Ladies and gentlemen, I am singularly honoured to have been invited to deliver the keynote address to signal the start of the National Unity Youth Fellowship Conference jointly organised by Ideas and Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research. The theme – Nation Building, Unity and the Malaysian Dream: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – is apt; apt because it summarises the reason for being of politicians of whom I am one. I also think that this conference provides the appropriate forum for a meeting of minds to address the socioeconomic dysfunctionality afflicting our beloved country today. At the same time it offers you the opportunity to explore the ways and means of overcoming it. The significance of this proposition is not lost upon us; for you, being of Gen Y, are arguably among the more important stakeholders of Malaysia. Your finding ways to rectify the sorry mess that we are in and putting the country back on an even keel in accordance with what our founding fathers had in mind would most certainly not be lost upon the powers that be. If nothing else, it would register your legitimate position to offer your views – critical or otherwise – of how the Malaysia of tomorrow should shape up as she takes her place within the community of nations. It is timely for us to remind ourselves that Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, our founding father, had wanted a multiracial, united democratic sovereign state when he held the Merdeka talks with LennoxBoyd in London in January, 1956. This was reflected by the composition of his team which had representatives of the MCA, MIC and the Malay Rulers. It did not matter to him that the country was a Malay state. He accepted the plurality of our society and the multiracial facet of the country. He was very focused in wanting a democratic nation that guaranteed human rights such as freedom of speech and free, peaceful life as its cornerstone. He cherished peace very much and was willing to negotiate for an end to the insurgency by the militant Malayan Communist Party which started after the Second World War and dragged into 1960, even though the economic cost of that insurrection was high. The Tunku had wanted to leverage on the country’s potential wealth to wipe out this menace and the people rallied around him. All the communities rejected the brand of government being touted by the MCP which had shown that it would use violence as a tool of governance. The Tunku had wanted to build a nation that used its wealth to create a happy people in his own image as, to use his own words, the happiest prime minister in the world. Being tutored in law as a barrister, he had wanted a country where the separation of powers between the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature are honoured and practised in the true spirit of democracy, thereby providing the checks and balance against each other. He had wanted the instruments of state such as the civil service and security enforcement bodies to operate professionally as policy implementers. The sad reality is that we have been badly let down by both the three branches of government and the government bodies. The Executive has, once too often, been known to be brow beaten by the head of government. Our Judiciary had been weakened in the past and is perceived, rightly or wrongly, as less than effective. And in regard to the Legislature, it is not unknown that matters which are within the purview of the Dewan Rakyat had often been discussed by the executive committee of the ranking party within the coalition forming the government of the day. This amounts to usurping the power of the Lower House of Parliament. At the same time, one or two government bodies are becoming political forces unto themselves. Apart from these abuses, politics in our country has long been colluding with business which has led to unbridled corruption. It would seem that honour has deserted our leaders and insatiable greed for wealth has taken over its place. Apart from the abject state of our governance, our effort to build a nation is nothing to shout about either. Our political leaders keep on parroting in a mantralike manner that Malaysia is a nation. We are not; and that is the sad truth. We are polite to each other in public but there is, at times, a lack of sincerity in it. In group interactions, we are not above breaking into a language not being understood by everybody in our effort to not share our inner thoughts on whatever we have in mind with everyone. In the privacy of our homes we can be scathing in running down, for instance, cultural traits of other Malaysians that we are not familiar with. Much as we hate to admit it, we live a compartmentalised life. This is compounded by the pluralistic nature of our society and our lackadaisical attitude towards the ethos and worldview of Malaysians who are not of the same ethnicity as us. In the end, unless we come from a family background that includes the presence of interracial marriage, we will not be able to understand their philosophy of life or their world view or their attitudes and aspirations. We will not be able to come as one and develop a Malaysian culture made up of the cultural traits of our various and diverse racial makeup. Our inability to evolve a Malaysian culture has a negative effect on nation building for culture is a key element in such a process. Ladies and gentlemen, much as I hate to say this, I think the Malays must admit that they have a blinkered view regarding other Malaysian communities. As Malays we are proud to think of ourselves as democrats; but we forget the very essence of democracy which promises equality to everyone. We forget that democracy is government by the people as a whole rather than by any section, class or interest within it. In our desire to remain on top of things, we conveniently forget that our other Malaysians have contributed more than their fair share in the service of the country. We choose to forget that there are other Malaysians who, upon coming to these fair shores, adapted and assimilated themselves into the dominant native culture. We choose to forget that there are other Malaysians who accepted the Malay hierarchical stacking order with the ruler at the apex; and that this harmony had convinced the British that we were ready for independence. But the Malays, to my mind, are short on confidence and this makes us a scared lot especially in our relationship and interaction with other Malaysians. We are even given to jealousy and are not above harbouring ill will among ourselves. This has become a marked characteristic of the Malay psyche which unfortunately has found its way into politics. It is quite normal for religion to be used in Malay politics in an effort to attract mass support. Given that Malay values are generally derived from Islamic values, this is not unusual. The sad thing is that a religious issue is sometimes given different explanations by ulamas to suit their political leanings. These, more often than not, lead to confusion. It does not help that these religious scholars sometimes do not fully explain the backgrounds to such issues which leave those who are not familiar with the intricacy of the religion having wrong ideas about it. It is therefore time that the ulamas addressed issues of religious concern with clarity and avoid the confusion that befuddles the people. More importantly, these ulamas cannot, willynilly, make religious pronouncements which are in effect fatwas. Such an authoritative ruling of Islamic law can only be made with the assent of the Sultan who is the head of Islam for his state. We can conclude from the foregoing that we are still muddling through 58 years after 1957. We make believe that we are a nation. The reality is that we are not. We justify our watered down democracy by rationalising that there are democracies and then there are democracies. But we are never told by what yardstick our democracy is measured. The gloomy picture that was painted notwithstanding, you – of Gen Y who will be in the proverbial driving seat within the next few years – can brighten and change it. You must shoulder the task, for you are the inheritors of this rich and beautiful land. You should and must be at every level of decision making in government and politics. In this way, you do away with the cynicism of being consulted by politicians only during the hustings once every five years. You will be able to build a Malaysia that your children will be proud to inherit – a confident and united nation whose sons and daughters are equal in her eyes, a proud nation admired and respected by the global community. As a gentle reminder of the dire strait we are in, the rapid decline of our quality of life and the serious attention that you need to give to the ever sagging Malaysian morale, allow me to draw your attention to two emotive areas that are close to our heart. In the recent past our national football XI was given a 100 drubbing by a side not known for their footballing prowess. That is sad, tragic even; for we used to defeat the likes of South Korea and Japan which have now progressed far beyond us to find parity with European and Latin American football. Our mismanagement of the sport has led to the drying up of talents. Gone are the days when such idols as Chandran, Mat Che Su, Soh Chin Aun, Mokhtar Dahari, Santokh Singh and Ghani Minhat struck fear in our opponents. The same goes for our field hockey. We used to be in the top four in the sport, but now our hockey performances are just as lackadaisical as many other sports that we involve ourselves in. Given that sports are an effective tool to cultivate unity and, by extension, to build nations, this regression is a blow we can do without. The other negative development that is sagging our morale is the indifferent economic performance and in particular, the value of the ringgit that continues to drop. Countries that used to lag behind us such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar are now beginning to draw away foreign investments from our country. On the other hand the floundering ringgit is drawing sighs of frustration from traders and importers. The same is the case with parents who have to grimace and bear the pain of underwriting their children’s tertiary education outside the country. Ladies and gentlemen, these then are the challenges before you. Thank you and good morning
National Unity Youth Fellow will organised Conference on 16 September 2015 at Institut Integriti Malaysia. Detail as below
The visit to Negeri Sembilan and Melaka was the last “turun padang” session, yet it is one of the most memorable sessions the National Unity fellows had. This “turun padang” presented the fellows with insightful views on multiple religions and also the ethnic minorities in Malaysia. The session was kick-started with the visit to the “Seminary Teologi Malaysia”. This is a Protestant seminary for theological studies and we were welcomed by Mr Sivin Kit as we reached the seminary compound. Indeed, it was a new experience for most fellows who have never set foot into a seminary. In around one and half an hour, we had a great opportunity in engaging with Mr Sivin Kit about Christianity and its denominations, as well on his views of inter-religious relationship in Malaysia.
Next, we were brought to the Chitty Village in Melaka. The Chitty community has made their presence in Peninsular Malaysia for centuries, even prior to the Portuguese occupation. The visit to this legendary village was eye-opening as it enabled the fellows to learn about Malaysia less-spoken ethnic minorities. The Chitties, although Hindu in religious belief, share more common traits with the Malays in their traditions and language. We continued our journey to another ethnic minority in Melaka which is the Portuguese community. There, we were welcomed by the friendly members of the community. We were introduced to their history in Malaysia as well as the problems they faced in maintaining their traditions and historical settlement from threats of development and modernisation. The visit to Negeri Sembilan and Melaka brought awareness to the fellows that Malaysia’s ethnic diversity is more than one could imagine. Not only that, we understood that the problems faced by the ethnic minorities merit great attention by relevant authorities. Ordinary Malaysians should also take the initiative to learn about the diversity in Malaysia’s ethnic composition. Apart from that, we learned that as Malaysians, we should be more appreciative of the various religious beliefs in our motherland. Rather than focusing on the differences, it is best if Malaysians emphasize in finding the common ground among us, to bind us all more closely with the aspirations of creating a Malaysia for all. Sesi bengkel ketiga kali ini berkenaan isu-isu sosio-ekonomi di Malaysia yang telah diadakan di Terengganu pada 16 Mei 2015. Pada sesi kali ini, IDEAS telah menjemput Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid, Pengarah di Khazanah Research Institute yang juga penulis buku “The Colour of Inequality” untuk berkongsi pandangan mengenai dasar-dasar ekonomi negara dan keadaan ekonomi Malaysia kini dan bagaimana isu ekonomi menyumbang kearah perpaduan nasional.
Dalam sesi ini, para felo didedahkan dengan Dasar Ekonomi Baru iaitu antara polisi utama yang diperkenalkan selepas peristiwa 13 Mei 1969. DEB ini secara tidak langsung membantu perpaduan di kalangan kaum pada masa itu dalam usaha utama DEB untuk membasmi kemiskinan. Selepas tempoh DEB tamat, Dr. Muhammed menyatakan rakyat Malaysia telah mengalami satu masalah ekonomi yang lain iaitu jurang ekonomi yang terlalu tinggi antara yang kaya dan miskin. Ia bukan sahaja berlaku diantara kaum-kaum berbeza tetapi termasuk didalam kaum itu sendiri. Contohnya, jurang ekonomi antara orang Melayu semakin melebar dan begitu juga di kalangan kaum-kaum lain. Antara yang menarik perhatian adalah berkenaan pasaran buruh yang tidak seimbang antara kaum, masalah ekonomi Semenanjung dan Sabah Sarawak dan isu kemiskinan relatif yang semakin serius. Sesi ini memberi sudut pandang yang berbeza mengenai peranan ekonomi dalam membentuk masyarakat yang adil dan bersatu dalam masa yang sama menjelaskan beberapa mitos-mitos mengenai isu ekonomi di Malaysia. Sejurus selepas sesi bersama Dr Muhammed, para felo telah dibahagikan kepada dua kumpulan untuk sesi Turun Padang iaitu satu kumpulan di perkampungan nelayan Kampung Losong dan Persatuan Peniaga dan Penjaja Kecil Melayu Terengganu di Pasar Payang. Dalam sesi bersama di perkampungan nelayan Kampung Losong, para felo disambut oleh bekas Presiden Persatuan Nelayan Kebangsaan (NEKMAT) di Terengganu iaitu Encik Hassan. Beliau telah berkhidmat selama 40 tahun dalan persatuan nelayan ini dan berkongsi cerita serba sedikit mengenai kehidupan nelayan termasuk masalah ekonomi yang dihadapi oleh mereka. Hampir keseluruhan penduduk kampung tersebut berkerja sebagai nelayan dan itulah mata pencarian rezeki mereka. Antara masalah yang dikongsikan adalah mengenai ancaman daripada pengusaha-pengusaha bot besar yang datangnya daripada negara jiran yang masuk ke perairan Malaysia dan mengaut hasil tangkapan di sini dan didaratkan di negara mereka sendiri. Penggunaan pukat harimau oleh sesetengah pengusaha bot-bot besar juga telah mengurangkan hasil tangkapan nelayan-nelayan kecil dan dalam masa yang sama telah membahayakan hidupan laut. Beliau juga memberitahu bahawa pukat ini telah diharamkan di negara-negara lain namun di sini, beliau menyatakan kurangnya penguatkuasaan untuk menghalang perkara ini berlaku. Ini sekaligus menjejaskan hasil tangkapan mereka. Encik Hassan turut menceritakan bantuan-bantuan yang diberikan oleh kerajaan negeri dan pusat terhadap nelayan untuk memastikan nelayan di Terengganu terus dibela. Namun, beliau mengakui bahawa terdapat masalah besar mengenai pelaksanaan walaupun polisi untuk membela nelayan telah disediakan. Kumpulan kedua felo telah dibawa berjumpa dengan Persatuan Peniaga dan Penjaja Kecil Melayu Terengganu Pasar Payang. Perjumpaan diadakan bersama dengan Setiausaha Persatuan iaitu En.Ibrahim Jusoh (61 tahun) dan En.Rozid bin Jusoh. En. Ibrahim merupakan bekas Ahli Majlis di Kuala Terengganu dan telah berniaga di Pasar Payang selama 48 tahun dengan menjual kuih-muih manakala Rozid adalah seorang bekas kakitangan kerajaan dan pernah berkhidmat di Morocco selama 15 tahun. Sejarah penubuhan persatuan ini adalah untuk membantu komuniti orang Melayu yang duduk di Kuala Terengganu khususnya di sekitar Pasar Payang. Persatuan ini telah didaftarkan pada tahun 1998 di bawah Registry of Organisation (ROS). Ia tertubuh kerana kesedaran bahawa perlunya orang Melayu untuk berniaga demi kepentingan kebajikan mereka. Apabila diajukan soalan berkenaan dengan isu-isu perpaduan nasional, mereka mengakui tiada masalah perpaduan diantara ahli persatuan atau dalam persatuan itu sendiri. Hubungan antara satu kaum dengan kaum yang lain sangat akrab dan rapat. Hal ini dibuktikan apabila Persatuan ini telah bersama-sama dengan penjaja-penjaja bukan Melayu untuk membantah pembinaan hotel lima bintang yang mahu didirikan di tapak Pasar Payang yang akhirnya dibatalkan. Di dalam isu perpaduan nasional juga, mereka berpandangan bahawa sesiapa atau mana-mana pihak yang ingin membawa isu perpaduan, pihak tersebut perlulah jujur dan ikhlas terhadap perpaduan. Ini termasuklah tindakan yang ingin dilakukan di peringkat nasional. Selepas pulang dari sesi turun padang dan makan malam, para felo bertemu dengan Dr Nazli, pensyarah kanan di Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, UMT untuk berbincang serba sedikit mengenai latar belakang ekonomi, politik dan isu-isu semasa yang berlaku di Terengganu. Dr Nazli yang juga merupakan anak jati Marang turut berkongsi pandangannya mengenai parti PAS dan pengaruhnya di Terengganu. Selepas sesi bersama Dr Nazli, para felo berkesempatan untuk melihat bagaimana ceramah politik diadakan dengan menghadiri satu ceramah Parti PAS iaitu salah satu parti politik berpengaruh di bumi Terengganu ini dengan tajuk “Masa Depan Ummah”. Keesokannya kami para felo melakukan sesi berkongsi mengenai keseluruhan sesi di Terengganu dan berbincang mengenai Konferens Perpaduan Nasional yang akan diadakan. Kami berlepas pulang ke Kuala Lumpur selepas makan tengah hari. FORUM “SHOULD EDUCATION BE FREE? (WAJARKAH SISTEM PENDIDIKAN DIJADIKAN PERCUMA?) Sesi turun padang di Selangor pada 9 Mei dimulakan dengan sebuah forum yang dianjurkan oleh IDEAS yang bertajuk “Should Education Be Free? (Wajarkah Sistem Pendidikan Dijadikan Percuma?)”. Forum tersebut diserikan dengan kehadiran 4 orang ahli panel yang terdiri daripada Hasbullah Fauzi dari Universiti Terbuka Anak Muda, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim sebagai Pengerusi Parents Action Group for Education (PAGE), YB Ong Kian Ming dari DAP, serta Wan Saiful Wan Jan sebagai Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif IDEAS. Forum tersebut dimulakan dengan Hasbullah Fauzi yang menyatakan bahawa perbelanjaan untuk sistem pendidikan mesti ditanggung sama ada secara langsung atau tidak langsung. Pembayaran secara langsung ialah apabila ibu bapa membayar secara terus untuk sistem pendidikan bagi anak-anak mereka. Pembayaran secara tidak langsung pula berlaku apabila rakyat Malaysia selaku pembayar cukai menanggung perbelanjaan untuk seluruh sistem birokrasi pendidikan didalam negara walaupun ibu bapa tidak membayar secara langsung bagi sistem pendidikan. Selain itu, Hasbullah juga membincangkan konsep capaian bagi sistem pendidikan yang berkualiti tinggi. Menurut beliau, pada masa ini, peluang untuk mendapatkan pendidikan yang berkualiti tinggi hanya terbuka kepada golongan berada. Anjakan paradigma hendaklah dilaksanakan bagi mengubah sistem pendidikan yang berkisarkan perindustrian dan penghasilan pekerja kepada sistem pendidikan yang berkisarkan manusiawi dan penghasilan rakyat yang kreatif, inovatif dan berfikiran kritis. Datin Noor Azimah pula menyatakan bahawa mereka yang berkemampuan pasti akan mengeluarkan anak-anak mereka dari sistem pendidikan nasional untuk belajar di sekolah swasta dan antarabangsa. Perkara ini menimbulkan masalah kerana pelajar-pelajar dari keluarga kaya kebanyakaannya mempunyai keputusan pendidikan yang lebih baik berbanding pelajar dari keluarga miskin. Apabila pelajar dari keluarga kaya kurang bergaul dengan pelajar dari keluarga miskin, persaingan sihat di dalam sekolah kebangsaan akan berkurang disamping menimbulkan masalah integrasi dan perpaduan nasional di antara golongan kaya dan miskin. Masalah-masalah sistemik yang wujud dalam sistem pendidikan negara dihujahkan oleh YB Ong Kian Ming sebagai permasalahan yang boleh diselesaikan oleh eksperimentasi. Menurut beliau, perbelanjaan yang tinggi untuk sistem pendidikan di Malaysia adalah tidak sejajar dengan kualitinya yang dilihat rendah. Ini dibuktikan dengan ranking pelajar Malaysia yang hanya mampu mencapai ranking 1/3 dari bawah di dunia, dikalahkan oleh negara yang lebih miskin seperti Vietnam. Beliau menunjukkan statistik membuktikan jurang yang semakin membesar di dalam sistem pendidikan negara; jurang antara pelajar lelaki dan perempuan, jurang antara pelajar bandar dan luar bandar, jurang antara pelajar dari golongan berada dan kurang berada. Wan Saiful Wan Jan selaku Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif organisasi pemikir liberal dan berorientasikan pasaran bebas pula berhujah bahawa sistem pendidikan yang bermasalah pada masa ini berpunca dari monopoli sistem pendidikan yang dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan. Menurut beliau, di Amerika Syarikat dan Malaysia, sistem pendidikan di dua buah negara tersebut asalnya disediakan oleh orang perseorangan dan institusi keagamaan yang bebas dari kuasa kerajaan. Masalah mula timbul apabila pihak kerajaan dilihat mengambil alih sistem pendidikan dari pihak swasta dan natijahnya kualiti sistem pendidikan jatuh. Hasil perbincangan dengan hadirin pada pagi itu membuahkan beberapa rumusan. Antara rumusan tersebut ialah kebebasan untuk bereksperimen dengan sekolah yang berbeza harus diberikan oleh kerajaan kepada organisasi swasta bagi memberikan wadah untuk rakyat menambah baik kualiti pendidikan anak-anak mereka. TURUN PADANG: BERTEMU PERKASA DAN HINDRAF Program Felo Muda Perpaduan Nasional diteruskan dengan perjumpaan dengan dua buah organisasi yang sering dilihat sebagai ekstremis dan berbaur perkauman iaitu PERKASA dan HINDRAF. Perjumpaan dengan Encik Uthayakumar dari HINDRAF merupakan perjumpaan yang agak menarik. Encik Uthayakumar berhujah bahawa di Malaysia terdapat rasisme sistemik yang spesifik terhadap kaum India. Perjuangan beliau dilihat berbeza dari perjuangan PERKASA dan ISMA kerana menurut beliau, HINDRAF memperjuangkan hak asasi manusia bagi kaum India manakala organisasi seperti PERKASA dan ISMA memperjuangkan keistimewaan kaum Melayu. Encik Uthayakumar menyamakan perjuangan HINDRAF dengan perjuangan kebebasan sivil oleh golongan kulit hitam di Amerika Syarikat. Di Amerika, slogan “Black Lives Matter (Nyawa Rakyat Kulit Hitam Juga Penting)” menjadi buah mulut dalam kalangan pejuang aktivis sosial di Amerika, namun di Malaysia, menurut Encik Uthayakumar, nyawa orang India dipandang enteng oleh kerajaan. Beliau merekodkan kematian dalam tahanan bagi masyarakat India. Menurut statistik yang beliau berikan, sebelum tahun 2007, secara puratanya seorang individu berbangsa India meninggal dalam tahanan setiap dua minggu. 70% dari mangsa tembakan polis pada masa itu juga merupakan individu berbangsa India. Selain isu nyawa masyarakat India yang dipandang enteng oleh kerajaan, Encik Uthayakumar juga berhujah bahawa masyarakt India di Malaysia di diskriminasikan dari aspek keagamaan. Statistik yang diberikan beliau menunjukkan bahawa sebelum demonstrasi yang dianjurkan HINDRAF pada tahun 2007, kerajaan negeri Selangor di bawah Datuk Seri Khir Toyo, bertanggungjawab merobohkan sebuah kuil India setiap 10 hari di Selangor. Encik Uthayakumar merasakan beberapa kerusi majoriti India hendaklah diwujudkan di dalam Dewan Rakyat supaya terdapat ahli parlimen yang benar-benar memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat India. Selain itu, beliau menyeru masyarakat Melayu dan Cina untuk bersama-sama membantu masyarakat India. LAWATAN KE MASJID BULAT SS 14 PETALING JAYA Kedua-dua kumpulan felo kemudiannya berjumpa di Masjid Tun Abdul Aziz atau lebih dikenali sebagai Masjid Bulat di SS 14 Petaling Jaya. Di situ, felo-felo diperkenalkan dengan pengoperasian masjid di Malaysia. Keaktifan masjid bergantung kepada keaktifan ahli kariah setempat. Ahli Jawatankuasa Masjid Tun Abdul Aziz berusaha untuk menjadikan masjid mereka lebih dari tempat ibadat. Mereka melaksanakan pelbagai program dimana masyarakat setempat, termasuk yang bukan muslim, boleh hadir dan terlibat dengan program tersebut. Mereka menubuhkan Yayasan Semesta Berdaftar (YSB) dan Institut Pengajian Al-Quran (IPAQ). YSB membantu pihak masjid untuk menjana dana bagi masjid untuk melaksanakan pelbagai aktiviti kemasyarakatan. Antara aktiviti yang dilaksanakan ialah memberikan bantuan kepada pelajar-pelajar miskin dan anak-anak yatim bagi persekolahan mereka. Mereka juga mempunyai sekolah angkat dimana, sekolah yang berprestasi rendah dipilih untuk dilaksanakan program kepimpinan dan motivasi. Pelajar yang mengikuti program IPAQ pula boleh membaca Al-Quran dengan tajwid yang betul dalam masa 30 jam sahaja. Didapati bahawa Masjid Bulat merupakan contoh kejayaan kerjasama masyarakat setempat melaksanakan program yang bermanfaat untuk masyarakat, dengan bantuan minima pihak kerajaan. Hal ini semestinya menunjukkan keupayaan orang perseorangan dan masyarakat setempat untuk hidup beragama tanpa memerlukan institusi keagamaan kerajaan yang dilihat intrusif. FORUM PENTADBIRAN AGAMA ISLAM DI MALAYSIA: BERSAMA WAKIL JAIS DAN IKIM Seterusnya, sebuah forum telah diadakan dimana Syeikh Maqari Haji Osman dari Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) dan Dr Sani Badron dari Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) merupakan panelis. Forum tersebut menyaksikan perbincangan hangat antara felo-felo, staf IDEAS dan para panelis. Antara topik yang dibincangkan adalah peranan pihak berkuasa agama dalam menggubal undang-undang. Selain itu, isu-isu seperti penggunaan kalimah Allah dalam kitab Bible berbahasa Malaysia, protes sesetengah individu terhadap lambing salib di sebuah gereja dan sebagainya. Umumnya, felo-felo melahirkan rasa risau berkenaan kuasa dan pengaruh pihak berkuasa agama di Malaysia, tanpa sebarang kebertanggungjawaban dan perbincangan yang kritis dalam masyarakat. Tuntasnya, program turun padang kali ini sememangnya lebih hangat dengan perbincangan topik-topik yang agak sensitif seperti peranan agama dan perkauman dalam pelaksanaan siasah di Malaysia. Bagi mewujudkan sebuah konsep perpaduan nasional yang luas dan inklusif, adalah amat penting sekali bagi felo-felo memahami konsep perpaduan dari sudut pandang yang berbeza dan dilihat “ekstrim”. Oleh itu, perjumpaan dengan PERKASA, HINDRAF dan pihak berkuasa agama adalah perlu bagi menambah baik pemahanman felo tentang definisi perpaduan yang berbeza. Pada 25 dan 26 April 2015, program Turun Padang diteruskan lagi di Kelantan. Para felo di bahagiakan kepada dua kumpulan untuk bertemu dengan organisasi dan penduduk tempatan. Kumpulan pertama bertemu dengan Persatuan Siam Kelantan dan Persatuan Hokkien Kelantan. Manakala kumpulan kedua akan mengadakan lawatan ke rumah mangsa banjir di Kuala Krai.
Persatuan Siam Kelantan Pertemuan bersama wakil Persatuan Siam Kelantan telah membawa gambaran tentang masalah yang mereka hadapi sebagai golongan minoriti di Malaysia. Antara isu yang telah dibangkitkan semasa perbincangan bersama ialah masyarakat siam menuntut hak mereka sebagai warganegara Malaysia yang berstatus bumiputera. Sebahagian daripada anak-anak mereka mengalami masalah penempatan untuk masuk ke Universiti walaupun mendapat keputusan yang cemerlang. Mereka juga turut mempersoalkan status bumiputera yang telah diberikan oleh kerajaan kepada mereka. Hal ini kerana, mereka tidak mendapat hak mereka sebagai bumiputera di sini. Selain itu, masih ada segelintir daripada mereka yang sudah puluhan tahun menetap di Kelantan tetapi masih belum mendapat status kewarganegaraan Malaysia. Kesannya, masyarakat Siam sukar untuk memasuki sekolah kebangsaan, tidak boleh membeli tanah dan tidak boleh mengundi untuk pilihan raya umum.Wakil masyarakat Siam menyatakan harapan beliau agar kerajaan dapat memberi hak dan layanan yang baik kepada mereka sebagai sebahagian daripada rakyat Malaysia. Beliau melihat dari sudut perpaduan antara masyarakat siam dan bangsa lain, tidak mempunyai masalah malah sering bekerjasama dengan masyarakat melayu Kelantan walaupun berlainan agama. Persatuan Hokkien Kelantan Felo turut mengadakan pertemuan bersama wakil Persatuan Hokkien Kelantan. Masyarakat Hokkien Kelantan merupakan golongan minoriti di Kelantan yang lebih fokus kepada aktiviti ekonomi dan peniagaan di sana. Antara aktiviti yang sering di anjurkan oleh Persatuan Hokkien dalam membina perpaduan antara kaum lain termasuklah majlis sambutan perayaan berbilang bangsa dan aktiviti kemasyarakatan. Wakil persatuan Hokkien Kelantan menyuarakan beberapa kekangan yang di hadapi oleh mereka dalam aktiviti ekonomi antaranya ialah isu mewajibkan pekerja perempuan memakai tudung ketika berniaga. Jika perkerja mereka tidak menutup aurat, majikan akan di saman tetapi tidak pada pekerja itu sendiri. Mereka berpendapat soal menutup aurat itu bukan sesuatu yang boleh dipaksa atas majikan kepada pekerja mereka. Selain itu, isu hudud turut dibincangkan dan penerimaan masyarakat bukan islam terhadap isu hudud. Menariknya masyarakat Kelantan dalam membina perpaduan sesama mereka adalah dengan asimilasi golongan minoriti kepada satu, masyrakat Kelantan yang berbahasa Kelantan dan budaya pemakaian yang sama. Lawatan mangsa banjir Sebahagian felo berkesempatan melawat mangsa banjir di Tangga Krai dan Kg. Keluat, Kuala Krai dan menemuramah penduduk sekitar kawasan tersebut mengenai pengalaman mereka menghadapi banjir besar di akhir Disember 2014. Rumah pertama yang dilawati ialah kediaman Kak Su. Sangat menyedihkan apabila mendengar cerita dan melihat keadaan rumah serta rumah jiran-jiran yang lain. Rumah mereka tenggelam sepenuhnya dan terdapat juga kerosakan yang besar keatas fizikal rumah mangsa. Seterusnya, para felo menaiki bot dan menyeberang Sungai Kelantan untuk ke Kg Keluat yang secara kasar boleh dikatakan hampir musnah kesulurahan kampung tersebut. Antara perkara yang ditanya pengalaman mereka untuk terus hidup apabila bekalan makanan terputus selama beberapa hari dan bagaimana proses menyelamatkan dilakukan. Para felo juga sempat bertanya mengenai bantuan selepas banjir dan pelan pembangunan semula kepada penduduk kampung. Ada yang menyatakan mereka mendapat bantuan yang banyak terutama sekali daripada Badan Bukan Kerajaan, NGO dalam negara dan luar negara manakal mengenai penempatan kekal, ada yang menyatakan sudah dimaklumkan manakala ada yang masih tidak dimaklumkan apa-apa mengenai pelan tersebut. Pada sebelah malam, Para felo mengadakan perbincangan bersama wakil pemimpin tempatan, Tuan Haji Annual Bakri Haron, setiausaha bekas Menteri Besar Kelantan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz dan En. Lim Guan Seng, berkhidmat di bahagian Urusetia Penerangan Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan dan merupakan Ketua Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS (DHPP) Kelantan. Banyak perkara telah dibincangkan sepanjang pertemuan ini, antaranya, isu hudud di Kelantan, pembalakan, pembangunan di Kelantan dan kewujudan golongan UG atau kerajaan perpaduan di dalam PAS. Pada keesokkan pagi pula, felo mengadakan lawatan ke Sri WarisanPusaka, kumpulan Wayang Kulit di Machang. Felo telah di bawa berjumpa dengan Abang Rahman dan Kak Adilah untuk mengetahui sejarah dan perkembangan wayang kulit di Kelantan.
Written and edited by Oh Shu Ann, with additional contributions by Calvin Woo and Koh Aun Qi
The National Unity Youth Fellows went on a journey to the Land Below the Wind, Sabah for their second workshop entitled Socio-Economic Issues and National Unity. It was a three-day workshop organized by the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN). We came with the expectation to learn about the history of socio-economic policies in Malaysia and whether these policies have been beneficial to national unity. In addition, we anticipated the chance to learn about how modern Malaysian society has been shaped by these policies. The journey began when the Fellows boarded the flight to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on April 17, 2015, Friday morning. We reached Kota Kinabalu in the afternoon and were welcomed by a presentation on Workshop Series and Expectations followed by a session with Tricia Yeoh, the Chief Operating Officer of IDEAS. After dinner, a forum session was conducted with Sabah political parties. The forum was attended by Mr Arthur Kurup, Youth Chief of the United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) and Papar’s UMNO Youth chief Mr Armizan Mohd Ali. Mr Kurup explained that the core of PBRS is to promote unity as the party represents multireligious and multiracial members. He added that national unity is seasonal in Malaysia and post-2008’s election, minority voices are getting louder and sometimes these voices represents only the opinions of the extremist groups. Mr Mohd Ali stated the core issue in Malaysia now is the regional unity of Sabah and Malaysia. The root of the issue according to Mr Mohd Ali is imbalances in socio-economic development.
Written by Calvin Woo
Sarawak is a colourful land that stands out for its cultural diversity. Its richness in resources and peaceful atmosphere fits in with the saying, “the land of milk and honey”. Little did we know about this beautiful state until we touched down in its capital, Kuching, for our “turun padang” session. If we look through the “unity lens”, Sarawak has always been assumed by many to be the “real” Malaysia, where people of different ethnicities coexist in one place peacefully without much conflict. Everything seems peaceful, and the place is viewed as a “utopia” for many of us West Malaysians. We were about to find out if our assumptions were right. The Fellows were divided into two groups to meet with local organisations. One group had the opportunity to meet with the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), and the other met the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS).
Written and edited by Farhan Haziq Mohamed, with additional contributions by Ehsan Shahwahid, Abdul Muqit bin Muhammad and Ganeshwaran Kana
This was the first turun padang (field trip) for the National Unity Youth Fellows. We were obviously excited to kickstart our first assignment to meet people on the ground to understand local perceptions about national unity. During our trip, we stayed at Sunway Hotel, Seberang Prai for two days. We were divided into four groups, two of which were assigned to visit organizations in Penang, while the other two visited organizations in Kedah. In Penang, the Fellows met local Malay business association Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Pulau Pinang, and MyIKUT, which is a dakwah (proselytization) movement aimed at helping mualaf (Muslim converts) start a new life. In Kedah, the Fellows met a prominent and historic Malay student NGO, Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), and Yayasan Al-Moqni, a new religious movement in Kedah. In this assignment, we were expected to understand the objectives and scope of these organizations, their activities with other institutions, their understanding of national unity and their views on ethnic relations in their own communities as well as in Malaysia. We were also required to seek suggestions from them on ways to improve the state of ethnic relations in the country. Here is a summary of what we learnt from each organization we visited: |
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