Thesun 2008-11-25 Page14 A Little More Consultation Please

14 œ

theSun

| TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25 2008

speak up!

A little more consultation, please AS A non-Muslim and not trained in usuludin or Islamic laws, I am ill-equipped to argue for or against the fatwa banning Muslims from practising yoga declared by the National Fatwa Council. Even in my own Catholic community, there are those who frown upon followers who practise this ancient form of exercise and mental well-being. Of course, I tell them not to be shallow minded as it takes a lot more than a few chants and an amazing measure of nimbleness to stray from one’s faith. My faith, I tell the “Talibans” in my own community, is not so brittle. Coming back to the fatwa, while I will not question its objectives or agenda, it does bother me that even their Royal Highnesses the Sultans seem cross that such an edict was not brought forward to the Council of Rulers. This only further cements the argument of critics that the fatwa council is a loose cannon issuing edicts on all and sundry. Back to yoga, I hope now that the rulers have spoken, the message will trickle down to the enforcement authorities. Many of us will not appreciate religious authorities knocking on the doors of fitness centres and gyms to conduct “raids”. The last thing one wants is to be walking on the treadmill, watching CNN only to have one’s momentum disrupted by a few overzealous officials demanding to see the IDs of those in the yoga class next door. Heck, if someone just happened to be in an awkward position while picking up a face towel off the floor between his ankles, will he be deemed to be performing an act that is now forbidden? Like I said, I am just ignorant and am thinking aloud. Perhaps, Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, the chairman of the National Fatwa Council could educate this “jahil” writer. The reason I ask this is because already my female Muslim friends are wondering if they could be subject to fines and jail terms for

wearing a pant-suit. Would this be in breach of another edict against tomboys, decreed by the council two weeks ago? What if they tell Winnie Loo to opt for a “boy cut” instead of the layered look to cope with the searing heat? Would they be going against the fatwa on tomboys? It’s also subjective to me. But hey, personally, as long as they don’t step on my side of the fence or piss on my party, I’m cool with it. Speaking of the latter, I will be most appreciative if the religious authorities in performing their duties to save souls from eternal damnation lay off my favourite watering holes. There have been times when they became party poopers, barging in with all but guns blazing to arrest Muslim patrons and staff. Again, I’m not telling them not to do their jobs, but I think, as far as edicts are concerned, all Malaysians would be on the same page if the fatwa council declared an edict on say corruption, abuse of power and suppressing individual freedoms. These would be tenets that all faiths would be able to relate to and support. **** THE weekend has been busy with me trying to get hold of some of the top bosses in Pempena Sdn Bhd over the losses of millions attributed to the Tourism Ministry subsidiary. As far as our investigation goes, I can tell you the details in the audits are frightening. A testimony to abuse of power, cronyism and even nepotism, involving those in high office. All I can say for now is “watch this space”. But tell me, are we throwing good money after bad if the fees by PricewaterhouseCoopers alone exceed RM700,000? But then again, this is chicken feed compared to the RM50 million in losses made by the company through its (misad)ventures. ***

Down2Earth by Terence Fernandez

IF you had read my report yesterday (“State rep’s name used to halt ops”, final edition), then you would be able to understand that the illegal billboard warlords in Petaling Jaya are getting desperate. With their rice bowl cracking as the new state administration and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) show that they mean business, these businessmen who had corrupted the council, are now using the names of state assemblymen to get the council to stop its enforcement activities on the illegal structures that have sprouted around the municipality. On Saturday, Seri Setia assemblymen Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s name was mentioned when enforcement officers tearing down a unipole in Bandar Utama received a phone call from the alleged unipole owner saying that he had ordered the operations to stop. Of course, there was no such thing and MBPJ proceeded to take down the unipole. Nik Nazmi, though shocked was not surprised by this, telling me that these characters had been lobbying him since the March 8 elections. Nik Nazmi, of course, is hot property. Apart from being an assemblyman in areas suitable for lucrative billboard deals, he is also special assistant to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. With the millions at stake, Nik Nazmi could have cashed in his chips and returned to Britain where he and his wife can pursue their doctorates. We are thankful that this young man has stuck to his principles and like his boss adopts a no-nonsense approach in carrying out his duties. To the illegal outdoor moguls, your days are numbered. You are now dealing with a different kettle of fish; and to the officers and staff who aided and abetted the crooks, my guess is that your days are numbered too. Terence is deputy editor (Special Reports & Investigations). Feedback: [email protected].

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Parking made easy in Melbourne TRANSPORT Ministry and local government officers, who oversee the placement of “No parking” signs and painting of yellow lines on roads, should visit Melbourne. Motorists here know exactly where and when they can park their car freeof-charge and for how long. The local authorities in Melbourne have put up different parking signs in towns and in the city proper to help motorists find parking space quickly. Motorists are allowed to park in various designated spots but they have to look out for the appropriate sign. More often than not, they only have to wait a few minutes for someone to leave or drive around to find an empty parking lot, to park for ¼, ½, one, two, three or even four hours. These parking spaces have been identified with ¼P, ½P, 1P, 2P or 3P on the signpost. And, if the motorist has to pay, the sign will have the word, meter or ticket

printed below the letter “P”. Motorists have to look out for a signpost which, in addition, has a big letter C inside a circle, a two headed arrow below the circle – and, under this circle there is a time limit which says 7am-9am – meaning that motorists should keep both sides of the road clear during the period. All these information will take up the top half of the signpost, leaving the lower half for: ¼P 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. And on the same signpost the motorist will see the time they can park in the area on Saturdays. Yes, the motorist can park free for a ¼ hour from 9am to 5.30pm, Mon-Fri and from 8.30am-12pm on Saturday. But they have to keep clear from 7am-9am – thereafter, the motorists can park until 5.30pm on Mon-Fri and from 8.30am12pm on Saturday. Why? They want to create another free motorway to ease the traffic during

peak hours, when there is a mad rush to the office in the morning and after 5.30pm when people rush to go home. They also have a big letter “S” inside a circle to identify the place where no motorist is allowed to drop off or pick up passengers. “S” means “No standing (waiting)” in Australia. With this in use, motorists know exactly where and when they can park the car and when they should return to drive it away – let alone to avoid getting a summons for waiting in the parking lot longer than the time permitted. So, motorists in Melbourne do not have much problem finding a parking space or lot. The Transport Ministry and local municipal councils should take note of and use similar signposts in our towns and cities. Lau Bing Melbourne