Investigating frontpage stories after the Sibu by-election… (© clarita | morguefile.com) (Corrected at 5.55pm, 18 May 2010) THE day after Sibu fell to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in a closely-watched and fought by-election, what kind of frontpage stories greeted Malaysians in the press? With some newspapers relegating the news of the week to a second […]
The Star
Najib’s version of media freedom
“As long as the reports do not run foul of our existing laws, the press is free to report on pretty much anything.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, denying that Malaysia lacked press freedom and saying that such accusations were grossly unfair. Najib said this to journalists and the business fraternity before giving out […]
Friday sermons to Islam’s rescue
“Marilah kita hidup di negara ini dengan hormat-menghormati antara satu sama lain. Budaya ini akan menjamin kesejahteraan dan kebahagiaan. Jika ada pihak lain yang tidak mahu hidup hormat-menghormati, sudah pasti akan berlaku kemungkinan permusuhan, pergaduhan dan pembunuhan yang pastinya kesemua sekali akan rugi negara akan musnah. Hentikanlah menghina Islam, kerana Islam adalah ciptaan Allah.” THE […]
The price of speaking up
(Pic by circo de invierno @ Flickr) CONSIDER this. Despite the available evidence of Al Islam‘s unethical undercover report in which the magazine’s Muslim journalist spat out the holy communion to photograph, no action is going to be taken. The Attorney-General’s Chambers decided this despite the police reports and a memorandum lodged by Catholics about […]
Boon for upholding Islam
“I hope there will be no more issues arising from the caning sentence which can be imposed by the syariah court on Muslim women to protect the sanctity of Islam.” HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, anticipating the public’s questions about the feasibility and fairness of the caning of three Muslim women for “illicit sex”, […]
Flipping on interfaith dialogue (Updated)
Updated 5:35pm, 12 Feb 2010 “There is no reason to be afraid of ideas like [having an interfaith body].” DATUK Seri Rais Yatim, speaking as then culture, arts and heritage minister, when opening a 2005 national conference on establishing an interfaith commission. Rais encouraged everyone to listen to the proposals with an open mind and […]
Tee Keat’s art of war
“The outcome would be clear, the writing would be on the wall. If that happens, then my democratic principle is the whole lot [of us] will have to go, the entire presidential council.” “Once a simple majority is obtained, I will be left with no choice but to step down. Anyone who argues that I […]
Spinning Isa’s victory
Politician speak “The results show that the people have the full confidence in our two leaders. It is also a sign that voters, especially the Chinese and Indian [Malaysians], have now returned to support [the Barisan Nasional (BN)].” “My win is due to a combination of factors. People are now back with BN. They are […]
Bringing talent home
“We must bring the talents home and provide incentives to keep them home.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech at the Mahathir Science Award 2008 and 2009. He said more scientists and innovators were needed, and that Malaysia must identify the reasons for the country’s inability to nurture a bigger pool of […]
Demonising demonstrations
“Demonstrations are done out of desperation and selfishness. The majority of the people are uneasy with such action …The majority of the people are rational and want important and basic matters to be made a priority by the government.” HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, calling the 1 Aug 2009 anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) protest […]
