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Najib Razak #homophobia freemalaysiatoday.com

Only ghosts, LGBT will benefit from off-peak congestion charge, says Najib

SEMENYIH: Former prime minister Najib Razak has poked fun at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government over its plan to replace toll collection along four highways with congestion charges, saying no one will benefit from the free “off-peak” period between 11pm and 5am.

“It is illogical, given that the time for no charges is when people go to sleep. We want to give it to people for free when they are conscious, not when they are asleep.

“Who will stay awake from 11pm to 5am? Only ghosts, drinkers, LGBT and those who are looking for customers, maybe,” he said, addressing a crowd of nearly 200 people here last night.

No one would go home from office at 11pm, he said, questioning the truth of PH’s words.

“Compare this to my time – I abolished 11 tolls although I never promised anything.

“When I say abolish, it means free. Abolish it, freeze and close it.”

He also criticised the proposed congestion charge, calling it unfair.

Putrajaya recently announced that it was in talks with Gamuda Bhd to negotiate the acquisition of highway concessions in which the company has a majority stake.

Upon successful takeover of the highways, it said, the government intended to abolish the existing toll mechanism.

The four highways in question are the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (Sprint), Lebuhraya Shah Alam (Kesas) and the SMART Tunnel.

According to the plan, congestion charges equivalent to the existing toll will be introduced during the “peak period”.

During “off-peak” period between 11pm and 5am, commuters will travel on the highways for free, while at other normal hours, they will receive a discount of up to 30% of existing toll rates.

In his speech, Najib also criticised Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali for diverging from the view of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Following the official statement from the PMO, Azmin reportedly said the decision to do away with toll collection was still under negotiation.

“How can his statement be different from the one released by the PMO?

“I don’t think the prime minister would issue such a statement if there was no discussion with the other ministers. And such a statement must have gotten approval from the prime minister.”

During his time, he said, statements would not be issued without discussion with other ministers.

“What kind of administration is this?”

Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh #sexist freemalaysiatoday.com

KUALA LUMPUR: An Umno lawmaker came under fire Wednesday for saying that women who deny their husbands sex were subjecting them to “psychological and emotional abuse”.

Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh, the Setiu MP from the ruling coalition, said during a parliamentary debate on domestic violence that husbands often suffer emotional attacks rather than physical abuse.

“Even though men are said to be physically stronger than women, there are cases where wives hurt or abuse their husbands in an extreme manner,” he said.

“Usually, it involves wives cursing their husbands – this is emotional abuse. They insult their husbands and refuse his sexual needs.

“All these are types of psychological and emotional abuse.”

[...]

The 58-year-old lawmaker, from Terengganu also said that denying a Muslim man the chance to marry a second wife amounted to abuse.

It is legal for Muslim men in Malaysia to have as many as four wives. But they must obtain permission from an Islamic, or shariah, court to marry more than one.

More than 60 percent of Malaysia’s population of over 30 million are Muslim.

The MP made the comments Tuesday during a debate on amendments to domestic violence legislation.

It is not the first time a lawmaker has sparked controversy with comments about women – a member of Malaysia’s ruling coalition said in April that girls as young as nine were “physically and spiritually” ready for marriage.

Malaysian officials #sexist freemalaysiatoday.com

HK singer says show in Malaysia dropped over LGBT support

KUALA LUMPUR: A Hong Kong pop star said today she had been denied permission to perform in Malaysia because she campaigns for gay rights, amid criticism from activists of rising intolerance toward the LGBT community in the Muslim-majority nation.

Singer Denise Ho, who is openly gay, said Malaysian officials told her promoter that her application to perform in Kuala Lumpur in April was refused due to her support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The LGBT community is routinely persecuted in Malaysia, where gay sex is criminalised — punishable by up to 20 years in prison, caning, or a fine — and the government sanctions campaigns seeking to curb homosexuality and transgenderism.

“I am disappointed,” Ho, one of Asia’s most famous Cantopop stars, told Reuters.

“You would think that in 2018, where many countries are pushing for gay rights and same-sex marriages, that the world would be progressing. But in fact it is not,” she said.

A Malaysian minister did not specify why the application was turned down, but said all performances in the country must be done in accordance to “local law and values”.

“Malaysia welcomes any artiste who projects a wholesome value,” Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak told Reuters.

Ho, who came out publicly in 2012, said she had performed in Malaysia in 2006 without any issues.

“Everyone has the right to be themselves. We can be openly gay as someone else can be Christian or Muslim,” Ho said, adding that at least 2,000 people had been expected to attend her concert in April.

‘Preventing’ homosexuality and transgenderism

An article by a Malaysian newspaper on how to identify LGBT people sparked outrage on social media this week.

Last year, Malaysian health authorities launched a contest on how to “prevent” homosexuality and transgenderism, though it later dropped it after pressure from LGBT groups.

Neighbouring Indonesia, the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, is on the cusp of revising its national criminal code to impose restrictions on same-sex relations and consensual sex between men and women outside marriage.

Yet elsewhere in the region, Taiwan ruled last year that same-sex couples can marry, in a huge boost for the gay rights movement in Asia, and Hong Kong will host the 2022 Gay Games, the first Asian city to hold the sports and cultural event.

Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs #fundie freemalaysiatoday.com

No Santa, no oak tree, no bells in fatwa committee’s Christmas guideline

PETALING JAYA: Christmas trees and other decorations that have come to symbolise the celebration worldwide should not be around if a Muslim plans to attend a Christmas event, according to a guideline issued more than a decade ago by the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs.

The guideline also forbids Muslims from attending Christmas parties that have candles, bells or Santa Claus, the pre-Christian character that has become inseparable from Christmas celebrations and popular with children worldwide.

The guideline was issued following a meeting in April 2005 by the fatwa committee of the council.

It was recently uploaded on the Facebook page of Zamihan Mat Zin, the controversial preacher from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“In determining the non-Muslim celebrations that can be attended by Muslims, several main criteria should serve as guidelines so as not to contradict the teachings of Islam,” reads an English version of the guideline made available to FMT.

It also forbids Muslims from attending Christmas functions that have religious songs or the use of the cross, or “speech or gestures in the form of a praise to the non-Muslim religion”.

Red costumes such as those worn by Santa Claus, as well as church bells and Christmas trees, are things in a Christmas party that makes it off limits to Muslims, according to the fatwa committee.

The statement also says a Christmas event should not have “acts that stir the sensitivity of the Muslim community in Malaysia”.

“The meaning of ‘stir the sensitivity of the Muslim community’ is a thing, act, word or situation which if conducted will offend the feelings of Muslims about their beliefs and practices,” the statement reads.

Muslims wishing Christmas greetings and other non-Muslim celebrations have recently become an issue in Malaysia, with Muslim scholars issuing different interpretations.

In November, Zimbabwean Muslim scholar Ismail Menk, who is popular among Malaysian Muslims, sparked controversy when he advised Muslims against saying “Merry Christmas”.

Following this, Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar ordered a ban on Menk from speaking in Johor, saying his views could harm racial unity and harmony.

Ridhuan Mohd Nor #fundie freemalaysiatoday.com

Activist-lawyer Azhar Harun says PAS should provide statistics and proof to back its argument that the annual craft beer festival in Malaysia will increase crime rates.
“Has there been a study by PAS or survey by PAS to show that in respect of the beer festival every October the crime rate goes up? Or has the crime rate gone up in Germany every October?” he said when contacted by FMT today.
Azhar was referring to PAS central committee member Riduan Mohd Nor reportedly calling the annual beer festival a “vice festival”.
Riduan had questioned the authorities on what guarantee they could give to members of the public who are not participating in this annual event, “to ensure their safety from crime, free sex, rape and so on”.
The PAS leader had also warned that Kuala Lumpur could one day be known as Asia’s vice centre if such events are not stopped.
“It is something that is shameful for an Islamic country like Malaysia when ‘mungkar’ (treacherous) programmes can easily gain a place in society’s heart and it is allowed to be organised without obstruction,” Riduan was quoted as saying by Malay Mail Online.
Azhar, who is popularly known as Art Harun, said PAS objects to the beer festival on a yearly basis, adding that the party’s stance on this is not surprising.
He added that PAS should look at Palestine, a country Malaysia supports wholeheartedly, where the beer event is also celebrated.
“It is a Western non-Muslim event, it started in Germany and it caught on in other countries. It happens everywhere, even Palestine.
“So if people want to hold that in Publika, why are we objecting?” he said, referring to the annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Meanwhile, Azhar said in proposing the amendments to Act 355, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had claimed it would not affect non-Muslims, but now “they are already imposing their values despite what was said”.
“They said that when they want to amend Act355, it will not affect non-Muslims.
“Look at this, this is a non-Muslim event and they are already imposing their values and religion on non-Muslims.
“So where is PAS’ argument that hudud and the amendment of the law will not affect non-Muslims? It’s a blatant lie to me,” Azhar said.
According to him, Kelantan does not celebrate the beer festival, but the state has the highest drug addiction and AIDS rate there.
Referring to Riduan’s warning that there could be “extremist” actions in response to the “treacherous programme”, Azhar said it did not sound like a warning but like a threat instead.
“People will be worried. It is an irony PAS has come up with this when our Prime Minister (Najib Razak) has gone to meet US President Donald Trump,” he said.
Zaid says that if PAS is unhappy with the festival they should protest against Najib and not the people.
Zaid says that if PAS is unhappy with the festival they should protest against Najib and not the people.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Zaid Ibrahim said if PAS was unhappy with the festival, it should bring its concerns to Najib, not the people.
“Why protest and then make a political case out of it? You want to ban the festival go and see Najib,” Zaid told FMT.
FMT has contacted the organisers of the Better Beer Festival 2017, MyBeer Malaysia, and is awaiting their response on the issue.
The Better Beer Festival will be held from Oct 6-7 in Publika.
The festival is set to showcase 250 different craft beers from 43 independent breweries from 12 countries, and also includes a variety of food and live performances.

Che Abdul Karim Che Abdul Hamid #sexist freemalaysiatoday.com

Man in child marriage row says wives happy to share husband with kid

Che Abdul Karim also threatens legal action against his critics.

Che Abdul Karim (right), seen here during his ‘nikah’ (marriage) ceremony with an 11-year-old girl. (Facebook pic)

GUA MUSANG: The man at the centre of the public outrage over his marriage to a child is standing firm on his decision, and has threatened to take legal action against those who condemned him.

Rubber tapper Che Abdul Karim Che Abdul Hamid, 41, who married 11-year-old Masaryu Mat Rashid last month, has again defended his action by saying he received blessings from the girl’s parents.

He said he would go ahead to formalise the marriage by applying for a marriage certificate after five years, when his “wife” turns 16, the marital age allowed by Malaysian shariah laws.

“I am sad of the assumptions and wild accusations thrown at me in social media for taking a third wife,” he told Bernama.

“I will consider taking legal action to stop the defamation against me through wild and inaccurate claims,” he said when met at his home in Gua Musang.

He said his two other wives were also accepting of the young girl to be their “madu” (one who shares a husband).

A photograph of the marriage ceremony, posted online, sparked outrage among Malaysians on social media, renewing a debate on underage marriage.

But Masaryu’s father, who is just eight years older than his daughter’s “husband” said he knew Che Karim well, as the man often sold scrap rubber to him.

“He has promised me that he would register the marriage with the Islamic Affairs Department in Kelantan when Masaryu turns 16,” said Mat Rashid Rimadsa, a Thai citizen who lives in Gua Musang.

Meanwhile, the Kelantan Islamic Affairs Department said it had not received any complaints about the marriage but promised to conduct an investigation to see if it violated state Islamic laws.

Education Ministry of Malaysia #fundie freemalaysiatoday.com

[Malaysian Govt endorses guide on how to spot gays]

A government-endorsed parenting guide that describes symptoms of homosexuality has kicked up a storm on the Internet, with human rights and sexuality activists expressing shock and disgust.

Sin Chew Daily today reported that the Education Ministry had endorsed the guide as helpful to parents and teachers.

It was launched during a seminar in Penang yesterday. The event, billed as “Parenting in addressing the issue of LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders)”, was officiated by Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

The guide listed four symptoms each for gays and lesbians:

For gays:

Muscular body and a fondness for showing off the body by wearing clothing, such as by wearing V-necks and sleeveless tops

A preference for tight and bright coloured clothes

An inclination to be attracted to men

A tendency to carry big handbags, similar to the kinds used by women

For lesbians:

Showing attraction to women

Distancing themselves from women other than their girlfriends

A preference for hanging out, sleeping and dining with women

Absence of feelings for men

Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh #fundie freemalaysiatoday.com

KUALA LUMPUR: A PAS MP today said all religions do not allow their followers to consume alcohol, sparking a brief tiff with a DAP MP.

Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh) said Islam did not stop others from selling alcohol but other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism did not allow adherents to consume alcohol.

But Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) asked Zawawi to correct his facts as other religions, such as Christianity, allowed people to taste alcohol but not to get drunk.

“During Jesus’ last supper, they had wine,” said Ngeh.

However, Zawawi told Ngeh to check his facts, including about Christianity “before the Bible was amended”, as even a bit of liquor was not allowed.

Ngeh retorted by telling Zawawi to ask other religious experts first, prompting the PAS MP to say he had read about Christianity written by Christians.

“It was not written by Muslims. I read from the source,” he said, adding that he was not putting any religion down as all religions did not allow their devotees to drink liquor.

While debating the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020, he also urged the government to monitor the sale of liquor at “wild entertainment outlets”.

He said entertainment was allowed but if it went overboard then it might cause more problems, including drink driving.

He urged the authorities to test patrons before they left such outlets to prevent accidents.

Mohd Zulkifli Hashim #fundie freemalaysiatoday.com

Rompin council stands by decision to shoot pet dog Barney

PETALING JAYA: The Rompin local council is standing by its decision to shoot a resident’s pet dog last month, despite it wearing a collar with a valid licence.
The district local council’s chief, Mohd Zulkifli Hashim, admitted that the pet dog was killed by the council, in a joint operation with the Pahang Veterinary Department.
The operation, he said in a statement to FMT, was carried out on Aug 22 and 23 to prevent the spread of rabies, and to ensure “public safety”.
“Investigations conducted following the dog owner’s complaint, found that the dog was wandering around Pantai Hiburan Rompin’s public space without the owner’s supervision.
“Owners of licensed dogs should not let their pets roam around without supervision.”
The dog’s owner, Chong Man Sin told FMT a couple of days after the Aug 23 incident, that he found his dog named Barney lying motionless on the ground, at the back of his house, with what he suspected to be a bullet wound to the dog’s body.

However, Mohd Zulkifli clarified that according to the bylaws of the Rompin local council, dog owners must take appropriate steps to ensure their dogs did not wander out of their premises on their own.
The bylaws also state that if a dog is out in public, it must be leashed and walked by its owner.
“Any dog, licensed or not, whose owner cannot be found, can be shot on the council’s instruction, or by anyone who the council gives such power to,” he said.
Chong had told FMT that he and his wife had done everything the law required of them, in order to keep Barney.
They obtained a licence from the Rompin local council, vaccinated him and made sure he was in good health. They even ensured Barney wore a collar at all times so no one would mistake him for a stray.
However, on the morning of Aug 23, Chong found Barney dead, after he forgot to tie up the dog like he usually did every night.