YET again, in the tussle over “Allah” and Malay-language Bibles, the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government shows how unclear it is about what it means to respect the religious rights of non-Muslims.
Found in Quotation
Hindraf and freedom of assembly
By Nick ChooThe Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rallied in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 27 Feb 2011, to protest against the use of the novel Interlok in schools. However, the exercising of fundamental citizens’ rights in a democracy has been met with opposition, criticism and police action. Who are the people who would oppose and demonise freedom of assembly and expression?
BN and the internet: Suppression or engagement?
By Nick ChooPrime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently said the government would not suppress cyberspace but instead engage this global change. But how do we square his remarks with the government’s plans to extend the PPPA’s reach online, and their other verbal attacks on internet expression?
Muslims serving alcohol: Ban or no ban?
By Nick ChooTHE Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)’s recent ruling disallowing businesses that serve alcohol from hiring Muslims has raised many questions. Is it a law? A guideline? Just advice? Has it been rescinded? Who enacted the law that the ruling is based on? Why wasn’t it enforced before? And why the furore now?
Seditious Malaysia: More to come
By Ding Jo-AnnHARDLY a month goes by in Malaysia without someone being accused of sedition. And now, the government wants to introduce new sedition guidelines for the internet even though the Sedition Act already clearly undermines freedom of expression. Just what is the government up to?
Mustaffa Kamil Ayub’s “ultimatum” to PKR
By Ding Jo-Ann
PKR deputy president candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub announced on 9 Nov 2010 that he would give 48 hours for the party leadership to postpone or call off the PKR elections or face “firm action”. Almost two weeks later, he’s still in the race and affirming his loyalty to the party leadership. Whatever happened to Mustaffa’s ultimatum?
Zaid Ibrahim: Reformer or sore loser?
By Gan Pei LingFOR sure, Parti Keadilan Rakayt (PKR) has serious problems. But what to make of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim whose image as a principled politician is at odds with his apparent tendency to quit when expectations are not met?
The many forms of vote-buying
By Gan Pei Ling
ARE transportation reimbursements, alms for the poor, land titles and welfare allocations given during a by-election just different forms of inducement? Even PAS is not exempt from the very thing it accuses the Barisan Nasional of. Perhaps the only difference is which party the Election Commission dismisses.
History a pass subject, but whose version?
By Ding Jo-AnnAt Umno’s recent 61st general assembly, the prime minister advised the nation to stop questioning Malaysia’s “social contract”. This was swiftly followed a clearly political decision requiring SPM takers to pass History from 2013. But whose version of history will this be?
Freezing the toll hike – who pays?
By Gan Pei LingTHE prime minister announced during Budget 2011 that the toll rates for four PLUS highways would not be raised over the next five years. It has since been revealed that the federal government may have to pay PLUS up to RM5bil in compensation as a result. Does the government’s action really benefit taxpayers? What could it be doing instead to resolve the issue in the public’s interest?
