SNAPSHOT | NGO questions Tamim's no-show in court; S'gor defends rules on non-Muslim worship houses

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm and 6pm.

6pm

Court

• The Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) today voiced grave concern over controversial activist Tamim Dahri Abd Razak's failure to appear in court to face charges.

  In a statement today, its president S Shashi Kumar said that public frustration is now expanding beyond the initial soolam stepping incident, and is becoming a question of confidence in the justice system.

  "The issue before us today is no longer only about one incident. The issue is now whether Malaysians can continue believing that justice will move with urgency when communities feel deeply hurt and when social harmony is at stake.”

  Shashi stressed that GHRF is not prejudging guilt or calling for selective treatment, but warned that prolonged uncertainty risks intensifying public anger and undermining confidence in institutions.

  He also called upon the relevant authorities to provide immediate updates regarding the status of enforcement actions and legal proceedings involving the self-styled land activist.

READ MORE: COMMENT | In Tamim's world, law is negotiable

Religious affairs

• The Selangor government has defended new planning guidelines that bar non-Islamic houses of worship from being built in commercial areas, after Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung expressed grave concern over two clauses in the state planning guidelines.

  

  A spokesperson from the state menteri besar’s office reportedly said the guidelines were based on feedback local councils received from residents living near commercial areas.

  Free Malaysia Today reported the individual saying that the new rules aim to improve traffic and parking facilities because commercial areas have limited space and may not accommodate the needs of religious communities.

  The spokesperson also said the rules apply only to new developments and will not affect houses of worship already operating in commercial or other premises.

  “Moving forward, each new area, which is developed for residential purposes, will have a gazetted land for both Muslim and non-Muslim houses of worship," the unnamed spokesperson was reported as saying.

Politics

• Bersama is aiming to contest all 56 seats in the Johor state election.

  The New Straits Times reported former Tiram assemblyperson S Gopalakrishnan, who recently joined Bersama, as saying that the party is identifying suitable constituencies to contest in the state.

  

  "We are identifying suitable seats to contest, but our intention is to focus on all 56 state seats in Johor. Candidate selection, however, will be decided by the central leadership, including the possibility of bringing prominent political figures into the state," he said.

  NST reported that Johor Bersama has received 2,800 new membership applications as of last night, with 29 percent reportedly comprising former PKR members.

  Former PKR leaders Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad officially launched the party on May 17.

• PAS is expected to hold a meeting soon to discuss further decisions regarding its pact with Bersatu.

  Harian Metro reported PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan saying that this is after several issues involving the Perikatan Nasional component.

  He reportedly said the meeting would be held within the next one or two days, and would most likely involve PAS leadership first, without Bersatu’s participation.

  "We will hold a meeting soon, and then make a decision. It will take place within the next one or two days, before Hari Raya Aidiladha," he said.

Previously at 2pm | PM mocks those who veered off path of struggle; poser over S'gor non-Muslim worship houses rules

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COMMENT | Illegal temples real issue, provocation making it worse

Rawang temple dispute: High Court rules in favour of landowner over demolition

Tamim likens Urimai to Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers amid temple row

'Land activist' says will surrender to police, but on one condition

Muslim, Hindu activists meet for peace, but tensions brew from outside