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For Catholic Malaysians, Putrajaya’s latest pick of a Malay-Muslim principal to head the prestigious SMK Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) underscores a worrying trend to disregard the Church’s contribution and rights in the country. Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam waded this week into a growing row between the 112-year-old school’s Catholic owners and the Ministry of Education (MOE) after its new principal Datin Seri Zavirah Mohd Shaari’s surprise arrival at its doorstep. ... Christians say such issues are an attempt to erode their religious rights in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

A Swedish flag was set alight outside the country's embassy in Malaysia on Friday as protesters gathered to demand action be taken against cartoonist Lars Vilks and newspapers that published his caricatures of the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

TWO weeks after finding a blueprint detailing the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network in the lair of one of its leaders, Indonesian police are on the verge of dismantling its hierarchy and disrupting a broader terror organisation across the troubled nation. Six more suspects were named yesterday as a result of documents seized in the hideaway of Bali blast controller Mukhlas on December 5, bringing to 22 the number of alleged terrorists now linked to the Bali bombings. Among them are two Malaysians, Dr Azahari, an alleged bomb-making expert, and Noor Din Moth Pop, who is alleged to have helped a...