Christians have been told that they should turn the other cheek and adhere to the ban on the use of “Allah”. Some others have also opined that Christians should back down so that temperatures don’t rise any further over this contentious issue. But the “Allah” issue, if uncontested, has far wider ramifications for all Malaysians than just Christians losing their constitutional right to worship peacefully.
Allah issue
“Allah”: The PR’s failure
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
IT’S not hard at all to be distressed by the BN federal government over the way the “Allah” issue has developed. That said, following the Jais raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia, it is equally troubling to see the PR’s failure in demonstrating it will and can uphold non-Muslims’ constitutional rights.
The BN’s projects
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
“SATU lagi projek Barisan Nasional”. That’s the tagline that often graces billboards announcing projects that the BN government has funded. It’s a tagline often used during elections to help the ruling coalition convince voters of its commitment towards development. But after yet another unnecessary police crackdown on peaceful demonstrators protesting 50 years of the Internal […]
The cost of losing credibility
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
ON 17 June 2010, a startling accusation was made against the Malaysian armed forces. The father of Sergeant N Tharmendran said in a police report that his son, who has been charged with stealing two jet engines from the Sungai Besi air base, was tortured by officers to confess to the theft. The Royal Malaysian […]
Nazri on respecting non-Muslims’ rights
By Ding Jo-Ann“You must remember that the country does not belong to the Muslims. There are things that sometimes non-Muslims do, for example, gambling. It is their culture, their way of life and we have to respect their rights.” “Jangan semua undang-undang berdasarkan keperluan orang Islam sahaja.” MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, […]
Muhyiddin supports 1Malaysia?
By Ding Jo-Ann“The goal of 1Malaysia is to make Malaysia more vibrant, more productive and more competitive — and ultimately a greater nation: a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are embedded into […]
Rewriting Muhyiddin’s script
By Jacqueline Ann SurinI SOMETIMES wonder whether government leaders and politicians review what they have said in the media. Over the past few months, it seems that several leaders would benefit from paying attention to how their words are actually more applicable to themselves. The Nut Graph tried to demonstrate this through a series of comics that captured […]
Lifting the SIS book ban
By Wong Chin HuatTHE Barisan Nasional (BN) government should thank High Court Justice Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof for quashing the Home Ministry’s ban on Muslim Women and the Challenges of Islamic Extremism. The academic book is edited by Prof Norani Othman and published by Muslim women’s non-governmental organisation Sisters in Islam (SIS). Too often we read about why […]
Will Khairy succeed?
By Deborah LohOF late, Khairy Jamaluddin has been saying all the right things. The Umno Youth chief made a progressive maiden speech at the wing’s 2009 general assembly, and has written on the need for a transformed Malay Malaysian mindset. But while Khairy is building up support from outside Umno, some party Youth leaders are cautious about […]
My East-West Allah
By Petra GimbadGo not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, First fill your own house with the fragrance of Love. – Rabindranath Tagore MY first reaction to the news that a church was attacked was one of disbelief. Most East Malaysians, I think, would be confused as to why this is even […]
