MENJALANKAN ibadat puasa di London sekarang, saya terasa rindu yang amat terhadap keluarga dan kawan-kawan di Malaysia. Alangkah gembiranya saya apabila membaca nasihat terbaru daripada kolumnis pujaan ramai, Kak Nora, tentang “sensitiviti” Aidilfitri. Terubatlah juga rindu di hati. Salam sejahtera Kak Nora, Harap kak berada dalam keadaan yang sihat walafiat. (Er, adakah saya dibenarkan menggunakan […]
Columns
Green voters hunting for green reps
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
RUMOURS have been rife since late 2010 that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak might call for the 13th general election by this year before the economy takes a worse turn. As such, not just political parties but civil society has been gearing up for an impending election. Among the civil society groups are a group of […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Beyond the Jais raid
By Ding Jo-Ann
MORAL policing of Muslims is unfortunately hardly new in Malaysia. But on 3 Aug 2011, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) went a step further by entering the Petaling Jaya-based Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), purportedly to investigate a complaint. Christian leaders and secular bodies such as the Bar Council and some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) […]
Can MBPJ shut down DUMC?
Ampersand by KW Mak
THERE’s a rumour making the rounds that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will close down the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya (PJ) because the premise was not approved for a church. For certain, the land that DUMC is located on is not designated for a “religious institution” that would permit the […]
The problem with the 8TV ads
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
WHY were the three 8TV Ramadan ads so offensive? “I don’t get it,” more than one person said on the social network they were on. “Chill guys,” 8TV executive director and Media Prima chief executive officer of Alt Media Ahmad Izham Omar told critics on Twitter. “Don’t overthink the ads. It’s written, produced and directed […]
Restricting the government’s choices?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
IT was troubling to read Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s reasons for the release of eight immigration officers detained without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Hishammuddin said he decided to release the eight, detained “in connection” with human trafficking activities, because they showed “remorse” over their mistakes. He also considered their wishes […]
Najib’s dangerous diatribe
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
POST-Bersih 2.0 rally, what has Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak been saying to defend the government’s actions of repressing dissent? It would seem that since the 9 July 2011 rally and after arresting more than 1,900 people, including detaining without trial six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, Najib’s responses have been disingenuous, narrow-minded, and […]
Durian tidak boleh dimakan?
Asam Pedas by Norhayati Kaprawi
*Corrected on 5 Aug 2011, 9.30am: This was earlier published as “suami lelaki bujang”. DURIAN itu halal. Makan durian juga halal. Tapi kalau ada penyakit darah tinggi, mungkin sekali doktor nasihatkan jangan makan. Lalu, apakah doktor itu berdosa besar kerana melarang kita dari makan makanan yang dihalalkan dalam Islam? Tentu tidak, kerana ia bertujuan untuk […]
Awaiting MBPJ’s answers
Ampersand by KW Mak
ONE might think that as a Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor, getting answers from local authorities and government departments would be relatively easier. It is, in fact, one of the biggest challenges I face. Indeed, even when I receive “answers”, they are seldom satisfactory and instead pose more questions, which, then again, go unanswered. […]
Wanted: Safe and eco-friendly cosmetics
As if Earth Matters By Gan Pei Ling
BODY wash, hair shampoo, soap, facial cleanser, toner — most of us use these personal care products on a daily basis regardless of gender. Women are likely to use cosmetics as well in addition to these products, but have you ever stopped and looked at the ingredients contained in the products? The ingredients should be […]
