William Halsall, Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor (1882). In 1620, the Mayflower brought Separatists from England to the New World – what would eventually be known as the United States (Public domain) MY recent trip to the US was to primarily observe their historic presidential election, but it triggered a deeper question about what a nation […]
A strike for press freedom
By Zedeck SiewTHE politics of Utusan Malaysia, with its championing of Malay rights, has raised concerns of late. The influential Malay-language daily is unapologetic about pushing forward the Malay (some would say Umno) agenda, often running roughshod over the sentiments of the other races. But the Utusan Malaysia of today is very different from the Utusan Melayu […]
You don’t mess with the Dewan!
By Zedeck Siew(© Leaf / Dreamstime) ONE early morning two weeks ago, a group of 15 citizens from a Petaling Jaya constituency filed into a chartered bus. They carried blazers and jackets in varying states of crinkled-ness. Almost all were more alert than any amount of coffee could explain. James, an electrician by profession, had a digital […]
Singapore bloggers setting up community moderation panel
By Elizabeth Looi(© Simon Cataudo / sxc.hu) PETALING JAYA, 14 Nov 2008: While Malaysia has been debating for the past 30 years about whether or not to form a media or press council, Singaporean bloggers are planning to start their very own community moderation panel. According to Assistant Professor Cherian George, one of the 13 bloggers who […]
Double standards, rumours and immunity
Compiled by Khairil AnharDouble standards “Speaker, don’t play around. You are not serious.” DAP’s Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament (MP) Karpal Singh, demanding that Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia discipline Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (Barisan Nasional) for calling opposition MP Wee Choo Keong (Parti Keadilan Rakyat-Wangsa Maju) “buta” (blind) […]
Speed up clearance, biscuit makers tell health ministry
By Ng Boon HooiPETALING JAYA, 17 Nov 2008: The Ministry of Health should speed up the issuing of clearance letters for melamine-free biscuits manufactured locally as the industry is in danger of collapsing. In issuing this warning, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek said some public-listed biscuit manufacturers have approached him with claims that the industry […]
Leftist parties explore cooperation
By Shanon ShahPETALING JAYA, 14 Nov 2008: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) will not be considering a merger in the near future. However, the two parties are in discussions on how to cooperate more effectively on their future programmes, given their common ideology and history, said newly elected PRM president Hassan Karim. […]
Samy Vellu told to go
Translation by Sevan DoraisamyMIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu may be adamant about defending his seat in the party polls, but many quarters have been calling for him to step down. The latest came following former vice-president Datuk M Muthuppalaniappan’s announcement that he might contest the presidency, which was given much coverage in the Tamil media from […]
Infighting in Wanita Umno
Translation by Khairil AnharDURING the week from 8 to 14 Nov, the ongoing tussle in Wanita Umno, the question of a non-Malay becoming prime minister, and concerns over money politics in Umno received extensive coverage in the Malay press. On 10 Nov, Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil asked current chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz […]
Focus on MCA leadership
Translation by Ng Boon HooiFROM 8 to 14 Nov, the Chinese media highlighted the MCA’s new line-up in the central committee; the government’s move to relax bumiputera quota in public-listed companies; and the dilemma of high inflation despite lower petrol prices. MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced the appointments for the party’s central committee on 11 Nov. […]
