THE Coalition of Good Governance (CGG) congratulates the Selangor government for maintaining the 25% civil society quota in the appointment of local councillors. However, we are concerned that there may be a repeat of last year’s incident where many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional councillors were left off the list. They were only confirmed much […]
Archives for June 2010
Going nuclear: Convincing the public
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
MALAYSIA’s first nuclear power plant is expected to be up and running by 2021.That’s just one decade away. Public concerns have already been expressed about the astronomical start-up costs, safety, and radioactive waste management of having such a nuclear plant. In response, Energy, Green Technology, and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin told Parliament on […]
What happens under ISA detention
By Gan Pei Ling
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised to review the ISA when he came into office in April 2009. But the government continues to defend the need for detention without trial in the interest of “national security”. In the meantime, those who have been detained under the ISA tell stories of state abuse of power and torture.
In this second of a series of interviews with former ISA detainees, The Nut Graph speaks with Mat Sah Mohd Satray and his wife, Norlaila Othman, about his arrest and detention under the ISA in April 2002.
Creativity and innovation in politics
By The Nut Graph
ON 20 June 2010, at The Nut Graph’s first Found in Conversation event, on creativity and innovation in politics, three young politicians tackled questions about politics post-March 2008. While Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin talked about challenges within his party for much-needed reforms to happen, DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua assured the audience that […]
Lift ban on cartoons, repeal PPPA
By CIJ and Wami
THE Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia and the Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) condemn the Home Ministry’s banning of 1Funny Malaysia, Perak Darul Kartun and Isu Dalam Kartun. These cartoon compilations are by Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar. According to online daily Malaysiakini, whose subsidiary Kinibooks is the publisher of 1Funny […]
No replies for 28 June 2010
By Koh Lay Chin and Deborah LohTHE following Members of Parliament (MPs) have not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Monday, 28 June 2010, the end of a two-week deadline. Their responses will be updated if and when they reply.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat:
Surprise elections?
By Ding Jo-Ann
Malaysia’s constitution requires a general election to be called at least once every five years. However, the prime minister can also request for Parliament to be dissolved at any time within that five years. But should the calling of a general election be a surprise? The Nut Graph speaks to political scientist Wong Chin Huat for his views.
The govt’s selective listening
By Gan Pei Ling
“The issuance of a licence to legalise sports betting is no longer an issue as a decision has been made. We always listen to the people’s wishes and put their interests above all.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, declaring after an Umno supreme council meeting that the government would not legalise sports betting. The […]
Imagine being a refugee
Compiled by Ding Jo-Ann
REFUGEES have no official existence in Malaysia. This is because Malaysia, along with Libya, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and most of our Southeast Asian neighbours, has yet to sign the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. As a result, there is no legal distinction between refugees and economic migrants or undocumented workers. This is unjust as refugees […]
Malaysia’s economic outlook: Will we make it?
By Ding Jo-Ann
MALAYSIA’s once rosy economic outlook isn’t looking as rose petal-fresh as it used to anymore. In 1992, Malaysia transitioned from a lower-middle to upper-middle income country, surpassing most of our regional neighbours. Rich in natural resources and attractive to global investors due to relatively low production costs, Malaysia prospered in the early 1990s. But other […]
