We need more intra-faith dialogue (© arte_ram / sxc.hu) DISCUSSIONS on religious issues, or a lack thereof, are increasingly defining public policy and society in Malaysia. A few key words are enough to jog memories — the cow-head protest, the whipping sentence on Muslims for drinking alcohol, Christians and the word “Allah”, concert banning, and [...]

PERTH, 2 Nov 2009: The focus on punishment of personal sins in Islam is misguided, a professor of Islamic Studies said. SaeedProfessor Abdullah Saeed was partly referring to calls from certain Muslim groups to uphold the caning sentence on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno in Malaysia for consuming alcohol. Saeed is currently the Sultan of Oman [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 June 2009: PKR Wanita has challenged Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to enact a policy that ensures 30% women’s representation in government within six months, or resign. PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin also pointed out that Shahrizat’s claim that the idea of a 30% quota for women’s representation was hers was factually inaccurate. [...]

Shhhhh… (© Paul Brunskill / sxc.hu) “YOU cannot quote me…I’ve discussed with my superior, we’ve decided that the progress is slow, so we don’t think it’s a good time to publicise it now, why don’t you write on other issues?” That was the response from an officer from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 June 2009: The women’s wing of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) wants Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to come up with a clearer national women’s policy on gender representation. “This issue needs political will. We want to see that from the government,” PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said at [...]

PETALING JAYA, 9 June 2009: Sweeping changes to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s constitution, including direct elections for the top leadership and a nine-year limit on the presidency, will be voted on this Saturday, 13 June, at a special congress. Another key amendment that will be put to a vote is a 30% quota for women [...]