Posted on 8th October 2010
***
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan sekiranya segala pohon yang ada di bumi menjadi pena, dan segala lautan (menjadi tinta), dengan dibantu kepadanya tujuh lautan lagi sesudah itu, nescaya tidak akan habis kalimah-kalimah Allah itu ditulis. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kuasa, Lagi Maha Bijaksana." (Surah Luqman, ayat 27)
***
APABILA diberitahu seorang ibu saudara sebelah ayah akan berlepas ke Tanah Suci 13 September ini bagi menunaikan haji, segera saya menawarkan diri untuk membawanya dengan kereta saya dari Melaka ke Kompleks Jemaah Haji di Kelana Jaya.
Beliau akan ke sana seorang diri, kasihan suaminya tidak dapat bersama kerana kekurangan ongkos, namun sudah menunaikan Rukun Islam itu beberapa tahun lalu dengan ihsan kerajaan bagi menghargai tugasnya sebagai seorang penggali kubur.
Saya tahu mak saudara saya itu hidup serba kekurangan, tetapi semangatnya untuk ke Tanah Suci begitu meluap-luap, akhirnya beliau (insya-Allah) akan menjejakkan kaki di tanah kelahiran Rasulullah s.a.w. dan juga kota suci Madinah Al-Munawarah yang menyaksikan Islam berkembang pesat ke serata pelosok dunia membolehkan kita semua berada dalam lindungan-Nya.
Mencoret kisah haji, umrah, Makkah dan Madinah mendatangkan kesyahduan pada diri ini. Air mata hampir menitis, mengenang detik-detik indah saya berada Tanah Suci sebanyak tiga kali, 2002 (menunaikan haji bersendirian), 2005 (menunaikan haji bersama isteri) dan Jun 2010 bagi menunaikan umrah.
Jarak waktu pemergian terakhir saya baru tiga bulan, tetapi hati bagai ditarik-tarik mahu ke sana lagi. Jadi sebagai mengubat hati, saya berusaha menyelami rasa, membantu serba sedikit saudara dan sahabat yang akan ke sana, dan insya-Allah pada 13 September ini akan menyertai ratusan, malah ribuan sanak saudara jemaah berkampung di Kompleks Jemaah Haji di Kelana Jaya.
Tidak dapat pergi, dapat menghantar jemaah pun jadilah. Ganjaran daripada Allah SWT untuk orang menghantar jemaah (memudahkan jemaah) pun sudah besar apatah lagi jika kaki sendiri dapat menjejakkan kaki di Tanah Suci. Allah Akbar, tidak dapat dibayangi segala rasa dialami jemaah, debarannya daripada saat berangkat di pintu rumah sehingga akhirnya kembali, memasuki rumah sendiri selepas 40-45 hari berkelana di bumi kelahiran Nabi tercinta, Muhammad s.a.w.
Bayangkanlah jika selama puluhan tahun (kebanyakan jemaah dapat ke Tanah Suci selepas berusia lebih 50 tahun), hanya gambar Kaabah yang terpampang di sejadah atau di dinding rumah sebagai perhiasan menjadi tontonan diri, kini Kaabah berada di depan mata. Bermimpikah diri ini apabila batu dan kain Kaabah itu dapat disentuh, diri ini berada dalam barisan bulat ratusan ribu manusia yang sama-sama rukuk dan sujud ke arahnya? Macam tidak percaya, dirinya ini termasuk dalam lautan manusia itu, tetapi itulah hakikatnya, jadi marilah bersama-sama menyertai keajaiban ini.
Memulakan langkah perjalanan ke Tanah Suci amat mudah berbanding apa disangka. Musim haji ini genggam dan lepaskanlah not biru, hijau dan merah ketika bersalaman dengan jemaah haji di kalangan saudara-mara dan sahabat. Sambil itu bisikkan kepada mereka dengan penuh pengharapan, “kirim salam ‘kat’ Rasulullah s.a.w. dan doakanlah agar aku dapat segera ke sana!” Perkara ini boleh dilakukan pada hari sahabat atau saudara kita itu berangkat di rumahnya atau di kompleks jemaah haji. Atau lebih baik ketika dia mengadakan kenduri beberapa minggu atau hari sebelum berlepas.
Insya-Allah, akan menitislah air mata ketika berpelukan dengannya, melihatnya dengan ekor mata, menaki kenderaan yang kemudian beransur-ansur hilang daripada pandangan. Demikian juga ketika menyaksikan dia melangkah kaki memasuki bangunan kompleks haji, kita yang tinggal mendoakan dia selamat pergi dan selamat kembali. Doa orang menunaikan haji amat mujarab, yakinilah tidak lama lagi kita akan menyusul, alangkah bahagia jika kita pula dihantar orang, berlepas ke Tanah Suci!
Namun perlu diingat sebagai manusia kita perlu merancang, yang menentukan segala-galanya adalah Ilahi. Selain doa (termasuk doa orang lain seperti jemaah haji), ‘campakkanlah’ wang RM50 atau RM100 setiap bulan dalam akaun Tabung Haji, insya-Allah, 10 tahun kemudian tertunailah hajat kita sekian lama untuk menyaksikan dengan mata kasar dan mata hati akan keajaiban di Tanah Suci.
Detik berlepas ke Tanah Suci dari pintu rumah begitu menyayat hati. Pelbagai perasaan dirasa ketika itu. Gembira, bersyukur, sedih, terharu, gementar, takut, cemas – semuanya ada. Selepas bersalaman dan berpeluk-pelukan dengan sanak saudara dan sahabat handai, semua hadirin berdiri manakala jemaah duduk di kerusi. Azan dikumandang oleh bilal kampung atau anak lelaki jemaah haji. Suasana hening, penuh syahdu. Air mata mengalir di pipi tatkala azan bergema, tergambar kota Makkah dan Madinah dan terkenang jua anak-anak dan saudara-mara serta sahabat handai yang akan ditinggalkan.
Selamat tinggal semuanya, panggilan (seruan) Allah mengatasi segala-galanya. Bagi ubat penawar hati (menaikkan semangat), kenang dan ingatlah firman Allah SWT yang bermaksud: “ Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): “Jika bapa-bapa kamu, anak-anak kamu, saudara-saudara kamu, isteri-isteri kamu, kaum keluarga kamu, dan harta benda yang kamu usahakan, dan perniagaan yang kamu bimbang akan merosot, dan rumah-rumah tempat tinggal ang kamu sukai, - (jika semuanya itu) menjadi perkara-perkara yang kamu cintai lebih daripada Allah dan Rasul-Nya dan (daripada) berjihad untuk agama-Nya, maka tunggulah sehingga Allah mendatangkan keputusan-Nya (azab seksa-Nya); kerana Allah tidak akan memberi petunjuk kepada orang-orang yang fasik (derhaka).” - Surah al-Taubah, ayat 24
LanH14: PENULIS 'DILEMA SEORANG WARTAWAN ISLAM'
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Science and Maths in Malay: Points to ponder
***
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in your management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that would be a great sin." (Qur'an: An' Nisa (Women): 2)
***
ALMOST all of my siblings are lecturers and teachers. So, one of the main topics of discussions when they gathered during last Raya (Eid) was about the switching of language from English to Malay for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in school which would be implemented in 2012.
“Please listen,” says a sister who teaches Biology at a secondary school. “They said the switching would begin in 2012. Even though in that year it only involves Year One and Form One pupils or only Year One (as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Education Minister), in my opinion all Science and Mathematics teachers should be ready and gear up for it. But as far as I am concerned, we were not informed anything about it.”
She said switching back to Malay from English would be a great exercise, those involved should get work started for it is not only about readying textbooks for Year One and Form One, but enriching the education world and society with good reading and reference materials in that language.
“It is not about teachers and pupils only,” she said. “This transformation should be met with eagerness from all sectors of society. But one sad thing is that we are just taking a stroll on the issue. Reference materials in Malay are still scare, so how are we teachers and those involved going to get ready for it?”
Accessibility to these materials, even at primary and secondary schools, is important if our students are to learn the subjects beyond standard school textbooks and revision notes.
The teacher complained that the switch from Malay to English in 2002 and then now back to Malay made many teachers disappointed, angry and mad; many had abandoned their old books in Malay, now with the new policy; they would have to refresh their minds and teaching materials.
Another sister who was a lecturer in a local university was cautious about the readiness of the authorities involved, saying not much was done for that big exercise.
“We are dealing with the future of our coming generation, they are human beings not machines that could be adjusted at any point or time we wish,” she complained.
She pitied students because they had to switch to English once they entered tertiary level. Even Sixth Form students too would face dilemma; in Form Five they learned the said subjects in Malay but for STPM it would be in English.
Students were treated as though they were guinea pigs; those bright ones hopefully would overcome this unnecessary mess, but about the weaker ones? Hopefully they would ploughed through, their burden and hardship rewarded.
In my opinion our education system is sliding into a state of chaos, all because of dirty hands of some selfish politicians. These people are looking for political mileage with the future of young generations at risk. In 2002, the then Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad forcefully introduced the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (known by its Malay acronym PPSMI).
Then, after fierce resistance by the ‘rakyat’ (people), newly elected Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin in the middle of last year (2009), announced the abolition of PPSMI, saying the implementation would begin with Year One and Form One pupils in 2012.
The ‘quick solution’ by Muhyiddin was said to please the masses after Umno-Barisan Nasional was given a thumbs down in the 2008 general election. Even though the teaching of Science and Mathematics has been reverted back to Malay, it was only up Form Five level whereas before the implementation of PPSMI, the language of instruction at tertiary level was in that language.
My lecturer sister told me that English should be the language of instruction in universities especially in fields regarding science and technology but her main concern is how students are readied or geared up to adapt fast in the change of language, from Malay to English.
“Perhaps, the authorities concerned should introduce a new subject where English terms for Science and Mathematics would be familiar to pupils. Hopefully they would be ready before the switching begins at upper secondary or tertiary level,” she said.
Yes, we are switching back to Malay for the teaching of Science in Mathematics up to Form Five level, but what had the relevant authorities done so far?
A reader, Liong Kam Chong in the Letters section of the New Straits Times (September 13) writes: “With the announcement of the abolition of PPSMI last year, the assurance was given that greater effort would be made to source for other reading and reference materials. However one year down the road, what do we have?
“I remember only reading in the newspapers the assurance given by the director-general of the Education Ministry that the textbooks for Year One and Form One would be ready when school term opens next year, the year the switch back to bahasa Malaysia (BM) is scheduled. (The exact year of the implementation would be 2012 not 2011, writer)
“Getting ready the textbooks seems to be the only preparation the Education Ministry has prioritised. What about the other reading and reference materials? Has any project or translations or original writing has been carried out?
“Also, the market publishers are not seen to be doing any promotion on getting general Science and Mathematics reading and reference materials in bahasa Malaysia into the market.
“It looks like we will be sadly back to learning Science and Mathematics the ‘textbook and revision book’ way. Are we progressing or regressing?
“Unwittingly, we have entrapped ourselves in a unique situation here. Our primary and secondary students will study Science and Mathematics in bahasa Malaysia the ‘text and revision books’ way because little reading and reference materials are available in bahasa Malaysia.
“On the other hand, our Form Six/matriculation, college and university students will be studying the subjects in English the ‘lecture notes’ way because they would not be confident enough to use the vast amount of reading and reference materials written in English.
“Are we in a mess because we have been hasty in our PPSMI decision?”
Another sister of mine who teaches in a primary school says the Government should help pupils especially in the rural areas to have a good and sound knowledge of both Malay and English in those subjects so that they would not face much problem when they enter tertiary levels.
“They should be equipped with all the necessary tools for learning, like extra tuition, better learning conditions, or even computers, better exposure or even basic stuffs like better quality books and learning materials.
“I am not taking about textbooks only. What I mean good general and reference books especially in Malay that we are lacking now. How are going to inspire our pupils in science and technology when there are only a few of such books around?” she asked.
Finally, my lecturer sister put pressure on me, saying: “You were one of those who demonstrated against PPSMI. Now, may I ask you, what action or steps you and your gang have taken to rectify this situation? So, please don’t just only demonstrate. Do something now…”
Perhaps this article would be an eye-opener!
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Reflection
"Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in your management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that would be a great sin." (Qur'an: An' Nisa (Women): 2)
***
ALMOST all of my siblings are lecturers and teachers. So, one of the main topics of discussions when they gathered during last Raya (Eid) was about the switching of language from English to Malay for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in school which would be implemented in 2012.
“Please listen,” says a sister who teaches Biology at a secondary school. “They said the switching would begin in 2012. Even though in that year it only involves Year One and Form One pupils or only Year One (as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Education Minister), in my opinion all Science and Mathematics teachers should be ready and gear up for it. But as far as I am concerned, we were not informed anything about it.”
She said switching back to Malay from English would be a great exercise, those involved should get work started for it is not only about readying textbooks for Year One and Form One, but enriching the education world and society with good reading and reference materials in that language.
“It is not about teachers and pupils only,” she said. “This transformation should be met with eagerness from all sectors of society. But one sad thing is that we are just taking a stroll on the issue. Reference materials in Malay are still scare, so how are we teachers and those involved going to get ready for it?”
Accessibility to these materials, even at primary and secondary schools, is important if our students are to learn the subjects beyond standard school textbooks and revision notes.
The teacher complained that the switch from Malay to English in 2002 and then now back to Malay made many teachers disappointed, angry and mad; many had abandoned their old books in Malay, now with the new policy; they would have to refresh their minds and teaching materials.
Another sister who was a lecturer in a local university was cautious about the readiness of the authorities involved, saying not much was done for that big exercise.
“We are dealing with the future of our coming generation, they are human beings not machines that could be adjusted at any point or time we wish,” she complained.
She pitied students because they had to switch to English once they entered tertiary level. Even Sixth Form students too would face dilemma; in Form Five they learned the said subjects in Malay but for STPM it would be in English.
Students were treated as though they were guinea pigs; those bright ones hopefully would overcome this unnecessary mess, but about the weaker ones? Hopefully they would ploughed through, their burden and hardship rewarded.
In my opinion our education system is sliding into a state of chaos, all because of dirty hands of some selfish politicians. These people are looking for political mileage with the future of young generations at risk. In 2002, the then Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad forcefully introduced the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (known by its Malay acronym PPSMI).
Then, after fierce resistance by the ‘rakyat’ (people), newly elected Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin in the middle of last year (2009), announced the abolition of PPSMI, saying the implementation would begin with Year One and Form One pupils in 2012.
The ‘quick solution’ by Muhyiddin was said to please the masses after Umno-Barisan Nasional was given a thumbs down in the 2008 general election. Even though the teaching of Science and Mathematics has been reverted back to Malay, it was only up Form Five level whereas before the implementation of PPSMI, the language of instruction at tertiary level was in that language.
My lecturer sister told me that English should be the language of instruction in universities especially in fields regarding science and technology but her main concern is how students are readied or geared up to adapt fast in the change of language, from Malay to English.
“Perhaps, the authorities concerned should introduce a new subject where English terms for Science and Mathematics would be familiar to pupils. Hopefully they would be ready before the switching begins at upper secondary or tertiary level,” she said.
Yes, we are switching back to Malay for the teaching of Science in Mathematics up to Form Five level, but what had the relevant authorities done so far?
A reader, Liong Kam Chong in the Letters section of the New Straits Times (September 13) writes: “With the announcement of the abolition of PPSMI last year, the assurance was given that greater effort would be made to source for other reading and reference materials. However one year down the road, what do we have?
“I remember only reading in the newspapers the assurance given by the director-general of the Education Ministry that the textbooks for Year One and Form One would be ready when school term opens next year, the year the switch back to bahasa Malaysia (BM) is scheduled. (The exact year of the implementation would be 2012 not 2011, writer)
“Getting ready the textbooks seems to be the only preparation the Education Ministry has prioritised. What about the other reading and reference materials? Has any project or translations or original writing has been carried out?
“Also, the market publishers are not seen to be doing any promotion on getting general Science and Mathematics reading and reference materials in bahasa Malaysia into the market.
“It looks like we will be sadly back to learning Science and Mathematics the ‘textbook and revision book’ way. Are we progressing or regressing?
“Unwittingly, we have entrapped ourselves in a unique situation here. Our primary and secondary students will study Science and Mathematics in bahasa Malaysia the ‘text and revision books’ way because little reading and reference materials are available in bahasa Malaysia.
“On the other hand, our Form Six/matriculation, college and university students will be studying the subjects in English the ‘lecture notes’ way because they would not be confident enough to use the vast amount of reading and reference materials written in English.
“Are we in a mess because we have been hasty in our PPSMI decision?”
Another sister of mine who teaches in a primary school says the Government should help pupils especially in the rural areas to have a good and sound knowledge of both Malay and English in those subjects so that they would not face much problem when they enter tertiary levels.
“They should be equipped with all the necessary tools for learning, like extra tuition, better learning conditions, or even computers, better exposure or even basic stuffs like better quality books and learning materials.
“I am not taking about textbooks only. What I mean good general and reference books especially in Malay that we are lacking now. How are going to inspire our pupils in science and technology when there are only a few of such books around?” she asked.
Finally, my lecturer sister put pressure on me, saying: “You were one of those who demonstrated against PPSMI. Now, may I ask you, what action or steps you and your gang have taken to rectify this situation? So, please don’t just only demonstrate. Do something now…”
Perhaps this article would be an eye-opener!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Elak perpecahan Melayu: Sediakah Umno tidak bertanding?
POSTED ON 5th OCT 2010
***
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu campur-adukkan yang benar dengan yang batil dan kamu sembunyikan kebenaran, padahal kamu mengetahui." (Al-Baqarah, Ayat 42)
***
Kita tertarik dengan cadangan Penolong Setiausaha Agung PAS, Dato’ Takiyuddin Hassan baru-baru ini bahawa Umno-BN usahlah bertanding pada pilihan raya kecil Dun Galas bagi mengelakkan perpecahan orang Melayu.
Sungguhpun syor Adun Bunut Payung yang juga Exco Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan yang memegang potfolio Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan itu hanya satu lontaran idea yang terasa amat sukar terlaksana, setidak-tidak ia boleh dijadikan kayu pengukur sama ada pihak yang beriya-iya mencanangkan perpaduan benar-benar mahukan perkara itu atau bersandiwa saja. Selama ini seriuskah mereka atau adakah itu cakap-cakap politik atau retorik saja?
Hakikatnya, perpaduan berdasarkan bangsa atau asabiyah tidak dapat dijayakan. Berhubung perpaduan, salah seorang ulama ulung di kalangan orang Melayu (kita bercakap mengenai perpaduan bangsa Melayu), Allahyarham Prof Dr Hamka melalui Tafsir Al-Azhar (Juzuk 1) antara lain menulis: “Persatuan seluruh umat manusia hanya akan tercapai bilamana penyerahan mereka hanya satu, yaitu kepada Allah saja. Apabila berpaling daripada Allah kepada yang lain, nescaya perpecahanlah yang timbul, sebab Allah Esa, dan yang lain adalah berbilang atau cerai-berai.”
Dalam Surah Ali Imran (ayat 103), Allah SWT berfirman, bermaksud: “Dan berpeganglah kamu semuanya kepada tali (agama) Allah, dan janganlah kamu bercerai berai, dan ingatlah akan nikmat Allah kepadamu ketika kamu dahulu (masa Jahiliah) bermusuh-musuhan, maka Allah mempersatukan hatimu, lalu menjadilah kamu kerana nikmat Allah orang-orang yang bersaudara; dan kamu telah berada di tepi jurang neraka, lalu Allah menyelamatkan kamu daripadanya. Demikianlah Allah menerangkan ayat-ayat-Nya kepadamu, agar kamu mendapat petunjuk.”
Apa ditekankan di sini adalah kepatuhan yang tidak berbelah bagi kepada agama Allah yang apabila dapat dilaksanakan barulah dapat disatu-satukan hati-hati manusia untuk mendapat keredaan-Nya semata dalam segenap aspek kehidupan termasuklah dalam soal politik dan pilihan raya.
Bagi pilihan raya kecil Dun Galas ini, kita melihat ada kewajaran dalam syor Takiyuddin agar Umno-BN tidak bertanding bagi mengelakkan ‘pertempuran’ sesama Melayu yang sudah pasti membawa kepada pergeseran dan perbalahan.
Oleh yang demikian atas nama perpaduan Melayu yang kerap dicanang-canang pihak terbabit, ada kebenaran hujah untuk pihak ini tidak bertanding. Bagi Dun Galas, Takiyuddin mengesyorkan Umno-BN tidak bertanding kerana kerusi itu sebelum ini adalah milik PAS yang diwakil Adunnya, Allahyarham Che Hashim Sulaima, 47, selepas memenangi pilihan raya umum pada Mac 2008 dengan majoriti 646 undi. Kemenangan Umno-BN pada pilihan raya kecil nanti tidak akan mengubah status quo Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan.
Namun jelas sekali perpaduan Melayu ini tidak dapat dijayakan, kedua-dua pihak (Umno-PAS) pasti bertanding juga akhirnya. Ternyata benarlah seperti yang ditegaskan oleh Allahyarham Hamka bahawa persatuan umat manusia hanya akan tercapai bilamana penyerahan mereka hanya satu, yaitu kepada Allah saja. Apabila berpaling daripada Allah kepada yang lain, nescaya perpecahanlah yang timbul.
Berdasarkan ini, adalah penting bagi masyarakat khasnya pengundi di Dun Galas, membuka pintu hati mereka bagi mengenal pihak yang berjuang untuk mendapatkan keredaan Allah atau yang mempunyai kepentingan tertentu. Orang yang mengejar kebahagiaan akhirat adalah ibarat menanam padi; selain padi yang tumbuh, sawah turut ditumbuhi lalang. Ertinya dunia akan turut mengejar (dimiliki)nya, tetapi bagi orang yang mengejar dunia semata-mata (ibarat menanam lalang) dia tidak akan sekali-kali mendapat hasil padi. Ertinya dia akan rugi di dunia dan akhirat. Demikianlah amat berbeza sekali orang menanam padi dan orang menanam lalang.
Perkara inilah yang perlu diamat-amati masyarakat dan pengundi. Ini kerana kita bukan saja mengharapkan kesenangan di dunia semata-mata tetapi kebahagiaan itu perlulah bersinambungan dari dunia hingga ke akhirat.
***
Dengan nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w.
Renungan
"Dan janganlah kamu campur-adukkan yang benar dengan yang batil dan kamu sembunyikan kebenaran, padahal kamu mengetahui." (Al-Baqarah, Ayat 42)
***
Kita tertarik dengan cadangan Penolong Setiausaha Agung PAS, Dato’ Takiyuddin Hassan baru-baru ini bahawa Umno-BN usahlah bertanding pada pilihan raya kecil Dun Galas bagi mengelakkan perpecahan orang Melayu.
Sungguhpun syor Adun Bunut Payung yang juga Exco Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan yang memegang potfolio Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan itu hanya satu lontaran idea yang terasa amat sukar terlaksana, setidak-tidak ia boleh dijadikan kayu pengukur sama ada pihak yang beriya-iya mencanangkan perpaduan benar-benar mahukan perkara itu atau bersandiwa saja. Selama ini seriuskah mereka atau adakah itu cakap-cakap politik atau retorik saja?
Hakikatnya, perpaduan berdasarkan bangsa atau asabiyah tidak dapat dijayakan. Berhubung perpaduan, salah seorang ulama ulung di kalangan orang Melayu (kita bercakap mengenai perpaduan bangsa Melayu), Allahyarham Prof Dr Hamka melalui Tafsir Al-Azhar (Juzuk 1) antara lain menulis: “Persatuan seluruh umat manusia hanya akan tercapai bilamana penyerahan mereka hanya satu, yaitu kepada Allah saja. Apabila berpaling daripada Allah kepada yang lain, nescaya perpecahanlah yang timbul, sebab Allah Esa, dan yang lain adalah berbilang atau cerai-berai.”
Dalam Surah Ali Imran (ayat 103), Allah SWT berfirman, bermaksud: “Dan berpeganglah kamu semuanya kepada tali (agama) Allah, dan janganlah kamu bercerai berai, dan ingatlah akan nikmat Allah kepadamu ketika kamu dahulu (masa Jahiliah) bermusuh-musuhan, maka Allah mempersatukan hatimu, lalu menjadilah kamu kerana nikmat Allah orang-orang yang bersaudara; dan kamu telah berada di tepi jurang neraka, lalu Allah menyelamatkan kamu daripadanya. Demikianlah Allah menerangkan ayat-ayat-Nya kepadamu, agar kamu mendapat petunjuk.”
Apa ditekankan di sini adalah kepatuhan yang tidak berbelah bagi kepada agama Allah yang apabila dapat dilaksanakan barulah dapat disatu-satukan hati-hati manusia untuk mendapat keredaan-Nya semata dalam segenap aspek kehidupan termasuklah dalam soal politik dan pilihan raya.
Bagi pilihan raya kecil Dun Galas ini, kita melihat ada kewajaran dalam syor Takiyuddin agar Umno-BN tidak bertanding bagi mengelakkan ‘pertempuran’ sesama Melayu yang sudah pasti membawa kepada pergeseran dan perbalahan.
Oleh yang demikian atas nama perpaduan Melayu yang kerap dicanang-canang pihak terbabit, ada kebenaran hujah untuk pihak ini tidak bertanding. Bagi Dun Galas, Takiyuddin mengesyorkan Umno-BN tidak bertanding kerana kerusi itu sebelum ini adalah milik PAS yang diwakil Adunnya, Allahyarham Che Hashim Sulaima, 47, selepas memenangi pilihan raya umum pada Mac 2008 dengan majoriti 646 undi. Kemenangan Umno-BN pada pilihan raya kecil nanti tidak akan mengubah status quo Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan.
Namun jelas sekali perpaduan Melayu ini tidak dapat dijayakan, kedua-dua pihak (Umno-PAS) pasti bertanding juga akhirnya. Ternyata benarlah seperti yang ditegaskan oleh Allahyarham Hamka bahawa persatuan umat manusia hanya akan tercapai bilamana penyerahan mereka hanya satu, yaitu kepada Allah saja. Apabila berpaling daripada Allah kepada yang lain, nescaya perpecahanlah yang timbul.
Berdasarkan ini, adalah penting bagi masyarakat khasnya pengundi di Dun Galas, membuka pintu hati mereka bagi mengenal pihak yang berjuang untuk mendapatkan keredaan Allah atau yang mempunyai kepentingan tertentu. Orang yang mengejar kebahagiaan akhirat adalah ibarat menanam padi; selain padi yang tumbuh, sawah turut ditumbuhi lalang. Ertinya dunia akan turut mengejar (dimiliki)nya, tetapi bagi orang yang mengejar dunia semata-mata (ibarat menanam lalang) dia tidak akan sekali-kali mendapat hasil padi. Ertinya dia akan rugi di dunia dan akhirat. Demikianlah amat berbeza sekali orang menanam padi dan orang menanam lalang.
Perkara inilah yang perlu diamat-amati masyarakat dan pengundi. Ini kerana kita bukan saja mengharapkan kesenangan di dunia semata-mata tetapi kebahagiaan itu perlulah bersinambungan dari dunia hingga ke akhirat.
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