Tribute to the saint of non-violence

Gandhi and the universality of God

The world commemorated the 140th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2nd 2009.He was undeniably one of the greatest personalities of recent times and he can be considered the saint of non-violence who did what he preached and preached only what he did.

Religious conflicts are the most common cause of violence in the world today. Not a day passes without the news of some tragic episode causing deaths of innocent people somewhere in the world. We say that we are all the children of one God and that that all religions lead to that same God but why are we fighting and killing each in His name?

Mahatma Gandhi had a very simple but useful lesson for us all in inter-faith relations. A militant Hindu, who admitted killing a Muslim child in revenge for the murder of his own son by Hindu militants, came to Gandhi, who was almost dying from prolonged fasting. He laid down his weapons and urged Gandhi to break his fast, saying he did want to carry the sin of his death. The Mahatma listened intently and told the man of a way out of his past sins against fellow Muslims.

“You go back, find a Muslim child whose parents were killed by Hindus and bring it up strictly as a Muslim not a Hindu.”

Gandhi said these words at a time of severe Hindu-Muslim riots that rocked his country and killed many. His words are relevant till today where religious fanaticism and hatred still poses great problems. Unless we accept and respect each other’s faith we can never have genuine and lasting peace. Although Gandhi was a devout Hindu he also had great respect for all other religions. When asked whether he was a Hindu,he replied said “Yes,I am a Hindu but I am also a Muslim, Christian and a Jew”.

Gandhi believed in the universality of God, “The Allah of Islam is the same as the God of Christians and the Ishwar of Hindus.”

He was quoted as saying “all religions were true but all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. … our inner-most prayer should be for a Hindu to be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian.” (Young India: January 19, 1928).

This concept of the equality of religions and the universality of God is something, which is badly needed in today’s world where violence in His name is so rampant. We justify killing others as acts to defend our own God. I wonder who needs whose protection, God needs man’s or man needs His. Don’t we realize that we are despising the same God who may be worshiped by others in different forms and names?

We are so intent in fighting one another to claim superiority over our adversaries, man against man, race against race, religion against religion and nation against nation. We resort to all the resources at our disposal; powerful arms, violence and war, to achieve victory over our enemies. We justify the use of violence to protect our perceived rights, race and religion but where do all these stand in the eyes of God?

Just after sixty one years after his passing we are finding it difficult to believe how Gandhi, a small, timid and frail looking man, could have brought down the mighty British Empire. This was clearly described by Albert Einstein, ‘Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth”.

Mahatma Gandhi may have left this world but his memories remain very much with us, alive and relevant. He did not possess power, position or wealth. His simplicity, integrity and a heart for fellow men had touched many of all races and religions and he should and will remain a conscience in the hearts of men for generations to come.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Samy Velu,MIC and the Indian dilemma

Will his exit solve Indian woes?

The most hotly contested Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) elections saw the return of the president’s men at the helm of the party. Despite the growing demands for change from Malaysian Indians, including MIC members on the ground, the 1400 over delegates saw it fit to return the same old team for another 3 years. They seemed to be oblivious to the sentiments of the people they represent. The MIC president himself, Datuk Seri S. Samy Velu, was returned unopposed in a rather controversial manner that typifies his style of authoritarian leadership of the party for 3 decades. It does not augur well for the party that practices democracy.

Now that the old team is back at the helm, what is next for the Indians who form about 8% of the population? The plight of Indians has been at the forefront since the Hindraf rally in 2007 which saw thousands of them pouring onto the streets to highlight their anger and frustration over the government’s inaction to the plight. In the subsequent general elections of March 2008, the Indian candidates in MIC fared badly losing most of their seats. Even their president of 30 years suffered a humiliating defeat in his own constituency.

The Indian voters have for the first time in the history shifted their support from the MIC and Barisan Nasional(BN) to the Opposition parties. Even the once considered Islamic extremists PAS was more appealing to them than Umno , MIC and BN. Why this sudden change of loyalty?

Umno blames Samy Velu for the losses of MIC and the BN and wants him to step down as its president. Its former president, Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad, has called him a liability to BN which Samy strongly denies and in turn blames Umno for failing to honor its commitment to the Indians. For once we tend to agree with Samy ; he may be a cause of the rot in MIC but is not the sole cause of the BN defeat in the 12GE.
It was an overbearing and arrogantly dominant Umno that has caused the drastic erosion of support for not only the MIC but the MCA, Gerakan and other non-Malay parties. It was the Umno-dictated lopsided BN policies that led to its debacle in the 2008 elections. Unless Umno accepts its shortcomings and take steps to correct itself, which appears remote, its non-Malay partners in the BN are going to perish in the next general elections.

The widespread calls for Samy Velu to step down as the MIC president come not only from Malaysian Indians in general but also by many from his own party. In fact most Malaysians are of the opinion that he has overstayed and he should steps down for the sake of the future of Indians who are already severely divided with the establishment of numerous smaller Indian based parties.

Will Samy’s exit resolve the woes of the Malaysian Indians, the MIC and BN? His dictatorial style of leadership has eliminated all talented Indians who were either expelled, left in cold storage till this day or denied entry into MIC. Absence of a credible opposition within the MIC has led to abuse of power and corruption in the party as a result of which the poor Indians got poorer and the rich richer.
There are serious doubts whether his hand-picked team that he will leave behind can ever rise up to fulfill its role as the protector of the Malaysian Indians. There are signs that Umno-BN may be courting others to replace its long-time ally if Samy continues to be stubborn and recalcitrant. There are already many waiting on the sidelines to rush in to fill the vacuum being that may be created by the MIC.

The Indian population may be small but its share of problems is abundant and complex. Since independence the economic share of the Indians has dwindled progressively due to their losses in the plantation and public sectors where they were predominantly employed.

Today poverty, unemployment, delinquency and crime rate among Indians are the highest in the country. Apart from these other social ills such as alcoholism, illiteracy, broken homes, illegitimate children and stateless youths are also highly prevalent among them. Their deplorable state has resulted in them being looked down by the other races who consider them as a liability to national development. Even many of the successful Indians are beginning to get frustrated with the helpless mentality of their own people who have earned a third-class citizen status in the country.
The blame game for the deplorable state of Indians continues. Samy Velu and his MIC blame the Umno-controlled government for their woes. Well it may be so to a certain extent but a great deal also being contributed by the Indians themselves. They have only look at their fellow Chinese to realize that their situation could have been far better than what it is today.

The biggest factor that has contributed to the deplorable state of Indians is their mindset which makes them think others are obliged to cater for all their needs and perceived rights. They blame everybody else for their failures except themselves; the British colonialist, Malays, Chinese, Umno-BN government, the richer Indians and even the Almighty.They must realize that unless they help themselves no outside force however great can uplift their socio-economic status without their cooperation. Aren’t we taught that even God only helps those who help themselves?

The only way forward for the Indians is to adopt a more positive attitude to life. Instead of ranting and raving about others denying them their rights and not helping them, they must buck up by adopting a more enterprising work ethics. They must discard all obsolete practices and prejudices and be willing to acquire all the latest knowledge and skills in technology and commerce to equip themselves to brace the challenges ahead in the highly competitive world today. They must get their priorities right and be shrewd to grasp all opportunities that come by and not wait for them to be given without any efforts on their part.

It is time for all Malaysians, including Indians, to support a system that will do away with race politics and opt for a one based purely on multiracialism and merit. If we continue with the politics of the past where each community is represented by its own communal party, where the races compete will each other, the minorities will inevitably be marginalized. The Indian community being a minority that comprises a mere 8% of the population and without any economic or political clout does not stand a chance for success as proven over the last 52 years.

Multi-racial political system that has policies drawn up to eradicate poverty and socio-economic deprivation that are color-blind will be the only way all races will obtain maximum benefits. Only under such a system will all citizens be able to unite and prosper as one Malaysian race. That is the ideal situation that we must have and for which we all must strive.

Dr.Chris Anthony

Bagan Pinang by-election: A vote on corruption

Another opportunity for voters to demonstrate their wisdom and maturity

The dark clouds that shrouded Port Dickson on nomination day may be an indication of the uncertainty of the Bagan Pinang by-election and the nation as a whole come the 13GE.The historic elections of March 8,2008 has drastically changed the political landscape in the country. In a country divided and ruled along ethnic lines, a multiracial and a two-party system of governance, which was unthinkable before, have suddenly, become a possible reality.

Bagan Pinang may be a Barisan Nasional (BN), in particular Umno, stronghold with its candidate Tan Sri Mohd.Isa Samad enjoying mass popularity among the constituents but these days victory for BN is far from assured as it used to be before in the pre – March 8 era. The battle has to be fought with all their might and resources at their disposal.

For the BN its main asset at this by-election, besides money, is experience and popularity of its candidate on whom it depends to redeem its wavering support among the people. For the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) it is the call for change to eradicate corruption, abuse of power and multiracialism. The people in Bagan Pinang must decide on behalf of the 27million Malaysians which of these should emerge the victor.
It is interesting that Bagan Pinang is a racially balanced constituency with 62.7%Malays, 20.7%Indians, 10.9%Chinese and 5.5% others. That means that the composition of Malays (63%) and Non-Malays(37%) reflects the overall racial makeup of the nation. The voting pattern in this election may be an indication of the support the BN and PR enjoy among the various communities. It may further indicate the possible trend in the next general elections that is not too far away.

Another significant factor is that the Indians, who have many grouses with the BN, make up a larger than usual proportion of the constituents which offers them a tangible voice this time around that could determine the winner.

Realising their strength this time, there have been call for the Indians to boycott the by-election as both BN and PR have failed to help the Indians. Their boycott will definitely give the much needed victory for the BN but will that in anyway benefit the Indians who claim they have been marginalised for the last 52 years under Umno-BN? The only way Indians can get long term benefits is for BN and PR to do away with the present race-based politics and adopt one based on merits and need regardless of race or creed. Is the ruling Umno-BN ready or willing to adopt such a system? It does not appear to be so although it says it wants to in its 1Malaysia policy.

Even on the day of nomination race politics started to rear its ugly head. Racist books attacking the Pakatan Rakyat were being distributed; of course we do not expect any action against those responsible. No Umno leaders see it fitting and right to condemn such seditious acts but they expect full support from the non-Malays this time around. That is the irony, attacking those whose support they need badly.

The battle may be between a political heavy weight Isa, a veteran with wide experience but who has been found guilty of money politics, and novice Zulkefly who is yet to be tested of his capabilities and integrity, but the main issue in this election is corruption. The people of Bagan Pinang must decide who between the two candidates will be in a better position to fight to rid of corruption that has plagued the nation for too long and undermining every effort to elevate the nation to a developed status. Only a candidate who is free of corruption, is trustworthy, and is willing to go down to serve the rakyat will be best suited to represent their interests. The people must be their judge to decide who that is.

The politicians have taken the voters wisdom and maturity for granted for far too long. The people today are mature enough to decide for themselves the good and bad of each candidate. They cannot be hoodwinked by the antics and empty promises by the political parties anymore.

The country is undergoing some difficult times in inter-ethnic relations and its transformation into a two-party multiracial nation and the people of Bagan Pinang can help the process by sending a strong message on behalf of all Malaysians that they want a nation that is multiethnic and corruption-free where everyone regardless of race, creed or political ideology can live side by side in peace and harmony. The onus is on the people of Bagan Pinang to demonstrate their wisdom and maturity in no uncertain terms come October 11.

Dr.Chris Anthony