Rudyard Kipling"
āWhen you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldierā
General Douglas MacArthur"
āWe are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.ā
āIt is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.ā āOld soldiers never die; they just fade away.
āThe soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.ā
āMay God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .ā āThe object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
āNobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
āIt is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Malaysiakini : The three women in London who were imprisoned as slaves have much in
common with the Malaysian rakyat. Their escape plan was hatched in
secrecy but their story, which is slowly unfolding, has shocked the
world. It is doubtful if many Malaysians realise the similarities
between themselves and these three women.
For the past 30 years,
the women were forced to serve a married couple from India and
Tanzania. The oldest woman was a 69-year-old Malaysian who was denied
medical treatment when she suffered a stroke, another was a 59-year-old
Irish woman, and the youngest was a 30-year-old, who grew up in this
family.
The women cleaned, cooked, shopped, ran errands and
cared for their masters. As punishment, they would be beaten but despite
their treatment, were too terrified to escape when an opportunity to
flee presented itself.
The women were imprisoned for three
decades, but the Malaysian rakyat have been metaphorically imprisoned
for the most part of 56 years. The women were described as having been
shackled by āinvisible handcuffsā, just like the Malaysians.
Despite
being aware of the injustices and abuse of power, older Malaysians are
reluctant to embrace change. The married couple are just like the
leaders of Malaysia. The tools of control for both the London slaves and
Malaysian rakyat, are a combination of threats and emotional blackmail.
Police said that the mental hold on the women was strong and
ācult-likeā.
Umno Baru leaders know how to pitch their stories.
For instance, older and more conservative Malays are told that a vote
for the opposition would mean that the Chinese and Christians would
overrun Malaysia.
It is ironic that younger Malaysians, despite
knowing only one system of governance, can lead the charge for change.
Their easy access to alternative information sites means that the world
is literally their oyster.
When Umno Baru splurges on defence
contracts, weaponry or new gadgets like the automated speed traps (AES),
they convince ignorant people, that the party is doing it in the name
of national security or progress. Incredibly, the government makes the
rakyat hand over their money as if it is doing the people a favour.
The
BR1M payment of RM500 does not last long, especially as the government
plays on the greed of the rakyat into parting with their money. For
example, discounts on smartphones induce people to buy one. Despite the
discount, the BR1M recipient has to pay out more of his own money,
either from his savings or by going into debt.
The company which
sold the smartphones is probably a crony company and the smartphones are
probably sold at an inflated price, regardless of the discount. The
governmentās investment of RM500 brings in a good return.
In
addition, the BR1M payment divides communities, because the
middle-classes do not qualify but find that they are subsidising the
life-styles of the poor and government cronies.
Najib
Abdul Razak justified the increase in sugar prices by saying it was
necessary to prevent diabetes. Why stop at sugar, if he is sincere about
the nationās health? Why not increase the cost of cigarettes and stop
the sale of unhealthy, fatty and non-nutritious foods in school
canteens?
He could ban mamak shops. Some are filthy and many
sell greasy, unhealthy food. The ones which open 24-hours-a-day
encourage unhealthy sleeping habits, especially among schoolchildren.
He
should promote cycling and outdoor activities and build cycle lanes in
towns, and more sports facilities in housing estates. He could increase
the amount of time devoted to sports in the school curriculum.
Extremism rampant, abuses common
The
neighbours of the three women in London, saw them and their masters as a
ānormal familyā. This is the same scenario which Najib presents to the
international community. Malaysia is packaged as a moderate Muslim
nation which cares for its women, children and indigenous communities.
The
events which occurred behind the closed doors of the London house can
only be described as modern-day slavery. Similarly, within Malaysian
borders, extremism and nationalist policies are rampant and human rights
abuses are common.
The three women waited on the couple, like
slaves. Anyone who has been to a function hosted by an Umno Baru or BN
politician will have observed members of the rakyat treating politicians
like demi-gods, bowing and scraping and giving them deferential
treatment.
The enslaved women are highly dependent on their
masters. Their level of brainwashing was so strong, that they refused to
flee when they had the chance. Similarly, Malaysians have been given
the opportunity to reject Umno Baru at election, but many continue to
vote for Umno Baru and BN.
The women were permitted to watch
certain television channels. Likewise, Malaysians are only allowed to
see pro-Umno Baru media news. The indoctrination of the rakyat restricts
their activities.
Attending
opposition ceramahs is discouraged and those who persist, face problems
at work. Malaysians studying overseas are warned that their
scholarships may be terminated, if they attend opposition talks. People
who attend marches, face violence from Umno Baru thugs and the police.
With these tactics, many people fear voting for the opposition.
Despite
the hardships suffered, many Malaysians are afraid of change. The
constant emotional blackmail over the past five decades has convinced
them that they could not cope without Umno Baru.
People who have
worked with former prisoners, know that ex-convicts have become
institutionalised and cannot adjust to normal life, when they are
released. Having been used to following orders, doing things at set
times of the day, eating what is given them and sleeping when the lights
are turned off, means that they are dependent on their wardensā
instructions.
That is what Umno Baru has done to many of us - reduced our ability to cope and to think independently.
The
three women who planned their escape wanted to be free and punish the
people who imprisoned them. The same rebuilding of our lives is
possible. We just need the courage to take the first step towards
freedom. This first step is to reject Umno Baru. You are not alone. Many
Malaysians, especially Malays, think as you do. MARIAM
MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green
Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).
The
BR1M payment of RM500 does not last long, especially as the government
plays on the greed of the rakyat into parting with their money. For
example, discounts on smartphones induce people to buy one. Despite the
discount, the BR1M recipient has to pay out more of his own money,
either from his savings or by going into debt.
Najib
Abdul Razak justified the increase in sugar prices by saying it was
necessary to prevent diabetes. Why stop at sugar, if he is sincere about
the nationās health? Why not increase the cost of cigarettes and stop
the sale of unhealthy, fatty and non-nutritious foods in school
canteens?
Attending
opposition ceramahs is discouraged and those who persist, face problems
at work. Malaysians studying overseas are warned that their
scholarships may be terminated, if they attend opposition talks. People
who attend marches, face violence from Umno Baru thugs and the police.
With these tactics, many people fear voting for the opposition.
