54 Tahun Merdeka, Masih "DiJAJAH" melalui Matawang KERTAS!!!

54 Tahun MALAYSIA Merdeka!
Juga GENAP 500 Tahun EMPAYAR MELAYU MELAKA tumbang!!

" Amat Gembira TanahairKU Sudah MERDEKA!

Akan Tetapi "MINDA" kita masih diJAJAH melalui instrumen Bekas Penjajah seperti "PERLEMBAGAAN", "MATAWANG KERTAS", "TAULIAH" dll "

Saya tergerak menulis pandangan saya mengenai catatan tertera di atas setelah ada rakan taulan yang meminta saya mengutarakan logika/hujah saya yang telah saya ketengahkan melalui "fb wall" saya sempena "fb post" pada hari Merdeka Malaysia yang ke 54.


(Matawang, KUPANG EMAS yang digunapakai di KEDAH. Dikeluarkan/ditempa 1661-1687 sewaktu pemerintahan Sultan Dhiauddin Mukarram Shah)


(Matawang, DINAR MATAHARI EMAS yang digunakan di KELANTAN sekitar abad ke 18)

Fitrah Orang MELAYU dalam Pengunaan Matawang sebelum adanya Matawang Kertas adalah Matawang berunsurkan LOGAM seperti Emas, Perak, Timah dll. Waima kewujudan beratus tahun terminologi seperti "MAS,KUPANG & PENJURU" di Johor, "TAMPANG" di Pahang, "MAS, KUPANG & KEPING/PITIS" di Terengganu, "DINAR matahari, DUIT kijang & PITIS" di Kelantan dll
(Sumber: Buku Matawang "MALAYSIAN NUMISMATIC HERITAGE" yang dikeluarkan oleh Bank Negara Malaysia, 2005)



( Dinar Emas Umayyah - 105H. Dilelong Tahun 2011 dengan harga 3.7Juta Pound Sterling )

Jika didalami kajian matawang selama 1,400 tahun lagi seseorang pengkaji akan juga mendapati bahawa salah satu matawang yang digunakan oleh Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. adalah juga matawang yang mempunyai 'ayn atau zatnya tersendiri iaitu matawang yang berunsurkan logam yakni DINAR EMAS dan DIRHAM PERAK. Untuk makluman, matawang lain yang digunakan oleh Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. adalah juga barangan/komoditi yang mempunyai 'ayn iaitu Gandum, Kurma, Barli dan Garam.


Berbalik kepada persoalan asal - bagaimana MINDA kita diJAJAH melalui instrumen bekas penjajah yang salah satu darinya adalah "MATAWANG KERTAS"?

Persoalan yang ingin saya kemukakan adalah:-
Apakah Usulnya perkataan "RINGGIT" ?

Mengikut " Malaysian Currency (Ringgit) Act 1975, Act 160 ":-
Section 2 - the unit of currency in Malaysia shall be the currency ringgit, which shall be divided into one hundred sen.
Section 3(b) - "ringgit" means a ringgit in the currency of Malaysia.

Pada hemah saya, definisi Akta 1975 tersebut sungguh mengelirukan. Bak kata pepatah Inggeris - " IF, you can't convince them...confuse them!!!"

Oleh itu, saya hujahkan dan katakan kepada Anda (I put it to you),
.......sebelum adanya Ringgit Malaysia, Ringgit berkeadaan seperti berikut:-

Cuba Baca TULISAN JAWI yang tertera di bahagian tengah, di sebelah KANAN (SATU)& KIRI(RINGGIT).


( Lebih 10juta keping SYILING PERAK seperti gambar diatas telah ditempa pada Tahun 1907 sebelum meletusnya Perang Dunia Pertama )

Syiling Perak diatas mengandungi 16.84gram perak dan diameternya adalah 34.1mm.
Nota Buku BNM: " Issued since 1907, and valid as legal tender without limit until 21 October 1938. Its use was then limited to ten dollars. It was demonetised on 31 December 1952"
(Sumber: M/Surat 225, Buku "Malaysian Numismatic Heritage", BNM - 2005)

Pada 31 Ogos 2011, 1 Dirham Perak negeri Kelantan D.N. atau Perak D.R. yang mengandungi 2.975gram perak 0.999 adalah bernilai RM25.
(Sumber: Laman Web "WORLD ISLAMIC MINT" @ http://islamicmint.com.my/#)

Ini bermakna, jika kita tidak diperdayakan oleh "Pihak-pihak Berkepentingan" untuk menukar pengunaan 1 Ringgit dari matawang SYILING PERAK yang mempunyai isi kandungan 16.84gram PERAK ke matawang KERTAS yang kononnya tertera nilai "RM1", nilai RM1 pada hari ini adalah sebenarnya bersamaan dengan 5.66 Dirham Perak (yang dikeluarkan oleh kerajaan Kelantan Darul Naim atau Perak Darul Ridzuan).

Perkiraan ini bererti RM1 sekarang adalah lebih kurang RM141.50 (5.66 Dirham x RM25) jika matawang Malaysia adalah "bersandarkan Perak (backed by Silver)".
ATAU, jika jenis perak diambil kira(Syiling Perak 1907, menggunakan Perak .500)....RM1 masa kini adalah lebih kurang RM70.75


Cuba Saudara & Saudari renungkan fakta-fakta yang saya kemukakan.
PS: Sesiapa Yang Teringin Melihat Syiling Perak Satu Ringgit 1907 tersebut boleh hubungi saya.

Kunjungan ke PAGEANTRY GOLD Berhad

Pada hari Khamis, 18 Ogos 2011 (bersamman 18 Ramadhan 1432 Hijrah) saya telah mengunjungi Pejabat Operasi PAGEANTRY GOLD BERHAD di Danau Kota, Kuala Lumpur.



Diantara maklumat yang saya perolehi dan boleh kongsi bersama adalah wujudnya sejumlah 83 syarikat di dalam Malaysia yang menjalankan urusniaga emas. Maklumat lanjut mengenai Pageantry Gold Berhad boleh diperolehi di laman web syarikat iaitu:-
http://www.pageantrygold.com.my/home/

Terima Kasih saya ucapkan kepada Lembaga Pengarah Pageantry Gold Berhad iaitu En. Mohd Asri, En.Anuar dan En.Mohd Rasidi serta Pengurus Besar iaitu En. Mohammad Nixon diatas Penerangan dan layanan yang diberikan.

Saya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Maju Jaya kepada Pageantry Gold Berhad dalam usaha mereka mengharungi perniagaan "precious metals" yang mencabar dan berdoa agar mereka terbuka hati untuk menjadi Wakalah Dinar & Dirham.

History MADE by RMC Batch '83-'87: Zakat Payment USING SILVER Dirham in 2011(1432Hijrah)

The 16th Annual Iftar for the Royal Military College, Batch 1983-87 (4th Thoroughbred) took place on a wet Saturday, 13 August 2011 ( 13 Ramadhan 1432 Hijrah ) at the residence of OP Alvin Tham and Wife Amy in Mutiara Damansara-Petaling Jaya. Event was jointly hosted by OP Alvin & OP AHM.


( Gracious host OP Alvin handing over Zakat & Gifts to students of Pusat Tahfiz Az-Zahra, Paya Jaras )

For this year the joint hosts decided to introduce a new element to the Annual Iftar event i.e. the Payment of Zakat to Identified Person(s) and or, Organisation(s)/ Cause(s) under the respective asnaf.


[ Time to bring out the Silver Dirham(ayn' rather than dayn) for Zakat Payment to the rep. from Pusat Tahfiz ]

For an added HISTORICAL measure, payment of zakat using the SILVER DIRHAM(ayn') rather than fiat or paper money(dayn) as per what was done during the Prophet Muhammad PBUH time more than 1,400 years ago were introduced. Moreover, not many Muslims had paid zakat using the Silver Dirham and/or Gold Dinar ever since the fall of the last caliphate almost 100 years ago.
All in 3 OPs took part in the zakat payment. Zakat was given to the students of the Pusat Tahfiz Az Zahrah (asnaf Fisabilillah) and an orphan from Rawang (asnaf Fakir & Miskin).


( Handing Over of a few Silver Dirham as Zakat to the Ustaz representing Pusat Tahfiz Az Zahrah, Paya Jaras )

At the same time, when the SONGKOK made its customary round to all present, all OPs & Guests in attendance donated generously to the identified cause i.e. Pusat Tahfiz Az-Zahrah(asnaf Fisabillilah) and an Indonesian Children Sponsorship/Adoption project(asnaf Anak Fakir/Miskin).

( As per the Intake's uruf, the songkok was passed around to raise funds. Part of the collection raised was Intake's 1983-'87 Donation/Sadaqah to Pusat Tahfiz)

The joint hosts i.e. OP Alvin & OP AHM fervently believes that this is the FIRST time ever that a RMC Intake performed the Zakat Payment using the Silver Dirhams. Kudos to the 4th Thoroughbred.


( 1983-87 OPs Still in Attendance at around 2330hrs for Final Roll Call )

Steps Taken by Hosts for Zakat Payment
1) Identifying Recipients
2) Approaching Recipients
3) Educating Recipients on Dinar & Dirham and Logistics Co-ordination for 13 August 2011.
4) Promotion of Event to Batchmates for them to come onboard.
5) Exchanging Fiat Money to a few Silver Dirhams.
6) Welcoming Recipients as VVIPs & NOT asking them to do anything.
7) Introduction & Handover Ceremony
8) Reading of the Doa for Zakat Payment
9) Finale Performance.
.......and that's ONLY half the story(Yang Tersurat)!!!

Launching of SRDC 1,2 & 3 SILVER Dirham

On the night of 8 August 2011, I'd attended the soft-launch of the SRDC 1,2 & 3 Silver Dirham. Event was held at the premises of Exilon V Sdn. Bhd located at SS23 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.



Despite advertising that the launch will start at x.xxpm, IT WAS A LATE LAUNCH!!!
Consequently, I wasn't able to stay until the end of the SRDC Dirham Launch.

Interesting Points:
1) RM3 price differentials (Students Get it at a discount to "Market Price" of RM21)

2) Keris Image ( A Weapon is used to identify a region. Africa might use a Spear
whilst Europe might use a Sword. Nusantara depicted by the Keris )

3) Minting Error ( Arabic numeral was wrong )

4) The use of the " Call for Success " and " Call for Prayers "

5) 999 NOT USED ( +- 0.1 is used to denote metal purity instead of the normal 999.
Hence, no identification to "666" number by Christians )

6) Use of Fibonacci sequence for SRDC Dirham denomination issuance
i.e. 1, 2, 3 (1+2). Subsequent denominations will be 5(3+2), 8(5+3) and so forth.


( FULL HOUSE. Picture courtesy of dankhoo.com )

Answering Questions in KUIS (formerly KISDAR)-Seri Putera.

On the way back from attending to matters in Seremban-NS, I'd attended a Talk conducted by Dinar & Dirham activists Hj.Khairudden Husin and Hj. Mazli Alias at Auditorium Akademi Pengajian Islam - Kolej Universiti Islam Selangor(KUIS), Bandar Seri Putera on Friday,29 July 2011. Talk was entitled:-
Topic 1: " Riba' & Cabaran Umat Islam Masa Kini " by Haji Khairudden Husin.
Tajuk 2: " Kebangkitan Dinar & Dirham di Malaysia " by Haji Mazli Alias

Due to Haji Mazli's insistence and despite my initial reluctance, had the privilege of being a Panelist during the Q&A Session answering some banking, accounting, legal and general questions posed by Undergraduate students vis-a-vis Dinar&Dirham and the present Malaysian Islamic Banking System.


( Q&A Panel: Haji Khairudden Husin, Haji Mazli Alias & AHM )


A session that was supposed to end at 11pm...ended way past midnight due to the interest shown by the students. Due to time constraints, we weren't able to answer all the questions posed. Hence, the speakers hopes for a repeat invitation to clarify whatever is left unanswered.


( "WE ACCEPT DINAR & DIRHAM" Sticker. Signifying the Dinar, Dirham & Fulus )

An incident that will forever be etched in my mind was when a Johorean student who'd followed me to the restroom with an enlightened/petrified look on his face wanting to pose some difficult questions... which hopefully I'd resolved for him.

TQVM to the KUIS Student Council for organising the talk and also for the kind invitation.

Seminar Dinar & Dirham di Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Pada bulan Julai 2011, saya diundang sebagai Penceramah di Seminar Dinar dan Dirham yang dianjurkan oleh Kelantan Gold Trade Sdn. Bhd. dengan kerjasama Al-Qafilah International. Seminar dijalankan di New Pacific Hotel, Kota Bharu - Kelantan Darul Naim.

Ini adalah kali pertama saya menjejakkan kaki ke "Serambi Mekah" setelah hampir 11 tahun.

Tajuk Ceramah saya adalah " Fakta Emas & Perak dan Permasalahan Perbankan Islam Masa Kini ".



Terima Kasih diucapkan kepada Penganjur-KGT Sdn. Bhd. dan Dr.Zahimi serta En.Mahmud diatas segala layanan baik yang diberikan

***KBI launches gold DINAR & BAR products***

Koperasi Belia Islam(KBI) a.k.a Muslim Youth Co-operative launched the gold DINAR & BAR products today.

The launch was held at the Putra Hotel-Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 33rd AGM of the KBI/Co-operative.
I'd attended the launch in my capacity as a delegate representing KBI from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

The products available/launched are:-
1 - 1 KBI Gold Dinar Coin
2 - 10g KBI Gold Bar
3 - 20g KBI Gold Bar
4 - 50g KBI Gold Bar
5 - 100g KBI Gold Bar


Also announced, were plans to set-up Ar-rahnu(Islamic Pawning Services) with an initial 5 branches to complement the Gold Products Sales. The first branch is expected to be in the Klang Valley.

I wish KBI all the best in their endeavours and hope the gold and ar-rahnu business will generate good income which hopefully will translate into better dividends for it's members.

Gold in Kg.Tambatuon, Sabah?

Are there GOLD deposits at Kg.Tambatuon , Sabah?

Read FREEMALAYSIATODAY for an interesting report.

MOST EXPENSIVE DINAR auctioned !!!

(UMAYYAD GOLD DINAR - 105 Hijrah/723 AD. Auctioned for GBP 3.7million in 2011)


Read: COINWEEK


(OMAN SILVER DIRHAM - 90 Hijrah / 709 AD. Auctioned for GBP 1.08million in 2011)

Just wondering, would paper money fetch as much????

DinarDirham Event at Bukit Damansara-KL!

Today, I went to my first Dinar&Dirham Market/Bazaar at Bukit Damansara mosque(Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab) organised by Kelantan Golden Trade jointly with the World Islamic Mint(WIM) & Jawatankuasa Penaja Koperasi Dinar.

Transactions were conducted mainly in Dinar&Dirham(D&D) of Kelantan and for those without any Dinar or, Dirham to trade can exchange RM for D&D from Hj. Awaludin.

All in there were 10 stalls offering the normal mix of Food & Drinks, Books, Toiletries & Cosmetics, Clothing & Sports Equipment, Islamic Calligraphy & Stickers and other varieties of merchandise.

In addition, there were talks on the usage of Dinar & Dirham where some participants also shared their experience in using/promoting D&D.

A proposed co-operative called Koperasi Dinar (KODINAR) is also to be formed.


Apart from the usage of D&D, I'd also learnt how an Islamic market/bazaar operates. For example:-
1) There must be a Muhtasib. ( Read: Muhtasib )
2) The prohibition of arbitrage within a certain distance from the bazaar.
3) the prohibition of monopoly/bulk buying from a trader and reselling it in the market.

Towards the end of the Bazaar, the winner of a contest was announced...the prize was 1 Dirham, sponsored by WIM.

Morning till Noon Time Well Spent.

Subsequently, met Hj.Awaludin and became an Agent/Wakalah for Kelantan's Dinar&Dirham.

when GOLD is ALL the RAGE!!!

Current Malaysian trend, Read:- Sunday Star, 27 February 2011

"SHINY outlook for GOLD",...also SILVER update :- Read:- The Star, 23 February 2011

On another matter, whatever happened to the Perak Dinar & Dirham launch???
New Straits Times, Malaysian Insider,

Another Suggestion for Gold/Precious Metals-backed Currency at SC-UM Visiting Scholar Lecture, 25 Jan.

25 January 2011 - I attended a Public Lecture presented by Volker Nienhaus from Germany titled "Building Blocks of Islamic Finance: Regulation & Shariah in Perspective".The talk is part of the SC-UM Visiting Scholar programme in conjunction with the Islamic Capital Market initiative.





During the Q&A Session, Rizwan (if I'm Not mistaken) from Nomura posed 2 questions...one of which is a query/suggestion. He referred to Volker's presentation which alluded to the fact that one of the main differences between Islamic Banking & Finance and Conventional Banking & Finance is the usage/backing of real assets for transactions. Hence, why can't the same principle be applied to currency/fiat money.

Rizwan's comments is one of the main arguments put forward by Dinarists in making the case for the introduction of an Islamic Gold Dinar & Islamic Silver Dirham currency. The calls made by people from all walks of life for the advent for a Dinar/Dirham can be heard repeatedly in all Conferences and Talks on IF held in Malaysia for the past couple of years.

Gold Investment Seminar at Bandar Sunway.

Attended a Gold Investment Seminar conducted by Syukor Hashim at Bandar Sunway from 12-2pm. Quite surprised to see a turnout of more than 100 people such that the presenter had to conduct another seminar from 2-4pm. Even then, those attending the earlier presentation packed the room and didn't mind standing at the back or, by the door whilst others were sitting on the "soiled" carpetted floor. Audience came from as far south as Malacca and Negeri Sembilan as well as north i.e. Tanjung Malim and Ipoh.

We were shown a video of Datuk Salleh Majid being interviewed by TV3 in the Bijakwang segment. An interesting quote "saya tidak boleh sarankan keluar wang dari ASB/ASN untuk melabur dalam emas kerna nanti orang PNB akan cari saya. Hakikatnya jika dibandingkan pulangan ASN/ASB berbanding emas dalam masa beberapa tahun, pulangan emas lebih lumayan. Tepuk Dada, Tanya Selera!"....this coming from the person responsible for setting-up the Amanah Saham Nasional/PNB. It seemed that this Bijakwang interview was conducted quite some time back as Salleh Majid mentioned the price of gold is around USD1,100 per ounce (whereas in 2011, gold is trade at well above USD1,300 per ounce)

Some of new and/or interesting things learnt:
1) Gold Auction
2) Gold Pawning
3) Gold Hedging
4) Gold Purchase at Jewellery Shops
5) Alternative Gold Investments

All in it was time well spent. TQ to Mr. Syukor Hashim for the presentation and Miss Katrina of Public Gold and Public Gold for the kind invitation.

"ISLAMIC GOLD DINAR: MYTHS & REALITY" Public Lecture at BNM

STAR Report (18 Jan. 2011): "DON: USE Paper Currency NOT Gold Dinar"
INCEIF Report: Islamic Gold Dinar



Attended a Public Lecture byProf. Dr. Murat Cizakca (Prof of Comparative Economics History)on the topic of "Islamic Gold Dinar: Myths & Reality" held at the Auditorium of BNM. Dr. Murat is also a NEW Faculty Member of INCEIF





It was from MY Weltanschauung, a thought-provoking or provocative lecture(depending on who you talked to!!!). Some of the points and/or conclusions made by Prof. Murat which I disagree with:-

1) DEBASEMENT
-------------------------

Murat argued that using the ISLAMIC GOLD DINAR (IGD) can lead to "Debasement". Raising an army during times of war was cited as an example.
(Debasement is the practice of lowering the value of currency. It is particularly used in connection with commodity money such as gold or silver coins. A coin is said to be debased if the quantity of gold, silver, copper or nickel is reduced.
Refer:Internet Definitions )

AHM Counter Argument: If the IG Dinar is debased, then it wouldn't be called a Dinar anymore. The IG Dinars standards have been set during the reign of Caliph Umar al-Khatab i.e. the weight of 7 Dinars(seven mithqals) must be equivalent to 10 Dirhams i.e. 4.25gms.
Refer: World Islamic Mint and wikipedia

I believe Murat's concern is more of the coinage being adulterated. While it may be true in days of yonder, we now live in the modern age where technology are used extensively. Moreover, in this age as opposed to medieval times gadgets can easily be obtained or made which can check the content of the IGD.

2) Gresham's Law
--------------------------
Gresham's Law in a nutshell means "Bad money drives out good IF, their exchange rate is set by law"
Refer: Wikipedia

He also proceeded to outline the formula used (thanking Dr.Obiyathulla Ismath Bacha of INCEIF).

AHM Counter Argument: Murat's argument can easily be debunked by NOT having a Face Value attached/stamped to the IGD or Islamic Silver Dirham(ISD). Just identify the IGD or, ISD as "DINAR" or, "DIRHAM" respectively. Why do we need to give a face value??? Murat is obviously missing the plot.
Hence, the advent of a dual-currency system in Malaysia and/or the Islamic World.

3) HOARDING
---------------------
Murat argued that introducing the IG Dinar will lead to hoarding.

AHM Counter Argument: Am a contrarian, the Zakat rate of 2.5% will ensure that hoarding DOES NOT take place. In addition, apart from being used as a real currency the IGD can also be pawned or lent by its owners...ensuring a circulation of wealth in the real economy.

All in and with all due respect to the learned Prof, there were so many "holes" in his conclusion that one wonders whether one is attending a Public lecture or, a "Kelambu"(Mosquito Net) weaving class. Having said that, kudos must be extended to Dr. Murat for the historical lessons with graphs depicting the European situation.It would be great though if a similar case study was done during the Ottoman reign.

In addition, it was really not his call to label Dinar proponents or "DINARISTS" as he labels them as Unislamic when there is a hadith - Abu Bakar ibn Abi Maryam reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say: "A time is certainly coming over mankind in which there will be nothing [left] which will be of use save a dinar and a dirham." (The Musnad of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal) (Akan Tiba satu zaman di mana tiada apa yang tinggal dan boleh digunakan oleh umat manusia, maka simpanlah Dinar dan Dirham. "

All in, it was a thought provoking lecture and I'm glad that I was not fast asleep.


As always, having been in the IF field since 1994 met-up with old friends like Ibrahim (VP, BSN) and Mazhar(EONCAP Islamic Bank). Also finally managed to put a face to a name when I met-up with OP Razali Ahmed of Affin Bank who'd informed me of the talk. I would also like to thank INCEIF & ACIFP for the invitation.

Amirul HM parting words: ...." IF Malaysia can become a pioneer in Islamic Banking & Finance by having a dual banking system, it can also become an INNOVATOR by having a DUAL CURRENCY SYSTEM by introducing the Islamic Gold Dinar and Islamic Silver Dirham...without any face value attached"

PS: Am not sure whether it is a coincidence or not but during the talk, my good friend TK (who was not amused at being labelled Unislamic) rcvd a SMS requesting for Dinar orders to be placed as his group is also minting Gold Dinars!!!