Chandra Muzaffar

IGP gets flak over warning to atheists

Nur Farzana Md Yusof

Source: FMT News 

PETALING JAYA: An Islamic think tank has asked Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to explain his warning to atheists against “creating uneasiness” among Muslims with their activities.

Speaking to FMT, Islamic Renaissance Front director Ahmad Farouk Musa said Khalid was going beyond his jurisdiction. He said the main duty of the police is to maintain order, not to encroach on personal liberties.

“Khalid must explain what ‘creating uneasiness’ means,” he said. “If the atheists are enjoying their freedom to be free of religion without impinging on the rights of others to practise their religions, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

In giving his warning yesterday, Khalid said the Federal Constitution recognised Islam as the official religion and had no provision for atheism. He said police would scrutinise the existing laws to enable appropriate action to be taken should atheists cause anxiety among Muslims.

Last week, federal minister Shahidan Kassim made headlines locally and abroad when he said atheists should be “hunted down”. He claimed they were in violation of the Federal Constitution. Read more →

G25 mulls legal action on book ban

Nur Farzana Md Yusof

Source: The Malaysian Insight 

Screenshot of book cover

G25 is mulling to take legal action against the banning of its book on role of Islam in Malaysia by the Home Ministry if there is no explanation given on why the book is deemed prejudicial to public order.

Group spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin said in an interview with business radio station BFM earlier today that the ban did not make any sense as they had never heard of any incident of public disorder or rioting caused by the book.

The book, ‘Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation – Islam in a Constitutional Democracy’, which was launched by Razaleigh Hamzah, had been on the market for the last one and a half years, Noor Farida said. Read more →

‘Ban on G25 book utterly ridiculous’

Nur Farzana Md Yusof

Source: FMT News 

PETALING JAYA: Banning a book that aims to counter extreme and bigoted views of Islam is proof that the government fears a different and moderate interpretation of the religion.

This was the opinion of Chandra Muzaffar, one of the contributors to the book titled “Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation – Islam in a Constitutional Democracy”.

The book was authored by G25, a group of 25 prominent Malays. According to the government, it was banned because it was deemed prejudicial to public order. Read more →

UM to host tribunal on atrocities against Rohingya

Coordinator

Source: FMT News

Dr Chandra Muzaffar who is organising committee chairman for Tribunal on the Rohingyas says witnesses will be called to testify in court-like setting. Pic from FMT News.

PETALING JAYA: A tribunal that hopes to expose claims of crimes against the Rohingya and other ethnic groups by the Myanmar government, will hold a hearing at the Universiti Malaya in September.

Social activist Dr Chandra Muzaffar, who is the organising committee chairman for the Tribunal on the Rohingyas, Kachins and other ethnic minorities, said that the tribunal wants to expose the alleged inhuman treatment and push to stop the crimes.

“The process will be similar to a hearing, with the Myanmar ethnic groups testifying before a jury. Read more →

Syariah in Malaysia: Experts weigh in

admin

Source: The Star Online

THE G25 group of eminent Malays has reiterated it would spearhead a plan to set up a council to examine Syariah laws that have breached the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

The focus of the council, as stated by G25 spokesman Noor Farida Ariffin, will be on laws that intrude into the private lives of Malaysians.

“Malaysia is the only country with khalwat laws. We are saying that this is against Islam. You cannot knock on someone’s door at 3am and go into their bedroom and arrest them,” said Noor Farida.

Speaking after the Islam in a Constitutional Democracy forum organised by G25 over the last weekend, Noor Farida said the consultative committee would examine Syariah laws, and to recommend repeal or amendment where there had been trespasses of the Constitution.   Read more →