So long 2008, welcome 2009

Time really flies. People are getting older. Some are getting wiser, some have changed for the better, and some might stay the same.

2008 marks my second year being in KL after one year getting stuck in my hometown, trying to complete my pupilage. It was a compromise with my mom actually, one year in my hometown would give me a good excuse to move to KL right after I completed my pupilage. To be honest, one of the reasons that made me want to move to KL was to get myself involved in peaceful assembly. Dreams do come true. :P

2008 also marks my second year of involvement with GMI and series of campaigns that we have held for the year 2008. It has always been a good experience for me, to witness the effect of the ongoing campaigns, from 70 over detainees in early 2008 to 40 over left in Kamunting Camp in December 2008.According to Kak Laila, this showed that the campaigns have been effective. I'm happy to be among these strong, dedicated people in GMI, to be able to learn a lot of things from them. It always feels good to be treated like a little sister in the family and it always feels good that they have been so patient in putting up with my crazy antics particularly in times of distress.

2008 teaches me a lot of things on friendship, honesty, and sincerity. I realize that being all naive thinking that every one has a good intention is rather a wishful thinking. I realize that there are not many good people left in this world, good people are facing extinction I figure. So, all that we need to do is cherish those few good people around us. People who would stand by you in hard times, people who would be happy for you, people who would support you and people who would tell you what is the right thing to do. I’m glad to have these few good people around me. I truly am.

With so much love from my family and my good, close friends, 2008 indeed is gonna be remembered. I would like to ask for an apology for the wrongs that I’ve made. Happy New Year every one, let’s pray that we become a better person for the years ahead of us.

KL Teater Bilik Sulit: The Closing Night!

Last night was the closing night for Teater Bilik Sulit. Full house. I could still remember preparing for the play two weeks before it started. Before Kak Lat left for Japan, I managed to see her and sorted everything out. I was a little worried that I had to make decisions on my own during her absence.

Organizing programs is seriously no picnic. But the experience is all that matters. Decision making, communication, negotiation, having to run back and forth here and there. And i quote Billy Joe from Green day "for what is worth, it was worth all the while.."

Organizing programs, again, I reiterate here, is no picnic, as things like these are also bound to happen at the same time : miscommunication, torn in trying to make everybody happy having to make big decisons in a short period of time. But then again, this is what we call experience. A lesson worth learning.

And the best part of this play was, having great friends around to help me organize this play. For me, it is crucial to have a fun working group that can just crack up jokes and laugh and laugh and laugh, and make people around us laugh in amazement asking "what on earth could have possessed these people?".

And the fun part of this play was, the after party that we had at Mamak in Bangsar. Eat and be merry. Eat and laugh. Eat and talk about the world (??)

It's kinda sad that the staging of Bilik Sulit in KL had to end. It had been so much fun having it on 4 consecutive nights. Life is back to normal again, at least for a few days, as we have to start cracking for the staging of Bilik Sulit in Penang which is gonna be held on 9,10, 11 January!Something to look forward to!Boria Penang (as the opening act??) here we come!!:P

Special thanks to the ever committed committee members, Kak Lat, Sasha, Farhana, Nalini and Murnie for their tremendous committment to make the play a success. Seriously we couldn't have pulled it off it it wasn't for each and every one of you. And to every one who was involved directly or indirectly in the play, many thanks to you!

INVITATION TO TEATER BILIK SULIT
LAST SHOW TONIGHT!
23/12/2008 (TUESDAY)

Space is limited, kindly RSVP.

Contact Info : 012 465 1671/012 384 2972

INVITATION TO TEATER BILIK SULIT

Teater Bilik Sulit is a play that features the untold true accounts of the nature of Police interrogation of the ISA detainees which are based on testimonials of those who used to be detained under the ISA.

Dear All,

In conjunction with the International Human Rights Day, The Bar Council in collaboration with Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) would like to extend an invitation to all of you ladies and gentlemen to Teater Bilik Sulit which is going to be held on these dates :

20/12/2008 (Saturday)
21/12/2008(Sunday)
22/12/2008(Monday)
23/12/2008(Tuesday)

Venue : Bar Council Auditorium, Level 1

Time : 830pm

Space is limited, kindly RSVP.

For more info kindly contact 012-4651671 @ fadiahnadwa9@ yahoo.com

Just got back from Indonesia...Great company, great new friends, enlightening and thought provoking discussion on asian philosophical ideals...

And now, I completely lost my voice due to constant coughing...I pray to God that i'd get my voice back before Tuesday as I have to be the emcee for the Human Rights Debate opening ceremony. Please dear God, I need my voice back, indeed it's utterly torturous to abruptly stop talking. :P

selamat hari raya aidiladha to every one. barakallahufikum.

Baby legal eagles to the rescue.

Sunday, 30 November 2008 08:40am

(From left) Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, Valen Khor Xiou Shan and Bar Council Legal Aid Centre chairman Ravi Nekoo.
©New Sunday Times (Used by permission)

• 'They never asked us a single sen'Up to 90 per cent of those charged with crimes in the Kuala Lumpur courts do not have access to legal assistance or representation. While most lawyers might choose to sit in cushy offices and ignore this is happening, Audrey Vijaindren finds out that some young lawyers are trying to correct the situation.
THEY'RE not on a payroll. They don't get a fat bonus. And they don't go on lavish company trips.
A hip bar downtown? Fancy designer clothing stores? These young lawyers could be anywhere they want.But yet, every week they choose to gather at the courthouse and Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (LAC) to help those who can't find their way around Malaysia's legal system.The primary objective in legal aid is to provide all citizens equal opportunities for the enforcement of their fundamental right to equality before the law.

The centre has spent over RM100 million this year doing just that.The centre's baby legal eagle Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and her buddies have been giving up their weekends to give back to society for the past two years."Many people think that it's too time-consuming and not worth the effort. But, that's not true."It only takes a few hours a week to make a difference in someone's life. And if every lawyer gave a little bit of his or her time, we'll be able to reach out to many."Legal awareness campaigns, human rights talks and mobile clinics are what Fadiah is most passionate about.

"We give advice on everything under the sun to anyone who needs it. Many people who come for help are those who can't afford a lawyer and have nowhere else to turn to."Not everyone has the benefit of understanding the law. But that shouldn't be a reason they have to plead guilty for a crime they didn't commit."I hope by sacrificing a part of my weekend, I'll be able to empower people and teach them how to protect themselves."Because lawyers have the privilege of reading the law, she says they shouldn't be stingy about sharing knowledge."Law is a very complex subject and it's difficult for the layman to know what it's about. Lawyers have the ability to understand it and should educate the rest."It's not only a contribution to society but also a nation-building service.

"Valen Khor Xiou Shan, 25, is another baby legal eagle who has put her social life on hold for those lost in court."It's not easy to juggle volunteer work and an office job. Most of us have just joined law firms and are trying to prove ourselves at work. Taking too much time off could make us look bad."My boss is supportive enough to allow me to excuse myself from some meetings to volunteer. But I have many friends who aren't as lucky."Khor started volunteering immediately after completing her compulsory 14 days' legal aid service while chambering."I learnt that many young lawyers stop volunteering the moment they finish chambering."After they finish the 14 days, they just leave and never come back."They should realise that it's not only about giving back to society but also a way of polishing our communication skills."In the end, I find it helps in my work as well."But volunteering, she says, is no joke."You are answerable to your clients. If you're not committed in doing a good job and helping those in need, then you shouldn't give false hopes."If you concentrate more on working than giving back to society, think twice about what you want in life and why you became a lawyer.

"Bar Council Legal Aid Centre chairman Ravi Nekoo says they have helped more than 18,000 clients so far this year alone."You can't depend on volunteers alone if you want legal aid to work. There are many people out there who can't afford legal representation."The government must step in and provide assistance."As the country develops, the legal aid centre is feeling the strain."He says it's fortunate that many young chambering pupils later come back to the centre to volunteer their services because they have the passion to serve and learn."It's hard to know how many there are because they come and go. Most of our volunteers are in their 20s. Access to justice is fundamental. In most countries, legal aid is part of the curriculum."It's sad that it's still not part of the syllabus here."Legal aid, he says, is not only a service to the poor."People think it's only the poor who need help. That's not true. Legal aid serves a larger section of society, like squatter area residents."But most of the cases we are helping with are for criminal defence."

DIFFERENT CLINICS TO SERVE DIFFERENT NEEDSTHE Legal Aid Centre (LAC) reaches out to many by offering various services:

• Legal aid clinic and syariah clinic: These clinics create awareness and educate the public on their rights and duties. Members of the public come to seek advice on legal problems such as criminal cases (client on bail or in remand in prison), family cases, domestic violence cases and syariah cases.

• Dock Brief: This programme provides legal advice, representation and assistance to unrepresented people in the magistrate courts in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur, for only criminal offences. Services are provided to those clients who plead guilty and need assistance in mitigation (reducing the sentence), bail applications and remand hearings.

• Prison Clinic and Juvenile Remand Home: This programme provides legal advice, representation and assistance to remand detainees in prison and homes for the juveniles, including women. It also helps family members to post bail and to inform them of the whereabouts of clients.

• LAC/Awam Legal Information Service: This is a joint programme with the All Women Action Society (Awam), which provides legal advice and assistance on criminal and employment cases. These are mostly on matters relating to women, especially involving family cases and domestic violence cases.

• LAC/Sisters In Islam Clinic: This is a joint programme with Sisters-In-Islam (SIS) and deals mostly with syariah and other matters relating to women.

• LAC/Tenaganita Migrant Workers Clinic: This is a joint programme with Tenaganita’s Migrant Workers Desk, providing advice, representation and assistance to deserving legal migrant workers.

• LAC/UNHCR Clinic: This is a joint programme with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It provides legal advice and assistance on refugees’ issues to refugees.•

LAC/PTF/MAC Legal Clinic: The Pink Triangle Foundation (PTF) and Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) provide legal assistance and advice to six communities, including people living with AIDS, sexworkers, gay men, lesbians, drug users and transsexuals who have been marginalised by society.* For more information on the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre, visit their new website at http://www.legalaidkl.org/ or call 03-26932072

'They never asked us a single sen'RAIN or shine, the lawyers from the Legal Aid Centre were there to help.
"Even in bad weather, they never let us down," says Sabariah Hashim, who lived in a squatter home in Kampung Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, for over 30 years.Sabariah, 40, and her family received a letter from City Hall asking them to pack up and leave."It was a complete shock to us. No one expects to be told they have to gather their belongings and find a new shelter. It was a stressful and sad time for my entire family. We didn't see it coming."Some families willingly agreed to leave, but the rest wanted to take our cases to court."
More than 300 families in Kampung Semarak, Kampung Padang Tembak and Kampung Loke Yew were asked to leave their homes in September, 2006. Almost half took the matter to court.The legal fees would have amounted to thousands, Sa-bariah says, but thanks to the Bar Council's Legal Aid Centre, it didn't cost a sen."I don't know what we would have done without them. The centre helped us with court matters until the end. The matter reached Federal Court in March last year."They were very helpful, very good and on top of that, they never asked us for a single sen."Most of the squatters could not afford to pay anything more than RM50, which was used for filing documents and photocopying."Because of the frequent trips to Putrajaya, we put money in an envelope to pay for the lawyers' petrol expenses, but they refused the money. That's how selfless and genuine they were."Sabariah says even the staff were polite and kind."There were many instances where we had to call the centre for last minute meetings."Many of the lawyers at the centre are very young and just out of college but they're so professional. We couldn't have got better lawyers even if we had the money."Sabariah today is happily married and living in a rented flat with RM2,000 spending money she obtained from the city council.

60 years of forgotten genocide of the Palestinians.

Throughout history, we’ve seen that the world has triumphed in stopping the gravest crime against humanity. The world stopped Nazism, and the world stopped Apartheid. After 60 years of mass killings of the Palestinians by the Zionist Regime and its allies, can the world stop this crime against humanity as it did before?

As I was blog-hopping, I stumbled upon a blog (http://toadexodus.blogspot.com/) where the writer vehemently expressed his resistance against the 60 years of mass killing of the Palestinians by the Zionist Regime.

I was enlightened to learn that Mahatma Gandhi (who inspires me tremendously on civil disobedience) had written a letter in reply to Martin Buber’s letter on Israel issue.

After reading his letter, all that I could say is, Mahatma Gandhi indeed was a great man, a man with a clear conscience, a man with a clear conviction as to what is right and what is wrong.

Something for us to reflect upon.

**************************


"Several letters have been received by me asking me to declare my views about the Arab-Jew question in Palestine and the persecution of the Jews in Germany. It is not without hesitation that I venture to offer my views on this very difficult question.

My sympathies are all with the Jews. I have known them intimately in South Africa. Some of them became life-long companions. Through these friends I came to learn much of their age-long persecution. They have been the untouchables of Christianity. The parallel between their treatment by Christians and the treatment of untouchables by Hindus is very close. Religious sanction has been invoked in both cases for the justification of the inhuman treatment meted out to them. Apart from the friendships, therefore, there is the more common universal reason for my sympathy for the Jews.

But my sympathy does not blind me to the requirements of justice. The cry for the national home for the Jews does not make much appeal to me. The sanction for it is sought in the Bible and the tenacity with which the Jews have hankered after return to Palestine. Why should they not, like other peoples of the earth, make that country their home where they are born and where they earn their livelihood?

Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs. What is going on in Palestine today cannot be justified by any moral code of conduct. The mandates have no sanction but that of the last war. Surely it would be a crime against humanity to reduce the proud Arabs so that Palestine can be restored to the Jews partly or wholly as their national home.

The nobler course would be to insist on a just treatment of the Jews wherever they are born and bred. The Jews born in France are French in precisely the same sense that Christians born in France are French. If the Jews have no home but Palestine, will they relish the idea of being forced to leave the other parts of the world in which they are settled? Or do they want a double home where they can remain at will? This cry for the national home affords a colorable justification for the German expulsion of the Jews.

But the German persecution of the Jews seems to have no parallel in history. The tyrants of old never went so mad as Hitler seems to have gone. And he is doing it with religious zeal. For he is propounding a new religion of exclusive and militant nationalism in the name of which many inhumanity becomes an act of humanity to be rewarded here and hereafter. The crime of an obviously mad but intrepid youth is being visited upon his whole race with unbelievable ferocity. If there ever could be a justifiable war in the name of and for humanity, a war against Germany, to prevent the wanton persecution of a whole race, would be completely justified. But I do not believe in any war. A discussion of the pros and cons of such a war is therefore outside my horizon or province.

But if there can be no war against Germany, even for such a crime as is being committed against the Jews, surely there can be no alliance with Germany. How can there be alliance between a nation which claims to stand for justice and democracy and one which is the declared enemy of both? Or is England drifting towards armed dictatorship and all it means?

Germany is showing to the world how efficiently violence can be worked when it is not hampered by any hypocrisy or weakness masquerading as humanitarianism. It is also showing how hideous, terrible and terrifying it looks in its nakedness.

Can the Jews resist this organized and shameless persecution? Is there a way to preserve their self-respect, and not to feel helpless, neglected and forlorn? I submit there is. No person who has faith in a living God need feel helpless or forlorn. Jehovah of the Jews is a God more personal than the God of the Christians, the Musalmans or the Hindus, though, as a matter of fact in essence, He is common to all the one without a second and beyond description. But as the Jews attribute personality to God and believe that He rules every action of theirs, they ought not to feel helpless. If I were a Jew and were born in Germany and earned my livelihood there, I would claim Germany as my home even as the tallest gentile German may, and challenge him to shoot me or cast me in the dungeon; I would refuse to be expelled or to submit to discriminating treatment . And for doing this, I should not wait for the fellow Jews to join me in civil resistance but would have confidence that in the end the rest are bound to follow my example. If one Jew or all the Jews were to accept the prescription here offered, he or they cannot be worse off than now. And suffering voluntarily undergone will bring them an inner strength and joy which no number of resolutions of sympathy passed in the world outside Germany can. Indeed, even if Britain, France and America were to declare hostilities against Germany, they can bring no inner joy, no inner strength. The calculated violence of Hitler may even result in a general massacre of the Jews by way of his first answer to the declaration of such hostilities. But if the Jewish mind could be prepared for voluntary suffering, even the massacre I have imagined could be turned into a day of thanksgiving and joy that Jehovah had wrought deliverance of the race even at the hands of the tyrant. For to the god fearing, death has no terror. It is a joyful sleep to be followed by a waking that would be all the more refreshing for the long sleep.

It is hardly necessary for me to point out that it is easier for the Jews than for the Czechs to follow my prescription. And they have in the Indian satyagraha campaign in South Africa an exact parallel. There the Indians occupied precisely the same place that the Jews occupy in Germany. The persecution had also a religious tinge. President Kruger used to say that the white Christians were the chosen of God and Indians were inferior beings created to serve the whites. A fundamental clause in the Transvaal constitution was that there should be no equality between the whites and colored races including Asia tics. There too the Indians were consigned to ghettos described as locations. The other disabilities were almost of the same type as those of the Jews in Germany. The Indians, a mere handful, resorted to satyagraha without any backing from the world outside or the Indian Government. Indeed the British officials tried to dissuade the satyagrahis (soldiers of non-violence) from their contemplated step. World opinion and the Indian Government came to their aid after eight years of fighting. And that too was by way of diplomatic pressure not of a threat of war.

But the Jews of Germany can offer satyagraha under infinitely better auspices than Indians of South Africa. The Jews are a compact, homogeneous community in Germany. they are far more gifted than the Indians of South Africa. And they have organized world opinion behind them. I am convinced that if someone with courage and vision can arise among them to lead them in nonviolent action, the winter of their despair can in the twinkling of an eye be turned into the summer of hope. And what has today become a degrading man-hunt can be turned in to a calm and determined stand offered by unarmed men and women possessing the strength of suffering given to them by Jehovah. It will be then a truly religious resistance offered against the godless fury of dehumanized man. The German Jews will score a lasting victory over the German gentiles in the sense that they will have converted that latter to an appreciation of human dignity. They will have rendered service to fellow-Germans and proved their title to be the real Germans as against those who are today dragging, however unknowingly, the German name into the mire.

And now a word to the Jews in Palestine. I have no doubt that they are going about it the wrong way. The Palestine of the Biblical conception is not geographical tract. It is in their hearts. But if they must look to the Palestine of geography as their national home, it is wrong to enter it under the shadow of the British gun. A religious act cannot be performed with the aid of the bayonet or the bomb. They can settle in Palestine only by the goodwill of the Arabs. They should seek to convert the Arab heart. The same God rules the Arab heart, who rules the Jewish heart. They can offer satyagraha in front of the Arabs and offer themselves to be shot or thrown in to the Dead Sea without raising a little finger against them. They will find the world opinion in the their favor in their religious aspiration. There are hundreds of ways of reasoning with the Arabs, if they will only discard the help of the British bayonet. As it is, they are co-sharers with the British in despoiling a people who have done no wrong to them.

I am not defending the Arab excesses. I wish they had chosen the way of non-violence in resisting what they rightly regarded as an unwarrantable encroachment upon their country. But according to the accepted canons of right and wrong, nothing can be said against the Arab resistance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Let the Jews who claim to be the chosen race prove their title by choosing the way of non-violence for vindicating their position on earth. Every country is their home including Palestine, not by aggression but by loving service. A Jewish friend has sent me a book called The Jewish Contribution to Civilization by Cecil Roth. It gives a record of what the Jews have done to enrich the word's Literature, art, music, drama, science, medicine, agriculture, etc. Given the will, the Jews can refuse to be treated as the outcaste of the West, to be despised or patronized. He can command the attention and respect of the world by being man, the chosen creation of God, instead of being man who is fast sinking to the brute and forsaken by God. They can add to their many contributions the surpassing contribution of non-violent action".

I suddenly become a gutless being today...gotta get myself together and i'm hopping that i'll be brave again, at least by 630 pm today.

thanks friends for the moral support!!:P

you know who you are.

The weak and the powerful

I watched this movie last night

What do I have to say about this movie?it was hilarious!
And this particular part really made me laugh my head off:

"My name is Moto Moto, it's so hot you have to say it twice"(btw, Moto means hot)

There was this part in this movie where Makunga (the power-hungry lion) had forcefully seized Zuba's reign as King of the wilderness. Makunga ruled the wilderness in the truest meaning of dictatorship. Whoever opened his/her mouth would end up being kicked and land on the other part of the world.

One day, every one started freaking out as the land's water supply was drying up. There would not be enough water for every one. Makunga arrogantly announced that whoever wanted to have the water would have to fight for it.

A little deer stepped forward and said that it was obvious that he (Makunga) would win because he was the most powerful of them all. Every one else would eventually die.

My summary on Makunga's perspective on the crisis-Too bad that you were born weak. Life is unfair, deal with it or just drop it!

I would have to admit that this part of the movie was intriguingly provocative. It deals with the relationship between the weak and the powerful.

To state the obvious, this is how the world works. We have the poor and the rich, the weak and the powerful, the fortunate and the unfortunate. When we talk about economic, social, political and cultural development, the main goal must be towards bridging the gap that keeps on widening in the name of modernity. The formula must always be the enforcement of rule of law and principles of justice and humanity.

These rules and principles never change. Only human beings do. It’s like conscience. Conscience will always be there, at the back of our heads, but it all depends on the individual whether he opts to acknowledge it or ignore it.

Some say there is no such thing as absolute rights. Some say there is no such thing as absolute freedom which justifies the true meaning of democracy to continuously derogate. And that some people forget what those words mean.

The term human rights mean the minimum standard of protection of basic human rights and freedom to which all human beings are entitled to as a human beings. The word "minimum" and "basic" should be given emphasis as to comprehend what human rights is all about, and to deny the "minimum" and "basic" rights and freedom is nothing but absolute injustice.

For human beings to continue to flourish, it is mandatory that this rule of law must be adhered to unconditionally. A country will not collapse and come to its doomsday by upholding these unconditional, inalienable, God-given basic rights. A country will not collapse by defending those in need against those who would always have the upper hands in economic domination. A country will not collapse by defending the refugees in the name of humanity and brotherhood. A country will not collapse by giving decent wages to the workers. It’s a matter of faith. And only faith can bring us all to heaven.

Whitewater rafting!

On last weekend, I had the opportunity to go for whitewater rafting in Sungai Kampar, Gopeng. It was such a fun adrenaline pumping experience. It has always been something that I always wanted to do. I was so thrilled that I managed to make time to do this despite my busy schedule on weekends.

Before every one got in the water, the trainers gave a briefing as to the do's and the don'ts of whitewater rafting.

"if you get thrown into the water, do this instead of doing that"
"if your raft capsizes, do not panic"
"do not injure your teammates with the T grip of your paddle"

Seriously there was too much information to digest in 5 minutes...I could hardly focus on the instruction as my attention span will automatically shut down when i got overly excited to do this kind of activity.

"agak bahaya, buat dulu and worry later" principle applied.

It was so much fun. Our team did a pretty amazing job! Our raft didn't capsize and no one got thrown into the water! The experience was something to die for.

I just can't wait to do it again.I'm looking forward to doing flying fox, next week in Bukit Cerakah.

Agak bahaya, buat dulu and worry later lah!:P

with lotsa things that are happening, lotsa things to do and lotsa places to go, it is indeed a really good way to de-stress.

Bungee jumping and sky diving are definitely something that i will do, hopefully, one day.

Public Lecture: Asia-Europe Lecture Tour

“Perspectives on Freedom of Expression in Asia and Europe ”

Kuala Lumpur

11th November 2008



Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) cordially invite you to a public lecture on “Perspectives on Freedom of Expression in Asia and Europe”.

Speakers:
Prof. Kevin Boyle (Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, United Kingdom)
Prof. Cherian George (Head, Journalism & Publishing, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

11 November 2008 (Tuesday)
7.30PM – 10.00PM
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall,
(No. 1, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
http://www.scah.org.my/uploads/img44332581a36cc.gif)

Of Odd Conversation

As I was queuing up to pay my phone bill, I had a rather odd conversation with a stranger :

Stranger : Is that your engagement ring?

Me: No. No.

Stranger: I would like to have one, I'm getting engaged soon.

Me : Really? Good, Good.

Stranger: How old are you?

Me : 25, and you're?

Stranger : 23

Me: wahh..still young.

Stranger : I want to get married before 25.

Me : ah.......(I seriously had no idea what to say)

..paid the bill.

Me : Congrats!

Stranger: thanks!

.......

On a different note, as I was flipping through the pages of today's Star, read about a local actor's marriage that is on the verge of divorce, well, the husband has/had another woman, and this is the second time.

My take on this whole unfaithfulness thing, is, once a man cheated on you, or lied to you, or is /was unfaithful to you, there's no such thing as a second chance.

It's a breach of trust. A breach of marriage covenant.Period.

Without Fear or Favour

Section 42 (1) (a) of the Legal Profession Act 1976 reads "To uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour".

**********************

Last week I received an invitation to the opening ceremony of LawAsia 2008 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, followed by welcome reception at Carcosa.

I always find speeches delivered during opening ceremony of formal occasions are typically boring and 'diplomatic', well that is why I'm not really a big fan of getting myself stuck in this kind of occasion. Lepak2 at mamak is way more interesting as we can freely talk about almost anything from childhood memories to world's revolutionary movement.

Sitting on stage, were our Prime Minister, Madam President Ambiga, Chairman of LawAsia Committee and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, waiting for their turns to deliver their speeches.

Madam President Ambiga started delivering her speech by reciting John Donne’s famous piece “For whom the bell tolls”...

She mentioned about economic uncertainty in the US and in the Europe and somewhere along the line she mentioned about rule of law..interesting! well, I don't know why these words (rule of law) have never failed to get my attention.

It got more interesting when she courageously talked about repressive Internal Security Act which licences detention without trial. It was courageous of her to talk about it openly in the presence of the Prime Minister, tanpa perlu berdolak dalih untuk menjaga hati atau berdiplomatik tidak bertempat which i believe most peope would do just to look good or in a friendlier term "cuba untuk berdiplomasi" which in my understanding "diplomasi tak bertempat" or in a harsher term "penakut dan takut untuk menyatakan kebenaran".

And I quote:

"Prime Minister, while it may still be in your means to do so, and as a historic legacy to this nation that both you and I love, I ask you, on behalf of all right-thinking Malaysians and on behalf of the legal fraternity of Malaysia, to move to ABOLISH THE I.S.A.! "

Right after she finished her speech, it was our Prime Minister's turn to deliver his speech and officiate LawAsia 2008.

I could remember Pak Lah quoting one particular Quranic Verse which happened to be one of my favourite verses of the Quran :

"If you do judge, judge between them justly. God loves the just.(Our'an: 5:42)"

Isn't it ironic? For ISA knows no judge, for ISA denies you the right to be judged.

Sedangkan Tuhan Yang Sempurna itu mengadili hamba-hambanya di Hari Pengadilan.

While I was talking to Cecil at the welcome reception, he introduced me to one gentleman from Australia, he told me that he was proud that the President of the Bar had so much courage to talk about detention without trial laws in the presence of the Prime Minister.

He said back in 2003, when LawAsia was held in Australia, in the midst of strong resistance of repressive anti-terrorism laws which allow detention without trial, he wished he had the courage to expressly declare the resistance openly, in the presence of John Howard, one of the strongest supporters of Bush's war on terror propaganda.

lesson learnt:

Katakan kebenaran walaupun ia sukar.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
"Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart [by hating it and feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith" (Narrated by Muslim, 49)

Void.void.void.

I guess the highest degree of truth is silence.

I knew it all along, even without words said.

(photo by Seira)

Of Sign

Saturday, 25/10/08-received 2 text messages from two guru (s)--to be present at Putrajaya Police station on Sunday at 11am, for remand hearing. I slept at 2.00 am, with the slightest thought of "may-be-attending" since my on-and- off fever got worse at night.

Sunday 10 am--had a dream that i got robbed at some shopping mall, woken up by a phone call from an unknown number. it was my uni friend from Kelantan, asking me how to do remand proceeding.

as i hung up, looked at the clock, it was 1010.sign from God~~got up, off to Putrajaya. Managed to get into the IPD, the Police made an application for the release of the OYDS. they got released on Police bail. as we were waiting at the lobby, there was this guy in jeans kept on taking shots after shots of our sleepy faces. it was so obvious that this guy was from the Special Branch. seriously?do they have to do that?i dont see the necessity at all. they've got our IC and our particulars..pelik?not anymore. i took out my camera phone, pretended taking his pics, baru adil kan:P

at about 1 as we were walking out of the IPD, we could hear people clapping, waiting patiently for their families to come back home...one of the best kodak moments! ...***reminiscence of Padiappa movie***....

.the end.

rombongan kami diteruskan ke alamanda..makan sushi ramai2...headed to cm to watch a play-new village people and pineapple rice...lepak2 sebelum balik untuk menghadiri majlis kahwin Mira.

Of Here and There

It’s already approaching the end of the month, last night (morning?) I just realized I wanted to go to carrefour to buy some groceries like one month ago, and still fail to do that.

Yesterday I attended the KL Bar Forum on Blogging and Defamation Laws. I planned to hang out with Sash, Far and Akhdiat and catch Fahmi Reza’s new film : Revolusi 48 at the Annex Central Market. Got intercepted by the presence of Amer and Edmund—“come to IPD Putrajaya, they need more lawyers to be there”. “Errr…ok”!

10 people + 1 little girl were arrested for trying to hand over a Deepavali Card and a handwritten letter to the PM..ahh..now it’s an offence to do that, I wonder-under which provision of the law that it constitutes an offence?puzzled?nope, it’s a Bolehland, anything pon boleh!

Called up Sash to cancel our plan and drag her along to IPD Putrajaya. As we got into A’s car, E and me insisted on listening to the radio the moment we saw A was selecting which metal songs to be played...we failed! Norwegian metal band was playing along the journey!menarik, I started asking many questions on that and also on the reality of criminal practice in Malaysia:P

Sherrie, Seira, Roger, Siti, Raj were already there to lend a helping hand.

We waited in front of the police station in drizzling rain. When you are arrested by the police, one of the rights that you’re entitled to is the right to legal representation. Sadly to note that this basic right is only meant to be on paper, time and time again. Nothing unusual I would say.

We were still waiting outside the gate. Planning on our further action which was based on many possibilities. Will these people be remanded? Will they be charged the next morning? One question after another. We waited for nearly 3 hours, in the hope that the 6 year old child would be released. Nothing was forthcoming. The police told the lawyers that they wanted to take down statements from those who were arrested. It had been God knows how many hours those people had been kept in there. God knows what’s taking them so long to take down statements.

It was almost 12 midnight. Every one was starving so we decided to ambush the nearest mamak to find something to eat. We ended up at some food court after being aggressively ‘attacked’ by the employee of two different mamak restaurants in a very weird competition of ‘”who gets the customer first?” . every one was happy and we went back to the police station to find out the latest info on the arrest.

It was 1 in the morning. We decided to go back as there was a clear indication that the arrested people were gonna be brought to Court the next day.

Today- at 1030am--A is waiting in Putrajaya Court for remand proceeding.

May justice prevail.

Standing/ waiting for nearly 4 hours in drizzling rain with dear friends couldn’t feel any better..thanks every one!:) Maju!!

Looking forward to enjoying the weekend—Shahir’s open house, Amnesty International’s open house, Dinner with Japan Legal Aid Association, Mira’s wedding, old friend’s get together, William’s (thanks Ati!), Nad’ open house. Eat and be merry, worry later!:P

Of Discrimination

Got this piece from SK, would like to share it with every one:

***********************

A class of five-year old schoolchildren return to the classroom after
playing in the playground during their break time.

The teacher says to the first child ''Hello Becky, what have you been
doing this Playtime?''

Becky replies ''I have been playing in the sand box.''

''Very good,'' says the teacher ''if you can spell 'sand' on the
blackboard, I will give you a biscuit.''

Becky duly goes and writes 's a n d' on the blackboard.

''Very good,'' says the teacher and gives Becky a biscuit.

The teacher then says,''Freddie, what have you been doing in your
playtime?''

Freddie replies, ''Playing with Becky in the sand box.''

''Very good,'' says the teacher, ''if you can spell 'box' on the
blackboard, I will also give you a biscuit.''

Freddie duly goes and writes 'b o x' on the blackboard.

''Very good,'' says the teacher and gives Freddie a biscuit.

Teacher then says,''Hello Mohammed, have you been playing in the sand
box with Becky and Freddie?''

''No,'' replies Mohammed, ''I wanted to, but they would not let me.
Every time I went near them they started throwing sand at me, calling
me nasty names and asking to see under my jacket in case I had
explosives.''

''Oh dear,'' says the teacher, ''that sounds like blatant racial
discrimination to me -
I'll tell you what, if you can spell out 'blatant racial
discrimination' on the blackboard I will give you a biscuit.''

V for Vendetta

it has been long overdue, I only got the time to watch this movie last night..now I know why my brother in law (who adores art) liked this movie to bits..

V's speech on telly:

"Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat.

There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?

Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be?

War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives.

So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot".

POST RAYA BLUES

I figure it’s not too late to wish Selamat Hari Raya to very one, maafkan salah dan silap.

This blog has been left idle for quite a while, well, this whole raya thing, post raya blues have contributed tremendously to this.

Raya was fun, but it'd be more fun if Kakak and Abang Azlee were around. And surprisingly, I got less irritated by soalan standard "bila nak kawen?".Perhaps people get tired of my standard answer.

I always ask my mom, can't people ask about something else beside marriage? tanya la, perkembangan politik ke, ekonomi ke, alam sekitar ke,isu melamin dalam gula-gula white rabbit ke..and I’m sure if the question is about my perspective on marriage, the discussion is gonna be intriguingly provocative.

[---got so excited to learn that Af is getting married in March!:)]

Well, let's not dwell on that. I guess after almost a week of post raya blues, I started to regain my usual self. I had two meetings last night, one with GMI and the other one with Mentari Project Volunteers..Many ideas have been pouring in, now it's time for realization.

For anti ISA campaign, my comrades and I have been discussing on having an art exhibition/performance on ISA, lotsa things need to be discussed and I seriously have to make time to get things started, sebab semalam dengan tidak semena-mena masa meeting Tuan Syed cakap "Fadiah will be the Project Manager tau"...I’m stuck!but im fine with it:)

Feisal the IT savvy has offered to construct a GMI web portal FOC, when I brought this matter up, every one was happy. It’s good to have people volunteering to help us out.

On Saturday, Mentari Project will be having some sorta career day for year 6 students who just finished their UPSR, and on Sunday we will be having our first open house for the kids, it's a potluck gathering. If you are interested to be part of Mentari Project family, you are most welcome to the event.

Lotsa good news are coming out, will keep every one updated.

Dear All,

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) will be organizing " Raya Demand Abolish ISA" on 26th September 2008 at Masjid Jamek.

The details of the program as below:

Date: 26 September 2008
Time: 12noon
Place: Please gather at main entrance of Masjid Jamek (near Masjid Jamek LRT Station).

Please wear Black and Red coloured clothes to show your solidarity with GMI

Lets demand for abolishment of ISA and release of all ISA detainees.

For program details please contact Miss Nalini at 019 3758912 or SUARAM office 03 77843525. For direction please call Mr Syed Ibrahim at 013 3682067

Please spread the news to your friends and family and encourage them to come for this event.

what does it feel like?

i still remember when i was in my secondary school, i saw my brother sticking"No Detention Without Trial" sticker on his car windscreen. i asked him what does it mean. he explained to me that it is wrong to detain a person without trial as every person has a right to a fair trial.

as i grow older, i learn what rule of law means. it's a matter of principle, justice and fairness. This is what I've been holding on to.

when i started practice, i got the opportunity to be involved in Abolish ISA Movement (GMI). i got to know Kak Laila, whose husband has been detained for almost 7 years. i got to know Suhaib, Kak Laila's only son. I got to talk to these people, i got to listen to their stories, their grievances and their experiences, being victims of the draconian ISA.

you can read Kak Laila's blog to find out what are the things she is forced to endure, being a victim of the draconian ISA.

i can hardly imagine what does it feel like to be in their shoes. all this while, i only have my principle to affirm my belief and i can never imagine what would happen if that only one thing (principle) is lost somewhere along the line the moment we start to justify the wrong.

now, i realize that, when something is grossly wrong, there are thousands of explanation why it is so wrong that it becomes an unforgiven sin if committed.

i quote what Alfian used to tell me - "ultimately i would argue that the highest morality remains the morality of the process and not the result", and i concur.

"O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." [An-Nisa 4:35].

Raya Mood

Raya is just one week away, how time flies...on last Ramadhan, i spent most of my time at home, did some cooking for berbuka. but this time around, i hardly have my buka puasa at home. what i like about Ramadhan is, no matter how busy you are, you will try to make time to meet up with your friends for buka puasa. Ramadhan is indeed a month of blessing.I'm gonna miss it definitely.

note: drowned in hari raya mood, keep listening to this beautiful song over and over again, Salam Dunia by M Nasir:-

Suara tangis yang kau dengar
Memecah hari kudus ini
Adalah aku
Mengenang pemilikmu

Kita pohon kemenangan
Meroboh kota keakuan
Ini saatnya
Yang kunanti-nanti

Mereka yang dilanda derita
Redhalah harimu kan tiba
Cahaya kekasih yang benar
Menghapus segala api kemarahan

Salam dunia
Salam semua
Salam Hari Raya
Bersinar akhirnya
Salam dunia
Salam semua
Salam Hari Raya
Bersinar akhirnya

Inilah hari kita
Tiada lagi rasa ketakutan

Inilah hari kita ohl

"Without friends, no one would want to live, even if he had all other goods"-Aristotle

Happy birthday my dear friend, Farhati..:) God bless...

of Azan

Read this fun piece on Nat Tan's blog, would like to share this with every one:-

"The azan, which only lasts five minutes, is hardly noise pollution, but soothes hardened hearts and provides a divinely inspired music to remind us how mundane and materialistic our life is. As the Arabic saying goes, if one is not moved by melody, he is neither a man, nor a woman, but an ass''.

Happy Malaysia Day 916

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it. ~Malcolm X

Malaysia Day celebration at Kelana Jaya Stadium last night has left me mesmerized and ecstatic, one bangsa with one aspiration, the struggle of all Malaysians to save the dignity of their tanah air and the people.Words can never do justice to describe the spirit that filled the whole hemisphere.

every one sang this sacred song with all their hearts and souls~

Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku,
Rakyat hidup
bersatu dan maju,

Rahmat bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita
selamat bertakhta,

Rahmat bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan.
Raja kita
selamat bertakhta

of ISA crackdown

On last Saturday, I was supposed to be monitoring the Indigenous People's walk to Istana in celebration of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP). Later in the afternoon Mentari Project voulnteers and me were supposed to be having a meeting with ATMAH to discuss on our future plans of collaboration. These had to be canceled due to ISA crackdown on three Malaysian citizen namely RPK, TK and THC.

Appalled and saddened by turns of event, I just couldn't feel any worse.

Late that night while I was having my kuey tiaw at Mali's with Sasha and Far, I got an sms, calling all NGOs for an emergency meeting the next Sunday morning. I could hardly sleep that night thinking what would happen to this country of mine.

ISA has always been religiously, morally and legally wrong. There’s no two-way about it as the principle of justice is absolute.

i have rather mixed feelings reading Ms Tan Hoon Cheng's experience, being detained for 18 hours under the draconian ISA. I could hardly imagine the feeling of being stripped off your rights to defend your dignity as a human being. I could hardly imagine the feeling of helplessness, knowing how oppressive and abusive a law can be.

It has been a long walk...and all that is left for us to do is keep on walking.

The War on Democracy

Last week I had a great time at Freedom Film Fest as I had the opportunity to watch"The War on Democracy" by the award winning journalist John Pilger, a documentary that examines the role of the United States in defining democracy that licenses them to wage war against any countries as long as it is in the America's national interest.

I quote :

“Perhaps the most revealing and, in many ways, entertaining interviews of the film is that which Pilger conducts with Duane Clarridge, former head of CIA operations in South America, who openly and angrily admits and celebrates America’s right to do what they want anywhere in the world and to anyone, regardless of their innocence - as long as it’s in America’s national interest. ‘Like it or lump it,’ he says.”

Highly recommended indeed.The documentary ended with a very inspiring song, which I could hardly get it off my head.

A change is gonna come by Sam Cooke

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh.....

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

of Kursus Kahwin

met Af at Shah Alam court. we had quite a lengthy chat while waiting for the Court to start.Af was telling me that she just got back from "Kursus Kawhwin".

Af : Fad better pegi kursus kahwin tu cepat, soon diorang nak buat 3 hari 2 malam siap ngn qiyamullail.

me: Yaka, God!lama tu, kursus sekarang kene bayar berapa?

Af: RM80.00

Me: 3 hari 2 malam plus qiyamullail?hmm, mesti lagi mahal kan?

Af: a'a, around RM120.00

Me: if dalam masa lima tahun still tak de plan nak kahwin watpe nak pegi?

Af: if pegi sekarang sehari je, nanti 3 hari 3 malam, plus qiyamullail.

*****Af's friend interjected, "certificate tu valid sampai bila?".

Af: 3 tahun kot.

Me: la, then penat jelah pegi! (rather puzzled)

note: why did i even bother considering?(tak relevant langsung!):P

but i'm all happy for Af!nanti boleh kirim saree cantek2 kat india eh:)

Of Education

Today the Mentari kids are sitting for their UPSR exam, and I’m feeling nervous about it. Perhaps the period of nine months being with the kids makes me feel this way..and I still remember on last Sunday, when we had our berbuka puasa session with the kids and their parents, they were holding my hands for like 5 minutes and kept on asking me to pray for them.."cikgu doakan saya tau.."..of course I will...

So what's next?

The project will proceed as usual, we'll be focusing on year 4 and 5 students while year 6 students will be having a long break before they get to form 1.but the good news is, they still wanted to come to class even after the UPSR exam. For me, it is a positive sign that, for them, coming to class is not just about learning academic subjects and sitting for examination.

The purpose of education is beyond excellent grades and handsome paycheck. But to have these have always been a consolation to one's hard work to strive for the best, the tangible aspect of formal education. (Well, to see how proud your parents are every time you show them your exam result has always been a good point considering the fact that sometimes, in the future, you might still have to ask for some funding from them the moment you realize your bank account is in deficit!)

For me, the most important aspect of education is the attainment of a certain degree of liberation. To liberate one self from ignorance and vices in finding the purpose of our very own creation as human beings, to continue doing the right thing, no matter how small the thing is. It’s an ongoing process that we have to learn and teach every now and then, particularly when we forget that there are always other people around us, not as fortunate as we are, waiting for some shoulders to cry on.

I would like to share Aristotle's idea on education that is rather intriguing:

"…our thinking and practice as educators must be infused with a clear philosophy of life. There has to be a deep concern for the ethical and political. We have continually to ask what makes for human flourishing? From this we should act to work for that which is good or 'right', rather than that which is merely 'correct'…”

And the plans/areas to focus on that we have in mind for the kids are:-

1) gender relations
2) multi-racial relations
3) good manners

I hope things will be able to be carried out according to plans. InsyaAllah.more volunteers are welcome to join this project:P

RAMADHAN AL-MUBARAK

It has always been a great pleasure to have the opportunity to be in the month of Ramadhan,the month of blessing, the month of forgiveness and the month of self-reflection. i would like to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims Ramadhan al-Mubarak.

I still couldn’t find the time to write on Permatang Pauh by-election due to work that keeps on pouring in.

But I’m tempted to reply to a friend’s opinion posted on friendster. To dear friend, I hope you don’t mind me posting the response and my reply on my blog.

Fretting because he has no money to move to england because anwar ibrahim won the by-election
Message:
"it was regretted that anwar ibrahim won the election. all we don't have much choice in the matter, but electing anwar to the parliament is the gravest mistake one has ever done, worse than the sultan of kedah's mistake. many will not agree, but i will wait for the day when i can gleefully rub it in and say 'i told you so'. mark my word, by then its too late. hopefully by then too i can afford the move to england."

my response:

well my friend, that is how democracy works, the people have made their decisions and they have faith in their decisions. at least IF something were to happen in the future, they are prepared to face the consequences and face the music, here in malaysia.like i always say, its the struggle of the people, for the people. well, its not like things have been ok with our country following mahathir's legacy,thanks to him for ruining the judiciary..thanks to him for paying 4.6 billion to US lobbyist to arrange a meeting with bush.

even if war breaks out,here in Malaysia i pray to God that ill be here together with my fellow malaysian friends to continue the struggle.

no hard feelings-just my humble opinion.

Of Prankster

i just don't know what's getting into me, the sombre mood that i could hardly explain and the constant wandering mind which caused quite an embarrassing moment yesterday. as i parked my car in front of Jabatan Tanah dan Galian KL, i got a call from my boss saying that i left my purse on my desk. careless i was. damage control time: i started forming possible answers in case i got stopped by the Police. upon approaching the main entrance, i went straight to the lift. the guard came and asked me to register first to get the entry pass. and i was like, ''ok'' (I'm so screwed). i told the guard the real story, he eventually allowed me to get the pass, thanks to my ability to buat muka kesian yang teramat, i got away this time, just like always!.

as i was on my way back, the wandering mind syndrome struck again that i decided to drive through the smart tunnel to avoid the bad traffic, (so not smart of me, obviously), forgetting that i didn't have money to pay the toll charges. i only realized that fact as i was stopping at the toll gate. i told the toll gate lady to wait for a while as i was digging my hand bag looking for some coins. too bad that i only had RM1.10!90 cents short! muka kesian part 2 began - "Cik, macam mana ni, saya tertinggal purse kat office, ada 1.10 je ni??"..she was like "takpa2, saya bagi IOU nanti cik bayar". i was so relieved! never knew of that.

coming back to the topic of this entry, a good friend of mine, or rather partner in 'crime' back in uni, and nemesis back in school (http://abutang.blogspot.com) had made a special request that i put this topic up on my blog. well, given the state of mind i'm in now, a chill pill won't do any harm right?:P

i still remember one day after my birthday, while i was in PD for Human Rights Training, i received a call from a 'reporter' from the Star newspaper. he said, he got to know about my blog and how interested he was to republish my entry on polygamy in the youth section in the newspaper. i was cool about it and as he was asking about my particulars, he asked me to write down his contact details.

"please write this down, bu_zan@yahoo.com"..and i was like, hmm..quite familiar with this name. but i dare not ask. it went on and on and i bought that in toto (my naivety is sometimes killing me and i don't really quite like that actually)

then he asked me to take down his mobile number and sms him my details, i took it down and again i was wondering, this number sounded familiar..then he asked me to give a call on that number which i did!Gotcha or rather, Got me! he didn't say that but i was terrible gotcha-ed!

according to my friend, he thought the moment i called up the number, i was gonna find out that it was him who made the call as obviously his name was gonna appear on my phone. and me, being so 'lurus' about this whole thing, dialed up the number without looking what appeared on the phone screen. and he actually had to call back and told me that i got a prank call!

the moment i found out, i screamed like crazy!that was real good that i felt so bad giving him and my other friend a.k.a the accomplice (http//azriehafiz.blogspot.com) the chance to feel so good about this. the research that they did to make it more real deserved a pat on the back!P

well, i know i had caused you guys so much pain back in school with my garang-ness and non-stop lectures whenever we had a fight, so you guys are forgiven this time, and i have to admit to the fact that you guys really pulled this of!:P

Of the Bar Council Forum and Islam

headlines after headlines as to the issue of the Bar Council Forum can be spotted in the newspaper and on the internet. endless phone calls kept pouring in, in the aftermath of the forum. As a Muslim who is also a lawyer, i had the duty to explain what this whole fuss was all about.

when i first got to know about the forum weeks before the issue of this forum got heated up in the mainstream newspaper, i was interested to join the discussion as i need to listen to all panelists' point of view on this matter. a respectable former lecturer of mine, Tuan Hj Naim who used to be a Syariah Court Judge was one of the panelists. sadly, the Muslim panelists who first agreed to participate in the discussion pulled out the very last minute. i guess every one knows why.

when we talk about this issue, it all boils down to one thing, understanding, which we have yet to grasp what it means.

to make things worse, this issue was being politicized as to incite racial and religious hatred.many people fell for that. and it couldn't get any worse that there are also sections of Muslims who fail to understand the issue at hand. perhaps, we are so used to the culture of being oblivious as to the duty to find the truth, or in a simpler term : getting the facts right. we are so used to believing in rumors rather than established facts. we choose to be ignorant.

Article 121 (1A) explains the separate jurisdiction of the Civil Court and the Syariah Court. Muslim parties are subject to the jurisdiction of Syariah Court and the non-Muslims are subject to jurisdiction of Civil Court.

when non Muslim parties contracted a marriage under the civil law, their rights and obligations are set out under the civil law and they are both subject to the jurisdiction of Civil Courts.

when one of the parties to the marriage converts to Islam, the situation would change. the non-Muslim party will go to the civil court to ask the court to decide on the issue of custody, maintenance and status of the marriage.

whereas the Muslim party (the convert) will go to the Syariah Court to decide on the same issues.

obviously there is a conflict as to the situation:

1) can two different courts of separate jurisdiction decide on the same subject matter?
2) how does the civil court enforce its decision on the Muslim party where he/she is not subject to the jurisdiction of the civil court?
3) how does the Syariah court enforce its decision on the non-Muslim party where he/she is not subject to the jurisdiction of Syariah Court?

these questions are real questions as there are based on real cases which are brought before the Court.

but the problem is, these questions have yet to be resolved as the courts are unable to rectify the loopholes created by Article 121(1A) in cases of conversion.

the next question is: Is it fair for the parties involved that their predicaments are not being resolved or addressed? is it just that the wife is left without maintenance? is it just that the status of the marriage is being kept in uncertainty?what about the issue of custody of the children?

the forum aimed at discussing these legal/technical problems of A.121(1A) as majority of people have zero knowledge about this issue. and why is it important to discuss this forum in the presence of the members of the public is because we have the duty to address this issue as there are people out there who are suffering from this and all they want is justice. just because this matter does not affect us directly or it does not happen to us or to our family members doesn't mean that we can just ignore the fact that there is a serious issue of law that needs our attention and support.

justice is absolute, be it for the oppressed or the oppressor, the rich or the poor, Muslims or the non-Muslims.

when it comes to issues on Islam, the word ''sensitive'' is often mentioned.why?

Being a Muslim, i truly understand the sentiment that majority of Muslims have particularly in the aftermath of 9/11, where Islam is accused of being a religion of violence. being a Muslim, i understand how hurtful it is having to endure accusations and insulting insinuations directed to Islam by the ignorants time and time again. and as true Muslims, we have to respond to these baseless accusations with wisdom and knowledge.

as true Muslims, it is our duty to show that Islam, as a religion is the key to bridging the gaps with the world at large by holding fast to the principle of justice and truth.

and it is our duty to prove to the world that the divisions in our world is not the result of the Religion.

Of Good News

I just got an e-mail from Sing Yee informing that GMI managed to get to the final round for the Civil Society Award which is to be held on 28th August 2008. Every one is happy to hear this news. Last Wednesday we had a meeting to discuss on our future campaign programs. Good things seem to happen gradually and we couldn't get happier :P. it's always good to know that there are many concerned individuals and organizations that step forward and offer their relentless support.

There has been a proposal from an organization to set up an education fund for the children of ISA detainees. We were also surprised by a donation made by Harakah Daily to GMI. According to them, the donation sum was rather small "sumbangan kecil saja".but i guess it's so not "sumbangan kecil" the moment we learned that the donation sum was RM30,000. Every one was happy to hear the news because two weeks before, during our meeting, we were so worried about our financial standing as it was in dire straits.

At the last meeting, we also had a guest from Amnesty International London, joining us to discuss on future effort to expand the campaign into international scene. that indicates more effort needs to be done to get the campaign going, both, at national and international level. GMI's plate would be spilled over with many plans, but the good thing is, no one is complaining. The road is long, but as long as you have people to walk with you, the distance does not really matter anymore.

"Di mana sahaja kita pergi akan mempunyai sahabat sekiranya kita berada dalam perjuangan yang Agung ini..."

Of Birthday and Good Moments (edited-atas permintaan:P)

It has been a week since my birthday, but I could hardly detach myself from the good moments that I had with people who are close to me..usually on my birthday, I couldn't help feeling a little sombre because of the thoughts that one year older equals to one year shorter, as in my life span, hence these questions-what have I done all this while and do I have enough time to do things that I’ve always wanted to do.


But it is always good to get wishes from people on birthday, a prayer I would say- one good thing about the concept of birthday. It’s not so much the presents or cakes, it's the thought. The quality time spent in each other's company and the efficiently organized birthday surprise by dear friends-Far, Asni, Ati, Shuey, Raina, Zaza, Adrin, Faj, and Yati-You ladies were really good at throwing a surprise party, i was literally surprised (well, being forever budak blur as Nad put it:)), you ladies deserve a pat on the back!:)


On Friday evening, I was in PD for Human Rights training, had the opportunity to learn vast knowledge on human rights, got to spend time with one another as before this training, we only got to see one another once a month at committee meeting and all we talk about is who is gonna take up this case/project. It felt like having an educational trip with one big happy family:) and conceding to the fact that we were a bunch of loud and happy people!:)

I had to bounce on Saturday night because I got to be present at Mentari Voluntary Tuition Project Open Day cum Meet the Parents Day the next Sunday morning. Before leaving PD, I had a great time hanging out with my friends by the beach, singing and staring at the moon, leaving behind the routine back in KL.

Mentari Voluntary Tuition Project Open Day cum Meet the Parents Day-the moment that every one was looking forward to...it has been 7 months the project is running, and it still is..from 8 kids and 5 volunteers. and now the number has grown to 60 kids and 35 volunteers..i was so happy to watch the progress of each kid at Mentari Project. I still remember the first time I met these mentari kids, how shy they were, and how difficult to get them to speak. But now, as they were walking into the hall, lining up to perform the choral speaking, all I could see was their confident faces, getting all geared up to deliver..the parents were so happy and supportive..and the volunteers were overwhelmingly thrilled.

It feels good to know how close we've got to the kids, and how sincere they are to us, as they would do what we always tell them to do in class, as this was revealed by the parents during Meet the Parents Session. The parents told us that the kids were so excited to come to class and when they got home, they would be talking on and on about the experience that they had in class. Getting to know all these facts from the parents felt really good. It has always been worth it.

I would like to thank my fellow cikgu-cikgu @ volunteers for making all this possible. This project, the kids, the volunteers, the class, have always been dear to me as I couldn't get any happier every time I get to spend my time at this project. Oh, before I forget, getting to celebrate another surprise party at the open day was great! And the kids were asking “wahh..cikgu dah umur berapa??!..i just smiled!:)

Got another lepak session with uni friends on next Friday, again, to celebrate my birthday..as Huda put it “serious Fad jadi nak lepak ngn kitorang??Fad kan suka tabur janji2 palsu!!”..Huda-yup I’m serious, next Friday, KLCC—trying to prove “tiada janji2 palsu:)”

to Nad-tima kaseh belikan cake yang lazat!!!!(special shout out nih :))
to Af juge-for the cute card!

dan tidak lupa juga kepada sasha lyna @ cha-cha dan entourage nya-tima kaseh kerana datang all the way dari ampang ke ttdi utk bersama2 diriku menyambut hari jadi:P

Of Polygamy

15/07/2008 marks my first anniversary in practice...I still remember telling a friend of my intention to celebrate this day and she was like "orang keje bertahun2 tak penah pon nak celebrate, inikan baru setahun..".it's not so much that it is overwhelmingly pleasant to be in my first year of practice or rather working life, but it's more of "when do I get to do things that I've been dying to do? It has been a year, so, how much longer do I have to wait?"..questions with no certain answers...well, i guess it's better to just follow the flow..when the time is right, things will fall into place.

Last night, I had a lepak session at pelita with B, H and H. We were talking about a lot of things and all of a sudden, we started talking about polygamy..obviously it got heated up, particularly when we tried to draw the line between excuses, justification, the object of such ruling (maqasid syariah), permissibility, responsibility, justice, the very core object of family institution and love. I bet it got even more interesting when it was discussed with guy friends.

The most typical justification or I would rather say excuse given by guys to contract polygamous marriage is to avoid infidelity. As a servant of God, we are given the intellect to reason things, and be accountable to every decision that we make. In general, guys would say, it's better if I marry the woman rather than cheating on my wife. For me, it is never a valid justification. For you not to cheat on your wife is always a matter of self control. God is fair, He gives you guidance. In life, you will be faced with thousand of options, good or bad. And it is upon you to choose with wisdom or whim.

In this case, you can have four wives, but still, what stops you from having to encounter the same scenario the fifth time? You can't just divorce your wives and marry the next woman in line just to avoid infidelity? Can you? If this is the case, don't you think that you are abusing the permissibility of such ruling? Does this make you a just person? And does this absolve you from being accountable to God for being irresponsible, selfish and opportunist?

In Islam, we take the religion as a whole. When we talk about polygamy, more often than not guys will not look back in history, on how polygamous marriage was like. It is more of a social responsibility, rather than pleasure. Mind you, marriage is a contract that comes with specific obligations and responsibility. Hence these questions:

1) would you marry and maintain a woman who is a single mother with seven kids who is unable to earn a living?
2) would you marry a woman who has lost her husband to war and maintain her and her family?
3) would you marry a handicapped woman and maintain her and her family?
4)would you marry a woman who is physically deformed?

would you?

Another point that I would like to share is, guys always say that permissibility of such ruling gives them the licence to contract polygamous marriage. My question, if that is the case, are you suggesting that God is unfair and discriminatory? That only guys can at any time find a new wife because they just can't help falling in love? What about women then? Women would have to face the same old face for the rest of their lives even though at times they get confused differentiating their husbands and their daughters' teddy bears.

"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans,marry women of your choice, two, or three or four; But if you fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one ..... That will be more suitable,to prevent you from doing injustice."
Surah Al-Nisa' 4:3 (translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali)

"You are never able to be fair and just as between women,
Even if it is your ardent desire...".
Surah An Nisa:129

Based on the above quranic verses, B made an anology, “a student goes to his lecturer and asks him whether he can have a second exam as he didn’t do well in his first exam, and the lecturer says he can do so, but the question is trillion times harder and there’s no way he can pass the second exam”-it’s another way of saying no, when we know full well that we can never deliver even if we’re given a second chance. I couldn’t agree more.

The above verses are clear and the object of such ruling is clear, it is only applicable in extreme circumstances, on strict conditions. The object of marriage is to preserve the sanctity of family institution. If the above ruling is taken arbitrarily, we have got to bear all the blame for abusing the object of Syariah and the very wisdom of unconditional submission to God’s will.

H asks me :

“if ever one day your husband wants to marry another women because he wanted to help the woman financially, would you be ok with that?”

Me: “I respect his noble intention, but I will ask him to let me go, because I don’t think I can endure the pain, and I’m sure if I stay in the marriage any longer, it will only make things worse as I can foresee that the very ideal of family institution will be on the verge of destruction, and it is my duty not to let that happen…”

I came across this hadith today, and I would like to share this with every one,

Many forget the authentic hadith (as reported in Sunan Ibn Majah) which reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.), when asked if he would permit Saidina Ali to marry another woman, said that he would not, "....unless and until Ali Ibn Abi Talib divorces my daughter, for surely she is part of me and what troubles and agitates her, troubles and agitates me too; and what harm befalls her befalls me too."