Sometimes the Malays would do something stupid it doesn't make sense. To rebuke a story investigative reporting is welcome but do so and write something that does not smack of superiority and inconsiderateness. And if you found nothing to substantiate your investigation then don't write. Keep mum and don't mock others people's belief as you don't want your belief to be made fun off that is the rule of the thumb. Read the article in question

Khairy: Al Islam "un-Islamic"

16 Jul 09 : 5.00PM

By Deborah Loh
deborahloh@thenutgraph.comdeborahloh at thenutgraph dot com

(Background pic by Petter Hermoza G / sxc.hu)

PETALING JAYA, 16 July 2009: Appalling, offensive, unethical, and un-Islamic. These words used to describe Al Islam magazine's undercover story of attending Catholic mass and insulting the holy communion have come not from Christians, but from Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy, the Rembau Member of Parliament, is the first Barisan Nasional leader to condemn the magazine article and the journalist who consumed and then removed the holy communion from his mouth to photograph it.

The article, Tinjauan Al Islam Dalam Gereja: Kesahihan Remaja Murtad in the magazine's May 2009 issue, caused an uproar among Catholics and is now a police case, but has received scarce coverage in the newspapers.

Writing in his blog today, Khairy condemned the article as "unethical journalism, grounded in both disrespect and ignorance".

"Everyone involved in the researching, writing and publishing [of] this article should have considered the fact that Muslims already find it offensive when non-Muslims do not observe basic courtesies expected when in a mosque, like taking off shoes and covering heads.

"They should further imagine their own reactions if someone went undercover in their local mosques, pretend to worship as a Muslim and made a mockery of congregation prayer," Khairy wrote.

He also wrote about empathy, and said that the "heart of the problems" Malaysia faced as a plural society was that people did not think about the perspectives of other communities before acting.

He said the Al Islam journalist and the magazine's editorial team had not shown the Islamic values of "empathy, respect and tolerance".

Khairy also noted that non-Catholics were allowed to sit and observe mass, and as such, there was no need for the reporter to go undercover.

"This 'blunder'," he said, "speaks volumes of the journalist's ignorance and the prejudices held even before he set out on his little mission."

He also criticised the magazine for being sensationalist by publishing the story when there was "no story to sell", since the journalist did not find evidence of Muslim apostates in the church.

Cover of the magazine"Feelings of moral superiority and righteousness vis-à-vis other faiths, even if unavoidable, should remain private and not manifested in the public domain," Khairy wrote.

Apply the law fairly

Meanwhile, Reverend Jestus Pereira of St Anthony's Church in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, has called on the police to investigate the magazine and act according to the law.

Although Al Islam did not name the churches visited by its reporter, Rev Pereira said the descriptions in the article appeared to refer to his parish.

He said congregants at the Bahasa Malaysia service described in the article numbered around 800 people who were mainly from Sabah and Sarawak.

Police have so far interviewed another priest in the parish and an office staff member, he told The Nut Graph.

"I hope this is not a public relations exercise, trying to show the public they are doing something about it. The police and other authorities must investigate and take action. If there is some criminal element, they must be ready to do the right thing and charge the person or persons concerned.

"Islam being the religion of the federation does not place Muslims above the law," he said.

"The government must be prepared to use just laws fairly and equally against all peoples, without preferring one religion over another. If disharmony is being caused they must have the courage to address it, even against persons of the dominant religion. The government must have the political will to do so."

Rev Pereira added that the church receives many visitors but does not ask people for identification. "We do not stop anyone from entering. I do not know if anyone from Al Islam came in for our religious service. No one identified himself or herself either before or after the service," he said

An open letter to a Muslim journalist ‘spy’ — Martin Jalleh

JULY 16 — Saudara,

I just read that recently you and a friend visited one of the churches that I belong to. I was surprised that you had to do it in disguise. You should have told the Catholic community there that you were coming and we would have given you a grand welcome.

Such was the experience of the MP for Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad from PAS, who was even given a standing ovation when he visited and had a dialogue with the parishioners of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam last year.

Some time back I was attending a Mass (Catholic worship) in a Catholic church in Petaling Jaya and was very moved by the presence of a group of Muslim students together with their Muslim professor who had taken them there as part of their “exposure programme”. None of them were converted.

You see we are not an underground church nor do we function in a clandestine manner. Our hearts are on the holy and not on the hideous. We even pray for Najib the PM, though I feel we do not pray enough for the Opposition. We also pray for people like you who do more harm than good to the name of your religion of peace, tolerance and compassion.

Further, what takes place in Catholic churches is highlighted in our in-house newspaper which was quite unknown to the whole population and whose readers formed an insignificant number — until the Government decided to prevent it from using the word “Allah”. Alas, the Herald should thank the Government for making it so well-known today.

Religious Misfits

It is a pity that you have gone through so much trouble to “investigate” under guise what is going on in Catholic Churches or that “Muslim teenagers were being converted to Christianity in Kuala Lumpur’s churches every Sunday”. You should have gone directly to the Special Branch, which sends it officers to visit our churches occasionally. Surely they will be able to tell you that you would be only wasting your time!

As for the information that Muslims are being driven in droves into Catholicism (which you have concluded to be “false” in your article) it has been a fallacious and stale rumour for quite some time, spread by those who have an obsession and paranoia or by the increasing number of lower echelon zealots or “Little Mullah Napoleons” running riot with their brand of religion.

In February 2006, the Mufti of Perak, Harussani Zakaria, claimed that 250,000 Muslims (of which 100,000 were Malays) had apostatised themselves, while 100,000 more had submitted applications to do so. Of course he was unable to substantiate his claim because it was false.

In November 2006, about 500 Muslims protested in front of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh following a SMS wherein the same mufti had disclosed that about 600 Muslim students of the Ungku Omar Polytechnic were to be baptised by national mariner Azhar Mansor!

The church was not converting Muslims but instead was holding the First Holy Communion Mass (one of the rites of initiation to the faith) for 98 Catholic children, many of whom were traumatised by the sight of a threatening mob. Imagine the very unfortunate impression the young Catholics would have got of Islam and of Muslims.

The mufti who had proven to be more of a misfit, was not man enough to own up. He blamed it on an SMS sent out by a woman! Why no action was taken against the mufti, and why the authorities remained mute (on both occasions) over his “mischief” remains but a mystery. You must have been motivated by the mufti.

If indeed the Catholic Church has the conversion of Muslims as its hidden agenda, it would surely have started converting hundreds or even thousands of impressionable young Muslims through its Catholic Mission schools which have existed for as long as 100 years, But no such thing has ever happened.

The Muslim classmates and friends that I had in St Michael’s Ipoh are still good and respected Muslims today, and such was their appreciation and respect for the La Salle Brothers that they made sure that their children in turn would attend a La Salle school or a Convent!

Sacrilegious

Sadly, your disrespect knew no bounds. You chose to abandon all human and religious decency with impunity as a journalist and a Muslim. Under pretence of being a Catholic you participated in the church service and even partook of the Holy Communion (a white and sacred wafer) strictly meant only for Catholics.

You consumed the white wafer which Catholics hold as very sacred and treat with utmost reverence, and both of you spat out the remnants, photographed it and published the picture in an article entitled “Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad” which was published in the May 2009 issue of the Al Islam magazine.

I shudder to think of what could happen if the reverse took place — if for instance two reporters from the Herald were to enter a mosque disguised as Muslims, partake of the rituals and desecrate something which the congregation considers very sacred.

I can imagine Khairy Jamaluddin leading a group of Umno Youth thugs and burning the effigy of the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and even threatening to set fire to a few churches, and Zulkifli Nordin rousing up a mob and invading the Herald’s office and demanding that it be shut down for good; or certain Muslim NGOs insisting that the two journalists be jailed under the ISA!

It makes me wonder how does a “creature” like you exist in this country? Are you the product of the educational, social or even religious system or process created by Bolehland’s leaders (also read as “Umno”) over the past 30 years?

How is it possible that you could blatantly trespass into a place of worship, violate its sanctity, insult its adherents, even publish your transgression and completely ignore the implications and consequences (will there be any)? What gives you such audacity?

It all points to the reality of you being a cog in Umno’s machine — a political party that has politicised religion for its survival by creating unfounded insecurities amongst Muslims and a distrust of other religions. Meanwhile it dominates, dictates, decides and even defines what non-Muslims can and cannot discuss, deliberate on, and display in print.

Najib’s 1 Malaysia is really Malaysia in one big mess!

As I join my Catholic brothers and sisters in forgiving you (a Catholic duty we are reminded of!), I also pray that you will feel the full weight of God’s wrath upon you.

I feel sad for the many good Muslims in this country who have a respect for peoples of other faiths, for not only have you insulted Catholics but you have insulted them too. Islam would do well without religious misfits like you!

Khairy condemns actions of two Al Islam journalists

Khairy appalled and offended by the Al-Islam reporters. - Picture by Danny Lim

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin became the first Umno leader to speak out against the two Muslim journalists who went undercover to two Catholic churches, describing their action as “appalling and offensive.”

His latest blog posting blasted the Al Islam journalists for pretending to be Christians and taking part in its rituals — receiving and spitting out the Holy Communion wafer for photographs — saying their action was unacceptable even by a Muslim such as himself.

The pictures of the crushed wafer were published alongside the article in the Al-Islam magazine.

Khairy's posting makes him the first Malaysian-Muslim politician to speak on the issue which has upset many in the Christian community. The two journalists were investigating reports of mass conversions at the two churches.

"I have no reservations whatsoever in condemning this instance of unethical journalism, grounded in both disrespect and ignorance," said Khairy.

"The Islamic virtues of empathy, respect and tolerance were obviously absent in both the journalists and the magazine's editorial team that sanctioned the publishing of the article and the methods employed to gather information," he added.

Khairy, who is also the MP for Rembau, further said those behind the fracas should imagine what they would feel if Christians were to do the same thing, going to a mosque pretending to worship as Muslims and then making a mockery out of their religious practice.

"I suspect Al-Islam failed to consider the fact that the gravity of their own actions were similar to this hypothetical situation where the sanctity of the Muslim place and act of worship are violated," commented Khairy.

This incident plus the recent arrest and overnight detention of nine people who were allegedly on a conversion mission at Universiti Putra Malaysia have made many people doubt the sincerity of the 1 Malaysia concept.

Another case which has left many Christians upset is the swift legal action taken against the Catholic Church for using the word “Allah” in their newspaper. “Allah” in Arabic simply means god but many Malaysian Muslims believe that non-Muslims should not be allowed to use the word.

I got this from a friend facebook, there is a picture of my father and sister must keep it in remembrance

I am still writing a piece but which I have to hold back for a while as this takes precedent. So if that thing is punlish you will read it below this story. For now what i have to report is the death of Yasmin Ahmad. I do not know her but she writes and direct good stories. Her movie tend to be static but her stories were always compelling. She is not well like by the establishment fraternity which she belongs as a film maker, they regard her work as rubbish. These were her critics some of them were my friends. Mike the Director General of FINAS presently has always look down on her work. After all her work is not very Malay but more embracing, more Malaysian it didn't go down well with the Malays. I keep my thoughts to myself because I was not a film producer like Mike nor a film critic but her films appeals to me. Sure we can rant that her film techniques are inadequate her cinematography are third class but most people forget that people went to the cinema to see a story and she told a good story.

Sure she shows scene which is very un-Malay like although what is wrong when an elderly couple in a sarong bath together at the well or a Malay girl meeting her boyfriend who is Chinese at a Chinese restaurant where you can see the meat hanging on a skewer or an Iman patting a dog's head! What is wrong with that. It might not resonate with the Malay purist but to me it tell a story of Malaysians and what can happen. That is why I love her movies. Sure i know she loves chinese just like Dina and she married one so what? She is a compelling story teller. In Mukhsin she tells the story of teenage love, why do the Malays get angry? Yes Malays like other races do fall in love and do have crushes why do we deny it?

She might not be good in film editing like Suhaimi Baba but she tells a story from the heart and for that I admire her. By the way I also like Khabir Bakhtiar whom by the way is Indian from India but boy he made good mlay movies and perhaps soon a Malaysian movie. In the meantime alfatihah to Yasmin and may she is among those who yang soleh!

Yasmin shone with her works

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 – Yasmin Ahmad left a legacy of her works in the film and advertisement arenas, thriving on the themes of love, family ties and comedy against the backdrop of multiracial Malaysia.

Born in Bukit Treh, Muar, Johor on July 1 1958, Yasmin, who graduated in psychology from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, had won local and international creativity awards.

She began her career as a copywriter with Ogilvy & Mather before joining Leo Burnnett as joint creative director in 1993 and rose to become its creative executive director until her death.

She was married to Abdullah Tan Yew Leong.

Her creativity could be seen in many Petronas’ commercials and evoked emotion of the viewers, especially during the Aidilfitri celebration which would certainly be missed by viewers this year.

In the film industry, Yasmin, however, drew much controversy in view of her openness and boldness in analysing social issues.

She has been targeted by critics since her first movie, “Rabun” was screened in 2003 followed by “Sepet” (2004), “Gubra” (2006), “Mukhsin” (2006), “Muallaf” (2008) and Talentime (2009).

But she also earned rave reviews for “Sepet” which won the Best Film Award and the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2005. “Sepet” also bagged several international awards, namely the Asian Film Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2005, the Grand Prix Award at the Creteil International Women’s Film Festival in the same year.

“Gubra” won the Best Screenplay award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006.

“Muhsin” won the Generation kplus – Best Feature Film and the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk Grand Prix award at the Berlin International Film Festival. “Mukhsin” also won the Best Asean Film at the Cinemanila International Film Festival 2007.

“Muallaf” won the Asian Film Award – Special Mention at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2008.

While leaving indelible marks at home, Yasmin’s movies gained international recognition as they were shown in Berlin, San Francisco, Singapore and at the Cannes Film Festival. – Bernama

Rest in Peace, Yasmin Ahmad – Khalisah Stevens

JULY 26 – The first Yasmin Ahmad movie I watched was “Mukhsin,” curled up on my couch with my friends in the Middle East.

Seeing the old Malaysian school buildings and the green padi field scenery made me homesick for the comfort of yellow glutinous rice and chicken curry, the smell of earth right before it rains, and the bustle of cousins and grandparents all around me.

Yasmin Ahmad pierced right through the new life I surrounded myself with abroad, away from the warmth and humidity of Malaysia.

One of the first things I did when I returned to Kuala Lumpur this summer was watch another movie by Yasmin Ahmad. “Sepet” had me all choked up and contemplating the ethnic divides and unity of Malaysians.

With a Chinese grandmother and a Malay grandfather, I was partly sepet myself, and wholly besotted with Yasmin Ahmad’s directing and heart–wrenching thematic story lines.

It became a new obsession with me, finding all her movies and exploring the themes she addresses in them.

“Gubra” was a more mature and darker movie with a closer look at relationships.

Still capturing the essence of what made “Mukhsin” and “Sepet” great hits, “Gubra” took the complexities of marriage and human emotions and weaved them into a masterpiece that tightens the heart for the people around you.

By then, I was asking my friends and family to keep a look out for anything Yasmin Ahmad, be it movies, commercials, or even a radio jingle.

Soon, she became the topic of any discussion I had, and before long people were suggesting me more movies, videos, and even Youtube clips.

I think it was one of those moments where life imitates art when I heard about her stroke. I reacted to the news of her stroke the way Sharifah Amani reacted to the news of her father having a heart–attack in the movie “Gubra.”

I was panicked and worried. I followed the news of her stroke avidly, hoping that she would make it. I felt like I had just found her, it’s completely unfair that we should lose her when there are so many movies left to do, so many issues left to address.

“KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) –– Renowned film and advertising director Yasmin Ahmad died here at about 11.25 pm Saturday night.”

The words resounded in my head. Just like that, she slipped away.

For the next week the papers will be splashing her smiling image on their front pages, and the politicians whose policies she poked fun at will express their deepest condolences for losing one of Malaysia’s top film directors.

I feel like her death is resonant of the somber tone of her movies, quite poetic in its anticlimax.

There was no rain or lightening on Saturday night near the Damansara Specialists Hospital. She passed away quietly. They fold the hospital sheets in “Gubra.” Orkid climbs into her father’s car to the airport. The leaves rustle in Mukhsin’s dream.

Rest in peace, Yasmin Ahmad. You took the heart of what makes Malaysia unique and gave it back to the world through your talented film directing and your unabashed way of tackling social issues.

You blazed the way for Malaysian filmmaking and left some big shoes to fill for the next generation of Malaysian filmmakers.

I think that I can speak for all the fans when I say that we will miss you dearly.

* Khalisah Stevens is a student of International Studies at the American University. of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Yasmin Ahmad dies

The hearse bearing Yasmin Ahamd’s remains leaving the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq mosque at SS19/&7A, Subang Jaya, for the final journey to the USJ Muslim Cemetery. – Picture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 —Renowned film and advertising director Yasmin Ahmad died here at about 11.25 pm last night.

Her death was confirmed by Media Prime Group Chief Operations Officer Datuk Seri Ahmad Farid Ridzuan, who was at the Damansara Specialist Hospital, when contacted by Bernama.

Yasmin, 51, collapsed while presenting a working paper at Sri Pentas, the headquarters of the private television station TV3 on Thursday and was rushed to the Damnsara Specialists Hospital.

She was reported to have suffered a stroke and brain haemorrhage - Bernama

Hope for today, dream for tomorrow – Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

JULY 26 - Facebook wall updates; with hushed voices and a sombre tone. Within minutes, everyone was aware of what had happened.

Yasmin Ahmad, considered by many as one of Malaysia’s brightest stars, passed away at around 11.25pm last night.

The atmosphere not only in the realm of cyberspace, but the rest of Malaysia as of right now is a sad one. Words fail to sum up how so many of us are affected by the late Yasmin Ahmad’s death.

Although we did not know her personally, we felt the connection through her works, her movies as well as her advertisements.

We all went to cinema in droves to watch Sepet, Gubra and Talentime. Many of us left the theatre afterwards with that feeling “hey, I just watched a really GOOD movie.” I know I did.

All of us live in real times, where fate is not always kind or patient.

People come and go everyday, and in times like these, when someone as influential as Yasmin leaves us I can’t help but feel that yet another void has filled up our lives. And that is precisely what is so special and important about her legacy.

She affected a lot of us through her works, because her stories were stripped down, real and relatable at every level of our society.

I remember watching Sepet and falling in love with its simple yet moving plot of the POSSIBILITIES of racial harmony and understanding, through the effective imagery of love between a boy and a girl.

We as a society that respects and admires creative expression of all sorts will mourn for a great loss.

I for one choose to honour and remember Yasmin for all that she represented - hope and understanding. For her stories are our stories too, of you and me. We all live in the same world as Yasmin’s characters.

Her vision was very much alive, real and it is possible to achieve that, if we just work at it. It may take days, months or even years, but we’ll get there. Hopefully.

Al-Fatihah Yasmin Ahmad. May you rest in peace.

Filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad critical but stable after surgery

UPDATED

Yasmin being prepared for emergency surgery. - Bernama pic

PETALING JAYA, July 23 – Filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad is in critical but stable condition after underging emergency surgery at Damansara Specialist Hospital here following a stroke.

She collapsed earlier this afternoon while presenting a working paper at Sri Pentas, the headquarters of the TV3 television station.

The news spread fast through Internet social networks Facebook and twitter, which buzzed with chatter about the critically acclaimed director, first with rumours that she had died but later updates that she is alive but unconscious and in the ICU at the Damansara private specialist hospital.

Bernama quoted her brother-in-law, Datuk Dr Zakaria Zahari, as saying that Yasmin had suffered a stroke and haemorrhaging in the brain.

“Her heart is being supported by drugs to control blood pressure ... the next few hours are extremely important but she is now stable even though she is still unconscious,” he said.

The hospital has yet to issue a statement on her condition.

Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and her husband Datuk Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, who were also present when Yasmin was presenting the paper, said Yasmin complained of not feeling well 15 minutes into her presentation.

“She had started the presentation at 3pm and when she did not feel so good, she sat down and placed her head on a table. A few seconds later, we tried to wake her when we found she was having difficulty breathing,” he told reporters when met at the hospital.

After Yasmin was laid down in a supine position, Siti said, a TV3 employee got hold of a panel doctor to attend to her.

She said Yasmin was then rushed to the hospital at 3.45pm.

Tan Kean Ang, a friend and managing director of the Leo Burnett advertising agency, said Yasmin had been fine in the morning and had exchanged jokes with staff at the office.

“I was surprised when this happened,” he told Bernama, adding that he was in discussions with Yasmin on several projects, which also involved Siti and her husband.

Yasmin, 51, is best known for her film “Sepet” as well as the festive messages sponsored by national oil company Petronas, all of which celebrate Malaysia’s racial diversity and harmony.

Yasmin’s road to success began with her work as an advertising copywriter at Ogilvy & Mather. Over time, she advanced to become creative director with Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur.

Fame followed when she took up filmmaking, with her movies having won widespread acclaim, including many international awards, and her works have been shown at prestigious film festivals in Cannes, San Francisco, Berlin and Singapore.

Yasmin was inducted into the Malaysian Advertising Hall of Fame by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia last November.

Hmmm...... it seems what I have said and commented before was right on target. I always believe the Secular law of the land should remain supreme. I believe slowly and surely it should be made Islamic compliance but not syariah compliance. Are they not the same?, yes and no. Syariah although are God inspired law it is still man made but it is given holy status that whoever question it risk the thought to be regarded as apostate although syariah law as practice is different from one state to one state, to one country to another.

That is the malady which the Ummah seem not to understand. I have and am always against the insertion of section 121(1) and 11(b) of the constitution. Although the spirit of the amendment is good but it is impractical, although it gives the syariah court power making her decision at par with the Secular courts but to me it is an anomaly. For the syariah as practice in Malaya are not uniform,it is the last vestige where the ruler of the state is paramount. Thus each state can virtually pass a law or enacted a syariah law yet is unenforceable beyond the state borders. this made the judgment interesting. Recently a judgment was meted out by the syariah court against a Muslim woman who was found drinking alcohol in Pahang. She was sentence to be canned and a fine was impose on her. It cause so much furore it was laughable. To Sharizats, the Minister of Woman's Affair it was an affront, to Dr Lo'lo the sentence was ridiculous although she would later retract it knowing what she says was a faux pas,after all she is the head of the dewan muslimah of PAS. For me, that is what you get by amending the constitution and by emasculating the syariah court. One day stoning and amputation will be pass and death for apostasy will be law. After all Syariah is for Malays and the passing of the law is the domain of the Malay rulers Remember you can't question the Syariah law and her judgment cannot be overturn by the Civil Courts.Ahh but these laws are only for the Malays, soon any Malay or Muslim caught drinking would be flog 80 lashes in public and those who commit adultery would be stone to death.

That's what the legacy left by Tun, the brilliant Mamak whom the Malays in UMNO idolize so Sharizat shut up since you are a party to these amendments. I am for all making the Syariah independent but I also want the kadi's or the syariah judges be equipped with hikmah which is sorely lacking. Even among themselves they lack decorum and call each others infidels when judgment or fatwa was past without their liking. I prefer that the civil law are made compatible with Islamic ideas then emasculating the syariah, whose law on evidence and procedurals and even international business are outdated. Syariah is just not hudud, it is all encompassing so I laugh when the Malis Ulamak Malaysia says that Syariah does not differentiate between the genders, all are equal when it comes to punishment but something is not right when the fairer sex in the evidence law of the syariah still regard the witness testimony of the female is 1/2 compare to the men. It does not make sense. Historically yes but Woman now participates equally in many fields. to regard them as 1/2 goes again the idea of Islam of regarding them highly. But then the syariah has always been manly in her approach, so has justice been serve or not you decide.

Syariah lawyers association regrets Shahrizat’s statement on whipping of model

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — The Syariah Lawyers Association regretted the statement by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on the Syariah Court decision to whip a model for consuming liquor.

Its deputy president Musa Awang said the statement was a challenge and insult to the Kuantan Syariah Court.

He was also replying to a similar statement by Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Dr Lo'lo Mohd Ghazali.

Musa said Judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunus made the decision based on provisions of the law.

“Any unhappiness with the Syariah Court decision must be made via procedures provided by law,” he said in a statement here today.

Shahrizat said she was shocked by the Syariah Court decision and called for a fair and just punishment. Meanwhile, Dr Lo'lo was surprised that whipping of women was sanctioned by the Malaysian syariah law adding punishment should be educational, and not to cause hurt.

Musa said although whipping for women was not allowed by civil courts, Islam did not differentiate between men and women offenders.

“Their rights and punishments are the same according to Syariah law and in the eyes of God.”

“Although the two leaders intention was to defend women, they should understand the whipping methods according to Islam.”

He said the whipping implemented by Syariah Court was different from that done by Civil Courts.

“Whipping procedures in Pahang are spelled out in detail under section 125 and section 126 of the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002.”

Musa said a rotan or small branch should be used for whipping and that it should be not more than 1.22 metre long and not more than 1.25cm thick.

Whipping would not be done on pregnant offenders and would only be done two months after delivery. It must not hit the face, head, stomach, breast or private parts.

“It must be done using moderate force. The punisher should not raise their hands over the head so as not to injure the skin.”

He added the offender’s health should be checked by government health officers who should also be present during whipping. – Bernama

Outrage over caning for model

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — A model who was ordered to be caned by a Pahang syariah court for consuming alcohol in public wants the court to expedite the sentence, which has stirred up a controversy.

If her sentence is meted out soon, it could be the first time that a man or a woman is caned under Islamic law.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed shock at the ruling while another woman MP from the Islamist party PAS said she was surprised that whipping of women was sanctioned under syariah law.

Muslim lawyers, however, dismissed the criticism, saying they were a challenge and an insult to the Kuantan syariah court.

The woman at the centre of the controversy, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor, 32, told reporters she wanted the ordeal to be over soon to move on with her life.

“I will accept this earthly punishment, let Allah decide my punishment in the hereafter... The court has yet to tell me when the sentence will be carried out, so I would like to ask them to hasten it.

“I truly respect the court's decision... I admit that it's my offence and not that of others, it's not the offence of my parents, not the offence of my other family members,” a teary Kartika told reporters in her home town in Perak yesterday.

She was drinking beer with her husband in a hotel in Cherating, Pahang, two years ago when she was caught by Islamic enforcement officers. She pleaded guilty last year.

She was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the rotan by the Pahang Syariah High Court on Monday.

The mother of two, who is married to a Singaporean and is a Singapore permanent resident, paid her fine on Tuesday and decided not to file any appeal.

Earlier this year, two others, a 22-year-old waitress and a 38-year-old man, were ordered to be flogged for drinking in public. But both have lodged appeals against their sentences, which means Kartika would be the first person to be caned if her sentence is meted out.

Her husband, who is in Singapore, told The Straits Times that he was unhappy with the sentence.

“As a Muslim, I have the right to teach her and punish her myself because I'm her husband. That's what Islam taught us,” he said, adding that he wanted to remain anonymous.

“I don't understand why they decided to punish her. I don't think it's fair but let's leave it to God to judge the actions of those people who punished my wife.”

In Malaysia's dual-track system, women convicted under its civil jurisdiction are not caned. But the caning for women under the syariah system is less harsh.

Kartika's father, Shukarnor Mutalib, 60, said the punishment by the court was according to the Islamic laws in Malaysia and that the incident had taught his daughter a useful lesson.

But Shahrizat, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, did not feel it was a fair and just punishment when she expressed shock at the decision, adding that her ministry was following the case closely.

Titiwangsa MP Lo'lo Mohd Ghazali, who is also head of the women's wing of the opposition PAS, said that punishment should educate and not cause hurt.

Responding to the criticism, Syariah Lawyers Association deputy president Musa Awang said the judge had made the decision based on provisions of the law.

“Any unhappiness with the syariah court decision must be made via procedures provided by law,” he said.

“Although the two leaders' intention was to defend women, they should understand the whipping methods according to Islam,” he was quoted as saying in a statement yesterday.

He said the rotan used in caning women should not be more than 1.22m long and not more than 1.25cm thick. He also highlighted the “moderate force” used. — The Straits Times

Shock over whipping sentence

Submitted by pekwan on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

• Local
• whipping sentence

Ministry upset over unprecedented move by Syariah Court

Kharleez Zubin

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 06:26:00

WOMEN leaders from two opposing political camps have come out strongly against the whipping sentence meted out on a 32-year old model for drinking beer by a Syariah court in Kuantan early this week.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed shock over the unprecedented sentence.

"I am extremely shocked and feel very strongly about this new development. Though it is wrong in Syariah to consume alcohol, the punishment must be fair and just," she said, adding her ministry is following the case ery closely.

"What is wrong is wrong but the implementation of the Syariah must be fair and just to everyone, including women," she said, adding in civil law there is no provision for women to be caned.

As much as she wants to express her feelings, Sharizat said, being a former officer of the court she has to restrain herself as the case has gone up for appeal.

Echoing a similar opinion, the Member of Parliament for Titiwangsa, Dr Lo'Lo Datuk Mohd Ghazali, noted that she was surprised that caning or whipping of women was sanctioned under the Syariah law in Malaysia.

"The punishment must be more educational rather than causing hurt to a woman to make her reform," she said, adding the whipping sentence was very harsh.

It's the first time she is hearing about a whipping punishment. "So far nobody, not even a male, has been whipped under the Syariah in Malaysia," said the Pas Women wing head, who last month came to the defence of Sisters in Islam after PAS announced that it wanted the National Fatwa Council to ban the non-governmental organisation.

"I do not know how the whipping punishment is going to be carried out on women. Is it going to be symbolic or real whipping," she said.

Whipping is a norm in many Islamic States. Last month in Bangladesh a widow was whipped 202 times and a man 101 times following a fatwa by a religious leader for their alleged involvement in "anti-social activity" in a village in south eastern Bangladesh, prompting local protests and action by the police.

Piara Begum, a widow of 40, and Mamun Miah, 25, were whipped before hundreds of people at Khaiyar in Comilla district. The woman fell unconscious and was rushed to hospital and was admitted for intensive treatment.

On Monday in Kuantan, Syariah judge Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunus fined the model RM5,000 and imposed six whippings after she pleaded guilty to consuming an alcoholic drink in public last year. In making his ruling, judge Abdul Rahman said that if Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor, from Sungai Siput, Perak failed to pay the fine of
RM5,000, she would be imprisoned for three years.

Kartika was accused of consuming a beer at Cherating Bay Lounge, the Legend Hotel in Cherating at about
11.40pm on July 11 last year.

She was charged under Section 136 of the Pahang Administration of the Islam Law and Malay Custom Enactment. The accused, who cried when the judgement was delivered, said she would file an appeal
through her counsel, Mohd Zuki Che Mat Ghani. Syariah deputy public prosecutor Saiful Idham Sahimi appeared for the prosecution.

Outrage over caning for model

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — A model who was ordered to be caned by a Pahang syariah court for consuming alcohol in public wants the court to expedite the sentence, which has stirred up a controversy.

If her sentence is meted out soon, it could be the first time that a man or a woman is caned under Islamic law.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed shock at the ruling while another woman MP from the Islamist party PAS said she was surprised that whipping of women was sanctioned under syariah law.

Muslim lawyers, however, dismissed the criticism, saying they were a challenge and an insult to the Kuantan syariah court.

The woman at the centre of the controversy, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor, 32, told reporters she wanted the ordeal to be over soon to move on with her life.

“I will accept this earthly punishment, let Allah decide my punishment in the hereafter... The court has yet to tell me when the sentence will be carried out, so I would like to ask them to hasten it.

“I truly respect the court's decision... I admit that it's my offence and not that of others, it's not the offence of my parents, not the offence of my other family members,” a teary Kartika told reporters in her home town in Perak yesterday.

She was drinking beer with her husband in a hotel in Cherating, Pahang, two years ago when she was caught by Islamic enforcement officers. She pleaded guilty last year.

She was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the rotan by the Pahang Syariah High Court on Monday.

The mother of two, who is married to a Singaporean and is a Singapore permanent resident, paid her fine on Tuesday and decided not to file any appeal.

Earlier this year, two others, a 22-year-old waitress and a 38-year-old man, were ordered to be flogged for drinking in public. But both have lodged appeals against their sentences, which means Kartika would be the first person to be caned if her sentence is meted out.

Her husband, who is in Singapore, told The Straits Times that he was unhappy with the sentence.

“As a Muslim, I have the right to teach her and punish her myself because I'm her husband. That's what Islam taught us,” he said, adding that he wanted to remain anonymous.

“I don't understand why they decided to punish her. I don't think it's fair but let's leave it to God to judge the actions of those people who punished my wife.”

In Malaysia's dual-track system, women convicted under its civil jurisdiction are not caned. But the caning for women under the syariah system is less harsh.

Kartika's father, Shukarnor Mutalib, 60, said the punishment by the court was according to the Islamic laws in Malaysia and that the incident had taught his daughter a useful lesson.

But Shahrizat, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, did not feel it was a fair and just punishment when she expressed shock at the decision, adding that her ministry was following the case closely.

Titiwangsa MP Lo'lo Mohd Ghazali, who is also head of the women's wing of the opposition PAS, said that punishment should educate and not cause hurt.

Responding to the criticism, Syariah Lawyers Association deputy president Musa Awang said the judge had made the decision based on provisions of the law.

“Any unhappiness with the syariah court decision must be made via procedures provided by law,” he said.

“Although the two leaders' intention was to defend women, they should understand the whipping methods according to Islam,” he was quoted as saying in a statement yesterday.

He said the rotan used in caning women should not be more than 1.22m long and not more than 1.25cm thick. He also highlighted the “moderate force” used. — The Straits Times

Lo’ Lo’ terkejut hakim syariah berani jatuhkan hukuman sebat

KUALA LUMPUR, Julai 24 – Anggota Parlimen Titiwangsa, Dr Lo’Lo’ Mohd Ghazali berkata, beliau terkejut dengan keberanian hakim mahkamah syariah menjatuhkan hukuman sebat kepada seorang model sambilan yang didapati bersalah meminum arak.

“Apabila Mahkamah Syariah Kuantan menjatuhkan hukuman sebat ke atas model tersebut, ini membuatkan saya terkejut.

“Bukan terkejut kerana hukuman tetapi terkejut kerana keberanian Hakim Mahkamah Syariah tersebut. Syabas kepada beliau,” kata Lo’Lo’ mengulas isu tersebut.

Hakim mahkamah syariah Kuantan baru-baru ini menjatuhkan hukuman sebat ke atas Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor kerana bersalah meminum arak di tempat awam.

Kartika Sari Dewi kemudiannya berkata beliau telah menginsafi perbuatan tersebut dan memohon agar hukuman sebat ke atasnya dipercepatkan.

“Moga Allah menerima taubat hambaNya yang menyesali kesalahan,” kata Dr Lo’ Lo’ dalam kenyataannya.

Media baru-baru ini melaporkan, pesalah itu, Kartika Sari Dewi melahirkan kekesalan dan berdoa agar kesnya itu menjadi pengajaran kepadanya.

Menurut Lo’ Lo’, hukuman sebat dalam Islam mestilah dibezakan dengan hukuman sebab dalam kes jenayah.

Ini kerana, sebab dalam Islam lebih kepada pengajaran bukannya untuk menyeksa atau menyakitkan pesalah.

Persoalannya, kata Lo’ Lo’, “Adakah hukuman sebat di Mahkamah Syariah dilakukan dengan kaedah yang sama? Inilah kebimbangan yang saya sebutkan kepada wartawan tersebut bimbang hukuman sebat ini dianggap sebagai hukuman Mahkamah Sivil sehingga memberi tanggapan buruk kepada Mahkamah Syariah, lebih-lebih lagi yang dihukum seorang wanita.

“Ini yang perlu diperjelaskan. Inilah maksud saya bila saya mengatakan hukuman sepatutnya untuk tujuan pengajaran, bukan untuk mendatangkan kecederaan,”jelas beliau.

Lo’ Lo’ dalam kenyataannya juga berkata, pihak berkuasa Malaysia iaitu BN dan Umno perlu ‘merotan’ Pengurus MAS (Penerbangan Malaysia) yang telah menyebabkan semua yang berada dalam penerbangan MAS itu terlibat secara langsung dengan arak.

“iaitu dari pramugara/i yang hidang arak sehinggalah pilot yang mengemudi kapal terbang tersebut,” katanya.

“Begitu juga perlu ‘disebat’ pihak yang terbabit berpuluh-puluh tahun membiarkan orang-orang Islam terlibat secara langsung dengan arak di hotel-hotel, 7- Eleven, pasaraya-pasaraya dan pekerja-pekerja Islam di kilang Carlberg,” katanya lagi dalam kenyataan itu.

Malaysia debates caning of woman

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Datuk Abdullah Mohd Zain, religious adviser to the prime minister, has brushed aside criticisms that an Islamic court ruling to cane a woman for drinking beer is harsh, saying she had broken the law.

Abdullah told The Straits Times yesterday that Muslim women leaders who criticised the court’s decision did not know that syariah caning is “not as brutal as the civil court’s corporal punishment”.

“Criticisms are normal, but it is not fair for non-Muslims to criticise the syariah law. The Muslims criticise it because they do not know how the caning is done.”

He was commenting on the Syariah High Court ruling in Pahang on Monday which sentenced a 32-year-old Malaysian woman, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor, to six strokes of the cane.

“Not many Malaysian Muslims know what syariah caning is like, that is why they are shocked over the punishment,” said Abdullah, adviser on Islamic issues to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Under an Act on Islam in Malaysia that was passed in 1984, the female offender must sit when being caned. The officer will use a smooth branch or rotan that is slightly thinner than those used to whip men in a civil court punishment. The officer must not raise his hand higher than his shoulder to ensure that the caning is moderate.

But women leaders including Islamic law experts, social activists and politicians condemned the punishment, the first time that a woman would face judicial caning.

“From my experience, in nearly all cases, the normal practice is for the judge to take into consideration all the facts and mitigating factors. The offenders will usually be fined,” said Universiti Malaya Islamic criminal law expert Siti Zubaidah Ismail in the New Straits Times yesterday.

Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah said: “We are mortified that a court would even consider imposing caning on a woman, especially when women are exempted from caning under the penal code.”

But other religious leaders and syariah lawyers felt that the punishment was not unjust.

“Punishment like caning and stoning have existed in Islam but we will not see it being carried out in Malaysia as long as the country is governed by secularists,” said Parti Islam SeMalaysia spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Kartika, a Singapore permanent resident, was caught by the Islamic authorities for drinking beer while on a holiday with friends in Cherating, Pahang, two years ago. She pleaded guilty last year. She was also fined RM5,000.

Her father, Shukarnor Abdul Mutalib, told The Straits Times that Kartika is now resting in their family home in Perak.

“I’m not asking for the court to punish my daughter, but I just want them to carry out the decision that they’ve made.

“But now that the case has become a national issue, let’s see how they are going to do it,” said the 62-year-old businessman.

He also clarified that Kartika was a hospital worker in Singapore, and not a model as reported by the media. — Straits Times

People been asking me to write something current, they want to know my stand. It would mean being political and i would like to remain bipartisan as far as possible because if you state your stand it might not stand well with others. And I hate being misconstrued. I am sad at the turn of events that surround the death of Teoh Beng Hock at the Selangor MACC depatment. It appears he fall down the 14 storeys building after interrogation that last through the night until 3 in the morning. He request to sleep until morning and at 1.30 pm his body was found sprawled at the 9th floor verandah.

That is the scenario, in all appearance it appears he had fall down, it was sudden death. was there any foul play, it appears none. Did he commit suicide,cannot be discounted but highly unlikely. He was about to be a father and suppose to held his wedding soon with his pregnant fiancee. Why did he fell, did someone push him, can be but then he was the witness? So to me let the cops finish their investigation. I think he might be lock in the room or in the premises and since it was already early in the morning he might thought going out the window(after taking a nap) would be the way out since the place is lock. But then that is my thoughts because I know people sometimes do stupid things when the are lock in and we can't be sure what was in his mind.

Yet to me MACC was responsible not directly for his death but indirectly. I always believe strong arms investigation tactics if need be must be the domain of the police and the armed forces. For normal government Agencies be it MACC, RELA, Immigration, Customs etc a subtle and soft approach should be the SOP of the investigating techniques. These people are usually white collar criminal thus a softer approach is needed. But sadly these were never adhered to or taught. And since the Government has been monolithic in terms of her racial personnel it can't be help if the death of Teoh is perceive to be racial but it should not be. People conveniently forgot that he was brought in because there was a report lodge by an opposition MP Wee Choo Keong of Wangsa Maju who is Chinese, stated that funds for development were allege to be siphon off by state assemblyman of Selangor who happen to be Chinese. And this MP was a former DAP stalwart who nows join PKR and made a report to the MACC against his one time colleagues in his former party.

He also alleges that these DAP state assemblymen were in cahoots with the underworld. It was a serious charge which the MACC had to investigate, But MACC is not the police. conducting interrogation until the wee hours in the morning is a nono, and more so if that guy is a witness therefore to me, MACC is responsible for this foul up. They might not be directly responsible for the death but she is morally responsible for what happen. I hope now the SOP for interrogation for these said agencies in enforce in the meantime we wait. Here is a snippet from the Nut Graph team

Racialising Teoh Beng Hock’s death

20 Jul 09 : 5.32PM

By Zedeck Siew
zedecksiew@thenutgraph.com

THE Malay-language press continues to react to the death of Selangor government aide Teoh Beng Hock. Or rather, they continue to react to the outrage expressed by certain quarters over the tragedy.

The 20 July 2009 edition of Utusan Malaysia ran a simple warning on its front page: Jangan melampau. The news report to which that headline referred, Henti tohmahan terhadap SPRM, quoted politicians who urged the public to "stop all unreasonable suspicions and accusations again the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)".

The article also slammed the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition for "going overboard" and for calling for a royal commission.

"Why can't opposition supporters be patient? They should give room so that an investigation can be carried out. Only if they are still dissatisfied when the investigation is finished should they hold rallies or make demands," Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali was quoted as saying.

Ibrahim, who is also an independent Member of Parliament who ran under the PAS banner, expressed worry at the precedent such a royal commission would set. "Soon, there will be a royal commission for everyone who dies.

"There are many police who die, and many Malays who die in unusual ways, but no one [has held] rallies or [made] demands [for these deaths] so far," Ibrahim added.

Utusan Malaysia front pageIbrahim alleged that there were "puppeteers" waiting to use the issue of Teoh's death for their own ends, and alleged that PR leaders were exploiting it, "as if they want to turn it into a racial issue".

Whiff of racism

The lack of empathy towards the passing of a Malaysian citizen notwithstanding, Ibrahim's statements are also ironic. This is because the first whiff of racism around Teoh's mysterious death arguably originated with the Barisan Nasional (BN)-aligned daily Berita Harian.

Berita Minggu's 19 July 2009 editorial, Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik, by Zainul Ariffin Isa, argued that the PR was using the tragedy to incite ethnic sentiment.

"Why does Selangor Menteri Besar (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim), a Malay, doubt the ability of those of his own race to act fairly and sincerely?" the New Straits Times group managing editor asked.

"Aren't there a lot of government agency or institution officers that are Malays? Are Malay police officers, judges, teachers, investigators, doctors and lecturers all not to be trusted?" Zainul asked.

He added that one need only surf the internet to come across criticism about government institutions, "the majority of which are headed and staffed by Malays".

Berita Harian, in its 20 July 2009 edition, continued to propagate the idea that Teoh's death was being played out along ethnic divides.

Manja Ismail's article in Berita HarianIn Manja Ismail's editorial Antara malang berbau dan malang tidak berbau, the writer expressed sympathy for the "unexpected misfortune that befell Teoh and his family".

"But we are also worried of the effects of the opposition's actions, which are turning it into a political and racial issue," Manja said.

The writer argued that the PR was using Teoh's death as a smokescreen to divert attention away from the weaknesses within the opposition coalition, pointing to PAS's slim victory in the 14 July Manik Urai by-election.

Additionally, Manja argued that it was an attempted diversion from the PKR vice-president's public criticism of the Selangor government.

Party-partisan

The PR leadership, reacting to Teoh's death, has been quite party-partisan. This sentiment was obvious in a rally on 19 July at the Kelana Jaya stadium, where figures such as PAS central working committee member Datuk Husam Musa and Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim lashed out at the MACC's lopsided actions.

The PR leadership charged that the MACC targets PR politicians and ignores BN leaders, such as former Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo. Several speakers called on their audience to reject the BN government and vote for PR in the next general election.

But these opposition leaders have also been careful to avoid racialising Teoh's death. "This is not about politics, activists or race. This is about justice," Selangor MB Khalid was quoted as saying.

In fact, PR supporters logged outrage at the insinuation that they were framing Teoh's death in Malay-versus-non-Malay terms. Some at the rally on Sunday burnt copies of Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian to show their disgust.

Supporters at the 19 July rally

Those within the BN have also spoken out against Berita Harian's racial frame. Referencing Zainul's 19 July editorial, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Mah Siew Keong insisted that Teoh's death should not be seen as an issue of ethnic prejudice.

"Truth is the truth, and it does not carry the label of Malay, Chinese or Indian," Mah said in a press statement on 20 July.

"The outcry that we see now is the outpouring of the people's feelings towards the nation's sacrosanct institutions, which is one of doubt and loss of confidence."

Also interesting is that while Perkasa's Ibrahim exhorted people not jump to conclusions, Berita Harian writers appear to have their minds made up over the circumstances surrounding Teoh's death.

In his article, Manja consistently used words like "misfortune" and "accident" to describe the death of the 30-year-old political secretary. It isn't a stretch to conclude that the daily, evident in its use of language, was already ruling out foul play, even before independent investigations are carried out and completed.

I just found out i got my thousand readership today so it is a milestone for me! i have not updated as I like as i have been bogged down from a feeling of discomfort this past week so i have to pick up where I left. Yes i still got a thing to say about conversion in fact it still occupies my thought. Before I put a nail to this affair I have to bring the readers and remind them what our former Prime Minister Pak Lah recommended but which was shot down by the Muslim NGO's which proclaim they have the best interest of the ummah at heart or did they? I wonder? I applauded the move to announce the conversion of new Muslims publicly because it would stop what happen to people like Mohan and avoid the ensuing controversies. If conversion is private then why when you die it become public affair? And if we Muslims are like the hadiths which says we are like one body thus we are responsible for one another then knowing someone else faith is important so we could remind our brothers of transgression made if it was committed don't you think so? If we took responsibilities on their bodies when they die don't you think we are not responsible when they are alive? Pak Lah saw the light and because he was weak he can't bulldoze it through but it was good idea sadly the Muslim Ummah as usual is at fault! Here's the piece of news and read!

Court backs Islamic officials in 'bodysnatch' case

Monday, 06 July 2009 14:19

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's high court has ruled that a Sikh man converted to Islam before his death, over the objections of his family who are demanding the return of his body, his lawyer said Monday. In the latest "bodysnatching" case in predominantly Muslim Malaysia, the court backed Islamic authorities who said that Mohan Singh, a 41-year-old film director who died of a heart attack last month, was a Muslim. "The family is very disappointed with the ruling as they wanted to get his body and cremate him under Sikh rites, but it was expected and we are now rushing to appeal," family lawyer Rajesh Kumar told AFP. Muslim burial today "We are hoping that the family will be allowed to appeal but the Muslim authorities now have custody of the body and they are expected to rush a Muslim burial by today, which will make the situation worse," he said. Kumar said that presiding high court judge Rosnaini Saub had refused to grant a stay order on the ruling, which would have allowed the body to be kept at a hospital morgue pending the appeal. "This makes it very hard because if we win on appeal, it would be difficult to exhume the body from a Muslim graveyard as that would upset Muslims." A Sikh when he died Kumar said Islamic authorities claimed that Mohan, who had directed some local films, converted to Islam in 1992, although Kumar's family say he was a practising Sikh when he died and his religion was marked on his identity card. Conversion rows are common in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and wrangles between relatives and Islamic authorities over the remains of people whose religion is disputed have helped raise ethnic tensions. The issue has stoked fears of the "Islamisation" of the multicultural country, which is also home to large ethnic Chinese and Indian communities. - AFP Malaysian move on conversion welcomed April 12th, 2008 - 2:07 pm ICT by admin - Kuala Lumpur, April 12 (IANS) Two major political parties, besides representatives of the bar and religious groups have supported the government’s proposed move for a law that any non-Muslim seeking to convert to Islam must inform the family in writing. The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) that has spoken for the 33 percent ethnic Chinese population since the country became free and the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) welcomed the move Friday. There is no word yet from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) that, like MCA, is part of the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) and speaks for the eight percent ethnic Indians. MIC is currently afflicted by dissensions following last month’s poll debacle. Malaysia has a majority Muslim population and Islam is the official religion. In announcing the proposal Thursday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the absence of a ruling concerning non-Muslims resulted in problems like the oft-reported disputes over religious burial rites when a convert dies. He said those who wanted to convert to Islam must inform their family through a form or letter declaring that their family had been told. There had been a number of such cases highlighted in the press over the years, some of which had ended up in litigation, The Sun newspaper noted Saturday. Opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s Indian origin chief Karpal Singh said: “This move is necessary to avert any misunderstanding when claims are made to bodies of non-Muslims who have converted to Islam when they die.” “What is more important, and which requires to be addressed immediately, is the necessity of making it easier for non-Muslims who have converted to Islam, to revert to their original religions, in keeping with freedom of religion if they so desire, as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution,” said the lawyer-lawmaker. “As the position stands, non-Muslim converts are required to resort to the Sharia Court to renounce Islam, and are further required to undergo rehabilitation. In my view, no obstacle should be placed in the way of non-Muslim converts who wish to renounce Islam,” he added. Karpal Singh urged the government to relax the requirement for non-Muslim converts to go to the Sharia Court to renounce Islam. “There is considerable concern and disquiet among non-Muslim converts who wish to renounce Islam,” said Karpal Singh MCA president Ong Ka Ting welcomed the move. “MCA’s stand has been consistent in pushing for such a move. However, we would like to seek clarification on the process of implementation of such a requirement.” Ong sought a time period for the intending convert to inform the family members and that the process should be ‘transparent’. “The court also must not allow the unilateral conversion of any minor children resulting from the civil marriage. The court should not view this as a loophole as the religion of the child should remain status quo until he/she attains the age of majority,” Ong said. Bar Council’s Indian origin woman chief, Ambiga Sreenevasan called it “an important first step”. Islamic religious authorities must be satisfied that the family members have been duly notified. “They should require documented proof of such a notification. A self-declaratory document from the intending convert will not suffice,” she added. A. Vaithilingam, the Indian origin chief of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism said: “This is a positive first step in ensuring that our laws and system of administration are not abused by those wanting to avoid their obligations to their loved ones by converting to Islam.” He recommended that there should be “black-and-white proof” of notification from the convert. Take family permission for conversion, Malaysia tells non-Muslims April 11th, 2008 - 6:12 pm ICT by admin - Kuala Lumpur, April 11 (IANS) The Malaysian government will introduce a regulation requiring non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family before doing so. Announcing the move Thursday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: “We will have a regulation. When a person wants to convert to Islam, we have to ask him whether his wife knows about it. If people want to convert, there is nothing wrong, why must they hide? Tell them (the family).” Noting that there was no such regulation at present, Badawi advised non-Muslims wanting to convert to inform their families to “make things easier for everyone”, The Star quoted him as saying Friday. “We don’t want problems later when the man converts and converts the children also, when the wife has rights too,” he said after chairing a meeting of the National Council on Islamic Religious Affairs here. Religious bodies and the Malaysian Bar Council have welcomed Badawi’s announcement, the newspaper said. Bar Council chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan lauded the measure but said details of its implementation must be worked out. She said Islamic authorities must be satisfied that the family of the person wanting to convert had been informed before allowing the non-Muslim to proceed with his or her intention. “This is only one of the issues that faces a non-converting spouse and there are many others that need to be looked into, but this is an important step,” she said. Conversion is allowed under the Malaysian constitution. However, there have been many cases of families of non-Muslims challenging the decision in courts, especially when it comes to the question of the faith the children should follow. Court rulings asking the complainant to go to the Islamic Sharia court have been resented. One such case was of a former army commando, a Hindu, whose family pursued the case before law after he died. They disputed his decision and wanted to cremate him as per Hindu rights. Badawi said he told those at the meeting that religious issues were “very sensitive” and should be tackled wisely to avoid racial tension. Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary Hermen Shastri said the council had repeatedly made such a proposal to prevent problems when a spouse discovered that his or her partner had converted in secret. “But we should go further in ensuring that should the non-converting spouse not want to follow the converted spouse (in converting to Islam), all matters regarding the dissolution of the marriage must be handled in the civil court,” he said. Shastri suggested that converting non-Muslims should be required to provide documented proof that they had informed their families. “This is to avoid conflicts arising within the family when the converted spouse makes claims, legal or otherwise, which the non-converting spouse is kept in the dark about, for example, on the conversion and custody of children and property rights,” he said. Muslim clergy opposes Badawi’s proposal on conversion April 29th, 2008 - 5:30 pm ICT by admin - Kuala Lumpur, April 29 (IANS) Senior Islamic leaders of Malaysia have rejected a proposal by Prime Minister Abdullah Amad Badawi that requires non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family before doing so. Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said it was decided at a recent conference that met to streamline Syariah, the Islamic laws and civil laws. “Based on Syariah laws, there is no ‘nas’ (quotations from the Quran to prove or settle a point) compelling a person wishing to convert to Islam to inform the family before doing so,” Wan Mohamad said in a statement Monday. The conference also decided that the need to inform loved ones should be left to the discretion of the person wishing to convert. Wan Mohamad said present Syariah laws on conversion and related matters were sufficient and the present practices should be continued. “Nevertheless, provisions for registration, custody and the education of converts need to be formulated in a more effective manner,” The Daily Star quoted him as saying Tuesday. Wan Mohamad added under the Syariah laws, the duties and responsibility of the convert towards his non-Muslim parents did not stop after the conversion. Badawi had said the government would introduce a regulation requiring non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family before doing so. He said this would prevent problems of families disputing the conversion of their loved ones when they die. Conversion by non-Muslims to Islam and the jurisdiction of courts while settling disputes that arise out of the conversion has been an issue in Malaysia. Enunciating Badawi’s views, minister in the Prime Minister’s department Zaid Ibrahim has stressed all laws should be able to address “the dissatisfaction and problems of various races in the country”. He pointed out that in a multiracial country, the government should seek the views of the people, instead of acting unilaterally. “For example, in formulating the Federal Territories Islamic Family Law, the government must make sure that it also takes care of the interest of the non-Muslim community. “Any party which proposes to charge a non-Muslim with zinah for committing adultery with a Muslim should state clearly under which law and section can this be done,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.

I love this song and so does micheal which i didn't know until he dies so just listen to it!



Smile lyrics
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile



I Am A Clown from David Cassidy

Here is the lyrics for I Am A Clown
We hope that you enjoy them just asmuch as we here at International Lyrics DataBase do.

See the funny little clown, see the puppet on a string
Wind him up, he'll sing, give him candy and he'll dance
But be certain not to feel that his funny face is real

Step right up and see him folks, couldn't you die at all his jokes
Couldn't you cry at all the tricks, he'll come up with in a fix
But be certain not to stray 'cause he'll steal your heart away

I am a clown, I am a clown, clown
You'll always see me smile, you'll never see me frown
Sometimes my scenes are good, sometimes they're bad
Not funny, ha-ha, funny sad

I am a clown, look at the clown, clown
Always a laughing face whenever you're around
Always the same routine, I never change
Not funny, ho-ho, funny strange

Sometimes I think the world is a circus town
Sometimes I feel like a lonely inside show
Man on the flying trapeze, he ain't never comin' down
He knows what I know if you look inside
If I didn't hide, you might decide you don't want me

I am a clown, that's why I'm a clown, clown
Just like the fool on the hill beggin' to come down
I want to live again, oh, I want to feel
Tell me you love me, make me real
Tell me you love me, make me real
Tell me you love me, make me real

See the funny little clown, see the puppet on a string
Wind him up and he will sing, give him candy, he will dance
But be certain not to feel if his funny face is real

I am appalled that it seems I am ban to give my comment in Malaysian Insider. I must have ruffled certain feathers so be it. I receive news yeaterday on the4 death of Natrah or Maria Hertogh. She was responsible for the Riots in Singapore in 1950's. Her story parallels Mohan and the rest, it just that in Natrah case it concern a Muslim. I hope the Muslim would look at the hikmah of the incidence and ask themselves the wrong they did to non muslim and perhaps maybe thier heart can be soften. Two prominent people of Natrah was the late Professor Tan Sri Ahmad Ibrahimand Lee Kuan Yew. In Lee Kuan Yew case he defended the rioters while Ahmad Ismail defended Natrah.

Ahmad Ismail life would take a detour later. He has a falling out with Lee although he was the first Attorney General of Singapore. He later became naturalised Malaysian. Here's a snippet on how Lee's Singapore works
NOW to draw aside the curtain, to show you the true picture. Some history is needed to show how the legal system was systematically undermined by the prime minister after the People’s Action Party (PAP), came into power in June 1959. The senior crown counsel, Ahmad Ibrahim, was promoted over the solicitor general, A.V. Winslow, to the top office of attorney general. Ahmad Ibrahim was a Muslim, and his presence was useful to the prime minister, whose political objectives included merger with Malaya. A.V. Winslow, on the other hand, was a Ceylon Tamil, the first Singaporean in the colonial legal service to reach its topmost rung. The prime minister, however, saw him as too closely tied to the old colonial administration, and therefore politically unreliable. Several years later, Winslow was elevated to the high court bench but, significantly, was never assigned to try sensitive cases.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Ibrahim -- who had become a political liability but whose tenure of office was protected under the constitution -- was sent overseas as ambassador to the United Arab Republic. This lateral promotion is reminiscent of the practice of Chinese emperors getting rid of awkward officials by sending them out to govern the far-flung provinces.

Another significant move was the designation of Justice Wee Chong Jin -- a relatively recent recruit from the bar -- as chief justice over the more experienced acting incumbent. Like Winslow, he was also identified with the old order. Wee's political acuity and industry had recommended themselves to the prime minister, who once again ignored the claims of seniority and experience to further his political agenda.

Now back to Natrah, I am sad at least she is at peace and I pray that God has mercy on her soul. Here is the piece of news and my comment which now will not be heard!

1950 child custody figure Bertha Hertogh dies

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 – Bertha Hertogh or Nadra, who made world headlines in 1950 when she became the centre of a legal conflict between her Dutch parents and a her adoptive Muslim mother, died at her residence in Huijbergen, The Netherlands yesterday.

She was 72. Hertogh or fondly known as Nadra when she lived in Singapore and Indonesia, died of leukaemia, according to a statement from Malaysia’s ambassador to The Netherlands, Dr Fauziah Mohd Taib that was e-mailed to Bernama here, today.

After the judge assigned her to her Dutch parents, riots broke out between Muslims and Christians in Singapore, which resulted in 18 deaths and 200 hundred others injured.

Dr Fauziah said for many people, Nadra, who was born in Bandung, Indonesia, remained an icon in the battle against British imperialism and an example of what religious differences could lead to.

She later returned to The Netherlands, but her heart always remained in Malaysia and Indonesia, Fauziah added.

In 1999, Nadra returned to this region for the first time since the riots to film a documentary for a Dutch television station.

“According to Hertogh, her childhood had been the only period in her life that she was really happy. Bertha Hertogh is remembered as a loving and caring woman who continuously dedicated her life to others. Her own happiness always came in second,” said Dr Fauziah.

At the moment, a motion picture titled Nadra is in pre-production stage in Singapore, Malaysia and The Netherlands.

The film captures the perspective of Nadra and the events that led to the riots and how she became a victim of religious and colonial conflicts.

The film is directed by Ben Sombogaart and is expected to be released in the fall of 2010. – Bernama

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written by norizan, July 09, 2009
My heart cried for her. She used to live here in my home town with her adopted mum who loved her dearly. She even went to the school in Chukai Kemaman when they spotted her performing on stage. It was unfair to her to end in such a way that robbed off her happiness and joy, all because of the pride of one man, a westerner that felt insulted having a white girl living with a peasant Malay. May God be with her..amin!


Wan zaharizan comment
Norizan what happen to Natrah was sad but now this is what we are doing to others like Mohan Singh, Indrani etc. These are also sad. If we talk about fairness isn't it's time for the muslim to be fair to others! Two wrong doesn't make a right and we are still making wrong decision all the time. I wish the Malay Muslim would take a leaf of what happen to Natrah where a bad decision was made and stop making one too!

This is an editorial which shuld be read with what I am writing below. Still work in progress!

Conversion

8 Jul 09 : 8.00AM

By The Nut Graph team
editor@thenutgraph.comeditor at thenutgraph dot com

Malcolm X (Public domain) THE late Malcolm X did it, and he's a hero. Amina Wadud did it, and people call her a freak. "It" being converting to Islam. And as African Americans, Malcolm and Amina did it in the belief that Islam offered them spiritual liberation and justice.

People convert to different religions all the time. Who can forget rock 'n roll legend Tina Turner's conversion to Buddhism, which eventually empowered her to escape her abusive marriage to Ike Turner? In another highly publicised — and highly mocked — journey of spiritual discovery, pop music icon Madonna found inspiration in the mystical Kabbalah sect of Judaism in the late 1990s. The creator of the Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis, also wrote extensively about his conversion to Christianity.

But the search for spiritual authenticity does not seem to be the only reason for certain individuals to convert. Former Argentinian President Carlos Menem was born to a family of Syrian Muslim migrants. He realised, however, that if he ever wanted a shot at leading Argentina, he could not remain a Muslim. So he converted to Catholicism and had his marriage to his Muslim wife, Zulema, annulled.

Mohan Singh (Courtesy of Baldi
Kaur, J Belvikohr and Jaswant
Kaur) In Malaysia, however, the laws give religious conversions another layer of controversy and urgency. Most recently, the High Court yet again gave jurisdiction to the syariah court to determine whether a non-Muslim, art director Mohan Singh a/l Janto Singh, was a Muslim at the time of his death, despite his Sikh family's dispute of his conversion.

Earlier, in April 2009, M Indira Gandhi was in the spotlight when she protested her Muslim-convert husband's unilateral conversion of their three young children to Islam without her consent.

But Mohan Singh and Indira Gandhi are only the tip of the iceberg of conversion controversies in Malaysia. Mohan Singh's case seems to be yet another consequence from the unprecedented tussle in 2005 over Everest climber M Moorthy's religion at the time of his death. Moorthy's family had insisted on giving him a Hindu funeral, but the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department eventually buried him as a Muslim, after the Syariah Court ruled that Moorthy had converted to Islam.

There was also the headline-grabbing six-month detention of M Revathi in 2007 at the Ulu Yam rehabilitation camp in Selangor, where she was forced to cover her hair and eat beef. Revathi, although born a Muslim, was raised by her Hindu grandmother and married a Hindu Malaysian, V Suresh, under Hindu rites in 2004. When she left the detention centre, Revathi famously asserted her Hindu faith by saying, "My name is Revathi. I want to hold on to that name — forever."

And who could forget the Federal Court's 2007 dismissal of Lina Joy's appeal to not identify officially as a Muslim anymore? It was a civil court decision hailed by numerous Muslim groups.

Even the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial, has been wielded in certain cases of religious conversions. For example, during Operasi Lalang in 1987, the ISA was used to detain Yeshua Jamaluddin, a Malay-Muslim Malaysian who had converted to Christianity. Jamaluddin's detention was eventually declared unlawful by the Supreme Court in 1989, but he had to flee Malaysia and resettle overseas.

Indeed, the situation in Malaysia easily overshadows the more complex, diverse phenomenon of religious conversions as experienced by people in other parts of the world. There is even diversity among leading Islamic authorities on the issue of conversion.

Sheikh Ali Gomaa (Public domain) In 2007, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, wrote: "The essential question before us is can a person who is Muslim choose a religion other than Islam?

"The answer is yes, they can, because the Qur'an says, 'Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion,' [Qur'an, 109:6], and, 'Whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve,' [Qur'an, 18:29], and, 'There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is distinct from error' [Qur'an, 2:256]."

Gamal al-Banna, brother of the founder of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna, says "each and every individual has the right to change his [or her] religion without any conditions whatsoever."

On the other side of the fence are scholars like Cairo University's Dr Abdelsabour Shahin who uphold that Muslims who convert out of Islam should be killed. The Malaysian education system clearly adopts Shahin's position: in the official Form Four Islamic Studies textbook, the authors state that the penalty for converting out of Islam should be death.

Text from the Form Four Islamic Studies textbook
(Click on image for bigger view) It is then no wonder that when organisations such as the Bar Council try to organise public forums on the impacts of religious conversions in Malaysia, some Muslims feel compelled to disrupt them coercively in the name of Islam.

But it is clear that when certain interpretations of Islam become the source of public policies, the issue of religious conversions into and out of Islam affects all Malaysians. And The Nut Graph believes that Malaysians are mature enough to critique, analyse, and argue the issue honestly and with civility. So, give us your Six Words on conversion. Here are some of the newsroom's attempts: