Malaysia

Malaysian Christians Can Use 'Allah' In Publications

Christians in Muslim-majority Malaysia can use the word "Allah" in publications, a court ruled Wednesday, overturning a decades-old ban after a lengthy legal battle that fuelled religious tensions.The Arabic word for God has long been divisive in Malaysia, with Christians complaining attempts to stop them using it highlight creeping Islamisation.

11 March 2021
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Malaysia’s PN: Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

With COVID-19 infections in Malaysia showing a downward trend, a death rate at 0.4 percent among the lowest in the world, and with more than 90 percent of COVID-19 patients fully recovered, the stage is set for the current, third wave to be a manageable affair in a few months’ time.What’s more, the government of Malaysia has some new strategies to ensure the infection curve will be flattened as soon as possible by controlling the spread of the disease.For instance, based on its data,

6 March 2021
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Malaysians, Singaporeans Battling Weight Issues

Over four million people die each year across the globe as a result of being overweight or obese.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to one’s health.

1 March 2021
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Malaysian Man Wins Case Against Muslim Gay Sex Ban

A Malaysian man on Thursday won the country's first legal challenge against Islamic laws banning gay sex, a victory hailed as "monumental progress" in combating persecution of the LGBT community.He was charged in an Islamic court in 2019 with attempting to have "intercourse against the order of nature," and several others in the same case have already pleaded guilty and were caned as a punishment.Critics say the climate is worsening for the gay community in Muslim-maj

26 February 2021
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Malaysia Under Fire After Myanmar Deportation

The United States (US) on Wednesday led criticism of Malaysia for deporting more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals back to their military-ruled nation in defiance of a court order.The migrants, who activists say include vulnerable asylum seekers, departed Tuesday on Myanmar navy ships from a Malaysian military base just weeks after a coup.Rights groups had fiercely criticised the plan, and hours before the deportation the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered it be temporarily halted to allow a legal ch

25 February 2021
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Malaysia Deports Myanmar Nationals Despite Court Order

Malaysia on Tuesday deported more than 1,000 Myanmar detainees back to their strife-torn homeland just weeks after a coup, despite a court order halting the repatriation and a storm of criticism.The migrants, whom activists say include vulnerable asylum seekers, departed on three Myanmar navy ships from a Malaysian military base after arriving on packed trucks and buses under police escort.The United States (US), the United Nations (UN) and rights groups had criticised the plan, while hours b

24 February 2021
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Deceiving Food Labels In Malaysia

According to Malaysia's Health Ministry's (KKM) Guide to Nutrition Labelling and Claims, manufacturers must be aware of nutrient content claims and the conditions for their use. For example, one of the conditions listed in the guide states that the food product must contain a range of nutrients including carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals for it to be labelled as "nutritious."Marketing strategies are sometimes developed to bypass legal requirements

20 February 2021
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Press Freedom In Malaysia Under Attack?

A leading Malaysian news site was fined US$120,000 Friday after being convicted of contempt over readers' comments that criticised the judiciary, sparking international condemnation and concerns about worsening press freedom.Fears have grown that independent media outlets are under attack in the Southeast Asian nation since a scandal-plagued coalition seized power without an election last year following the collapse of a reformist government.Malaysiakini, a popular portal that has made a

20 February 2021
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Sugarbook’s Darren Chan: Crook Or Maverick Entrepreneur?

With nearly 74 police reports lodged and a chorus of criticisms from civil society groups and Malaysians over safety conditions and the promotion of immoral acts, controversial online dating platform Sugarbook was blocked by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Ministry (MCMC).

19 February 2021
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