Month: April 2008

‘Allah’ vs. God

I just received a news update on the court case regarding the prohibition of the use of ‘Allah’ in non-Muslim media: The Minister for Internal Security issued a Publication Permit dated 12th February 2008 (for the period 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2008) to the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, the Publisher … Continue reading “‘Allah’ vs. God”

I just received a news update on the court case regarding the prohibition of the use of ‘Allah’ in non-Muslim media:

The Minister for Internal Security issued a Publication Permit dated 12th February 2008 (for the period 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2008) to the Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, the Publisher of the ‘ HERALD – The Catholic Weekly’ stating that the Publication Permit is subject to a “Garis Panduan Penerbitan” which prohibits the Publisher from using the word ALLAH in the HERALD – The Catholic Weekly.

The decision of the Minister for Internal Security was unacceptable and on 19th March 2008, an Application for Judicial Review was filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to challenge the decision of the Minister. The first state of the Application for Judicial Review (i.e. to seek leave or permission to proceed) is fixed for hearing at 9.00am on 25th April 2008. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam will be in the High Court for the hearing.

Continue reading “‘Allah’ vs. God”

Server is Up and Running Again: Good Feeling.

It is good feeling no doubt to have the server up and running. Unfortunately I won’t be able to give new postings for the next 3 weeks. I am at the moment too busy preparing for a Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Rome. I also have to prepare a few sermons as a church camp speaker. Hopefully … Continue reading “Server is Up and Running Again: Good Feeling.”

It is good feeling no doubt to have the server up and running. Unfortunately I won’t be able to give new postings for the next 3 weeks. I am at the moment too busy preparing for a Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Rome. I also have to prepare a few sermons as a church camp speaker.

Hopefully good feelings will result in productivity.

Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context

SOCIAL CONTRACT AND THE SPECIAL POSITION OF THE MALAYS Some observations on the Historical Context Excerpt Malay ethnic nationalists (UMNO politicians in particular) in the past usually avoided making reference to the Social Contract. But recently, these UMNO politicians seem to have overcome their reservations and are urging Malaysians to respect the Social Contract. What … Continue reading “Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context”

SOCIAL CONTRACT AND THE SPECIAL POSITION OF THE MALAYS

Some observations on the Historical Context

Excerpt
Malay ethnic nationalists (UMNO politicians in particular) in the past usually avoided making reference to the Social Contract. But recently, these UMNO politicians seem to have overcome their reservations and are urging Malaysians to respect the Social Contract. What is the reason behind this new openness and acknowledgement of the Social Contract? A closer analysis of their speeches would reveal a not-so-subtle attempt to reinterpret the terms of the Social Contract to conform to their ideology of Malay dominance and supremacy. That is to say, these ethnic nationalists are attempting to hijack the Social Contract and disregard for the original intent of the Founding Fathers of the nation. In this case, citing a text without respecting the historical context becomes merely a pretext for ideological manipulation of history.

Continue reading “Social Contract and the Special Position of the Malays: Some Observations on the Historical Context”