Social order & special needs

The Malaysian Bar cautiously welcomes the announcement earlier this week of the formation of a “Jawatankuasa Pendengaran” (“the committee”) to resolve the controversy surrounding the raid undertaken by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (“JAIS”) on a multi-faith community thanksgiving event held at Damansara Utama Methodist Church (“DUMC”) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, recently.

According to media reports, the committee will be headed by the Menteri Besar of Selangor, with the Mufti of Selangor and his deputy as members. Read more »

Malay language daily Sinar Harian today apologised for publishing an information text box accusing the 'Christian movement' of, among others, permitting prostitution and encouraging free mingling between the sexes.

The apology issued by the management and editorial department of Sinar Harian was published on page 8 of today's issue. Read more »

Muhamad Hj Burok, the lawyer representing the 12 Muslims who were present at a Thanksgiving Dinner held at Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on Aug 3, has called on all to stop harassing his clients.

Muhammad in his press statement said that, “this unfortunate controversy is being fanned in various print and electronic media including blogs in a manner that incites tension amongst Malaysians.” Read more »

Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan said the "nonsense about Christianity that it encourages free sex and permits prostitution" which appeared in a column in a Malay newspaper today was "symptomatic of the existing gulf in understanding between nominal Muslims and other religions in Malaysia."

"Now, I'm not going to call for a ban on that publication which I understand tends to express on occasion liberal views on politics," said the head of the diocese of Melaka-Johor in an immediate response to Malaysiakini which carried news of the Sinar Harian report. Read more »

BERSIH 2.0 is disappointed at the on-going display of arrogance by the ministers of our country in negotiating the terms of reference and composition of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reform.

We remind the leaders of the nation that as representatives elected by citizens of Malaysia, they should humbly listen to the voices of the people and act as the people wills them. Read more »

The Selangor state government today said it will set up a syura, or consultative council, to “resolve” the controversial raid by the Selangor state Islamic department (Jais) on a church in Petaling Jaya earlier this month.

Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said the three-member council will include state mufti Tamyes Abdul Wahid, his deputy Abdul Majid Omar and Khalid himself. Read more »

Right-wing Malay rights group Perkasa today expressed regret over Malay leaders from various parties who are "starving" for Christian votes to the extent of "selling the dignity of Islam".

This was apparent from Malay leaders of Umno, PAS and PKR choosing to remain silent on various issues pertaining to Islam, including the raid on a church in Petaling Jaya earlier this month over claims of proselytising Muslims, Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said. Read more »

This posting was extracted from the blog of KITA president, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Someone asked me if there is a power struggle going on in UMNO right now. I said no, only in the Cabinet.

This poser was perhaps brought about by the way Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has skilfully contradicted Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak on several important issues. Read more »

PAS' women's wing will organise a protest together with other women non-governmental organisations if the authorities do not take immediate action on allegations that women activists had been assaulted, mistreated and denied their rights while in police custody.

In a tersely-worded statement issued today, the wing also demanded that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and inspector-general of police Ismail Omar apologise for the incident for the “kebiadaan” (ill-bred conduct) of the police personnel involved. Read more »