WITH less than 24 hours to polling day on 7 April, campaigning by both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in Bukit Selambau was muted. With three simultaneous by-elections taking place, the big names for both coalitions are having to divide their time, with the battle in Bukit Gantang taking the lion’s share […]
Islam and rule of law under Najib
By Zedeck Siew(al-Quran image by Crystalina @ Flickr; gavel image by mrbill @ Flickr; Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) NEW Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak begins his administration with significant negative perception, as compared with previous power transitions. He realises this, and seems to be taking steps to counteract it, making symbolic gestures and speaking the […]
The close race for Bukit Gantang
By Deborah LohTHE last few days in Bukit Gantang have been breathless ones. A whirlwind of VIPs from PAS and the Barisan Nasional (BN) has whipped through as campaigning intensified before polling day today on 7 April 2009. Up till the night of 3 April, the race was said to be tight with votes from the Malay […]
Dr M endorses Perak takeover
By Deborah LohTAIPING, 6 April 2009: Only last month did Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad say that Barisan Nasional (BN)’s takeover of Perak was unlawful. Today, however, he endorsed the BN’s menteri besar and said the new government had been accepted by the people. The former prime minister hit the campaign trail today for the BN in Bukit […]
30% women, please
By Chong EngTHE new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should comprise at least 30% women ministers. Even if the new Najib-led cabinet is reduced in number, the prime minister should still implement and ensure at least 30% participation of women, in accordance with the United Nation’s Convention on the Elimination of […]
Political fatigue in Bkt Gantang
By Deborah Loh
UNLIKE the recent by-elections in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu, the campaigning for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat has a rather subdued feel to it. There could be several factors for this. With two other by-elections taking place simultaneously, the resources of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) could be stretched tight. And it could also be […]
Language tussle
By Hafidz BaharomI WAS brought up in a rather apolitical background, though back in school, I had teachers preaching the whole concept of “Takkan hilang Melayu di dunia”, complete with the image of that bronze cast sculpture of Hang Tuah right next to it. Those were simpler days. I went through both primary and secondary schools in […]
Politics and economics under Najib
By Zedeck Siew(Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) WHILE there was some effort to stall the inevitable, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has resigned, and Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now prime minister. His ascension coincides with troubled times. Najib appears to be viewing the challenges he will face in office as an opportunity. Malaysia’s sixth prime minister encourages […]
Nizar’s continuing campaign
By Deborah LohIN the final days before voters go to the polls in Bukit Gantang, PAS candidate Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin appears to have changed tack in his campaign. The first few days after the 29 April nomination day, colourful photo-ops of Nizar were aplenty. Frying char kway teow as he wooed Chinese Malaysian voters. Mending […]
Realising 1Malaysia
By Datuk Dr Denison JayasooriaTHE 1Malaysia slogan is a refreshing concept that is timely at a moment in Malaysia’s history when we are faced with economic and political crises. The slogan under new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is better than the Bangsa Malaysia concept, which seemed to have an assimilation orientation and did not really catch on. […]
