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Yoursay: Perak mufti does not speak for democracy
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YOURSAY | We are one of the few Muslim majority countries that have a functioning democracy.

Peaceful transition proves some literalists wrong - Perlis mufti

Dawnbreaker: The transitive meaning for the word 'topple' means "to take power away from a leader or government, especially by force". Which we didn't. As ordinary Malaysians, we went to the polls and put our vote in the ballot box.

More importantly, all religions in its truest form (not interpreted by a finite mind like humans) support compassion, justice, fairness and peace (and a lot more). So the argument is, which comes first?

Malaysians wanted all of these, but it was done in a peaceful way. Having an open and honest conversation does not constitute being “forceful or not peaceful” as long as you remain compassionate, fair and civilised. We did nothing to the contrary.

David Dass: Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria does not speak of democracy. He speaks for tyrants who deprive the people of their rights and says that it is wrong to remove them.

We have periodical elections, the purpose of which is to choose our leaders. We do not remove them as such.

They vacate their office at the end of the five-year period and elections are then held. Many parties contest the elections. And the people choose.

This is the first time in our history that the people chose the opposition led by their leader, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. It was not a rebellion or a military coup. It was simply an election.

The change was peaceful. The system held. The police did their job. And the people were jubilant because the majority wanted change.

We are one of the few Muslim majority countries that have a functioning democracy. And that is the problem - for the other countries.

Newday: Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, I agree that Malaysia has shown the way for peaceful change of government. If you look at it from an Islamic perspective only, I again agree.

But this election firmly placed religion in the back seat. Religion had failed us over the past 10 years.

Umno claims to be Islamic, yet it is obvious from the ex-leader all the way through the ranks, that they were rotten to the core, and had moved well away from the Prophet's teachings, even though the vast majority attended Friday prayers every week.

This election result was not an Islamic event, it was for everyone who still has a basic ethical and moral code in this country, who believe in goodwill to all humans regardless of race or religion.

We still have this issue of people believing Islam as somehow being the supreme and only true God-fearing religion here - look at Perkasa's comments of the past few days, look at PAS' arrogance following the election and their claim to be kingmakers.

Look at the foundation of our modern Islamic majority - all based around Sunni ideals that do not seem to have tolerance for anyone who is not the same.

Perlis mufti, when you start doing something to change this for society's long-term wellness, then you can be well respected by all. Until then, Malaysia will still have a big problem being a dynamic part of the 21st Century.

Vgeorgemy: The transfer of power happened only because God was not with those who claim they are the intermediary between God and the rakyat.

During GE14, knowing how brutal and cruel all these so-called intermediaries are, God decided to talk directly to the voters and change the government.

Post-May 9: What's our biggest problem?

Liew Lean Kut: Malaysiakini columnist Terence Netto, you hit the nail on the head. Our society is sick, and it needs a strong dose of moral and social education.

When you see children throwing wrappers wherever they go, parents driving their cars along with their children into a street with a big ‘no entry’ sign, motorcyclists jumping red lights at traffic junctions, when you see teachers driving against the flow of traffic in a one-way street just because the junction is nearer, you very well know something is wrong in our society.

Fairplayer: Our children deserve a better education. Pakatan Harapan must rope in the best educators to revamp our core curriculum.

The English-medium must be reinstated in our national schools for all subjects, except for the other language studies.

Save Our Currency: In the past, English education gave us universal values which we can see are upheld till today when those schooled there are in demand even today.

The politicians destroyed it. Principles were overcome by abuse of power. The people had to change the government where the courts and the authorities couldn't.

ChuenTick: Netto has written a very good piece. Read together with the good Azly Rahman's opinion piece, the new education minister ought to have an idea where the focus ought to be.

Anonymous #33227154: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad alone cannot do the job. Malaysia needs a team of competent, uncorrupted and well-educated leaders with high integrity to lead and build the country.

It is also important for these leaders to protect Malaysia from religious extremism and racism.

These are the basic building foundations for a new Malaysia. Once these are in place, then the rest of the repairs can be done effectively.

Anonymous_a01a7b4a: During the last few years under former PM Najib Razak, our family had given up hope on Malaysia.

Thus, we had applied for and gotten our permanent residencies (PR) for another country. But with this change of government, there is light at the end of the tunnel and a promising future awaits us.

We don't mind sacrificing our PRs and returning to Malaysia, as after all, this is our homeland and where our hearts are.


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