Merindui sebuah pusat pengajian Kewartawanan Islam

Dari Tashkent ke Timbuktoo dan dari Washington ke Wellington, kerajaan dunia dan media massa yang dikuasai mereka, terus menuding jari kepada apa yang mereka labelkan 'pelampau Islam' apabila berlaku sesuatu keganasan, termasuk kes terbaru di London.

Dan menjadi kecenderungan media massa negara Dunia Ketiga termasuk negara kita menjadi penyambung lidah kepada agensi berita asing/antarabangsa yang mempunyai agenda tersendiri, sama ada secara nyata atau sembunyi.

Mereka seolah-olah menjadi burung kakatua, mengutip apa yang dituturkan tuannya dan kemudian menghamburkannya.

Laporan berita secara membabi-buta (mengulangi apa yang disebarkan) oleh agensi berita asing/antarabangsa tidak menghendaki kehendak ummah yang mahu berfikir, apatah lagi mengaku sebagai seorang Muslim.

Dalam al-Quran (Ayat 6, Surah Al-Hujurat), Allah SWT berfirman yang maksudnya: "Hai orang yang beriman, jika datang kepadamu orang fasik membawa suatu berita, maka periksalah dengan teliti agar kamu tidak menimpakan kecelakaan kepada suatu kaum tanpa mengetahui keadaannya yang menyebabkan kamu menyesal atas perbuatanmu itu."

Berdasarkan maksud firman Allah SWT ini, adalah penting untuk pengamal media dan cendekiawan mengambil iktibar untuk mewujudkan (atau jika sudah ada, memantapkan) satu cabang ilmu - 'Kewartawanan Islam'.

Bidang ini kurang mendapat perhatian jika dibandingkan dengan 'Kewangan Islam', 'Perbankan Islam', 'Ekonomi Islam', 'Insurans Islam' dan pelbagai skop pengajian lain yang digandingkan dengan nama 'Islam'.

Mungkin ada pihak yang berhujah 'Kewartawanan Islam' tidak segah bidang disebutkan (seperti kewangan dan perbankan) yang membabitkan 'soal wang (fulus)' tetapi berdasarkan perkembangan teknologi maklumat yang begitu pantas, cabang ilmu ini perlu diterokai, dijelas dan diperkemaskan.

Demikian juga perkembangan semasa yang semakin menghanyutkan kebenaran sebaliknya menonjolkan kemaksiatan dan kebendaan sebagai idola, adalah penting untuk menyegerakan cabang ilmu yang dinamakan 'Kewartawanan Islam' itu.

Dua puluh atau 30 tahun lalu, tiada orang bercakap mengenai 'Insurans Islam' atau 'Perbankan Islam' sebagai satu subjek di pusat pengajian tinggi, tetapi kini ia sudah menjadi kenyataan. Begitulah diharapkan dengan 'Kewartawanan Islam', tetapi persoalannya kini, siapa dan di mana ilmu ini hendak disuburkan.

Jika pihak swasta yang terbabit dalam dunia penyiaran dapat merintis jalan dalam menubuhkan akademi kewartawanan dan penyiarannya, tidak ada sebab individu atau kumpulan orang Islam yang berkemampuan sama ada dari segi kewangan atau keilmuan untuk menubuhkan sebuah 'akademi kewartawanan Islam' ataupun sekurang-kurang menghasil sejumlah karya-karya bermutu mengenai kewartawanan Islam.

Ini setidak-tidak akan menjadi cabaran kepada perkumpulan orang Islam, sama ada yang berkaitan dengan politik atau tidak, untuk membuktikan bahawa Islam mencakupi semua aspek kehidupan, hatta dalam pemberitaan dan pelaporan (kewartawanan) kerana media sudah menjadi dominan dalam masyarakat moden.

Sekolah-sekolah kewartawanan dan komunikasi di pusat pengajian tinggi sarat dengan segala ilmu dan teori oleh tokoh-tokoh Barat (dari Amerika dan Eropah) tetapi tidak mengetengahkan langsung seorang pun sarjana Islam dalam bidang berkaitan. Tidak juga dikutip sebarang ayat-ayat al-Quran atau hadis berhubung bidang komunikasi dan kewartawanan.

Pendek kata, hari ini kita dapat saksikan betapa jauh dan terpisahnya bidang kewartawanan dan keagamaan menyebabkan ada pengamal media yang mengaku beragama Islam tidak dapat membezakan antara perkara yang dibenar dan tidak dibenarkan (halal dan haram) dalam mereka menjalankan tugas masing-masing.

Sebagai contoh dalam dunia persuratkhabaran, apa yang sering ditekankan ialah 'sale, sale and sale' (jualan, jualan dan jualan). Dalam mengejar 'sale' ini, difikirkanlah cerita dan gambar yang dapat menarik perhatian pembaca. Maka natijahnya gambar lucah dan berita sensasi tanpa bukti dihidangkan bagi memenuhi keghairahan manusia tanpa sandaran agama semata-mata bagi mengejar 'material reward' (ganjaran kebendaan).

Ilmu kewartawanan yang dicelup bulat-bulat dari Barat itulah yang telah melahirkan sebahagian besar daripada wartawan kita hari ini - daripada pengarang, penerbit sehinggalah kepada wartawan, hatta kepada pemberita daerah atau sambilan nun jauh di ceruk pedalaman.

Mereka tidak menjadikan agama sebagai pokok (dasar) dalam menjayakan profesion mereka tetapi menuruti cendekiawan besar Barat dalam bidang ini. Mereka lebih mengenali dan berbangga dengan 5W mereka daripada memahami 6 Rukun Iman.

Jika mereka 'ada 6 Rukun Iman', salah satu daripadanya percaya kepada Hari Pembalasan, tentulah mereka takut untuk menyiarkan berita bohong atau gambar lucah kerana semuanya akan dipertanggungjawabkan di akhirat kelak.

Tetapi disebabkan terlalu berkiblat kepada 'tok-tok guru' komunikasi dan kewartawanan Barat, maka jadilah mereka sebagai penyambung lidah agensi berita asing yang dengan mudah melabelkan orang Islam sebagai pengganas, pemberontak, militan, teroris, pengebom berani mati, fundamentalis, ekstremis, pelampau, pemisah dan sebagainya.

Dan alangkah malangnya, hati mereka tidak tersentuh langsung apabila mereka sendiri menulis, menterjemah dan mengambil secara bulat-bulat penghinaan musuh Islam dengan memberi gandingan labelan buruk kepada Islam seperti pengganas Islam, pelampau Islam, ekstremis Islam, teroris Islam dan pengebom berani mati Islam.

Jika musuh Islam melabel Islam begitu, ia difahami tetapi jika orang Islam sendiri yang berbuat begitu, alangkah malangnya nasib umat ini. Berdasarkan perkembangan ini, alangkah baiknya jika ada kumpulan umat yang prihatin dapat segera menyegerakan penubuhan sebuah sekolah atau pusat pengajian 'Kewartawanan Islam'.

Exam fees: Free is not always good for all

DURING his Budget speech a few years ago, Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, among others announced an allocation of RM33.4 billion for education and training. This accounts for 21 percent of the total Budget.

This was mainly for operational and development expenditure, of which RM6.7 billion was allocated for primary education and RM6.2 billion for secondary education.

A total of RM1 billion will be channeled to 22 new primary and secondary schools set for opening next year and for the building of 198 more schools, including fully-residential secondary schools.

Another RM90 million has been allocated for two new Mara junior science colleges (MRSM), and equipment for existing MRSM facilities.

To increase the number of computer-literate students, RM288 million has been allocated under the smart school program to equip schools with more computers.

About 1.5 million children from low-income families will receive higher monthly school allowances - RM50 for those in primary school and RM70 for secondary school students, up RM20.

The monthly allowance for children with special needs has also been increased from RM25 to RM50.

Abdullah also mentioned the abolishment of fees for public examinations in government schools. Students sitting for the Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR), Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR), Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) and Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) and can take their examinations free of charge from next year (2007).

To many, this development was good news for them. They said it was a good move by the government in easing the burden of parents from the lower and middle income groups. Parents and those in the field of education applauded the move, saying it was timely when the majority of the people were facing hard times.

But some had different views. They said abolishing the fees meant degrading the value of the examinations. They said it was normal for every valuable and good thing to have a price for it.

They said it was all right to pay for the good things in life. They were afraid that without the entrance fee for the examinations, students and parents would no longer look highly upon those who had sat for the tests.

They were afraid pupils who sat for such 'free examinations' would be looked down upon and the paper qualifications not of much value while the students would not be too concerned about their studies. The students wouldn't care because they would not have to sweat to pay for the fees.

In is normal in our society - free products being treated like unimportant items and looked down upon. The public doesn't give much attention to such items. Usually people like to sample free products but after a while, they will throw it away. But for products that had to bought from money saved, then they would be used to the maximum.

From my experience in giving tuition to primary school children during the weekends since 1998, I realize that the ones dispensed on a complimentary basis were not taken seriously by the pupils and even their parents.

Free to some means low quality. The children would come to class once in a while and play truant. They wouldn't pay much attention during lessons and I would have a hard time disciplining them.

On the other hand, if you imposed a fee, the children and even their parents showed their concern. The parents became serious because they had to dig in for money from their pockets. If you charged monthly fees, they would make sure their children attended classes.

To cater for the poor children, I gave them free lessons. Many were not interested and shied away from classes. They played hide and seek - once in a blue moon, they would turn up and then disappear without a word.

I am not sure about the results of the voucher tuition scheme for poor students launched by the Ministry of Education not long ago. A study should be done to determine the effectiveness of such a program.

From my observations students seem not keen to follow the classes held during weekdays and weekends.

Since the year is going to end in a fewl months time, students would be gearing up in their studies in facing the coming public examinations. In my small tuition class of English (I only teach children between Standards 1 to 3), I ask the boys and girls to write compositions. A topic given would be about 'Myself' and I append below some the 'master pieces' without being edited.

1. My name is Nur Syuhada binti Khalid. I am nine years old. I school at a Sekolah Kebangsaan Semabok. My birthday is 23-6-1997. My teacher name is Noraini binti Nordin. She so beautiful and good teacher. My ambition is doctor. My hobbye is are reading books and swimming.

2. My name is Luqman Hakim bin Roslan. I live at 952 Batu 3 Jalan Muar 75050 Melaka. My hobbies are play computer and play badminton. My ambition is police. I study at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Hilir. I have many friend there. They are Syed Aliff, Shafiq, Salihin and Haziq.

3. My name is Muhd Airifin bin Abu Hasan. I am nine years old. School is Sekolah Kebangsaan Semabok.

4. My Siti Nur Zahirah binti Mazlan. Ia am seven years old. I sekolah kebangsaan Semabok. My live in Semabok. 84441.A. My teacher name is Noraini binti Nordin. Se so beaoitis and good teacher. My andtions is doctor.

5. My name is Iffatul Auni Shamsudin. I am eight years old. I school at Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Infant Jesus (1) Melaka. My home address is 1291-3 Jln Muar 75050 Melaka. My teacher name is Pn Ong Keng Seng. She is very fierce. She is beautiful and good teacher. My hobby is read book. My birthday is 21.5.1998. My ambition is lecturer.

6. My name is Nurul Afiqah Auni bt Mohd Azhar. I live at No. 9 Jn 16 Taman Seri Duyung. My hobby is a play basket ball. My ambitionis is a teacher. I study at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Duyong. My best freind are Nur Farah Diyanah and Nur Akma Fatihah. My favourite is chicken rice.

7. My name is Muhammad Atif Naquuddin b. Mohd Azhar. I live at No. 9 Jln 16 Taman Seri Duyong. My birth is 3.May 1997. My hobby is play ball. My Ambition is scientise. I study at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Duyong. My favorite is chicken rice. My favorite water is Milo. My favorite friend is Haffizahir, Umar, Azim, Luqman, Azhar and Amir. My favorite colour is red. I like a cat to.

From their compositions, readers should be able to gauge the standard of our pupils in the English language. They are still young and their ability to write in English proves that they are capable of improving their language in the near future. To my former students who had sat for UPSR and will be sitting for their PMR, SPM and STPM this year, all the best to all of you!

Mendaulatkan hukum-hakam Islam tanggungjawab setiap Muslim

Setiap Muslim wajib mempunyai niat atau cita-cita menegakkan hukum-hakam Islam. Dengan adanya niat itu, diharapkan kita terlepas daripada dakwaan tidak melaksanakan hukum Allah apabila diadili di Mahsyar nanti, demikian beritahu seorang tuan guru dalam kelas tafsir al-Quran mingguan yang penulis ikuti baru-baru ini.

Bagaimanapun niat saja tidak mencukupi. Niat perlu disertakan usaha dan doa. Setiap orang perlu berusaha mengikut kemampuan masing-masing. Ustaz dengan kelas pengajiannya, penulis dengan tulisannya dan begitulah seterusnya. Selain usaha, doa amat penting, demikian beritahu Tuan Guru.

"Marilah kita berdoa semoga pembesar dan pemimpin negara dibukakan hati untuk melaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam. Marilah kita berdoa supaya Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi terbuka hatinya untuk menjalankan hukum-hakam Islam. Bukankah beliau daripada keturunan baik-baik dan datuknya seorang ulama?" kata Tuan Guru.

Tuan Guru amat bimbangkan masa depan umat Islam negara ini kerana pemimpin terdahulu sudah mengisytiharkan Malaysia sebuah negara Islam. Malangnya perisytiharan itu tidak disertai dengan pelaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam.

Kes ini berat, kata Tuan Guru. Apabila seorang itu bercakap mengenai perkara yang tidak dibuatnya, amat dibimbangi Allah akan menjatuhkan hukuman ke atasnya di dunia lagi. Sama seperti mengatakan negara ini negara Islam tetapi tidak melaksanakan hukum-hakam yang terkandung dalam al-Quran.

Tuan Guru sedih kerana ada pemimpin kerajaan yang berani mengumpulkan imam-imam dan pegawai masjid dan kemudian meminta mereka memberikan pandangan bagaimana hendak menangani jenayah rogol, bunuh, zina dan sebagainya yang semakin menjadi-jadi.

Kata Tuan Guru adalah berdosa untuk memberi pandangan sebab jalan penyelesaian sudah ada dalam al-Quran. Panduannya sudah diberikan oleh Allah, kenapa manusia pula pandai-pandai mahu mencari jalan keluar? Tidak mahukan hukum-hakam Allah bermakna tidak takutkan Allah. Jika seseorang atau negara tidak melaksanakan hukum Allah bermakna dia lebih berkuasa daripada Allah, sebab dia mampu tolak perintah Allah.

Apabila pemimpin menyatakan Malaysia sebuah negara Islam tapi tidak melaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam, amat-amatilah apa yang akan berlaku. Misalnya, Amerika sudah mengintip-intip untuk menghebatkan cengkamannya, orang Islam yang taat dicop sebagai pengganas dan dihumbankan dalam penjara tanpa bicara manakala masyarakat menjadi huru-hara dengan kes jenayah yang tidak berkesudahan.

Sudah lama Umno/BN mentadbir negara. Jika benar Umno hendak menegakkan hukum-hakam Islam, buatlah sekarang sebab parti berkenaan sudah diberi kepercayaan besar oleh rakyat. Kalau tak buat, kita bimbang Umno memang tidak hendak Islam berkuasa.
Ini kerana sudah lebih 50 tahun Umno menguasai kerajaan. Kalau dalam tempoh selama itu tidak dilaksanakan hukum-hakam Islam, kita mahu tunggu berapa lama lagi...500 tahun?

Kita berani katakan Islam di Malaysia adalah Islam yang ditadbir dan bukan Islam yang mentadbir sebab anak-anak sekolah juga diajar perkara ini.

Misalnya dalam subjek Kenegaraan Malaysia dalam Pengajian Am 1 Peringkat STPM, antara lain pelajar diajar bagaimanakah agama Islam ditadbirkan di Malaysia.
1. Mengikut Perlembagaan Persekutuan, agama Islam terletak di bawah kuasa negeri.
2. Setiap negeri menggubal Enakmen Pentadbiran Agama Islam masing-masing.
3. Setiap negeri juga membentuk Majlis Agama Islam yang mengandungi tokoh-tokoh Islam dan bertindak sebagai badan perundangan Islam yang sebenar di negeri itu.

4. Tugas utama Majlis Agama Islam termasuk:
a) Membuat peraturan-peraturan mengenai agama Islam.
b) Mengeluarkan fatwa.
c) Mentadbir masjid-masjid dan sekolah-sekolah agama.
d) Mengutip zakat, fitrah dan bayaran yang lain yang diwajibkan bagi orang Islam.
e) Mengurus wakaf.

5. Di samping itu sebuah Jabatan Agama Islam yang mengandungi pegawai-pegawai kerajaan juga dibentuk untuk membantu Majlis Agama Islam menjalankan tugasnya.
Perlembagaan Persekutuan juga mengehadkan pemakaian undang-undang Islam.

1. Perlembagaan Persekutuan memberi kuasa kepada Dewan Undangan Negeri untuk membuat undang-undang mengenai pentadbiran agama Islam termasuk Mahkamah Syariah bagi negeri yang berkenaan.

2. Bagaimanapun Perlembagaan Persekutuan memperuntukkan bahawa Mahkamah Syariah hanya mempunyai bidang kuasa atas umat Islam dan mengenai pengamalan ajaran Islam setakat ditetapkan oleh undang-undang Persekutuan.

3. Dengan itu Akta Mahkamah Syariah 1965 (pindaan 1984) telah mengehadkan kuasa Mahkamah Syariah pada paras menjatuhi penjara sehingga tiga tahun, hukuman denda sehingga RM5,000 dan hukum sebat sehingga enam rotan.

4. Mengikut suatu pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan pada 1988, Mahkamah Tinggi dan Mahkamah-mahkamah Bawahan tidak mempunyai kuasa kehakiman ke atas perkara-perkara yang telah menjadi bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah.

5. Undang-undang HUDUD tidak diamalkan di Malaysia.
Dinyatakan juga bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah yang terhad.
1. Bidang kuasa sivil meliputi:
a) Perkahwinan.
b) Penceraian.
c) Nafkah anak dan isteri.
d) Pewarisan harta.
2. Bidang kuasa jenayah meliputi:
a) Kesalahan matrimoni seperti tidak taat kepada suami.
b) Kesalahan hubungan seks seperti persetubuhan haram, berkhalwat dan pelacuran.
c) Kesalahan minuman keras seperti menjual dan meminum arak.
d) Kesalahan keimanan seperti tidak solat Jumaat, tidak berpuasa atau tidak membayar zakat.
e) Kesalahan pertukaran agama seperti tidak mendaftarkan masuk atau keluarnya daripada Islam.
f) Kesalahan berhubungan dengan perjudian.

Fakta-fakta ini jelas sekali menunjukkan bahawa Islam di Malaysia adalah Islam diperintah dan bukan Islam yang memerintah. Di sinilah terletak kesedihan kita yang amat sangat kerana hukum-hakam Islam belum lagi didaulatkan di bumi Malaysia.
Sehubungan itu, sejajar dengan ajakan Tuan Guru, marilah bersama-sama kita berdoa semoga pembesar dan pemimpin negara kita akan terbuka hati mereka untuk mendaulatkan hukum-hakam Allah.

Jika sejarah telah membuktikan apabila Raja-Raja Melayu memeluk Islam, rakyat akan berbondong-bondong mengikutinya, maka hari ini diharapkan apabila pembesar dan pemimpin negara terbuka hati untuk mendaulatkan hukum-hakam Islam, insya-Allah seluruh negara akan mengikuti dan insya-Allah rahmat Allah akan menyirami bumi bertuah ini! Amin...Ya Rabbal Alamin.

Baik pemimpin, baiklah orang dipimpinnya

Dewasa ini pelbagai institusi pendidikan membabitkan generasi muda dilaporkan mengalami masalah kronik. Daripada sekolah sehinggalah Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) semuanya bermasalah.

Muktakhir ini gejala gengsterisme di sekolah-sekolah dilaporkan menjadi-jadi sekalipun selepas Menteri Pelajaran, Hishammuddin Hussein memberi amaran akan bertindak keras ke atas pembuli.

Amaran itu diberikan selepas seorang pelajar sebuah sekolah agama di Negeri Sembilan dibelasah sampai mati tidak lama dulu.

Demikian juga gejala tidak diingini membabitkan peserta PLKN semakin berleluasa walaupun selepas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Najib Tun Razak berikrar bertindak membendungnya.

Gejala songsang ini seolah-olah tidak mempunyai penamatnya. Lagi ditegur, lagi menjadi-jadi, laksana mencurahkan minyak ke dalam api. Nasihat pun tidak diendahkan, bagaikan mencurah air ke daun keladi.

Tentulah masyarakat tertanya-tanya mengapa hal ini terjadi. Di sini kita berharap masyarakat dapat membuka hati dan fikiran agar permasalahan ini dapat dilerai bersama.

Kata pepatah Melayu, bagaimana acuan begitulah kuihnya. Kalau hendak melentur buluh biar daripada rebungnya manakala bijak pandai pula berkata 'kalau nak tahu masa depan negara, lihatlah pada generasi mudanya'.

Demikianlah, kita percaya sebahagian daripada punca generasi muda kita semakin tidak terkawal adalah persekitaran yang begitu membingungkan.

Jika di rumah dan sekolah, segala keluhuran diterapkan tetapi apabila berada di luar, anak-anak hilang punca.

Di luar sana pelbagai suasana negatif mereka saksikan dan hadapi. Misalnya, akhbar dan majalah lucah serta separuh lucah membanjiri pasaran.

Apabila menjenguk gerai-gerai majalah, kira-kira 80 peratus daripada bahan bacaan, memaparkan gambar-gambar wanita dalam aksi keterlaluan.

Sebaliknya pula, amat kurang sekali bahan bacaan bermutu yang dapat menyuntik minda generasi muda. Demikian juga pengaruh media massa lain seperti televisyen dan radio. Dalam akhbar pun disiarkan keputusan judi (empat nombor ekor).

Jika dalam usia setahun jagung, anak-anak didedahkan dalam suasana kurang sihat, bagaimana mereka dapat membesar dalam keadaan bebas daripada gejala negatif?

Di sini kita ingin bertanya, mengapakah Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) begitu mudah memberi kebenaran kepada penerbit untuk mengeluarkan bahan-bahan yang boleh merosakkan masa depan generasi muda, seterusnya masyarakat dan negara?

Generasi muda juga mendambakan idola tetapi yang menjadi tumpuan adalah artis-artis dan dunia hiburan yang kerap benar terpesong daripada sempadan tuntutan agama.

Sekali lagi generasi muda gagal mendapatkan contoh baik sebaliknya mereka terikut-ikut gaya penghidupan songsang.

Akhir sekali pemimpin juga mempunyai tanggungjawab besar dalam menentukan masa depan generasi muda.

Jika pemimpin gemar dengan agenda berfoya-foya dengan pesta yang tidak pernah habis-habis, maka tidak hairanlah generasi muda akan terikut sama.

Kata orang, bapa borek anak rintik, kalau guru kencing berdiri, anak murid pula akan kencing berlari!

Pengamal media perlu patuhi hukum-hakam agama

Tanggal 3 Mei setiap tahun wartawan menyambut Hari Kebebasan Akhbar Sedunia. Di negara kita, wartawan menyambutnya dengan mengadakan pelbagai forum, seminar dan pertemuan.

Sekalipun pertubuhan media sedunia, 'Freedom House' tidak lama dulu, meletakkan Malaysia pada kedudukan 154 daripada 193 negara dalam indeks kebebasan media, ia adalah daripada perspektif Barat yang mungkin tidak sesuai dijadikan kayu pengukur bagi 'Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam'.

Di rantau Asia Pasifik, indeks kebebasan media Malaysia dilaporkan pada kedudukan 32 daripada 39 negara - baik sedikit daripada tujuh negara lain iaitu Afghanistan, Brunei, China, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar dan Korea Utara.

Badan pemantau antarabangsa, Reporters Without Borders (RWS) atau Wartawan Tanpa Sempadan yang beribu pejabat di Paris, Perancis dalam laporan tahunan 2003, pula meletakkan Malaysia di tempat ke-104 daripada 166 negara, yakni lebih rendah daripada Thailand (tempat ke-82) tetapi lebih tinggi daripada Indonesia (tempat ke-110) atau Filipina di tempat ke-118.

Kedudukan itu lebih baik berbanding 2002 yang menyaksikan Malaysia di tempat ke-110 di kalangan 139 negara, jauh lebih rendah daripada Indonesia (tempat ke-57), Thailand (tempat ke-65) dan Filipina.

Sekalipun kita menyokong usaha untuk meleraikan kekangan terhadap media kerana wujudnya pelbagai sekatan seperti Akta Rahsia Rasmi (OSA) dan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan 1984, kita berpendapat media di Malaysia seolah-olah sudah terlupa tanggungjawab sosialnya.

Apa dimaksudkan dengan tanggungjawab sosial ini adalah dalam memenuhi keperluan untuk mendidik rakyat terutama generasi muda dalam konteks 'sebuah negara Islam' yang dilaung-laungkan itu.

Di sinilah terletaknya kekesalan kita yang amat sangat. Pada ketika kebebasan media Malaysia berada pada tahap terendah mengikut piawai antarabangsa, pada waktu yang sama juga sesetengah media negara menyemaikan budaya negatif yang menyumbang kepada kerosakan anak bangsa.

Dunia media massa Malaysia hari ini terlalu mementingkan laba sehingga mengabaikan tanggungjawabnya sebagai pembina masa depan generasi muda. Daripada media elektronik sehingga media cetak, semuanya berlumba-lumba mendapatkan pelanggan sebanyak mungkin seterusnya mengaut keuntungan berlipat ganda.

Bagi media cetak pula, daripada akhbar nasional (arus perdana) sehingga akhbar dan majalah picisan, kebanyakannya menyiar gambar dan cerita murahan yang diharap dapat 'menggoda' pembaca.

Bayangkan dengan hanya beberapa akhbar mingguan nasional berbahasa Melayu, pihak ini bersaing hebat untuk menyiarkan gambar-gambar artis separuh bogel untuk tatapan seisi keluarga pada hujung minggu.

Artis-artis terbabit orang Islam manakala negara ini pula sudah diisytiharkan sebagai negara Islam, malah negara Islam contoh pula!

Akhbar-akhbar nasional ini juga berbangga menyiarkan keputusan judi (empat nombor ekor) sedangkan pada ruangan lain disiarkan pula segmen agama yang kadang-kadang terdapat rencana yang membicarakan kebinasaan terhadap orang yang bersubahat melakukan maksiat itu.

Majalah-majalah separuh lucah semakin banyak memenuhi gerai-gerai terbuka. Tiada halangan untuk budak-budak sekolah mendapatkannya. Bagi majalah wanita dan hiburan pula, adalah menjadi kebiasaan untuk mereka menggunakan gambar penghias muka depan yang menggoda.

Selain majalah separuh lucah, akhbar dan majalah berbahasa Melayu juga sarat dengan kisah berunsur tahyul dan misteri. Kunjungilah gerai-gerai akhbar, kita akan berpeluang menatap akhbar dan majalah dengan tajuk muka depan seperti 'Misteri Kubur Berasap' atau 'Pasangan Zina Melekat'.

Bagi pengamal media elektronik seperti TV pula, selain rancangan yang semakin 'daring', disiarkan juga iklan yang mungkin boleh membuatkan 'datuk nenek' kita pengsan.

Misalnya, sedang kita sekeluarga menikmati sebuah drama Melayu jam 12.30 tengah hari, tiba-tiba disiarkan sebuah iklan krim membesar dan menegangkan payu dara. Maka terkeluarlah istilah seperti 'menonjol' yang membuatkan kita tersipu-sipu di depan anak-anak.

Berhubung hal inilah, kita tertanya-tanya di mana letaknya fungsi kementerian-kementerian yang bersangkutan terutama KDN dalam merealisasikan kehidupan yang syumul di 'sebuah negara Islam'. Apakah 'negara Islam' yang diuarkan-uarkan itu hanya sebagai penyedap mulut saja sedangkan realitinya jauh panggang dari api?

Apabila maksiat menjadi-jadi kita hilang punca. Kes penderaan, rogol, bunuh tidak dapat dibendung menyebabkan masyarakat menyalahkan satu sama lain. Pemimpin mencadangkan itu dan ini, tetapi ternyata semuanya menemui jalan buntu.

Berhubung hal ini kita lihat betapa penyakit yang menimpa masyarakat tidak dirawat dan diberikan ubat yang betul. Jika kaki kiri yang busuk akibat penyakit kencing manis, mengapa pula dipotong kaki kanan. Jika mahu mengubati sesuatu penyakit, carilah puncanya.

Demikian juga penyakit masyarakat yang melanda kita. Kaedah rawatan perlu ditangani daripada akar umbi. Di sinilah kita berpendapat pengamal media amat penting peranan mereka.

Jika pengamal media tahu dan patuh kepada hukum-hakam agama manakala kerajaan bersedia menjalankan pentadbiran dan undang-undang berdasarkan al-Quran (bukankah 'negara ini sebuah negara Islam!'), kita optimis masyarakat kita dapat diselamatkan. Allahuakbar.

Fasting in Kuala Lumpur

I took leave to observe the first day of Ramadan at home in Melaka. Early in the morning, I went to my 'kebun' (garden), several kilometers away from home, and a few hours later was back home, exhausted.

Actually it was my intention to get tired so that I could easily fall asleep after that, before zuhr prayers. After zuhr, I spent time reading and soon it was 'asr.

After 'asr, time flew fast, and it was maghrib, time for breaking the fast.

It was easy at home. On the second day of Ramadan I had to go back to work in Kuala Lumpur. That journey was a real test for me.

After alighting from the express bus near the Klang Bus Station at the Central Market that Friday morning, I walked along the pavement along the Klang River to fetch the train at the Masjid Jamek station.

The walk was almost a kilometer. While walking, I remembered what was said about Ramadan by a former Mufti of Terengganu, Dato' Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir during his talk to our staff a few days before the fasting month.

"Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drinks," said the grand old man of more than 70 years. "We are also requested to 'fast' our tongues, eyes, ears and minds.

"If we only refrain ourselves from taking food and drinks, but 'freed' our sights, hearings and tongues, then at the end of the day, we will be rewarded only with hunger, thirst and tiredness," said Abdul Halim.

He also said we had to 'fast' our stomach. It was true, during Ramadan, we had to refrain from eating and drinking during the day, but it would be of no value if during breaking of the fast, we took food that was forbidden (haram).

The former mufti said all the food that was laid on the desk had to be halal, and there were regulations when eating. For example fill only one third of the stomach with food, the next one third with drinks and leave the rest empty for easier breathing as said by the Prophet.

A Muslim is ordered to eat and drink, making sure he takes care of the following: First, not to waste or exceed the right limit. Allah SWT says; "…and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance,…"(Quran 7:31).

Second, not to eat or drink what is harmful, especially if it is forbidden. Third, to eat and drink moderately. The Messenger of Allah SWT said; "Man has not filled a container worse than his stomach; he should be satisfied with a few bites to survive. However, if his appetite beats him, let it be a third (of his stomach space) for his food and a third for his drink and a third for his breath." (Ahmad).

Fourth, to try not to be fat, for the Prophet of Allah SWT described the people who would come after three blessed centuries, that fatness appears in them. Fatness appears when the human body takes more calories that it needs, that is, food entering the body is much greater than what is needed and excreted. (Rules For The Muslim Home, Sa'eed Muhammad Al-Deeb, IIPH).

Having the lectures of the former mufti on my mind, I walked with my head looking at the ground. I was afraid my eyes would catch sight of the Kuala Lumpur girls. Yes it is Ramadan, but activities in Kuala Lumpur don't stop. The girls as usual, are in their 'best' when going out to work or shop.

At the pedestrian bridge near Kompleks Dayabumi, two girls overtook me. I didn't look up but as they passed me, I smellt sweet fragrance. It took a few seconds to vanish from the air, but the odor still lingered on my mind. What an enchanting smell. Oooh God, I hope my reward for fasting would not be decreased by that incident.

With my head still held low, suddenly I heard a 'salam' (greeting). I looked up and saw a tall and frail looking man, his hand busily with a broom. In broken Malay, he told me he was a Bangladeshi worker in distress – he was not being paid accordingly. He said he was fasting and asked me to give him some money to buy food for iftar (breaking of the fast).

It was later that I realized perhaps that man was from a group or a friend of several hundreds Bangladeshis' who were on a hunger strike inside and outside the Bangladeshi High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

An online newspaper reported that they had gone on the hunger strike for several days in order to get help from their diplomatic mission.

Group spokesperson Jainal Abidin said they were left with no choice but to go on a hunger strike in order to get help from their diplomatic mission.

"We are waiting for death. Four days (without) food. Many (are) sick," said Jainal 25when met by the online reporter outside the High Commission's compound.

They were allegedly not paid for six months and were fed only one meal a day. The group is holding their Bangladeshi agent responsible for allegedly misleading them. Typically, Bangladeshis have to pay about RM12,000 in order to obtain work in Malaysia.

Fasting is the third pillar in Islam. But in this case, the Bangladeshi workers are fasting in Kuala Lumpur for a different purpose. They were fasting to get attention and to spread the word that they were being ill treated by those in power, perhaps their own brothers in Islam?

After giving the Bangladeshi some money, I continued my way to work. Before crossing a main road, I came across a restaurant with its main attraction and trademark – blasting off verses of the Quran.

What crossed my mind was whether the owner of that restaurant was a Muslim or not, for it was Ramadan but he had no respect for it. Several patrons were seen enjoying their food when I passed it at about 9.15 am while verses of the Quran were on air!

Perhaps the reading was about fasting, what an insult to the religion, I thought.
Walking on the back lane along the Klang River, I passed another restaurant. The aroma of food being cooked was strong. Ramadan or not, Kuala Lumpur keeps on spinning; its people chasing money, not bothering much about the holy month.

After work, I headed for the Puduraya bus station. From the LRT station of Plaza Rakyat I had to walk to the terminal. I kept my head low, not wanting to look at the girls, and on one occasion, bumped onto a Chinese schoolboy.

It might be my mistake, but I was happy when the boy said he was sorry.
So it is difficult to observe Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur. One may abstain from food and drinks but one's eyes and ears are not spared from seeing and listening to 'haram' things.

How I wished I were in Mecca and Medina where almost 100 percent of the ladies cover themselves and the shops, especially the eateries, close during the day. Perhaps fasting there is less challenging than here, in Kuala Lumpur!

Malay journalism at its worst?

During my family's visit to the Pasir Salak Historical Complex in
Perak recently, in its Time Tunnel, I came across an interesting
picture with the description; 'Pulau Pinang ( Penang ) at the
forefront of Malay awareness in the 1920's'. The caption read, 'The
people of Pulau Pinang reading 'Al-Ikhwan', 'Saudara' and 'Idaran
Masa', locally published newspapers which acted as catalysts for Malay
reformation'.

At the complex, the Time Tunnel depicts the historical journey and
patriotic struggle of the country. The dioramas begin with the early
settlement of Kuala Selingsing, 200 BC to 1000 AD. It follows with the
history of Malacca and the Perak Sultanate, British intervention, and
the struggle for independence.

The complex which offers several interesting places in connection with
the assassination of J W W Birch, the first British Resident of Perak,
was officially opened by His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah, the
Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan in the 1990s. It is situated in Kampung
Gajah, on the Teluk Intan-Bandar Sri Iskandar road.

Now that the Penang Malays are in the spotlight again after the fall
of the state from Umno-BN to a coalition government of DAP-KeADILan,
it is interesting to reflect how the Malays in the pre-independence
years were energized in their struggle for the independence of Malaya
by the mass media.

So papers like 'Al-Ikhwan', 'Saudara', 'Idaran Masa' and 'Jawi
Peranakan' had their part in it. And renowned early Malay writers such
as Syed Syeikh Al-Hadi and Abdul Rashid Talu were from Penang .

It is also interesting to look back at how two mainstream Malay
dailies, Utusan Melayu (now Utusan Malaysia) and Berita Harian filled
the vacuum to address the needs and inspiration of the people
especially the Malays of the newly independent Malaya (1957) and then
Malaysia (1963).

In my opinion, in the early years after independence and during the
New Economic Policy (NEP) era (1970-1999) the Malay dailies carried on
their duties well, but alas based the current developments and
scenarios, especially during the 'Reformasi' era in 1998-1999 and the
12th general election held recently, the dailies have fared badly.

A quantitative study coordinated by Centre for Independent Journalism
(CIJ), in collaboration with Writer's Alliance for Media Independence
and Aliran, found that press reports during the campaigning period for
the recent general election were lopsided with Utusan Malaysia (the
only Malay daily monitored), scoring badly.

Sadly Utusan Malaysia has become the mouthpiece of the ruling
coalition. Malay journalism is said to be at its worst when almost all
the principles in that field are kicked into the dustbin. Fair
reporting is not given much attention. The main concern during that
period was to dupe the people with biased reporting to boost Umno-BN’s
chance for a 100 percent mandate to rule the country once again.

According to the CIJ study, Utusan Malaysia had allocated the highest
space for pro-BN stories during that period (82.29 percent) compared
to The Star, 65.12 percent; New Straits Times (60.29 percent); the Sun
(42.8 percent); Makkal Osai (66 percent); and Malaysia Nanban (70
percent).

Other than that, almost all the main papers were 'laced' with
Umno-MCA-MIC (BN) 'poisonous' advertisements, telling how good the BN
government was and put fear into the rakyat if they dared vote
Opposition.

Utusan Malaysia was the worst in allocating pro-Opposition stories at
only 1.89 percent, compared with Makkal Osai at 23 percent and
Malaysia Nanban at 19 percent. As for the English press, The Star had
the smallest proportion of pro-Opposition stories at 5.5 percent,
while the New Straits Times was at 5.9 percent and the Sun recorded
over 16 percent.

In releasing the results of the study, CIJ executive director, V
Gayathry said, it confirmed previous studies by universities that the
mainstream media was biased and acted as a mouthpiece of Umno-BN.

By denying the voice of the people to be heard and seen (as shown by
Pakatan Rakyat -PAS-PKR-DAP - conquering five state assemblies), the
media, especially the Malay press seemed to have shied away from the
inspiration and spirit of its founding fathers for the reformation of
the Malays shown by leaders such as Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi, Abdul Rahim
Kajai and Ishak Haji Muhammad and papers like 'Al-Ikhwan', 'Saudara',
'Idaran Masa' and 'Jawi Peranakan'.

Even though election is over, Utusan Malaysia keeps on playing and
fanning the sentiments of the Malays on various issues such as in the
New Economic Policy (NEP). The paper projects itself as the champion
of the Malays (Umno), fanning them into believing that the new
coalition (PAS-PKR-DAP) is the culprit that brought about their
demise.

The truth is that the Malays were betrayed by Umno kings who were only
concerned about their own well being. They and their cronies had and
are fulfilling the desires and wants of their bellies and the organs
below it but at the same making time making it hell for the ordinary
people.

For example the Umno kings in Penang were quick to point their fingers
(they even organized demonstrations) at the new government headed by
YB Lim Guan Eng regarding the NEP, but never bothered to acknowledge
their failures in uplifting the standard of living of the Malays after
having the opportunity to govern the state with their partners –
Gerakan, MCA and MIC – for five decades.

Come on Umno kings, what have you done for the Malays of Penang in the
span of 50 years? It is an irony for a state from which the Prime
Minister comes to fail to address the needs of the Malays. Moreover he
is the Umno chief of that state.

In recent days, Umno strongmen were bickering with words flying about
in a killing manner. The Prime Minister's supporters such as Minister
of Information, Sabbery Chik had raised points that former Prime
Minster, Mahathir Mohamed was at fault for the downfall and
'disintegration' of Umno.

Recent developments show and prove that Umno was the main culprit in
the downfall of the Malays. In stressing this point, it gave
opportunity to the Malay press and journalists to guide or reform the
Malays as what has been done by newspapers way back in the 1920s such
as 'Al-Ikhwan', 'Saudara' and 'Idaran Masa'.

Unfortunately, the Malay press has failed badly as exemplified by
Utusan Malaysia . Instead of reforming the Malays, they instead force
thme into the underside of the coconut's shell just like the
peribahasa (proverb) 'bagaikan katak di bawah tempung' (like the frog
under the coconut shell).

If this is the case, then there is no point in displaying the picture
showing the Malays of Penang reading the old papers at the Time Tunnel
of the Pasir Salak History Complex. It is of no use, because the
Malays are a forgetful lot, 'Melayu mudah lupa' (Malays forget easily)
as was once said by Mahathir! They never learn from history.

Melayu hancur kerana dadah, Cina kerana seks

Perbualan saya dengan seorang pembantu perubatan sebuah klinik komuniti yang kerap bertugas di pusat serenti mendedahkan satu hakikat menakutkan.

Katanya, pada tahun 1990 dulu dia bertugas di Pusat Serenti Tampin. Pusat itu menampung 3,000 penghuni, 90 peratus daripadanya Melayu, 75 peratus daripada mereka HIV positif!

Itu dulu, keadaan sekarang tentulah lebih teruk, kata pembantu perubatan berbangsa Cina itu.

Beliau mendakwa gejala dadah sekarang terlalu serius. Dakwaan menyatakan ada sejuta penagih ada kebenarannya dan paling malang sekali kebanyakannya orang Melayu.

Apabila berjinak-jinak dengan dadah dan berkongsi jaram, penagih terdedah kepada HIV dan Aids. Mereka ini adalah bangkai hidup - menunggu masa saja untuk mati, katanya yang kerap mengendalikan kes korban HIV ini.

Berlainan dengan pemuda Cina, katanya, jumlah yang mati kerana dadah tidaklah 'sehebat' orang Melayu. Malangnya, ramai pemuda Cina mati akibat Aids dan HIV yang didapati melalui seks rambang.

Pemuda Cina, katanya, sama ada yang berjaya atau gagal dalam bisnes, ramai yang jadi kaki mabuk dan perempuan. Untuk meraikan sesuatu kejayaan, mereka adakan pesta di mana perempuan dan arak menjadi mainan.

Bagi yang gagal katanya, mereka juga menjadi kaki botol dan akhirnya terdampar di katil bersama-sama perempuan murahan. Mereka terdedah kepada jangkitan HIV dan Aids.

Sama ada pemuda Melayu yang kaki dadah atau lelaki Cina yang kaki perempuan, ramai daripada mereka HIV positif dan menunggu masa saja untuk mati, dakwanya.

"Saya salah seorang daripada kakitangan kementerian yang terpaksa menguruskan mereka. Hari ini kita bercakap dengan mereka (mangsa HIV), tahu-tahu esok lusa mereka sudah tiada," katanya.

From KFC to Ramly burger and Zamzam drink

Coming out of the conference hall at the end of the 'South East Asia (SEA) Organizations Roundtable Conference on Palestine and Lebanon in facing the Zionist and Anglo American Imperialism' at the Century Paradise Club, Kuala Lumpur a few years ago, I was met by my eight-year old son who begged me to treat him at a KFC outlet.

After being told not to eat at KFC, drink Coca-Cola and refuel at Caltex as part of a campaign to boycott American and Israeli products, I said a 'shaky no' as the boy kept on begging. It was a big test for me as I was torn between staying in line with what was raised and agreed upon at the seminar and to fulfill my son's small request.

I was about to give in because I didn't have the heart to say no to such a request, moreover it was about food, but at the last moment I pulled out the pamphlet given by the Anti-Zionist and Boycott America Movement (GAZA) and gave it to the boy to look at.

On the cover, there was a picture of a dead Lebanese child with the words, 'If you did this (ate at KFC, drank Coca-Cola and refueled at Caltex), you have conspired with the American and Israeli regimes to kill the Muslims of Palestine and Lebanon'.

The boy flipped to page two and saw 10 other reasons why Muslims should boycott American products. In page three, there were logos of about fifty products to be boycotted by Muslims.

The boy looked closely and said: "Father, Pizza Hut is not listed, so let's go to Pizza Hut!"

Softly, I told him to see the back page, and the boy saw the pictures of more than 10dead bodies of Palestinian and Lebanese children, many of them covered in blood. The words on that page read: "If you keep on buying American products, the brutality of the Zionists will be prolonged."

After much persuading, my children at last agreed to have Ramly burgers at Kampung Baru as an alternative. I was relieved and as the boy and his siblings were busy ordering their food at a stall, I flipped open the file of the conference.

The roundtable talk that was organized by 'International Affairs and Foreign Relations Department of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS)', saw two papers presented by one representative of Hamas, Omar Obeid (he represented the Chief Whip of the Palestine Parliament, Dr Khaleel a-Haya) and Essam Mustafa from a Palestine NGO, followed by discussions by representatives of various Muslim groups in South East Asia and South Asia such as Jamiat-el-Islami of Pakistan and Bangladesh, Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS Indonesia), Muslim Association of Thailand, Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (Brunei), Jamaah Islah Malaysia, Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR) and Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM).

The conference ended with resolutions, among others condemning the incursions and continuing atrocities perpetrated by the Zionist-Israeli regime, the delayed action on the part of the Security Council of the United Nations and gave unanimous support to the Palestinian and Lebanese people in their confrontation against the aggression and tyranny of the Zionist-Israeli regime.

The roundtable conference also unanimously agreed and resolved that participants from all countries, undertake, in the immediate future, to set up a Secretariat to be headed by a Secretary preferably from Malaysia. This Secretariat requires a seed capital or funding to move the planning by galvanizing both Islamic parties and Muslims-based NGOs.

Four areas were highlighted to be worked on - they were the political initiatives and lobbying efforts (international, regional and national), humanitarian and relief work, media-cum-research and development and fund-raising (economic action) and aid.

When discussing the Palestinian and Lebanese issue, a point raised by a delegation caught my attention. He said Muslims were alarmed when a specific issue popped up but it will be much better if Muslims were always equipped and ready to cope with any circumstance that might befall the ummah.

The Muslim community all over the world, especially when they were the minority in a country, were ill treated even to the extent of being prosecuted in their homeland. History speaks volumes about that situation, for example the plight of the Rohingya Muslims of Burma, the Kashmiris in Indian-occupied Kashmir, the Moros of Southern Philippines and the Malays of Cambodia and Southern Thailand.

To get a clearer picture I interviewed a few delegates. The first was Ustaz Mohamed Islam, the Vice President (International) of the Rohingya Ulama Council, who said the sad episode of the Muslim minority groups began when they were betrayed by their leaders.

"The leaders were not sincere, and when the cruel regime in power chased us out of our homeland, they betrayed us in exchange for worldly pleasures," he said.

He and a member of the council, Mohd Sedek, said, the government and Western media were biased in their reports and often portrayed the Muslims as rebellious, traitors, terrorists and guerillas.

They said Muslims were also to be blamed because many were not living in accordance to Islam. They swayed from the Muslim way of life and practiced un-Islamic norms such as usury and the Western way of living like exposing their aurah (physique).

Maulana Ataur Rahman, a Jamiat-e-Islami member of Parliament from Pakistan, agreed that some of the Muslim leaders were not sincere in protecting the ummah and to uplift their lives in accordance with the Islamic requirements.

He said in Pakistan, the people were tired with Western ideas and propaganda and were trying to make Islam as a way of life but its leaders were swaying and bowing towards Washington and London.

"If not for the rigging in the elections, I am confident the Islamic party will win the elections," he said regarding the 2002 general elections which saw the Jamiat-e-Islami and its five other component Islamic parties including the Shiite 'Tehreek Islami' won 68 out of the 342 seats in Parliament.

He said it was a remarkable achievement by the Islamic component parties (Mutehaddah Majlis Amal - MMA) as previous elections saw them with only a few seats. In 2002, other then getting more seats, they also had the right to govern the North West Frontier (NWF) state.

Even though the president (Pervez Musharraf) was leaning towards US President (George) Bush and British Prime Minister (John) Major, the majority of the people are with us, claimed Ataur Rahman who is MP for Mardan in NWF.

"If the election was transparent, we should be in power," he said and accused Musharraf of trying to repeal the hudud laws introduced by President Zia-ul-Haq in 1979.

He said it was clear that some of the Muslim leaders were betraying the ummah as they were not sincere in their actions but only wanted to hold on to their power even if they had to bow down to those at helm in Washington, London and Moscow.

Ataur Rahman said, Muslims, whether they were Shiite or Sunni, should always be united not only when confronting and pressured in certain issues such as the plight of the Palestinians and Lebanese, but in all areas at all times such as education, economic and international relations.

If the Americans could be proud in producing world renowned products and food such as KFC and McDonald's and drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and so on, why can't Muslims produce their own brand products that could be easily marketed to the 1.5 billion ummah. Perhaps Zamzam drink and Ramly Burger could take off as the maiden projects among Muslims!

Kutunggumu di pintu syurga

SEORANG guru saya semasa bersekolah dulu amat marah jika pelajar memulakan karangan dengan menulis: 'Memang tidak dapat dinafikan...' atau 'Sebagaimana yang kita ketahui...'.

Katanya, apa yang kita mahu nafikan atau apa yang sudah kita ketahui sedangkan kita belum pun memulakan perbincangan melalui karangan kita itu.

Hari ini selepas 20 tahun menerima teguran itu, ungkapan dan slogan yang hampir sama kerap kita lihat dan dengar. Misalnya, 'Hanya Umno yang mampu...', 'Hanya PAS yang boleh...' atau pun 'Umno, dulu, kini dan selamanya'.

Bagi orang yang berfikir, ungkapan dan slogan ini tidak berpijak di bumi nyata, amat membosankan kerana tidak dapat mencerminkan diri kita sebagai insan yang berubah-ubah.

Ambil contoh ungkapan 'Umno, dulu, kini dan selamanya'. Kita mungkin boleh mentafsirkannya begini - dulu seseorang itu mungkin ahli Umno, sekarang dia ahli Umno juga tetapi mustahil dia boleh jadi ahli Umno selama-lamanya.

Sebagai makhluk baru, dia sudah pasti akan rosak (mati), sekali gus tidak memungkinkan dia atau Umno hidup selama-lamanya. Jadi ungkapan ini, jika difikirkan secara mendalam adalah 'cakap-cakap saja yang tidak dapat diterima oleh akal yang waras'.

Saya bawakan contoh ini bagi membincangkan isu amat serius iaitu berkaitan sekolah agama rakyat (SAR). Di sini kita dapat lihat bagaimana akibat 'cakap-cakap yang tidak bersandarkan fikiran mendalam' menyebabkan sebuah institusi yang amat penting kepada ummah menuju zaman kegelapan.

Amat dikhuatiri jika institusi ini malap, nasib ummah juga akan kelam.

Jika kita membaca akhbar berhubung isu ini secara sepintas lalu, kita akan menyimpulkan yang menjadi sasaran ialah semua sekolah agama rakyat.

Termasuklah dalam kategori ini sekolah agama swasta dan sekolah agama kerajaan negeri. Semuanya 'ditangkap borong' sebagai sekolah agama rakyat. Malah ada yang berpendapat SAR ini merangkumi semua sekolah agama.

Tuduhan yang keterlaluan kepada SAR sekali gus menyebabkan semua sekolah agama terjejas. Jika orang Islam sendiri tidak faham apa yang sedang berlaku, dikhuatiri orang bukan Islam lagi tidak faham. Tuduhan kononnya pelajar SAR terbabit dalam kegiatan militan dan sebagainya menyebabkan keyakinan masyarakat kepada insan berpendidikan agama semakin terhakis.

Apabila mengikuti perkembangan isu ini secara lebih teliti barulah saya tahu bahawa ada SAR yang akan ditutup dan ada SAR yang tidak akan ditutup. (Tutup di sini bukan bermaksud tutup dalam erti kata sebenar tetapi menghentikan bantuan perkapita, mendesak murid dan guru ke sekolah kebangsaan dan pelbagai ugutan lain).

Saya mendengar seorang pemimpin negeri berkata SAR di negerinya tidak akan ditutup tetapi SAR yang akan ditutup ialah yang ada di Kelantan dan Terengganu.

Bagaimanapun tegasnya, bukan semua SAR di negerinya akan dibenarkan beroperasi. SAR kerajaan negeri akan diteruskan seperti biasa, tetapi yang akan ditutup ialah SAR PAS.

Pemimpin itu berkata, 'masa dia kecil dulu' dia pun belajar di SAR. Belajar fardu ain dan baca al-Quran di SAR. Katanya, pagi dia ke sekolah biasa, tetapi pada sebelah petang pergi SAR. Ini bermakna dia sendiri mengakui kebaikan SAR.

Berdasarkan pengakuan pemimpin itu dalam isu SAR ini, dapat disimpulkan bahawa yang mahu ditutup ialah SAR PAS dan bukan SAR lain. Persoalannya di sini kenapa pihak berkenaan tidak mahu cakapkan perkara ini secara terus terang sejak awal-awal lagi?

Akibat tidak mahu berterus terang, banyak pihak yang tidak terbabit 'menjadi susah'. Ringkasnya mereka teraniaya. Saya difahamkan ada beberapa sekolah agama persendirian yang yang sudah 'establish' juga terheret sama dalam isu ini. Apakah dosa mereka sehingga menerima nasib sedemikian rupa? Hakikatnya, sekolah-sekolah ini langsung tiada kaitan dengan mana-mana parti politik.

Penutupan sekolah-sekolah ini pada masa rakyat dahagakan ilmu agama amat mengharukan. Suara-suara hiba rakyat berhubung isu terus berkumandang, malangnya dipandang sebelah mata.

Misalnya, suatu hari ketika menonton rancangan 'Bicara Islam' TV1 tidak lama dulu, saya dapat mendengar rintihan seorang rakyat yang membuat panggilan dan berkata lebih kurang begini: "Kita tahu akhlak anak-anak kita sekarang ini amat teruk. Kita pula sibuk, tidak ada masa untuk mengajar anak-anak kita. Sekolah agama rakyatlah menjadi harapan kita untuk mengajar anak-anak kita fardu ain dan mengaji. Jadi mengapa pula sekolah ini mahu ditutup?"

Demikianlah betapa rakyat semakin tertekan dengan ungkapan-ungkapan yang tidak jelas sebaliknya 'membelit' mereka. Semakin lama 'belitan' itu semakin kukuh sehingga menjadi 'jerutan' pula.

Keadaan ini menyebabkan rakyat tidak dapat berfikir lagi dan selepas diasak beribu-ribu kali, menerima ungkapan 'tidak masuk akal' seperti 'Umno, dulu, kini dan selamanya' atau 'Kutunggumu di pintu syurga!' (berdasarkan sebuah lagu nyanyian Alleycats).

Welcome to the sea of knowledge

A year ago, I sent my niece to register as a freshman at Dewan Gemilang, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi. As I was about to leave the registration hall, the then Higher Education Minister, Dato' Mustapha Mohamed and his entourage were there to greet the new students and their parents.

As the minister shook my hand, he whispered in my ear: "Congratulations to have a daughter at the university!" He smiled and I smiled back. Even though she was not my daughter, I was very proud indeed to have her as the first child among my siblings to enter university.

During the good old days, university education was the passport to have great and good jobs with thick wallets but nowadays the situation is different. It was reported that 70 percent of graduates from our public universities have not secured jobs. Such a stunning statistic naturally raises a whole range of questions about what is wrong with our universities and, the graduates themselves.

Many are pointing their fingers at the graduates themselves. They said the graduates have not acquired the required expertise or there is a redundancy situation in certain sectors.

Even though the issue of graduates without jobs is frightening, but in my opinion our society has to accept that universities aren't places to produce merely workers but to train and polish young men and women as future intellectuals.

To seek knowledge is different from being equipped with the necessities and requirements needed by the work force. In my opinion, university should be a place to seek knowledge and not a place to merely produce future workers.
So, to my niece and the thousands of other freshmen in the local universities, I would like to wish them a warm welcome to the sea of knowledge.

Tertiary education is just the beginning of the never-ending process of gaining knowledge. Remember the saying, seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave and pursue it even if one had to go to faraway places such as China.

For an ordinary person like me it is difficult to define what knowledge is. So I put forward what the scholars and intellectuals had to say about it.
The New International Webster's Pocket Thesaurus defines 'knowledge' as 'information, learning, lore, wisdom, enlightenment, expertise, awareness and insight'.

The 'Kamus Terjemahan Inggeris-Melayu Translation Dictionary' by Ainon Mohd and Abdullah Hassan defines it as 1) 'ilmu pengetahuan; kefahaman. 2) makluman. 3) cam; kenal; mendapat tahu', while 'knowledgeable' is defined as 'berpengetahuan'.

Ibn Hazm mentioned that from the benefits of knowledge is that it repels evil whispers from the soul and it rids one of the worries and troubles.
This is especially true for the one who loves knowledge, who studies constantly, and who applies in practice what he has learned. The student of knowledge should distribute his time between memorizing, reading, revising, researching, and reflecting.

Knowledge is the key to serenity and ease, said 'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni in his book Don't Be Sad. "Knowledge and an easy-going nature are like two inseparable companions: if the first is present, the other can be counted upon to accompany it.

"If you study the lives of Islam's greatest scholars, you will find that they led simple lives and that they were easy to deal with. They understood the purpose of life and knew which issues were paramount and which were less important.

"Meanwhile, you will find that the most obstinate of people are those who, without having knowledge, are ascetics. They misunderstand revealed texts and are ignorant of religious issues."

Muslims were also taught about beneficial knowledge and the fruitless ones. In the Qur'an 30 : 56 Allah SWT says, "And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and faith will say: 'Indeed you have stayed according to the Decree of Allah, until the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not'.

There is knowledge that is useful and there is knowledge that is harmful. As for the knowledge that is useful, the believer's faith strengthens as a result of it; on the other hand, the disbeliever does not reap any benefit whatsoever from gaining this kind of knowledge; though the information required is the same, the results are very different.

Allah SWT says of His enemies: "They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigation or sowing or reaping, etc.) and they are heedless of the Hereafter." (Qur'an 30: 7).

So to my niece and other freshmen, gaining knowledge is important but the most important is how to use or handle it accordingly for the benefit of oneself and others, not only in this world but in the Hereafter.

It is useless to gain knowledge if the person involved only thinks about his or her personal benefits derived from it or becomes ignorant, proud and doesn't remember Allah (swt) at all.

Nowadays how many times have we witnessed people with higher education being brought to the courts for misconduct such as being involved in bribery, breaching trusts and stealing monies and being involved in various scandals.

During their university days, the undergraduates are very vocal in championing the people's rights and issues, but the majority of them choose to be silent when they become somebody in the corporate or public sectors.

How strange when they step on the ladder of higher achievement they only think about their bungalows, flashy cars such as choosing between Mercedes Masterpiece or Kompresor. For the Muslim men, maybe they were thinking about getting a second, third or fourth wife.

I know only a few former students leaders who are still fighting for the rights of the ordinary 'rakyat' - the estate workers, fishermen and squatters (setinggan). The rest just fade away, maybe they are now resting on their laurels.

The 'tidak apa' or 'kacang lupakan kulit' syndrome among former student leaders was rampant and nothing to shout about. Maybe those who entered the corporate world were busy 'counting their money' while those in the public sector were tied up with 'Akujanji' and those who entered politics were busy thinking about 'upgrading' or 'uploading' their properties.

So to my niece and the thousands of freshmen, remember what Allah has to say about the Jews who had abundant knowledge but became ignorant.

"The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Torah, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understand nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayaah (proof, evidence, signs, verses, etc.) of Allah. (Qur'an 62 ; 5).

The young tap thief

We will be welcoming Ramadan again. Ramadan reminds me of this story. It was 10 am Saturday, the 14th Ramadan or 7th October 2006. As I was busy looking at some workers changing the old pipelines near my home, I heard a loud commotion. A man armed with a 'parang' (machete) was bringing a youth he accused of trying to remove a brass tap at a nearby 'surau'.

As the man had to report the matter to the police and informed the 'surau' officials, he trusted in me to look after the boy. During the more than an hour waiting time, I used the opportunity to 'dakwah' (lecture) the boy after asking his background.

He was just seventeen and was from a village about 15 kilometers away. He will be sitting for the the 'Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia' (SPM) examination at the end of the year but he chose not to go to school since the middle of the year.

He said he could still sit for the examination because his name was registered as a candidate and the school authority had 'no power' to stop him from doing so. The last thing they could do was suspend him from school. Their actions only delighted him, so schooling was history for the good looking, some five feet seven inches boy.

His only concern was how to make full use of his youthful life. He told me many of his friends were having motorcycles and almost everyone had fancy handsets. Many of them were not from well off families, but their style of living looked as though they were sons of rich parents.

He said he was the oldest of three siblings and his parents didn't have any idea about his 'activities'.

The boy, whose father was a general worker at a nearby oil refinery while his mother a housewife, said he wanted to emulate his friends' ways of life. So he borrowed a motorcycle from one of his friends and started to make money the easy way - stealing and removing valuable items from homes, mosques and public buildings.

I searched for his wallet. It contained some calling cards, plastic cards and a RM1 note. "Where's your IC?" I asked and the boy answered he had lost it some time ago. "Where's your driving license?" to which he replied he didn't have any.

Looking at the faded RM1 note, I felt pity for the boy. At that moment I was left alone with him. He was sitting on the children swing and I was standing at his side.

The boy was lucky because his captors didn't tie his hands or legs or beat him up.
I assumed the boy was too green and had not been a totally spoiled brat because in that situation, he could spring off and run away or overpower me easily. But he chose not to do so but listen to my 'lectures'.

I asked him if he was fasting on that day. He said he wasn't and he needed some money to see the day through. That's why he tried to steal the brass tap. I told him that he had made multiple mistakes and it would be tough for him if the police took him to the police station. First he had no identity card, second he had no driving license, third he was caught stealing and fourth he was not fasting on that day.

He said he had only fasted for a few days and when I questioned him whether he said his prayers regularly, he answered: "Sometimes."

To attract the boy's attention, I gave him a RM10 note. I knew that getting money was his agenda for the day. With money he could buy that day's lunch and dinner, buy petrol to fill up the tank of his borrowed bike and top up his handset.

"Now, listen to what 'pakcik' (uncle) has to say," I said to him. "You are lucky because you are caught now when you are only beginning to become a thief. You are just learning to become a crook. That means Allah SWT loves you because He wants you to realize your mistake at the early stage. He wants you to repent now. Imagine if you are not caught, and you became from bad to worse as the days pass by and lastly you become the king of crooks or gangsters."

The boy remained silent and I continued my 'lecture'. "'Pakcik' pities you very much. My eldest son is the same age as you. If I would like my son to be a good and humble boy, your father too hoped that you be a good son. If I would like my son to do well in the coming examination, your parents too hoped that you would do the same.

"Now, tell 'Pakcik' what drove you to do such a thing?" The boy kept silent but from his attire, his trademark helmet and handset, I guessed he must been chasing the easy and materialistic way of life adopted by many among the new generation.

In school, many upper secondary students have motorbikes while a few especially in the Sixth Form drive flashy cars compared to a few teachers who still use the Honda and Yamaha 90 cc old bikes and old cars such as the Saga, Opel Kadett, Toyota Corolla and Mazda 323.

On seeing him reluctant to open his mouth, I continued: "You have a long way in life. You are only 17 and if you live until 60, you have more than 40 years in life, so why spoil it by doing such a stupid thing? 'Pakcik' hopes that you repent now, turn over a new leaf and become a new you!

"Had you heard the story about a robber who had killed 99 people but wanted to repent?" I asked the boy who only shook his head. "The robber then went to a scholar and asked him whether God will forgive his sins to which the man said 'no'. The bad man then killed him, so he had killed 100 people.

"The robber then went to another wise man who said Allah the Almighty will forgive whoever He wishes. There is room for everyone who had acknowledges his/her mistakes and wants to repent. The wise old man then told the robber to go to a specific village where the people there were obedient to Allah SWT.

"On his way to the village, the robber was mobbed and killed. To determine whether his resting place will be in heaven or hell, the angels calculate the distance between his notorious home and the good village. It was found out that the distance to the village was nearer so the man ended up in heaven."

The boy looked up at me and said: "Please, 'pakcik', please let me go this time," to which I replied: "If you were caught stealing in 'pakcik's' compound and by 'pakcik', 'pakcik' will let you off with the assurance that you repent. But in this case, you were caught in a 'surau compound by a stranger and with this brass tap as proof, so 'pakcik' has no right to release you. You are now subject to police treatment.

"'Pak cik' believes that you will face hard times after this, but you must always remember what 'pakcik' had told you. This is a lesson for you, you mustn't think it as an unfortunate incident but think positively; it is fortunate for you being caught at a tender age so that you will be able to turn over a new leaf."

As I was still speaking to the boy, two policemen on a motorcycle arrived. The men rushed to the boy, and one of them after asking; "So you are the tap thief in the 'kampung'?" slapped him on the face. I guessed the policeman was referring to another case when the village's mosque was broken into one night and the thief ran off with 33 brass taps.

The boy didn't answer while the policemen swiftly handcuffed him, dragged him to their motorcycle and they were all gone. That episode was just like the drama shown on TV, and this time, I was one of its characters!

This 'drama' could be a good lesson for all especially parents in bringing up their children. Selamat menyambut Ramadan Al-Mubarak.

My father, my hero

Two Malaysian heroes passed away a year ago, sadly unbeknownst to many. They were Tan Sri Ahmad Noordin Zakaria, the Auditor-General for ten years (1976-1986) and the former Chief Secretary to the Government, Tun Abdullah Salleh.

Abdullah was also the founder of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the chairman and chief executive of the then newly-formed Petronas in 1978.

Ahmad Noordin was an already well-known figure when I reported for work as a newspaper stringer in Malacca in 1985. He headed the commission which investigated the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal, Malaysia's first outstanding financial scandal, when government owned Bank Bumiputra, through its subsidiary, lost some RM2 billion by dubious lending in Hongkong in the late seventies and early eighties.

One of the auditors sent by Bank Bumiputra to investigate the case in Hongkong, Jalil Ibrahim was murdered and his body dumped in a banana plantation. Jalil was a Malacca boy from a kampung in Tanjung Kling, some ten kilometers from Malacca town.

One day, sometime in 1986, my boss ordered me to look for Jalil's aged mother in that kampung when news went around that the authorities didn't look after the plight of the woman whose son had given his life for the sake of the nation.
Well, that was some 20 years ago. Even though the story I wrote was about the auditor's mother, I had to dig the file about the BMF case and Ahmad Nordin's name is familiar to me to this day.

So when Ahmad Nordin's death went unnoticed, I felt sad and strange why a truly great Malaysian hero like him slipped off easily from the minds of the people. It is really a great pity because he was an outstanding icon for all upstanding, incorruptible and dedicated civil servants.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang described Noordin as "an outstanding Auditor General who made his office a byword for accountability."

"He was outspoken, intrepid for accountability in his association and his role as chairman in the BMF inquiry.

"That role made him most famous and he became a symbol for accountability and transparency."

Ahmad Nordin's daughter Nasirah, 54, when asked what it was like having a public icon of integrity for a father, said: "My father was our hero. We admired him greatly."

To me, Nasirah was right in every sense. Her father was her hero. She used the words, 'our hero'. In my opinion, 'our' meant 'the family' or 'the children'. It didn't take me long to realize that in life 'my or our heroes' are very near and close to us, yet we don't give a wimp until the persons vanish (are taken away by God).

As children we don't put much effort and courage to admit that our hero is actually our own father or mother not until they pass away. I liked an article written by Mona Abu Bakar in the Sun recently where she declared that her father was her hero and wished him the best during Father's Day.

Among other things Mona wrote: "While my mother's figure continues to loom large in our lives, Dad shaped us and taught us lessons in life in his own quiet way. He was not of the unapproachable and preachy type of father. Not of the present but absent variety either. And it was a bit too early for the Sensitive New Age Guy Dad. Dad molded us not so much by the things he told us but by being the person he was. His lessons however would not kick in until we reached adulthood and started our own working lives."

I too would like to confess here that my hero is my father. Even though my father's formal education ended at Year Six and he was just a primary school gardener, he and my housewife mother gave us the best that saw all of us (I have eight siblings) go through university and college.

During my schooling and university days I had never once heard my father or mother grumble or complain that they had not enough cash to pay the numerous fees and the needs of life.

He and she were always there whenever we needed them most. Of course at that time as growing children, teenagers and young men and women, we were only good at asking for money, money and money. In the olden days, the term 'Fama Fund' (Father and Mother Fund) was popular among the university students.

I too had never seen my father and mother locked in conflict with each other. Either there was no misunderstanding between them or they did it accordingly to the Muslim way of life.

Actually it is rare for people to live together under one roof without any argument and some kind of dispute, but reconciliation is better and correcting oneself is a virtue. What shakes the unity of the family and harms its infrastructure is the bringing out of conflicts into the open before the members of the family.

It splits the family into opposing camps, not to mention the psychological harm that to the children, especially little ones.

Think about a home where the father says to the child, "Do not speak to your mother," and the mother says to him, "Do not speak to your father." The child is confused and filled with turmoil, and the entire family lives in an atmosphere of hostility. We should try to avoid conflicts, but if it happens, we should try to hide it. We ask Allah to create love among us.

So when I became a father of several secondary and primary school going children, only then did I realize it was a very heavy responsibility to see my boys and girls get the best in the very competitive and challenging world. And as adults, we found out that it was hard to turn off our emotions during conflicts.

The most unforgettable incident that touched my heart about my father happened some 30 years ago when I enrolled as a Form One student for the Prep School, Malay College Kuala Kangsar. To go to Kuala Kangsar, my father and I took the bus from Malacca to Tampin and from there took the express train.

Since that journey was the very first time I left to some faraway places, I just couldn't sleep all night long so I just stared at the darkness of night from my seat. All I could see was distant lights and when the rain roared in the jungles and estates, fire flies in the dark night kept me busy and excited.

We reached the Kuala Kangsar station at 3.00 a.m. There, we waited for the early signs of the day and then marched to the grounds of the college. It was more than a kilometer away. It was a sight when I saw my father carrying a flour sack stacked with my two small pillows on his head and a big bag in his hand.

When we reached the living room cum registration office at the Prep School, my father and I sat on the hard long bench instead of the cozy cushions with our luggage (the flour sack) in front. Looking around I saw the other boys' fashionable bags. Nowadays when I think about it, I can feel how humble or down to earth my father was on that big day when he chose not to use the comfortable seat.

It seemed that only my father and I arrived at the prestigious college by train and then continued on foot while my friends and form mates came in cars, some in flashy ones. I felt very small in the new world and I didn't know what was inside my father's heart.

But I sensed he must have been very proud to have a son at the college. It was because before we departed from our kampung, I heard some family members say: "Congratulations to have a doctor, perhaps an engineer or may be a prime minister in the making!" (They were referring to Tun Abdul Razak, the then Prime Minister who was an old boy of the school).

Remembering that memorable event in 1975 brought me close to tears but I don't shy away to declare that my father is my hero!

Struggling for Islam from the deathbed

I saw the film 'Friday the Thirteenth' when I was in secondary school, almost 30 years ago. And on Friday, 13th July 2007 (a year ago), a S61-A4 Sikorsky Nuri helicopter crashed in Genting Sempah, Pahang, killing all six crew members aboard.

Those killed were Capt Nor Azlan Termuzi, 29, from Kuala Lumpur; co-pilot Capt Nor Intan Asykeen Mohd Arof, 27, from Butterworth; air quartermaster Flight Sergeant Khusnizam Ariffin, 34, from Kelantan; avionics technician Flight Sergeant Mohamad Azmie Md Yassin, 35, from Batu Berendam, Melaka; airframe technician Leading Aircraftsman Saifulizam Alias, 28, from Muar, Johor; and engine technician Leading Aircraftsman Muhammad Ridzuan Ahmad, 27, from Pokok Sena, Kedah.

The Genting Sempah Nuri helicopter crash was the 18th in 40 years that had claimed 90over lives of our serviceman when the country is in the eve of celebrating 50 years of independence. What's more, come 31st July we will be celebrating Warriors Day.

Our condolences to the grieving family members and pray their souls rest in peace and be placed among the blessed. Al-fatihah. From my readings from the dailies about the Nuri crash, one news item that caught my attention was an interview with Capt Nor Intan Asykeen's mother, Masnah Nopiah, 51, who said her daughter talked a lot about her difficult job and mentioned about death several times.

Seldom young men and women have thoughts about death. Even some in the old age category; the popular saying among the Malays, 'dunia kata pergi, kubur kata mari' (the worldly life begins to reject, the grave beckons) too do not like to discuss topics about death. In short, they shy away from anything that is associated with death.

In discussing about preparation for life in the Hereafter, I recently stumbled upon a photocopy of a book by an author who wished to be known only as K, which was written on his deathbed after he was diagnosed with choroidal melanoma (a cancer of the choroids behind the retina) and then multiple liver metastasis.

Copies of the book entitled 'Facing Death, A Testimony of a Muslim Stricken with Metastatic Cancer' were only distributed after the author's death on the 27th November 2005 at the age of 39.

His elder brother in fulfilling K's wish, wrote that K left behind a clear request to distribute his book only after his death.

The writer in his introduction among others mentioned that he wrote the article to share certain knowledge that he had gained throughout his ordeal in dealing with cancer since 2002. He was determined to finish writing his article when the doctors told him that if his illness was not treated, he might only have six months or so to live.

K, in mentioning his main reason to remain anonymous, said he wanted readers to concentrate more on the contents of his article rather than to concentrate on the character of the author.

"This is because this article contains things that I've learned from personal experience throughout my ordeal in facing death, which I now feel is an obligation to share with my Muslim brothers and sisters.

"At the same time, however, I know I am far from being a perfect Muslim, and I am still unsure of the state I will be in when my Creator finally calls me up.
I am still worried whether I would pass the test, i.e. the pain, the agony, especially during 'sakratul maut' (death throes). Therefore, I do not want the state of my death to affect the credibility of the knowledge that I want to share with you in this article," wrote K.

It was heartening when K mentioned that readers may distribute his article freely to others, and the writer (LanH) took this opportunity to convey K's 'wasiat' (bequeath) to Harakah's readers.

For K's good deeds, let's pray to Allah SWT that he is placed among His pious servants and selected ones in 'jannah' (heaven), Amin.

K said his illness gave him the opportunity to do some kind of preparation in facing death. In fact he acknowledged that he should have done it earlier because as Muslims we should start the preparations even when we are healthy, because we actually do not know when we are going to die.

Before setting up his preparations, K said he had adopted the 'reda' and 'tawakal' attitude (resigned to and trust in God), in a situation in which there could be only two possibilities, i.e. either Allah SWT (a) heals him or (b) takes away his life.

K divided his preparations into two parts – the worldly ones and the spiritual part in which he prepared himself in his way to meet the Creator, Allah SWT. Examples of the worldly ones are like preparing a 'wasiah' (bequest) and settling of debts.

Under the sub topic 'The Spiritual Preparation', among others K wrote: "I realize all the good things that we think we have done in our lives in this world may not be helpful to save us from Allah SWT's punishment. The fact is nobody can ever enter the Paradise due to his good deeds alone (there are stories about this).

"This is even more so after I realized that there have been so many shortcomings in my 'ibadah' (solat, prayer etc). being 'khusyuk' (attentive) while performing my 'solat' was probably non-existent, and my intention to be 'ikhlas' (sincere) in all my 'ibadah' (worship) and actions could be questioned. If that is the quality of my life and 'ibadah', I don't think I can really be saved from His punishment (na'udzubillah- God Forbid).

"But I do know from the stories and knowledge I have gathered that one could be saved only with Allah SWT's mercy and forgiveness. And if Allah SWT is pleased with us, the chances of getting His mercy and forgiveness are even better, 'insya-Allah'.

"I then realized that my only chance perhaps to be saved from Allah's wrath is to obey everything that He has commanded us to do, and to please Him with whatever opportunity I have. The first part can be achieved by first studying seriously the teachings of the Quran, while the second part is to use whatever remaining time of our life to please Him."

Regarding the Quran, K pointed up many important things derived from the sacred book for example the 'akidah', and 'ibadah'. The writer discussed at length about 'akidah' and at one point wrote; "Many of us think that simply bearing witness 'La illhaillaAllah' and Muhammadur Rasulullah' (the syahadah), plus performing the four fundamentals of Islam (solat, fasting, zakat and hajj) is sufficient for us to be called good practicing Muslims, and will have a great chance to be saved from Allah SWT punishments and earn his paradise."

K noted that the 'syahadah' is a promise we make to Allah SWT on how to lead our daily lives. After making this promise (i.e. to submit ourselves and to obey all His Commands), we have no choice but to prove our commitment. Muslims should have no reservations in implementing all of Allah SWT commands including HUDUD Law and preventing 'mungkar' (sins). Having reservation on any of Allah SWT's commands is a clear violation of our oath, the 'syahadah', that we will submit and obey all of Allah SWT 's commands.

"Some scholars even say having such an attitude will nullify our 'syahadah' and is sufficient to make a person 'kafir'. And Allah SWT has given us warning on this matter in one Quranic verse, where Allah SWT warns us not to become like the Children of Israel who disobey some of Allah SWT's commandments in the Taurah, as stated in Al-Baqarah: 85 "…Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do."

Regarding the 'mungkar' (disobedience) around him K wrote: "…When we see something that is obviously against the commands of Allah SWT and we know we can't do much about it, at least we can do is to have the feeling of displeasure about it, support those people who voice out against it, and pray to Allah SWT to continuously give guidance to the Muslims.

"Brothers and sisters, I am not saying the above because I am a member of any political party or organization, but I say the above because I question myself, how am I going to face Allah SWT soon if I still have reservation on any of His commands or simply ignoring the state of 'mungkar' around me."

Melayu terus bergayut dengan bantal busuknya

Manusia lahir dengan tangan kosong. Manusia juga akan kembali dengan tangan kosong. Sepanjang perjalanan kehidupan daripada saat lahir ke detik kematian, seseorang itu menghimpun segala-galanya - daripada harta benda, anak pinak, ilmu pengetahuan, amal baik dan buruk, dosa serta pahala.

Antara harta seorang bayi ialah botol susunya, kemudian pada zaman kanak-kanak ada bantal busuk, seterusnya ada permainan, beg sekolah, waktu bujang ada bilik sendiri, kemudian kereta, rumah, saham dan akhirnya meninggalkan dunia fana ini dengan harta bernilai berjuta-juta ringgit. Sesetengahnya pula meninggalkan dunia tanpa apa-apa selepas diisytiharkan muflis.

Jika sesetengah kanak-kanak tidak lekang dengan bantal busuknya, demikian juga orang Melayu, tidak selesa untuk meneruskan kehidupan tanpa idolanya.

Daripada zaman kecilnya sehinggalah hampir ke liang lahad, sebahagian Melayu memerlukan wira, idola, tokoh, legenda dan ikon semasa untuk dijadikan dahan, tempat berpahut sama seperti seorang kanak-kanak mendambakan bantal busuknya.

Keperluan orang Melayu untuk bergantung kepada legendanya, tergambar daripada perbualan penulis dengan beberapa orang pelawat Perigi Hang Tuah ketika berehat-rehat di beranda Masjid Duyong, Melaka selepas solat zuhur baru-baru ini.

Mereka bertanya, adakah penulis orang tempatan, dan kemudian memuji, berkata orang Kampung Duyong adalah keturunan Hang Tuah, pahlawan Melayu termasyhur itu. Secara kebetulan sumur lama yang digelarkan 'Perigi Hang Tuah' ada di kampung itu.

Kehebatan dan kemasyhuran Hang Tuah menjadi idola orang Melayu, dulu dan sekarang, terutama kepada yang berpegang kepada slogan 'dulu, kini dan selamanya'.

Penulis tersenyum sendirian, teringat satu kisah yang ditulis berdasarkan satu tinjauan sendiri di 'kampung Hang Tuah' itu hampir 20 tahun lalu.

Berdasarkan tinjauan dan daripada perbualan orang-orang tua kampung itu, apa yang dinamakan 'Perigi Hang Tuah' itu sebenarnya tidak wujud sebelum negara mencapai kemerdekaan.

Telaga dihebohkan sebagai 'Perigi Hang Tuah' itu hakikatnya hanyalah tempat mandian dan sumber air penduduk bernama Mat Segel dan keluarganya pada zaman sebelum merdeka.

Ia menjadi masyhur selepas airnya dikatakan menjadi penyebab sembuhnya penyakit seorang pelawat dan bertambah terkenal apabila dikepung dan dibina tembok di sekitarnya oleh seorang tabib Cina yang digelar penduduk kampung sebagai 'Nyonya Lilin' pada tahun 60-an dan 70-an.

Tetapi disebabkan orang Melayu bagaikan kanak-kanak yang memerlukan bantal busuknya, maka perigi lama itu 'dinaik taraf', sekali gus diiktiraf sebagai 'Perigi Hang Tuah', dan dicatatkanlah kononnya di perigi itulah Hang Tuah mandi-manda manakala di kawasan sekitarnya adalah tempat Hang Tuah membesar.

Hang Tuah adalah idola dan ikon Melayu. Sama ada dia benar-benar hidup atau wujud sebagaimana yang digambarkan (keperkasaan dan kehebatan), perkara itu tidak dapat dibuktikan. Tetapi Hang Tuah tetap membawa kehebatan dan keperkasaan Melayu yang juga mahu dikaitkan dengan keturunan Iskandar Zulkarnain yang turun di Bukit Seguntang dan Mahameru.

Zaman berubah, sepanjang sejarahnya, Melayu berusaha mendekatkan diri dengan idolanya. Idola Melayu turut berubah daripada Hang Tuah yang digambarkan sentiasa berkeris kepada 'pahlawan' Melayu berkot dan bertali leher atau berpakaian Melayu bersampin dengan 'brief case' dan 'hand set'nya.

Melayu baru adalah jelmaan Melayu lama. Ia tidak berubah sepenuhnya kerana sebahagian ciri, sifat dan sikapnya masih kekal. Ia masih mengekalkan pemujaan idola Hang Tuahnya (perhatikan bagaimana Melayu baru tetap bangga dengan keris seperti yang dipertunjukkan dalam perhimpunan agung sebuah parti Melayu), dan juga sikap PhDnya (perasaan hasad dengki) tetapi mencari idola sampingan untuk disesuaikan dengan zamannya.

Melayu baru mungkin menjadikan tokoh seperti Dr Mahathir Mohamad sebagai idola. Tetapi pencarian itu tidak berakhir di situ. Mereka masih dan akan terus tercari-cari, maka lahirlah idola untuk menjadi pegangan kelompok-kelompok tertentu seperti Nur Amalina kepada budak sekolah, Nurhaliza sebagai artis 'bersopan' dan Mawi daripada Akademi Fantasia yang turut dibahaskan secara panjang lebar pelbagai pihak termasuk oleh profesor universiti.

Melayu baru yang mendakwa kontemporari masih mengekalkan cara hidup Melayu lama, jadi tidak hairanlah semoden mana seseorang Melayu itu, ia mengekalkan 'apa-apa yang diajarkan datuk neneknya' seperti adat bersanding, kenduri kendara dan menghidupkan budaya lama berdondang sayang, mak yong, berkuda kepang dan mendendangkan lagu unsur khurafat seperti Ulik Mayang atau Puteri Santubong.

Dalam pencarian Melayu terhadap hero (wira), mentor,idola, tokoh korporot dan politik sanjungan untuk menjadi payung dan sandarannya, ada sejenis lagi Melayu yang mencari pelindung di kalangan manusia sesat bertopengkan agama; ada yang mengaku Rasul, Nabi umat Melayu, Ayah, Penyelamat dan sebagainya.

Mungkin Melayu yang begitu sibuk mencari hero, idola dan mentor inilah menjadi penyebab mengapa rancangan realiti TV kini macam 'pisang goreng panas'.

Manusia Melayu yang bertuhankan sesama insan, harta benda, wang ringgit, pangkat, nafsu serakah dan iblis syaitan ini adalah kemuncak kepada pergantungan kepada idola seperti yang menjadi amalan sesetengah orang Melayu. Tidak hairanlah jika banyak Melayu baru 'kaki ekor' (tahi judi) dan ramai pula membiarkan banyak masjid besar dan indah, kosong pada kebanyakan waktu.

Slogan-slogan seperti 'hanya...saja mampu buat itu dan ini. Hanya...saja yang mampu memerintah negara adalah antara manifestasi kebergantungan orang Melayu kepada idola dan pujaannya (ini termasuklah parti politik).

Slogan berbentuk indoktrinasi inilah sebahagian faktor penghalang minda Melayu untuk berkembang dan keluar daripada kepompong menyanjung idolanya sama seperti seorang kanak-kanak yang berpegang kejap kepada bantal busuknya.

Sejak kecil sehingga dewasa dan seterusnya tua, kebanyakan manusia Melayu menerima apa saja yang disogokkan tanpa berusaha menyelidiki kebenaran atau hakikat sesuatu perkara itu.

Kebanyakan menggunakan alasan, 'itu adalah ajaran datuk-nenek (budaya) kita' sedangkan dalam Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 170, Allah SWT telah berfirman yang bermaksud: "Dan apabila dikatakan kepada mereka: 'Ikutilah apa yang telah diturunkan Allah,' mereka menjawab: '(Tidak), tetapi kami hanya mengikuti apa yang telah kami dapati dari (perbuatan) nenek moyang kami.' "(Apakah mereka akan mengikuti juga), walaupun nenek moyang mereka itu tidak mengetahui suatu apapun, dan tidak mendapat petunjuk?"

Indoktrinasi ke atas orang Melayu begitu berkesan sehingga sebahagiannya tidak bergerak akal fikiran mereka - asyik memikirkan laba dunia - dengan semata-mata berpegang kepada idola, tidak lebih daripada kanak-kanak yang mahukan bantal busuk mereka sekalipun ia hapak, busuk dan meloyakan.

Jika tiada ajakan paradigma Melayu, orang Melayu dikhuatiri akan terus kekal hanyut dengan idolanya itu tidak kira dalam apa bidang pun, sama ada politik, ekonomi, budaya dan sebagainya sekalipun parti Melayu terbesar di dunia terus bersidang saban tahun.

Selagi Melayu tidak meninggalkan slogan '...dulu, kini dan selamanya', jangan harap Melayu lama akan bertukar Melayu baru yang hidup bertunjangkan al-Quran dan hadis, bukannya menghunuskan keris lama ke udara seperti idola lamanya, Hang Tuah!

Four days and three nights in London

DURING my primary school days some 35 years ago, I loved reading Enid Blyton’s books. Many of her books had the English countryside as their settings. Adventure stories set on the English farms made me wonder what England really looked like. And then when I grew up, I read Shakespeare and it really amazed me about Britain.
Before being introduced to Enid Blyton and comic books like Beano (remember Denis the Menace?), fascinating children’s stories such as ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and ‘Pinocchio” had already captured my heart on England.
The famous children’s song,‘ London Bridge ’, made me more eager and determined
to see it (London especially London Bridge) with my own eyes. Then during my secondary school days, I learnt to hate the British after reading and learning history about their interference in the Malay States. Stories on proud British officers such as JWW Birch and the greedy ones who plundered the country of its wealth, angered me but still couldn’t stop me from wanting to go to Britain. During the last school holidays, my dreams became reality. I was in England from the 27th May to 5th June. During the visit, my wife and I spent four days and three nights in London (30 May-2 June) and the rest in other parts of the country.

Here I would like to share some interesting things that might help readers and me
in becoming better persons.Maybe those in power and the government too should
learn something about them. From my humble experience, I would say the British public transport system is very efficient. We went to London by express bus (National Express) from Manchester. The journey of some 300 kilometers on the main motorway (highway) was smooth and one big surprise for us was being informed that highways in Britain are toll free. The retail price of petrol is reasonable at about £1.10 per litre (please don’t convert the amount to RM since that comparison is not fair,
assume it is RM1.10). If we were to look at the standard of living in UK, the price of
essential items are cheap, affordable to the lower income groups; wheat is only 54
pence per kg, long grain rice at 89 pence and chicken at £1.48 per kg.
Education is free in the UK, from pre-school up to tertiary level. So is treatment
at its government hospitals and clinics. Furthermore senior citizens are given al- lowances. A Malaysian student who had several school-going children, told me he did not have to pay anything when school reopened and his children were told not to bring any equipment including pencils since they were all provided by the government!

In London, we traveled by bus and train including the tube. Their services were
first class and most impor- tant to us as first timers in London, they were easily ac-
cessible with lots of information printed on leaflets or in the internet. The officers at the stations were polite, and ready to help commuters.
Before going to London, we had bought the bus ticket and some trains journeys through the Internet. It is cheaper this way, and I assumed they were so because the companies involved managed to cut cost on labour because in Britain , the minimum payment for an
hour’s work is £5.52! Our hotel room in Feltham, a few kilometers away from Heathrow Airport was also booked online.
Our stay in London was met with surprises with events resulting from a directive from the office of the London mayor Boris Johnson, that from 1st June 2008, drinking alcohol or carrying open containers of alcohol would be prohibited on tubes, buses, DRLs and tram services and stations.
The advertisements on the ban that were posted at strategic points among others read: ‘Making everyone’s journey more pleasant’.

The new Conservative mayor’s tough law on the tube on the booze ban was met with resistance from some sectors of the public, especially the boozers. They organized huge booze parties in defiance on the tube and in the stations. On that fateful night, we retired early in our hotel room, taking precautions.
True to our guess it was reported on the papers the next day that about 10,000 revelers swarmed the stations’ platforms and trains, some of them swinging bottles of alcohol. It was reported many were fighting or vomiting.
Seven tube staff and two police officers were assaulted, six underground stations had to be closed and several trains were taken off service after party-goers began smashing them up.
There were 17 arrests. The authorities in Britain were not only concerned about the ill effects of boozing in public transport but from the news on television and papers that I read, Britons were at war on the issue of children involved in alcohol consumption. The Daily Mail on the 2nd June reported that parents were to be given a new age limit saying when it would be acceptable to give children alcoholic drinks at
home. Currently, the law allows parents to give any child over five alcohol in private
settings. But in another extension of the ‘nanny state’, chief Medical Officer, Liam
Donaldson is expected to recommend an advisory age limit of 12 or more.

In my hotel room one night, I saw an item on BBC news showing police officers
cracking down on groups of children having fun time with alcohol. They showed several children including a nine year old being hauled up to police stations where their parents were called and later on counseled. In interviews with the relevant officers on TV news, some suggested that the age limit allowed to buy alcohol be raised to 21 compared to 18 years now. Some even suggested 25 years of age. London’s free
newspaper, Metro on it’s front page on 2nd June summed up its headline ‘Scandal of the
child drinkers’ in four white letters on screen headings, ‘Under-14s are being treated
in hospitals’, ‘Parents of drunks face fines up to £1,000’, ‘9-year-olds say adults go bingeing all the time’ and ‘Bars told to check ID if you look under 21’.
Other than alcohol, Britons were also at war with smoking. In our hotel room, there
was a clear sign – WARNING:
It is against the law to smoke on these premises. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to £150. On television, British health officers were shown being concerned about the increasing numbers of young smokers. Some suggested that all cigarette ad-
vertisements be banned. Although non-smoking zone covers much of public space,
they wanted stricter rules to make it hard for the public, especially children to buy
cigarettes.

Britons too are campaigning for green environment. It is hard to find plastics bags. They prefer using paper wrappers that could be easily disposed off. In our hotel rooms, there was an advise to reuse our towels (not to change them everyday), “for your actions may not save the world, but it will certainly help!”