Author Archives: AMIRA ALI LIDASAN

I have yet to see and hear in the media a Moro politician speak openly for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)or commonly called Pork Barrel. Since this debate raged on in Congress, the Moro politicians have been silent about PDAF. Worse, some sang the initial tune of President Benigno Aquino III and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte – that is in defense of the pork.

Eid’l Fitr marks the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim’s fasting month. Following the lunar calendar, the sighting of the new moon signals the change of month in the Muslim’s Hijrah calendar. For those who feel that they have not fulfilled well this month the 4th pillar of Islam, we still have today and tomorrow to fast, give zakat ‘ul fitra (voluntary material or financial assistance), pray the Salatul Taraweeh (special nightly prayer reciting verses of the Qur’an) and the Salatul Layl or Tahajud Salah (midnight prayer). These are special prayers performed voluntarily in congregational and individual prayers.

By AMIRA ALI LIDASAN
Davao Today

 However, the most vulnerable are the hundreds of undocumented migrant workers who have been the backbone of Sabah’s economy.  They work in Sabah as domestic helpers, construction workers, plantation workers, street sweepers, waitress, cook and other menial jobs.  Despite of their long stay in Sabah, they cannot get the IC or permit needed to be residents or workers in Sabah.

By AMIRA ALI LIDASAN
Davao Today

In the history of the Moro people, the Kirams were a picture of a royalty who gave in to the colonials.  Sabah was a gift given by the Sultanate of Brunei to the Sultanate of Sulu, because of its help in quelling a rebellion against the Brunei sultanate in 1658.  The Sulu Sultanate then leased North Borneo to British North Borneo Company in 1878 in exchange of 5,300 Mexican pesos.  Britain would then annex Sabah during colonization until 1946 and the new Federated Malaysia included it as part of its territory in 1963.

(First of a three-part column)

By AMIRA ALI LIDASAN
Davao Today

We can see the worry in the face of Princess Jacel as she updates her father, her emotional appeal to end the attack against her father’s men, and her anger at Pres. Aquino. In the press conference, she wore the Muslim woman’s veil or tirong in her Tausug language, emotional in her challenge against Aquino.  This is the image of a Muslim woman challenging the state because she is a victim of government neglect, of human rights violation such as enforced evacuation in a conflict area, or whose husband or son was falsely identified as an Abu Sayyaf member and illegally arrested in exchange of rewards against terrorists.