Malaysia saw another interesting week in the news, with the ongoing culture wars with Indonesia continuing, the Australia rare-earths plant controversy seeing movement and attacks on the LGBT community, among others, including the ongoing struggle to battle for women's safety. Here are the top stories from the past week: June 24 Malaysia protesters make it to Australia's Lynas rare-earths plant KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia protesters in Kuantan told Bikyamasr.com on early Sunday afternoon that they had made it past police barricades and were demonstration against Australia's Lynas rare-earths plant close to the facility. “We have done it and are now much closer to the facility, despite the police trying to make us protest far away," one protester told Bikyamasr.com via telephone. Malaysia “deprived of culture,” says Indonesia online activists KUALA LUMPUR: The battle for cultural identity continues between Malaysia and Indonesia, with online activists blasting the Malaysian government over its claims to what they believe is a uniquely Indonesian cultural trait. Online activists in Indonesia lashed out at Malaysia over the weekend, claiming their neighbor is “deprived of culture." Twitter hashtags including “#tortorpunyaindonesia (Tor-tor belongs to Indonesia)" and “#MalaysiaMiskinBudaya (Malaysia is poor in culture)" were trending among Indonesian users of the micro-blogging site after the issue came to a head the past week. June 25 Malaysia LGBT community demanding rights, end to discrimination KUALA LUMPUR: The couple steals kisses, holds hands and dances the night away in one of Kuala Lumpur's top clubs. The only difference from the scores of other couples on the floor is that the two are both women. In recent months, discussions on LGBT rights in the country have increased, and for these two girls, there is some hope for change in Malaysia. “I think not as many people really give us a hard time when we are out together and showing affection," began Rina, a 23-year-old recent university graduate. She spoke of her relationship with Youssra, a 22-year-old student who told Bikyamasr.com that her family is not pleased by her coming out. Malaysia's Sisters in Islam want lifting of book ban upheld KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Sisters In Islam (SIS) have called on the country's courts to maintain the lifting of a ban on a book it published in 2008. Their statement comes as a court of appeals is due to hear a case against the book next Monday. The book, “Muslim Women and the Challenges of Islamic Extremism," had been banned by the Home Ministry on July 21, 2008, on grounds that it would “threaten public order." June 26 Malaysia expects continued economic growth KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economy is expected to continue to move forward in the second quarter, Chief Statistician Abdul Rahman Hassan of the country's Statistics Department, in comments published by the Bernama news agency. He said the government's Economic Transformation Program and Government Transformation Program are expected to continue to be the “main drivers" of the domestic economy. Malaysia's anti-graft initiatives a model for Arab world KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been praised for its anti-corruption initiatives and has been put forward as a model for the Arab world in post-revolution transitions as a country to be followed. Michael J. Hershman, the co-founder of Transparency International, wrote in a recent Huffington Post article that Malaysia's model is one that “Arab Spring countries and other high-risk nations" should be attempting to emulate as the push forward on transitions away from previous corrupt regimes. June 27 Malaysia female TV anchor loses job over charity haircut KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian television anchor has lost her job after she cut off her hair to support cancer awareness. The popular Malaysian NTV7 said that Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi would not be allowed to work on air until her hair grows back to an “acceptable" length. The firing has caused outrage among women in the country, who demanded the channel reverse its decision based on why Radzi cut her hair off. Malaysia defends raid on Borders over Canada Muslim author book ban KUALA LUMPUR: Controversy continues to surround the Malaysia government's crackdown over a book by Canadian Muslim and lesbian author Irshad Manji, which was banned last month and has led to a raid on a Borders bookstore in the country. Malaysia's Minister in charge of religious affairs has defended the raid on a Borders bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. June 28 Malaysia “surprised” by Australia criticism on refugee issues KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is surprised by the response from Australia over the recent refugee crisis following the sinking of a boat near Christmas Island left as many as 100 people dead. In an interview with The Australian Online, Malaysia's High Commissioner Salman Ahmad said he was “surprised" by the opposition over their criticism of the Southeast Asian country's refugee policy. Malaysia arrests three car park attackers KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia police reported they had arrested three people, including one woman, in connection with an attack and assault on a woman at a Kuala Lumpur shopping center car park. Police said they uncovered a number of items, including credit cards and an iPhone 4S that had been stolen. June 29 Malaysia education bureau wants end to to racial quotas KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's education bureau has called for the government to end racial quotas for programs and foundation courses at public universities in the country, in a move that they say has long been in the works. “Since 2003, entry for non-bumiputras in matriculation programs is set at 10 percent. As for asasi courses, many of them are only open to bumiputras. Of late, some asasi programs are open to non-bumiputras but there is a quota on them," said MCA education bureau secretary Chong Sin Woon. Former Malaysia PM Mahathir says gay people “not natural” KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has lashed out at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, saying this week that homosexuality is “not natural" and that same-sex relationships would lead to the “end of" human civilization. “Men marrying men, women marrying women... It's not natural. Just imagine if we all indulge in that. No children. One generation and the whole human race is wiped out," Mohamed said.
