Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #72
Posted by Kit in Bakri Musa, globalisation on Monday, 4 July 2011, 9:32 am
Chapter 9: Islam in Malay Life
Authoritative Versus Authoritarian Ulamas and Scholars
Then there are such irrelevant issues as who can and cannot partake in these debates. There are those ulamas and scholars who feel that only they are qualified enough to partake in such heavy issues. There rest need merely follow their dictates. They are not so much authoritative as much as authoritarian, to use Khalid El Fadl’s words.
It reminds me of the bad old days of imperious doctors who behave like Gods; their utterances and decisions cannot be challenged, least of all by the laity. Thank God, those days are gone. Today physicians fully engage their patients and they in turn participate fully in decisions affecting themselves. The seeking of second and alternate opinions is now standard practice.
Take the issue of Islamic scholars, another very contentious one. Much of the confusion and the ensuing controversies revolve around the different meanings of basic terms. I can best illustrate this by using the example of surgical scholars. In the academic department I was once associated with, among my colleagues were a veterinary doctor, a biochemist, and an engineer. In standing, pay and prestige, these professors of surgery were no different from the other “operating” professors of Read the rest of this entry »
King’s concern most welcome – call on Najib to meet with Bersih organisers as the first positive government response to popular concerns for free and fair elections
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Najib Razak on Monday, 4 July 2011, 9:28 am
The Yang di Pertuan Agong’s concern over the “binge of madness” in the country arising from the July 9 Bersih 2.0 peaceful rally for free, fair and clean general elections is most appropriate and welcome.
Lets not doubt the loyalty and patriotism of Malaysians who want to see free and fair general elections – which is the highest form of love, loyalty and patriotism to Malaysia.
As a first positive step in response to the Yang di Pertuan Agong’s concern and call that Malaysia must always conduct itself as “a civilised society” grounded on consultations with all stakeholders in the country, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should meet with Bersih organisers to address legitimate nation-wide concerns about free and fair elections which could be fully taken account in the forthcoming 13th General Elections. Read the rest of this entry »
Veto the Bersih ban, Mr PM
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Thomas Lee on Monday, 4 July 2011, 8:37 am
by Thomas Lee Seng Hock
Malaysiakini
Jul 3, 11
COMMENT
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has been declared an illegal organisation effective 1 July 2011.
A statement issued by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) says that the declaration was made by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (right) under Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966.
According to the ROS statement, Bersih is not a registered organisation.
The statement claims that Bersih has been actively creating confusion and causing anxiety among the people.
It says that Bersih has been distributing handbills containing propaganda aimed at toppling the BN federal government.
The ROS statement says that Bersih has undermined the nation’s sovereignty and disrupted the harmonious environment among the country’s multi-racial population, and also caused disrepute to the country’s image, and is a threat to public order, security, and economic development and prosperity.
Bersih had earlier announced plans to hold rallies in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak on July 9 to mobilise concerned citizens to demand for a clean, fair and transparent electoral process. Read the rest of this entry »
What Is This Country Coming To?
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Kee Thuan Chye on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 6:55 pm
by Kee Thuan Chye
Malaysian Digest
01 July 2011
WHAT is this country coming to? Many Malaysians are asking this question in view of the numerous actions taken by the police over the past week.
First, they arrested 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including MP for Sungai Siput Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, and are now investigating them for resurrecting Communism and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. While on their way to a Bersih roadshow in Penang, they were arrested in Kepala Batas and found to have in their possession T-shirts bearing faces of Chin Peng and Rashid Maidin. They have been remanded for seven days.
Communism? That’s crazy talk. Read the rest of this entry »
Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Hishammuddin, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 5:21 pm
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini
The PM, Najib Abdul Razak, should overrule Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and lift the ban on Bersih said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang.
He said in a statement today the three grounds given for the ban under the Societies Act do not stand scrutiny and will only expose the government and country to public disdain and international scorn.
Bersih is not guilty of the first ground, “Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country,” he added. Read the rest of this entry »
Bakri MP, 5 others held over yellow gotong-royong T-shirts
By Clara Chooi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
JOHOR BARU, July 3 — Six DAP members, including Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, were hauled up by the police this morning during a gotong-royong exercise, on suspicion that it was part of the now-outlawed Bersih 2.0’s activities.
The six, wearing yellow T-shirts bearing designs different from that of the Bersih 2.0 logo, were picked up at the Taman Pelangi market as they were distributing leaflets to the public.
Despite trying to explain to the cops that their walkabout this morning was part of a community cleanliness campaign themed “Negara Bersih, Rakyat Bertuah”, they were still hauled up to the Taman Pelangi police station. Read the rest of this entry »
LKS backs Sabah Speaker on education autonomy
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang voiced support for Sabah Speaker Salleh Said’s call for the state education department to be given more power and autonomy.
Salleh had said reportedly said that many school buildings in Sabah are in a state of disrepair and educational projects are carried out only haphazardly due to the need to refer even simple matters to the education ministry headquarters in Putrajaya.
This, said the speaker, was jeopardising the government’s efforts in developing education in Sabah. Read the rest of this entry »
Patriot and Bersih: A tale of two rallies
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Human Rights, Perkasa on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 5:00 pm
By Hazlan Zakaria
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini
COMMENT Growing up, Charles Dickens was my favourite author.
He still is.
His stories are exciting, insightful, witty and rich of sobering social commentary.
His tales tell of the wealthy and poor alike, of the arrogant all-powerful and the disenfranchised powerless.
But for all his seriousness, he had a great sense of humour, if a little moribund. Nothing perhaps illustrates his dry tongue-in-cheekiness than the first paragraph of one of his most revered classic, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on it being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Najib should overrule Hishammudin and lift the ban on Bersih as the three grounds given for the ban do not stand scrutiny
Posted by Kit in Hishammuddin, Najib Razak, Perkasa, Police, UMNO on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 1:10 pm
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should overrule the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and lift the ban on Bersih as the three grounds given for the ban under the Societies Act do not stand scrutiny and will only expose the government and country to public disdain and international scorn.
For instance, the first ground – “Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country”.
Bersih is not guilty of this charge. Those guilty are Perkasa and Umno Youth, with the former even threatening another May 13 with warning to the Chinese to stay indoors and to stock up food and UMNO Youth in front of PKR headquarters threatening violence and chaos. Why have Hishammuddin acted against Bersih the innocent party while done nothing to the culprits, Perkasa and UMNO Youth as if they enjoy immunity and impunity for committing crimes.
Read the rest of this entry »
Muhyiddin should fully devolve Education Ministry powers to Sabah State Department
The Sabah Speaker, Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said has called for the Sabah State Education Department to be given more power and autonomy.
Salleh said many school buildings in the State are in need of repair and educational projects are not carried out systematically due to having to refer simple matters to Putrajaya jeopardising the Government’s efforts in developing education in Sabah.
The Sabah State Assembly Speaker has received the support of the Sabah State Education Director Datuk Dr. Muhiddin Yusin who has joined in the call for the state education department to be given greater empowerment on decision-making and the implementation of development projects, especially maintenance, training and recruitment of teachers. Read the rest of this entry »
Lim Guan Eng zalim!
Posted by Kit in Lim Guan Eng, Penang, Penang Government, Roketkini on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 11:14 am
Komentar Roketkini
2 July 2011
2 JULAI – Sekumpulan penyokong UMNO, Perkasa dan segolongan India Muslim telah mengadakan demonstrasi haram di ibu negeriPulau Pinang pada petangJumaat laludi mana mereka turut menyerang dua jurugambar.
Tujuan mereka mengadakan perhimpunan haram berkenaandengan membawa sepanduk “Pulau Pinang Hak Kami”, “Guan Eng Dalang Perpecahan Melayu” dan “Jangan Berani Bangkitkan Komunis”, adalah membantah dan mengecam pentadbiran Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng.
Selain mengadakan perarakan dalam bandar ke pejabat KetuaMenteri di Komtar, Georgetown, mereka juga berarak hingga ke Jambatan Pulau Pinang yang mengakibatkan kesesakan lalulintas serta kedai-kedai di bandar ditutup.
Sepanjang demonstrasi haram itu, pihak polis hanya membiarkan sahaja mereka yang terlibat bermaharajalela di jalanan. Read the rest of this entry »
Technology and protest
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 11:04 am
By Kapil Sethi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
JULY 3 — To an observer of the increasingly charged political rhetoric in the country, the lack of political acumen on display by the ruling coalition vis- à-vis the Bersih 2.0 rally is truly astonishing.
If there is one thing to be learned from the Arab Spring, it is that draconian measures against protesters give more impetus and motivation to their cause. It is a different paradigm from the past where in the absence of alternative media, divide and rule was a very successful strategy.
The larger question, of course, is what the powers that be are so afraid of? The answer to a great extent has to do with the current power of technology. Yes, technology. For instance, consider the differences between, say, the online Curi Curi Wang Malaysia protest and the Bersih 2.0 rally. Read the rest of this entry »
Ambiga: Bersih is the rakyat, ban has little impact
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Hishammuddin, Human Rights, Police on Sunday, 3 July 2011, 10:55 am
By Melissa Chi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — The Home Ministry ban on Bersih 2.0 will not have the impact it had aimed for as the electoral reform movement has captured the people’s “hearts and minds”, says its chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
The former Bar Council president also disagreed with the Najib administration’s rationale for outlawing the movement, saying Bersih 2.0 was a coalition of established groups and does not need to be registered.
“More important, above and beyond that, Bersih now means more than just a group of organisations to Malaysians. Bersih is now a concept that has captured the hearts and minds of the rakyat. Read the rest of this entry »
Media organisation condemns rally and police
By Athi Shankar
July 3, 2011 | Free Malaysia Today
GEORGE TOWN: The assault on newsmen during Friday’s violent rally and the police inaction to stop it had irked the Penang Chinese Journalists and Photographers Association (Pewaju).
In a strongly worded statement here, Pewaju condemned the unprovoked attacks on a journalist, a photographer and a videographer by the protestors during violent and illegal rallies in George Town downtown and on Penang Bridge.
The rallies were against the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s Pakatan Rakyat state government and next Saturday’s Bersih 2.0 rally. Read the rest of this entry »
Where’s the 1 Malaysia, Datuk Seri?
Posted by Kit in 1Malaysia, Najib Razak, Religion on Saturday, 2 July 2011, 11:00 pm
The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011
JULY 2 — Of course, any visit to Kelantan makes a politician a bit more religious in his outlook. Datuk Seri Najib Razak is no exception.
But Kelantan doesn’t make anyone less Malaysian or less inclusive.
Yet the prime minister chose to use his visit to Kelantan today to lash out at Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan in a very base way. The kind of attack one expects from others but not the political aristocracy that has given us two Umno presidents and two prime ministers.
“Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu,” Najib told a 20,000-strong crowd here, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. Read the rest of this entry »
Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights on Saturday, 2 July 2011, 10:52 pm
By Clara Chooi
July 02, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders expressed outrage tonight at the Home Ministry’s decision to outlaw Bersih 2.0 ahead of its rally next week, but declared that the clampdown has not spooked them into withdrawing their support.
Electoral reforms coalition Bersih 2.0 has invited all political parties to join its march for free and fair elections but the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) have snubbed them, saying PR’s victories in Election 2008 is proof there is no fault with the current system.
“We are more determined now to demand for more democratic space in society. I do not see any reason whatsoever for the minister or Umno to crack down on the people just because they are demanding free and fair elections,” PKR deputy president Azmin Ali told The Malaysian Insider. Read the rest of this entry »
Hisham outlaws Bersih 2.0
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Election, Hishammuddin, Human Rights on Saturday, 2 July 2011, 10:47 pm
The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Electoral reforms movement Bersih 2.0 has been declared illegal by the Home Ministry effective July 1 for causing “an atmosphere of unrest,” a week before its planned July 9 rally.
The ministry issued a four-paragraph statement outlining the reasons for the ban by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
It gave three reasons for the banning of the movement, adding it was an unregistered group despite fulfilling all criteria to form an organisation under the Societies Act 1966.
The reasons given for the ban are: Read the rest of this entry »
Sungai Siput MP, five PSM members held under emergency law
By Shannon Teoh and Melissa Chi
July 02, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Police have re-arrested Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar and five other Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members for 60 days under the Emergency Ordinance, which allows for detention without trial.
The six were due in the Butterworth courts this morning as a seven-day remand order had expired after their arrest for promoting the Bersih rally last week.
It is understood that the six have been sent to the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters. Read the rest of this entry »
Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Najib Razak on Saturday, 2 July 2011, 10:38 pm
The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011
PASIR PUTIH, July 2 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak lambasted Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and PAS for the planned July 9 rally, telling people here the Islamist party will do anything to capture Putrajaya.
The electoral reform movement has called for a rally to press for free and fair elections but the Najib administration is taking all measures to stop the demonstration which is a repeat of a 2007 rally that drew some 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur.
“Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu,” Najib (picture) told a 20,000-strong crowd, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. The prime minister is in Kelantan for a day-long visit. Read the rest of this entry »
Deputy IGP: No more discussions over rallies
Posted by Kit in Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Police on Friday, 1 July 2011, 2:42 pm
By Teoh El Sen
July 1, 2011 | Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: The police will no longer seek to negotiate or discuss with the organisers of the July 9 rallies, be it from Bersih, Perkasa, or Umno Youth.
Their stand is clear: The rallies will not be allowed.
The nation’s number two police officer, deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said: “We have given them explanations and warnings and reminders, but they do not heed. We will make sure this rally does not take place.” Read the rest of this entry »
