THE shocking display of vitriol against Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin of Perak by certain groups claiming to advance patriotism in Perak is a disconcerting trend. In a modern and robust democracy such as we claim to be, threats against those who hold different views, seek to enforce their legal rights, or seek to challenge […]
Malaysia’s UN report card
By Andrew KhooIN the midst of Perak’s political crisis and public anger over A Kugan’s death, many might fail to note a significant upcoming event on 11 Feb 2009. This is the review of Malaysia’s human rights record by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. It takes place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm Geneva time, or 9.30pm […]
Justifying defections, PR-style
By Zedeck Siew“God willing, we will be there. If not next month, the following month, if not June or July, on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not exceed beyond that.” PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, talking about the Pakatan Rakyat’s plans to take over the federal government by […]
Reviewing M’sia’s human rights
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 10 Feb 2009: A significant moment in Malaysia’s human rights journey will take place tomorrow, but may be unfortunately eclipsed by the ongoing political turmoil in Perak. For the first time, Malaysia’s human rights record will undergo peer review at the United Nations in Geneva through a process called the Universal Periodic Review […]
Criticising defections
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week between 2 and 8 Feb 2008, the political crisis in Perak overshadowed other issues in the Chinese media despite the community’s preoccupation with the Chinese New Year celebrations. The week also saw the passing of Chinese Malaysian educationist Datuk Sim Mow Yu, and the looming anxiety of mass retrenchments as a result […]
Takeovers and killings
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananFOR the week of 2 to 8 Feb 2009, the Tamil papers highlighted the political tussle in Perak, the effect of the Sri Lankan war, and the Thaipusam festivities. Fallout in Perak The political events in Perak that resulted in the state’s takeover by the Barisan Nasional (BN) were widely reported in the Tamil papers […]
Treason, Malay-ness and Allah
Translation by Zedeck SiewTHE collapse of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government was the most visible issue in the Malay language papers from 2 to 8 Feb 2009. In examining the event, the press focused on questions of treason and Malay-ness, and attempted to pinpoint causes and effects. Treason Karpal Singh (Source: karpalsingh.net) After the palace-approved Barisan Nasional (BN) […]
Jeopardising the nation
By Clive Kessler“All great historical events happen twice — the first time as tragedy and the second, at times, as an unnecessary tragedy.” (A witticism offered with apologies to both Hegel and Marx) WHATEVER the impertinence, a comment by a not totally clueless outsider who holds Malaysia close in his attachments on the present constitutional crisis in Perak […]
Right to seek redress in court
By Datuk Ambiga SreenevasanTHE present situation in Perak raises many legal and constitutional issues. It is the view of some constitutional lawyers that the prerogative of the Ruler is “non-justiciable” and cannot be reviewed by the courts. Thus, although we, and others, are of the view that dissolution of the state legislative assembly in Perak would have been […]
Uncertainty increases in Perak political tussle
By BFM 89.9THE political tussle for Perak took a dramatic twist today. Bota assemblyperson Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim rejoined Umno after defecting to Parti Keadilan Rakyat on 25 Jan 2009. Three other assemblypersons — Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) — left the Pakatan Rakyat to be “friendly” independents […]
