“If there are other responsibilities, I will go earlier.” MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, hinting at a revised timeline for his departure as party chief. He earlier said he would relinquish the presidency to his deputy Datuk G Palanivel some “eight or nine months” before his term ends in May 2012. Samy Vellu […]
Current Issues
Muslim women can’t join beauty pageants?’
By Ding Jo-Ann“Adalah haram bagi wanita Islam menyertai apa-apa jenis pertandingan ratu cantik.” Selangor fatwa gazetted 11 May 1995. (Source: e-fatwa.gov.my) Click on image for bigger version (Source: Ann Fiona Ratu Cantik 1Malaysia 2010, Utusan Malaysia, 24 May 2010) Read previous Found in Quotation The Nut Graph needs your support
Who qualifies as a syariah lawyer?
By Ding Jo-AnnCan non-Muslims practise in the syariah courts?LAWYER Victoria Jayaseelee Martin made headlines in mid May with her quest to be admitted as a syariah lawyer in the Federal Territory. The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council had refused admission to Martin because she was not a Muslim. On 14 May 2010, she was granted leave to have […]
Watching our elections
By Deborah LohAn 88-year old voter casting her vote in the Hulu Selangor by-election ELECTION watchdogs have become a regular feature in Malaysian polls since at least 2005. In that year, Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) monitored the Pengkalan Pasir by-election. Mafrel was even officially recognised by the Election Commission (EC) in 2007 as an […]
Police can kill in defence
By Ding Jo-AnnPETALING JAYA, 26 May 2010: Police officers are entitled to kill or injure innocent persons as long as they genuinely believe lives are in danger, said the Home Ministry. Click thumbnail to read ministry’s letterIn a letter to The Nut Graph dated 17 May 2010, the ministry said: “Although police officers’ actions may result in […]
Najib’s call to the media
By Shanon ShahIs Najib serious? (pic courtesy of theSun) “BUT to shape society’s knowledge, so that we are more intellectual, critical, and can think objectively, this is also the role of the press. You can’t report only stories that are sensational, hot or about conflicts only.” These were Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak‘s […]
Dr M and “subsidy mentality”
By Deborah Loh“I cannot predict how much longer this (affirmative action) will go on but at the moment, we are trying out… some kind of experiment… by withdrawing some of the protection in education.” “We want to see whether they will be able to withstand the competition or not. Obviously if they prove themselves able to, we […]
Samy Vellu’s exit plans
By Deborah Loh“I will not leave the party like a fool but I swear I will destroy the people who tried to destroy the party.” MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, when announcing that he would step down from his presidency in late 2011, eight to nine months before his term ends in May 2012. Two […]
A liberal and creative Malaysia?
By Deborah Loh“[‘Push factors’] in some countries of origin have also unfortunately played a part, including a lack of intellectual liberties and fair economic opportunities. “To reverse the brain drain into a brain gain, we need to create the right liberal ecosystem and to stimulate creativity. There should also be a fair ecosystem to reward and encourage […]
Bung Mokhtar: Lawmaker or breaker?
By Ding Jo-AnnProtestors outside the Gombak Timur Syariah Court (pic courtesy of Women’s Aid Organisation) “(Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin) is a lawmaker and he is breaking the law, but the way the issue is highlighted makes it seem like there’s nothing wrong.” “(He) should step down and should not represent Malaysians (in Parliament) any more. That would […]
