ISDEV LECTURE SERIES ON CONTEMPORARY ISLAM IN MALAYSIA FOR NORWAY UNIVERSITIES' STUDENTS

2 Feb- 30 undergraduate students from Agder University and Bergen University College, Norway, were at ISDEV to participate in the 4th Annual Lecture Series on Contemporary Islam in Malaysia. They were led by Professor Dr Levi Geir Eidhamar. It was an annual occasion resulting from a signing of an MoU between ISDEV and the Norway Universities four years ago.

This year, Dr Shaikh Abdullah from the School of Distance Education delivered a talk on 'The Use of the Name of Allah SWT' while Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid from the same School delivered a talk on 'Bumiputera Policies in Malaysia'. Dr Zakaria Bahari from ISDEV serves as the chairman of the program.

Back row from left: Dr Zakaria Bahari, Dr Shaikh Abdullah and Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi

Second from left: Professor Dr Levi Geir Eidhamar

The talk in progress

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 8

Oleh:HermanSamsudeen
Tarikh: Oktober 22, 2008

Kontrak Sosial Perlu Jadi Kurikulum Universiti

PULAU PINANG 21 Okt (Utusan Malaysia). - Naib Presiden UMNO, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mencadangkan supaya kontrak sosial dijadikan kurikulum di universiti bagi menjelaskan isu itu yang kini sering dipersoalkan oleh pelbagai pihak.

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri itu berkata, penjelasan kepada generasi muda khususnya pelajar universiti penting bagi mengelakkan kekeliruan di kalangan mereka.

Katanya, jika perkara itu dapat difahami dengan betul, maka tiada pihak yang akan mempersoalkan mengenainya kerana sudah termaktub dalam Perlembagaan.

“Yang penting bukan mempersoalkan kontrak sosial tapi penjelasan supaya generasi muda faham apa itu kontrak sosial kerana tidak semua faham mengenai kontrak sosial dan mengaitkannya dengan sejarah negara adalah penting untuk diberitahu kepada mereka,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas menyampaikan syarahan Politik Melayu-Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaian di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), di sini hari ini.

Ceramah anjuran Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) dan Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen itu dihadiri oleh pelajar dan tenaga pengajar USM.

Bagaimanapun, Muhyiddin berkata, kurikulum kontrak sosial berkenaan bukannya untuk didebatkan atau dipertikaikan oleh ahli akademik, sebaliknya bagi memberi penjelasan penuh.

Oleh itu, katanya, peranan penting haruslah dimainkan para pensyarah di universiti dalam memberikan penjelasan berkaitan dengan kontrak sosial itu.

“Penjelasan yang berkesan penting kerana apabila pelajar ini keluar dan bercampur dengan masyarakat mereka akan mudah untuk memahami konsep demokrasi dan perlembagaan yang kita ada,” katanya.

Tambah Muhyiddin, perkara yang termaktub dalam perlembagaan juga sama sekali tidak perlu diungkit dan jangan ada pihak cuba mempolitikkannya kerana ia boleh mengugat keharmonian negara.

Minggu lalu, raja-raja Melayu mengingatkan semua pihak supaya tidak lagi mempertikai dan mempersoalkan kontrak sosial, apa lagi menyemak semula atau mengubahnya kerana ia menjadi asas utama pembentukan negara ini.

Dalam kenyataan khas yang dikeluarkan menerusi Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja, Tan Sri Engku Ibrahim Engku Ngah, raja-raja menegaskan, kaum bukan Melayu tidak perlu bimbang mengenai hak sah mereka kerana ia dijamin mengikut Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan peruntukan Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri yang termaktub dalam Perkara 153 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Pemuda wilayah - pendekatan menerang lebih baik dari kita melarang orang bercakap soal kontrak sosial. Isu ini perlu dijelaskan seawal usia persekolahan lagi agar setiap rakyat memahami kepentingan perpaduan. Masalahnya pemimpin Umno dan Mca sendiri sering berbalah kerana tak faham tentang Kontrak ini. Adakah ianya wujud secara bertulis atau setakat faham-faham sahaja.Maka pemimpin kedua pasti ini lebih dulu perlu dikursuskan bagi memahamkan mereka soal Kontrak ini."

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 7

By: Promusm

Posted on October 21, 2008

Seminar politik 'Melayu-Islam' gamat, ProM nyata pendirian

Dewan Budaya USM Dimaklumkan sambutan Seminar Politik Melayu Islam, Kemelut dan Penyelesaiannya yang dianjurkan oleh Centre for Islamic Development and Management Studies (ISDEV) mendapat partisipasi yang luar biasa dari pelbagai pihak di sini.

Ucaptama seminar tersebut disampaikan oleh Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin turut mendapat respon positif oleh peserta seminar yang hadir.

Menurut wartawan kami, Sdr. Muhammad Al-Amien Sobri dalam sesi soal jawab, hanya tiga peserta dibenarkan bercakap. Masing-masing meletakkan harapan yang tinggi kepada Muhyiddin untuk melakukan perubahan menyeluruh dalam Pemilihan Agong UMNO (PAU) pada Mac tahun depan.

Turut hadir Pengerusi ProM USM dan beberapa pemimpin umum pertubuhannya.

Ketika ditanya apakah pendirian langsung Pengerusi ProM USM, Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali, maka ini jawapannya:

Pendirian kita (ProM USM) jelas (iaitu) mahu Universiti dan mahasiswa menjadi pemangkin kepada perubahan nilai dan penyelesai kemelut politik Melayu-Islam di Malaysia. Ini kerana kami yakin bahawa penyarah-pensyarah kita sangat jujur dan berdisiplin dalam menanggapi satu-satu permasalahan masyarakat, bukan bersifat politik kepartian” respon Sdr. Adi Syahid melalui telefon.

Sdr. Adi Syahid juga menjelaskan bahawa ProM bercadang untuk menyatakan pendirian dan membuat serahan tangan Memorandum Mahasiswa dalam seminar yang bermakna tersebut, namun gagal.

Ketika ditanya adakah ProM cuba mengambil sikap nasionalisme atau cauvenisme Melayu sebagaimana sisi pihak-pihak ‘tertentu’ dalam Universiti, ini pula penjelasannya:

Kemelut Melayu-Islam ini wajar ditangani bersama oleh mahasiswa dan Universiti. Secara peribadi, saya sendiri yakin bahawa kaum-kaum lain tidak pernah cemburu dan marah kepada pemimpin Melayu yang adil dan saksama. Yang mereka marah dan bosan adalah pemimpin-pemimpin Malaysia dan Melayu yang tidak bermaruah, mengamalkan politik wang, menekan perkembangan etnik-etnik minoriti dan menyalahgunakan ISA dan sebagainya,” tegas Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali.

Tambah beliau lagi, ProM berpandangan bahawa YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin lebih layak menggantikan YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi dalam proses peralihan kuasa Mac ini kerana beliau dikenali sebagai seorang yang bebas dari spekulasi jenayah, politik wang, berpegangan agama dan lebih toleransi; jika dibandingkan beberapa individu lain dalam UMNO buat masa ini.

ProM memaklumkan bahawa petang ini akan berlangsungnya mesyuarat penting dalam kalangan anggota ProM yang pelbagai bangsa dan idealogi di sekitar Transkerian untuk mencanai idea perubahan serta isu-isu yang berkaitan Melayu-Islam agar motto Bersama Universiti Menjunjung Perubahan berjaya digarapkan secara konsistan.

Seminar tersebut dilaksanakan secara sukarela oleh calon-calon Sarjana Tinggi Universiti -END

Dibawah ini adalah Draff Memo tersebut

MEMORANDUM TERGEMPAR

PRO-MAHASISWA UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA (Pro-M USM)

BERHUBUNG ISU MENANGANI KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM

Kepada:

YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri

Kerajaan Malaysia

Selasa, 21 Oktober 2008, Dewam Budaya USM

PENDAHLUAN

Kami, pemimpin-pemimpin ProM USM dengan penuh rasa tanggungjawab dan prihatin degan isu kemelut politik Melayu-Islam yang cuba ditangani oleh Jabatan Pembangunan Pengurusan Islam (ISDEV) USM.

Secara asasnya, kami ingin menyatakan sokongan yang bulat kepada YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin untuk menangani isu kemelut politik Melayu-Islam di Malaysia ini.

Walaupun demikian, kami melihat cita-cita YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sendiri wajar direalisasikan sekiranya Universiti menjadi pomangkin nilai politik Melayu-Islam.

Bagi kami, Universiti atau ISDEV sendiri wajar dijadikan sekretariat pada penanganan kemelut politik Islam inio sekiranya semua pihak serius mahu menyelesaikan masalah bersama ini.

Ini kerana Universiti adalah pusat perkembangan nilai dan kemelut ini hanya mampu diselesaikan dengan syarat sekretariat ini disegani oleh masyarakat dan jujur dengan disiplin ilmu pengetahuan mereka masing-masing.

Justeru, kami pemimpin-pemimpin ProM USM sekali lagi ingin menyatakan sokongan bulat kepada YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM Universiti Apex wajar menjadi pemangkin utama pada penilaian semula kemelut politik Melayu-islam ini.

RUMUSAN PRO-M USM TENTANG ‘KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM’

1. Kemelut politik ini berpunca oleh pengabaian nilai-nilai baik oleh ahli-ahli politik dan parti-parti yang berlandaskan Melayu-Islam.

2. Tiadanya seseorang public figure atau institusi yang disegani oleh semua pihak untuk membincangkan isu Melayu-Islam secara serius dan progresif.

3. Ketidakseimbangan pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu-Islam dalam kelas masyarakat di Malaysia sehingga mennyebabkan berlakunya vacuum dalam perjuangan agenda Melayu-Islam.

4. Ahli-ahli Parlimen Melayu-Islam lebih berpolitik dari mengetengahkan kepentingan melayu Islam di Parlimen yang bermanfaat.

TUNTUTAN KAMI, PRO-M USM DEMI MENANGANI KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM

1. USM dijadikan sekretariat untuk menghimpunkan semua pihak dan membincangkan isu kepentingan Melayu-Islam di peringkat nasional.

2. Kami mencadangkan pihak berwajib menubuhkan Kelab Penyokong Isu Melayu-Islam di Parlimen yang terdiri oleh MP-MP Melayu-Islam yang merentasi idealogi politik kepartian dan sebagainya.

3. YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM dicadangkan untuk membuka pintu perwacanaan berhubung isu kependidikan, bahasa Melayu dan tulisan Jawi, kedudukan Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu, Special Position Melayu-Islam dan kedudukan Islam itu sendiri.

Justeru, kami ProM USM sekali lagi menaruh harapan yang tinggi agar segala tuntutan kami ini dibincangkan secara serius dan lanjut oleh pihak berwajib khususnya YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM sendiri. Kami juga bersedia bila-bila masa untuk bersama-sama semua pihak demi menangani kemelut politik Melayu-Islam ini agar tidak berpanjangan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

**BERSAMA UNIVERSITI MENJUNJUNG PERUBAHAN**

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 6

By : Promusm
Date: 22 Oct 2008

Cadangan subjek 'Kontrak Sosial', ProM puji Muhyiddin

FOYER DK USM ProM menyifatkan cadangan Naib Presiden UMNO, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yang mencadangkan ‘kontrak sosial’ dijadikan subjek di Universiti sebagai suatu langkah berani dan rasional demi memastikan pendidikan tinggi untuk mahasiswa; di sini.

Bagi saya, ‘Kontrak Sosial’ telah lama dimeterai (dan) saya yakin generasi pasca merdeka (mahasiswa) hari ini kurang didedahkan tentang kontrak tersebut dan perlembagaan sendiri, walhal perkara-perkara tersebut sangat diperlukan. Sebab itu, saya melihat cadangan Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin) tersebut wajar dipuji kerana sikapnya yang berani dan rasional,” jelas Pengerusi ProM, Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali.

Beliau juga mencadangkan kurikulum baru ini patut memberi fokus pada pengajian hak asasi mahasiswa, perlembagaan dan AUKU sendiri secara koprehensif dan sepadu supaya mahasiswa turut mengetahui dan sedar apakah hak-hak mereka dalam Universiti dan negara.

Pengerusi ProM juga mencadangkan USM mengambil inisiatif awal dan progresif untuk mempertimbangkan cadangan Tan Sri Muhyiddin tersebut, seterusnya merangka kurikulum berkaitan.

Cadangan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tersebut telah diucaptamakan dalam Seminar Politik Melayu-Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaiannya pada pagi kelmarin di Dewan Budaya di sini.

Seminar bermakna tersebut dianjurkan bersama oleh Pusat Kajian Pembangunan dan Pengurusan Islam (ISDEV) dan Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen.

Sebelum ini, Kerajaan dan Parlimen pernah berbahas dan melaksanakan kurikulum TITAS, Hubungan Etnik dan Pengajian Malaysia di beberapa Universiti, atas tujuan yang sama

Kenyataan ini dibuat semasa Pengerusi ProM menyertai Sukarelawannya di Kaunter Perkhidmatan ProM Akses-Cetak Slip Menduduki Peperiksaan, di sini.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 5

By:Bernama
Date : 22 Oct 2008

Explain social contract issues to students, minister tells universities

Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said explaining the issues to the younger generation especially university students was important so as to avoid confusion.

“The important thing is not to question the social contract but to give an explanation so that they understand what the social contract is all about especially among the younger generation, because not all understand the social contract.

“Therefore, giving the explanation with proper methods and linking it with the country’s history is important,” he told reporters after delivering a lecture on Malay-Muslim Politics - Crisis and Solution at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

The lecture, organised by the Centre of Islamic Development Management Studies and Nurul Yaqeen Foundation, was attended USM students and lecturers.

Besides, he said, university lecturers should play a crucial role in giving the explanation.

“An effective explanation is important because when the students leave and mix around with the community, it will be easy for them to understand the concept of democracy and the constitution that we have,” said Muhyiddin who is International Trade and Industry Minister.

He said the social contract issues had been solved long ago and all parties should accept it.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 4

By:Bernama
Date:October 21, 2008 18:52 PM

Pick Capable Leaders, Says Muhyiddin

PENANG, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that in the coming march party polls he wants the concept of meritocracy to be practised by electing capable leaders and rejecting those who indulge in money politics.

He said only genuine leaders would be on the frontlines of the party's agenda, especially in facing Umno's "enemies", and who would not "hide" behind party members.

"We have to develop in our country's politics a system of meritocracy. We should not elect a leader just because we know him and he has money but we must choose based on ability, credibility and experience," he said.

Muhyiddin said this to reporters after delivering a lecture titled 'Malay-Islamic Politics: Crisis and Solution' organised by the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) and the Nurul Yaqeen Foundation at Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said that the matter was important in view of the fact that Umno as a political party had rejected money politics.

"This is a serious matter and has to be handled as soon as possible, the party has long rejected such practice and the people too cannot accept it," he said.

Muhyiddin voiced concern on the possibility of such culture during the party's divisional meetings that were being held throughout the country now.

"A high level of commitment is needed by all quarters, including from leaders who are contesting, and delegates who nominate.

"If this practice is not stopped, I worry that it can adversely affect Umno's image as the largest political party in Malaysia. It can also destroy Umno," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin expressed happiness and thanks for the nominations he received so far as a party deputy president candidate.

He said the support he received from the grassroots would spur him to serve and devote himself to the party.

"Thank God for the nominations I have received so far. This is just a start, the meetings have a long way to go. I hope those at the grassroots will continue to support me and that the support will remain for a long time," he said.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 3

By:Mohd Sabri Said Tue Oct 21, 08 4:13:41 pm Muhyidin akui berlaku ketirisan dalam penyaluran peruntukan DEB

PULAU PINANG, 21 Okt (Hrkh) - Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Tan Sri Muhyidin Yasin menempelak sebahagian kepimpinan Umno yang suka mengambil kesempatan daripada peruntukan kerajaan sehingga mengakibatkan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) dipertikaikan banyak pihak sekali gus memberi tamparan hebat terhadap Barisan Nasional (BN) semasa pilihanraya umum ke-12 Mac lalu. Jelasnya, paras kejayaan DEB tidak berganjak apabila hanya mencatatkan 19.4% di mana angka tersebut telah wujud sejak tahun 1980-an lagi "Kerajaan BN memang sebuah kerajaan yang prihatin dari segi memberikan bantuan kepada rakyat contohnya ketika saya menjadi Menteri Pertanian, Industri Asas Tani peruntukan diberikan sehingga melibatkan jutaan ringgit kepada sektor perladangan tetapi malang hasilnya orang Melayu masih berada di tahap rendah dan mendukacitakan," tegasnya ketika berucap dalam 'Syarahan ISDEV VII: Politik Melayu Islam, Kemelut dan Penyelesaian' di Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Pulau Pinang pagi tadi. Fenomena itu katanya, menjatuhkan imej Umno dan BN di kaca mata rakyat yang kini telah matang apabila BN hanya memperolehi 140 kerusi sahaja di mana Umno menguasai 79 kerusi di parlimen. Selepas SAPP keluar daripada BN bermakna status BN makin mengecil iaitu tinggal 138 kerusi parlimen dan ini tentunya meresahkan kedudukan walaupun BN menang tanpa dua pertiga majoriti sebagaimana dalam pilihan raya umum sebelum ini, katanya. "Kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat di lima buah negeri iaitu Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Kelantan, Selangor termasuk Wilayah Persekutuan memberi kesan bahawa sokongan pada BN agak menurun dan semakin menipis," katanya. Peratusan orang Melayu di sektor ekonomi negara masih di tahap lama dan sikap ini menunjukan apa yang dirancang oleh kerajaan selama ini tidak mengubah prestasi atau peningkatan di kalangan pemikiran orang Melayu, jelasnya. Jika terdapat ketirisan dan kebocoran DEB disebabkan orang tertentu yang mengambil peluang maka ia begitu malang sekali, katanya. "Saya bimbang trend kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat berkekalan akibat tingkah laku yang tidak menyeronokan di kalangan kita sendiri," ujarnya di hadapan ratusan hadirin. Bagi menangani masalah ketirisan yang berpanjangan, Umno kena kaji semula struktur pelaksanaan semua dasar yang berkaitan dengan ekonomi orang Melayu kerana di peringkat akar umbi masyarakat Melayu masih berada di tahap rendah dan perlu diperbaiki dari semasa ke semasa, katanya. Katanya, kebanyakan golongan ini sama ada luar atau pinggiran bandar lazimnya pembahagian bantuan tidak disaksamakan sebaliknya ada yang ketinggalan. Sedangkan sambungnya, kebanyakan bantuan yang diluluskan oleh kerajaan dicurahkan kepada masyarakat luar bandar bagi mempertingkatkan mutu perkhidmatan apa yang dilaksanakan oleh mereka. "Sikap ini yang merancakkan sokongan pada pembangkang semasa pilihan raya umum lepas akibat ketirisan yang berpanjang Umno dihukum kononnya gagal mengambil tanggungjawab demi memartabatkan bangsa dan agama," ujar beliau. Justeru katanya, masalah kemiskinan di kalangan masyarakat Islam Melayu masih menebal dan tidak dapat dikurangkan saban tahun walhal kerajaan telah mencari berbagai kaedah terbaik untuk memenuhi rancangan menyifarkan kemiskinan di kalangan masyarakat terbabit. Soal pengagihan kekayaan di kalangan masyarakat Melayu juga tidak telus dan banyak tersasar dan ini sekali gus merencatkan cadangan kerajaan untuk meningkatkan kedudukan orang Melayu yang rata-rata ketinggalan dalam banyak aspek, katanya. "Begitulah nasib orang Melayu masa kini maka sebab itu saya agak lantang menyuarakan tentang perlunya peralihan kuasa yang memungkinkan berlaku anjakan baru terhadap orang Melayu yang diketepikan," terangnya mangakui peralihan kuasa perlu dipercepatkan demi menjaga kepentingan Umno dan Melayu itu sendiri. - mns _

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 2

By Andrea Filmer
Date:22 Oct 2008, Wednesday

Need to explain social contract to the young: Muhyiddin

GEORGE TOWN - There is a need to explain the history and rationale behind the country’s social contract but it must be done in a proper manner. Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the younger generation had not been equipped with knowledge on the agreement and was therefore susceptible to questioning it.

“Many younger Malaysians are not in the know about what the social contract is all about and yet, we say they have to respect this very important component in our constitution,” he said Tuesday after giving a talk in Universiti Sains Malaysia.Muhyiddin said the recent statement issued by the Conference of Rulers was a testament to the importance of protecting crucial elements in the social contract including the special status of bumiputras, protection of other races, Islam as the country’s official religion and position of the Rulers.

“I think there is a reason why the Rulers expressed themselves on these matters. Maybe there is a need to explain (the social contract) but it should not be a debate but more of an explanation on what the content is and its relation to history on how the agreement was drafted and accepted. Muhyiddin also proposed that the history of the social contract be embedded in the university curriculum. “It could be done academically within a proper environment as part of their (the students’) study. That would be a good start for the younger generation to be fully equipped with the basic fundamentals of the constitution,” he said.

When asked whether there would come a time when the social contract could be left behind, Muhyiddin said there was no timeline as it had already been enshrined in the country’s constitution. “There is no start or end; it is done and is part of our constitution. It has not outlived its time because that is what had been agreed upon.“There is no timeline for the social contract because it has already been enshrined (in the constitution). It is not a separate contract, but is in the constitution and has been adopted and accepted by all,” he said.

On concerns of an emerging trend of money politics in the Umno party elections, Muhyiddin said he had received reports about incidents but obtaining evidence was a challenge.

“We have already asked that the (Umno) disciplinary board be more aggressive in managing this issue and we also request members come forward to report (any incidents).“If we choose a leader just because he gives you more money, then we are going to put in leaders who are not accepted by Umno and the rest of the country and that will be very bad for us.“I hope delegates will evaluate the candidates on the basis of meritocracy because what we decide in the Umno Supreme Council has got a bearing on the nation as well,” he said.

Muhyiddin is currently the front runner for the deputy president post ahead of the party elections next March. On former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad making statements on the party, Muhyiddin said an open attitude needed to be adopted.

“Freedom of expression is part and parcel of the democracy that we practice. Of course sometimes it is not nice, but nothing is nice nowadays. And there are a lot grassroots members who talk a lot about what the Government is. Some you can hear, but many don’t.

“I do not think we can stop people from saying what they want to express, including Tun,” he said.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS-1

By: Himanshu Bhatt
Date : Wed, 22 Oct 2008

Muhyiddin calls for BN revamp

GEORGE TOWN (Oct 21, 2008) : Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for the format of Barisan Nasional (BN) to be revamped to make component parties officially work together in serving communities across the racial divide.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin giving his talk on Malay-Islamic politics at USM.

He said the ruling coalition needed to be reformed at national, state and divisional levels to change the public’s perception of it being racially segregated, in order to help it in the next general election. This would entail having one BN office in each division, with representatives of component parties tackling community problems together, not on basis of race but by interacting with everyone.

“Then you create a picture of a new BN where everybody helps each other. It is not just on racial lines,” said Muhyiddin, who is contesting the post of Umno deputy president at the party's polls in March. “It would make BN more acceptable as a party that fights for every race on an equal footing.”

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said this at a press conference after giving a talk on Malay-Islamic politics at Dewan Budaya, USM. The event was organised by the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV). Muhyiddin lamented that under the BN’s current “loose” format, parties only worked together during times like election periods.

“After that each component party acts on its own. MCA goes its own way, Umno goes its own way, MIC goes its own way. It does not seem as if we are working as one party together. “If there is a Chinese problem, it should not be left entirely with the MCA to deal with the problem. Umno must also come and help the Chinese,” he said. “When you have an Indian problem, don’t just leave it to MIC. Umno and MCA can also deal with it because we share a common vision.”

He said this was more important than the issue of posts within BN, which was recently brought up when MCA asked to be given a BN deputy chairman’s seat. Muhyiddin stressed there that the present set-up had worked well since BN was formed in 1974. “There is a history behind why the posts of chairman and deputy chairman are held by Umno, and why the heads of other component parties become vice-chairmen,” he said,

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (C) after delivering his talk on Malay-Islamic politics at USM. With him are Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh (Left), Director of the Centrefor Islamic Development Management Studies.

“Many younger Malaysians are not in the know what this social contract is all about,” he said. “And yet they have to respect this very important component in our constitution that has been achieved after consensus among the founding fathers. “Maybe there is a need to explain, but the way you do it must be properly done.”

“To say that you cannot express your views or what-not because your post is only of a vice-chairman is not correct,” he said. Muhyiddin also denied that the social contract in the Federal Constitution, which was recently upheld by the Conference of Rulers, has outlived its time. He lamented, however, that the new generation of Malaysians was ignorant about what the constitution had spelt out on the positions of the various races, Malay and non-Malay alike.

He said there was a need to make youngsters understand the historical context, and that it should be made a part of university curriculum. The programme should be aimed at explaining the social contract, not question it, he said.

SIRI SYARAHAN ISDEV KE-VII - TAN SRI DATO' MUHYIDDIN MOHD YASSIN

PETIKAN DARI BERITA USM

Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin Sampai Syarahan di USM

Y.B. Tan Sri’ Dato’ Hj. Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Malaysia akan menyampaikan syarahan bertajuk ‘Politik Melayu – Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaian’ pada hari Selasa, 21 Oktober 2008, jam 10.00 pagi di Dewan Budaya Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.

Menerusi sesi berkenaan, beliau akan mengupas senario politik semasa di negara ini dari perspektif masyarakat Melayu dan fahaman Islam selain turut mencadangkan usaha-usaha yang wajar dijalankan oleh segenap pihak ke arah kemajuan negara.

Syarahan beliau ini dianjurkan sempena Siri Syarahan Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) Ke-VII, USM.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi Sekretariat Siri Syarahan ISDEV di talian 04 – 653 2656/3422/2910 atau e-mel: isdev@usm.my.

INVITATION TO ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII: "MALAY-MUSLIM POLITICS: PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS" BY TAN SRI MUHYIDDIN YASSIN

On Tuesday 21st October 2008 beginning 9.30 am at Dewan Budaya Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, ISDEV in its 7th ISDEV Lecture Series will have Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industries Tan Sri Dato' Seri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin to speak on "Malay-Muslim Politics: Problems and Solutions". The programmes of the day are as follows:

9.30 am: Arrival of guests

9.45 am: Arrival of Tan Sri Dato' Seri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin

10.00 am: Asmaul-Husna

10.05 am: Lecture on Malay-Muslim Politics: Problems & Solutions

11.00 am: Questions and Answers

12.30 pm: Lunch

All are cordially invited.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VI

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VI

MISUNDERSTANDING OF ISLAMIC BANKING

By DATO' WAN ISMAIL WAN YUSOH

(General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Business Development of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad)

14 MAY 2008 (WEDNESDAY)

10.00 AM

TRAINING ROOM, INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (IPS), USM

All are cordially invited

ECONOMIC JIHAD HELD SUCCESSFULLY

As scheduled, the ISDEV Lecture Series IV was successfully held on 1 August 2007. The lecture on Economic Jihad by Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali Hashim, the CEO of JCorp, was heard by a packed audience, amounting to about 600 persons altogether.

The lecture was coorganized by ISDEV and the Islamic Religious Council of the State of Penang (MAINPP). Amongst the VIPs attended at the lecture were MAINPP Head YB Sahabuddin Yahaya and Deputy President of Islamic Trade Hall of Malaysia Dato' Seri Mohd Yusoff Latiff.

Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali began his lecture by defining the concept of and explaining the relationship between economic and business jihad, followed by a discussion on four main issues. The first was on the pertinent role of business jihad in the struggle of the ummah; the second on the business jihad as a means to face the challenge of `westoxication'; the third on the corporate waqf as a main strategy of business jihad; and finally on the fulfillment of the criteria of jihad and measurement of business success.

Some of the scenery of the ISDEV Lecture are as follows.

GENTLE REMINDER: ECONOMIC JIHAD

On Wednesday 1 August 2007 this week, Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali Hashim, the CEO of JCorp will speak on Economic Jihad at ISDEV Lecture Series IV at Dewan Budaya USM from 10 am till 12 pm.

Everyone is invited. The entrance is free.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES IV: ECONOMIC JIHAD

• ECONOMIC JIHAD
• TAN SRI DATO' MUHAMMAD ALI HASHIM (CEO Johor Corporation)
• 1 AUGUST 2007
• 9.30AM - 12.30 PM
• DEWAN BUDAYA, USM

ALL ARE CORDIALLY INVITED.
FREE.

Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali Hashim is a non-independent non executive director and the Chairman of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad. Tan Sri was appointed to the Board on 6 July 1982. Tan Sri is the Group Chief Executive of Johor Corporation (JCorp), the ultimate holding corporation of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, since January 1982. He graduated from University Malaya with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) degree in 1969 and participated in the Senior Executive Programme, Stanford University USA, in 1985. Tan Sri was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Management by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia on 19 August 2000. Tan Sri's charismatic personality, entrepreneurial verve and visionary leadership has built JCorp into a leading Malaysian conglomerate involved in several business sector such Agrobusiness, Healthcare, Timber, Intrapreneur Venture, Real Estates, Property and Hotels and Industrial Development. JCorp, has been successfully managing Malaysia's first 'privatised' local authority, namely the Pasir Gudang Local Authority (PGLA), with Tan Sri as President since January 1982. He was named Director of the Year for 1995 by the Malaysian Institute of Directors for his commitment towards quality, entrepreneurial effort and professionalism. He has also won the Property CEO of the Year 2005 Award conferred by the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-Malaysia). Tan Sri sits as Chairman of KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Sindora Berhad and Johor Land Berhad, which are JCorp's subsidiaries listed on the Main Board of the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Tan Sri is also active as Council Member of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Vice President of the Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (“MICC”) and Chairman of the MICC Corporate Bureau, President of Malaysian Kite Council and Chairman of Kumpulan Waqaf An-Nur Berhad, a charitable organisation extending healthcare services to the poor and needy. He is also chairman and/or director of several other companies.