Media - Medium of Thoughts

"Topinai Ko Ngaavi... Kopisanangan om kosuabon..... Islam Hadhari, Islam Woyoon Tokou"

English: Dear Friends... Good Morning..... Islam Hadhari, is the Islam that we worship"

Bahasa: Saudara Sekalian... Selamat Pagi..... Islam Hadhari, Islam yang kita Ikuti"

I heard the line above while listening to a Sabah's Kadazan Dusun radio program. It was said by supposedly a muslim Dusun newsreader. He said that in a-matter-of-factly tone before continuing with the news of the day. I don't know about you, but this certainly raise my eyebrow. But the others who were with me listening to the radio didn't notice anything unusual, it's oblivious, until I pointed it out to them.

For the folks in remote villages, radio is their only source of information. For catching up on news, gossips, and entertainment. Save for a handful of educated and informed bunch, there should be significant portion of the Kampung folks who will believe entirely on what's aired on radio. Even for those who have a heart of stone, what is being fed unto you daily through media may somehow seeps into your brain, subconsciously.

Do you know why great athletes always seen speaking to themselves before they start an event? It's a motivational way to tell themselves that it can be done, no obstacles are too great, and if practiced often enough, it could lead to them winning. This self motivation is crucial to divide the boys from the men. It can either injected into you by yourself, or it can be slowly given to you by others, from what you see, touch, smell, sense and of course on what you "listen".

Our being is divided into two parts, the conscious and the subconscious. Just like a floating iceberg, only 10% of our being is conscious. While the remaining 90% is governed by the subconscious. Just like when you are driving a car, if you are a seasoned driver that is; you would do gear shifting subconsciously, sometimes you don't even think much about it, when negotiating a corner or climbing a steep slope, all are done systematically without you even need to think about it consciously.

But do you remember how was it when you first drive a car? It's very difficult to divide our attention, between the brakes, the clutch, gear, accelerator, rear view mirror, side mirror, etc. Do you remember how you wish you have brought along the big wardrobe mirror in your bedroom to be put into the car? I did, because all the mirrors seem inadequate when I first tried a reverse parking.

Whatever stuffs that we listen, will be subconsciously processed into our brain, and if you are not strong enough in consciously filtering what goes in to your subconscious realm, then you are in for a ride. Because what you listen will become your thoughts. The thoughts in turn will become you actions. Actions become habits. Habits become Characters. And Characters become your Destiny. Got it?

Back to the radio program. It started with couple of announcements regarding the fasting month for the muslim. Its meaning to the worshipers, what rituals to perform during fasting, what to avoid, and what to do. Followed by announcements about the time for breaking of fast, for each and every constituency in Sabah. Ok, they are fine, it's good to keep the people informed, so that the worshipers can plan ahead their daily activities. And the non-muslim also have a chance to organize functions attended by the muslim, perhaps after the breaking of fast.

Some may argue that Islam is the official religion, therefore RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) have automatic right to air whatever they want. Yes Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and I have no problem with that. But may I suggest that some part of christian prayer and Taoist, Buddhist, Hindu, the Bobolian Magavau, etc. Also to be aired at the same time. What if at the end of the prayer, the reader said something like this "Topinai Ko Ngaavi... Kopisanangan om kosuabon..... Kristian Katolik, Kristian Woyoon Tokou" or this "Nung Haro Nga Kesalahan Dau, Moi do Tanud id Bobolian Mongidu do Dusa Kio, Blessed be Kinoringan". What would happen?

My suggestion above may not be relevant in the peninsula, but in Sabah it is truly acceptable. Think about it, majority of the Kadazan Dusuns are christian, yes maybe some are still sticking to animism. Pardon me but is it right to call the animists as pagan? The voice of the majority shall be heard over the media. Not the minority amongst the majority. Though I still have no problem with it, because Islam the official religion in Malaysia, provided the radio also airs program about other religions. Then it is fair, Isn't it?

If you ask the minority to respect the sensitivity of the official religion, the minority in return shall get the same respect.

What do you think?