Free Republic

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysian police said Tuesday they have arrested a resort owner after he allowed Buddhists to use a Muslim prayer room in the country's latest religious controversy. The owner of the resort in the southern state of Johor, who was detained on Sunday, is being investigated for "defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion", said district police chief Nor Rasid. Local media said the 45-year-old Muslim -- a Singaporean who is a permanent resident of Malaysia -- allowed a group of Buddhists from Singapore to use the Muslim prayer room on his premises...

SINGAPORE, Aug 3 — Malaysia has finalised its full report on the proposed high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Local television Channel NewsAsia reported Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal, chief executive officer of the Malaysia Land Public Transport Commission, as saying that the two sides will meet after the Aidil Fitri celebrations at the end of the month. He said: “The base line alignment and all that is done. But of course, minor changes can still happen. We are just starting the process of engagement and discussion with the Singapore side, with the joint ministerial committee meeting up...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — Singapore has warned Malaysian lawmakers against interfering in the republic’s affairs in the wake of appeals to show leniency towards its citizens who face being barred from the country for taking part in illegal protests earlier this month. Several opposition MPs had last week sent a memorandum via the Singapore High Commission here asking the republic’s government to “exercise restraint and give those arrested a second chance” to 21 Malaysians arrested for violating the Lion City’s laws on illegal assembly when they held two demonstrations protesting Malaysia’s 13th general elections at the iconic Merlion Park...