Open-ended vs. close-ended democracy?
syariah law
Kartika’s protest
By Jacqueline Ann Surin
ONE thing is really clear about Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor in the video Mencari Kartika, produced and directed by Norhayati Kaprawi: Kartika, who was sentenced to be whipped, fined and imprisoned for drinking beer because she was a Muslim, was angry at the syariah system that had sentenced her. It is a startling revelation, because […]
Who speaks for Islam?
By Deborah LohCAN non-Muslims speak about Islam? For that matter, can faithful, practising but non-scholarly Muslims, or Muslim women, or Muslim human rights activists, speak about Islam? As long as the fundamentals of Islam are given due respect, can’t there be room for comment or to express concern about aspects in the implementation of Islamic law, which, […]
Lessons from Manohara
By Deborah LohBeware the big bad wolf (Ralf Kraft / Dreamstime) BACK in May and June this year, the story of Indonesian teen model Manohara Odelia Pinot and her escape from her Kelantanese prince husband dominated headlines for its sensationalism and high drama. Who could resist a real-life soap opera with allegations of mental and physical abuse […]
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 […]
Islamic vs liberal values
By Zedeck Siew“MALAYSIAN society is faced with a collision of values,” says new Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) president Muhamad Razak Idris. “There are two elements in this conflict. First, the rise of commitment to living according to Islamic religious values. Second, the increasing influence of liberal ideas, due to globalisation.” Razak, a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan […]
The politics of Penanti
Translation by Shanon ShahAMONG the main concerns of the Malay-language press from the week of 20 to 26 April 2009 were the Penanti by-election, Islamic laws, and defending the monarchy. On 20 April, Utusan Malaysia‘s Hassan Mohd Noor said in his Selak column that the resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as Penanti state assemblyperson was no surprise. In […]
Judiciary to resolve conflict of civil, syariah laws, says CJ
PUTRAJAYA, 18 Nov 2008: The institution of the judiciary will seek ways to resolve the conflict between civil and syariah laws to avert any misinterpretation, Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi said today. A solution must be found because many more cases pertaining to syariah laws are expected to be heard in the civil […]
