GOSTAN. Outstation. Off-day. Cousin brother. Koochi-rat. These are all expressions unique to Malaysia recorded by author Lee Su Kim in her bestselling book Manglish: Malaysian English at its Wackiest. Lee has authored eight books, including Malaysian Flavours: Insights into Things Malaysian and A Nyonya in Texas: Insights of a Straits Chinese Woman in the Lone Star State. She […]
Archives for August 2010
“Syariah court has no legitimacy for non-Muslims”
By Ding Jo-Ann
Corrected 11.35am on 25 Aug 2010 ON 20 Aug 2010, a three-person bench of the Court of Appeal unanimously denied the application of S Kaliammal, the widow of Mount Everest climber M Moorthy, to determine her late husband’s religious status. Moorthy passed away on 20 Dec 2005 after entering into a coma. Just before his […]
Umno leaders’ advice on racial remarks
By Ding Jo-AnnWHEN racist remarks are made against non-Muslim non-Malay Malaysians, Umno leaders call for calm and for these citizens not to be “clouded by emotions”. But when non-Malay Malaysians raise legitimate demands for fair and equitable treatment, they are told that Malay Malaysians are “sensitive”, prone to “uneasiness and anger”, and should not be provoked. Is Umno saying that non-Malay citizens’ feelings are less important, and that Malay citizens are less capable of restraint?
Who’s a traitor?
By Deborah Loh
LEMBAH Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar may have been disingenuous when she repeated a minister’s Parliamentary statement about Malaysia’s submarines to a foreign newspaper. But does her speaking to a foreign audience constitute being a traitor as she has been called?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Spotlight on DAP
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE media spotlight has turned to the DAP in recent weeks over the party’s sacking of Tee Boon Hock, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu‘s special assistant. Tee had allegedly issued letters of recommendation using Liu’s official letterhead and seal to help family members secure contracts. Liu was severely reprimanded by a DAP disciplinary committee for […]
Putting a stop to baby dumping
By Deborah LohTHE most logical and obvious solution to addressing pregnancies out of wedlock – sex education – still seems to escape our decision-makers and politicians, whose suggestions have not just become increasingly ridiculous but also highly punitive.
Show biz challenges
By The Nut GraphTHE Nut Graph held its third Found in Conversation forum on 8 Aug 2010, titled Creativity and Innovation in Show Biz. Panelists Ahmad Izham Omar, Azmyl Yunor and Joanna Bessey, together with moderator Shanon Shah, reflected on mainstream vs indie artistes, censorship, and what artistes need to do to sustain themselves economically. Moderator, singer-songwriter and […]
Utusan Malaysia and Teoh Beng Hock
By Ding Jo-Ann
HOW far can a newspaper go in presenting its version of the truth? Yes, it has become generally accepted in Malaysia and internationally that newspapers don’t necessarily print “The Truth” and have their biases. After all, a recent Merdeka Centre survey revealed that almost six out of 10 Malaysians don’t trust the traditional media. But […]
Receiving live bullets “comes with the job”?
By Ding Jo-AnnSHOCK and outrage were expressed by many when DAP Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Pua received a death threat in the form of a live bullet and note on 11 Aug 2010. Such threats are unacceptable and should be thoroughly investigated and stopped. But according to one senior editor, receiving death threats is “part of an MP’s job”.
Car parking woes in SS20
Ampersand by KW Mak
BALANCING the needs of a residential community and a business entity in the same area is part of the work I do as a councillor. One such issue involves the illegal parking around the Damansara Specialist Hospital and the traffic nuisance it represents for the SS20 Damansara Kim residents. There are no morals to this […]
