WHY RAZALI, THE UN HERO SO QUIET?

Myanmar, this 60 million people so-called Buddhist country is on rampage against Muslims, the Rohingyas. Skirmishes against Muslims have occurred many times before especially after General Ne Win's coup  in 1962.

Surely their god(s) is(are) not angry neither the people have misunderstood their religion. Is it hatred in the people - monks, the army and junta lead to genocide of the Rohingyas? In the western state of Rakhine, 200 people have been killed, whole villages burned forcing 140,000 to flee their homes.

This man from United Nations, Razali Ismail has been very active in and out of Myanmar to cajole the Myanmar junta in order to gain release of Su Kyi who has been under house arrest for more than a decade. Now, where is he and what has he done to appease the junta from committing more atrocities to the Muslims? He should use his leverage in the UN, Su Kyi and Myanmar to help stop the killing fields.

Su Kyi, since her release dare not say anything to the perpetrators of the crime against humanity.

Pity the Muslims wherever they originated from earlier on generations ago to settle in Myanmar. For what they have contributed to the development of the country they are not even recognised as citizens.

May your donations through this Maybank account help ease the sufferings of the Rohingyas.

Malaysia has not done enough to help the Rohingyas. Najib spent billions on consultants to save his skin but immune to the slaughter of Muslims. Should Malaysia send athletes to the SEA Games in Myanmar?

BURMA, WHEN MUSLIMS WERE SAFE

Burma gained independence in 1948. U Nu won the first general election in April 1960. He was supportive of Muslim minorities but the coup by General Ne Win in March 1962 put an end to Muslim political  activity. That was the beginning of genocide but before that there were skirmishes already.

The royal dynasty was put to an end after the Burma wars when the British took over the country. The last king was exiled to India likewise the last Mughal emperor was exiled to Burma.

When kings ruled, culture and religion did not differentiate between the minority and majority groups of people. Burma was rich in natural resources of land and water to cater for easy everyday life in terms of food, material culture, ornaments. Its borders became porous as neighbouring Muslims from India came to settle in Burma. The palace power was not abusive enabling a powerful state to wage wars against Siam.

The king and queen at a performance at the Mandalay palace gardens.

The spirit 'palace' at Taungbyon, near Mandalay. Dancing mediums are with the orchestra on the platform, drunken revellers are below, c.1869.

An ah-nyeint troup performing in the street, c.1900. A spirit (centre) sends a tiger (foreground) to catch the heroine who sits weaving (right).

A bon-shay (double-headed drum) group with two dancers, c.1880

 A yein (chorus) dance by a group of young girls at a Buddhist festival, c.1890's

Trained elephants for war, work, transport and leisure.

Princess Hteik, descendant of former royalty showing oil paintings of her parents, Yangon, 2013.

Under the current junta supposedly more liberalised after relaese of Ang Su Kyi, Myanmar is a hell of a place for Rohingyas. Militant Buddhism has taken over the mood of the country and killing fields taking place at will.

FOR AN ADDICT, HISHAMUDIN MUST SUFFER

Hishamudin is a nicotine addict. It is not easy to detox and come out clean from such candu. However he must try otherwise suffer the consequences. I tried Peter Stuyvesant post-school days but my throat was sensitive and I would cough. It was a good thing to deter me from getting the habit.

I don't know what brand he puffs but certainly not Player's or Rough Rider. They were cigarettes of yore.

Apart from the guidelines to adhere he needs strong self-discipline to quit smoking.

Modern medicine makes angioplasty routine. Whatmore, the stent technology to balloon the blocked artery has improved to sophistication.

Alhamdulillah, Hishamudin gone through the angio well. He is to say a modified man. I am too a modified man in many ways. Had undergone angioplasty thrice. I think it's in the genes. My indebtness to Dato' Seri Roba'ayah and Dato' Bala of IJN.

Kick the habit bro.

Or you may become like this according to the Ministry of Health.

IQRAQ AND OTHER MANNERISMS

It is under the trying conditions of Africa and other far-flung places that ones hold on Islam and practice is fully tested. Conditions of poverty, harsh desert, turmoil don't make it easier. Malaysia and the Muslim world have not done enough for Africa.

Africa - Timbuktu

Afghanistan

Christmas Islanders

Africa - using wooden tablets.

Africa - open air trade

Praying times - Turkey (end of May)

Face the qiblat in the open desert.

Dervish sufism

MY BROTHER IN CONGO

Colonel Hassan passed away three years ago. He was my brother the eldest of eight siblings. I was never close to him but we maintained cordial relationship. I didn't like his temper. Moreover, we didn't get a chance to spent time to grow up together.  I am still indebted to him in a great many ways. Every month during my Form 6th years I would receive a registered letter and $60 in it.

Right from secondary school Hassan was away from home. When he completed his senior Cambridge he became a temporary clerk then as a teacher then joined the army medical in the dental section based at Penang. It seems he was popular among the amoys there as judged from pictures of picnics at the beach.

I could hear him singing 'Bangsawan Solo' sometimes when he came back home. After finishing his short-serive commission training at Sg. Besi he said about 'ilmu kebab' that had been tested on him with a parang. That was the start of him of 'Hidup untuk askar, askar untuk hidup' life commitment with Askar Melayu DiRaja. Friends, subordinates and regulars called him 'Hassan Mata Merah' for his eyes were always bloodshot.

Several years after retirement I asked about books in his keeping. He left a crate of them at his last posting at Majidi Camp and he assumed that they were already gone. I wanted to know more about his army experiences for he never talk about his career.

I cannot ascertain when he went to serve in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping force, most likely in the early 60's. I could only allude his experiences based on a book written by a Malayan Special Force (MSF) officer, Tan Siew Soo who served in that heart of Africa.

Artists were sent to Congo to entertain our Malaysian forces.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now in turmoil of a rebellion.

APA DIA AMANAT PAS?

Amanat yang dicetuskan oleh Hadi Awang adalah cerita lama. Bila dihitam putihkan oleh pihak Pas ia menampakan hatiperut, tahap pemikiran dan anutan Islam mereka. Pasang jerat sendiri. Sehingga kehari ini belum dapat keluar dari jebak yang ideologinya tidak dapat dipertahankan oleh mereka yang  fanatik. Hendak menegakkan benang yang basah mana boleh. 

Politik menjatuhkan hukum agama sewenangnya? Akibah kekalutan pembawaan terpesong jauh ini makin lama makin nyata.

THE END OF NIGHT, DALI'S STYLE