DR Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab is a prime example of Indonesia’s political legacy post-President Abdurrahman Wahid: he is not only a politician, but an intellectual to boot. Abdurrahman was himself a leading scholar before being elected to lead Southeast Asia’s largest democracy, and the world’s largest Muslim country. Alwi is currently the President of Indonesia’s Envoy […]
Najib consolidates and compromises
By Deborah Loh and Gan Pei LingCorrected on 11:56pm, 24 April 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, 24 April 2009: Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak appeared to strike compromises in his appointments of additional party supreme council (also known as Majlis Tertinggi, or MT) members today, striking a balance of old and some controversial faces with newcomers. In choosing the new Umno state […]
Jangan putarbelitkan isu pemelukan Islam
Oleh Zulkifli NoordinSAYA sangat tidak bersetuju dengan keputusan kabinet yang mengesyorkan supaya digubal undang-undang untuk menafikan penukaran agama bagi kanak-kanak di bawah 18 tahun. Jawatankuasa itu juga mengesyorkan supaya isu berkaitan ini diberi bidangkuasa kepada Mahkamah Sivil dan bukan Mahkamah Syariah. Saya tidak pasti sama ada kabinet telah benar-benar diberi penerangan tentang kedudukan perlembagaan dan keputusan-keputusan Mahkamah […]
Fairus confirms resignation
By Shanon ShahPETALING JAYA, 24 April 2009: Former Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has repeated that he wants to resign as Penanti state assemblyperson. “I also declare my full support to the leadership of Parti Keadilan Rakyat spearheaded by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said in a press statement today. This announcement came hours after […]
Muhyiddin’s colonialist mind
By Ooi HengA COLONIALIST mindset is always linked with phrases such as “these people are not grateful”, said intellectual Prof Emeritus Dr Benedict Anderson one week after April Fool’s Day this year. Anderson was delivering a public lecture, Is Asian Nationalism Unique?, on 8 April 2009 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Anderson is the author of Imagined […]
“Religion should make you affirm human rights”
By Shanon ShahBEFORE President Barack Obama, there was presidential candidate Rev Jesse L Jackson, Sr. Although the Baptist minister had previously worked for Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, many were sceptical of his chances when he wanted to run for US president in 1984. Observers — including from his Democratic Party — thought he would garner fringe […]
Funding democracy, the BN way
By Jacqueline Ann Surin(Permatang Pauh by-election pic by Danny Lim) SINCE the historic March 2008 general election, it has become clearer to Malaysians that democracy is messy and expensive. Indeed, any politician who tries to convince the rakyat that democracy is an easy and frugal affair is guilty of trying to fool the masses. But what have we […]
Decision on conversion raises questions
By Deborah Loh(Family silhouette by jayofboy / sxc.hu) ON the surface, the cabinet’s decision to stop unilateral conversions to Islam by one parent is a welcome resolution. But questions remain as to whether it can be effectively implemented. One issue is whether a cabinet opinion is enforceable in a court of law when there are no legal […]
JOAS applauds S’gor decision in Temuan case
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 23 April 2009: The Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS) commended the Selangor government’s decision to withdraw its Federal Court appeal in the Temuan land acquisition dispute yesterday. In a statement today, JOAS president Adrian Lasimbang said the move is the “first step in recognising indigenous rights”, and showed that political will is […]
Don’t allow standalone foreign firms: Bar Council
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 23 April 2009: The government must address issues affecting the domestic legal services market before allowing foreign law firms to practice in Malaysia on a standalone basis, the Bar Council said. “There is no point making Malaysia welcoming to foreigners if we have not yet put our own house in order,” Bar Council […]
