Asri: Rather go secular if politics exploits religion

Former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the concept of a secular state was better if religion was going to be exploited for political gains.

"Politics and religion should combine because religion guides politics. But when religion becomes a political tool, then I'm more willing (to accept) a secular state.

"I prefer a country that separates religion and politics because if religion is being exploited for politics then at least the religion is safe and only politicians face flak.

Singapore’s success should be a wake up call to Malaysia

By Daniel John Jambun
KOTA KINABALU : The latest report which says that Singapore is the wealthiest nation in the world by GDP per capita, beating out Norway, the U.S., Hong Kong and Switzerland, has further embarrassed our own country, Malaysia, which is Singapore’s closest neighbour and economic rival.

This report is especially painful for Malaysia because we know Singapore started off as an island of fishing villages with no natural resources.

5 Indonesian citizens killed by PDRM

Fadli of The Jakarta Post, Batam

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) expects to conduct a joint investigation with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, or Suhakam, to look into the killing of five Indonesian citizens by members of the Royal Malaysian Police.

The Indonesian government has been criticized for its seemingly lax response to the issue, amid already low levels of public approval of its efforts to protect Indonesian citizens overseas.

The Malaysian Insider: For young Malay couples, an increasingly high price to getting wed

Berikut adalah satu artikel dari Malaysian Insider mengenai duit hantaran (dowry) dan mas kahwin yang semakin tinggi dibayar oleh lelaki Muslim di Malaysia kepada ibubapa perempuan dan Jabatan Agama.

Mengikut Quran dan hadith, hantaran (dowry) sepatutnya diberi kepada perempuan yang berkahwin, bukan ibubapa mereka. Dan ini bukan sebagai "bayaran" tapi sebagai hadiah dan membantu mereka mendirikan sebuah rumahtangga. Saya pun tak faham kenapa kena beri RM500-700 sebagai mas kahwin kepada Jabatan Agama sebab Jabatan Agama sudah ada banyak duit dan bukan Jabatan Agama yang nak kahwin.

Greece and illicit money flows

The Greek economy lost 261 billion US$ to crime, corruption and tax evasion from 2003 to 2011.

Greece also experienced massive inflows of illicit money in 2010 and 2011.

This means at least two things, according to Global Financial Integrity:

1. If it were not for tax havens, Greece would never have needed a bail-out.
2. The Greek (shadow) economy continues to grow at an increasing rate.

For workers and self-employed people at the bottom of the social hierarchy, these data must come as a shock. Or maybe people will say: we knew that already. But for anyone who still believes in the need and the possibility of social justice, these data are just unacceptable.

September 16th is Historic But a Black Day for Sabah/Sarawak: STAR

“September 16th could have been more than a historic day for Malaysia had the Malaysia Agreement, 1963, the promises, assurances and undertakings by the senior partner to the Federation had been fulfilled but, alas, this was not the case, thus making September 16th as a Black Day for Sabah and Sarawak” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, Chairman of STAR Sabah in response to the various comments on Malaysia Day.

Sabah’s founding fathers of Malaysia had great hopes of and expectations for Malaysia.  They were even prepared to sacrifice Sabah’s new found independence in favour of a new federation in the hope that this partnership would bring far more (than) benefits, in terms of security, economic prosperity and development without compromising too much of their rights as a sovereign nation.

Collapse floor at Likas Bay 21

Dear Dato’/Datin/Sir/Madam/Mr/Mrs

of Department of Occupational Safety And Health

Only ConstructionBoard that do not show project name or company involve.

I understand that your department is working towards a safe and healthy culture.

I work at Wisma Perindustrian. On 29th August 2012 8.30am when i arrived at my office i saw the building next to us collapsed. This is a building plan to build up to 28 floor height i believe. This is on their 5th floor and the collapse went through 3 floors down.

I took pictures as it was my first time to see collapse building right in front of me. The next day it still remain collapse in the morning, but late afternoon found covering with blue construction cloth.

Secretary Clinton Delivers Powerful Religion Speech After Middle East Embassy Attacks

By Dana Hughes of ABC OTUS News

Secretary Clinton delivered a powerful and personal speech about religion at an Eid ul-Fitr reception, marking the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. The speech, at times, was a direct response to the attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East, and the deaths of four diplomats at the hands of militants in Libya.

In her remarks, Clinton repeated much of what she's said in the last two days. Namely that the Benghazi attack was carried out by a "small and savage group," and that the United States completely rejects what she called the "inflammable and despicable" anti-Muslim film circulating the Internet. However, Clinton pointed out all religions have faced insults and denigration, but that's no justification for violence. The response to such insults is what separates people of true faith from those who would use religion as an excuse to commit violent acts, she said.

Students disappointed with local political leaders

KOTA KINABALU: Students disappointed with local political leaders

Solidariti Anak Muda Sabah (SAMS) had to postpone indefinitely the earlier planned Tawau Forum titled "Talk to our Leaders - What is the best way to develop Tawau?” to date yet to be confirmed.

According to organising chairperson Jan Chow, “We’ve done all that we can within our power to accommodate them - we have compromised on the date, and we have even changed the originally planned debate format to a Forum, all for their convenience. And yet they still hide behind their pride and fear.”

16 SEPTEMBER: MALAYAN NATIONAL INTEGRATION DAY

By a Sarawakian 

SARAWAK SABAH VILIFICATION IN FACEBOOK & BLOG PAGE REFLECTS TRUE MALAYAN DOMINATION COMPLEX OVER 12th & 13th MALAYAN STATES!

The attacks by the Semenanjung Anti-Sarawak (SAS) Facebook on Sarawakians especially Dayaks has angered and aroused thousands as well as raising their nationalism if not heightened their desire for independence from Malayan rule. Another blogger under the name of Suara Pakatan Rakyat has also ridiculed Sabahans as uncivilised! Dr. Mahathir's two cents worth remarks on development has made more angry with Malayan arrogance. So between these few bloggers, they have done a better job than all the independence advocates combined to unite Sabahans and Sarawakians who desire to take their countries out of Malaysia.