PETALING JAYA: The 17-hour detention of a Turkish writer "blemishes the reputation of Malaysia" as a moderate nation, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said that the arrest and detention of Turkish writer and journalist Mustafa Akyol (pic) could not be reconciled with Malaysia's image of a multi-religious, multiracial and moderate nation. "Such extreme action in our multi-religious, multiracial and moderate Malaysia in our view is repressive, undemocratic and intended to be intimidating," he added. The US-based journalist has written on Islamic issues and politics for Turkish newspapers and the New York Times among others. His books include "Islam Without Extreme: A Muslim Case for Liberty", which has been translated into Turkish, Bahasa Malaysia, and Bahasa Indonesia.

Source: The Star September 27, 2017 07:18 UTC