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Iran announced new package for resolving the stand off between its nuclear program and the West. Iran had previously been slapped with two limited economics sanctions by the UN Security Council for its refusal to halt its uranium enrichment program, which the west accuses it as a cover for producing nuclear weapons. Iran denies the allegation saying its nuclear program is purely for civil usage. 

Iran will be facing the third wave of embargo had it not responded satisfactorily with the Western demand to completely halt its nuclear development program by end of September. The third round of economic embargo is expected to be more comprehensive. It would have far reaching consequences on Iran and its people. It is certainly a tough decision to make. Imagine a father would have to ask his kids to stop going to school for economics reasons. It is like being forced to choose between your life and your future. Iran is now struggling to have them both.

The West offered Iran to provide “the best” nuclear energy for its civil use at cheap price had it agreed to halt its own development of uranium enrichment technology. It means, Iran will be getting its required nuclear energy for civil use from the European countries at special price, but Iran will never be allowed to have own capability and technology to produce own nuclear energy. Iran is to be a lifelong energy “customer” to Europe had it agreed to this demand. A proud nation as it stands; Iran is at an impossible position to accept such a humiliating deal.

The new package contains a proposal to have comprehensive worldwide programs to prevent development of nuclear weapons and Iran promises it will fully abide by the program. Cooperation on the issues of economics, non-proliferation, nuclear energy and security is also promised in the new package. But, it says nothing about suspending uranium enrichment program as demanded by the west.

The sticking issues involves reports saying there are evidence that Iran had tried to develop nuclear weapons in the past and Iran has yet to sufficiently been up front on this issue, according to IEAE, the world nuclear watchdog. 

“There is information that Iran had tried to produce nuclear weapons in the past, but there is no evidence that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons in its current uranium enrichment program.” Al-Baradei remarked.

I think Iran is banking its hopes on other muslim countries to take strong stance in defense of its right to exist and to progress on its own. It is sadly not happening.

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Malaysia dan Indonesia adalah dari rumpun yang sama. Kita berkongsi agama, budaya, bahasa, dan adat resam. Mungkin amat sukar untuk membezakan budaya mana milik penuh Malaysia dan budaya milik penuh Indonesia. Kita ibarat adik beradik yang mewarisi harta dari ibubapa yang sama. Pertikaian Indonesia dan Malaysia adalah pertikaian adik beradik dan ianya pasti merupakan pertikaian yang tiada menguntungkan.

Majoriti rakyat Malaysia adalah Muslim. Indonesia juga begitu, malah lebih lagi. Mana mungkin dua negara Muslim ini mahu bertikai pasal isu tarian pendek yang berlatar belakangkan budaya Hindu masyarakat Bali. Tapi, nampaknya itulah yang terjadi. Setakat ini tepuknya hanya sebelah tangan. Saya harap tidak ada tepuk dari tangan yang sebelah lagi. Kalau bertepuk juga, bunyinya pasti sumbang dan iramanya pasti canggung. 

Tetapi isu tenaga kerja pendatang, terutamanya isu pembantu rumah dari Indonesia, lebih berpotensi membakar hati rakyat Malaysia berbanding isu tarian pendek dan irama lagu Negaraku yang dikatakan berasal dari Indonesia.

Isu ini bakal menyentuh hati nurani jutaan rakyat secara terus. Di satu pihak, kes-kes penderaan dan penipuan ke atas tenaga kerja Indonesia kalau tidak dibendung pastinya akan membakar jiwa saudara-saudara kita di seberang. Walaupun kes-kes ini mungkin kecil dan terpinggir, ianya mudah menyentuh perasaan dan membakar semangat benci. Di pihak yang lain, kes-kes pembantu rumah lari, menipu majikan, dan peningkatan kadar jenayah melibatkan tenaga kerja asing juga boleh mencetuskan tindakbalas yang besar dari masyarakat.

Tuntutan gaji RM800 sebulan untuk pembantu rumah Indonesia oleh pihak berkuasa negara mungkin lontaran awal bebola api yang bakar bergolek dan membesar. Saya memuji Perdana Menteri kita yang mengambil tindakan cepat bertemu Presiden Indonesia diperingkat awal lagi bagi meredakan isu ini. Jangan sesekali pandang ringan potensi dan bahaya isu-isu seperti ini.

Apapun, saya percaya ikatan aqidah Islam yang terjalin antara rakyat Malaysia dan Indonesia cukup kuat bagi mempertahankan kemesraan dan kebergantungan persaudaraan antara dua negara Nusantara ini. Apa yang penting, kefahaman dan penghayatan Islam mestilah diperkukuhkan di kalangan rakyat kedua-dua negara. Ini pastinya kunci besar yang bakal menyelamatkan kita dari segala konfrontasi yang tidak perlu dan merugikan.




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