IT was a hot, humid morning in Penanti on nomination day, 23 May 2009. It could have been the heat, or the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s absence, that made proceedings a tad more subdued compared to the tri-elections of 7 April. Nevertheless, a 1,000-strong crowd turned up to support the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s candidate, Dr Mansor […]
Nomination day in Penanti (Updated 12.14pm)
By Shanon ShahUpdated 12.14pm, 23 May 2009 (popcorn © Adirana Herbut / sxc.hu) BUKIT MERTAJAM, 23 May 2009: The Penanti state by-election is shaping up to be an interesting four-cornered fight. With Barisan Nasional sitting this one out, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Dr Mansor Othman, 56, faces three independents: former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah, 56, […]
“Wholesale revamp” of scholarship system needed
By Zedeck SiewAzmi Sharom (right, making a point) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, 22 May 2009: A parliamentary roundtable meeting comprising opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), academics, and former Public Services Department (PSD) scholars have called for a “wholesale revamp” of the scholarship system. Among the resolutions adopted by the roundtable was the formation of […]
Zambry is rightful Perak MB (Updated 4.25pm)
By Deborah LohUpdated 4.25pm, 22 May 2009 Nizar (left) and Zambry PUTRAJAYA, 22 May 2009: The Court of Appeal here today allowed Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s appeal to overturn the High Court’s decision declaring Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the rightful Perak menteri besar (MB). In a unanimous decision, Justice Datuk Md Raus Shariff, […]
Why Pakatan needs Penanti
By Shanon ShahCorrected 9:18am, 23 May 2009 NOMINATION day for the Penanti state by-election takes place tomorrow (23 May), but this time around, the traditional blue and white banners of the Barisan Nasional (BN) will be missing from the scene. The coalition announced on 18 May that it would not contest the Penanti by-election. Prime Minister Datuk […]
PKFZ pickle
By Gan Pei Ling“I wish to inform the rakyat about the true situation — whether it was actually squandered, not squandered, and where it has gone to, as well as the breakdown of the budget…What’s important is that we are responsible for informing the public.” Then newly-appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat pledged to reveal to […]
Tackling the Chinese vote
By Deborah LohFui K Soong THERE is consensus among political analysts that one year on after the 2008 general election, Chinese Malaysians by and large remain “entrenched” in their support for the opposition. Despite problems within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and conflicting stands on issues like hudud law among its parties, some analysts think that the trenches of […]
Premier slogans
By Zedeck Siew“I pledge that I will work tirelessly to serve all of you. I urge us to rise to the challenge of building a One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his inaugural address as premier. Najib emphasised the need to prioritise performance, “because the people must come first” (Source: […]
“Reformasi changed everything”
By Zedeck SiewDURING the March 2008 general election, election campaign posters for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) parliamentary candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar showed her smiling. Wreathed in a glowing aura, she seemed to be gazing into a bright Malaysian future. Now the parliamentarian for Lembah Pantai, she is still seen as a poster-child for Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s younger […]
Pertinent questions affecting Sivakumar and Ganesan
By Mohamad Hafiz HassanTHE debate on the legality of the removal of V Sivakumar as speaker of Perak state legislative assembly (“LA”) has raised a number of pertinent questions. This is the first and most crucial question: at what point did the first meeting of the second session of the 12th state LA on 7 May (7 May […]
