CAN Islamic authorities raid churches and bookstores even though they are non-Muslim entities and summon non-Muslims for questioning? Does the syariah court have jurisdiction the moment Islam or a Muslim is involved? Ding Jo-Ann examines the constitutional issues.
Columns
Promoting Malaysian mediocrity
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
What really is all the fuss over the theme, logo and song lyrics of our upcoming Merdeka celebrations? Is it really a case of political manoeuvrings by the Barisan Nasional (BN)? Or poor judgement by the government of the day? Or both? Or does it say something more about what the current federal leadership promotes?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Why allow overseas Malaysians to vote?
By Ding Jo-Ann
FOR the first time, all eligible Malaysians abroad may be able to vote by post. This will be welcome news to the approximately one million Malaysians working and living overseas. But should these Malaysians be entitled to vote? And will this affect the outcome of the next general election?
Hudud PAS dan Hudud Umno – Apa Bezanya?
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
KALAU dulu hanya PAS yang menjadikan hudud dan negara Islam sebagai simbol identiti partinya, sekarang ada pemimpin Umno pun mahu ikut serta dalam permainan itu. Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Kemelah Datuk Ayub Rahmat dalam sidang dewan undangan negeri Johor baru-baru ini mencadangkan agar Johor menjadi negeri pertama di Malaysia melaksanakan hukum hudud “sebenar” yang berbeza […]
Looking beyond the Chua-Lim debate
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
MUCH has been said about the 8 July debate between DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. The debate, titled “Whose policies benefit the country more?”, drew conflicting responses. For example, theSun reported that “Lim went on the offensive”, while Malaysiakini said it was Chua who took […]
From dumpsites to nature sanctuaries
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
THINK of a landfill. What comes to mind? First thing – probably the stink. Toxic leachate seeping out and contaminating waterways. Now, imagine a landfill so clean that people have picnics and take nature walks there. Impossible? Think again. On a recent visit to Singapore after covering an international conference for National Geographic‘s energy blog, I […]
Najib’s legal reforms legacy
Holding Court By Ding Jo-Ann
Malaysia will be more open and democratic with “revolutionary” new laws that will herald a “new era”, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Really? Has Najib made good on his promises? We take a look at the prime minister’s legacy of legal reforms since Malaysia Day 2011.
Is MBPJ trustworthy?
Ampersand By KW Mak
Nobody in MBPJ seems to want to take responsibility for illegally converting a field in Kelana Jaya from recreational to commercial use. Former councillor KW Mak points to more evidence of how unaccountable and untrustworthy the council has become.
The perils of being Muslim in Malaysia
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
Muslims constitute the majority of the Malaysian population and the country’s top leadership. Still, just how safe is it to be a Muslim in Malaysia? And can Muslims trust that their rights will be protected and upheld by a public administration that increasingly says it wants to uphold Islamic values and teachings?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Rising crime and the general election
By Ding Jo-Ann
MALAYSIANS have been speaking up about crime recently and recounting experiences of violent crime such as robberies, kidnapping and attempted rape. The Nut Graph speaks to political scientist Wong Chin Huat on what it will take for Malaysians to feel safe again and whether crime will be an election issue.
