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Threatened protest at Klang church blossoms into flowers of solidarity

1334: “Okay, nak balik, tamatlah kisah cinta di pagi Ahad,” says the Muslim who has turned up to express solidarity. Once again, the tables have been turned, and the Muslims who have stepped forward to express solidarity with the Christians have given us real hope of an alternative, more inclusive vision for the future, in which the children of the light will overcome those of darkness.

1333: The priest says it is a historic day and thanks everyone who has come including the police. The large turnout this morning has made it almost like the attendance at Christmas. He mentions something about “kebebasan menyembah tuhan”, which sounds more poetic than freedom to worship, notes an observer at the scene. “You know, Malay is such a beautiful language, fit for any faith,” adds the observer.

The large turnout at the Malay-language service

PM must speak out now, says Aliran

Aliran president Dr Francis Loh has issued an urgent statement calling on Prime Minister Najib Razak to speak out now on the worsening tensions between certain Muslim groups and Christians over the use of the word Allah.

Tanjung Bungah Beach erosion worsens

Blog correspondent Michael Maguire reports on the the latest status of the erosion at the Tanjung Bungah Beach. Questions must now be asked as to the source of this erosion. Is it land reclamation (or some other factor?) and if so, what will happen when there is further land reclamation?

Francis chooses simpler transport options

Some leaders (and their spouses) prefer plush exclusive private jets for travel; other leaders have a weakness for luxury cars. But Francis, the Bishop of Rome, serious about reaching out to the poor, ‘downgraded’ to a five-year-old blue Ford Focus as his choice of official car.

Leadership by example - Photograph: Daily Mail
Leadership by example – Photograph: Daily Mail

Will price hikes dampen demand for street food?

Will the Barang Naik phenomenon result in fewer people patronising street food – and turning to healthier home-cooked food at home instead (but even home-cooked food is getting expensive as a cursory glance at prices at the wet market will confirm)?

Or will the higher-end restaurants be the ones that suffer if their customers desert them and turn to cheaper street food options?

One reason for the hike in food prices is that Malaysia does not have self-sufficiency in our basic food supply. We are too busy building expensive condos and houses instead of providing our people with affordable food.

Malacca monorail leaves visitors stranded on Boxing Day

In case you missed it, tourists had to be brought down using a skylift when the 1.6km Malacca monorail encountered a “technical problem” – yet again.

Oh no, not again
Oh no, not again – Photograph: Muhammad Hatim Ab Manan/NST

A pavement in Ipoh

Blog visitor Kevin sent in this photo of a pedestrian pavement in Ipoh. Not perfect, the idea is there. But still see what look like obstructions in the path that might hinder wheelchair movement.

Photograph: Kevin
Photograph: Kevin

Mujahid responds to Jais’ raid on Bible Society of Malaysia

Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa has responded to the raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia yesterday by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) yesterday.

Mysterious City of Dreams emerges in Penang

A new high-end exclusive condo project, City of Dreams, has set tongues wagging in the property scene while raising several issues that require clarification.

city of dreams emerges

Terrible traffic conditions, says visitor

A visitor to this blog, Tourist from Munich , had some scathing comments about the traffic situation here.

Here’s an example: