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How far can Burma bend for change?

Peter Hartcher | October 18, 2011
The Age

One of the world’s most famous champions of freedom, Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi, spent most of the past 21 years under house arrest, considered a pariah by the military dictators who cancelled elections, shut down free speech and cut Burma off from the democratic world.

A year ago it was forbidden to print her name in a newspaper. But now, the long-suffering Nobel peace prize winner is not only allowed her freedom, she was invited to a well-publicised dinner with the President and his wife. The beginning of a liberalisation in one of Asia’s most repressive countries, or a manipulative gimmick to trick the world into easing tough sanctions?
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Aziz Bari a victim of ignorance, say colleagues

By Shannon Teoh | October 21, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — The academic staff of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIA) have joined the protest against the university’s suspension of Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, stating that the law professor is a victim of ignorant “allegations and pressure.”

Just hours after 700 UIA students gathered at the Gombak campus this morning to demand Abdul Aziz’s reinstatement, the university’s academic staff have also come out to condemn the indefinite suspension that followed after the don had allegedly criticised the Selangor Sultan.

“Abdul Aziz Bari (picture) should be thanked for getting a nation to think. He should not be punished for the reaction of third parties.
Continue reading “Aziz Bari a victim of ignorance, say colleagues”

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The shackling of Prof Abdul Aziz Bari and academic freedom

Aliran Executive Committee | 21 October 2011

His suspension comes in the wake of his publicly expressed opinion regarding the recent decree by the Sultan of Selangor over the controversial Jais raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.

Many Malaysians share his opinion and look up to him as a brave academic who did not betray his conscience in expressing an honest opinion without fear or favour. This intellectual freedom of expression must be the hallmark of an institution of higher learning. It is rare individuals like him who inspire students to speak the truth and defend what is right. He is an asset to IIUM.

The action taken by the university against the learned professor is baffling. The university is guilty of committing a serious travesty of justice as its action amounts to a denial of the right of academics to offer their expert opinions on matters that they specialises in and are concerned about.
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A foolish move

By Tay Tian Yan | October 21, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

OCT 21 — Those who spread rumours across the Internet are villains while those who echo Internet rumours are fools.

Among the latest names on the list of fools is Khairy Jamaluddin, who should not be foolish.

Anyone with little understanding will curse “senseless and despicable” when they heard about the recent rumours accusing Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s teenage son of harassment.

Just like rubbish, similar accusations have been piling up on the Internet and, generally, people do not even border to read them as they are so disgusting.
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Kerana politik, sanggup mengorbankan kanak-kanak yang tidak bersalah

Aspan Alias | October 21, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

21 OKT — Isu yang dimainkan oleh Ketua Bahagian Bukit Gelugor, Dr Novandri serta beberapa blogger pro-Umno terhadap anak Lim Guan Eng memang jelas mendapat perhatian ramai dan kebanyakan dari reaksi yang saya secara peribadi terima menunjukan sebagai satu isu yang menjadi kemarahan ramai.

Ramai yang meminta saya menulis dan memberi komen tentangnya. Saya tidak mempunyai komen panjang tentang isu ini. Yang pasti “lawmakers” dari Umno nampaknya menjauhi diri mereka dari isu ini dan rata-rata kita mendengar yang Umno tidak terlibat dengan isu yang panas ini. Malahan Ahli-Ahli Parlmen Umno meminta Guan Eng menyaman Novandri dan bloggers pro-Umno jika itu merupakan fitnah yang sengaja diadakan kerana tuntutan politik yang “desperate”.
Continue reading “Kerana politik, sanggup mengorbankan kanak-kanak yang tidak bersalah”

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Anya Corke: I don’t know Guan Eng’s son

By Shannon Teoh
The Malaysian Insider
Oct 21, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — The girl whose photograph was used by pro-Umno bloggers to level accusations of sexual harassment against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s son has denied ever meeting or hearing of the 16-year-old schoolboy.

Chess grandmaster Anya Sun Corke said today that she was “shocked, dismayed and baffled” as to how her photo was used without her knowledge or consent.

“I have never met or even heard of any of the people involved. I have never been physically assaulted in any way. I have never been victimised in any way by this boy or his family.

“The only way in which my ‘modesty was outraged’ has been by the publication of my picture in connection with these scurrilous and unfounded rumours,” the undergraduate at Wellesley College said in a statement. Continue reading “Anya Corke: I don’t know Guan Eng’s son”

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MCA and hudud: Part 2

Stanley Koh | October 20, 2011
Free Malaysia Today

In 2001, when Dr Mahathir declared Malaysia an Islamic state, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik said he and other non-Muslim leaders supported the prime minister’s position

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What is the role of religions in politics? Is Islam compatible with democracy? How do we deal with the conflicts between the constitutional provisions for fundamental liberties and equality with religious laws and policies that may violate them?

Should the state legislate on morality? Is it the duty of the state to bring about a more moral society?

Can there be one truth and one final interpretation of Islam that must be legislated and govern the lives of every Muslim citizen of the country?

These were some of the questions raised in 2001 at a MCA-organised forum attended by Dr Hamid Othman of the Prime Minister’s Department, Shad Saleem Faruqi of Universiti Teknologi Mara, Zainah Anwar of Sisters in Islam and representatives of the Inter-Religious Council of Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

The forum came in the midst of public disquiet over then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s declaration, in September 2001, that Malaysia was an Islamic state. Many Malaysians were confused and quite a number were in fear that the country would eventually be run like a Taliban state. Continue reading “MCA and hudud: Part 2”