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☆ Ramadan in Malaysia: Raids and fines for those caught breaking fast spotlight growing religious conservatism
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In many parts of Malaysia, Muslims caught eating or drinking during daytime hours can find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Those caught eating or drinking during daytime hours face fines of up to 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit (about $200) and prison terms of up to a year. CNN reached out to multiple state religious bodies across Malaysia for comment. Complaints were made to the state religious department, media reports said, and the scandal caused a national stir – drawing scorn from conservative politicians and prompting public apologies from the celebrities. “As long as you look Malay, you must fast during Ramadan – those are the rules,” Yusuf told CNN.

Persons: Rahmad Mariman, ” Mariman, TikTok, ” JAIPK, Hadi Awang, ”, MOHD RASFAN, –, Ameena Siddiqi, Siddiqi, ” Siddiqi, Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, Annice Lyn, Anisah Mahmood, Fadhlina Sidek, “, Haji Ahmad Bin Yahaya, Yusuf, ” Yusuf Organizations: CNN, Malaysian, Islamic Religious Department, JAIM, PAS, Malaysia Islamic Party, AFP, Getty, Annice, Education Locations: Malaysia, Malacca, Perak, Gerik, South, Southeast Asia, AFP, Malaysian, Islam, Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Selangor, London, Malay, Johor

☆ Analysis-For Malaysian Filmmakers, Censorship Stifles Optimism After Overseas Glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"This is a very good time ... where people around the world are really looking into Malaysian filmmakers. "Mentega Terbang" follows a teenage Muslim girl exploring different religions while dealing with grief. Online platforms are not covered by film censorship rules in Malaysia. Khairi and others involved in "Mentega Terbang" even received death threats at the time, media reports show. CENSORSHIPUnder Malaysian law, films intended for public viewing must be approved by the Film Censorship Board.

Persons: Oscar, Michelle Yeoh, Khairi Anwar, Malaysia's, Khairi, Badrul Hisham Ismail, Pagi Ke, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Zabidi Mohamed, Amir Muhammad, Brenda Danker, Danial Azhar, Rozanna Latiff, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Cannes, Cannes Film, Malay, Academy, Malaysian, Film, YouTube Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Malaysian, Viu, Terengganu, Malay

☆ Malaysia opposition leader to step down as party president
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Malaysian opposition leader and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin speaks during an interview at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 27, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition leader Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday he would step down as president of his party, which leads the Malay-majority bloc Perikatan Nasional. Muhyiddin, a former prime minister, said at his Bersatu party's annual meeting he will not defend his position as party president during internal leadership elections next year. "The time for me to pass on the party leadership to a new team of leaders has arrived," he said in a speech. Bersatu is part of the Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc, which is backed by a conservative Islamist party and made inroads among the country's majority ethnic-Malay Muslims during regional polls in August and last year's general elections.

Persons: Muhyiddin Yassin, Hasnoor Hussain, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Perikatan Nasional, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Malay, Perikatan Nasional

☆ Malaysia PM vows to recover Goldman Sachs 1MDB settlement, warns of possible lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesMalaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to recover the money Malaysians are owed from the 1MDB money laundering scandal, and says he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs. Anwar said Malaysian agencies were still in talks with Goldman Sachs, though ongoing discussions are "a bit complex." Asked to comment on Anwar's interview, Goldman Sachs referred CNBC to its second quarter earnings statement. It remains to be seen what would come out of the standoff between Malaysia and Goldman Sachs. "No one can deny the fact that Goldman Sachs was used, and partly used the authorities," Anwar said in his interview.

Persons: Malaysia's, Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's King, hasn't, Goldman Sachs, Anwar, CNBC's Martin Soong, Goldman, Muhyiddin Yassin, I've, —, Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Malaysia's, Anwar's Pakatan, Najib Razak, Muhyiddin, Islam that's Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, Malaysia's, 1Malaysia, Malaysia, CNBC, of, Malaysian, Barisan Nasional, Barisan, Perikatan Nasional coalition, Islamic, Malay Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Malaysia, Malaysian, Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia, U.S, of Malaysia, United States, Malay, Federal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Malaysians in six states headed to the polls on Saturday in regional elections seen as a major test of support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's nine-month old administration. Perikatan, led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, made significant inroads in the Malay heartlands in the last national election in November 2022. [1/3]A woman casts her ballot paper during a state election at Selayang, Malaysia August 12, 2023. Critics, however, have raised concerns over increasing government scrutiny on online content and growing intolerance against the country's LGBTQ community. Anwar has said LGBTQ rights will not be recognised by his administration.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim's, Pakatan Harapan, Muhyiddin Yassin, Anwar, Hasnoor Hussain, Zainal, Anwar's, Rozanna Latiff, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Perikatan, United Malays National Organisation, REUTERS, Merdeka Centre, Ilham, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perikatan Nasional, Malay, Selayang, Malaysia

☆ Thailand alliance unites on house leadership after spat over speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A southerner and ethnic Malay Muslim in predominantly Buddhist Thailand, Wan Noor has served previously as house speaker and has close ties with Pheu Thai's leadership. "I will conduct duties fairly ... with transparency in considering draft laws and petitions to improve the lives of all Thais," Wan Noor told the house. Pita on Tuesday said Move Forward had "retreated" on its position having been assured by Wan Noor that its policies would be supported. The two deputy speaker positions will go to Move Forward and Pheu Thai. "What we do not know is whether Pheu Thai will switch sides if the initial vote for Pita fails."

Persons: Wan, Wan Noor, Pheu, Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Titipol Organizations: Lawmakers, Prachachart Party, Malay Muslim, Facebook, Ubon Ratchathani University Locations: Thailand, Bangkok, Matha, Malay

☆ Malaysia to take legal action against Meta over harmful content
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Friday it will take legal action against Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META.O) for failing to remove "undesirable" posts, the strongest measure the country has taken to date over such content. It said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite its repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote accountability for cybersecurity and to protect consumers. Asked what legal action it might take, the commission said in an emailed statement on Saturday that allowing abuse of network facilities or application services can be offences under Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Facebook is Malaysia's biggest social media platform, with an estimated 60% of the country's 33 million people having a registered account. Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Google's YouTube and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim's, Meta, Miyoung Kim, Edwina Gibbs, William Mallard Organizations: Facebook, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Malaysia's Communications, Multimedia, Malay Muslim, Meta, YouTube, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Malay, Vietnam, Indonesia

☆ Malaysia to take legal action against Meta over ‘undesirable’ content
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia said Friday it would take legal action against Facebook parent company Meta for failing to remove “undesirable” posts, the strongest measure the country has taken to date over such content. It also said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite the body’s repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote accountability for cybersecurity and protect consumers. The commission also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what legal action might be taken. Facebook is Malaysia’s biggest social media platform, with an estimated 60% of its population of 33 million having a registered account. Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Google’s (GOOGL) YouTube, and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms.

Persons: Anwar Ibrahim’s, ”, Meta Organizations: Facebook, Meta, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Malay Muslim, YouTube Locations: Malaysia, Malay, Vietnam, Indonesia

☆ Analysis: Gains for Malaysia's hardline Islamist party a challenge for new PM Anwar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] A pillion waves a Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) flag on the eve of Malaysia's general election at Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia November 18, 2022. Anwar, who is ethnic Malay and Muslim, addressed race and religion in his first news conference as prime minister, promising to uphold Islam as the official religion of the country and the rights of the ethnic Malay majority, while also safeguarding the rights of all. Race and religion are thorny issues in Malaysia, where Muslim ethnic Malays form a majority in a country with significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities, most of them Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. As the biggest party in parliament, PAS could push for Islamisation and more affirmative action for Malays - a long-standing policy that Anwar has opposed, analysts said. "They see PAS as a clean party and its political leaders have no integrity problems," said Mohd Izani.

☆ Malaysia's former ruling bloc may back Anwar in PM race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's former ruling coalition indicated that it may support opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, reversing a decision to stay neutral and potentially helping resolve a political stalemate. The Barisan coalition will not support a government that is led by ex-premier Muhyddin Yassin's alliance, its biggest component party said, though it did not make any reference to Anwar. King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan will meet with other senior royals on Thursday to help decide who will become prime minister. The constitutional monarch plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament. The king had suggested that both the leaders work together to form a "unity government", but Muhyiddin declined the proposal.

☆ Malaysian king calls council of sultans to resolve election crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah waves to media members waiting outside the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 21, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor HussainKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia's king on Wednesday called a special meeting of his fellow hereditary sultans to discuss who should be prime minister as an unprecedented post-election crisis entered its fourth day. King Al-Sultan Abdullah made his announcement of a special council after meeting lawmakers from the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition. Anwar's coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional bloc won 73. Police this week cautioned social media users to refrain from posting "provocative" content on race and religion after the divisive election.

☆ Malaysia's wait for PM continues for fourth day as post-election crisis drags on
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Election workers prepare a polling station ahead of the polling day of Malaysia's general election at Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia November 18, 2022. Malaysia's king will pick the new premier, after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin missed his Tuesday afternoon deadline to put together an alliance with other parties to form a government. The constitutional monarch plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament. Anwar's coalition won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's bloc won 73. Muhyiddin said he had declined the King's suggestion for the two rivals to work together to form a "unity government".

☆ Malaysian police warn of ethnic tensions on social media after divisive election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian police have cautioned the country's social media users to refrain from posting "provocative" content on race and religion after a divisive general election on Saturday that ended in a hung parliament. The police warning comes as race-based narratives dominated political chatter on social media during and after the election, according to an online hate speech monitoring project run by the Malaysia-based Centre for Independent Journalism. Race and religion are thorny issues in multicultural Malaysia, which has a majority of mostly Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities of other faiths. Police said they had detected social media content that touched on racial and religious sentiments and insulted the country's monarchy after the election. Malaysian social media users on Monday reported a slew of posts on short video platform TikTok after the election that mentioned a deadly race riot in Kuala Lumpur on May 13, 1969.

☆ Malaysia's Anwar, Muhyiddin rush to meet deadline to form government
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Significant election gains by an Islamist party also added to investors' fears, notably over policies on gambling and alcohol consumption. Anwar's coalition entered negotiations with Barisan Nasional, the incumbent coalition and Anwar's longtime rival, on Monday to discuss a potential alliance. Anwar's multiethnic coalition won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's bloc won 73. It would be another astonishing turnaround in Malaysian politics if Anwar and Barisan forged an alliance: as opposition chief, Anwar has spent much of his career trying to oust Barisan. For the 2018 election, Anwar tied up with mentor-turned-foe Mahathir Mohamad to defeat Barisan.

"Let me make a decision soon," the king told reporters outside the national palace. The king had given political parties until 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Tuesday to put together alliances needed for a majority. Significant election gains by an Islamist party added to investors' fears, notably over policies on gambling and alcohol consumption. Its electoral gains have also raised fears in multicultural Malaysia, which has significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities following other faiths. Anwar's coalition won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's bloc won 73.

☆ Malaysia's Muhyiddin, Anwar race to form government as turmoil drags on
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Malaysian former Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin waves as he leaves after Malaysia's 15th general election in Shah Alam, Malaysia November 20, 2022. Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition won the most number of seats in the Saturday election with 82. King Al-Sultan Abdullah, whose largely ceremonial role includes the power to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker he believes will command a majority, could play a decisive role. Massive corruption, mostly related to the looting of billions of dollars from sovereign fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB), for which former prime minister Najib Razak was jailed earlier this year, seriously wounded UMNO's image. During his time in opposition, Anwar spent a decade in jail on convictions for sodomy and corruption, which he says were politically motivated.

Significant election gains by an Islamist party also added to investors' fears, notably over policies toward gambling and alcohol consumption. Anwar said he met with some leaders from the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition on Monday to discuss a potential alliance. "I am satisfied as this negotiation was on the need to form a stable government that's inclusive. Its 30 seats in parliament is key for both candidates to cross 112 seats needed to hold a majority. On Monday, Anwar's coalition partnered with Barisan to form regional governments in two states, which also saw inconclusive elections.

☆ Malaysia votes in general election, Anwar expected to lead tight race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Malaysians queue to cast their vote for the country's general election at Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia November 19, 2022. Without a clear winner, political uncertainty could persist as Malaysia faces slowing economic growth and rising inflation. “I don’t think it is possible for any coalition to win on their own,” said Sivamurugan Pandian, political analyst at Malaysia Science University. Anwar was the top choice for prime minister at 33%, followed by Muhyiddin at 26% and Ismail at 17%. Sheila Supramaniam, 30, said she will vote for Anwar as his coalition stood firmly against corruption and discrimination.

☆ Malaysia votes in general election, Anwar seen leading tight race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( A. Ananthalakshmi | Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Malaysian Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stands in a line to vote during Malaysia's 15th general election in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia November 19, 2022. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s ruling Barisan coalition and another bloc led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin are other leading contenders. Muhyiddin’s alliance was a junior partner in Ismail’s coalition government, and the two could come together again to block Anwar. That was on par with turnout at the same time in the previous election in 2018, reflecting the increase in voters, political analyst Bridget Welsh told Reuters. Anwar was the top choice for prime minister at 33%, followed by Muhyiddin at 26% and Ismail at 17% in the Merdeka survey.

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