IS PAS ready for non-threatening, open dialogue with dissenting voices within civil society? The recent resolution by PAS to investigate and possibly ban the women’s rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) suggests that PAS needs a reminder to react democratically to opposing views. This is not an unfamiliar call that civil society and political parties […]
Sisters in Islam
Public petition against PAS resolution
By Deborah LohUpdated 4.30pm on 15 June 2009 PETALING JAYA, 9 June 2009: The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) has launched a petition urging PAS to retract its call for action against Sisters in Islam. Hakam president Malik Imtiaz Ghulam Sarwar described as “disturbing” and “anti-democratic” the resolution adopted at PAS’s 55th muktamar on 7 June for […]
PAS muktamar passes three resolutions
SHAH ALAM, 7 June 2009: The PAS muktamar debated and passed three resolutions on the economy, on judicial integrity and on education. The resolution on the economy called for the government to preserve the interests of Muslim bumiputera entrepreneurs. It declared PAS’s opposition to the liberalisation of 27 service subsectors and the abolishment of the […]
PAS wants Sisters in Islam investigated (Updated 6.30pm)
By Deborah Loh and Shanon ShahUpdated 6.30pm on 7 June 2009 Documentation of PAS’s resolution on Sisters in Islam SHAH ALAM, 7 June 2009: Sisters in Islam (SIS) should be investigated and declared “haram” if it is found to be anti-Islam, the 55th PAS muktamar declared today. The Islamist political party also said SIS members should undergo religious rehabilitation should […]
SIS seeks judicial review over book ban
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 May 2009: The High Court (Appeals and Special Powers Division) today heard an application by Sisters in Islam (SIS) Forum (Malaysia) for a judicial review over the banning of a book since 2008. Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who represented SIS, submitted that the court should overturn the ban order issued by the […]
Islam and rule of law under Najib
By Zedeck Siew(al-Quran image by Crystalina @ Flickr; gavel image by mrbill @ Flickr; Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) NEW Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak begins his administration with significant negative perception, as compared with previous power transitions. He realises this, and seems to be taking steps to counteract it, making symbolic gestures and speaking the […]
Agitating Malay Muslims
By Shanon ShahOVER the past year, several Malay-Muslim groups have been in the headlines. From lawsuits filed against the DAP’s Teresa Kok for allegedly insulting Islam, to campaigns responding to the crisis in Gaza, the defence of Islam and Malay rights has occuppied the national attention, sometimes in frightening ways. Just what are these groups about? What […]
