TUN DR.M SPEECH AT THE RAFIK HARIRI UN-HABITAT MEMORIAL AWARD

Congratulations YAB Tun. You continue to make Malaysia proud. Needless to say, you deserve the prestigious Rafik Hariri UN-Habitat Memorial Award.

In your acceptance speech http://chedet.cc/blog/?p=844#more-844 you dedicated this award to the people of Malaysia for their “culture of sharing among the multi-racial, multi-religious people of Malaysia, without their love for peace and stability, Malaysia would not have been able to grow as it has done.”

You, Sir, of all world leaders have contributed meaningfully to Rafik Hariri especially during his tenure as PM of Lebanon. Your friendship and personal rapport with Rafik Hariri have had profound effect on Malaysia-Lebanon bilateral relations.  YAB Tun, you were the first Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Lebanon accompanied by several ministers and 100 strong official and business delegation from 17-18 June 1997. 

It was no coincident that during this official visit to Lebanon that you were also conferred with the Grand Condor of Lebanon (Wisha Al-Akbar) medal by Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.

There is a great amount of awareness and admiration among the Lebanese leadership and people at large about Malaysia’s economic and political achievements. Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, during a welcoming banquet, was quoted as saying "Malaysia has attained the highest level of international competitiveness in trade, industry, and services since Mahathir took office in 1981”.

Malaysia continues to provide the necessary support to Lebanon in its economic reform and nation building. Malaysia contributed in no small way the Lebanese reconstruction process to bring Lebanon to its former status as the primary business centre in Western Asia. The establishment of full diplomatic relations between two countries contributed in no small way in boosting political and economical ties.

Consistent with the pledge made during Paris II Conference held on 23 November 2002, Malaysia agreed to provide Lebanon with soft loan when it with purchased US$300 million bonds on 27 December 2002 at concessionary rates with the maturity date on 27 December 2017. Malaysia had earlier assisted Lebanon via purchase of the US$250 million bonds on 22 May 2002 with the maturity date on 5 March 2005. 

The Paris II Conference was aimed at securing international backing for the efforts to exchange the Lebanese debt into long-term and low interest rate loans for the rebuilding of post civil war Lebanon. More than US$3 billion financial pledges were made by friends of Lebanon albeit slightly below the target US$4 billion.

The loans would help Lebanon meet short term debt maturities and avoid a financial disaster, as Lebanon simply has no means to repay the principal on large amounts of debt. Donor countries would also want to see Lebanon have a set of priorities with which to implement the reform programme, free from political agendas which may hamper economic progress and development.

Since the demise of Rafik Hariri, events in Lebanon are not doing justice to the legacy of this great son of Lebanon. The two main “forces” – March 14 vs. March 8 groups – have been “playing” the sectarian political tug-of-WAR for quite some time. They are the proxies’ of foreign interest in the region. And the real victim is the beautiful people of Lebanon, and I mean it literally. After 15 years of civil war, the people deserve better leaders who are less corrupt and more nationalistic.

The more dangerous challenges have emerged in the form of a substantial drop in security levels, a significantly more unstable political environment and the revival of that most powerful of Lebanese diseases, confessionalism.  Some Lebanese government officials have been at best lukewarm on the subject and very little effort being made for the preparation and drafting of detailed presentations and economic plans. Lebanon also has demonstrated difficulty in complying fully with its promises made twice before, at the first two Paris handouts, especially after Paris II in November 2002. 

Lebanon has a persistently high current account deficit, while the government debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the highest in the world, giving rise to large recurrent financing needs. Financial stability of the system rests squarely on continued inflows of deposits, which depend on domestic political stability and a favourable regional environment. Banks’ expansion abroad has made them further vulnerable to regional developments. New vulnerabilities could emerge from the slowdown in real estate and if banks take excessive risks to compensate for falling interest rate margins.

In addition to the challenging global and domestic environment, the current conflict in Syria is creating a great deal of uncertainty. Further escalation could have major political and economic repercussions for Lebanon given the close ties between the two countries.

In short, Lebanon continues to perpetuate the symptom associated with the long years of “foreign interferences” and the economic mismanagement. Corruption and governance problems have been identified as a major constraint together with scarcity of skilled and qualified labour, which is experiencing massive emigration.

Lebanon post-conflict environment is ridden with social and political complexities; lack of institutional capacity within line ministries and inter-agency rivalries. Project implementation was hampered by implementation problems, institutional bottlenecks, political instability and the external turmoil. The reasons for slow implementation include the complexity and sensitivities of the political and religious environment in Lebanon.

The political bickering, particularly over privatization have produced no substantive results as much as there is no progress in the auctioning of concessions for the management of the mobile phone operators or other state institutions such as the Electricite du Liban (EDL), water and the telecoms. Infrastructure bottlenecks and structural dysfunctions are acting as key impediments to broad-based endogenous growth and are contributing to keep investments in productive capacity at low levels.

The problem is explained in part by the complexity of the political environment in Lebanon, characterized by a confessional system of governance and the resulting diffusion of political authority and decision making.

Lebanon therefore needs to find a political and economic consensus on key national issues. Based on present realities, much more work is required for the new Lebanon to become a reality. Political groups and leaders must review their position in line with the need to protect the real Lebanese political and national interest on all domestic and regional issues.  

Lebanon is a country with many contradictions due to its strategic and geo-politico location. Applying the words of a famous Mexican President Porfirio Diaz, I can say that Lebanon suffer from the same fate – “Poor Lebanon, So far from God and So Close to Israel”.    

For now, Lebanon does not have the luxury of peace and stability of Malaysia to fully utilise to grow and develop the country. Tun Dr. M can say it with the comfort of his well know record of Malaysia’s achievement during his administration. Lebanon, Mexico and the rest of the world may only dream of emulating Malaysia’s success story. It may not be a miracle but the magic lies in devising a formula to keep the country stable and peaceful. It is never easy BUT you have the secret formula to the Malaysian magic - done in your own pragmatic way!

Indeed your friend PM Rafik Hariri noticed this during his visits to Malaysia. He however did not live long enough to realise what you have been preaching all along .. “Only peace and stability can be a win-win formula.”

We thank Allah subha nahu wataala for His Anugrah to Malaysia!

Friday, 5 October, 2012  (Amended 23 October, 2012) 

Independent but Not Free

In his Blog (Che Det) latest posting, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir commented on the “freedom message” glaringly integrated in the closing of the London Olympic. He bluntly said that the message should have been thrown back to “the more powerful countries” which are the culprit for preventing real “freedom” in the weaker countries.

A cursory check on the internet gave me some ideas to comment on the issue “freedom” from Islamic perspective.
To begin with, freedom of expression and information is a basic human right.  But it is not a gateway to spread lies and false information whilst passive when the truth should be spoken. Because Islam freed mankind from the darkness of polytheism, slavery, and injustice, we have the obligation to maintain and defend truth and justice as contained in the Quran:
 “And do not overlay the truth with falsehood, and do not knowingly suppress the truth” (2:42).

The irresponsible concept of freedom expounded by modern theories of freedom of expression lead only to corruption and immorality since they are not tied to any concept higher moral values or self control.

Freedom in Islam comes with commitment and responsibility. They form an integral part of each other and can in no way be separated. There is no freedom of choice without responsibility; no responsibility without freedom. Freedom without restraints leads only to nihilism, the consequence of which is the complete breakdown of the moral and social order.

The Ulama, (Muslim Scholars trained in Islam and Islamic Laws) have concluded that if man were deprived of free will and the right to choose his path in life, he could never be reconciled with Allah, the Glorified. Because Allah has granted man free will, which allows him to choose his course in life, man is answerable to Allah for his actions.

In Islam, political freedom is a means of leading mankind to justice, goodness and peace. It guarantees and protects the political rights of all. It is "the power to choose and determine one's position". As such, man should choose and decide carefully on a course of action which would best benefit himself and should not be motivated by our desire for pleasure or immediate gratification.

The emphasis on materialism and freedom without responsibilities in today's societies is destroying the social and moral fabric of these societies. It gives rise to moral decadence, promiscuity, crime and a lack of respect for all moral, legal and natural courses of actions.

In fact, freedom is abused and has become a subversive tool, a scourge to mankind. This abuse of freedom has resulted in chaos throughout the world. It has led to corruption, crime, war, poverty, drug addictions, alcoholism and life destroying diseases such as AIDS.

Freedom therefore is an inalienable right which enable man to lead a moral and upright life, and brings him under the mantle of the justice and mercy of Allah.
"Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia ke 55"

Penyakit Futur Boleh Membunuh Sahsiah Diri

Saya terbaca satu rencanaberjudul di atas nukilan Saudara Amran Zakaria dan diterbitkan Dewan Amal Islami pada 4 Mei 2009. Rencana ini berkenaan isu sepanjang zaman - perasaan mudah kecewa, putus asa jejas kualiti peribadi punca kita mudah dipengaruhi nafsu.

Saya kangsikannya untuk kebaikan kita bersama...

Penyakit Futur Boleh Membunuh Sahsiah Diri

Diterbitkan pada Isnin, 04 Mei 2009 22:20

Ditulis oleh Dewan Amal Islami

Oleh Amran Zakaria

Mudah kecewa, putus asa jejas kualiti peribadi punca kita mudah dipengaruhi nafsu

Oleh Amran Zakaria

Mudah kecewa, putus asa jejas kualiti peribadi punca kita mudah dipengaruhi nafsu

FUTUR adalah suatu penyakit baru yang melanda sebahagian daripada umat Islam. Dalam konteks bahasa, futur ertinya putus selepas bersambung atau tenang selepas bergerak. Juga boleh memberi erti malas atau lambat selepas rajin dan bersungguh-sungguh.

Dalam erti kata lain, futur adalah penyakit kecewa yang boleh membunuh sahsiah Muslim. Penyakit ini berupaya merencat saraf rangsangan aktivis dalaman yang akhirnya mengganggu kesungguhan dalam kerja yang diamanahkan. Ia berpunca daripada hati.

Penyakit futur ini menukar sama-sekali perlakuan pelakunya daripada seorang rajin dan semangat bekerja kepada sikap malas, putus asa, menunda atau berlambat-lambat melakukan pekerjaan.

Ia dikaitkan dengan kegagalan mencapai matlamat yang dihajati seperti tewas dalam peperangan, kalah dalam pilihan raya, gagal mencapai cita-cita peribadi atau tidak mencapai maksud dicita-citakan.

Jangan sampai ia menular dan menjadi pembunuh semangat yang senyap dalam diri individu Muslim, yang akhirnya mengembang kepada kumpulan atau jemaah Muslim sendiri.

Diriwayatkan daripada Aisyah bahawa Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: "Berbuat baiklah sesuai dengan kemampuanmu. Demi Allah, Allah tidak berasa bosan sehingga kamu sendiri yang berasa bosan. Dan amalan ad-din yang paling dicintai (Allah) ialah yang dilakukan secara rutin oleh pelakunya."

Sebagai umat Islam yang berpegang teguh kepada harga perjuangan, persoalan yang melanda dalam diri berpunca daripada sikap dan kualiti diri kita, ketika semangat perjuangan membakar, hendaklah segera diatasi. Jangan biarkan keinginan dan nafsu menguasai diri melepasi perjuangan sebenarnya.

Ingatlah, peristiwa kekalahan pejuang Islam dalam Perang Uhud boleh memberi iktibar kepada kita. Ketika pejuang sudah mendekati kemenangan tatkala menentang musuh, namun berakhir dengan kekalahan di luar jangkaan, kerana sebab utamanya adalah kegagalan pejuang memelihara kualiti diri mematuhi arahan ketua.

Apabila keseimbangan itu hilang, tentu akan terjadi keadaan yang tidak stabil, sedangkan strategi awalnya amatlah baik. Namun, arahan yang sepatutnya ditaati tidak berupaya diterjemahkan dalam bentuk taat dan patuh kepada arahan ketua.

Allah mengingatkan kita melalui firman yang bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya pada kisah mereka itu ada pengajaran bagi orang yang mempunyai fikiran. Al-Quran itu bukanlah cerita yang dibuat-buat, tetapi ia membenarkan (kitab) yang sebelumnya dan menjelaskan segala sesuatu, sebagai petunjuk dan rahmat bagi orang yang beriman." (Surah Yusuf, ayat 11)

Sepatutnya apa yang pernah menimpa kepada umat Islam dulu dijadikan pengajaran supaya kita tidak melakukan kesilapan serupa. Tujuan Allah menceritakannya dalam al-Quran ada hikmah dan pengajarannya.

Firman Allah yang bermaksud: "Maka ambil iktibar (pengajaran), wahai orang yang mempunyai penglihatan." (Surah al-Hasyr, ayat 2)

Sesungguhnya, banyak peristiwa berlaku pada kita hari ini adalah suatu putaran dan pusingan kehidupan. Apa yang kita alami kini pernah berlaku suatu ketika dulu dalam keadaan yang mungkin sama, cuma masa saja berlainan.

Percayalah, setiap kejadian yang berlaku hari ini akan berlaku pada depan. Yang pentingnya ialah bagaimana kita menghadapi kejadian yang akan datang melalui perancangan berjadual. Perancangan seperti ini disebut juga sebagai perencanaan berstrategik.

Sejarah perjuangan Rasulullah SAW penuh dengan perancangan dan strategi. Bermula dengan penerimaan wahyu, diikuti penyebaran Islam secara tersembunyi dan akhirnya secara terang-terangan.

Begitu juga ketika berlakunya penghijrahan Rasulullah SAW ke Yathrib, bagaimana perancangan rapi diatur Rasulullah berjaya mencapai matlamat. Ketika menjadi Ketua Negara Madinah, Baginda Rasulullah SAW membuat perancangan secara teliti dengan mempersaudarakan kaum Ansar dan Muhajirin untuk memperkuatkan kaum Muhajirin.

Diikuti perjanjian dengan puak Yahudi demi mewujudkan sebuah negara bangsa yang kuat dan utuh di Madinah sehingga akhirnya berjaya menakluki semula Makkah. Pengurusan berstrategik memerlukan kita untuk membuat perencanaan bagi menentukan matlamat, menggariskan kaedah dan tindakan untuk mencapai matlamat itu.

Strategi diperlukan menggabungkan pelbagai instrumen kekuatan sumber dimiliki untuk menghadapi persekitaran dengan sebaik-baiknya. Perencanaan juga disebut sebagai jambatan antara masa kini dengan masa depan.

Dalam soal mengatur perancangan strategi, soal penguasaan ilmu sangat penting. Rasulullah SAW menjelaskannya dalam hadis yang bermaksud: "Apabila kamu menghendaki hidup berjaya di dunia hendaklah kamu berilmu dan apabila kamu menghendaki hidup berjaya di akhirat hendaklah berilmu dan apabila kamu menghendaki kedua-duanya hendaklah juga kamu berilmu." (Riwayat Bukhari dan Muslim)

Sebenarnya, penguasaan ilmu perancangan berupaya membantu membuat perencanaan secara lebih tersusun. Gerak kerja ini perlu penelitian rapi berdasarkan kepakaran bersumberkan ilmu. Begitu juga untuk menyusun strategi. Strategi yang baik akan membuahkan hasil yang baik.

Strategi yang baik terhasil daripada pemerhatian dan kajian. Strategi yang baik juga berupaya membangunkan, mengekalkan, menangani masalah yang timbul serta cekap dalam mengatur serangan, menyerang dan menguasai musuh seperti mana dibuktikan panglima Islam terkemuka, Salahuddin Al-Ayubi.

Jika kita hanya membangun daripada segi perancangan strategi untuk memantapkan, mengukuh dan menguatkan jemaah saja sedangkan kekuatan dan strategi diatur musuh diketepikan, jawapannya kita tidak mampu menandingi pihak musuh dan tidak akan berkebolehan mengalahkan mereka.

Jangan lupa, musuh juga pasti tidak henti-henti membuat perencanaan untuk menandingi kekuatan kita. Kadangkala kita lupa bahawa strategi musuh di luar batas pemikiran.

Allah berfirman yang bermaksud: "Dan sediakanlah untuk mereka segala jenis kekuatan yang dapat kamu sediakan daripada pasukan berkuda yang lengkap dan sedia untuk menggerunkan musuh Allah dan musuh kamu serta musuh yang lain daripada mereka yang kamu tidak mengetahui sedang Allah mengetahuinya, dan apa-apa yang kamu belanjakan pada jalan Allah akan disempurnakan balasannya kepada kamu dan kamu tidak akan dianiaya." (Surah al-anfal, ayat 60)

Perencanaan yang dibuat haruslah ada tata kaedah tertentu, dilaksanakan secara berperingkat, tersusun kemas dan teratur. Perencanaan hendaklah dilakukan dalam keadaan tenang dan tidak tergesa-gesa. Ini penting kerana faktor emosi dan masalah sekeliling yang menekan akan menjadi sebab kepada perencanaan yang tidak bagus.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: "Orang yang pandai adalah yang menghisab dirinya sendiri serta beramal untuk kehidupan sesudah kematian. Sedangkan orang yang lemah adalah yang dirinya mengikuti hawa nafsunya serta berangan-angan terhadap Allah." (Hadis riwayat Tirmidzi)

Kajian menyatakan kejayaan dalam sesuatu tindakan bergantung kepada kesungguhan untuk melaksanakannya, disamping faktor pengurusan masa. Faktor penguasaan isu semasa dan keadaan sekeliling juga sebahagian daripada momentum yang penting.

Perancangan yang dibuat mestilah atas sifat sebagai hamba kepada Tuhannya. Penentuan kejayaan atau kegagalan itu bukan diberi kata putus oleh manusia. Oleh itu kita jangan menjadi angkuh dan sombong kerana kepakaran mengatur perencanaan dan menjadi strategi yang baik.

Ingatlah kuasa Allah yang menentukan kejayaan atau kegagalan. Jika kegagalan itu ada di pihak kita, ingatlah apa yang Allah katakan, 'ia adalah akibat daripada gara-gara kamu sendiri' dan setiap kejayaan daripada apa yang dirancang itu disambut dengan penuh kesyukuran. Jangan menjadi angkuh dan sombong atas kejayaan itu.

http://www.damai.my/berita-damai/hidangan-minda.html?start=4