Reuters

Malaysia

King, Wan Azizah join top Muslim influence list

November 14, 2010

Tuanku Mizan has joined the ranks of the world's most influential Muslims. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah were among Malaysian newcomers listed in "The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World", while PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat dropped out of the Top 50.

The Kelantan mentri besar since 1990, Nik Aziz was listed as the 42nd most influential in 2009. No Malaysian made it to the top 50 list this year.

The other newcomers from Malaysia are Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, the country's first astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, and Professor Dr Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti.

Muhammad Afifi was one of the first Malaysians to be appointed to the Oxford University's Theology Faculty after the 2005 London bombings.

The book also included the views of Mashitah, who is also a motivational expert on contemporary Islamic issues.

She entered the political scene six years ago by contesting the 2004 general election on Umno's ticket.

Other Malaysian leaders who stayed on the list are Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak; SIS founder Zainah Anwar; vice president of the Penang consumer association Mohideen Abdul Kader; Raihan group members, Che Amran Idris, Abu Bakar Md Yatim, Amran Ibrahim and Zulfadli Mustaza; and world-renowned expert and writer in Islamic studies and modern law comparison, Professor Dr Mohammad Hashim Kamali.

Notable absentees from this year's list were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, activist and leader of Sisters In Islam (SIS) Sharifah Zuriah Aljefferi, and also academic expert Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar.

"The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World" was first published last year by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.

Muslim personalities worldwide who make the list are considered influential and to have contributed to mankind.

The ranking covers 15 different categories including scholars, politicians, intellectuals, women, youth, scientists, personnel in the medical, technology and the media fields.

The top 10 in the list this time includes Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Iranian leader Syed Ali Khamenei; Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan; chief Imam of Al-Azhar and University Al-Azhar leader Dr Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Al Tayeb; Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; chief of the international Muslim scholars Yusuf Al-Qaeadawi; social activist Amr Khaled; Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; leader of Ikhwanul Muslimim Mesir Syeikh Mohammad Mahdi Akef; and Hamas leader Khaleed Mishal.

BERNAMA

Low turnouts continue to mar PKR polls

November 14, 2010

SHAH ALAM, Nov 14 — Fewer than 10 per cent of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members from the Kapar, Kota Raja and Klang branches voted in the party election for the central leadership council (MPP) held today.

When polling was closed about 4.30pm, only about 300 of the 5,000 PKR members from Kapar had cast their votes. In Kota Raja, the numbers were 658 from the total 7,992 while 400 out of 6,000 members voted in the Klang division.

However, no untoward incident was reported in all three divisions.

PKR vice-presidential candidate, Kapar Member of Parliament S.Manikavasagam, when contacted, said he was disappointed with the members' turnout.

"I was informed that many were not able to attend because of the festive season and wedding ceremonies. The location is not suitable because many members do not know where the Sungai Pinang hall, where the election was held, is.

"However, I'm glad that everything went well," he added.

Meanwhile, the election for the central leadership council for the Kuala Langat division has been postponed to November 20. — Bernama

Malaysian court refuses mum's bid to convert sons' religion

Malaysian court refuses mum's bid to convert sons' religion

 

by The Malaysian Insider

05:55 AM Nov 13, 2010

 

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia's top court on Friday unanimously dismissed a Hindu mother's bid to raise her two young children in the religion they grew up with.

Ms S Shamala's two children were converted to Islam eight years ago by her estranged Hindu-turned-Muslim husband, without her knowledge or consent.

Friday's 5-0 ruling in the Federal Court is a blow to the battle to end one-sided religious conversions. These have caused a rift in the nation, which is multicultural and secular but recognises Islam as the official creed. The panel, led by Chief Justice Zaki Azmi, also ruled that Ms Shamala must return to Malaysia if she wants the court's protection.

The 38-year-old fled the country in 2004 with her two sons Saktiwaran and Theivaswaran - now aged 11 and nine years old respectively. Their current location is unknown.

Both parents are in a bitter fight to gain custody over the two boys and be allowed to raise them in their respective religions. 

Ferguson warns Capello against Rooney selection

From –Agencies Unknown

13 November 2010

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned England boss Fabio Capello not to pick Wayne Rooney for Wednesday's friendly against France.

(GSM) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned England boss Fabio Capello not to pick Wayne Rooney for Wednesday's friendly against France.

Capello is set to select his squad on Saturday evening and with Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent and Bobby Zamora injured, Rooney has been tipped to return to international action.

However, Ferguson has moved to warn Capello not to choose the 25-year-old, insisting that Rooney is unfit to play for England.

Ferguson told the Daily Star: "He can only be available if he's fit - and he's not fit."

Rooney has recovered from an ankle injury and is back from the United States and looking to refocus on his football after public disgrace through allegations about his private life.

Selangor Sultan to skip costly function – Star Online

Saturday November 13, 2010

 

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has turned down an invitation to attend a function to commemorate Selangor Foundation's 40th anniversary as he is displeased over the high cost of the celebration.

State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said the Sultan had initially agreed to attend the function with the hope that his presence would inject new spirit for the staff and in appreciation of their efforts to help improve the performance of students from less fortunate families in the rural areas in Selangor.

However, he said the Sultan was unhappy over the high cost of RM300,000 involved and felt the money could have been put to better use.

"The Sultan said the money could have been used to bear the cost of studies of rural students and on their welfare instead," Ramli told a press conference after the state assembly meeting yesterday.

He said Sultan Sharafuddin felt the money to be spent on the celebration was too much and would not reap any benefits.

"He was initially excited about the anniversary celebration as he wanted to spend time with students who were getting financial assistance from the foundation.

"The Sultan also felt his presence at the celebration would motivate the students. However, he was taken aback when he was told of the high cost," Ramli said.

The anniversary, which was initially planned as a dinner, was changed to a luncheon but the cost was still high, he said.

It is learnt that Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who is the foundation president, was unaware of the exorbitant cost of the celebration.

Khalid had proposed to cancel the celebration when he was told of the cost, Ramli added.

The event is scheduled to be held on Monday at Asrama Tun Dr Ismail in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur

Hadi warns Umno to be gracious if they lose Putrajaya

From ...Malaysian Insider

    

By Syed Mu'az Syed Putra

November 13, 2010

SHAH ALAM, Nov 13 — Umno must ensure it will withdraw from the government in a gentlemanly manner if it loses in the next general elections, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today. 

The PAS president said Umno should learn to accept losses in an open-minded manner, and not resort to underhanded tactics to win, like what happened in Perak last year. 

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) won Perak in the 2008 general elections, but Barisan Nasional (BN) wrested the state from the opposition after several PR assemblymen left the party to become BN-friendly independents. 

"I urge Umno to step away in a gentlemanly fashion if they lose. Just admit defeat, do not try to wiggle your way into a victory like in Perak. If you have lost, it means you have lost, it's the same with Orang Asli votes.. 

"We know Umno has problems but they are still trying to cover it up, eventually everyone will see their problems," Abdul Hadi told reporters after launching a "PAS is ready to take over Umno" program here. 

Abdul Hadi (picture), who is Marang MP called on PAS members to fortify the party's machinery in the event of possible snap polls. 

"We have to strategise, we have to win on our own merits, not because of our opponents. Fighting with Umno is like fighting with madmen, there are no laws. So if we want to fight them we have to have our own strategy, and it has to be done on a grassroots level," said the PAS president. 

He also stressed that PAS should also try and obtain support among Umno members as well as non-Malays, stressing that the Islamist party could not hope for an electoral win without the backing and support of all parties. 

The one day program today was attended by 1,200 PAS members including Selangor state PAS leaders. 

Abdul Hadi's call for Umno to step down gracefully comes as Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak vowed that Umno will maintain its dominance and rule over Putrajaya "no matter what the cost." 

In his stirring yet controversial policy speech at the recent Umno general assembly, Najib called on Umno delegates to defend Umno and BN's control over federal power, claiming that they were ever-ready to take on a weakened Pakatan Rakyat. 

Najib's policy speech, which drew heavily on Umno's past successes as a blueprint for future triumph, appears to have stirred the country's oldest Malay party, as BN recently scored two big victories in winning the Galas seat as well as the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat.