Malaysia – Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj rebuked Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Idris Ahmad for warning Muslims from attending Bon Odori next month. Idris was urged to attend so he might learn to distinguish between culture and religion, an unusual and direct criticism from a ruler. His Highness does not want politicians to exploit religious sensitivities for selfish …

ASEAN – According to Malay Mail, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the ruler of Selangor, has issued a proclamation stating that the Bon Odori festival would take place in July as scheduled. This comes after the Minister of Religious Affairs, Datuk Idris Ahmad, said that Muslims should not participate in the Japanese festivities. He based his statement on the fact that …

Malaysia – The Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru is concerned that PAS is pursuing a constitutional reform that would make it mandatory for the prime minister to be a Muslim, according to Andrew Bugie, the party’s media head. Andrew stated in a statement yesterday that PBDS joined the chorus of critics of PAS senator and information leader Khairil Nizam …

Malaysia – It is a loss of an amazing human being that the anti-apartheid activist of South Africa, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has passed away, according to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is the Malaysia’s Senior Minister for International Trade and Industry. He said that Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has been a source of inspiration for him on a …

Malaysia – With the inauguration of the party’s national branch, Parti Warisan has arrived in Peninsular Malaysia. President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said he wanted to bring Malaysia’s most valuable asset, its people, back in the spotlight, free of prejudices on race and religion. Many people, according to Shafie, have utilized Malaysia’s diversity to divide the country. Shafie noted at …

Malaysia – After one of his party colleagues criticized Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh for wearing a hijab, a DAP leader today warned that Malaysians either accept the country’s variety and moderation or face irrelevance. Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, vice-chief of the Johor DAP, said such characteristics were critical given Malaysia‘s multiculturalism. “We must not only respect others’ cultures, religions, and …

KUALA LUMPUR: Effective tomorrow, mosques and suraus in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan will hold full-capacity prayers on their premises, with a 1.5m physical separation. The new ruling was made after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah gave his permission, according to Mohd Ajib Ismail, director of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI). Friday prayers at …

KUALA LUMPUR – Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that Malaysia has expressed serious concern on the rising open hostilities against Islam and condemns hostilities towards those who are trying to defame it. He added that Malaysia is committed to upholding the freedom of speech as a fundamental human right as long as these rights are …

PETALING JAYA – Church leaders on Friday told PAS lawmaker who claimed all religions prohibited the consumption of alcohol that Christianity does not forbid liqour but Bible clearly states that it condemns intoxication and debauchery. Director of the Catholic Research Centre in the archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Rev Clarence Devadass said that the Church is not against the alcohol per …