Friday, August 18, 2017

DUNIA BERCELARU

Dunia bercelaru
Insan bergelora
Metamorphosis sudah bermula
Masa tidak menunggu sesiapa
Bila pergi tak kan kembali
Tiada putaran semula
Modal berharga masa
Tua tidak akan kembali muda
Muda akan meninggalkan umurnya
Seketika berada
Hari ini semalam dan esok 
Tak pasti tiba 
Itu realiti kehidupan
Sementara

Syed Hamid Albar
AlShifa, Bukit D'sara 
31/7/17 @ 7.30 pagi

DETIK MASA

Indahnya ciptaan Allah
Lukisan terbentang di bumi, sungai dan lautan
Di seluruh alam semesta langit dan awan
Keajaiban bulan bintang.. galaksi dan lapisan
Hutan dan rimba
Gunung ganang bukit dan lembah
Mendakap kejadian langit dan bumi
Ada kasih sayang
Akal dan pertimbangan
Menenang dan memudahkan
Apa kita lupa
Siapa penentu dan pereka 
Ini lah makhluk Tuhan
Hidup di atas syurga dunia dengan keberadaan 
Ia jalan fana 
Mengira langkah untuk akhirat selamanya
Sementara terlalu pantas masa berlalu
Tiada yang tahu
Hari ini ada esok tiada
Detik masa insan di persinggahan
Keredhaan di pinta
Rendah diri dan hati
Insan ini terlalu kecil
Maha besar Ilahi
Insafi melalui titi

Syed Hamid Albar@AlShifa, Bukit D'sara
30/7/17@8pagi

Thursday, August 17, 2017

DUNIA TERUS BERUBAH

Sejak dekad yang telah berlalu politik dunia terus berubah secara mendadak. Kini ianya dipengaruhi oleh garisan budaya dan tamadun baru berteraskan teknologi dan komunikasi. Dalam buku “The Clash of Civilization” dan “The Remaking of the World Order” Huntington telah membincangkan perubahan akan melahirkan konflik di antara Barat dan dunia Islam. Pandangannya agak simplistik dan terpisah dari realiti dunia hari ini. Politik global hari ini tidak syak lagi berasaskan kepada persaingan kuasa dan kepentingan di antara kuasa-kuasa besar dunia. Justru perubahan hubungan antarabangsa juga dipengaruhi oleh persekitaran politik antarabangsa yang berdepan dengan cabaran-cabaran baru. Semasa era perang dingin oder dunia dikatakan terbahagi kepada dua polar (bipolar) Barat dan Timur atau komunis dan kapitalisma. Namun pengaruh ideologi pada dewasa ini berbeza dari masa lampau. Kini polar politik antarabangsa lebih berbentuk berbagai kuasa dengan timbulnya semangat nationalisma dan penekanan kepada identiti kaum ataupun agama. Lantas masing-masing kuasa besar bergerak mencari pengaruh tersendiri berasaskan kepada kepentingan politik, ekonomi dan keselamatan mereka.

Ada pendapat yang menyarankan sebenarnya hanya ada satu kuasa besar terkuat global. Namun demikian ia tidak bermakna hanya wujud satu kuasa sahaja (unipolar). Adalah tepat untuk mengatakan masa ini hanya ada satu kuasa yang terkuat dan selainnya tidak setaraf dengan kuasa ketenteraan dan ekonominya. Kuasa besar yang kuat seharusnya berupaya untuk menyelesaikan dengan berkesan segala konflik rantau dan antarabangsa yang berbangkit dari masa ke semasa. Namun demikian oleh kerana mereka didorong oleh kepentingan tertentu, maka itu kepentingan dilaksanakan secara selektif mengikut keperluan geopolitik atau ekonomi mereka . Justru itu rumusan muktamad kepada sesuatu konflik tidak berlaku sepertimana yang dijangkakan. Di dekad lalu, misalnya, konflik Bosnia, perjanjian damai di antara kaum muslim dan Kristian diselesaikan dengan mengambil kira kepentingan kuasa-kuasa besar dunia dan rantau. Di Asia Timur pula pendekatan China dari segi teorinya adalah tidak campur tangan secara langsung tetapi ia terus melebarkan kuasa dan pengaruhnya. Semasa era perang dingin dan adanya sistem duapolar hubungan politik dan pengaruh antarabangsa bergantung kepada dua kuasa besar terulong ketika itu Amerika Syarikat dan Rusia. Keadaan bipolar tersebut dianggap telah menjamin keseimbangan politik antarabangsa dan melahirkan kestabilan dan keamanan dunia. Dasar luar sesebuah negara akan mengambil kira persekitaran geopolitik rantau dan antarabangsa.

Lantas Amerika dan Rusia, masing-masing mewujudkan sekutu mereka berasaskan kepada ideologi dan kehendak geopolitik. Dimasa sama mereka terus bersaing di antara satu sama lain untuk mendapat pengaruh di kalangan negara-negara berkecuali. Dalam konteks pula adanya sistem berbagai polar (multi-polar) iaitu lebih dari dua kuasa besar yang memeliki kekuatan ekonomi dan ketenteraan seimbang ia terus bersaing mengikut kepentingan serta agenda masing-masing. Mereka berkerjasama jika perlu dan bersaing di antara satu sama lain mengikut kepentingan nasional negara serta terus mewarnakan persekitaran politik antarabangsa yang terus berubah-ubah. Keamanan dan kestabilan global hanya dapat dilahirkan dengan kefahaman serta keseimbangan. Kerjasama antarabangsa adalah perlu bagi menyelesaikan isu-isu utama yang berbangkit di peringkat rantau ataupun antarabangsa. Kalau ditanya apakah sistem masa kini lebih seimbang dan adil. Jawapannya agak kabur dan dalam konteks globalisasi dan kebergantungan suasana politik dan ekonomi global menjadi makin tidak menentu. Justru itu tidak bolehlah dikaitkan kepada pendekatan berasaskan semata-mata kepada keadilan sejagat tetapi masih berbentuk minat untuk mengimbangi kuasa. Oleh itu ada pihak berpendapat ada hanya satu kuasa antarabangsa. Samuel P. Huntington pula menyebut masa kini ia boleh dikatakan satu sistem hybrid, iaitu uni-multiple polar – mengikutnya wujud satu kuasa besar utama dan kuasa-kuasa besar lainnya hanya cuba bersaing atau mengimbanginya. 

Pada pandangan Huntington Amerika Syarikat adalah satu kuasa terulung dalam semua komponen kuasa, iaitu ekonomi, militari, diplomatik, ideologi, teknologi dan budaya – dengan keupayaan luar biasa sebegitu jelas sekali ia mempengaruhi geopolitik dunia. Sehinggakan Fukuyama mengatakan telah berakhirnya perang dingin dan kemunculan demokrasi berakhirlah sejarah. Amerika Syarikat berkemampuan untuk mempromosi serta mempertahankan kepentingan nasionalnya di seluruh pelusuk. Pendapat sebegitu tidak disetujui oleh banyak penganalisis politik ataupun ahli akademik. Mereka menganggap pandangan itu tidak tepat kerana suasana geopolitik antarabangsa sedang melalui satu proses bukan hanya setakat transformasi tetapi metamorphosis. Ulrich Beck seorang professor sosiologi di Universiti Munich dan London School of Economics and Political Science, berpendapat dunia bukan sahaja berdepan dengan perubahan tetapi metamorphosis iaitu satu transformasi radikal di mana ketentuan lampau dalam masyarakat moden sudah runtuh dan sesuatu yang baru sedang muncul. Bagi memahami metamorphosis ini katanya, penting untuk kita mencari apakah permulaan baru ini, serta menumpukan kepada apa yang sedang muncul dari era lama dan cuba menguasai struktur dan norma-norma di masa akan datang dalam suasana pergolakan deras serta kemajuan teknologi dan komunikasi yang akan merubah cara manusia bertindak dan mengurus kehidupan di peringkat industri dan individu.

Masa ini kita juga bertemu dengan kemunculan kuasa-kuasa utama rantau, seperti Jerman dan Perancis di Eropah, Rusia di EuroAsia, China dan Jepun di Asia Timur, India di Asia Selatan, Iran di Asia Barat, Brazil di Amerika Selatan dan Afrika Selatan dan Nigeria di Benua Afrika. Di Asia Barat keadaannya berbeza kerana mereka berdepan dengan pergolakan dalaman militari dan juga campur tangan asing. Rantau itu tidak kelihatan di masa ini akan ada mana-mana negara-negara Arab yang dengan sendirinya dapat membentuk struktur baru rantau tersebut. Kekosongan tersebut membolehkan Turkey menjadi kuasa pengimbang di antara nega-negara di Asia Barat. Begitu juga Afrika Selatan dan Nigeria. Walaubagaimanapun begitu di Eropah timbul persaingan di antara Britain dan Jerman dan Perancis. Kini Britain berdepan dengan masalah di atas keputusannya untuk keluar dari kesatuan Eropah. Perundingannya tidak semudah yang mereka jangkakan. Begitu juga ketegangan yang sedang berlaku di antara Ukraine dan Rusia belum lagi ada penyelesaiannya, kerana wujudnya permainan politik Nato. Seterusnya persaingan kuasa di antara Amerika Syarikat dan China turut mengheret Jepun dan Korea Selatan serta melahirkan ketegangan di Asia Selatan, Timur dan Asia tenggara. Di Asia Selatan pula ketegangan berterusan berlaku di antara Pakistan dan India, samada dalam isu terrorisma ataupun Kashmir. Dalam hal ini juga ada percaturan politik antarabangsa di antara Amerika Syarikat, China dan Rusia. Sikap Barat untuk mencorakkan geopolitik dunia melahirkan berbagai kesan negatif kepada keamanan dan kestabilan. Kemunculan Iran di Asia Barat cuba diimbangkan dengan Arab Saudi. Sedangkan di Amerika Latin, kuasa Brazil cuba diimbangkan dengan Argentina. Bila wujudnya kepentingan nasional serta geopolitik kuasa-kuasa besar timbullah persaingan kuasa untuk melahirkan dominasi dan hegemoni. Hakikatnya dominasi ataupun hegemoni lebih susah dalam konteks hari ini untuk dicapai kerana Amerika Syarikat pun tidak lagi menunjukkan kepimpinannya di peringkat global. Banyak negara masih kabur tentang pendirian Presiden Trump sebenar. Amerika Syarikat terlalu tertumpu ke dalam negara dari kecenderongan mengambil peranan kepimpinan di peringkat antarabangsa. China dilihat lebih tegas dan terserlah. Kini di Asia Timur dan semenanjung Korea persekitaran di kawasan tersebut berdepan dengan ketegangan kerana sikap serta keupayaan nuklear Korea Utara yang sengaja ditunjuk-tunjukan. Masalah ialah solusi diplomatik dan saluran diplomasi tidak dimanfaatkan. Amerika sendiri suka bermain dengan retorika dan tidak dilihat dapat berbuat apa-apa kepada permainan politik dan media Korea Utara melalui langkah-langkah provokasi. Amerika Syarikat berharap China untuk menahan keterlaluan Korea Utara, tetapi kecewa dengan kurangnya tindakan China. Asia Barat pula terus bergolak dengan campur tangan Arab Saudi di Yaman serta perkembangan terbaru konflik negara-negara Teluk dengan Qatar yang agak susah untuk diselesaikan kerana ia melibatkan soal kehormatan dan kedaulatan sebuah negara merdeka dan berdaulat. Apakah kesudahannya hanya dapat diperhatikan sahaja?

Negara-negara di Asia Barat atau di Afrika Utara atau di Asia Selatan membuktikan yang campur tangan ketenteraan dari negara-negara asing tidak boleh membawa penyelesaian jangka pendek ataupun panjang. Sebenarnya ia menimbulkan ketidaksetabilan dan konflik berterusan. Amerika Syarikat walaupun kuat dan berkuasa ia sudah menjadi satu kuasa besar yang paling tidak popular dalam sejarah. Ia juga dibenci dan tersisih di beberapa rantau di seluruh dunia. Dalam suasana sikap pentadbiran yang tidak menentu masa kini ia membawa kesan yang lebih parah lagi. Kebanyakkan negara-negara di dunia tidak dapat menerima untuk Amerika menjadi polis dunia atau penentu kepada masa depan politik antarabangsa. Dalam suasana dan persekitaran yang penuh dengan konflik dan pertikaian PBB (UN) dilihat lain dan tidak bermaya untuk bertindak.

Dalam polar dunia yang berbagai pasti sekali akan terus wujud persaingan kuasa, pertembungan dalaman dan di antara negara. Walaupun ada kerjasama mengikut adunan dan campuran yang pelbagai keadaan dunia lebih gusar sehingga muncul model baru dunia yang lebih adil, aman dan stabil. 



Syed hamid albar

Monday, August 7, 2017

THE ASEAN WAY

Entering its 50th year of existence in 2017, ASEAN celebrates its golden jubilee this year.  Such a milestone undoubtedly calls for introspection as we face new challenges such as the shifting global balance of power, transnational environmental degradation and climate change.   The time is right to revisit our successes and weaknesses, to understand what worked and what we could have done better, and to see the lessons they offer to face these evolving challenges.

As we reflect, an inescapable question would revolve around whether the aims and visions of our founding fathers were fulfilled when the five original ASEAN member states signed the Bangkok declaration on 8th August 1967 to chart a new future for the region after the failures of ASA and MAPHILINDO?  The short and crip answer would be yes.  Becoming ten from just five at inception, ASEAN did not just prevail, it grew. The coalition weathered the ups and downs of member state relationships anchored upon a set of core values. We call this the ‘ASEAN Way’, where the approach has been to practice consensual decision-making and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs in a show of mutual respect.  Such mutual respect strengthened our internal organizational cohesion and despite the region being a microcosm of religion, language, ethnicity and culture, yet ASEAN has been able to face the outside world with one voice and in fact punch above its weight in regional affairs.  We are the corner stone of any multilateral Asian forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum.  We have seen other bigger Asian nations clamour to be part of the ARF.  So this approach has brought us benefits and we can take pride that the ASEAN region is principally a stable an peaceful region.  The measured pace has helped it to attain this position.  It would not be wrong to say that ASEAN has done well.

However, it also true to say that ASEAN does not seem to share the same view on emerging challenges including the role of democracy or human rights.  Let’s be honest.  My observation shows that ASEAN is still cumbersome and sensitive on the question of non-interference and its treatment of human rights issues, which has caused regional an international concerns.  This produces impact on the very internal cohesion that has been a pillar of ASEAN’s success.  There is undoubtedly need for deeper examination on issues and challenges confronting ASEAN as it embraces democracy and economic liberalism.  Continued denial on this subject will not bode well in sustaining ASEAN’s credibility and integrity.

Additionally, ASEAN differs on the relationship between the individual, state and civil society, and sometimes, the core values of freedom.  Due to rigidly sticking to the issue of sovereignty and non-interference as a regional organisation, ASEAN has been in some instances slow to give its collective or common response to natural disasters like Tsunami, Cyclone Nargis and the haze or political problems such as the refugee crisis or the South China Sea issue.  How can we go forward on these issues the ASEAN way?

I believe that the answer already exists in the three pillars of ASEAN under the Bali Concord I & II.  The ASEAN Economic Community has been firmly established.  But we have a long way to go before we can say that we actually have an integrated people-centered ASEAN.  What does this mean?  We need to agree upon the basic norms of a people-centered ASEAN by agreeing on common norms of behaviour, on human rights and on mutual help for natural and man-made disasters.  Only then can we say that ASEAN has been able to build a cohesive and united body, consistent with its Charter?  Only then can we say that ASEAN has succeeded in building trust and understanding in order to create an ASEAN identity.  Make no mistake – these are important questions that members must reflect upon to ensure adjustments can be made on how the regional and international issues could be managed.

For these reasons, it is quite a wonder how ASEAN has made its cooperative endeavours to rise above conflicting areas to register healthy political and economic growth.  I do not mean to preach but in the Malaysian case, it has used the concept of unity and diversity as a source of its strength.  I am sure that other ASEAN countries can find equivalent concepts.  Otherwise, the differences and diversities can be a threat to peace, stability and security.

There are also frustrations on the rigid application and inflexible processes of this principle in ASEAN’s decision-making and yet, we have witnessed how hope and optimism steered the evolution of this organisation.  Beginning its initial journey based on a loose framework of rules, over the years, ASEAN has graduated into a full-fledged legal and rule-based regional organisation guided by its Charter and supported by a professional Secretariat. 

Even as we grapple with existential challenges, we are on the cusp of a new era for ASEAN.  With a total population of 625 million and a combined GDP of USD 3 Trillion, the ASEAN region today has the potential to be a formidable global power from bloc economic, political and security perspectives.  This means the organisation is poised for a greater leadership role in the global order.

As we stand ready to participate in the big leagues, we must build greater resilience in our region and tackle existing challenges with all the seriousness we can muster.  ASEAN cannot afford to be mired in its past glories but must make the hard decisions and find a point of equilibrium that will help us to move forward in order to be aligned with new dynamics and realities in the international system.

SYED HAMID ALBAR

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

IF ONLY

If only I could change it
Into something that can fit
No wars or conflicts
No hate but love embracing humanity
No tears to mourn the dead or injured
Meadows & valleys with greens and flowers
Feel free to walk enjoying the breeze
How wonderful it would be
No memorials and cemeteries
But laughters and smiles aplenty
No instigators to incite conflicts or wars
Show their might
The hypocrites of the earth
Stop sadness and tears
Let it not be a river of blood
But an ocean of honey
Feeding humanity to feel free
As God ordained it to be

Syed Hamid Albar
Clevedon House
Ferry Road, Oxford
17/7/17@12.30 am

DUNIA FANA

Kata kata manis bergema,
Bersuara dalam hingar bingar ,
Ada kesunyian,
Siang dan malam,
Berpuisi bersyair berdendang,
Menyentuh hati dan jiwa,
Beredar di langit dan bumi,
Di atas pentas sementara,
Pohon rendang,
Tempat bermain dan berteduh,
Insan dan haiwan,
Sebenar semuanya sementara,
Hayat, kuasa, harta, dunia,
Menunggu perhentian kekal,
Di hakimi bagi penentuan neraka syurga,
Bermula dan berakhir lumrah,
Makhlok yang tidak sempurna,
Hilang segala,
Tiada lagi pangkat, megah dan sombong,
Tiada lagi bisa mengangkat suara,
Menyanggah, bercanggah, menghukum, menghina,
Beza di antara satu pada amal,
Semasa ada,
Ini lah perjalanan...

Syed Hamid Albar
Ferry road
Oxford
16/7/17@2.30pm

PERCAYA DAN PERDAYA

Orang yang kau percaya,
Namun kau terpedaya,
Kau minta perlindungan,
Tapi dia tiada ehsan,
Fakir fikir kau silap perkiraan,
Kau menobat kebenaran,
Sahabat itu menyibar kepalsuan,
Fakir mencari kumpulan iman,
Ketemu pula mereka yang terlupa tuhan,
Keselamatan kesejahteraan,
Dalam lingkungan keduniaan,
Kerakusan tiada batasan,
Janji janji hanya pada lisan,
Fakir membuat telaahan,
Semua ada kepentingan,
Tunduk sujud pada kebendaan,
Tiada siapa mahu menegak kebenaran,
Tinggal generasi tanpa warisan,
Seribu harapan hanya ungkapan,
Tidak akan tinggal legasi dan warisan,
Fakir hanya pemerhati kepada,
Pelbagai lekaran kehancuran,

Syed Hamid Albar
Fb pada 20 Jun 2017
Bukit Damansara

MEKKAH DAN MADINA

Mekkah & Madina
Wajah Islam dan Muslim
berbagai berpusu mengingati dan mengamati
Mikrokosma manusia
beraneka budaya
Tapi satu agama
Berpandukan Quran dan Sunnah
Walaupun berbeza cara
Mentaati Allah dan menyayangi rasulnya

Syed Hamid Albar
Fb pada 19 Jun 2017
Di tanah Haram

KEMANA SAF YANG LURUS

Aku berfikir dan memerhati,
Perjalanan Rasullallah s.a.w,
Di bumi gersang dan tanah terbakar,
Gunung ganang serta bukit nya,
Berbatu hangus,
Tiada tumbuhan hijau menghiasi nya,
Sahara nya di isi dengan pepasir halus,
Bila di tiup angin menjadi debu debu kabus,
Suara lunak wahyu Ilahi,
Jelas memukau kabilah Insani,
Penentangan di kuasai,
Rasul dan para sahabat merintangi,
Setiap kekerasan dengan kelembutan,
Allah menaongi wahyu jatidiri,
Jibrail menyampai risalah Rabbi,
Sehingga rasul memimpini,
Segala cabaran di atasi,
Allah mengasihi,
Kini jutaan berkalimah satu Allah dan pesuruhnya,
Bersaf berbaris fakir dan kaya,
Di mekkah dan madinah,
Di mana ada Muslim di situlah Islam tiba,
Dengan berbagai kerenah,
Warna perangai tinggi dan rendah,
Berdiri satu wadah,
Namun berkecah,
Dan berbalah,
Tiada lagi ummah,
Hanya kaum kesukuan,
Berassabiyah,
Tanpa kasih sayang,
Lupa Allah dan Rasulnya,
Berrisalah di atas satu kalimah dan wadah,
Kasih sayang dan ukhwah,
Bukan nya munafik,
Menghancurkan ummah.

Syed Hamid Albar
Dari tingkap kamar
Memandang terus ke Gerbang Malik Fahd
Pukul 6.30 ptg di ungkil @ 17/6/17.
Fb post pada 18 Jun 2017

DUNIA BERCELARU

Seribu fikiran mencuit hati,
Dalam kecelaruan tanpa ketentuan,
Melangkah tidak memijak bumi,
Langit menaongi tidak di peduli,
Merasa gagah diri,
Ada harta pangkat dan keturunan,
Di panggil orang kenamaan,
Adab, akhlak, ehsan bukan pegangan,
Bermegah kesombongan.

Syed Hamid Albar
12hb Jun 2017
Alshifaq@Bt. D'mansra
FB post @14 Jun 2017

KALAM INSAN

Suaranya garau namun basah kelunakan bicara,
Dia merenong jauh,
Kealam kabur dan tidak jelas,
Mengubah sesuatu tentang kerenah insan, Kepalsuan dan pembohongan,
Dia membuka pandangan,
Memerhati setiap ungkap lisan,
Dalam bahasa kata,
Lunak lunak janji,
Keluar mudah,
Kata kata mukhsin,
Hanya sedap di bibir,
Berbunyi persis ulama,
Menghurai din,
Pasti tidak dusta,
Menghembur bertabur,
Sekali dusta masih percaya,
Berulang ulang melakar berbeza pembohongan,
Lumrahan,
Dosa pahala tidak di perkisahkan,
Mas tahta bertinta kekuasaan,
Itu yang di pentingkan,
Lain nya cerita tepian,
Fakir kebingungan,
Di permainkan dengan nularan berbagai helahan dan omong kekosongan,
Terus tertipu dengan sandiwara berulangan.

Syed Hamid Albar
Alshifaq@Bukit Damansara
6.30pm@5/6/17
FB post@5 Jun 2017

FITRAH MANUSIA

Bila kita mula di cipta,
Dari kisah cinta dua manusia,
Teruna dan dara,
Mensucikan kejadian Maha Esa,
Di rahim wanita istimewa,
Jalinan ayahanda dan bonda,
Melalui Rahim dan Rahmatnya,
Berubah dengan tiupan roh,
Detik masa dan ketika terus mengubah,
Itu lah lumrah kejadian dan kehidupan,
Fitrah,
Penentuan tiada yang sama,
Sepanjangan,
Alam persekitaran dan Insan.

Syed Hamid Albar
6.50am@1 Jun 2017
Alshifaq@Bukit D'sara.
FB post @1 Jun 2017

Puisi saya di FB pada 21 Mei 2017

HUMAN

We are human,
Not uncommon,
We have brain,
Can be in vain,
In excitation,
Overwhelmed by interpretation,
Thinking we know all,
Declares a preacher,
In reality just a pretender,
Searcing for a theatre,

Syed Hamid Albar
Clevdon house, Ferry Road, Oxford
7.40pm@20 May 2017

Puisi saya di FB pada 16 Mei 2017

KASIH SAYANG

Di musim lalu kau berkuntum,
Hari ini bercambah bunga,
Mekar mewangi indah,
Melukis warna-warna dunia,
Sakena yang di duga,
Alam mahu menikmati,
Berbicara damai,
Kasih sayang sesama insan,
Fitrah kemanusiaan,
Menepati persingahan,
Menunggu ketibaan,
Penuh harapan.

Syed Hamid Albar
Ferry Road, Oxford
16 Mei 2017@7.49 pagi.

Monday, May 15, 2017

FBSHApost@10 Mei 2017: PUISI #9/2017 UMNO

UMNO

Hari itu 
11 Mei 1946 kau dilahirkan

Menjalin kesepaduan

Itu satu kebenaran
Dinaung bawah bumbung kedaulatan
Bergema nationalisma wadah perjuangan
Kau tiada apa
Melainkan semangat
Menebus maruah umat 
terikat dibelenggu 
penjajahan ketidakadilan penindasan
kau merintis kehormatan
untuk agama dan bangsa
Gentar penjajah kerana 
Melayu merapat barisan
Dalam satu wadah dipanggil perjuangan
Suci dan tulus bendera
dan layar peraknya
Meneduh dan bekerjasama
dengan semua
Penerima inilah negara kita
UMNO payung hormat
Ia menterjemah daulat
Bangsawan dan rakyat
UMNO marakan kita dalam satu rumpun bangsa
Walaupun berbeza
Hidup bebas merdeka itulah asasnya
Tidak terhina dan dihina
11 Mei keramatnya
Berkorban dalam satu perjalanan
Ke destinasi mulia
Maju kehadapan
UMNO bahtera semua
Kukuh dan mantap berdepan
badai dan lautan
Bukan satu laongan
Ketegasan dan keberanian
Pulanglah ke pelabuhan
Membela kehormatan
Luhur dalam keikhlasan 
Untuk seluruh jelata yang mengharapkan..,.
UMNO....wadah tertinta
Satu perjuangan mengharung kebebasan



FBSHApost@10 Mei 2017

FBSHApost@10 Mei 2017: PUISI #8/2017

Bunga-bunga menghiasi taman-taman dunia
Tenang dan damai
Merenung warna-warna 
Merah kuning biru putih dan berbagai keindahan
Menular dan mendakap kehijauan
Menakjub dan mengkagum
Sedang angin membayu sepoi-sepoi bahasa
Rindu pada insan 
Menghulur salaman
Mengharap pentas 
di situ 
tiada kezaliman dan keganasan
Menikmati keindahan ciptaan 
Tiada kebencian

JREast 
General Education Centre
Shin Sharikawa, Japan
10/5/17, 4.15 pm




FBSHApost@8 Mei 2017: PUISI #7/2017

Fakir melukis kanvas hidup
Berbagai-bagai
Beruntai-untai
Harta, pangkat dan kesukuan
Sarat membuncing kehidupan 
Tiada cerita dari suara hati
Tentang keseimbangan dan kesamarataan
Ia semua idealisma aktivis dan ilmuan
Tiada kesampaian
Hanya lontaran zaman
Bila perjuangan jumud
Mencari kesenangan dalam kehidupan
Bercelaruan retorika tanpa haluan dan amalan
Seperti buih-buih berapongan 
Di permukaan lautan
Fakir berfikir-fikir 
Tiada nokhtah bila rela diperhambakan



Al Shifaq 
Bukit Damansara
8/5/17, 7:55 pg

FBSHApost@8 Mei 2017: PUISI #6/2017

Jika kau pandang
tanpa lihat
Pasti akan hilang
Kau perlu perhati 
Supaya akan menghayati

Alam, persekitaran dan insan 
Senantiasa berdampingan
Masing-masing ada dorongan
Tinggalkan warisan dan kenangan
Terpahat pada warisan
Untuk terus tersimpan bersama ingatan dan perhatian

Al Shifaq 
Bukit Damansara
7/5/17, 7:00 ptg

FBSHApost@8 May 2017: Trajectory of personalities in politics

I was in Jakarta recently and was talking to a media man who told me today it is the "person" who drives politics and not the political parties. To him, the "person" will determine and shape the inclination or slant of the political party itself. 

According to him, these realities were recently exemplified in the GEs in US, Canada, France & Indonesia. The individuals just project their images and the political parties will fall in line to support them. Trajectory of personalities becomes a core or significant factor for success in the election.


FBSHApost@8 May 2017

FBSHApost@6 Mei 2017: Rapatkan Barisan Perpaduan

Masa depan kita bergantung pada kita. Selagi ada ketahanan dan kemantapan politik, ekonomi, keselamatan dan sosio-budaya, tiada siapa boleh memperlekehkan negara. 

Justeru, rapatkan barisan perpaduan walaupun ada kelainan dan perbezaan.


FBSHApost@6 Mei 2017

FBSHApost@3 Mei 2017: Oder Baru Kepentingan Nasional

Malaysia is a beautiful country with all its diversities and colourful people and cultures.

Persaingan, pertandingan, mengadu domba berada di satu laluan....pertembungan dan konflik lumrah globalisasi. Ekonomi, pasaran dan kapitalisme menafikan hak asasi, jenayah kemanusiaan dan genocide. Kedaulatan dan tidak campur tangan lebih utama dari penganiayaan dan penindasan. 

Oder baru kepentingan nasional, ke mana agaknya arahnya?.

FBSHApost@3 Mei 2017

FBSHApost@1 Mei 2017: Selamat Hari Pekerja

Hari pekerja disambut sebagai tanda kehormatan kerajaan, rakyat dan pengurusan serta pengiktirafan terhadap sumbangan pekerja untuk pembangunan eknonomi dan kesejahteraan negara serta sumbangan mereka kepada kejayaan pentadbiran kerajaan dan industri negara ini. 

Justeru pentingnya ada keseimbangan dalam agihan keuntungan dan kekayaan negara. Semua pihak perlu mengamalkan urus tadbir yang amanah dan berintegriti. 

Salam Hari Pekerja.


FBSHApost@1 Mei 2017

FBSHApost@30 April 2017

Apa yang lebih penting dalam hidup dan persahabatan, harta atau hati dan jiwa yang bersih dan jujur? Pilihannya berada pada kita masing-masing.


FBSHApost@30 April 2017

FBSHApost@29 April 2017

Setiap insan memiliki kebahagiaan yang kadang kala tidak tercerna dan hanya akan tercetus dengan kehadiran pihak kedua atau ketiga. Justeru, carilah pelangi keceriaan disepanjang hidup untuk menerangi akhirat kita.


FBSHApost@29 April 2017

Monday, April 17, 2017

FBSHApost@17 April 2017: Malaysia's foreign policy and national interests

My foreign ministry days of over nine years have so many interesting anecdotes and challenges from day one on the first week of January of 1999 when I took over the position from Abdullah Badawi who was appointed the DPM. 

It began with a farewell dinner for Abdullah coupled with a welcoming event for me. At the beginning, Pak Lah -as he is fondly called or known, made it clear that the Ministry under me would be differently managed. He even went on to say that I've short fuse. I didn't know what he meant or should I take it as a compliment or was it a warning to Wisma officials not to take things for granted or take it business as usual. 

Albeit my response was sublimed as I was trying to understand what was expected of me by the boss. Frankly I didn't know how I should manage this Ministry after having heard so many negative indicators form various outside sources. I served almost a complete five year term as a Defense Minister. Both of these Ministries function under different dynamics and environment. One is preparing for war even though there is never going to be a war or conflict. 

Its profile is to prevent other countries from having any idea to attack Malaysia. In the Foreign Ministry, my role would be as a front liner in the defense of Malaysia's National Interest through diplomacy or engagements at the bilateral and multilateral levels. 

We were busy at ASEAN, OIC, G77, G 15, NAM and of course due to our assertive foreign policy at the UN and its various agencies. Malaysia was always there at the front line, championing the course of small developing countries, Islamic countries and South South interests against the domination of the northern countries. 

The objective then was to create a more balanced international order and system that practice fairness and justice and fighting against double standards and selectively. We are a small nation but our voice was heard, loud and clear.

(To be continued).

FBSHApost@17 April 2017

FBSHApost@16 April 2017: Hidayah Milik Allah

Salah satu unsur utama menjadi pemimpin atau pendakwah adalah untuk menyampaikan iaitu tabligh... cerita kebenaran secara konsisten. Jangan berasa kecewa atau naik berang kalau orang tidak mahu terima. Cari strategi lain bagi menunjukkan kebenaran yang disampaikan. InsyaAllah dengan doa Allah berikan petunjuk kepada mereka yang menolak kebenaran. Mengikut ustaz pada kuliah subuh pagi ini, hidayah itu bukan hak kita tapi hak Allah yang menentukan siapa yang diberikan hidayah... Wallahhu a'lam.

FBSHApost@16 April 2017

FBSHApost@13 April 2017: Dasar Agihan Negara

Malaysia negara kaya, ekonomi berkembang maju. Kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi tinggi.... banyak bank dan syarikat menikmati keuntungan tinggi...paras kemiskinan rendah...negara aman dan stabil.... yang perlu kita berwaspada jangan negara kaya tapi secara relatifnya rakyat miskin... mestilah diagihkan keuntungan kepada pekerja dan rakyat... dasar agihan mesti dikukuhkan.

FBSHApost@13 April 2017

Thursday, April 6, 2017

FBSHApost@5 April 2017: Melayu


Saya fikir kadang kita suka kutuk bangsa dan negara sehingga rasa seolah terlalu hina dan tidak ada yang baik ada pada kita....kalau pencapaian bagus tenguk Singapura dan kalau soal kaum tenguk orang Cina. Di mana letaknya orang Melayu dan Islam.


Nasib baik majoriti negara ini Melayu...orang lain dapat menikmati semua serta berjaya dan negara stabil kerana ketaatan dan kesabaran orang Melayu....fikir-fikirkan...

FBSHApost@5 April 2017

FBSHApost@3 April 2017: Ceramah Ustaz Kazim

Ustaz Kazim kata dalam ceramahnya pada 29/3/17 hari Rabu di Masjid Saidina Umar Ibni Khatab, Bukit Damansara, KL, kalau umat Islam hendak menjadi masyarakat Albab ia perlu ada tiga kualiti penting.... ia itu lihat, dengar dan fikir bersandarkan Al-Quran & Sunnah, kerana itulah asas tamadun dan kejayaan umat Islam di masa lampau.

FBSHApost@3 April 2017

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

FBSHApost@27 Mac 2017: Peringatan mengenai Susah dan Senang

Semalam ceramah uztaz menyentuh tentang kehidupan. Kehidupan mengandungi dua elemen penting yang perlu kita harungi dengan tabah dan tawadduk. Iaitu senang dan susah. Tiap-tiapnya ada hikmah tersendiri. Bila senang takut kita terpisah dari mendekati Allah. Bila susah kita menginsafi hubungan kita dengan Allah. Ahli sufi dan orang-orang yang sungguh alim takut pada senang. Ingat pada surah Al-Sharh Allah beri ingatan mengenai senang dan susah. 

Wallahu a'lam.


FBSHApost@27 Mac 2017

FBSHApost@27 Mac 2017: PUISI #5/2017

Menular fikiran
Jasad dan roh masih bersama
Cuba mengejar masa yang tidak menunggu sesiapa
Kuasa ciptaan manusia
Dan kuasa hak mutlak Allah tidaklah sama

Satu kekal satu lagi sementara
Sering lalai dan leka
Cuba membetulkan yang lama
Ternoda dengan kepoyaan dunia
Mengilai dan berdansa seolah hidup selamanya
Mengejar masa tidak mungkin terdaya
Betulkan yang buruk
Mengisi kekurangan sepanjang detik hari
Tidak mungkin berupaya
Mohon keampunan dari yang empunya
Berbicara kuasa dan kekuatan
Amaran insan tetapi jangan lupa pada amaran tuhan
Yang membuat catitan
Memberi contoh dan ketegasan yang tiada sangkalan
Kerahmatannya luas
Namun kemungkaran menjemput azab pedih tidak terkira
Semuanya makhluk rekaan Ilahi
Yang memberi tempoh
Jangan dirempuh 
Tiada kuasa mengatasinya
Kaya harta menimbun bagaimana
Tinggi pangkat dan darjat
Darjat kehormatan satu anugerah pemberian
Mencuba iman dan amalan
Mungkinkah disaki-baki kehidupan 
Bisa menampal kekurangan
Kepincangan dan kesalahan
Tidak patut bermegah
Segala yang diberi boleh diambil semula
Bila roh dan jasad dipisahkan
Dimasa yang pasti
Tidak mungkin tidak mungkin
Terfikir-fakir masa yang telah berlalu
Mana dapat dikitar semula
Hanya memohon keampunan dan keredhaan dari Nya
Bagi selamat di akhirat
Tidak terhumban terkeluar dari umat Muhammad
Yang bertimbun shafaat...
Hidup sederhana syurga menunggu
Mendapat ketenangan dunia akhirat selesa selamanya

Shifaq 
27/3/17, 10:28 pm


Monday, March 27, 2017

FBSHApost@23 March 2017: Global Transformation Forum, KLCC, 22-23 March 2017

What do we learn from the second Global Transformation Forum on 22 to 23 March 2017 organised by PEMANDU and supported by the top Malaysian Corporate Organisations?

For certain it was very successful as it was able to attract participation of renowned speakers, moderators and participants. Inter-alia it came out with several notable conclusions as follows: 

  1. Leaders must be transformational & be willing to lead the change.
  2. Exposition on spiritual genetics.
  3. Dream the impossible dream.
  4. Be right & do the right thing. 
  5. Failures are good experiences to learn from. 
  6. Be what you want to be & pursue it. 
  7. Be confident and positive. 
These are not exhaustive but pertinent summation of some of the inspirational lessons shared by the entrepreneurial gurus based on their personal experiences. That's what according to them transformation is all about.
Regret that the participation fee was on the high side.



FBSHApost@23 March 2017

FBSHApost@19 March 2017: The Burman consider themselves superior

Myanmar has decided to be a purist Buddhist state to the exclusion of others. Don't be misled; this is not Buddhism. They don't have any sense of moderation, mercy or compassion to commit violence against others because it's not one of them. To them it's their birth right not to accept others and they are not remorseful on what they have done. For that reason, no one has been stopped from circulating hate or violence and others. The whole population is in absolute silence without any sense of guilt. Even ASSK just brushed aside any suggestion of wrong doing. The Burman consider themselves superior... they rewrote their history.


FBSHApost@19 March 2017

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON ROHINGYA CRISIS: CURRENT INITIATIVE OF OIC AND THE ROLE OF MUSLIM WORLD


Organised by the International Institute for Muslim Unity in collaboration with Muslim World Research Center Venue: Senate Hall, Level 5, Rectory Building, IIUM Gombak on 13th March 2016 

 Speech by Dr. Syed Hamid Albar



Introduction  

Let me begin by thanking the International Institute for Muslim Unity in collaboration with Muslim World Research Centre for inviting me to this roundtable to discuss a crisis affecting mankind, which I truly consider timely especially when the tendency of forgetting and ignorance among the big powers is high. In accordance to the request of the organizer, I am before you this afternoon to fulfil my obligation, first as a Muslim and secondly as a human being to share my thoughts on the crisis of our Rohingya brothers and sisters in Myanmar.

The topic of discussion for this afternoon is the ROHINGYA CRISIS: CURRENT INITIATIVE OF OIC AND THE ROLE OF MUSLIM WORLD. My preference would be not to refer to the Muslim world but rather the Muslim Ummah.

Let me begin by sharing these simple questions which was reflected in the book entitled Prisoners of Geography[1]: All lives and paradigms according to this book written by Tim Marshall (2015) are determined by our colonialists. He asked the question about the Middle East:
·        The middle of what?
·        East of where?

“Terminologies based on a European view of the world and region that shaped it. The European used ink to draw lines on maps: they were lines that did not exist in reality and created some of the most artificial borders the world has seen. The border is simply a high berm of sand. Move the sand and physically the border no longer exist. This “line” exist in theory. An attempt is now being made to redraw them in blood.” (Marshall, 2015)

According to the Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (M16) Sir John Scarlett, “International conflicts, civil wars can only be understood by taking full account of the hopes, fears and preconceptions formed by history and how these in turn are driven by the physical surroundings – geography in which individuals, societies and countries have developed”.

Tim Marshall in his Prisoners of Geography stated, “The land on which we live has always shaped us. It has shaped the wars, the power, politics and social development of the people that now inhabit nearly every part of the earth. The physical realities that underpin the presence of mankind with various background, religion and culture are too often disregarded due to ethno-nationalism and purist state agenda.”
 
Myanmar is a good example in this context. The Rohingya crisis is several decades old. The causes of the crisis range from political to socio-economic disparity. There are many views and suggestions about managing the crisis and even expressing dissatisfaction of not doing enough to save the Rohingya, I must say it is a complex and crucial crisis that needs continuous engagement and constructive work plan to find a lasting solution. 

Conditions for Muslims have steadily declined in Myanmar, with the Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine State facing the gravest threat of elimination. In 2012, the country was rocked by the worst sectarian violence in over 50 years, resulting in over 200 killed and 140,000 displaced, most of them being the Rohingya. A 2015 study by the United States Holocaust Museum counted 19 early warning signs of genocide in Myanmar since the start of sectarian violence. Another study by the International State Crime Initiative; Penny Green of Queens University London concluded that the Rohingyas had already passed the first four stages of genocide, including dehumanization and segregation and are now on the verge of mass annihilation. Anti-Muslim sentiment has grown so widespread that even Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party declined to field a single Muslim among their 1,100 candidates for the November 2015 elections[2]. In October 2016, on the justification of fighting against insurgencies, the military had undertaken a sweeping operation that targeted the innocent civilian population by violence, torture, rape and other judicial killings of even babies and children.

The degree of the Rohingya crisis could be attributed to various factors, ranging from political will and commitment, economic disparities, ethno-religious nationalism, radicalism and lack of interfaith understanding. Besides that, the role played by state and non-state actors since 2012 has not really brought any tangible outcome. It is therefore, sagacious to understand the root causes of the crisis, and the extended role of the state and non-state actors in promoting peace and human security for the most persecuted people in the world. On the surface, the state and non-state actors may seem to have similar aspirations, goals and objectives but the reality is nothing has been done to change the realities on the ground. 

My submission to you is based on primary and secondary sources. I have also taken into account written and verbal comments that had been adduced from various victims and parties; in and outside Myanmar.

Before further discussing the issue, allow me to quote from Dalai Lama which I find very relevant to this religious-based operation. He said, “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others”. There is definitely a total absence of this in Northern Rakhine of the crimes committed by the extremist Buddhist group.

 Another related term would be tolerance, as stated by Gülen[3], who said it is one of those words best defined by its opposite, in this case, intolerance. Belligerence or extremism rejects tolerance and dialogue, preferring the route of conflict. Tolerance seeks to avoid hostilities. Tolerance would prevent, with or without concomitant dialogue, the outbreak of hostilities. However, the common Anglophone understanding of the term “toleration” does not imply a stretch to compassion. In Gülen’s writings, tolerance is compassion and compassion is love. As a negotiating strategy, by contrast, tolerance is put forward as a way to allow potentially contending parties to avoid conflict without their having to go all the way to embrace the “other”. To do that would require acknowledging the presence of so much good in the other that one would lose face by seeming to disown one’s oppressive stance.

According to Imam Al-Ghazali in his Duties of Brotherhood (Book XV, Part II)[4], he spells out one of that sage’s most straightforward and systematic prescriptions for interfacing with the “other”. At the outset, Al-Ghazali expansively wraps all of humankind in the tolerant embrace of TawhÄ«d, the oneness of God and all creation: Know that the world is one stage of the stages of the journey to God Most High. All in this station are travellers. Since the destination of journey of this caravan of travellers is the same, they are all accepted as one. There must be friendship and unity amongst them and mutual aid.

According to Dr. Alexender Berzin in his article titled Buddhist view of other religion[5], “Just as there are billions of people on this planet, there are also billions of different dispositions and inclinations. From the Buddhist point of view, a wide choice of religions is needed to suit the varied needs of different people. Buddhism recognizes that all religions share the same aim of working for the well-being of mankind”.

However, the rise of the Buddhist nationalist movement is threatening the real teaching of all religions and the stability of multicultural diversity in Myanmar. Buddhist radicalism is characterized by a strong anti-Muslims stance and the rejection of the idea of a multicultural identity. The radical movement, which started in 2011, is structured like a real political network, under the name of ‘696’.  Monks say the three digits symbolize the virtues of the Buddha, Buddhist practices and the Buddhist community. Although the movement claims to be pacifistic, it leads boycotts against Muslim-owned businesses, with the goal of promoting the rise of a richer Buddhist community. Since its founding in 2014, radical group such as Ma Ba Tha has gained notoriety as a radical and nationalist Buddhist group whose anti-Muslim activities have inflamed religious hatred across Myanmar. But no politician or agency has denounced the racism and bigotry of such group. This allowed radical extreme leaders to spread malicious information against Muslims.

To understand why the above deliberation is important is because we must accept that the Rohingya crisis is no longer political and economic in nature but very much ethno-religious nationalism. But I will not deny the fact that the economic gap and systemic policy are used to marginalise and suppress the Rohingya deliberately.     

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Are we ready to stand up for our Ummah, especially for our Rohingya brothers and sisters? This is the time to put our differences aside and let Myanmar know that it has no rights to trample on the minorities, especially the Rohingya. It is important for us to stand together as an Ummah and the let Myanmar know that we will not accept extrajudicial killings, crime against humanity, violation of human rights and genocide.  

While we have patiently put up with the bizarre plot, they crossed the line when they decided not to respect the international law and instead choose to continue the national agenda of wiping out the entire Rohingya ethnic identity and people from Myanmar. The Myanmar Government also denies all allegations and states its action is in accordance with the law. Every accusation deduced of atrocity is construed as an exaggeration or fabrication.

I cannot accept such fabricated statement denying their atrocities. And if this blatant violation of human rights continues, there is high possibility of retaliation which logically could invite counter- radicalism which will be more difficult to manage for Myanmar. To put it bluntly, they are proceeding on a dangerous agenda. Obviously, they will ultimately face serious consequences including war and turmoil. Like most members of the international community, I find this development very disturbing and insulting in respect for identity and human dignity. All international calls are ignored and would fail due to PES interest.

Distinguished guests,

Myanmar today as we are aware has attracted both positive and negative attention. Firstly, positive; because it is in the post-election period towards what is called as transformation to democracy after a long treacherous period of governance under a military junta. Negative attention, is due to its history of abuses and human rights violation against ethnic minorities, especially the Rohingya. As I speak now, we have a new narration of atrocities taking place in the northern Rakhine State, which has drawn concern of the UN and other members of the international community.

We are also receiving reports of disproportionate use of force, tortures, rapes and killings of civilian population in Maungdaw and three other districts in the Northern Rakhine. This includes the burning of villages, homes and mosques since 2012. In response to the allegation that the police stations have been attacked that caused 9 policemen personnel being killed, Myanmar and its military contested that they are justified in their actions due to the terrorist attacks. In reality, at the other side of the coin, they are actually getting rid of the Muslim population whom they consider as illegal Bengalis from Bangladesh coupled with their desire to create a pure Buddhist state.

The former UN Chief, Kofi Annan and now the Chairman of Independent Commission has expressed “deep concern over violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, where the military killed 428 people which is plunging the state into renewed instability and creating new displacements. He further added that all communities must renounce violence and urged the security services to act in full compliance with the rule of law.” (NST, 16 Nov 2016)

Elizabeth Trudeau, US State Department Spokeswoman in her statement mentioned that the US is also “concerned by reports of a spike in violence” in Rakhine and urged the Myanmar government to allow a credible and independent investigation. (NST, 16 Nov 2016)

In the latest R2P Global Centre’s website, Gerath Evans said; “Mass atrocities cannot be universally ignored and sovereignty is not a license to kill.”

Rev. Desmond Tutu said this on the violence in Rakhine, “We shall share a responsibility to do whatever we can to help prevent and protect one another from such violence.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with trepidation, I want to understand the current conflict to formulate our responsibility, when international law has been breached and diplomacy has broken down. In this regard, let me also share with frustration, the latest development at the Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva where the EU is not interested to support the call for an independent UN Commission to be set up to investigate on what is happening in the Rakhine State.

 Myanmar looks set to escape an international investigation into alleged atrocities against Rohingya, after EU decided to use existing mechanism at the UN Human Rights Council.  The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Yang Hee Lee, backed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein requested the UN to investigate allegation of gross human rights violation by military and security forces in order to ensure full accountability for perpetrators. However, the EU preferred using existing mechanism with the so-called good cooperation and access from the Myanmar Government, rather than a new approach and requested to give Myanmar more time to exercise the domestic process. In this regard, I and my human rights activists have voiced serious doubts about Myanmar’s real intentions. Several investigation commissions set up by the Aung San Suu Kyi Government and its security forces had not acted impartially as the parties involved in the wrong–doing.

Today, this has become a global concern. OIC, Indonesia and Malaysia and other members of International community have expressed their worries on the issue of ethnic-cleansing or crime against humanity. Malaysia called for an ASEAN Emergency Meeting but Myanmar did not agree. Ultimately, Myanmar agreed to have a retreat in Yangon. This gave an opportunity for Myanmar to explain their version of what is happening. The Foreign Minister of Malaysia spoke of the allegations of ethnic cleansing and gross violations of human rights of the Rohingya Community and the need for access to international humanitarian organizations to have full access to the affected area.

Malaysia also called for an emergency meeting of the OIC which was held on 19th January 2017. The meeting came out with a statement for Myanmar security forces to cease forthwith the military operations in Northern Rakhine. Forty one civil societies of Myanmar call for the formation of an international independent council under the UN to investigate the real situation in Rakhine. The meeting also called for the OIC secretary general to lead a delegation to Myanmar.

Let me outline what, why and how OIC first got involved in Myanmar’s ethnic and religious conflict. After the October 2012 riots in Sittwe, where many Rohingya Muslims were killed and 160,000 became displaced persons.

For your information, the Organization which was established in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September 1969 in response to the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. One of its principle objectives is to contribute towards sustainable international peace and security.
After the 2012 communal violence, the OIC being the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah is obliged to safeguard and protect the interests of Rohingya. The OIC believes it can be the facilitator of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between the Buddhist and the Rohingya Muslim communities in Myanmar. 

The SG of OIC, Ehsanoglu visited Rakhine and met the President and other government leaders. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the OIC to provide assistance as well as open an office in Yangon. Unfortunately, the Myanmar Government reneged on this agreement. Iyad Madani on assuming the position of SG looked for a new approach to engage Myanmar to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. That was how the position of Special Envoy for Myanmar was created. In performing its responsibility to address the Rohingya crisis, the OIC has to address four main challenges in Myanmar. The four challenges are:

i.             Myanmar in transition – politically and economically:
·        US, EU, China, India – friends of Myanmar
·        Economic interest VS Human rights norms and values

ii.            The current Government set up:
·        25% military controls the Parliament
·        All law and policies amendments require military support
·        Key ministries controlled by military

iii.           The existing discriminatory laws and policies:
·        1982 citizenship law
·        No Muslim Representative in Parliament
·        Discriminative registration process
·        2015 Race and Religion protection law

iv.          The rise of ethno-nationalism:
·        The Ma Ba Tha radical group
·        Hate speeches
·        Supported by the Government due to political sentiment

These challenges underpinned OIC’s responsibilities in tackling the problems faced by the Rohingya community. The OIC recognised these are complex challenges when it is underscored by human rights violations, the loss of status of citizenship, discriminatory laws, and the remission of freedom of the Rohingya community. For OIC, it is of paramount importance that these issues are tackled and resolved in order to find a lasting and durable peace, security and stability an inclusive democracy is to succeed in Myanmar.

I strongly believe, due to the complexity of the problem that there are no quick fix answers or solution to these problems which brought about the conflict in the first place. During my tenure as the SE, I have furnished OIC with detailed continuous reports on my visits to Myanmar and the Rakhine state. The solution would depend very much on the political will and commitment of the Myanmar government and its military to practice true democracy where there is inclusiveness, rule of law and justice for all its citizens including minorities. The branding of Rohingya as illegal Bengalis and not accepting them as an identity would not be just or correct approach to a solution. Worst still, not giving them any space or freedom in Myanmar on top of being excluded in the new political transformation to democracy is not the answer to a peaceful, stable and democratic Myanmar.

Myanmar civilian political leaders cannot deny or dismiss allegations against the security forces as fabrication or that the problems don’t exist. The leadership of Myanmar must decide whether they are going to lead or be led by the military that have bad track records of being just, fair or moderate in their dealings with the innocent civilian population. Albeit so, the government must not allow the extremist Buddhist monks to spread hate or violence against minority Muslim population. In order to achieve a credible democratic outcome, the Myanmar government must be able to remove the discriminatory laws and policies as well as manage the ethno-religious nationalism which encourages extremism and the dislike of others. This institutionalised discrimination and atrocities would result in counter reaction and radicalism amongst the Rohingya for their self-respect, dignity and survival. This is consistent with the reports of the UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as Human Rights NGOs like Amnesty International, Fortify Rights and Human Rights Watch.

Myanmar has insisted that the reports and findings are an exaggeration. It is difficult to fathom Myanmar’s counter allegations against ample evidence from the victims, satellite images and video clips. Even their own selfie showed the true inhuman treatment of Rohingya children and men, by the military and victims’ accounts of other than cases of rape and torture.

The former OIC SG, Iyad Madani is a man of moderation and compassion felt disturbed on getting reports and receiving key witnesses’ accounts on what is happening. During his time, he has taken up these issues at the highest level of the UN, EU, Myanmar leaders and Aung San Suu Kyi. He wrote to countless leaders of OIC and ASEAN to assist to find a just solution to the problem. He wrote to Kofi Annan when he was appointed Chairman of the Rakhine Commission. The SG practised engagement and dialogue at every level of disengagements in fulfilling his role as the SG. He expected the SE to also do the same in finding reconciliation in Myanmar.

Ladies and gentlemen,

OIC has expressed its alarm on the predicament of Rohingya in facing human rights abuses since the outbreak of violence in 2012. It has started its multilevel approach through open and quiet diplomacy to address the issue and engage Myanmar constructively to find a lasting solution. OIC believes that the on-going crisis and problems in Myanmar cannot be ignored on the basis of sovereignty and non-interference. There are 5 main areas that OIC has focused its attention:
  • Socio political space and freedom
  • Crime against humanity / ethnic cleansing / genocide
  • Migration / Human Trafficking
  • Denial of access to Humanitarian aids to the affected area
  • Lack of Socio economic development



OIC’S STRATEGY OF ENGAGEMENT

According to UN, the Rohingya is one of the most persecuted communities on earth. The OIC’s strategy through constructive engagement and quiet diplomacy to address this situation encompasses four areas of activity:
a.    Political Advocacy;
b.    Humanitarian Aid; and
c.    Civil Society Engagement.
d.    Role of SE

a.            Political Advocacy
At the Political Level, the OIC has engaged directly with the Myanmar authorities to restore the basic rights, including citizenship of the Rohingya and to follow up on a 2013 agreement to construct medical facilities for both Muslim and Buddhist communities. Although there have been some efforts to stem the violence and enforce rule of law, the government has been slow to respond to calls for dialogue on the Rohingya issue. After the recent victory of the NLD government, the OIC Secretary General contacted the new leadership in Myanmar to encourage a comprehensive resolution of the crises facing the Rohingya. This led to a meeting with Aung Sang Suu Kyi during the UNGA, in which the OIC is directly communicated to the State Counsellor and NLD leader of the need for a solution. The Myanmar Government asked for more time to push for reforms and identified the establishment of the Rakhine State Commission headed by former UN Sec Gen Kofi Annan as a major step forward.  The OIC still urged the government to take concrete and meaningful steps to resolve the Rohingya crises.

In order to maintain pressure on the authorities, the OIC Secretary General has actively raised the case of the Rohingya during bilateral engagements with Member States and world leaders. From 2012 to 2015, successful cooperation and coordination by the OIC offices in Geneva and New York have resulted in the adoption of resolutions on Myanmar in the UN.

The OIC has effectively cooperated with the international community to raise the Rohingya case to the UN Human Rights Council. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 69/248, United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/28/L.21, and the recent report and recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

Since the 2015 election of the NLD government serious challenges have surfaced because of the withdrawal of EU and US pressure on the government of Myanmar. Previously international sanctions and political pressure were sustained by a broad coalition of powers.  Now because of the reputation of Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the European and US have agreed to give her time in her transition towards democracy and are not strongly critical of her lack of real effort to resolve the Rohingya issue. She has also been able to distract the international community by engaging in peace talks and ceasefire with other armed rebel groups such as the Shan, Karen and Chin. Therefore most of the international community has withdrawn sanctions against Myanmar.

ASEAN countries meanwhile have always been reluctant to go public with any statements against the Myanmar government. However, those OIC members, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei have been willing to provide humanitarian support and assistance.


b.               Humanitarian Aid
With regards to Humanitarian Aid, OIC Member Countries have provided humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya. Among the countries:
·        Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan : $5 Million in food aid;
·        Qatar : $20 Million;
·        Saudi Arabia: $25 Million; and
·        Turkey: $12Million

The Myanmar government has allowed some of these aids to be distributed on a case-by-case basis. However, there are difficulties in access on the ground. OIC member states like Malaysia are using its own NGOs such as Mercy Malaysia, which have been able to penetrate into Rakhine state. Nevertheless, a large portion of the international aid money allocated to the Rohingya has yet to be disbursed.

     Malaysia and Indonesia have also taken in large numbers of Rohingya refugees and provided for their shelter, this is in addition to the many thousands of Rohingya and other Burmese nationals who have previously been living and working in the country. 


c.               Civil Society Engagement
 On the level of Civil Society, the OIC has been working to bring together Rohingya organizations and encouraging them to unify their ranks for more effective advocacy of their cause. They successfully brought together more than 60 separate organisations to establish the Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) which could advocate for the Rohingya cause in international fora. 


d.               The Appointment of Special Envoy
  In 2014, OIC SG Iyad Amin Madani appointed me as the Special Envoy for Myanmar. I was tasked to advance the OIC’s quiet diplomacy efforts with the concerned parties in Myanmar, in the region and international stakeholders to bring about peaceful coexistence and restore inter-communal harmony through dialogue and a comprehensive reconciliation process. 

I also have a mandate to set policy directions and design workable plans to facilitate activities under Track 1 and 2. I advise the OIC SG on all matters regarding the development in Myanmar relating to Rohingya and represent the OIC in regional and international fora that deal with the issue. Besides that, I am also the focal point for coordinating, integrating and evaluating the efforts by all parties including activities under the Track 1.5 entities.

The role of SE is important in all tracks (1, 2 and 1.5) in promoting diplomatic efforts, peace and restoring harmony, especially among non-Muslims and Muslims in Myanmar through constructive engagement, dialogues and confidence building measures.

Since September 2014, I made several working visits to Myanmar, Thailand and the United States to engage with political leaderships and advocate for the Rohingya cause. I continued to pursue the political contacts with the authorities to explain the need of having an inclusive policy to change the situation in Myanmar.  

We managed to carry out several humanitarian and educational aids in Rakhine and Malaysia in 2015 and 2016. This is done in collaboration with the OIC Humanitarian Department and the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF). The humanitarian aids are extended to the Muslims and Buddhists.

I have also organized several workshops to bring together Rohingya and civil society leaders from different religious background from Myanmar and across the ASEAN region as part of its confidence building measure to develop trust, understanding and goodwill.

Distinguished guests,

The OIC and the Muslim countries should support the call for the following actions:
u The Rohingya crisis is drawing global attention. Muslim countries, countries of transit, destination countries, civil society and human rights advocates must be united in pressuring Myanmar to treat the Rohingya equally and to ensure basic human rights. Whatever actions that the NLD Government plans to take must be in accordance to the international law. It is time that, humanitarian aid should be allowed to reach the population in Rakhine state, including the Rohingya.

u Pursuant to this, it is the responsibility of the Myanmar Government to uphold its responsibility to protect all population. The NLD Government should end institutionalized discrimination against the Rohingya, including restoring the status and citizenship rights. The Government should take action against hate speeches and take action against whomever that commits abuses and human rights violation.

u The state Government of Rakhine must take action to facilitate the return of IDP’s to their home. The NLD Government must stop the demolition of mosque and houses belonging to Muslims and Rohingya community.  

u To date, the Ma Ba Tha has proven itself to be an adaptive organization. It learnt from the mistakes of the 969 and is continually evolving and professionalizing its messaging, activities, and narrative dissemination of hate and violence. Today, the Ma Ba Tha has built a strong foundation of highly active and motivated monks who oversee a vast network of ground activities and partnerships, as well as a powerful communications and lobbying apparatus, all with proven results. The Ma Ba Tha is likely to continue to retain a significant base of support because its messaging endorses a range of anti-Muslim prejudices that resonate in the broader Burmese society. Much of what is considered ‘ultra-nationalist’ in the international media is closer to ‘center-right’ in Myanmar, and core Ma Ba Tha issues such as the denial of rights for the Rohingya, enjoy popular mainstream support. No electoral outcome or new government can easily change these deep-rooted prejudices, but it is possible to better understand their core themes and develop better counter-messaging and early warning strategies.

u Finally, the high level advisory commission should investigate the systematic persecution of Rohingya or allow an international independent investigation to be formed for this purpose.

Thank you.




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[2] C4ADS. (2016). Sticks and Stones Hate Speech Narratives and Facilitators in Myanmar. Retrieved from  https://goo.gl/EFhabe
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[4] Abu Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali & Muhtar Holland. (1975). The Duties of Brotherhood. Leicester: Islamic Foundation.
[5]Berzin, A. (n.d.). Buddhist View of Other Religions. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/G4gDNf. (Revised excerpt from: Berzin, Alexander and Chodron, Thubten. “Glimpse of Reality.” Singapore: Amitabha Buddhist Centre, 1999.)