LOS TEROPONG

Read in The Star (Saturday, 13 August 2005, Pg.6) abou the Deputy Prime Minister's message in hitting out at such actions being promoted by certain TV reality shows and programmes. Further, he stressed, 'This is not a question of young or old people hugging. This is about religion. It is forbidden in the religion.' Teng, teng, teng ...

I really don't know where to start. Firstly, a BIG thank you to the DPM for his concern. Really!! I am the positive type, always going forward, always turning the page, progressing, never belittling anyone. Let's make the world a better place, after all we are not going to live forever. There is another world waiting ... not to mention a world court too ...

So let's take it to another level. Based on 'this is forbidden in the religion', what else can we put in this category ( apologies if this is going to sound like a sermon)?? We are forbidden to;

• drink alcohol (including sell and transport) - can MAS stop serving alcohol on board? Pakistan Airline is alcohol-free on board and the plane is full all the same;
• gamble (TOTO and the like ..) - can we stop Muslims from wasting money at the TOTO outlets - yes, until today many Muslims still play TOTO;
• expose ourselves beyond set limits (for male & female) - tutup aurat lah tu!! - maybe our top government officials should set a good example by following this code of dressing;
• practise corruption - maybe this coffee money concept can be abolished - difficult to prove but God knows and the concerned person also know
  
• shaking hands between male & female? - there was a directive from the government for female staff members in High offices to shake hands with foreign visitors since some of them were refusing to do so. I had a news clip of this statement but don't know where it is now, but for sure it exist ..
• lie, cheat, back-bite, envy, and many more.

As the DPM said, 'This is about religion.' and I say, if WE don't take care of our own religion, WHO WILL??

But let us not CHOOSE what we want to open our eyes to, or open one eye and shut the other by way of implementing the codes of conduct of the religion. It must be pratised wholly ...

There are enough kissing, hugging, bed scenes, beauty contest and other exciting stuff on the televison and the Internet to captivate the nation. Malay films and dramas (no need to mention lah) also contain very interesting interactions of the male and female species in a form not strictly allowed by the religion. I hope any and all relevat parties will take heed of this call from the DPM. May Allah give us guidance. Aiyaa, tak tau lah ...