Dear Sir, We at the Malaysia Think Tank look forward to your upcoming appointment. We apologise for not being able to address you by name yet, as that would transgress the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Your judgment and wisdom will affect the fate of our democracy and the future of 27 million Malaysians. […]
The return of Mahathirism
By Zedeck Siew(File pic by Samsul Said @ Flickr) THE appearance of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the final day of the 59th Umno general assembly precipitated a riotous cheering. This overwhelmingly positive reception is telling of what the party truly wants — and what a worrying prospect that is. No doubt Mahathir’s presence […]
BN’s Mail Pian moves to the frontline
By Deborah LohALL heads turn as Ismail Saffian, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Bukit Gantang by-election, walks into the ramshackle wan tan mee stall near the Simpang wet market on the morning of 30 March 2009. But is hard to tell who patrons are really looking at — the tall, broad-shouldered and moustached Mail Pian, as […]
Racism, Umno and media control
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 23 to 29 March 2009, the Chinese media highlighted reactions towards Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of Chinese educationists, Umno’s direction after the party polls, the suspension of two political newsletters, and the barring of online media from the Umno general assembly. During a rally organised by the right-wing Malay group Perkasa […]
Triumphant Samy Vellu
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananFOR the week between 23 and 29 March 2009, Tamil papers highlighted the victory of Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu as the MIC president for a record 11th term. The Tamil dailies also reported a case of police brutality in Perak, and gave an insight into the plight of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Malaysia. […]
All about Umno
Translation by Zedeck SiewONE event above all others held the attention of the Malay-language press from 23 to 29 March 2009: the 59th Umno general assembly. Commentary dwelt on the need for new party leaders to secure public confidence, expressed unabashed confidence in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s impending rule, and looked forward to the challenges facing Umno in […]
Chaos and confidence in Bukit Selambau
By Shanon Shah(Corrected at 3.34pm on 1 April 2009) OF the three simultaneous and upcoming by-elections on 7 April, the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah appears to be the most fascinating. On 12 March 2009, The Star reported that the Kedah police force had identified three “hot spots” in Bukit Selambau. Then on 19 March 2009, […]
Independents’ day
By Shanon Shah“WITH independent candidates, it depends on their ‘roots’,” says Kedah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Ahmad Kasim. “For example, if they were originally from PKR, they will naturally pull votes away from the PKR candidate.” But if they were originally from the Barisan Nasional (BN), he says, they will split votes for the BN. […]
Higher standard of English needed
By See Tshiung HanAFTER reading Wong Chin Huat’s Scaling the language barrier, I thought I would share a few thoughts on English education and education reform. I was born in Malaysia, but after a year, my parents and I moved to Canada. At the time, public education in Canada was very good. We returned to Malaysia in […]
Marilah mengundi!
Oleh Shanon ShahMENURUT satu kajian pada tahun 2005, pengundi biasa di Malaysia lebih cenderung “membiarkan isu politik di tangan pemimpin politik”. Tiga tahun kemudian, keputusan pilihanraya umum telah menggegarkan seluruh arena politik negara. Tetapi sejauh manakah proses pematangan di kalangan pengundi Malaysia? Menurut angka 2008, Malaysia mempunyai 10,922,139 pengundi berdaftar. Ini merupakan hanya 71% daripada jumlah rakyat […]
