WHAT are internet users in Malaysia interested in? Other than sex, which isn’t peculiar to Malaysians alone, popular topics in recent times include Elizabeth Wong, Umno, Formula One, job vacancies and the Apple iPhone 3G. At least that’s what the top searches and fastest-growing searches on Google indicate. (Pic by Rcmathiraj / Dreamstime) Insights for […]
Rais’s love-hate for the ISA
By Gan Pei Ling“The mechanism that we have under the ISA, specifically Section 8 and 73, can be challenged through the process of habeas corpus, which system is also prevalent here, and therefore, to say that the ISA is not up to the standard of humanity is wrong.” Newly appointed Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri […]
Obsessed with being Malaysian
By N Shashi KalaSHE’S a familiar face to Malaysian theatregoers, and is the force behind one of the most successful local theatre groups, the Instant Cafe Theatre Company. At 47, Jo Kukathas remains passionate about her beliefs that were honed by an upbringing that took her away from Malaysia for long periods of time. Though born in Kuala […]
Beyond a shadow of doubt
By Zedeck SiewTHE Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s plan to set up special panels to “shadow” each of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet ministries has stirred up debate over whether such a move would serve a real purpose. This arrangement appears superficially similar to the idea of an opposition shadow government that certain quarters have been clamouring for the […]
DCM issue: PR falling into BN-style politics
By Deborah LohTHE prolonged vacancy of the Penang Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) 1 post shows the pitfalls of Barisan Nasional (BN)-style politics and governance that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government there appears to have fallen into, a political analyst said. The DAP-led state government, helmed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, should not have to depend on […]
Grim reaping
By N Shashi Kala“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.“ – Gandalf the Grey in The Lord of the Rings THERE was a mondo-film released in […]
Barring the media
By Zedeck Siew“If we are truly to build a democracy that is responsive to the needs of all the people, we need a media – both old and new – that is empowered to responsibly report what they see, without fear of consequence, and to hold governments and public officials accountable for the results they achieve or […]
What media freedom, prime minister?
By Jacqueline Ann SurinON 6 April 2009, three days after he was made prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak spoke about a new way forward in policy, politics and the media. To many in the media, his rhetoric about a “vibrant, free and informed media” was welcome, especially in an environment where government control of the traditional media […]
S’gor wants Keng Yaik in water talks
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 14 April 2009: The Selangor government wants veteran politician Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik to negotiate on behalf of the federal government in the restructuring of the state’s water industry. The state sees the former energy, water and communications minister as someone who would be able to conduct negotiations fairly, besides being very […]
Confidence booster for Pakatan Rakyat
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 6 to 12 April, the Chinese media spotlighted the impact of the three by-elections on the Pakatan Rakyat, the announcement of the new cabinet line-up, and the barring of online news site Merdeka Review from covering the event at the Prime Minister’s Department. On 10 April, an article titled Pakatan Rakyat […]
