Islam, Intellectuals and Civil Religion in Malaysia.

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Is there a civil religion in deeply divided Malaysia? This paper examines several institutions and one strategic group (the intellectual elite) as potential “carriers ” of civil religion. Evidence reveals, however, that civil religious symbols, although they exist, appear on the margins of key institutions. Nor do Malay-Muslim intellectuals reformulate religion in terms of a … Read more

Myth-makers in our midst

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http://www.thenutgraph.com/myth-makers-in-our-midst

 
By Jacqueline Ann Surin
jacquelinesurin@thenutgraph.com
 
December 5, 2008
 

 

ONE of the common beliefs I sometimes grazed against as a child in a Catholic family was that menstruating women were unclean, and hence unfit to serve in church.

It didn’t matter that this belief contradicted what I had learnt from catechism about how God made everything. Including, I presumed, the female body and all her menstruating parts, and that all good things came from God.

 

Still, despite the irrationality of the menstruation myth, it was the gospel truth for a long while especially for my mother and the generation before her. Thankfully, by my generation, that myth was being displaced by other forces spurred by women’s growing economic and political rights.

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Keynote speech by YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

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How New Media Trumped Old Politics and the Road Ahead by Yang Berhormat Nik Nazmi Nik AhmadSeri setia state assemblyman / political secretary to Selangor Menteri Besar 5 december 2008   ASSALAMUALAIKUM AND GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN. In May 2007, I was invited along with Tony Pua, Jeff Ooi and Soon Li Tsin to … Read more

PM pushing forward with anti-corruption Bill

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By The Malaysian Insider   December 5, 2008 DEC 5 — On Wednesday morning, just before the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MCAC) Bill is tabled in Parliament, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will meet Barisan Nasional lawmakers and move to kill off any attempt to oppose the legislation.The Malaysian Insider understands that the Prime Minister will … Read more

Affective, Cognitive, And Behavioral Consistency Of Chinese-Malay Interracial Attitudes

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The application of survey research techniques to the study of the internal organization of attitudes has resulted in findings that vary from the results of recent experimental inquiry. The behavioral and affect components of attitudes have exhibited a high correlation for both Chinese and Malay ethnic groups living in George Town, Malaysia. It has not … Read more

Cultural Aspects of Language Imposition in Malaya, Singapore, and Indonesi

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This paper distinguishes Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysian language) and Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) according to type and function and summarizes their development as the national languages of Malaya, Singapore, and Indonesia. It presents a short, historical account of the spread, through religious and educational activities, of the English language in Malaya and Singapore and the Dutch … Read more

Regional Inequalities And Economic Growth In Malaysia

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The article examines the impact of regional disparities on Malaysia’s national economic growth. These disparities are visibly predominant in the agricultural sector, followed by the manufacturing and service industries. In recognition of the inequalities, the Malaysian government has adopted balanced regional development as the main objective of its development program. In an attempt to attain … Read more

Freedom of information: Making it happen

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By Deborah Loh, The Nut Graph   December 2, 2008   IN the first parliamentary sitting in 2008 this May, Subang Member of Parliament (MP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president R Sivarasa tried to table a private member’s bill on freedom of information (FOI).  Although it appeared in the order paper, the House never reached … Read more