DanielYKL

“In a country where internet use is increasingly popular, independent websites like Malaysia Today and Malaysiakini are publicizing institutional corruption and other issues, particularly in the judiciary, which is facing its biggest scandal since the country came into existence.

“This election has the power of the Internet that is greatly influencing voters’ opinion. Blogs and popular websites are quick and effective disseminators of information, where readers form opinions based on the information received,” Tricia Yeoh, a senior analyst for Malaysia’s Center for Public Policy Studies, told Asia Sentinel.”  ( Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob - Asia Sentinel)

And they say that the internet will not affect the outcome of the 12th Malaysia Election 2008! They say that the blogging community is just a minority, exclusive to the more educated and urbanites. How wrong they are. I am a product of the internet or bloggers community.  I started blogging about a year ago, and prior to that I have no idea about the political scene in Malaysia. I only get to read and hear what the government-controlled media wants me to read or hear. And it always the “good news.”  But the Malaysia’s blogging community offer alternative views in a country where the government keeps a tight control on mainstream media

By having access to the “alternate” or “independent source” of news from various independent and individual blogs, I now have a better understanding and views about the political situation here. I can now weigh and balance what is the truth and what is not. Many of the views and news has helped me to make an opinion about who I should vote for this coming election. And for your information, I have never voted before and because of what I understand from the blogs, I’ve decided to register as a voter and vote for the first time. And let me assure you that I’m not the only one. I know of friends who are just like me. Now they have registered themselves as voters and they want their voice be heard through the votes. We want to make a difference! We want to convert our opinions into votes. We want justice to prevail. Again I have to stress that many of my friends, who are computer savvy, are going out full force to vote. Some of them have even cancelled their holiday trips to stay back and vote. So do you think our votes will not affect the outcome? It definitely will. So don’t underestimate the power of the internet and the influence it can create. It is said that only a fifth of Malaysians have access to the internet, well, I’m one of them and I’m going out to vote. All it needs is just one vote to make or break. And that one vote could be mine!  Now you can guess where my vote will go to…

A friend forwarded to me this email with an attachment.

Friends what a shocking news and what a surprise….. At first I thought it’s a hoax but when I went to the website to check on the IC and to my surprise confirmed the dead person is still eligible to vote. We really need to pray for our coming election that it’ll be done with fairness, honesty, integrity and no cheating in the running of the election.

Only GOD can change things around where we human can’t do it. Together we really need to kneel down and pray for our country and for the election. We really need God to intervene. LORD have your way in our coming election.

 See Here:  Ghost can also vote
 

The Burj Al Arab. (About it)  Dubai sail building. There are no crosses allowed in Dubai because it is an Islamic state. But the architects made a booboo and the front of this building forms a huge cross, the largest in the world, facing Jerusalem and Mecca. Which was actually a prophesy about Dubai a number of years ago. You will never see a photo of the front of this building in Dubai . It was quite an embarrassment to them and they couldn’t remove the cross because it was a fundamental part of the structure. (Here-is-a-story-about-it)   Everybody arriving by boat sees a huge cross.

This is the view that you will never see in any tourist shots. Because of the huge cross facing Mecca and Jerusalam

The Election Fever is here. Banners are up. Flags are up. Posters are up. Goodies are for grabs. Candidates are asking for your votes. This is the time where they will put on their best and try to look as humble as they can. Everywhere they go, they will give their biggest smile, and a double-handshake. Some will even go to the extend of carrying a baby or bending down to listen to the whisper of the elderly. They will go to the marketplace, the coffeeshops, eating places, they will go to any places where there are people. And they will promise you the moon if they can! Everyone sounds good. Everyone looks good. So you are having a hard time deciding who to vote for. Ting Tong Tang! Mini meni mo! Toss a coin! No worries - maybe this clip will inspire you to decide who to vote for. Enjoy!

From Comedy Court - Election Blah Blah Blah!

In my last few entries, I highlighted articles about the recent developement and issues in regards to Christianity and Churches in Malaysia. And if you are a Christian reading this, I sincerely hope that you are aware of what is happening or is going to happen to the Churches. It’s so sad to see the Christian Community turning a deaf ear or overlooked these issues. Example; the use of the word “Allah”, the confiscation of Bibles, permits to operate churches in shoplots and factory lots, and even from the Islamic NGOs  demands of electoral candidates and future state and federal governments. (here)

As I have mentioned before, it’s time to Christians wake up from playing “church” and our “happy little family.”  Do not be ignorant about what’s happening around us. Sometimes I think, the Christians care more about ourselves than the social justice in our country. We are more concerned about our “sheep,” the size and growth of our church, our Christian activities, that we have forgotten that there is a world outside the church. We have forgotten about our obligations to the society and the world. And to a point that we have even lost touch with reality.

As Christians, we should be able to speak the truth with love. We should be defending the rights of the oppresed. We should be defending the rights of our religion. We should be the salt of the earth and light to the world. Don’t just keep to our little corner, one day that little corner will be taken away and we will have no place to stand. By then, it will be too late to cry over our spilled milk. 

Here is a letter written by a brother who shared his personal thoughts and experienced and dare to “speak the truth with love.”

The Balaams and Jonahs of Malaysia
Product of the System | Feb 24, 08 3:37pm

In the wake of recent and significant events – the Lina Joy verdict, the Hindraf rally, corpse- kidnapping, and Najib Razak’s declaration that Malaysia had all along been an Islamic state, I have been utterly disappointed at the meek responses of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) and Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).

At a time when individuals of all echelons of society are stepping out of their comfort zones to make a stand for social justice and absolute truth, many churches, especially the politically- connected ones, are shying away from facing the bitter truth about the direction Malaysia has taken in the last few years. Apart from a few well-worded, politically correct media statements on issues affecting Christians and non-Muslims, I see no concrete action on the part of the NECF and CCM.

Instead of being blunt and honest like Jesus was to the Pharisees of his time, Christian leaders are seemingly inundating believers with selective good news and lame reassurances that all is well in an ailing nation. Even as rose-bearing Hindraf children are courageously facing the water cannons of Umno, the Christian and church leaders have hitherto remained strangely silent. It is in total contradiction to the Bible’s commandment for believers to ‘seek judgement for the oppressed’.

In general, Christian leaders have behaved as though the religious discrimination endured by our Hindu brethren bear no relevance to the present or future survival of the Christian community. A quick review of NECF’s and CCM’s responses to significant Malaysian issues will show a dismay track record. (cont - Malaysiakini)

Below is a letter written from a Christian leader who dare to speak up for justice and religous rights of the Christian Churches and other religions. (We need more Christians like you) This is in regards to the recent report on The Sun asking Churches to apply for permits, if they are worshipping in shoplots and factory lots. In that case, I think all the “roadside gods” that the chinese and indians set up, and even the malays (dutuks - Jin, Puteh, Hijau, etc…) need to get a permit too. Yes, you need permits to worship God. So wake up Christians and be counted! Or maybe one day, you might need a permit to enter the House of Worship. 

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I referred to the report   Shop-house churches must get permits.

As a Christian and a church leader, I am disappointed with the Subang Jaya state assemblyperson Lee Hwa Beng. He has neglected his job in helping the non-Muslims.

This MPSJ draft local plan was definitely unfair to churches and temples in Subang Jaya. Why were the churches and temples not alerted to submit their objections? If they need to pay for permits, why were they not informed until DAP’s Teresa Kok brought it out? Churches and temples should be exempted from paying for permits. They are not running a business and getting profits. RM1,000 per year is a lot of money. What about a church or a temple which is occupying more than one lot of a building? Does it have to pay according to the number of lots? Read More>>

If you have been following the Royal Commission Inquiry into the Lingam’s Video Clip, you will find this humorous. I really love these two guys, Allan and Indi. Enjoy and have a good laugh.

From Comedy Court - Lingam’s Devil Curry

KUALA LUMPUR: In the early days of our independence, ethnic rights was the focal point of many an election campaign. That still resonates today where race-based political parties rule the country and dominate the political culture. During this 2008 general election, another focal point, it would seem, is emerging. Voters, political parties and electoral candidates are being asked to consider the demands of different religious advocacy groups, namely Islamic, Christian and Hindu groups.

Since Parliament was dissolved on Feb 13, at least three religious groups have announced their respective concerns, either to their members or the political parties, and the public.

On Feb 21, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) issued a statement calling on people of these faiths, and Malaysians in general, to pray in these “critical times in the life of the nation”. It encouraged the people to pray for candidates who will live up to the common religious values which form the moral underpinning of the nation; campaign with mutual respect, understanding, consultation and dialogue; and strive to ensure national unity founded on the protection of the fundamental liberties and human rights of all Malaysians.  Read More>>