There have been renewed calls for Sabah and Sarawak to assert its interests and rights within the federation of Malaysia. These calls have even included proposals to consider secession. The Nut Graph finds out what’s behind these calls and whether secession by any state in the federation would even be possible.
Federal Constitution
Inequality in the name of Islam
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
THE problem with the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 wasn’t just that it was “unfair” to non-Muslims or controversial. The reason it has no place in Malaysia is that the bill entrenches inequalities and does so in the name of Islam.
Some light in Malaysia’s human rights tunnel
Holding Court by Ding Jo-AnnAt no other time does Malaysian civil society need to push harder than ever for greater recognition of human rights in our country. For despite piecemeal reforms and an impotent Asean Human Rights Declaration signed recently, these grudging steps are indications that Malaysia is moving, albeit slowly, towards a more open democracy.
What are the Islamic authorities up to?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
CAN Islamic authorities raid churches and bookstores even though they are non-Muslim entities and summon non-Muslims for questioning? Does the syariah court have jurisdiction the moment Islam or a Muslim is involved? Ding Jo-Ann examines the constitutional issues.
Seksualiti Merdeka: Threat to national security?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
ON 1 March 2012, the High Court dismissed Seksualiti Merdeka‘s leave application to judicially review a police ban on their annual festival. The November 2011 festival was banned under section 27A(1)(c) of the Police Act. The section (since superseded by the Peaceful Assembly Act) allowed the police to stop any activity on private premises “likely […]
Who needs a Race Relations Act?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
SO it would seem Malaysians can look forward to having yet another piece of legislation in their lives in the brand new year of 2012. This time around, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government has promised it will introduce a Race Relations Bill, to be tabled in Parliament in March. The Race Relations Bill, according to […]
Bersih 2.0: “Illegal”, chaos-causing “communists”?
By Gan Pei Ling
Waging war against the king. In cahoots with foreign conspirators. Possible communists. Planning to overthrow the government. Illegal T-shirts. Bersih 2.0 seems to embody many evils to the authorities, who have arrested more than 100 in attempts to stop Bersih’s 9 July 2011 march. But have the authorities gone overboard in demonising the rally? What about Malaysians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and right to peaceable assembly?
Pluralism and public policy
Sideways by Deborah Loh
WHAT’S wrong with a Muslim saying that religious pluralism is harmful to Muslims? Or for a believer of any faith to say that his or her religion is the true one? Or even for an atheist to be adamant that there is no God? Nothing. As personal statements of belief, most persons of faith would […]
Siapa Melayu?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
IF it is true that Malay-rights group Perkasa was able to sabotage the government’s New Economic Model, hence obstructing much-needed reforms for the nation, what is this telling us? It tells us that if the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is so easily held ransom by right-wing race-based groups, it is not fit to govern multiracial […]
Promoting the constitution = seditious?
By Ding Jo-AnnA POLICE report was lodged recently by a society, of which the prime minister is the patron, against the Bar Council’s MyConstitution campaign. The society said the MyConstitution booklets were “seditious” because it explained how the constitution could be amended. But doesn’t the constitution expressly state that it can be amended? And since when did educating the public about the constitution constitute a crime?
