It is a popular theme, occurring frequently in literature, music, movies and opera. The story tells of an intelligent and educated man whose ambitions lead him to contract away his soul [with Syaitan/Lucifer] in exchange for worldly goods, power and knowledge. He makes the bargain in complete confidence that man has no afterlife and no soul to be lost. He signs in his blood, confident that he will never be required to deliver the quid pro quo.

That man is caretaker of his own soul is central to a spiritual life. The consequences of the choice made by Faustus, based on disbelief, are to be read constantly in works of fiction and also in the contemporary lives of those around us. We find powerful men engaged in performing injustice, theft, and great lies. They exude supreme confidence that there will never be a day of reckoning. As in the Faust story, there is a surrounding bevy of fallen angels who have fallen from grace through their service to Syaitan.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, if in the process he loses his immortal soul? For a Muslim, submission to the will of Allah is the central orientation of life and action. When a man chooses to ignore this moral and ethical direction, a gap widens inside him and he loses more and more the experience of daily spiritual strength. After a time all spiritual and emotional contact is gone and the man may be said to have lost his soul. He is alone, and must rely on his own reason for moral guidance. It is the beginning of failure, for himself and his family, and for many people his life touches.

History contains the stories many men seduced by the charms of wealth and power. Perhaps most begin as idealists and humanitarians intent on doing good works in the world. Their ambition is to use their education and intellect to improve the human condition. But the temptations were too great. They slowly became changed by greed and an addiction to the perquisites of power.

Without strong spiritual guidance, integrity and character can dissolve in a morass of imagined omnipotence and omniscience, lightly covered by feigned humility. One sees a studied cynicism in the mouth, accompanied by a casual-but-studied flinging out of the hand, betraying a guile within.

We observe the cruelty and inhumanity which results to innocent people when leaders abandon spiritual guidance. Whole civilizations are weakened and disappear when the dissipation of leaders in government undermines the strength and morale of the nation. All people recognize truth and justice. All men know what 'human rights' means.

We are too close to actual events to see what is ahead for Malaysia. But it is certain that unless strenuous efforts are made to return the government to a path of justice and honor we will continue to suffer 'the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'.

Recent events have shown the enormity of the task facing the people of Malaysia. Improvement will require cooperation, patience and resolute initiative. For over twenty-two months Malaysia has been a sad and demoralised country. This is based on a perception of deep and increasing repression. There is no sign that spirits will lift soon.