“In my books, there is nothing wrong with Hadi expressing ethno-religious sentiments, what with him being the leader of a party that outright spells “we’re Islamic in every way”
Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen
ارتيكل مليسياكيني بركنأن هادي ممڤرليكيه ڤميمڤين اسلام
Hours ago, Aliran reproduced a piece from Malaysiakini that found fault with the Government of Malaysia (GoM) over the appointment of Datuk Seri Haji Abdul Hadi Awang as special envoy to the Middle East.
Ronald Benjamin, who wrote the piece, asked if Hadi was merely chosen due to his credentials as an Islamic leader of a political party or due to his competency as envoy who understands the complexity of issues in West Asia.
He wrote:
“A knowledgeable envoy possesses an abiding interest in and passion for the art of diplomacy and international relations.
“It requires a broad knowledge of international politics and the economy. An envoy should also be able to demonstrate an analytical temperament.
“Hadi’s political engagement has an ideological predisposition and rigidity that does not fit into the realm of international politics.
“His politics is more of expressing ethno-religious sentiments rather than showcasing a full command of the facts.
“Furthermore, he does not have a universal moral vision that is inclusive when dealing with issues of justice. Justice to Hadi is from an Islamic sectarian point of view.”
Where is Benjamin getting all this from?
Where was Benjamin when Mohamad Sabu from AMANAH, a man who also bears an ideological predisposition and rigidity, represented Malaysia to the United Nations as Minister of Defence?
I wonder if the author took note of Mohamad’s “upside-down, right-side-up” speech on “elephants and grass” and how it spawned creative comedy and levity in social media as netizens partook in a “no holds barred, free-for-all” campaign to rip Mohamad apart for embarrassing Malaysia.
Was Mohamad, in Benjamin’s view, “able to grasp issues based on facts rather than ideology?”
Or was the AMANAH president’s appointment to appease AMANAH for supporting a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) candidate as Prime Minister?
I don’t know, but Benjamin seems to. He seems to be able to read into the government’s ‘secret’ agenda using a crystal ball viewed through fanatically shaded lenses.
In my books, there is nothing wrong with Hadi expressing ethno-religious sentiments, what with him being the leader of a party that outright spells “we’re Islamic in every way.”
What did Benjamin expect Hadi to profess – Christianity?
And since when did defending one’s political ideology become wrong or a yardstick for one’s ability to lead a ministry or represent government?
The Federal Constitution of Malaysia bases Cabinet appointments solely on one’s membership in Parliament, not a political party.
If Hadi is in the business of defending the religion of Islam or upholding the rights of the ummah, then so be it, as he is doing so purely out of duty as a Muslim and his commitment towards PAS, not government.
This in no way makes him a lesser minister or one who isn’t able to “grasp issues based on facts rather than ideology” if given the chance to represent government.
Did Benjamin miss this?
Would Benjamin prefer the clergy to demonstrate its ability to “grasp issues based on facts rather than religious ideology” when dealing with the question of angels and apostles or shove that aside and focus on the institution of faith?
Benjamin cited the case of Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, described him as a religious ideologue, and said Tuan Ibrahim “has no record of advocating environmental issues in the country.”
Question is, did Mohamad Sabu have any record advocating defence issues successfully and truthfully prior to his appointment as defence minister?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but was it not Mohamad who said submarines purchased by Malaysia under the previous Barisan Nasional administration could not submerge under water?
Tell me, how does that even remotely constitute a “grasp on issues based on facts?”
Seriously, what was Malaysiakini thinking when it decided to take up Benjamin’s letter?
