Blunt message: Mahathir meets Islamic opposition head-on

Article Abstract:

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on July 23, 1996, took an unprecedented public stand against imposition of Islamic laws. The move indicates his faith in his own stature but places him and his party, the United Malays National Organization, or Umno, at risk of being labelled un- Islamic. Umno was founded as a culturally Islamic body, and Mahathir has introduced economic Islam. He also said the government will restructure the sharia courts, which administer Islamic justice and which he distrusts.

United Malays National Organization (Malaysia), Islamic law

---

About face: Mahathir backs Islamic 'rehabilitation' centre

Article Abstract:

Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamad startled observers with his mid-June announcement backing a federal rehabilitation center for apostate Muslims. He has long rejected religious coercion and sweeping applications of Muslim ideas, and the move could violate constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion. Datuk Abdul Hamid Othman, a conservative Muslim and senior official, reportedly backs the project, which could also show the president as Islam's strongest supporter in voters' eyes.

Religious aspects, Church and state

---

Rebuilding bridges; Mahathir's old rival may become new ally

Article Abstract:

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed acknowledged that he had met with the Semangat '46 opposition party president Tunku Razaleigh Hamzah for the first time since 1989. The meeting prompted speculation that Razaleigh will rejoin the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) whose president is Mahathir. Razaleigh is a prince from Kelantan state in northeastern Malaysia where Semangat has controlled political power with the Pas party since 1990.

Razaleigh, Tunku

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: A message from India: Laurie Baker has dedicated most of his life to building for India's poor, using local methods and materials
• Abstracts: Completed deals. Mergers + Acquisitions International: completed deals
• Abstracts: House arrest: Jakarta is swamped with condominiums. Retailing holds the key. The centre fires up
• Abstracts: Closing the floodgates: New Delhi rejects a World Bank loan to build a dam. Ashes to ashes: New Delhi gets burned by Kashmir shrine fire
• Abstracts: Big thinkers. Mind the gap: Malaysia's surging trade deficit prompts concern. Heat stroke?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.