In Muslim Malaysia, 'Young Imam' Is the Show to Watch

Malaysia has always been home to a more tolerant form of Islam than most Americans are familiar with. As evidence, one of the hottest TV shows there now looks like "American Idol" where contestants vie with each other for a grand prize. The prize here is to become an imam at a mosque, and to prove their worth the contestants have to demonstrate their knowledge of Islam and Islamic rites.

In Muslim Malaysia, 'Young Imam' Is the Show to Watch - WSJ.com

Malaysia Set for Affirmative-Action Showdown - WSJ.com

Malaysia may be the only place in the world with affirmative action for the majority. Since the 1970's, the government has aggressively pursued a system to provide preferential treatment for the majority Malay population, in virtually everything in civil and military life from college admissions to mortgage and car loans, to property rights, to jobs and career development. While the program has had some success in closing the gap between Malays and ethnic minorities who tend to be more economically successful, it has also caused deep divisions in society and led to criticism that Malaysia's economic miracle is slowing down. The affirmative action debate is coming to a head, as the Prime Minister is expected to outline plans this month to end the system of racial preferences.

Malaysia Set for Affirmative-Action Showdown - WSJ.com

Singaporeans and Malaysians Find Something Else to Fight About

This is Ainan Cawley. He's 10 years old. His mother is an ethnic Malay from from Singapore and his father is from Ireland. By the time Ainan was 6, he was solving chemistry problems. Now, at 10, he's looking to enter university. According to his parents, however, finding a school in Singapore that would recognize his talents and nurture his learning abilities was an "Orwellian" task.

When a private school in Malaysia heard about Ainan, they swooped in and offered him a full scholarship. Thus the Cawleys moved to Kuala Lumpur, and sparked off the latest tit-for-tat battle between the two nations. Malaysia and Singapore have fought over some pretty small battles in the past, but this one, over who has the best educational system, has become a pretty sensitive topic. For now, the Malaysians appear to have gloating rights. The front page story in the Wall Street Journal this morning certainly seems to reinforce that.

Malaysia Wins Young Singaporean Science Whiz - WSJ.com