Map of Malaya (Source: britishempire.co.uk) LOOKING forward, at the conclusion of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka’s recent Prof Syed Hussein Alatas Memorial Seminar, to Merdeka Day, the Raja Muda of Perak recalled another anniversary. On the threshold of independence on 5 Aug 1957, the Malay rulers issued a declaration, their last political testament before the […]
Federal Constitution
What happens under arrest
Corrected at 8:45pm, 11 Aug 2009 SIVARASA Rasiah was a human rights lawyer before he entered politics and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Subang in the March 2008 general election. Hence, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president is no stranger to the criminal justice system — and to being arrested himself. On 1 […]
“All must be Muslim for Syariah Court to have jurisdiction”
SHAH ALAM, 30 June 2009: Provisions in the Federal Constitution and the Islamic laws of Selangor clearly state that all parties to a dispute must be Muslim in order for proceedings to be held in the Syariah Court, the High Court here was told today. Lawyer K Shanmuga, who is representing the family of deceased […]
“Syariah court’s jurisdiction only over Muslims”
Shanmuga (left) and Rajesh SHAH ALAM, 19 June 2009: The religious status of deceased film director Mohan Singh must be heard in the civil court based on the most recent court judgements about the syariah court’s jurisdiction and position, the High Court here heard. Rajesh Kumar, the lawyer for Mohan’s family, told the High Court, […]
PKR’s Zulkifli slams Gurdwara Council
PETALING JAYA, 4 June 2009: PKR parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin has slammed the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council for its statement criticising the syariah courts. “What people like (Malaysian Gurdwaras Council president) Jagir Singh need to do is to start learning to respect decisions of the Syariah Court, even if it is not in one’s favour,” said Zulkifli […]
Proposal to EC on Perak crisis
ON 18 April 2009, I sent in several proposals to the Election Commission on amending election law. One of these concerned amending Article 48(6) of the Federal Constitution so that an assemblyperson who wishes to change allegiance to another party can resign and hold a by-election. Article 48(6) of the Federal Constitution states: “A person […]
Committee to monitor constitutional issues
PETALING JAYA, 22 April 2009: The Bar Council has formed a constitutional law committee to keep tabs on pressing federal and state-level constitutional issues. Bon (Courtesy of Edmund Bon)Committee chairperson Edmund Bon explained that the Bar Council was prompted to form the committee in light of several events in the past year. He cited the […]
Amend law to stop unilateral conversion of children
PETALING JAYA, 21 April 2009: The DAP wants the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 amended to provide for a civil marriage to be dissolved first upon conversion of one spouse to Islam. This is the only solution against unilateral conversions by one spouse of his or her children to Islam, said DAP Sungkai […]
Blog launches petition against Najib
PETALING JAYA, 25 March 2009: The People’s Parliament has launched an online petition for Malaysians who want to indicate that they do not have confidence in Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the next prime minister. The petition is a way for constituents to direct their Members of Parliament (MPs) to demand for a Royal Commission […]
Media freedom should not be constrained
WITH reference to the recent three-month suspension on Harakah and Suara Keadilan, Kedah Gerakan Youth feels there is a serious need to consider amendments to the Printing Presses &and Publication Act 1984 (PPPA) so as not to affect the media freedom in the country. Kedah Gerakan Youth believes there are sufficient civil laws in our […]
