Tuesday, June 10, 2008

OK For Johor DAP Wakil Rakyat To Wear Songkok.

Now, I did say, if it was TRUE (as reported by the Star) that four Johor DAP assemblymen were reluctant, hesitant or unsure about wearing the songkok as part of the official attire for the opening of the Johor state legislative assembly. After which I gave my two cents worth.

Anyway, as it turned out the DAP central executive committee (CEC) had no objection to the four assemblymen wearing the songkok at the ceremony.

The Star quoted DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as saying that the CEC had decided some time ago to allow the respective state committees to decide on their own on the wearing of the songkok.

Read the report H E R E.

So, really. What was all the fuss (by the four) about? Or did the Star get it wrong?

28 comments:

A.John said...

What's in wearing a songkok ;a non issue actually. If they were required to be circumcised , then and only then; maybe they may call the press to voice their concern of the pain they might have to endure!

warrior2 said...

The STAR could have got it wrong, the CEC chould have main wayang and the 4 are just dumb wakil rakyat!

Anonymous said...

Of course, there is absolutely no problem, but the way and tone of this blog in approaching the subject is - for lack of better words - sh*t, and caused people with sh*t mentality to scream at one another. Be more responsible next time.

Bangsa Cina Malaysia said...

Asalamualaikum Saudari Nuraina,
even before DAP came to power they have this malay phobia. all their members refused to wear the songkok
while being the opposition DUN.

their refusal to accept other races attire run contrary to DAP motto of bangsa malaysia.
what do they mean they have no objection to their members wearing the songkok.
there should have been no issue at all in the first place.
i am chinese (nasrani is my religion} and have been wearing my malay friends songkok since primary and i am still chinese.
i repeat my earlier statement
there is no place for people with narrow minded 'typical chinamen'
in the DAP or for that matter in this country.
i challenged YB Lim Kit Siang
YB lim guan eng YB karpal singh be brave and removed all these Johor morons {jahil) before they create more trouble
for our new in coming government.

there are more than enough capable
and qualified people to replace them.

'luckily the selangor state speaker from the DAP came to his senses or i would have given him a piece of my mind.'..

Anonymous said...

Nuraina,

I see u have not been sporting enough to make an apology for kicking up an issue which was a non-issue in the first place. Are u one of those DAP bashers ?

I agree that defending one's ethnic group is not racial or racist per se but in this once beautiful country, politicians like to project themselves as ethnic champions by creating bogeys out of other ethnic groups, without caring much for the damage to race relations, and hence the unity of the people.

Your blog on the songkok for example. Why was this news that appeared in the STAR and malay papers not checked out first before it was posted, so much so it elicited so much unneccesary racial/racists sentiments to the extent of offending decent and loyal Malaysians like me ? Hope u will be more careful the next time. Be cautious about MSM news, knowing that most times, they enjoy stirring up racial hatred for whatever reasons, lile the pig rearing projek in Selangor. What a shame when, in the same breath they (and the poiticians concerned) can talk of racial unity, Vision 2020 and all the jest. I feel sad for Malaysia when we still cannot look beyond the color of our skin.

Anonymous said...

Kak Nuraina,

This matter was blown out of proportion and like you say, The Star probably got it wrong.

A pity kan Kak, any slight issue like this people in all the many Malaysian blogs are saying DAP is anti-Malay lah, racist la...

Let's have some sanity please, everyone!

burhanlong said...

a.john, nowadays, circumcition uses laser. no pain. do it in the mornig, can wear pants in the afternoon. in the evening can play football al.reday

NGINAP SRENGENGE @ SRENGENGE said...

wartawan pun satu hal.
what's wrong in telling the truth............siakap,senohong,gelama,ikan dur;
cakap bohong lama2 jadi pencuri.

Buwau98 said...

These few days the atmosphere seems to be very tense. So many issues popped up.

Wearing a Songkok is no big deal, it's just a head gear mainly worn by the Malays of Malaysia.

On a lighter tone, i hope you won't mind that i have tagged you.....just those little things that might ease your mind.

Thanks for your time.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kak Eja.


Nak mampus!.Ini jawapan saya kapada Lim Eng Guan bila ada orang2 DAP mempersoalkan sama ada nak pakai songkok atau tidak sawaktu menghadziri upacara pembukaan Mesyuarat Dewan Undangan Negeri.

Sultan Johore telah memberitahu bahagian Protokol bahawa sesiapa2 yang tidak memakai songkok tak dibenarkan masok kedalam dewan.

Kapada Sdr Lim Eng Guan.You are gentelment.

Anonymous said...

if you believe the Star...pigs can fly.

Stopped reading Star long ago..in fact shortly after OPs Lallang..thereafter VK Chin's editorial was like a bedtime story.

Kerp (Ph.D) said...

these four DAP dudes are racist pigs. PERIOD.

NURAINA A SAMAD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NURAINA A SAMAD said...

Anon@9:02PM,

I don't think I need to apologise for "kickin up a fuss", as you have put it.

Maybe I am not sporting. Maybe I don't care that you think I am not.

Maybe I am not bothered that you have asked me whether I am a DAP-basher.

Maybe i don't care that you don't know me.

Maybe I don't care too that you are an ANONYMOUS.

However, let me say, thank you for commenting and speaking your mind.

Da Real Deal said...

Nuraina,

Didn't I tell you so? We're talking about Johor soil and it's Supreme Head. Nobody messes with Johor unreasonably.

Anonymous said...

Hello Toni,

I think u have a polluted (serong) view of what is "Bangsa Malaysia". To u, to be Bangsa Malaysia means I must wear other races'attire, (songkok included I supposed ?) and run down those who don't agree with what u do. To me, to be Bangsa Malaysia, I don't need to do all these, but I must be able to RESPECT each and every Malaysian's culture, including their liberty to wear what they like. I would also respect their right not ot wear anything they don't like.

Having said this, if any official attire is stipulated to be worn, then it's a different matter. It can be a songkok, it can be a kopiah or it can even serban or a turban. Everyone has to wear it, because it is part of the rules of the institution, like Parliament, State Assembly or even a school.

So why are you associating this songkok with loyalty, being anti-Malay and all the nonsense ? If u feel great and want to show your loyalty by wearing the sarong and songkok, by all means wear them, everyday if u can. But u don't have to label others as being anti Malay or "narrow-minded chinamen" if they don't share the comfort of the sarong and songkok like u. By the way I also wear a sarong everday in bed because I find it very comfortable but I am not telling the world I am very "Bangsa Malaysia" because of that.

I think your remarks or challegne don't deserve any response from LKS and LGE or Karpal Singh because.......... (let others form their own conclusion)

Anonymous said...

I feel that it's good for Nuraina to highlight this issue. Wearing a songkok should not be an issue in the first place for these DAP members.

These DAP members are there for only one reason, that is to represent the people that selected them. Their preference should take a back seat. They have misplaced their priority.

While I would like to think otherwise, the truth is there are still plenty of chinese chauvinist (should I add 'pig') within DAP. I think it will take at least a generation long for these people to think Malaysian first,...but (and a big But), they do realise that Bangsa malaysia concept is the way to go...unlike some BN parties...

So hopefully the DAP leaders will be able to drag these old guard out from their tempurung...

As for circumcision, well, if indeed it is done using laser and with the cost borne by the state gov., I would be the first to volunteer...hehehe...


KaKiaYam
________________________________
http://chickenfeet.wordpress.com

Rockybru said...

Hi Ena, some rabid DAP cybermachais marah-marah gituk. Heh.
I did the same posting based on the Star report. No, I don't think the Star got it wrong. I think the DAP was testing the water. When they saw that there were too many sharks in the water (many jerung yang bersongkok) they decided not to risk it! Simple!

Or mereka cuba bermain api dengan sebatang mancis, tapi sedar mereka boleh membakar diri sendiri.

Many commenters forget or ignore the fact that the Star article quoted the DAP state vice chairman.

No denial has been issued, either by the CEC or the state DAP.

Also, I find it odd tht the CEC had decided to leave it to the State DAP when the State DAP, on the other hand, said someone in CEC preferred the state DAP Aduns not wear the Songkok for June 19 event.

Who is that "someone" in the CEC?

Anonymous said...

i think pertaining to DAP's issue...why not all of us read "WORLD ON FIRE" by Amy Chua..

Wakmasnoor said...

What is there of an issue when comes to Songkok? Dont create fuss over this very small but respected symbol of a country and nation of an item called SONGKOK. Wearing Songkok wont make them any less Chinese and Malaysians. But refuse to wear it shall make them very much less worth respecting.

Anonymous said...

I don't know la Kak Aina. But the years of myself covering politics here in Malaysia (walaupun tidak selama Kak Aina) I found myself, over and over again with politicians who says one thing today and say other completely different thing tomorrow after seeing what his/her first comment has done to their political IMAGE.

And again and again, we the journalist looked like moron and people throw words to us as if we are moron too.

To me, to be sane, each and every one of us needs to take everything with pinch of salts.

I believed they said what they said at the first place.

Anonymous said...

I really wish you had bothered to get the other side of the story Nuraina.

There is a reason why many chinese are fine with wearing batik, sarong and songket which is also Malay attire, but not the songkok. That is because the songkok is seen to have religious connotations, probably because the only time we see it is when Malays go to the mosque for prayers or during Hari Raya. Yes, it's just a piece of headgear but until the notion that the songkok is a religious attire is dispelled then many will still feel uncomfortable wearing it.

Anonymous said...

Rocky: "Hi Ena, some rabid DAP cybermachais marah-marah gituk. Heh.
I did the same posting based on the Star report. No, I don't think the Star got it wrong. I think the DAP was testing the water. When they saw that there were too many sharks in the water (many jerung yang bersongkok) they decided not to risk it! Simple!"

__________________

OMG! So this is how Rocky talks about DAP. And to think that DAP is working hard with its Pakatan Rakyat partners and trying to fight against corruption and other crimes of BN on behalf of the rakyat and now has to face venomous attacks by Rocky over something like the songkok for which they have genuine concerns over due to the religious connotations that have come to be associated with the songkok. Yes, it's just a headgear and ultimately they should not make it a big deal either way whether they wear it or not wear it especially in the context of the real dangers such as inflation, rising cost of living and loss of competitiveness.

Well Rocky, any last shred of respect I have for you as an objective journalist has dissapeared. Sad..sad..

Anonymous said...

Apala songkok punya hal pun kecoh satu Malaysia..Come on laa.

Banyak lagi benda besar yg boleh dikecohkan, seperti PM tido kaa..apanama..potong elaun MB 10% tu cuma RM 500 je...dan macam-macam lagi!

Anonymous said...

Rocky's Bru:

Your comment has a remarkably ridiculous tone to it. I thought you had some objectivity, but your comment isn't very professional, and your articles nit-pick on DAP. I am not a rabid DAP supporter (have been a BN supporter in the past), but I'm wondering if you have a special axe to grind with DAP?

I would also like to point out the comment by Banjaran, 1:16 am, which is pertinent and highly explanatory. It is worth reproducing:

"There is a reason why many chinese are fine with wearing batik, sarong and songket which is also Malay attire, but not the songkok. That is because the songkok is seen to have religious connotations, probably because the only time we see it is when Malays go to the mosque for prayers or during Hari Raya. Yes, it's just a piece of headgear but until the notion that the songkok is a religious attire is dispelled then many will still feel uncomfortable wearing it."

This is valid to a significant segment of the rakyat as mentioned above (not DAP or Gerakan or any other political party alone). So I hope you, Rocky, would understand and empathise with this group of the rakyat before blindly whacking everyone.

Please try to see both sides of the coin, and then provide assurance to those who feel uncomfortable about the headgear. That would be a softer, gentler more understanding approach if you really care about Malaysians accepting certain things. Some things you don't achieve by shredding or ripping apart. Our national unity needs understanding the others' points of view and working on it.

By the way, Rocky, like a few others here, I too feel you have lost some degree of integrity. Before the elections, we all loved following your blog... but now, sorry lah bro.

Take care.

Anonymous said...

By the way Sis Nuraina... how come lately I haven't noticed Tuesdays With Bapak... hope Pak Samad is well and everything is fine with him, thank you...

NURAINA A SAMAD said...

banjaran and father of two:

thank you for visiting my blog and commenting.

indeed, you both have every right to disagree with Rocky.

Frankly, I don't find his views disagreeable or repugnant.

There are views from others here which I find disagreeable but, hell...they're free to say whatever.

i shan't defend Rocky here becos I don't think he needs defending.

it's just that you are just so wrong to think that he is anti-DAP. But so what if he is.

Hell, I was accused of bashing DAP in my "songkok" posting.

What is wrong with you people?

But, don't matter...you guys really don't know me. Nor Rocky.

And, really....this is what it's all about....diverse views from diverse people..

thank you.

NURAINA A SAMAD said...

father of two,

thank you for asking about Tuesdays With Bapak.

I have no excuse....except that I have no story to tell.

WHen one does come up in my head...i will certainly write a segment.

And thank you for asking about Pak Samad...He is ok...but old and frail.

thanks again.