TALK has been rife recently of a “third force” in Malaysian politics. Civil society groups have proposed their own candidates for the 13th general election. Datuk Zaid Ibrahim wants to form a new political party. But is there room in Malaysian politics for a third force? What would it look like? And why is the […]
Archives for November 2010
Seditious Malaysia: More to come
By Ding Jo-AnnHARDLY a month goes by in Malaysia without someone being accused of sedition. And now, the government wants to introduce new sedition guidelines for the internet even though the Sedition Act already clearly undermines freedom of expression. Just what is the government up to?
Superheroes needed in MBPJ
Ampersand by KW Mak
SOMETIMES, I get accused of playing hero when I go public with issues. The accusations stem from the notion that I supposedly do not go through official channels to resolve matters and that I’m only interested in the publicity that the issue generates. Are such accusations true? Perhaps the best way to answer this is […]
Yuna on being “Malay Malay”
By Koh Lay Chin
SHE is a law graduate and co-owns a clothes boutique. But Yunalis Zarai, who is more popularly recognised as just Yuna, is better known as the current darling of Malaysia’s independent music scene. The 24-year-old began writing her own songs when she was 14 and has not looked back since. After releasing her self-titled EP […]
Meeting our meat
By Colin Boyd Shafer
DO you unnecessarily kill animals? Do you eat meat? We often consider these to be two different questions. I don’t believe they are. Many upstanding citizens who would not hurt a fly eat deli meats or Big Macs quite comfortably. They would never kill a living thing but have no trouble enjoying a chunk of […]
The cost of having air-cond
By Ong Tou
WHAT is the actual cost of freezing ourselves in our air-conditioned offices and homes? Who actually pays the price for inefficient use of technology and energy that results in climate change? Is it just humans?
Mustaffa Kamil Ayub’s “ultimatum” to PKR
By Ding Jo-Ann
PKR deputy president candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub announced on 9 Nov 2010 that he would give 48 hours for the party leadership to postpone or call off the PKR elections or face “firm action”. Almost two weeks later, he’s still in the race and affirming his loyalty to the party leadership. Whatever happened to Mustaffa’s ultimatum?
“Not Malays full stop”
By Deborah Loh
PLANTATION Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok is one of the more outspoken federal government leaders. On a few occasions, especially when it comes to issues affecting Sabahans, he’s spoken up against cabinet positions. The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president supports the use of “Allah” for Bahasa Malaysia-speaking Christians. He […]
Plastic matters
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
SELANGOR’S No Plastic Bag Day campaign recently came under attack in a report on online news portal The Malaysian Insider. The 9 Nov 2010 report claimed that “hypermarkets and retail shops” in Selangor have suffered up to 30% decline in their businesses on Saturdays since the Selangor government implemented the campaign in January 2009. In […]
The making of good design
By Deborah Loh
WE’VE all cringed at the sight of certain public structures. At one time, some government buildings were a sickly shade of pink guava. Or take the incongruity of some public structures with their surroundings such as the sculpted pitcher plant water fountain across the Kuala Lumpur (KL) City Hall Building near Dataran Merdeka. And in […]
