IN the tussle over Petaling Jaya’s mayor between the Selangor government and the federal Public Services Department, the ones caught in the middle are ratepayers. Former councillor KW Mak calls for the mayor’s post to be an elected position.
Columns
Who’s destabilising the government?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
Suaram apparently poses a grave threat to Malaysia. Why else has the government set six agencies on it? What has Suaram done that is so dangerous to the government? And who, in fact, is truly destabilising the nation through its actions?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The threat of foreign funding
By Ding Jo-Ann
Why don’t civil society organisations register as societies in Malaysia, resorting instead to being listed as companies? And don’t Malaysians deserve to be suspicious of groups which are highly critical of the government and which are propped up by foreign funding? The Nut Graph speaks to political scientist Wong Chin Huat on the still-unfolding issue of Malaysian groups and their foreign funding, and the threats they potentially pose to the nation.
Can local govt elections protect public interest and the environment?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
IF we could bring back local government elections, councillors could at least be held accountable for giving the nod to projects without the communities’ knowledge and approval.
Crowded cities: What happened to the open-space policy?
Ampersand by KW Mak
The open space policy is meant to prevent overdevelopment and to provide for social-infrastructural facilities. It is a good mechanism to ensure the nation’s social needs are prioritised, but it is not being implemented.
Being Malaysia, truly Malaysia
By Hwa Yue-Yi
It’s been 49 years since Malaysia became a nation, when Tunku Abdul Rahman said that 10 million people of many races now join hands in freedom and unity. But even back then, the vision of what was to become Malaysia was contested. What remains of the vision of Malaysia today? And how do we celebrate Malaysia Day as Malaysians?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Merdeka and the rise of citizens
By Ding Jo-Ann
MALAYSIANS are no longer content to watch the official government-organised Merdeka parade on their televisions. Instead, they have been taking to the streets to celebrate Merdeka in their own way. What’s behind these different celebrations and do they make Malaysians unpatriotic?
Isu rampas mayat:
Apakah penyelesaiannya?
Asam Pedas Oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
KES rampas mayat oleh jabatan agama telahpun mencapai tahap yang baru. Sekarang, ada pula kes di mana jabatan agama Islam telah merampas abu mayat seorang wanita yang didakwa telah memeluk Islam. Dalam kes-kes seperti ini, siapakah yang lebih berhak terhadap mayat orang yang telah meninggal? Dan apakah Islam itu tidak membenarkan si mati dikebumikan oleh ahli-ahli keluarga bukan Islam?
The Nut Graph’s 2012 Merdeka Awards
By Koh Lay Chin
AS we welcome Peninsular Malaysia’s 55th year of independence this year, we celebrate once again the people who continue to inspire us and give us hope for a better Malaysia. Our awardees include Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat politicians, activists, environmentalists, a bookstore chain, the courts and many more. Find out who they are.
Crime and development
Ampersand by KW Mak
REPORTS on break-ins, robberies and attempted kidnappings have abounded recently but there are few answers as to why these keep occurring. One of the reasons could be due to unchecked development. When this occurs, it becomes the source of many of our society’s problems that then affects our surroundings. I have highlighted some of the […]
