Skip to content

Sivin Kit's Garden

Planting Seeds for a Better World

Menu
  • About
  • Church
  • Disclaimer
  • Education
  • Writing
Menu

Overzealous SMS Craze (Updated)

Posted on 11 March, 200812 March, 2008 by Sivin Kit

Please forgive me if I offend anyone here … especially Christians.

First, I am one. So, I’m warning myself.

Second, I am a Pastor. So, I’m cautioning those in leadership like me.

Third, I am a Malaysian and Concerned Citizen. I think we need to be responsible with our actions … whether we generate a SMS or forward one.

Here’s what I wrote to my contacts (with a bit of refining in italics and blue):

I got the following SMS twice from sincere people. So if you are one of them who sent it to me… this is not a personal attack  to those who sent it to me.

it’s reads like this …
"Fwd-Urgent! Raja Nazrin has accepted Ngeh Koo Ham (Christian) as Chief Minister of Perak but PAS objected violently.  Pray God’s will be done. pl fwd"

I won’t forward this SMS for the following reasons.
1. I don’t know the source. So, I’m not sure whether both the info on Ngeh is correct.  And the "objected violently" is very subjective and is prone to misunderstanding.
2. Even if it’s true that Raja Nazrin choose Ngeh (which if I’m right it’s the Sultan’s authority unless delegated) why highlight the Christian part which alienates our Muslim friends unnecessarily. Furthermore, we called for change especially during the recent elections that seeks to take away our focus on race and religion and redirect it to common concerns, why do we Christians fall into the trap in which we criticize others?
3. While I don’t question the sincerity of the 1st person who sent this (even if this is true), I question the maturity of it … but intuitively I’m not at ease.
4. And if it’s from someone not sincere, and trying to stir some hostility, let’s not fall for it. These are times where we must not let our guard down.

my 2 cents.

BTW, I pray for God’s Will to be done here on earth as it is heaven constantly.  But I keep check on my own prejudices and preferences.
Sivin

And then I read this from a young friends blog "Urgent…"

I have just received this worrying SMS:

"Fwd-Urgent! Raja Nazrin has accepted Nga Kho Ham (Christian) as Chief Minister of Perak but PAS objected violently. Pray God’s will be done."

My first reaction was to ask for the source of this SMS and asked if this piece of news is reliable. But I was told that this SMS has been circulating within the church circle but its authenticity couldn’t be verified.

I went online to check the news portal and blogs but didn’t come across any such news. I have no way of verifying it. If anyone know anything, please drop me a comment, e-mail or SMS. At the mean time, please stay calm and DO NOT forward any SMS until its authenticity can be verified. And always ask the person who sends the SMS for the reliablity of the content.

[Updated 545pm] Another SMS followed saying to disregard the news as it’s a rumour to create confusion.

[Updated 548am] Read this: New Perak MB by end week – “All three parties have unanimously agreed that we will fully endorse the Sultan’s choice,” said Ngeh, speaking for coalition. SMS confirmed circulated for purposes of inciting fear and panic.

So it’s confirmed .. it’s a rumour to create confusion. My question to us is did we forward it to quickly without a pause for reconsideration …. some soul searching is needed if we did.

There are four comments from the post from my friend which are good to keep us in check.

Blogger kiawin said…

Only Sultan Azlan Shah can make the decision, not Raja Nazrin. The sms is a pure fiction.

5:50 PM

Blogger Discordant Dude said…

certain quarters are trying very hard to create an atmosphere of panic and fear. a lot of prudence and sensitivity is required…

5:59 PM

Blogger healthywealthy said…

i thought that it had been clearly stated in the state constitution that MB must be a Muslim & malay except in Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. I guess the sms that is circulating currently is the work of a very irresponsible person and an opportunist who are riding on other peoples ignorance. Pls counter future sms u received with such provocations with wisdom.Always check your facts bfor forwading provocative remarks.

7:50 PM

Anonymous Anonymous said…

the best thing to do is to delete that sms and wait for the actual announcement. some people just wanna create animosity on purpose. you know who the sore losers are la.

9:25 PM

Anonymous ronald said…

> Only Sultan Azlan Shah can make the decision, not Raja Nazrin
Raja Nazrin’s currently Regent, so doesn’t that make the decision technically his to make?

11:31 PM

Blogger Discordant Dude said…

"Under the state constitution, the menteri besar has to be a Malay Muslim, but there is a provision that allows the Sultan to waive the requirement." Read more from the Malaysiakini link updated in my blog post.
Let us continue to encourage citizens to be wary of such irresponsible SMS.

5:54 AM

 

Blogger colin said…

In fact, the Perak PAS commissioner, Ahmad Awang, said in a press conference that “It does not matter if the position goes to a DAP candidate as the Menteri Besar is for the new coalition government,” The police is apparently cracking down on those who spread rumours to incite violence.
The three names submitted thus far are DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham, state PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, and state Pas liaison secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin. Lets wait for the official announcement by the Sultan, probably tonight or tmr latest.

12:56 PM

 

13 thoughts on “Overzealous SMS Craze (Updated)”

  1. Jamal says:
    12 March, 2008 at 4:47 am

    I think all the simcard now belong to registered name. So if we report this to police they can track down to the first sender. This is act of irrespossible people. Ignore it or make a police report or send back sms to sender and tell them we will report to police.

  2. Longbow says:
    12 March, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Becareful Brave rakyat. Do not let rumors destroy what have been built in this past week. The new united Malaysia sans racist and religous oppresion. We are free now and must keep ourselves free. Be mature and thoughtful. Race and religion has no place in Politics. That was the sucess of last weeks elections. Keep up the momentum. LongBow

  3. joshua tan says:
    12 March, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    I think being a good MB have nothing to do with you being a Christian or not…there are many good MPs out there in the recent election which have gave their lives for the betterment of other people and they are not Christians.

    Christians have a lot to learn from them….as Jesus have the same passion as they are.

  4. Daniel Khoo says:
    12 March, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    I certainly agree with you Rev. In fact, on Mar 8, 2 other text messages came, one on Hishamuddin “not wanting Chinese votes”, one on Han Chiang school being purportedly “Punished”. Both messages came from mature people, who, unfortunately did not think twice before forwarding the messages. We have to be careful, and not fall prey to messages like this, with the ultimate objective to instigate. It’s Day 4 of the “New Era”, Thank God things are looking pretty promising.

  5. Messy Christian says:
    12 March, 2008 at 8:02 pm

    Awful, awful, awful sms. If i know who the perpetrator is i would just GIVE HIM ONE.

    Now the refrain in the blogosphere has to be blog wisely and sms wisely.

    Already have across another scary rumour which i won’t repeat here. Until i see it confirmed in the media, i will not believe anything.

  6. Messy Christian says:
    12 March, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    I can’t wait for the Perak and Selangor MBs to be sworn in next week. I’ve been holding my breath since saturday. Not very healthy. 😉

  7. Collin M. Nunis says:
    12 March, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Well, the new MB has been announced, and as expected, the DAP holds the Deputy MB post. Whatever it is, let’s put this fiasco behind us, pray and see what they can do for the next 5 years. We will continue pushing for non-Malays to be put at top posts, but lets see if they can live up to just doing their jobs, irrespective of their race and religion.

  8. jj says:
    12 March, 2008 at 10:36 pm

    things is like a mess now. ppl that hit on LKS blog must be BN ppl. dont trust too much of them. sure some information that amissed to us. if not why raja petra aslo so suprised with the PAS as mb? palace conservativeness? i hope DAP all member will go behind electing DAP member as mb? non-bumi also dont so stupid hitting out before u all understand much. ITs not bout race. its bout righteous. AS long as DAp it will be ok irrespective of race. The king must waive the mb condition in this case. clear cut. since the 3 party say before election tat majority will lead and choose mb. dont tell me they havent think bout this rule of malay and muslim as mb requirement. so all must honour. submitting 3 name is just actually to show a easier way for the palace and coalition to gone down well with malay voter especially the BN. this is to shut them up when decision is make fr king. the palace should not take the goodwill of DAP that mean to save the peace, and turn the palace themself to hero.

  9. jason mok says:
    13 March, 2008 at 12:47 am

    It’s not exactly a rumour….. but just wrong information.

    On Lim Kit Siang’s blog :
    —
    The decision to appoint a PAS Assemblyman Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters.

    The DAP Central Executive Committee, at its emergency meeting in Penang on Sunday, 9th March 2008, had given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government comprising 18 DAP Assembly members, seven PKR Assemblymen and six PAS Assemblymen.

    DAP is prepared to accept DAP chairman and Assemblyman for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham or PKR Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak Mentri Besar.

    As the appointment of PAS Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak Assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled tomorrow.
    —
    Seems like DAP didn’t really agree with the chosen MB. To me, SMS got parties and the people all messed up. Subsitute the name of DAP’s Ngeh with PAS’ Nizar. DAP’s the one who objected while PAS’ assemblymen got accepted.

    People are weird.

  10. enilit says:
    13 March, 2008 at 2:17 am

    Hm, I wonder if any Christians out there are cheering for the new Perak MB. Go Nizar! 🙂

  11. Bob K says:
    13 March, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    I am pretty certain I am not BN and I criticised Kit strongly for his decision 🙂

  12. Collin M. Nunis says:
    13 March, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    I too, found Kit Siang’s decision to be plain stupid. I mean, come on, whatever said and done, Perak DAP will support anyone the Sultan picked. With all this infighting, the coalition will have some explaining to do to the good people who brought them into power.

  13. Josh says:
    14 March, 2008 at 4:55 pm

    A person’s religion (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with his capability to be a leader. And I’m glad many of us dont vote along the lines of religion, or race anymore. So I hope this sort of sms dont originate from immature or prejudicial Christians.

    If the Sultan thinks the Pas candidate is a better leader – then be it. All authorities are appointed by God.

    thanks for posting this. Thank God I didnt get this sms from any of my pals.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Moved to Medium
  • The End | The Beginning
  • I Will be Back …
  • It’s Been a While …
  • GE13 Malaysia: Who to Vote for? (A Christian Contribution)

Recent Comments

  • Malaysia: Government Vows to Review Web Censorship Law After Protest · Global Voices on STOP 114A: INTERNET BLACKOUT DAY
  • List of Participants in Internet Blackout Day! « #Stop114A on STOP 114A: INTERNET BLACKOUT DAY
  • Join Us and Support Internet Blackout Day « #Stop114A on STOP 114A: INTERNET BLACKOUT DAY
  • JB on Imagining My PhD Journey
  • Alex Tang on Imagining My PhD Journey

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

CALENDAR

March 2008
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Feb   Apr »
  • Academics
  • Bangsar Lutheran Church
  • Beyond
  • Bible
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • Christian Year – Lent
  • Church
  • Conversations
  • Emergent/Emerging Churches
  • Events
  • Family
  • Five Sentences
  • Friends in Conversation
  • Fun stuff
  • Gracious Christianity
  • Ideas
  • Images
  • Leadership
  • Learning
  • Lists
  • Lutheran
  • Lutheran Church in Malaysia & Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Meditation
  • Micah Mandate
  • Mission
  • Movies
  • Music
  • New Stuff
  • Norway
  • Norwegian Notes
  • Personal
  • Philosophy
  • Podcast
  • Preaching
  • Prezi
  • Project 365
  • Random Links
  • Random Thoughts
  • Random Tweets
  • Random Utterances
  • Religion
  • Resources
  • RoH Malaysia
  • Second Thoughts
  • Seven Series
  • Simple Steps
  • Spirituality
  • Technology
  • Theology
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • World
  • Worship
  • Writing

Archives

  • November 2020
  • November 2014
  • April 2014
  • February 2014
  • April 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • June 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004
  • August 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004
  • March 2004
  • February 2004
  • January 2004
  • December 2003
  • November 2003
  • October 2003
  • September 2003
  • August 2003
  • July 2003
  • June 2003
  • May 2003
  • April 2003
  • February 2003
  • August 2002

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Pages

  • About
  • Church
  • Disclaimer
  • Education
  • Writing

Social Media

© 2022 Sivin Kit's Garden | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme