Former CPM chairperson Abdullah CD arriving at the commemorative ceremony for the 20th anniversary of the peace accords THE issue of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) is definitely one that is framed according to the racial lines that divide us as a nation. For example, the prevailing myth is that the CPM was an […]
Getting Malaysia out of the rut
By Deborah LohWhat would the fisherfolk think of the government’s plan for a high income nation? IT’S a grand announcement, but what would a fisherfolk or a padi farmer think about the government’s plan to make Malaysia a high income nation by 2020? What would a single mother doing odd-jobs think of the goal to raise per […]
Making sense of COP15
By Cindy ThamPreparations for the conference are underway in Copenhagen (© Claus Starup / Bella Center A/S) THERE is already a flurry of heated debate and innovative awareness campaigns in the run-up to the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference, which will be held in December 2009 in Denmark. Expect more as government officials, scientists, civil society […]
Dismantling divisive barriers
By Ding Jo-AnnDATUK Karam Chand Vohrah, better known as KC Vohrah, almost didn’t study law. “I was supposed to have been a medical student,” the respected former Court of Appeal judge says. “I won an award to study medicine in India but when I arrived there, I was rejected because I had problems with one eye. They […]
Keeping Chin Peng out
By Koh Lay ChinWE talk about feeling sorry for old men. Or about being upset with the idea of Chin Peng stepping back on Malaysian soil. We have been swamped with evocative words that demand strong reactions. “Old man wants to die at birthplace.” “Just a grandfather.” “Notorious murderer.” “Massacre of innocents.” The “evils of communism”. Strong words […]
Questioning the monarchy
By Rachel LeowConstruction site for the new Istana Negara (© Rachel Leow) IF you drive down Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur today, along the road that runs from the Sri Hartamas housing estate to the foot of the majestic Masjid Kuala Lumpur, most of the journey will be flanked on your right by a large temporary wall. […]
Belajar dari Pisau Cukur
Oleh Shanon ShahPoster Pisau Cukur (Semua gambar oleh Red Films) “OH my Dior!” Saya tersenyum lebar seorang-seorang lepas menonton filem Pisau Cukur baru-baru ini. Mula-mula saya ragu-ragulah juga sebelum pergi ke panggung wayang. Terus terang saya nyatakan di sini, saya memang meminati karya gandingan Lina Tan (penerbit), Rafidah Abdullah (penulis) dan Bernard Chauly (pengarah). Malah, saya amat […]
Will Anwar be ambushed by trial?
By Deborah LohDatuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (file pic) DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim has failed in his bid, at the Court of Appeal, to obtain evidence from the public prosecutor about his alleged act of sodomy with a young former aide. Layperson reactions have naturally been cynical, dismissing the judgment as political in nature. Indeed, the Court of […]
Celebrating children’s rights
Compiled by Ding Jo-Ann
ALTHOUGH Malaysia’s education indicators such as literacy rates and school enrolment ratios are comparable to industrialised countries, there are still pockets of children who do not have proper access to education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) says the children at greatest risk in Malaysia are non-Malaysian children born in Malaysia. These include refugee children […]
Hishammuddin’s incompetence
By Jacqueline Ann SurinHERE’S what I want to know: why was Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein appointed to the cabinet, and why is he still a minister despite an appalling track record of saying and doing the wrong things? Hishammuddin’s statements as Home Minister since he was sworn into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration in April 2009, […]
