1. The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
Mandarin to be taught in Kelantan religious schools, 24 October 2009
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government plans to introduce Mandarin as a subject in schools under the Kelantan Islamic Foundation (YIK) soon, said State Islamic Development, Education and Dakwah Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah Saturday.
He said the move was prompted by the positive response to the Mandarin Club set up at seven YIK schools, comprising the Maahad Muhammadi, Maktab Pengajian Islam, Maahad Arabiah Pasir Mas, Maahad Tahfiz al Quran in Pulai Chondong, Maahad Tahfiz Sains Tanah Merah and Sekolah Menengah Ugama (Arab) Tarbiah Mardhiah, Panchor.
“Mandarin classes for the club members, totalling 250 students, are held on weekends and public holidays,” he added.
In a related development, Mohd Amar said four students from the Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic College were sent to China for further studies.(Bernama)
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2.The Sun (http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39374)
Malaysia's Islamists row over cooperation with govt, 23 October 2009
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23, 2009): A rift in Malaysia's opposition Islamist party deepened after its influential spiritual leader called for the party to vote on changing the leadership.
"I strongly feel that there needs to be a change in the major players in the party leadership," said Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the spiritual leader of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), in a blog posting on Friday.
Nik Aziz wants his party firmly in the opposition, but party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is in favour of cooperating with the government.
Both leaders control major chunks of the party's nearly one million members and a vote at a party extraordinary general meeting could split PAS, and weaken an opposition coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim.
"I would not underrate the severity of this problem which has now been pushed right to the forefront," said Kamaruddin Jaafar, a member of PAS' central committee.
A proposal to cooperate was first discussed between government and senior PAS leaders, including Abdul Hadi, following last year's elections, which saw the ruling National Front coalition suffer its worst defeat in over 50 years of rule.
The three-party opposition Pakatan Rakyat that includes PAS denied the government its two-thirds majority in parliament, driven by Anwar's mass appeal and voter unhappiness over increasing corruption in government and unfulfilled reform pledges. The Alliance also won control of five of 13 states.
PAS, the second largest party in Malaysia in terms of membership next to the ruling coalition's lynchpin, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), governs two Malay-majority states, Kedah and Kelantan.
Nik Aziz and many others in PAS shot down the idea of PAS forming a unity government in two opposition held states after news of it leaked.
Those opposed to the idea say it is an attempt by UMNO to prise PAS out of the opposition alliance.
UMNO and PAS both vie for the support of the majority Malays, who form 55 percent of the country's 27 million population and have cooperated before.
UMNO, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, has been actively trying to woo PAS to either join or cooperate with the government to preserve the interests of the majority Malays.
Najib's father, Malaysia's second premier Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, persuaded PAS to join the ruling coalition in 1974 but the marriage was shortlived and PAS left four years later.
"This issue has been resurfacing now and again ... this cannot be allowed to remain," Nik Aziz wrote.
Party officials said it was highly unlikely an exodus of PAS members into UMNO could result from the present rift in PAS.
"But if this matter goes to a vote and the outcome is that we are against cooperating with the government, then the party leaders who support the cooperation idea should vacate their positions," said Kamaruddin, the PAS central committee man.
(Reuters)
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