Cross my dead Body if Hudud is to be implemented-Karpal Signh

Chinese community has shown that they are no longer frightened of the Hudud? The statement remains questionable. In reality, it’s a contradictory remark towards Chinese community.

Islamist party’s deputy president Mohamad Sabu’s statement on the issue that Chinese community has shown they are no longer frightened of the Hudud are simply based on mere thoughts. It is nothing more than a mere whim of self-imagination and as an act of disrespect against the Chinese community as well as an intimidation to DAP and embarrassment to Pakatan Rakyat.

It is highly tactical in its use of media communication and politic propaganda. Politically, it implicated that is the highest degree of disrespect and insult DAP especially PKR.

Ironically, it is implicated that there is a concerted effort to undermine support for DAP and doing a favor for MCA.

Up until now, Chinese never compromise on the implementation of Hudud Law. They distant themselves away from those support PAS especially stunt PAS members, who are campaigning about the implementation of the Hudud law in this country.

The present scenario seems to suggest that PAS will suffer losses to UMNO and it needs to divert attention away. In term of non-Muslim votes for DAP will be suffered and PAS will be gained.

Karpal Signh as DAP national chairman and leading constitutional strongly oppose any attempt by PAS to implement hudud law in this country is a typical example.

The famous last words from his mouth toward the standing of Hudud Law are cross my dead body if Hudud is to be implemented.

Ironically, non-muslim especially the Chinese community still continues in respecting Islam as the nation’s official religion, but are afraid of the Hudud Law, or rather the strict Islamic criminal code proposed by PAS deep in their heart. The standing of not supporting the implementation of Hudud Law is loud and clear.

Comparatively, in a multiracial country like Malaysia, the spirit of the constitution should be respected under whatever circumstances and there is strictly no room for Hudud or an Islamic state.

PAS's aspiration to implement Hudud law in the country is impossible. Thus, the HUDUD clarion call is merely a psychological operation in support of strengthening politic inside the party and call can be seen as a strategy to regain lost grounds from UMNO.

Earlier it was reported that Mohamad had said that the BN’s old playbook in wooing voters according to race will no longer succeed as the Chinese community has shown they are no longer frightened of the hudud, or the strict Islamic criminal code, that has often been used as a bogey by BN’s Chinese components, MCA and Gerakan.

“As long as PAS picks the democratic way as part of its struggle, the people especially the non-Muslims do not have to worry,”

“If PAS implements hudud, PAS will have to carry out a public consultation to get the support of all Muslim and non-Muslim MPs to amend the Constitution to enforce hudud.

“Not just hudud, whatever that is desired that involves amending the Constitution requires the support of the majority of parliamentarians,” Mohamad said.

 

Malayan Tapir – National Park’s Signature Animal

Observing wild animal especially acting strangely is an enjoyment. Although zoos can provide a haven for endangered animals but it made the different in National Park at Kuala Tahan. 

                             Malayan Tapir - Can see and touch

Relatively, the abundance and diversity of natural habitats in National Park is phenomenal and one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems, which is the animals’ original environment.

Although it remains as the home of a large variety of wild life but Tapir is the only animal that can be seen and touch in Taman Negara. A night walk for spotting animals, rather seeing tapir is one of the extraordinary events for tourists. 

                                  Wake up after sleeping

The Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) found in National Park, also called the Asian Tapir, and is one of the four species of Tapir in the world.

It’s interesting to note that the females Malayan Tapir are usually larger than the males. The largest one can weighs up to 550 kg, where its natural enemies are the tiger and man. 

                                                  Close look at Tapir

The Malayan Tapir is a large browsing mammal, similar in shape to a wild pig, with a short, prehensile snout. It’s native to Asia. 

The animal is easily identified by its dramatic coloration, most notably the light-colored “patch” which extends from its shoulders till its rear. The rest of its hair is black in color, except for the tips of its ears which is rimmed in white. 

                                                       Tapir lying down to sleep

The natural pattern of coloration is for camouflage to protect itself to be recognized as a tapir, and other enemies may mistake it for a large rock rather than a form of prey of animal when it is lying down to sleep.

One of the outstanding features of the Malayan tapir is it has rather poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell and it’s a friendly animal.

                                         Friendly Malayan Tapir

Although the Malayan Tapir made no respond while touching it, but the excitement of touching is indescribable and it’s for someone always looking for some new excitement. 

                           Real excitement in Taman Negara

For real excitement, come to National Park, Kuala Tahan and experience it for yourself. Certainly, you will be fascinated.

Taman Negara - world’s oldest tropical rainforest awaiting you

After 130 million years old, Taman Negara still maintain the status as one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest which promises staggering 4343 sq km of virgin jungle. 

           Taman Negara

The relatively abundance and diversity of natural habitats here is phenomenal, causing it to be one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems. It remains as the home of a large variety of wildlife including the sambar, barking deer, tapir, tigers, elephant, gaurs, leopards, sun bear, monkeys, wild boars and the sumatran rhinocerous but monkeys are most commonly seen. 

          Natural Environment

The canopy walkway is 1.2 km long and 25 high, a very long and frightening suspension walkway which is the world’s longest of its kind. This bridge has been created for biological research purpose and later become the tourist spot. Crossing is intimating yet an amazing and incredible experience that is unforgettable. 

                Canopy Walkway

For the fellow angler, Taman Negara is a fishing paradise which is best in the drier months of February to April and June to August. The rivers such as Sungai Tahan, Sungai Tenor, Sungai Tembeling, Sungai Terenggan, Sungai Keniam and Sungai Perkai, for instance, are home to more than 300 fish species.

Fresh water fishing is also the highlights in Taman Negara Ikan Kelah or Malaysia Mahseer is a famous species which is preserved and protected at Kelah Sanctuary in Sungai Tahan. Fishing is forbidden here as it is a fish-breeding sanctuary; instead fish feeding or snorkeling with the fishes is allowed.
           River Trips- by boat

River trips sightseeing tours is mesmerized by the picturesque beauty along with some interesting flora and fauna as well as abundant of geological and biological attractions.

Rapid Shooting is one of the tourist’s attractions. From Kuala Tahan, get a boat ride upstream to Kuala Trenggan in wooden boat for shooting the rapids. Although some of the rapids are very shallow, but the skillful and experience boatmen purposely shooting for the tourists to get wet to enjoy the trills. All tourists are required to wear a life jacket for safety purposes. 

                   Orang Asli- traditional way to set up fire

A night walk for spotting animals too serves as another high event for tourists. Experiencing walking in the dark at night in the jungle and watching deer in the wild with the torch light is another unforgettable experience.

Visiting the Negrito Batek Orang Asli settlements which is living near the river in the park and learning their way of life made our trip so much more meaningful. They use the traditional way to set up fire for cooking, gather wild food and hunting with blowpipes as they have for countless generations. 

           Reminder

Gunung Tahan located within Taman Negara National Park, is the highest point of the Peninsular Malaysia with 2187M height and generally considered the most difficult summit to climb. It is about 55km from Kuala Tahan. It is very challenging to reach the summit by passing 27 peak of mountain and 7 time of river crossing using 4 days. Well, this is not included in my journey this time as it demands physical fitness.

In 1925, an area of 9,240 hectares surrounding Tahan Mountain was gazette as a Tahan Mountain Game Reserve by the British government and declared as a National Park in 1939 through the states of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu under an enactment in 1938/9. It was named King George V National Park, named after the King of England. After independence in 1957, it was named Taman Negara.

The creation of this park was due largely to the persistence of Theodore Hub back, Chief Game Warden of the Federated Malay States. He pestered the colonial government relentlessly for 15 years until the region was set aside for conservation in 1938.

His enthusiasm was carried on by subsequent state and federal governments, and by the Department of Wildlife and National Park. Now, it covered a total of 4,343 sq km, seven times the size of Singapore.

From Kuala Lumpur it will take about 3 hours 30 minutes to Kuala Tembeling. Taman Negara is a restricted area, nothing is to be damaged in or taken out of the area. All bookings and reservations must be made in advance at the reservations office in Kuala Tahan.

Malayan Gaur - the 2nd largest terrestrial mammal in Malaysia

The Malayan Gaur, locally known as “Seladang Malaya”, is the 2^nd largest terrestrial mammal in Malaysia, after the elephant. It belongs to the family Bovidae in the Order Artiodactyla.

                                       Gaur- a totally protected animal
 

 According to Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, the Gaur is classified as a totally protected animal under the Protection of Wild Life Act 76/72 Schedule, poaching conviction carry the maximum fine of RM5, 000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.

The global estimate is 13000 to 30000 in 2000 with 5200 to 18000 mature individual. The overall population is declining.  The subspecies “Bos Gaurus Hubbacki” is found only in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand.

                                                         Gaur - can see but can not touch

As part of Gaur conservation efforts, Jenderak Selatan Wildlife Conservation Centre was established in 1980 and the captive Breeding Programme began in 1982. The 20 hectares Jenderak Selatan is the only centre in Peninsular Malaysia solely delicate for Gaur captive breeding.

                                                Wildlife Conservation Centre

Gaur inhabits relatively undisturbed lowland tropical rainforests depending on the availability of water, salt licks and food abundance. It depends on water for drinking purposes only as it does not wallow. Its diet includes fresh grasses, bamboo shoots, herbs, young sprouts of bushes and shrubs.

 

                                                                Gaur over 1000 kg?

The Gaur are easily recognized by their dark brown coat, a hump between the shoulders and white “stocking” on all four legs. Newborn calves are yellowish brown in coloration at the age of 3 months. They can grow to as tall as 1.9m at shoulder height and the average length from the nose to the tip of the tail is about 4m. The male can weigh up to 1000 kg, whereas the female weights between 500 to 700 kg.

A gaur becomes sexually matured at about 2.3 to 2.4 years. In the wild, breeding takes place throughout the year, though there is a peak between December and June. During mating, the male will emit a distance mating call that can be heard almost 1.5 km.