To have a democratic election, all parties should be able to contest in a level playing field. When either side has unequal access to a gross amount of funds, this puts the other players at a severe disadvantage. How are elections funded in Malaysia? What reforms are needed to ensure greater transparency and accountability?
Borders vs. Jawi: How it affects us
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
The High Court recently held that Jawi’s actions in raiding Borders and seizing copies of an Irshad Manji book were illegal. The bookstore’s day in court reminds us how it falls on citizens to know the law and their rights to prevent state authorities from abusing power.
Mengundi itu suatu perjuangan
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
Pengundi-pengundi tidak lama lagi akan diberi kesempatan untuk mengundi apabila Parlimen dibubarkan. Persoalannya, nak mengundi untuk siapa? Barisan atau pakatan politik yang manakah yang pasti akan menegakkan hak rakyat, terutamanya hak wanita?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Lahad Datu — How might Malaysians vote in the GE?
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE Sulu militants who invaded Sabah on 9 February 2013 now appear to be on the run after being attacked by Malaysian armed forces. But why did it take three weeks for the Malaysian government to take decisive action to deal with the invasion? And what impact will this episode and the government’s response have on the coming general election?
Playing by the rules
Ampersand by KW Mak
Is the Menara Warisan Merdeka project playing by the rules? Just how many other development projects are not playing by the rules either? Perhaps this is why local councils and developers seem reluctant to hold genuine public consultation with residents and stakeholders.
Learning from green movements in the US and China
As if Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
There are valuable lessons that local environmental groups, and our state and federal governments, can draw from the US and China. Two documentaries tell us what they are.
Taking on Ibrahim Ali
By Petra Gimbad
One of the police reports lodged against Datuk Ibrahim Ali for his Bible-burning exhortation was made by a citizens’ initiative. Why would these individuals attempt to take the Perkasa chief on?
“Allah” issue: The battle over Bahasa
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
The “Allah” issue is likely to spark partisan jockeying and deep division until we build consensus on a fundamental question. Is our national language of Bahasa Melayu – or is it Bahasa Malaysia – the language of all Malaysians or does it just belong to those who profess Islam and practice Malay customs?
New year resolutions for the BN
Uncommon Sense by Wong Chin Huat
IT’S a new year and the countdown to the next general election has begun, expected within the next 100 days. What new year resolutions should political parties be making to perform well at the impending elections?
Wajah Islam di Indonesia dan Malaysia
Asam Pedas oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
MALAYSIA dan Indonesia ialah dua negara berjiran yang ibarat saudara kandung. Kedua-duanya penduduknya majoriti beragama Islam dan dari rumpun Melayu. Walaupun masyarakatnya banyak persamaan, namun majoriti ulama dan rakyat Indonesia tidak mahukan ‘Negara Islam’ sedangkan ramai ulama dan sebahagian masyarakat Islam di Malaysia menuntut didirikan ‘Negara Islam’ dan melaksanakan hudud. Mengapa begitu?
