21 April 2015: Taman Medan church cross removal protest. Home Minister Zahid says protest against cross is seditious, IGP earlier said protest not seditious, IGP's elder brother involved in cross protest (claims to be mediator to defuse tension, not protest leader). Reactions to Jakim rules on concerts, including gender segregation.

Protest in Taman Medan is seditious, says Zahid Hamidi Astro Awani | Updated: April 20, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: Action may be taken under the Sedition Act against the residents who protested in front of a church in Taman Medan yesterday, said Home Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.  He said, action would be taken against anyone who touches on religious sensitivity.
“It does not matter... it does not matter who. Anyone who touches on religious sensitivity, the Islamic religion especially or any other religion is subjected to the Sedition Act,” said Zahid in a press conference held today. “Definitely...definitely, any action will be taken. Yes anyone. I’m 'color blind'  (not racist), and so is the police. Action ill be taken on anyone,” he added.  When asked if any disciplinary action will be taken against any Umno members found to be involved in the protest, Zahid said Umno is a party that respected other religions, and the members involved in the protest will have to bear the consequences of their actions. “Because they have gone against the law and as Umno we respect other religions. They have to face the consequences of their action,” he said....
http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/protest-taman-medan-seditious-says-zahid-hamidi-58294?cp

Top cop unfit to investigate ‘cross’ protest, says DAP MP Published: 21 April 2015 8:26 AM Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar is not the right man to investigate Sunday’s protest against a church for affixing a cross on its premises, says Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua. – The Malaysian Insider pic, April 21, 2015. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's quick dismissal of Sunday's protest against a church for affixing a cross on its premises proves he is unfit to investigate or comment on the case, DAP said today. Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said it was clear that the protesters breached either the Sedition Act or Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code in demanding for the church's cross to be taken down. "That the IGP has dismissed the case against the protesters without even commencing any form of official investigation calls into question the IGP’s impartiality and judgement, especially in the light of the fact that the leader of the protesters was his own elder brother, Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/top-cop-unfit-to-investigate-cross-protest-says-dap-mp#sthash.qbxOloFc.dpuf

Taman Medan cross protest not seditious, says IGP Astro Awani | Updated: April 20, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no form of sedition in the protest held in front of a church in Taman Medan yesterday, said Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
 He said this is because the protest was held in regards to the location of the church and not the Christian religion itself. “We do not see it as seditious because it did not touch on Christianity. It was just about the location of the church,” said Khalid as reported by The Malaysian Insider.  It was reported yesterday that a group of 50 people had gathered to protest the sign of cross outside a shop lot used as a church in Taman Medan.  The group had demanded for the cross to be taken down and argued that the sign influence the minds of the younger residents there......... http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/taman-medan-cross-protest-not-seditious-says-igp-58286?cp

Yes I’m IGP’s brother, Umno cross protest man says, ‘but it doesn’t mean what I do is wrong’ BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY Monday April 20, 201502:07 PM GMT+8 ; KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — An Umno leader who took part in a Muslim group’s protest against a church in Taman Medan yesterday has admitted to being Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s brother. Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar who is the Taman Lindungan Jaya Umno division leader however stressed that his family ties with Khalid should not be misconstrued, and that he had done nothing wrong by taking part in the protest. “Yes I am the IGP’s brother but does that mean if I do anything, I am abusing my position or whatever I do is wrong?” he told the Malay Mail Online. Abdullah also denied reports that it was him who had led the protest, stressing that he was merely the liaison between the church representatives and the protesters Abdullah runs a firearm and security business. Explaining how he became the mediator during yesterday’s protest, Abdullah said he noticed in a community chat group that several Malay residents were unhappy with the cross and that tensions were rising. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/yes-im-igps-brother-umno-cross-protest-man-says-but-it-doesnt-mean-what-i-d#sthash.CdYO8leC.dpuf

Police reports lodged against 'cross' protesters by royce tan Updated: Monday April 20, 2015 MYT 7:39:45 PM GEORGE TOWN: Two police reports were lodged in Penang against the group that protested outside a shoplot church in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya on Sunday.  Law student and human rights activist K. Sudhagaran Stanley, 30, who lodged the report at the Patani Road police station, condemned the actions of the group saying it provoked religious harmony in the country.
“The action of the protestors went against the freedom of religion and a violation of the Federal Constitution which accorded for all religions to be practiced in peace and harmony. “It makes no sense to argue that a church or its symbol or even other non-Muslim places of worship should not be present in a Muslim-majority area. “If that was the reasoning, then no non-Muslim places or worship should exist in Malaysia,” he told reporters outside the police station...... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/20/cross-protesters-police-reports-lodged-against-group-of-protesters/

Jakim guidelines can damage industry, say stakeholders By Audrey Edwards and Aizyl Azlee Sunday April 19, 201507:28 AM GMT+8; PETALING JAYA, April 19 — Stakeholders of the live performances and concerts industry say the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) guidelines for live entertainment are unrealistic and could damage the industry. Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (ALIFE) acting president Datuk Razlan Razali said he was shocked, as it would affect live performances in Malaysia if the guidelines were enforced.  “This is an ad hoc and knee-jerk reaction. It’s taking us 10 steps backwards,” he said.  “They didn’t take into account the industry or stakeholders. We were not consulted or involved in any way.” ALIFE is an organisation promoting live arts and entertainment.  Razlan said more clarity was needed and he wanted an explanation.  “We are not sure what the action or penalties will be,” he said........... “What is the objective of crowd segregation? Does this mean there will soon be segregation at any gathering including weddings? This is not the vision of the country or the PM.” He challenged Jakim to enforce the guidelines at the concert.  Sepang International Circuit chief executive officer said Formula One concerts in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi did not have crowd segregation. Malaysian Association of Creative Artistes president Datuk Freddie Fernandez echoed the sentiment. “I wouldn’t go to a concert if I had to be separated from my wife. A concert is a shared experience,” he said. He said the revision of the guidelines by Jakim was a knee-jerk reaction following the incident of fans hugging a Korean artiste. “I don’t think if a boy and a girl go to a concert, it will damage their morals. I don’t think the girls who hugged the Korean artiste had their morals damaged. “As long as the acts are clean, the lyrics are fine, I don’t see how concerts can be a negative influence,” he said............
  http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/jakim-guidelines-can-damage-industry-say-stakeholders#sthash.5qm7Qmdh.dpuf


20 April 2015: You’re not alone, DPM tells Dr M;  New open letter by 40 urges Najib administration to restore moderation; Jakim sets out new rules for stage entertainers including no criminal record & good morals, limited jokes on stage, gender segregation for attendees etc.; 50 stage protest against cross on new church in PJ (greater KL)

You’re not alone, DPM tells Dr M by sharanpal singh randhawa Updated: Monday April 20, 2015 MYT 7:15:21 AM; KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has praised Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for never shying away from the truth. “Telling the truth and standing up has been your trademark since you were a young doctor and an ordinary Umno member,’’ Muhyiddin said during his speech at a forum. “Let me assure you, sir, that you are not alone,” he said.  Muhyiddin said Dr Mahathir had always stood up for what he believed in and saluted the former prime minister for having the guts to stand up to world superpowers in making a stand against war. Muhyiddin said this in his keynote speech before officiating the “World Forum: Engaging the Young to Criminalise War and Energise Peace” at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday. The event was also attended by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who is the founder and chairman of the Criminalise War Club.... Muhyiddin said extremist tendency among Malaysians must be quickly stopped before it poses a serious threat to the nation’s peace and stability. He said strong measures must be put in place to keep such threats in check and to address the root causes. Extremism and terrorism had become one of the greatest threats the world was facing, and Malaysia enacted the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) to deal with such threats..... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/20/Youre-not-alone-DPM-tells-Dr-M-Former-PMs-antiwar-stand-praised/

New open letter by 40 urges Putrajaya to restore moderation Published: 19 April 2015 7:00 AM; Another group of Malaysians, including prominent former civil servants and leaders, have signed an open letter urging Putrajaya to recommit to 10 universal values which make Malaysia a moderate country. The letter signed by 40 individuals said the values – trust, responsibility, honesty, dedication, moderation, diligence, discipline, cooperation, honourable behaviour and thanksgiving – were introduced in 1982 by the government to inculcate universal Islamic values....In the letter by the 40, titled “Strengthen the foundational structure of our nation”, the group wrote that moderation as a value was being "ignored by certain quarters, including political leaders who espouse sectarian views to suit their audiences". "Never before in this country’s history have such stresses and strains been made to bear upon the foundational principles of nationhood which now threaten to subvert the bonds that have held all Malaysians together and kept the nation comprising the territorial components of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak intact," the letter said. The three-page statement, signed by former judges, ambassadors, activists, educationists and notable individuals, said Malaysia had a "civil national order which is religion neutral".... "We consider ourselves duty-bound to call upon the federal government and the state governments to give their undivided attention to this grave peril which our nation faces." Among the signatories were Datuk Albert Talalla, former ambassador to China, Germany and the US; Bob Teoh, former general-secretary of National Union of Journalists; Datuk Choo Siew Kioh, former ambassador to Sweden and Mali; and Tan Sri Clifford Francis Herbert, former secretary-general, Finance Ministry. Others included Hartini Zainudin, child activist; Datuk K.J. Abraham, former deputy director-general of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage; Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, chairman of Proham and past president of the Malaysian Bar; Datuk Lily Zachariah, former ambassador to Italy, Chile and Senegal; Datuk Stephen Foo Kiat Shin, former state attorney-general of Sabah; Dr Lyana Khairuddin, educator and scientist working on HIV and HPV; Datuk Stanley Isaacs, former head of Prosecution, Commissioner of Law Revision and Parliamentary Draftsmen of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. On December 8 last year, a group of 25 prominent Malays had penned an open letter asking for a rational dialogue on the position of Islam in a constitutional democracy..... http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/new-open-letter-by-40-urges-putrajaya-to-restore-moderation?google_editors_picks=true#sthash.pbce2lAU.dpuf;

The letter from G40 here: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/strengthen-the-foundational-structure-of-our-nation-g40; ".....In 1982, the government introduced a policy to inculcate universal Islamic values that all Malaysians have little difficulty in supporting. Of these 10 values – trust, responsibility, honesty, dedication, moderation, diligence, discipline, cooperation, honourable behaviour and thanksgiving – what remains of the policy today is the single value of moderation under the concept of Islam Wasatiyyah. Even that value of moderation is ignored by certain quarters, including political leaders who espouse sectarian views to suit their audiences. It is unfortunate that the policy of promoting these 10 values has become a platform for “Islamisation" by religious bureaucrats. There is mounting disquiet on bureaucracy-driven “Islamisation” of Malaysia and the Malaysian way of life by the expanding and increasingly assertive religious bureaucracies both at the federal and constituent state levels and the posturing of extremist individuals and groups capitalising on this trend..........Let our leaders, be they from the legislative, executive or judicial arms of governance with the undivided support of all patriotic Malaysians, uphold their oath of office to preserve, protect and defend our constitution. We write this letter with deep anguish. Our leaders must, with immediacy, act intentionally, decisively and authoritatively before irretrievable damage is done to our beloved country. – April 19, 2015. "

In Malaysia, new entertainment rules restrict dressing, lyrics and crowd interaction Published: April 18, 2015 07:06 AM GMT+8 By Zurairi AR; The YouTube video ‘Perempuan melayu dicabul atas pentas oleh mat kpop B1A4 semalam’ drew angry response from netizens. — YouTube videograb; KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Entertainers coming to Malaysia will now have to adhere to new rules prepared by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which imposes limitations on stage performances, dress and behaviour codes and gender segregation for attendees. The rules, which were released by the department this week, also stipulate that an artist should not have a criminal record, whether in a Shariah or civil court, and should maintain a “noble personality” and “good morals”, even outside the performance. During a performance, the artist must “dress decently” in attire that covers their “aurat”, which refers to the “intimate body parts” that Muslims must cover with clothing. Performances, songs, events and music videos must not insult religious sensitivities, the nation and any race, while the use of any symbolism that go against Islamic teachings and faith is also forbidden. For stage performances, Jakim insists that jokes told should be “sparing”, must “toe the line”, and should not lead to “extreme laughter”. Entertainers are also forbidden from making light of “serious and mournful matters”.... http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-malaysia-new-entertainment-rules-restrict-dressing-lyrics-and-crowd-inte#sthash.Nq7w6io8.dpuf

50 stage protest against cross on new church Updated: Monday April 20, 2015 MYT 7:28:23 AM
PETALING JAYA: About 50 residents staged a peaceful protest against a new church situated in a shop lot in Taman Medan after the congregation put up a cross on the building facade. The group, which gathered at about 10am while Sunday service was going on, contended that the sight of the cross in a Muslim-majority area “challenged Islam” and could influence the young. The group was later pacified by a village leader, who spoke with the pastor of the church. “After meeting with the pastor, the church agreed to take down the cross the same day. “If they have the authority to operate, we cannot stop it. “But we ask, out of concern that this is a Malay area, that they take down the cross,” said protest leader Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar. Other protesters, however, felt that the existence of a church in the vicinity was an affront to their faith.  Some of them also threatened a reporter, saying “You better write about us nicely, or else ...” with some holding on to his shirt as he interviewed protesters.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/20/50-stage-protest-against-cross-on-new-church/

11 April 2015:   92 detained for suspected IS links, held under Sosma (security offences act) - cops monitoring armed forces and civil servants for militants

IGP: Cops monitoring IS elements within Armed Forces Updated: Saturday April 11, 2015 MYT 8:15:12 AM; KUALA LUMPUR: Police are working closely with the Armed Forces to identify elements of the Islamic State (IS) within its ranks, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar..... Referring to the two Armed Forces personnel detained with 15 other suspected militants on Sunday, Khalid said police were monitoring members of the group that returned from Syria and those still in that country. “We are auditing government departments and agencies for civil servants who could be involved in militant activities,” he said, adding that police are expecting the group to plan terror attacks and their acti­vities are constantly being monitored. “So far we have been getting very good support from the public in informing and giving us information on suspected members of IS. We hope this will continue,” Khalid added........ On Sunday, Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division officers rounded up 17 militants in raids in Kedah and the Klang Valley. Those detained were between the ages of 14 and 49. They are being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma). The latest arrests bring the number of those detained for suspected IS links to 92 since February 2012.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/11/IGP-Cops-monitoring-IS-elements-within-Armed-Forces/

10 April 2015: After 12-hour debate, amendments to Sedition Bill passed; PAS hudud facilitation bill will be resubmitted in May; Umno leader says his party’s apparent support for hudud was “just politics” and “Hudud isn’t mainstream"

After 12-hour debate, amendments to Sedition Bill passed with voice vote by yuen meikeng, hemananthani sivanandam, AND martin carvalho Updated: Friday April 10, 2015 MYT 7:40:08 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sedition (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed by Parliament early Friday, together with several changes to the proposed amendments brought by the Government.
It was passed after the voice vote was taken among the MPs.... The Bill finally got the nod from the House at 2.30am after a gruelling 12 hours of debate, despite attempts by Opposition MPs to stop the amendments.... The Opposition had proposed nine changes to the Bill during the committee stage of the debate but failed to get them approved by the House. However, the Home Ministry’s four changes to the proposed amendments were passed. Among the changes introduced was to preserve the discretion of the Court, whether to grant bail for seditious offences.... This was done via the deletion of Section 5A which states that anyone charged with Sedition shall not be released on bail if there is a "certificate in writing" by the Public Prosecutor stating that it is not in the public interest to grant bail to the person charged... However, the changes to the Bill retains Section 5B which seeks to empower the Public Prosecutor to apply to prevent an accused, who is released on bail, from leaving Malaysia.
The Bill also stated that the Court can also, upon application from the Public Prosecutor, order the accused to surrender his travel documents.... Other changes include reducing the minimum jail term for seditious offences that cause bodily injury or damage to property from five years to three years.
The new changes also state that the act of importing seditious publication is no longer an offence under the principle Act..... Another change made was the removal of the illustration which was inserted to make clear that the act of "exciting any person of group to demand for the secession of any State from Malaysia.".... The part that was removed read "A excites a person or a group of persons to demand for the secession of State B from Malaysia. Such act is seditious."... Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a press conference at the parliament lobby early Friday, clarified that the issue of secession depended on the interpretation and definition of the courts.... "Some say the interpretation is wide and will lead to abuse. It is the court that does the interpretation based on the terms and present legislations," he told reporters.... Dr Ahmad Zahid also said he was thankful that the amendments to the Sedition Act went on smoothly.... He added that the amendments were vital for three sensitive issues relating to sedition, namely secession, use of social media and religion.... "It is not true for the Opposition to say that this Act will be used to oppress the voice of dissent against the Government as it is clear that the provisions relating to the criticism to the Government in the principal Act were removed," he said.... Dr Ahmad Zahid clarified that the amendments were more focused on those who committed sedition that resulted in bodily injury and property damage.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/10/Sedition-Bill-amendments-passed-12-hour-debate/

Umno playing politics with hudud push, Saifuddin tells students in Australia BY SHAUN TAN; KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Support for hudud exists only on the fringes despite the high-profile coverage on the controversy over the Islamic penal law in Malaysia, said Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah. Speaking during a summit organised by the Malaysian Students Council of Australia (MASCA) in Brisbane, Australia yesterday, the Umno leader also said his party’s apparent support for hudud was “just politics”. “Hudud isn’t mainstream. The mainstream is moderation and democracy,” he said. During discussions on the topic, he said while the Quran uses the word “hudud” 14 times, none of the mentions involves a fixed punishment, but instead appears in relation to marriage, divorce and kindness to orphans. Saifuddin also condemned last year’s Bible seizure by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department and the attempts to ban non-Muslims from using the word “Allah,” as well as the ruling party’s stance on Islam and society. “Barisan Nasional has lost the plot,” he said. “We have to rewrite the script (and reclaim) the new middle ground.” - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/umno-playing-politics-with-hudud-push-saifuddin-tells-students-in-australia#sthash.kRY7e8iL.dpuf


May tabling for hudud Bill Updated: Friday April 10, 2015 MYT 7:38:00 AM; PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill did not make it for debate as the Dewan Rakyat adjourned for the day. His Bill will have to be re-submitted during the next sitting in May. Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of parliamentary affairs Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim confirmed that there was no indication from the day’s order of proceedings that Abdul Hadi’s motion to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisidiction) Act 1965 would be read by the time the sitting ended last night.... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/10/May-tabling-for-hudud-Bill-PAS-Private-Members-Bill-did-not-make-it-for-yesterdays-debate/

6 April 2015: On eve of Prevention of Terrorism Act, 17 arrested for plotting terror acts

Malaysia Detains 17 People Suspected of Plotting Terror Acts Associated Press  KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Apr 5, 2015, 11:36 PM ET; Malaysia's police chief says 17 suspected militants have been detained for allegedly plotting to carry out terrorist acts in the country's largest city, Kuala Lumpur. Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar says the 17 people were detained Sunday. Khalid tweeted on Monday that two of them had just returned from Syria. No further details were immediately available. The government has detained scores of Malaysians believed to be supporters of the Islamic State militant group. Last month, the home ministry proposed two new anti-terror laws that will reintroduce indefinite detention without trial and allow the seizure of passports of anyone suspected of supporting terror acts to curb militant activities in the country. Critics, however, say the new laws as a return of oppressive policies that will curb civil liberties.... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-detains-17-people-suspected-plotting-terror-acts-30112489

4 April 2015: It’s not even Islamic hudud, it’s PAS hudud, says Dr M

It’s not even Islamic hudud, it’s PAS hudud, says Dr M BY ANISAH SHUKRY Published: 4 April 2015 11:40 AM; Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says today PAS’s intention to implement hudud is to win elections. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, April 4, 2015.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says today PAS’s intention to implement hudud is to win elections. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, April 4, 2015.The hudud that is proposed by PAS is not Islamic, and the Kelantan Umno assemblymen who had voted for it‎ were not even aware of what they were supporting, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today. The former pr‎ime minister said PAS's hudud law was unjust because it created two sets of laws, one for Muslims and another for non-Muslims, and included the punishment of stoning to death, which was not even included in the Quran. He added that PAS's intention to implement hudud was not to uphold Islam, but for politics and to win elections. "The hudud that is p‎roposed by PAS is not Islamic hudud. It is PAS hudud. "If you are not just, you are not Islamic. If you have political intentions, it's not Islamic. So the people in Kelantan Umno who supported this don't even know what they're supporting," said Dr Mahathir at a forum in Cyberjaya today.......He added that only the hadith mentioned cases of people being stoned to death, and said the two incidents were unique rather than the norm. "When you start anything, as a Muslim you say, 'bismillahirrahmanirrahim' which means 'in the name of the God, the most merciful and compassionate'. You think it's merciful and compassionate to stone people to death? "It is an unjust law. What they are introducing, because they are confining to Muslims and not to Muslims, it is unjust. If it is unjust, it is not Islamic."........ He added that as long as the government applied common law and upheld justice, it was already obeying the teachings of Islam. "I never felt any guilt at all that what I was doing was un-Islamic. I felt I was doing things Islamic in having certain family matters placed under Shariah and other crimes placed under common law to achieve justice."    http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/its-not-even-islamic-hudud-its-pas-hudud-says-dr-m#sthash.48LESWyo.dpuf

Tun M: PAS' hudud is just to fish for votes  by joseph kaos jr Updated: Saturday April 4, 2015 MYT 2:14:23 PM; CYBERJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) has criticised PAS’ implementation of the hudud law in Kelantan, calling it “unIslamic” and used only to fish for votes. He explained that the Islamic hudud promotes justice and the hudud law that is proposed by PAS excludes the non-Muslims from punishment and therefore is not just. “In the quran there are 43 verses that say that when you judge, you must judge with justice. But under PAS’ hudud, it only applies to Muslims. If a Muslim and a non-Muslim were caught for robbery, the Muslim will get his hand chopped off while the non-Muslim only goes to jail. “Tell me how is that fair? If it is not fair, it is not Islamic,” said Dr Mahathir, who was responding to a question fielded by a participant of the “What Youth Should Know” leadership conference here on Saturday. Dr Mahathir also said PAS’ “niat”, or intention, to implement hudud was not for Islamic reasons but rather political reasons. “PAS’ niat is not for Islam. It is for winning elections and proving there are more Muslim than Umno. If politics is your ‘niat’ than the hudud they are trying to implement is no longer Islamic. “Kelantan Umno voted for hudud but they do not even know what they are supporting. Dr Mahathir said that as a multi-racial country, it is not viable to implement hudud in the country. “We cannot apply hudud in Malaysia as it is a multi-racial country. But the common law is there to uphold justice. I always believe when you uphold justice, than you are upholding the principles of Islam,” he said. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/04/Mahathir-hudud-pas-fish-for-votes/



3 April 2015: Malaysia freedom of speech concerns and the rise of sensitivities

Malaysia faces harsh Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) act that critics worry could be used to detain political opponents indefinitely without trial (in an apparent return of the feared features of the colonial era Internal Security Act). Concerns in Malaysia are rife with "with more than 150 people arrested or investigated in the last two months mainly over freedom of expression.." (see MI article below). It seems that ever since George Bush's "war on terror" (example, "you're with us or against us" and the push to be silent on public criticism for fear of demoralising the troops and being seen as unpatriotic), sensitivities increasingly seem to trump freedom of speech considerations.

Meanwhile in Singapore, Amos Yee, a teenager, has been charged as an adult for a hate speech - an obscenity laden tirade which dwells on recently deceased Lee Kuan Yew in the most part; with some negative words that might upset Christians. On the latter, a petition for forgiveness was started by a Singapore Christian (Petition: Release Amos Yee from your anger https://www.change.org/p/the-government-of-singapore-release-amos-yee*).

Broadly speaking, in chats with people in KL and Singapore, a significant number feel that sensitivity / sensibility issues are important (and it seems that the substance was of lesser concern than the form or format). Also, some in KL feel that Singapore is a good place (comparatively speaking) and that Amos Yee was "terribly ungrateful." In a chat with researchers this morning, we noted the negative responses that a postings on Singapore's relatively developed status (thanks to British colonial rule) and the important role of Lee Kuan Yew's lieutenants in building the newly independent island city were attracting. Do some regard this as wrong or wrongly diminishing Lee Kuan Yew's stature? Furthermore, some may also feel that in a time of mourning, there should not be any criticisms whatsoever?

*The petition has "Reasons for signing" section that includes many opinions including these: "The boy's views are expressed rudely, but arresting him would simply prove him right. It is a failure of our education system that we cannot enable people to express dissent in a polite manner. I know people with exactly the opposite views (from him) who are equally rude. He is more a symptom than a problem, and a symbol of what's wrong. Don't punish the messenger....... Please do not follow Malaysia footstep on silent minority voices. Atheism is not a crime ... Forgive is the way to go ....... I would like to take this opportunity to show him grace and mercy bcos my Lord Jesus loves him as who he is. Jesus came for the sinners and not the righteous.....I find Amos Yee to be an extremely talented youth. He may have problems, I am not sure, but his videos surely are telling me that he belongs to a rare breed of talented people... Please do not punish him, but help him. Thank you.....What shocked me was how unprepared Singaporeans are for it. I watched your other videos and was impressed with so much genius. Your video on how to speak Singlish is simply brilliant, thank you for it. Your article on your 4 years spent on high school is one of the most intelligent things I’ve read written by a Singaporean and it beats anything I have read on Singaporean newspapers. You are an inspiration for those who appreciate sarcastic humour, like myself........  If you arrest this kid, then why isn't there any arrest made on the Grassroots leader who made that vicious, self-centered threat to harm this kid, as well? We all have seen pictorial proof of what the grassroots leader said. Why isn't he arrested for causing disharmony as well? This grassroots leader is equally dangerous to society with his sinister mentality as the young kid might have been!......he is a kid for God's sake. Plus you've got lots of people hurling obscene word at others (uploaded on Facebook) but are not persecuted. Is this another way to instil fear in the hearts of others?..........I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of choice. And transparency of government.....Everybody should have freedom to speak, to fight for their future......Let he who has not sinned at 17 cast the first stone....I am signing this because this kid got balls....."I may not agree with what he says but I'll defend to the death his right to say it." .... "

Critics miss the point, problem lies with hate speech law in Amos Yee case By Carlton Tan Apr 02, 2015 5:33AM UTC http://asiancorrespondent.com/131853/critics-are-missing-the-point-problem-lies-with-hate-speech-law-amos-yee-case/

Singapore Teen Charged With Obscenity After YouTube Rant  By Lucy Westcott   3/31/15 at 1:41 PM  http://www.newsweek.com/singapore-teen-charged-obscenity-after-youtube-rant-318370

WATCH: Singapore teenager Amos Yee jailed for video critical of late founder Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity  BY  Associated Press  /  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/ Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 1:44 PM   http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/watch-singapore-teen-jailed-critical-video-article-1.2169761

Amos Yee: Singapore charges teen over anti-Lee Kuan Yew rant 31 March 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32115052

Crackdown may eventually backfire on BN, say analysts BY ANISAH SHUKRY Published: 1 April 2015 6:59 AM There was a huge turnout at the #KitaLawan rally on March 7. Soon after, Putrajaya began cracking down on dissent, leading to the arrest of many activists, opposition politicians and academics. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 1, 2015.With more than 150 people arrested or investigated in the last two months mainly over freedom of expression, political analysts say the police crackdown might cripple dissent briefly, but would ultimately backfire on the ruling coalition. While the arrest and investigations on opposition politicians, activists, academics and media personnel would cow the public for a while and drain the resources of those critical of Putrajaya, such actions would not be effective for long, they told The Malaysian Insider. “In the short term, it certainly helps the ruling coalition because it has a chilling effect on the public and reduces the ability of the opposition to take advantage of the ongoing internal problems in Umno,” said Ibrahim Suffian, the director of independent pollster Merdeka Center.... “But in the longer run, it will affect public sentiment. These days, you can’t keep a lid on things. It will create problems and affect the legitimacy of the government.” Dr Lim Teck Ghee, the director of think-tank Centre for Policy Initiatives, said urban and educated voters would see no logic for the arrests, despite the official justifications. He said most Malaysians would rather have the police concentrate on their crime and security mission rather than take on a political role. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/crackdown-may-eventually-backfire-on-bn-say-analysts#sthash.PLdSc5xV.dpuf

Sedition Act won’t shield corrupt leaders forever, says Zaid Ibrahim Published: 3 April 2015 10:32 AM; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must remember that the people always win against corrupt and oppressive leaders, says a former Umno minister. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 3, 2015. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must remember that the people always win against corrupt and oppressive leaders, says a former Umno minister. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 3, 2015. Although the Sedition Act has been retained, a former Umno minister warned that leaders who have "wronged" the country should not use the colonial-era law to "shield" them from their wrongdoings. Writing in his blog, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said oppressive means to stifle dissent would not be popular, adding that it was a matter of time before the legislation was abolished. "All I can say is that the people of this country do not need the Sedition Act.  "This law is used to prevent people like you and me from talking about abuses that affect our country. "Najib and his friends must remember that the people always win against corrupt and oppressive leaders, no matter how much force is used to suppress their will. It’s just a matter of time," he said in reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. "The Sedition Act will go once the country is free. For now the act can shield them, but without it, the leaders who have wronged this country will be exposed."
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sedition-act-cant-shield-corrupt-leaders-forever-says-zaid-ibrahim#sthash.ocsucQhC.dpuf

31 March 2015: Malaysia Insider editors and bosses caught up by police over news reports on royal opposition to hudud - which were denied as true

Malaysian Insider's top bosses Ho and Jahabar detained by Charles Ramendran  Posted on 31 March 2015 - 12:19pm; KUALA LUMPUR: Barely a day after three senior editors of Malaysian Insider were held under the Sedition Act, the web news portal's publisher Ho Kay Tat and chief executive officer Jahabar Sadiq were detained soon after being summoned by police for questioning today.
Ho and Jahabar had turned up to be quizzed at the Dang Wangi police headquarters here at about 9am.... They were summoned over a news report published last week in Malaysian Insider that claimed the royal institution had opposed to the amendment of the Federal Constitution to enable hudud laws to be implemented.... http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1370117


27 March 2015: Ruler's deny hudud remarks, Kelantan hudud plans never presented in the first place!

Murky happenings.

Rulers’ office denies issuing hudud remarks, lodges police report Thursday March 26, 201505:30 PM GMT+8 KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal denied today issuing any statement on Kelantan’s hudud plan, and is seeking a police investigation into the matter. In a statement quoted by Bernama, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said a report has been lodged at the Jalan Travers police station. “The Conference of Rulers has never discussed the matter at its meetings. “The office (of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal) did not issue a press statement dated March 25 on the matter,” he reportedly said. Online news portal The Malaysian Insider carried a report yesterday claiming the Conference of Rulers had rejected Kelantan’s proposed amendments to a federal law meant to enable the enforcement of hudud. A Kelantan government leader, however, disputed the article. Datuk Mohd Takiyuddin Hassan, who is head of Kelantan’s permanent secretariat on hudud, said yesterday he was informed by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob that the state’s hudud plans were never presented to the royal council in the first place. - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/rulers-office-denies-issuing-hudud-remarks-lodges-police-report#sthash.Mx5oc2f9.dpuf

26 March 2015: Malay rulers rejected hudud proposal put up by Jakim-Umno-Pas group - Straits Times; Lim Kit Siang asks if PM Najib will deviate from stance of the first five PMs against hudud; is PM Najib's prolonged silence on hudud part of a strategy against his political enemies - Malaysiakini

The question swirling in KL at the moment: Can PM Najib retain control of the genie now let out? Some tell of some Muslim politicians with strong views that hudud is a topic only for Muslims to discuss. What is the level of contestation on this policy among Muslims? Some ask if it's likely there is "no choice but to agree" for many Muslims? KL-ites avidly looking for how Parliament approaches the matter. Who in BN is for/against hudud? News on Malay Rulers views a potential big development - are they rulers before all else?   (see Conference of Rulers denial in 27 March posting above). Questions on triggers for out-migration.

Malay rulers rejected hudud proposal - They felt it encroached on their constitutional authority as religious heads By Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Correspondent in Kuala Lumpur Published on Mar 26, 2015; PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has submitted a Private Member's Bill in an attempt to get the federal law changed.... A MOVE to introduce the Islamic penal code or hudud in Kelantan is proving to be much harder than first envisaged, as it has run into resistance from Malaysia's respected Council of Rulers. As a result of the rebuff by the nine-member council earlier this month, Kelantan had to go about using a Private Member's Bill to try to introduce changes to a federal law that are necessary if hudud is to take effect in the state.... The proposal was put to the rulers' council by Jakim, a federal Islamic agency, after discussions between representatives of Umno and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) in an unusual joint effort between Malaysia's ruling party and the Islamist opposition party, which runs Kelantan.... The agreement was thrashed out at a little- known hudud technical committee set up last year to promote the implementation of the criminal code in the state.
..... http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/asia-report/malaysia/story/malay-rulers-rejected-hudud-proposal-20150326#sthash.iQWetHuE.dpuf

Every PM's been firm against hudud, save Najib By Lim Kit Siang  10:00AM Mar 26, 2015
MP SPEAKS Time is running out for Prime Minister Najib Razak in the next 24 hours when the cabinet holds its weekly meeting on Friday (during parliamentary meetings).  This is as to whether Najib has deviated from the stand of the first five prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Abdul Razak, Hussein Onn, Dr Mahathir Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Badawi and the bedrock Umno/BN nation-building principle and policy that hudud law is against Malaysian constitution, the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and not suitable for a multi-racial and multi-religious nation like Malaysia.
For nearly 60 years, every prime minister if asked will have no hesitation to declaring the federal constitution and the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 will not permit the implementation of hudud laws.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/293259

As enemy crumbles, Najib delays hudud stand; On Feb 10, the Prime Minister's Office broke a record of sorts when it swiftly issued a statement on the Federal Court's decision to uphold Anwar Ibrahim’s conviction, even before sentencing.... But six days after PAS moved one step closer towards its theocratic goal of implementing hudud, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has remained silent over how his administration or the ruling party view the matter.... https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/293044


25 March 2015: G25 says no place for PAS' hudud - problems arise if hudud enforced before the conditions for its application are met. Where's PM Najib's statement?

There are calls for PM Najib to make a statement on hudud. Silence so far.

Najib to issue statement over hudud - UMNO Supreme Council member Astro Awani | Updated: March 22, 2015  (First published on: March 22, 2015 15:29 MYT).  KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make an official statement regarding  the hudud law soon, revealed an insider from UMNO Supreme Council. The statement, said the source will put an end to various accusations hurled by the Opposition against Najib on his views on the hudud law. “We have to wait for Najib’s statement on the hudud law which will be issued soon. It will be the party’s stance on the implementation of the law in Kelantan,” said the source to Astro AWANI when contacted, today. http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/najib-issue-statement-over-hudud-umno-supreme-council-member-56157?cp

G25: No place for PAS' hudud in moderate Malaysia by victoria brown Updated: Wednesday March 25, 2015 MYT 6:16:56 PM; PETALING JAYA: The implementation of PAS’ hudud will indicate to the world that Malaysia has abandoned its moderate path, said a group of prominent Malays, dubbed G25.... “The Prime Minister has continued to steer the Government along this path and has launched the Global Movement of Moderates to show to the world that the country is committed to the principle of moderation. ... “The imposition of PAS’ hudud laws will signify to the world that Malaysia has abandoned the moderate path.... “We will be seen as a country governed by religious laws which are subjected to the vagaries of interpretation of the ulama who are also fallible human beings,” said the group of retired civil servants in a statement on Wednesday. The group further expressed its concerns as to whether hudud would succeed in upholding justice. “A perusal of the 2015 Hudud Enactment of Kelantan reveals that it has retained the emphasis on punishment rather than repentance and rehabilitation as enjoined in the Quran,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday... The group quoted World Union of Muslim Scholars chairman Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi that problems would arise when hudud is enforced before the conditions for its application are met..... http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/25/G25-hudud-moderate-malaysia/

24 March 2015: Impossible to enforce hudud in Malaysia, says law minister; who's for / against? 

Those speaking out against hudud include: DAP, PKR and two BN/UMNO members - Nazri, Nur Jazlan, and BN component parties from Sarawak under Nancy Shukri. Those supporting hudud include: UMNO Kelantan, Tengku Razaleigh, Shahrir Samad (BN Backbencher Chairman).

Impossible to enforce hudud in Malaysia, says law minister ‎BY ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH Published: 24 March 2015 10:37 AM; De facto law minister Nancy Shukri today dismissed the chance of hudud being implemented in Kelantan, saying the Private Member's Bill on the issue will never get a single vote from Sarawak lawmakers in Parliament. She agreed with fellow minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that it was impossible to implement the Islamic penal code in Malaysia, as‎ there were already provisions for criminal offences in the penal code. "We have the federal constitution. We have to look at the offences under hudud. There might be double jeopardy," Nancy, who is Batang Sadong MP, told reporters in ‎Parliament today. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1400601790726-3');}); "A lot of provisions are already under the federal constitution, there needs to be a another study if we were to allow hudud to pass through." Nazri, the former law minister, said that hudud was unsuitable for Malaysia and those who discussed it were fools. The first Umno minister to openly dismiss the implementation of the Islamic penal code, he said that the hudud could only be implemented by amending the Federal Constitution and this would require two-thirds of legislators in Parliament to support it. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/impossible-to-enforce-hudud-in-malaysia-says-law-minister#sthash.HsFlNcwG.dpuf


19 March 2015: Kelantan state assembly votes unanimously for hudud bill

Kelantan's hudud bill amendments passed by syed azhar Updated: Thursday March 19, 2015 MYT 2:03:15 PM; KOTA BARU: Amendments to Kelantan's Syariah Criminal Code 1993 were passed unamiously by the State Legislative Assembly here on Thursday. The amendments were passed at 12.05pm after more than two and a half hours of debates by four state assemblymen and two winding-up speeches including one by Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob. Ahmad's motion was supported by his deputy Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah. The vote was passed unanimously by 44 assemblymen comprising 31 from PAS, 12 from Umno and one from PKR.....
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/19/hudud-bill-passed/

28 February 2015: I fought for all Muslims (against intimidation), says Borders manager after court frees her

I fought for all Muslims, says Borders manager after court frees her BY JENNIFER GOMEZ Published: 26 February 2015 1:42 PM Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz (centre) with other staff of Borders Bookstore. She says her legal battle is to ensure that other Muslim workers will not be intimidated by the authorities for doing their job. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, February 26, 2015.Borders Bookstore manager Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz said her legal battle with Islamic authorities over a charge of selling and distributing a book deemed to be against Islam had changed her and made her realise her larger role to ensure other Muslims are not harassed for doing their jobs. Given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Shariah High Court today, Nik Raina said she had been a shy and reserved person before the raid on May 23, 2012 on the bookstore where she worked, but her ordeal had turned her into a more outspoken person. Along the way, she realised that she had a role to play in facing up to the charges against her... Nik Raina said most of the management staff at Borders are Muslims, and she feared they could be subject to the same intimidation if she did not stand up for her rights in facing the charges. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/i-fought-for-all-muslims-says-borders-manager-after-court-frees-her?google_editors_picks=true#sthash.pGNeYZfA.dpuf


25 February 2015: PM Dept says Imams must report deviationist teaching - Malaysia has 22,000 mosques and suraus with 15,254 imams

Imams must report any deviationist teaching - Jamil Khir Bernama | Updated: February 25, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: The imams must play a more aggressive role in preventing the spread of deviationist teachings which can confuse and destroy the faith of Muslims or lead to other problems spreading in the country.... A minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said in this regard, the imams must report to the authorities if they detected the spread of any deviationist teachings.... "Such things cannot be left unchecked because it can spread rapidly if no drastic action is taken to prevent it," he told reporters after closing the National Level Conference of Imams in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the existence of the National Mosque, Tuesday.
He said there were 22,000 mosques and suraus throughout the country with a total of 14,254 imams.... http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/imams-must-report-any-deviationist-teaching-jamil-khir-54552?cp

14 February 2015: In social media in Malaysia a list of Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera consumer goods and F&B is making the rounds with other tit-for-tat boycott ideas - triggered by the boycott call of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (who has denied being racist, and has been defended by Prime Minister Najib on having misstated*); Brunei's rising restrictions on non-Muslims

Also being circulated is the Brunei restrictions on Chinese New Year (next week) celebration displays: http://thediplomat.com/2015/02/brunei-cracks-down-on-chinese-new-year/