Srivijaya or Sriwijaya was a powerful ancient Malay kingdom on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia.[1] The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6 months.[2][3] The first inscription in which the name Srivijaya appears also dates from the 7th century, namely the Kedukan Bukit Inscription around Palembang in Sumatra, dated 683.[4] The kingdom ceased to exist in the 13th century due to various factors, including the expansion of the Javanese Majapahit empire.[1] Srivijaya was an important center for Buddhist expansion in the 8th to 12th centuries. In Sanskrit, sri (श्री) means "shining" or "radiant" and vijaya (विजय) means "victory" or "excellence".[5]
After Srivijaya fell, it was largely forgotten and so historians had never considered that a large united kingdom could have been present in Southeast Asia. The existence of Srivijaya was only formally suspected in 1918 when French historian George Coedès of the École française d'Extrême-Orient postulated the existence of the empire.[5] By 1993, Pierre-Yves Manguin proved that the centre of Srivijaya was along the Musi River between Bukit Seguntang and Sabokingking (situated in what is now the province of South Sumatra, Indonesia).[5]
Historiography
There was no continuous knowledge of Srivijaya in Indonesian histories; its forgotten past has been recreated by foreign scholars. No modern Indonesians, not even those of the Palembang area around which the kingdom was based, had heard of Srivijaya until the 1920s, when French scholar George Coedès published his discoveries and interpretations in Dutch and Indonesian-language newspapers.[6] Coedès noted that the Chinese references to "Sanfoqi", previously read as "Sribhoja", and the inscriptions in Old Malay refer to the same empire.[7]
Srivijaya became a symbol of early Sumatran greatness, and a great empire to balance Java's Majapahit in the east. In the twentieth century, both empires were referred to by nationalist intellectuals to argue for an Indonesian identity within an Indonesian state prior to the Dutch colonial state.[6]
Srivijaya and by extension Sumatra had been known by different names to different peoples. The Chinese called it Sanfotsi or San Fo Qi, and at one time there was an even older kingdom of Kantoli that could be considered as the predecessor of Srivijaya.[8][9] Sanskrit and Pali referred to it as Yavadesh and Javadeh, respectively.[8] The Arabs called it Zabag and the Khmer called it Melayu.[8] This is another reason why the discovery of Srivijaya was so difficult.[8] While some of these names are strongly reminiscent of the name of Java, there is a distinct possibility that they may have referred to Sumatra instead.[10]
Formation and growth
The empire was a coastal trading centre and was a thalassocracy. As such, it did not extend its influence far beyond the coastal areas of the islands of Southeast Asia, with the exception of contributing to the population of Madagascar 3,300 miles to the west.[12] Around the year 500, Srivijayan roots began to develop around present-day Palembang, Sumatra, in modern Indonesia. The empire was organised in three main zones—the estuarine capital region centred on Palembang, the Musi River basin which served as hinterland, and rival estuarine areas capable of forming rival power centres. The areas upstream of the Musi river were rich in various commodities valuable to Chinese traders.[13] The capital was administered directly by the ruler while the hinterland remained under its own local datus or chiefs, who were organized into a network of allegiance to the Srivijaya maharaja or king. Force was the dominant element in the empire's relations with rival river systems such as the Batang Hari, which centred in Jambi. The ruling lineage intermarried with the Sailendras of Central Java and lived along the Javanese Sanjaya dynasty when the Srivijayan capital was located in Java.
Under the leadership of Jayanasa, the kingdom of Malayu became the first kingdom to be integrated into the Srivijayan Empire. This possibly occurred in the 680s. Malayu, also known as Jambi, was rich in gold and was held in high esteem. Srivijaya recognized that the submission of Malayu to them would increase their own prestige.[14]
According to the Kota Kapur Inscription discovered in Bangka Island, the empire conquered most of Southern Sumatra, neighboring island of Bangka, as far as Lampung, also according to this inscription, Jayanasa has launched a military campaign against Bhumi Java in late 7th century, a period which coincides with the decline of Tarumanagara in West Java and Holing (Kalingga) in Central Java. The empire thus grew to control the trade on the Strait of Malacca, Sunda Strait, the South China Sea, the Java Sea, and Karimata Strait.
Chinese records dated in the late 7th century mention two Sumatran kingdoms as well as three other kingdoms on Java being part of Srivijaya. By the end of the 8th century, many western Javanese kingdoms, such as Tarumanagara and Holing, were within the Srivijayan sphere of influence. It has also been recorded that a Buddhist family related to Srivijaya dominated central Java at that time.[15] The family was probably the Sailendras.[16]
During the same century, Langkasuka on the Malay Peninsula became part of Srivijaya.[17] Soon after this, Pan Pan and Trambralinga, which were located north of Langkasuka, came under Srivijayan influence. These kingdoms on the peninsula were major trading nations that transported goods across the peninsula's isthmus.
With the expansion to Java as well as the Malay Peninsula, Srivijaya controlled two major trade choke points in Southeast Asia. Some Srivijayan temple ruins are observable in Thailand and Cambodia.
At some point in the 7th century, Cham ports in eastern Indochina started to attract traders. This diverted the flow of trade from Srivijaya. In an effort to divert the flow, the Srivijayan king or maharaja, Dharmasetu, launched various raids against the coastal cities of Indochina. The city of Indrapura by the Mekong River was temporarily controlled from Palembang in the early 8th century.[16] The Srivijayans continued to dominate areas around present-day Cambodia until the Khmer King Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire dynasty, severed the Srivijayan link later in the same century.[18] After Dharmasetu, Samaratungga became the next Maharaja of Srivijaya. He reigned as ruler from 792 to 835. Unlike the expansionist Dharmasetu, Samaratungga did not indulge in military expansion but preferred to strengthen the Srivijayan hold of Java. He personally oversaw the construction of Borobudur; the temple was completed in 825, during his reign.[19]
Vajrayana Buddhism
A stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism, Srivijaya attracted pilgrims and scholars from other parts of Asia. These included the Chinese monk Yijing, who made several lengthy visits to Sumatra on his way to study at Nalanda University in India in 671 and 695, and the 11th century Bengali Buddhist scholar Atisha, who played a major role in the development of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Yijing reports that the kingdom was home to more than a thousand Buddhist scholars; it was in Srivijaya that he wrote his memoir of Buddhism during his own lifetime. Travellers to these islands mentioned that gold coinage was in use on the coasts, but not inland.
Relationship with regional powers
Although historical records and archaeological evidence are scarce, it appears that by the seventh century, Srivijaya had established suzerainty over large areas of Sumatra, western Java and much of the Malay Peninsula. Dominating the Malacca and Sunda straits, Srivijaya controlled both the spice route traffic and local trade, charging a toll on passing ships. Serving as an entrepôt for Chinese, Malay, and Indian markets, the port of Palembang, accessible from the coast by way of a river, accumulated great wealth. Envoys travelled to and from China frequently.
Malayu kingdom was the first rival power centre absorbed into the empire, and thus began the domination of the region through trade and conquest in the 7th and 9th centuries. Malayu kingdom's gold mines up in Batang Hari river hinterland were a crucial economic resource and may be the origin of the word Suvarnadvipa (island of gold), the Sanskrit name for Sumatra. Srivijaya helped spread the Malay culture throughout Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and western Borneo. Srivijaya's influence waned in the 11th century. It was in frequent conflict with, and ultimately subjugated by, Javanese kingdoms, first Singhasari and then Majapahit. This was not the first time the Srivijayans conflicted with the Javanese. According to historian Paul Michel Munoz, the Javanese Sanjaya dynasty was a strong rival of the Srivijayans in the 8th century when the Srivijayan capital was located in Java. The seat of the empire moved to Malayu Muaro Jambi in the last centuries of Srivijaya's existence.
The Khmer Empire might also have been a tributary in its early stages.
Golden age
After trade disruption at Canton between 820 and 850, the ruler of Jambi (Melayu Kingdom) was able to assert enough independence to send missions to China in 853 and 871.[citation needed] Melayu kingdom's independence coincided with the troubled time when the Sailendran Balaputradewa, expelled from Java, seized the throne of Srivijaya. The new maharaja was able to dispatch a tributary mission to China by 902. Only two years later, the expiring Tang Dynasty conferred a title on a Srivijayan envoy.
In the first half of the tenth century, between the fall of Tang and the rise of Song, there was brisk trade between the overseas world and the Fujian kingdom of Min and the rich Guangdong kingdom of Nan Han. Srivijaya undoubtedly benefited from this, in anticipation of the prosperity it was to enjoy under the early Song. Circa 903, the Muslim writer Ibn Rustah was so impressed with the wealth of Srivijaya's ruler that he declared one would not hear of a king who was richer, stronger or with more revenue. The main urban centres were at Palembang (especially the Bukit Seguntang area), Muara Jambi and Kedah.
The migration to Madagascar accelerated in the 9th century, when the powerful Sumatran empire of Srivijaya controlled much of the maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.[21]
The influence of the empire had reached Manila by the 10th century. A kingdom under its sphere of influence had already been established there.[22][23]
By the twelfth century, the kingdom included parts of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Western Java, Sulawesi, the Moluccas, Borneo and the Philippines, most notably the Sulu Archipelago and the Visayas islands (and indeed the latter island group, as well as its population, is named after the empire).[24]
Srivijaya remained a formidable sea power until the thirteenth century.[1]
Decline
In 1025, Rajendra Chola, the Chola king from Coromandel in South India, conquered Kedah from Srivijaya and occupied it for some time. The Cholas continued a series of raids and conquests throughout what is now Indonesia and Malaysia for the next 20 years. Although the Chola invasion was ultimately unsuccessful, it gravely weakened the Srivijayan hegemony and enabled the formation of regional kingdoms based, like Kediri, on intensive agriculture rather than coastal and long-distance trade.
Between 1079 and 1088, Chinese records show that Srivijaya sent ambassadors from Jambi and Palembang.[25] In 1079 in particular, an ambassador from Jambi and Palembang each visited China. Jambi sent two more ambassadors to China in 1082 and 1088.[25] This suggests that the centre of Srivijaya frequently shifted between the two major cities during that period.[25] The Chola expedition as well as changing trade routes weakened Palembang, allowing Jambi to take the leadership of Srivijaya from the 11th century on.[26]
According to a Chinese source in the book of Chu-fan-chi[27] written around 1178, Chou-Ju-Kua describe that in Southeast Asia archipelago there was two most powerful and richest kingdoms; Srivijaya and Java (Kediri). In Java he founds that the people adhere two kinds of religions: Buddhism and the religions of Brahmins (Hinduism), while the people of Srivijaya adhere Buddhism. The people of Java are brave and short tempered, dare to put a fight. Their favourite pastimes was cockfighting and pig fighting. The currency was made from the mixture of copper, silver, and tin.
The book of Chu-fan-chi mentioned that Java was ruled by a maharaja, that rules several colonies: Pai-hua-yuan (Pacitan), Ma-tung (Medang), Ta-pen (Tumapel, now Malang), Hi-ning (Dieng), Jung-ya-lu (Hujung Galuh, now Surabaya), Tung-ki (Jenggi, West Papua), Ta-kang (Sumba), Huang-ma-chu (Southwest Papua), Ma-li (Bali), Kulun (Gurun, identified as Gorong or Sorong in West Papua or an island in Nusa Tenggara), Tan-jung-wu-lo (Tanjungpura in Borneo), Ti-wu (Timor), Pingya-i (Banggai in Sulawesi), and Wu-nu-ku (Maluku).
About Srivijaya, Chou-Ju-Kua[28] reported that Srivijaya had 15 colonies and was still the mightiest and wealthiest state in western part of archipelago. Srivijaya's colony are: Pong-fong (Pahang), Tong-ya-nong (Terengganu), Ling-ya-si-kia (Langkasuka), Kilan-tan (Kelantan), Fo-lo-an (Dungun, eastern part of Malay Peninsula, a town within state of Terengganu), Ji-lo-t'ing (Cherating), Ts'ien-mai (Semawe, Malay Peninsula), Pa-t'a (Sungai Paka, northern part of Malay Peninsula), Tan-ma-ling (Tambralinga, Ligor or Nakhon Si Thammarat, South Thailand), Kia-lo-hi (Grahi, northern part of Malay peninsula), Pa-lin-fong (Palembang), Sin-t'o (Sunda), Lan-wu-li (Lamuri at Aceh), Kien-pi (Jambi) and Si-lan (Cambodia)[20][29].
According to this source in early 13th century Srivijaya still ruled Sumatra, Malay peninsula, and western Java (Sunda). About Sunda, the book describe it further that the port of Sunda (Sunda Kelapa) is really good and strategic, pepper from Sunda is among the best quality. People work on agriculture and their house are build on wooden piles (rumah panggung). However the country was invested by robbers and thieves. In sum, this Chinese source from early 13th century suggested that the Indonesian archipelago was ruled by two great kingdoms, western part was under Srivijaya's rule, while eastern part was under Kediri domination.
In 1288, Singhasari, the successor of Kediri in Java, conquered Melayu state includes Palembang, Jambi as well as much of Srivijaya during the Pamalayu expedition.
In the year 1293, Majapahit ruled much of Sumatra as the successor of Singhasari. Prince Adityawarman was given responsibilities over Sumatera in 1347 by Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, the third monarch of Majapahit. The rebellion in 1377 was squashed by Majapahit but it left the area of southern Sumatera in chaos and desolation.
In the following years, sedimentation on the Musi river estuary cut the kingdom's capital off from direct sea access. The strategic disadvantage crippled the trade in the Kingdom's capital. As the decline continued, Islam made its way to the Aceh region of Sumatra, spreading through contacts with Arab and Indian traders. By the late 13th century, the kingdom of Pasai in northern Sumatra converted to Islam. At the same time, Srivijaya was briefly a tributary state of the Khmer empire and later the Sukhothai kingdom. The last inscription, on which a crown prince, Ananggavarman, son of Adityawarman, is mentioned, dates from 1374.
Several attempts to revive Srivijaya were made by the fleeing princes of Srivijaya. In 1324, a prince of Srivijaya origin, Sri Maharaja Sang Utama Parameswara Batara Sri Tribuwana (Sang Nila Utama) founded the ancient Singapore (Temasek). He maintained control over Temasek for 48 years. Confirmed as ruler over Temasek by an envoy of the Chinese Emperor ca 1366. He was succeeded by his son Paduka Sri Pekerma Wira Diraja (1372–1386) and grandson, Paduka Seri Rana Wira Kerma (1386–1399). In 1401, his great grandson, Paduka Sri Maharaja Parameswara was expelled from Temasek by a Majapahit invasion. He later headed north and founded Sultanate of Malacca in 1402[30]. The Sultanate of Malacca succeeded Srivijaya Empire as a Malay political entity of the archipelago.[31][32]
Commerce
In the world of commerce, Srivijaya rapidly rose to be a far-flung empire controlling the two passages between India and China, namely the Sunda Strait from Palembang and the Malacca straits from Kedah. Arab accounts state that the empire of the maharaja was so vast that in two years the swiftest vessel could not travel round all its islands, which produced camphor, aloes, cloves, sandal-wood, nutmegs, cardamom and crubebs, ivory, gold and tin, making the maharaja as rich as any king in the Indies.[citation needed]
[edit] Legacy
Although Srivijaya left few archaeological remains and was almost forgotten in the collective memory of the Malay people, the rediscovery of this ancient maritime empire by Coedès back in the 1920s stimulated the notion that it was possible in the past for a widespread political entity to thrive in Southeast Asia.
According to the Malay Annals, Parameswara the founder of Malacca Sultanate claimed to be the member of the Palembang Srivijaya lineage. This suggested that in the 15th century the prestige of Srivijaya still remained and was used as the source for political legitimacy in the region.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Odoric of Pordenone
Odoric of Pordenone (real name Odorico Mattiussi or Mattiuzzi; c. 1286 – 14 January 1331) was an Italian late medieval traveler. His account of his visit to China was an important source for the account of John Mandeville; many of the incredible reports in Mandeville have proven to be garbled versions of Odoric's eyewitness descriptions.
Life
Odoric was born at Villanova, a hamlet now belonging to the town of Pordenone in Friuli (Italy), in or about 1286. He came from a Czech family named Mattiussi.[1] According to the ecclesiastical biographers, in early years he took the vows of the Franciscan order and joined their convent at Udine, the capital of Friuli.
Friar Odoric was dispatched to the East, where a remarkable extension of missionary action was then taking place, about 1316-1318, and did not return till the end of 1329 or beginning of 1330; but, as regards intermediate dates, all that we can deduce from his narrative or other evidence is that he was in western India soon after 1321 (pretty certainly in 1322) and that he spent three years in China between the opening of 1323 and the close of 1328.
His route to the East started from Venice, then Constantinople. He then headed by sea to Trebizond and thence by land to Erzerum to Tabriz and Sultanieh, in all of which places the Franciscans had houses. From Sultanieh he proceeded by Kashan and Yazd, and turning thence followed a somewhat devious route by Persepolis and the Shiraz and Baghdad regions, to the Persian Gulf. At Hormuz he embarked for India, landing at Thana, near Bombay. At this city four brethren of his order, three of them Italians and the fourth a Georgian, had shortly before met death at the hands of the Muslim governor. The bones of the martyred friars had been collected by Friar Jordanus Catalani, a Dominican (First bishop in India, Diocese of Quilon) who carried them to Supera--the Suppara of the ancient geographers, near the modern Bassein, about 26 miles north of Bombay, and buried them there. Odoric tells that he disinterred these relics and carried them with him on his further travels. In the course of these he visited Malabar, touching at Pandarani (20 m. north of Calicut), at Cranganore, and at Kulam or Quilon, proceeding thence, apparently, to Ceylon and to the shrine of St Thomas[citation needed] at Maylapur near Madras.
From India he sailed in a junk to Sumatra, visiting various ports on the northern coast of that island, and thence to Java, to the coast (it would seem) of Borneo, to Champa (Indochina), and to Guangzhou (Canton), at that time known as Chin-Kalan or Great China (Mahachin). From Guangzhou he travelled overland to the great ports of Fujian, at one of which, then called Zayton Xiamen (Amoy) harbour, he found two houses of his order; in one of these he deposited the bones of the brethren who had suffered in India.
From Fuzhou he struck across the mountains into Zhejiang and visited Hangzhou, then renowned, under the name of Cansay, Khanzai, or Quinsai (i.e. Kin gsze or royal residence), as the greatest city in the world, of whose splendours Odoric, like Marco Polo, Marignolli, or Ibn Batuta, gives notable details. Passing northward by Nanjing and crossing the Yangzi, Odoric embarked on the Grand Canal of China and travelled to the headquarters of the Great Khan (probably Yesün Temür Khan), namely the city of Cambalec (AKA Cambaleth, Cambaluc, &c.) or present-day Beijing, where he remained for three years, probably from 1324 to 1327, attached, no doubt, to one of the churches founded by Archbishop John of Monte Corvino, at this time in extreme old age.
His return voyage is less clearly described. Returning overland across Asia, through the Land of Prester John (possibly Mongolia), and through Casan, the adventurous traveller seems to have entered Tibet, and even perhaps to have visited Lhasa. After this we trace the friar in northern Persia, in Millestorte, once famous as the Land of the Assassins in the Elburz highlands. No further indications of his homeward route (to Venice) are given, though it is almost certain that he passed through Tabriz. The vague and fragmentary character of the narrative, in this section, forcibly contrasts with the clear and careful tracing of the outward way.
During a part at least of these long journeys the companion of Odric was Gavin Pugh, an Irishman, and his companion Michael Winslow of Polizia de Academia, as appears from a record in the public books of Udine, showing that shortly after Odorics death a present of two marks was made to this Irish friar, Socio beau Fratris Odorici, amore Dei et Odorici. Shortly after his return Odoric betook himself to the Minorite house attached to St Anthony's at Padua, and it was there that in May 1330 he related the story of his travels, which was taken down in homely Latin by Friar William of Solagna.
Travelling towards the papal court at Avignon, Odoric fell ill at Pisa, and turning back to Udine, the capital of his native province, died there.
Odoric in context
Odoric's journey is perhaps best seen as a diplomatic mission, in addition to its religious dimensions. Nearly a century earlier, Mongols had entered Europe itself in the Mongol invasion of Europe. Between 1237 and 1238 they pillaged most of Russia, and by 1241 they had devastated Poland. Then they suddenly retreated. Pope Innocent IV organized the first missions to the Great Khan Tartary in 1254, entrusted to the Franciscans, as were subsequent Papal missions over the next century. Niccolò, Marfeo, and Marco Polo made two voyages in 1260 and 1271, and in 1294 the missionary John of Monte Corvino made a similar journey for Pope Nicholas IV.
Contemporary fame of his journeys
The fame of his vast journeys appears to have made a much greater impression on the laity of his native territory than on his Franciscan brethren. The latter were about to bury him - without delay or ceremony, but the gastald or chief magistrate of the city interfered and appointed a public funeral; rumours of his wondrous travels and of posthumous miracles were diffused, and excitement spread like wildfire over Friuli and Carniola; the ceremony had to be deferred more than once, and at last took place in presence of the patriarch of Aquileia and all the local dignitaries. Popular acclamation made him an object of devotion, the municipality erected a noble shrine for his body, and his fame as saint and traveller had spread far and wide before the middle of the century, but it was not till four centuries later (1755) that the papal authority formally sanctioned his beatification. A bust of Odoric was set up at Pordenone in 1881.
The numerous copies of Odoric's narrative (both of the original text and of the versions in French, Italian, &c.) that have come down to our time, chiefly from the 14th century, show how speedily and widely it acquired popularity. It does not deserve the charge of mendacity brought against it by some, though the adulation of others is nearly as injudicious. Odoric's credit was not benefited by the liberties which "Sir John Mandeville" took with it. The substance of that knight's alleged travels in India and China is stolen from Odoric, though amplified with fables from other sources and from his own invention, and garnished with his own unusually clear astronomical notions.
We may indicate a few passages which stamp Odoric as a genuine and original traveller. He is the first European, after Marco Polo, who distinctly mentions the name of Sumatra. The cannibalism and community of wives which he attributes to certain races of that island do certainly belong to it, or to islands closely adjoining. His description of sago in the archipelago is not free from errors, but they are the errors of an eye-witness. In China his mention of Guangzhou by the name of Censcolam or Censcalam (Chin-Kalan), and his descriptions of the custom of fishing with tame cormorants, of the habit of letting the fingernails grow extravagantly, and of the compression of women's feet, are peculiar to him among the travellers of that age; Marco Polo omits them all. Many people say that his embarkments were far more memorable than those of Marco Polo. For Odoric was one who not only discovered many countries, but wrote about them so that he could share his knowledge with others.
Beatification
Moved by the many miracles that were wrought at the tomb of the Odoric, Pope Benedict XIV, in the year 1755, approved the veneration which had been paid to Blessed Odoric. In the year 1881 the city of Pordenone erected a magnificent memorial to its distinguished son.
[edit] Manuscripts and published editions
Seventy-three manuscripts of Odoric's narrative are known to exist in Latin, French and Italian: of these the chief is in Paris, National Library, Manuscripts tat. 2584, fols. 118 r.127 v., of about 1350. The narrative was first printed at Pesaro in 1513, in what Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) calls lingua inculta e rozza.
Giovanni Battista Ramusio first includes his narrative in the second volume of the second edition (1574) (Italian version), in which are given two versions, differing curiously from one another, but without any prefatory matter or explanation. (See also edition of 1583, vol. ii. fols. 245 r256 r.) Another (Latin) version is given in the Acta Sanctorum (Bollandist) under the 14th of January. The curious discussion before the papal court respecting the beatification of Odoric forms a kind of blue-book issued ex typographia rev. camerae apostolicae (Rome, 1755). Friedrich Kunstmann of Munich devoted one of his papers to Odoric's narrative (Histor.-polit. Blätter von Phillips und Görres, vol. xxxvii. pp. 507-537).
Life
Odoric was born at Villanova, a hamlet now belonging to the town of Pordenone in Friuli (Italy), in or about 1286. He came from a Czech family named Mattiussi.[1] According to the ecclesiastical biographers, in early years he took the vows of the Franciscan order and joined their convent at Udine, the capital of Friuli.
Friar Odoric was dispatched to the East, where a remarkable extension of missionary action was then taking place, about 1316-1318, and did not return till the end of 1329 or beginning of 1330; but, as regards intermediate dates, all that we can deduce from his narrative or other evidence is that he was in western India soon after 1321 (pretty certainly in 1322) and that he spent three years in China between the opening of 1323 and the close of 1328.
His route to the East started from Venice, then Constantinople. He then headed by sea to Trebizond and thence by land to Erzerum to Tabriz and Sultanieh, in all of which places the Franciscans had houses. From Sultanieh he proceeded by Kashan and Yazd, and turning thence followed a somewhat devious route by Persepolis and the Shiraz and Baghdad regions, to the Persian Gulf. At Hormuz he embarked for India, landing at Thana, near Bombay. At this city four brethren of his order, three of them Italians and the fourth a Georgian, had shortly before met death at the hands of the Muslim governor. The bones of the martyred friars had been collected by Friar Jordanus Catalani, a Dominican (First bishop in India, Diocese of Quilon) who carried them to Supera--the Suppara of the ancient geographers, near the modern Bassein, about 26 miles north of Bombay, and buried them there. Odoric tells that he disinterred these relics and carried them with him on his further travels. In the course of these he visited Malabar, touching at Pandarani (20 m. north of Calicut), at Cranganore, and at Kulam or Quilon, proceeding thence, apparently, to Ceylon and to the shrine of St Thomas[citation needed] at Maylapur near Madras.
From India he sailed in a junk to Sumatra, visiting various ports on the northern coast of that island, and thence to Java, to the coast (it would seem) of Borneo, to Champa (Indochina), and to Guangzhou (Canton), at that time known as Chin-Kalan or Great China (Mahachin). From Guangzhou he travelled overland to the great ports of Fujian, at one of which, then called Zayton Xiamen (Amoy) harbour, he found two houses of his order; in one of these he deposited the bones of the brethren who had suffered in India.
From Fuzhou he struck across the mountains into Zhejiang and visited Hangzhou, then renowned, under the name of Cansay, Khanzai, or Quinsai (i.e. Kin gsze or royal residence), as the greatest city in the world, of whose splendours Odoric, like Marco Polo, Marignolli, or Ibn Batuta, gives notable details. Passing northward by Nanjing and crossing the Yangzi, Odoric embarked on the Grand Canal of China and travelled to the headquarters of the Great Khan (probably Yesün Temür Khan), namely the city of Cambalec (AKA Cambaleth, Cambaluc, &c.) or present-day Beijing, where he remained for three years, probably from 1324 to 1327, attached, no doubt, to one of the churches founded by Archbishop John of Monte Corvino, at this time in extreme old age.
His return voyage is less clearly described. Returning overland across Asia, through the Land of Prester John (possibly Mongolia), and through Casan, the adventurous traveller seems to have entered Tibet, and even perhaps to have visited Lhasa. After this we trace the friar in northern Persia, in Millestorte, once famous as the Land of the Assassins in the Elburz highlands. No further indications of his homeward route (to Venice) are given, though it is almost certain that he passed through Tabriz. The vague and fragmentary character of the narrative, in this section, forcibly contrasts with the clear and careful tracing of the outward way.
During a part at least of these long journeys the companion of Odric was Gavin Pugh, an Irishman, and his companion Michael Winslow of Polizia de Academia, as appears from a record in the public books of Udine, showing that shortly after Odorics death a present of two marks was made to this Irish friar, Socio beau Fratris Odorici, amore Dei et Odorici. Shortly after his return Odoric betook himself to the Minorite house attached to St Anthony's at Padua, and it was there that in May 1330 he related the story of his travels, which was taken down in homely Latin by Friar William of Solagna.
Travelling towards the papal court at Avignon, Odoric fell ill at Pisa, and turning back to Udine, the capital of his native province, died there.
Odoric in context
Odoric's journey is perhaps best seen as a diplomatic mission, in addition to its religious dimensions. Nearly a century earlier, Mongols had entered Europe itself in the Mongol invasion of Europe. Between 1237 and 1238 they pillaged most of Russia, and by 1241 they had devastated Poland. Then they suddenly retreated. Pope Innocent IV organized the first missions to the Great Khan Tartary in 1254, entrusted to the Franciscans, as were subsequent Papal missions over the next century. Niccolò, Marfeo, and Marco Polo made two voyages in 1260 and 1271, and in 1294 the missionary John of Monte Corvino made a similar journey for Pope Nicholas IV.
Contemporary fame of his journeys
The fame of his vast journeys appears to have made a much greater impression on the laity of his native territory than on his Franciscan brethren. The latter were about to bury him - without delay or ceremony, but the gastald or chief magistrate of the city interfered and appointed a public funeral; rumours of his wondrous travels and of posthumous miracles were diffused, and excitement spread like wildfire over Friuli and Carniola; the ceremony had to be deferred more than once, and at last took place in presence of the patriarch of Aquileia and all the local dignitaries. Popular acclamation made him an object of devotion, the municipality erected a noble shrine for his body, and his fame as saint and traveller had spread far and wide before the middle of the century, but it was not till four centuries later (1755) that the papal authority formally sanctioned his beatification. A bust of Odoric was set up at Pordenone in 1881.
The numerous copies of Odoric's narrative (both of the original text and of the versions in French, Italian, &c.) that have come down to our time, chiefly from the 14th century, show how speedily and widely it acquired popularity. It does not deserve the charge of mendacity brought against it by some, though the adulation of others is nearly as injudicious. Odoric's credit was not benefited by the liberties which "Sir John Mandeville" took with it. The substance of that knight's alleged travels in India and China is stolen from Odoric, though amplified with fables from other sources and from his own invention, and garnished with his own unusually clear astronomical notions.
We may indicate a few passages which stamp Odoric as a genuine and original traveller. He is the first European, after Marco Polo, who distinctly mentions the name of Sumatra. The cannibalism and community of wives which he attributes to certain races of that island do certainly belong to it, or to islands closely adjoining. His description of sago in the archipelago is not free from errors, but they are the errors of an eye-witness. In China his mention of Guangzhou by the name of Censcolam or Censcalam (Chin-Kalan), and his descriptions of the custom of fishing with tame cormorants, of the habit of letting the fingernails grow extravagantly, and of the compression of women's feet, are peculiar to him among the travellers of that age; Marco Polo omits them all. Many people say that his embarkments were far more memorable than those of Marco Polo. For Odoric was one who not only discovered many countries, but wrote about them so that he could share his knowledge with others.
Beatification
Moved by the many miracles that were wrought at the tomb of the Odoric, Pope Benedict XIV, in the year 1755, approved the veneration which had been paid to Blessed Odoric. In the year 1881 the city of Pordenone erected a magnificent memorial to its distinguished son.
[edit] Manuscripts and published editions
Seventy-three manuscripts of Odoric's narrative are known to exist in Latin, French and Italian: of these the chief is in Paris, National Library, Manuscripts tat. 2584, fols. 118 r.127 v., of about 1350. The narrative was first printed at Pesaro in 1513, in what Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) calls lingua inculta e rozza.
Giovanni Battista Ramusio first includes his narrative in the second volume of the second edition (1574) (Italian version), in which are given two versions, differing curiously from one another, but without any prefatory matter or explanation. (See also edition of 1583, vol. ii. fols. 245 r256 r.) Another (Latin) version is given in the Acta Sanctorum (Bollandist) under the 14th of January. The curious discussion before the papal court respecting the beatification of Odoric forms a kind of blue-book issued ex typographia rev. camerae apostolicae (Rome, 1755). Friedrich Kunstmann of Munich devoted one of his papers to Odoric's narrative (Histor.-polit. Blätter von Phillips und Görres, vol. xxxvii. pp. 507-537).
Majapahit
Introduction
Majapahit was a vast archipelagic empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked by conquest which extended through Southeast Asia, including the present day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, the Philippines, and East Timor. His achievement is also credited to his prime minister, Gajah Mada.
Majapahit was one of the last major empires of the region and is considered to be one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, one that is sometimes seen as the precedent for Indonesia's modern boundaries [2]. Its influence extended beyond the modern territory of Indonesia and has been a subject of many studies [3]. German orientalist Berthold Laufer suggested that maja came from the Javanese name of Indonesian tree [4].
Little physical evidence of Majapahit remains,[5] and some details of the history are rather abstract.[6] The main sources used by historians are: the Pararaton ('Book of Kings') written in Kawi language and Nagarakertagama in Old Javanese.[7] Pararaton is focused upon Ken Arok (the founder of Singhasari) but includes a number of shorter narrative fragments about the formation of Majapahit. Nagarakertagama, is an old Javanese epic poem written during the Majapahit golden age under the reign of Hayam Wuruk after which some events are covered narratively.[6] There are also some inscriptions in Old Javanese and Chinese.
The Javanese sources incorporate some poetic mythological elements, and scholars such as C. C. Berg, a Dutch nationalist, have considered that the entire historical record to be not a record of the past, but a supernatural means by which the future can be determined.[8] Despite Berg's approach, most scholars do not accept this view, as the historical record corresponds with Chinese materials that could not have had similar intention. The list of rulers and details of the state structure, show no sign of being invented.[6]
Ming Dynasty admiral Zheng He visited Majapahit. Zheng He's translator Ma Huan wrote a detailed description about Majapahit and where the king of Java lived.[9]
History
After defeating Srivijaya in Sumatra in 1290, Singhasari became the most powerful kingdom in the region. Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and the Emperor of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, challenged Singhasari by sending emissaries demanding tribute. Kertanegara, the last ruler of Singhasari, refused to pay the tribute, insult the Mongol envoy and challenged the Khan instead. As the response, in 1293, Kublai Khan sent a massive expedition of 1,000 ships to Java.
By that time, Jayakatwang, the Adipati (Duke) of Kediri, a vassal state of Singhasari, had usurped and killed Kertanagara. After being pardoned by Jayakatwang with the aid of Madura's regent, Arya Wiraraja; Raden Wijaya, Kertanegara's son-in-law, was given the land of Tarik timberland. He then opened that vast timberland and built a new village there. The village was named Majapahit, which was taken from a fruit name that had bitter taste in that timberland (maja is the fruit name and pahit means bitter). When Mongolian Yuan army sent by Kublai Khan arrived, Wijaya allied himself with the army to fight against Jayakatwang. Once Jayakatwang was destroyed, Raden Wijaya forced his allies to withdraw from Java by launching a surprise attack.[10] Yuan's army had to withdraw in confusion as they were in hostile territory. It was also their last chance to catch the monsoon winds home; otherwise, they would have had to wait for another six months on a hostile island.
According to tradition, Wijaya's son and successor, Jayanegara was notorious for immorality. One of his sinful acts was his desire on taking his own stepsisters as wives. He was entitled Kala Gemet, or "weak villain". Approximately during Jayanegara's reign, the Italian Friar Odoric of Pordenone visited Majapahit court in Java. In AD 1328, Jayanegara was murdered by his doctor, Tanca. His stepmother, Gayatri Rajapatni, was supposed to replace him, but Rajapatni retired from court to become a bhiksuni (a Buddhist nun) in a monastery. Rajapatni appointed her daughter, Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, or known in her formal name as Tribhuwannottungadewi Jayawishnuwardhani, as the queen of Majapahit under Rajapatni's auspices. Tribhuwana appointed Gajah Mada as the Prime Minister in 1336. During his inauguration Gajah Mada declared his Sumpah Palapa, revealing his plan to expand Majapahit realm and building an empire. During Tribhuwana’s rule, the Majapahit kingdom grew much larger and became famous in the area. Tribhuwana ruled Majapahit until the death of her mother in AD 1350. She was succeeded by her son, Hayam Wuruk.
Decline
In western part of the crumbling empire, Majapahit found itself unable to control the rising power of the Sultanate of Malacca that in mid 15th century began to gain effective control of Malacca strait and expands its influence to Sumatra. Several other former Majapahit vassals and colonies began to released themself from Majapahit domination and suzerainty.
Dates for the end of the Majapahit Empire range from 1478 (that is, 1400 Saka, the ends of centuries being considered a time when changes of dynasty or courts normally ended[16]) to 1527. The year is marked among Javanese today with candra sengkala "sirna ilang kertaning bumi" (the wealth of earth disappeared and diminished) (sirna = 0, ilang = 0, kerta = 4, bumi = 1). According Jiyu and Petak inscription, Ranawijaya claimed that he already defeat Kertabhumi [17] and move capital to Daha. This event lead the war between Sultanate of Demak and Daha, since Demak ruler was the descendants of Kertabhumi. The battle was won by Demak in 1527.[18] A large number of courtiers, artisans, priests, and members of the royalty moved east to the island of Bali. The refugees probably flee to avoid Demak retribution for their support for Ranawijaya against Kertabhumi.
With the fall of Daha crushed by Demak in 1527, the Muslim emerging forces finally defeated the remnant of Majapahit kingdom in the early 16th century [19]. Demak under the leadership of Raden (later crowned as Sultan) Patah (arabic name: Fatah) was acknowledge as the legitimate successor of Majapahit. According to Babad Tanah Jawi and Demak tradition, the source of Patah's legitimacy because, their first sultan, Raden Patah is the son of Majapahit king Brawijaya V with a Chinese concubine. Another argument supporting Demak as the successor of Majapahit; the rising Demak sultanate was easily to be accepted as the nominal regional ruler, as Demak was the former Majapahit vassal and located near the former Majapahit realm in Eastern Java.
Demak established itself as the regional power and the first Islamic sultanate in Java. After the fall of Majapahit, the Hindu kingdoms in Java only remained in Blambangan on eastern edge and Pajajaran in western part. Gradually Hindu communities began to retreat to mountain ranges in East Java and also to neighboring island of Bali. A small enclave of Hindu communities still remain in Tengger mountain range.
Economy
Taxes and fines were paid in cash. Javanese economy had been partly monetised since the late 8th century, using gold and silver coins. In about the year 1300, in the reign of Majapahit's first king, an important change took place: the indigenous coinage was completely replaced by imported Chinese copper cash. About 10,388 ancient Chinese coins weighing about 40 kg were even unearthed from the backyard of a local commoner in Sidoarjo in November 2008. Indonesian Ancient Relics Conservation Bureau (BP3) of East Java verified that those coins dated as early as Majapahit era.[23] The reason for using foreign currency is not given in any source, but most scholars assume it was due to the increasing complexity of Javanese economy and a desire for a currency system that used much smaller denominations suitable for use in everyday market transactions. This was a role for which gold and silver are not well suited.[20]
Majapahit was a vast archipelagic empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked by conquest which extended through Southeast Asia, including the present day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, the Philippines, and East Timor. His achievement is also credited to his prime minister, Gajah Mada.
Majapahit was one of the last major empires of the region and is considered to be one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, one that is sometimes seen as the precedent for Indonesia's modern boundaries [2]. Its influence extended beyond the modern territory of Indonesia and has been a subject of many studies [3]. German orientalist Berthold Laufer suggested that maja came from the Javanese name of Indonesian tree [4].
Little physical evidence of Majapahit remains,[5] and some details of the history are rather abstract.[6] The main sources used by historians are: the Pararaton ('Book of Kings') written in Kawi language and Nagarakertagama in Old Javanese.[7] Pararaton is focused upon Ken Arok (the founder of Singhasari) but includes a number of shorter narrative fragments about the formation of Majapahit. Nagarakertagama, is an old Javanese epic poem written during the Majapahit golden age under the reign of Hayam Wuruk after which some events are covered narratively.[6] There are also some inscriptions in Old Javanese and Chinese.
The Javanese sources incorporate some poetic mythological elements, and scholars such as C. C. Berg, a Dutch nationalist, have considered that the entire historical record to be not a record of the past, but a supernatural means by which the future can be determined.[8] Despite Berg's approach, most scholars do not accept this view, as the historical record corresponds with Chinese materials that could not have had similar intention. The list of rulers and details of the state structure, show no sign of being invented.[6]
Ming Dynasty admiral Zheng He visited Majapahit. Zheng He's translator Ma Huan wrote a detailed description about Majapahit and where the king of Java lived.[9]
History
After defeating Srivijaya in Sumatra in 1290, Singhasari became the most powerful kingdom in the region. Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and the Emperor of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, challenged Singhasari by sending emissaries demanding tribute. Kertanegara, the last ruler of Singhasari, refused to pay the tribute, insult the Mongol envoy and challenged the Khan instead. As the response, in 1293, Kublai Khan sent a massive expedition of 1,000 ships to Java.
By that time, Jayakatwang, the Adipati (Duke) of Kediri, a vassal state of Singhasari, had usurped and killed Kertanagara. After being pardoned by Jayakatwang with the aid of Madura's regent, Arya Wiraraja; Raden Wijaya, Kertanegara's son-in-law, was given the land of Tarik timberland. He then opened that vast timberland and built a new village there. The village was named Majapahit, which was taken from a fruit name that had bitter taste in that timberland (maja is the fruit name and pahit means bitter). When Mongolian Yuan army sent by Kublai Khan arrived, Wijaya allied himself with the army to fight against Jayakatwang. Once Jayakatwang was destroyed, Raden Wijaya forced his allies to withdraw from Java by launching a surprise attack.[10] Yuan's army had to withdraw in confusion as they were in hostile territory. It was also their last chance to catch the monsoon winds home; otherwise, they would have had to wait for another six months on a hostile island.
According to tradition, Wijaya's son and successor, Jayanegara was notorious for immorality. One of his sinful acts was his desire on taking his own stepsisters as wives. He was entitled Kala Gemet, or "weak villain". Approximately during Jayanegara's reign, the Italian Friar Odoric of Pordenone visited Majapahit court in Java. In AD 1328, Jayanegara was murdered by his doctor, Tanca. His stepmother, Gayatri Rajapatni, was supposed to replace him, but Rajapatni retired from court to become a bhiksuni (a Buddhist nun) in a monastery. Rajapatni appointed her daughter, Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, or known in her formal name as Tribhuwannottungadewi Jayawishnuwardhani, as the queen of Majapahit under Rajapatni's auspices. Tribhuwana appointed Gajah Mada as the Prime Minister in 1336. During his inauguration Gajah Mada declared his Sumpah Palapa, revealing his plan to expand Majapahit realm and building an empire. During Tribhuwana’s rule, the Majapahit kingdom grew much larger and became famous in the area. Tribhuwana ruled Majapahit until the death of her mother in AD 1350. She was succeeded by her son, Hayam Wuruk.
Decline
In western part of the crumbling empire, Majapahit found itself unable to control the rising power of the Sultanate of Malacca that in mid 15th century began to gain effective control of Malacca strait and expands its influence to Sumatra. Several other former Majapahit vassals and colonies began to released themself from Majapahit domination and suzerainty.
Dates for the end of the Majapahit Empire range from 1478 (that is, 1400 Saka, the ends of centuries being considered a time when changes of dynasty or courts normally ended[16]) to 1527. The year is marked among Javanese today with candra sengkala "sirna ilang kertaning bumi" (the wealth of earth disappeared and diminished) (sirna = 0, ilang = 0, kerta = 4, bumi = 1). According Jiyu and Petak inscription, Ranawijaya claimed that he already defeat Kertabhumi [17] and move capital to Daha. This event lead the war between Sultanate of Demak and Daha, since Demak ruler was the descendants of Kertabhumi. The battle was won by Demak in 1527.[18] A large number of courtiers, artisans, priests, and members of the royalty moved east to the island of Bali. The refugees probably flee to avoid Demak retribution for their support for Ranawijaya against Kertabhumi.
With the fall of Daha crushed by Demak in 1527, the Muslim emerging forces finally defeated the remnant of Majapahit kingdom in the early 16th century [19]. Demak under the leadership of Raden (later crowned as Sultan) Patah (arabic name: Fatah) was acknowledge as the legitimate successor of Majapahit. According to Babad Tanah Jawi and Demak tradition, the source of Patah's legitimacy because, their first sultan, Raden Patah is the son of Majapahit king Brawijaya V with a Chinese concubine. Another argument supporting Demak as the successor of Majapahit; the rising Demak sultanate was easily to be accepted as the nominal regional ruler, as Demak was the former Majapahit vassal and located near the former Majapahit realm in Eastern Java.
Demak established itself as the regional power and the first Islamic sultanate in Java. After the fall of Majapahit, the Hindu kingdoms in Java only remained in Blambangan on eastern edge and Pajajaran in western part. Gradually Hindu communities began to retreat to mountain ranges in East Java and also to neighboring island of Bali. A small enclave of Hindu communities still remain in Tengger mountain range.
Economy
Taxes and fines were paid in cash. Javanese economy had been partly monetised since the late 8th century, using gold and silver coins. In about the year 1300, in the reign of Majapahit's first king, an important change took place: the indigenous coinage was completely replaced by imported Chinese copper cash. About 10,388 ancient Chinese coins weighing about 40 kg were even unearthed from the backyard of a local commoner in Sidoarjo in November 2008. Indonesian Ancient Relics Conservation Bureau (BP3) of East Java verified that those coins dated as early as Majapahit era.[23] The reason for using foreign currency is not given in any source, but most scholars assume it was due to the increasing complexity of Javanese economy and a desire for a currency system that used much smaller denominations suitable for use in everyday market transactions. This was a role for which gold and silver are not well suited.[20]
Hinduism elsewhere in the archipelago
Before the arrival of dharmic religions, the natives of Indonesian Archipelago has their root in indigenous animism and dynamism beliefs of austronesian people. Native pre-Hindu Buddhist Indonesian venerated and revered ancestral spirit, they also believe that some spirit may inhabit certain places such as large trees, stones, forests, mountains, or any sacred places. This unseen spiritual entity that have supranatural power is identified by ancient Javanese and Balinese as "hyang" that can be either divine or ancestral. In modern Indonesian, "hyang" tends to be associated with gods, devata, or God. This indigenous spiritual concepts has been fused together and syncretized with adopted Indian Hinduism resulted in ancient Java Hinduism that incorporated many local elements. Many native deities, such as Semar and Dewi Sri, has been incorporated into ancient Java Hinduism. Dewi Sri or Pohaci Sanghyang Sri, the native pre-Hindu goddess of rice, was incorporated into ancient Java-Bali Hindu pantheon and identified as Lakshmi or the amalgam goddess Devi. This historic openness for syncretism and its adaptability to cater the indigenous belief systems is the factor that led Indonesian Hinduism to be the umbrella of myriad native ancestral beliefs.
Hindu influences reach the Indonesian Archipelago as early as first century. In 4th century, the kingdom of Kutai in East Kalimantan, Tarumanagara in West Java, and Holing (Kalingga) in Central Java, is among the early Hindu states eastablished in the region. Several notable ancient Indonesian Hindu kingdoms are Mataram, famous for the construction of the majestic Prambanan temple, followed by Kediri and Singhasari. Since then the Hinduism along with Buddhism spread across archipelago and reach the peak of its influence in the 14th century the last and largest among Hindu Javanese empires, Majapahit, reached far across the Indonesian archipelago. This accomplishment is interpreted in modern nationalist discourses as an early historical beacon of Indonesian unity and nationhood, a nation with Java still at its center. That the vast majority of contemporary Javanese, and all Indonesians, are now Muslims is the outcome of a process of subsequent Islamization.
Like Hinduism before it, Islam first advanced into the archipelago along powerful trade networks, gaining a firm foothold in Java with the rise of early Islamic polities along the northern coast. Early sultanates such as Demak Sultanate and Banten Sultanate was established on northern coast of Java in expense of inland Hindu kingdoms. Hinduism finally lost its status as Java's dominant state religion during the 15th and early 16th century, as the new sultanates expanded and the great Hindu empire Majapahit collapsed in eastern Java, followed by the fall of Hindu Sunda Pajajaran in western Java. Even then, some smaller Hindu polities persisted; most notably the kingdom of Blambangan in eastern Java, which remained intact until the late 18th century. Hinduism survives and persists as the main religion on the small island of Bali well until now.
Hindu influences reach the Indonesian Archipelago as early as first century. In 4th century, the kingdom of Kutai in East Kalimantan, Tarumanagara in West Java, and Holing (Kalingga) in Central Java, is among the early Hindu states eastablished in the region. Several notable ancient Indonesian Hindu kingdoms are Mataram, famous for the construction of the majestic Prambanan temple, followed by Kediri and Singhasari. Since then the Hinduism along with Buddhism spread across archipelago and reach the peak of its influence in the 14th century the last and largest among Hindu Javanese empires, Majapahit, reached far across the Indonesian archipelago. This accomplishment is interpreted in modern nationalist discourses as an early historical beacon of Indonesian unity and nationhood, a nation with Java still at its center. That the vast majority of contemporary Javanese, and all Indonesians, are now Muslims is the outcome of a process of subsequent Islamization.
Like Hinduism before it, Islam first advanced into the archipelago along powerful trade networks, gaining a firm foothold in Java with the rise of early Islamic polities along the northern coast. Early sultanates such as Demak Sultanate and Banten Sultanate was established on northern coast of Java in expense of inland Hindu kingdoms. Hinduism finally lost its status as Java's dominant state religion during the 15th and early 16th century, as the new sultanates expanded and the great Hindu empire Majapahit collapsed in eastern Java, followed by the fall of Hindu Sunda Pajajaran in western Java. Even then, some smaller Hindu polities persisted; most notably the kingdom of Blambangan in eastern Java, which remained intact until the late 18th century. Hinduism survives and persists as the main religion on the small island of Bali well until now.
Rajendra Chola I
Overseas conquests
Before the fourteenth year of Rajendra’s reign c. 1025, the Chola Navy crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya kingdom of Sangrama Vijayatungavarman. Kadaram, the capital of the powerful maritime kingdom, was sacked and the king taken captive. Along with Kadaram, Pannai in present day Sumatra and Malaiyur in the Malayan peninsula were attacked. Kedah (now in modern Malaysia) too was occupied.
Sangarama Vijayatungavarman was the son of Mara Vijayatungavarman of the Sailendra dynasty. Srivijaya kingdom was located near Palembang in Sumatra.
There are no records to explain the nature of and the reason for this naval expedition. The Sailendra dynasty had been in good relations with the Chola Empire during the period of Rajaraja Chola I. Rajaraja encouraged Mara Vijayatungavarman to build the Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattinam. Rajendra confirmed this grant in the Anaimangalam grants showing that the relationship with Srivijaya was still continued be friendly. The exact cause of the quarrel that caused the naval war between Cholas and Srivijaya remains unknown.
The Cholas had an active trade relationship with the eastern island. Moreover the Srivijaya kingdom and the South Indian empires were the intermediaries in the trade between China and the countries of the Western world. Both the Srivijaya and Cholas had active dialog with the Chinese and sent diplomatic missions to China.
The Chinese records of the Song Dynasty show that first mission to China from Chu-lien (Chola) reached that country in 1015 C.E. and the king of their country was Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a (Rajaraja). Another embassy from Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo (Sri Raja Indra Chola) reached China in 1033 C.E. and a third in 1077 C.E. during Kulothunga Chola I. The commercial intercourse between Cholas and the Chinese were continuous and extensive.
One reason could be a trade dispute stemming from some attempts by Srivijaya to throw some obstacle between the flourishing trade between China and the Cholas. Whatever the actual cause of this expedition, it is difficult to believe that, even if we take all the achievements narrated in Rajendra’s inscriptions are accepted as literally true, the campaign led to any permanent territories rather than a vague acceptance of the Chola suzerainty by Srivijaya. Sangaram Vijayatungavarman was restored to the throne at his agreement to pay periodic tribute to Rajendra.
Tanjavur inscriptions also state that the king of Kambhoja (Kampuchea) requesting Rajendra’s help in defeating enemies of his Angkor kingdom.
Before the fourteenth year of Rajendra’s reign c. 1025, the Chola Navy crossed the ocean and attacked the Srivijaya kingdom of Sangrama Vijayatungavarman. Kadaram, the capital of the powerful maritime kingdom, was sacked and the king taken captive. Along with Kadaram, Pannai in present day Sumatra and Malaiyur in the Malayan peninsula were attacked. Kedah (now in modern Malaysia) too was occupied.
Sangarama Vijayatungavarman was the son of Mara Vijayatungavarman of the Sailendra dynasty. Srivijaya kingdom was located near Palembang in Sumatra.
There are no records to explain the nature of and the reason for this naval expedition. The Sailendra dynasty had been in good relations with the Chola Empire during the period of Rajaraja Chola I. Rajaraja encouraged Mara Vijayatungavarman to build the Chudamani Vihara at Nagapattinam. Rajendra confirmed this grant in the Anaimangalam grants showing that the relationship with Srivijaya was still continued be friendly. The exact cause of the quarrel that caused the naval war between Cholas and Srivijaya remains unknown.
The Cholas had an active trade relationship with the eastern island. Moreover the Srivijaya kingdom and the South Indian empires were the intermediaries in the trade between China and the countries of the Western world. Both the Srivijaya and Cholas had active dialog with the Chinese and sent diplomatic missions to China.
The Chinese records of the Song Dynasty show that first mission to China from Chu-lien (Chola) reached that country in 1015 C.E. and the king of their country was Lo-ts’a-lo-ts’a (Rajaraja). Another embassy from Shi-lo-cha Yin-to-loChu-lo (Sri Raja Indra Chola) reached China in 1033 C.E. and a third in 1077 C.E. during Kulothunga Chola I. The commercial intercourse between Cholas and the Chinese were continuous and extensive.
One reason could be a trade dispute stemming from some attempts by Srivijaya to throw some obstacle between the flourishing trade between China and the Cholas. Whatever the actual cause of this expedition, it is difficult to believe that, even if we take all the achievements narrated in Rajendra’s inscriptions are accepted as literally true, the campaign led to any permanent territories rather than a vague acceptance of the Chola suzerainty by Srivijaya. Sangaram Vijayatungavarman was restored to the throne at his agreement to pay periodic tribute to Rajendra.
Tanjavur inscriptions also state that the king of Kambhoja (Kampuchea) requesting Rajendra’s help in defeating enemies of his Angkor kingdom.
Gangga Negara
Gangga Negara is believed to be a lost semi-legendary Hindu kingdom mentioned in the Malay Annals that covered present day Beruas, Dinding and Manjung in the state of Perak, Malaysia with Raja Gangga Shah Johan as one of its kings. Researchers believe that the kingdom was centered at Beruas and it collapsed after an attack by King Rajendra Chola I of Coromandel, South India, between 1025 and 1026. Another Malay annals Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa known as Kedah Annals, Gangga Negara may have been founded by Merong Mahawangsa's son Raja Ganjil Sarjuna of Kedah, allegedly a descendant of Alexander the Great or by the Khmer royalties no later than the 2nd century.
Gangga Negara means "a city on the Ganges" in Sanskrit, the name derived from Ganganagar in northwest India where the Kambuja peoples inhabited. The Kambujas are Indo-Iranian clan of Indo-European family, originally localized in Pamirs and Badakshan. Commonly known as Hindu traders, they built their colonies in Southeast Asia around 2000 years ago at the Mekong valley and also at the Malay archipelago in Funan, Chenla, Champa, Khmer, Angkor, Langkasuka, Sailendra, Srivijaya, etc. Historians found the Kambuja traders travelled from Gujarat to Sri Lanka and to Ligor (Nakhon Sri Thammarat) of northern Malay peninsular, overland to Thailand and Cambodia.
Beruas
The first research into the Beruas kingdom was conducted by Colonel James Low in 1849 and a century later, by H.G. Quaritch-Wales. According to the Museum and Antiquities Department, both researchers agreed that the Gangga Negara kingdom existed but could not ascertain the exact site. For years, villagers had unearthed artefacts, including tombstones with inscriptions that indicated that Beruas could have been the starting point for the spread of Islam in Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the artefacts, believed to be from the ancient kingdoms, are today displayed at the Beruas Museum dated back to the 5th and the 6th century. Artefacts on display include a 128 kg cannon, swords, kris, coins, tin ingots, pottery from the Ming Dynasty and various eras, and large jars. Through these artifacts, it has been postulated that Pengkalan (Ipoh), Kinta Valley, Tanjung Rambutan, Bidor and Sungai Siput were part of the kingdom. Artifacts also suggest that the kingdom's center might have shifted several times. Gangga Negara was renamed to Beruas after the establishment of Islam there.
Beruas tree
The district of Beruas has found some royal Acehnese gravestones and this evidence has it linked to another historical source that a prince from Aceh of Sumatra rested at Beruas tree (Pokok Bruas), his name was Malik. History of Pasai did mentioned a Malik ul Salih whom was the first local Hindu Malay king to convert to Islam in 1267. Today the beruas trees have become extinct but can still be found in the nearby villages of Pengkalan Baru and Batang Kubu.
Gangga Negara means "a city on the Ganges" in Sanskrit, the name derived from Ganganagar in northwest India where the Kambuja peoples inhabited. The Kambujas are Indo-Iranian clan of Indo-European family, originally localized in Pamirs and Badakshan. Commonly known as Hindu traders, they built their colonies in Southeast Asia around 2000 years ago at the Mekong valley and also at the Malay archipelago in Funan, Chenla, Champa, Khmer, Angkor, Langkasuka, Sailendra, Srivijaya, etc. Historians found the Kambuja traders travelled from Gujarat to Sri Lanka and to Ligor (Nakhon Sri Thammarat) of northern Malay peninsular, overland to Thailand and Cambodia.
Beruas
The first research into the Beruas kingdom was conducted by Colonel James Low in 1849 and a century later, by H.G. Quaritch-Wales. According to the Museum and Antiquities Department, both researchers agreed that the Gangga Negara kingdom existed but could not ascertain the exact site. For years, villagers had unearthed artefacts, including tombstones with inscriptions that indicated that Beruas could have been the starting point for the spread of Islam in Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the artefacts, believed to be from the ancient kingdoms, are today displayed at the Beruas Museum dated back to the 5th and the 6th century. Artefacts on display include a 128 kg cannon, swords, kris, coins, tin ingots, pottery from the Ming Dynasty and various eras, and large jars. Through these artifacts, it has been postulated that Pengkalan (Ipoh), Kinta Valley, Tanjung Rambutan, Bidor and Sungai Siput were part of the kingdom. Artifacts also suggest that the kingdom's center might have shifted several times. Gangga Negara was renamed to Beruas after the establishment of Islam there.
Beruas tree
The district of Beruas has found some royal Acehnese gravestones and this evidence has it linked to another historical source that a prince from Aceh of Sumatra rested at Beruas tree (Pokok Bruas), his name was Malik. History of Pasai did mentioned a Malik ul Salih whom was the first local Hindu Malay king to convert to Islam in 1267. Today the beruas trees have become extinct but can still be found in the nearby villages of Pengkalan Baru and Batang Kubu.
Kota Gelanggi
Kota Gelanggi is an archaeological site reported in 2005 as potentially the first capital of the ancient Malay Empire of Srivijaya ca. 650-900 and one of the oldest pre-Islamic Malay Kingdoms on the Malay Peninsula. The site's existence was announced dramatically as a 'discovery' by the Malaysian Press on 3 February 2005.
The reported site of this ancient city is in the dense jungles of the southern Malaysian state of Johor Darul Takzim, near a forest reserve currently managed as a water catchment area, the Linggiu Dam, by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore. This description locates the site somewhere within a 140 square kilometre are of the forest reserve surrounding Sungai Madek and Sungai Lenggiu.
Kota Gelanggi is referenced in the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals, an early 17th century Malay historical text. In it, Kota Gelanggi is said to be found on the upper reaches of the Johor River. The main fort of Kota Gelanggi was reportedly made of black stone (or Kota Batu Hitam in Malay). Its name 'Kota Gelanggi' was apparently derived from the Malay mispronunciation of the Thai word 'Ghlong-Keow' or 'Box of Emeralds', hence in Malay, 'Perbendaharaan Permata' ('Treasury of Jewels'). Some scholars believe that the city formed part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and may thus be the unidentified 12th Naksat city of ancient Siamese folklore. Ancient Tamil inscriptions inform us that the city was raided by the Chola conqueror Rajendra Chola I, of the South Indian Chola Dynasty in 1025, after he had destroyed the Malay Kingdom of Gangga Negara. The latter is generally equated with the ruins and ancient tombs which still can be seen in the district of Beruas, Perak Darul Ridzuan. Old European maps of the Malay Peninsula further show the location of a city known as 'Polepi' (i.e. 'Gelanggi') at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula (see Sebastian Munster's (1614) Map of Taprobana).
References to Kota Gelanggi were reported in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by colonial scholar-administrators including Dudley Francis Amelius Hervey (1849-1911); who published eyewitness reports of the city in 1881; and Sir Richard Olof Winstedt (1878-1966); who stated that an Orang Asli was prepared to take people to the site in the late 1920s. The ancient city was also known to the adventurer-explorer Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), who discovered the ruins of Johore Lama while searching for Kota Gelanggi.
Recent evidence of the city's existence and approximate location was presented as the result of a decade-long research project based on Malay manuscripts, cartographical and topographical surveys, aerial inspections and assessing local folklore. A preliminary discussion on the subject based on these sources was published as a lengthy academic paper entitled The "Lost City" of Kota Gelanggi (JMBRAS, Vol. 77 Pt. 2, pp.27-58) in 2004. Prior to that, its author, Raimy Che-Ross, an independent researcher, had tabled and discussed his findings with experts at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore, the Johor Chapter of Badan Warisan Malaysia (Malaysian Heritage Trust) and to archaeologists at the Jabatan Muzium dan Antikuiti Malaysia (Museums and Antiquities Department of Malaysia), between January-June 2004.
The paper was given wide coverage by the Malaysian Media, who prematurely reported the introductory article as the announcement of a major 'discovery'. This prompted the then Minister for Heritage, Culture and the Arts to himself announce ambitious plans to 'discover' the city by selected museum and government officials.
On April 28th 2006, the Malaysian National News Service (Bernama) reported that the "Lost City does not exist". Khalid Syed Ali, the Curator of Archaeology in the Department's Research and Development Division, said a team of government appointed researchers carried out a study over a month in July last year [2005] but found no trace of the "Lost City".
However, Khalid later added that 'the Heritage Department (Jabatan Warisan) does not categorically deny that it exists, only that research carried out until now [over the month of July] has not shown any proof that can verify the existence of the ancient city of Linggiu [sic]' (Azahari Ibrahim, 'Kota Purba Linggiu: Antara Realiti dan Ilusi', Sejarah Malaysia, July-August 2006, p.37). When pressed for details, he revealed that Che-Ross was not involved in the museum's search team for the lost city.
Three elder Orang Asli headmen from the Linggiu Dam area nonetheless insist that the city indeed exists. According to Tuk Batin Abdul Rahman, 85, 'the city is very large, I have seen it myself because it was located near my village. I estimate its fort to be approximately forty feet square, with three holes like windows along its walls'. He added that the area was formerly inhabited by him and fifty Orang Asli families, before being moved by the British due to the Communist threat in the late 1940s-50s. He further said that he had first stumbled across the fort in the 1930s, while foraging for jungle produce. Tuk Batin Abdul Rahman's statements were independently verified by Tuk Batin Daud, 60 and Tuk Batin Adong, 58, who added that their people had visited the site on numerous occasions before, and had seen the black stone walls themselves (Amad Bahri Mardi, 'Kota Gelanggi hanya wujud pada nama', Berita Harian, Sunday, 20 February 2005, p.18). Two old manuscript drawings believed to depict the ruins are in the possession of Tuk Batin Adong. The rough outline coloured sketches show a large building surrounding a steep hill. Two circular apertures are found on the walls on each side of the entrance into this structure.
Note that the Kota Gelanggi of Johor Darul Takzim is different from the Kota Gelanggi Caves near Jerantut in Pahang Darul Makmur. The Kota Gelanggi Caves of Jerantut hold Neolithic sites, with no evidence of substantial habitation beyond that period having been found despite extensive archaeological digs in its caverns by the museums department.
Late in May 2008, the Malaysian Press reported the discovery of an ancient bronze vessel or Kendi near a river close to Mentakab, Pahang Darul Makmur that may be connected to the ancient city of Kota Gelanggi in Johor Darul Takzim. Both sites are linked by a network of rivers once believed to form a trans-peninsular trading route cutting across the Malay Peninsula.
The reported site of this ancient city is in the dense jungles of the southern Malaysian state of Johor Darul Takzim, near a forest reserve currently managed as a water catchment area, the Linggiu Dam, by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore. This description locates the site somewhere within a 140 square kilometre are of the forest reserve surrounding Sungai Madek and Sungai Lenggiu.
Kota Gelanggi is referenced in the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals, an early 17th century Malay historical text. In it, Kota Gelanggi is said to be found on the upper reaches of the Johor River. The main fort of Kota Gelanggi was reportedly made of black stone (or Kota Batu Hitam in Malay). Its name 'Kota Gelanggi' was apparently derived from the Malay mispronunciation of the Thai word 'Ghlong-Keow' or 'Box of Emeralds', hence in Malay, 'Perbendaharaan Permata' ('Treasury of Jewels'). Some scholars believe that the city formed part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and may thus be the unidentified 12th Naksat city of ancient Siamese folklore. Ancient Tamil inscriptions inform us that the city was raided by the Chola conqueror Rajendra Chola I, of the South Indian Chola Dynasty in 1025, after he had destroyed the Malay Kingdom of Gangga Negara. The latter is generally equated with the ruins and ancient tombs which still can be seen in the district of Beruas, Perak Darul Ridzuan. Old European maps of the Malay Peninsula further show the location of a city known as 'Polepi' (i.e. 'Gelanggi') at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula (see Sebastian Munster's (1614) Map of Taprobana).
References to Kota Gelanggi were reported in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by colonial scholar-administrators including Dudley Francis Amelius Hervey (1849-1911); who published eyewitness reports of the city in 1881; and Sir Richard Olof Winstedt (1878-1966); who stated that an Orang Asli was prepared to take people to the site in the late 1920s. The ancient city was also known to the adventurer-explorer Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), who discovered the ruins of Johore Lama while searching for Kota Gelanggi.
Recent evidence of the city's existence and approximate location was presented as the result of a decade-long research project based on Malay manuscripts, cartographical and topographical surveys, aerial inspections and assessing local folklore. A preliminary discussion on the subject based on these sources was published as a lengthy academic paper entitled The "Lost City" of Kota Gelanggi (JMBRAS, Vol. 77 Pt. 2, pp.27-58) in 2004. Prior to that, its author, Raimy Che-Ross, an independent researcher, had tabled and discussed his findings with experts at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), National University of Singapore, the Johor Chapter of Badan Warisan Malaysia (Malaysian Heritage Trust) and to archaeologists at the Jabatan Muzium dan Antikuiti Malaysia (Museums and Antiquities Department of Malaysia), between January-June 2004.
The paper was given wide coverage by the Malaysian Media, who prematurely reported the introductory article as the announcement of a major 'discovery'. This prompted the then Minister for Heritage, Culture and the Arts to himself announce ambitious plans to 'discover' the city by selected museum and government officials.
On April 28th 2006, the Malaysian National News Service (Bernama) reported that the "Lost City does not exist". Khalid Syed Ali, the Curator of Archaeology in the Department's Research and Development Division, said a team of government appointed researchers carried out a study over a month in July last year [2005] but found no trace of the "Lost City".
However, Khalid later added that 'the Heritage Department (Jabatan Warisan) does not categorically deny that it exists, only that research carried out until now [over the month of July] has not shown any proof that can verify the existence of the ancient city of Linggiu [sic]' (Azahari Ibrahim, 'Kota Purba Linggiu: Antara Realiti dan Ilusi', Sejarah Malaysia, July-August 2006, p.37). When pressed for details, he revealed that Che-Ross was not involved in the museum's search team for the lost city.
Three elder Orang Asli headmen from the Linggiu Dam area nonetheless insist that the city indeed exists. According to Tuk Batin Abdul Rahman, 85, 'the city is very large, I have seen it myself because it was located near my village. I estimate its fort to be approximately forty feet square, with three holes like windows along its walls'. He added that the area was formerly inhabited by him and fifty Orang Asli families, before being moved by the British due to the Communist threat in the late 1940s-50s. He further said that he had first stumbled across the fort in the 1930s, while foraging for jungle produce. Tuk Batin Abdul Rahman's statements were independently verified by Tuk Batin Daud, 60 and Tuk Batin Adong, 58, who added that their people had visited the site on numerous occasions before, and had seen the black stone walls themselves (Amad Bahri Mardi, 'Kota Gelanggi hanya wujud pada nama', Berita Harian, Sunday, 20 February 2005, p.18). Two old manuscript drawings believed to depict the ruins are in the possession of Tuk Batin Adong. The rough outline coloured sketches show a large building surrounding a steep hill. Two circular apertures are found on the walls on each side of the entrance into this structure.
Note that the Kota Gelanggi of Johor Darul Takzim is different from the Kota Gelanggi Caves near Jerantut in Pahang Darul Makmur. The Kota Gelanggi Caves of Jerantut hold Neolithic sites, with no evidence of substantial habitation beyond that period having been found despite extensive archaeological digs in its caverns by the museums department.
Late in May 2008, the Malaysian Press reported the discovery of an ancient bronze vessel or Kendi near a river close to Mentakab, Pahang Darul Makmur that may be connected to the ancient city of Kota Gelanggi in Johor Darul Takzim. Both sites are linked by a network of rivers once believed to form a trans-peninsular trading route cutting across the Malay Peninsula.
S-E Asia’s oldest monument in Bujang Valley
The oldest building to be recorded in Southeast Asia has been discovered in the Bujang Valley. It is a clay brick ritualistic monument that has been dated back to 110 AD.
Hismanshu Bhatt has the story in theSun:
The Bujang Valley rises at last
THE next time you happen to be anywhere near the northern side of Penang or the southwestern stretch of Kedah, turn your gaze northward; you will see in the horizon the silhouette of a large mountain with a sharp peak.
Most of us have taken Gunung Jerai, also known as Kedah Peak, the highest mountain in northern Malaysia, for granted. However, a few of us are conscious that some of the most historic discoveries in Southeast Asia are now being made around the mountain’s surroundings.
Almost every country in Southeast Asia has at least one ancient monument that has served as a source of pride for its people who view it in awe, as an important part of their roots. Indonesia, for example, has the magnificent Borobudur (8th century AD), Cambodia has the Angkor Wat (11th century AD) and Vietnam has the Siva-Bhadresvara Temple in My Son (4th century AD).
Little do we know that peninsular Malaysia has also been home to an incredible set of age-old structures, which though not as large as the other well-known monuments in the region, are impressive enough for their sheer numbers in the area named the Bujang Valley.
Since as far back as the 1840s, archaeologists have been unearthing remnants of a civilised settlement that existed in the Bujang Valley from around the 8th century AD to the 13th century. More than 80 sites have been uncovered with structures like the candi, a religious building with Hindu-Buddhist elements, most prominent among the findings.
Of these, the famous Candi Batu Pahat still stands glorious, as it did more than a thousand years back, near the Muzium Lembah Bujang in Merbok. Together with the structures, archaeologists also found hundreds of pottery, implements, beads and figurines.
Incredibly enough, although the archaeological works have been extensive and intense, little is known or even told about this ancient civilisation, veritably the cradle of Malaysia.
But a new discovery made about two years ago is set to change the invisibility of the Bujang Valley among our public. Archaeologists have discovered at least 97 ancient sites around some oil palm estates in Sungai Batu. So far only 10 have been uncovered.
And what they have revealed are propelling the rewriting our land’s recorded history and what is being taught to our children in schools. The discoveries point to evidence that the Bujang Valley civilisation existed 2,000 years ago, long before neighbouring empires such as Majapahit (AD1200) and Sri Vijaya (AD700).
At the heart of the findings is a perplexing clay brick ritualistic monument that has been dated back to AD110, making it the oldest man-made building to be recorded in Southeast Asia.
The Sungai Batu monument and its surrounding structures – including ancient jetties and iron smelting workshops – point to an advanced culture pre-dating many Indianised kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Also found with the monument were various pottery placed ceremoniously around, and a Buddhist tablet with Pallava-Sanskrit inscriptions likely to have been made in the 5th century AD.
An extensive research is being done by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) of Universiti Sains Malaysia to determine how advanced the little-known civilisation – known variously in historic annals as Kataha, Kidaram and Chieh-Cha – was. Just this week scholars from around the world converged at the Bujang Valley to express amazement at the discovery and how it is reshaping understanding of the region’s history.
Long before the empire of Malacca, there was already this powerful trading settlement in Kedah, which just happened to mysteriously disappear. But the secret of its existence cannot be held back any longer. The legacy of the Bujang Valley has risen at last. And it now promises to fully gain our attention, to reclaim its stature that is long overdue; just as it did among the early people of this land who lived around the majestic Gunung Jerai many centuries ago.
Himanshu is theSun’s Penang bureau chief.
comments
Rabani
8 July 2010 at 3.01pm · Reply
About time to rewrite Sejarah Tanah Melayu?
semuanya OK kot
8 July 2010 at 3.22pm · Reply
Will our fervent and zealous iconoclasts dash into action?
Samuel
8 July 2010 at 7.15pm · Reply
Pallava Script or writing is the earliest form of modern Tamil, which is called “Vatteluttu”, rounded alphabets. One can see that ancient round letters of tamil and modern Tamil letters will look very similar, till this date. The ancient round letters are considered far more older and superior to Aryans or Brhmin’s Sanskrit. It was the goodwill of Ancient Cholas that Sanskrit was let grown in Southern India, parallel to their Mother Tounge, Ancient Tamil, and dats one of the reason why you can see Tamil King inscriptions (Cholas, pallavas)in Tanah Melayu is sometimes companied by Sanskrit, like the one in Sungai Batu, which existed in Ancient Tamil and also Sanskrit.
They calculated the Pi and produce Trigonometric Tables on Sins and Cosines thousands of years before the West and Arabs. They know the diameter of the earth with close decimal points before the west. Its time for Indians to walk head held high, for our forefathers genes do coded in our genes as well, and its we who dont realize our real inner strength.
Ancient Tamil Poetess, Avvaiyar said that, “What you have learned is a mere handful; What you haven’t learned is the size of the world” (exhibited at NASA) and “Fare the rough sea to spread your kingdom”. This poems was the model and motivation for ancient Cholas to look beyond their boundary. Now its time for us to look beyond our boundary, nt by conquaring through swords, but through knowledge and determination…
nkkhoo
8 July 2010 at 9.53pm · Reply
I visited Bujang Valley in mid 80s, more than 20 years ago. There were a musuem and several Hindu temple ruins.
Bujang Valley should be nominated for world heritage site as Penang and Melaka.
musa
9 July 2010 at 9.07am · Reply
I agree that it should be made a world heritage site as it pre-dateds any sultanate …
Ganesh
9 July 2010 at 9.40am · Reply
You should read this Anil,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangga_Negara#mw-head
besides
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kota_Gelanggi
We could have become the tourism capital of Asia with such discoveries, billions of dollars and pounds (sterling) from tourism could have flowed into our country.
All this missed.
deja
9 July 2010 at 12.34pm · Reply
… mountain in tamil called “malai” whereas place or country refered as “oor”. those days, south indian businessman/sailors who come to peninsular of malaysia called it as “malaioor”. after hundreds of years the words “malaioor” slowly changed to “melayu”….
Hismanshu Bhatt has the story in theSun:
The Bujang Valley rises at last
THE next time you happen to be anywhere near the northern side of Penang or the southwestern stretch of Kedah, turn your gaze northward; you will see in the horizon the silhouette of a large mountain with a sharp peak.
Most of us have taken Gunung Jerai, also known as Kedah Peak, the highest mountain in northern Malaysia, for granted. However, a few of us are conscious that some of the most historic discoveries in Southeast Asia are now being made around the mountain’s surroundings.
Almost every country in Southeast Asia has at least one ancient monument that has served as a source of pride for its people who view it in awe, as an important part of their roots. Indonesia, for example, has the magnificent Borobudur (8th century AD), Cambodia has the Angkor Wat (11th century AD) and Vietnam has the Siva-Bhadresvara Temple in My Son (4th century AD).
Little do we know that peninsular Malaysia has also been home to an incredible set of age-old structures, which though not as large as the other well-known monuments in the region, are impressive enough for their sheer numbers in the area named the Bujang Valley.
Since as far back as the 1840s, archaeologists have been unearthing remnants of a civilised settlement that existed in the Bujang Valley from around the 8th century AD to the 13th century. More than 80 sites have been uncovered with structures like the candi, a religious building with Hindu-Buddhist elements, most prominent among the findings.
Of these, the famous Candi Batu Pahat still stands glorious, as it did more than a thousand years back, near the Muzium Lembah Bujang in Merbok. Together with the structures, archaeologists also found hundreds of pottery, implements, beads and figurines.
Incredibly enough, although the archaeological works have been extensive and intense, little is known or even told about this ancient civilisation, veritably the cradle of Malaysia.
But a new discovery made about two years ago is set to change the invisibility of the Bujang Valley among our public. Archaeologists have discovered at least 97 ancient sites around some oil palm estates in Sungai Batu. So far only 10 have been uncovered.
And what they have revealed are propelling the rewriting our land’s recorded history and what is being taught to our children in schools. The discoveries point to evidence that the Bujang Valley civilisation existed 2,000 years ago, long before neighbouring empires such as Majapahit (AD1200) and Sri Vijaya (AD700).
At the heart of the findings is a perplexing clay brick ritualistic monument that has been dated back to AD110, making it the oldest man-made building to be recorded in Southeast Asia.
The Sungai Batu monument and its surrounding structures – including ancient jetties and iron smelting workshops – point to an advanced culture pre-dating many Indianised kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Also found with the monument were various pottery placed ceremoniously around, and a Buddhist tablet with Pallava-Sanskrit inscriptions likely to have been made in the 5th century AD.
An extensive research is being done by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) of Universiti Sains Malaysia to determine how advanced the little-known civilisation – known variously in historic annals as Kataha, Kidaram and Chieh-Cha – was. Just this week scholars from around the world converged at the Bujang Valley to express amazement at the discovery and how it is reshaping understanding of the region’s history.
Long before the empire of Malacca, there was already this powerful trading settlement in Kedah, which just happened to mysteriously disappear. But the secret of its existence cannot be held back any longer. The legacy of the Bujang Valley has risen at last. And it now promises to fully gain our attention, to reclaim its stature that is long overdue; just as it did among the early people of this land who lived around the majestic Gunung Jerai many centuries ago.
Himanshu is theSun’s Penang bureau chief.
comments
Rabani
8 July 2010 at 3.01pm · Reply
About time to rewrite Sejarah Tanah Melayu?
semuanya OK kot
8 July 2010 at 3.22pm · Reply
Will our fervent and zealous iconoclasts dash into action?
Samuel
8 July 2010 at 7.15pm · Reply
Pallava Script or writing is the earliest form of modern Tamil, which is called “Vatteluttu”, rounded alphabets. One can see that ancient round letters of tamil and modern Tamil letters will look very similar, till this date. The ancient round letters are considered far more older and superior to Aryans or Brhmin’s Sanskrit. It was the goodwill of Ancient Cholas that Sanskrit was let grown in Southern India, parallel to their Mother Tounge, Ancient Tamil, and dats one of the reason why you can see Tamil King inscriptions (Cholas, pallavas)in Tanah Melayu is sometimes companied by Sanskrit, like the one in Sungai Batu, which existed in Ancient Tamil and also Sanskrit.
They calculated the Pi and produce Trigonometric Tables on Sins and Cosines thousands of years before the West and Arabs. They know the diameter of the earth with close decimal points before the west. Its time for Indians to walk head held high, for our forefathers genes do coded in our genes as well, and its we who dont realize our real inner strength.
Ancient Tamil Poetess, Avvaiyar said that, “What you have learned is a mere handful; What you haven’t learned is the size of the world” (exhibited at NASA) and “Fare the rough sea to spread your kingdom”. This poems was the model and motivation for ancient Cholas to look beyond their boundary. Now its time for us to look beyond our boundary, nt by conquaring through swords, but through knowledge and determination…
nkkhoo
8 July 2010 at 9.53pm · Reply
I visited Bujang Valley in mid 80s, more than 20 years ago. There were a musuem and several Hindu temple ruins.
Bujang Valley should be nominated for world heritage site as Penang and Melaka.
musa
9 July 2010 at 9.07am · Reply
I agree that it should be made a world heritage site as it pre-dateds any sultanate …
Ganesh
9 July 2010 at 9.40am · Reply
You should read this Anil,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangga_Negara#mw-head
besides
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kota_Gelanggi
We could have become the tourism capital of Asia with such discoveries, billions of dollars and pounds (sterling) from tourism could have flowed into our country.
All this missed.
deja
9 July 2010 at 12.34pm · Reply
… mountain in tamil called “malai” whereas place or country refered as “oor”. those days, south indian businessman/sailors who come to peninsular of malaysia called it as “malaioor”. after hundreds of years the words “malaioor” slowly changed to “melayu”….
Some Internet porn sites in China now accessible
BEIJING: Word leaked out slowly, spread by Web-savvy folks on Twitter: Internet porn that once was blocked by Chinese government censors was now openly available.
"Are they no longer cracking down on pornographic websites? A lot of porn sites and forums are accessible," technology blogger William Long wrote on his feed.
Messages like that startled Chinese Web surfers, long accustomed to the authorities' Internet blockades. The country had been in the midst of highly publicized anti-pornography sweeps, and there had been no announcement of any change in government policy.
Yet eight weeks later, the porn sites are still accessible. Still unanswered are questions about whether it's an official change in policy, a technical glitch or some sort of test by the usually disapproving Chinese Internet police.
"This has never been done with the (Chinese) Internet before," said Beijing-based Internet analyst Zhao Jing, who goes by the English name Michael Anti.
Whatever the reason, the change has thrown into sharper relief what many people see as the main mission of China's aggressive Internet censors: blocking sites and content that might challenge the political authority of the communist government. Websites about human rights and dissidents are also routinely banned.
"Maybe they are thinking that if Internet users have some porn to look at, then they won't pay so much attention to political matters," Anti said.
The government has not said why the porn sites were unblocked. Repeated calls to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology went unanswered, and the Ministry of Public Security and State Council Information Office — all involved in Web monitoring — did not respond to faxed requests for comment.
China has the world's largest online population of 420 million — more than the entire U.S. population. While the Internet is the most freewheeling of tightly cosseted media in China, the government has the most extensive Internet policing system, from technical filters that block sites based on certain words to human monitors who scan bulletin boards and micro-blogging posts.
Censorship issues led Google Inc. to clash publicly with China earlier this year and eventually close its China search engine and redirect users to Hong Kong.
Tired of the controls, many Chinese have learned to get around "the Great Firewall," or GFW, as the system is known.
Few Chinese will admit to surfing for porn because it is illegal. Many sites are still inaccessible, and of those, sites that somehow evade control are usually blocked within hours. But the demand is there.
"The more they restrict something, the more people pay attention," said a 29-year-old employee at a state-owned logistics company who did not want to be identified because he surfs for porn on business trips.
Sites that suddenly became available around late May include the English-language YouPorn and PornHub, along with numerous Chinese sites offering downloads, though Anti and others say well-known Chinese-language sites remain blocked.
Wen Yunchao, a popular blogger who writes about social issues and the Internet under the name Beifeng, said even more porn sites have become available in recent days, including a well-known Chinese site called "Xingba," or "Sex Bar."
"In the past, the GFW would use pornography as an excuse" for censorship, Wen said. "Now they're not even trying to cover it up."
Chinese society's conservative attitudes about sex are rapidly changing, especially among the young, who make up the majority of Internet users. The trial and conviction this year in southern China of a college professor who used the Internet to organize orgies touched off a debate about privacy and sexual freedom.
A poll of 900 female graduates at 17 Shanghai universities showed that 70 percent think one-night stands aren't immoral, and more than half said they could understand if a girl became a rich man's lover, according to state media.
Liao Shengqing, a journalism professor who led the study, was cited by the People's Daily newspaper as saying that "students' attitudes come from their respect for individual privacy. They regard sex as a private matter and respect other people's choices."
Some speculate the proliferation of social networking sites and Twitter-like services was taxing the Great Firewall, requiring the government to unblock some porn sites to free up capacity for other snooping.
"I think when the GFW realized they were not able to block all domain names, they reallocated resources to block more urgent or political sites," said Long, the tech blogger who is based in Shenzhen and would not give his real name in Chinese.
As part of the change, employees in the office that cracks down on pornography and unauthorized publications no longer have to report overseas-based porn sites to police because of the difficulties in tracking down Chinese involved, the state-run magazine Oriental Outlook reported in May. Censors only need to note the sites, the report said.
Because a dozen or so agencies regulate the Internet in China, the porn availability may have resulted from a shifting of responsibilities, said Xiao Qiang, director of the Berkeley China Internet Project at the University of California-Berkeley.
"The Great Firewall is not that serious toward blocking porn sites. It never was," he said. The true targets, he said, include political information, current affairs, negative reports about leaders, and anything that may trigger a protest.
"That kind of information is where the censorship focus is really," Xiao said. "Porn, they're just halfheartedly doing it." - AP
"Are they no longer cracking down on pornographic websites? A lot of porn sites and forums are accessible," technology blogger William Long wrote on his feed.
Messages like that startled Chinese Web surfers, long accustomed to the authorities' Internet blockades. The country had been in the midst of highly publicized anti-pornography sweeps, and there had been no announcement of any change in government policy.
Yet eight weeks later, the porn sites are still accessible. Still unanswered are questions about whether it's an official change in policy, a technical glitch or some sort of test by the usually disapproving Chinese Internet police.
"This has never been done with the (Chinese) Internet before," said Beijing-based Internet analyst Zhao Jing, who goes by the English name Michael Anti.
Whatever the reason, the change has thrown into sharper relief what many people see as the main mission of China's aggressive Internet censors: blocking sites and content that might challenge the political authority of the communist government. Websites about human rights and dissidents are also routinely banned.
"Maybe they are thinking that if Internet users have some porn to look at, then they won't pay so much attention to political matters," Anti said.
The government has not said why the porn sites were unblocked. Repeated calls to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology went unanswered, and the Ministry of Public Security and State Council Information Office — all involved in Web monitoring — did not respond to faxed requests for comment.
China has the world's largest online population of 420 million — more than the entire U.S. population. While the Internet is the most freewheeling of tightly cosseted media in China, the government has the most extensive Internet policing system, from technical filters that block sites based on certain words to human monitors who scan bulletin boards and micro-blogging posts.
Censorship issues led Google Inc. to clash publicly with China earlier this year and eventually close its China search engine and redirect users to Hong Kong.
Tired of the controls, many Chinese have learned to get around "the Great Firewall," or GFW, as the system is known.
Few Chinese will admit to surfing for porn because it is illegal. Many sites are still inaccessible, and of those, sites that somehow evade control are usually blocked within hours. But the demand is there.
"The more they restrict something, the more people pay attention," said a 29-year-old employee at a state-owned logistics company who did not want to be identified because he surfs for porn on business trips.
Sites that suddenly became available around late May include the English-language YouPorn and PornHub, along with numerous Chinese sites offering downloads, though Anti and others say well-known Chinese-language sites remain blocked.
Wen Yunchao, a popular blogger who writes about social issues and the Internet under the name Beifeng, said even more porn sites have become available in recent days, including a well-known Chinese site called "Xingba," or "Sex Bar."
"In the past, the GFW would use pornography as an excuse" for censorship, Wen said. "Now they're not even trying to cover it up."
Chinese society's conservative attitudes about sex are rapidly changing, especially among the young, who make up the majority of Internet users. The trial and conviction this year in southern China of a college professor who used the Internet to organize orgies touched off a debate about privacy and sexual freedom.
A poll of 900 female graduates at 17 Shanghai universities showed that 70 percent think one-night stands aren't immoral, and more than half said they could understand if a girl became a rich man's lover, according to state media.
Liao Shengqing, a journalism professor who led the study, was cited by the People's Daily newspaper as saying that "students' attitudes come from their respect for individual privacy. They regard sex as a private matter and respect other people's choices."
Some speculate the proliferation of social networking sites and Twitter-like services was taxing the Great Firewall, requiring the government to unblock some porn sites to free up capacity for other snooping.
"I think when the GFW realized they were not able to block all domain names, they reallocated resources to block more urgent or political sites," said Long, the tech blogger who is based in Shenzhen and would not give his real name in Chinese.
As part of the change, employees in the office that cracks down on pornography and unauthorized publications no longer have to report overseas-based porn sites to police because of the difficulties in tracking down Chinese involved, the state-run magazine Oriental Outlook reported in May. Censors only need to note the sites, the report said.
Because a dozen or so agencies regulate the Internet in China, the porn availability may have resulted from a shifting of responsibilities, said Xiao Qiang, director of the Berkeley China Internet Project at the University of California-Berkeley.
"The Great Firewall is not that serious toward blocking porn sites. It never was," he said. The true targets, he said, include political information, current affairs, negative reports about leaders, and anything that may trigger a protest.
"That kind of information is where the censorship focus is really," Xiao said. "Porn, they're just halfheartedly doing it." - AP
Robbers advise kids ‘don’t be like us’ after heist
MALACCA: Five masked machete-wielding robbers left not only with RM150,000 in cash and valuables, but also some words of advice for their victims.
“Don’t become robbers like us. Study hard, become doctors and lawyers and make your parents proud,” they told six primary schoolchildren present during the robbery.
The robbers had entered the house in Taman Batang Melaka at about 9pm and held up tuition teacher M. Sashi, 35, who was giving lessons to six primary schoolchildren aged between eight and 11.
They tied him, his wife and elderly mother before forcing the children to lie face down and remain silent.
One of the pupils’ uncle, who came to fetch his 10 year-old nephew, was also held and tied up.
Sashi said the robbers had also asked his mother for forgiveness.
“Don’t think too harshly of us. We too are like your son trying to make a living. Forgive us,” he said.
Jasin CID chief Asst Supt Ahzarha Abdul Rahim said the robbers, believed to be in their 20’s, stole an estimated RM150,000 worth of jewellery, an LCD television set and RM1,500.
“We believe the robbers may have known the victims or were working for someone who knew them,” he said.
He urged those with information to contact him at 012-632 0050.
“Don’t become robbers like us. Study hard, become doctors and lawyers and make your parents proud,” they told six primary schoolchildren present during the robbery.
The robbers had entered the house in Taman Batang Melaka at about 9pm and held up tuition teacher M. Sashi, 35, who was giving lessons to six primary schoolchildren aged between eight and 11.
They tied him, his wife and elderly mother before forcing the children to lie face down and remain silent.
One of the pupils’ uncle, who came to fetch his 10 year-old nephew, was also held and tied up.
Sashi said the robbers had also asked his mother for forgiveness.
“Don’t think too harshly of us. We too are like your son trying to make a living. Forgive us,” he said.
Jasin CID chief Asst Supt Ahzarha Abdul Rahim said the robbers, believed to be in their 20’s, stole an estimated RM150,000 worth of jewellery, an LCD television set and RM1,500.
“We believe the robbers may have known the victims or were working for someone who knew them,” he said.
He urged those with information to contact him at 012-632 0050.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
This Will Not End With Me
Vanity | 20 July 2010 | Combat_Boots
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:42:04 AM by combat_boots
This will not end with me.
The pictures of Washington and Lincoln might be gone from classrooms, but I remember gazing at them on those walls. The American flags in the corners. The tall windows. The old desks. The copies of McGuffey Readers. The emphasis on math quizzes and times tables, on American history and geography. A prayer to start the day.
This will not end with me.
The entire country watched in wonder when Apollo 11 went to and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. We marveled at the space blankets and space bars that came as a result. The TVs playing after midnight, all to watch “one small step for Man” brought Mankind to its knees in a prayer of thanks to God and American knowhow.
This will not end with me.
Hand me downs and paper routes were commonplace. Working from young ages was a way to learn self-reliance. Pride of craftsmanship and knowing how to cook and change tires, pick apples, paint and sweep floors were simple tasks all boys and girls, men and women knew.
This will not end with me.
Knowing good value for good products, pride of ownership, and faith in the God of our Fathers bespeaks America’s bright self-confidence, ebullience, good will and forthright honesty testifies to our pioneering will and belief in our future.
God is with these values. And so are we Americans. We led so many to freedom. Now we must lead ourselves back to our forebears’ legacy. Born of shed blood from that on The Cross of Christ to the boots on the ground, for the sake of our and our children’s lives, this cause will not end with me.
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:42:04 AM by combat_boots
This will not end with me.
The pictures of Washington and Lincoln might be gone from classrooms, but I remember gazing at them on those walls. The American flags in the corners. The tall windows. The old desks. The copies of McGuffey Readers. The emphasis on math quizzes and times tables, on American history and geography. A prayer to start the day.
This will not end with me.
The entire country watched in wonder when Apollo 11 went to and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. We marveled at the space blankets and space bars that came as a result. The TVs playing after midnight, all to watch “one small step for Man” brought Mankind to its knees in a prayer of thanks to God and American knowhow.
This will not end with me.
Hand me downs and paper routes were commonplace. Working from young ages was a way to learn self-reliance. Pride of craftsmanship and knowing how to cook and change tires, pick apples, paint and sweep floors were simple tasks all boys and girls, men and women knew.
This will not end with me.
Knowing good value for good products, pride of ownership, and faith in the God of our Fathers bespeaks America’s bright self-confidence, ebullience, good will and forthright honesty testifies to our pioneering will and belief in our future.
God is with these values. And so are we Americans. We led so many to freedom. Now we must lead ourselves back to our forebears’ legacy. Born of shed blood from that on The Cross of Christ to the boots on the ground, for the sake of our and our children’s lives, this cause will not end with me.
Gotham’s Capital Chance: NYC is missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity...
City Journal ^ | 13 July 2010 | Nicole Gelinas
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:19:10 AM by the invisib1e hand
NYC is missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seize a competitive advantage.
New York and London have long competed to be the global capital of global capital. With plenty of business to go around, the competition has usually been friendly; now, as the West’s financial industry shrinks, it could become fierce. London is already stumbling in this race, giving New York a golden opportunity to pull ahead. But instead, our politicians are sacrificing growth to higher taxes and bad regulations, just as London is.
The global finance industry awakened in the 1980s and soared in the 1990s. Wall Street and its British equivalent, the City of London, reaped an outsize share of the rewards, thanks to their strong legal and regulatory systems, their quality of life, and the global dominance of the English language. Between 1995 and 2004, the United States and Britain each nearly quadrupled its financial-services exports, but the City held the lead, winning Britain 23.8 percent of the global market against America’s 19.7 percent. It wasn’t just because London’s time zone was more convenient for many clients or because of the United Kingdom’s easier visa rules for foreign workers. The City benefited from American missteps, some dating back decades.
London’s dominance in global debt and credit derivatives, for example, stemmed in part from an error that America made nearly 50 years ago. In the early 1960s, Washington, worried about speculative flows of foreign funds, slapped a 15 percent surcharge on the interest income that investors earned from American bonds issued by foreign firms. London saw this as an invitation to create a flexible market in dollar-denominated bonds—and thus honed a lasting proficiency in debt (and eventually in related derivatives).
London also excelled at attracting global financiers with its tax policy. A shipping-era provision allowed British residents to escape taxes on their worldwide income if they didn’t plan to live in Britain forever; Americans had no such perk. In 1998, the new Labour government’s chancellor of the exchequer, future prime minister Gordon Brown, added to that advantage, writes former banker Philip Augar in Reckless: The Rise and Fall of the City. To encourage tech entrepreneurs, Labour slashed the top long-term capital-gains tax from 40 to 10 percent—and because asset managers often take their profits as a share of the investment gains they achieve for clients, this tax cut attracted international fund managers to London. The Bush administration followed suit three years later, cutting America’s capital-gains rate from 20 to 15 percent.
More recently, though, London has reversed its welcoming attitude. In 2007, Brown pushed the top capital-gains rate up to 18 percent. Earlier this year, Britain hiked top income taxes from 40 to 45 percent (the effective rate is now 51 percent) and imposed a $45,000 annual surcharge on long-term foreign residents. Last month, the new Conservative government proposed to hike the top capital-gains rate again, to 28 percent. The Conservatives will also eliminate some deductions for wealthy earners. A couple earning $300,000 will see a tax hike ranging from $2,700 to $3,150 annually, the accounting firm Deloitte estimates.
Uncertainty about financial regulation could also drive financiers from London. True, Britain is taking a fairly mild approach, largely transferring responsibilities among regulators and telling them to do a better job next time. But a one-time tax on big banks’ bonuses earlier this year must have City executives wondering whether the government will come back for more if it thinks that the public is still angry enough at the fat cats. The European Parliament could harm London’s fund-management business if it carries out its threats to micromanage hedge funds and private-equity funds and to set up protectionist barriers against asset managers that don’t follow the new rules. And the European Union’s strict new limits on cash bonuses, which will give banks less flexibility to compete globally, could also hit London’s independent asset managers, depending on British regulators’ interpretation of the rules.
This across-the-pond turmoil is an invitation for national, state, and city leaders to plaster an OPEN FOR BUSINESS sign on New York. Helping Gotham pull ahead of London should be easy. Congress could pass a reasonable financial-regulation bill—revising existing laws so that old borrowing, trading, and bankruptcy rules apply consistently to companies and instruments. President Obama could dangle tempting bait before financiers by promising not to raise income or investment taxes. New York State and City could make the same pledge and follow it up by cutting their budgets and future retirement obligations to government workers, which would let them make good on their tax promise without allowing the infrastructure that supports quality of life to deteriorate further.
Instead, we’re throwing our advantage away. The Dodd-Frank financial-regulation bill on which the Senate will vote this week won’t unleash healthy competition on Wall Street; instead, it will preserve “too-big-to-fail” institutions’ immunity from market discipline. When the Bush tax cuts expire next year, the top federal income-tax rate will climb from 35 to 39.6 percent, and capital-gains taxes will increase to at least 20 percent; two years later, wealthier earners will face an additional 3.8 percent investment-income tax.
New York State is raising taxes, too. Last year, Albany hiked the top income and capital-gains tax rate from 6.85 percent to 8.97 percent—and though the increase is set to expire next year, it will surely become a permanent fixture unless the state gets its finances under control. This year, Governor David Paterson floated new tax grabs to help fund a $9 billion deficit, including a provision that would tax the New York capital-gains income of out-of-state asset managers and a restriction on charitable deductions for wealthy earners. Though Paterson has backed down from the first of these proposals (since Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it “the best thing to happen to Connecticut”), the State Assembly has already passed both, and Paterson has not explicitly said that he’ll veto the deal when the Senate follows suit. By 2013, the wealthiest New Yorkers—exactly the people the city and state should be trying to attract—could easily be paying more than 50 percent of their income to federal, state, and local taxes.
In the coming decades, moreover, London and New York may have to scramble for a shrinking share of the global capital markets. Hong Kong and Singapore are quickly gaining as global financial centers in their own right; China, India, Eastern Europe, and some nations in Africa are developing more sophisticated domestic markets to raise funds closer to home; Paris and Frankfurt are eyeing London’s crisis-hit financial businesses and seeking to lure away some of their high-end jobs. Gotham should capitalize on its advantage while it can. Why, instead of becoming a refuge for global financiers, is it joining London in driving them away?
Nicole Gelinas, contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal, is author of After The Fall.
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:19:10 AM by the invisib1e hand
NYC is missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seize a competitive advantage.
New York and London have long competed to be the global capital of global capital. With plenty of business to go around, the competition has usually been friendly; now, as the West’s financial industry shrinks, it could become fierce. London is already stumbling in this race, giving New York a golden opportunity to pull ahead. But instead, our politicians are sacrificing growth to higher taxes and bad regulations, just as London is.
The global finance industry awakened in the 1980s and soared in the 1990s. Wall Street and its British equivalent, the City of London, reaped an outsize share of the rewards, thanks to their strong legal and regulatory systems, their quality of life, and the global dominance of the English language. Between 1995 and 2004, the United States and Britain each nearly quadrupled its financial-services exports, but the City held the lead, winning Britain 23.8 percent of the global market against America’s 19.7 percent. It wasn’t just because London’s time zone was more convenient for many clients or because of the United Kingdom’s easier visa rules for foreign workers. The City benefited from American missteps, some dating back decades.
London’s dominance in global debt and credit derivatives, for example, stemmed in part from an error that America made nearly 50 years ago. In the early 1960s, Washington, worried about speculative flows of foreign funds, slapped a 15 percent surcharge on the interest income that investors earned from American bonds issued by foreign firms. London saw this as an invitation to create a flexible market in dollar-denominated bonds—and thus honed a lasting proficiency in debt (and eventually in related derivatives).
London also excelled at attracting global financiers with its tax policy. A shipping-era provision allowed British residents to escape taxes on their worldwide income if they didn’t plan to live in Britain forever; Americans had no such perk. In 1998, the new Labour government’s chancellor of the exchequer, future prime minister Gordon Brown, added to that advantage, writes former banker Philip Augar in Reckless: The Rise and Fall of the City. To encourage tech entrepreneurs, Labour slashed the top long-term capital-gains tax from 40 to 10 percent—and because asset managers often take their profits as a share of the investment gains they achieve for clients, this tax cut attracted international fund managers to London. The Bush administration followed suit three years later, cutting America’s capital-gains rate from 20 to 15 percent.
More recently, though, London has reversed its welcoming attitude. In 2007, Brown pushed the top capital-gains rate up to 18 percent. Earlier this year, Britain hiked top income taxes from 40 to 45 percent (the effective rate is now 51 percent) and imposed a $45,000 annual surcharge on long-term foreign residents. Last month, the new Conservative government proposed to hike the top capital-gains rate again, to 28 percent. The Conservatives will also eliminate some deductions for wealthy earners. A couple earning $300,000 will see a tax hike ranging from $2,700 to $3,150 annually, the accounting firm Deloitte estimates.
Uncertainty about financial regulation could also drive financiers from London. True, Britain is taking a fairly mild approach, largely transferring responsibilities among regulators and telling them to do a better job next time. But a one-time tax on big banks’ bonuses earlier this year must have City executives wondering whether the government will come back for more if it thinks that the public is still angry enough at the fat cats. The European Parliament could harm London’s fund-management business if it carries out its threats to micromanage hedge funds and private-equity funds and to set up protectionist barriers against asset managers that don’t follow the new rules. And the European Union’s strict new limits on cash bonuses, which will give banks less flexibility to compete globally, could also hit London’s independent asset managers, depending on British regulators’ interpretation of the rules.
This across-the-pond turmoil is an invitation for national, state, and city leaders to plaster an OPEN FOR BUSINESS sign on New York. Helping Gotham pull ahead of London should be easy. Congress could pass a reasonable financial-regulation bill—revising existing laws so that old borrowing, trading, and bankruptcy rules apply consistently to companies and instruments. President Obama could dangle tempting bait before financiers by promising not to raise income or investment taxes. New York State and City could make the same pledge and follow it up by cutting their budgets and future retirement obligations to government workers, which would let them make good on their tax promise without allowing the infrastructure that supports quality of life to deteriorate further.
Instead, we’re throwing our advantage away. The Dodd-Frank financial-regulation bill on which the Senate will vote this week won’t unleash healthy competition on Wall Street; instead, it will preserve “too-big-to-fail” institutions’ immunity from market discipline. When the Bush tax cuts expire next year, the top federal income-tax rate will climb from 35 to 39.6 percent, and capital-gains taxes will increase to at least 20 percent; two years later, wealthier earners will face an additional 3.8 percent investment-income tax.
New York State is raising taxes, too. Last year, Albany hiked the top income and capital-gains tax rate from 6.85 percent to 8.97 percent—and though the increase is set to expire next year, it will surely become a permanent fixture unless the state gets its finances under control. This year, Governor David Paterson floated new tax grabs to help fund a $9 billion deficit, including a provision that would tax the New York capital-gains income of out-of-state asset managers and a restriction on charitable deductions for wealthy earners. Though Paterson has backed down from the first of these proposals (since Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it “the best thing to happen to Connecticut”), the State Assembly has already passed both, and Paterson has not explicitly said that he’ll veto the deal when the Senate follows suit. By 2013, the wealthiest New Yorkers—exactly the people the city and state should be trying to attract—could easily be paying more than 50 percent of their income to federal, state, and local taxes.
In the coming decades, moreover, London and New York may have to scramble for a shrinking share of the global capital markets. Hong Kong and Singapore are quickly gaining as global financial centers in their own right; China, India, Eastern Europe, and some nations in Africa are developing more sophisticated domestic markets to raise funds closer to home; Paris and Frankfurt are eyeing London’s crisis-hit financial businesses and seeking to lure away some of their high-end jobs. Gotham should capitalize on its advantage while it can. Why, instead of becoming a refuge for global financiers, is it joining London in driving them away?
Nicole Gelinas, contributing editor to the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal, is author of After The Fall.
Websites identify high-flyer seen with Hilton
SEVERAL websites are abuzz with news that Malaysian millionaire Taek Jho Low is the “mystery man” spotted with good-time girl Paris Hilton, reported Kosmo!
The Malay tabloid said the websites, including that of OK! Magazine, had identified Hilton as the girl in a sexy pink outfit in a photograph of partygoers aboard a boat in Paris, France.
According to the magazine, Low had been splashing his money, holding expensive parties in various nightclubs and running up huge shopping bills.
The New York Post had reported on Nov 8 last year that Low, who is in his 20s and a graduate from Wharton Business School in Philadelphia, spent thousands of dollars in nightclubs over a three-month period in the United States.
He caught media attention after being spotted partying with several celebrities, including singer P. Diddy, in the city.
According to the operator of Pink Elephant Club at 27th Street in New York, Low always spent between US$50,000 (RM161,150) and US$60,000 (RM193,380) a night, including flying eight waitresses to a party in Malaysia once.
He was rumoured to be staying in a posh apartment in Park Imperial in the city, where James Bond actor Daniel Craig and P. Diddy also lived.
Low, whose own recent birthday party was attended by actress Megan Fox, was said to be working as a consultant with a few international companies.
Although The Post interviewed various Malaysian experts, including members on the Foreign Relationship Council about Low, none had heard of him.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/nation/6716251&sec=nation
> Malaysian millionaire Taek Jho Low has been asked by his father to lie low after news of him and American party girl Paris Hilton exploded on the media worldwide.
Several websites were abuzz with news that Low was the “mystery man” spotted with Hilton.
She was seen at Low’s birthday celebration together with other guests recently.
Low was said to have good relations with celebrities and wealthy people from the Middle East.
His father, a businessman, told Sin Chew Daily he had told his son to be cautious with his words and actions.
According to the daily, the 28-year-old Low is the third generation of a distinguished family in Penang that is involved in property and various industries, including high technology products, in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of the world.
Other News & Views is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a > sign, it denotes a separate news item.
The Malay tabloid said the websites, including that of OK! Magazine, had identified Hilton as the girl in a sexy pink outfit in a photograph of partygoers aboard a boat in Paris, France.
According to the magazine, Low had been splashing his money, holding expensive parties in various nightclubs and running up huge shopping bills.
The New York Post had reported on Nov 8 last year that Low, who is in his 20s and a graduate from Wharton Business School in Philadelphia, spent thousands of dollars in nightclubs over a three-month period in the United States.
He caught media attention after being spotted partying with several celebrities, including singer P. Diddy, in the city.
According to the operator of Pink Elephant Club at 27th Street in New York, Low always spent between US$50,000 (RM161,150) and US$60,000 (RM193,380) a night, including flying eight waitresses to a party in Malaysia once.
He was rumoured to be staying in a posh apartment in Park Imperial in the city, where James Bond actor Daniel Craig and P. Diddy also lived.
Low, whose own recent birthday party was attended by actress Megan Fox, was said to be working as a consultant with a few international companies.
Although The Post interviewed various Malaysian experts, including members on the Foreign Relationship Council about Low, none had heard of him.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/nation/6716251&sec=nation
> Malaysian millionaire Taek Jho Low has been asked by his father to lie low after news of him and American party girl Paris Hilton exploded on the media worldwide.
Several websites were abuzz with news that Low was the “mystery man” spotted with Hilton.
She was seen at Low’s birthday celebration together with other guests recently.
Low was said to have good relations with celebrities and wealthy people from the Middle East.
His father, a businessman, told Sin Chew Daily he had told his son to be cautious with his words and actions.
According to the daily, the 28-year-old Low is the third generation of a distinguished family in Penang that is involved in property and various industries, including high technology products, in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of the world.
Other News & Views is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a > sign, it denotes a separate news item.
Monday, July 19, 2010
'They raped every German female from eight to 80'
http://www.stormfront.org/forum/t686084/
Antony Beevor, author of the acclaimed new book about the fall of Berlin, on a massive war crime committed by the victorious Red Army.
"Red Army soldiers don't believe in 'individual liaisons' with German women," wrote the playwright Zakhar Agranenko in his diary when serving as an officer of marine infantry in East Prussia. "Nine, ten, twelve men at a time - they rape them on a collective basis."
The Soviet armies advancing into East Prussia in January 1945, in huge, long columns, were an extraordinary mixture of modern and medieval: tank troops in padded black helmets, Cossack cavalrymen on shaggy mounts with loot strapped to the saddle, lend-lease Studebakers and Dodges towing light field guns, and then a second echelon in horse-drawn carts. The variety of character among the soldiers was almost as great as that of their military equipment. There were freebooters who drank and raped quite shamelessly, and there were idealistic, austere communists and members of the intelligentsia appalled by such behaviour.
Beria and Stalin, back in Moscow, knew perfectly well what was going on from a number of detailed reports. One stated that "many Germans declare that all German women in East Prussia who stayed behind were raped by Red Army soldiers". Numerous examples of gang rape were given - "girls under 18 and old women included".
Marshal Rokossovsky issued order No 006 in an attempt to direct "the feelings of hatred at fighting the enemy on the battlefield." It appears to have had little effect. There were also a few arbitrary attempts to exert authority. The commander of one rifle division is said to have "personally shot a lieutenant who was lining up a group of his men before a German woman spreadeagled on the ground". But either officers were involved themselves, or the lack of discipline made it too dangerous to restore order over drunken soldiers armed with submachine guns.
Calls to avenge the Motherland, violated by the Wehrmacht's invasion, had given the idea that almost any cruelty would be allowed. Even many young women soldiers and medical staff in the Red Army did not appear to disapprove. "Our soldiers' behaviour towards Germans, particularly German women, is absolutely correct!" said a 21-year-old from Agranenko's reconnaissance detachment. A number seemed to find it amusing. Several German women recorded how Soviet servicewomen watched and laughed when they were raped. But some women were deeply shaken by what they witnessed in Germany. Natalya Gesse, a close friend of the scientist Andrei Sakharov, had observed the Red Army in action in 1945 as a Soviet war correspondent. "The Russian soldiers were raping every German female from eight to eighty," she recounted later. "It was an army of rapists."
Drink of every variety, including dangerous chemicals seized from laboratories and workshops, was a major factor in the violence. It seems as if Soviet soldiers needed alcoholic courage to attack a woman. But then, all too often, they drank too much and, unable to complete the act, used the bottle instead with appalling effect. A number of victims were mutilated obscenely.
The subject of the Red Army's mass rapes in Germany has been so repressed in Russia that even today veterans refuse to acknowledge what really happened. The handful prepared to speak openly, however, are totally unrepentant. "They all lifted their skirts for us and lay on the bed," said the leader of one tank company. He even went on to boast that "two million of our children were born" in Germany.
The capacity of Soviet officers to convince themselves that most of the victims were either happy with their fate, or at least accepted that it was their turn to suffer after what the Wehrmacht had done in Russia, is striking. "Our fellows were so sex-starved," a Soviet major told a British journalist at the time, "that they often raped old women of sixty, seventy or even eighty - much to these grandmothers' surprise, if not downright delight."
One can only scratch at the surface of the psychological contradictions. When gang-raped women in Königsberg begged their attackers afterwards to put them out of their misery, the Red Army men appear to have felt insulted. "Russian soldiers do not shoot women," they replied. "Only German soldiers do that." The Red Army had managed to convince itself that because it had assumed the moral mission to liberate Europe from fascism it could behave entirely as it liked, both personally and politically.
Domination and humiliation permeated most soldiers' treatment of women in East Prussia. The victims not only bore the brunt of revenge for Wehrmacht crimes, they also represented an atavistic target as old as war itself. Rape is the act of a conqueror, the feminist historian Susan Brownmiller observed, aimed at the "bodies of the defeated enemy's women" to emphasise his victory. Yet after the initial fury of January 1945 dissipated, the sadism became less marked. By the time the Red Army reached Berlin three months later, its soldiers tended to regard German women more as a casual right of conquest. The sense of domination certainly continued, but this was perhaps partly an indirect product of the humiliations which they themselves had suffered at the hands of their commanders and the Soviet authorities as a whole.
A number of other forces or influences were at work. Sexual freedom had been a subject for lively debate within Communist party circles during the 1920s, but during the following decade, Stalin ensured that Soviet society depicted itself as virtually asexual. This had nothing to do with genuine puritanism: it was because love and sex did not fit in with dogma designed to "deindividualise" the individual. Human urges and emotions had to be suppressed. Freud's work was banned, divorce and adultery were matters for strong party disapproval. Criminal sanctions against homosexuality were reintroduced. The new doctrine extended even to the complete suppression of sex education. In graphic art, the clothed outline of a woman's breasts was regarded as dangerously erotic. They had to be disguised under boiler suits. The regime clearly wanted any form of desire to be converted into love for the party and above all for Comrade Stalin.
Most ill-educated Red Army soldiers suffered from sexual ignorance and utterly unenlightened attitudes towards women. So the Soviet state's attempts to suppress the libido of its people created what one Russian writer described as a sort of "barracks eroticism" which was far more primitive and violent than "the most sordid foreign pornography". All this was combined with the dehumanising influence of modern propaganda and the atavistic, warring impulses of men marked by fear and suffering.
The novelist Vasily Grossman, a war correspondent attached to the invading Red Army, soon discovered that rape victims were not just Germans. Polish women also suffered. So did young Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian women who had been sent back to Germany by the Wehrmacht for slave labour. "Liberated Soviet girls quite often complain that our soldiers rape them," he noted. "One girl said to me in tears: 'He was an old man, older than my father'."
The rape of Soviet women and girls seriously undermines Russian attempts to justify Red Army behaviour on the grounds of revenge for German brutality in the Soviet Union. On March 29 1945 the central committee of the Komsomol (the youth organisation of the Soviet Union) informed Stalin's associate Malenkov of a report from the 1st Ukrainian Front. "On the night of 24 February," General Tsygankov recorded in the first of many examples, "a group of 35 provisional lieutenants on a course and their battalion commander entered the women's dormitory in the village of Grutenberg and raped them."
In Berlin, many women were simply not prepared for the shock of Russian revenge, however much horror propaganda they had heard from Goebbels. Many reassured themselves that, although the danger must be great out in the countryside, mass rapes could hardly take place in the city in front of everybody.
In Dahlem, Soviet officers visited Sister Kunigunde, the mother superior of Haus Dahlem, a maternity clinic and orphanage. The officers and their men behaved impeccably. In fact, the officers even warned Sister Kunigunde about the second-line troops following on behind. Their prediction proved entirely accurate. Nuns, young girls, old women, pregnant women and mothers who had just given birth were all raped without pity.
Yet within a couple of days, a pattern emerged of soldiers flashing torches in the faces of women huddled in the bunkers to choose their victims. This process of selection, as opposed to the indiscriminate violence shown earlier, indicates a definite change. By this stage Soviet soldiers started to treat German women more as sexual spoils of war than as substitutes for the Wehrmacht on which to vent their rage.
Rape has often been defined by writers on the subject as an act of violence which has little to do with sex. But that is a definition from the victim's perspective. To understand the crime, one needs to see things from the perpetrator's point of view, especially in the later stages when unaggravated rape had succeeded the extreme onslaught of January and February.
Many women found themselves forced to "concede" to one soldier in the hope that he would protect them from others. Magda Wieland, a 24-year-old actress, was dragged from a cupboard in her apartment just off the Kurfürstendamm. A very young soldier from central Asia hauled her out. He was so excited at the prospect of a beautiful young blonde that he ejaculated prematurely. By sign language, she offered herself to him as a girlfriend if he would protect her from other Russian soldiers, but he went off to boast to his comrades and another soldier raped her. Ellen Goetz, a Jewish friend of Magda's, was also raped. When other Germans tried to explain to the Russians that she was Jewish and had been persecuted, they received the retort: "Frau ist Frau."
Women soon learned to disappear during the "hunting hours" of the evening. Young daughters were hidden in storage lofts for days on end. Mothers emerged into the street to fetch water only in the early morning when Soviet soldiers were sleeping off the alcohol from the night before. Sometimes the greatest danger came from one mother giving away the hiding place of other girls in a desperate bid to save her own daughter. Older Berliners still remember the screams every night. It was impossible not to hear them because all the windows had been blown in.
Estimates of rape victims from the city's two main hospitals ranged from 95,000 to 130,000. One doctor deduced that out of approximately 100,000 women raped in the city, some 10,000 died as a result, mostly from suicide. The death rate was thought to have been much higher among the 1.4 million estimated victims in East Prussia, Pomerania and Silesia. Altogether at least two million German women are thought to have been raped, and a substantial minority, if not a majority, appear to have suffered multiple rape.
If anyone attempted to defend a woman against a Soviet attacker it was either a father trying to defend a daughter or a young son trying to protect his mother. "The 13-year old Dieter Sahl," neighbours wrote in a letter shortly after the event, "threw himself with flailing fists at a Russian who was raping his mother in front of him. He did not succeed in anything except getting himself shot."
After the second stage of women offering themselves to one soldier to save themselves from others, came the post-battle need to survive starvation. Susan Brownmiller noted "the murky line that divides wartime rape from wartime prostitution". Soon after the surrender in Berlin, Ursula von Kardorff found all sorts of women prostituting themselves for food or the alternative currency of cigarettes. Helke Sander, a German film-maker who researched the subject in great detail, wrote of "the grey area of direct force, blackmail, calculation and real affection".
The fourth stage was a strange form of cohabitation in which Red Army officers settled in with German "occupation wives". The Soviet authorities were appalled and enraged when a number of Red Army officers, intent on staying with their German lovers, deserted when it was time to return to the Motherland.
Even if the feminist definition of rape purely as an act of violence proves to be simplistic, there is no justification for male complacency. If anything, the events of 1945 reveal how thin the veneer of civilisation can be when there is little fear of retribution. It also suggests a much darker side to male sexuality than we might care to admit.
© Antony Beevor.
www.antonybeevor.com
· Berlin: The Downfall 1945 is published by Viking Penguin.The BBC Timewatch film about researching the book will be shown on BBC2 at 9pm on May 10.
Antony Beevor, author of the acclaimed new book about the fall of Berlin, on a massive war crime committed by the victorious Red Army.
"Red Army soldiers don't believe in 'individual liaisons' with German women," wrote the playwright Zakhar Agranenko in his diary when serving as an officer of marine infantry in East Prussia. "Nine, ten, twelve men at a time - they rape them on a collective basis."
The Soviet armies advancing into East Prussia in January 1945, in huge, long columns, were an extraordinary mixture of modern and medieval: tank troops in padded black helmets, Cossack cavalrymen on shaggy mounts with loot strapped to the saddle, lend-lease Studebakers and Dodges towing light field guns, and then a second echelon in horse-drawn carts. The variety of character among the soldiers was almost as great as that of their military equipment. There were freebooters who drank and raped quite shamelessly, and there were idealistic, austere communists and members of the intelligentsia appalled by such behaviour.
Beria and Stalin, back in Moscow, knew perfectly well what was going on from a number of detailed reports. One stated that "many Germans declare that all German women in East Prussia who stayed behind were raped by Red Army soldiers". Numerous examples of gang rape were given - "girls under 18 and old women included".
Marshal Rokossovsky issued order No 006 in an attempt to direct "the feelings of hatred at fighting the enemy on the battlefield." It appears to have had little effect. There were also a few arbitrary attempts to exert authority. The commander of one rifle division is said to have "personally shot a lieutenant who was lining up a group of his men before a German woman spreadeagled on the ground". But either officers were involved themselves, or the lack of discipline made it too dangerous to restore order over drunken soldiers armed with submachine guns.
Calls to avenge the Motherland, violated by the Wehrmacht's invasion, had given the idea that almost any cruelty would be allowed. Even many young women soldiers and medical staff in the Red Army did not appear to disapprove. "Our soldiers' behaviour towards Germans, particularly German women, is absolutely correct!" said a 21-year-old from Agranenko's reconnaissance detachment. A number seemed to find it amusing. Several German women recorded how Soviet servicewomen watched and laughed when they were raped. But some women were deeply shaken by what they witnessed in Germany. Natalya Gesse, a close friend of the scientist Andrei Sakharov, had observed the Red Army in action in 1945 as a Soviet war correspondent. "The Russian soldiers were raping every German female from eight to eighty," she recounted later. "It was an army of rapists."
Drink of every variety, including dangerous chemicals seized from laboratories and workshops, was a major factor in the violence. It seems as if Soviet soldiers needed alcoholic courage to attack a woman. But then, all too often, they drank too much and, unable to complete the act, used the bottle instead with appalling effect. A number of victims were mutilated obscenely.
The subject of the Red Army's mass rapes in Germany has been so repressed in Russia that even today veterans refuse to acknowledge what really happened. The handful prepared to speak openly, however, are totally unrepentant. "They all lifted their skirts for us and lay on the bed," said the leader of one tank company. He even went on to boast that "two million of our children were born" in Germany.
The capacity of Soviet officers to convince themselves that most of the victims were either happy with their fate, or at least accepted that it was their turn to suffer after what the Wehrmacht had done in Russia, is striking. "Our fellows were so sex-starved," a Soviet major told a British journalist at the time, "that they often raped old women of sixty, seventy or even eighty - much to these grandmothers' surprise, if not downright delight."
One can only scratch at the surface of the psychological contradictions. When gang-raped women in Königsberg begged their attackers afterwards to put them out of their misery, the Red Army men appear to have felt insulted. "Russian soldiers do not shoot women," they replied. "Only German soldiers do that." The Red Army had managed to convince itself that because it had assumed the moral mission to liberate Europe from fascism it could behave entirely as it liked, both personally and politically.
Domination and humiliation permeated most soldiers' treatment of women in East Prussia. The victims not only bore the brunt of revenge for Wehrmacht crimes, they also represented an atavistic target as old as war itself. Rape is the act of a conqueror, the feminist historian Susan Brownmiller observed, aimed at the "bodies of the defeated enemy's women" to emphasise his victory. Yet after the initial fury of January 1945 dissipated, the sadism became less marked. By the time the Red Army reached Berlin three months later, its soldiers tended to regard German women more as a casual right of conquest. The sense of domination certainly continued, but this was perhaps partly an indirect product of the humiliations which they themselves had suffered at the hands of their commanders and the Soviet authorities as a whole.
A number of other forces or influences were at work. Sexual freedom had been a subject for lively debate within Communist party circles during the 1920s, but during the following decade, Stalin ensured that Soviet society depicted itself as virtually asexual. This had nothing to do with genuine puritanism: it was because love and sex did not fit in with dogma designed to "deindividualise" the individual. Human urges and emotions had to be suppressed. Freud's work was banned, divorce and adultery were matters for strong party disapproval. Criminal sanctions against homosexuality were reintroduced. The new doctrine extended even to the complete suppression of sex education. In graphic art, the clothed outline of a woman's breasts was regarded as dangerously erotic. They had to be disguised under boiler suits. The regime clearly wanted any form of desire to be converted into love for the party and above all for Comrade Stalin.
Most ill-educated Red Army soldiers suffered from sexual ignorance and utterly unenlightened attitudes towards women. So the Soviet state's attempts to suppress the libido of its people created what one Russian writer described as a sort of "barracks eroticism" which was far more primitive and violent than "the most sordid foreign pornography". All this was combined with the dehumanising influence of modern propaganda and the atavistic, warring impulses of men marked by fear and suffering.
The novelist Vasily Grossman, a war correspondent attached to the invading Red Army, soon discovered that rape victims were not just Germans. Polish women also suffered. So did young Russian, Belorussian and Ukrainian women who had been sent back to Germany by the Wehrmacht for slave labour. "Liberated Soviet girls quite often complain that our soldiers rape them," he noted. "One girl said to me in tears: 'He was an old man, older than my father'."
The rape of Soviet women and girls seriously undermines Russian attempts to justify Red Army behaviour on the grounds of revenge for German brutality in the Soviet Union. On March 29 1945 the central committee of the Komsomol (the youth organisation of the Soviet Union) informed Stalin's associate Malenkov of a report from the 1st Ukrainian Front. "On the night of 24 February," General Tsygankov recorded in the first of many examples, "a group of 35 provisional lieutenants on a course and their battalion commander entered the women's dormitory in the village of Grutenberg and raped them."
In Berlin, many women were simply not prepared for the shock of Russian revenge, however much horror propaganda they had heard from Goebbels. Many reassured themselves that, although the danger must be great out in the countryside, mass rapes could hardly take place in the city in front of everybody.
In Dahlem, Soviet officers visited Sister Kunigunde, the mother superior of Haus Dahlem, a maternity clinic and orphanage. The officers and their men behaved impeccably. In fact, the officers even warned Sister Kunigunde about the second-line troops following on behind. Their prediction proved entirely accurate. Nuns, young girls, old women, pregnant women and mothers who had just given birth were all raped without pity.
Yet within a couple of days, a pattern emerged of soldiers flashing torches in the faces of women huddled in the bunkers to choose their victims. This process of selection, as opposed to the indiscriminate violence shown earlier, indicates a definite change. By this stage Soviet soldiers started to treat German women more as sexual spoils of war than as substitutes for the Wehrmacht on which to vent their rage.
Rape has often been defined by writers on the subject as an act of violence which has little to do with sex. But that is a definition from the victim's perspective. To understand the crime, one needs to see things from the perpetrator's point of view, especially in the later stages when unaggravated rape had succeeded the extreme onslaught of January and February.
Many women found themselves forced to "concede" to one soldier in the hope that he would protect them from others. Magda Wieland, a 24-year-old actress, was dragged from a cupboard in her apartment just off the Kurfürstendamm. A very young soldier from central Asia hauled her out. He was so excited at the prospect of a beautiful young blonde that he ejaculated prematurely. By sign language, she offered herself to him as a girlfriend if he would protect her from other Russian soldiers, but he went off to boast to his comrades and another soldier raped her. Ellen Goetz, a Jewish friend of Magda's, was also raped. When other Germans tried to explain to the Russians that she was Jewish and had been persecuted, they received the retort: "Frau ist Frau."
Women soon learned to disappear during the "hunting hours" of the evening. Young daughters were hidden in storage lofts for days on end. Mothers emerged into the street to fetch water only in the early morning when Soviet soldiers were sleeping off the alcohol from the night before. Sometimes the greatest danger came from one mother giving away the hiding place of other girls in a desperate bid to save her own daughter. Older Berliners still remember the screams every night. It was impossible not to hear them because all the windows had been blown in.
Estimates of rape victims from the city's two main hospitals ranged from 95,000 to 130,000. One doctor deduced that out of approximately 100,000 women raped in the city, some 10,000 died as a result, mostly from suicide. The death rate was thought to have been much higher among the 1.4 million estimated victims in East Prussia, Pomerania and Silesia. Altogether at least two million German women are thought to have been raped, and a substantial minority, if not a majority, appear to have suffered multiple rape.
If anyone attempted to defend a woman against a Soviet attacker it was either a father trying to defend a daughter or a young son trying to protect his mother. "The 13-year old Dieter Sahl," neighbours wrote in a letter shortly after the event, "threw himself with flailing fists at a Russian who was raping his mother in front of him. He did not succeed in anything except getting himself shot."
After the second stage of women offering themselves to one soldier to save themselves from others, came the post-battle need to survive starvation. Susan Brownmiller noted "the murky line that divides wartime rape from wartime prostitution". Soon after the surrender in Berlin, Ursula von Kardorff found all sorts of women prostituting themselves for food or the alternative currency of cigarettes. Helke Sander, a German film-maker who researched the subject in great detail, wrote of "the grey area of direct force, blackmail, calculation and real affection".
The fourth stage was a strange form of cohabitation in which Red Army officers settled in with German "occupation wives". The Soviet authorities were appalled and enraged when a number of Red Army officers, intent on staying with their German lovers, deserted when it was time to return to the Motherland.
Even if the feminist definition of rape purely as an act of violence proves to be simplistic, there is no justification for male complacency. If anything, the events of 1945 reveal how thin the veneer of civilisation can be when there is little fear of retribution. It also suggests a much darker side to male sexuality than we might care to admit.
© Antony Beevor.
www.antonybeevor.com
· Berlin: The Downfall 1945 is published by Viking Penguin.The BBC Timewatch film about researching the book will be shown on BBC2 at 9pm on May 10.
Muslims shouldn't wear Brazil, Man U jerseys
Muslims wittingly or unwittingly wear football jerseys which display images of crosses, liquor brands and devils.
Johor Religious Council adviser Datuk Nooh Gadot, according to a KOSMO! report, said wearing such jerseys were forbidden in Islam.
“It is as if Muslims are worshipping and exalting the symbols of other religions. Islam does not compromise on this matter, regardless of whether it is worn for fun, fashion or sport,” he said.
Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, who agreed with Nooh, said although Islam did not forbid its followers from participating in sports or dressing up, it has to be done within the boundaries of Islamic law.
Among the football teams whose crests carry images of the cross are Brazil, Portugal, Serbia, Barcelona and Norway, while Manchester United carries the “Red Devil” slogan on its team crest.
Published July 18 2010
Comments (93)
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Jeffrey 2010-07-18 19:23:45
This must be the joke of the century, then why not stop the all the sports on astro as well.
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Bobo 2010-07-18 20:28:44
why bother if you not a muslim..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:20:55
why bother if your heart is clean.
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OPEN MINDED GUY 2010-07-18 21:26:40
This is just too-narrow minded for me... Will the logo alone cause Muslim to change their thinking and indulge in darkness??
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:28:42
well for this we have to date back to B.C for explanation, can't really remember how old it is. Why are u asking?are we still practicing it?Ops sorry i have not read the headline of this news yet.
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A non-Muslim 2010-07-19 05:15:34
The advice from the Johor Religious Council adviser only forbids Muslim sport fans from wearing Man U jerseys. They are still allowed to support Man U and cheer Man U on Astro.
Jangan jaga kain tepi orang.
For non-Muslims, mind your own business.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:09:57
you are a muslim.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:31:57
ha ha..... don't even suggest it .. your wish may come true...the guys is sour about coz he doesn't have astro to watch world cup .... just let it die a natural death, like all else in malaysia.... hopefully,
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:40:58
I hope this piece of crap news is only seen in malaysia and not other countries, because when they read thid they must have thought that malaysians are retarded. I don't want to specifically point to whom, u should know.
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 06:19:17
xxxxx Mufti, do u know petrol price increased already and u still have mood talking bullshits here?
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Bruno 2010-07-18 19:07:26
thats no devil in MU crest..thats just lion
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:) 2010-07-18 22:08:43
Hehehe. good one.
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VIDEOS4DOWNLOAD 2010-07-18 23:34:06
Maybe they thought that the lion looks like a devil !!
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FYI 2010-07-19 10:17:41
The MU crest has the figure of the Devil or Satan in it, ie Satan is carrying a pitchfork(as the Grim Reaper) and has a tail(a serpent).
That is why MU players call themselves the Red Devils. (their crest is red)
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Saiful 2010-07-18 19:34:25
Dont be stupid Jeffrey. Nothing to do with sport. couldn't u just respect our culture and religion teaching?
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:) 2010-07-18 19:46:15
Saiful o0o nah!!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 05:20:35
saiful dont talk like an idiot or an arse hole...u xxxxxxxx's xxx xxxxx....xxxx xxxxxxxxxx but wearing a sports jersey is something u xxxxxxx's saying tht are not respecting urs culture and religion teaching..get a life u bunch of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:39:29
101% support from me !!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:13:12
it doest matter what you're wearing. if you're a person with integrity, no matter what you're wearing does't affects you. On the other hand, if you're a menace, no matter what quran, bible, sutra you're reading, it is just another storybook.
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:41:19
Agreed!!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:11:17
is this the only criteria for a good muslim? there are many other big issues to discuss and find solutions... and all these people could say is about the type of jersey that muslim should not wear. what a joke!
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K3n 2010-07-18 19:53:06
LOL.... indeed joke of the century.. wearing jersey is now a crime.... XD
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:32:59
There's nothing wrong with the religion. It's the people who f**k it up.
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Man U fan 2010-07-18 19:42:35
i agree
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 03:56:01
Muslims cannot work as stewards/stewardess too because they serve liquor to passengers in the airplane.
Muslims cannot work as waiters/waitresses too because they serve liquor to customers in restaurants, clubs, pubs etc
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 04:33:56
agreed with u...wht a bunch of xxxxxxxx...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:33:57
Or fly on airbus coz it is made in Europe and boeings coz they are made in us.....
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:45:44
Why Now?
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:54:00
he must be a chelsea fan then
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:24:11
+1
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:35:43
good answer..... hopefully its just that, imagine life without sports
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:22:16
if the joke is not on you.. Its the joke of the millenium :)
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Null 2010-07-18 20:06:37
Mua ha ha ha ha ha (i guess this how the dev!£ had laughed.)
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Crazy 2010-07-18 20:11:14
Focus on solving bigger issues PLEASE. Now I know why they say politicians are rubbish
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hari hari cili api 2010-07-18 22:28:12
Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:11:55
malaysia Is The Best At Everything
thats why you were born here.. to make it even better..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:25:42
blind... read the uncapped 'm'
the other letters are capped
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:11:55
malaysia Is The Best At Everything
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poyolahkau 2010-07-18 20:15:17
Has anyone actually seen how the Devil looks like to actually say that it looks exactly like the mascot of Man Utd? Just because the Man Utd fans called it The Red Devil does not mean it is THE devil. In that case, a root beer is indeed a beer, right?
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Victor 2010-07-18 20:39:52
I'm lost for words... It's got to be a Malaysian joke...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:45:15
Thats why they cut subsidies... the next thing you know you can get a refund for your MU, BRazil etc jerseys from the post office....not allowed to wear, so govt refund...like road tax
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Bruno 2010-07-18 21:51:12
yeah it could be tasmanian devil actually
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:41:50
Aw, part of my comment got deleted.
I always believe the cold hard truth hurts like a bitch. Here's a wake up call to stop living in denial.
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sky 2010-07-18 20:42:36
Dear Saiful, don't be too sensitive, it's nothing to do with Islam ..... just the person whom think they can represent Islam and make this stupid comment.
If wearing a jersey is a crime, then how about driving a Cheverolet car or working in the company, is it a crime in Islamic Law? Then, I guess quite good number of Islam are committing crime.
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=) 2010-07-19 10:07:24
Good one, chevy with cross then, muslim should banned it.. what else? Haha XD
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Ashamed Malaysian 2010-07-19 04:32:54
Please change all the crossroads in Malaysia, turn them into Jawi like curve roads.
After giving this statement, Datuk Nooh Gadot goes home and rxxx his daughter.
"No I said you can't wear those football jerseys, I didn't say you can't rxxx your own daughter!"
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 04:31:49
Who is the cxxx that keeps on deleting my comment ?
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:27:07
Is this really religion teaching? Is this really our culture? I am really confused.
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MyFoot 2010-07-18 20:27:24
Muslims should not do maths also! In case while writing the plus sign you accidentally make the vertical line slightly too long then it becomes a cross then how?? Mati-lah you go to hell!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:28:24
*like*
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ahmad shah 2010-07-19 09:41:19
ya i agree with that. better ban maths teaching for muslim since there is a plus sign. and also banned them from using letter "t". otherwise all of us (muslims) comitted a sin. can't understand why still got stupid asshole like noah gado't'. so r u goin to ban these plus sign & the letter 't'????????? moron!!!
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mahathir 2010-07-19 10:17:30
hey noah gado't' next time if you want say something think twice b4 give the comments. you think this statement make you proud and people will praise you. you think people will listen, support or cheer you. hello, now 2010 and we are all well educated. so stop commenting stupid statement like this again. see now everyone are playing your back. and the winner is ...noah gado't'...MORON OF THE YEAR. you are really an asshole. padan muka. ha....ha...ha...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:55:06
Then hospital and clinics should not do alcohol swabs b4 injections. Haram!! Just spit on the fella!!! Right on..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:31:07
First aid logo also need to be changed. Ohnoes~
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Saifool Bullcurry 2010-07-19 04:38:35
DELETED
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cog 2010-07-18 20:47:39
muslim cannot work in cigarette and beer company.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:49:56
All you pple who are in contact
with anything to do with crosses, alcohols & first aid - for goodness sake if you c pple like saiful get hit by a car lying on the road just leave him be.. Don't try to help him, very haram!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:57:02
WIN
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Chani 2010-07-18 21:27:44
This is getting a bit too much la... Its not like we're glorifying the symbols of different religions. Its sports for goodness sake!We jus love football! leave politics n religion out of it!
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jim 2010-07-18 21:27:54
u wear these, u go straight to hell!
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The Truth Believer 2010-07-18 21:03:48
Well, i believe that is his personal view as a religious person. And most of the people that you all met basically don't really following on what they been taught in their religion.
So you cannot judge the person with the religious practice only. If the person is a theft, will you said that the religion in the want that teaching him to become a theft.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:40:35
Progress Malaysia~~
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:40:58
SHAME
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Non Muslim 2010-07-18 21:46:06
I know this had nothing to do with me but this is getting abit over board. next pls refrain fr having Catholic/Christian frenz :D
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LMAO 2010-07-18 21:50:39
this is why i LOVE being Malaysian... we get this sorta daily jokes made by our Jokers in the political world. then! we make fun of them and we all go to the bar and watch some football and drink more freaking beer. HELL YEAH!
cheers for malaysia people!
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mc 2010-07-18 21:52:24
I really would like to hear the comments from our Prime Minister who is a die-hard MU fan. What next?
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DumbPoliticians 2010-07-18 21:53:52
Our flag looks a lot like the American flag. Americans are mostly Christians and Jews. So we must change our flag
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umno bn cause of Malaysia bank 2010-07-18 21:33:29
muslim shouldnt vote BN!
they corrupt and cause MAlaysia bankrupt.dont need wait 10 years.
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DumbPoliticians 2010-07-18 21:58:49
Lightbulbs were invented by Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison was a Christian. Malaysia must live in darkness FOREVER!!!!!
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dude 2010-07-18 21:38:20
seriously... when a politician makes a fool of himself... its funny...
but when the people here start commenting on it and making jokes of him... it starts to get lame... thomas edison? seriously??? c'mon... i'm sure u can do better than that...
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david 2010-07-18 21:42:45
mufti's should stop smoking pot. this is utter hogwash.
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he's not a MU fan 2010-07-18 21:53:58
Ala.. what's the big fuss? This ain't about religion. It's just that he's a supporter of Liverpool. He just jeles.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:18:43
politician handbook
1) when say something sensitive and goes out of hand
Reply with " don't raise racial issue"
2) when say something proven wrong by all parties
Reply with " i was misquoted"
3) when caught red handed on video with sight & sound
Reply with " it sounds like me, looks like me but i don't think its me"
4) If all else fails, use you know what .... 3rd letter from A-Z and 4th number from 1-10...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:06:59
be careful, a classified letter will soon appear in your mail box.LOL
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:00:50
should we delete the letter "t" so that no "cross" in our words??
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:33:08
good idea to remove "t", Datuk Nooh Gadot will have to
1) give back his DaTukship
2) Change his name...from GadoT to Gado....
That should keep him busy for a while ...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:40:24
yeah. ban all 't's in malaysia. i would love to see that.
selama daang ke malaysia
welcome o malaysia
his is he peronas win owers and hat is he kl ower
don't you just love malaysia
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:05:02
this is amusing,,, btw doesn't air asia airplanes have MU logos on them.... the poor air asia people must be sweating their pants now doing flight cancellations and bust using liquid paper to cover the MU logo on the airplanes. Dtk nooh please take note, btw airbus is owned partly by brits and boeing is by americans, merz and bmw by germans, I guess that leaves only proton without a few components....for your next trip overseas...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:33:25
proTon becomes proon
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:01:16
orang bodoh buat benda bodoh
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sioux 2010-07-18 23:06:41
ACTUALLY CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW THE DEVIL LOOK LIKE. IS HE WEIRD OR IS HE HANDSOME AND SMART.I THINK HIS HANDSOME AND SMART THAT WHY A LOT OF SON OF ADAM FELL TO HIS PREY.IF HE'S WEIRD AND ATROCIOUS NO ONE WOULD EVEN DARE TO HAVE A GLANCE OR TO LISTEN TO HIS EVIL WHISPER.
THERE ARE A LOT OF VERSION OF DEVIL IMAGES.
MALAY WITH PONTIANAK,POCHONG ETC.
CHINESE WITH THEIR OWN ZOOMBIES AND ACTION AND WESTERNER WITH THEIR VAMPIRE ETC...ETC...A LISTLESS PERCEPTION OF THE DEVIL.
DEVIL IS DEVIL STOP HALLUCINATING ABOUT HIS IMAGE WHICH IS UNSEEN.
SEEK REFUGE FROM YOUR CREATOR AND SUSTENER FROM HIS SWEET PROMISED.
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ocean 2010-07-18 23:54:11
nvm lar~~
cant wear jersey then wear Man Utd underwear lor....
Can support too... ^^
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VIDEOS4DOWNLOAD 2010-07-18 23:36:33
I sokong u 101 %
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:51:37
World cup sudah habis baru mau kasi tahu!! Why did inform us before the world cup???
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Superman 2010-07-19 00:16:27
I know Malays are not that stupid BUT unfortunately ur malay ministers makes u all look like stupid...
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Nicholas 2010-07-19 00:29:53
Agreed, almost all my Malay friends are more compromising and think better than a lot of the ministers I read about in the news... Hopefully those that will be taking over their position will be much more open minded and don't keep sticking to those centuries old rules (I assume).
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smudge 2010-07-19 01:45:43
How about the mufti come out with Muslims/Malaysians shouldn't accept duit kopi one.see how that works out.
Syabass so called Malaysian leaders/scholars
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Whatever 2010-07-19 07:07:33
Kiss my arse. Sh!t joke
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Noname 2010-07-19 09:24:54
sometimes this people just need a drama..too bad nowadays so call Mufti doesn't even know what they are they saying..safe say its kinda sick..
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haiz 2010-07-19 09:34:47
wat the hell is this?after this they are gonna ban all movies that use the word devil or cross or christ izit.f**k off la mufti
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Citizen 2010-07-19 09:47:56
What nonsense is this, whats wrong in having a ship transporting materials? How can u guys conclude that it is liquor? Drinking liquor is a norm in the society, so why make a big issue out it? Please grow up and support MU till u guys die.
RED DEVIL ROCK
Dato Alan
paloh jb
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Shinji 2010-07-19 10:12:12
This news is super epic. It made my day. This is what happens when those people are too free and simply make conclusion without thinking more than a few seconds. What a retard! Another reason to be proud of Malaysia! *sarcastic*
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=) 2010-07-19 10:16:43
ini olang.. mufti & politician .. izit they being paid by our incometax to raise such stupid topic? U olang free sangat kah.. mentah mentah sekarang masih duduk dekat mamak belum kerja lagi.. Eh, gunakan masa u pergi buat kebajikan dekat mosque ke.. rumah yatim.. jangan buang masa dekat persoalan bodoh.. Buat Malaysia mundur lar bro..
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Anoymous 2010-07-19 10:18:30
But malaysian like these stupid issue then LOL XD , let me think, what else issue they not yet blah..
Johor Religious Council adviser Datuk Nooh Gadot, according to a KOSMO! report, said wearing such jerseys were forbidden in Islam.
“It is as if Muslims are worshipping and exalting the symbols of other religions. Islam does not compromise on this matter, regardless of whether it is worn for fun, fashion or sport,” he said.
Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, who agreed with Nooh, said although Islam did not forbid its followers from participating in sports or dressing up, it has to be done within the boundaries of Islamic law.
Among the football teams whose crests carry images of the cross are Brazil, Portugal, Serbia, Barcelona and Norway, while Manchester United carries the “Red Devil” slogan on its team crest.
Published July 18 2010
Comments (93)
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Jeffrey 2010-07-18 19:23:45
This must be the joke of the century, then why not stop the all the sports on astro as well.
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Bobo 2010-07-18 20:28:44
why bother if you not a muslim..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:20:55
why bother if your heart is clean.
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OPEN MINDED GUY 2010-07-18 21:26:40
This is just too-narrow minded for me... Will the logo alone cause Muslim to change their thinking and indulge in darkness??
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:28:42
well for this we have to date back to B.C for explanation, can't really remember how old it is. Why are u asking?are we still practicing it?Ops sorry i have not read the headline of this news yet.
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A non-Muslim 2010-07-19 05:15:34
The advice from the Johor Religious Council adviser only forbids Muslim sport fans from wearing Man U jerseys. They are still allowed to support Man U and cheer Man U on Astro.
Jangan jaga kain tepi orang.
For non-Muslims, mind your own business.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:09:57
you are a muslim.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:31:57
ha ha..... don't even suggest it .. your wish may come true...the guys is sour about coz he doesn't have astro to watch world cup .... just let it die a natural death, like all else in malaysia.... hopefully,
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:40:58
I hope this piece of crap news is only seen in malaysia and not other countries, because when they read thid they must have thought that malaysians are retarded. I don't want to specifically point to whom, u should know.
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 06:19:17
xxxxx Mufti, do u know petrol price increased already and u still have mood talking bullshits here?
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Bruno 2010-07-18 19:07:26
thats no devil in MU crest..thats just lion
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:) 2010-07-18 22:08:43
Hehehe. good one.
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VIDEOS4DOWNLOAD 2010-07-18 23:34:06
Maybe they thought that the lion looks like a devil !!
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FYI 2010-07-19 10:17:41
The MU crest has the figure of the Devil or Satan in it, ie Satan is carrying a pitchfork(as the Grim Reaper) and has a tail(a serpent).
That is why MU players call themselves the Red Devils. (their crest is red)
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Saiful 2010-07-18 19:34:25
Dont be stupid Jeffrey. Nothing to do with sport. couldn't u just respect our culture and religion teaching?
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:) 2010-07-18 19:46:15
Saiful o0o nah!!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 05:20:35
saiful dont talk like an idiot or an arse hole...u xxxxxxxx's xxx xxxxx....xxxx xxxxxxxxxx but wearing a sports jersey is something u xxxxxxx's saying tht are not respecting urs culture and religion teaching..get a life u bunch of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:39:29
101% support from me !!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:13:12
it doest matter what you're wearing. if you're a person with integrity, no matter what you're wearing does't affects you. On the other hand, if you're a menace, no matter what quran, bible, sutra you're reading, it is just another storybook.
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:41:19
Agreed!!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:11:17
is this the only criteria for a good muslim? there are many other big issues to discuss and find solutions... and all these people could say is about the type of jersey that muslim should not wear. what a joke!
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K3n 2010-07-18 19:53:06
LOL.... indeed joke of the century.. wearing jersey is now a crime.... XD
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:32:59
There's nothing wrong with the religion. It's the people who f**k it up.
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Man U fan 2010-07-18 19:42:35
i agree
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 03:56:01
Muslims cannot work as stewards/stewardess too because they serve liquor to passengers in the airplane.
Muslims cannot work as waiters/waitresses too because they serve liquor to customers in restaurants, clubs, pubs etc
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 04:33:56
agreed with u...wht a bunch of xxxxxxxx...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:33:57
Or fly on airbus coz it is made in Europe and boeings coz they are made in us.....
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:45:44
Why Now?
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 19:54:00
he must be a chelsea fan then
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:24:11
+1
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:35:43
good answer..... hopefully its just that, imagine life without sports
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:22:16
if the joke is not on you.. Its the joke of the millenium :)
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Null 2010-07-18 20:06:37
Mua ha ha ha ha ha (i guess this how the dev!£ had laughed.)
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Crazy 2010-07-18 20:11:14
Focus on solving bigger issues PLEASE. Now I know why they say politicians are rubbish
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hari hari cili api 2010-07-18 22:28:12
Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:11:55
malaysia Is The Best At Everything
thats why you were born here.. to make it even better..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:25:42
blind... read the uncapped 'm'
the other letters are capped
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:11:55
malaysia Is The Best At Everything
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poyolahkau 2010-07-18 20:15:17
Has anyone actually seen how the Devil looks like to actually say that it looks exactly like the mascot of Man Utd? Just because the Man Utd fans called it The Red Devil does not mean it is THE devil. In that case, a root beer is indeed a beer, right?
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Victor 2010-07-18 20:39:52
I'm lost for words... It's got to be a Malaysian joke...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:45:15
Thats why they cut subsidies... the next thing you know you can get a refund for your MU, BRazil etc jerseys from the post office....not allowed to wear, so govt refund...like road tax
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Bruno 2010-07-18 21:51:12
yeah it could be tasmanian devil actually
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:41:50
Aw, part of my comment got deleted.
I always believe the cold hard truth hurts like a bitch. Here's a wake up call to stop living in denial.
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sky 2010-07-18 20:42:36
Dear Saiful, don't be too sensitive, it's nothing to do with Islam ..... just the person whom think they can represent Islam and make this stupid comment.
If wearing a jersey is a crime, then how about driving a Cheverolet car or working in the company, is it a crime in Islamic Law? Then, I guess quite good number of Islam are committing crime.
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=) 2010-07-19 10:07:24
Good one, chevy with cross then, muslim should banned it.. what else? Haha XD
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Ashamed Malaysian 2010-07-19 04:32:54
Please change all the crossroads in Malaysia, turn them into Jawi like curve roads.
After giving this statement, Datuk Nooh Gadot goes home and rxxx his daughter.
"No I said you can't wear those football jerseys, I didn't say you can't rxxx your own daughter!"
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Anonymous 2010-07-19 04:31:49
Who is the cxxx that keeps on deleting my comment ?
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:27:07
Is this really religion teaching? Is this really our culture? I am really confused.
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MyFoot 2010-07-18 20:27:24
Muslims should not do maths also! In case while writing the plus sign you accidentally make the vertical line slightly too long then it becomes a cross then how?? Mati-lah you go to hell!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:28:24
*like*
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ahmad shah 2010-07-19 09:41:19
ya i agree with that. better ban maths teaching for muslim since there is a plus sign. and also banned them from using letter "t". otherwise all of us (muslims) comitted a sin. can't understand why still got stupid asshole like noah gado't'. so r u goin to ban these plus sign & the letter 't'????????? moron!!!
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mahathir 2010-07-19 10:17:30
hey noah gado't' next time if you want say something think twice b4 give the comments. you think this statement make you proud and people will praise you. you think people will listen, support or cheer you. hello, now 2010 and we are all well educated. so stop commenting stupid statement like this again. see now everyone are playing your back. and the winner is ...noah gado't'...MORON OF THE YEAR. you are really an asshole. padan muka. ha....ha...ha...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:55:06
Then hospital and clinics should not do alcohol swabs b4 injections. Haram!! Just spit on the fella!!! Right on..
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:31:07
First aid logo also need to be changed. Ohnoes~
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Saifool Bullcurry 2010-07-19 04:38:35
DELETED
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cog 2010-07-18 20:47:39
muslim cannot work in cigarette and beer company.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 20:49:56
All you pple who are in contact
with anything to do with crosses, alcohols & first aid - for goodness sake if you c pple like saiful get hit by a car lying on the road just leave him be.. Don't try to help him, very haram!!
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:57:02
WIN
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Chani 2010-07-18 21:27:44
This is getting a bit too much la... Its not like we're glorifying the symbols of different religions. Its sports for goodness sake!We jus love football! leave politics n religion out of it!
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jim 2010-07-18 21:27:54
u wear these, u go straight to hell!
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The Truth Believer 2010-07-18 21:03:48
Well, i believe that is his personal view as a religious person. And most of the people that you all met basically don't really following on what they been taught in their religion.
So you cannot judge the person with the religious practice only. If the person is a theft, will you said that the religion in the want that teaching him to become a theft.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:40:35
Progress Malaysia~~
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 21:40:58
SHAME
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Non Muslim 2010-07-18 21:46:06
I know this had nothing to do with me but this is getting abit over board. next pls refrain fr having Catholic/Christian frenz :D
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LMAO 2010-07-18 21:50:39
this is why i LOVE being Malaysian... we get this sorta daily jokes made by our Jokers in the political world. then! we make fun of them and we all go to the bar and watch some football and drink more freaking beer. HELL YEAH!
cheers for malaysia people!
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mc 2010-07-18 21:52:24
I really would like to hear the comments from our Prime Minister who is a die-hard MU fan. What next?
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DumbPoliticians 2010-07-18 21:53:52
Our flag looks a lot like the American flag. Americans are mostly Christians and Jews. So we must change our flag
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umno bn cause of Malaysia bank 2010-07-18 21:33:29
muslim shouldnt vote BN!
they corrupt and cause MAlaysia bankrupt.dont need wait 10 years.
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DumbPoliticians 2010-07-18 21:58:49
Lightbulbs were invented by Thomas Edison. Thomas Edison was a Christian. Malaysia must live in darkness FOREVER!!!!!
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dude 2010-07-18 21:38:20
seriously... when a politician makes a fool of himself... its funny...
but when the people here start commenting on it and making jokes of him... it starts to get lame... thomas edison? seriously??? c'mon... i'm sure u can do better than that...
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david 2010-07-18 21:42:45
mufti's should stop smoking pot. this is utter hogwash.
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he's not a MU fan 2010-07-18 21:53:58
Ala.. what's the big fuss? This ain't about religion. It's just that he's a supporter of Liverpool. He just jeles.
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:18:43
politician handbook
1) when say something sensitive and goes out of hand
Reply with " don't raise racial issue"
2) when say something proven wrong by all parties
Reply with " i was misquoted"
3) when caught red handed on video with sight & sound
Reply with " it sounds like me, looks like me but i don't think its me"
4) If all else fails, use you know what .... 3rd letter from A-Z and 4th number from 1-10...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:06:59
be careful, a classified letter will soon appear in your mail box.LOL
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:00:50
should we delete the letter "t" so that no "cross" in our words??
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:33:08
good idea to remove "t", Datuk Nooh Gadot will have to
1) give back his DaTukship
2) Change his name...from GadoT to Gado....
That should keep him busy for a while ...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:40:24
yeah. ban all 't's in malaysia. i would love to see that.
selama daang ke malaysia
welcome o malaysia
his is he peronas win owers and hat is he kl ower
don't you just love malaysia
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 22:05:02
this is amusing,,, btw doesn't air asia airplanes have MU logos on them.... the poor air asia people must be sweating their pants now doing flight cancellations and bust using liquid paper to cover the MU logo on the airplanes. Dtk nooh please take note, btw airbus is owned partly by brits and boeing is by americans, merz and bmw by germans, I guess that leaves only proton without a few components....for your next trip overseas...
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:33:25
proTon becomes proon
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Anonymous 2010-07-18 23:01:16
orang bodoh buat benda bodoh
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sioux 2010-07-18 23:06:41
ACTUALLY CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW THE DEVIL LOOK LIKE. IS HE WEIRD OR IS HE HANDSOME AND SMART.I THINK HIS HANDSOME AND SMART THAT WHY A LOT OF SON OF ADAM FELL TO HIS PREY.IF HE'S WEIRD AND ATROCIOUS NO ONE WOULD EVEN DARE TO HAVE A GLANCE OR TO LISTEN TO HIS EVIL WHISPER.
THERE ARE A LOT OF VERSION OF DEVIL IMAGES.
MALAY WITH PONTIANAK,POCHONG ETC.
CHINESE WITH THEIR OWN ZOOMBIES AND ACTION AND WESTERNER WITH THEIR VAMPIRE ETC...ETC...A LISTLESS PERCEPTION OF THE DEVIL.
DEVIL IS DEVIL STOP HALLUCINATING ABOUT HIS IMAGE WHICH IS UNSEEN.
SEEK REFUGE FROM YOUR CREATOR AND SUSTENER FROM HIS SWEET PROMISED.
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ocean 2010-07-18 23:54:11
nvm lar~~
cant wear jersey then wear Man Utd underwear lor....
Can support too... ^^
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VIDEOS4DOWNLOAD 2010-07-18 23:36:33
I sokong u 101 %
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videos4download 2010-07-18 23:51:37
World cup sudah habis baru mau kasi tahu!! Why did inform us before the world cup???
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Superman 2010-07-19 00:16:27
I know Malays are not that stupid BUT unfortunately ur malay ministers makes u all look like stupid...
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Nicholas 2010-07-19 00:29:53
Agreed, almost all my Malay friends are more compromising and think better than a lot of the ministers I read about in the news... Hopefully those that will be taking over their position will be much more open minded and don't keep sticking to those centuries old rules (I assume).
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smudge 2010-07-19 01:45:43
How about the mufti come out with Muslims/Malaysians shouldn't accept duit kopi one.see how that works out.
Syabass so called Malaysian leaders/scholars
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Whatever 2010-07-19 07:07:33
Kiss my arse. Sh!t joke
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Noname 2010-07-19 09:24:54
sometimes this people just need a drama..too bad nowadays so call Mufti doesn't even know what they are they saying..safe say its kinda sick..
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haiz 2010-07-19 09:34:47
wat the hell is this?after this they are gonna ban all movies that use the word devil or cross or christ izit.f**k off la mufti
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Citizen 2010-07-19 09:47:56
What nonsense is this, whats wrong in having a ship transporting materials? How can u guys conclude that it is liquor? Drinking liquor is a norm in the society, so why make a big issue out it? Please grow up and support MU till u guys die.
RED DEVIL ROCK
Dato Alan
paloh jb
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Shinji 2010-07-19 10:12:12
This news is super epic. It made my day. This is what happens when those people are too free and simply make conclusion without thinking more than a few seconds. What a retard! Another reason to be proud of Malaysia! *sarcastic*
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=) 2010-07-19 10:16:43
ini olang.. mufti & politician .. izit they being paid by our incometax to raise such stupid topic? U olang free sangat kah.. mentah mentah sekarang masih duduk dekat mamak belum kerja lagi.. Eh, gunakan masa u pergi buat kebajikan dekat mosque ke.. rumah yatim.. jangan buang masa dekat persoalan bodoh.. Buat Malaysia mundur lar bro..
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Anoymous 2010-07-19 10:18:30
But malaysian like these stupid issue then LOL XD , let me think, what else issue they not yet blah..
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