TERKEZUT saya apabila beberapa suratkhabar di London memuatkan berita tentang kontroversi lagu Lady Gaga di rangkaian radio Malaysia. Akan tetapi, setelah saya membaca kolum terbaru kolumnis tanahair yang tersohor, Kak Nora, saya mendapat tahu tentang lagi satu kontroversi, kali ini melibatkan artis Malaysia sendiri. Bacalah selanjutnya: Assalamualaikum Kak Nora, Sebelum apa-apa Kak, lets me introducing […]
Columns
Commercial developments on residential land
Ampersand by KW Mak
In the previous instalment of Ampersand, I touched on a resident’s right to object to a development project, even if they were not an owner of a neighbouring land as defined under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA). Basically, all developments are subject to the National Physical Plan and National Urbanisation Policy. These two […]
Objecting to development projects
Ampersand by KW Mak
OBJECTION hearings are part and parcel of the development process. If a new building or development is planned, it is only natural to expect that those living in the vicinity should have their views heard. But some would argue that this right is only limited to those within a very close proximity to the project. […]
1Malaysia greetings: Spam or privacy violation?
The Digital Circus by Bernice Low
IT’S not every day that one gets a personal greeting from the prime minister via e-mail or SMS. But when Datuk Seri Najib Razak did just that to over five million Malaysians for Chinese New Year in February 2011, he got flak from the DAP in Parliament for imprudent use of taxpayers’ dollars. Another DAP […]
Taking on the MRT
As if Earth Matters By Gan Pei Ling
Touted as the new “backbone” of public transport in Klang Valley, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has been the talk of the town since its first line of its overall scheme was revealed on 13 Feb 2011. An estimated 51km long, the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line will have 35 proposed stations. Total construction cost will only […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The return of BN?
By Ding Jo-Ann
THE Barisan Nasional (BN) has recently emerged triumphant from two by-election victories in Kerdau and Merlimau, its fourth and fifth consecutive victories so far. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said the wins showed the people’s growing support for the BN. Can these BN achievements be interpreted as such? And what does this mean […]
The EC’s folly
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
WHAT will it take for the Election Commission (EC) of Malaysia to be independent? Or at the very least, to be seen as trying to be independent even if it can’t really be so, according to the EC’s own explanation? At a Bersih 2.0 public forum on 21 Feb 2011 in Petaling Jaya, what was […]
Syabas concession agreements: Why so secret?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
THE federal government has prevailed yet again in keeping secrets from the Malaysian public. On 25 Feb 2011, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court decision compelling the disclosure of an audit report and a 2004 water concession agreement. How are the audit report and the agreement significant? And why did the Court of […]
Pluralism and public policy
Sideways by Deborah Loh
WHAT’S wrong with a Muslim saying that religious pluralism is harmful to Muslims? Or for a believer of any faith to say that his or her religion is the true one? Or even for an atheist to be adamant that there is no God? Nothing. As personal statements of belief, most persons of faith would […]
Forests in Selangor under threat
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
THERE was much cause for celebration when Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman announced on 16 Feb 2011 that the plan to build a 30 megawatt coal plant in the state’s pristine east coast had been scrapped. Instead, the government is now considering gas and other cleaner energy options like biomass. Activists, particularly those […]
