Cruel and Unusual Punishment

poster by mob1900.

To all my loyal friends and readers out there: As you bask in the glory of this Eid with your loved ones, please spare a moment to think about what RPK and his family is going through.

Yesterday, his wife and daughter went to visit him in Kamunting and was only allowed to see him in his cubical when other ISA detainees were allowed to spend those precious moments in the courtyard.

That's what I call cruel and unusual punishment.

For what, I do not know. Same reason I do not understand the reasons when Datuk Noraini was quoted as saying 'Theresa should insaf' (about her 7-day detention).

Repent? Rehabilitate? For what?

Maybe, I'm just stupid for not seeing things the way Syed Hamid or Datuk Noraini sees them.

If so, then there are plenty of other stupid Malaysians like me then.

Well... will someone please enlighten me ?

If not, just free the man or charge him in open court.

Some Good That Came Out This Lebaran . . .

FOR ALL THE SADNESS AND GRIEF that has visited us these past few weeks, especially in the holy month of Ramadhan, we finally have some things to smile about, to make us believe there is hope after all...

For the tireless efforts of Nurin Jazlin's uncle, Jasni Abdul Jalil in his blog, and not forgetting too the roles played by Malaysian uber bloggers like Nuraina Samad, Ahiruddin Atan, Farina, Tembam and others who finally brought Nurin Alert into reality. You can read the Star's report here.

On the local judicial front, my hats off to the Malaysian judiciary after awarding Ex-ISA detainee Abdul Malek Hussin RM2.5mil in a landmark decision. Kudo's to High Court Judge Hishamudin Mohd Yunos for not only dispensing justice but doing the right thing. Read all about it here.

PAC Chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad is still hard at it over the PKFZ RM4.7bil fiasco. This issue was first brought into the limelight by Captain (Rtd) Yusof Ahmad in his blog, The Ancient Mariner. Hopefully the dishonest politicians who squander taxpayers money will eventually be brought to book.

By way things are playing out, there is still hope . . . and my message to the perps who violated our beloved daughter Nurin . . . your days are numbered too!

Lebaran: A Photo-Blog

What I had for my first daylight morning meal in thirty days: Black coffee, nasi himpit, lemang and rendang, of course --noghori-style.

The Morning Eid Prayers - Scenes from my neighborhood mosque, Petaling Jaya

Gasp! Sermon delivered by Indonesian Pak Iqbal (Universiti Malaya's Islamic studies postgraduate candidate) .

Another gasp! Indonesian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi guest workers listening intently on the 1 Syawal sermon. What? Foreigners outnumbering locals? Well, most of the locals have balik kampong...

My two boys salaam-ing the bilal (yes, you got that right, another Indonesian UM Usuludin scholar) post prayers. The ustaz/bilal was summarily sent to KLIA LCT for his flight to Palembang via AirAsia to spend time with his family there...

Wo-hoo! I'm outta here!

Outside the mosque . . . guest workers mingling and planning the day's activities. I understand that KLCC is a favored destination . . .

My first stop --at my Mom's in SS3, Petaling Jaya. My brother-in-law Adrian (in purple) entertaining Fly FM's DJ Roshan...

The Lebaran Blog

Supplicants and Slackers; Saints and Sinners

My Surau: Scenes of 2nd Laskopek Pre-Terawih. It costs RM1600.00 to sponsor one of these. A glance at the notice board indicated quite a few "Who's Who" in Bolehland --GLC execs and movers and shakers --some of which the Yang Mulia have dubbed as riding in the Corridors of Power. And some riding roughshod over Bolehsian taxpayers?

My Surau: Scenes of Post-Terawih juadah Snacks and teh-tarik. Indo guest worker strolling by.

The Supplicants: O ye' you faithful

Mat Salo surreptitiously whips out his, err . . . camera to unsuspectingly record their ministrations. Quite a few of these ladies are Datin Seri's and probably esteemed spouses of "Bebudak Tingkat Ampat" - Hope they don't sue me!

Saint or Sinner? Oh, I know which camp I belong to . . . besides, you and I know it's a lot more fun!

To all of you who saw fit to have visited my irreverant sometimes (no, mostly) inconsequential blog, I say thank you. I would probably be off the 'net while I pay my solemn dues to the departed and the living.

For my Moslem friends, well wishers and detractors alike . . . If I have cause to offend you in some way, my apologies are in order. I would also like to wish you and your family a Selamat Hari Raya. And if you are driving far and wide back to whatever hole in the wall that you once hailed from, please be careful.

To the Indonesian diplomat's wife that was hauled in by Rela goons recently, I, Mat Salo, on behalf of clear-headed Bolehsians offer my sincere apologies. Goons are goons, and they're sub-humans anyway. No sane human being acts this way. Same goes to you, Pak Lubis, the UKM student. I know your authorities would never do the same to us. I know how most Bolehsians miss the point about how we are perceived as "arrogant". Rasa Sayange?

To Sheikh Muszaphar - I wish you well, Godspeed. A lot of hopes are riding on you up there amongst the Stars. Hey, I didn't know that you're a business partner of a buddy of mine...

To the parents of Nur Jazlin: Be strong and remember, millions of us are grieving too and will continue to grieve. She too is our daughter. The nation's. And please excuse the authorities' ineptititude. They sometimes get sidetracked chasing bloggers and "blowing" the whistle-blowers.

To Hui Yi: We love you! Your saga has united us - and shown what spirit the true peoples of this country has. It's beyond the color of our skin, the lines of our religion. We pray for you and you have given us much cause for hope.

Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin.

Mohon Ma'af Lahir & Bathin.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Puasa I Syawal 1428 H

© 2007 Mat Salo Images