DATUK Seri Azalina Othman Said has characterised the attempt of the Speaker to convene an emergency sitting of the Perak state assembly as “uncivilised” and as recourse to the “law of the jungle”. Never in the country’s history, she avers, has a state assembly sitting been convened under a tree. Perhaps she is right. But […]
history
Will Umno change?
By Deborah LohThe panel at the forum organised by Konrad Adanaeur Foundation WILL Umno change? That’s been the perennial question since the March 2008 general election. The answer may well be how much its incoming president Datuk Seri Najib Razak will let it. Three political observers, at least, believe that Najib will return to a more authoritarian […]
Islamic authorities in crisis?
By Shanon ShahWHEN the National Fatwa Council issued two successive fatwas in late 2008 banning tomboys and yoga, outcry from the Malaysian public was palpable. Tomboys sneered, youth collectives protested, and Muslim yoga practitioners posed in defence. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the National Fatwa Council, and even Inspector General of […]
Blind loyalty?
By Dr Farish A NoorAS if it was not bad enough that Malaysia has been overrun by an outbreak of frogs — like a scene from some Biblical catastrophe — we now have to stomach the spectacle of humbug heroes and demagogues as well. One is deeply distressed to read reports of conservative politicians and their followers crying […]
An orthodox Christmas
By Rahel JosephSyrian Orthodox icon GROWING up, I always used to dread explaining to people which religious faith I belonged to. The questions were typical. “You’re a Christian? So you’re not Indian.” As if to imply one could not be both. “Are you Catholic or Christian?” All Catholics are Christians, though all Christians are not always Catholics. […]
Morbidity, the stuff of life
By N Shashi KalaHercules (Source: wikipedia.org) MY father was, and still remains, a good storyteller. When I was a child, he used to tell me bedtime stories every night. These stories included some of the popular fairy tales of yore, such as Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. But others he culled from various sources, including […]
