is said to be of such a degree he immediately lost weight. Terengganu-folk report him looking thin and rather dishevelled in just three days.
In contrast, the ungainly Ahmad Said is said to be looking spiffy in his new suit and songkok, his overall bearing confident and cheery to match.
On Sunday, when Ahmad Said went to the palace to receive his letter from the ruler, 22 state assemblymen rushed over to protest the appointment. These 22 assemblymen handed over a signed petition declaring their intention to boycott Ahmad Said’s swearing in ceremony.
They also declared their intention to march against the decision. The protest march was to take place from Seri Iman, the official residence of the Mentri Besar, to the palace – a distance of 500m.
The fervour and sincerity of these politicians, however, appears to be suspect. As ‘short’ as the distance of the proposed protest march. By Monday, news filtered out that among the 22, many in fact supported Ahmad Said for MB. They were just signing the petition because it was the thing to do. Playing some good old Terengganu wayang kulit for the amusement of the Umno top leadership lest they be accused of treason against Pak Lah.
This morning, Idris Jusoh is reported grovelling at the palace’s feet, begging for forgiveness for disrespecting his highness, declaring over and over again he is willing to abide by the Sultan’s decisions ‘if’ such decisions were ‘good for the Rakyat.’
Idris appears to be repenting over some misunderstanding with the palace and states he is willing to ask for forgiveness if he has offended the Sultan.
Genuine remorse or is Idris Jusoh attempting to stave off a complete freeze-out in his
home state?
Ahmad Said says he has the support of seven out of the eight Umno Terengganu divisions. Idris says he has the written support of four (Kuala Terengganu, Jertih, Kuala Nerus and Besut) plus the endorsement of Pak Lah and deputy PM Najib Razak.
There is now a possibility the Sultan’s decision may be challenged legally.
Shad Saleem Faruqi, professor of law at Universiti Teknologi Mara, calls the situation a constitutional crisis with no precedence for a solution. Pak Lah himself openly defends Idris Jusoh’s claim to the position. ‘Appointments made other than this is against the constitution and is not valid,’ he said in an immediate response to the crisis.
But Sulaiman Abdullah, former Bar Council president, says the Sultan’s exercise of power is legal and legitimate. According to an NST report, Sulaiman says Section 1 (2) (a) of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution permits a ruler of a state to act in his discretion to appoint a Mentri Besar. He says if the ruler has made the wrong choice, the test is the first meeting of the legislative assembly when a vote of no-confidence can be passed. ‘If that happens, the Mentri Besar either resigns or advises the ruler to dissolve the legislative assembly.’ The ruler, he says can withhold consent for a request to dissolve the assembly.
In appointing Ahmad Said, the Terengganu palace had declared it was invoking Clause 14 paragraph (2) (a) of the state constitution.
Whatever the case, tiny Terengganu is rocking the nation.
Now perhaps a busload of Umno chaps from Perak will roll up and give the Terengganu Umno members a lengthy sermon on respecting the ruler. After all, they did such a good job on Lim Kit Siang.
In seven days, its sultan has cast aside the state’s incumbent Mentri Besar, appointed a ‘streetfighter’ sort of fellow as its new chief minister, and is now moving towards a final showdown with Umno’s highest leadership.
Sultan Mizan may be right or wrong in his choice of appointing Ahmad Said as mentri besar but for what it’s worth, it is truly something to see a ruler stand up to the dictating of federal politics to make his own political choice.
On Saturday, Ahmad Said was supposed to be sworn in after 14 days of uncertainty over the state government’s leadership. However, as a result of the boycott by 22 state assemblymen who support Idris Jusoh, Ahmad Said only received his letter of appointment from the palace and was told to wait for his swearing-in ceremony to be held in three days.
On Sunday, however, Umno sacked Ahmad, stripping him from all his posts and his membership.
It is unclear whether the sacking is effective but if it is, this may make Ahmad Said the first Independent Mentri Besar in Malaysian history. That is if he doesn’t hop over to PAS, PKR, DAP (stranger things have happened) or challenge the legitimacy of the sacking.
Ahmad Said, who is Kemaman Umno chief, is said to be a gauche sort of politician, the sort who’d use fisticuffs rather than words to settle an argument. Why the palace has taken a shine to him is a mystery. In fact, quizzed about this in the past few days, Ahmad Said declares: ‘I never asked for this job. I only knew about my appointment as the menteri besar two days before receiving the letter of appointment form the Regency Advisory Council and I was asked to keep it a secret. Honestly, I do not know the reason. And I do not know if it was proper to decline an offer by the Sultan. I will leave it to you to make the assumption on my appointment.’
We may never know the reason. This could be another one of those ‘OSA state secret’-sort of thing. What we do know is Ahmad Said has been frequenting Istana Tamu having chats with Sultan Mizan before the appointment, after the appointment, etc.
What we do know is Ahmad Said, 51, is grinning a lot these days, his crooked toothy smile plastered in all the papers.
What we also know is the Sultan dislikes Idris Jusoh. Why, we don’t know. Sultan Mizan has kept the offence to himself.
Idris, who is Kijal assemblyman and state liaison chief for Umno, is Pak Lah’s choice for Mentri Besar. A suave, urbane creature, he had received his letter of appointment from Pak Lah earlier on and was under the impression this meant an automatic reappointment to the post of MB. His shock and consternation when the grinning Ahmad Said is called to the Istana instead is said to be of such a degree he immediately lost weight. Terengganu-folk report him looking thin and rather dishevelled in just three days.
In contrast, the ungainly Ahmad Said is said to be looking spiffy in his new suit and songkok, his overall bearing confident and cheery to match.
On Sunday, when Ahmad Said went to the palace to receive his letter from the ruler, 22 state assemblymen rushed over to protest the appointment. These 22 assemblymen handed over a signed petition declaring their intention to boycott Ahmad Said’s swearing in ceremony.
They also declared their intention to march against the decision. The protest march was to take place from Seri Iman, the official residence of the Mentri Besar, to the palace – a distance of 500m.
The fervour and sincerity of these politicians, however, appears to be suspect. As ‘short’ as the distance of the proposed protest march. By Monday, news filtered out that among the 22, many in fact supported Ahmad Said for MB. They were just signing the petition because it was the thing to do. Playing some good old Terengganu wayang kulit for the amusement of the Umno top leadership lest they be accused of treason against Pak Lah.
This morning, Idris Jusoh is reported grovelling at the palace’s feet, begging for forgiveness for disrespecting his highness, declaring over and over again he is willing to abide by the Sultan’s decisions ‘if’ such decisions were ‘good for the Rakyat.’
Idris appears to be repenting over some misunderstanding with the palace and states he is willing to ask for forgiveness if he has offended the Sultan.
Genuine remorse or is Idris Jusoh attempting to stave off a complete freeze-out in his
home state?
Ahmad Said says he has the support of seven out of the eight Umno Terengganu divisions. Idris says he has the written support of four (Kuala Terengganu, Jertih, Kuala Nerus and Besut) plus the endorsement of Pak Lah and deputy PM Najib Razak.
There is now a possibility the Sultan’s decision may be challenged legally.
Shad Saleem Faruqi, professor of law at Universiti Teknologi Mara, calls the situation a constitutional crisis with no precedence for a solution. Pak Lah himself openly defends Idris Jusoh’s claim to the position. ‘Appointments made other than this is against the constitution and is not valid,’ he said in an immediate response to the crisis.
But Sulaiman Abdullah, former Bar Council president, says the Sultan’s exercise of power is legal and legitimate. According to an NST report, Sulaiman says Section 1 (2) (a) of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution permits a ruler of a state to act in his discretion to appoint a Mentri Besar. He says if the ruler has made the wrong choice, the test is the first meeting of the legislative assembly when a vote of no-confidence can be passed. ‘If that happens, the Mentri Besar either resigns or advises the ruler to dissolve the legislative assembly.’ The ruler, he says can withhold consent for a request to dissolve the assembly.
In appointing Ahmad Said, the Terengganu palace had declared it was invoking Clause 14 paragraph (2) (a) of the state constitution.
Whatever the case, tiny Terengganu is rocking the nation.
Now perhaps a busload of Umno chaps from Perak will roll up and give the Terengganu Umno members a lengthy sermon on respecting the ruler. After all, they did such a good job on Lim Kit Siang.
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