Roslan Hamid's Blog, page 175

Mengapa jenayah berleluasa, masyarakat huru hara?

********************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pengasih dan Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************* Renungan ************************ "Siapakah yang lebih baik perkataannya daripada orang yang menyeru kepada Allah, mengerjakan amal yang saleh dan berkata: "Sesungguhnya aku termasuk orang-orang yang berserah diri?" (QS. Fushilat: 33) ******************* SEKALIPUN pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU13) sudah lebih sebulan berlalu, bahangnya masih menghangat dan kita percaya ini sedikit sebanyak menjejaskan tumpuan dalam usaha membina dan memacu anak bangsa untuk selamat bukan saja di dunia tetapi di akhirat. ************************* Kita berpendapat sewajarnya dengan berakhirnya pilihan raya, semua pihak bergerak untuk menjadi lebih baik dalam semua lapangan kehidupan; hatta menjana negara ke persada antarabangsa dalam acuannya yang tersendiri seperti tetap teguh dengan pengamalan Islam sama ada oleh rakyat, pemimpin dan negara. Malangnya 'politiking' kurang enak dan sihat berterusan termasuklah cubaan campur tangan oleh bekas pemimpin negara. ************************** Kita yakin suasana resah termasuk dalam politik di negara ini disebabkan sikap takabbur kita mengkesampingkan agama (Islam) daripada seluruh kehidupan kita sama ada di peringkat negara, kerajaan, masyarakat, keluarga dan diri sendiri. Apabila tidak beramal dengan Islam termasuk mengkesampingkan hukum-hakamnya berlakulah suasana keluh kesah dan huru hara dalam negara. Sedangkan apabila mengamalkan Islam sepenuhnya termasuk hukum-hakamnya, Allah SWT sendiri memberi jaminan manusia akan ada kehidupan dalam erti kata sebenarnya. *************************** Hal ini dapat disaksikan daripada tindakan mempertikaikan keputusan dan proses pilihan raya kerana pengamalan elemen-elemen utama dalam ajaran Islam seperti bersih (malah dilihat bersih), ketelusan dan adil tidak menyakinkan. Apabila ini berlaku, terlantiklah kerajaan dan pemimpin yang berterusan dipertikaian sedangkan kedua-duanya adalah pihak yang amat penting untuk diberi sokongan dan kepercayaan kerana taat kepada pemimpin itu diletakkan di tahap ketiga selepas Allah dan Rasul-Nya; pemimpin (imam) yang adil itu dimasukkan dalam tujuh kategori orang yang mendapat perlindungan arasy Allah pada hari kiamat nanti. ************************* Namun bagaimana rakyat boleh mendapat imam (pemimpin) yang adil jika pemilihannya dilakukan secara tidak adil? Di sinilah kita lihat betapa seluruh kehidupan termasuklah politik perlulah berpandukan kehendak agama. Namun apa yang berlaku, agama dikesampingan dalam kehidupan kita menyebabkan masyarakat menjadi semakin kacau-bilau. Agama akhir-akhir bagaikan hiasan dan bukan untuk diamalkan dalam kehidupan. **************************** Apabila mendapat imam (pemimpin) tidak adil, maka bercelarulah masyarakat. Sistem kehidupan masyarakat sudah rosak dengan akhlak semakin buruk manakala jenayah dan maksiat menjadi-jadi. Pembunuhan, perompakan, penculikan, pemerkosaan, perzinaan, penyundalan dan sebagainya bagaikan menjadi kebiasaan manakala jenayah 'tidak berapa zahir' seperti rasuah, tindas menindas, pecah amanah dan curi tulang berleluasa. **************************** Berhubung agama bagaikan hiasan, kita tertarik dengan ingatan Mursyidul Am PAS, Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yang mengulas mengenai tilawah al-Quran peringkat kebangsaan di Kota Bharu baru-baru ini sebagai berkata, umat Islam perlu serius melaksanakan ajaran al-Quran dan bukannya sekadar memperdengarkan bacaan dengan suara merdu semata-mata. *************************** Beliau berkata keyakinan kepada hari kiamat, syurga, neraka serta pahala dan dosa perlu dipupuk agar ia dapat menghindari semua orang daripada melakukan jenayah. Tanpa keyakinan ini mana mungkin masyarakat dan negara berada dalam keadaan selamat kerana manusia tidak takut melakukan kejahatan hatta menipu dalam mencapai matlamat. Ini termasuklah dalam proses pengundian bagi mendapatkan kuasa. ********************************* Namun hari ini amat malang, agama termasuk kegiatannya jelas sudah dikesampingkan dalam masyarakat; sebagai contoh johan tilawah al-Quran di Kota Bharu hanya diberi hadiah RM15,000 sedangkan acara bersifat duniawi dan lara seperti pemenang pertandingan bercorak hiburan nyanyian realiti TV 'One in a million' mendapat RM1 juta malah pertandingan nyanyian warga emas (tua) 'Kilauan Emas' menawarkan hadiah RM50,000 untuk pemenangnya!

Mak bapak tak solat macam mana anak nak solat?

Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ************************ Renungan ************************** "Dan janganlah kamu menghampiri zina, sesungguhnya zina itu adalah satu perbuatan yang keji dan satu jalan yang jahat yang membawa kerosakan." - Maksud Ayat al-Quran Surah al-Israa': 32 ************************* PADA pertengahan tahun, kebiasaannya pengurusan sekolah mengundang ibu bapa untuk diserahkan atau menandatangani buku rekod (laporan prestasi) anak masing-masing. Saya tidak terkecuali, maka saya 'tunjuklah muka' di sekolah anak-anak. Selain di sekolah kebangsaan, kehadiran ibu bapa di sekolah agama rakyat (sesi petang) diperlukan. ***************************** Suatu petang, di sekolah agama salah seorang anak, saya menunggu giliran untuk berjumpa guru kelasnya. Ada seorang ibu di depan saya manakala si ustaz sedang berbincang dengan seorang ibu muda yang di sisinya ada dua anak; seorang berpakaian sekolah agama manakala seorang lagi belum bersekolah agaknya. ************************** Saya perhatikan si ibu begitu rancak menerangkan itu dan ini kepada si ustaz. Jarinya ditujukkan ke sana sini. Begitu ghairah sekali dia membincangkan hal anak-anak; sehingga saya lihat dia memberikan nombor telefon; mungkin bagi memudahkan si ustaz menghubunginya jika si anak bermasalah. Agak lama juga mereka berbincang; terpaksalah saya memujuk hati sendiri...bersabar, bersabarlah, insya-Allah akan tiba juga giliran saya. ************************** Ketika 'sabar' menunggu itu, fikiran saya 'menyibuk dan jahat' pula (ya Allah, Kau ampunilah dosaku) untuk membuat analisis tentang si ibu muda yang sedang rancak berbual dengan ustaz. Dia bertudung tetapi berpakaitan T-shirt sendat dan singkat mempamerkan lengannya yang agak....itu. Selain itu dia mengenakan seluar ketat. Saya 'hairan' dengan penampilan si ibu muda ini di sekolah agama - duduk berhadapan dengan ustaz dengan berpakaian sebegitu. ********************************** Mungkin dia seperti ramai juga wanita Muslim lain - berfikir menutup aurat itu cukuplah dengan memakai tudung tetapi tidak memandang berat anggota badan yang dibiarkan terbuka seperti lengan. Kadang-kadang wanita ini bertudung singkat atau berskaf saja mendedahkan leher dan bahagian atas dada. Ada pula yang berpakaian terlalu sendat termasuk mengenakan jeans ikut bentuk kaki malah ada yang memakai 'legging'. Bayangkanlah mengenakan pakaian melekap di tubuh tetapi di kepala ada tudung! ***************************** Akhirnya tibalah giliran saya. Di belakang saya, tiada pula ibu bapa atau waris yang menunggu. Jadi bebaslah saya untuk bertukar-tukar pandangan dengan si ustaz. Ustaz ini bukanlah asing kepada saya. Saya kerap bertegur sapa dengannya tatkala 'terserempak' di masjid. Kerap juga beliau membawa anak-anak murid ke masjid untuk bersama-sama menyertai solat berjemaah atau mengajar mereka cara solat berjemaah secara praktikal. ******************************* Saya memuji si ustaz dengan menghargai usahanya menunjukkan anak-anak untuk solat berjemaah. Ustaz berkata itu sudah menjadi tugas dan tanggungjawabnya - beliau menyatakan anak-anak sekarang ini cepat untuk menguasai ilmu; mereka juga cepat untuk menghafal tetapi apa yang dikesalkan kelemahan yang amat ketara ialah ketidak-cenderungan anak-anak untuk beramal dengan apa yang mereka sudah pelajari. ********************************* Contoh cukup bagus, kata ustaz, adalah bab solat. Murid-murid telah diajar ilmu solat (fardu ain) sejak awal lagi, tetapi apa yang menjadi masalah, tidak mudah untuk membentuk anak-anak konsisten dalam solat. "Betul, kita bawa mereka ke masjid untuk tunjukkan cara praktikal solat berjemaah, tetapi itu tidak cukup untuk menanamkan sifat mengutamakan solat di kalangan anak-anak. Amalan di sekolah tidak cukup; apa ditunjukkan oleh ustaz dan ustazah tak memadai, ibu bapalah yang berperanan besar." ******************************* Ustaz itu cukup sedih dengan sikap sesetengah ibu bapa berdasarkan jawapan anak murid apabila ditanya mengapa tak solat. Ada yang berkata: "Ustaz, mak bapak saya tak solat, jadi buat apa saya solat?" Sesetengah yang lain pula berkata: "Ustaz, mak bapak saya tak pernah suruh saya solat." Ada murid berkata: "Mak bapak saya pun tak pernah tanya saya sudah sembahyang ke belum." ***************************** Bab solat ini satu hal; satu perkara besar lain adalah ada ibu bapa tidak kisah jika anak-anak tak ke sekolah agama. Ustaz itu memberitahu tidak semua murid daripada sekolah kebangsaan (beragama Islam) yang memasuki sekolah agama petang. Beliau menganggarkan hanya 90 peratus saja ke sekolah agama; yang lain itu ke mana mereka 'hanyut'? ****************************** Saya pernah bertanya budak-budak yang tidak pergi sekolah agama ini; antara jawapannya; "Mak mahu saya pergi tuisyen" dan "saya nak duduk UPSR tahun ini, jadi kena banyak studi kat rumah." Manakala di pihak ibu bapa ada yang berkata; "ehh tak tahulah, ingatkan budak tahun tiga baru 'start' sekolah agama" dan "susahlah, siapa nak hantar pada sebelah petang tu." ******************************** Berdasarkan rasa kebimbangan si ustaz di sekolah agama anak saya itu, saya percaya ada kebenaran satu kajian tidak lama dulu yang menyatakan 80 peratus daripada pelajar tidak solat atau tidak cukup lima waktu solat mereka. Perkara ini amat menyedihkan kerana solat itu tiang agama; tidak mendirikan solat bermakna runtuhlah agama. ***************************** Hal solat ini begitu penting; daripada hampir 10 sesi pengajian dan ceramah Israk Mikraj yang saya ikuti baru-baru ini, semuanya ada menyentuh solat iaitu ibadah dan 'hadiah istimewa' yang kurniakan Allah SWT kepada umat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ketika baginda Rasul menghadap Allah SWT ketika mikrajnya. ******************************* Salah seorang penceramah berkata: "Tiada solat, tidak berjayalah seseorang itu sama ada dia doktor hebat, jurutera hebat ataupun peniaga hebat. Ya anak-anak, solatlah, kerana tiada solat apa saja kebaikan kita sama ada berpuasa setiap hari atau bersedekah selori wang ringgit semuanya tiada nilai di sisi Allah SWT. Semuanya tertolak dan kita dihumbankan ke neraka. Nauzubillah."

Rozita Che Wan wears 'tudung' in Kota Bharu

****************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ******************** Reflection ********************* "Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80) ******************** (Final part of the writer's journey in the East Coast states) ************************* SINCE my family and I only spent a day trip to Kota Bharu from Setiu, Terengganu via Tok Bali and Bachok, we had very few grouses to report because for almost the entire journey we were inside our car; stopping only for prayers, having lunch, buying local products at stalls on the roadside and and filling petrol at a gas station. ************************* Prior to this visit; whenever we went to Kota Bharu from Terengganu we would use the main road via Pasir Puteh town but during the last journey we took the Kampung Raja-Tok Bali-Bachok coastal road. It was quite an experience especially when driving on a very high bridge across a wide river near the port of Tok Bali. ************************* It has been wriiten in the book of fate that on that day, we would spend almost half an hour at the highest point of the bridge as a section of the bridge was closed to make way for repair works. ************************* From that spot we could see the beautiful sight of 'Pelabuhan' Tok Bali; there was a large garden on the river front; the sea looked calm and blue, the wind blew gently as I lowered the window screen of my car. ************************* After inching our car foward, finally we were 'freed' from the massive traffic jam. As the sound of 'azan' (call for prayers) was on air, we stopped at a nearby masjid for 'zuhur' (mid-day) prayers. It was a medium sized masjid with lots of PAS flag posts stacked at a corner of its verandah. ************************* After prayers; once inside our car, my wife mumbled this words: "Dear, next time looked for a main masjid. Don't stop at a small masjid like this one. The women's section is dirty; the floor seemed as it had not been swept for a long time; 'tahi cicak' (lizard's excrement) was every where. The toilet stunk and was dirty. Oohh, the water smells..." **************************** In that 'tense' situation; I chose not to say a word; I did not want to add fuel to my wife's grouses but in my heart I admitted that the men's section too was not clean either; the carpet was full of dust, 'tahi cicak' was seen on window panels and at the corners of the prayers room. And true, the pipe water was smelly...and one thing that made me red in the face and made me uneasy was that the masjid was a PAS controlled one, an assumption based on the flag posts stacked inside it! ************************* After experincing that 'small letdown' at the masjid, I knew my wife would pour out more of her grouses and dissatisfications on the things she saw as we moved on to Kota Bharu. ****************************** True, she complained about the long grass on the roadside that was left uncut and in some places 'semak' (bushes) remained unattended; its growth almost reached the road... ****************************** Then as me arrived nearer to Kota Bharu, upon seeing a huge billboard her voice changed into an excited tone; "Look, even Rozita Che Wan wears a 'tudung' in Kota Bharu!" *************************** Yes, only in Kelantan can you can see the usually 'non-hijabi' actresses wearing 'hijab' on billboards. It is a rule if any female would be featured for advertisements in the state. Thus Rozita, a well known 'sexy actress' donned a 'tudung' for the Safia Rania Gold billboard. ************************** A few years ago, I had written an article on another popular actress, Maya Karin who too 'had to wear' 'tudung' in Kota Bharu. Even though the picture of Maya Karin and Rozita Che Wan were touch ups (the 'tudungs' were superimposed on their heads), it seemed to create some awareness upon the people who were accustomed to the usual picture of the actresses baring their heads and hands on billboards in other parts of the country. *************************** The figure of Maya Karin and Rozita Che Wan with their 'tudungs', reminded us that we were in a state headed by an ‘ustaz' or 'ulama’ (an Islamic scholar) as the Menteri Besar (Ustaz Ahmad Yakob) is from the Islamic party, PAS. **************************** Only in Kelantan has this rule of donning the 'tudung' been applied, including pictures of ladies in advertisement boards whereas in the whole country, state leaders could not care less. *************************** In the 13th general election (GE13), Kelantan PAS lead by Tok Guru Dato' Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat managed to hold on to power by winning 32 of the 45 state seats; PKR won one while BN which staged a 'noisy campaign and challenge' at the earlier stages, limped away with only 12 seats. However sadly, the Tok Guru willingly gave up his Menteri Besar post to Ustaz Ahmad due to health and age reasons. ************************* For the Parliamentary seats in Kelantan, PAS won 9 out of 14 seats; the rest taken by BN. PAS won convincingly in urban and semi urban areas such as Kota Bharu. In the Parliamentary seat of Kota Bharu, PAS's Takiyuddin Hassan won with a big majority of 15,822; for the state seats under this Parliamentary; all three seasts namely Tanjong Mas (Rohani Ibrahim), Kota Lama (Anuar Tan Abdullah) and Bunut Payong (Dr Ramli Mamat) were won by PAS. **************************** The results reflect Muslims and non-Muslims have faith in PAS; including its Islamization programmes. A few years ago, Kota Bharu was proclaimed 'Bandar Raya Islam' (an Islamic city). Thus its administrators were reported to work hard to make sure all activities in the city were in line with Islamic principles. ************************* The 'Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam' (MPKB-BI), enforced a by-law regarding female attire where the girls and ladies were to be not too revealing in public. Some sectors backed the move but others lambasted it. ******************************** To the local Muslim ladies, do feel proud to wear the 'tudung' because women from other countries including Muslim countries such as Turkey and Tunisia have to face hardship and discrimination in their determination and desire to practice the Islamic way of life. Even in some Western countries Muslim women have do some form of 'korban' (sacrifice) to wear the 'hijab'. ************************* Carol L Anway in her book Daughters of Another Path (Experiences of American Women Choosing Islam, Yawna Publications) recorded several 'Muslimah' experiences and hardship in their pursuit to wear the hijab. ***************************** * Wearing hijab was easy, but people were always asking me if had some sort of disease. They seemed to assume that I had lost my hair and I was covering up my baldness. Then after I explained about the religious reasons and significance of wearing hijab, they would say, "You mean I can never see your beautiful hair again?" It was as if my personal choice of practicing my own religion was taking away one of their pleasures or privileges and they did not approve of that! They missed the point. ***************************** * Taking on Islamic religious practices wasn't hard once I did it for a while. Wearing hijab was the one that took the most getting used to, both for me and for others around me. I lived in a very small town and I encountered strange looks there, and several people asked me about it. But in our larger university town, the majority of people are educated about it and see women wearing hijab around town. I started wearing hijab in winter, so it wasn’t difficult until summertime. Many people wear a scarf or hat in winter, but when summer came and I was still wearing a scarf, I did stand out in the crowd. But Islam is not about blending in or 'when in America, do as the Americans do'. It is about standing up for what you believe and what you know is right, even if others do not, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. ****************************** * Covering was a very gradual change. I went from jeans to skirts and long sleeve shirts or blazers. Then I decided I would wear the scarf and long clothes or coat after I had my first child. It was very hard to cope with the looks and questions about the way I dressed (i.e., long sleeves and jackets in the summertime) while I was working. That's why I waited to fully cover. Once I start fully covering I was very uncomfortable and felt so different from everyone else that I almost took it off, as if to prove to everyone (even those I didn't know) that I was still the same person as before. But I kept it on and eventually got used to it. Now I get mad at people who stare at me or make fun of me, but that makes me want to wear it more. I've been covering for three years. *********************** Iman Daglas in her book A Well Guarded Treasure (Darussalam), wrote: "Alhamdulillah! Everything I found said it was incumbent on Muslim women to wear proper hijab upon reaching puberty and proper hijab included covering the face and hands. Allah knows best." ************************* In the Quran, Allah the Almighty says: "And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet) for anything you want, ask them from behind a curtain, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts." (Quran 33:53) *********************** The 'curtain' would be a veil which covered them completely. Allah, the Almighty says: "(Tell the believing women) to draw their veils over their necks and bosoms. (Quran 24:31)." *************************** Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin in Islamic Fatwa Regarding Women says about the proper hijab: "The Islamic hijab is for the woman to cover everything that is forbidden for her to expose. That is, she covers everything that she must cover. The first of those body parts that she must cover is her face. It is the source of temptation and the source of people desiring her..." ******************** Well, to me Kelantan is the best place to practise the teaching of Islam as its leaders and rakyat were open and receptive to it (except for a few letdowns such as encountering untidy masjids and unattended roadsides as mentioned above), including donning the 'tudung' by Muslimah (Muslim women). ************************* Notice even self-confessed 'First Lady' Rosmah Mansor too wore 'hijab' when she was with her husband Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak when she attended the just concluded Qur'an national reading competition in Kota Bharu!

Akhirnya 'baldi datuk ayam' menjulang di kampungku...

********************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. *********************** Renungan ********************** Hadis diriwayatkan oleh Ibnul Abdul Barr dan Abu Naim bermaksud: Telah bersabda Rasulullah s.a.w.;“Dua golongan daripada umatku, apabila mereka baik, baiklah manusia dan apabila mereka rosak, rosaklah manusia. Itulah dia pemimpin dan ahli fiqh (ulama).” ********************* RAMAI orang suka makan ayam tetapi tidak ramai menyedari ada hadis mengenai ayam. Seorang ustaz dalam kuliah subuh mingguan di sebuah masjid di kampung saya baru-baru ini menyentuh hal ayam ketika memuzakarahkan kitab Bahrul Mazi karangan ulama Melayu terkemuka, Sheikh Muhammad Idris Rauf Al-Mabawi. Katanya, Nabi s.a.w. makan ayam, oleh makanlah daging ayam, kalau tak boleh banyak makanlah sikit bagi mengikuti sunnah Nabi. *************************** Ketika menjelaskan hukum memakan haiwan jalalah (ini perkara baru bagi saya; maksudnya haiwan yang mengkonsumsi najis atau sebahagian daripadanya); seorang jemaah mencelah dengan menceritakan betapa ada orang 'dulu-dulu' tidak makan daging ayam kerana ayam kampung yang berkeliaran bebas makan apa saja termasuk najis manusia. Maklumlah orang dulu, 'berak bersepah' kerana tiada tandas tetap, jadi banyaklah ayam yang kenyang selepas 'berkenduri' najis manusia. ************************* Jemaah itu berkata, apabila tiba musim kenduri seperti sekarang ini (bulan Rejab dan Syaaban), ada orang kampung sembelih ayam (siapa tahu jika ia makan tahi), lantas dijadikan lauk dan dihidangkan pula untuk santapan tok imam dan jemputan lain selepas 'tahlil' dan doa. Tok imam dan hadirin lain tak pernah komplen, sedap saja mereka 'tala' (menikmati) daging ayam itu. ************************* Ustaz menyatakan ada ulama mengharamkan 'binatang jalalah' namun ada membolehkan mengkonsumsinya dengan syarat binatang itu dihilangkan bau-bau najisnya dengan 'dikurung' dan diberi makanan yang bersih; dalam kes ayam selama tiga hari. Riwayat Ibnu Syaibah daripada Ibn Umar menyatakan kurungan ayam adalah selama tiga hari, ************************* Al Baihaqi dengan sanad yang bermasalah daripada ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr secara marfu’ (daripada Nabi s.a.w.) menyatakan bahawa haiwan jalalah tidaklah dikonsumsi sampai haiwan tersebut diberi makan yang bersih selama 40 hari. ***************************** Hari ini sejumlah daging binatang yang kita konsumi dibimbangi bertaraf jalalah, antara yang terkenal adalah ikan keli (di Indonesia disebut lele) tetapi pada ruangan ini apa yang hendak saya celotehkan di ruangan ini adalah mengenai ayam, yang daripadanya terbit banyak sungguh perkataan dan istilah seperti kaki ayam, bapak ayam, ibu ayam, nasi ayam dan terbaru ini, 'datuk ayam' (nanti saya akan beritahu maksudnya). ******************************* Pada zaman saya kecil dulu di kampung, ayam makan najis biasa dilihat. Sekalipun gemar 'membaham' daging ayam, sehingga hari ini saya tidak lalu makan kaki ayam. Maksud saya kakinya yang sebenar bukan daging pada bahagian kaki seperti paha. Terbayang-bayang saya ayam itu mencakar-cakar tahi, lantas memakannya. Eeeee, sungguh tak lalu saya makan kaki ayam... ***************************** Berbeza dengan sikap saya; saya perhatikan sekarang ini ramai orang suka makan kaki ayam. Anggota keluarga saya malah rakan-rakan. Mereka saya perhatikan bukan 'main syok' lagi makan kaki ayam terutama yang dimasak sup. Bukan main lagi 'dia orang' menghirup sup yang ada kaki ayam. Anggota keluarga saya bertanya, apa pasal tak nak makan kaki ayam, ini ayam modenlah (ayam karan), mana ada 'dia orang' cakar tahi atau makan tahi lagi. 'Dia orang' duduk dalam tempat bersih daaaa..." ***************************** Dulu 'tidak mudah dan mewah' untuk makan daging ayam, tidak seperti anak-anak sekarang yang kadang-kadang memakannya saban hari. Ramai kanak-kanak ketika itu dapat menikmati daging ayam setahun sekali atau dua kali iaitu pada Hari Raya Puasa dan Haji di mana biasanya daging ayam dibuat rendang untuk dipadankan dengan ketupat. ************************** Sungguh menghairankan sikap 'orang dulu-dulu', - mereka banyak 'membela' ayam tetapi ayam itu tidak dimakan sendiri tetapi dijual kepada peraih ayam bangsa Cina yang kerap menunggang basikal besar beraga besar (berapa kali besar dah) di kampung-kampung sambil meneriak 'ayammm, ayammm, ayammm.' Kebanyakan daripada peraih ini 'berkaki ayam'. Sehingga kini saya tidak faham dengan sebenarnya mengapa orang Melayu suka menjual ayam sebaliknya membeli sardin untuk diberi makan kepada anak-anak. Mungkin sardin murah manakala ayam mahal harganya! ******************************* Kerana kurang makan ayam (daging) agaknya pada masa kecil dulu, saya suka 'memburu' ikan dan burung-burung seperti ayam-ayam, wak-wak (ruak-ruak) dan pucung di sebuah bendang (sawah) berhampiran rumah saya. Maka sesekali dapatlah saya makan 'daging tambahan' disebabkan 'skill' saya 'menumpaskan' binatang berkenaan. ************************* Namun hari ini, ketika meninjau bendang yang menimbulkan 1,001 nostalgia itu, alangkah terpukul hati ini apabila melihat sebuah restoran KFC sudah berdiri megah di tanah bekas bendang itu dengan sebuah iklan gergasi 'baldi (bucket)datuk ayam' (Kolonel Sanders) menjulang tinggi di angkasa. Kini tak payahlah anak-anak saya atau anak-anak orang kampung 'mengejar' ayam makan tahi atau ayam-ayam lagi, mereka boleh makan daging ayam yang dimahsyurkan 'si datuk ayam' dari Amerika siang malam di restoran 24 jam itu! ************************************** Anak-anak saya dan anak-anak pembaca sekalian mungkin tidak pernah melihat ayam makan tahi atau mengenali apa itu burung ayam-ayam, sebaliknya mereka hanya pandai menyebut ayam 'datuk ayam' yang restorannya bukan saja sudah memasuki kampungku tetapi juga sudah terkenal di Makkah (di luar pintu Masjidilharam). Demikian, alangkah hebatnya globalisasi hari ini sehingga 'ayam kampung' kita tewas di tangan 'ayam orang'. Amat bimbang saya jika kita menjejak langkah Pak Kadok, menang sorak kampung tergadai!

A 'rural government' running Terengganu?

***************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ******************* Reflection ******************* The Declining Day (Al-'Asr) 1. By the declining day, 2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss, 3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. ************************** (Part 2 of the writter's journey in the East Coast states) ************************* BEFORE spending time in Pengerang, Johor (this was focussed in my previous article entitled 'Hidup susah mati pun susah' - Being alive is difficult, being dead too is difficult), I was in Terengganu where PAS failed to wrest power from BN even though it had run a vigorous campaign such as 'PAS ganti Umno' (PAS replaces Umno). ********************* In this 'turtle state', I stayed at a relative house in a ‘kampung’, north of Kuala Terengganu; to be exact in Setiu. The house I stayed in was near a masjid, so for ‘solat’ (prayers), I tried my best to perform it in the masjid. ********************* To my surprise on every occasion, only a handful of old men were at the huge sparkling new masjid. Then during journeys in the state, I found out that a few other masjids too attracted very few congregators during mass prayers of compulsory 'solat' (prayes) such as 'zuhur' (afternoon) and 'isyak' (late evening) prayers. Many masjids in Terengganu are huge and new eventhough they are located in rural areas. ************************* So I wasn’t shocked when newspapers not long ago carried stories from the State Assembly saying that masjids in Terengganu failed to attract Muslims especially the youth other than the weekly Friday’s prayers. ******************************* It was reported that the attendance at masjids especially in rural areas was very poor even though the state government had built more than 100 masjids with several hundred millions of ringgit in allocations. *************************** The state government headed by Menteri Besar Ahmad Said was reported had realized the situation and had taken various steps to rectify it such as introducing Quran learning lessons in masjids and setting up tuition classes there. *************************** The Terengganu government too had built a crystal masjid and 21 replica masjids costing millions of ringgits on an island (Pulau Wan Man) called ‘Taman Tamadun Islam (TTI)’ (Islamic Civilization Edutainment Park) at the estuary of the Terengganu River to project itself as being concerned about religious matters. One could witness the glittering masjids when driving along the Sultan Mahmud Bridge in Kuala Terengganu. ************************** In my opinion the Terengganu government should ‘muhasabah’ (revaluate) itself as to why the people shy away from masjids. It is a pity and strange sight indeed when only a handful of veteran citizens come to pray in the many big and beautiful masjids in the state. Only a handful of old timers were seen at masjids, so where have the youth of Terengganu gone to? ****************************** I spoke about that matter to my relative who asked me to think for an answer by having a good look at the results of just concluded general election - in Terengganu and perhaps for the whole country, one would notice that there was this 'sick' trend; BN fared well in hinterlands, rural areas and kampungs but was trashed in urban and semi urban areas. ***************************** In the 13th general election (GE13) held on the 5th May, Terengganu state Barisan Nasional (BN) returned to power; clinging to a two seats advantage against PAS. It obtained 17 seats compared to 15 by PAS in the 32 seat state Assembly. ************************** In the battle of parliamentary constituency of the state, BN and PAS fared evenly; both won four seats. ************************ For the Parliamentary seats, BN won mostly in rural areas, namely Besut, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman but PAS won the mostly urban and semi urban areas - Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Dungun and Kuala Nerus. ************************ For the state seats, BN 'amazingly (to them)' and alarmingly (to PAS) won all the seats under the Besut Parliamentary constituency namely Kuala Besut, Kota Putera, Jertih and Hulu Besut. ********************* Under the Parliamentary constituency of Setiu, BN also won all the state seats namely Jabi, Permaisuri, Langkap and Batu Rakit. But BN was trashed completely in the urban areas of Kuala Terengganu when the Parliamentary seat and all state seats under it were secured by PAS (3 seats) and PKR (1). ************************** PAS won all but one state seats under the Kuala Nerus Parliamentary constituency - Tepuh, Teluk Pasu and Bukit Tunggal and the seat it lost was Seberang Takir, to BN. And in Marang (where PAS President Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang won with a majority of 5,124 votes), BN only managed to grab the Pengkalan Berangan state seat while the rest (Alur Limbat, Bukit Payung and Ru Redang) were won by PAS. ************************** Looking at the election results, the relative said, a thinking person should asked this - why did BN win mostly in rural areas and was trashed in urban and semi urban settings? ********************* On the positive side, he said it was true that the state BN and federal government spent a lot of money and resources to develop rural areas with various projects; the existance of huge and magnificent public buildings such as schools, mini hospitals and masjids supported that views. ************************ "Even in the development of education of rural pupils, they have various projects; they poured millions of ringgit to make dreams come true; for example Terengganu shone as the best achiver for the whole country in public examinations such as UPSR, PMR and SPM year after year. ************************* Yes, many students from rural areas furthered their studies elsewhere especially in big towns and other developed states and places such as Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. *************************** "Those without high grades in examinations too were assured places in vocational and industries sectors in the state known as the Kuwait of Malaysia for its petroleum and gas production. **************************** The migration of the younger generation from rural kampungs to urban areas in the state and other states was among the reasons the contributed to the almost non-existence of youth during mass prayers in masjids," claimed the relative. ************************ Other than various projects for the rural people, the relative did not deny that various cash incentives went directy to the people or their representatives. He noted that during the period of election fever, cash handouts were given including to party 'strongmen' to finance various 'kenduris' and gatherings and in his area, BN 'pos' (gathering centres) readied good and tasty food such as 'nasi Arab' and 'nasi briyani' for almost every night. ************************* The relative who is a teacher said, some of his pupils too often wandered around and spent a lot of time at this 'pos', sometimes to the wee hours of the night. ***************************** "In school these pupils seemed to be sleepy but alert in knowing which 'pos' readied the best or tastiest food. They would recommended to me which 'pos' was the best for me to visit. 'Makan free, cikgu' (Food is free, teacher),' they would 'tease' me. *************************** "People in the rural area were pleased with BN what more with its campaigns and propaganda machinery including the mass media highlighting every now and then what they claimed as successful and helpful programmes to the rakyat such as BR1M and cash handouts to pupils and book vouchers to students of higher institutions," said the relative. ************************ He said because of the rural people's dependence on information that was mostly from the traditional media such as TV, radio and main stream newspapers; they were not too concerned about 'unseen' things and happenings such as corruption, accountability and transparency. ********************** "Some were easily deceived by big projects and programmes they witnessed around them. Well, nowadays almost every kampung has a big and beautiful masjid, primary school and some even have impressive infrastrutures and service centres such as Klinik 1-Malaysia and one stop centres," said the relative. ************************* "So, what more these rural folks asking for; thus I believed a high percentage of them voted for BN! PAS must do something about this development if they want to make inroads into rural areas in the next coming election," he said.

Beri hak pembangkang kendali akhbar, TV sendiri

******************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ***************** Renungan "Wafatkanlah aku dan keadaan Islam dan gabungkanlah aku dengan orang-orang saleh." (Maksud Ayat 101 Surah Yusuf) ******************* Bersyukur ke hadrat Illahi kerana dipanjangkan usia kita dan dilimpahi rahmat yang tidak terhitung banyaknya yang antaranya membolehkan kita memuzakarahkan isu semasa. Kali ini kita ingin menyentuh hal media massa terutama selepas pihak berkuasa bertindak merampas dan menyekat pengedaran akhbar alternatif seperti Harakah dan Suara Keadilan. ******************************** PRU13 sudah berlalu, namun satu daripada banyak perkara dikesalkan adalah media massa kita. Akses kepada media massa yang adil adalah antara lapan tuntutan Bersih 2.0. Namun hal ini dikesampingkan oleh pemerintah; menjelang PRU13 malah hingga ke hari ini kita dapat saksikan betapa media massa yang didakwa sebagai arus perdana itu diperkuda sepuas-puasnya oleh parti pemerintah - mereka ‘mengamuk sakan’ – 'membodek melangit’ parti pemerintah sebaliknya ‘membunuh’ parti-parti pesaing. **************************** Perkembangan ini amat jelek ketika dunia diklasifikasikan sebagai tanpa sempadan kerana perkembangan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi yang memungkinkan situasi apa dipanggil ‘langit terbuka’. Namun sebagai negara sedang membangun, perkembangan terbaru ini tidak merata di seluruh negara kita. Pelbagai halangan seperti prasarana komunikasi, perhubungan, kemampuan ekonomi dan pendidikan menyebabkan sebahagian besar rakyat masih bergantung kepada media massa tradisional seperti akhbar cetak, televisyen dan radio. ******************************** Media tradisional inilah yang menjadi ‘benteng terakhir’ medan propaganda parti pemerintah. Sudah pasti pihak ini tidak akan melepaskan ‘cengkaman’ mereka terhadap media ini, tetapi apa yang kita pinta, pihak berkuasa perlulah memberi hak kepada pesaing mereka untuk memajukan media massa mereka sendiri. *************************** Di negara-negara maju, di samping media tradisional, peranan media alternatif tidak dikesampingkan. Sebagai pihak yang sama-sama menyambut Hari Kebebasan Akhbar Sedunia pada 3 Mei lalu, pihak berwajib perlu mengiktiraf atau setidak-tidaknya menghormati peranan media alternatif seperti Harakah dalam pembangunan negara. **************************** Di negara-negara maju, media massa alternatif mempunyai peranan besar bagi mengetengahkan kehidupan, termasuk perjuangan golongan atau kumpulan minoriti. Media alternatif secara tradisinya dilihat sebagai suara kumpulan minoriti tetapi tidak mustahil ia boleh mewakili golongan majoriti. **************************** Berdasarkan perkembangan di negara Barat ini yang demokrasinya menjadi sanjungan banyak pihak di Malaysia termasuk parti pemerintah, maka perlulah pihak berwajib memberikan hak untuk semua parti-parti politik termasuklah daripada pembangkang seperti PAS untuk membangunkan media massa mereka sendiri termasuk TV dan radio yang siaran atau terbitannya tidak terhad kepada ahli parti tetapi untuk semua warga. ************************ Jika situasi ini dibenarkan, akan wujudlah persaingan sihat media massa yang sudah tentu akan menguntung serta memaju serta mematangkan rakyat negara ini. *********************** Namun apa yang berlaku, pihak berkuasa tidak membenarkan hal ini berlaku kerana mereka mahu memonopoli siaran media bagi membolehkan mereka terus berpropaganda demi mengekalkan kuasa ‘dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya’. Kita ingin bertanya, apa sudah jadi dengan permohonan parti-parti berkaitan untuk menerbitkan akhbar harian 'Purnama' (PAS) dan 'Utusan Rakyat' (KeADILan) tidak lama dulu? ********************** Selepas PRU13, apabila kuasa sudah dirasakan kejap di tangan, pihak berkuasa bertindak keterlaluan seperti merampas Harakah dan menakut-nakutkan mereka yang terbabit dalam pengendalian akhbar ini seperti pengedar dan peruncit. Namun media massa arus perdana dibiarkan bebas membicarakan isu rasis yang membahayakan masa depan negara. Mereka terus dibela bagi membolehkan kuasa berada di tangan dulu, kini dan selamanya. *********************** Sebagai memperkotakan kata-kata 'keramat' seperti 'rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan', kita mencabar pihak berkenaan membenarkan parti-parti politik termasuk pembangkang mengendalikan media massa mereka sendiri termasuk akhbar, radio dan TV dengan siarannya diketengahkan kepada semua rakyat. Usah ada sekatan seperti sekarang. Biarlah rakyat membuat penilaian sendiri; siapa yang mendahulukan rakyat dan siapa yang membelakangi mereka!

Memikul peti sejuk mendaki Everest

******************* DENGAN nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang; selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Renungan ****************** "Apabila seorang manusia meninggal dunia, terputuslah semua amalnya kecuali tiga perkara iaitu sedekah jariah, ilmu yang bermanfaat dan anak soleh yang mendoakannya." (Hadis laporan Muslim) ************************** BANYAK masjid mengadakan sambutan memperingati Israk dan Mikraj pada Rabu, 5 Jun bersamaan malam 27 Rejab 1424 Hijrah. Seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya, sebahagian besar pengurusan masjid dan surau meneruskan tradisi iaitu menganjurkan ceramah pengkisahan perjalanan (israk dan mikraj) Rasulullah s.a.w. ************************ Salah satu kisah ialah Rasulullah s.a.w. menyaksikan segolongan manusia yang menambah pikulan demi pikulan sekalipun bebanan ditanggung sudah terlalu berat. *********************** Ini membayangkan manusia itu gila dan cintakan harta, pangkat, kedudukan, pengaruh, kuasa, dan sebagainya sedangkan mereka tahu tanggungan tidak lagi terpikul oleh mereka. **************************** Bagaimanapun kisah ini mungkin hanya didengar saban tahun tetapi sebahagian besar manusia tidak mengambil iktibar apatah lagi berubah. ************************** Sebagai contoh ramai yang berebut-rebut jawatan masjid, merampas pentadbiran masjid dan surau daripada AJK yang dilantik kariah dan menghalang kegiatan keagamaan di rumah Allah itu. ************************** Perebutan jawatan dan kuasa ini bukan sahaja berlaku di institusi masjid tetapi lebih parah lagi dalam pejabat, kampung, parti, negeri dan negara. Kebanyakan manusia berebutkan jawatan sekalipun sedar bebanan sudah terlalu berat tetapi mereka ikutkan nafsu untuk berkuasa. ****************************** Bijak pandai Barat seperti Lord Acton (sejarawan British 1834-1902) ada menyebut, 'power tends to corrupt, absolutely power corrupts absolutely' membayangkan hampir semua (namun bukan semua) manusia tidak dapat beramanah dengan kuasa. Dengan kuasalah sesetengah tokoh itu bertindak bagaikan raja zalim. *********************** Raja (pemerintah atau imam) adil diberi jamin akan mendapat perlindungan arasy Allah pada hari kiamat; tetapi pemerintah zalim telah menempah tempat di neraka. Pemerintah adil berlaku demikian kerana dia tahu matlamatnya mendapat keredaan Allah SWT tetapi pemerintah zalim telah membebankan dirinya dengan barangan tidak perlu seperti memikul peti sejuk ke puncak Everest. ***************************** Di tanah air kita, mereka membebani diri dengan melakukan ugutan terhadap rakyat seperti menguatkuasakan undang-undang rimba, menekan kehidupan mereka dengan menaikkan harga barangan keperluan dan mengenakan pelbagai jenis cukai keterlaluan. Malah ada bertindak lebih sadis seperti merampas hak orang seperti tanah dan perniagaan seperti akhbar. Malah rakyat diugut supaya 'meninggalkan negara ini' atau pun 'masuk hutan'. ************************** Manusia berwawasan adalah insan terpuji. Kebanyakannya mahu berbahagia di dunia dan di akhirat. Untuk menuju matlamat tersebut, pendakian ke arahnya perlu dilakukan secara bijaksana dengan berpandukan ajaran Rasul. ************************** Namun dalam pendakian tersebut, ramai yang membawa ' barangan yang tidak diperlukan' ibarat seorang pendaki yang mahu ke puncak Gunung Everest tetapi dia memikul peti sejuk. ************************** Dalam kehidupan perkara seperti ini kerap berlaku. Misalnya, pelajar diamanahkan untuk belajar untuk matlamat untuk lulus cemerlang. Tetapi ramai yang memikul peti sejuk untuk ke puncak Everest. Beban-beban itu adalah seperti bermain api cinta, menagih dadah, menyertai perlumbaan haram ataupun yang paling mudah, enggan belajar. ************************* Untuk berjaya dalam hidup tidak perlu bagi kita menggalas peti sejuk untuk ke puncak Everest. ************************* Seorang bijak pandai memberikan contoh mudah ini; jika anda memasang lampu hadapan basikal anda dalam kegelapan malam, sudah tentu keadaan di depan anda terang benderang. ************************* Apa kata anda sengaja mencari hal dengan memasang lampu-lampu lain di sekeliling basikal itu. Sudah tentu cahaya di depan menjadi malap atau kehilangan fokusnya menyebabkan kita hilang panduan menuju matlamat. *************************** Jika sudah terlalu banyak perkara yang terpaksa kita fikirkan sedangkan ia tidak perlu, kita akan gagal dalam mengejar cita-cita kita. Kita perlu ingat bahawa otak kita hanya satu dan ia bukan mesin yang boleh bekerja 24 jam sehari. Otak perlu berehat, termasuklah dengan tidur. ************************ Mungkin kita bernasib baik pada satu-satu masa, ertinya kita bertuah. Bertuahnya diri kita bukannya sepanjang masa atau adanya kelebihan pada diri kita. Tiada orang yang bertuah sepanjang hayatnya yang hanya hidup atas bertuahnya dirinya. *************************** Dalam mengejar cita-cita, tentulah kegagalan sentiasa mengekori kita. Ditakdirkan kita gagal sedangkan kita sudah berusaha,ia dapat dijadikan teladan membangunkan usaha dan cita-cita kita. ************************ Namun jika kita gagal kerana tidak dapat berfikir dengan matang atau kita sudah tahu kelakuan kita tidak akan mendatang sebarang faedah pada diri kita, ia menunjukkan ketidak-sempurnaan fikiran kita. Jika kita tahu yang api itu panas, buat apa kita membakar diri kita pula. ********************* Jika kita sudah tahu di puncak Everest keadaannya membeku, buat apa kita pikul peti sejuk ke sana!

'Hidup susah, mati pun susah'

****************** In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ******************** Reflection ********************* "Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80) ******************** During the school holidays, I spent four days (from Friday 24th May until Monday 27th May) traveling the two East Coast states - Kelantan and Terengganu - as well as southern Pahang and the eastern part of Johor. ****************** The following were the scenes I saw and the conversations I heard while on the journey; the places and dates are not in order of the visit. This is the first story of that travel. ********************* * PENGERANG, Johor: This site is where a few thousand villagers will be displaced by a massive RM60 billion petrochemical project. Residents have been offered alternative housing 15-20 kilometers away, but the resettlement area lacks supporting infrastructure and public amenities. Several rallies against the project had been held, one of them was dubbed 'Himpunan Hijau Lestari Pengerang'. *********************** Pakatan Rakyat has vowed to cancel the project should it win in power but that did not materialize...Putrajaya is still within its reach. Upon reaching Sungai Rengit, I stopped my car at the sea-front and talked to a man behind the wheel of his car parked next to mine. ************************ I tried to strike conversation by asking him what was the fate of a woman activist in the Pengerang issue. I was refering to a vocal local Muslimah raising the Pengerang issue and PAS candidate, Anis Afida Mohd Azli who was contesting in the state seat of N38 Penawar; but the man gave me this answer: ************************ "Yes, Azalina (Othman Said) won comfortably here. She has a house over there (he pointed to the said area). I mean a guest house. She stays there whenever she comes here. She's a hard working person; we would be getting our compensation in between one and three years' time (he was referring to the kampung folks' lands that were taken by the government for the giant project)." *************************** Azalina won the Parliamentary constituency of Pengerang (P157) in the 13th general election (GE13) held on the 5th May, defeating PKR candidate Dayangku Intan and an Independent Mohd Azaman Johari with a whopping majority of 21,713 votes. ************************** And in the state seat of Penawar, Anis was defeated by another 'wanita' (woman) from Umno-BN, Hamimah Mansor with a majority of 12,818 votes. In another state seat (N39 Tanjong Surat), PKR candidate Hasnul Ahmad was defeated by Umno-BN man, Syed Sis Syed A Rahman with a majority of 9,035 votes. ************************ Based to the election results in Pengerang; the people are apparently 'solid behind' BN, perhaps the Pengerang's issue 'was nothing to shout about'. Suspecting the man I was talking to was a staunch Umno-BN supporter, I had no intention to challenge his views. I let him pour out his heart, nodded my head whenever he stressed his points; then I said 'thank you' to him before leaving. **************************** After making my rounds in Pengerang; I stopped at a stall in Kampung Teluk Empang to have lunch. From there I watched a group of people in action in a 'bush' area nearby. *************************** I was told by a helper that workers and people of the kampung were digging up graves and removing the bodies to be buried at a far away site. *********************** After finishing my food, I rushed to the area and was in time to see two men inside a grave lifting up a corpse inside its 'kain kafan' (shroud) which was still intact even though it was dirty with earth and mud. The corpse with the old shroud was then put on a stretcher, wrapped with a new piece of white cloth and carried to a waiting van. ************************* I was told that the villagers and workers had managed to removed a few bodies that morning. As my eyes 'searched' the area which I guessed had more than 100 graves, my nose caught a fragnance like that of perfume. ********************** I was not sure whether that scent was from perfume brought by the villagers or workers and scattered over the area or from perhaps from the corpse itself...mind you, the corpse which I saw was still intact inside it's shroud even though the villagers told me that it was buried about three to four years ago. **************************** The cloth that wrapped the corpse (kain kapan) was in good shape; perhaps the body inside was 'in good condition' and not reduced to skull and skeleton. Perhaps, the body was that of a good soul, 'insya-Allah', (God willing) it would be rewarded with 'jannah' (heaven). ************************* Looking at the corpse being transfered to the van, I could not helped but liken the scene to that of a P Ramlee's movie (if I was not mistaken the title was 'Madu Tiga') where there was a scene of a Chinaman saying "Hidup susah, mati pun susah' (Being alive is difficult, being dead is also difficult). ************************ Yes, not only 'the alive' of Pengerang have to face difficulty resulting from the ambitious projects of certain parties to develop the area but 'the dead' too 'had to suffer'. Thus, somehow there's truth to the famous words from the P Ramlee's movie - 'Hidup susah, mati pun susah!' ************************** Putting aside that famous quotation; on a serious note, while looking at the corpse being brought up from the grave, a sudden awareness (insaf) crept inside my heart. ****************************** Well, to all human beings, one day all of us, I included would be reduced to become corpses wrapped inside our 'kain kafan' and then buried six feet underground. That corpse that I saw was 'actually' me, I could feel the smallness and weakness in me in front of The Mighty Creator Allah SWT. Indeed He is, Allahuakbar, God The Greatest. ************************ All life ends in death. Therefore, let us remember that a certain time is fixed for us when we too will be abandoned to the darkness of our graves. ************************* The day would come when we could no longer talk and boast in this world; we would not able to lift our hands and legs. We would lay motionless on our death beds; we would be buried in our graves, and no one can guarantee that 'our bodies' would not be removed from our 'resting places' just like the corpse that I saw in Kampung Teluk Empang, Pengerang, Johor. ************************ Before we would be resurrected in the Hereafter, in this 'modern time and era of development', we would also being dug up from our graves to be placed elsewhere. ***************************** Note that the world is only a play, Allah SWT says in the Qur'an, 57: 20, "Know that the life of this world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and tho seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grevious punishment, and also forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but a matter of illusion." ************************* And regarding the reality of the world, Abu Hurairah narrates that once the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, s.a.w.) said: "Let me show you the reality of this world." I requested him to do that. He took me to a place of refuse outside Madina. There I saw human skulls and bones sunk in filth with dirty rags scattered all around. ************************** Addressing me he said: "These are the human skulls embodied brains filled with greed. These people were like many amongst you who live today. Like all of you they pinned their hopes on things worldly. These skulls are lying without skins and after a few days they will become part of the earth. They struggled hard to eat the spicy dishes only to swallow filth today. The state in which they exist now cannot be tolerably seen by those who have eyes to see. ************************* "The very side of those who enjoyed the fragnance of tasty food makes you hate them. These dirty rags are the worn-outs of the gaudy dresses that made men proud. Now they are at the mercy of winds which move them the way they like. And these are the bones of those animals that carried human beings only to make them feel proud. Anyone can shed a tear or two at the tragic end." Abu Hurairah stated that the tears welled up in his eyes and he wept bitterly. ************************ And to the people of Pengerang; be 'sabar' (patience) because 'hidup susah, mati pun susah'!

Reformasi menuntut pengorbanan...

********************** Dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pemurah Lagi Maha Penyayang, selawat dan salam ke atas junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. ******************** Renungan ********************* Hadis riwayat Abu Hazim, daripada Abu Hurairah yang dikeluarkan oleh Muslim, bermaksud: "Tidak akan hancur dunia ini (kiamat) hingga ada seorang laki-laki yang melewati kuburan lalu ia berguling-guling di atasnya seraya berkata, 'alangkah baiknya sekiranya aku berada di tempat penghuni kubur ini.' Hal ini bukan kerana faktor agama tetapi kerana adanya musibah." ******************* TATKALA berbual-bual dengan seorang penumpang bas ekspres yang duduk di sebelah saya, beliau memberitahu saya dia berazam berpuasa tiga bulan berturut-turut - sepanjang bulan Rejab, Syaaban dan Ramadan. ************************ Saya kagum dengan kegigihannya, tetapi sebagai insan kurang arif ilmu agama, saya pun bertanya seorang ustaz mengenai amalan itu. Kata ustaz berkenaan, tiada sebarang hadis menyebut mengenai puasa tiga bulan berturut-turut itu. Nabi s.a.w. tidak melakukannya. Kita bimbang pelakunya terikut-ikut dengan amalan orang lain yang ternyata bukan sunnah. ************************ Demikianlah kebanyakan pendapat kita berkenaan pantang larang, soal-soal agama, perkara-perkara yang tidak sopan, kengerian (seperti takutkan hantu) dan bermacam-macam lagi yang sebahagian besarnya adalah hasil daripada sogokan masyarakat sekeliling yang sama jahil dan tidak rasional macam kita dan bukannya terbentuk daripada penguasaan ilmu dan pemikiran yang benar-benar masak dan jitu. ************************** Ketika ribuan rakyat menyertai Perhimpunan Bersih bagi menuntut pilihan raya yang adil tidak lama dulu, media massa terutama televisyen menguar-uarkan bahawa "Bersih itu kotor" dan kini selepas PRU13 dilangsungkan rakyat mahu diyakinkan pula bahawa pilihan raya dilangsungkan 'secara bersih". Ya, rakyat mahu dipasakkan dengan pemikiran bahawa 'Bersih' itu kotor tetapi pilihan raya yang 'kotor' sebagai 'bersih' pula! ************************* Berhubung pengendalian pilihan raya yang membabitkan tugasan ahli parti; Ketua Keselamatan PAS Dun Bukit Baru (anak sulung PAS Melaka), Ustaz Ibrahim Duralim, memberitahu penulis dalam satu pertemuan baru-baru ini, ada ahli PAS (dan Pakatan Rakyat) yang takut-takut kerana menyangka undang-undang dan pelaksana undang-undang seperti polis berpihak kepada Umno-Barisan Nasional. "Itu tak betul," katanya, "misalnya jika ada perayu undi BN berkempen dalam jarak 50 meter dari premis pusat pengundian, saya menjerit menyuruh polis menghalau mereka. Betul, polis bertindak kerana kita tahu dan ikut undang-undang." ***************************** Sehubungan itu beliau meminta petugas seperti 'polling agent' dan 'counting agent' parti mahir dalam selok belok pengendalian pilihan raya. "Di pusat pengiraan undi Bukit Katil, tiba-tiba 'black out' (lampu terpadam) selama kira-kira 30 minit mulai jam 7.05 malam. Budak-budak saya sudah 'ready' dengan lampu suluh. Terpadam saja lampu, mereka menyalakan lampu suluh 'spot light'. Hasilnya mantap; KM Ali Rustam tewas dengan lebih 5,000 undi bagi Parlimen Bukit Katil manakala calon kita, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim memenangi Dun Bukit Baru dengan majoriti tipis 48 undi." ******************************* Ustaz Ibrahim berkata untuk menang dalam perjuangan perlukan pengorbanan, perlukan ilmu. "Jadi saya mencadangkan anak-anak buah saya dalamilah selok belok pengendalian pilihan raya termasuk peraturan dan undang-undangnya agar kita tak terus dipermain dan perlekehkan." ***************************** Demikianlah dalam menjalani kehidupan, ramai daripada kita 'main sangka-sangka' saja. Kita sebenarnya tidak ada pengetahuan dan ilmu mantap. Kita main ikut-ikut saja. Tanpa ilmu pilihan raya, tentulah parti kita akan rugi kerana orang lain mudah mengambil kesempatan menipu kita, dan sebagai seorang Islam, banyak amalan kita hanya main ikut-ikut. Orang buat kita pun buat. **************************** Misalnya, ada anggota masyarakat sesebuah kampung tidak tahu 'kenduri arwah' itu sebenarnya tidak diwajibkan dalam Islam, akan terus mengadakannya walaupun terpaksa berhutang dan bergolok-gadai atau 'menyalahgunakan' harta anak-anak yatim (waris si mati). ****************************** Kita juga berbangga apabila terdapat usaha untuk menunjukkan negara kita sebagai negara Islam contoh seperti mengadakan ujian tilawah (dulunya musabaqah dan pertandingan) membaca al-Quran tetapi kita lupa banyak binaan untuk majlis itu seperti pintu gerbang dan pentas dibina oleh orang bukan Islam. Kita begitu ghairah untuk berarak dan berhimpun sempena Maulidur Rasul tetapi kita lupa papan tanda dan kain rentang yang kita arak itu dibikin oleh orang bukan Islam. **************************** Malah ada yang berselawat secara menjerit-jerit ketika berarak, tetapi hakikatnya kita tak ikut sunnah Rasul pun apabila lelaki dan perempuan bebas bercampur gaul. *************************** Kebanyakan pegangan mengenai agama ini langsung tidak boleh dipersoalkan kebenarannya. Ia ibarat lembu suci (sacred cow). Slogannya adalah seperti - lakukan, jika tidak kamu berdosa. Itu saja kata-katanya, tetapi sudah cukup untuk membunuh kemampuan berfikir seseorang. Kadang-kadang akan muncullah 'Hang Nadim' dan 'Hang Jebat' (sebagai lambang saja) yang berusaha mengubah apa yang kita fikirkan benar itu. Malangnya usaha mereka itu dipatahkan oleh orang yang mempunyai kuasa, kepentingan dan pengaruh. **************************** Jika ada orang cuba menyatakan yang kenduri arwah itu 'tidak disuruh (wajib)' dalam Islam, orang seperti Pengerusi JKKK, malah tok imam, tok lebai, tok siak dan apa-apa 'tok' lagi (maaf, bukan semuanya bersikap begitu) akan menentang habis-habisan. Yang peliknya orang yang tiada duit dan terpaksa berhutang pun menyebelahi tok imam yang tidak langsung mengingatkan bahawa kenduri arwah itu tidak wajib. Mereka bukan menyokong membabi-buta tetapi takut disingkirkan oleh masyarakatnya sendiri. **************************** Hang Nadim, budak cerdik Singapura purba (Temasik) berjaya menepis serangan todak. Namun 'Hang Nadim' yang cuba membuat pembaharuan dibunuh. Ada 'Hang Nadim' yang muncul sekali sekala membawa pembaharuan dipecat, diasing, dihumban ke dalam lokap atau penjara. Itulah yang dialami ramai Hang Nadim moden - daripada Anwar Ibrahim kepada aktivis pelajar Adam Adli yang terpaksa meringkuk dalam lokap!

Thanking the Chinese of Bukit Baru, Melaka

******************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ********************** Reflection *********************** The Declining Day (Al-'Asr) 1. By the declining day, 2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss, 3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. *************************** The 'Pusat Khidmat DUN Bukit Baru' (Bukit Baru State Assemblyman Service Centre) in Bukit Katil, Melaka was a hive of activity last Friday (24th May) when it organized a 'kenduri kesyukuran' (thanks giving feast) especially for party workers and those from Pakatan Rakyat at 'Dataran Kebangkitan Rakyat' (Peoples' Uprising Square) which is situated right in front of Dewan Tun Ali. It is understanable when PAS identities and its supporters hold feast after feast as winning the Bukit Baru seat was its first in the state. ********************* Director of the service centre, Cikgu Yusof Wahab, said many individuals were touched by the historic event, one way to say thank you to supporters and of course to the Lord (Allah SWT) were by giving 'kenduris'. During the the 13th general election held on 5th May, PAS candidate, Dr Mohd Khalid Kassim won the Bukit Baru state seat by defeating Karim Yaakob of BN with a very slim majority of 48 votes. Dr Khalid gathered 9,292 votes compared to Karim's 9,244. ************************ "We won for the first time; this blessing touched the hearts of many PAS members. We have been struggling for more than 50 years; so of course to celebrate this blessing from Allah SWT we show our grateful and be very pleased," said Cikgu Yusof who is also the Bukit Katil PAS Information Chief. ************************* He said Pakatan Rakyat had made tremendous achivement in the 13th general election and have high hopes that it would capture Melaka and Putrajaya in the 14th general election. ************************ Other than winning the Bukit Baru state seat, Pakatan Rakyat stole the limelight after PKR state chairman, Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin who is also national PKR youth wing chief, ousted Melaka Chief Minister, Mohd Ali Rustam in the Bukit Katil Parliamentary constituency. ************************** Other than the Bukit Baru seat, Pakatan Rakyat managed to secure another six state seat, all by DAP namely Duyong, Bandar Hilir, Kota Laksamana, Kesidang, Bachang and Ayer Keroh seats. Other than the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil, Pakatan Rakyat also won the Kota Melaka constituency, by DAP. ********************** In the Bukit Katil parliamentary which had 99,581 electorate, the highest in Melaka, Shamsul polled in 46,167 votes compared to 40,720 votes by Mohd Ali; a stunning win by the young lawyer who before election had likened himself to the little known boxer Joe Frazier who took the stage against the renowned Muhammad Ali in their fight in Las Vegas in 1971, and amazingly Frazier had Ali on the floor. *********************** Dubbed the Putrajaya of Melaka for its administrative setting, Bukit Katil which has the Municipality of Hang Tuah Jaya, is a prized parliamentary seat with a voter demographic of 53% Malays, 41% Chinese and 6% Indians. *********************** In 2004, BN retained the seat with a stunning 27,252-vote majority. Four years later however Pakatan Rakyat narrowed that gap to a mere 1,758 and on 5th May, Mohd Ali had to lick his wounds by losing out to Shamsul with more than 5,000 votes. ************************* Mohd Ali who had a few months ago organized a 'kenduri kahwin' (wedding feast) of his son attended by a record of 100,000 guests in Dewan Tun Ali and its vicinity, accused the Chinese of betraying Barisan Nasional and being ungrateful to all the good things he had fed and done to them. ************************** Mohd Ali claimed that he had received only 1.5 per cent of the Chinese vote in Bukit Katil; thus that was the main reason for his failure. Many politicians including Barisan Nasional leaders such as Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, Mohamad Hassan, lambasted Mohd Ali for his 'racist' remarks. ************************** Mohamad said he disagrees with Mohd Ali, who had described Chinese voters as “ungrateful” and “racist” following his defeat in the Bukit Katil parliamentary constituency. “He lost Bukit Katil, but the BN did not lose in all parliamentary seats. So, he should not generalise and label the Chinese as ungrateful and racist.” ************************* DAP leader Lim Kit Siang said, Mohd Ali should also offer his profuse apologies to not just the Chinese voters in the constituency of Bukit Katil but also the Malay voters, who make up 53% of the voters in this constituency, and also the Indian voters, who make up 6% of the voters in this constituency for exercising their democratic right to choose their candidate of preference, which happens to be his opponent, Shamsul Iskandar, from PKR ***************************** Cikgu Yusof who met this writer, accompanied by PAS Security Chief for DUN Bukit Baru, Ustaz Ibrahim Duralim, said Mohd Ali made a grave mistake be leaving his bastion seat of Bukit Baru to contest in the Parliamentary constituency of Bukit Katil. But it was a great advantage to PAS as the BN candidate, Karim, was not a strong contender. In the 2004 election of that state seat, Mohd Ali defeated PAS candidate Bakrin Sidek with 5,992 majority of votes. In 2008, he defeated Bakrin again, but with only 2,708 majority votes and in this 2013 election he trusted the seat to a totally 'new boy' Karim who is the Melaka Umno Youth Chief. ******************************** Some urban voters who were well updated in their information, were fed up with the excessive spending by Mohd Ali. Millions of ringgits have been wasted on too many failed projects, like the Malacca Monorail, Eye on Malaysia, Go-Kart circuit and the Melaka International Airport. ********************* And the latest to be included in 'the white elephant museum' is the 'Perkampung Hang Tuah' (the Village of Hang Tuah) in Duyong at a cost of RM132 million. *********************** If Mohd Ali 'cursed' the Chinese, Cikgu Yusof on behalf of PAS Melaka congratulated and thanked them especially those voters who live in Bukit Baru as he admitted that Chinese votes contributed to the party's success in winning the Bukit Baru seat and the Parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil by PKR. *********************** Looking at the final sheet tally of results of DUN Bukit Baru, PAS candidate Dr Khalid won convincingly in Chinese dominated areas such as Bukit Baru Dalam (a majority of 697 votes) but lost in traditional Malay kampungs such as Kampung Bukit Katil and Bukit Pulau. ************************* To thank the Chinese and other non-Muslims who by each day are excited to learn more about Islam and the Islamic party, Cikgu Yusof and his team plan to organize a free bus trip to Kelantan for non-Muslims PAS supporters in DUN Bukit Baru in a short period of time. ***************************** He said visit would 'insya-Allah' (God willing), lighten and answer the curiosity of the non-Muslims about 'the down to earth' and transparent attitute of Kelantan PAS leaders and administration escpecially that of Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. ***************************** He said those who were interested could call him or visit 'Pusat Khidmat DUN Bukit Baru which is just across the road from Masjid Kampung Bukit Katil. It is next to Kedai Jimat Kampung Bukit Katil and the telephone number is 06-2672239.