Stories about Malaysia from November, 2008
Malaysia: Yoga is OK for Muslims but…
The National Fatwa Council of Malaysia has ruled that the physical aspect of yoga without the mantras and other spiritual elements is not wrong. Blogger Nuraina thinks the edict is unnecessary.
Malaysia: The Plight of Penan
The Penan tribe, indigenous people of East Malaysia, have taken quite some press and blog space this year. Bloggers react to stories of abuses committed against the Penan Tribe.
Malaysia: Are the police being too brutal?
A peaceful rally in Malaysia was violently dispersed by the police. Civil society groups have condemned the dispersal, especially the use of force, the repression of assembly and expression, and Malaysian bloggers are up in arms on the whole episode.
Malaysia: Police disperse peaceful protest
Paradise Storm and Anil Netto from Malaysia provide eyewitness accounts to the peaceful vigil-protest which was violently dispersed by the police. The vigil was a protest against Malaysia's authoritarian policies.
Southeast Asia celebrates Obama’s victory
Southeast Asian bloggers are celebrating the victory of President-elect Barack Obama. In fact, Obama's election success has led many bloggers in the region to reflect about the need for change in their local politics.
Southeast Asia: The Power of the Pontianak
One of the most enduring legends of South East Asia is the Pontianak, said to be a bone-white lady, with ruby-red eyes, who is borne from her death in birth-giving. The Pontianak, or sometimes called the "Kuntilanak", lives in almost all of South East Asia, except the Indochina region.
Reforming the Malaysian Judicial Services
The Malaysian judiciary has long been criticised of corruption, and also for being less-than expeditious in its process. With the resignation of de facto Law Minister, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the appointment of Tan Sri Zaki Azmi, and newly-voiced resistance to judicial reform, the jury is out on what will take place with the corridors of justice in Malaysia.