IN the week of 27 April to 3 May 2009, the Malay-language press was filled with musings on swine flu, PAS’s internal strife over the possibility of a unity government with arch-rivals Umno, the morality of art, and the growing problem of mat rempit. Following a week of global anxiety, religious commentators placed the blame […]
Found in Translation
Indira Gandhi’s search goes on
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananBETWEEN 27 April and 3 May 2009, the Tamil papers continued to devote space to M Indira Gandhi’s quest to get her daughter back from her estranged and Muslim-convert husband. The absence of Tamil-language classes in a local university, and land right issues involving the Catholic Church were also highlighted during the week. Hunt for […]
The politics of Penanti
Translation by Shanon ShahAMONG the main concerns of the Malay-language press from the week of 20 to 26 April 2009 were the Penanti by-election, Islamic laws, and defending the monarchy. On 20 April, Utusan Malaysia‘s Hassan Mohd Noor said in his Selak column that the resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as Penanti state assemblyperson was no surprise. In […]
Not without my baby
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananFOR the week of 20 to 26 April 2009, Tamil papers highlighted M Indira Gandhi’s continued struggle to get back her 11-month-old baby from her Muslim-convert husband. The papers also reported on the shares offered to Indian Malaysians by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and the anger of Indian Malaysians, particularly Tamil Malaysians against India’s support […]
Mob in Pekan Nanas
Translation by Gan Pei LingFROM 20 to 26 April 2009, the Chinese media highlighted the Pekan Nanas school-fight-turned-mob incident. The media also rejoiced at the Higher Education Ministry’s announcement to allow New Era College to conduct its media studies courses in Mandarin. Nanyang Siang Pau and Merdeka Review also reported on Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob’s intention […]
Conversion without consent
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananSTORIES that dominated the Tamil press for the week of 13 to 19 April 2009 continued to be about the conversion of children to Islam without a parent’s consent and a mother’s fight for these children. The Tamil press also looked at the neverending cycle of violence in the Indian Malaysian community. Forced conversion The […]
Bangkitlah orang Melayu
Translation by Zedeck SiewBETWEEN 13 and 19 April 2009, the Malay language press wrung its hands over the welfare of the Malay race, the inevitable Penanti by-election, and the vagaries of history lessons. Capati (Source: wilka.ru) The headlines for Utusan Malaysia‘s 15 April edition was Bangkitlah Melayu, a clarion call that was not softened by the front-page photograph […]
Muhyiddin under fire
Translation by Gan Pei LingFOR the week of 13 to19 April 2009, the Chinese media focused on Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s controversial statement about the Chinese Malaysian community; reactions to the increasingly racist slant in articles published in Utusan Malaysia; and a Media Prima directive concerning the Altantuya Shaariibuu case. On 13 April, all the Chinese […]
Confidence booster for Pakatan Rakyat
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 6 to 12 April, the Chinese media spotlighted the impact of the three by-elections on the Pakatan Rakyat, the announcement of the new cabinet line-up, and the barring of online news site Merdeka Review from covering the event at the Prime Minister’s Department. On 10 April, an article titled Pakatan Rakyat […]
Flap over Quranic verses
Translation by Zedeck SiewBETWEEN 6 and 12 April 2009, the Malay-language media focused on three main topics: Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming’s use of Quranic verses during the Bukit Gantang by-election; the results of the three by-elections; and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s newly minted cabinet. On 9 April, Utusan Malaysia ran the word Shameful! in […]
