Umno without Dr. Mahathir
by Biqalam DKL

As he walked into the hall in an Alor Star hotel on Wesak Day to address about two thousand disenchanted Malays, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, smiling broadly shook hands, as is customary. He knew the majority in the audience considered him as an icon who had returned to his home state to lampoon and attack Prime Minister Abdullah's bumbling and inept leadership.

To adying Umno leaders and Abdullah's son-in-law and cronies were the other main targets of his barbed remarks and wit. His sarcasm drew applause and laughter as he poured contempt on them. The doctor's banter resonated with them because it jibed with recent developments and reports. It was a day of some good humoured and not-so-good humoured banter about their political differences.

Dr. Mahathir's lucid narration of Malaysian history; and an unedifying saga of humiliations and Umno folklore made the audience laugh, angry but mainly sombre. There were times during the three-hour meeting when the drop of a pin could have been heard. Then as suddenly as the sombre mood became noticeably more sombre, Dr. Mahathir dropped the bombshell: he was leaving the ruling party he once helmed for more than two decades and urged members to follow suit though not to join Opposition parties. When the audience missed the nuances of his remarks he reiterated it during the Q & A session and confirmed it at the media conference. The Umno Supreme Council quickly accepted Dr. Mahathir's resignation during a special meeting two days later (Wednesday, 22 May).
He did not act on impulse nor was he tempestuous. I know for sure Dr. Mahathir had thought through his action following his surprise meeting with Najib Razak two previous Sundays. In any event, what's done cannot be undone. Of course, he would return to the Umno fold the moment his nemesis leaves office.

Dr. Mahathir has accused and continually derided Abdullah, his handpicked successor whom he has disowned, for dismally failing to protect 'the Malay race, its sovereignty, Islam and the country and its independent foreign policy'. Let there be no doubt that he is, so it seems, playing the race card because he genuinely believes the Malays are in danger of losing their special privileges and position as the non-Malays have suddenly surged and become more assertive and even dare to question entrenched Malay institutions.

However, you must read all this in the light of the prevailing political situation, the Malays, at various levels, are feeling the heat. The ground is fertile for Dr. Mahathir or anybody else to raise fears amongst them. Dr. Mahathir is trying to persuade them that unless there is a change in Umno leadership it will be a matter of time the Malays will lose out to the other Malaysians. This is, I think, a part of a larger strategy of Dr. Mahathir in his battle to topple Abdullah who is widely perceived to be incapable of protecting the Malays nor for that matter the other Malaysians against various social and economic dissatisfactions.
Dr. Mahathir also stated that Abdullah had destabilised Umno by not being able to lead it to its usual victory in the last general election. He has effectively nearly destroyed Gerakan and weakened other BN component parties.

The Dr. Mahathir – Abdullah hostility began four years ago over various political issues reaching its new level or higher bar during the Wesak holiday (Monday 19 May). Dr. Mahathir had castigated Abdullah for losing five states and the federal territory for the first time in 51 years, the usual two thirds majority in parliament and for the first ever a sitting prime minister where he is the party chief lost his home state. Dr. Mahathir is enraged by Abdullah's stubborn refusal to resign and continued insistence that neither Umno nor he had lost in the polls. Abdullah, on the other hand, said that he had done a good job, only missing eight seats from retaining the two thirds majority. He gloated time and again that the 8 March results were by no means a meagre achievement, so why should he resign.
The prime minister further infuriates Dr. Mahathir by his dogged self satisfaction and stance. This was the last straw for the combative doctor. It is not, as suggested, due to the publication of the findings of the Lingam video tape inquiry by the Royal Commission. He had repeatedly said he would defend himself in court and if found guilty serve time in jail.

Frustrated and realizing his position has become untenable he did what he did. Of course, Abdullah is no Tony Blair. Though comparison is odious the fact remains that when Blair sensed his presence was no longer welcomed he sensibly resigned rather than disadvantaged his party.
I could detect – I was in the front row seated directly opposite the rostrum – Dr. Mahathir was at the end of his tether when he made the unsurprising (at least not to me: I have long guessed this would come to pass some day) statement. He did it while maintaining a stiff upper lip. I felt sorry for him. I know it pained him no end to leave Umno which he joined in his late teens when the party was formed on May 11, 1946.

The loss of Kedah at the hands of PAS after Umno's 51–year rule was a personal trauma for which Dr. Mahathir may never recover compounded by defeats in Selangor, his wife's home state; Perak; Penang; the Federal Territory and failure to recapture Kelantan. I hazard to guess what was left of his milk of political kindness towards his successor evaporated on the day Buddhists devoted themselves to worship. Abdullah's shifting leadership becomes to many Malays, at least, a story that polarises Umno members and leaves behind wounds which would take a long time to heal.

Dr. Mahathir's desertion was openly welcomed, with much happiness by many, especially by Abdullah's devotees and supporters particularly those with personal vendettas. Embattled Abdullah has been trying to shore up his weak base support by doing what the voters – the urban electorate in particular – want such as anti-corruption drive and judicial reforms. Will this be enough to save Abdullah's hold on power? We shall see. The Umno presidential election is in December and Dr. Mahathir's 'radical action' I am quoting his own words may or may not intensify calls for Abdullah to quit his twin posts. What is certain is Umno's internal falling out should give the Pakatan Rakyat state governments a great opportunity to show Malaysians they are capable of governing well.

The ruling party squabbling ought to benefit PAS, the Islamic party, in particular. Its influential spiritual leader and menteri besar of Kelantan (into his 19 years), Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat said, "I am the happiest politician in the world” that Dr. Mahathir had left Umno and publicly and warmly invited him to join PAS because the spiritual leader stressed, "Dr. Mahathir is a strong leader with principle and sharp mind who will help rejuvenate PAS and inspire Umno members to migrate to PAS thus giving it a fillip to capture power at the centre”. When Dr. Mahathir was sacked from Umno in 1969, he spoke at PAS meetings. Will he do it again? Dr. Mahathir says he has a good platform – that of a former prime minister who for 22 years ran the nation.

The former prime minister had gone round the country to talk to the people and no doubt he would do with a vengeance and without any constraint now that he is no longer in Umno. He can now mount an all-out relentless and no holds barred attack on Abdullah and his administration. He will try to convince the silent majority that Abdullah, his family and cronies – he named all the notorious ones during his Wesak day speech – regarded themselves not simply leading Malaysia but as being Malaysia! Dr. Mahathir stresses that while the cronies may claim their boss is working for the nation the truth is he is working to preserve his own position and vested interests. As Winston Churchill aptly says, "there are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true”.

If Abdullah has, as boasted, achieved much during his five-year rule, I fail to understand why he finds it necessary to prevent, through various means, Umno leaders and members from meeting Dr. Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah? Dr. Mahathir – Abdullah clash should serve as an object lesson for Umno as much as for Malays. Unfortunately, Umno members, then and now, tend to be easily enraptured by personality and readily beguiled by a leader; they love to create 'heroes' and are invariably disappointed when the 'heroes' turn out to be human beings. Love or hate him, Dr. Mahathir has done much for Malaysia. He restructured the nation and the ruling party and all danced around him for more than two decades.

Hitherto, it may be an uphill battle for Dr. Mahathir to topple Abdullah who has let it be known that he intends to fight tooth and nail to stay in office, come what may. Umno has had six presidents in 62 years: Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Tun Razak, Hussein Onn, Dr. Mahathir and Abdullah Badawi. The first and the second died outside Umno, the third died in office; the fourth died party less. Dr. Mahathir, I think, will also die outside Umno unless Abdullah is out soon. Dr. Mahathir said he would only rejoin Umno after his nemesis is ousted. That looks like Abdullah will be the sole party leader to retire gracefully or otherwise and expire as an Umno member.

Onn left sulking when he failed in 1951 to persuade Umno to open its membership to all Malayans as we were then known before 1963; Tunku and Hussein died when they declined to join Umno Baru (formed by Dr. Mahathir to replace the original Umno which was declared illegal in 1988 following disputed party election results the previous year).

Who are Abdullah's probable successors whether he leaves on his own accord, forced out or defeated? By convention it will be Najib Razak. Tengku Razaleigh if he gets enough nominations (58 divisions out of 191) he will, I am sure, easily defeat either Abdullah or Najib in the Umno presidential election in December. For the moment, I can't think of anyone else other than the two except perhaps dark horse Muhyiddin Yassin.

The government's failed and failing policies, Dr. Mahathir's alienation, Anwar Ibrahim's disdain and the general disrespect shown by the BN component parties towards the Umno leadership make Umno members yearn for the coming change of leadership. According to various academicians, some of whom are known pro-government prototypes, "Abdullah is totally discredited within Umno and the Barisan component parties and stays in power simply protected by the tight rules that prevent any challenge to him, ironically all these measures were introduced by the very man who is now seeking to oust him”. I personally yearn for a more civilised political debate. This is essential for the evolving Malaysian democracy. It is also for regaining the world's respect.

Dr. Mahathir has sparred with world leaders the likes of George W Bush and Lee Kuan Yew, and impressed westerners, neighbours and Malaysians alike with his political and personal courage and his acumen. Many believe, in good time, Dr. Mahathir's warning about Abdullah will happen. A living legend leaves the party to fight from without whilst his son Mukhriz, MP for Jerlun, half his age, remains in Umno to continue his dad's fight from within. Many riveting stories when faith, courage and culture collide lie ahead. However, at the time of writing (Friday, 23 May) few and none current big names despite Dr. Mahathir's urging those who share his view to leave the party have done so. Nevertheless, stay tuned.
It's good news for his detractors and his enemies who can't stand his persona, politics and policies and not wont to his way. It is bad tidings for his supporters. That not withstanding, imagine Umno without Dr. Mahathir. A good friend insists what Dr. Mahathir did 'is a cunning strategy'. No doubt Dr. Mahathir was a dominant political figure; still influential, assertive and he will tough-talk until his last breath. He will use whatever weapon in his arsenal to unseat prime minister Abdullah and president of Umno. I think it is too early to write Dr. Mahathir's political obituary. The outcome of all this depends on how the game is being played out there between now and December.

As for the offer from Najib Razak for discussions it is a bit too late, I think. Still, a conciliatory statement unlike many hawks in the Abdullah camp. However, as Abdullah himself had said, Dr. Mahathir must have carefully thought through his action. He did, prime minister, but only after he met your deputy. Whether Dr. Mahathir's departure is good for Umno as asserted by Abdullah's mentor remains to be seen. Dr. Mahathir has left behind – many feel - a legacy of remarkable achievements for his nation, bitterness and humiliation for Abdullah. Nevertheless, it is too early to pass judgement on Umno's former Mr Umno because his reputation, contribution and role remain in flux; he has left a legacy far more complex.

Whatever, Dr Mahathir has, to a large extent, succeeded in painting Abdullah among the Malays as a man who has abandoned 'kedaulatan Melayu' (the ascendant position of Malays) and he will always be seen as emblematic of the ills and what is wrong in Umno, in this country and for using huge arsenal of wile, guile and ruse to get what the well–connected want. Dr Mahathir has managed to unmask those who masquerade as virtuous, devout believers and champions of democratic values. Meanwhile, as Abdullah faces mounting pressure (to quit) and as a result of Dr. Mahathir's shocking resignation, the political risk in Malaysia has retched up, says Raymond Tang, who oversees RM 18 billion as chief investment officer at CIMB-Principal Asset Management Berhad, part of the conglomerate headed by Nazir Razak, the clever kid brother of Najib Razak. (Edge

Financial Daily, Thursday, May 22)

Another investment whiz kid says, "if a prime minister cannot effect any meaningful change after five years, it's time for him to be booted out,” adding, "that's what will happen to me if I don't perform within one financial year.”
Dr. Mahathir's exit can also be viewed as helping Abdullah to do what he likes. Like aggressively pursuing an inclusive Malaysian Malaysia policy, the way forward for Malaysia. But I suggest he also revisits Malaysian history for it does tell us a lot about what Malaysians can and cannot take. -ES

Insuran Konvensional

Perbahasan Insuran Nyawa Konvensional

Secara am insuran ditakrifkan sebagai satu pakatan oleh sekumpulan ahli untuk mewujudkan satu tabung atau dana kewangan bersama yang khusus bagi tujuan membantu ahli ketika ditimpa musibah. Amalan seumpama ini selaras dengan tuntutan Islam. Kerjasama, saling bantu membantu dan prihatin kepada golongan yang memerlukan bantuan kerana seperti yang tersirat dalam konsep insuran adalah selari dengan tuntutan Islam, sebagaimana maksud hadis yang berbunyi:“Sesungguhnya seseorang yang beriman ialah sesiapa yang boleh memberi keselamatan dan perlindungan terhadap harta dan jiwa raga manusia” (Riwayat Ibnu Majah).

Konsep insuran sudah lama dipraktikkan. Dalam zaman Jahiliyyah ia adalah antara beberapa bentuk amalan kerjasama dikalangan puak atau suku kaum Arab sebagai strategi mambantu sesama mereka apabila ada anggota atau ahli yang menanggung kesusahan, seperti pembunuhan, penculikan, rompakan dan sebagainya. Malahan kini diperakui bahawa insuran telah berkembang daripada amalan Islam. Walaubagaimanapun ulama umumnya sepakat bahawa operasi insuran dalam bentuknya sekarang tidak menepati hukum syarak. Jika konsep insuran diterima Islam, mengapa pula operasi seperti yang ada dalam pelbagai jenis polisi yang disediakan oleh syarikat insuran sekarang didiapati bercanggah dengan kehendak syarak.

Walaupun konsep insurans sudah lama dipraktikkan, tetapi para fuqaha’ zaman dahulu tidak membincangkan secara langsung mengenai hukum membabitkan diri dalam sistem ini. Kebanyakan pandangan dan hukum mengenai insuran ini dibahaskan oleh para fuqaha’ mu‘asar (masa kini). Ia juga tidak dikategorikan sebagai sunnah Rasul SAW.Jawatankuasa Fatwa, Majlis Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Kebangsaan, dalam mesyuarat pada 15 Jun 1972, memutuskan bahawa insuran nyawa sebagaimana dijalankan oleh syarikat insuran yang ada pada hari ini adalah suatu muamalat yang fasid kerana tidak sesuai dengan prinsip Islam dari segi aqadnya, kerana mengandungi unsur yang tidak Islamik; yang mana hukumnya menurut syariat Islam adalah HARAM.

Selain itu, Kesatuan Fiqh Islam (Majma’ Fiqh) yang mana anggotanya terdiri daripada ulama’ dari seluruh dunia Islam termasuk Malaysia dan diasaskan dibawah Persidangan Pertubuhan Negara-negara Islam (OIC), dalam mesyuaratnya di Jeddah pada 22-28 Disember 1995 memutuskan selepas mengkaji semua jenis dan bentuk insurans, bahawa kontrak perniagaan insurans yang disediakan oleh syarikat insurans mengandungi unsur yang membawa kepada fasid.Jelas, menurut Majma’ Fiqh, ia HARAM disisi syarak.

Daripada kedua-dua keputusan, ini jelas menunjukkan ulama’ sependapat bahawa kedua-dua jenis perniagaan insurans nyawa dan am adalah tidak menepati landasan syariah. Ini kerana polisi insurans adalah kontrak atau akad jual beli. Di bawah urusan transaksinya, pembeli yang dipanggil pemegang polisi dikehendaki membayar wang premium sebagai harga kepada syarikat insurans yang menjual polisi insurans yang menyediakan faedah perlindungan sama ada untuk diri (nyawa) atau harta benda pemegang polisi itu sendiri. Jual beli dalam Islam mempunyai rukun tertentu. Sekiranya salah satu rukun itu tidak dipenuhi, maka akad jual beli dikira tidak sempurna dan boleh membatalkan akad tersebut.

Dalam kontrak jual beli insurans, salah satu rukun yang tidak sempurna ialah yang berkaitan dengan ma’qud ‘alaih (apa yang diakadkan). Perkara atau apa yang diakadkan, yang dibeli atau dijual, mestilah jelas dan tidak mengadungi unsur ‘gharar’. Jika rukun ini tidak dipenuhi, maka akad jual beli menjadi cacat. Gharar dilarang oleh Rasulullah SAW mengikut sabda baginda yang bermaksud:“Rasulullah SAW melarang jual beli secara baling batu (al-hasah) dan jual beli barang yang tidak pasti (al-gharar) ” (Riwayat Muslim).

Sehubungan itu, ulama’ menjelaskan maksud gharar dalam salah satu daripada tiga keadaan berikut;1. Tiada barang yang dijual beli (akad jual beli tanpa barang).2. Ada barang tetapi tidak boleh diserah kepada pembeli, dan3. Ada barang dan ia boleh diserahkan kepada pembeli tetapi ia tidak dapat ditentukan atau tidak jelas sama ada sifatnya, caranya, banyaknya atau lain-lain.

Dalam masalah ini, ulama’ berpendapat perkara ke-3 di atas menunjukkan ada unsur gharar dalam konteks jual beli insurans. Dalam setiap urusan, Islam sentiasa menekankan kepada prinsip keadilan dan kebaikan. Unsur gharar menafikan kedua-dua prinsip ini. Mana-mana kontrak jual beli yang mengandugi amalan atau mengenakan syarat berat sebelah dan kesannya boleh membawa kerugian kepada sebelah pihak sahaja adalh jual beli gharar. Misalnya, syarat yang menetapkan luputnya wang pembeli atau pengembalian wang tidak mengikut kiraan yang adil, sekiranya pembeli terbabit tidak memenuhi kewajipan, tempoh atau tanggungjawab tertentu seperti membatalkan atau memecahkan akad sebelum genap tempoh yang dipersetujui. Urusan jual beli seperti ini, tidak mengambil kira langsung kepentingan keadilan dan kebaikan kepada akid atau pihak-pihak yang berakad, lebih-lebih lagi pembeli yang menyumbangkan wang.

Kaedah TakafulBerbeza dengan insurans, operasi takaful sebagai satu bentuk perniagaan adalah tidak berasas kepada akad jual beli semata-mata. Dalam hubungan ini, peserta takaful tidak membeli produk takaful daripada syarikat takaful dan sebaliknya syarikat takaful tidak menjual produk itu seperti syarikat-syarikat insurans menjual polisi insurans. Apa pun konsep takaful, seperti insurans, tetap mementingkan dan menghayati amalan kerjasama, tolong-menolong, setiakawan atau ringkasnya saling jamin menjamin diantara mereka.

Umumnya, struktur perjalanan takaful tidak banyak berbeza dengan insurans. Disatu pihak ada peserta yang melanggani produk takaful daripada pihak yang menyediakan produk itu, iaitu syarikat takaful. Kedua-dua pihak ini akan memeteraikan akad. Oleh kerana wang sumbangan dibayar oleh peserta dengan tujuan untuk menabung dan mendapat untung sambil berniat untuk membantu rakan peserta yang memerlukan bantuan ketika ditimpa musibah, maka operasi takaful lebih berbentuk satu usaha pelaburan.

Oleh yang demikian wang sumbangan peserta tidak menjadi hak syarikat. Sedangkan di bawah system jual beli insurans, wang premium menjadi hak syarikat insurans sebagai balasan pemegang polisi membeli polisi insurans daripada syarikat berkenaan. Sesuai dengan struktur operasinya, ulama’ memutuskan bahawa akad takaful adalah HARUS berasaskan prinsip al-Mudharabah atau berkongsi untung dalam perniagaan. Peserta akan berhak mendapat untung daripada bahagian tabungan atas pulangan pelaburan yang dijalankan oleh syarikat takaful. Diwaktu yang sama, peserta juga bersetuju menyumbang sebagai tabarru’ (derma) sebahagian daripada sumbangannya dan untung pelaburan keatasnya bagi tujuan membantu rakan peserta yang ditimpa kesusahan.

Wallahu a'alam

Bestari Jawi Azmaniy

JAWI
Jaga-Amanah-Warisan-Ibunda

Salam ukhuwah diucapkan buat seluruh ummah, khususnya umat MELAYU di Nusantara istimewa di Malaysia tercinta...

Telah berdekad lamanya tulisan Jawi terpinggir...terpinggir dek anak bangsa sendiri yang semacam hilang identiti diri...Jawi yang merupakan khazanah warisan umat melayu tidak lagi menjadi 'pengantara' dalam mewarnai dunia kehidupan umat..sedang bangsa-bangsa lain tidak pun meninggalkan tulisan jiwa bangsa mereka.

Kaum Tionghua, India, Thai dan lain2 masih tahu menulis dan membaca bahasa asal ibunda.. Kenapa kita tidak??? Kita hanya mampu bertutur namun tak tahu menulis dan membaca tulisan asal kita. Di mana silapnya???

Sesungguhnya 'PERMATA YANG HILANG' ini perlu dicari, perlu ditebus jika tergadai..oleh siapa? Siapa lagi jika bukan kita.