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."
Najib's palace forays need to be addressed by R Nadeswaran
Monday, May 09, 2022
Malaysiakini : Some years ago, the grandson of a ruler was beaten to a pulp by the
son of another ruler. Police reports and a court case ensued but the
media took little notice of it.
Parameters changed with social media
Previously, those who choose to comment on their conduct were labelled as āpenderhakaā
(treasonous) and often incurred the wrath of citizens. Some have been
prosecuted, including even snide remarks said in passing or as satire.
This
writer has no intention of being disloyal or to question certain acts
of members of the royal household. But as a citizen and a writer, it is
his onerous duty to communicate and bring to their attention (and to the
public) the rumblings and murmurings on social media which are gaining
traction with the people.
Generally, citizens take cognition of
such impertinence and insolence but seldom have they made remarks,
except for private exchanges in coffee shops and restaurants. But with
the advent of social media, the parameters have been changed. Anyone
with a computer or mobile phone can express his or her views on various
platforms without incurring any costs.
However,
over the past month, netizens have taken to social media to express
their views on what they perceive as not acceptable.
A photograph
of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak seated on the high table with
the king and the prime minister at a breaking of fast event at the
Istana Negara prompted unprecedented comments.
Social media has
been buzzing with all kinds of comments from an array of people -
mentioning that Najib, who was convicted of stealing from the people and
spending it on himself and with his appeal pending - is being accorded
special treatment.
āCommitting crime is fineā¦?ā
Even
before lawyer Muhammed Rafique Rashid Ali took to social media, several
commentators sparked serious discussions on the issue.
On April 21, against the backdrop of a photograph of the buka puasa
function at the palace, he remarked: āHigh table. In front of honorary
guests, cabinet members, members of government bodies as well as the
judiciary and the legislature. Istana Negara needs to answer as to why
such treatment was given to PM6 (Najib).ā
With a short video clip
of Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor being sent off at the steps of what
appears to be the palace, Rafique asked: āThe people are watching. What
kind of message are you sending the people? That committing crime is
fine as long as they have strong connections?ā
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak
If
one thought that the issue had been forgotten, it was resuscitated on
May 5 when another post made its rounds on social media.
In
response, one commentator asked: āPersonally, I feel insulted. As a
citizen, Iām very afraid to break the law. I am not worthy to step
within the palace grounds. I do my best for my religion, race and
country. But instead, are we, as citizens, slaves?ā
Others did not
mince their words with diplomatic lingo. In a note to the
Communications Department of Istana Negara, one Manan Razali wrote a
lengthy appeal on Facebook.
Referring to two principles of the
Rukun Negara, Manan remarked: āWhen the king gives special treatment to a
world-renowned criminal, doesnāt it violate the principle of respecting
the rule of law? Doesnāt this also have a negative impact on the
sovereignty of law in this country?
āIn order to clarify the
situation and remove the peopleās anxiety about this, and so as to
preserve the image and prestige of the palace institutions in the eyes
of the people that should function as an umbrella to defend the fate of
the people, I think it is good and it is reasonable if the palace can
issue an official statement so that it can be looked at by all the
people.ā
Remarks will continue if met with silence
Such
remarks and views expressed are a reflection of the pain, anger and
anxiety caused to the man in the street that someone, convicted of
stealing money from the pension funds of civil servants, is being
honoured and entertained at the palace.
Understandably, citizens
are restless and a few are agitated. Another wrote: āIf this is the
attitude of Istana Negara, then where else can the people seek shelter?
When the people arise to question the contributions of the royal
institution, then it is said that the people are rebelling against the
king. But the kingās behaviour that is shown is creating hatred among
the people.ā
Such remarks will continue to make their rounds and
palace officials have to answer the questions posed by the people.
Mananās post asks of this, but there has hardly been a whimper.
I
have nothing to add to these questions. Hopefully, some explanation will
help address the concern raised by citizens who care and are loyal and
owe allegiance to the king and country and want the palace to be seen as
a revered institution.
