Jamuan Makan Malam Krismas 2009

Kenyataan Media Oleh DAPSY Selangor di Petaling Jaya pada hari Rabu, 16hb Disember 2009

DAPSY Selangor akan mengadakan suatu Jamuan Jejaring Makan Malam bersama-sama ahli wakil rakyat pemuda, sempena sambutan Krismas 2009. Aktiviti ini adalah sebahagian daripada usaha kami untuk jejaring dan berkenalan dengan pemuda-pemudi serta menarik perhatian generasi muda sekarang terhadap bidang politik yang masih disegani oleh ramai pemuda-pemudi.

Oleh yang demikian, kami dengan sukacita menjemput saudara-saudari sekalian untuk jamuan makan malam bersama kami, dan mengambil peluang untuk berkenalan dan berinteraksi dengan Ketua Pengerusi DAPSY Kebangsaan, YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Naib Pengerusi Wanita Kebangsaan, YB Jenice Lee Ying Ha dan ahli-ahli wakil rakyat profesional yang lain. Jamuan ini dibuka kepada semua ahli professional, khasnya generasi muda di bawah umur 40 dan butir lanjut adalah seperti berikut:

Tarikh: 19hb Disember 2009 (Sabtu)
Masa: 7 pm
Tempat: Restoran Chef & Brew (Halal), Plaza Damansara, Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur .
Kod Pakaian: Kasual

Kami menempah duduk untuk 40 para jemputan sahaja dan tempahan adalah secara "Datang Dahulu, Layan Dahulu”. Harga jamuan dianggarkan RM35++ perseorangan (anggaran harga untuk 3 set makan, tidak termasuk minuman).

Silalah RSVP sebelum 3.00 petang pada 19hb Disember 2009 dengan emel kepada radiantash@yahoo.com atau telefon 019-316 7027, dan berikan penerangan ringkas tentang (pekerjaan, pendidikan, umur dan cita-cita politik anda) untuk memberikan peluang kepada kami memperkenalkan anda kepada para hadirin semasa sesi kenalan tersebut.


Terima kasih.


B/p DAPSY Selangor
Ashvin Raj
Ahli Jawatankuasa
019-316 7027
Emel: radiantash@yahoo.com

Christmas Networking Dinner 2009 (DAPSY Selangor)

民主行动党雪州社青团于2009年12月10日（星期四）在八打灵再也所发表的文告：

民主行动党雪州社青团将举办一场圣诞佳节联谊聚餐会，与年轻民选议员共同欢庆圣诞节，同时藉此机会接触更多年轻人，并吸引年轻一代对政治的兴趣。

我们欢迎有兴趣者共赴这场聚餐会，并近距离接触我们的嘉宾——社青团总团长陆兆福国州议员、署理总团长李映霞州议员以及其他年轻专业的民选议员。这场活动开放予所有年龄40岁或以下的青年参与。

日期：2009年12月19日（星期六）
时间：晚上7时
地点：Venue: Restaurant Chef & Brew, Plaza Damansara, Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
衣着：休闲时尚

由于场地限制，我们仅开放40个名额，报名预订以先到先得为准。聚餐会收费为35令吉（不包括饮品）。欢迎在12月17日之前向阿斯文报名，电邮radiantash@yahoo.com或短讯至019-316 7027。报名的同时请附上简单的自我介绍（职业、年龄、教育背景及政治），以方便我们在聚餐会上介绍你。

谢谢。


行动党雪州社青团
Ashvin Raj
019-316 7027


Media statement by DAPSY Selangor in Petaling Jaya on Thursday, 10th December 2009:

DAPSY Selangor is holding a Christmas networking dinner with some of our young elected representatives to celebrate the Christmas season in 2009 as part of our efforts to engage the youth as well as to attract the interest of the younger generation.

We’re delighted to invite you to join this dinner, where you will get the opportunity to interact personally with our guests of honour - DAPSY National Chairman YB Loke Siew Fook, Deputy Chairlady YB Jenice Lee and other young and professional elected representatives. It's open to all professionals especially to the younger generation below the age of 40.

Date: 19th December 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 7pm
Venue: Restaurant Chef & Brew, Plaza Damansara, Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Dress code: Smart casual

We have limited seats of 40 guests only and reservations will be taken on a first come first served basis. Dinner tickets are priced at RM35/++pp (approximation for 3 course meal, excluding drinks). Please RSVP by 17th December 2009 to Ashvin Raj at radiantash@yahoo.com or 019-316 7027, and include a simple description of yourself (work, age, education, politics) so that we could better introduce you during the networking session.

Thank you.


DAPSY Selangor
Ashvin Raj
019-316 7027

Reflections on Merdeka - 1Malaysia or 1Police State?

As I reflected on the 52nd Merdeka Day celebration and its 1Malaysia slogan that has been championed by Najib, I can’t help but ponder the many inconsistencies and contradictions inherent in our public institutions.

Firstly, the institution of the Royal Malaysian Police has changed its character from a guardian of the people, to one that has become a secret police, whose behaviour is no different from the Gestapo. We are mindful that we are living in a police state, rather than a 1Malaysia State. A grim reminder of this is when Pakatan Rakyat Perak launched a three-day hunger strike from 26 to 28 May 2009 to protest the refusal by BN Perak to dissolve the State Assembly and let Perakians decide the government of their choice through state elections. The scenes surrounding the Perak State Secretariat were reminiscent of a war zone, where instead of battling crime, the police overreacted by channelling all their energy to arrest lawmakers and other democracy loving citizens for wearing black and holding candlelight vigils!

The term police state describes a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive control over the social, economic and political life of the people. This seems to fit our nation’s state of affairs. The inhabitants of a police state would also experience restrictions on their mobility and on their freedom to express views contrary to the government of the day.

The police had overstepped its authority by the harassment of duly elected representatives, and of peaceful protesters exercising their rights of assembly guaranteed under the Constitution. The police must remain above politics to have any integrity and the confidence of the people. Unfortunately, it has not, with the selective arrests of citizens wearing black and taking part in candlelight vigils. Detaining peaceful protesters who pose no threat to law and order would make Malaysia a 1Police State, rather than a 1Malaysia State.

The people of Malaysia must wake up and see their ideals of a free, democratic and multiracial society that is governed by the rule of law does not generate into a police state. If the Prime Minister is serious about 1Malaysia, then the government must be colour blind and end ethnic profiling for PSD scholarships. Najib’s 1Malaysia dream has been thrown into confusion when thousands of Malaysia’s best and brightest young students had been victims of injustice of the government’s scholarship system.

Secondly, the institution of the judiciary is more of a kangaroo court than a people’s court, when cases concerning the rightful Perak MB, has been suppressed without recourse for the people to decide through the ballot box. The 1Malaysia concept will not amount to anything if the Perak crisis remains stuck in limbo, as it will only mean that we are living in a 1Police State.

Najib’s much trumpeted “1Malaysia” slogan and even a song that goes with it, was openly trampled upon by none other than his Deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who had announced some time ago that UMNO would not impose any conditions for UMNO-PAS Unity government talks and was even prepared to accept whatever terms set by PAS and will discuss it “anytime, no problem”.

After 52 years of Merdeka, should we not be talking about Malaysian unity, instead of Malay unity? Surely the people must be wondering if 1Malaysia is just an empty slogan, as Malaysians are still divided along racial lines. As long as our country is still dominated by the racial politics of UMNO, MCA and MIC, it makes little sense to celebrate Merdeka, with all its inconsistencies and contradictions, when we still have racism and injustice that goes with 1Malaysia.

In memory of Michael Jackson

MJ: The talent, the tragedy and the triumph
Martin Jalleh

You brought back magic into music, leaving an indelible imprint. You gave dance an indescribable grace and showed impeccable mastery of movement.

You merged music and video and brought about a MTV generation. You magnificently and incredibly blended and bridged arena rock, soul and pop.

You moved the world's conscience with your humanitarian spirit and inspired us with your clarion call to care for the hungry, homeless, HIV/AIDS victims and those without hope.

You mesmerized peoples of all races, languages and cultures, in every country, instilling in them the message that what mattered most was love and mutual respect.

You were matchless - you were an original, creative, unique and magnetizing musician and artist.

You were a true troubadour who ruled and "thrilled" the world" and you were also a tortured soul and a troubled life with a tumultuous childhood.

You were the very "Man in the Mirror" who chased after a "Childhood" you never had. You craved to be Peter Pan, and clamoured to be a child forever on Neverland.

You were extraordinary. You were enchanting, exciting, entertaining and enamouring and you were also notoriously eccentric and erratic.

You were the world's greatest pop icon, and an inspiration to countless - and sadly you were also accused of ignoble deeds such as being a child predator and "dangerous" to the young.

You dared us to look at the "Man in the Mirror" - and you would also literally deface and deform what you saw in the mirror, with three decades of plastic surgeries.

You sang "We are the World". You moonwalked all over the earth. But often you waked alone - like a lonely lost comet spinning out of control, a sullen solitary sorry sight.

You wanted to "heal the world" - you, a "wounded orphan", a masked man with a "washed-out dream" and a weary worn-out soul of make-believe marriages, a King of pop finding peace in painkillers.

You were so free and yet so "addicted" to the adulation and adoration of your fans which in the end annihilated you. You were alienated from a normal life, a man of undisputed fame made to look like a freak.

You were a "beautiful boy" who tried so hard to bounce back and to "beat it" when you realized you were near-barren of creativity and bankruptcy. You were a blessed soul who died of a broken heart.

You were a superstar scarred. You were a very human hero - frail and flawed - and yet, the finest and "simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived".

You were tainted talent with transcendent creativity - musical magnificence of immeasurable magnitude. Goodbye Michael Joseph Jackson. May God grant you peace.

We will remember you - a man who made HIStory.

By Martin Jalleh

Two party system is better than unity govt

Nik Aziz denounces unity government advocates as ‘Umno puppets’ (Malaysian Insider)

KOTA BARU, June 11 – PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today rapped party members who defended the proposal for a unity government mooted by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and described them as “Umno puppets”.

He also disagreed with the party’s central election director, Datuk Mustafa Ali, who had called on all PAS leaders and those in the Pakatan Rakyat to cease issuing statements on the proposed unity government to avoid confusing party members.

“I cannot run away from the decision made at the PAS assembly in Ipoh last year ... the decision was to support the Pakatan Rakyat. Those who support this unity (government) are Umno puppets, clear and obvious.”

“The unwarranted call from PAS to form a unity government is (by) Umno puppets,” he told reporters at his official residence, JKR 10, here today.

When put to him that the idea of the unity government came from Abdul Hadi himself, Nik Abdul Aziz said the statement did not reflect PAS’ desire.

“The president is a leader of an organisation, and (since) the decision is not made by the organisation, then it is his personal statement,” he added.

On Mustafa’s call for all leaders in the Pakatan Rakyat to stop issuing statements on the issue, Nik Aziz said there was no reason why they should do so.

“The differences in opinion do no come from PAS, but certain people in PAS who are now feeling the heat and want the matter to be closed. How to close people’s mouth?” he added. – Bernama

Yes, how to close my mouth? I'm upset with this Unity Govt talk, after all the hardwork done by Pakatan Rakyat. How to pakat now? Now certain quarters in PAS want to pakat with UMNO. It's sad that they don't seem to learn their lessons from past history..

In the midst of darkness, the light of justice will shine on...

I've seen judges and lawyers wear black to Court. Does that mean others who wear black are law breakers? The police paranoid fear of black shirt protesters mourning the death of democracy in Malaysia near YB Teresa Kok's office yesterday seems to indicate that they are more fearful of black shirted protesters than criminals who continue to roam the streets threatening the lives of ordinary people.

It also shows that the police are incompetent and answerable only to their BN masters and not the people nor do they respect the sanctity of the Federal Consitution which provides the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.

They are swift in punishing Pakatan leaders but painfully slow when it comes to other ordinary citizens. Take for example the following crimes which has been dreadfully slow in their investigations: Kugan, Altantuya, cases of missing kids, snatch thefts, robberies, rapes, etc.

So what is going on??? Why the senseless and needless arrests over elected reps and others who don't even pose a threat to national security but only because they were wearing black to get their messages across. I thought mourners wear black in funerals. Are the police prepared to arrest them too???

I wear black too and black is the colour of justice. That's why lawyers wear them. Come arrest me too and make my day!!!

Where are the grounds of judgment?

It has been reported by Malaysian Insider today that lawyers for several cases involving the Perak political crisis are still in the dark over the grounds of judgment and are urging the judges to write them down for the sake of public interest.

The lawyers for Datuk Seri Nizar had written to the Federal Court requesting the grounds of judgment for the March 23 decision of the Federal Court to send their lawsuit against Datuk Seri Zambry back to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Their request for grounds of judgment was rejected with the reason being that the Federal Court had allowed the preliminary objection.

It was understood that lawyers for Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar had also written to the Federal Court requesting the grounds of judgment pertaining to the declaration that it has the jurisdiction under the Perak constitution to hear the case concerning the three frogs who had defected to Barisan Nasional as well as the case where the speaker had suspended Zambry and his six state executive councillors.

As the cases are of public interest, it is important that the public are able to examine for themselves the grounds of judgment in order to understand how the judgment came about in the current political crisis in Perak.

Are the Courts willing to be transparent on this issue?

Shocking arrest of peaceful activist

The shocking arrest of Bersih activist Wong Chin Huat may be an indication of how Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration deals with criticism with an iron fist.

Let us mourn the "death of democracy" when BN took over Perak from the Pakatan Rakyat government through illegal means with a bunch of frogs. Wong's call to wear black is simply a democratic right as a citizen of this country to voice his dissatisfaction over the status of the Perak State Govt.

Will this be a start of a major crackdown on dissenting voices through the use of the ISA, even when it was announced that it will be reviewed, instead of being abolished. The Sedition Act is a convenient tool to instil fear in the rakyat's minds. But we must not be cowed by the intimidation of the authorities through the use of the police to crackdown on dissent. We will be no better than Myanmar in terms of human rights abuses in this country.

As the dark clouds loom over the horizon as I write this, can't help but feel that this is an omen on what is to come under the 1Malaysia slogan championed by Najib. Will this inevitably lead to a One Umno Malaysia? Only time will tell as to who the dictator is.

For now, I will be wearing black on May 7 and will stand in solidarity with the oppressed like Wong Chin Huat..

Anwar Ibrahim crediting my article in his blog

The above title will link to Anwar's blog. Below is the transcript of it.


Ashvin Raj menulis pandangannya di laman Malaysiakini:

I would like to highlight a main difference between Anwar’s attempt of Sept 16 to form a new government and what’s going on in Perak. Anwar said that he had the numbers. He did not say that he ‘bought them’ for a price.

Anwar only gave a call but no money was offered. In this Perak case, a statutory declaration made by a PKR member strongly alleges that money ranging in the millions was offered to Pakatan YBs in order to entice them to crossover.

In this sense, money is the main difference here. I doubt PKR offered any sum of money to BN reps to join Pakatan, as they don’t have access to huge federal funds, unlike BN which has millions of ringgit as the federal government of the day.

What has happened in Perak is cowardice to say the least. The people’s mandate had not been given to BN to rule Perak, but to Pakatan.

I don’t blame the Sultan of Perak, but Najib and his cronies for enticing politicians from Pakatan to join them. This is most shameful and cowardly in that they used a bait of millions of ringgit to lure them.

Were there any monies offered by Pakatan to any BN rep before Sept 16 to join Pakatan and form a new federal government?

Of course, it is ethically wrong to hop from one party to another. But my point here is this, who has the stronger bargaining power when it comes to enticing YBs to crossover?

Certainly it is the one with the most funds and assets accumulated over the past 50 years and that is none other than the corrupt BN regime led by Najib.

—-

Terima kasih saudara Ashvin kerana prihatin sekali. Malah saya sedia meneliti hujah pengunjung meskipun kritikal terhadap pendirian kami. Sayugia diulangi peringatan mengenai singgungan lucah, fitnah dan rendah akalbudi. Saudara-saudari dipohon mengenepikan saja luahan sengsara dan bebal seperti ini dengan mempertahankan akhlak dan budi pekerti.

Percubaan meleset para soldadu tua dan muda yang mendakwa mirip persamaan adegan “lompat” UMNO-BN dengan saranan saya sebelum ini! Dan sepertimana yang dihebah oeh TV3 umpamanya ternyata hambar kerana mempertahankan adegan ala penculikan, rasuah dan ugutan dengan arahan Dato’ Seri Najib.

Pelawaan saya adalah secara terbuka dan sambutan juga harus telus. Tidak ada yang dilari atau disembunyikan dari keluarga sendiri, diugut atau disogok. Kalangan yang memilih untuk menyertai Pakatan Rakyat harus akur dengan agenda perubahan serta menolak kerakusan kuasa dan rasuah.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

A Mockery of Our Democracy

I refer to arguments that Anwar has reaped what he sowed and Dr. M's statement that it was a rib tickling lesson for Anwar, now that 3 Pakatan Rakyat YBs have quit and become independent assemblyman and are friendly to BN to form the new Perak State Govt.

With all due respect, I would beg to differ from all these so called legal justification to excuse a moral wrong. Clearly, this is morally wrong and unethical. A wrong is still a wrong, and there are no two ways about it. This is because the tax-paying citizens of Perak have been cheated and betrayed by YB's who quit their parties and become independent paving the way for a backdoor entry for BN to form the new state govt. In this case, we hear of strong allegations of Pakatan reps being 'bought over' by BN, that have tainted this govt.

I would also like to highlight a main difference between Anwar's attempt of Sept 16 to form a new govt and the takeover in Perak. Anwar said that he had the numbers to form the federal govt. There were no allegations that he attempted to "buy" any BN reps for a price. Anwar only gave a call but no allegation of money was involved. None however responded, and that has already passed.

However, in this Perak crisis, there was evidence of a statutory declaration made by a PKR member that strongly alleged that money ranging in millions were offered to Pakatan YBs to entice them to crossover. In this sense, the lure of money was the main difference between the two.

I doubt Pakatan would offer any sum of money to BN reps to join Pakatan, as they don't have access to huge federal funds, unlike BN which have millions of ringgit accumulated for the past 50 years from their access to Federal funds, and as the federal govt of the day.

To excuse and justify what has happened in Perak is cowardly to say the least. The people's mandate had not been given to BN to rule Perak, but to Pakatan Rakyat, notwitstanding the slim majority.

I do not blame the Sultan of Perak, but Najib and his cronies for enticing politicians from Pakatan Rakyat to join them is most shameful and cowardly, as they used the tempting bait of miilions of ringgit to lure them. Were there any evidence of monies offered by Pakatan to any BN reps before Sept 16 to join Pakatan and form a new Federal Govt?

Of course, party hopping is ethically and morally wrong, regardless of party affiliation. But my point here is this, who has the stronger bargaining power when it comes to enticing YBs to crossover? Certainly, it is the one with the most funds and assets accumulated for the past 50 years, and that is none other than the corrupt BN regime led by Najib, who has removed a legitimate state govt elected by the voters on March 8, 2008 and has made a mockery of our democracy.

Does the Church Stand for Christ Love Today?

I rejoiced upon hearing that Barack Obama was declared President-elect of the United States of America on 5 November 2008. Immediately, I posted a statement on YTL Community entitled: HIS story has been made! GOD, America and Barack Obama. I celebrated Obama’s victory as a welcomed ‘end’ to the terrible legacy of racism and slavery in America.

I received congratulatory notes and positive feedbacks from Christians for reflecting what many of them were genuinely feeling and thinking. However, I also received complaints from a number of Christians. They argued that by celebrating Obama’s victory, I have given credence to his moral policies deemed contradictory to biblical principles, particularly, partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Support for Obama is viewed as support for immorality, an unrighteous act for a Christian. Whilst support for John McCain and Sarah Palin is biblically responsible and righteous.

It is not my habit to engage in online debates on YTL Community. Having said this, I am making an exception in this case. My critics have revealed both their misunderstanding of the nature of politics and religion, as well as deep-seated religious bias – a combination that has resulted in rather distorted and unhelpful perceptions of the Christian faith. For this reason, I am humbly making a measured response to these criticisms.

1. The moral and spiritual significance of Obama’s victory.
Contrary to suggestions otherwise, I regard celebrating Obama’s presidential victory as a morally righteous act because US race relations has a moral and spiritual dimension to it.

Racism is an evil tool to empower individuals and groups through the manipulation of fears and prejudices. They sow hatred and discord by condemning others on account of skin colour, purely for reasons of self-interests, greed and power. In the case of the US, hundreds of years of slave trade, racial bigotry, crime and injustice have left the nation broken and divided. The US harboured a deeply embedded tainted moral and spiritual legacy.

However, on 5 November, Americans rose to elect Obama. This was, I would argue, their individual and corporate act of faith. There was a willingness and determination to repent, to exorcise (figuratively speaking) the guilt of past racial crimes and discrimination, and to move on. I applauded this.

I. Personally, I can see that maybe God meant for this tainted legacy to be broken and Obama’s victory being part of His grand scheme to bring reconciliation to the US.

In my statement, I spoke of the Blood of Christ bringing forgiveness and reconciliation. I also spoke of how for many years, the seeds of this forgiveness and reconciliation were faithfully sown by men and women of faith, even to the point of persecution and death i.e. the Blood of the Martyrs.

I believe that by the grace of God, the fervent prayers of these great men and women were answered on Election Day. Our Lord Jesus gave the US nation an amazing opportunity at turning over a new leaf and at reconciliation.

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross,” Colossians 1 vs. 19 – 20, Holy Bible (New International Version).

II. I also believe that Obama was an ‘instrument’ that put an end to this legacy. God is God! He chooses whomever to achieve His goals.

It is my hope that US Christians could both appreciate the end of this appalling legacy, and make good on an amazing window of opportunity at national reconciliation. They themselves have certainly been liberated from a terrible blemish on their Christian testimonies. Let us not forget the role played by many US Christian forefathers in perpetrating and defending the slave trade, indirectly justifying racial hatred and atrocities.

Even the world all over can see and celebrate the impact of this profound development. Across the world, the beacon of hope that is the US, is shinning again. There is a sense that justice has been served.

2. One vote legitimises all?

Celebrating Obama’s victory does not mean I am lending credence to his moral policies on abortion or gay marriage. To suggest otherwise, is mistaking the complex relationship between politics and religion in any political context, not least in the US.

Identifying the US Presidential candidate of one’s choice is a most difficult task. Just when one feels comfortable towards a candidate’s stance on an issue, inevitably, another issue crops up to cloud it. At best, one chooses a candidate who closely reflects his or her views regarding a host of issues. Or, decide on a candidate based on a hierarchy of issues.

Granted, many Christians put abortion and gay issues high on their agenda in the recent US Presidential election. In my case, it was the issue of race. But does this mean when one voted for Obama, he or she signed up to all of Obama’s policies? Certainly not!

Let me be candid. Just because I support Samson, does not mean I condone his womanising with Delilah. I could champion a King David, but I would never condone his adultery with Beersheba, nor his murder of Uriah, her husband, to cover up the affair.

And for Evangelical Christians like myself, for whom the German theologian, Martin Luther is the father of the Reformation, I could nod my head happily to his theological expositions and even marvel at the beautiful lyrics of his hymns. However, I do not condone all Luther’s writings on the Jewish people. Some of his writings are deemed anti-Semitic. Equally, I am not to emulate Luther’s known character flaws – his abrasive nature towards his critics, when his “language could also move towards crudity and hatefulness” (in John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, p.29).

I have included the following newspaper excerpt to conclude my point:

Most of California's Black Voters Backed Gay Marriage Ban (53% of Latinos Also Supported Proposition 8)

Washington Post Staff Writers, Friday, November 7, 2008; Page A03

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 -- Any notion that Tuesday's election represented a liberal juggernaut must overcome a detail from the voting booths of California: The same voters who turned out strongest for Barack Obama also drove a stake through the heart of same-sex marriage.

Seven in 10 African Americans who went to the polls voted yes on Proposition 8, the ballot measure overruling a state Supreme Court judgment that legalized same-sex marriage and brought 18,000 gay and lesbian couples to Golden State courthouses in the past six months.

3. Is a Bible waving Christian President sufficient?

I wish to add another observation following my previous point. Many Christians in the US and the world around, regularly vote in hope that their political candidates will pursue their moral interests once in office. We are wiser if we do not assume that by having a Christian in office, all will be well. Equally, a rhetoric rendering, Bible waving US President could prove quite fallible or just as ineffectual. There is also no guarantee the President elected will keep his promises.

Of course, we vote for political candidates who champion our views. But the reality is politicians are all fallible. There are no ‘finished products’ going into the White House nor ‘finished products’ coming out of it for that matter. Political institutions are also man-made. As such, they are just as fallible.

The question in truth is how do we hold politicians and their institutions accountable. We should never give political leaders blank cheques. Godly principles of ‘good stewardship’ demand that we must keep check of what we entrust political leaders with.

Obama’s victory begins a new chapter or a new legacy in US history. Potentially, he could facilitate the healing and reconciliation within America. For this simple reason, this new chapter in US history carries with it a great weight of responsibilities. Will he succeed or would he falter? I am praying that God can work through Obama to bring much good to the US people and to the world.

I. US Christians can and should also be an integral part of the writing of this new chapter in US history. Certainly, to be a channel of God’s grace to the US nation.

The Christian community in the US should reassess the way they handle political engagement, debate and dialogue, and get heavily involved in national reconciliation and if possible, the spiritual transformation of the nation. And by all means, doing so holding firmly to their Godly principles and values. There is no contradiction between the two.

Judging political leaders while standing on the sideline is ineffectual. Condemning Christian leaders who engage with politicians with differing religious views does not achieve positive outcomes either.

I refer to Pastor Rick Warren’s invitation to Obama to speak at Saddleback Church’s AIDS Conference. Time’s write-up on the controversy is quite revealing.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html

II. US Christians can and must also hold Obama and his new administration accountable, even on issues relating to morality and religion.

For example, Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners plans to scrutinise Obama’s commitment to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. (Sojourners is, I understand, a progressive Christian commentary on faith, politics and culture that seeks to build a movement of spirituality and social change.)

4. What does the church stand for today?

After reading the correspondences sent to me, I researched with greater depth, Obama’s moral policies and religious views.

To know what Obama’s moral and religious policies are, please read:
‘Call to Renewal’, Keynote Address by Barack Obama, Building a Covenant for a New America Conference, 28 June 2006

http://www.barackobama.com/2006/06/28/call_to_renewal_keynote_address.php
‘Q&A: Barack Obama’
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/januaryweb-only/104-32.0.html

I also came across things written about him from the Christian community both in the US and the world around that I wish I had not. I was appalled and sick to the gut.

Even now, Obama is being called many terrible things under the sun – the anti-Christ, the great deceiver, the terrorist, the big sell-out etc. Can anyone believe such hatred coming from Christians? Even from some very prominent leaders? In fact some suggest that on Obama’s account, God will bring a whole host of disasters and calamities on the US nation. Far worse, some wish his death and assassination.

Where does all this hate come from? When did Christ teach us to hate in such manner, especially against those who disagree with His teachings? Is such hatred the signature of Christ?

MOST CERTAINLY NOT!

I. Yes, we Christians are emotional because some of Obama’s moral views contradict God’s word. But without love, are we not just noisy gongs and clanging cymbals?

Did the Apostle Paul not remind us that without love, the gift of prophecy, the ability to fathom mysteries and all knowledge, even the faith that moves mountains are as good as nothing? (In 1 Corinthians 13, Holy Bible).

Did the Apostle John not write, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in Him” I John 3 vs. 14 – 15, Holy Bible.

II. Is this not the kind of gracelessness that turns people away from church and gives Christians all around the world a bad name? There is a clear line between speaking truths and being blatantly ungracious. Our Lord Jesus stresses that “love never fails.” If we fail to love, are we not just hypocrites?

III. Does the church stand for Christ’s love today? Are Christians willing to love Obama? Because God loves Obama too!

The ability to love is not only a sign of confidence in Christ, but a true knowledge of what Jesus did on the cross.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” I John 4 vs. 18, Holy Bible.

It appears there is a lot of fear in the churches throughout the US and the world around.

My good friend, George Verwer wrote in The Revolution of Love (pp.13-14):

This is, I believe, the basic ingredient that is largely lacking in Christianity today, and the lack of it is the source of most of our problems. It is the cancer that is eating away at the church, but it is no secret. In fact, it is so non-secretive that it is written on almost every page of the New Testament. And yet, because our hearts are so hard and cold, and because we are so self-centred, we do not see (or we do not really believe) that the basic message of the New Testament is love!

…There are thousands, even millions, of people who claims to be ‘orthodox Christians’ because they cling to a certain set of beliefs in accordance with the Bible. They are aware that they do not practise much humility, but they do not think that makes them any less orthodox. They are aware that they do not really love other Christians (especially those who are different from them), but that does not cause them to think their teaching is not biblical.

They may admit that they know nothing of serving others and considering other better than themselves, and yet they consider themselves Bible believing, orthodox Christians.

They could not be more wrong! This is not Christianity but a travesty of Christianity – thinking we can be orthodox without having humility, thinking we can call ourselves Bible-believing Christians though our lives do not show love or the other fruits of the Spirit. In fact, I believe that is the greatest error that has ever hit the church of Jesus Christ!

Final Thoughts
Today, 20 January 2009, is Obama’s inauguration. The US is in turmoil and the world is in no less trouble. These critical moments in US history require the involvement of Godly men and women not only in prayer, but bravely driving the national agenda of reconciliation, change and progress.

I have read enough about Obama to believe that he is a Christian. The fact that he honestly articulates his moral views and expresses the reasons why he supports e.g. ‘partial-birth abortion’, convinces me that he has a teachable spirit.

I am not at all condoning his moral views. Far from it! But I am willing to believe that if the Christian community engages with Obama and doing so with more Christ-likeness, I think we may just be surprised by his receptivity.

Obama may be the holder of the highest office in the US, but he is also very human. Now the questions we must ask ourselves are:

■ Who will love Obama and shower him with grace? Would our religious views prevent us from doing so?

■ Who will mentor him (spiritually) – hold him accountable and challenge him when necessary?

■ Will evangelicals in the US even get close enough to engage and disciple him, especially with the level of shameful un-grace shown towards him? Or would they just pelt him with more slurs and insults?

Let me finish by asking this fundamental question again: Does the church stand for Christ’s love today?

Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Managing Director, YTL Corporation Berhad

20th January 2009