An open Letter to Tun Mahathir

Dear Tun Dr. Mahathir,

In 1998 I was one of the students who signed the petition in front of Ambrose mosque in Manchester, asking for the rational justification concerning the shocked eradication of Anwar Ibrahim; the former number two. We were very angry and eager to be part of the demonstrations in KL, envy we did but the distance was too far for us. With that I am requesting for the real answer, not the gay saga or the corruption charges, just the chorological of events that lead to your decision.

Although he is the latest populist, I am not really a fan of Anwar, a man who can really talk without the real walk; sadly he is the preeminent we have at this moment, to be the strongest bond of them all. The tribes have spoken and the populace are now divided, one who choose to wipe out the incapable leader and another who believe that the man will renovate in the near future doing miracle to nation development. I am with you on this matter; he’s too slow, too weak and sundry of other pessimistic remarks.

Tun, your legacy as a progressive leader will always be one of the obsession to narrate during my son Danial’s story time, let alone your courageousness to speak up while other Muslim leaders remain silent towards the modern colonials i.e. the arrogant yanks or the Jew in disguise. On behalf of the Muslim population I would like to thank you for the effort which I think Tuan Guru Nik Aziz will be with me on this occasion.

During your tenure as the prime minister of Malaysia you’ve created few millionaires among the Malays but they fail to distribute the wealth like you’ve always desire. People like Halim Saad vanished in his world of rich and famous without much contribution beyond the circle of influence except for the famous school in Malacca. The gap between the well-off and the needy are widen only to get worse with the incompetency of the current government which decide to multiply the wealth within the most elegant family, the one with new graceful mother.

Reading the mainstream news is like reading a fiction by Dan Brown, nothing is real but they made it as if the truth is always on their side. The Mahathir’s bashing time is far from over and it is rather bizarre seeing the idiots buying loyalty with money, UMNO no longer a party for the Malays but a tool for the greedy politicians. Kudos! To you Tun, you went out before it is too late.

Tun, you talked about Malays during the forum in Kajang, but I guess that sentiment is pretty much outdated, believe me Tun, playing along the racial line does not bring any good to the nation. I told my son to walk hand in hand with the Chinese or Indians friends but make sure he hold on to Islam.

Coming from a small town known as Teluk Intan, I never have problem with the Chinese and Indian neighbors but years of marginalization I can barely recall their names. New Economic Policy was all about refurbishing the equity, but the consequences go beyond the inequality in economy; it affected the relationship that once disregards the religion and races. Forget about the entire voracious Malay Ali Baba businessman, the young Malays under your guidance and facilitation all the while is ready for the big challenge.

I once read about Parti Negara founded by Dato’ Onn Jaafar, it was a multiracial political party like the one they have now in Keadilan. Why was the idea rejected by the leaders at that time? Wouldn’t it help create the patriotism among the non-Malays towards the country? After all, acknowledging the non-Malays only when they win the Thomas Cup or the bowling championship does not make sense to me. Most of the time we told the Chinese or Indians, they are not really important (especially by the youth of UMNO). Could that be the reason why they work harder to succeed?

I will stop at those questions and really hope you can answer my curiosity, I am a naïve young man who doesn’t really understand politics but I am trying my best acquiring all the knowledge and history of this country, both sides of the partisans. Thank you and be strong.


Shahrul Azmi

An open letter to Danial

26th April 2008

Dear Danial,

It is quarter to 2 in the morning and here I am wondering what to do. I figured out that this is something I can prepare for you to read in the future. Today is Saturday and in 12 hours Man Utd will be playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the premier league title. I hope you'll continue my desire towards football although your Ayah did not get anywhere with that.

How’s your sister Qasdeena? Is she doing well in school? Please make sure she concentrates on studying and forget about boyfriend. They will bring more trouble especially with someone similar to my younger days. At the time I am writing this piece Mama and Ayah are still trying for our next baby and I guess you are old enough to understand that.

About a month ago there was a general election for our country Malaysia and for the first time in 50 years Barisan Nasional lost 5 states to the opposition. In case BN is history to you, let me tell you something about the coalition. Barisan Nasional consists of few parties representing all the different races and UMNO is the leading party. How they managed to lose all 5 states is nothing mysterious, the people hated them so much because of their arrogant and corrupted party members except to those voters from Sabah and Sarawak. UMNO was very much influenced by the divide and rule mechanism introduced by the colonial i.e. the British.

On the day the election results were announced, we were enjoying our dinner at one of the restaurant in the Curve, thanks to your Atok Deano. Messages were coming in to my mobile and one of the messages I remembered was about Khairy Jamalauddin, the son in law of Pak Lah-Prime Minister of Malaysia. The message conveyed a clear message about KJ's defeat in Negeri Sembilan but somehow the news were not true by the end of the counting. I guess those who counted the ballot box must be really bad in math. My son, please make sure you tell me what the ending of KJ was, I really need to know. Don’t worry so much about Pak Lah’s story; I think I know how it ends.

At the moment you are sleeping in the room with Mama and Qasdeena, I just don’t know when you guys will be ready to sleep in your own rooms. Talking about rooms I still haven’t prepared the room as per your mama’s request, a mixture of laziness and money of which you shall never follow.

Back to politics, 2 weeks ago I was at a forum with Tun Mahathir Mohamad, the longest serving Prime Minister of Malaysia. I was never a fan of Tun until I came back from UK and understand his works. He was known as the man who changed the country from kampong to metropolitan, good or bad yet to be seen. Tun talked about Malays during the forum, but I guess he too was outdated, believe me my son' playing along the racial line does not bring any good to the nation. Walk hand in hand with your Chinese or Indians friends but make sure you hold on to Islam.

I’ve just finished reading a book by Chin Peng, the most wanted man in Malaya during the colonial occupation and I found the book to be interesting. My advice to you, don’t just believe anything being told to you without ever hearing from both sides. The world can be deceiving and it is full with guys who would do anything for power and money.

It is hard living in the city, I spent most of the time working and waiting for the salary days. The routine is scary but in order to survive I need to make sure I carry on. Your mother has been helping so much with the bills and to compensate I would never hesitate in doing her duty as well. There are those who saw that as inappropriate but a man's got to do what a man's got to do.

Opah and Atok have been ill for these past years and Ayah has got to perform the required duty as a son and that is why we do the things we does every Saturday of your life. I am not asking the same treatments from you and Qasdeena but at least make sure you guys are available when you are needed.

Son, the key to being successful is how you define success. Never put materials on top of the list and make sure you follow every rules from the Quran and Hadith. It is not the car you drive, it is not brands you choose, it is not about the house you live in but it is all about what is in your head and your heart. Fill it up with knowledge and kindness, you will survive.

Let this be the first letter and I will be writing more letters in the future. Take care and you know how much I love you and your sister, Qasdeena.


Sincerely
Ayah (3 am)