Malaysia has been the focus of the international media for the last month but for things that we rather wished was disinformation, but in fact, are not.MORE
The Shah Alam demonstration against the construction of a Hindu temple - complete with a severed cow's head - wrapped up a month of negative international news reports over the state of religious tolerance in Malaysia.
Earlier this month, the international press focused on the caning sentence imposed by a Pahang Syariah Court on part-time model Kartika Seri Dewi Shukarno's for consuming beer.
This was followed by news of the government's decision to restrict Muslims from attending the concert of international pop sensation Black Eye Peas, because it was sponsored by an alcohol company.
Unsavory terms used to describe incident
Now, international news organisations have focused on the temple row, in which protest organisers were said to have threatened bloodshed if the temple was built.
"Malaysia Muslims protest proposed Hindu temple," read the headlines of the Associated Press report.
"Racial tensions have risen in recent years amid complaints by the minorities that their rights are being eroded along with the rising influence of Islamic hard-liners," the report said.
The wire report also notes that the protest occurred just three days before Malaysia celebrates its 52nd independence day and amid a new campaign by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to promote national integration through the 1Malaysia concept.
India's news portal dnaindia.com also reported the incident in unsavory terms.
Some 50 protestors marched from the state mosque to the nearby Selangor government headquarters condemning the relocation of a temple to the Section 23 vicinity.
The protestors condemned the move, ordered by the state government, because the Section 23 area was a Muslim-majority neighbourhood.
Malaysiakini
30/08/09
The Shah Alam demonstration against the construction of a Hindu temple - complete with a severed cow's head - wrapped up a month of negative international news reports over the state of religious tolerance in Malaysia.
Earlier this month, the international press focused on the caning sentence imposed by a Pahang Syariah Court on part-time model Kartika Seri Dewi Shukarno's for consuming beer.
This was followed by news of the government's decision to restrict Muslims from attending the concert of international pop sensation Black Eye Peas, because it was sponsored by an alcohol company.
Unsavory terms used to describe incident
Now, international news organisations have focused on the temple row, in which protest organisers were said to have threatened bloodshed if the temple was built.
"Malaysia Muslims protest proposed Hindu temple," read the headlines of the Associated Press report.
"Racial tensions have risen in recent years amid complaints by the minorities that their rights are being eroded along with the rising influence of Islamic hard-liners," the report said.
The wire report also notes that the protest occurred just three days before Malaysia celebrates its 52nd independence day and amid a new campaign by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to promote national integration through the 1Malaysia concept.
India's news portal dnaindia.com also reported the incident in unsavory terms.
Some 50 protestors marched from the state mosque to the nearby Selangor government headquarters condemning the relocation of a temple to the Section 23 vicinity.
The protestors condemned the move, ordered by the state government, because the Section 23 area was a Muslim-majority neighbourhood.
Malaysiakini
30/08/09
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