IN 2006, then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched on behalf of the prime minister a manual on gender budgeting in Malaysia. The manual was published a year earlier after the completion of a gender budgeting pilot project with five key ministries. Gender budgeting seems to have dropped off the government radar Since […]
Malaysian musicals rock
By Marina MahathirWHATEVER anyone wants to say about the Malaysian theatre scene, when it comes to musical theatre, I think we are getting somewhere. PGL the Musical promotional picture (source: pglthemusical.com.my) I have seen three different musicals at Istana Budaya — P Ramlee the Musical, Puteri Gunung Ledang (PGL) the Musical and lately, Cuci the Musical — […]
The confident Malay
By Deborah LohCorrected on 17 Nov 2009 at 11.30am DESPITE stepping down in 2008 as executive director of Sisters in Islam (SIS) which she co-founded and led for two decades, Zainah Anwar has not retired from her commitment to women’s rights and justice. Currently project director of Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice for Muslim […]
Walking down Sesame Street
By Cindy ThamThe Muppets of Sesame Street LIKE most adults, I wouldn’t have realised that Sesame Street turned 40 on 10 Nov 2009 if not for the series of adorable Google doodles. After all, most adults would have stopped watching the show, which targets young children, a long time ago. But, a steady dose of Google logos […]
Making government look good
By Ding Jo-AnnWHY is the Home Ministry chiding journalists for not getting the government’s view when it is the government that frequently gives journalists the run-around or prevents journalists from writing the truth? Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam Mahmood reportedly advised the print media to let government agencies tell their side of the story when these […]
Believing Anwar
By Koh Jun Lin“Enough is enough. You either toe the line, support the reform agenda, commit yourself to Pakatan and work together as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious entity or you leave or be kicked out. There are no two ways about it.” Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issues a stern warning to party […]
Keeping PR together
By Deborah LohDatuk Zaid Ibrahim DESPITE flare-ups in PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is on track to becoming a formal coalition, says Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who was tasked with developing a common manifesto for the opposition coalition. PR’s application to be registered with the Registrar of Societies was submitted last week, and the […]
The big deal about a full bench
By Deborah LohGetting the full 11-member bench to hear the case is atall order A FULL bench of judges to hear appeals at the federal court has never been granted in Malaysia’s judicial history, lawyers recall. Some say this is not surprising. For administrative, procedural or logistical reasons, having all judges of the highest court available at […]
Yahudi, Islam dan kejujuran
Oleh Shanon ShahGary D Bouma“SAYA perlu jujur sepenuhnya apabila membincangkan siapa saya, kemusykilan dan kepercayaan saya, dan bukannya mempamerkan wajah Kristian atau sebagainya yang direka-reka,” kata Profesor Emeritus Gary D Bouma. “Jika saya tidak jujur, orang akan bertanya: Apa yang sedang disembunyikan?” Bouma ketika itu sedang berucap dalam Dialog Antara Agama Kelima anjuran kerajaan Australia di Perth […]
Torture by any other fashion
By Jacqueline Ann SurinIF we were to believe everything we read, one would think that torture or degrading behaviour, if done differently, would no longer constitute torture or degrading behaviour. Indeed, this is what Pahang’s Mufti Department would want Muslims and non-Muslims to believe. Scan of New Straits Times report on syariah caning On 26 Oct 2009, the […]

