KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Feb 2009: Literary figures and opposition political parties want the teaching of mathematics and science in English (PPSMI) to stop. “We think that changing the language of instruction of science and mathematics from Bahasa Malaysia (the official and national language) to English is the wrong decision from every perspective,” said former director-general […]
Will PAS turn blue?
By Wong Chin Huat(© Leofoo / Free Images Collection; source: mir.com.my) THE Kuala Terengganu by-election was a relief for many Pakatan Rakyat well-wishers. Not only did PAS win, it went all out to praise the DAP’s contribution to the campaign despite the latter’s failure to capture more Chinese Malaysian votes. PAS’s generosity is also notable given DAP national […]
How bazaar
By KW Mak(© How Wee Choon / Dreamstime) EACH festive season, the Petaling Jaya City Council, otherwise known by its Malay acronym MBPJ, gives out temporary licences to traders to sell festive goods in specially designated public car parks. This helps traders earn extra income, generate economic activity within the council’s borders, and add a festive cheer […]
Hark: the Herald
By Zedeck SiewCorrected on 29 Jan 2009 at 11.40am “The use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims may arouse sensitivity and create confusion amongst the Muslims in this country.” FORMER Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin, quoted on 4 Jan 2008. He was elaborating on a cabinet decision to hold as exclusive […]
The KT boomerang
By Wong Chin HuatPERHAPS the most puzzling question in the recent Kuala Terengganu by-election is this: why did enthusiastic Chinese attendance at Pakatan Rakyat rallies not translate into votes? I personally saw Chinese Malaysians cheering, laughing, and clapping for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim every four minutes throughout his 40-minute “da ren, xiao ren” (great mind, little mind) speech […]
Promises, promises, promises
By The Nut Graph team“Don’t poison the well that you drink from…We must be grateful. If people are good to us, we should return the gesture. This is part of Chinese culture, too.” Datuk Seri Najib Razak, speaking to the Chinese Malaysian electorate of Kuala Terengganu in the Bandar state constituency on 13 Jan 2009. Chinese Malaysian voters were […]
Shock tactics
By N Shashi Kala(Public domain; source: Wikipedia) WHILE channel surfing, I stumbled upon a documentary on the History Channel on the attack on Pearl Harbor. On 7 Dec 1941, the Japanese fleet sent their fighter planes to decimate the US naval base, which was caught off-guard. It’s an event that has been dramatised on the silver screen numerous […]
Barack Obama promises change
Barack Obama’s much-awaited presidency begins (© art_es_anna / Flickr) AFTER being sworn in as the 44th US president in a much-anticipated historical moment on 20 Jan 2009 in Washington, DC, Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address. In an inspiring speech, he promised American citizens that the challenges ahead of the nation would be met with […]
MACC inaction in RM300 “gift” case slammed
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 20 Jan 2009: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s recent inaction over a RM300 “gift” to journalists covering the Kuala Terengganu by-election does not bode well for reforms towards a corrupt-free society, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said. “This reflects the lack of initiative on the part of the MACC to respond to […]
Toll rates, the Sri Lankan war and language
By The Nut Graph and BFM 89.9FOR the week between 12 and 19 Jan 2009, the different vernacular presses highlighted both national and international issues. In this BFM 89.9 audio report of Found in Translation, toll discounts, the ongoing Sri Lankan civil war, and the use of English to teach Maths and Science are highlighted. BFM 89.9 is a 24-hour radio […]
