KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Nov 2008: The MCA does not agree with the idea of merging the syariah and common law courts as it could result in the syariah being used to govern non-Muslims. The party’s legal bureau chairperson Datuk Leong Tang Chong said in a statement today that the proposed merger would “compel and subject […]
Archives for November 2008
Seventy-three deviationist groups detected nationwide
SERDANG, 19 Nov 2008: The Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) has detected seventy-three deviationist groups nationwide, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. Jakim had also identified their leaders and their teaching contents as well as recruitment methods which included “Multi Level Marketing” (MLM), he said. “MLM is […]
Penang education dept not keen on Harmony Walk
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 19 Nov 2008: The Penang Education Department (JPNPP) remains reluctant to support social integration programmes aimed at improving students’ understanding of cultural differences, despite strong urgings from successive state governments and various organisations. In May 2006 and July 2008, head of the JPNPP’s religious education sector, Ustaz Umar Aziz, signed directives to public […]
Ka Chuan hands in letter of resignation
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Nov 2008: Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan has handed in his letter of resignation as housing and local government minister to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, an aide to Ka Chuan said today. The source said Ka Chuan had submitted an “undated resignation letter” after his defeat in the party […]
Kedah BN will not oppose blindly
ALOR STAR, 19 Nov 2008: The Barisan Nasional (BN) will not blindly oppose the Kedah Pakatan Rakyat state government’s proposals that benefit the people. State opposition leader Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (BN-Pedu) said that although the role of the BN was that of the opposition, still the BN would not oppose things blindly. “We, the […]
More disclosures should follow
By Gayathry VenkiteswaranTHE Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) welcomes the government’s decision to declassify all highway concession contracts except one and expresses hope that future contracts with public interest are made under more open and transparent conditions. Though long overdue, the announcement by the Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad is only the tip of the iceberg […]
Police deny ignoring Penan sexual abuse cases
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Nov 2008: Police refuted claims that they are turning a blind eye to alleged sexual abuse involving Penan women. According to CID director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin, the police had investigated eleven reports of alleged rapes in the Baram area since 1995. He said only one report involved a Penan girl and […]
Rising HIV infection among housewives
By Ng Boon HooiPETALING JAYA, 18 Nov 2008: Although the spread of HIV in Malaysia has largely been among injecting drug users, there is growing concern that heterosexual transmission is on the rise. Most vulnerable to this are housewives. According to data by the Ministry of Health, the number of new reported HIV cases among housewives was 13 […]
What is a nation?
By Tricia YeohWilliam Halsall, Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor (1882). In 1620, the Mayflower brought Separatists from England to the New World – what would eventually be known as the United States (Public domain) MY recent trip to the US was to primarily observe their historic presidential election, but it triggered a deeper question about what a nation […]
“Utusan will become very irrelevant”
By Zedeck SiewJOURNALIST Said Zahari was a seminal force in Utusan Melayu during its heyday as an independent publication. He led the paper’s 1961 strike in protest of a takeover bid by Umno, which resulted in him being banned from entering Malaysia. The ban was only lifted in the 1980s. A consummate man of letters, Said has […]
