Khamis, November 05, 2009

Mencari motif sebenar penahanan Dr Asri dan cabaran buat Dr Hasan Ali

dari ChangkatNingkeBTP

Ahmad Lutfi Othman
Thu | Nov 05, 09 | 4:08:27 pm MYT

Malam Ahad lalu saya agak uzur dan tertidur awal. Walaupun telefon bimbit diletakkan di bawah bantal, SMS wartawan Harakahdaily, Azamin Amin, lebih kurang jam 12 tengah malam gagal mengejutkan saya. Sehinggalah saya terjaga bila terdengar isyarat SMS kedua Azamin, sekitar jam 4 pagi, membawa berita yang esoknya menggemparkan negara: Bekas mufti ditahan kerana mengajar agama tanpa tauliah.

Sebenarnya isu tauliah bukanlah perkara baru. Di Selangor sendiri, pada zaman BN, rasanya ramai tokoh-tokoh pendakwah terkemuka juga tidak mendapat tauliah, antaranya Dato' Ishak Baharom, bekas Mufti Selangor sendiri. Tokoh-tokoh agama tersohor, termasuk yang pernah terbabit dalam proses pentauliahan kepada pendakwah lain, seperti Ustaz Ismail Kamus dan Dr Haron Din juga tidak terkecuali dilarang mengajar agama di negeri termaju itu.

Malah, rasanya, Mufti Perak, Dato' Seri Harussani Zakaria turut tidak dibenarkan berceramah agama di negeri tertentu.

Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin yang ditahan JAIS itu memang boleh dianggap tokoh yang sering mencetuskan minat media, terutama selepas dilantik menjadi Mufti Perlis.

Meskipun perwatakan seseorang mufti selalunya jarang diteropong media, namun sosok Dr Asri dilihat berbeza. Banyak ideanya mengundang kontroversi berpanjangan. Khabarnya kolum beliau dalam Mingguan Malaysia diminati bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Pada pagi Isnin, 2 Nov, di Mahkamah Rendah Syariah, Gombak Timur, Marina Mahathir turut memberikan sokongan buat Dr Asri, selain Pengarah Sisters in Islam, Zainah Anwar.

Lebih menarik apabila ada wakil rakyat PAS dan KeADILan bersama Dr Asri, bukan saja di mahkamah pagi itu, tetapi juga semasa kuliahnya.

Serentak itu, banyak persoalan berbangkit. Ramai tertanya-tanya apakah alasan (baca: motif) sebenar Dr Asri ditahan? Pihak JAIS, melalui Pengarahnya, Mohammed Khusrin Munawi memberikan alasan mendatar, iaitu Dr Asri melakukan kesalahan mengajar tanpa tauliah.

Mencurah-curah sanggahan yang mempertikai alasan berkenaan termasuk daripada Perdana Menteri Najib Razak.

"Saya tahu banyak lagi orang yang buat macam-macam ceramah, tak didakwa pula, tetapi bila Dr Asri, dia ditahan," tegas Najib sambil menekankan penahanan itu dibuat oleh kerajaan negeri dan tiada kena mengena dengan kerajaan pusat.

Mungkin Najib, yang juga Pengerusi Perhubungan Umno Selangpr, sudah dapat menelah bahawa ada tuduhan tangan-tangan ghaib yang mendalangi penangkapan itu akan dilemparkan kepada Umno.

Bukankah Umno sentiasa cuba mencari jalan pintas menawan negeri itu atau sekurang-kurangnya untuk memburuk-burukkan pemerintahan Pakatan Rakyat Selangor? Sukar diterima akal bahawa tiada motif terselindung di sebalik operasi penangkapan yang mengejutkan itu, malah ada pihak yang begitu gemar mengaitkannya dengan teori konspirasi. Dan mereka tentu ada alasan tersendiri.

"Cuma yang peliknya, kenapa Umno bersungguh-sungguh membantah dakwaan terhadap Dr Asri," kata Naib Presiden PAS, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Beliau menjangkakan jika hal sama berlaku di negeri bukan Pakatan, misalnya Johor, mungkin kenyataan yang dikeluarkan Umno berbeza. Sedangkan, tambahnya, sikap PAS sentiasa konsisten dalam hal 'mengajar tanpa tauliah' ini. Kata Tuan Ibrahim, mana-mana tokoh agama sepatutnya mempunyai autoriti atau hak dan tidak perlu tauliah daripada Jabatan Agama untuk menyampai kuliah atau ceramah.

Ada juga yang menghubungkan peristiwa tangkapan itu dengan memorandum bantahan kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong oleh Persatuan Peguam Syarie Malaysia, pada 30 Oktober lalu agar baginda menarik balik perlantikan Dr Asri sebagai Yang Dipertua Yadim.

Dr Asri, menurut kandungan memorandum itu, didakwa sentiasa bertentangan pandangan dengan para ulama dan mufti negeri-negeri lain. Semasa menjadi Mufti Perlis, beliau didakwa kerap kali membelakangkan pandangan jawatankuasa Mufti Kebangsaan dan "sentiasa lari dari berdialog secara tertutup dan beradab, sebaliknya mencari populariti di media".

Dr Asri turut dituduh tidak mengiktiraf iktikad ahli sunnah wal jamaah dari empat mazhab fiqh. Beliau bagaimanapun menafikan tuduhan itu.

Memorandum yang turut disokong 13 NGO Muslim itu juga mendakwa, "sebagai seorang yang terlalu muda serta gagal menghayati budaya adab sopan umat Ialam di Malaysia, Dr Asri lebih banyak mengundang kontroversi dan merupakan seorang yang keras, ekstrim serta tidak dapat menerima teguran, pandangan dan kritikan orang lain". Namun, ramai terkejut apabila mendapat tahu bahawa antara NGO terbabit adalah ABIM, Persatuan Alumni Kolej Islam, JIM, Persatuan Ulamak Malaysia, Persatuan Ulamak Kedah dan Teras.

"Tidak semestinya NGO yang menyokong memorandum itu bersetuju dengan tangkapan JAIS," kata seorang pemimpin sebuah badan Islam, "ia isu berbeza sama sekali, malah mungkin ada pemimpin NGO tersebut tidak membaca sepenuhnya kandungan memo berkenaan. Tapi, yang lebih penting, perbezaan pendapat dan pendekatan dalam hal agama mesti diselesaikan secara bijaksana, bukannya tangkap dan dakwa di mahkamah."

Hampir semua SMS dan emel yang saya terima mempunyai nada hampir sama, dan membantah keras penahanan Dr Asri tetapi turut mengaitkannya dengan tangan-tangan ghaib kuasa politik. Mereka menjangkakan ada motif lain yang lebih besar dan tidak percaya JAIS bertindak atas pertimbangan sendiri hanya atas alasan "tiada tauliah".

Dalam pada itu, Presiden JIM (salah satu pertubuhan yang menyokong memorandum Dr Asri tidak dilantik Yang Dipertua Yadim), Zaid Kamarudin mencadangkan agar JAIS mengambil ksempatan daripada krisis keyakinan terhadapnya ekoran penahanan Dr Asri untuk meneliti semula enakmen-enakmen pentadbirannya. Selain menyuarakan rasa terkejut di atas cara tangkapan yang mengaibkan, Zaid menegaskan: "JIM berharap JAIS akan bersikap amanah, jujur dan profesional dalam melaksanakan siasatan yang bebas, adil dan telus ke atas Dr Asri. Pemeliharaan keadilan dan hak asasi serta karamah insan haruslah menjadi pegangan."

Semasa ramai mempertikai kebijaksanaan JAIS menangani isu ini, timbul saranan agar proses pentauliahan di negeri-negeri Pakatan Rakyat dikaji semula. Penguat kuasa pula usah bertindak sembrono semata-mata atas alasan menurut undang-undang.

Apa pun, bukan segalanya buruk buat JAIS. Bulan puasa lalu mengingatkan kita betapa meriah dan kudusnya penghayatan Ramadan di Selangor, begitu juga dengan majlis tazkirah, tadarus, kuliah-kuliah agama dan khutbah Jumaat. Begitu ramai tokoh agama yang selama ini tersisih dapat menyumbang ilmu mereka di Darul Ehsan ini.

Exco Agama, Dr Hasan Ali, yang menjadi perhatian (dan sasaran) utama menjelang seminar khas PAS 7 Nov, pastinya terbeban dengan isu ini. Banyak soalan yang perlu dijawabnya sendiri. Orang ramai tidak mahu mendengar penjelasan Pengarah JAIS. Mahu tidak mahu ia sudah menjadi isu politik dan orang politik seperti Dr Hasan sajalah boleh menjernihkannya walaupun kuasa dalam hal agama ini pun banyak sekatannya.

Pakatan Rakyat harus 'memanfaatkan' isu ini bagi memperkukuh gabungan, begitu juga PAS, dan jangan pula ia tambah mengusutkannya dengan menjadikan isu ini untuk mengeruhkan lagi keadaan dalaman parti.

Diakui Dr Hasan memang dalam keadaan sukar, terutama menguruskan karenah JAIS yang khabarnya masih "menjadi lubuk Umno", di samping menjaga sensitiviti pihak istana. Bagaimanapun, krisis selalunya akan mempamerkan kehebatan seseorang tokoh dalam mengendalikan konflik berbangkit dan ini satu cabaran buat Pesuruhjaya PAS Selangor itu.

Selasa, November 03, 2009

Controversy follows ex-mufti



Analysis by JOCELINE TAN

Who are the ‘black hands’ behind the arrest of the charismatic but controversial former Mufti of Perlis?

THERE is little doubt that the controversial religious figure Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has a following as evidenced by the big group that turned up to support him at the Gombak Syariah Court.

His biggest supporter is Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the former Perlis Mentri Besar, who is in London. Otherwise he would have been there as well.

Dr Asri, the former Mufti of Perlis, was released on police bond after being detained the night before by the Selangor branch of the religious enforcement unit JAIS.

He was giving a religious lecture in a private home in Gombak at the time.

He is likely to be charged for preaching without a permit but those in the know said that events behind the scenes had been building up to this moment.

Some are even talking about “black hands” trying to fix up the charismatic preacher who had made waves with his unorthodox views on religious issues and matters the past few years.

They blamed the PAS-controlled religious arm in Selangor for the crackdown on Dr Asri.

Others said the “black hands” belong to those who are out to block Dr Asri’s appointment as head of Yadim or Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, the prestigious Islamic outreach arm of the Government.

Apparently, Dr Asri was to have been appointed as Yadim head on Nov 1, replacing Datuk Nakhaie Ahmad who has held the post since the 1990s.

It is believed the appointment has not proceeded because of opposition from Islamic groups.

There is no evidence connecting the Yadim appointment to Dr Asri’s Sunday night arrest but 17 Islamic NGOs had sent a letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister protesting the would-be appointment.

News of the protest leaked out when one of the signatories, the Syariah Lawyers Association, posted the letter on its blog; the posting has since been removed.

“There are no black hands or whatever you may call it. The point is that there are Islamic bodies who are very uncomfortable that Dr Asri may be appointed to Yadim,” said former Abim president Yusri Mohamad who was a signatory to the letter.

Shahidan, who remains one of Asri’s closest associates, has slammed the opposition to Dr Asri as the work of selfish people.

“We carry out dakwah (outreach) work without harming people. We are trying to explain Islam to non-Muslims. What is wrong with that?” he said.

Shahidan also asked Dr Asri to reject any offer from Yadim and in a tit-for-tat move, has asked for a thorough audit of the accounts of Yadim.

The soft-spoken and baby-faced Dr Asri is quite glamorous for an ulama. He is acquainted with a number of entertainment celebrities and has been courted by both Umno and PAS.

Earlier this year, there was talk that he was about to join PAS but, according to Shahidan, Dr Asri consulted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who advised him to stay politically neutral if he wished to be accepted by the general populace.

He also writes a weekly column called Minda Maza or Thoughts of Maza (Maza being the acronym for Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin) in the influential Mingguan Malaysia.

But Islamic intellectuals complain that his views on religion do not reflect that of “mainstream Muslims or the traditional scholars.”

They pointed out that during the recent fasting month, his column had analysed an obscure text by a medieval scholar on the question of performing a major ablution (mandi wajib) after sexual intercourse in an abnormal situation.

“There are so many pressing issues in Islam and he uses his column to talk about that,” said Yusri.

Critics such as Yusri have accused Dr Asri of promoting a body of thought that is harmful to the unity of Muslims in the country.

“He should be aware that by continuing to promote his particular view on Islam outside of Perlis, he is inviting action on himself,” said Yusri.

But Dr Asri’s ideas resonate among a segment of moderate Muslims and non-Muslims. They see him as a modern and progressive ulama.

His supporters find his views refreshing and in tune with modern Malay society and issues.

Among his champions are groups like Sisters in Islam who are drawn to his unconventional views on social issues and women in Islamic society.

But the storm blowing around Dr Asri has yet to subside for as Yusri promised: “We will continue to oppose his appointment to Yadim.”

Isnin, Oktober 26, 2009

YB Azmin Ali Jejak Kaki ke Rumah Azwan Selepas 9 Tahun




dari ChangkatNingkeBTP

p/s - Mana Ummi Hafilda? Tak nampak pun?

DI muka pintu rumah personaliti Azwan Ali, wajah ibu tercinta Mak Tom menunggu dengan penuh debaran kelibat anak tersayang, YB Azmin Ali.



Kedatangan Azmin, Ahli Parlimen Gombak, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Bukit Antarabangsa dan Naib Presiden PKR, ke rumah adiknya Azwan petang itu amat bermakna sekali bagi mereka anak beranak.

Manakan tidak, sudah 9 tahun kasih terputus dan jalinan tali persaudaraan yang bertaut kembali pada petang itu bagaikan sebuah episod jejak kasih.

Debaran menanti "tetamu istimewa" Azmin menjadi lebih syahdu apabila Mak Tom memecah kesunyian dengan berkata, "Ini yang makcik tunggu-tunggu selama ini. Alhamdulillah tuhan kabulkan doa makcik.

"Siang malam, makcik tak henti-henti berdoa terutama pada bulan Ramadan yang baru ini. Makcik minta tuhan satukan anak-anak makcik sebelum makcik tutup mata...," jelas Mak Tom, 74 tahun dengan nada yang separuh sebak.
Walau apa pun sengketa yang pernah berlaku, air cincang tidak akan putus...



Meskipun Mak Tom tidak berapa sihat, ibu tua yang penyayang ini bertungkus lumus di dapur bersama beberapa orang pembantu Azwan, menyiapkan juadah untuk semua anak-anaknya.

"Azmin kata dia akan datang....kejap lagi sampailah tu," jelas Mak Tom dengan penuh harapan. Tidak beberapa lama kemudian, kelibat abang tersayang, yang disapa dengan panggilan 'Pak Teh' berjalan masuk ke rumah Azwan.

Azwan terus mencium tangan abangnya sambil diperhatikan Mak Tom dengan mata yang berkaca.

Azmin, 45, yang datang dengan isterinya Shamsidar Taharin serta lima orang anaknya petang itu, disambut mesra seolah masa yang memisahkan mereka seperti tidak pernah berlaku.
Kemeriahan di rumah Azwan tatkala menerima kedatangan Azmin jelas membayangkan bunga-bunga sebuah keluarga bahagia

Seorang lagi abang yang tua, Azman Ali, 46, seorang ahli perniagaan, muncul sejurus kemudian dengan keluarganya. Bertambah meriah suasana di rumah banglo berkembar dua tingkat milik Azwan yang terletak di Taman Andaman, Ukay Perdana petang tadi.

Nasi minyak istimewa dari air tangan Mak Tom bersama rendang tok dan dendeng berlada menanti di meja makan. Azwan pula tidak menang tangan melayan anak-anak buah yang berlari riang di dalam rumah.

Biarpun sudah besar panjang dan mempunyai keluarga masing-masing, baik Azmin, Azwan dan Azman tetap dilayan dengan manja oleh Mak Tom.

Sebagai hos yang terkenal dengan aksi riuh rendahnya, Azwan berjaya mencuit hati Azmin. Mungkin juga beliau rindu melihat gelagat begitu selama ini.

Sesekali, Azwan meminta izin abangnya untuk bergambar bersama.Dan setiap kali lensa kamera di arah ke wajahnya sambil Azwan berposing di sebelahnya, Azmin yang kelihatan agak kekok pada mulanya, hanya tersenyum.
Azwan menyajikan nasi mintak untuk abangnya Azmin dan isterinya, Shamsidar

"Saya tak biasa....," tuturnya lembut.

Ketika ditanya tentang karier Azwan, Azmin berkata adiknya itu sememang dilahirkan untuk menjadi anak seni.

"Dari kecil lagi, Azwan suka menjadi pengacara. Waktu sekolah dulu, kayu di belakang rumah akan dijadikan mikrofon dan dia akan beraksi seolah-olah dia seorang pengacara.

"Saya sokong apa jua karier pilihannya cuma saya tidak berapa minat hiburan. Jarang saya membaca ruangan hiburan. Bukan tidak mengikuti karier Azwan tapi saya terlalu sibuk," jelas Azmin.

Katanya lagi, "Apa pun yang kita buat, mesti ada kesederhanaan (There must be moderation in everything)."



Azmin melahirkan rasa syukurnya dengan pertemuan hari ini sambil mengimbau apa yang pernah berlaku satu ketika dulu.

"Pada tahun 2000, waktu saya melakukan umrah buat pertama kalinya, saya memohon agar Tuhan satukan kembali kami adik beradik. Alhamdulillah setelah 9 tahun, doa saya dikabulkan. Saya rasa sungguh gembira dengan pertemuan ini.

"Sekarang kami seperti satu keluarga bahagia ...one happy family again. I miss this for some years. Sememangnya ini yang saya harapkan setelah insiden tahun 2000 itu... supaya keluarga saya jadi kuat dan bersatu," katanya dengan penuh makna.

Kata Azmin lagi, "Saya hargai pertemuan seperti ini sebab itu saya tolak undangan open house yang lain untuk hadir ke rumah adik saya. Saya ada 17 jemputan 'open house' hari ini. Saya terpaksa menolak undangan beberapa rumah kerana ingin datang juga ke rumah Azwan."

Ternyata pertemuan adik beradik petang itu yang disaksikan Mak Tom, membawa lembaran tersendiri yang cukup indah dan bermakna.

Menurut Azmin, kesibukannya sebagai ahli politik, selalu menjadi momen begini terlalu sukar.

"Tapi insyaAllah kalau ada kesempatan lain, saya akan datang lagi. Saya cukup menghargai kesempatan seperti ini," jelas Azmin, anak keempat dari 6 beradik./MStar Online

Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester United ( Man Who?)

dari ChangkatNingkeBTP

Liverpool's David Ngog struck six minutes into injury time to clinch a vital 2-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield, adding to Fernando Torres' earlier strike. Both sides finished a dramatic tie with ten men after Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano were dismissed.

Liverpool fans (yours truly included :->) will dream again now... until the next crisis.

Fernando Torres and substitute David Ngog left Manchester United reeling as Liverpool brilliantly halted their four-game losing streak.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had said prior to the game that one win would change everything, and what a result his team delivered to ease the pressure on the Spaniard. The champions were eventually beaten after a stunning performance of defiance that followed days of the worst crisis Liverpool have suffered in decades.

If the critics were to be believed, boss Benitez was for the chop, Liverpool were all washed up and facing financial ruin. Well not after this cracking Premier League battle. Liverpool restored their pride with a victory over, for them, the best victims possible.

Torres forced his injured frame through the game and grabbed his ninth goal of the campaign midway through the second half to get Liverpool really firing.

Ngog hit the second in stoppage-time, with the match at boiling point. United had by that stage lost defender Nemanja Vidic to his third red card in successive matches against Liverpool.

Javier Mascherano saw red too, but it was Liverpool who inflicted the second league defeat of the season on United to restore faith among their worried fans.

As expected, Steven Gerrard missed the match with a groin problem, but Wayne Rooney recovered from a calf injury to play for the champions. Liverpool had Torres and Glen Johnson back after both missed the Champions League defeat to Lyon on Tuesday, while United also had Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick back in their starting line-up. Michael Owen, facing his former club, started on the bench and on his introduction received a punishing reception from the fans who once worshipped him.

United's supporters made the most of Liverpool's recent misfortune. Beach balls, Eric Cantona masks and insulting banners were smuggled into the away section.

The banner that hurt most, no doubt, was "You told us to come back when we'd won 18 titles...well, we're back''. Watching on were co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, sitting side by side in the directors' box, but not in the exposed front row.

The atmosphere was electric, the noise deafening, as Liverpool set about trying to restore their battered reputation. Evra was booked after two trips on Torres in as many minutes, and from the free-kick Fabio Aurelio sent in a curled effort that Edwin van der Sar clawed away. It went straight to Dirk Kuyt, whose follow-up was also saved by his Dutch countryman. Then Lucas robbed Paul Scholes and gave Kuyt another chance, this one guided wide of the far post.

Rooney, who had seen one effort disallowed for offside, rose to met an Antonio Valencia cross, but his header was held low to his right by Jose Reina.

United had better possession and hit Liverpool with pace and slick movement, but Van der Sar was again needed to plunge to his right to keep out an Aurelio header from Yossi Benayoun's cross. Then Dimitar Berbatov was booked for a trip on Lucas, with the game finely balanced as the half ended.

Kuyt should have scored early in the second period when he was played in by Johnson, but he chose to pass rather than blast an angled effort, and the chance was lost. Then Benayoun's touch sent Torres away on the right, but his lack of genuine pace following his groin problem did not see him shake off Rio Ferdinand, and again the opening went begging.

It then needed a block from Johnson on the far post to keep out Rooney's header from Giggs' free-kick. But Liverpool were growing in confidence and they grabbed the lead after 65 minutes. Benayoun's pass sent Torres beyond Ferdinand, onside only by inches.

The Spaniard was not going to be denied this time. He held off the England centre back and lashed a shot into the roof of the net. The roof almost came off Anfield too.

Mascherano was booked for a foul on Evra before Anfield had its first sight of Owen in a United shirt as he came on for Berbatov and Nani replaced Scholes after 74 minutes. Owen's arrival was greeted with jeers and chants of "Where were you in Istanbul?" as well as "Once a Manc, never a Red".

Vidic was booked for a foul on Torres, and then after 80 minutes Torres could run no more and Ngog took his place.

Valencia saw a cross-shot clip the Liverpool bar and Owen was searching for any inch of space. He almost had a chance when he chased a through-ball, only to be hauled down by his good friend Jamie Carragher. The Liverpool skipper was booked.

With just a minute of normal time left, Vidic pulled down Kuyt as the Dutchman raced into an empty half. Red followed a second yellow, and the Serbian was sent off for the third successive game against Liverpool.

Three minutes into added time Mascherano was also sent off for a challenge on Van der Sar, the Argentinian's second yellow-card offence.

Then came the killer blow to United. Liverpool broke from deep defence, Lucas delayed his pass to sent Ngog away on his own and the striker slid the second past Van der Sar. Anfield, and Benitez, could finally celebrate.

Terkini : Lantikan Baru Ketua-Ketua Negeri KEADILAN

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Berikut adalah pelantikan ketua KEADILAN negeri yang baru dalam usaha memantapkan lagi negeri-negeri tersebut.

SARAWAK : Sdr. Baru Bian
SABAH : Sdr. Thamrin Zaini
PERAK : Hj. Mustafa Kamil Ayub
WP : YB Azmin Hj Ali
P.PINANG : YB Dr. Mansor Othman
KELANTAN : YB Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
MELAKA : Sdr. Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin
TERENGGANU : Hj. Abd. Rahman Yusof

Tiada perubahan ketua negeri bagi Perlis, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor dan Pahang.

Mendan mengucapkan selamat bertugas kepada semua ketua-ketua negeri yang baru. Moga ia menjadi pemangkin dalan usaha mengIslahkan politik negara. Politik Baru Harapan Baru.

Ahad, Oktober 18, 2009

BPL : Play 9 Lost 5 ... Now What RB? even a beach ball can score against LFC

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Mendan writes on LFC :

Sunderland + beach ball 1 Poor Poor Livrpool 0. Sunderland don't need a striker to score. Even beach ball can patner Darren Bent and still score a goal (punt intended). Worst still, LFC got 7 extra minutes and still couldn't score.

What next? Try to win cups? Since the League title have to wait for another painful year and MAN U can still grab their 19th title, RB surely had to win a cup or two. Based on the situation, its not a good one. League Cup against the free scoring Arsenal. Even their reserves managed the trounced LFC two seasons ago. Two games against rejuvenated Lyon in Champions League also mean that its a daunting tasks. Maybe LFC can aim for Europa League after eliminaton from the CL. FA Cup? 3rd round match against Man U is possible. What about against Villa, Chelsea or Sunderland?

Now back to the game against Steve Bruce's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Its obvious that LFC squad is smaller than Villa. Spearing and Lucas in the midfield spells disaster. How on earth can you put a youngster in a big away game like that? Remember, Sunderland never lost at home this season. Lucas for Alonso? Since when a jogger can be considered as a direct replacement for a world class playmaker. Rafa tried to offload him the previous summer (to replaced with Barry) and LFC had to pay the consequences. Voronin and Ngog are not producing goals and this is embarrasing since evn the beach ball scored in that game! There's no urgency from LFC in that game. There's no leder, no proven goalscorer, not even a winger to cross the ball and worst, no idea at all. Even Maradona's Argentina far better can score goals in the last minutes.

Worrying still, Benayoun is said to be on the radar of super rich Man City. The dissatisfied Mascherano could go as well. How on earth a world class midfielder and the captain of his country could be asked by RB to perform in order to get a payrise? With weekly wage of 30k for a world class, you don't need a human resource manager to teach you the Maslow theory of Motivation. And ... I'm not talking about the captain of Malaysia, he is the captain of Argentina for heaven sake.

On the broader aspect, RB should stop blaming th US owners for the lack of funds. Its a fact that LFC was the third highest spender this season wich includes the purchase of an injured Italian for f20m. Why on earth you refused to sign Owen for f20m less?

RB, are you GERRARD HOULIER in disguise?

Khamis, Oktober 15, 2009

Give promotions to the deserving, please

dari ChangkatNingkeBTP

from The Star Online dated 15th October 2009.

*******************************************************************************

ONE of the most pressing issues that need to be addressed under the 1Malaysia concept is over the issue of deserving people being sidelined where promotions are concerned.

Every promotion is a recognition of those who can perform well and who would be doing more and better in the higher hierarchy of administration.

I believe the cry of the many people like Disillusioned of Ipoh is very real “Trauma of being sidelined’ (The Star, Oct 13).

I venture to say that cases like this is not isolated. It is rampant in the government service to the point that people who excel in their job scope get frustrated and disillusioned all too often.

The fault is people of questionable integrity are placed in positions of decision making. They act unjustly to favour one and deprive another out of a poor understanding of what promotion is all about and who should be elevated.

This is causing trauma not only for the individual concerned but to the whole service which is plagued by the unjust way employees are selected for promotion. The service will ultimately suffer when the selection is not based on performance.

The nation needs to rise up, to recognise and reward those who excel on the basis of excellence, nothing else.

The call to remove race from all government forms is to remove any prejudice against any race in any application.

The time is now ripe and let us not push the nation backwards and retard our progress as a nation. Cases of being sidelined due to one’s racial origin should be a thing of the past.

If the 1Malaysia initiative cannot address this issue, all hopes pinned on our Prime Minister’s noble idea will just a mere dream.

TENG,
Batu Pahat.