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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Govt keeping tabs on Internet users

Thursday September 23, 2010

By LESTER KONG
lester@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Government is monitoring the way Malaysians use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

He said there were cause for concern as there was a growing trend of using such sites irresponsibly.

“This growing trend of racial and religious insensitivity has created feelings of anxiety, anger and hatred in the country,” he said after witnessing a donation of a motorised wheelchair to a disabled businessman last night.

Lee said the Government was reviewing relevant laws relating to the responsible use of social networking sites, but declined to specify the laws.

He said a committee chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz involving the Prime Minister’s Department, Home Ministry, Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers was set up two months ago to check on the networking sites.

He said some politicians also used them to gain political mileage at the expense of racial and religious harmony.

“Some have gone overboard and crossed the borders of the laws. There is a growing trend of utterance or irresponsible statements that may be seditious. Racial and religious sensitivities have been trampled on,” he said.

Lee said Facebook and Twitter should instead be used to promote the merits of the newly unveiled Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

“With understanding, dedications, commitment and with the people’s cooperation, the objective of the ETP will be achieved,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/23/nation/7087861&sec=nation

Sebutan permohonan 2 lelaki ingin murtad - 19 Dis

Sep 22, 10 5:21pm
Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Kuala Terengganu hari ini menetapkan 19 Dis ini sebagai tarikh sebutan semula permohonan dua lelaki untuk keluar daripada agama Islam.


Hakim Syarie Rosdi Harun menetapkan sebutan semula permohonan Mohd Rajiman Chin Abdullah, 48, dan Mohd Ramzan Maniarasan, 38, akan dibuat secara bersama pada tarikh tersebut.


Beliau menetapkan tarikh itu selepas Peguam Syarie, Syed Ahmad Shabuddin Syed Nong yang mewakili Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu (Maidam) sebagai responden kes itu memaklumkan mahkamah Pegawai Penasihat Undang-undang Syariah yang mewakili Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Terengganu (Jheait) sedang cuti bersalin.

Beliau meminta mahkamah menetapkan tarikh sebutan semula yang baru untuk kedua-dua permohonan itu iaitu selepas pegawai wanita itu kembali bertugas pada Disember ini.


Rosdi berkata beliau berharap tempoh yang panjang sehingga tarikh sebutan semula itu digunakan sebaik-baiknya oleh kedua-dua pihak untuk membuat persediaan memandangkan kes itu serius dan tidak boleh dipandang ringan kerana ia melibatkan akidah.


Katanya beliau mahu memberi peluang kepada dua agensi yang menjaga kepentingan orang Islam di Terengganu itu bersedia dengan dokumen lengkap untuk berhadapan dengan tuntutan itu.

"Untuk pemohon pula, kalau betul-betul mahu teruskan hasrat ini boleh lantik peguam. Memohon untuk keluar Islam bukan satu perkara yang ringan. Kalau orang Islam yang murtad, boleh dibunuh, itu hukum Islam," katanya.

Ketika mengulas permohonan Mohd Rajiman supaya kes beliau diselesaikan dengan segera, Rosdi berkata mahkamah mempunyai prosedur khusus yang perlu dipatuhi.


Mohd Ramzan pula berkata beliau terpaksa membawa permohonannya itu sendiri ke mahkamah kerana tidak ada peguam syarie yang mahu mewakilinya, ketika ditanya sama ada akan melantik peguam untuk mewakilinya.

- Bernama

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/143320

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The 2nd International SEARCH Conference 2011

The South East Asia Research Centre for Communication and Humanities is pleased to
be organising The 2nd International SEARCH Conference 2011 (SEARCH Conference 2011) on
the 28th and 29th of May 2011.

REGISTER TODAY!

SEARCH Conference 2011

This is multidisciplinary conference aimed at bringing together researchers and practitioners interested in the field of Communication and the Humanities to introduce and discuss perspectives and directions in the area of New Media Effects.

We welcome contributors from all disciplines, field and themes that pertain to the study of Communication and the Humanities to submit papers on one of the topics indicated below, describing original work and/or survey papers.

Conference Theme

New Media Culture and Challenges

Sub-themes

· New Media Governance and Politics
·
Ethical issues and New Media
·
Identity formation and Reality television
· Creative Industries and Knowledge Economy
·
Cyberculture
· Gaming Culture
· Pop Culture
· Marketing Communication in New Media
·
e-Governance and Democracy

We also encourage other varieties related to New Media and its effects or on any sector in the humanities.

For more information on Registration, Fees, Abstracts Submission and other Conference details, please click HERE.



Friday, September 17, 2010

Papal visit: Pope Benedict in London


Click to play

The Pope says that religion is 'marginalised' during his speech in Westminster Hall

The Pope has warned that religion - and Christianity in particular - is "being marginalised" around the world.

His comments came in his keynote speech to UK MPs, senior members of British society, and religious leaders at Westminster Hall in central London.

Pope Benedict XVI warned that there were some people who wanted to see "the voice of religion be silenced".

He called on those in attendance to seek ways to promote faith "at every level of national life".

BBC correspondent Peter Hunt described the speech as "a rallying call, and a plea - for religion not to be squeezed out by secular society".

The Pope was speaking as a sixth man was arrested as counter-terrorism detectives investigate an alleged threat to Pope Benedict XVI's visit.

In his speech, the Pope said: "I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance.

"There are those who would advocate that the voice of religion be silenced, or at least relegated to the purely private sphere.

"There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none."

The Pope then visited Westminster Abbey for a celebration of evening prayer.

'Deep friendship'

Earlier, he met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at Lambeth Palace.

Analysis

Pope Benedict concentrated on what unites Anglicans and Catholics, not what still separates them.

He spoke of the deepening friendship at a personal level between these two very eminent professional theologians who find much in common to talk about at their periodic meetings.

The Pope also paid tribute to the 19th Century former Anglican priest Cardinal John Henry Newman - who perfectly shared both church cultures.

This is an important ecumenical gathering taking place more than 40 years after official talks began about possible reunification of the two churches five centuries after Rome refused to recognise King Henry VIII's divorce.

Lambeth and the Vatican have had a bumpy relationship in recent years as the Anglican Church first ordained women priests and is now considering ordaining women bishops, but both sides are still keen to go on talking.

It comes at a time when Anglican moves towards appointing women bishops have unsettled relations with Rome.

But the Pope said he wanted to focus on the "deep friendship" between the two churches rather than their differences.

The Lambeth Palace meeting marked the first time a Pope has met the Archbishop at his official residence.

It was viewed as an important event more than 40 years after official talks began about possible reunification of the two churches.

Divisions remain over Roman Catholic opposition to the ordination of women priests. Meanwhile the Church of England's General Synod left the way open for appointing women bishops at its meeting in July.

The Vatican angered many supporters of women's ordination by describing it as a "grave crime" to be dealt with in the same process as sex abuse, though it denied it was equating the two.

Dr Williams said in his opening remarks that the Pope was "most welcome" at Lambeth Palace.

He then praised the pontiff's "consistent and penetrating analysis of the state of European society".

As the Pope left Lambeth Palace to travel the short distance to Westminster Hall in his Popemobile, thousands of people lined the streets.

At one point he stopped the vehicle to bless a baby that was handed up to him.

True happiness

Earlier, the Pope led an assembly of 4,000 Catholic school children in west London.

He used his address at St Mary's University College in Twickenham, to say that the safety of children was vital in all schools, an apparent reference to the Church's child abuse scandal.

Pope's visit

  • 17 September: Meets Archbishop of Canterbury; Address at Westminster Hall; Service at Westminster Abbey
  • 18 September: Mass at Westminster Cathedral; Open-air vigil in Hyde Park
  • 19 September: Beatification Mass at Cofton Park Birmingham; Meets bishops of England, Scotland and Wales; Leaves for Rome.

He also warned against the limitations of celebrity and science.

The pontiff told the crowd young people were often encouraged to model themselves on celebrities.

He said: "My question for you is this: What are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourselves? What kind of person would you really like to be?'

"I'm asking you not to be content with second-best."

He went on to say having money or a successful career was not enough to make people happy, but true happiness could be found in God.

Tight security surrounded the event, called The Big Assembly, and monks and nuns who had waited in long queues were frisked by police.

Around 100 protesters against the Vatican's record on gay rights, equality and birth control had gathered ahead of his arrival, amid tight security.

The Church saw it as an opportunity to celebrate the work of more than 2,000 Catholic schools across the UK, in partnership with the state.

But critics said it could fuel hostility to faith schools and serve as a painful reminder of the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11347073

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Utusan Malaysia Online - Berita Utama

Utusan Malaysia Online - Berita Utama

Muhyiddin beri amaran individu persenda agama

KUALA LUMPUR 4 Sept. - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hari ini memberi amaran bahawa individu yang terbukti mempermainkan agama Islam atau agama lain serta perkara yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan tidak akan terlepas daripada tindakan undang-undang.

Tegas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, kerajaan tidak pernah bertolak ansur terhadap perbuatan tidak bertanggungjawab itu yang boleh membangkitkan kemarahan rakyat, mengeruhkan hubungan antara kaum dan sekali gus menjejaskan keselamatan negara.

Sehubungan itu katanya, kerajaan telah mengarahkan polis serta agensi penguat kuasa lain supaya bertindak segera dan tegas terhadap mereka yang terbukti melakukan perbuatan itu mengikut peruntukan undang-undang negara.

"Dalam apa jua keadaan sekalipun kita tidak boleh membiarkan sesiapa sahaja baik orang Islam atau bukan Islam mempermainkan-mainkan soal agama kerana ia boleh memberi padah kepada negara.

"Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sendiri telah memberi amaran bahawa perbuatan-perbuatan yang boleh menimbulkan masalah dalam soal keselamatan dan hubungan antara kaum hendaklah dielakkan,'' katanya.

Beliau bercakap kepada pemberita selepas menyempurnakan Majlis Pelancaran Operasi Bersepadu Keselamatan Jalan Raya Sempena Musim Perayaan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2010 di Stesen Sentral di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas tindakan beberapa individu yang menggunakan saluran Internet seperti Youtube dan laman sosial Facebook untuk menghina Islam, orang Melayu serta Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Tindakan tegas dan keras perlu diambil kerana kita tidak mahu ia berlarutan sehingga mendatangkan masalah besar kepada negara.

"Saya juga percaya penganut agama lain seperti Sikh, Hindu atau Buddha pasti tidak mahu ada tindak balas daripada orang Islam seperti mewujudkan satu lagi laman Facebook yang menyentuh sensitiviti agama mereka,'' katanya.

Dalam perkembangan sama beliau yakin dengan kepakaran siber pihak berkuasa untuk membuktikan dalam konteks undang-undang mengenai kesahihan individu yang terlibat sama ada menerusi media alternatif atau laman sosial seperti Facebook.

"Kita serahkan kepada pihak berkuasa dan yang paling penting hal sebegini sepatutnya tidak timbul. Kita telah sekian lama duduk di sebuah negara yang aman dan tenteram kerana kita saling menghormati antara agama.

"Mengapa satu agama lain harus mencemarkan agama yang lain. Banyak peristiwa yang berlaku di beberapa negara lain, apabila berhadapan dengan konflik antara agama, padahnya amat besar,'' katanya.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan tidak mahu Malaysia menjadi kancah krisis yang bertembung atas soal agama kerana kesannya amat berbahaya.

"Negara kita adalah negara pelbagai agama dan pelbagai latar belakang serta budaya dan pertembungan ini mesti dielakkan,'' katanya lagi.

Kata beliau, pihaknya menyerahkan kepada pihak berkuasa menangani kes dua pengetua yang didakwa mengeluarkan kenyataan berbaur perkauman.

Terbaru, Gerakan Pemuda Prihatin Putrajaya (Gempur) membuat laporan polis berhubung satu akaun laman sosial Facebook yang dikesan menghina Islam dan Allah menggunakan kata-kata kesat.

Presidennya, Mohd. Hisamudin Yahya menggesa polis menjalankan siasatan segera ke atas akaun Facebook yang didaftarkan dengan nama Katy Lim Li Lian kerana pemilik akaun itu telah memaparkan komen yang menimbulkan kemarahan umat Islam.

Sebelum ini Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Selangor membuat satu laporan polis pada 1 September lalu berhubung kewujudan satu akaun Facebook menggunakan nama 'Melayu Babi'.

Baru-baru ini pula, seorang pemuda dari Muar, Wee Meng Chee atau dikenali sebagai Namewee sekali lagi mencetuskan kontroversi apabila menghasilkan klip video berbaur perkauman.