Malaysia’s legal system includes a sharia law system of personal law applicable only to Muslims and administered by the various state sharia courts. The politicisation of Islam has unjustifiably allowed its proponents to advocate for a more central role for sharia law, resulting in increasing conflicts with federal law in numerous areas. In particular, the…
Category: Human Rights
Of Satire, Parody and Fake News
“Humour can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the purely scientific mind. When a satirist is sued and a court attempts to ‘dissect the frog’, everyone tends to look foolish except the satirist.” – EB and Katharine S White, A…
New Cabinet, New Government – What Does This Mean for Rule of Law & Democracy in Malaysia?
After much suspense, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveiled his new Cabinet today. We take a look at what this means for rule of law, democracy & human rights in Malaysia. 1. Freedom of Speech, Assembly & Association Many expect political heavyweights to helm this crucial Cabinet post, but it went to an unlikely (and relatively…
BFM Podcast: Pop-Culture & Human Rights Awareness
Has Daenerys Targaryen breached any rules of war when she breathed down dragon fire on King’s Landing & its civilians after Cersei Lannister’s surrender? Is there such a thing today as Tyrion Lannister’s trial by combat? In one of my favourite interviews with BFM 89.9, I dissect HBO’s global TV sensation – Game of Thrones…