Mujahid and jihad

Amanah Vice President, Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa could not help himself in exploiting a recent suicide. This was mentioned In an article published by Malaysia Kini, titled “Amanah: ‘Political’ suicide note man a victim of the system” on 30th October 2016. Mujahid likened the incident to the precedence that set off the Arab Spring.

In his message Sukri Saad said he will commit suicide because of his frustration with the legal system. We have to bear in mind that Sukri was due to be sentenced for selling contraband.

Though we grief for his family but we cannot rule out that his actions were selfish. 

He left his family, his wife and children without any source of income. He was the bread winner for the family no doubt, but one cannot earn a living through illegal means.

If the actions of selling unlawful goods are condoned, then we cannot condemn any illicit activities. If we criticise the legal system for sentencing criminals, then we would be supporting them. 

Laws are created to prevent crimes from happening in the first place. However, if a crime proceeds, then the law has no choice but to seek justice.

If the punishments are not enforced then criminals would take these penalties for granted. An example has to be set so that people either stop their misguided endeavours or avoid them entirely. 

If the prosecution fails to do its job with the pretext of this event, then how would we deter future crimes? Is the police supposed to be lenient in fear of suicides?

The justification of this suicide is a kin to taking advantage of the situation for political gains. What is worse is the fact that some people are taking advantage of this.

There is insinuation of a revolution through suicides have happened in the past. We should bear in mind that oppression and enforcement are two different issues altogether.

The immolation’s that triggered coups were the result of tyranny. Would it be fair to let a country crumble to achieve power? What would be the cost of this victory? Do we want a nation in anarchy and chaos?

Would we want to see a nation that our fathers built with sweat and blood crumble due to greed? What is the state of the nations that had these “revolutions”? Yes, some managed to overthrow regimes, but at what cost? Libya, Syria and Yemen are still at war, being bombed inside out by foreigners and locals alike.

Each side claiming to be true while consuming the country. The greed for power has seen many nations fall apart. Do we want such a thing to happen in Malaysia?

As much as some might despise the current mechanism to appoint leaders, it is what we have. If a change is imminent then it has to come from within the system. 

Making statements with the undertones of uprisings and change is not befitting for anyone. No one benefits from a destroyed civilisation.

Look at what is happening in Europe due to the crisis in Middle East. Regional peace not only helps to build nations but also attracts investors from outside. 

How can one even think of losing the state of peace we are in?

Rehan Ahmad Bin Jamaluddin Ahmad

Research Fellow, Institut Kajian Strategik Islam Malaysia (IKSIM) 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, and should not be attributed to, Isma or Ismaweb.