HOW reliable is the recent claim by Perak mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria that a political party was drafting a new constitution threatening the special position of Malay Malaysians? In 2006, he had also spread unfounded allegations that Muslims had been converted and were to be baptised.
Lee Su Kim: “Nothing to lose in being open-minded”
By Ding Jo-Ann
GOSTAN. Outstation. Off-day. Cousin brother. Koochi-rat. These are all expressions unique to Malaysia recorded by author Lee Su Kim in her bestselling book Manglish: Malaysian English at its Wackiest. Lee has authored eight books, including Malaysian Flavours: Insights into Things Malaysian and A Nyonya in Texas: Insights of a Straits Chinese Woman in the Lone Star State. She […]
“Syariah court has no legitimacy for non-Muslims”
By Ding Jo-Ann
Corrected 11.35am on 25 Aug 2010 ON 20 Aug 2010, a three-person bench of the Court of Appeal unanimously denied the application of S Kaliammal, the widow of Mount Everest climber M Moorthy, to determine her late husband’s religious status. Moorthy passed away on 20 Dec 2005 after entering into a coma. Just before his […]
Umno leaders’ advice on racial remarks
By Ding Jo-AnnWHEN racist remarks are made against non-Muslim non-Malay Malaysians, Umno leaders call for calm and for these citizens not to be “clouded by emotions”. But when non-Malay Malaysians raise legitimate demands for fair and equitable treatment, they are told that Malay Malaysians are “sensitive”, prone to “uneasiness and anger”, and should not be provoked. Is Umno saying that non-Malay citizens’ feelings are less important, and that Malay citizens are less capable of restraint?
Who’s a traitor?
By Deborah Loh
LEMBAH Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar may have been disingenuous when she repeated a minister’s Parliamentary statement about Malaysia’s submarines to a foreign newspaper. But does her speaking to a foreign audience constitute being a traitor as she has been called?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Spotlight on DAP
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE media spotlight has turned to the DAP in recent weeks over the party’s sacking of Tee Boon Hock, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu‘s special assistant. Tee had allegedly issued letters of recommendation using Liu’s official letterhead and seal to help family members secure contracts. Liu was severely reprimanded by a DAP disciplinary committee for […]
Putting a stop to baby dumping
By Deborah LohTHE most logical and obvious solution to addressing pregnancies out of wedlock – sex education – still seems to escape our decision-makers and politicians, whose suggestions have not just become increasingly ridiculous but also highly punitive.
Show biz challenges
By The Nut GraphTHE Nut Graph held its third Found in Conversation forum on 8 Aug 2010, titled Creativity and Innovation in Show Biz. Panelists Ahmad Izham Omar, Azmyl Yunor and Joanna Bessey, together with moderator Shanon Shah, reflected on mainstream vs indie artistes, censorship, and what artistes need to do to sustain themselves economically. Moderator, singer-songwriter and […]
A challenge to university students
By The Fairly Current ShowAFTER a series of cancellations and rebuffs by the university administration, documentary filmmaker Fahmi Reza is challenging Universiti Malaya students to organise his Student Power lecture on campus on Tuesday, 24 Aug 2010. The Fairly Current Show host Fahmi Fadzil speaks with his namesake about his ongoing research into the Malaysian student movement of the […]
“Religion”: Error in e-census form?
By Chuah Siew EngI WISH to draw to the public’s attention to a possible glitch in the e-census. An answer I clicked for the category “religion” was different in the PDF copy I printed. Thinking I may have made a mistake, I reviewed my answers and confirmed it was not my error. When I sought an explanation, the […]
