aikol press issue 13

Editors for Issue #13:

Hafidzi Razali - Nur Arina Ahmad Izuddin – Nur Ameera Syafiqah Shaharudin - Azraai Yunos

Layout for Issue #13 by: Farhana Zain - Siddiq Rafee bin Ramli –

Mumtaz Munirah bt Mian - Muhammad Syaqil bin Iberahim

Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition: AIKOL’s Dazzling Streak Halted as National Runner-Up - IIUM Debaters Among The Worlds Best - AIKOL Press Exclusive With Dr. Hanaan Balala - ALSA Study Trip

2014: A Winter Escapade To Seoul! – Rule of Governance: Can We Prosper Under Authoritarianism? – Legal Lawsuits For Outbursts On Social Network - An Analysis of Kangkung: Understanding The Dilemma of The

Struggling Rakyat – Just Remember The Three Idiots – How Students Can Cope With The Rising Cost of Living – How The Trend of English-Speaking

Daie Brought Changes to Learning Islam – Of Cantona Collars – A European Reminisce: Tranquillity and Romance

issuu.com/aikolpress - twitter.com/aikolpress - facebook.com/aikolpress - [email protected]

ISSUE 13

AHMAD IBRAHIM KULLIYAH OF LAWS ISSUE 13

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n the 7th and 8th of February this year, IIUM had participated in a legal tradition which existence has spanned over the past half a

century. It was none other than the Phillip C. Jessup International Law Mooting Competition. This year’s National Rounds were hosted by the Law Faculty of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), in Bangi. Eight teams from eight different law schools had battled it out in the moots courts of UKM for the acclaimed title of ‘Champions’ and the opportunity to represent our country in Washington D.C; facing teams from all over the world for the highly-esteemed Jessup Cup.

This year, our Mooting team comprised of many new faces. The Team consisted of Mustaqim Marsidi, Aida Yasmin, Hisyamuddin Mohamed, Nik Nuraisha Alia and myself. The team was assisted by a group of highly talented researchers to whom we are highly indebted to, namely, Hazirah Roslan, Nur Amalina Isyqie, Syaza Jamilah, and Aini Suraya.

In the preliminary rounds, our team went against mooters from University Malaya, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia, and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. Our teams gave it our best and trust me it was no walk in the park.

But all praise be to the Almighty, we survived to moot another day. Just as we were delighted to qualify to the next round, news broke out that we were going to meet UKM in the semi-finals, and my heart sank. It was not because I did not have faith in our team, but the odds were not really in our favor, considering the fact that UKM had won best Memorials and the UKM team was ranked first in the preliminary rounds. The thought of facing such a formidable team such as the likes of UKM was daunting to say the least. Then Sunday morning came, we were all set to give it a final shot. To at least ‘lose’ with dignity against a team that that we thought deserved to win all the way.

Let me tell you, if lady luck existed, she must have been on our side that morning. When the judge made an announcement that we had won the round, there was a cheer and everyone thought we heard wrong. It was not until the result was announced again that we realized that our team had done the impossible. We came in that morning being underdogs, but we walked out victors of the round. I cannot convey in words, how happy I felt at the time. However, the reality of the situation became obvious shortly thereafter; our team majority; of whom were first time mooters, were going into the finals facing far seasoned contestants from University Malaya (UM).

To cut the story short, our luck ran out. We fought a good fight, but there can only be one victor. As heartbreaking as it is, our team came in Second (2nd) after UM. My dear readers, mooting today has become

a dying art. This is mostly due to the fact that we have not been as victorious

as our predecessors have been. Mooters today live by the

legends of our forerunners and their

accomplishments. This should not be, for we must stop living in the past and start living in the present. Past

accomplishments should not merely

remain our aspirations, but rather

they should be our benchmark. I am not

going to lie to you here and say that it is an easy task; it will

require many sacrifices on your part.

But we do it not because it is easy, we do it because it is difficult! I therefore dare you to take up this challenge; if a bunch of first-years could make it to the Finals of the National Rounds, then what is stopping you from achieving far greater accomplishments in the near future? Please do not let this beautiful age old tradition wither and die. Continue on to carry this torch and lit the pathway that our predecessors have conveniently laid down before us. There is and will always be hope.

O

Philip C. Jessup International Law

Moot Court Competition: AIKOL’s Dazzling Streak

Halted as National Runner-Up

By: abduh hafidz


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IIUM Debaters Among the World’s Best

The IIUM Debate Club has consistently placed IIU on the world map since its inception. It has brought countless national and international trophies back to the land of knowledge and virtue. 2013 marked a historic year for IIU in the international debate scene.

IIUM sent 2 teams to debate in the coveted Durham, Oxford and Cambridge inter-varsities last November. Team A comprised of myself and Mubarrat Wassey, a second-year Economics Student. Team B is represented by two second-year AIKOL Students, Ameera Natasha Moore and Zim Ahmadi. Both teams performed spectacularly at all three tournaments.

The debaters started off their conquest at Durham. IIUM A broke the Malaysia’s record by entering the Open Grand Finals of the Durham IV beating Oxford University and Leiden University in the semi-finals. Both debaters were crowned the Top 10 Open Best Speaker Award for their performance.

In the grand finals, they were up against the World’s best originating from the London School of Economics, Cambridge University and Glasgow University. The motion was “This House Regrets the Creation of a Legal and Moral Distinction Between the Use of Chemical Weapons and Conventional Weapons”. The conventional debating rule dictates that Teams are only given 15 minutes to prepare for the topic, thus this topic was an eye-opener for many. Unfortunately, IIUM A on a close-call was defeated by Team LSE-Cambridge.

IIUM B on the other hand stamped their names in the Durham IV Novice debate category. They entered the Finals of the Novice category; facing two teams from the Cambridge Union and a team from Hull University. Ameera and Zim fought valiantly and ended up being crowned Champion. They were also jointly awarded the Overall Best Speaker Award for the Novice category. Their achievement inevitably propelled IIUM’s name to the global stage.

The journey was not yet over for the debaters, the next two weeks were spent outwitting teams in Oxford and Cambridge. IIUM A again broke Malaysia’s record by

making it into the top 16 of the World for both Oxford and Cambridge Inter-varsities. In one of the preliminary rounds, IIUM A was pitted against the three best teams in the world (Harvard B, Harvard C , Oxford A). The motion was “This House Believes That, Despite the Expressed Wishes of the Pakistani Government, the United States Should Continue to Target the Leaders of Tehrik-i-Talibani (Pakistani Taliban)”. IIUM A exceeded expectations by beating all three teams. This inevitably proves that IIUM is among the world’s best.

IIUM B did Malaysia proud by making it to ESL Semi Finals of the Cambridge IV. In the preliminary round, they took down well-renowned teams like Oxford C and Imperial College A. This is a spectacular feat for a team comprising of second-year law students. In the ESL semi-finals, they put up a great fight but, ended up losing to Lund University (Sweden) and King’s College London.

In both coveted tournaments, IIUM debaters performed brilliantly. I was crowned the Overall Best Debater (ESL) for both the Cambridge IV and the Oxford IV and broke the tournament’s record by being the 1st debater to win this award back-to-back. Mubarrat Wassey came in second for both tournaments, whilst Ameera and Zim were among the top 10 debaters of the same category. This unprecedented feat has propelled IIUM’s brand to the global community. It proves that IIUM can take down teams from the Ivy League. It definitely proves that Debating is a lifestyle which is embraced by all regardless of the colour of your skin and the religion you subscribe to. Debating is an intellectual sport which does not discriminate. Fortunately, IIUM is one of the powerbrokers in this beautifully-crafted sport.


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The Editorial Team of the 13th Issue was at the pleasure of Dr Hanaan Balala, a once-AIKOLIAN who has made her mark in Oxford University; having taught and pursued her Master’s and Doctorate in Oxford, and is currently lecturing at Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, Kuala Lumpur. It was enlightening to feature Dr Hanaan for our first-of-such exclusive interview, and it is hoped that our readers can similarly be inspired by her achievements.

Q: Can you tell us more about yourself?

I am a Kenyan national, of English and Arab race. I was an avid debater and public speaker for most of my time in IIUM which, I must say, was the highlight of my education. I graduated in 2002 and 2004 with an LLB/LLB_S and MCL, respectively. In August 2004 I won the Gold Medal for Comprehensive Excellence and left immediately for Oxford. My time in Oxford is – and perhaps will always be – the most inspiring, growth inducing and rewarding experience of my life; it is where I came into my own. For me, it’s the first environment in which I counted as an individual quite independent of affiliations and where I could speak my mind without being

stigmatised for it. Another invaluable part of my experience in Oxford was that I was not judged by my looks or outward image but by the contribution I made.

After my Bachelors in Civil Law (BCL) at Lincoln College Oxford, I undertook a comparative study of the legal aspects of securitisations within Islamic Law and the common law. My exposure to Islamic Finance in Malaysia prior to Oxford, having taken a course on Islamic Banking under Dr. Daud Bakar, contributed to my research interests in Islamic finance and my current teaching at the Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance.

Q: You established a glittering academic and career path while in Oxford, what rings the bell for you to work in Malaysia?

If there is one thing I am passionate about it is making a difference to the youth through education and empowering women primarily through writing and the example I am. Youth and Women are, to me, two integral parts of the whole that I feel cultural Islam has – and continues to – let down. The wealth of a nation, or civilisation for that matter, resides in its youth. Our youth represent the future and the hope for a better tomorrow. Further, the hallmark of any great civilisation is the treatment of women in its societies.

I am in Malaysia out of the recognition that one cannot give or make a contribution on a wider scale before doing so to one’s own. It starts with me, then my family and eventually outward to the societies I subsist in. Thus, whilst I love living in England and Oxford will always count as my 'home', I was attracted by the prospects of returning to IIUM – for a while - to give to the student community whatever I am welcome to contribute and make a difference the best I can.

Q: From a student's perspective, how do you compare life in AIKOL to Oxford's? Can you share areas where AIKOL lags behind, or if any, where AIKOL is any better?

Aikol press

exclusive with

Dr. Hanaan Balala


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The two main aspects I wish featured more in AIKOL are:

1. The acceptance of difference and diversity amongst its student body.

I use the word Diversity in the broader sense; not just a spread of nationalities that depicts an image of internationalism. Diversity includes that of thoughts, ideas, contribution, creativity and personalities. Yes, certainly some professors and lecturers do allow and encourage difference and diversity as a hallmark of excellence but this remains the exception.

2. The emotional and social nurturing of its student body.

‘Play’ and extra-curricular activities are as vital a part of education and learning as academic training. This was a distinct aspect of the value Oxford imparted on my person and being as a member of its student body, the President of the Oxford University African Society and a continuing member of the Oxford Union. Unless I am unique in my experience, this is not so in IIUM.

Likewise, if one is struggling emotionally, for whatever reason, one is unlikely to do well or perhaps not as well as they would have otherwise done. Yet I know many cases of students flailing because of lack of proper emotional support or simply the ability to turn to someone who can help address an issue they are struggling with. Often students would not share such issues out of fear of judgment or being repudiated.

Q: How has your years in AIKOL/IIUM shape you into the person you are today?

IIUM has shaped me in two main ways; As a person it compelled me to carve out my own identity beyond the mass conditioning and in this sense made me incredibly strong. I am who I am not because someone or some institution deems it right but because I am at peace with who and what I am. In this sense my Iman is strong enough to rest in the knowing that Allah is the only judge of who I am and the ultimate arbiter of what is right and wrong.

Secondly, though not solely, IIUM has contributed to the passion that is so patent in me pertaining to making

a difference to the youth through education and the empowerment of women.

Q: What is your advice/recommendation for students aspiring to pursue their postgraduate studies in top schools such as Oxford?

Put no limits on yourself. Take off the blinkers that may have been put on you – albeit benignly - and open your eyes to a world of possibilities that lies in store for anyone willing to focus and invest the effort towards achieving their goal of studying at the Oxfords, Harvards and Monashes of this world. In the words of Henry Ford, “Whether you believe you can or can’t, you are right.”

Q: From your experience in both worlds, what do you think is the biggest hindrance to our local students to make a mark internationally?

Blind adherence to authority; a lack of confidence or willingness to think outside the box and a general lack of creativity. We were not born to regurgitate what our teachers say or conform to an age long past. Muhammad was forward looking, not backward. We were all born to thrive and live dignified creative lives, even whilst respecting universal principles that span all cultures.

Making one’s mark takes being creative and being creative comes at the price of standing out like a sore thumb or even at the risk of being wrong on the path to discovering one’s passion. Yet our culture stigmatises mistakes and frowns upon difference that breaks the mould. How then are its student members meant to make a mark globally?


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Q: What did you do in your personal capacity as a student in IIUM & Oxford in your quest to continuously improve yourself in achieving success? (academic & non-‐academic)

The single most impactful activity that contributed and continues to contribute to my constant growth and development is Reading. The wisdom of the Quran is patent to me in that the first word revealed to Muhammad was READ. He was not told what to read but simply,

“Read in the name of thy Lord who created.”

The second most influential activity was traveling and again the Hadith of Muhammad comes to mind that says “seek knowledge even in the land of China.” To travel is to learn and indeed to do so in a more dynamic and effective a way than books or the class setting will ever teach or impart.

I take to heart the Greek adage “Know thyself” for in knowing one’s self lies the key to all one is outwardly in whatever sphere of Life – including the spiritual and religious. On the path of excellence, ignorance plays no part and to me in and of one’s self is the greatest of all.

Q: Your final words for AIKOL and its students on ways to alleviate ourselves to be among the world's most respected, if not the best for our quality?

I strongly believe that the individual exercises greater influence on who and what they are than the environment that helps shape them. So many examples within the present and alumni body of IIUM attests to this fact. Thus, I'd say, be bold and apply yourself towards your goal; if you are focused enough, the fruits of your effort will soon come to bear.

Ironically enough, the news of the then-impending ALSA study trip to Seoul reached me while stapling nearly 300 copies of AIKOL Press’ 9th Issue. It is only apt that the universe (not really, it was this issue’s editors) cornered me into contributing a write-up on the aforementioned event, only days after returning from the trip. Touted as one of the most enjoyable, albeit educational Asian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) events, ALSA’s first study trip for the year 2014 was hosted by ALSA Korea over the semester break from January 20th 2014 until January 26th 2014. Close to 350 delegates were sent from ALSA member countries, namely Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, hence one can only imagine the diversity of backgrounds, cultures and ideas represented by attendees. The Malaysian delegates mainly comprised of students from MMU, HELP, UiTM, INTI College as well as IIUM, which was represented by 3rd year AIKOLians; Adilahnur Yahya, Mardhiyah Siraj and myself.

Roughing it out a 6-hour journey to Seoul on Airasia X, we were met by a broken-down airport subway line and -9 degrees weather upon arrival. Our itinerary spanned a period of a week and covered academic programs as well as legal and cultural visits. The academic programs;

ALSA study trip 2014: A winter escapade to seoul!


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which centered on the theme of ‘Asian Integration’ were held at Sookmyung University, Seoul. A number of position papers were presented and table discussions were held, revolving around topics related to the theme, namely; ‘Political Trust Recovery Among Asian Countries’, ‘Intellectual Property Across Borders’ and ‘The Protection of Tourists’.

Given the diversity of attendees; a variety of experiences, ideas and views were naturally expected, especially among opinionated law students.

For instance, each country’s delegation was required to present on the status quo in their countries concerning issues hindering political trust between nations. Countries such as Taiwan, China and South Korea; having strong historical ties with each other, have Trust Acts reflecting their international trust standards and practices influenced by their previous encounters with each other. In consequence, the administration of these countries see a higher need for reparation such as official apologies and truth telling to overcome political distrust between asian countries in comparison to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

The differences did not end there. In a discussion regarding the protection of tourists visiting Asian countries, the legislative and administrative efforts in protecting the physical safety of tourists greatly differed depending on the size of the tourism industry in a given country.

Having congregated representatives of law students from all over Asia under a single roof, the academic programs undoubtedly created better insight on how things really stand in other parts of Asia. Following three days of table discussions, one-on-one discussions, one-against-ten discussions, one may come to a realization that despite the glaringly dissimilar priorities of our respective countries, we do share a common goal.

We may not necessarily agree on the methods used by our respective countries’ administration, nor do we agree on a one-size-fits-all solution in addressing

Asian issues. Our concern for the well-being of our respective countries remains.

The second part of our study trip involved legal and cultural visits. Hosted mainly in Seoul, the city managed to offer a balance of the modern and traditional aspects of Korean culture. It houses most of the law-related government offices, one of which was the National Assembly Building.

Another highlight of the trip was the visit to the National Museum of Korea where the essence of Korean arts and culture can be explored. It boasts a wide range of artifacts; from hand axes from the Paleolithic period, celadons from the Goryeo Dysnaty to paintings of the Joseon dynasty. We were also taken to the Gyeongbokgung Palace; a UNESCO heritage site located in the city itself as Seoul is a city with 2000 years of history and has been the capital of the Republic of Korea for more than 600 hundred years to date.

ALSA Study Trips have gained a reputation of not only being an invaluable platform for Asian Law Students to connect, establish contacts and forge life-long friendship with each other but also providing an opportunity to exchange and experience other cultures. In retrospect, ALSA study trip 2014 lived up to its reputation in every way.

Legal humour

"I specialize in baking law."

"Banking law?" "No, baking law."

"What's that?" "Mostly torts."


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Consider two sets of parents; the first is very strict with their child. They seek to control every aspect of their child’s life, enclosing him within boundaries of hard-line principles and values. The second set is more moderate. They raise their young one in a more liberal environment where if he obeys the rules then he is entitled to what he wants. It may seem obvious, but if we try to think outside the literal thinking pot, which child do you think would be better off in the long run?

Consider two sets of parents; the first is very strict with their child. They seek to control every aspect of their child’s life, enclosing him within boundaries of hard-line principles and values. The second set is more moderate. They raise their young one in a more liberal environment where if he obeys the rules then he is entitled to what he wants.

It may seem obvious, but if we try to think outside the literal thinking pot, which child do you think would be better off in the long run? The above situation may not be the best attempt of an analogy to illustrate an authoritarian rule vis-à-vis democracy, but it more or less highlights the main difference between the two forms of government. The history of democracy dates back from classical Athens and ever since then it has experienced waves of prominence in the international political arena. It wasn’t until the 20th Century particularly after World War II that the West saw democracy as the most effective and just form of government as the latter is chosen by the freewill of the citizens. This perception that a democratic government is the fairest form of government for any State has consequently been embedded into the general mind. It reflects the power of the people and puts in highest regard the civil rights of its citizens. How can there be any fault?

In contrast, an authoritarian rule is deemed as oppressive and corrupt. The citizens of an authoritarian-ruled State are commonly perceived as being poor, having no rights and living in fear of persecution. We look to the most prevalent example

there is; North Korea under authoritarian rule where the citizens live in poverty and in absolute reverence to their supreme leader, Kim

Jong-un. At the same time the United States of America is viewed as the best example of democracy with its justified elected President; the picture of stability and wealth, and champion of human rights.

To what extent can this line of thought be disputed? Is it possible that a State and its citizens may actually thrive under authoritarian rule? Malaysia is commonly known to be a democratic nation. We have general elections which pave the way for us to elect our own leaders. However, various international scholars refer to Malaysia as ‘soft authoritarian’.

Limiting citizens’ civil liberties may seem oppressive from the outskirts but too much freedom is hazardous as well. Take for instance our stringent laws on freedom of speech. Their basis, inter alia, is that the government still holds a short leash over our exercise of our civil liberties. For instance, it is quite blatant that we do not possess as much freedom of speech and expression as citizens in other democratic nations do. Tun Mahathir once said that

“…[democracy] is the most difficult situation to have, as everyone has different views.”

He went on further to say that in regards to administration and governance, it is actually preferable to have either absolute monarchy or absolute dictatorship. While his statement may be disputed in many ways, one should ponder whether an authoritarian rule may in certain circumstances be better than democracy.

It seems that anything borderline expressive could somehow be interpreted to be seditious. However, one must also take into account our history and customs. While we value honesty, we are also culturally brought up to be mindful of our words no matter how intense the negativity we feel towards another person. A stringent law curbing our outrageous expressions may just be the reason we are still able to have a tolerable

RULE OF governance: can we prosper under authoriatianism?


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and stable relationship with other races. Tun Mahathir also implied that a little less democracy may be good because there is a minority of people which could take advantage of a democratic rule. In this context, what is called as draconian or authoritarian laws such as the Prevention of Crime Act may be the best approach to bring peace and stability to the nation.

One example of an authoritarian rule that actually brought out the best in its citizens and advanced the State towards development was the leadership of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s second President. His governance banned all other political parties thus effectively implementing authoritarian governance. Nevertheless, he utilized his power by striving to bring Egyptians out of illiteracy and poverty. He was and still is heralded as one of Egypt’s most influential and great leaders. Had Egypt been under democratic rule, Nasser’s governance may be removed by those who do not approve of his leadership and if such thing had happened, how worse off would Egypt be now?

This article does not aim to argue that authoritarian rule is better than democracy or vice versa. Frankly, it is impossible to say if either form of government produce better citizens. The international community is comprised of over 200 countries with over 6 billion citizens and each state has its own history, custom and political background. Can it be said that democracy will work on every nation successfully or that authoritarianism will always deny its citizens access to civil rights? What is important for any citizen and State is to have a strong leader who serves for the sake of the people and is able to remain in power without resorting to dirty tactics. If a nation has such leader, it is possible that it may prosper even if observers think the citizens are accorded limited rights. Prosperity is not determined by who rules us, but how we choose to be ruled.

ave you ever felt the sudden urge to express your random thoughts to as many people as possible? You want to feel better when you

do, and if possible, you just want to do it conveniently whenever you want. Nowadays, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are more than enough to satisfy that desire.

Before you regret it, hold such impulse first. What we do know is that saying things on our own account to our friends and followers is humanly understandable, what more if it is done without intending any gain. However, what we do not know is that whether the statements we make will subject us to any civil or criminal suits.

DEFAMATION The law of defamation basically tells us to be wary of making statements that could ‘cause damage to one’s reputation in the estimation of the right thinking member of the society’ by means of common knowledge or prior knowledge, where even though the statement is directed unnamed, people

H LEGAl lawsuits

for outbursts on social network


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could easily associate it with the victim claimant.

Last year, Lord McAlpine’s case has brought the extent of liability in Twitter to a much greater degree. He succeeded in his claim against the pedophile remark made against him when the tweet ‘Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*’ was made by the defendant preceding the news on child abuse by a certain politician.

The court agreed that by usage of the descriptive emoticon, it is known to the reasonable reader to be an insincere and ironic remark against him.

In Malaysia, 2012 marked the year in which the first libel defamation claim on Twitter has been filed in Malaysian courts by Datuk Mohamad Salim Fateh Din. He has successfully made his defamation claim against journalist R. Nadeswaran and the court ordered RM 500,000 to be paid to the victim claimant.

If the defendant is fortunate, the defamation claim can be settled through mediation. In 2011, the claim following the tweet by Fahmi Fadzil alleging poor treatment of his pregnant friend in one magazine company was settled out of court. He had to apologize 100 times on Twitter over the course of three days.

CONTEMPT OF COURT Social media could also bring about a criminal suit, particularly in cases involving criminal contempt of court. Neil Harkins and Dean Liddle have been prosecuted for the attempted publication of information on Facebook and Twitter leading to the new identities of the convicted child killers pardoned where such worldwide injunction has been granted. Both of them were convicted and have been sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

VULGAR WORDS If you like to say vulgar words because they sound good to you, guard your tongue (or fingers) as it can be humiliating to certain people in social networking sites. Sean Duffy was convicted under the United

Kingdom Malicious Communications Act 1988, and was jailed for 18 weeks for uploading images and making abusive comments on the death of four children on Facebook and YouTube.

***

It is time for us to learn to control the unbounded expression of emotion that we want to share with people publicly. It’s fast becoming not only logical, but necessary.

User LoubleDouble

Tags study, indie, classical, instrumental, celtic

Genres instrumental, acoustic, celtic, new age, folk

Artists Yiruma, Eagles, Enya

Published December 12, 2013

* To recommend your kind of music, email the 8tracks link to [email protected].

8tracks Playlist for

Issue 13


10

An Analysis of Kangkung:

Understanding the Dilemma of the

Struggling Rakyat

By: Muhammad Rafiqree Hamka

By: Muhammad Rafiqree Hamka Bin Ruslan

With the continuous rise of basic commodity prices, Malaysians are at the brim of severe economic hardship, from those with low incomes to the professionals. After months of silence over the impending and multiple price hikes, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak finally broke his silence with his “concerns”, “understanding” and “sympathy” towards the struggle that befell before us.

The Prime Minister reportedly said:

“I had used the kangkung as an example of the supply-demand principle. My favourite foods are kangkung (water spinach) and sotong (squid).”

The affected rakyat’s undertone however, implied otherwise. They were not happy with such a silly and inappropriate analogy despite the stands made by the Prime Minister to defend it in various media.

The Prime Minister’s statement received flak from rakyat; particularly users in social networking sites who claimed that he does not understand the hardship faced by the people. While the Ministers and the rich are living in luxury, Malaysians feel the effects of the price hikes keenly.

In his defense, the Prime Minister said that many had misunderstood the motive of his analogy. He added that it was meant to compare the rise and fall of prices of goods; which is dependent on environmental factors such as weather and demand. Although the statement by itself has been exaggerated, the insensitive analogy is being dispensed at the expense of the rakyat’s daily living concerns.

The frustration over our growing concern does not end there. It is frustrating that some Ministers remarked those who raised the issue of kangkung as “stupid”. In addition, the Federal Territories Minister remarked that the analogy represented the boldness of kangkung as it is a connotation for a cheap plant which can thrive in many places. In his view, the rakyat failed to appreciate a particularly clever analogy. The rakyat, of

course, literally took the statement as it is, which gave rise to criticism and negative comments. Through laymen glasses, the ministers who dispensed such remarks are nothing but insensitive to the common

people; driving a deeper wedge between them and the ruling class.

The responsibility to ensure the people’s interests are properly

safeguarded lies on the shoulder of the chosen representatives who promised sweets and candies before the General Election. Thus, it is a major concern of the people that

the representatives they voted for choose to act in

accordance with their wills and wishes.

Indeed, it is impossible to maintain the prices of basic

commodities at this age, but at the very least, the leaders should have thought twice before making such damaging public remarks. The amount of salary paid to the people on the other hand, should be in parallel with the rise of prices. The leaders’ allowances and salaries are tripled but the people’s salaries remain static. Where is the justice in that? Are we not human beings too? Yes, our leaders profess to “understand” the hardships and struggles of the rakyat, yet the actions taken to lessen the anxiety are less effective or ineffective at all.

The realm of economic crisis in Malaysia has gone beyond ringgits and cents; it comes together with the issues of leadership qualities of our representatives who are supposed to prioritize the rakyat’s interests before theirs. At this stage, instead of creating more issues that could lead to total disruption to the country, it is hoped that everybody gathers to find the best solution to uplift the productivity of the country in the course of achieving our aim to be a first-world country in 2020.


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JUST REMEMBER THE THREE IDIOTS: If you are worried about what is next after graduation, fret not; All is well.

The most common question that students ask themselves is WHAT IS NEXT AFTER GRADUATION? You could be in your first year, setting your aim based on this question. Or you could be a final year student who is worried about landing himself a job after graduation. Regardless of whom we are, this question will create butterflies in most of our tummies, thinking that we are unprepared for the bigger university out there.

Marketing Ourselves

The standard operating procedure after we graduate is to submit our resumes and hope to land a job at a fancy firm. In our applications, we would try to compress as many achievements and skills that we developed as possible to impress our future employers. (Of course, that is if we score the interview).

That piece of paper that records our blood, sweat and tears through law school will be just that if we do not know how to make use of it. Thousands more applicants will submit the same document and it is only the interview that would distinguish us from the others. Hence, the first key to be recognised is by Promoting Yourself.

Marketability is the next lesson everyone should get once they graduated. In fact, it is never too early to learn and polish the art of selling yourself, even in college. By selling ourselves I meant that we should be able to project the extra skills that we have besides the ones listed in our job applications. Writing an impressive resume is no longer a challenge with the help of Google and English teachers. Future graduates should always keep track of what employers need and be able to project a positive perceived value during the interview.

Financial Stability

Financial independence where our income could cover our expenses is what we all have in our wish lists. The

increasing cost of living is not new news to us and neither will it be an

issue that would be resolved anytime soon. Fresh graduates should be ready if they are to work in the Klang Valley, or other costly areas such as Penang.

Costing will suddenly be a subject everyone is interested in even though they hated Math back in school. Food, shelter and clothes are the basic needs we need to include in our expenses and after the necessities would be the cost of transportation and recreation. One of the easy tips by Robert Kiyosaki, the famous Rich Dad, Poor Dad author, was the habits of his Rich Dad who used his original income to generate other additional incomes which in the end, were more than the original income itself. This, in a simpler term, means investing your money. Like other things on earth, you need to be an expert to excel in anything. Similarly, investing your hard-earned money must always be done wisely.

We know that beggars cannot be choosers but it is advised to go through the insurance benefits provided by your company. If they do not cover some medical aspects, you might want to consider taking up a personal insurance. It is always best to get yourself covered by an insurance policy or takaful while you are still young and healthy.

Don’t Worry. You Can Always Start Today!

The author wishes to share more about the things they don’t teach us in the classroom. These ‘after college’ tips usually come from the Yodas (those who have made it out there). This is where alumni, seniors and friendly professionals come in handy. Get to know your seniors and contact the alumnis. Whenever possible, find the chance to interview a professional and get to know how to be street smart.

All in all, preparation is the key. And before you get disappointed, I would still relate the 3 Idiots to this article and you know how that will be:

Put your right hand on your chest and say All Is Well!


12

1. Need it or want it?

It is important to distinguish between the things you would like to have and the things you actually need. List down things you really need to buy at that point of time. Think about every purchase before you make it. Ask yourself whether you need it, or simply want it. Do you already own something that will perform the same task? Is it of good quality or will you need to replace it after a few uses? Once you have secured the necessary things, then you can think about spending money on the items that you desire.

Avoid impulse buying. Make a list of things that you need to buy when you go out and stick to the list. Retail stores have their own strategies to divert your attention from essential items to non-essential items.. Therefore, you should limit on the amount of time spent in the stores and stick to your list. You should also shop at stores that you are familiar with, so that you can avoid unnecessary browsing. By prioritising things that you need rather than things that you want, you can reduce the amount of money spent.

2. Cut transportation cost

Transportation is another big slice out of the budget. Students are one of the groups which suffer when the price of petrol increased. So why not let your car or motorcycle rest at your Mahallah when you need to go to class? Take IIUM bus, car-pool with your friends, ride a bicycle or walk. With this, you can save your money, the petrol lasts longer and there will be less trips to the repair shop for car maintenance. Don’t forget that you can also improve your overall well-being if you walk or ride a bicycle.

You can also save significant amounts of money by changing your driving habits. Drive slowly or less aggressively. Avoid driving in heavy traffic and parking your car where the fee is expensive. Take

public transport or rent a car from rental car services where the fees are reasonable.

3. Invest

Invest a sum of money on a kettle. Make your own coffee instead of purchasing your RM 3 Nescafe at the café or even RM 11 cup of coffee from Starbucks every day. Bring your own drinking water instead of buying mineral water. That precious RM1 can be used for other needful purposes.

Consider investing in a toaster. Have your breakfast at your own room instead of buying breakfast each day. Even an inexpensive breakfast costs several ringgit a day – you do the math.

4. Extra income

You may want to consider trying to earn some extra income. Hey, IIUM students are really familiar with this! Just browse through IIUM Online and you can find just about everything you need; food delivery, scarves, clothes, car rental service – just name it. This really helps you in coping with the rising costs of living, especially if you are just relying on study loan. If you still haven’t started any business, why don’t you start now?

5. Finding alternatives

Years ago before the electronic age, people did things that cost little but were fun and helped to keep them fit and entertained. Why don’t you try to read books from the library? Surely there are books that fit your interest. Or you could go to the park with your friends and do recreational activities. You don’t necessarily need to spend money to go to the cinema to have fun.

Apart from that, why don’t you join one of the many Censerve Clubs in IIUM which offer voluntary activities on the weekend such as going to help the needy, getting involved with Soup Kitchen programmes and et cetera? You can have fun, the activities are free, and you will get rewards Insya Allah for helping the needy. This shows that you don’t need to spend a lot of money just to have fun!

How Students Could Cope with the Rising

Costs of Living


13

How the Trend of English-speaking

Daie Brought Changes to Learning

Islam

BY Naim Azizi and Sharifah Asmaa’

Half a century ago, a deeply concerned Nigerian writer Chinua Achibe posed the question “Can English carry the weight of my African experience?” He decided at last that indeed it could, and consequently chose to write in English rather than his native Ibo. A timelier question today is: How can English language (specifically English speaking Muslim preachers) carry the weight of Islamic experiences by bringing any changes to learning Islam?

With the ever-changing modern era of globalisation that we are living in, the need for English language is of high importance and at the same time, there is a constant need and increasing demand for preachers with fluent English in the society. Nowadays, Muslims in Malaysia are fast hiking up the hill of ‘Islamic consciousness’. They all want to be better Muslims and reach high levels of Imaan. Most, if not all of them don’t know how and what to do. One cannot help noticing that this is more obvious among those extremely busy Muslims in the upper-class and middle-class residential areas, who seek solitude in foreign preachers especially the ones with good command of English. This “so-called” trend of attending talks by English-speaking preachers such as Dr Zakir Naik, Sheikh Tawfique Chowdhury, Nouman Ali Khan, etc. gives a fresh and different kind of lens to view and learn Islam. Being Malay Muslims, not only attending such talks helps to increase the proficiency of the English language but at the same time, it also helps to increase better awareness within the people who are not that well-versed in the Malay language.

The English language can actually train the audience to expand their vocabulary to not only learn, but also at the same time think in English in order to explain and analyse many things. When it comes to Islamic studies, most of the major sources of Islam are available in English, rather than in Malay.

Furthermore, there is also a slight gap between talks conducted in Malay language and those in English

language. For talks conducted in the latter, it can provide a whole new level of understanding of the teachings and knowledge of Islam towards people that do not speak Malay who are seeking knowledge on the

religion of Islam. The extent of English Islamic scholarship is simply very immense due to the possible fact that English is now considered a major language not only for Islamic knowledge but it is also the lingua franca for all other fields of knowledge. Currently, it can be said that there are more books on Islam written or translated in English by English-speaking scholars.

However, we would not like this article to end like a typical article. But rather we would like to pose a question. Is it true that people want to learn the religion of Islam just because the speakers speak in English, or is it due to the fact that the speakers have a certain aura and knowledge that can capture the people’s hearts and minds? If we take a step back, we can actually see that the trend also shows an increase in Malay speaking preachers, such as the likes of Ustaz Azhar Idrus, Ustaz Harun Din, Ustaz Don, Dr Maza and even Ustaz “Bollywood”. Either way, regardless of the language used, what is important is the willingness to actually learn and gain more knowledge on Islam.

Share with us your opinion via Twitter @AikolPress.


14

It was in 1998 when I first got to know about the famous Manchester United (MUFC). To say that I was in love with the football team is an understatement. I was passionate about MUFC. As a matter of fact, nothing much has changed 16 years after. My eyes still glimmer with glee every time I see anything associated with the “Pride of all Europe”.

Being a huge football fan, my love towards football and MUFC transcends to the passion of collecting football memorabilia. Owning something relating to the team I support gives me a real big buzz. Football replica kits, mugs, key chains, and posters. You name it all, I want it all! As a young boy, all I ever wanted was a red jersey with ‘Sheringham 10’ on the back. Mind you, football kits don’t come cheap and to tell you the truth, my old man didn’t want to buy me one especially as my school grades weren’t that good back then! I finally bought my first football replica jersey when I was 15 after hard times of saving my school pocket money. It was a dream come true. I still have that shirt and I love it to death. From then on, I made it a point to work hard in collecting more football jerseys. In a way, I would like to believe that I showed my enthusiasm for the sport by wearing the same shirt as the players on the field. That might sound silly but some silly people do silly things for something that they find irresistible (points finger at me).

Collectible items relating to football are not limited to only replica shirts. Scarves, for example, are also something which football fans love to own. With the emergence of the ‘Ultras’ movement, scarves have been an essential part of the match-going culture. Stadiums are now full with supporters twirling their scarves skywards in unison to provide a great

atmosphere for the players they support. Football-trading cards are also excellent examples of how football could be marketed into something highly profitable. Card enthusiasts would go through walls to get ‘Special Edition’ cards with the profile of their favorite footballers. All these are done in the name of their passion for football.

The thing about football memorabilia that appeals to me is the sense of identity. You would feel as if you have a connection to the team you support. The sheer determination to prove your willingness for your team encourages you to indulge in rare collectible items related to the particular team. Nonetheless, it should

also be reminded that even though it is fun to own these things, the financial aspect of this kind of hobby must not be taken lightly. There must be a careful and specified budget in order to avoid oneself from being wasteful in spending precious amount of money. Some of these collectible items are expensive as they are considered exceptional and of the highest quality. In order for

students to enjoy this hobby, a thorough and particular planning is needed to

ensure that funds will be available without disregarding the essential needs, such as text books and references.

Therefore, I highly recommend those who are interested in football memorabilia to find alternative ways to gain extra pocket money. Taking on part-time jobs during the holidays is the best way to do that. I can assure you that the hard work will be worthwhile when you get your hands on the latest football jersey you have always wanted. So what are you waiting for then? Happy collecting folks!

P.S.: Come on David Moyes, play like Fergie’s boys!

OF CANTONA COLLARS


15

A European Reminisce: Tranquility & Romance

have always been one of those people. A dyed-in-the-wool Europhile. A Malaysian, having lived in Europe for twelve years defenseless in the face of

Europe’s glamour and pleasures. A third culture child who could never seem to quake the continent of the arts. I lived in Europe, I explored with friends, I feasted on the cuisine. And for more than a decade, I lived my desires.

If Europe were a melody, the exquisite sceneries viewed from Mont Blanc could summarize the leitmotif. The air is invigorating; it inspires you, even if you desire nothing. The surrounding terrain naturally sport a scowling mien that belittles your very existence, but it was beautiful. Europe as a continent exhibits spectacular and prestigious history, ranging from the arts, music and to an extent, it will always belong to the Jolies and Monroes. But now, a part of me runs through its veins too.

Accustomed I was to the Colosseum and the chateaus in Loire Valley, seeing as I have visited the monuments on numerous occasions. Regardless of how many times you’ve been there, being there in its presence evokes an indefinable sentiment. It’s no surprise that countless numbers of eloquent souls come to Europe. The view that it has to offer not only intensifies the vitality of your perception on life, but it also galvanizes your phlegmatic self.

The cities that impressed me most were Rome and Geneva. The former is a beautiful city, which revolves around food, food that allures you with its presentation and mesmerizes your soul with its flavors. Italians

have an expression that says, “Anche l’occhio vuole la sua parte” which conveys that you eat with your eyes first. Nothing satisfies me more than strolling down the streets breathing in the enticing smells of aromatic pizzas, spicy sausages and the sight of luxurious and yet tangible-looking gelatos. More often than not I would buy myself a slice of a plain pizza margherita at Leoncino’s located close to the Spanish steps and preceded to a seat, enjoying the marvelous view.

Geneva is a very placid city, which revolves around chocolate and luxury timepieces. For chocolate, Geneva is the only place to go: Chocolats Rohr in Carouge. Often, I bought the chocolate-covered nougat and continued to various green patches scattered around the area and ate it with euphoric tranquility.

In Europe, I was enthralled. I loved the tulip garden in Amsterdam that blossomed during spring, the petals brilliantly colored. And in the winter, the view from Matterhorn in Zermatt never failed to take my breath away. The crisp sunlight reflecting upon the white, innocent snow is just an experience that is incomparable to anything that you’ve ever encountered.

As I peregrinated from Geneva to Monte Carlo, Rome to Florence, Paris to London I started to see Europe in a different light. Bel Air in Geneva and Avenue Montagnie in Paris nudges Europe away from “the free spirit” into the realm of the grandeur, while cities like Budapest depict the light that illuminates the continent of the arts without

demanding anything from you.

Looking upon the monuments, people and the sceneries in Europe is beyond satisfying, beyond fulfilling. The beauty incapacitates you; this beauty terminates your ability to feel gratified, as it can never be matched. You are collided by an epiphany with no content.

You realize nothing, but wonder.

I

aikol press issue 13

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