The Civil Service and Politics
Art Harun
Each day I continue to be confounded – and not to mention, amused – by statements issued by people in the mass media. It has come to a stage where I am beginning to seriously doubt my mental well being.
Is it me who has become a cranky old man? Is there a conspiracy amongst men in black robe, yellow trousers and torn Pagoda singlet, whispering in the darkness of night while seated at a round table in a dungeon somewhere to confound me every morning? Or has our public forum been full of various innovative new concepts which challenge the old, established and soon-to-be outdated concepts as understood by oldies like me?
Consider the report in the Star today (6th October 2009) titled "PAS is a desperate party, says Hisham." While the report made reference to Minister Hishamuddin questioning the act of quoting the Quran by a non-Muslim who "does not understand Islam", it also cited statements attributed to Tan Sri Isa Samad and Cuepacs' Chairman, Omar Osman.
To Minister Hishamuddin, I only would like to say, with respect, that applying his reasoning, there are many Muslims who should be banned from citing Quranic verses too, particularly those who cite the Quran for their own political mileage. Added to that are those Muslims who only cite and cite the Quran at a drop of the proverbial hat and when the situation demands that they do so while deep inside they care not whether what they are doing is in accordance with God's wishes or otherwise. These are the hypocrites!
Having said that, the following is what which has confounded me :
