KUALA LUMPUR, 22 April 2009: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) will appeal to the Council of Rulers to help resolve the unilateral conversions of minors to Islam. The non-Muslim multi-faith group also wants measures to be put in place to prevent the syariah courts from deciding on non-Muslims […]
Perak, the opportunity in crisis
By Chua Sue-AnnFOR all the dust it has stirred, the Perak political deadlock has presented a soul-searching opportunity for Malaysians to consider the type of government and onstitutional monarchy it wants. At the dawn of the Perak crisis, many looked with great hope towards Sultan Azlan Shah, a former chief justice and one of the most revered […]
Focus on reforms, Kit Siang tells EC (Updated 8.10pm)
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 21 April 2009: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang today slammed the Election Commission (EC) for being the “mouthpiece” of the Barisan Nasional (BN) by echoing the ruling coalition’s view that by-elections were costly and burdened the people. “It is no business of the EC to echo the view that by-elections are a waste […]
Amend law to stop unilateral conversion of children
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 21 April 2009: The DAP wants the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 amended to provide for a civil marriage to be dissolved first upon conversion of one spouse to Islam. This is the only solution against unilateral conversions by one spouse of his or her children to Islam, said DAP Sungkai […]
Umno Penang confident of Malay M’sian voters
By Regina WilliamGEORGE TOWN, 21 April 2009: Umno Penang is confident Malay [Malaysian] voters in Penanti would return to the Barisan Nasional (BN) fold, as witnessed during the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections on 7 April. Umno Penang secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, who is also the Opposition Leader, said it was only a matter of time […]
Tussle in Perak heads to a climax
By Chua Sue-AnnKUALA LUMPUR, 20 April 2009: Not unlike a chess match, Barisan Nasional (BN) now appears to have two more major moves against Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in order to assert its claim [on] the embattled Perak state legislative assembly and government. The tussle for power will continue going into the state legislative assembly meeting scheduled for […]
Terengganu may not be all bad for Najib
By Abd Ghani HamatPETALING JAYA, 20 April 2009: The leadership crisis in Umno Terengganu has surfaced at the wrong time for new party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Or has it? Think again. With reform on his mind and PAS party polls around the corner, the timing of the “crisis” cannot be all that bad […]
Elizabeth Wong is here to stay
By Sharon TanKUALA LUMPUR, 20 April 2009: Bukit Lanjan assembly[person] Elizabeth Wong’s decision to stay the course she embarked on just over a year ago as an elected representative has saved the country another by-election. Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and [the] state exco should claim credit for standing by her and allowing her […]
Lawyers, activists acquitted of illegal assembly
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 April 2009: Four lawyers and three activists were acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here today of being in an unlawful assembly and failing to adhere to police orders to disperse two years ago. Judge SM Komathy Suppiah, in acquitting them without calling for their defence, said the prosecution had failed […]
Suspension of Zambry, exco lifted (Updated 7.17pm)
Updated 7:17pm, 16 April 2009 PUTRAJAYA, 16 April 2009: The Putrajaya Federal Court today ruled that the suspension of Barisan Nasional (BN)-installed Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors by the Perak speaker V Sivakumar was null and void. The apex court ruled that the speaker had no […]
