Ikim stirs controversy with 'Not all religions are equal' comment

Thomas Lee by Malaysia Chronicle

Over the last few days, a controversy has been brewing over a statement by the Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) that Islam considers that not all religions are equal, and that the concept of pluralism is antithetical to Islam.

The Umno-owned and controlled Utusan Malaysia daily has gone to town with stories suggesting that religious pluralism is a threat to Islam, and that Pakatan Rakyat supremo and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is pushing for other religions to be put on an equal footing with Islam.

According to the newspaper, those who question the position of Islam and the Malays are practitioners of religious pluralism, in what appears to be a claim that Anwar’s rejection of Umno’s “ketuanan Melayu” concept is unIslamic, or even anti-Islam.

I think we should not just jump at Ikim and unilaterally condemn its view about the exclusivity of Islam without some serious objective evaluation and understanding of the teaching of the religion.

Jeffrey forms movement for Sabahans, Sarawakians, remains in PKR for now

By Luke Rintod of FMT

UPDATED AT 11.40PM

KOTA KINABALU: Former PKR vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan today announced the formation of United Borneo Front (UBF) as a network grouping for Sabahans and Sarawakians to assert their rights.

He also said that he was not leaving PKR as was widely speculated and dodged questions if he would leave the party in the near future.

MCLM - not the Third Force, says its founder

By Regina Lee

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA: When news of a "third force" first broke out a few months ago in the heat of PKR direct leadership elections, many viewed it with scepticism, rather than optimism.

While some political party leaders, notably from PKR, dismissed this third force as neither a "third" nor a "force", others even claimed that the newly-launched Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) was meant to siphon off votes away from the party.

Indeed, the timing of the group has raised eyebrows as it was easy to link MCLM with the recently-concluded controvery wracked PKR elections.

However, setting the record straight is Haris Ibrahim (right), MCLM president who was appointed in October - in absentia - when the committee first met in London.

Malaysians increasingly worried BN will stage a coup

Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysia Chronicle

Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime minister, was quick to blame PAS for attempting to discredit the government because PAS claimed there was a BN plan to seize power if the PR opposition were to win the 13th general election.

Muhyiddin said, “This is malicious and prejudicial aimed at scaring the people.”

PAS leaders are only interpreting the signs presented by BN.

Last October, at the opening of the Umno 61st annual assembly. Najib’s opening remarks were: “Even if our bodies are crushed and our lives lost, brothers and sisters, whatever happens, we must defend Putrajaya.”

Must read ! How some sleek businessmen con others !

Rajpat (the father): Son, I want you to marry a girl of my choice.
Son: "I will choose my own bride!!!"
Rajpat: "But the girl is Bill Gates's daughter.." Son: "Well, in that case... Ok"
Next Rajpat approaches Bill Gates.
Rajpat: "I have a husband for your daughter...." Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!!!!!"
Rajpat: "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank." Bill Gates: "Ah, in that case... Ok"
Finally Rajpat goes to see the president of the World Bank.
Rajpat: "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president.." President: "But I already have more vice- presidents than I need!"
Rajpat: "But this young man is Bill Gates's son-in-law." President: "Ah, in that case... Ok"
And that my friend, is how Indians do business.