Nik AzizFOR a while there, PAS nearly gave Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) a scare for the upcoming Penanti by-election — the party’s Permatang Pauh division wanted the seat for itself. In fact, newly elected Penang PAS Youth chief Yusni Mat Tiah even told the press there was the possibility that a PAS candidate could run […]
Shanon Shah
Perak, PAS and unity
Translation by Shanon ShahTHE ongoing Perak crisis, the upcoming PAS party elections, and Umno’s 63rd anniversary were topics covered widely in the Malay-language press from 11 to 17 May 2009. On 11 May, Berita Harian group editor Datuk Manja Ismail wrote a commentary, Apabila yang tewas enggan terima kekalahan, saying Perak needed to learn from Kelantan, post-2004 elections. […]
Surviving 13 May
By Shanon ShahPAUL Tan is director of studies at Genting Highlands’s Highlands International Boarding School. He studied in Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur, where his contemporaries included Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and tycoon Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh. Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was his senior in school. Paul Tan is also […]
Antara dosa dan jenayah
Oleh Shanon ShahKESIAN Ako Mustapha. Tanggal 22 April 2009 lalu, pelakon terkenal tersebut dijatuhkan hukuman penjara tiga bulan dan denda maksimum RM3,000 oleh Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Gombak Timur atas tuduhan berkhalwat. Menurut hakim Syarie Wan Mahyuddin Wan Muhammad, “Sekiranya satu hukuman yang tidak setimpal atau hukuman dikurangkan, masyarakat akan menganggap kesalahan ini sebagai remeh dan mungkin akan […]
The rise of Muslim NGOs
By Shanon ShahIT was to be expected that the cabinet decision on unilateral conversion of minors to Islam by a Muslim-convert parent would be opposed. Indeed, less than a week after the cabinet decision, the coalition of Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) known as Pembela criticised the decision. Abim logo Pembela comprises more than 50 Muslim NGOs, and […]
MAIS forbids Ahmadiyya worship
By Shanon ShahPETALING JAYA, 28 Apr 2009: The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has forbidden the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect to perform Friday prayers at their mosque with immediate effect. In a letter to the Ahmadiyya dated 24 Apr 2009 made available to The Nut Graph, MAIS said, “If [the Ahmadiyya] fail to comply with, defy or neglect […]
M’sian film in running for award at Cannes
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 27 April 2009: A Malaysian filmmaker’s debut feature will be screened at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Chris Chong’s Karaoke was selected from a host of other films to be included in the Directors’ Fortnight platform. This the first Malaysian film in 14 years, since U-Wei Shaari’s Kaki Bakar, to be selected for […]
Teater hanya untuk elit?
Oleh Shanon ShahTEMPOH hari saya ditanya dalam rancangan Hujah di rangkaian tv9, adakah teater itu bersifat elitis dari sudut kandungan karya mahupun kemampuan penonton untuk menghayatinya? Saya benar-benar merasakan tidak. Saya mula menghujah bahawa mana-mana naskhah teater, walaupun naskhah Shakespeare sekalipun, boleh dipentaskan dan dihayati oleh sesiapa saja yang boleh mencapai naskhah itu. Mungkin sekumpulan pelajar Tingkatan […]
“Religion should make you affirm human rights”
By Shanon ShahBEFORE President Barack Obama, there was presidential candidate Rev Jesse L Jackson, Sr. Although the Baptist minister had previously worked for Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, many were sceptical of his chances when he wanted to run for US president in 1984. Observers — including from his Democratic Party — thought he would garner fringe […]
“Kalau you separuh babi pun I terima”
By Shanon ShahSULASTRI Ariffin has been around the world. Manager of the mak nyah (trans women) programme at PT Foundation, she has participated and spoken at conferences on HIV and sexuality in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland. She has even met Richard Gere — twice. But in her 15 […]
