News from Home, World and the Vatican

News selected by Catholic Lawyers Society Kuala Lumpur (CLS) for Catholics in Malaysia concerned about social justice and peace.

Includes CLS Internal News | CLS in the News | CLS Press Statements

CIJ: State Should Stop Fueling Tensions Over Bersih Rally

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the state in not only repudiating Bersih 2.0 organisers and supporters’ right to assemble peaceably but more dangerously, in actively drumming up public antipathy against the Bersih rally and its organisers through the mainstream media, almost all of which is under state control.

Most recently, Prime Minister Najib Razak has even tried to put the blame on Bersih organisers for any chaos arising from the planned rally on 9 July 2011, which will also see two counter-rallies. Read more »

Sisters in Islam: On Bersih 2.0

Sisters in Islam (SIS) supports Bersih 2.0 and its call for electoral reforms.

As part of Malaysian civil society working towards justice, equality and the upholding of democratic principles, we stand by Bersih 2.0’s eight immediate demands as outlined in its manifesto, including free and fair access to media and a stop to dirty politics. Read more »

Bersih: Najib Needs To Protect Human Rights

The Prime Minister of Malaysia’s first and foremost duty is to protect the welfare and human rights of all Malaysians.

In light of this, Bersih 2.0 is deeply saddened and disappointed by YAB Najib Razak’s declaration that supporters of the Bersih 2.0 rally are to be held responsible should chaos ensue on the 9th of July. Read more »

Don: Cop's Bersih Ban Is Against Constitution

Renowned constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari, hit out at the cops for their unilateral banning of the Bersih 2.0 rally planned for July 9, pointing out that the police crackdown on the gathering is not only illegal but unconstitutional.

"They have acted illegally because they have publicly stated that they are not going to issue a permit. As a public authority they can only make a decision after an application has been made," the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer told Malaysiakini. Read more »

Malaysian Bar Press Release: Respect The Right For Clean And Peaceful Walk

Much has been said about the proposed BERSIH 2.0 rally calling for a clean and fair electoral process. This is scheduled to take place on 9 July 2011. Other groups have also announced their own plans for a rally to take place on the same day.

Police reports have been lodged against BERSIH 2.0 opposing the rally, and there have been calls to arrest the organisers of the BERSIH 2.0 march under the Internal Security Act 1960. Read more »

Minister: No Apostates, Just Registration Errors

Minister in the prime minister's department Jamil Khir Baharom today explained that the more than 100 applicants who managed to renounce Islam were actually non-Muslims themselves.

The approved cases involved non-Muslims who were mistakenly registered as Muslims by the National Registration Department because of their names, Jamil Khir said. Read more »

Bersih Press statement: Launch of Perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) believes that a working democracy is built upon the foundation of clean, free and fair elections.

Therefore, the role of the Election Commission (EC) in conducting elections with integrity and impartiality is crucial in the democratisation of the nation.

The electoral system of this country is marred with irregularities, electoral offences and rampant abuse of powers. As the EC has not made any marked efforts in initiating changes towards a clean and fair electoral system, BERSIH 2.0 has decided to organise a rally to intensify pressure in light of the upcoming 13th General Elections. Read more »

Catholic Entertainment: STM - The Musical

So why is everyone getting excited over this Musical? What’s the big deal?

Is it because :
1.  It’s the FIRST fully homegrown Musical on our patron saint, St Thomas More?
2.  It features the talents from among our own BEC children, youth and adults?
3.  It has taken a year long journey as we waited for the Opening of our Church? Read more »

MCCBCHST: Scholarships - GAPS Position In Conflict With Constitution

GAPS (Gagasan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor) President Hamidah Khairuddin has been reported to have said recently that only Malays and Bumiputras have the right to receive Government Scholarship and Federal Constitution says that only Malays and Bumiputras have the right to receive a Scholarship. This position of GAPS is untenable as shown below.

The only provision relating to special position of Malays in the Federal Constitution relating to Scholarship is Article 153. Read more »

Catholic Movie Review: 'The Rite' - Now On DVD

Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) has always been "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." (Isaiah 53:3) The only son of a Chicago funeral director, Itsvan Kovak (Rutger Haer) Michael lived literally down the hall from death his entire life.

Unlike most young men who never experience death close hand, Michael is steeped in it, preparing bodies for burial with his father. As a young boy, Michael is coaxed by his father into helping prepare the corpse of his mother, by gently blowing on the red fingernail polish his father applies as he lovingly prepared her body, while whispering endearments into her ear. The image is forever seared into his memory, tainting his adulthood with a lack of faith and a sense of detachment. Read more »

Pope Says Moses Mediated For Israel As Christ Mediated For Mankind

Moses was willing to sacrifice himself to God for the sins of the people of Israel, just as Jesus Christ later sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said.

In his weekly audience June 1 in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict said that the intercession of Moses, in which he asked God's forgiveness on behalf of others, invites Christians to recognize their sins and be saved through God's mercy. Read more »

Shakespeare Was Probably Catholic, Says Archbishop Of Canterbury

William Shakespeare was probably a Catholic, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury in an exploration of spirituality and secularism in the Bard's plays.

Dr Rowan Williams discussed the themes with Simon Russell Beale, the great Shakespearean actor, in one of the most eagerly-anticipated talks of the festival. Read more »

Algerian Christian Sentenced To Prison After Sharing Faith With Neighbor

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that an Algerian Christian was sentenced to five years imprisonment for blasphemy in Oran on Wednesday after sharing his Christian faith with a neighbor.

The verdict came days after authorities forced the permanent closure of seven Protestant churches in Algeria's Béjaia province. Read more »

Australia Blocks Push For 'Moderate' Sharia Law

Australia Tuesday blocked a call from a leading Muslim group for the introduction of a non-extremist version of sharia law, saying local legislation would always win in any clash of cultural values.

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils had urged the government to consider “legal pluralism” for Muslims in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into a new policy on multiculturalism. Read more »

Uganda: Priests Charged With Incitement Against Government

Two Catholic priests in northern Uganda have defied orders requiring them to appear before the police over alleged criticism of the government in their preaching.

Father Nakary Adiga and Father Caesar Dralenga, who serve at Christ the King Church in the Arua diocese, have been accused of “hiding behind the altar” to attack the government. The orders were issued last week, requiring the priests to answer charges of incitement against the government, especially during their Sunday sermons. Read more »

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