Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Terengganu sultan tells Muslims to stop bickering, 18 August 2012
by Bernama
The Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has called on Muslims to avoid quarrels, misunderstanding, and clash of opinions with each other.
He said the bickering could give way to enemies of Islam to interfere in the administration of the country and cause division among Muslims.
Any split occurring on the premise of a struggle will not benefit anybody, he said in his Aidilfitri message issued here today.
Sultan Mizan said Islamic history had shown that disunity had led to the collapse of the Islamic empire and governments.
He said history seemed to have repeated itself over and over again as in the case of turmoil in several Islamic countries like Syria and Egypt.
In conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration themed 'Understanding the Foundation of Muslim Unity', he reminded Muslims to continue to forgive each other, and visit relatives, neighbours and friends.
He said the good practice should not only thrive during the month of Shawal, but should also be continued all times to foster closer relationship between Muslims as it was the key to the strength of the ummah (Muslim community).
Sultan Mizan urged the people to be remorseful and thankful for peace and prosperity showered upon them by giving alms to the less fortunate.
- Bernama
(2) S'gor MCA: Choose us, we'll prevent Islamic state, 18 August 2012
by Nigel Aw
Selangor MCA today pledged that it will stem creeping Islamisation in Selangor should it recapture the state.
State MCA chairperson Donald Lim said if Selangor and other states in the country come under or remain under BN rule, they would never become Islamic states.
"MCA will continue to defend the interest of the Chinese and will never let Selangor become an Islamic state.
"This will also not happen in any state and the country that is governed by the BN. This is our promise to the Selangor people," Lim (right in photo) said in his opening address at the Selangor MCA convention this afternoon.
An example of Islamisation under the current Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor, he added, was the Kuala Selangor town council's attempt to have gender-segregated seating in cinemas.
Lim called on all Chinese state assemblypersons in Selangor, particularly from Pakatan Rakyat to state their stand on PAS' ambition for an Islamic welfare state and hudud law.
String of broken promises
Rallying the state MCA delegates which turned up in force today, Lim went on the offensive against Pakatan's record in Selangor, listing out a string of broken promises, including failure to reduce quit rent and commercial tax.
"Whenever Pakatan Selangor talk about their achievement, everything they say is nothing more than free water, and senior citizens' purchase vouchers.
"Apart from that, what else does the Selangor government have in terms of future strategy and long-term policies?" he said.
Lim went on to highlight several "failures" of Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Abdul Ibrahim's administration, including not building sufficient affordable houses, rising rent for hawker stalls and shortage of water.
These problems, he added, would be solved should BN regain power in Selangor.
"MCA Selangor is ready, we are ready to face the general election. BN and MCA Selangor are ready to win Selangor back and to serve the people of Selangor again," he said.
(End)
