3 posts tagged “malaysia”

And I do mean "Dateline!"

Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat... no, I didn't make that up, even if it is suspiciously similar to the Monty Python election night sketch. He's "the spiritual leader of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party" according to a recent news story, which then makes him the Harry Reid of Malaysia.

Anyway, he says that Muslim men are suffering sleepless nights and cannot pray properly because their thoughts are distracted by a growing number of women who wear sexy clothes in public. To which I say, welcome to the 21st century, Nik Mat.

He's calling it "emotional abuse," and he says that it is seldom discussed. Well, maybe not in public, but has he ever sat in on a Malaysian Muslims' poker party?.

"Our prayers become unfocused and our sleep is often disturbed," Nickie says. Uh-huh, talk about out of touch. The reality is, their prayers have been answered, at least in part, and the reason for the disturbed sleep, is they're anxious to have the rest answered, if you get my drift.

The article says this guy has made comments in the past that women should stop wearing lipstick and perfume to lower the risk of being raped. I guess that's sorta like the push to cut CO2 emissions to lower the risk of being warmed, which, by the way, it seems Abdul could really do his part just by sticking a sock in it.

But now women's groups aren't sitting still for this. They say his comments actually encourage rapes because "it puts the onus on women." Is it just me, or is that quote so suggestive that it'll just make the men's onus much bigger?

The story goes on to say, "Nik Abdul Aziz's fundamentalist party has about 800,000 members (probably a poor choice of words)," and that he is also the "chief minister" of northeastern Kelantan, which begs the question: are all the other ministers Indians then? Also Kelantan, according to sources who wish to remain anonymous, derives its name from the tendency of Muslims to bind with metals in that area.

The party's Web site published an illustration Wednesday of how women should dress - long, flowing headscarves covering hair and chest, which are, presumably, two completely different areas... and "baggy and loose" long-sleeved, floor-length dresses, in other words, burka-like, but without Klan hood.

In Kelantan, the only one of Malaysia's 13 states not ruled by the moderate National Front governing coalition, the Islamic party has fined Muslim women for not wearing headscarves in workplaces and implemented separate check-out lines for men and women in supermarkets... so men won't leer at women's melons.

We're told that most Malay Muslim women wear a modest form of Islamic clothing, but that younger women in cities sometimes wear body-hugging dresses or tight T-shirts and jeans. This seems totally subjective to me, and I know you'll join me in calling on the writer of the article to publish pictures so that we can judge for ourselves.. along with names and phone numbers where possible...

Malaysia - The government has warned it could use tough anti-terrorism laws against bloggers who insult Islam or the country's king.

A suspect may be detained indefinitely, without being charged or put on trial.

"But officials insist the law is not intended to strangle internet freedom," the article says. 

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told The Straits Times,  "Some people feel that they have crossed the line, in making racist remarks."

Huh?

Jonathan Kent  of the BBC has a slightly different perspective; he says the government appears increasingly concerned about the growing online criticism of its record.

Meanwhile, "Raja Petra Kamarudin, the editor of one of Malaysia's most popular political websites, Malaysia Today, turned himself in to... answer allegations that he had mocked Islam and threatened racial harmony."

"I promise I'm going to give them a hell of a tough time," he said.

Oh Joy!?!

The BBC says the government seems keen to send a signal to its online critics that it will only tolerate so much...

And this, remember is "moderate Islam"....

"Malaysia, Truly Asia"

See that? That's the slogan in the first ever ad I just saw for tourism in a certain Asian country.

And yes, this is Tourism Day in Tedville.

Anyway, I was thinking, what would our ad be in Malaysia if we borrowed their theme?

"America, truly America?"

And Mexico?

"Mexico, Truly America?"

Probably someday, but...

How about Canada?

"Canada... Not Truly America"?

Think about it.

Or do we need to add a "North"?

If that's the case, is there a "Truly North America"?

And is Mexico really part of it?

For that matter, is there a "truly Asia"? And do they think that their idea of "truly Asia" is the same one Arizonans have, if you get my drift?

Because maybe it's just me, but my concept of "truly Asian" doesn't have me itchin' to jump on a plane to suck better quality rice?!? I mean really, they want me to fly into tomorrow for that?

And how did they get that name, "Malaysia"? Doesn't that mean "Sick Asia"?

Anyway, I was so caught of in the slogan that I actually didn't see the ad, but I'm sure Malaysia is filled with natural wonders - such as peaceful Muslims.

I just don't know what the others may be, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this ad again and again... until I have truly nausea.