Let’s talk about some stupid quotes by some politicians, and generally, people in power in Malaysia.

Stupid Idiot

The original news piece can be read in full here. If anyone wants any clarification, here’s the quote:

You should not use these at your whim and fancy.Are you qualified to speak about the caliph? Even the phrase “amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar” has been used in your posters all over the place.It has not been ascertained if you or even Professor P. Ramasamy is qualified to use them.The matter should be referred for clarification with the mufti who has to determine if you can use the caliph’s name and the phrase, - Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya (Teluk Bahang-BN)

Who the heck gave Muslims or anyone the monopoly to talk about a single caliph or any Arabic verses. No doubt, it’s from the Quran, but it’s just like any verse in any language. So is the caliph’s name. Anyone has the right to use it, at one’s “whim and fancy”. Just like when I used Dr. Hilmi Yahaya’s name by calling him a stupid idiot.

Next up, another politician. This time, he is from the ruling party:

An assemblymen has urged the state to impose a RM10 tax on each foreign tourist visiting Penang to help improve public facilities which would lure more tourists to the state. “This proposal would help the state increase its earnings by RM10mil a year if a million foreign tourists visited Penang,’’ he said when debating the Budget 2009.

I know Penang is tight on money, but this is just ridiculous. Firstly, who constitute a foreign tourist? If Lau Keng Ee (DAP – Pengkalan Kota) meant international tourist, their numbers are estimated to be 1.4 million yearly. That’s just RM 14 million annually, provided that such stupid plans do not reduce the number of tourist. The whole state of Penang has a budget of over RM300 million, and RM14 million just does not seem significant anymore. Furthermore, who wants to visit Penang if it has an “entry fee”, and it’s perpetually dirty?

Finally, a fatwa has been issued on yoga, after one was issued on tomboy recently. This is the worst of all.

Only the physical aspect of yoga without the mantras and elements of worshipping outwardly was not wrong (in Islam). However, yoga was not to be encouraged among Muslims for fear that it could erode their Islamic faith since the physical part was a component of yoga practice as a whole.  – Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, Chairman of National Fatwa Council of Malaysia

Fark. Fark on so many levels! I guess they fail to realise most yoga centres just teach the physical exercise without any mantras. Next, how are they going to implement it? Raid yoga centres, raid private homes? Prevent muslims from buying yoga books? Fark! If a Muslim’s faith can so be eroded so easily, clearly he doesn’t deserve to be one.

Sometimes I do wonder about the intellectual capabilities of the politicians in Malaysia, ruling or not.

Tags: DAP, Malaysia, Mulsim, Penang, Stupid, UMNO