(Ahmad Ismail pic courtesy of Oriental Daily) HARDLY a year goes by in Malaysia without some kind of public dispute involving race and religion. The issue for 2010: “Allah“. 2009: Cow-head protesters and Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno‘s whipping sentence. 2008: Datuk Ahmad Ismail and his “pendatang” slurs against non-Malay Malaysians. 2007: Lina Joy‘s contentious conversion […]
Ding Jo-Ann
Right to go to court over “Allah”
By Ding Jo-Ann(Pic by Nikolai Mamluke / Dreamstime) THE argument that Malaysians are being asked to accept over the “Allah” issue sounds like this: “Muslims are the majority in this country. In a democracy, the majority’s wishes should be prioritised. Christians may have the right to use the word ‘Allah’, but why do it when it provokes […]
The impact of migration
By Ding Jo-Ann(Pic by mirofoto / sxc.hu) WITH the recent attack on churches, a Catholic school and a Sikh gurdwara, migration is likely to be on the minds of some Malaysians. Despite government assurances that “everything is under control“, diminishing respect for rights as demonstrated by the “Allah” issue has naturally caused consternation among educated Malaysians. At […]
Allah debate #3
By Ding Jo-Ann and Lainie Yeoh(Corrected at 1:01am, 16 Jan 2010) * Quote sourced from Penghakiman hakis keistimewaan Islam, Berita Harian Online, 8 Jan 2010 The Nut Graph needs your support Please take our five-minute reader survey
No limits
By Ding Jo-AnnJACLYN Victor is probably remembered best for her rendition of Gemilang when she won the 2004 Malaysian Idol finale. But Victor, or Jac as she’s commonly known, has gone on to win a string of local and international awards. This includes Ikon Malaysia in 2007, which also featured Dayang Nurfaizah and former Akademi Fantasia winner […]
Allah debate #2
By Ding Jo-Ann and Lainie Yeoh*Everything under control, says Hishammuddin, The Edge, 11 Jan 2010** Hisham defends cow-head protestors, The Malaysian Insider, 2 Sept 2009 The Nut Graph needs your support Please take our five-minute reader survey
Are our children protected?
By Ding Jo-Ann(Pic by NTLam @ Flickr) THE allegation in late 2009 of a sex offender operating a kindergarten is just one of a growing number of reported cases of child abuse, molestation and rape. Police statistics indicate a rise from 2,236 reported cases in 2005 to 5,744 in 2008, an increase of more than 2.5 times […]
Proud to be rojak
By Ding Jo-AnnBERNARD Goh, artistic director and co-founder of internationally acclaimed drum troupe Hands Percussion, was drawn to music and drums even as a boy. “Drums are very straightforward, maybe it’s like me,” he tells The Nut Graph during his 23 Nov 2009 interview in Kuala Lumpur. “I like you, or I don’t like you, I will […]
“Allah” exclusive to Islam?
By Ding Jo-Ann“In our country, if one refers to Allah or mentions kalimah Allah, it will bring to one’s mind that it refers to the God for Muslims. Kalimah Allah is sacred to the Muslims and put at the highest position, and its sanctity must be protected.” “The usage of kalimah Allah as an interpretation of the […]
Malaysia is not an egg
By Ding Jo-AnnSOMEONE should tell the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department that Malaysia is not an egg. Last week, Datuk Ahmad Maslan reportedly confirmed that Biro Tatanegara (BTN) participants are given eggs to signify how “fragile” our community is. There may indeed be beneficial lessons to be learnt from egg-caring as demonstrated by a US […]
