RAGE AND RESPONSIBILITY; AND WISHFUL THINKING.

Almost everybody is angry today, albeit for different reasons. But they have something in common. The anger, and to a certain extent uncontrolled rage, stemmed from the same issue: the use of the word 'ALLAH'.

The situation now is very delicate and precarious. Malaysians of all race and religion should come together and listen to reason. Religion is our guiding principle in life; we should strengthen our faith and resolve to seek divine help to ensure our peace and stability will prevail during this turbulent time.

In the midst of all this turbulence, I cannot help but wish that we don't have to undergo all this tension and uneasiness. I wish that some quarters would just let things be and not challenge sensitive order put forth by the government. What's the big deal about not being allowed to use a word that is so sacred to another religious group when there is easily another terminology that could be used without any restriction?

Moreover ALLAH is not synonymous with God. According to the theory of Semantics, the classification of objects in terms of words used to denote them differs from language to language and culture to culture. Thus, why the obsession to challenge? Is this about ego? Or is this just curiousity to see what happens when one throws a stone at the hornets' nest? Shouldn't one listen to one's mother when she says to ' let sleeping dogs lie '? I wish people are more matured and responsible! But then , responsibility is a lonely word!

I further wish that some quarters who profess to be the guardian of Islam would not adopt hypocrisy as a way of life, proclaiming different convictions on the same issue to different audience. I wish those people being hoodwinked to - in villages and congregations would not be so fanatic to these political leaders and once and for all see them for what they really are.

Sadly in the aftermath of the ruling on the use of the word ALLAH by The Kuala Lumpur High Court recently, rage rules over reason as advocated in the alleged arson cases involving churches. Arson is deplorable and highly-charged religious extremists should be restrained.

Ironically, instead of working together to ease the situation, certain irresponsible parties are quick to point fingers at their political opponents. They know for a fact that this not the work of UMNO, yet they see this as an opportunity to discredit their opponents.

As the Prime Minister says UMNO is a responsible party. So where do you get off pointing fingers at UMNO? And worst, some people insinuate that this is the fault of the government. Please refrain from slander and unsubstantiated accusations? No religion in the world would tolerate this.

Lastly, let us all search our souls. Let our eyes see reality. Shed our fanaticm. Pray that we can ride through this storm unscathed. Pray that all our fellow Malaysians cherish our peaceful co-existence and hope that our nation's security is in no imminent danger.

In all this happenings, I wish the government would hold on to the Internal Security Act. No revision and no amendments! This is not the time yet. This act is not only relevant, but imperative in a multi racial and multi religious society like ours. This is a fact. So live with it!