Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

The last remaining independent news network’s journalists in Russia have left the country to get to safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes a day after Russia had instituted a digital roadblock against the network. &nbsp;

In an order on Tuesday, the country's Prosecutor General's Office restricted access to both TV Rain, which is also known as Dozhd, and a radio station, Radio Echo, also called Ekho Moskvy. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-russian-soldier-surrenders-to-ukrainians-gets-pastries-drinks-458423" hreflang="en">Watch: Russian soldier surrenders to Ukrainians, gets pastries, drinks</a>

On Wednesday, TV Rain's editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko announced on Telegram that he and his family, along with the editorial staff, have left the country. &nbsp;

"After the blocking of Dozhd's website, Dozhd's social media accounts, and the threat against some employees, it is obvious that the personal safety of some of us is at risk," Dzyadko said. &nbsp;

In Russia, most media outlets have abided by the orders of the state to follow President Vladimir Putin's take on the invasion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Russia Today’s global live-stream refers to it as a "special operation." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-billionaires-600-million-luxury-yacht-seized-by-german-authorities-says-report-458362" hreflang="en">'Russian billionaire’s $600 million luxury yacht seized by German authorities'</a>

The determination of TV Rain and Ekho Moskvy to defy Kremlin for following journalism has turned them into targets. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Telegram, Dzyadko said TV Rain will appeal against the decision by the prosecutor general's office. It will also continue to work "partly remotely." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We are facing a real threat. It's getting harder to work here," anchor Ekaterina Kotrikadze, who is married to Dzyadko, said from Moscow on Sunday's "Reliable Sources." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"They are trying to make us, you know, deliver the same message as they do, but you know it's impossible for us to work like this," she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The last remaining independent news network’s journalists in Russia have left the country to get to safety. This comes a day after Russia had instituted a digital roadblock against the network. In an order on Tuesday, the country's Prosecutor General's Office restricted access to both TV Rain, which is also known as Dozhd, and a radio station, Radio Echo, also called Ekho Moskvy. Also Read: Watch: Russian soldier surrenders to Ukrainians, gets pastries, drinks On Wednesday, TV Rain's editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko announced on Telegram that he and his family, along with the editorial staff, have left the country. "After the blocking of Dozhd's website, Dozhd's social media accounts, and the threat against some employees, it is obvious that the personal safety of some of us is at risk," Dzyadko said. In Russia, most media outlets have abided by the orders of the state to follow President Vladimir Putin's take on the invasion. Russia Today’s global live-stream refers to it as a "special operation." Also Read: 'Russian billionaire’s $600 million luxury yacht seized by German authorities' The determination of TV Rain and Ekho Moskvy to defy Kremlin for following journalism has turned them into targets. On Telegram, Dzyadko said TV Rain will appeal against the decision by the prosecutor general's office. It will also continue to work "partly remotely." "We are facing a real threat. It's getting harder to work here," anchor Ekaterina Kotrikadze, who is married to Dzyadko, said from Moscow on Sunday's "Reliable Sources." "They are trying to make us, you know, deliver the same message as they do, but you know it's impossible for us to work like this," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine crisis: Last independent news network’s scribes flee Russia to get to safety

Beijing has imposed a fine of over $7,000 and also issued a warning to Japanese-owned 7-Eleven after it listed the island of Taiwan as a country and displayed maps and borders that China&nbsp;claimed are false. According to South China Morning Post, the government fined the company for “errors” including “wrongful act of assigning Taiwan province as an independent country."

The government further highlighted that the company did not mark borders correctly for islands in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

China claims democratically controlled Taiwan as its own territory and has increased military and diplomatic pressure in the last two years to bolster its claim

This is not the first time that the 7-Eleven stores have come under scrutiny. Beijing had issued a punishment to 7-Eleven stores in December but it was reported recently by Asia Nikkei.&nbsp;

According to Nikkei Asia, Seven &amp; i holdings acknowledged the complaint as they said that we will “do our best to prevent a recurrence”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-concession-over-ukraine-in-talks-with-us-says-russia-443349">Also read |&nbsp;No concession over Ukraine in talks with US, says Russia</a>

Meanwhile, a Beijing official recently warned that if Taiwan advances toward formal independence, China will take "severe measures."

At a media conference, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office, told a media conference that China was eager to do all possible to achieve peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but that if any red lines on independence were crossed, China would respond.&nbsp;

"If separatist forces in Taiwan seeking independence provoke, exert force, or even break through any red line, we will have to take drastic measures," Ma said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Beijing has imposed a fine of over $7,000 and also issued a warning to Japanese-owned 7-Eleven after it listed the island of Taiwan as a country and displayed maps and borders that China claimed are false.

Beijing has imposed a fine of over $7,000 and also issued a warning to Japanese-owned 7-Eleven after it listed the island of Taiwan as a country and displayed maps and borders that China claimed are false. According to South China Morning Post, the government fined the company for “errors” including “wrongful act of assigning Taiwan province as an independent country." The government further highlighted that the company did not mark borders correctly for islands in the South China Sea. China claims democratically controlled Taiwan as its own territory and has increased military and diplomatic pressure in the last two years to bolster its claim This is not the first time that the 7-Eleven stores have come under scrutiny. Beijing had issued a punishment to 7-Eleven stores in December but it was reported recently by Asia Nikkei. According to Nikkei Asia, Seven & i holdings acknowledged the complaint as they said that we will “do our best to prevent a recurrence”. Also read | No concession over Ukraine in talks with US, says Russia Meanwhile, a Beijing official recently warned that if Taiwan advances toward formal independence, China will take "severe measures." At a media conference, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office, told a media conference that China was eager to do all possible to achieve peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but that if any red lines on independence were crossed, China would respond. "If separatist forces in Taiwan seeking independence provoke, exert force, or even break through any red line, we will have to take drastic measures," Ma said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Wrongful act': Beijing fines 7-Eleven for calling Taiwan an 'independent country'

Malaysia’s foreign minister stressed on Saturday that his country remained independent in foreign policy after some social media users and opposition politicians lambasted him for referring to his Chinese counterpart as his ‘elder brother’.

Hishammuddin Hussein, on his first visit to China as foreign minister, had expressed hope that he and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi would pursue closer ties between the nations, including post-Covid-19 cooperation and fighting the pandemic.

However, he provoked controversy back home when he told his counterpart in a joint press briefing on Thursday, "You will always be my elder brother."

China is Malaysia’s largest trade partner, but relations between the two countries have been tested in recent years by Beijing’s increasingly assertive foreign policy in the region, particularly its maritime claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, some of which conflict with Malaysia’s own claims.

Some Malaysians took to social media to chide Hishammuddin, saying he appeared to be appeasing the global superpower, while opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim demanded the minister retract his comment and issue an apology to the country.&nbsp;

"This is not the language and style that should be used in the world of diplomacy and international relations because it seems to put Malaysia’s status as a foreign puppet," Anwar said on Saturday.&nbsp;

"As a country that is neutral and not in favour of any great power in the world, his statement is clearly a form of insult to our own country."

Following the criticism, Hishammuddin said on Twitter that he had said ‘elder brother’ to show respect to Wang Yi, and that the words did not refer to Malaysia’s relationship with China.&nbsp;

He said he had been "respecting that Wang Yi is older, and a more senior foreign minister; hence ‘elder brother’ to me personally".&nbsp;

"Being respectful does not signify weakness," he added.&nbsp;

"Rest assured that Malaysia remains independent, principled and pragmatic in terms of our foreign policy - founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality."

(With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia’s foreign minister stressed on Saturday that his country remained independent in foreign policy after some social media users and opposition politicians lambasted him for referring to his Chinese counterpart as his ‘elder brother’.

Malaysia’s foreign minister stressed on Saturday that his country remained independent in foreign policy after some social media users and opposition politicians lambasted him for referring to his Chinese counterpart as his ‘elder brother’. Hishammuddin Hussein, on his first visit to China as foreign minister, had expressed hope that he and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi would pursue closer ties between the nations, including post-Covid-19 cooperation and fighting the pandemic. However, he provoked controversy back home when he told his counterpart in a joint press briefing on Thursday, "You will always be my elder brother." China is Malaysia’s largest trade partner, but relations between the two countries have been tested in recent years by Beijing’s increasingly assertive foreign policy in the region, particularly its maritime claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, some of which conflict with Malaysia’s own claims. Some Malaysians took to social media to chide Hishammuddin, saying he appeared to be appeasing the global superpower, while opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim demanded the minister retract his comment and issue an apology to the country. "This is not the language and style that should be used in the world of diplomacy and international relations because it seems to put Malaysia’s status as a foreign puppet," Anwar said on Saturday. "As a country that is neutral and not in favour of any great power in the world, his statement is clearly a form of insult to our own country." Following the criticism, Hishammuddin said on Twitter that he had said ‘elder brother’ to show respect to Wang Yi, and that the words did not refer to Malaysia’s relationship with China. He said he had been "respecting that Wang Yi is older, and a more senior foreign minister; hence ‘elder brother’ to me personally". "Being respectful does not signify weakness," he added. "Rest assured that Malaysia remains independent, principled and pragmatic in terms of our foreign policy - founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality." (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia independent, says Min, who called Chinese counterpart 'elder brother'

Amid fears of US sanctions over the S-400 deal with Russia, Army Chief Bipin Rawat today asserted that India follows an independent policy and was also keen on getting the Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems from Moscow.

India and Russia on Friday signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to procure the S-400 Trimuf S-400 air defence system, which could attract sanctions under the Countering American Activities Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).&nbsp;

The act is primarily aimed at countering Russia, Iran and North Korea.

India and Russia concluded the deal notwithstanding the US warning&nbsp;that it would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians.

General Rawat, who returned Saturday night after a six-day visit to Russia, held talks with military officials of that country to enhance cooperation between the two countries. He said the Russians were very keen in associating with the Indian Army and defence forces. &nbsp;

"Because they do understand that we are a strong Army, capable of standing up to what is right for us based on our strategic thought process," he said.

The Army Chief was speaking at the General KV Krishna Rao Memorial lecture in New Delhi.

On his Russian visit, General Rawat recalled a question posed to him by a Russian naval officer that India seemed to be looking westwards at America, which has put sanctions on Russia, and that Washington has also threatened to impose restrictions on New Delhi for dealing with Moscow. &nbsp;

To this, General Rawat responded saying, "Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions on us, but we follow an independent policy," he said.

General Rawat also sought to assuage Russian concerns over its growing ties with the US.

"You (Russia) can be rest assured (that) while we may be associating with America in getting some technology, but we follow an independent policy.

"I told them while we are talking sanctions and you are questioning on sanctions, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at this juncture, are signing the treaty on purchase of S-400 weapon system inspite of the fact that we may face challenges from America in the future," the Army Chief said. &nbsp;

General Rawat said India was looking forward to procuring Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems and technology from Russia.

He said New Delhi was looking to get space based systems and technologies from Moscow to enhance its space capabilities.

"There is no end in sight to the manner in which we can cooperate with your country. I think the way forward is to see what is best for the nation, strategically important for us," he had said.

Amid fears of US sanctions over the S-400 deal with Russia, Army Chief Bipin Rawat today asserted that India follows an independent policy and was also keen on getting the Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems from Moscow.

Amid fears of US sanctions over the S-400 deal with Russia, Army Chief Bipin Rawat today asserted that India follows an independent policy and was also keen on getting the Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems from Moscow. India and Russia on Friday signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to procure the S-400 Trimuf S-400 air defence system, which could attract sanctions under the Countering American Activities Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The act is primarily aimed at countering Russia, Iran and North Korea. India and Russia concluded the deal notwithstanding the US warning that it would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians. General Rawat, who returned Saturday night after a six-day visit to Russia, held talks with military officials of that country to enhance cooperation between the two countries. He said the Russians were very keen in associating with the Indian Army and defence forces. "Because they do understand that we are a strong Army, capable of standing up to what is right for us based on our strategic thought process," he said. The Army Chief was speaking at the General KV Krishna Rao Memorial lecture in New Delhi. On his Russian visit, General Rawat recalled a question posed to him by a Russian naval officer that India seemed to be looking westwards at America, which has put sanctions on Russia, and that Washington has also threatened to impose restrictions on New Delhi for dealing with Moscow. To this, General Rawat responded saying, "Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions on us, but we follow an independent policy," he said. General Rawat also sought to assuage Russian concerns over its growing ties with the US. "You (Russia) can be rest assured (that) while we may be associating with America in getting some technology, but we follow an independent policy. "I told them while we are talking sanctions and you are questioning on sanctions, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at this juncture, are signing the treaty on purchase of S-400 weapon system inspite of the fact that we may face challenges from America in the future," the Army Chief said. General Rawat said India was looking forward to procuring Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems and technology from Russia. He said New Delhi was looking to get space based systems and technologies from Moscow to enhance its space capabilities. "There is no end in sight to the manner in which we can cooperate with your country. I think the way forward is to see what is best for the nation, strategically important for us," he had said.

India has independent policy: Army chief after S-400 deal with Russia

Police&nbsp;deployed&nbsp;overnight in the northern&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;oil&nbsp;city&nbsp;of Kirkuk to prevent any outbreak of ethnic violence&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;of a referendum on Kurdish&nbsp;independence, local residents said.

The Kurdish region plans to go&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;with the Sept. 25&nbsp;vote&nbsp;despite Baghdad&#39;s warning it is &quot;playing with fire&quot; and U.S. declarations it could undermine the fight against Islamic State forces. The referendum, though, could raise particular&nbsp;tensions&nbsp;in Kirkuk, where Kurds vie with Turkmen and Arabs for power.

Kurdish security and the&nbsp;city&nbsp;police&nbsp;erected checkpoints across the&nbsp;city&nbsp;after a Kurd was killed in a clash with the guards of a Turkmen political party office in the&nbsp;city.

Two other Kurds and one Turkmen security guard were also wounded in the clash that broke out when a Kurdish convoy celebrating the referendum, carrying Kurdish flags, drove by the Turkmen party office, security sources said. The Kurdish dead and wounded were among those celebrating, they said.

Turkey, which has put troops and tanks on exercises close to the border with the Kurdish region, has long seen itself as the protector of the Turkmen minority. When&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;Kurds raised their flag over the&nbsp;city&nbsp;in April, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared that Kirkuk could not be a Kurdish&nbsp;city.

Turkish soldiers, scheduled for manoeuvres until the day after the referendum is due, could be seen digging in at a point about two km (a mile) from the frontier.

Turkey, however, has cultivated close political and business relations with the Kurdish regional government and would be reluctant to disrupt especially&nbsp;oil&nbsp;commerce by any intervention.

Tensions&nbsp;rose after the Kurdish-led provincial council&nbsp;voted this month to include the&nbsp;city&nbsp;in the referendum despite the fact that it lies outside the official boundaries of the Kurdistan region.

Kurdish peshmerga fighters seized Kirkuk and other disputed territories when the&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;army collapsed in the face of Islamic State in 2014, preventing its&nbsp;oilfields from falling into the militants&#39; hands. In recent months the militants have been driven back across Iraq, but remain dug in close to Kirkuk.

Iraqi&nbsp;armed forces announced on Tuesday the start of an attack to dislodge Islamic State from the town of Ana, as they push westward toward al-Qaim, the border post with Syria.

Iranian-backed&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;Shi&#39;ite militias, highlighting the broader perils emanating from the&nbsp;vote, have threatened to dislodge the Kurdish peshmerga forces from Kirkuk should the Kurds persist in holding the&nbsp;vote.

The Kurdish authorities are showing no sign of bowing despite intense international pressure and regional appeals to call off the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;which Baghdad says is unconstitutional and a prelude to breaking up the country.

Iran and Turkey fear contagion for their own Kurdish populations. Turkey has been fighting a Kurdish insurgency in its south-east since 1984

Iraqi&nbsp;Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said late on Monday he would proceed with the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;in the absence of any guarantee by the international community that Baghdad would hold talks on Kurdish&nbsp;independence,

&ldquo;Referendum and dialogue are means toward&nbsp;independence,&rdquo; Barzani told visiting defence minister Michael Fallon, during a meeting in Erbil, the seat of the Kurdish government.

The Kurdish region plans to go?ahead?with the Sept. 25?vote?despite Baghdad's warning it is "playing with fire" and U.S. declarations it could undermine the fight against Islamic State forces.

Police deployed overnight in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk to prevent any outbreak of ethnic violence ahead of a referendum on Kurdish independence, local residents said. The Kurdish region plans to go ahead with the Sept. 25 vote despite Baghdad's warning it is "playing with fire" and U.S. declarations it could undermine the fight against Islamic State forces. The referendum, though, could raise particular tensions in Kirkuk, where Kurds vie with Turkmen and Arabs for power. Kurdish security and the city police erected checkpoints across the city after a Kurd was killed in a clash with the guards of a Turkmen political party office in the city. Two other Kurds and one Turkmen security guard were also wounded in the clash that broke out when a Kurdish convoy celebrating the referendum, carrying Kurdish flags, drove by the Turkmen party office, security sources said. The Kurdish dead and wounded were among those celebrating, they said. Turkey, which has put troops and tanks on exercises close to the border with the Kurdish region, has long seen itself as the protector of the Turkmen minority. When Iraqi Kurds raised their flag over the city in April, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared that Kirkuk could not be a Kurdish city. Turkish soldiers, scheduled for manoeuvres until the day after the referendum is due, could be seen digging in at a point about two km (a mile) from the frontier. Turkey, however, has cultivated close political and business relations with the Kurdish regional government and would be reluctant to disrupt especially oil commerce by any intervention. Tensions rose after the Kurdish-led provincial council voted this month to include the city in the referendum despite the fact that it lies outside the official boundaries of the Kurdistan region. Kurdish peshmerga fighters seized Kirkuk and other disputed territories when the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of Islamic State in 2014, preventing its oilfields from falling into the militants' hands. In recent months the militants have been driven back across Iraq, but remain dug in close to Kirkuk. Iraqi armed forces announced on Tuesday the start of an attack to dislodge Islamic State from the town of Ana, as they push westward toward al-Qaim, the border post with Syria. Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi'ite militias, highlighting the broader perils emanating from the vote, have threatened to dislodge the Kurdish peshmerga forces from Kirkuk should the Kurds persist in holding the vote. The Kurdish authorities are showing no sign of bowing despite intense international pressure and regional appeals to call off the vote which Baghdad says is unconstitutional and a prelude to breaking up the country. Iran and Turkey fear contagion for their own Kurdish populations. Turkey has been fighting a Kurdish insurgency in its south-east since 1984 Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said late on Monday he would proceed with the vote in the absence of any guarantee by the international community that Baghdad would hold talks on Kurdish independence, “Referendum and dialogue are means toward independence,” Barzani told visiting defence minister Michael Fallon, during a meeting in Erbil, the seat of the Kurdish government.

Police deployed in Iraq's Kirkuk as tensions rise ahead of independence vote

Prime Minister Najib Razak&#39;s government threw its support in parliament this week behind an Islamic penal code that includes amputations and stoning, shocking some of his allies and stoking fears of further strains in the multi-ethnic country.

Critics believe the scandal-tainted prime minister is using &#39;hudud&#39;, the Islamic law, to shore up the backing of Muslim Malay voters and fend off attacks on his leadership ahead of critical by-elections next month and a general election in 2018.

The government on Thursday unexpectedly submitted to parliament a hudud bill that had been proposed by the Islamist group Parti Islam se-Malaysia&#39;s (PAS).

Although debate on the law was deferred to October by PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, its submission to parliament brought criticism from leaders across the political spectrum, including allies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, who represent the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.

Najib sought to ease tensions with his allies on Friday, saying the bill was &quot;misunderstood&quot;.

&quot;It&#39;s not hudud, but what we refer to as enhanced punishment,&quot; he told a news conference after meeting leaders of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party.

&quot;It applies only to certain offences and this comes under the jurisdiction of the Syariah court and is only applicable to the Muslims. It has nothing to do with non-Muslims.&quot; 
&nbsp;

<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law.">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

He added that the punishments would be limited and canings meted out under the law would not injure or draw blood.

Earlier in the day, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a key party in the BN coalition, called the submission of the hudud bill to parliament &quot;unconstitutional&quot;.

&quot;As we repeatedly pointed out, the implementation of Hudud law is against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, and would ruin the inter-ethnic relationship in the country,&quot; MCA President Liow Tiong Lai said.

Arguments for and against the introduction of hudud have divided Malaysia for years. Most of the Southeast Asian country&#39;s states implement sharia, the Islamic legal system, but its reach is restricted by federal law.

Still, the hudud bill appears doomed as the UMNO-led coalition lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass it into law.

The Islamist party PAS is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow hudud to be implemented in Kelantan, a northern state where nightclubs are banned and there are separate public benches for men and women. 
 
&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all. David Lynch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/amwriting?src=hash">#amwriting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/writing?src=hash">#writing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/writingtip?src=hash">#writingtip</a> <a href="https://t.co/ho15a54eLB">pic.twitter.com/ho15a54eLB</a>
&mdash; The UnNovelist (@TheUnNovelist) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheUnNovelist/status/736501099331489792">May 28, 2016</a></blockquote>

<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law.

&nbsp;

EYEING POLLS

Critics say that Najib, with an eye on by-elections for two parliamentary seats on June 18, is seeking to appease the majority Muslim votebank with his stand on hudud and to deflect attention from a multi-billion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

They allege Najib was a beneficiary of 1MDB&#39;s funds, after about $680 million was deposited in his bank account before a 2013 election. Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

Some political heavyweights in Najib&#39;s party have questioned whether he can lead them to victory in the 2018 general election. However, he has consolidated power by sacking dissenters within UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia since 1957, and using a controversial and repressive colonial-era sedition law to silence other critics.

Najib seized on the resounding victory of a coalition partner in a Borneo state election earlier month as evidence that he and his government remain popular. The by-elections in peninsula Malaysia are likely to be a closer contest.

&quot;Najib did not want the 1MDB global scandal to become the issue in both by-elections,&quot; said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Action Party, adding that Najib has ensured the focus will now be on hudud.

People freak out as government decides to base legal code on religion instead of independent moral and intellectual principles

Prime Minister Najib Razak's government threw its support in parliament this week behind an Islamic penal code that includes amputations and stoning, shocking some of his allies and stoking fears of further strains in the multi-ethnic country. Critics believe the scandal-tainted prime minister is using 'hudud', the Islamic law, to shore up the backing of Muslim Malay voters and fend off attacks on his leadership ahead of critical by-elections next month and a general election in 2018. The government on Thursday unexpectedly submitted to parliament a hudud bill that had been proposed by the Islamist group Parti Islam se-Malaysia's (PAS). Although debate on the law was deferred to October by PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, its submission to parliament brought criticism from leaders across the political spectrum, including allies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, who represent the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities. Najib sought to ease tensions with his allies on Friday, saying the bill was "misunderstood". "It's not hudud, but what we refer to as enhanced punishment," he told a news conference after meeting leaders of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party. "It applies only to certain offences and this comes under the jurisdiction of the Syariah court and is only applicable to the Muslims. It has nothing to do with non-Muslims." Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law. He added that the punishments would be limited and canings meted out under the law would not injure or draw blood. Earlier in the day, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a key party in the BN coalition, called the submission of the hudud bill to parliament "unconstitutional". "As we repeatedly pointed out, the implementation of Hudud law is against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, and would ruin the inter-ethnic relationship in the country," MCA President Liow Tiong Lai said. Arguments for and against the introduction of hudud have divided Malaysia for years. Most of the Southeast Asian country's states implement sharia, the Islamic legal system, but its reach is restricted by federal law. Still, the hudud bill appears doomed as the UMNO-led coalition lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass it into law. The Islamist party PAS is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would allow hudud to be implemented in Kelantan, a northern state where nightclubs are banned and there are separate public benches for men and women. Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all. David Lynch #amwriting #writing #writingtip pic.twitter.com/ho15a54eLB — The UnNovelist (@TheUnNovelist) May 28, 2016 Many fear such a move would open doors for other states to bring in the Islamic penal code. Hudud stipulates ancient religious punishments for Muslims who violate the law. EYEING POLLS Critics say that Najib, with an eye on by-elections for two parliamentary seats on June 18, is seeking to appease the majority Muslim votebank with his stand on hudud and to deflect attention from a multi-billion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). They allege Najib was a beneficiary of 1MDB's funds, after about $680 million was deposited in his bank account before a 2013 election. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. Some political heavyweights in Najib's party have questioned whether he can lead them to victory in the 2018 general election. However, he has consolidated power by sacking dissenters within UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia since 1957, and using a controversial and repressive colonial-era sedition law to silence other critics. Najib seized on the resounding victory of a coalition partner in a Borneo state election earlier month as evidence that he and his government remain popular. The by-elections in peninsula Malaysia are likely to be a closer contest. "Najib did not want the 1MDB global scandal to become the issue in both by-elections," said Lim Kit Siang, parliamentary leader of the Democratic Action Party, adding that Najib has ensured the focus will now be on hudud.

Outrage in multi-ethnic Malaysia as government backs Islamic law

independent

Independent, News on Independent, stories on Independent, articles on Independent, Independent stories at Wion, Independent news, Independent latest news