“The issuance of a licence to legalise sports betting is no longer an issue as a decision has been made. We always listen to the people’s wishes and put their interests above all.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, declaring after an Umno supreme council meeting that the government would not legalise sports betting. The […]
Kartika
Najib on caning: Who’s listening?
By Ding Jo-Ann“Islam is a religion of compassion and mercy. It is not about corporal punishment. That is the last resort. “That’s how it should be practised. We must not go overboard.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak commenting on the sentencing of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno in July 2009 to six cane strokes after she pleaded […]
The Islamic state we deserve?
By Shanon ShahON 9 Feb 2010, history was made in Malaysia when three Muslim women were caned at Kajang prison for “illicit sex”, a syariah offence. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the caning was done according to the law, and claimed it “did not result in any wound on [the women’s] bodies”. Hishammuddin must have […]
The madness of 2009
By Deborah LohTHE year 2009 has been a breathless one of political upheaval. But as we sift through the year’s events, we ask, which were the ones that really mattered? Which events indicate if democracy and political maturity are improving? Which tell us things are becoming worse? The Nut Graph offers its take on 10 highlights of […]
Sebat Kartika: Antara akta, aqidah dan akal
Oleh Juana JaafarKES Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno yang disabit bersalah kerana meminum arak telah menimbulkan pelbagai reaksi di kalangan umat Islam di Malaysia. Merujuk kepada artikel-artikel terbitan akhbar arus perdana khususnya, ramai yang menyokong hukuman maksima yang diputuskan oleh Mahkamah Syariah Pahang terhadap Kartika iaitu denda sebanyak RM5,000 dan enam kali sebatan. Walaubagaimanapun, terdapat juga pihak-pihak lain […]
SIS critics using police
By Ding Jo-AnnPETALING JAYA, 5 Nov 2009: The police are now being used to silence the views of groups like Sisters in Islam (SIS) following the lodging of multiple reports against the women’s rights group. SIS programme manager Masjaliza Hamzah said that to date, what is believed to be more than 50 police reports have been lodged […]
Isu Kartika: Cabaran pemimpin menterjemah keadilan
Oleh Norhayati KaprawiBISMILLAHIR Rahmannir Rahim. Dengan nama Allah yang Maha Pengasih lagi Maha Penyayang. Rahman dan Rahim. Dua dari 99 nama Tuhan yang sentiasa disebut oleh umat Islam. Allah mahu kita semua ingat dua sifat ini, lebih dari yang lainnya. Namun, nampaknya sifat Allah yang Maha Pengasih lagi Maha Penyayang ini yang sering dilupakan dan tidak dijiwai […]
Allow open discussion on Kartika case
By Datuk Ambiga SreenevasanIn the past, lawyers were largely at the forefront of such criticisms. However, with the information age and globalisation, there is a rising tide of awareness among the public in Malaysia. It is heartening to see the public join in the outcry against injustice and unjust laws. It is stimulating to read arguments for and […]
Whipping Kartika
By Deborah LohTHE Pahang Syariah High Court‘s sentencing of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to whipping and a RM5,000 fine for drinking beer has thrown up all kinds of issues. As pointed out by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) in a 25 Aug 2009 memorandum to the prime minister, “the implementation of these [syariah] laws […]
Islam kejam atau Islam rahmah?
Oleh Norhayati KaprawiSEBAGAI seorang Islam, saya tertanya-tanya wajah Islam bagaimanakah yang Malaysia mahukan? Negara Islam, Islam madani, Islam hadari, atau Islam “hududi”? Apa pun jenamanya, tentu yang kita mahukan adalah Islam yang adil, rahmah, berihsan, penyayang, mesra kepada orang perempuan, prihatin terhadap orang yang kurang bernasib baik, dan Islam yang sentiasa bersangka baik pada manusia. Akan tetapi, […]