AS we welcome Peninsular Malaysia’s 55th year of independence this year, we celebrate once again the people who continue to inspire us and give us hope for a better Malaysia. Our awardees include Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat politicians, activists, environmentalists, a bookstore chain, the courts and many more. Find out who they are.
courts
Should the subordinate courts have more power?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
WHY has there been such a furore over the government’s amendment of the Subordinate Courts Act? And why should the public care that the Act has been amended? As a result of Parliament passing the amendment, the Sessions Court can now hear civil cases worth up to RM1 million while the Magistrates Court cases worth […]
Third vote conundrum
By Deborah LohTHE Penang government has started removing hurdles in the way of restoring local council elections, and its next stop could be the Federal Court. Lawyers consulted by the state assert that local polls are possible because: • The federal law which governs the polls was never abolished. This law is the Local Government Elections Act […]
In independence we trust
By Ding Jo-AnnBook on Muslim women no longer banned THE High Court has been demonstrating their ability to be independent over the past few weeks in striking down several decisions by government institutions. On 22 Dec 2009, the High Court censured the police for wrongfully arresting participants of the Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor II (Apcet […]
Appeal Court’s ruling on MACC wrong
By Ragunath KesavanCorrected at 3.40pm on 11 Dec 2009 THE Malaysian Bar is disappointed with the Court of Appeal‘s ruling on 17 Dec 2009 that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) can question witnesses beyond office hours. The decision, which overturns the High Court‘s earlier ruling, is inimical to the protection of witnesses, who have the right to refuse […]
Conversion still a problem
By Deborah LohRemoving the “Islam” label on a MyKAD is not that easy PETALING JAYA, 15 Dec 2009: Despite cabinet announcements about conversions to Islam and proposed legal amendments to allow a Muslim convert to divorce in the civil court, other scenarios arising from conversions are not being addressed. As a result, numerous conversion cases are not […]
Malaysia, the faithless lover
By Ding Jo-AnnWHEN it comes to international human rights obligations, the Malaysian government has behaved like a faithless lover: making promises to the world it never intended to keep. The banning of Sisters in Islam (SIS)’s book Muslim Women and the Challenge of Islamic Extremism, which is now being judicially reviewed in court, is a demonstration of […]
Why no action in Lingam case?
By Koh Jun Lin“The Commissioners find sufficient evidence of misbehaviour on the part of certain individuals or personalities identified or mentioned in the video clip.” “The Commissioners find sufficient cause to invoke the Sedition Act 1948, the Legal Profession Act 1976, the Official Secrets Act 1972 and the Penal Code against the various individuals mentioned in the video […]
Inquest into Teoh’s death tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 July 2009: The inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock will begin tomorrow at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court to determine the cause of death. Teoh, 30, was the political aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. He was found dead on 16 July 2009 on the fifth […]
Group to appeal to Council of Rulers over conversions
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 22 April 2009: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) will appeal to the Council of Rulers to help resolve the unilateral conversions of minors to Islam. The non-Muslim multi-faith group also wants measures to be put in place to prevent the syariah courts from deciding on non-Muslims […]
