Govt lifts ban on Herald’s Malay supplement, but…

 Christianity, Ethnic and inter-religious relations, Human rights, Media  13 Responses »
Jan 082009
 

The government has reversed its short-lived ban on the Herald’s Malay language supplement – but the weekly Catholic tabloid will still not be able to use the term “Allah” pending a court decision on the matter. The decision was verbally conveyed by the Home Ministry to the Catholic Church today and a letter is expected to reach the Church tomorrow. But three other conditions are likely to remain: a ban on the use of three other terms that are also used in Islam; a ban on the sale of the paper outside church premises (which is unnecessary as the paper is only sold or distributed in churches across the country); and a requirement that the front page should indicate that the paper is for non-Muslims only (which is again redundant as the paper is sold only in churches, and the masthead already indicates that it is a Catholic weekly.

How about helping the poor at home first, Najib?

 Development issues, Economy, Ethnic and inter-religious relations, M'sian politics, Marginalised groups, Poverty  37 Responses »
Dec 272008
 

According to Najib, the government is willing to help Malays advance in other countries where they are a minority. He said this when opening the the Malay World Muslim World (DMDI) forum’s ninth convention on 23 December, reports Malaysiakini. The deputy premier said ethnic Malays in the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Cambodia, South Africa and southern Thailand could be assisted. What would have been the reaction if the deputy premier of India and the vice premier of China had offered to help the ethnic Indians and ethnic Chinese respectively in the various countries of South-East Asia? Wouldn’t the governments of this region have asked them to butt out, citing foreign interference in domestic affairs?

Prayers to mark Makkal Sakthi awakening

 Development issues, Ethnic and inter-religious relations, Marginalised groups  10 Responses »
Nov 252008
 
Prayers to mark Makkal Sakthi awakening

This was the scene at the Sree Ganeshar Temple along Waterfall Road in Penang at around 7.00pm. About 50 people gathered for prayers to commemorate the first anniversary of the Makkal Sakthi (People Power) awakening. On 25 November last year, some 30,000 Indian Malaysians rallied in downtown KL to highlight their plight.

More power-sharing, stronger opposition in M’sia: PERC

 Development issues, Economy, Ethnic and inter-religious relations, M'sian politics  9 Responses »
Oct 292008
 

The Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd (Perc) has come up with its Asian Risk Prospects for 2009. It has identified India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia as high-risk countries for 2008/09. This is what its Executive Summary is saying about Malaysia for 2009. 2008-10-28 15:37 Malaysia political struggle is aggravating long-standing racial and religious sensitivities. Although the odds favor the UMNO-led coalition staving off an attack by the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim, the status quo is changing in ways that will see a stronger political opposition than in the past and UMNO forced to share more power with non-Malay groups, including parties from Sabah and Sarawak. This sharing will both give the other partners in the ruling coalition more senior political posts and ensure that they get a larger share of the budget. I am not quite sure if it’s the “political struggle” that is aggravating racial [Read more]

Penang’s a happening place!

 Accountability, Christianity, Civil society, Democracy, Development issues, Ethnic and inter-religious relations, Human rights, Islam  8 Responses »
Oct 252008
 

It’s all happening here in Penang in the coming days: Sunday, 25 October Noon: Himanshu Bhatt on the meaning of Deepavali in Penang’s dim and distant past Venue: Upper Penang Road ———- 2.00-3.30pm: Kee Thuan Chye reads from his latest book “March 8: The day Malaysia woke up” Venue: Upper Penang Road. ———— 10.00am-3.00pm: Exhibition on people’s movements pre- and post-Independence 3.00-5.00pm: Forum Venue: Caring Society Complex Organisers: Persatuan Persahabatan Abad Ke-21 Malaysia, Persatuan Kawan Karib Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Persahabatan Phoenix Malaysia and Suaram. Tuesday, 28 October 8.00pm – Mass for Justice and Peace in our land, including prayers for the release of all ISA detainees and the repeal of the ISA Venue: (Catholic) Church of the Nativity, Butterworth (next to Sikh temple), about 1km from ferry terminal.

Page 20 of 28« First...10...1819202122...Last »