The crux of ‘hudud controversy’, according to Raja Petra Kamarudin, is the fact that both sides do not understand democracy and do not respect the democratic right of someone to support or oppose what they feel they want to support or oppose. Being a citizen of a democratic country, he emphasizes, every Malaysian has a…
With the dust almost settled, many a Malaysian is satisfied with the proposals in the 2012 National Budget. Tabled by the Honourable Prime Minister on 7 October 2011, the slew of incentives and measures are meant to deal head-on with the current socio-economic predicament. True to the theme “National Transformation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat,…
It is imperative for our society to continuously look within ourselves for the strengths and weaknesses of our present social condition. The simple rule for our future progress is to strengthen our individual and social virtues and to minimise our individual and social shortcomings. Our present and future successes will definitely depend on our society’s…
By and large, the Malaysian government has been concerned with inculcating strong and resilient scientific spirit and culture in the Malaysian society. At times, where it pertains to the Malay community, the largest segment of the society, such concern has been translated into programs that seek to highlight the significant contributions of Muslims in the…
Various parties have applauded the proposed abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Banishment Act and the lift of all three emergency proclamations as declared by our Premier recently. Some other laws would also be reviewed. Among the noble objectives made known by the premier in his historic address were: to spearhead the country’s…
According to the Qur’an, mankind, in itsnatural state of being (fitrah), affirm the existence, oneness and transcendence of its Creator. As this affirmation consists originally in the Primordial Covenant agreed and promised by each human soul to Allah (called al-mithaq), its understanding is based on revealed scripture interpreted by Prophetic tradition. Qur’anic verses and traditions of…
Sustainability or sustainable development has been a significant agenda of the global community over the past four decades. In the United Nation’s Brundtland Commission Report published in 1987, sustainability was defined as: “Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” The Commission, a global agenda…
I have observe with angst the reactions and ensuing repercussions of the recent ‘raid’ by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) on a thanksgiving dinner at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC). Riddles from this latest incident may turn into waves of hatred that travel beyond racial borders, and thus threaten our unity. This renders…
Knowledge and knowledge-centered activities have always occupied a lofty and noble position in Islam. As a matter of fact, seeking knowledge in order that one becomes really learned and enlightened in religion, and is therefore qualified to educate the society, is always considered a serious endeavour in the religion of Islam, so serious that those…
While diversity of faiths and religions test Malaysians’ capacity for unity, it also accentuates the need of a framework which is practicable and acceptable to all. Two global scholars, Fazlur Rahman and Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, have suggested in their works, that the positive value of different religious communities is that they may excel with…
