Chairman of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP), Karpal Singh died on April 17th this year in a car crash in Malaya, while travelling from the federal capital Kuala Lumpur to his home state of Penang.
Karpal Singh joined the DAP in 1970 and had served as state assemblyman and member of parliament until his death.
Karpal was cremated according to Sikh rites. His son Ramkarpal Singh succeeded him as member of parliament after winning the by-election following his father's death.
Karpal was popularly known as the Tiger of Jelutong during his lifetime. Among his struggles were fighting against the death penalty in the Malaysian legal system, fighting abuses by the Malay monarchy, fighting against Islamicization of the federation and fighting against persecution of members of the opposition including the current opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Karpal had during his lifetime been imprisoned many times by the authorities for his struggles. His death is definitely a loss for Malaysians.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Malaysian Forces Crush Terrorists
The Royal Malaysian Armed Forces has successfully crushed the armed invasion by Filipino terrorists in Kampung Tanduo, Tungku. The armed invaders had intended to claim Sabah for the non-existent Sultanate of Sulu. They had killed three of our policemen and an army personnel. The army's victory is timely in light of the upcoming state and parliamentary elections.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Extremist MP Calls On Muslims to Burn Bibles
The independent Member of Parliament (MP) of Pasir Mas in Kelantan, Ibrahim Ali has called on Muslims in Malaysia to burn copies of the Malay language Bible. He made this call at an event at the Mara University of Technology (UITM)'s Penang campus, which was officiated by former Prime Minister Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad. This was reported by on-line news portal, Free Malaysia Today.
Such a seditious act surely warrants action. However Malaysians will just wait and see whether Ibrahim Ali will be charged under the sedition act.
Such a seditious act surely warrants action. However Malaysians will just wait and see whether Ibrahim Ali will be charged under the sedition act.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Danger of Supporting the Syrian Rebellion
The on-going rebellion against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria seem to be supported by many around the world. The United States which supposedly helped "liberate" Iraq from Saddam Hussein seem not serious in wanting to end the blood bath there.
Objections from China and Russia has been cited for the lack of action by other nations. However the real reason for the United States and its allies' abstention from action on the Syrian regime is not China and Russia.
China and Russia both have their reasons for wanting keep the current regime in Syria in power. Russia is the biggest supplier of arms to Syria. China meanwhile shares many of its communist ideologies with socialist Syria.
But it is believed that what keeps Western powers from interfering in Syria is that Al-Qaeda also dreams of seeing the Assad regime toppled.
The West is in a catch-22 situation where it suddenly finds it has a common enemy with the Al-Qaeda.
It would be interesting to note that despite having a population with over 70% Sunni Muslims, the ruling family in Syria belong to a distinct heterodox branch of Islam-Alawiism. Until 1973, this sect was not even considered as part of Islam.
It was the Shiite cleric Musa al Sadr who issued a fatwa* declaring the Alawis to be Shiite Muslims. But this would not have been done if Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad had not been in power.
Some of the distinct features of Alawi beliefs from the rest of Islam is the drinking of wine as part of worship, the observance of Christian holidays such as Christmas,Easter, Epiphany and Pentecost. The Alawis do not perform the five-times-a-day prayer like the majority of Muslims and mosques are absent in many Alawi areas. Fasting in Ramadan is also not observed.
Now, Al-Qaeda and many orthodox Sunni Muslim individuals, organizations and nations would like to see the fall of Assad so that "true Muslims" could once again helm Syria. It is an irritant for some of them to see a large Sunni Muslim nation in the middle of the Middle East being ruled by what they consider nominal Muslims.
It is also no secret that many of those in Syria who want to topple Assad harbour dreams of creating an Islamic state.
The Assad regime is strongly backed by Alawis, Druze** and Christians who fear that a Sunni Muslim government would discriminate against minorities.
Arab nations with the exception of Iraq are already calling for the supply of arms to the rebellion in Syria. Even Turkey is calling for action on Syria. Understandably these are Sunni Muslim nations.
Iraq meanwhile has a Shiite majority. Iran too backs the Assad regime in Syria as it is also a Shiite nation. And it would not be surprising if Iran is hoping to maintain a Shiite corridor between the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Persia.
The fact that Alawis are not really Shiites does not seem to bother the orthodox Shiite government of Iran, as what matters is that the Alawis are not Sunnis.
As for the international community, the question that they should ask is whether they want to see the fall of a secular Syrian government and the rise of an Islamist government which might persecute against non-Sunnis in the country.
What would the future be for the Alawis and non-Muslims in Syria should a Sunni-majority government be installed. Christians especially do not want the same fate as their brethren in Egypt and Iraq, where attacks against Christians are becoming constant since the fall of Hosni Mubarak and Saddam Hussein respectively.
Would the Alawis too be persecuted like the Bahais, Ahmadiyas and Alevis in other predominantly Muslim countries?
As much as we would like to sympathise with the protestors and rebels in Syria, we must also not forget the fate that awaits Syria's religious minorities should the rebels gain the upper hand.
Already a prominent Syrian Sunni cleric, Adnan al-Arour has threatened the Alawi community should Assad be toppled. He said "we shall mince them in grinders and feed them to the dogs" on the Middle-Eastern television channel-MEMRI TV.
True, Assad's military has committed some despicable acts such as torture, executions, large scale killings, desecration of mosques. But are these done on Assad's orders or by some overzealous people in his regime?
The international community including Malaysia should be cautious by not supporting the rebels in Syria. But what they could do is to get Assad to relax military assault on civillian targets and also to get him to rid the Syrian military of generals who have ordered this.
It is important to note that Assad has promised reforms and a new constitution has been voted by referendum. The rebels who insist on toppling Assad through combat definitlely have a sinister agenda.
Slogans of "Christians to Beirut (capital of Lebanon) and Alawis to the coffin" are already resonating among those protesting in Syria. Surely, the international community would not want any hand in making this slogan a reality.
*religious edict
**a very distinctive Muslim sect whose holy book includes both the Quran and the Bible
Objections from China and Russia has been cited for the lack of action by other nations. However the real reason for the United States and its allies' abstention from action on the Syrian regime is not China and Russia.
China and Russia both have their reasons for wanting keep the current regime in Syria in power. Russia is the biggest supplier of arms to Syria. China meanwhile shares many of its communist ideologies with socialist Syria.
But it is believed that what keeps Western powers from interfering in Syria is that Al-Qaeda also dreams of seeing the Assad regime toppled.
The West is in a catch-22 situation where it suddenly finds it has a common enemy with the Al-Qaeda.
It would be interesting to note that despite having a population with over 70% Sunni Muslims, the ruling family in Syria belong to a distinct heterodox branch of Islam-Alawiism. Until 1973, this sect was not even considered as part of Islam.
It was the Shiite cleric Musa al Sadr who issued a fatwa* declaring the Alawis to be Shiite Muslims. But this would not have been done if Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad had not been in power.
Some of the distinct features of Alawi beliefs from the rest of Islam is the drinking of wine as part of worship, the observance of Christian holidays such as Christmas,Easter, Epiphany and Pentecost. The Alawis do not perform the five-times-a-day prayer like the majority of Muslims and mosques are absent in many Alawi areas. Fasting in Ramadan is also not observed.
Now, Al-Qaeda and many orthodox Sunni Muslim individuals, organizations and nations would like to see the fall of Assad so that "true Muslims" could once again helm Syria. It is an irritant for some of them to see a large Sunni Muslim nation in the middle of the Middle East being ruled by what they consider nominal Muslims.
It is also no secret that many of those in Syria who want to topple Assad harbour dreams of creating an Islamic state.
The Assad regime is strongly backed by Alawis, Druze** and Christians who fear that a Sunni Muslim government would discriminate against minorities.
Arab nations with the exception of Iraq are already calling for the supply of arms to the rebellion in Syria. Even Turkey is calling for action on Syria. Understandably these are Sunni Muslim nations.
Iraq meanwhile has a Shiite majority. Iran too backs the Assad regime in Syria as it is also a Shiite nation. And it would not be surprising if Iran is hoping to maintain a Shiite corridor between the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Persia.
The fact that Alawis are not really Shiites does not seem to bother the orthodox Shiite government of Iran, as what matters is that the Alawis are not Sunnis.
As for the international community, the question that they should ask is whether they want to see the fall of a secular Syrian government and the rise of an Islamist government which might persecute against non-Sunnis in the country.
What would the future be for the Alawis and non-Muslims in Syria should a Sunni-majority government be installed. Christians especially do not want the same fate as their brethren in Egypt and Iraq, where attacks against Christians are becoming constant since the fall of Hosni Mubarak and Saddam Hussein respectively.
Would the Alawis too be persecuted like the Bahais, Ahmadiyas and Alevis in other predominantly Muslim countries?
As much as we would like to sympathise with the protestors and rebels in Syria, we must also not forget the fate that awaits Syria's religious minorities should the rebels gain the upper hand.
Already a prominent Syrian Sunni cleric, Adnan al-Arour has threatened the Alawi community should Assad be toppled. He said "we shall mince them in grinders and feed them to the dogs" on the Middle-Eastern television channel-MEMRI TV.
True, Assad's military has committed some despicable acts such as torture, executions, large scale killings, desecration of mosques. But are these done on Assad's orders or by some overzealous people in his regime?
The international community including Malaysia should be cautious by not supporting the rebels in Syria. But what they could do is to get Assad to relax military assault on civillian targets and also to get him to rid the Syrian military of generals who have ordered this.
It is important to note that Assad has promised reforms and a new constitution has been voted by referendum. The rebels who insist on toppling Assad through combat definitlely have a sinister agenda.
Slogans of "Christians to Beirut (capital of Lebanon) and Alawis to the coffin" are already resonating among those protesting in Syria. Surely, the international community would not want any hand in making this slogan a reality.
*religious edict
**a very distinctive Muslim sect whose holy book includes both the Quran and the Bible
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Standard Marriage Certs For Native Marriages
An officer from the Sabah Native Affairs Office has pledged that his office will issue standard marriage and divorce certificates to be used by all Natives courts in Sabah.
Azmi Salim the officer, said at the moment his office is in the midst of preparing these certificates. Presently there are no standard marriage certificates issued by the Natives courts.
All marriage certificates currently in use are merely engagement certification papers which are stamped as "married" by the natives court.
Azmi was speaking at a seminar entitled Understanding on the Rights and Customs of Sabah Natives at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) hall on Saturday, March 10.
A reader had a few years ago proposed that the Natives Court issue standard marriage certificates in a Daily Express forum.
The reader Farouq Omaro, had also proposed that those holding office in the natives court
have legal background and not be appointed based on political affiliations, a proposal that has yet to materialise.
Anyway, the Sabah government should be congratulated on its decision to issue standard marriage certificates through the Natives Court. It is hoped that marriages in the natives court are not nullified by the civil or Sharia courts.
Azmi Salim the officer, said at the moment his office is in the midst of preparing these certificates. Presently there are no standard marriage certificates issued by the Natives courts.
All marriage certificates currently in use are merely engagement certification papers which are stamped as "married" by the natives court.
Azmi was speaking at a seminar entitled Understanding on the Rights and Customs of Sabah Natives at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) hall on Saturday, March 10.
A reader had a few years ago proposed that the Natives Court issue standard marriage certificates in a Daily Express forum.
The reader Farouq Omaro, had also proposed that those holding office in the natives court
have legal background and not be appointed based on political affiliations, a proposal that has yet to materialise.
Anyway, the Sabah government should be congratulated on its decision to issue standard marriage certificates through the Natives Court. It is hoped that marriages in the natives court are not nullified by the civil or Sharia courts.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Merry Christmas & New Year
The North Borneo Herald wishes all its readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012.
Monday, December 19, 2011
One Malaysia Not Merely A Slogan
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has clarified that his 1Malaysia policy is not merely a slogan but a philosophy.
With his statement it is hoped that those who seek to undermine the PM's 1Malaysia should wake up and toe the line, especially right wing extremist who have been making insensitive comments against non-Malays and non-Muslims in this country.
With his statement it is hoped that those who seek to undermine the PM's 1Malaysia should wake up and toe the line, especially right wing extremist who have been making insensitive comments against non-Malays and non-Muslims in this country.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Libyan Dictator Ghaddafi Dies
Libyan dictator Muammar Ghaddafi who ruled the country for 42 years died yesterday. Ghaddafi died in a gunfight in the town of Sirte between his loyal bodyguards and rebels who have taken over the country.
Ghaddafi and his bodyguards were in a convoy of army vehicles when they were attacked from air by NATO forces. Ghaddafi and his men then took cover in a drain beside the road.
Soon, Libyan rebels found them and asked them to surrender. Ghaddafi refused and his men opened fire. The rebels won the battle and Ghaddafi was taken prisoner. He later died of the wounds sustained in the gunfight.
Ghaddafi came to power in 1969 in a coup. He discarded the constitution and ruled with an iron fist.
Ghaddafi and his bodyguards were in a convoy of army vehicles when they were attacked from air by NATO forces. Ghaddafi and his men then took cover in a drain beside the road.
Soon, Libyan rebels found them and asked them to surrender. Ghaddafi refused and his men opened fire. The rebels won the battle and Ghaddafi was taken prisoner. He later died of the wounds sustained in the gunfight.
Ghaddafi came to power in 1969 in a coup. He discarded the constitution and ruled with an iron fist.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Zealots To Rally Against A Non-Issue
A radical Muslim organization based in Malaya known as Muslim Organizations Group (HIMPUN) is to launch a massive rally against so-called proselytizing of non-Muslim religions to Muslims.
The basis of the rally itself in the first place is weak. The proselytizing of Islam to non-Muslims is done on large scale from the day non-Muslim children attend primary school. Children are made to hear Islamic prayers daily. Islamic values are disseminated directly or indirectly on a daily basis. History syllabuses are mostly on Islamic religion and its history.
Studying Islam is compulsory even for non-Muslim students at the tertiary level.
Television, radio and newspapers talk about the beauty of Islam and it is not unusual to see, read or hear interviews of non-Muslims who convert to Islam in the mainstream media.
Then there are also bookstores openly selling books which ridicule or criticise other religions with Christianity being the usual target.
Non-Muslim civil servants seldom enjoy the promotions like their Muslim counterparts and this actually entices some non-Muslims to convert to Islam for fast-track promotions.
Non-Muslims who convert to Islam are paid cash in the guise of "wang bantuan muallaf" which is a big pull factor for large non-Muslim families who are poor.
Conversion to Islam is also a pre-condition for non-Muslims who wish to marry Muslims.
On the other hand, proselytizing to Muslims by other religions is a crime in many Malaysian states though the laws are still hazy. The Islamic religious police can storm any non-Islamic place of worship if there is even a rumour about Muslims converting out of Islam.
Muslims who convert out of Islam are unconstitutionally detained in many states like the case of Kamariah Ali of Kelantan and Revathi Masoosai of Malacca.
Muslim civil servants who convert out of Islam also face the prospect of discplinary action.
Non-Muslim places of worship depend on public donations for maintenance and non-Muslim organizations do not have the financial prowess of Islamic authorities nor the government's backing.
Non-Muslim religious programmes are not allowed on all national broadcasts and neither are non-Muslims allowed to say religious prayers in conjunction with their religious holidays on television or radio.
Therefore HIMPUN's rally is mind-boggling. If anything this can easily be misconstrued as a rally against non-Muslims, in particularly Christians.
It is a known fact that there is a growing anti-Christian sentiment in Malaysia ever since the opposition won five states in the 2008 elections. The burning of churches, attempts to ban the Malay Bible despite having been used since pre-independence days, storming church halls during functions despite not having enough evidence to charge attendees and the government's continued tolerance of some of these acts may be testament to this.
After all it is a known fact that the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) had lost significant Malay Muslim votes in 2008, and religion is an issue which could easily attract the Malays.
With the 13th general elections coming soon, a massive rally against so-called "Christianization" could be the atom bomb against political enemies of UMNO.
But what is fearful is the effect it will have on the Christian population in Malaysia. The fact that Christian leaders in Sabah has kept quiet for so long is disheartening and it is only hoped that such ill-feelings towards other religions do not reach Sabahan shores.
The basis of the rally itself in the first place is weak. The proselytizing of Islam to non-Muslims is done on large scale from the day non-Muslim children attend primary school. Children are made to hear Islamic prayers daily. Islamic values are disseminated directly or indirectly on a daily basis. History syllabuses are mostly on Islamic religion and its history.
Studying Islam is compulsory even for non-Muslim students at the tertiary level.
Television, radio and newspapers talk about the beauty of Islam and it is not unusual to see, read or hear interviews of non-Muslims who convert to Islam in the mainstream media.
Then there are also bookstores openly selling books which ridicule or criticise other religions with Christianity being the usual target.
Non-Muslim civil servants seldom enjoy the promotions like their Muslim counterparts and this actually entices some non-Muslims to convert to Islam for fast-track promotions.
Non-Muslims who convert to Islam are paid cash in the guise of "wang bantuan muallaf" which is a big pull factor for large non-Muslim families who are poor.
Conversion to Islam is also a pre-condition for non-Muslims who wish to marry Muslims.
On the other hand, proselytizing to Muslims by other religions is a crime in many Malaysian states though the laws are still hazy. The Islamic religious police can storm any non-Islamic place of worship if there is even a rumour about Muslims converting out of Islam.
Muslims who convert out of Islam are unconstitutionally detained in many states like the case of Kamariah Ali of Kelantan and Revathi Masoosai of Malacca.
Muslim civil servants who convert out of Islam also face the prospect of discplinary action.
Non-Muslim places of worship depend on public donations for maintenance and non-Muslim organizations do not have the financial prowess of Islamic authorities nor the government's backing.
Non-Muslim religious programmes are not allowed on all national broadcasts and neither are non-Muslims allowed to say religious prayers in conjunction with their religious holidays on television or radio.
Therefore HIMPUN's rally is mind-boggling. If anything this can easily be misconstrued as a rally against non-Muslims, in particularly Christians.
It is a known fact that there is a growing anti-Christian sentiment in Malaysia ever since the opposition won five states in the 2008 elections. The burning of churches, attempts to ban the Malay Bible despite having been used since pre-independence days, storming church halls during functions despite not having enough evidence to charge attendees and the government's continued tolerance of some of these acts may be testament to this.
After all it is a known fact that the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) had lost significant Malay Muslim votes in 2008, and religion is an issue which could easily attract the Malays.
With the 13th general elections coming soon, a massive rally against so-called "Christianization" could be the atom bomb against political enemies of UMNO.
But what is fearful is the effect it will have on the Christian population in Malaysia. The fact that Christian leaders in Sabah has kept quiet for so long is disheartening and it is only hoped that such ill-feelings towards other religions do not reach Sabahan shores.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Council Threatens To Demolish Church
A chapel belonging to an Orang Asli community in Machap Umboo, Malacca has been threatened with demolition.
The Alor Gajah Municipal Council has issued a notice to the chapel to remove the structure or face demolition. The council claims the chapel was illegally built.
The Orang Asli are the indigenous people of Malaya. The Machap Umboo settlement is home to some 11 Orang Asli families. The chapel also caters to Orang Asli Christians from nearby settlements.
If the church is demolished it would not be the first Orang Asli church to be demolished by the authorities in Malaya.
In 2005, an Orang Asli church in Johore was demolished for the same reason.
The Alor Gajah Municipal Council has issued a notice to the chapel to remove the structure or face demolition. The council claims the chapel was illegally built.
The Orang Asli are the indigenous people of Malaya. The Machap Umboo settlement is home to some 11 Orang Asli families. The chapel also caters to Orang Asli Christians from nearby settlements.
If the church is demolished it would not be the first Orang Asli church to be demolished by the authorities in Malaya.
In 2005, an Orang Asli church in Johore was demolished for the same reason.
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