Of Secrets, Volvos and Public Accountability Democratic Right Under Threat

Just when Investigative country have with expensive, big s(Jch as financial mismanage­ journalism has found a cars. It is as if the height of their ment are found in the administra­ positions in government must be little courage to be true to tion. But the manner in which matched with, or glaringly indi­ this case was being handled Its profession, newspaper cated by, the size of their official somewhat belies this assurance. reporters are reminded of cars. These officials, it appears, For instead of swiftly acting on the existence of the OSA are not easily driven by the those who were responsible in and the dire motors of modesty and modera­ the questionable purchase of the consequences that would tion. expensive cars, the Government befall on those who fall In another sense, more impor­ was quick to reprimand the con­ foul of the law. tant and serious, this episode has scientious civil servants (who In this article, MUSTAFA once again brought to the fore the "leaked" the information) and K ANUAR argues for a contentiousness of the Official even threatened to use the OSA Secrets Act (OSA) and, conse­ against them. Freedom of Information quently, the vital question of The Opposition, certain sec­ Act to replace the OSA. public accountability of govern­ tions of the Malaysian press, and ment administration, and of other concerned citizens were democracy in general. equally warned of the dire conse­ he controversial issue of For one thing, the Volvo issue quences of getting and publicis­ 22 Volvo cars being pur­ clearly shows that the OSA real­ ing this sort of information. True, T chased by Tan Sri Elyas ly has too broad and vague a as the law now stands, these Omar's Kuala Lumpur City Hall definition of "Official Secrets" people can be considered as con­ and the subsequent resignation that can only be injurious to travening the OSA if they per­ of the mayor himself is in one citizens' democratic right to in­ sistently look for such sense a sad commentary of the formation. Surely the buying of information, and hence "guilty" curious and seemingly incurable these expensive cars cannot, and of trying to right a wrong. obsession that many high should not, be conveniently Herein, as already implied government officials in the given the stamp of "Official earlier,lies the nub of the matter. Secret" as the taxpaying rakyat For as long as the OSA remains are entitled to know how their in the statute book and in its money is being spent by govern­ present form, the task of making ment departments such as the the Government as a whole more Kuala Lumpur City Hall. accountable to the people be­ Besides, it is hard to visualize comes an arduous one. This argu­ how such a disclosure can ment, to be sure, is not new. For threaten, if at all, national inter­ this point had been raised vehe­ est and security' which the OSA mently by those people who was originally meant to protect. protested against the amendment One can only surmise that the to the OSA in 1986. only interests at stake here are The protesters of the those of the City Hall officials amended OSA felt, and still do, concerned - i.e., they might not that nearly all information about get to keep and flaunt their all Government activities are vibrant Volvos. "protected" from public scrutiny Of course, the Government by the catch-all provisions of the Elyas Omar: Symbol of power Is a had given the assurance that it Act. In addition, they are also sleek Volvo? will take action if wrongdoings disturbed by the fact that no

A limit Monthly 1992:12 (8) Page 2 Indeed, such a political cul­ ture is not unique to Malaysia alone. Elsewhere, the United States in particular, scandals such as the Watergate and the Iran-gate affairs couldn't have reached the public domain had it not been for the investigations and inquiries done by journalists, other individuals and non­ governmental groups. In short, it is fair to argue that it is rather naive to assume that govern­ The OSA lalndlned 1o cr.ling • c:unure or rumour~ong.-ing. ments, whether in the US, Britain, Japan, India etc., would safeguard exists against over­ right - is the duty of everyone. take the leading role in revealing zealousness in classifying any Indeed, this is very much in line mismanagements committed in particular information as with the philosophies of the their own administrations. "Secret". major religions in the world. Hence, if we may repeat here, it Not that we don't appreciate Taking Islam as an example, is essential that individuals and the need for strict confidentiality since it has been the groups outside government have of certain information that reaJly Government's commitment to access to important information. relates to the country's interest infuse Islamic values in the ad­ Another implication arising and security. But there certainly ministration, the establishment from the use of the OSA is the is a case for a clear guideline as of all that is right (alma' ru/) and cultivation of an unhealthy cul­ to what kinds of information that the elimination of all that is ture of rumour-mongering and constitute Official Secrets. Also wrong (almunkar) is the sacred wild speculations. Of course, this for the common good of the duty of everyone, including is not to say that without the OSA Malaysian people, there is a need rulers and the ruled. The Holy rumours will be eradicated. But to impose a particular time dura­ Quran recommends that it wiJl certainly reduce the num­ tion or frame upon certain secrets everyone should fight for what is ber of rumour mills and, more to be classified Official Secrets, right (Surah Al-Haji) [2] Verse importantly, will encourage after which any interested in­ 41; Surah Al-Imran [3] Verse people in general to be more dividual can have access to these 10). cautious, prudent and account­ data. It is therefore heartening to able. Looked at in another way, the learn that the Government is con­ Finally, in our desire for bet­ OSA can go a long way towards cerned about mismanagement, ter public accountability and obstructing the noble objective scandals, etc. in the administra­ serious commitment to of creating a caring society. Civil tion. However, past incidents democratic-practices in our servants, journalists and other and cases involving financial society, we would urge that the concerned Malaysians who are scandals in Malaysia did not lend vague OSA be replaced with a not only conscientious but also enough credence to the Freedom of Information Act deeply care for the overall wel­ Government's professed com­ (FOIA). The making of this law fare of the country will not be mitment. (FOIA) would in essence ensure able to effectively assume this One only has to remember that the public gets information responsibility. The OSA, in other cases such as the BMF scandal, about the activities of govern­ words, can encourage the Maminco mystery, and the ment departments and public Malaysians to be lackadaisical, recent Telekom-Maika Holdings authorities. In addition, this right care-free about their own society share issues controversy, to will give the Malaysian public and, worse even, selfish and may name but a few. In most of these access to information held by well send the wrong signal that financial controversies, it usual­ ministers, departments and it's fairly alright to indulge in ly took individuals and/or groups public authorities except such in­ certain misdeeds. outside the Government to spear­ formation that must be kept To expose wrongdoings - and head the revelation of such mis­ secret in the real interest of the subsequently help put things deeds. public.O

A.liro1t MoniJa/;,1992:12 (8) P11g6 J EDUCATION Malaysian Educational Reforms: Change For The Better?

Recently our educational system has seen many suggestions for reforms, some of which have been Implemented. MOLLY LEE, a lecturer at Unlversltl Salns Malaysia, analyses the rationale behind these reforms and assesses their advantages and d lsadvantages.

hen schools started for the new school year W last December, there was a lot of confusion especially among the Form Four pupils for Much needs to be done on the part of the they were not sure which class they were being assigned to by school to effect actual changes In the their schools. This confusion educational experiences of the pupils. arose because for the first time Malaysian schools are doing type of examinations one has to Primary One to Form Three, now away with the Science and Arts pass before one moves up the he/she can go all the way to Form streams at the upper secondary educational ladder; whereas cur­ Five. level. This is just one of the many riculum changes involve the This new policy brought reforms that have been intro­ types of learning experiences. about several changes. Firstly, duced into our educational sys­ such as subjects and co-cur­ the Sijil Rendah Peperiksaan tem since the release of the riculum activities, that are of­ (SRP) examination taken at the Cabinet Committee Report in fered in the schools. We shall end of Form Three is no longer November, 1979. This article is a examine first the structural chan­ selective. In other words, every critical review of some of these ges and then the curriculum child is entitled to be promoted educational reforms - analysing changes. to Form Four no matter what their rationale and innovative his/her SRP results were. This features, highlighting both their Structural Changes reform implies that the govern­ intended and unintended out­ One of the main recommen­ ment would have to ensure there comes. dations in the Cabinet Commit­ are enough school places and The educational reforms can tee Report is to extend the teachers to accommodate the in­ be divided into structural chan­ number of years of basic educa­ creased number of pupils enter­ ges and curriculum changes. The tion from 9 to 11 years for every ing the upper secondary level. structural changes involve the child in the country. While, in Secondly, starting from 1992, · number of years of schooling at the past, a child was guaranteed pupils are no longer placed in the each educational level and the a place in the school system from Science or Arts streams. Instead,

Alirtln Molllla/J 1992:12 (8) Pt~ge 4 effect actual changes in the educational experiences of the pupils. Cuniculum Changes (i) KBSR Another important recom­ mendation in the Cabinet Com­ mittee Report is to revamp the primary school curriculum so that more emphasis be given to the teaching and learning of the basic skills -reading, writing and arithmetic (3M - membaca, menulis, mengira). In 1983, the new primary school curriculum (KBSR) was implemented in all schools, bringing about several curriculum changes. Among these changes, a major part of the school time is spent on the basic skills (4VO% in Primary I-III, 52% pupils who have undergone KBSR are more in Primary IV-VI); subjects like science, geography, history and expressive, articulate and civics are all taught under an in­ active ... tegrated subject called "Man and His Environment"; moral educa­ tion is compulsory for all non­ Muslim pupils while Muslim they are allowed to choose any teachers. To overcome this prob­ pupils are taught Islamic studies. combination of subjects they like lem, schools would have to break The rationale for this new for the Sijil Peperiksaan away from the rigidity of com­ curriculum is to avoid overload­ Malaysia (SPM) examination to mon time-tabling practices, such ing the school child with be taken at the end of Form Five. as scheduling a fixed time- table academic content, but rather The abolishment of the Science for a particular class, ·a fixed focus on the development of and Arts streams at the upper number of periods for a par­ communicative skills and high secondary level is aimed at the ticular subject, and a 40-minute moral values. However, many removal of"early specialization" period. Instead, schools may parents, especially those from in our school system. This have to be innovative in schedul­ the urban areas, do view this reform is in line with the national ing their lessons such that reform with dissatisfaction be­ educational philosophy which several parallel sessions are cause they feel that this cur­ stresses the importance of an all­ going on at the same time, and riculum is not challenging or rounded development for the in­ pupils with different subject demanding enough for their dividual. combinations can draw up their children. The common defence against such criticism is that the Before this particular reform own time-tables for the week. new curriculum provides for can be effective, each school has This may imply that the lessons both weak and good pupils in the to ensure that their pupils are do not necessary have to be form of remedial and enrichment giver\ the freedom to choose any slotted into 40-minute periods, teaching. But again, in practice, combination of subjects for their and that a particular lesson is many teachers for various SPM examination. However, in taught once only. Unless the reasons seldom carry out either practice, many schools are schools are prepared to question remedial or enrichment teaching restricting their students to only their taken-for-granted prac­ in their classes. A positive out­ certain combination of subjects tices, not much change is going come of this reform, as several due to time-tabling constraints to take place. Much needs to be studies have shown, pupils who and shortage of certain subject done on the part of the school to have undergone KBSR are more

AUran Monthly 1992:12 (8) PageS entrepreneurship, agricultural science, domestic science and family education. Except for manipulative skills and family education, the rest of the com­ ponents were previously taught as elective subjects in the lower secondary school curriculum. The rationale of teaching Living Skills to all secondary pupils lies in the belief that school children need to be taught to function effectively in a society that is fast becoming highly technological. Under manipulative skills, pupils are taught basic technical skills like repamng simple electrical gadgets, metal and woodwork, «we are not careful, our schools may end up plumbing and others. The aim is to train pupils to be self-reliant having to teach all sorts of skills, including when it comes to basic skills driving lessons (as suggested by one needed to perform simple renowned local educator), at the expense of household chores. While some educators view intellectual and thinking skills. this reform as a welcome move, I am of the opinion that our expressive, articulate and active lessons, no matter what subject schools should be left to do what in class. he/she is teaching. they are supposed to do and what The intention of this cur­ (ii) KBSM they do well, that is, to provide a In 1988, as a continuation of riculum approach may be accept­ general academic education. able to many, but one does the curriculum reform, the in­ If we are .not careful, our question the pedagogical ap­ tegrated secondary school cur­ schools may end up having to proach used here. How effective riculum (KBSM) was introduced teach all sorts of skills, including could 5-10 minute lesson of to the secondary schools, starting a. driving lessons (as suggested by at Form I. The KBSM has several · moral values be, especially if it one renowned local educator), at is taught by a teacher who does innotive features and one of them the expense of intellectual and not subscribe to the selected is the teaching of moral values thinking skills. values? (nilai-nilai murni) across the At this point, one has toques­ A more effective approach to school curriculum. The underly­ tion what are the priorities of our moral education might be ing assumption is that there is a schools, considering that the through role modelling of set of universal values which are number of years of schooling for teachers' behaviour. Schools deemed as essential for the moral many is limited to 11 years. Why have been credited for socializ­ development of an individual, should schools be required to ing their pupils to certain norms and these values are:- good-hear­ teach skills that can be learned and values through their "hidden tedness, dedication, courtesy, elsewhere? This is a classic ex­ curriculum" rather than through resepect, love, justice, freedom, ample where the school is ex­ the overt curriculum. courage, mental and physical pected to overcome any cleanliness, honesty, diligence, Another innovative feature of shortcomings found in the cooperation, moderation, the KBSM is the teaching of society, to the extent that its con­ gratitude, rationality and social Living Skills (Kemahiran Hidup) ventional role is being neglected. consciousness. to all secondary pupils. This part In conclusion, we may have of the secondary school cur­ witnessed many educational The new curriculum requires riculum consists of several com­ reforms in our school system but the teacher to incorporate some ponents, such as manipulative not all reforms are changes for of these values in each of his/her skills. commerce and the better. +

A/iron Monthly1992:12 (8) Page 6 WELFARE

The Disabled in Malaysia: From Social Welfare to People's Movement

In this article, DENISON Second World War and provided during this period can be said to JAYASOORIA of 'institutional relief' for persons be characterized in the following disabled through chronic illness, Malaysian CARE and three ways. blindness and loss of limbs. The Firstly, tt~se avenues en­ GODFREY 001 of the period between 1940s - 1960s couraged the wider community Malaysian Association for saw the growth of both State and to take responsibility for affected the Blind trace the voluntary provisions for disabled individuals and families. They development of the persons. Organized social work were the attempts by non-dis­ disabled peoples developed with the setting up of abled persons to organize for dis­ movement through Its the Department of Social Wel­ abled persons. various phases. From fare in 1946 whose principle Secondly, these attempts humble beginnings which duty was "the care of the crip­ were motivated by common good saw voluntary social work pled, blind and feeble-minded". and an ideology based on charity One of its earliest projects and goodwill. It provided relief by missionaries In the was the establishment of the and assistance without which the early 20th century, there Jubilee Home in 1953, a residen­ disabled would have been totally has emerged a genuine tial centre catering for not only neglected. peoples movement which the severely mentally hand­ Thirdly, it was institutional Involves the disabled In icapped but also the physically care or custodial care. Although the Issues affecting them. handicapped and multiple hand­ it provided residential care, icapped children. educational and vocational train­ In the same year a 'Central ing, due to the institutional char­ Welfare Council' was estab­ acter of its service the disabled ocial work among the dis­ lished "to foster voluntary effort were segregated from the abled in Malaya can be on the part of local welfare and mainstream of society. By the Straced back to the voluntary charitable organizations and to 1960s a deinstitutionalization attempts by Christian mis­ achieve some coordination of ef­ strategy was introduced. For ex­ sionaries in the early 20th cen­ fort". "The government en­ ample, the blind were integrated tury. The Sisters of the Infant couraged voluntary effort, as it into sighted schools and by 1985 Jesus responded to the social was evident that all needs could community based rehabilitation need of abandoned children not be adequately met and sus­ programmes were introduced among whom were handicapped tained solely through statutory both by the government and babies. In 1911 they established involvement." Voluntary at­ voluntary agencies. the Home for the Handicapped. tempts include the Malaysian Following this Anglican medical Association for the Blind (1951), 1960-1980: Emergence of missionaries established the St the Spastic Centre (1960), the Disabled People's Nicholas home for the blind in National Society for the Deaf Movements; Growing 1926. (1961), Cheshire Home (1964) and the Bethany Home for Awareness 1940-1960:Institutionaliz£d Epileptic Children ( 1966). These charitable attempts These attempts by State however, did not empower the Relief authorities and voluntary as­ disabled for participation in The colonial rulers only sociations are indeed commen­ decision making, policy for­ recognized their role after the dable. Work for the disabled mulation, resource allocation

Alinm MonJhly1992:12 (8) Pag• 7 that the only way out was to organize themselves. In so doing they were able to play a constructive role in society and thus regain their self­ respect and dignity. The changes taking place interna­ tionally also had an impact in mobilizing them. For ex­ ample the blind were chal­ lenged by the example set by the National Federation of the Blind (USA) and its Braille Monitor. The 1980s: Further Development ofJoint Action With education, the diaabled became awwe of their righta. The 80s saw a further development of joint action among organized and infor­ and service provisions. Because (POCAM) (1976),the Society of mal groups of disabled per- disability was viewed from a Chinese Disabled Persons, sons. Undoubtedly, the Interna­ medical perspective, disabled Malaysia (SCDPM) (1977) and tional Year for Disabled Persons, persons were looked upon as the Society of the Hearing Im­ l9Ml (IYDP) had a tremendous recipients of the services and the paired, Malaysia (SHIMA) impact. The IYDP and the UN providers of these services did (1987). Decade of Disabled Persons not prepare nor take into account It is without doubt the decade (1983-1992) helped to legitimize the need of the disabled to be of the 60s and 70s saw a growing the concerns of the disabled. involved in the decision making awareness among disabled per­ The most significant develop­ process. Consequently, the six­ sons. Its development can be ment was the setting up of the ties saw the emergence of dis­ traced in three stages. Malaysian Confederation of the abled people's movements Firstly. the disabled became Disabled (MCD) in 1985. The which challenged the traditional aware of their rights. This was MCD is a body comprising or­ approach to welfare provisions probably the result of some of the ganizations of the disabled that isolated their participation. disabled having been given an namely the SBM, POCAM, the In fact it was in the 1960s that opportunity to receive education SCDPM and SHIMA (having ob­ "a group comprising mainly ex­ which provided an impetus for server status with the view of be­ students of St Nicholas the development of self-con­ coming members soon). The clamoured for the rights to have sciousness. This led them to ar­ MCD is a member of Disabled a say in how things were being ticulate for themselves their Peoples International (DPI). run for the blind by organizations needs, frustrations and aspira­ "This joint cooperation and serving their needs. When at­ tions. solidarity has given many of the tempts to get into the decision Secondly, they realized that blind and other disabled persons making process of such or­ they had a role to play in the a more direct link with the ganiz<,ltions failed, they decided planning of the work for the dis­ government and a more acces­ to set up their own organization abled. However they felt a sense sible forum to deal with now k.nown as the Society of the of frustration in not being able to problems and challenges affect­ Blind in Malaysia (SBM)." play this role because of the ing them". Following this trend the 70s paternalistic orientation Disabled persons now have a and 80s saw the establishment of prevalent in the existing vehicle to express their view and specific disability related groups charities. talce joint action. "The MCD is by disabled persons themselves, Thirdly, as a result of their playing a significant role making namely the Society of the Or­ exclusion from the existing representations on behalf of dis­ thopaedically Disabled structures they became aware abled persons. Some of their in-

AUron MontlaJy 1992:12 (8) Poge 8 volvement included, submis­ disabled persons fall in the This development is parallel sions to the government of a danger of limiting the participa­ to the emergence of many new Memorandum on Access to tion of grass roots disabled per­ social movements. "These move­ Public Facilities (21 July 1988). sons. However the MCD is trying ments have been seen as con­ This has resulted in the proposed to remedy this by introducing the stituting the social basis for new amendments to the Uniform MCD Interaction Committee to forms of transformative political Building by Law (1984), repre­ organize joint programmes for action and change. These social sentation on the Advisory com­ the grass roots. In spite of this, movements are new in the sense mittee on the welfare of the some disabled persons in order to that they are not grounded in disabled. the representation on meet this lack have formed infor­ traditional forms of political par­ the Committee to promote mal groups. This will have posi­ ticipation through the party sys­ employment opportunities for tive effects in the long run as tem or single-issue pressure the disabled". more disabled persons are begin­ group activity targeted at politi­ The Present: Involvement in ning to develop their leadership cal decision-makers. Instead, skills. We hope that in the 1990s they are culturally innovative in Issues Affecting the Disabled there will be a greater consolida­ that they are part of the underly­ The end of the 80s and the tion and cooperation among the ing struggles for genuine par­ beginning of the 1990s saw the various groups for the betterment ticipatory democracy, social involvement of disabled persons of the disabled. equality and justice, which have in issues concerning their wel­ Parents of disabled persons risen out of ' the crisis in in­ fare and future. (especially those with learning dustrial culture'. These new so­ Joint action was taken by difficulties) are beginning to cial movements are consciously seven organizations for and of come together to take an active engaged in critical evaluation of the disabled to prepare a involvement. Discussions are capitalist society and in the crea­ memorandum which was taking place for the registration tion of alternative models of so­ presented to the National of a Selangor/FI' Parents Support cial organization at local, Economic Consultative Council Group. Currently parents support national and international levels, in 1989. This document was en­ groups have been set up as being as well as trying to reconstruct titled 'Beyond '1990, equal op­ part of a charity. This new move the world ideologically and to portunities for the disabled'. "It in setting up a support group in­ create alternative forms of ser­ is intended that this document dependent of a charity will pro­ vice provision."+ serve as an initial guide in vide a forum for parents to play developing a national policy that a dynamic role especially in ad­ will provide equal opportunities vocating changes, influencing for the disabled and allow for policies and requesting in­ their full participation in nation creassed resource allocations. EITHER building". It is however sad to A stand was taken on 22 July note that a majority of the or­ 1990 by about 100 handicapped ganizations for disabled people people who staged a solidarity I WILL have not integrated disabled per­ rally to "welcome the sons into the decision making government's proposal to amend process. We look with great an­ the Uniform Building By-Laws FIND A ticipation that more charities will (1984) to provide facilities for develop a plan of action which them in all public buildings." WAY OR will include participation of dis­ Disabled persons have made a abled persons in the decision public stand to be counted. This making process. was a peaceful demonstration. I WILL A negative trend we have Too often in Malaysia, many fear noted is that even some of the to make a public stand as this act organizations of disabled per­ might be miscontrued as political MAKE sons are perceived by grass roots action. What is striking is the disabled organizations as being "non party politics" approach of elitist. Due to their organization­ disabled persons who are seeking ONE al structure and personality dif­ to exercise their citizenship ferences, organizations of rights. Sir Philip Sidney

A linus Montltly 1992:12 (8) Poge 9 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Tragedy And The Challenge To The Tragedy But though the Ottoman In the article below CHANDRA MUZAFFAR explores the Turks came as conquerers, tragedy of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He discusses how ultra Turkish rule over the Balkans Serbian chauvinism emanating from Belgrade has was, by and large, benevolent. ruptured relations between Muslims and Croats on the For almost five centuries - not­ one hand and Serbs on the other. The result Is "ethnic withstanding intermittent con­ cleansing", an ethnic pogrom of the vilest kind. flicts - there was tremendous ethnic harmony and religious amity. Huge communities of The second part of the article discusses the world's, In Catholics, Orthodox Christians particular Europe's, response to the tragedy thus far. and Jews maintained, and even The extent to which this response - which does not strengthened their religious and equal the enormity of the tragedy whatsoever - stems cultural identities, in the midst of from Europe's deep-rooted prejudice towards Islam and a Muslim empire. Indeed, the Ot­ Muslim Is explored. toman Empire has been described as one of the most suc­ The author ends with a call to Europe to act rapidly to cessful experiments in multi­ stop the carnage which Is primarily Its responsibility. In faith living. It was this legacy which was so doing Europe might also cleanse Its "polluted soul" partly responsible for the multi­ ridding Itself of "at least a bit of the ethnic prejudice ethnic harmony in Bosnia, and its and racism accumulated through the subjugation and historic capital of Sarajevo, until subordination of the rest of humankind." recent times. Bosnia- 50 per cent of its population Muslim, another 30 per cent Serbian (Or­ osnia-Herzegovina is one Muslim villages. According to thodox Christian) and the of the most tragic ex­ some sources, at least 100,000 remaining 20 per cent Croatian B amples in history of how Muslim peasants were killed in (Catholic} - was for decades free unbridled chauvinism has those rampages. During the of any form of ethnic chauvinism resulted in the wanton massacre Balkan wars between 1912 and or religious extremism. of an entire community. It is the 1914 a lot of Muslims were also In the last few years however, relentless drive to create an "eth­ slaughtered. In fact, as Ottoman ultra Serbian chauvinism in the nically pure Greater Serbia" (Turkish Muslim) rule declined guise of Communist orthodoxy, which has led to Serbian action in the Balkans during the 19th emanating from Belgrade, the against the Bosnians. century, Serbs began to vent capital of the demised Yugos­ For a long while now, Ser­ their wrath against the Muslims. lavia, has ruptured relations be­ bians, driven by this chauvinistic It has been said that Serbian tween Muslims and Croats, on dream, have seen the Muslims of resentment towards the Muslims the one hand, and Serbs, on the the Balkans as a stumbling­ has been conditioned - to some other. The champion of Serbian block. Way back in 1941, Serbs extent at least - by the Turkish chauvinism is the present Presi­ massacred Muslims in the in­ conquest of the Balkans which dent of Serbia Slobodan famous Foca incident. This was began with the battle of Kosovo Milosevic who is backed by the followed by widespread of 1389. In that battle, the Turks Serbian dominated Yugoslav rampages directed against entire defeated the Serbs. army. It is this army acting

Alinm MonJJtly 1992:12 (8) Pt~r•IO expressed through the March referendum, the United Nations should have been asked to im­ pose economic sanctions against Serbia. If the Western powers want a New World Order founded upon human rights and democratic principles, Bosnia - rather than Kuwait - could have provided them with the best op­ portunity to demonstrate their sincerity. For the people of Bos­ nia had expressed their choice - for independence - in the most democratic manner possible: through a referendum. But the West did not adopt any firm measures to protect Bosnia in the initial period. It was only when the senseless slaughter of un­ armed civilians became totally scandalous that Europe and the US began to move. The reason is Displeced Ba.nlane haw created • hOITenc:loua n~lugee problem unprecedented simple. Bosma, unlike Kuwait, is in modem tim-. of no strategic value to the West. It is not just the Western at­ through the many vigilante Sarajevo, was shelled; so was the titude which is disappointing. groups it has established among Begova Mosque, the largest in The Organization of the Islamic the Serbs of Bosnia which is the the capital. Conference's (OIC) response to main culprit behind the Perhaps the death, the the Bosnian tragedy is even more slaughter. It has been estimated destruction and the dislocation shameful. It is only now, after that about 6,000 helpless, defen­ which threaten the very survival months of murder and mayhem, celess Bosnians have been killed of Bosnia today could have been that the OIC is asking for UN since the state declared its inde­ averted if the West, which has military action against Serbia, if pendence in a referendum on 1 some leverage over the Serbian economic sanctions fail. The March 1992. More than a million leadership, and the international non-aligned movement's Bosnians have been forced to community, as a whole, had response has been so ambivalent nee their homeland - thus creat­ acted with a greater sense of ur­ that it has been ignored by all and ing one of the most horrendous gency and determination a few sundry. refugee problems in modern his­ months ago. It was obvious two The agony and anguish of the tory. years ago, as the Yugoslav people of Bosnia-Herzegovina Though the majority of those Federation began to crack up, whose only "crime" is their cry who have been forced to pay the that Serbian chauvinism would for freedom is a grim reminder to price for freedom in Bosnia-Her­ rear its ugly head. The military all of us of the pathetic character zegovina are Muslims, Catholic moves of the Serbian leadership of present international or­ Croats, it must be stressed, have against Croatia when it declared ganizations. It is a dire warning not been spared either. Indeed. its independence last year should to all of us about the orientation Catholics and Muslims had have convinced the European and direction of the present worked together to ensure a 65 community and the United States global system. The message is per cent vote for independence in that decisive action was needed clear: expect no justice from a the referendum. As punishment, to protect the independent states system which emphasises selfish the Serbian army and vigilantes that were emerging from the col­ national, regional and big power have attacked Catholic churches lapsing Federation. As soon as interests at the expense of human inasmuch as they have destroyed Serbia and the Serbs within Bos­ life and human dignity. 0 Muslim mosques. The St. Yin­ nia challenged, militarily, the cent Church, the oldest in voice of the majority of Bosnians

Alinm Monlhly 1992:12 (8) Poge 11 Challenge To The Conscience Of Europe osnia-Herzegovina is a ethnic pogrom. 6 million Jews, 5 lion know no bounds when some challenge to Europe's con­ million Protestants, 3 million dissident is executed in Rwanda Bscience. It puts to the test Catholics and half a million gyp­ or some critic is tortured in Europe's- and indeed the West's sies were slaughtered. Today, it Lesotho, have not translated - much professed commitment to is the turn of Catholics and Mus­ their moral outrage into concrete freedom and human rights, to lims. What sort of civilization is action in the case of Bosnia- Her­ multi-culturalism and ethnic har­ it which can allow such a merci­ zegovina. (There are, of course, mony. less massacre to happen again? some notable exceptions whose Now is the time to prove that And, as in the past, Europe courage and humanity are ex­ Europe's word is Europe's deed. dithers, it vacillates when faced emplary). Is it because the Sarajevo is the place where the with such a colossal crime culprits this time are Europeans sincerity - or the hypocrisy - of against humanity. that there is some reluctance to all those lofty ideals, of all those Two, it is an irrefutable fact mobilise the masses in the name sublime values, which Western that in terms of its sheer mag­ of human rights and human civilization claims to represent nitude alone - 20,000 killed in freedom? Croatia earlier, now 50,000 Three, Europe should act killed in Bosnia-Herzegovina - with vigour and determination the Serbian slaughter is the worst because Bosnia-Herzegovina in­ human rights violation in Europe volves yet another principle so since the Second World War. important to human rights and What is at stake is the most pre­ democracy. Serbian aggression cious of all human rights - the is an attempt to negate by force right to life. It is not just lives the will of the majority of the which have been lost. Thousands people. The use of force to and thousands of women and resolve conflicts is a repudiation even young girls have been raped of all the values and principles and ravaged. Tens of thousands that democracy stands for. of others have been maimed and European governments have mutilated. Homes have been often condemned the use of force destroyed; properties confis­ in other situations. When it hap­ Europe faCM. chahnge to Its huiMn cated; entire communities wiped pens within Europe, in such a rtghta atend ewn .. elrodti• .. out. It is an ethnocide which has crude, vulgar manner, one would played out In Boani& created the biggest refugee ex­ expect ardent advocates of would be established once and odus in Europe in recent decades. democracy to act swiftly and for all. About 2 million Croatians and decisively. There are many, many Bosnians are now homeless. Four, if anything, there is an reasons why Europe's ability to Though governments and added reason for acting decisive­ put an end to Serbian aggression human rights groups in Europe ly in the case of Bosnia-Her­ against the helpless, defenceless have tried to address specific zegovina. For 65 per cent of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina aspects of this terrible assault on voting population of the state ex­ will determine the character and human dignity, their response pressed their desire for inde­ integrity of that civilization. somehow does not equal the pendence through one of the One, from all accounts, what enormity of the tragedy. For most democratic modes of ex­ is taking place in Bosnia- Her­ countries which regard respect pression conceivable - a referen­ zegovina is 'ethnic cleansing', a for human rights as the fun­ dum. It was such a referendum euphemism, as it were, for an damental criterion of civilized that the European Community ethnic pogrom of the vilest kind. conduct, they have failed to rise (EC) itself demanded as a condi­ More than two generations ago, to the occasion. Human rights tion for recognising Bosnia­ Europe went through another groups whose anger and indigna- Herzegovina's independence.

Alinut MoNhly 1992:12 (8) Pag•l2 And yet the EC, with all its hal­ their more general outlook on lowed democratic traditions, is 'the other'. This is no easy task. not prepared to stop the brutal For long centuries of colonial suppression of that voice of domination - perpetuated in freedom. newer forms in the contemporary Five, that voice of freedom world - have created in the from Bosnia-Herzegovina has a European psyche a certain notion special resonance to it because of of superiority. This feeling of su­ what it means to ethnic relations periority is always accompanied in Europe. It is, to a large extent, by the view that the cultures and the voice of a community which civilizations of "the other" are is emerging as the most sig­ invariably inferior. It is this no­ nificant ethnic minority in most tion of superiority clothed in European countries. That is why theories about biological links how Europe treats Bosnia- Her­ between appearance and ability, zegovina with a Muslim popula­ physiognomy and culture, which tion at its core, is going to be a laid the basis of racism. This is crucial factor in setting the tone why racism, as a 1989 United and temper of majority- minority Nations study on racism and ra­ Serb militia: Europe hM the,_- 1o ties all over the continent. After stop lhe csmage, but hM It enough cial discrimination shows " is a Bosnia-Herzegovina, MusJjm wiUI? European invention dating less minorities in other parts of than 300 years back. It coincided Europe may lose whatever little cipled approach to Bosnia- Her­ with the European explorations faith they had in the ability of zegovina. they would have con­ of other continents of the world, their governments to ensure jus­ vinced a lot of people that they and their encounter with peoples tice and fairplay. Indeed, since are beginning to overcome some which differed from themselves many of these minorities have of their hatred and bias towards both in appearance and in cul­ non-European origins, they may a religious civilization to which ture." come to the conclusion that there they owe such an immense intel­ Herein lies the significance is no hope for them, when even lectual debt. of Bosnia-Herzegovina. A just an ethnic European Muslim com­ Seven, attempting to liberate solution to its sufferings is im­ munity like the Bosnians can be Europe from prejudice against portant for Europe itself. It is a subjected to such horrendous in­ Islam is vital to the larger way of cleansing its polluted dignities. process of freeing the European soul. It would be a catharsis of Six, the urgent need to mind from ethnocentrism and sorts, a chance of getting rid of at demonstrate to the Muslims of racism. Bosnia-Herzegovina is, least a bit of the ethnic prejudice Europe and the world, through in a sense, an indication of how and racism accumulated through Bosnia-Herzegovina, that influential such attitudes still are the subjugation and subordina­ Europe is capable of justice is in conditioning the European tion of the rest of humankind. underscored by a certain response to "the other". Since the For all these reasons then phenomenon associated with Muslim has always been per­ Europe must move on Bosnia­ European history. For more than ceived as "the other", important Herzegovina. What this means is 1.200 years, the most influential segments of Europe have that Europe should use force to and authoritative sections of remained ambivalent about how bring to an end the barbaric Ser­ European society, have dis­ Muslim culture and identity bian ethnocide. There appears to played tremendous antagonism should be accommodated within be no other way. Europe has the towards Islam and the Muslims. the continent. This ambivalence legitimate authority to do so As the scholar-diplomat Erskine is partly responsible for the con­ since everyone acknowledges B. Childers puts it in a recent tinuing agony of ethnic that Bosnia-Herzegovina is first essay, "the Western 'view' of European Muslims in not only and foremost a European prob­ Islam and the Arabs in the late Bosnia-Herzegovina but also in lem. It is therefore the region's twentieth century still consists of the rest of the Balkans. responsibility to stop the little more than fear, antagonism, But to change the European carnage. Europe has also the stereotypes and deep prejudice." attitude towards the Muslim in means to do so. But does it have If, right from the outset, Europe their midst, one has to transform the will? 0 and the West had adopted a prin-

A/iran Monthly 1992:12 (8) Page 13 done 5 to 10 rights! He may plead for mitigation/mercy but he certainly can­ not demand that his one act of selfish­ ness or greed be overlooked on account: "Haven't I in the past ____ " One may be involved directly in ex­ panding one's shareholders' worth ten­ folds, but they should stiU sack him if he stole "only a million". We as followers or members of the pack should be better educated and be aware of our rights as mem­ bers and that we will be good and loyal members only because our leaders serve our interests and not their personal interests and ~ there­ fore also good and loyal leaders. And this mutual trust and honesty is the only acceptable foundation for a meaningful and sound leader-follower DOUBLE STANDARDS be? In this case I can only pray that relationship! Only dogs wag their those who an in a position to tails when their masters take the he irony of the immediate demonstrate their promise of creating a prime pieces and throw them bones Tclosure of the Malan Maju caring society will feel the prick to their and leftovers! (fRWorb factory) and the legal tussle conscience soon and take the necessary Nobody's Dog over the ARE's operations disturbs me action inunediately. KUCHING deeply. (Star 6.8.92) But in the c.e of Caring Malaysilln the Bukit Merah's folks- just because BAYANLEPAS they are facing an Wldramatic and not invnediately obvious danger - no such CHINESE SCHOOLS: THE relief is forthcoming. The government REAL PROBLEM IJlPelll'5 k> be talcing a hands-off attitude YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I'LL SCRATCH YOURS number of Grade A primary .• .In the case of the A Chinese schools in Pahang have Buklt Merah's folks - ay I be allowed to pen a few been left without headmasters since just because they are Mlines and offer an opinion. It early this year due to a shortage of category B 1 Chinese-educated teachers facing an undramatic is quite often we hear of icadersAleads proclaiming how much they have done to fill the vacancies with the and not Immediately when confronted by allegations of implementation of the two-tiered obvious danger- no wrong-doings. One cannot help but scheme. I believe this problem also prevails in the other states to the such relief Is gather from the metoric that the alleged wrong- doer is saying: "Haven't I done detriment of Chinese schools in general. forthcoming. this and haveo't I carried out that. so I agree. that preference should be allowing the laborious process of the what's the noise about?" I think if we given to the Chinese educated legal tussle to take its course. No one pride ourselves as a progressive society, teachers to head Chinese sc~ls but can deny the danger and threat caused it is about time we accept and if this current policy were to adv~ by the radiation. TeU this k> those Wlderstand the following Wliversal ly affect Chinese schools for want of dWdren who are now suffering from truths: qualified candidates, I urge both the leukemia, those who have died from a. That power corrupts and ab­ MCA and the Education Ministry to cancer, etc - "Be patient, justice will solute power corrupts absolutely. view this matter in the right perspec­ JRVail in the end". Yes, I too sincerely b. No leader who understands tive. hope justice will prevail but won't it be what true leadership is should ever For some years now the general a hoUow and meaninS:ess victory? demand blind loyalty from his fol­ performance of Chinese Schools has Each day the plant is in operation, each lowers - certainly not in this time and dropped and many quarters have day the folks of Bukit Merah will be day. voiced their concern over this state of exposed to ina-eased radiation. No one c. No one person is indispensable affairs. One of the contributing fac­ can pn:dict how many in the long run - unless he alone has the absolute tors is the lack of qualified Chinese­ will suffer the consequences. Is this the truth; and who on earth has the ab­ educated teachers to head Chinese caring society our govenunent is tJying solute truth? schools. Some schools have had no k> fost« - caring when it serves the d. Nobody may expect to be ex­ headmaster for more than six months. interest and pwposes of the powers that cused his one wrong because he has A school without a headmaster is like

Alinln Monlhly 1992:12 (8) PDg~ U a ship floundering without its captain. BE FAIR TO THE MIC of a defenceleSI and innocent child is a It is chaotic and ineffective. heinous aime that I ~mequivocally I believe the MCA and Deputy wish to refer to the write-up under condemn. I would like to see a stop put Education Minister, Dr Fong Chan I the heading"Another Type of Title to such acts. But I can never buy the Onn, 1re taking the necessary steps to Chasing" in page 19 of your last issue. argument that the only way of doing it address this serious problem that has It is most unfair on your part to is by putting an end to the perpetrator of put tremendous strain on Chinese belittle Datin lndrani Samy Vellu on the crime. 1bat would seem to me schools. The appointment of category the award or awards conferred upon equally vindictive. B 1 Chinese teachers (English edu­ her. Datin Indrani serves her com­ To use another perspective, that cated) to flll the post of HM can help munity exceptionally well; members Malaysian law carries with it the overcome the problem. These of the MIC and the Indian community death penalty for drug trafficking is a teachers should be given a chance to know this well. well known fact both locally and inter­ p-ove their worth. After all they are You are sarcastic about the in­ nationally. But the deterrent effect very experienced teachen currently tegrity of those foreign organizations this law is supposed to have on drug serving as Senior Assistants or Super­ that decorated Datin Indrani. You traffickers is not evident if one were visors in secondary schools. They can seem to imply that organizations, na­ to judge by the continuing rise in the assist the schools in many ways when tional and international, should award number of drug trafficking cases. Can given the chance. The p-esent conten­ prizes and decorations only to those the death penalty ever really be jus­ tion that a non-Chinese educated who have contributed outstanding ser­ tified hence? We all need to ponder teacher is unsuitable for the post of vice to the people! on the issue, for it is a serious matter, HM and that he cannot be effective is Well, I would submit that this is to condemn another human being to rnetely a presumption - or, a political neither the rule nor the practice. Take death, whatever the nature of his ploy to perpetuate Chinese headship the Nobel Prize. It is awarded to the crime. Personally, always having op­ in Chinese schools. I urge the MCA Americans year after year because posed the death penalty, I was hor­ not to mix politics with education to they have the money and power. How rified to see it now being extended to the detriment of our children. MCA could the Nobel Prize for peace have a case of child-abuse or murder as it can still insist on Chinese headship been awarded to Meenachem Begin was judged. even with the appointment of B 1 of Israel when in actual fact he was Child abuse like drug trafficking Chinese teachers (English educated) the cause of strife in the Middle East? is a social-economic problem and as to head Grade A p-irnary Chinese You write quite often about such. it is the social, economic and schools now. This is a reasonable double standards but when it is the educational structures that need to be stand to take considering that head­ MIC or its leaders you abandon your redressed. Economic development ship in sekolah kebangsaan schools is "noble" principle. The members of has brought about material advance­ stiU closed to the non-Malays. Ideally the MIC are solidly behind Dato ment and attendant comforts, but it merit. not politics, should be taken Samy Vellu and the other MIC has also spawned many social into consideration when filling vacan­ leaders and they are capable of han­ problems. In the mad chase after the cies in schools. I doubt this can be dling their problems. You and the op­ modem day mythical dragon of easy achieved even beyond the year 2020. position treat the MIC as a sitting money and quick returns, basic If the MCA and Dr Fong Chan duck for your target always. human values have been lost sight of. Onn are serious and honestly con­ Be fair and reasonable in your Self-advancement has become the cerned, then they should face reality, criticism of the MIC; so as to be fair chief motivating factor, and any be pragmatic and initiate a change of to your readers, too. means becomes acceptable. People policy to alleviate the shortage of V Thi/JQinQJhQn work under a great deal of stress to headmasters in Chinese schools. This KUALAWMPUR get more and more money and no problem is real and urgent It will per­ longer have time for family or for sist, if no~ deteriorate, over a period others. This is the great scourge of of time if bold action is not promptly our times. Balance and harmony need taken to ch~ it. It would be very DEATH PENALTV- A to be restored. Basic human values unimaginative and irresponsible not CRIME IN ITSELF? need to be upheld. Any future plan­ to tackle this concrete problem in ning whether in the field of education. view of changing situations and was horrified to read the following economics or politics would need to needs. MCA should be honest about I headlines in theStar(8 May) take a wider perspective of the world the well-being of Chinese schools. All "Gallows for man who murdered and life as a whole. mature Chinese educationists. ethnic two-year-old". The case in reference The individual cannot exist on his Chinese organizations and concerned was that of driver K Sinnasarny own; we need others to provide the in­ citizens should support this bold convicted of murder for causing the frastructure, we are all interdepen­ move for the good of our children. death of two-year-old Balasundram, a dent And so it follows, that we need Lee Kim Kin child in his keeping, found still alive but to care for one another, just as we PENANG with severe bodily injuries abandoned need to care for our environment too in the corridors of the general hospital as we are fmding out to our great in Kuala Lwnpur. The torture and abuse chagrin. We cannot upset the forces of nature without having to face the

AUnut MOitlltl1 1992:12 (8) Page 15 consequences. Development has to be would be? So far the list appears as than in other Asian nations where sustainable and economic profits need follows: they were discriminated against. to be scaled down to rnoderale mar­ 1. Saddam Hussein "The assimilation of Chinese here gins. These are not Jaws to be im­ 2. Gadaffi is better than in other Asian posed on subjects but rather values to 3. Ayotollahs of Iran countries," he told a group of Taiwan be inculcated from young through our 4. Not identified yet (We could and Filipino-Chinese businessmen. educational system. Our eastern speculate leaden of Pakistan? "Here, you can be sure there will be spiriiUal traditions have always Yemen? Jordan?) no discrimination, no undue inter­ promoted this sense of balance and The tint order of business was ference of government in your busi­ harmony. It is time we take corrective and still is Saddam Hussein. Contrary ness dealings." measures to ratore balance and har­ to their expectation. the Iraqi did not He was apparently referring to mony in our world. We need to re­ revolt against him. So the super­ neighbours like Malaysia. where educale and rehabilitale the errant, powers apply the death chokehold - Malay businessmen are seen as not send them to the gallows. We con­ economic embargo. Also, the so­ having built-in advantages over eth­ demn the rnw:der but we cannot con­ called inspection learn has no time nic Chinese and Indians. demn the murderer without ourselves limit to carry out its inspection. The I really hope that the Malaysian being condemned in turn. We serious­ superpowers can move in any time to government could publish ruu statis­ ly need to review the validity of capi­ apply the coup de grace on Saddarn tics to prove whether the statement by tal punishment. Hussein. President Fidel Ramos is wrong, par­ HultiiUI Btinf The superpowers want to be seen tially correct or totally correct. PENA.NG as bumane. So lhey stage a LeeHooEng humanitarian aid programme for JOHORE Sarajevo - and other cities under siege by the mad Serbs. Mitterand made ON world headlines and "braved rockets BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA in Sarajevo". The Bosnians cannot HUDUD: ANOn-tER VIEW fight the Serbs who are armed to the vents after the Gulf War show teeth and have stocks of arms and am­ ith reference to Dr Chandra Ethat the New World Order is the munitions of the former Yugoslavian W Muzaffar's Hudud: Cmlral old poduct with new libelling and army, enough (or decades. to/slam?, AM 12:6, 1992. I wish to J*kding. For it is the Old world Under the Old World Disorder it touch upon some major discrepancies Dilordcl- where the law of the jungle was all right for Whites to seize lands in his article. JRVails: from weak natives such as the likes of 1. The Tartars after conquering "Mi&ht is always right" American natives, Australian Ba&}ldad became stem Muslims and ''Power cornea from the barrel of aborigines, Moaris and Palestinians. carried out the Hudud law. guns- cannons and missile Jaunchen" However after Bush's an­ (Al-Quran (Y: S4, IX: 38 &: 39) "Bullets speak louder than words" nouncement lhe target appears to be (XLYll: 38)) The great United States of Muslim leaders. Now we are horrified 2. The Musllims after the post­ America now says it is not the to see the Muslim Slavs and Bosnians colonial period are not trying to re-as­ world's policernan. Whatever added to the list. Which other Muslim sert their identity. They are America says is always right for minority is marked next? undergoing a revolution to revive the America is the single most powerful Why are Third Word and Muslim aeachings of the SuiUlah and Quran in nation on earth today. In its eyes, leaders so naive as to believe what the totality which their forefathers were world peace is not threalened in Bos­ great Uncle Sam says? 15 it all right denied by the colonials. nia i.e. the American applecart is for ex~rnrnWlists to carry out a sys­ (Al-Quran (ll: 85 & 208)) under no threat. Unlike Kuwait, Bos­ tematic campaign a&ainst Muslims? 3. As for the rights of the non­ nia has neither oil nor minerals or any­ MaJtRossi Muslim minorities in an Islamic state thing of interest to America. PET.tUNG JAYA [Al-Quran (Yill: 61, IX: 6 & 7) (II: For the past twelve months or 256)) more the mad Serbs have been busy 4. He quoles 'Shah WaliUllah' with their ethnic cleansing. The UN (translation: King of all Muslim has yet to consider the matter and the MANILA WOOS ElliNIC saints) - a name/title cursed by Allah superpowers are deaf and dumb and CHINESE INVESTORS swr. pretend that no atrocities exist. A Muslim who takes the name of What did the Soviets give to the WM astoGished to find the Allah MUST have the prefix Abdul superpowers to be aa:epted as good I following in The New Straits Times (humble servant) as in Abdullah, guys? Iraqi and Libyan military (4 August 1992): Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak. etc. secrets? Will America and its stooges Manila: President Fidel Ramos How can he quote from such a blas­ get a "walk over" win over Libya? yesterday called on ethnic Chinese to phemous person? Was there a pact with the new good invest in the Philippines, saying the Now I quote from Goethe, p. S29 - guys u to who the new bad guys investment climate here was better T.P. Hughes Dictionary of Islam.

AUnue MDIIIIJy 1992:12 (8) Poge16 "Ill style, in accordance with ita The heart-wrenching pictures of the event of public ~ involvin& contents and aim, is stem, grand, ter­ these living skeletons, with sunken abuse of public funds or executive rible - ever and anon truly sublime. forlorn looks, reduced to bones and powers. Thus this book (Al-Quran) will go on skins. hardly able to walk or move, He took the brave stand to step exercising through aU ages a most dying daily in their thousands must down as Datuk Bandar following the potent influence." also move and haunt the conscience alleged discrepancies when DBKL S. It is not the ularna of decent human beings everywhere. purcllued the 22 Yolvos totalling (theologians) who label those who But why doesn't this horrendous more than 2 million ringgiL He ac­ question the Hudud law as 'MIU'tod' tragedy prick the conscience of cepted full blame and decided to step (aposta&es) but Allah (SW1) labels ABIM and propel it to act in tbe name down even though the ACA has not them as 'tajir' (infidels). of humanity? completed its investigations in the [Al-Quran (V: 44)] ABIM can be vocal and matter. This is something that we 6. As for SukT (intoxication) and vociferous in the case ofBosniL But have never seen among local apostuy, they are not Jaws laid down why is it silent, and shamelessly too, politicians. by Ulama but by the Prophet (SAW) in the case of Somalia? Why doesn't How about Datuk Seri Samy Himself. it propose to adopt Somalian babies Yellu emulating this fme example and Hadiths as well? stepping down - at least until the L From Anas (r.a.) that the Is it because, as 10meone put it, ACA clears him? Is it expecting too Prophet (SAW) whipped those who Bosnians are white but the Somalians much from a man who has been ques­ took alcohol with the branches from a are black? We may have attained ~ tioned for some 13 hours on three oc­ date tree. pendence u a nation, but tbe casions? (R. Bukhari and Muslim) colonised mind in all of us has not ChanKokNung b. From lbnu Abbu (r.L): The been liberated yeL It still sees white KUA.LA. LUMPUR Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever as pretty and black as dirty. switches His religion, kill him." If the Bosnians were black, would (R. Bukhari) ABIM be in the forefront of this cam­ Haji Sa/Uh Abood paign? Would it have acted on JUSnCE Dirtctor, Perpus~Qkoan A mill humanitarian grounds? Would its Malcnif compassion have compelled it to act hen a person steals a couple PENANG in the name of humanity? W of eggs from the supc:mwket Let it never be forgotten that he gets 3 months jail for the offence. humanity hu no boundary. When a person steals some plastic A.bdld RohiM BU. Htultitl ba&• be &eta 3 years jail for the of­ IF THE BOSNIANS WERE KEDA.H fence. But our Dato Bandar who BLACK? misused public funds amounting to more than two million ringgit, merely he brutality commiued against resigns and the matter is settled. the Bosnians is a barbaric "ANOTHER TYPE OF T Have we two sets of justee? reOec:tion on humanity. The pain and TITLE-CHASING" One for the rich and powerful? death inflicted on them, WlMCeiSarily One for the poor and helpless? IOd senselessly, must move lilY decent 1992-12(6) - PAGE 19 }ad hwnan being. After reading the above nauseat­ As auch, I am not at aU surprised ing commenlJ, my advice is that KUA.U LUMPUR that ABIM, the Muslim Youth Move­ Aliran Monthly should not stoop so ment, hu been moved to play a lead­ low to express some unlcnown ing role in this tragedy on person'• jealousy and personal humanitarian groundl. animosity towards Dato Samy Yellu THANK YOU FRANCE Their attempt to adopt these poor, and Datin lndrani Samy Yellu. pathetic Bosnian children is a com­ RGDMSQII he taxi drivers are denied their application for a fare increase. mend.ble effort and deserves support. GOMBA.X T But what is surprising is this: But the Prime Minister comes out fully in of PLUS for an of when ABIM can be moved by the support increase SO% in toll ~ges. None, petbaps, tragedy in Bosnia, how could it except it is common knowledge who remain stoic to another equally PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY the bendjci.-ies of the PLUS increase aaonisin& tragedy that is lakin& place be. in Somalia? he resignation of Kuala will Being a wage earner myself, I can Hundreds of thousands of people T Lumpur's Dawk Bandar, Tan Sri sympathise with the taxi drivers in have died and are dyin& of starvation. Elyas Omar deserves to be applauded. It is reported that about SOO babies Tan Sri Ely• lela m.-vellous ex~rnpc tryin& to make ends meet. The employer gives us 8% increase but die every week for want of nutrition in Malaysian hisay as to what an and medical attention. government off.ce-bearers should do in price increase of necessity items ran­ ges from 10% - SO%.

Aliru MtMIItly 1992:12 (8) P11ge 17 The irony of the gifted 1i Chiang win for them a deserving place in his­ A.s long liS tlu trunk is firm, Ming 's aell'Ch for a scholarship can't tory and help to project Malaysians as be lost on any thinking individual. It a true democracy. worry not over the branches tlu is a glaring example of one having all Karuppa11 swaying in wind. the qualifications and yet not being JOHOR Chinese proverb recognised and rewarded as a Malaysian. This is an instance when one can't help feeling disgusted when one hears our leaders lrying to im­ preas on us ordinary ralcyat the impar­ tiality of ow- politK:al system. lsn 't it ridiculous that it takes the French govenunent to recognise his genius and offer him a scholarship? LoyolMalaysiall PEN.ANG

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t is becoming fashionable lffiOOg I our MPs to a'iticize several international issues seen as discriminating at international platforms. Issues such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Democracy in Thailand, Apartheid in South Africa, lhe US Control of the Arab World and ca1ain Police States have become The night Is bl1nming with stars above the dry lands of favourite topics for criticism. the Great Karoo In South Africa. They say there are as These champions of true many stars In the sky as grains of sand on all the beaches. democratic principles should also But If God has scattered the stars over limitless distances. speak up on the several discriminat­ can he also have Intentions for the microscopic details of ing policies at home in order to be our lives? seen as being fair and consistent Heeding the call to 'Go Lnto a lonely place and rest At the recen1 Dewan sitting (NST awhile'. we gathered In a Karoo farmhouse: with walls two July 31,1992) it was revealed b,y the feet thick and bats In the roof. with hay bales for chairs International Trade and Industry Min­ and oil drums for table legs. There. In the lilac twilight. we istry Paliarnentary Seaetary that sang 'Jabulanl.jabulanl Afrlcal'- 'Oh Africa. rejoicer 14,709 approved permits (APs) for We came to deepen the co-mingling of our selves and 1991 and another 6,285 APs during God's spirit within us. certain that spiritual strength and the fll'St six months of this year moral change will be necessary to a South Africa at (1992) were issued for the import of peace with Itself. No one felt equipped for the task cars solely to Bumiputra companies. ahead: and yet. from the enveloping uncertainty. grew a For the non-Bumis, however, APs sense that God meets us In our darkest needs. If we relln­ were issued to import cars only for gulsh ourselves at the partlcliar altar of his asking. Then personal use. the greatest barrier to faith falls away. In the horne front the BN Govern­ In that farmhouse. alone In a vastness of veld and sky. ment must be seen to be fair to the people of different race and background stepped non-Bumis in order to sound credible towards a transcending joy at God's limitless Intentions for in the international scene. It must cast our lives: and convictions were struck that the essence of uide ethnicity, IDd discriminating great solutions Illes. now.ln us all. policies in stages and thus create a just society in line with the FOR A CHANGE, July 1991 Government's 2020 Vasion. , Our MPs should fight to abolish all policies that divide us as a nation and fight for policiea that will unite us u Malaysians. Such endeavour will

Alinut MotiJhly 1992:12 (8) P11g• 18 politicking preceding the 1 UMNO Baru general assembly, which although still several months off, has be&un in less­ than-subtle ways. UMNO Baru leaders have since last month been trying their damest to get into the newspapers and TV, preferably mouthing something or other on the Malay com­ munity. As a result. a rather silly statement by Tengku Razaleigh that the Malays would not benefit from the country's in­ dustrialization drew angry denials from virtually every TAN SRI VOLVO mandatory• jail term for them as UMNO Baru big shot worth his 'a result of the controversiall986 Men:edes Benz. e had initially thought of H changing his name to Tan amendment to the Act - the So impassioned were some Sri lbomas, but now it looks like government would be aoing of the denials and condemnation · he may,· against his will, be against its word that the of Ku Li 's remark that one is would used known as 'Thn Sri Volvo. Or amendment not be to inclined to think there was some should it be Tan Sri Volvo-Volvo cover up any government truth in it. Slapa maJ:an cabai malpractice. It was pledge in view of the number of a ra.stl pedas, they say. Perhaps repeated by one Minister after vehicles? But let's not be petty what Ku Li meant was that another when trying to fend off and mean, as this column fre­ industrialization had benefitted quendy (or is it always?) is, and widespread public protest. It only the Fat Cats among the appears that this will be yet move on to how the affair haa Malay community hence tbe developed into an offence under another breach of public trust on resulting commotion that has the part of the Barisan Nasional the Official Secrets Act. come to resemble the din of cats government. It appears that several in heaL (Moreover, surveys have Moreover, exposing City journalists from the newspaper revealed that cats in western Hall's act of purchasing the that followed up the story to households eat better than everyone's (with one exception) Volvos against Treasury refugees.) regulations has nothing to do delight will be interviewed by One of the more interesti'g with national secwity (it only the police for having possibly incidents thus far was the gatre affects one man's security) divulged a government secret. involving the UMNO Baru hence there is no need to resort Malaysians (also with one president and his deputy. to the OSA. If the government exception) fand the idea of the Mahathir had been earlier persists in so, then it is use of the OSA here quite doins reponed as advising UMNO clearly tryin& to suppress appalling. 'l1le newspaper, they 8.-u aspirants to be patient and information which the citizen think, has done the right thin& in wait their tum. Nothing unusual. and the taxpayer bas every riaht CJ.poaing a govc:rnmcut Just the UMNO Baru brand of to have. And it will only give all malpractice. This is what democracy - ..You Are Ready of us more reasm to pras for an newspapers should do apll1 When I Say You Are Ready". He abolitioa of such an oppreuive from mouthin& aovemment mninded party members of how piece of lqialation. propapac1a in between hqe an impatient prince, grown lldvertiiCIReRtl. City HaD bad, reatleu of waiting for the after all, ~eted oat of line in coveted crown, had aonc against purchasing thole Volvos with ••• convention and in the process, public money. split the kingdom into two Indeed, if· the OSA is FAT CATS IN THE HEAT halvea. eventually used against the he power games have Several weeks later, Ohafar journalists - and it will mean a T begun. I'm referring to the announced that anyone could

Alinm Monlhly 1992:12 (8) Page 19 contest any post - including the past few years of increasing top posiJ. The deputy president's ••• "decorum" that is erroneously statement can be read two ways. interpreted as religiosity, aban­ One is thal he believes the party PARADISE LOST -doned the practice of shaking elections should be run in a truly cientists are meeting in hands with the female sex. As democratic fashion without New Zealand to debate the such, if any action is to be taken people being prevented from S Eve theory, a theory that if against these overseas officers, contesting. The other is that then similar action ought to be proven, could render ethnicity Ghafar may be paving the way Jarsely irrelevant - something Iaten again3t those at home, in­ for his men to make inroads to that should be most gratifying to cluding Ministers, who carry on the top posts: The Team A-Team all those who abhor racism. The with the practice. B stuff may have passed only to Eve theory was formulated by be replaced by Anwar's boys and the late American scientist Allan Ghafar's men. Wilson who claimed that all ••• F• more interesting though humans today can be traced was Part Two of the pseudo along maternal lines or descent THANK GOD FOR tussle between the two camps. It to a woman who lived about SPORTS! was a tussle that had involved 200,000 years ago, probably in irst we went about mutter­ the issue of who (or rather whose Africa. F ing "Thank God for man) should head the powerful Would that more or less City Hall. Anwar's boys, who mean that we are all brothers and tourists!" Now we shall be going had sought to replace Tan Sri sisters? Would it also mean that about mumbling "Thank God for Volvo with someone they could paradise lay in Africa with its sports!" It would appear that one .. wort more closely with.. , had present devastating drought and can hardly get anything done apparently lost out to Ghafar's all? In that case, Africa must nowadays, and done well and men who much preferred the truly be par.adise lost, and poor good, unless it involves tourism present man, badminton mania Eve, how she would weep if she or sports. The latest illustration and aU. could see how far off from of this sad fact of our pathetic As such. there are many paradise many of her children Jives comes with Malaysia's UMNO Baru watchers who tend now are. Well, it is said that the successful bid for the Common­ wealth Games. No sooner was to see the hand of Anwar And poor, and· not the rich, shall be His Boys in the current the ones to inherit the earth. It the news out then an­ controversies that had finally sounds like a dirty trick, if you nouncements were made about brought Elyu down from his ask me. Who in his or her right improving the state of taxis and heady orbit around the Thomas mind would wish to inherit the other public transport and com­ Cup. First there was the earth and its denuded forests, pleting lhe Sepang Airpon in (allegedly) $2 million polluted seas and even more extra quick time. It would seem are Casablanca junket, then the fJeet polluted skies. that the welfare of strangers of illegal Volvos and as it never much more important to our rains, but pours, the court political leaders than that oC judgement reversing City Hall's ••• ours. decision to allow condo projects The MB of Selangor has 1o be built amidst the super-rich. HANDS OFF pledged to cut all red tape so that Casablanca (the movie) may t seems that women officers the Sepang Airpon can be have bestowed immortality on I and wives of officers in our completed before 1998. I Humphrey Bogart of foreign missions are refusing to shudder to think what cutting red Hollywood, but the Moroccan shake hands with menfolk at of­ tape actually means here since it city may just bring to light what facial functions overseas. The is at the tender and plan approval a mere mortal the Mayor of reason for their reticence was stages that the red tape allegedly KU31a Lumpur is. What has not stated, but it could be a carry is most entangled. Would that happened is only the teaser. I am over of what is happening back mean that ~ent tender sure the best parts have yet to home. Many big shots and these procedures would fly out of the come. include Ministers have, over the window and the plan approved

Aliro11 MOIIIhly 1992:12 (8) Page 20 wilh 11 many comen cut u The averaae Salvadorean. Ofracialdom. u we know. can be poaible? Uvina in shanty towns wilh 10 selective. It tends to tread on Alayway. friends who have neilher water nor electricity. the weak and powerless. while seen lbc televised boasts of lhc much lea par1icl and pretty side-steppina weallh and status. new airport IDd ill high-tech &iris. would haw given a foot accompaniments now dread and u arm to take his place in having to spend the rest of their · prison. Fortune hunten would ••• lives in ScJanaor. 'lbcy .-c be adviled to try wrangling fri&hlencd out of their will by invitations to thole high IOCicty HOOLIGANS AND the prospect of planes zooming parties for that is where their POLITICIANS OF THE 0~ their heads. •ultiplc-lane bounty is IDOit likely to be - hiahways. MRT raikan and toaina tequila wilh the WORLD UNITE! other hip-tech stuff. It would be high-powered. ricll and famous. everal monlhs ago. Italian as bad u livina in Thkyo which . S MPs, divided over their in­ is probably where thole blokes Aller all. that was e:uctly ability to elect a president for the who cooked up the 1V bit JOt what an equally notorious country, traded blows and in­ their kooky ideas from. former Malaysian jailbird was sults shortly before voting doina mere weeks after began. The incident was carried completinJ his jail tenn much of live on Italian TV - no wonder ••• which was spent working in his our government is reluctant to family rarm. The chap. whose live telecast our parliamentary HOME IS WHERE THE connections at one time proceedings. The day before lhat. ~ Facist MPs had PRISON IS stretched all the way to the top. was phocoJraphed rubbing screamed ..Thieves! Thieves!" OIIUnC la•aen .-c said to shoulders with high 10eicty in 11 their Christian Democrat col­ F be bcadina south o1 the Gcntina Highlands shortly after leaaues while the Speaker was border. namely to Cenlral his rdcasc. One would lhink that hit in the· eye by a wet paper America. in the hope of collect­ hi&h 10eicty would be more pellet fluna by an MP. ina the one billion pesos reward discriminating than that. Well. Even the generally reserved (w:luding the US$2 million of­ perhaps it has IOIRCthing to do Japanese are not above a bit of fered by the Uniled Scata) of the wilh being birds of a feather. raucous brawling in the fuJidw dru& baron Pablo Bl­ Japanese Diet u evident in a eck. T'bc colourful &cobar recent session when punches certainly Uvea up to his name­ ••• were traded and unidentified he IIII'I"CDdcred him.elf to the items flung about. Meanwhile in authoriliela year aao under the NO STANDARD-MAN I Islamabad. lhe Pakistan moll clralllatic of circumstlnccl National Assembly erupted into MNO Baru·s own Super­ a yelling match IDd the religious ..wl be hll now CtCapcd in an woman Rafidab Aziz was equaDy ....._way. U affain minister was branded an wilh 101ne friends in a shop in infadel - lhe ultimate Muslim SalvMoreanl on the whole Kota Baru recently when she insult - by the opposition. Their were puzzled why be would was eyewitness to a ..shockina" behaviour would have won the (her oym words) incidenL A willa to aba.'lh his prison. approval of MIC politicians who p..,. the plloloplplll of his bare-headed woman helping out have been known to throw chain priloll ceU followina his acapc. her stallholdcr busblnd wu and brier-Cases just to make a by dllele ... liUic douiJt .... he rudely reprimanded a Ko&a point. Baru municipal council ofracial ca~ all thec:reaturccomfOitl Compared to them. our own for exposinJ her hair. He al10 one could willa for - his ceU MPs appear almost threatened to her I'CICmbled a luxury aparbnenl not renew well-behaved. I am beginning to where it w11 said that pll1iel licence. If thai wu true. then one wonder whether I have been too can only ay that the otracial wu wae fnqaen&. drinb flowed hanh in my opinion of them. lib a fountaia and there was no practisina double standards. He However. I am sure my kind should also have scolded the llbodaae of pn:Uy girls to amUIC thoughts will evaporate by the die VIP cellbinl. Minister for barina her head or time Parliament resumes for its not reprimanded anyone 11 all.

Alirtul MonJhly 1992:12 (8) P11g~ 21 Budget session. Anyway, our nights of karaoke singing (and VIJANOAAN'S LOOSE MPs ought to be grateful that goodness knows what else). UNDEATHINGS their deplorable performances as would these guys still have any people's representatives are met energy left for work the next day. he Home Ministry was with mere brickbats and insults The other frightening T recently reported to be from the disrespectful like yours prospect is tbat the MCA chaps, cracking down hard on por­ truly. In Sri Lanka, they stone having seen how a song nographic material being smug­ their Ministm and even strip (however loiiSily rendered) can gled in from abroad through the and beat them up. raise cheers. claps and MONEY, Kuching and Bayan Lepas air­ may decide to incorporate ports. It seems Malaysians have karaoke as a fi:~~.ture during an insatiable appetite for such • • • general elections - to raise votes. entertainment as the volume oC As it is, we have been tortured pornographic magazines, wge­ STAND BY YOUR MAN enough listening to the drivel Jy from Taiwan. Hong Kong and that out of their mouths Japan, has increased tremen­ busty Thai porno actress pour dwing electioneering. The dously over the past year, slip­ who had campaigned on A thought of having to hear them ping through in the form of behalf of the Thai authorities to cargo. set people out to vote lost 6kg in sing as well is enough to trigger off a nervous breakdown. The Deputy Home Minister. weight much of which appears to who revealed this, was recently have gone from the area above It is frightening how the karaoke, which some of us now photographed wearing a silly her waist. She has petulantly grin while fondling several complained that the result may view as the second Japanese invasion, have come to dominate copies of the seized affect her chances of seeming the leisure and recreation of so pornographic magazines. future roles in blue movies. She However. the hot potato in the must have definitely worked many Malaysians - regardless of ethnicity and creed (I correct less-than-wholesome harder than another local actress entertainment market is still the who helped campaign for myself on the latter - there are some sects who regard the videotapes of Malaysian Stud Gerakan's Alex Lee in the Batu karaoke the devil disguised as D.P. Vij:mdran. His enduring constituency during the last as a Sony microphone - cool!). performances. said to be general election. I don't quite contained in some 16 tapes, have rccall our local sw campaigner Even the PM has done the karaoke bit. One of those stunned the men and titillated complainina about any loss in flattering books on Sarawak the women. personal assets. All I rccall was chief minister Taib Mahmud The only. drawback, they her possessive cries of"He's My said, was his underthings (I Man!". shows the two of them and their spouses crooning away on an mean his suspenders-lab!). It East Malaysian stage. Knowina seems that those things of his are .... the Number One. he is probably in a deplorable state. In one tape, singing his favourite, "We'll do they said the elastic in his it MY way!" suspenders had gone so slack MCA MINSTRELS Nowadays. any politician that he did not even have to pull ne would never suspect who does not wish to come them off (how convenient!). One O the abundance of karaoke across as unsociable or dull, would think that knowing he talents in the MCA • from the feels compelled to sing a tune would be on screen (albeit the MCA president (and his wife) here or there. It shouldn't be that small screen), he'd have right down the ranks. Those diffacult since most of them have bothered to get some decent chaps have been singing their been singing (and dancing) to underwear - but then again, hearts out the past few months to their master's tune for donkey's decency is not something that raise the odd rinuit here and years. someone like him would be there for TAR College. The pur­ familiar with. 0 pose is lofty, that is undeniable. byNNP The only worrying thing is that ••• after days of frying char-ktow ttow and tossing roti caMi and

A.linut MOitlltly 1992:11 (8) Pt~ge 21 "W!at oomes from the ~ I'88IC:hes the I agreed and it was decided shaping it and the time spent cut­ ear, what ClM1QS from tie heart I'88IC:hes ting the vegetables and standing h heart. -Arab Proverb that I join two other Malaysian girls to prepare curry puffs. to fry them whizzed by as we Heart to Heart One of the girls called me up chatted and laughed together. soon afterwards to fix the time The following morning, we and to give directions to their went to the community hall to set house. up our stall. The Malaysian flag Being When I reached their place at hung proudly over our two the stipulated time, the two girls tables. Posters of scenic spots in Malaysians, of Chinese origin greeted me and Malaysia as well as batik sarongs introduced themselves. and tablecloths provided an at­ naturally I asked them where they were tractive backdrop. Handwoven from. Automatically, they baskets from Sabah, Sarawak replied, "We're Malaysians." and the East Coast of Peninsula ecently, the Persatuan I said I knew that. What I Malaysia enhanced our stall. Wan ita, USM, held a food meant was their hometown. I These items were pooled from all fair. R reflected later on this incident. of us who had brought them from Members of various ethnic I realize that in an interna­ HOME, i.e. Malaysia. origins contributed money, time tional context or environment, The boys wore batik shirts and effort to produce various we identify ourselves as and the girls put on their sarong types of food which testify to Malaysians: "Kita orang kebaya. The best adornment was Malaysia's rich culinary Malaysia" as opposed to the smile that graced their faces heritage. "Mereka orang Amerika," or as they answered questions from There were "ayam percik:," "We, Malaysians" vs "They, fellow-students and friends from "gado-gado," "ketupat sotong," Americans." various countries who thronged "kuih nyonya," " nasi himpit," However, in the national con­ our stall. " nasi bokhari," chicken tandoori, text, when all of us, as The food was snatched as fried mee-hoon, "gulab jamun," Malaysians, interact with one soon as it was lifted from the capati, curry puffs, chocolate another, we identify ourselves as "kuali." Besides curry puffs, cake and pizza, among others. "Malays," "Chinese" or "In­ there were fried chicken, "nasi We were all united fora cause dians." We also specify our goreng" (prepared by the boys) - to raise money for our own hometown when asked where we and "mee-hoon." "tabung" as well as for the are from. The vice-president of the students' loan fund. I guess if, in the international Malaysian Students' Associa­ The atmosphere at the foyer context, we were to say "We are tion, a male of Chinese origin, of Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra Chinese" or "We are Indians," participated in a cooking from 8 am to 2 pm that Saturday there would arise some con­ demonstration near the hall's was a festive one punctuated fusion. Non-Malaysians would entrance. He showed the visitors with peals of laughter and lots of think that "Chinese" meant how to cook "nasi goreng" com­ "gurau sanda." "Citizens of China" not plete with paper-thin omellete. My mind flashed back to the "Malaysian of Chinese origin." He did his mom proud. day when a number of us, The same could be said of "In­ When the day came to an end Malaysian students in Eugene, dians." all of us were immensely satis­ Oregon, participated in the Inter­ Anyway, it was a heartwarm­ fied that we, as Malaysians, national Food Fair, in 1990. ing experience to be speaking regardless of ethnic origins, had A week before the festival, I Malaysian-English while shared our Malaysian heritage, had a call from the president of savouring the mouth-watering complete with our "budi bahasa" the Malaysian Students' As­ aroma of the Malaysian curry and "ramah-tamah" with our fel­ sociation at University of powder being "tumis-ed." low human beings from all over Oregon, a male ofPunjabi origin. We exchanged so much infor­ the world gathered under the roof He had obtained my number mation regarding our of an American community hall. from a Malay student. He wanted hometowns, states, schools, We were just being to know if I would like to join friends, familiar food, ways of Malaysians, naturally.+ one of the groups of Malaysian life and music. students, to cook something for The hours spent rolling the the occasion. dough, cutting the pastry and Hamlma Dona Mustafa

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Mattityahu Peled's Call ''STOP GIVING MONEY TO ISRAEL'' BY MARK A. BRUZONSKY Mattltyahu Peled - everyone In Israel knows him simply as .. Matti" -stands out as a unique personality on the Israel Left. From an army career In which he rose to serve on the general staff during the 1967 War and then to be the first military governor of the Gaza Strip, Peled turned at mid-life to the study of Arable literature and the practice of peace politics. Peled still teaches at Tel Aviv University, but It Is his political evolution -In and out of the Knesset, advocat­ Ing a Palestinian state, championing the Palestine Liberation Organization {PLO), and leading the forma­ tion of Israel's first non-communist Jewish-Arab party - for which he Is best known and often harshly chal­ lenged. Peled Is one of the most experienced, well-travelled, and well-seasoned senior analysts In the Middle East today. He Is also a personal friend whom I have known for some fifteen years. This conversation took place late last spring at the outdoor terrace of Jerusalam's Notre Dame Hotel, Just across from the Old City walls. We spoke almost exactly on the old Green Line that still divides the city between Jewish and Palestinian parts.

Q: You've said that there isn't a I don't think the US is going to difficulties. And therefore I do not chance of Israel making any real move to change the situation. In my believe the US will really pressure concessions in the so-called peace view, the US would like a continu­ anyone in the region to agree to a process unless the Israeli gover­ ing low-level conflict -one that can genuine solution. ment is really forced to do so. So be controlled. This is the best situa­ what is your vision of what is to tion from Washington's point of Q: Please expand on that come in the months ahead? view. Everybody appeals to the US Doesn't the U.S alliance in this for help, for fmancial help, for region now go through Riyadh and Mattityabu peled: Well, for Is­ political help. The US is welcome then Tel Aviv? Because the Saudis rael to change its policy, it must be everywhere because of the exist· want the status quo, and the coerced in a brutal way -cutting off ence of this continuing c.onflicl Americans want to continue to con­ aid. limiting commercial relations, But the US would like the con­ trol the power and the money ofthe and the like. I don't see who is flict to be controllable, kept on a region, aren't all three allies now, going to apply that kind ofpressure. level that doesn't create too many even iffor totally different reasons?

AlWII MDfllltly 1992:12 (8) P~tge 2S These are people who enjoy success, and yet they allowed themselves to be seen as unsuccess­ ful, as failures. So this is a system. a method, of keeping the conflict alive but controlled. The great crime by Saddam Hussein was that he went beyond certain limits that the US would not accept, so he had to p:1y the price. Q: Do you belie,•e the Saudis and the Egyptians, whatewr they say in ...... ,, ~di.. prevent the buDding of • mosque in GaD: '1 think it is our duty to cllll upon public, think it's also in the United S1a1M to .top giving money to...... _" their interest to Jceep things a little bit hot in this Peled: Yes, right. They are al­ in the Arab attitude towards the region because that means for the lies, but that doesn't interfere with Palestinians, if the Palestinians Egyptians that they get money and the basic attitude, which is, "OK, remain so rejected by the other for the Saudis that the Americans let's cooperate in keeping the con­ Arabs, we'll start seeing terrorism need them and will arm them and flict unresolved." and oilfields on fare just to remind protect them? Q: But/ was suggesting that the everybody of the Palestinians' ex­ Peled: And the money they p:1y Palestinian issue is not really the istence. In the 1960s, the Arab for the arms comes from what the central question anymore, but countries decided to contribute US spends on oil. money to the PLO OOl because of rather a sub-issue that has to be Q: But there's always been the love for the Palestinians but be­ contained, kept from exploding. other theory that the ruling Arab cause the Palestinians were a threat. None of these major parties really parties would get tremendous .expect it to be resolved, largely be­ Q: But after the war against credit historically from the Arab cause nobody can get the Israelis to Iraq, and after all the false threats, peoples if they could bring about a agree. who believes that the nationalist or just peace. radical Arabs have such power? Peled: I'm no( sure that they Peled: But if there were peace, would like to get the Israelis to Peled: Well, when the pipelines the Saudi government would have agree. As long as it is getting $3 start burning, everybody will no justification for spending so billion a year from the United believe thePLO will do it willingly, much money on armaments, and States, Egypt has an excuse to ask but if they are pushed into a comer, who would keep it in power? for a similar amount, and Saudi they will have no choice. New elements would gain Arabia can ask for all these huge power, a new bourgeois class arms deals. The fact that the con­ Q: But the American game is would develop, and like all bour­ flict is unresolved serves so many not to push them into a corner, but geois classes it would ask, "Why do important interests, particularly the to keep them dangling on a string. we need a king, why do we need an American, that I don' t see anyone aristocracy? We can do it oursel­ who really wants to eliminate the Peled: OK, keep them on a ves." This is a problem for all the conflict. string, keep the problem un­ other little pricedoms in the Gulf, so Q: So, you're suggesting that resolved, but keep everybody ex­ they have a vested interest in not the Palestinians will have to do pecting that something is going to seeing the conflict resolved. something to make American and happen. Fiest there was (US They are spending now, com­ other interests suffer before anyone Secretary of State) William Rogers, bined, about $20 billion a year on will seriously want to resolve this then Henry Kissinger, then Cyrus armaments, and they need this to problem? Vance, then George Shultz, then maintain power. It would be unac­ Jim Baker - all of them going ceptable to continue spending $20 Peled: Exactly. I'm sure that at through the same motions of trying billion yearly on armaments if there a certain point, if there is no change to fmd a solution, but failing. were peace. And ifthey don't spend

AUnut MfHIIIIJy 1992:12 (I) Page 26 it on armaments, then who will tremendous power to force a settle­ Q: Isn't Israel's influence in keep them in power? ment. Washington extreme? Q: And the Americans need a Q: But there's another angle to Peled: Maybe. But I think the way to get back the money we spend this- public opinion. US makes its own decisions. on oil. How are we going to get the Peled: Public opinion is so easi­ Militarily, of course, the whole money back if we don't have them ly manipulated. American public operation was a farce. a joke. First buying all these arms? opinions is only now beginning to they built up the image of the Iraqi Peled: Exactly. The "invest­ ask whether it was justified to army as invincible, and then they ment" in Israel of close to $2 billion demolish the entire civilian in­ compared (General Norman) a year in arms sales generates or­ frastructure in Iraq. Militarily. it Schwarzkopf to Hannibal because ders for ten times that amount. So I was unnecessary. he managed to defeat an army which we all saw fighting for eight don't see any real interest in solving Q: And why do you think Iraq years and everybody knew that it the problem. had to be destroyed? Wasn't it real­ was a poorly trained and a poorly Objectively, Israel has an inter­ ly the US and Israel together that led army. All of a sudden we started est in solving the problem, because decided to do this? of the immigrants coming from the hearing that it was an invincible Peled: WeU, of course Israel Soviet Union. But (former Prime army and that the Republican wanted it very much, and Israel Minister Yitzhak) Shamir hopes Guard ... Goodness. what did they even wanted to participate in it The that when all things are considered do with the Republican Guard? great frustration in Israel is that we properly, the US will ftnd it in its When the Republican Guard weren't allowed to participate in own interest to lend Israel another kneeled at the feet of the American Iraq's destruction. $25 billion to absorb these Jews. soldiers, the reality was fmally Q: Why didn't Saddam, at least revealed. Q: $25 billion! They are only by last January, see this coming? asking for $10 billion. Q: Did the Israelis also exag­ Peled: I think he's a man with gerate the threat ofgas warfare? Peled: But the calculations very limited intellectual have already been made that it will Peled: Oh. yes. The whole capabilities. cost $25 biUion. decision to distribute gas masks Q: Do you think the Americans was a political decision that had Q: And the US Congress will purposefully misled him? Do you absolutely no justification in agree to this? think he was tricked into Kuwait in reality. We knew. and they knew, Peled: Well, given that the al­ the first place? that Iraq did not have a chemical ternative is to coerce Israel to agree Peled: Maybe. But the crisis warhead for the Scud missiles. Of to a fmal settlement of the conflict, developed over two years, between course they knew. You can't have maybe yes. August 1988 and August 1990. The such a weapon without testing it. Q: And to get this money you American policy was to hear noth­ And you cannot test such a weapon think Shamir mighl malce what he ing and say nothing. But the secretly; you have to test it in the would call a tremendous conces­ Americans must have known the open for everybody to see. No one sion and suspend settlements in the conflict was developing, because today can test ballistic missiles territories? Iraq ended the war (against Iran) secretly. And there was no record Peled: No. His scenario is that with a tremendous debt to Saudi of any test of this nature. the money will come without his Arabia and Kuwait, and they Secondly, particularly after all having to make all these conces­ wouldn't give up their claim to the the experts left Iraq, and they were sions because the greater interest of money. questioned by various govern­ ments, no one said that he was the US is to keep the conflict going. Q: Was Israel manipulating the employed on developing a chemi­ Q: BUI in the worst case he'd American involvement? cal warhead for the Scuds. make that concession, as (former Q: So it was all a public-rela­ Prime Minister) Menachem Begin Peled: No doubt Israel wanted tions gimmick ... did at Camp David? the US to demolish Iraq, to Peled: Yes, but he's not likely eliminate Iraq. And now the big Peled: Right. to have to do that. I don't see any difference between Israel and the Q: ... to scare the American sign that he's ready to do that. He US is that the US realized at the last public and propagandize the Israeli reads the American interests very moment that to eliminate Iraq is too public. Did you put on a gas mask? clearly. He knows that the dangerous for the entire region and Peled: WeU, I had a gas mask at Americans will not use their for the interests or the us. home. My theory was that in the

AliTu Mofflltl1 1992:12 (8) Page 27 frrst place there was no chance that best wert not listened to in what you would expect to be the a Scud would be aimed at Washington? recommendation of the experts. Jerusalem because it might hit the Q: But still you said you con­ Aksa AI mosque by chance and I Peled: I came to the conclusion sider it important that American was sure that Saddam Hussein some time ago that America has the Jews try to start raising thue issues wouldn't take that risk. And greatest experts on just about in a public way to force a debate secondly I said that you frrst have everything, certainly on the Middle that the politicians don't want to to hear the boom and then to put ... East But when it comes to political have. Q: Do you think it is important decisions, the experts have liUie in­ Peled: Yes. Public pressure is that Amuican Jews speak up for fluence. Political decisions are not probably the onl) way left. sanctions and a clear suspension of taken on the basis of expertise. Q: And do )'Oil agree that call­ aid to Israel? When Jimmy Carter ran for of­ ing for sanctions against Israel is Peled: It has become important fice, he sent Zbigniew Brzezinski the most tf!ecthe ~ans we have at now more than ever before. Until as an expert to study the situation this time to raise these issus, even now, the assumption was that there and report to him. One day I was though we know that this policy will is a division of opinion in Israel and invited by the director-general of not be implemented any li~ soon? the Foreign Office to meet secretly that each side is trying to persuade Peled: Right. the other side to listen to it and with Brzezinski, so I went to Tel maybe accept its views. And this Aviv and met him in a hotel. We sat Q: Do you see no hope at all? has been going on for about twenty for three hours. He accepted my Peled: No. The fact that the years. analysis. He told me it was the only Soviet Union has been eliminated What is happening now is en­ cogent point of view he had come as a world power really leaves the tirely different The expansionists, across in Israel. And then, before I United States the sole arbiter in this the annexationists, are deliberately left him, I said, "Well, I wish you region. working against every possibility success. I know you are working Q: What about the Pales­ of solving the conflict. with Carter, and if he wins you will tinians? Why are some of their So those of us who believe that probably be Secretary of State or leaders trying to cooperate with the this is an unacceptable develop­ head of the National Security Americans in tht "peace process"? ment must think of radical and un­ Council." Peled: I think it is really very precedented steps. And since they He said, "When you come again unfortunate. But maybe one ex­ cannot go on implementing their to the US, be sure to look me up." planation is that they are getting annexationist policies without After Carter won the election, I tired and fed up with the situation. American money, I think it is our happened to be in Washington and Their sacrifices are tremendous. I duty to call upon the US to stop called Brzezinski. He wouldn't Economically, things are very bad. giving money to Israel. see me. I tried several times, but he Internally, the Palestinians have Q: And to try to build up public wouldn't even allow me to get near tremendous problems- killing each pressure for this, starting with the White House. other, assassinating each other, for American Jews? When he was here, he was an whatever reasons. So maybe, out of "expert": when he went into the exhaustion, they don't see any way Peled: But let me teD you this: White House, he became a People talk, and I thinkjustifa.ably, of getting out of this terrible situa­ politician. And there is absolutely tion. of the tremendous power of the no relationship between the two. Jewish lobby in Washington. I So when you talk with the ex­ Q: And the right policy for the believe that if the Jewish lobby did perts, they are wonderful,they real­ Palestinians would be? not exist. the US would have ly know what they are talking Peled: The right policy would created it: it is such a useful instru­ about, they are very thorough. But be, first of all, not to accept any of ment to justify American policy in all this has absolutely no effect on the Israeli promises, the 1989 the Middle East I don't know what political decisions. Political "peace initiative" or anything else. they would do without it. Whenever decisions are taken on an entirely Adhere to the position that an inter­ the American Administration different level, with operating fac­ national peace conference based on wants to do something that is unac­ tors that have absolutely nothing to UN Resolution 242 and 338, with ceptable to the lobby, they do it all do with reality: Who pays for your the PLO officially representing the the same. re-election? How many votes can Palestinians, is the only way of Q: But how dots ont explain you bring me? And therefore the dealing with the situation. And that the people who knew the region political decisions don't reflect nothing else. And that if Israel

Alinut MoNitl;,I992:12 (8) Po1• 28 doesn 'taccept this, nothing is going the West Bank, and it may be an unless there is a groundswell of forward. irretrievable situation. public opinion. Q: Do you think a second Camp Q: When you say irretrievable, Peled: Right. For a long time I David accord is coming -an arran­ you don't ~Man the Palestinians thought it would be sufficient for ge~Mnt that buys more ti~M? You will give up. do you? You just mean the United States to pressure Israel can't just/eave the region tense. the conflict will go on indefinitely politically by limiting the rate of Peled: No. Shamir has made it in different forms? increase in military aid. But I see very clear that he is not going to Peled: Well, a strong argument now that this doesn't happen, and make any concessions in any up­ for the Palestinians is that in the the situation is getting worse. We coming talks. And if pressured, he West Bank and the Gaz.a Strip they are now faced with such an aggres­ will call general elections. General are now an overwhelming majority. sive annexationist policy that un­ elections means that for eight When they are just 60 per cent of less we do something soon, it may months nothing will be done. And the population, it will require a dif­ be too late. from a general election the Likud ferent attitude because nobody will I think we've come to the point will come back to power evict half a million Israelis just to where, unless we advocate very strengthened. Even if Labour came make the Palestinians happy. And radical steps, we have, in fact. given to power, so what? They would at­ Shamir is aiming at that. In his heart up the struggle.+ tempt to appear nicer. But no, I he knows that this can be done be­ don't think they would make any cause American money is avail­ Mark A. Bruz.onsky is chairman fundamental changes; just changes able. of the Jewish Commilue on the in appearance. Q: So the only hope here, if I Middle East in Washington, and Q: What about the Peace Now understand you correctly, is if the former Washington repre­ movement in Israel? politics ofAmeri ca changes and the sentative ofthe World Jewish Congress. Peled: It's one of the worst US says to Israel, "We've had things that has happened to us. enough of this, and pay for it your­ self if you want to continue." And Source: The Progressive Q: Why? (October 1991),55(10) you see no chance ofthis happening Peled: Well, you see, nice people in Israel who feel unhappy with the situation but are not prepared to do anything about it. they get together twice or three times a year and, as the saying goes THE FIST here, they give their conscience to the laundry. They get it back ttDon't think my tears cleaned up, and they go back home happy and satisfaed. There's noth­ tl11! for fear ing more to it than that. They stand My tears tl11! for my country in a demonstration. They shout a For the pigeons back home few slogans. They go horne satis­ Hungry fied that they have done the job, but Who is to feed them they are not prepared to shake the system. So this is a substitute for when I am gone real action. And my brothers­ Q: Is Shamir right in thinking twoofthem... that ifhe can purchase ten or fifteen In the battle were spent.." more years of time the Palestinian issue will be unsolvable? .4 section from a Palestinian song Peled: This is cenainly the aim. written with blood on the wall If the US goes on financing un­ of a prison in Acre. limited settlements that have no PALESTINEI economic foundation except American money, then there will eventually be half a million Jews in TOURISM

Tourism And Human Rights

Tourism Is widely touted Let us first look at the UN Article 5 goes to say 'Social as a money-spinning Declaration on Social Progress progress and development re­ and Development. This Declara­ quire the full utilization of Industry. But, CECIL tion was proclaimed some twen­ human resources, including, in RAJENDRA points out, ty years later in 1969 subsequent particular: (d). The assurance to the moral and spiritual to the pledge by Members of the disadvantaged or marginal sec­ fibre of the host country United Nations to promote tors of the population of equal and the dignity of Its higher standards of living, full opportunities for social and people and culture Is employment and conditions of economic advancement in order often sacrificed In the economic and social progress to achieve an effectively in­ name of tourism. and developments. tegrated society.' Article 12 and 13 grandly Article 2 of this Declaration proclaim that social progress and rticle I of the Universal states categorically that social development shall among other Declaration of Human progress and developments shall things aim at (i) The elimination A Rights (1948) states: be founded on respect for the dig­ of all forms of foreign economic nity and value of the human per­ exploitation, particularly that "All human beings are born son and shall ensure the practised by international mo­ free and equal in dignity and rights. promotion of human rights and nopolies, in order to enable the They are endowed with reason and social justice which requires, people of every country to enjoy conscience and should act towards inter alia, the recognition and ef­ in full the benefits of their na­ one another in a spirit of brother­ fective implementation of tional resources; (ii) The estab­ hood". economic, social and cultural lishment of a harmonious Article 12 says: rights without any discrimina. balance between scientific, tech­ "No one shall be subjected to tion. nological and material progress arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home etc ... Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks." Article 13 says: "Everyone has the right of freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State." And Article 17 states: (I) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of hi3 property. So much for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, now let us take a look at what some other international instru- ments on human rights have to Ku.h, Llngbwl poi.ecl tor INNiv. development: What touriam wants, tou.Wm say on this matter. geta.

Aliru MtHtl#tly 1992:12 (8) Pt~ge 30 Tourism is a business I do not have to tell you that tourism today is nothing more than an industry; albeit roman­ ticized and 'prettified' but never­ theless a hard-nosed dollars and deutachemark business that has mushroomed into the twentieth century's fastest growing in­ dustry. In fact the world's tourism in­ dustry generates US$3 trillion in trade each year and accounts for 3.7 per cent of all employment.

Batik In lhe SWI: Art is sacrificed on flellltar of the tourist dolllr. But tourists today, though they may travel by land, by air and the intellectual, spiritual, being the main participant and and sea to exotic corners of this cultural and moral advancement beneficiary of development, Ar­ planet, are as far removed from of humanity; and (iii) The ticle 2 of the Declaration on the bygone travellers such as Marco protection and improvement of Right to Development Polo and Ibn Battuta, as chalk is the human environment. proclaims, inter alia, that (a) The from cheese! So much for the pious human being is the central sub­ For today's tourist is more a proclamation of the Declaration ject of development and should 'consumer' than a 'traveller'. I on Social Progress and Develop­ be the active participant and repeat, no matter what the ment. beneficiary of the right to posters say, no matter how Now let us move ahead development and (b) States have glamorously it is packaged, another 17 years from 1969 right a duty to formulate development today tourism is nothing more up to 1986 and look at what the policies that aim at the constant than a business and the tourist UN Declaration on the Right to improvement of the well-being nothing more than a consumer. Development (1986) has to say. of the entire population and of all And like all businesses, In the preamble we learn that individuals, on the basis of their tourism is based on buying and the Declaration was adopted by active, free and meaningful par­ selling, exploitation of market the General Assembly as a result ticipation in development and in resources, profit and loss. of their concern over the exist­ the fair distribution of the benefit Travelling, visiting exotic ence of serious obstacles to resulting therefrom. places, meeting interesting development as well as to the people, broadening your And Article 8 further em­ complete fulfilment of human horizons, experiencing new ex­ phasizes that all States should beings and of peoples constituted periences ... all this has very lit· encourage popular participation by the denial of civil, political, tle, in fact, to do with organized in all spheres as an important fac­ economic, social and cultural tourism. tor in development and in the full rights; and, that in order to The bottom line is how much realization of all human rights. promote development, equal and will the industry rake in • to the urgent attention should be given I have taken considerable tour operators, the hotel to the implementation, promo­ pains to draw your attention to manager, the host country ... tion and protection of those the various UN instruments on With one important excep­ rights, for the enjoyment of cer­ human rights and development tion, however, for what is tain human rights and fundamen­ as I do not think there can be any marketed, what is exploited, tal freedoms cannot justify the meaningful discussion on the what is bought and sold in the denial of other human rights and subject of Tourism and Human tourist trade is not rubber or tin, fundamental freedoms. Rights without a careful and cocoa or soya but peoples and And so, recognizing that the sober examination of the tourist cultures. human person is the central sub­ industry's track record when And because the raw material ject of the development process measured against the require­ of the tourism industry is flesh and that development policy ments and recommendations of and blood, people and their cul­ should therefore make the human these urgent declarations. tures, its long-term effect on a

Alinut Monlhly 1992:12 (8) Poge 31 country whose main income is therefore exquisitely desirable to built themselves) were knocked derived from tourism can be the industry, are for the most part down because they were con­ devastating. inhabited by local people - sidered unsightly. They were For unlike primary products fishermen, hill tribes and so on. told that the whole area was to like coffee or cocoa, tin or rub­ But the fact that indigenous become a promenade as part of ber, or even oil, that can be people have been inhabiting the TDC' s beautification project. replaced in the event of depletion these 'choice locations' since Naturally they were mystified with synthetic substitutes, a time immemorial and are de­ and angry when a tourist shop people or a culture once ex­ pendent on the land and sea for and restaurant was later con­ ploited and subverted to the their sustenance, is but a minor structed a mere 30 metres from needs of the tourism industry, inconvenience to the tourism their old premises! can never be replaced. juggernaut. More recently 45 families in And because the heart of the Tourism is inexorable. What Kampung Teluk Dalam, a fishing tourism industry is the exploita­ tourism wants tourism gets ... village in Pangkor Island (a tion and selling of 'exotic' and so governments are per­ prime tourist spot) were asked to peoples and cultures, I shall now suaded, bought or bribed, Mini­ move by the government to make endeavour to prove by concrete sters co-opted and the people are way for a runway to service the case-histories how tourism has forced off their land. tourist industry. I have recorded breached almost all those UN Twenty years ago the whole this incident in a poem called the covenants recounted earlier that eastern sea-board of Penang was Tourist-Terrorist Connection: were designed to protect our inhabited by fishing com­ rights. munities. Unfortunately this TM Tourist-TeTTOri.st The tourism industry in coastal stretch also contained Connection -Epigram Malaysia, thank God, is not fully some of the most spectacular developed. In the ASEAN beaches found in Malaysia. So, So what has happened to Ar­ region, for example, it is not yet the tourism industry staked its ticle 12, 13 and 17 of the Univer­ on par with Thailand or the claim and today, twenty years sal Declaration of Human Rights Philippines. So, for the purpose on, this fishing stretch known as that enshrine our right to of this paper I shall not confine Batu Fcrringhi is now residence within the borders of my example to Malaysia alone synonymous with tourists and our State, our right to own property. our right to privacy but shall be drawing from the beach hotels. collective experience of South­ The fishing folk, for the most without arbitrary interference East Asia. part have been moved out or etc. moved inland. What little pock­ And so much for Article 2 of Londrighb ets remain of the fishing com­ the UN Declaration on the Right Let us start with our fun­ munity cater now exclusively to to Development which says that damental birthright- LAND. a tourist clientele. the human being is the central Land which is prerequisite to And the cycle of land acquisi­ subject of development and human existence everywhere. tion and deprivation continues. should be its chief beneficiary. Land unfortunately is also a pre­ Today families in the island of The story is repeated a requisite of the tourism industry. Langkawi and Pangkor (off the hundred times - from Colombo For organized tourism cannot West Coast of Malaysia) are (Sri Lanka) to Baguio (the properly function without its in­ being forc1bly moved to make Philippines). from Bali (In­ frastructure of hotels, beach way for condos, hotels, runways donesia) to Langkawi (Malaysia) resorts, condominiums, airports, etc. from Honolulu to Hong Kong - golf courses etc. In 1984, 70 families mainly and in all this one askes, where is So, the tourism industry is involved in fishing were moved the protection of the rights of the forever on the look out for land - out of the Tanjung Rhu area in ordinary citizen when the heavy or what they prefer to term Langkawi to make way for a hand of tourism comes down on 'choice locations' - on which tourism- related project. him? they can put down their marinas, In March 1989, 29 shop The cases where natives have their beach resorts, their owners situated on the coastal successfully resisted develop­ airstrips, their golf courses, et road between Kuah jetty and the ment in the name of tourism are cetera, et cetera. town (also in Langkawi) were minimal. However, these 'choice forced to move. Their shops and The reasons for this are locations' usually unspoilt and houses (many of which they had legion. Tourism is seductive. It

Alinut MOttllely 1992:12 (8) P.~ 32 promises something for nothing; From the tourist's perspec­ social progress and development it promises betterment; it tive this is perfectly under­ should aim at the elimination of promises a higher standard of standable. Perhaps the original all forms offoreign economic ex­ living. dance was too long - so it had to ploitation and the protection of be shortened; perhaps the music and improvement of the human Indigenous Culture was too slow - so the tempo had environment. And, ironic as it may seem, in to be quickened; perhaps the cos­ But tourism under the guise many instances it promises a tumes covered up too much flesh of earning foreign exchange ac­ lifeline to native cultures. - so they had to be made more tually promotes foreign exploita­ Let me illustrate: Malaysia is revealing. tion by the home of battle art. The father The more tourist destinations • the encouragement of the of batik an - Chuah Thean Teng you visit in the Third World the building of hotel chains by Mul­ -comes from Penang. He was the more examples you will see of tinational Corporations such as first person to successfully turn how we have prostituted our cul­ Holiday Inn and Hilton Interna­ batik printing into an an form. tures for the tourism industry. tional. However, artists in Malaysia, as lsn 't this a blatant violation • the importation of foreign in other Third World countries of Article 2 of the UN Declara­ foodstuffs such as US airflown fmd it difficult to make a living tion for Social Progress and steaks, French cheeses, German from their an. And now because Development which emphatical­ wines, Japanese Ajinomoto, soya of the initial appeal of Teng's ly states that social progress and sauce etc. unique work to tourists - every development shall be founded on • the utilization of foreign other person who can draw two respect for the dignity and value loans for the development of lines and knows a bit about print­ of the human person and shall hotels, condos, airports etc. re­ ing chums out batik paintings by ensure the promotion and recog­ lated to the tourism industry and the hundreds. And they do not nition of their social and cultural • the importation of ex­ paint what they see but what they rights. patriate labour for 'skilled' posi­ think the tourist wants to see. Doesn't this sort of debase­ tions in the tourism/hotel ment of native traditions and cul­ industry. So what could have been tures run foul of Articles 12 and It is no exaggeration to say Malaysia's unique contribution 13 of the same UN Declaration that the more reliant a Third to the world of an is now a that proclaims that social World country's economy is on desecration of an. progress and development shall the tourism industry, the more But more startling is the way aim at a harmonious balance be­ vulnerable it is to foreign native dances and private, sacred tween material progress and the economic exploitation and the ceremonies have been subverted spiritual, cultural and moral ad­ more dependant it is on external by the tourism industry. vancement of humanity? political and economic fluctua­ In Malaysia, you can see A few years ago I was in the tions. The effect of the Gulf War, traditional Indian, traditional Philippines for a law conference. last year, on the tourist trade, Malay, traditional Nyonya Baba After the conference, our hosts proves this point. wedding ceremonies (suitably thought that as we were visitors abbreviated and choreographed) to their country they would treat Environmental Degradation staged in hotel lobbies for us to a typical Filipino meal with In spite of several pious sen­ tourists to gape at. typical Filipino dances. What we timents in the various UN instru­ In Bali, you can see sacred got, however, was a cultural ments on human rights that say temple dances offered as dinner shock of sorts. The dancers were social progress and development entertainment in hotels. Filipino alright, but they wore should not be at the expense of And everywhere, native dan­ mock Hawaiian grass skirts, our environment,! could cite you ces, which once had their time clicked Spanish castanets and, I several case histories in and place in our cultures, have haven't figured to this day what Malaysia and South-East Asia been uprooted, distorted and ab­ exactly was the dance they where the tourism industry has breviated for the tourist palate. danced! been directly responsible for In many instances, these na­ wreaking havoc on our environ­ tive dances have undergone such Foreign Dependence ment. a hideous metamorphosis from Articles 12 and 13 of the UN But do not take my word for what they originally were, to be Declaration on Social Progress it; a 1990 Environment Quality today beyond all recognition. and Development state also that Report of the Department of En- upholding the dignity and the scare, I am told, it is on the up­ sacred individuality of the swing - the market for virgin human being. boys and girls has increased But tourism by its very nature phenomenally. breeds subservience and ob­ Such is the demand, I am told, seqiousness. It creates a nation of for young unsullied bodies today servants; of waiters and waitres­ that an ETCWT Survey con­ ses, of croupiers and cleaners, of ducted recently in Thailand and bellhops and tour guides and yes, the Philippines uncovered w.hole of pimps and prostitutes. villages that had been emptied of For what every tourist wants their children! is to be pampered and served, to And, I posit, at is tourism that have his every need catered to, has mainly contributed to the his every whim satisfied. In Thailand, 800,000 of II• citluna growth of child prostitution in '*ow ~~ge 16 cat• to the neade of As a Japanese businessman the last couple of decades. the touriat in eean::h of exotic n..h. recently told me, what he liked Article 19 of the UN Conven­ vironment. Malaysia openly ac­ most about Malaysia was its tion on the Rights of the Child knowledges that the coastal ·sarbis' (service). He could get (1989) states unequivocally waters of Penang and Langkawi everything he wanted in Penang "States Parties (to the Conven­ (two of Malaysia's premier at a fraction of the price he had tion) shall take all appropriate tourist destinations) had in­ to p3y in Tokyo, whether it was legislative, administrative, so­ tolerably high levels of faecal his sashimi his sake or his •com­ cial and educational measures to fort lady'. coliform. "Pantai Merdeka, Tan­ protect the child from all forms jung Lembang and Pulau And this is the ultimate indig­ of physical or mental violence, Langkawi in Kedah and Pantai nity that tourism visits on the injury or abuse- including sexual Tempoyak and Pantai Gertak host country - the destruction of abuse." Sanggul in Penang had high its moral and spiritual fibre by But because child prostitu­ levels of faecal coliform accord­ the insidious desires and perver­ tion is mainly endemic in ing to an Environment Quality sities of its visitors. countries heavily dependent on Report of the Department of En­ Who dares deny that a high the tourist dollar, we find that vironmenl The Report said the percentage of tourists to the other than official lip-service coastal waters off Penang ranged Philippines, Thailand and Sri being p:Ud to the eradication of highest in terms of faecal con­ Lanka go there not for the beauty child prostitution, very little is in tamination followed by Selangor of its temples, or scenery, but fact being done to get rid of this and Sarawak. Faecal coliform is merely to gratify their sexual ap­ evil. used as an indicator for human petites. And this has been the long sad and animal waste." The Star Yet still not content with the history of tourism and human (14.2.90). proliferation of massage par­ rights. And it is no secret that many lours, 'model' agencies. go-go Whenever there has been a hotels in these areas dump un­ bars, brothels, strip joints, sex choice between the dignity of a treated sewage directly into the cabarets, sex tours etc. etc. ad people. the dignity of a cullure, sea. nauseam, tourism in the last the dignity of a child, or the wel­ So much so that in place of couple of decades has largely fare and well-being of the tourist, the crystal clear waters that we been responsible for yet another governments have always voted had in Penang and Langkawi 20- phenomenon which is perhaps for the tourism industry. 25 years ago, before the advent the rankest of them all - child And until such a time as we of so-called development and prostitution! wake up to the realities of what tourism, we now have a murky, Having tried all the permuta­ tourism is doing to the children muddy pea-soup that no sane tions and perversions of adult and cultures of host countries, tourist or local would dare ven­ sex, the jaded tourist out for the tourism industry will con­ ture into! kicks is now offered yet another tinue to destroy and devastate dish to whet his appetite- a child. those very countries whose Human Dignity Whether we like it or not, in economies it grandly promises to Sri Lanka, in the Philippines and boost with its various master­ Finally, human rights mean in Thailand, child prostitution is plans and programmes.+ nothing if it is not aimed at a reality. And with the AIDS

Alira11 Mo11th/y 1992:12 (8) Ptl(le 34 students enrolled in the univer­ sities. Unfortunately, women's ac­ tivities outside the home seem to pose numerous problems. The dilemma of balancing a career and the home front is one such conflict. On the one hand, women were told to participate actively in promoting national develop­ ment. On the other, they were told to put the happiness and harmony of their family above everything else. This dilemma stems from the way work is structured in the capitalist system which under· mines traditional family values. The demands of so many hours of work from an individual, the competitiveness to achieve the widest profit margin and the separation of the work place and the family sphere impede the fostering of family happiness and harmony. CURRENT Furthermore, many people, especially men, still assume that CONCERNS family harmony rests in the hands of women. Is it not high time that men take on their Women's Day It is encouraging to note that responsibility as the other there has been an increase in partner in raising and nurturing omen's Day marks the women's participation in the a family? If women were told to W government's recogni­ workforce: in the fields of balance their career with their tion of Malaysian women's con­ agriculture, industry and ser­ responsibility in the home, then tribution to the nation's vices. There has also been an the same advice should apply to development. increase in the number offemale men as well. As for the iracrease in the number of women having a career, it would be illuminating to see where they are located. Are they at the top managerial level or are they at the bottom of the hierarchy? Additionally, how many of those working women are actual­ ly doing it out of necessity, to earn a living to make ends meet because they are single mothers whose husbands or ex-husbands do not pay any maintenance? Therefore, on the occasion of Women's Day which falls a few days before Malaysia's 35th Mer­ deka anniversary let us be stead­ fast and continue to implement the various resolutions that have been tabled at numerous iw.ys;.n women engaged in • euc:c.MfuiMit-help programme: Women's role women's gatherings to throw In nation-builclibng Ia given due ..-cognition by the govenvnent lhis year. away the yoke that hinder

Alina~~ Molflltly 1992 Pt~ge 35 women's full participation in na­ concerned as "Official Secrets", and its western allies have not tion-building. for to do so would likely create given military protection to the For the Malaysian men, let suspicion in the public's mind Sh'ite Muslims in Lebanon both these occasions mark their that something is amiss. where thousands of them have resolve to come to terms with Besides, history has shown been massacred by the Israeli ar­ their responsibility in ensuring a that many of the financial scan­ medforces for more than 15 happy family life. dals that involved a particular years. It is also significant to For every Malaysian, let us government were revealed and note that the US and its allies in break away from the outmoded subsequently scrutinised not as the EEC did not consider it notion that the woman is to a result of the government's necessary and expedient to pro­ blame if the family unit breaks eagerness to make known such vide similar protection to the down. This is the first step to scandals. Muslims and Croatians in Bos­ ensure justice. When we are This is why all along we have nia against the onslaught of the ready to take otT our blinkers been asking for a repeal of the Serbs in their fascist campaign then can we proudly say that we all-encompassing and vague of "ethnic cleansing". are MERDEKA. OSA, which should be replaced The air exclusion zone over Dr Hamima Dona Mustafa with a Freedom of Information Southern Iraq was not intro­ Assistant Secretary Act. duced out oflove and concern for 24 August 1992 Dr Mustafa K Anuar the Sh'ite Muslims or the Iraqis. Exco member Rather, it was carried out with 27 August 1992 the desire of completing the hid­ den agenda of the Gulf War "Official Secrets" and which is to bring about the Public Accountability downfall ofSaddam Hussein and Air Exclusion Zone the destruction of Iraq. liran is encouraged by the terrltor1al VIolation Another motive for the A Government's assurance present exercise is to boost the that it will take action if he air exclusion zone im­ sagging popularity of George wrongdoings such as financial T poaed upon Iraq is yet Bush with hi• voters in order to mismanagement are found in another example of the audacity improve the prospect of his re­ the administration. ofthe United States, Britain and election. It is evident from the On this score, Ali ran and, we France to assume that they, and scheme designed for the Middle might add, other public interest they alone, can determine and East that with Iraq im­ groups and individuals, share dictate the standards of be­ poverished and devastated, the Government'• concern for haviour and justice for and the there would not be any challenge possible adminiatrative abuaes. independence of each nation. to the power structure created to It is precisely because of this Thia is a frigtening and unheal­ ensure that Israel remains the that we find it strange that cer­ thy development for it poses a supreme power in West Asia and tain conscientious civil servants serious threat to the security, to perpetuate Western interests were ticked otT and, worse still, sovereignty and independence of in and dominance over these oil- warned by the Government of the Third World countries. rich regions. . the use ofthe Official Secrets Act Regretably, the recently held ALIRAN condemns the im­ (OSA) against them. lOth Conference of the Non­ position of the air exclusion zone The Opposition was not aligned Movement (NAM) in upon Iraq for the following spared either for having brought Jakarta failed to condemn the 3 reasons: to the fore the issue of the western powers for the ter­ • This is a blatant violation of planned purchase of Volvo cars ritorial violation of Iraq. The en­ the integrity and sovereignty of by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. ding ofthe Cold War has resulted an independent state. The buying of expensive cars, in a unipolar world. This would • This is a total disregard of in this case, should not be therefore mean that there is an the right of Iraqi people to deter­ regarded as an internal matter urgent need for NAM, which has mine their own destiny - a basic of a government department con­ a membership of 108 countries right in a democracy which the cerned for it involves the representing two thirds of the three western powers profess to taxpayers' money, and therefore world's population, to play the champion. the people ought to know how role of safe-guarding the their money is being spent. In legitimate rights and interests of • It is arrogant and insensi­ short, public accountability is the countries of the South. tive on their part to dismiss the very much needed here. Using the need to protect the fears and protests of Arab It thus follows that matters Sh'ites in Southern Iraq from the countries that such campaign such as purchase of vehicles, violation of human rights as the would destabilise ~he region. overseas trips, etc. must not be jurisdiction of such imposition is • It is a shameful and dis­ categorised by the authorities seriously flawed. For the US tressing fact that while the US

Alinut Monthly 1992 Pag~ 36 establishment is bent on top­ some of the largest busineaa eon­ semblies, District Office, Local pling Saddam Hussein in order glomerate• in Malaysia via their Councils and the JKKK offices. to enhance the chances of the proxies. The MIC-Maika, MCA­ • Members of the public re-election of George Bush, mil­ MPH, UMNO Baru-Renong con­ should have access to these docu­ lions oflraqis are allowed to auf­ nections are all well known. The ments. fer hardship as a result of the distinction between politics and • The statements should be continued UN sanction against business has therefore become updated each year as long as the Iraq. completely unclear. individuals concerned remain in ALIRAN therefore calls. on It is true as the Prime Mini­ Parliament or in the State As­ the United States, Britain and ster says that there are no laws sembly. France to immediately cease the to prevent politica from being Additionally, we call upon all air exclusion zone operation mixed with business and that to political parties to divest them­ against Iraq and to respect ita do so is not an offence. In view of selves from all forme of business integrity, sovereignty and inde­ this ALIRAN would like to dealings. Amendment• to exist­ pendence. reiterate ealls it has made ever ing lawe should be made to en­ John Kim since ita formation, namely: sure that this is done. E.xco Member • That the Anti-Corruption Admittedly this second effort ll September 1992 Agency should be made an inde­ will take a longer time to pendent, autonomous Commis­ achieve. sion protected by the In conclusion we welcome the Constitution and answerable recent statement by the Prime Politics And Business solely to Parliament. Minister that politics and busi­ Should Not Mix • The Commission should ness should not be mixed. But we also be equipped with experts also believe that good senti­ LIRAN welcomes and sup­ able to deal with the increasing­ menta alone are not enough. The A porta the statement by the ly sophisticated ways in which government must adopt effective Prime Minister Datuk Seri corruption (and white-collar measures to convince the people Mahathir Mohamad on Septem­ crime generally) ia being prac­ that corruption, which the Prime ber 12, 1992 that politica and tised. Minister says can destroy the business should not be allowed • That all Members of Parlia­ economy, indeed the nation, is to mix. ment and Stata Assemblymen being fought with sincerity. Declaring open the 12th An­ declare their and their families' Dr Francis K W Loh nual General Meeting of assets to the rakyat in a sworn Secretary Koperui Ueaha Benatu that statement to the Courts. 11 September 1991 day, he declared that "'if this is • Copies of the statement allowed to happen, the country's should then be made available at economy would be eventually Parliament and the State AI- destroyed because of widespread corruption.• In view of money politics and financial scandala, often involv­ ing the money of the rakyat, be­ coming 10 widespread over the past decade, the Prime Minister's eall is moat timely. One of the causes of money polities ia surely because, as Dr PELINDUNG? Mahathir himself indicated, many businessmen frequently Chandra Muzaffar ask politicians in power to help them. But an equally if not more important factor is that many leading politicians, and especial­ ly the major political parties, are themselves involved in business activities. Although direct formal linkage between the two are often absent, nonetheless, it is very clear to the rakyat that the political parties and cer~in politicians own and/or control

Alitu Monllal] 1992 PDge 37 continued from back pag41 UNFAIR PRIVATIZA noN... still reasonable com pared to. say. those in Japan becomes illogical when one considers the huge dis­ parity in per capita incomes be­ tween the two countries. INFLATION There has been much talk about exessive consumer spend­ ing and a low savings rate being among the prime causes of infla­ tion. Inflation is now. I think, well above S per cent although official sources insist that it is only 4-S per cent. My view is that inflation has been severely aggravated by the "privatization.. of state-run mo­ nopolies and utilities. In almost every case, such privatization is accompanied with an increase in rates and prices. Of course, this is not mentioned in your Bank Negara reports, MIER surveys and newspaper analyses. But just take a look at the proposed privatization of the Postal Department. Already postal rates The J~ s.w Highwlry: w.. h Kedltl snechee given priority .nsntion have gone up by a massive SO per a-:-twv .. in the PM's home stsle? cent. Privatized MAS resently announced an increase in air­ their estimates once there is no say, Butterworth-Taiping or fares. Telekom charges went up more competition? lpoh-Kuala Lumpur which is not a few months ago. Tenaga yet complete. Everyone, that is, Nasional is gradually withdraw­ MISJUDGEMENI' except UEM/PLUS which spent ing its 20% electricity discount One suspects that the huge sums of precious capital on to the manufacturing sector. (It is proposed increase in toll for the sections which were not crucial. important to note that even highway is the result of sheer in­ It is not surprising then that UEM without these hikes, all these competence on the part of UEM is finding out the hard way that bodies are already chalking up combined with gross misjudge­ toll collection from these sec­ hefty profits). And now UEM is ment. Why did it construct un­ tions is proving to be insufficient coming up with a 100 per cent profitable stretches of the to 'pay back' the amount already increase in toll rates by 1996. highway first when it knew that expended, much less to finance (The journey from Penang to the amount of toll that would be the remaining sections of the Kuala Lumpur will then cost collected from these under-util­ highway. My guess is that the over $30. excluding petrol ized stretches would be insuffi­ Kedah stretches were completed costs). cient to finance the remaining, first because they are in the All these increases in rates more urgent stretches of the Prime Minister·s home state! represent a serious threat to in­ highway? And we all know that UEM is flation in the country. but, of Talce, for instance, the Alor­ controlled by UMNO (lama or course, this is never mentioned Setar-Bukit Kayu Hitam and Baru?). in any discussion on inflation. Sungai Petani-Aior Setar routes Well, PLUS is now paying which were among the first to be the price ... or rather. the price MONOPOUES completed. Everyone knows that has been passed on to the con­ Why has privatization in the the traffic volume on these sumer without much fanfare. The Malaysian context resulted in stretches is nothing compared to, argument that our toll rates are such increases in utility rates and

Alinua Monthly 1992:12 (8) Page 38 prices? Quite simple, real­ ized and, yes. ·even those ly. This is how it works. who scrambled to apply Before a government­ for shares in the first place. owned enterprise can be The effect on inflation is privatized, the government disastrous. allows it to raise the rates Unlike increases in the or prices of its services, prices of certain finished e.g. the recent increase in goods, increases in high­ postal rates. This in turn way toll, postal rates, makes them hugely telephone charges and profitable bodies on the electricity costs have a eve of privatization. The 'multiplier' effect on the poor and the under­ #II economy. They affect not priviledged are forgotten. only industrial consumers The investing public but also the manufacturing scrambles to apply for the industry. When virtually shares in the privatized all manufacturing com­ body. They realize that the ;;...;;;;-..• panies find that their cost stock market will value the ~~~~;&:~=-i'-rltf""!!!''I:IIJ of production is on the shares much higher than rise, they will inevitably the share application price have to pass on the in­ based on the immense Providing • bMic emenhy lk.. lectricity ie the creased costs to their end- profitability of the go~menf• eocilll reepon•llity. customers. The result is an privatized body following increase in the price of al­ the increase in rates an­ Again the government most every finished nounced earlier. benefits for its stake increases in product. Now can you imagine Who is the main beneficiary value with every increase in the effect that will have on infla­ when the shares are eventually share prices. The government tion? listed, leaving aside the success­ still will not allow competition to SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ful share applicants and those eat into the cake of these immen­ who were given special share al­ sely profitable, protected, The government should locations? The government, of privatized monopolies, for that seriously review this whole busi­ course! The market value of its will affect the price of its shares. ness of privatization. It's all very stake has now soared. It makes a Without competition, there is well to say leave it to market neat profit from the sale of some no incentive for the privatized forces. But "market forces" can of its stake in the privatized monopoly to find ways and be very unfair or even non- exis­ bodies. means to reduce costs and be­ tent especially when we are talk­ Of course it still maintains a come more efficient. The ing about dubious methods of smaller but nevertheless still privatized body is fully aware awarding tertders, and privatized sizeable stake in the privatized that it has no competition. It monopolies which operate in a body. This enables the govern­ knows it can increase its profits protected market free from com­ ment to control the management by simply increasing its rates. petition of any kind. and influence decision- making This will not affect demand for When such monopolies in­ in the newly privatized body. (Is its services simply because it is a volve the suppy of basic utilities this really privatization then?) monopoly. and facilities like electricity and The government then be­ It realizes that the govern­ postal services, then the profit comes anxious to ensure that its ment is there to bail it out in case motive must always take second remammg shares in the it sails into troubled waters. place to the larger social respon­ privatized body further increases There is no element of sibility of ensuring cheap and in value. It gradually loses its entrepreneurial risk involved. Its adequate supplies and services sense of social responsibility. survival and profitability is for the entire population. The overriding goal of the guaranteed. Meanwhile, rates This is a responsibility which revamped privatized monopoly and utilities become more and no government with a conscience becomes profits, profits and more expensive. The ultimate can abdicate, privatization or no more profits. losers are the poor, the marginal- privatization.+

Alinue MoNitiJ 1992:12 (8) P•r• 39 DEVELOPMENT Unfair Privatization Takes Its Toll Highway Robbery On The North-South Expressway

Privatization without competition has proved to be costly and disastrous for the consumers.

ANIL NETTO observes that the ultimate losers In· this farce are the poor and the marginalized and calls upon the government to review this business of privatization.

t's really sickening to hear that PLUS is increasing its I toll charges by a whopping SO per cent from 1993. A further This revision in construction has revised its estimated con­ SO per cent increase is in store costs makes a mockery of the struction costs by a mind-bog­ from 1 January 1996. whole privatization exercise. On gling 100 per cent within the The whole thing becomes a what basis was UEM awarded space of a few years. Isn •t this total farce when one considers' the tender for the construction of unfair to the other unsuccessful that the toll has been raised even the highway? On the basis of its biddtrs who might have been before the North-South Ex­ previous experience in handling able to construct the highway for pressway is even half-com­ such gigantic projects? That much ltss than $6.0 billion? pleted. would be unli~ely for it is doubt­ {That is. if there was a proper The main reason cited for the ful whether UEM had managed tender exercise in the first place). hike in toll rates is the increase in projects of this scale previously. . What is to stop bidders in fu­ construction costs. Originally. On the basis of its ability to ture privati1.ation tenders from the costs were estimated at $3.4 construct a highway at the lowest quoting unrealistically low billion. Now it has been revised cost compared to other tender project costs in order to win the to $6.0 billion, an increase of bidders? Perhaps. But now UEM tenders and then later ••revising" nearly 100 per cent. ... continued on~ 31