I THOUGHT of Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim the other day and reflected on the impact that man has in my life. He affects my work since I rely heavily on the internet. He affects my entertainment choices since I almost would not have been able to attend the Arthur’s […]
Tales from a Councillor: Gotong-royong and school affairs
By KW MakMY encounter with ratepayers sometimes leaves me with the impression that the phrase “public servant” is a very apt descriptor for local councillors. There are no morals here, save those that readers choose to interpret for themselves. Gotong-royong The bright, sunny morning was perfect weather for the day’s planned activity. Though not a morning person, […]
Where’s Penang’s heritage money?
By Ding Jo-Ann“The Government will provide an allocation of RM50 million for conservation works of heritage sites in Malacca and Penang, to support activities undertaken by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and [the] private sector.” Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his 2009 budget speech in Parliament. The former prime minister, who was also finance minister, referred to Malacca and […]
The furore over Hindu temples
By Deborah LohTHE cow head protest over the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple from Section 19 to Section 23 in Shah Alam shows, on one hand, the existence of racial and religious bigotry. But it also points to a deeper, more systemic neglect by town planners to adequately provide land for non-Muslim places of […]
Trusting the police
By Jacqueline Ann SurinEARLIER this week, while I was in the office alone in the morning, two uniformed police officers appeared outside our glass office door. One peered in. I looked up and smiled but my fingers were ready to sign in to Twitter if the police rang the doorbell. The officer who was peering in smiled back, […]
The art of disrespect
By Ding Jo-Ann“Saya minta Presiden MIC (Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu) ambil tindakan yang wajar kepada mereka yang buat pandangan dan keyataan yang tidak hormat pemimpin, lebih cepat tindakan diambil, itu lebih baik.” Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin calling for action against the MIC delegate at the party’s assembly who proposed for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s […]
Remembering Teoh Beng Hock
By Teo Nie ChingTeoh Beng Hock (all pics courtesy of Teo Nie Ching) THERE are some people whom we have known for a long time yet it feels like we only met them yesterday. And then there are some people that we only just met, yet it feels like we have known them for a long time. My friendship […]
RapidKL: Bicycles “potentially dangerous weapons”
By Ding Jo-AnnKUALA LUMPUR, 17 Sept 2009: RapidKL considers bicycles, even folded ones, “potentially dangerous” to bring onboard an LRT. Hence, its policy restricting bicycles from LRT trains during peak hours. RapidKL’s communication division general manager, Ebi Azly Abdullah, said the company’s policy on bicycles was clearly stated on its website. Foldable bicycles are only allowed during […]
Youths speak up
By Cindy ThamScreenshot of www.yes2009.asia IF you’re between 15 and 35 years old and have been complaining that nobody ever listens to young people, the Youth Engagement Summit (YES) 2009 is all ears. It plans to present the Southeast Asia for Change (Seachange) Youth Report at the regional summit, to be held from 17 to 18 Nov […]
Same country, different place
By Nick ChooSINGER-songwriter Mia Palencia echoes the sentiments of other artistes from Sabah and Sarawak who recognise the disparities between East Malaysia and the peninsula. The 25-year-old recording artiste, whose first solo album Finding My Way was released in April 2008, writes in her Facebook profile on 11 Sept 2009: “[…As] my awareness and understanding of the […]
