'Malaysia's youth energises political landscape'

Radio Australia, Malaysia's youth energises political landscape, 11 Oct 2011 "Malaysia's youngest sitting politician says his generation of leaders is ready to move away from race-based politics. "Politics in Malaysia is centred on race and religion, with the Malay UMNO dominating a multi-racial political coalition." Refers to blogs, and the impact of the internet in this audio interview with Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Malaysia: Islam and/as Politics

Simon Roughneen, Asia Times Online, Islam as politics in Malaysia, 1 Oct 09

"UMNO and BN is struggling to make sense of a Malaysia where the new politics involves opinion-forming and issue-driving over the Internet, by using alternative news sites and blogs, and bypassing the often-deferential pro-UMNO print newspapers.

"Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad wrote on his blog three weeks ago that the BN was heading for "the rubbish heap of history" unless it upped its game. Sim Tze Tzin is a Keadilan member of the Penang state legislature and an advisor to opposition leader Anwar. He told Asia Times Online that "BN and UMNO has not changed, even if its leadership has. Najib's reforms are cosmetic and there is a lack of real substance.""

Useful article, with plenty of discussion points.

Nik Aziz on Kelantan's Digital Divide

Bernama, Only 10 Per Cent Of Kelantan Population Are Internet Users, 26 Mar 09, "Only 100,000 of the 1.5 million people in Kelantan are internet users, Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said.

"He said although they formed only 10 per cent of the state population, the gap would become wider if no action was taken to bridge the digital gap.

"The communication gap between the internet and non-internet users would be wider and also between that of those with and without knowledge, he said at the launch of the Wifi Aptus Net and the Tok Guru Blog here today.

"Nik Abdul Aziz said efforts should be made to get more people, like senior citizens, housewives, traders, imams and students at "pondok" (religious) schools, to be computer savvy and learn to surf the internet for information.

""Surfing the internet can help enrich our knowledge," he added."

And here is Nik Aziz's blog blogtokguru.com, with integrated video.

Malaysia: Nik Aziz - "No Smoking"

alarabiyya, Muslim smokers worse than cows: Malaysia cleric, 27 Mar 09, "Muslims who smoke and try to portray themselves as religious are worse than cows that defecate in the street, a top Malaysian Muslim cleric and politician said on Friday, pointing out that smoking was banned in Islam because the habit was hazardous to health." also refers to an Indonesian fatwa on smoking

Malaysia

AFP, Malaysia says press incited 'hatred' for govt, 24 Mar 09, "Two Malaysian opposition newspapers that have been banned for three months were punished for inciting hatred against the government, the home minister said, according to reports Tuesday.

"The opposition has said it fears a media crackdown is under way, after action was taken against Suara Keadilan, run by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's Keadilan party, and Harakah, published by the Islamic party PAS."

Their websites appear to be up at present:

Suara Keadilan

Harakah