According to an April 8 news report, Human Rights Watch’s director Phil Robertson maintains that Malaysia’s strict new anti-terrorism law “is a giant step backwards for human rights in Malaysia”, which he refers to as a functioning democracy.
In Malaysia there is secular law and sharia law. An example of how the system works was reported by the news agency Reuters. A Hindu husband divorcing his wife was denied custody of their children. He converted to Islam which made him subject to sharia law. Under sharia a man is considered the superior partner in a marriage. The sharia court found in his favour, awarding the husband custody of the children.
The very system itself “is a grievous blow to democracy” and disqualifies the country from being “a functioning democracy”. The Malaysian system clearly shows that Islam is not a religion but a political ideology favouring men with its own historical fixed laws. These laws call for punishment of adultery by stoning and hand amputation for theft while the death sentence is advocated for apostasy. Misogyny is accepted practice. These surely are issues for the attention of Human Rights Watch. A law against terrorism is intended to protect human rights.
Islam needs to explain itself. What is a fundamentalist, an Islamic terrorist, a moderate, an extremist, a jihadist and a peaceful Muslim when they all claim to follow Islam? What is it in Islam that inspires such psychopathic behaviour as that perpetrated by the Islamic State, Boko Haram, al-Shebab and others? Is it something fundamental?
J C Wilcox
Pheu Thai fallacy
From recent news reports, the Pheu Thai Party is warning of the '‘government planning a long tenure''. Yeah, so what? They had their moment of glory; they muffed it. They are in no position to warn others about this government which has done more in the months it has been in power than Pheu Thai did during its tenure. The difference is, Gen Prayut is working for the betterment of the country, while Pheu Thai worked towards its own financial gains and power.
Jack Gilead
EmQuartier chaos
The traffic situation at the new EmQuartier, and in particular the junction with Soi 24, is chaotic and dangerous. It was already a hazardous junction with cars heading out of town on Sukhumvit Road frequently ignoring the straight-on red light, meaning that traffic on green from Soi 24 had to merge with them.
On two occasions this weekend I witnessed a constant stream of cars emerging from EmQuartier and a traffic attendant trying to regulate the flow.
This included stopping cars on Sukhumvit, and from Soi 24, when the phase for them was actually green. During the times I was waiting for my green light, it appeared the EmQuartier traffic was taking precedence over everything else.
This is madness and is bound to lead to misunderstanding, frustrations and collisions. As a side issue I would also like to know under what authority these traffic attendants employed by EmQuartier attempt to control the traffic.
Perhaps the Bangkok Post could invite the traffic police to comment on this situation?
Richard Mabbitt
DCA's empty threats
Re: "DCA won’t curb flights from Korea", (BP, April 7).
This declaration by the Thai DCA was unnecessary, ridiculous and arrogant. The flight ban on Thai carriers is nothing but a shameful technical failure by the DCA.
It should not think of revenge on other countries’ carriers. The department should stay quiet and concentrate on correcting its problems.
RH Suga
Lamphun
Snail mail slows
Why has the mail become so slow between Hua Hin and Australian capital cities?
It used to take three or four days. In the last year or so, it has become a minimum of four weeks in either direction.
What has happened to it, that takes it take so long now? Where does it sit?
George
Hua Hin
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