Wildlife Crossing
Wildlife smugglers are using Peninsular Malaysia as a transit point to transport pangolins, freshwater turtles, monitor lizards and snakes worth millions of ringgit by land to China, where these animals are in high demand as exotic food.
Although Customs and the anti-smuggling unit at the Malaysian-Thai border have stepped up checks and confiscated consignments of these animals, they believe the illegal trade continues daily.
Investigations by wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic – a joint programme of the World Wide Fund for Nature and the World Conservation Union – have revealed that wildlife traders from Sumatra and Borneo regularly smuggled the animals by sea or air to middlemen in Malaysia, who then packed them in crates, boxes and gunny sacks for transport into Thailand. (The Star, May 12)
Pray for effective monitoring and enforcement so as to protect the biodiversity of our region which is a great asset for the future.
Bumiputra Share
Recently, a controversy arose over Maybank’s requirement that legal firms dealing with them must have a bumiputra partner with at least 50% stake. The move sparked criticism from various groups including the MCA, the Bar Council and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi responded that there had been no government directive on the matter and that the bank should be “fair and just”. In fact, the Cabinet later directed the bank to reverse its policy. Maybank said it would now elect its panel of lawyers based on efficiency, performance and merit, not ethnic composition. However, a Malay newspapers reported that Malay intellectuals were asking for Maybank to retain the requirement. (The Star, May 12)
Pray for wisdom and understanding for all parties. Pray that a healthy balance shall prevail between fairness/justice and helping the Bumiputras.
Commercialization of Charity
At least 10 organizations and societies of “prominent and reputable standing” are being investigated following public complaints about their fund-raising activities, particularly on claims that third parties are being used to solicit funds. According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho, in some instances the split of donated funds between the NGOs and the middlemen were as unreasonable as 40% for the charity and 60% for the middlemen.
In light of the increasing commercialization of charity and the lack of regulations over it, the ministry has proposed amendments to the Societies Act 1966 to streamline the activities of charitable bodies and allow for stricter enforcement of the Act. Still, the Act does not cover all NGOs because not all are registered as societies. There is also concern that the step may lead to overregulation. (The Star, May 13)
Pray for wisdom and a good resolution to the problem. Pray that NGOs are guided by principle and conscience as they seek funds from the public.
Religious Authorities Breaking Up Families
In 2004, Suresh Verrappan married Revathi in a Hindu ceremony. In January this year, his wife and his daughter were forcibly taken away from him. Discovering that Revathi was born to an Indian Muslim family, the Islamic authorities in Melaka sent her to an Islamic religious rehabilitation centre in Ulu Yam. Her baby was then handed over to her Muslim mother.
In April, Marimuthu’s wife of 21 years and their 6 children were taken away by the Selangor Religious Department. Although the custody of the children was later given to Marimuthu, the wife Raimah Bibi was not allowed to return to him. However, Raimah Bibi who decided to continue professing Islam would have unrestricted access to her children at all times.
On May 14, V. Suresh filed a habeas corpus application seeking the release of his wife Siti Fatimah Abdul Karim whom he claimed had been illegally detained at the Baitul Aman Faith Rehabilitation Centre since January 8. They married on March 10, 2004 according to Hindu rites and have a daughter.
Pray for compassion and sensitivity on the part of the religious authorities. Pray that all the families broken up shall be reunited. “In the matters of religion, the naked, criminal power of the state should not be employed.” (Dr. Shad Faruqi, The Star, May 3).
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