Temiar children from RPS Kemar, Perak. The Temiar here routinely dress up in their traditional gear, as a sign of emerging pride in their culture (© Centre for Orang Asli Concerns) MULTICULTURALISM is one of our most touted traits: Malaysia, Truly Asia. Nevertheless, it is an open secret that Malaysians coexist uneasily, and that national policy […]
The landslide of cause and effect
By KW MakLandslide in Bukit Antarabangsa (all pics courtesy of Raj Kumar) THE landslide that claimed people’s lives and destroyed property in the wee hours of 6 Dec 2008 in Bukit Antarabangsa was an eerie reminder of the 1993 Highland Towers tragedy. Almost like a knee-jerk reaction, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared an immediate […]
Human rights: what’s stopping Malaysia?
By Elizabeth Looi and Shanon ShahEleanor Roosevelt reading the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Spanish text (source: wikipedia.org) “MALAYSIA has only signed two out of the eight core international human rights treaties,” says Alice Nah, National Human Rights Society (Hakam) executive committee member. “As time goes on, however, Malaysia’s reluctance to sign these treaties will become more […]
Why Malaysia needs the ISA
By Wong Chin HuatCorrected on 10 Dec 2008 at 10.00am Police negotiating with protester wearing “Mansuhkan ISA” headband outside Masjid Negara, 13 Sept 2008 (pic by Lainie Yeoh) NO, your eyes do not fool you. Nor have I been visited by Special Branch officers and “turned over”. I was at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre car park Sunday […]
Bar Council tackles hillslope development
By Elizabeth LooiPETALING JAYA, 10 Dec 2008: In light of the latest landslide tragedy at Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang, the Bar Council has set up a task force to monitor hillslope developments. Task force chairperson Roger Tan said they would find solutions and offer suggestions to the government on legislation, which would be similar to the ones […]
Online writers future targets
By Elizabeth LooiPETALING JAYA, 10 Dec 2008: Online journalists and bloggers may face greater scrutiny in the future compared to traditional media workers, warns human rights group Aliran. Its joint coordinator Mustafa K Anuar said this future scenario was likely, as some bloggers here have already been hauled up or detained for their postings. Mustafa, who is […]
Penans, Hindraf win Suaram Human Rights Award
By Elizabeth LooiFrom left: Irene Xavier, TK Tirong Lawing, Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, Hindraf national event coordinator R Kannan, Nick Kelesau and Suaram chief executive officer Yap Swee Seng KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Dec 2008: The Penans of Ulu Baram from Sarawak and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) received a major boost when they bagged the […]
Proposal to let Myanmarese refugees work
By Elizabeth LooiRefugees are hiding out in jungles PETALING JAYA, 9 Dec 2008: Undocumented refugees from Myanmar who are hiding out in jungles in Selangor may be allowed to work legally in the state, if a proposal by Bukit Gasing state assemblyperson Edward Lee comes to fruition. “I will propose to the state government to allow them […]
Accomplishments have no colour
By Munira MustaffaWHEN Barack Obama first broke into the US presidential race, there were mixed reactions. Many people were entertained by his personality, charisma and progressive ideas of change. Some were turned off by his flashiness and pop-star quality. There were those who believed that an [African American] president would never happen. I was one of those […]
Swing voters in Kuala Terengganu
By Ong Kian MingThe merry-go-round in Kuala Terengganu’s Islam Hadhari theme park THE Kuala Terengganu by-election, which has to be called following the death of its Member of Parliament Datuk Razali Ismail from the Barisan Nasional (BN), will be held on 17 Jan 2009, with nomination day falling on 6 Jan. The parliamentary seat is one of the […]
