Category: E-Media

CPI introduction We are reproducing two newspaper articles which have appeared in response to the ruling by the Court of Appeal banning the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Herald. The first article from the Borneo Insider provides a succinct analysis of the political underpinnings and ramifications of the COA decision and the costly… Continue reading Muslim judges’ decision all politics, no law

This coming election is going to be the most interesting and most important, in equal proportion, for my life as well as for Malaysia. In my lifetime, there has been 12 GEs and I remember 11 of them well, my first time voting being 1982.  I have witnessed rather a lot and have accumulated a… Continue reading Why Malays should no longer vote for UMNO/BN

  CPI Introduction The following below is an account of public flogging under an Islamic system in Pakistan. It is an eyewitness’s description which should provide pause for those who want to see Islamic norms prevail in our judicial system. However, it should be noted that even under our present British-derived justice system, flogging or… Continue reading Public spectacle of whipping penalty becomes circus for the masses

Projek Dialog initiator Ahmad Fuad Rahmat is appealing to members of the public to endorse the Declaration of National Solidarity. Ahmad Fuad is a research fellow at the progressive Muslim think-tank Islamic Renaissance Front. The declaration can be read in an online petition at the Projek Dialog website and has two goals: First, to call… Continue reading Disturbed at the abuse of religion in politics

CPI introduction We are reproducing this recent book review from The Economist. It deals with the sordid politics and economics of foreign aid from the point of view of Britain, the donor country. This case study is of particular importance to us in Malaysia as the recipient country where there has been a string of… Continue reading Dam lies

Islam, Malay rights and the royal institution. Let’s get a few things straight. These are three different and separate issues. Despite what some might say, see in their fevered dreams, or hallucinate about, Islam is not under attack in this country. In fact, I am starting to think that these self-appointed (or self-anointed as the… Continue reading Get a grip, Jati and PUM!

The New Mandala, a regional online publication, recently featured a series of sharp commentaries in a continuing series that explores the idea of ‘regime change’ in the country. Its various contributors shared thoughtful perspectives with the main objective of getting Malaysians and the political leaders to think seriously about the imminent 13th general election, its… Continue reading Perspectives on regime change in Malaysia

Introduction by CPI Earlier on Friday we reproduced an article by Norani Abu Bakar that was first published in the New Mandala website and discussing the freedom of faith for Malaysian Malays. Norani was responding to a previous article by Joshua Woo which appeared on Nov 10. Joshua’s full-length article can be read at the… Continue reading Apostasy in Malaysia: The hidden view

Will there come a day in Malaysia when all Malays can proudly proclaim that he chose of his own free will to be a believer of Islam instead of just being born Muslim because the Constitution says so, and kept forever a Muslim because of our strict laws? Introduction by CPI The article below appeared… Continue reading Will Malays be allowed to choose their religion?

  Introduction by CPI Part I: Wikileaks: Malaysian racial economic preferences critiquedIn Part II below reproduced from Malaysia Today, we find an assessment of Malaysia’s most prominent think tanks provided by American diplomatic sources and made available through Wikileaks. Although this confidential analysis was submitted in March 2007, its conclusion remains largely true today. The… Continue reading Wikileaks: Govt’s most effective tool is power of the purse