Archive for the ‘BornInMalaysia’ category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Proposal on switch from English common law to Syariah law

August 24th, 2007
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


What does this mean to you? How will this affect your life? Would the law be clearer or more lop-sided?
 
 
Minister: Study proposal on switch to Syariah law thoroughly

PUTRAJAYA: The proposal to use Syariah law to replace English common law in court proceedings should be studied thoroughly first, said Datuk Dr Abdullah Zin. The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the move, if approved, should be done in stages. Lauding the proposal by Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, he said Syariah law gave importance to justice. 

It would also be a further development for Syariah law in the country in addition to introducing a uniform syariah law in all states, Dr Abdullah sai d yesterday. “We are already in the process of getting a uniform syariah law in all 14 states including the Federal Territory relating to family, administration and criminal law. “If there are more proposals for the development of Syariah law, they are most welcome but it should be done in stages,” he told reporters after opening the seminar on counselling for Muslim terminally ill patients here. 

Ahmad Fairuz had said that there was no need to use English common law after 50 years of independence, suggesting another procedure as a substitute. He said Sections 3 and 5 of the Civil Law Act permitted judges wide discretion to import English common law, equity and statutes into the legal system to fill gaps in Malaysian laws. 

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail also responded positively to Ahmad Fairuz’s proposal. 

On the seminar, Dr Abdullah said the Islamic way of treating terminally ill patients was not to tell them how many “months they had left to live”. “The Islamic way is to give them hope and the will to continue to survive and let them depend on their own physical strength to keep them alive,” he said.  

1 comment »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Makkal Osai under fire for insulting picture of Jesus and PM disappointed

August 24th, 2007
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I'm sure most would have known about this issue already, and the zealousness of MIC and MCCBCHST to condemn fiercely. MIC Youth even had time to prepare a four-page memorandum. Kudos to them 🙂
 
This is one of the few moments where MIC can get some coverage in the papers. The Star, NST and The Sun (all reproduced below) all carried news on comments by various parties. Two of them accepted the apology – Council of Churces and Archbishop of KL.
 
Our PM also mentioned his dissapointment today in Star :
 

Do not mock any religion or its teachings as these are sensitive issues, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has reminded all Malaysians. "Do not do things which may offend the believers of other religions … this is not good,” he said. … “This can make the Christians unhappy. Muslims too cannot tolerate such things.” 

 
and he took task Makkal Osai in the NST :
 

Abdullah, who also heads the Internal Security Ministry, said publishers had a professional and moral duty to be more sensitive towards religious beliefs and issues. Abdullah was clearly upset over the matter, saying the blunder should not have occurred in a multi-religious society like Malaysia’s.

"I am sure the Christians, as we Muslims, cannot accept this," he said. "Do not do anything to upset religious followers," he said.

The prime minister did not say whether action would be taken against Makkal Osai. But he stressed that the government had always reminded publishers to treat religious matters with caution.

 
 
Worst may yet come, since drawing of prophet's images/caricatures are forbidden in Islam.  This applies to all their prophets, including Nabi Isa (Jesus) (from what I understand).. Hope there's no complaint from UMNO or some other muslim persons/organisations or Makkal Osai may find themselves in hot soup.

Anyway, I suppose the burning question among most Indians is where was MIC/MCCBCHST when all those conversion, illegal kidnapping and separation, and otehr religious issues were happening? Conveniently missing?

 

THE STAR: source

Tamil daily says sorry over Jesus pic

KUALA LUMPUR: A Tamil daily has apologised for using a picture of Jesus Christ, downloaded from the Internet, to highlight the sayings of great sages and leaders. Makkal Osai expressed regret for using the picture to depict the sayings under “Today’s Thoughts” on the top left hand corner of the front page on Tuesday. “We apologise for the grave mistake. We also want to apologise if we have hurt anyone’s feelings,” the paper said in page two. On the front page on Tuesday, the daily printed a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a canned drink (which looked like beer) in the other with the quote: “If a person repents his mistakes, heaven awaits him.”  

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism has urged the authorities to take action against the paper for hurting the feelings of the Christian community in the country. Its president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said the Home Affairs Ministry should investigate Makkal Osai and take necessary action against those responsible for publishing the “shameful” picture.  

In Putrajaya, the MIC Youth handed over a four-page memorandum on the matter to Ravin Ponniah, special officer (policy) to the Prime Minister, at the premier’s office. A police report has also been lodged.

NST: source

Uproar over picture of Jesus holding beer

KUALA LUMPUR: A police report was lodged yesterday against a Tamil newspaper for publishing a front-page picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other. The report, lodged by a Puchong MIC member at the Tun H.S. Lee police station, alleged that the picture was a "threat to national harmony".

Makkal Osai, a Tamil daily, printed the picture in its Tuesday’s edition with a caption quoting Christ as saying: "If someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them." The daily apologised for the publication, but the MIC is not letting the matter rest. Deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel urged the Internal Security Ministry to act against the newspaper for hurting the feelings of Christians in the country.

The MIC Youth submitted a four-page memorandum to the prime minister’s office asking the government to revoke Makkal Osai’s publication permit.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) also called for action against the newspaper. MCCBCHS president Datuk A. Vaithilingam expressed surprise that the newspaper could commit such a grave mistake.

The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Murphy Pakiam, said the picture of the sacred heart of Jesus depicts his burning love for all people. "It is very sacred to Catholics. As such, this caricature of Jesus is a desecration and therefore hurtful to the religious sentiments of Catholics," Pakiam said. Pakiam said he had received an explanation and apology from Makkal Osai and he was satisfied with it and considered the matter closed.

Meanwhile, Makkal Osai general manager S. M. Periasamy said the offending picture published on its front page was "a mistake". "We admit that we made a mistake by publishing the picture. This was not intentionally done. We would never want to hurt the feelings of Christians in this country. We really regret this," he said. He explained that the paper carried daily quotes from great world leaders on its front page. The quote for that day was from Jesus Christ, and the picture accompanying the words was sourced from the Internet.

The Sun: source

MCCBCHS wants action against Tamil daily for Jesus Christ pic
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 22, 2007): The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) wants the authorities to investigate a Tamil newspaper which published on its front page a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and what looks like a beer can in the other.

Its president Datuk A. Vaithilingam wants the Internal Ministry to act against those responsible for the publication of the picture. Makkal Osai, a Tamil daily, printed the picture on yesterday with a caption quoting Jesus Christ roughly as saying "if someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them". The daily apologised today for the publication. "Firstly, I'm surprised as to how they could make that mistake … it is a grave mistake. Newspapers should avoid publishing this kind of pictures as it causes hurt to people of that religion," Vaithilingam said.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia took a harder stance calling for a ban on Makkal Osai, saying that a precedent had been set. "When two newspapers published a caricature of Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban early last year, the government took immediate action banning the two newspapers. Now we have this and they, too, should be served the same punishment as a lesson to others," Bishop Julious Paul said. He said the newspaper's apology was not enough as the publication of the picture "looked deliberate and unacceptable". Terming the publication of the picture as mischievous, he also wanted the newspaper to publish an apology in all the major newspapers, Malaysia's national news agency Bernama reported today.

MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel wanted the ministry to act against the paper "to drive home a clear message as religion is something which cannot be made fun of".

MIC Youth submitted a four-page memorandum to the Prime Minister's office asking the government to revoke Makkal Osai's publication permit. Puchong MIC member Peter Sinnappan, 37, lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee police station in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Murphy Pakiam said the picture of the sacred heart of Jesus was very sacred to Catholics as it depicts the heart of Jesus burning with love and tenderness for all people. He said the Makkal Osai picture is a desecration and, therefore, hurtful to the religious sentiments of Catholics. "It is certainly in bad taste for the editor of Makkal Osai to publish such a picture, although the message in the accompanying words is an attempt to call repentant sinners to hope and salvation," he said in a statement here.

Council of Churches Malaysia secretary-general Rev Herman Shastli said they accepted the Tamil daily's public apology and consider the case closed.

3 comments »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Indian

Tags:

much ado about namewee and his negara ku ku

August 20th, 2007
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


the current controversy related to student Wee Meng Chee who posted a rap parody of national anthem is very much in the spotlight. the AG is looking at pressing charges, while some like Gelang Patah Umno Youth calling for stripping of citizenship, and other asking him to be forgiven and counselled.
 
as the attention is diverted to insulting national anthem, not many are focused on the real issues – which is dissatisfaction of chinese youths on some of the issues as mentioned by Johor Bahru MP below.
 
the clip is in youtube and have been viewed nearly a million times (about 3 days ago).
 
anyway, expect him to be charged – may be fine and prison, or at very least a suspended sentence, if can.
 
some of the people who seen it appreciated his creativity. lots of chinese students support him. pity he chose the wrong song and ended up in hot water.
 
MP: Song is about youth narrating his problems

JOHOR BARU: The controversial “Negarakuku” is a song of a Malaysian youth narrating his problems and expectations, Johor Baru MP Shahrir Samad said. 

He said it was more important to look at the messages delivered by the song made by Taiwan-based student Wee Meng Chee, 24. 

“He expressed the youths’ point of view for all to pay attention to,” he said. 

Shahrir said Wee had brought up police corruption and problems faced by Chinese independent schools' students. 

“It is a fact known by all of us that those who graduated from these schools cannot enter local universities because the education systems are different ,” he said. 

Wee caused a furore with his “Negarakuku” rap video clip with several quarters condemning him for mocking the national  

anthem and making offensive statements. 

“Now, we should check if he has violated any Act or if the content is seditious. 

“I am not sure if it is wrong to sing the national anthem in such a way according to the law,” he said after flagging off 110 bikers who took part in the Segamat Bikers’ Johor Ride here yesterday. 

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said if action was instituted against Meng Chee for his controversial video clip, action must also be taken against others who incite hate. 

He added that the feelings expressed in the video clip must be taken seriously as they reflect the sentiments of Chinese youth. 

However, he felt that Meng Chee’s method was not right.

3 comments »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

MCA outlines four principles for continuous cooperation in Barisan Nasional

August 19th, 2007
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


BERNAMA
source
KUALA LUMPUR, Sun.:
 

MCA, the second-largest component party in Barisan Nasional (BN), today outlined four key principles for the party’s continuous cooperation in the BN and to retain the concept of power-sharing.

At the 54th MCA general assembly opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Wisma MCA here, MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the four principles need to be practised if the present BN model is to remain for another 50 years.

He said the first principle is for all component parties to hold strongly to the virtues of sincerity, honesty, mutual respect and fairness in protecting the rights of all races at all times. This means that BN component parties need to reject racial and religious extremism.

Ong said that under the second principle, MCA wants all BN component parties to uphold the spirit of the social contract and the Federal Constitution to guarantee the rights of the various races in the country.

The third principle calls for the component parties to earnestly practise a healthy political philosophy and culture by promoting the culture of integrity so that the people will have more confidence in supporting the BN.
He said a healthy political culture with integrity has to be practised at all levels in the government and only then, the BN will remain strong for another 50 years.

And under the fourth principle, Ong said, the leadership of all component parties have to have the wisdom and vision, and be progressive, innovative and competitive, and able to work as a team to develop the country by overcoming the challenges of globalisation in the era of high technology.

He said that 50 years ago, the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj laid the foundation for cooperation among parties to gain independence and today, MCA reaffirmed its full support to stand on a similar platform for cooperation to lead the country face the challenges in the next 50 years.

Ong said Abdullah’s moderation, fairness and leadership qualities have given MCA the trust to work with him in the interest of future generations.

MCA will also continue to fully support efforts by the prime minister in fighting corruption and enhancing integrity of the public sector and general public, he said.

He said that MCA itself is striving to promote the culture of integrity within the party, so that its leaders carry out their tasks honestly and efficiently and are clean and trustworthy and directly prevent the practise of unhealthy political cultures.

Ong also said that MCA views seriously the rise in crime cases which has become a hot topic of conversation among the people.

The MCA president said criminal cases like murder, rape, robbery and snatch-theft have constantly made headlines in the local media and this has made the people to be concerned and affected the country’s image in the eyes of investors and foreign tourists.

“Most of the criminals are drug addicts, unemployed, illegal immigrants, secret society members, those who are desperate because of debts and so on,” he said.

Ong said the government should address the problem by taking firmer action including imposing heavier penalties on offenders and tightening the controls on illegal immigrants and drug addicts.

He also stressed the need for Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) to play a role of giving a portion of contracts to non-Bumiputera companies which can generate various economic activities to benefit the Bumiputeras.

“Any effort by the government to restructure the society should be based on a principle of not affecting the existing equity rights or forcing any quarters to give up part of the equity which they obtain over a long period of hard work,” he said.

He said the authorities, when imposing guidelines on investments and businesses, should be sensitive and careful so as not to adversely affect the confidence of investors, both foreign and domestic.

“Circulars which can restrict business opportunities of any quarters are not appropriate because they are against the concept of the Barisan Nasional government which always safeguards the interests of all races,” he said.

Comments Off on MCA outlines four principles for continuous cooperation in Barisan Nasional »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

MCA Youth Assembly says wave handphone, not sword

August 19th, 2007
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


MIC youth probably can copy and paste from MCA youth. no need to waste time.
 
This is what i liked the most : "He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. "
 
of course in the end, it is all rhetorics to please the crowd and play to the gallery.
 
 
Stick to the Constitution

MALACCA: The MCA Youth has pledged to defend the sanctity of the Federal Constitution to ensure a united and progressive society that allows the freedom to practise one’s religion. 

Movement chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the spirit of the Constitution must be preserved for a long time for the sake of the future generation and the document must be the reference point. 

“Whenever there is a conflict of opinions about a situation we are not comfortable about, we should refer back to the Constitution,” he said during his speech at the opening of the movement’s annual general assembly. 

Liow said it was not MCA’s culture and certainly not the MCA Youth’s, to wave a sword when making a point. 

“If we wanted to wave something, why not a handphone? A handphone signifies communication and can also be said to promote understanding. We in the MCA Youth rather wave the Federal Constitution,” Liow said as he held out a copy of the document. 

His entire central committee then stood up and waved copies of the country’s supreme law to loud applause from the floor. 

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy opened the assembly which was held at the Pay Fong Middle school hall here yesterday. 

Liow reminded the delegates not to take lightly the unity which had been enjoyed since independence but instead strive to not only preserve but also to strengthen it. 

“We must appreciate the unity and remind ourselves of the spirit behind our Federal Constitution, which is full of spirit of solidarity, natural justice and goodwill.” 

Quoting Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah, Liow said the integrity of that document must be protected at all costs and that many misunderstandings may be avoided if the principles embodied in the Constitution were adhered to strictly. 

“We should not pressure others or to cause tension but instead promote the culture of open-mindedness and always be ready to engage in healthy discourse. 

“In the Barisan family, we are brothers, there is no master and slave, there is no question of who is being scared of whom or who should kowtow to whom,” Liow added to applause. 

He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. 

Liow also revealed that the Education Ministry had allocated RM14mil for Chinese primary schools under a four-year adoption programme by MCA Youth. 

He said the move was to upgrade the quality of education in Chinese primary schools to a higher level that was comparable to international standards. 

Comments Off on MCA Youth Assembly says wave handphone, not sword »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags: