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.
Muhyiddin Yassin
Bila fatwa jadi bahan nista dan ketawa
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
FATWA yang dianggap suci semakin menjadi bahan nista dan ketawa. Pendapat ulama serta undang-undang yang dibuat oleh para agamawan kerap menjadi kontroversi dan pengharaman bermacam-macam perkara kerap juga buat orang geleng kepala. Apakah sejarah pembentukan fatwa dalam Islam, sebenarnya?
Why I don’t want to vote for the BN
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
IF only voting were easy. For one thing, I’m still waiting for the Election Commission (EC) secretariat to tell me why my absent voter application was rejected. If the EC eventually approves my application — or if the elections coincide with my summer research at home — and if intra-party seat allocations don’t change, I’ll […]
When will Taib really go?
By Ding Jo-Ann
IN the lead-up to the Sarawak elections, the prime minister and his deputy went all out to convince voters that Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would step down after the state election because he was “ready”. But what does “after” and “ready” really mean? Is it “someday” as the deputy prime minister has stated or in “two to three years” as Taib has claimed? Clearly, vague rhetoric is useful for politicians to keep their options open especially now that the Barisan Nasional has again secured its two-thirds majority in the state assembly.
In defence of diversity
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
WHAT comes to mind when Malaysia‘s political leaders declare that Malaysia’s strength lies in its diversity? Do we believe the claim that is being made? And if yes, do we believe that they too, believe in these pronouncements they make and that they will do anything to defend Malaysia’s diversity? There is ample evidence that […]
The many forms of vote-buying
By Gan Pei Ling
ARE transportation reimbursements, alms for the poor, land titles and welfare allocations given during a by-election just different forms of inducement? Even PAS is not exempt from the very thing it accuses the Barisan Nasional of. Perhaps the only difference is which party the Election Commission dismisses.
Poverty and politics: The Orang Asli vote in Galas
By Gan Pei Ling
ORANG Asli votes are seen together with the Chinese Malaysian votes as capable of determining the Galas by-election results on 4 Nov 2010. But unlike the Chinese, the Orang Asli are likely to pose a tough challenge to the PAS campaign. With close to 1,900 registered voters in the Galas constituency, they make up around […]
History a pass subject, but whose version?
By Ding Jo-AnnAt Umno’s recent 61st general assembly, the prime minister advised the nation to stop questioning Malaysia’s “social contract”. This was swiftly followed a clearly political decision requiring SPM takers to pass History from 2013. But whose version of history will this be?
Restricting indigenous rights
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
IN the upcoming Galas by-election, Umno is expected to harp on “Ladang Rakyat”, a PAS state government development project that has reportedly benefited a private company over the rights of settlers. While Umno is championing the land rights of Malay Malaysian settlers, however, the Orang Asli remain one of the most impoverished communities under the […]
MCA speaks loudly, but will anybody listen?
By Deborah Loh
IN the almost six months since being elected MCA president following bitter infighting, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has marshalled the party rank-and-file to begin reclaiming the Chinese Malaysian vote. How is he attempting to do this? Chua believes that a more outspoken MCA, which shows it won’t cower under Umno’s shadow, is one […]
