Holy cow, is this the Selangor we knew?
From the underworld and beer issues to non-Muslims-only consert to cow-head/Hindu temple protest. Reading the comment by Old Fart [ "so much hate, so much anger"] under my previous posting, I was struck by the odd significance of the Hindu temple vis-a-vis the state of politics in Selangor before and after Pakatan Rakyat came into power.
You'd probably remember, too, how Khir Toyo's pop ratings plunged over the issue temple demolition as the general election drew near last year. When KT's Barisan Nasional lost Selangor to Khalid Ibrahim's PR, we thought better times were ahead.
But no. The Hindu temple has returned to haunt the state government. This time it's not about the destruction of a temple but the construction of one!
The cow-head incident in Shah Alam yesterday happened during a protest staged by Muslim-Malay residents of Section 23. They were not happy with the Selangor exco's decision to relocate a temple to their area. The picture above tells the story [and read here about the significance of the cow in Hinduism].
The standard script: PR supporters blame BN/Umno or/and PM Najib Razak. I wonder there's going to be a "mysterious letter", with JAIS insignia, to say that the cow-head was the work of some pro-government religious officials. [Eg. Hindu Temple Protest by Racist Malays in Shah Alam]
p.s. Khalid has issued a statement to condemn the cow-head provocation, but that's not going to solve anything. As he was part of Xavier's committee to discuss and approve the relocation of the temple, Khalid had a lot of time to convince the residents of S23 of why the temple should be relocated to their area and why they should not be so "religious intolerant" in the first place.
Why didn't/couldn't he?
source : rockybru.com.my
Kemarahan penduduk Seksyen
SHAH ALAM – Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pembantahan Pembinaan Kuil Seksyen 23 menegaskan bahawa Ahli parlimen Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad bertanggungjawab di atas semua tindakan agresif penduduk yang membantah pembinaan Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman di Seksyen 23.
Pengerusinya, Ahmad Mahayuddin Manaf berkata, tindakan Khalid dan Kerajaan Negeri yang selama ini mengabaikan hak dan kepentingan orang islam mendorong penduduk mengadakan bantahan bagi memperjuangkan hak mereka.
“Khalid bertanggungjawab mengajar penduduk menjadi biadap kerana meminggirkan kebajikan dan hak masyarakat di Seksyen 23.
“Dari Mei lalu hingga kini tidak ada sebarang tolenrasi dan sensitiviti yang ditunjukkan oleh pemimpin Kerajaan negeri bagi menjamin hak serta agama Islam terpelihara,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian selepas mengetuai perarakan penduduk Seksyen 23 dari Masjid Negeri menuju ke Bangunan Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah bagi membantah pembinaan Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman selepas solat Jumaat, di sini semalam.
Selain itu Mahayudin turut mendesak agar Kerajaan Negeri mengemukakan pelan lokasi pembinaan kuil yang baru seperti yang dinyatakan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tetap Kesihatan, Pekerja Ladang, Kemiskinan dan Kerajaan Prihatin, Dr A Xavier Jayakumar.
“Di mana kedudukan lokasi baru untuk pembinaan kuil berkenaan? Mana pelan sebenar lokasi berkenaan? Mereka hanya menipu dan mahu mengaburi mata penduduk.
“Setahu saya lokasi baru setelah dianjak 300 meter dari tapak asal adalah tapak kilang dan terdapat kilang yang sudah didirikan di situ, jadi lokasi baru seperti yang dinyatakan hanyalah pembohongan semata-mata,”katanya.
Rabu lalu, Xavier mengumumkan Kerajaan Negeri akan memindahkan pembinaan kuil berkenaan 300 meter dari tapak asalnya berikutan bantahan penduduk di sekitar kawasan berkenaan.
Sementara itu, Timbalan Jawatankuasa Bertindak Pembantahan Pembinaan Kuil Seksyen 23, Ibrahim Sabri menegaskan penduduk menggesa agar pembinaan Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman itu dipindahkan ke Seksyen 22 seperti yang dirancang.
“Walau apa pun yang berlaku kami tidak akan berganjak dari pendirian dan tetap mahukan pembinaan kuil berkenaan dipindahkan ke Seksyen 22.
“Mengapa pembinaan kuil berkenaan tidak dijalankan di Seksyen 22 seperti yang dirancang sedangkan tapak pembinaannya sudah pun disediakan di situ,” katanya.
Katanya, sebelum ini penduduk perumahan di sekitar Sekyen 23 telah beberapa kali menghantar memorandum dan surat bantahan kepada pihak yang berkenaan namun tidak dilayan dan tiada sebarang tindakan diambil.
“Sudah beberapa kali memorandum bantahan pembinaan kuil itu dihantar namun suara hati penduduk tidak dilayan,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu, wakil Pertubuhan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) Mohd Jumri mendesak Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) yang berkenaan agar bertemu dengan penduduk perumahan Seksyen 23 untuk berbincang mengenai ini.
“Sebelum ini pun telah ada perjumpaan penduduk bersama Khalid dan Rodziah Ismail (ADUN Batu Tiga) namun apa yang kami dengar hanyalah mengenai rancangan pembinaan kuil berkenaan,” katanya.
Perarakan yang disertai kira-kira seramai 250 penduduk berkenaan turut membawa kepala lembu yang telah disembelih dan ditinggalkan di luar Bangunan SSAAS selepas selesai demonstrasi bantahan sebagai cenderahati kepada Khalid.
Bagaimanapun menurut Mahayuddin, kepala lembu berkenaan dibawa oleh individu yang marah sebagai simbolik kepada tindakan Khalid, Rodziah dan Kerajaan Negeri yang dianggap seperti ‘dicucuk hidung’ apabula meluluskan pembinaan kuil di kawasan majoriti penduduk beragama Islam.
Kerajaan Negeri akan mempertimbangkan cadangan penduduk perumahan Seksyen 23 berhubung bantahan mereka terhadap pembinaan Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman di kawasan itu.
Ahli Parlimen Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad berkata, Kerajaan Negeri akan menilai dan mempertimbangkan hujah yang dibentangkan oleh penduduk sekiranya alasan yang diberi adalah munasabah serta boleh diterima.
“Kita akan menilai pandangan yang diberikan dan sekiranya hujah yang diberi munasabah, kita akan pertimbangkan cadangan mereka,” katanya.
Katanya, Kerajaan Negeri akan mengadakan perbincangan bersama penduduk Seksyen 23 pada 7 September ini bertempat di Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam untuk mendengar luahan masyarakat setempat dan mencari jalan penyelesaian masalah pembinaan kuil berkenaan.
“Sebelum ini penduduk telah dimaklumkan mengenai perbincangan yang akan diadakan pada 7 September ini, jadi mengapa perlu mengadakan bantahan dan perarakan lain?
“Penduduk diminta bertenang dan menunggu sehingga tarikh perbincangan tersebut untuk mencari kesepakatan di dalam hal ini,” katanya.
sumber sinar harian, 29 Ogos 2009
Shah Alam temple move unanimous, says exco member
SELANGOR State executive councillor Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said yesterday he was not the only person
who decided on the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple from Section 19 to Section 23 in
Shah Alam.
The chairman of the Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee said in a statement the Selangor Non-Muslim Houses of Worship Committee was jointly chaired by three State executive councillors, including him, and not by him alone.
The committee also comprised representatives from the land and district offices, the local authorities, the Land and Mines Office, the Selangor State Development Corporation or owners of the property, non-governmental organisations (religious) and the temple or house of worship committee involved.
The respective State assemblyman, Member of Parliament and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department also sat on the committee, he added.
On the relocation of the temple from Section 19 to Section 23, which was opposed by the local residents, Dr Jayakumar said a series of meetings was held with the relevant quarters before the decision was taken.
“The Shah Alam City Council subsequently brought the proposal paper on the relocation of the temple to the Selangor Economic Action Council meeting, which was attended by State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud, State Financial Officer Datuk Mohd Ariff Rahman and State Legal Advisor Datuk Zauyah T. Loth Khan.”
Dr Jayakumar said all the 10 State executive councillors, including Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, also discussed the matter at the meeting, which subsequently approved the proposal paper.
“I wish to explain here that the decision was a consensus decision and not made by one individual as reported.”
source : www.mmail.com.my
A Few Good Men
Felicita Fedelis, in her letter to Malaysiakini published on 16 July, entitled "Harsh punishment for those stoking 'religious disharmony'", said:
"It was even more interesting to see the responses of police force and media to this issue. It was reported in The Star that the two journalists charged with 'causing disharmony' may face two to five years of jail sentence. Such 'seriousness' to the offence. I feel that if a different party had committed such an act to a different community, without question they would have been arrested under the ISA and yet we see a different reaction to this situation.
Most of the times, we do not really know what actions of the arrested persons could have threatened national security and yet in this case, where the offence committed by the Al-Islam reporters are clearly capable of causing racial or religious disharmony, the offenders are simply facing a possibility of two to five years in jail."
To try to understand the response of the government and the police so far, you have to look at how each of the offended community is expected to behave upon such violation visited upon them.
The Catholic and Christian attitude at best is a forgiving one. This has already been said by one of the Bishops. Of course they make known the violation that has happened. Even those who had made the police report, beyond that, wait for their religious elders to guide them towards closure. And most of us achieve closure by forgiving these two ignorant journos.
At worst, we make the police report and for a few, they may just hold a prayer of protest and even worse still would be an out-door candle light vigil to let known to the indignant and indifferent that this is unacceptable behaviour.
Now, the response by the Catholic and Christian community in no way undermines national security. I cannot see the use of the ISA in this instance. Honestly, I think the Catholics and Christian community have already by their response so far have shown them our disapproval and we can leave any further action to the divine.
Now, how would a violation of an equal magnitude visited upon a mosque or any Islamic rituals or practice be responded to? I don't even want to contemplate what it might turn out to be. But within the context of the laws that are there, you will see that this could trigger off a response that could very easily threaten national security within the definitions provided for under the Internal Security Act. Not that I support the ISA, but as for the various tools available to the authorities to bring calm and peace, the ISA might just be appropriate.
As to how the authorities will deal with this matter, there are several factors that will come to play.
1. The police report itself which is an expression of disapproval over a violation of self and which might be covered by some criminal act or other.
2. The attitude of the authorities of their responsibility to non-Muslims especially when the authority responsible for the outcome is insensitive towards the feelings of the non-Muslim.
3. The weight given to the justification of the actions of these two journos if this justification can be found within their own religious calling. An attempt has been made by a blogger, Mahaguru58, where he quotes one religious leader and he quotes the Quran. If you are inclined towards religious justifications, then really these two journos have done no wrong as the only thing that matter is if their actions have necessarily violated any Islamic edicts or fatwas. Since in the Catholic Eucharist it is only the bread that is consumed and it is neither dipped in wine nor is wine served, it would appear to some that their only concern for theses two journos was if they might have consumed the wine. And now that we know that wine was not consumed, and that they may have not, in their religious calling violated anything, they actually are heroes.
Now, put in that position, how then are the police going to act? There is no real harm done. The Christians have had their opportunity to put on display their very charitable Christian forgiving attitude. (Remember, Jesus said, "turn the other cheek"?) If the Christians feel that they need to let it be known that this is unacceptable behaviour...yes, go have that candle light vigil. But more importantly don't forget to pray for the tormentor and the "enemy"! Do we want reprieve? For what?
I would advocate that having made known that what was done was unacceptable behaviour, the Christian thing to do would be to withdraw. There is no need to further contribute towards retribution or punishing these two journos. That is for the laws to take their course and for human decency to prevail. If nothing happens you know if there was any decency to begin with. I do not think it is even necessary to contribute to convicting these two journos.
Maybe if it comes to trial, and if I was to stand as the prosecuting witness, the only thing I would do is to explain what the Eucharist means to me and the Christian community, then to look at these two journos in their eyes and tell them, it is not necessary for them to ask for forgiveness as it may just be beyond them to understand, but to tell them that we forgive them nevertheless. I really would not want these two to be punished for something where their own point of reference might be telling them that they may have pursued a religious calling and did no wrong. The Tom Cruise and Demi Moore movie, "A Few Good Men" comes to mind!!
Friday's protest to be investigated under Sedition Act, Selangor CPO says
By LOURDES CHARLES
PETALING JAYA: Police are investigating Friday's protest against the relocation of a Hindu temple under the Sedition Act.
Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said they would be calling those who were involved for questioning.
"We have identified those involved in Friday’s incident and will be recording their statements,” he said.
He also warned that police would not hesitate to take stern action against anyone out to create racial tension.
On Friday, the protesters, numbering 50, marched some 300m from the state mosque to the state secretariat building in Shah Alam.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had asked the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to investigate the protest against the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam.
DCP Khalid said his Shah Alam OCPD has been instructed to monitor the situation and to act accordingly.
He said police would not take sides and would ensure peace and security prevailed at all times.
The Selangor government, meanwhile, condemned the protest.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state regretted the provocative, offensive action taken by the group.
"It is indeed appalling that such religious intolerance still exists amongst fellow Malaysians," he said.
source :thestar.com.my
The Cow in Hinduism
In Hinduism, the cow (Sanskrit: go) is revered as the source of food and symbol of life and may never be killed. Hindus do not worship the cow, however, and cows do not have especially charmed lives in India. It is more accurate to say the cow is taboo in Hinduism, rather than sacred.
History of the "Sacred" Cow
Cow in Pune, India. Photo: Ville Miettinen.
Wandering cow in Delhi. Photo: Roshnii Rose.
Dressed-up cow in Goa. Photo: Dey Alexander.
Processing cow dung (gobar), which will be put to many uses. Photo: Eli.
In ancient India, oxen and bulls were sacrificed to the gods and their meat was eaten. But even then the slaughter of milk-producing cows was prohibited. Verses of the Rigveda refer to the cow as Devi (goddess), identified with Aditi (mother of the gods) herself.
Even when meat-eating was permitted, the ancient Vedic scriptures encouraged vegetarianism. One scripture says, "There is no sin in eating meat... but abstention brings great rewards." (The Laws of Manu, V/56)
Later, in the spiritually fertile period that produced Jainism and Buddhism, Hindus stopped eating beef. This was mostly like for practical reasons as well as spiritual. It was expensive to slaughter an animal for religious rituals or for a guest, and the cow provided an abundance of important products, including milk, browned butter for lamps, and fuel from dried dung.
Some scholars believe the tradition came to Hinduism through the influence of strictly vegetarian Jainism. But the cow continued to be especially revered and protected among the animals of India.
By the early centuries AD, the cow was designated as the appropriate gift to the brahmans (high-caste priests) and it was soon said that to kill a cow is equal to killing a brahman. The importance of the pastoral element in the Krishna stories, particularly from the 10th century onward, further reinforced the sanctity of the cow.
Cow-Related Practices
The cow remains a protected animal in Hinduism today and Hindus do not eat beef. Most rural Indian families have at least one dairy cow, a gentle spirit who is often treated as a member of the family.
The five products (pancagavya) of the cow — milk, curds, ghee butter, urine and dung — are all used in puja (worship) as well as in rites of extreme penance. The milk of the family cow nourishes children as they grow up, and cow dung (gobar) is a major source of energy for households throughout India. Cow dung is sometimes among the materials used for a tilak - a ritual mark on the forehead. Most Indians do not share the western revulsion at cow excrement, but instead consider it an earthy and useful natural product.
Despite their sacred status, cows don't seem very appreciated in India. Visitors are often surprised to see them walking neglected around city streets, living on garbage from the gutters. But the cow is honored at least once a year, on Gopastami. On this "Cow Holiday," cows are washed and decorated in the temple and given offerings in the hope that her gifts of life will continue.
Sources
- John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (2000).
- "sanctity of the cow." Encyclopædia Britannica (2007). Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, p. 60.
- "Why is the Cow 'Sacred?'" by "Jane (USA)" at Indiayogi.com
Hindu Temple Protest by Racist Malays in Shah Alam
| Once again, a blatant display of racial provocation by certain group of people, after the similar provocation during the pig farm protest in Melaka last December. And once again, no action was taken against these people, even though it was a clear case of incitement of hatred, not to mention it was an illegal assembly, both an offense worthy of arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The article below is taken from MalaysiaKini.com: Some 50 residents enraged with the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to their area staged a noisy protest with a severed cow's head this afternoon.  The residents - from Section 23 in Shah Alam - who gathered after the Friday prayers, placed the head outside the gates of the state secretariat building for a short period before removing it. "Where is Xavier? This head is for him," shouted one of the protesters in reference to Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar. Jeyakumar is one of those in charge of non-Muslim affairs in the state. Earlier, the protesters had marched some 300m from the state mosque to the state secretariat building. Samy Vellu sees red
So while our Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak keeps promoting his 1Malaysia concept of national unity, all we can see is 2 laws, 2 types of citizenship, 2 economic rights, 2 educational opportunities, 2 housing prices, and many other 2s. 1BigJoke that's what it is |
In an immediate reaction, MIC president S Samy Vellu condemned the protest.
"We must not allow anyone to challenge or ridicule any religion in this country. I worry that this action may lead to retaliation from the Hindu community. However, I wish to urge the Hindus especially be calm and let the authorities deal with it," he added.| Selangor Government Condemns Provocative Protest Over Temple Relocation | ||
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| Isu babi: Pewaris adakan bantahan aman esok |  |  |
| (Malaysiakini) - Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris) akan mengadakan bantahan secara aman esok terhadap perbuatan pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab menggantung kepala babi di atas kain rentangnya, kelmarin.
|
Kain rentang itu digantung pada pagar Sekolah Kebangsaan Pengkalan Balak, utara Melaka mengenai jemputan ke majlis perjumpaan bagi membincangkan isu-isu Melayu, termasuk mengenai ternakan babi, anjuran badan itu esok.
Jurucakap Pewaris yang enggan dikenali memberitahu Malaysiakini hari ini, bantahan akan diadakan kira-kira jam 11 pagi di sebuah dewan di Hotel Samudera Riverside, Masjid Tanah selepas perjumpaan tersebut.
Pada 18 Oktober lalu, peniaga dan pengunjung menemui bangkai kepala babi di tepian Pantai Pengkalan Balak.source : mt.m2day.org
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