THE A(H1N1) strain of influenza. Meningitis. Leptospirosis. These are among the infectious diseases making headlines in Malaysia of late. They’ve obviously struck fear in the health authorities and the public. Entry points to Malaysia are screened to detect travellers with flu-like symptoms, in an effort to keep the A(H1N1) bug at bay. Health alerts are […]
Undoing the 13 May legacy
By Wong Chin HuatEVERY nation has its dark side of history. Some nations like Japan and Turkey do not have the courage to face their dark past — they would do anything to bury or alter history. Others like Germany, South Africa, and Australia bravely own up their historical sins — whether committed against other nations or their […]
New party to champion Indian M’sian rights
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 19 May 2009: A new Indian Malaysian party, Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) — a breakaway faction of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) — was officially launched today to champion the cause of the community. Led by former Hindraf National Coordinator RS Thanenthiran, the party hopes to unite Indian Malaysians under one […]
New BN post nothing to do with PR: Chua
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 19 May 2009: The post of Barisan Nasional (BN) chief coordinator for Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was in the works even before he revealed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was wooing him, the MCA deputy president said today. Chua said the position had nothing to do with news that he was being […]
“Speaker Sivakumar not lawfully removed”
By Tommy ThomasSivakumarI AM asked to advise V Sivakumar, the speaker of the legislative assembly of the state of Perak, on the constitutionality of his purported removal on 7 May 2009. It is common ground that the legislative assembly was summoned that day by His Royal Highness, the sultan of Perak (HRH) pursuant to Article 36(1) of […]
S’gor to table FOI bill by year end
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 19 May 2009: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-led Selangor government will table a Freedom of Information Enactment (FOIE) bill by the end of 2009. “We hope to table the bill in November or December. That will be in the state assembly sitting at the end of the year,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri […]
Criminal justice system is the foundation of social order
By Ragunath KesavanIT is very clear, from the comments reported in the press in recent days, that the minister for home affairs, the inspector-general of police and the minister in the prime minister’s department, among others, have wholly misconstrued the position of the Malaysian Bar in respect of the arrests of Fadiah Nadwa Fikri (secretary), Murnie Hidayah […]
Shahrizat keeps mum on Penan report
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 19 May 2009: It has been almost six months since the Penan task force completed its investigations into allegations of sexual abuse against women in its community. Yet, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry continues to keep mum about when the 2008 Penan task force report will be released. Repeated calls by […]
Rematch for Azlan Shah!
By Zedeck Siew(Pic by arte_ram / sxc.hu) A FRIEND of a mine, a schoolteacher, sent me this. It is related to a minor incident that caught my eye recently: To En Wan Hamid Abdul KadhirHeadmasterSekolah Menengah Tunku Azlan ShahIpoh, PERAK Dear Sir, DISCIPLINARY INCIDENT ON 7 MAY 2009 Pertaining to the matter above, I am replying to […]
Politics, scholarships and radio taboo
Translation by Gan Pei LingFROM 11 to 17 May 2009, the Chinese media highlighted the ongoing Perak crisis, and the yearly Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship furore. Additionally, Merdeka Review ran an exclusive story revealing that seven “sensitive” issues have become taboo for nine RTM radio stations. Who is the rightful MB? Hotly debated in the Chinese press was […]
