KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Aug 2009: Corporal punishment in enforcing syariah law, especially on women, should be the last choice, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. He said enforcement of syariah law should first go through the process of educating the offenders and be tempered with mercy and compassion, and that the authorities concerned should […]
Archives for August 2009
The meaning of Permatang Pasir
By Deborah LohPAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man (right), Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Guan Eng on nomination day, 17 Aug (Pic courtesy of theSun) IT was a by-election the Barisan Nasional (BN) knew it would lose, but had to fight anyway. Unable to use the same excuse it had for opting out of Penanti, the BN went into Permatang […]
Kartika sentence postponed “until caning can be done the syariah way”
PUTRAJAYA, 25 Aug 2009: The caning of 32-year-old part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno for consuming alcohol is postponed until the Home Ministry has the expertise to carry out the sentence according to syariah laws, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. He said the Prisons Department did not have staff who were experienced to […]
T’ganu won’t empower mosque officials to arrest Muslims
KUALA TERENGGANU, 25 Aug 2009: The Terengganu state government has no intention of emulating Selangor in empowering its mosque officials to arrest Muslims drinking alcohol in public places in the state, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said today. He said the existing laws and enforcement personnel were sufficient to handle such matters, and that it […]
Court allows judicial review of banned book
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Aug 2009: The High Court (Appelate and Special Powers Division) here today allowed an application by Sisters in Islam (SIS) for a judicial review of a book which the government banned. Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof made the order after listening to arguments by senior federal counsel Noor Hishamuddin Ismail who […]
Problematic licensing laws hamper freedom of expression
By CIJ and WamiTHE Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) are concerned about the confiscation of a cartoon magazine on current issues edited by prominent cartoonist Zunar. The confiscation smacks of harassment and censorship of discussion of current issues. On 25 Aug, officials from the Control of Publication Department of the Ministry […]
PAS retains Permatang Pasir seat (Updated 10.35pm)
By Deborah LohCorrected on 25 Aug 2009 at 10.20pm Updated at 10.35pm on 25 Aug 2009 Mohd Salleh Man celebrates his victory PERMATANG PASIR, 25 Aug 2009: PAS has retained the Permatang Pasir state seat with a majority of 4,551 votes in a straight fight against the Barisan Nasional (BN). PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man won the […]
Five Perak MCA divisions call for Ong’s suspension
IPOH, 25 Aug 2009: Five Perak MCA divisions have called on the party’s disciplinary board to suspend its president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, and investigate an allegation that he received a RM10 million donation. Batu Gajah MCA division deputy chairperson Datuk Lee Kon Yin said an investigation or an inquiry must be convened to […]
Strong voter turnout in Permatang Pasir
By Deborah LohUpdated 5.35pm on 25 Aug 2009 PERMATANG PASIR, 25 Aug 2009: Polling in Permatang Pasir ended at 5pm today with 73.1% or 14,832 voters, out of the 20,290 registered voters, having cast their ballots, the Election Commission (EC) said. On Twitter, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang predicted a PAS win with a majority of […]
Permatang Pasir polls underway (Updated 5:30pm)
Updated 5:30pm on 25 Aug 2009 BUKIT MERTAJAM, 25 Aug 2009: Voting in the Permatang Pasir state by-election started off smoothly this morning. At 5pm when polling ended, voter turnout was 73.1% or 14,832 voters, the Election Commission said. There are a total of 20,289 registered voters in the constituency. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president […]