YOGA CONTROVERSY - THANK YOU TUANKU! DAULAT TUANKU!

In the midst of so much controversy, tensions and anxiety a forceful yet clear voice was heard and that came from my beloved Sultan of Selangor!

Yes - indeed my beloved Sultan - the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah hopes that in future, any decision on a fatwa (religious edict) involving an issue affecting the public be referred to the Conference of Malay Rulers before being announced.

The Sultan was right in citing that this was to ensure that the decision on the fatwa would be channelled to the people in a wise manner to avoid any confusion and controversy.

Sultan Sharafuddin had stated this in a statement issued by his private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani following the fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council on Saturday that yoga is “haram” (forbidden in Islam) as it contains Hindu elements, thus could affect the “aqidah” (faith) of Muslims who practise yoga.

It was also timely for our beloved Sultan to say that the fatwa banning Muslims from practising yoga had not been enforced in Selangor as it had not been brought before the State Fatwa Committee.

He added that the committee chaired by Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid will meet to discuss in-depth yoga activities in the state to avoid making a hasty decision.

And that when a final decision is made by the Selangor State Fatwa Committee on the matter, it will be presented to the Sultan for consent!

As far as I understand this is in accordance and is in line with the provisions in the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment 2003 on the acceptance of a decision on fatwa!

DAULAT TUANKU!

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KEEPING THEM HONEST SERIES - BAN ON THAI CHICKEN LAUDED BY CONSUMER GROUP!

BAN ON THAI CHICKEN LAUDED BY CONSUMER GROUP! 

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) lauds the timely move by the Agriculture and Agro based Industry Ministry to freeze the issuing of permits for import of whole chicken and chicken parts from Thailand!

CASSA supports and hails the move as it was taken in the public interest and as a precautionary measure following the spread of the bird flu or the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the South East Asia region.

The ministry’s response we understand was spearheaded by the World Organization for Animal Health report of a bird flu outbreak in Sokhotai, Thailand.

It is pertinent that no quarters attempt to politicize this move undertaken in the consumer interest as on record we have in the past imported 769 tonnes of chicken from Thailand for the period between September and November this year!

CASSA also welcomes the confirmation from the Agriculture and Agro based Industry Ministry that the situation in the country was under control, with no report on the HPAI received by the Veterinary Service Department so far!

It is pertinent that we remain vigilant and it is pertinent that there be cross ministerial cooperation between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Defense, the Health Ministry and the Agriculture and Agro based Industry Ministry to make certain that the situation remains so on the ground and the marketplace and that irresponsible smuggling or imports will not put Malaysian consumers are risk to death or disease!

It is crucial that stakeholders in the industry are informed that their cooperation and support is vital for this and any irresponsible and wanton act to put Malaysian consumer at risk will be severely punished to the full extent of the law!

CASSA hopes with the present freezing of the permit, regular and comprehensive checks at the entry points along the border would be stepped up to prevent smuggling of the chicken into the country.

It is also pertinent that Malaysian consumers living along the border areas play their rightful role of informing the relevant authorities of any attempts by any quarters to undermine this ministerial move taken to protect the rights and interests of Malaysian consumers! 

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OBAMA WIN SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR CHANGE THAT WE CAN ALL BELIEVE IN!

OBAMA WINS - HE BECOMES THE USA’s 44TH PRESIDENT!

It is a pity that while most countries are fast changing some continue going backwards - and most importantly, show they have learnt nothing from past events nor history!

In a fast changing world with its new economics, free of race politics  - these fools will suffer ‘a fool’s death!’

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SMOKE FREE ZONES ENFORCEMENT - ENOUGH TALK WANT MORE ACTION PLEASE!

I have heard this before so it does not stimulate me as what said over the press and the reality on the ground are too far a difference!

But since, the newly minted Health Minister, Liow Tiong Lai (see pix) is ‘going on record’ to say that the Health Ministry is stepping up enforcement against smokers who light up in non-smoking areas, I will hold this against him, if he fails to live up to the expectations created in the consumer mind!

The key word in his statement was that ACTION - would be taken against restaurant owners who allowed smokers to puff away at non-smoking sections!

We are all aware that according to the law - Air-conditioned places such as restaurants must have separate smoking areas with their own vacuum system to prevent other parts of the premise being polluted but in reality is this done?

The only way out is for massive operations of raids and checks to ensure that the law is applied strictly and those violating this penalized!

It must be remembered those caught smoking at prohibited places and premise owners who neglect the rules face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years jail or both.

I will suggest a jail term to show that we mean business!

Any thing less is plain ‘poppycock and hypocrisy!’

And while we are talking about anti smoking strategies and actions - what happened to the proposed - ‘No Smoking in all Public Areas’ that is being enforced all over the world and the latest in India?

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ITS NAJIB AS EXPECTED AND UNCONTESTED! WELL DONE!

As expected, deputy premier, Najib Abdul Razak today won the Umno president post uncontested by virtue of being the only candidate having the necessary nominations from the party divisions to qualify for the election.    He picked up his 133rd nomination from the 191 Umno divisions this afternoon, ensuring that rival candidate Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will not be able to get the 59 required to qualify for the contest. We wish the Najib and look forward to working with his administration in the near future! MAY GOD HELP US ALL! PLEASE JOIN THE PRAYER CHAIN!    Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!