WHY do some “offensive” social media posts invite police action while others don’t? It would seem that it depends on who posts it, and who or what the post is about. Are double standards at play in the policing of digital freedom of expression?
Columns
What are the benefits of hudud?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
Just what are the benefits of hudud? Its supporters should spell them out so that Malaysians can decide if the Islamic penal code is good for the country, and so that the electorate can make informed assessments about the politicians who are pushing for Malaysia to be an Islamic state.
Kes Ismail Yahya: Ancaman terhadap pengasingan kuasa?
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
Bulan Oktober yang lalu, Ketua Hakim Mahkamah Syariah Terengganu didakwa di mahkamah syariah. Datuk Ismail Yahya dituduh menghina dan mempertikaikan Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu dan arahan Sultan Terengganu mengenai penstrukturan semula majlis tersebut. Apakah yang telah dilakukan oleh seorang ketua hakim mahkamah syariah sehingga dia boleh didakwa sebegini?
Kidex and Pakatan Rakyat’s broken promise
Ampersand by KW Mak
Many Petaling Jaya residents are unhappy over the proposed Kinrara Damansara Skyway (Kidex) that will pass over heavily built-up areas. What is the Selangor government’s role in this highway and why aren’t Pakatan Rakyat representatives calling on their own government to keep to their promise of abolishing tolled highways?
Can Noah be banned for being un-Islamic?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
The movie Noah has been banned in Malaysia because it is deemed un-Islamic to depict a prophet. But is it legal to ban something on the basis that it is un-Islamic? When imposing a ban, what are the appropriate criteria to restrict freedom of expression, which is a constitutionally guaranteed human right?
Lying about unity
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
MUCH has already been said about how MH370’s mystery and tragedy has united the nation. However, the declaration of national unity and the call for citizens to remain united because of the tragedy, by Umno politicians in particular, is hypocritical and duplicitous.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The real purpose of Sarawak and Sabah’s immigration controls
By Wong Chin Huat
WHAT is the real intent behind giving Sabah and Sarawak their own autonomy over immigration matters, including the right to ban people from entering these states? Political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat looks at how a good intention has been abused and no longer serves its original purpose.
More internet policing in store for Malaysia
The Digital Circus by Bernice Low
The police will be setting up a Cyber Investigation Response Center to be more proactive in curbing “misuse of the internet”. Whilst social media content about the missing MH370 may be the impetus for the police’s plans, the implications for net users will go beyond how social media has been responding to the mystery and tragedy of the Malaysia Airlines plane.
Bomoh, kebudayaan, Islam dan keadilan
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
Upacara yang dilakukan di KLIA oleh Ibrahim Mat Zin yang mengaku sebagai Raja Bomoh, telah menjadi bahan ejekan samada di dalam dan di luar Negara. Adakah benar amalannya itu sesat atau murtad? Dan apakah yang dikatakan oleh ajaran Islam berkenaan dengan amalan-amalan sebegini?
The obstacles to local council elections
Ampersand by KW Mak
It’s now six years since the DAP and PKR promised to enact local council elections. Yet neither Penang nor Selangor, which are under the control of the Pakatan Rakyat, has succeeded in doing so. What exactly is the problem with local council elections that it is taking so long to implement? And why is there so much secrecy surrounding the appointment of councillors?
