FED up with humans and their politics, I write today about animals. Unlike our politics, which goes in circles based on tit-for-tat rhetoric and racial fear-mongering, there has been real progress in wildlife conservation. Soon we will have a new law that some wildlife protection groups say is the best they’ve seen in a long […]
Columns
Surprises and football inspirations
Merely Playing by Nick Choo
YOU know the old adage/cliché, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Here’s a prime example. In June, I joined a touring group of theatre performers from Perth, Australia to the Temple of Fine Arts in Johor Baru (JB), where we put on a show. Having been to the Temple of Fine Arts in Kuala […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Khalid vs Azmin?
By Ding Jo-Ann
THIS week, The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat to comment on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali’s supposed party tussle with Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. TNG: What is the significance, if any, of Azmin Ali replacing Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as PKR Selangor chief? Does this indicate that […]
Judicial creativity: What are the limits?
By Ding Jo-Ann
IT’S a running joke in the legal fraternity that lawyers cannot count. The recent confusion surrounding Batu member of Parliament (MP) Tian Chua’s possible disqualification however, suggests that judges might also have similar issues. Chua was fined RM2,000 by High Court judge Datuk Ghazali Cha for biting a police officer. Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal […]
Going nuclear: Convincing the public
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
MALAYSIA’s first nuclear power plant is expected to be up and running by 2021.That’s just one decade away. Public concerns have already been expressed about the astronomical start-up costs, safety, and radioactive waste management of having such a nuclear plant. In response, Energy, Green Technology, and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin told Parliament on […]
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat:
Surprise elections?
By Ding Jo-Ann
Malaysia’s constitution requires a general election to be called at least once every five years. However, the prime minister can also request for Parliament to be dissolved at any time within that five years. But should the calling of a general election be a surprise? The Nut Graph speaks to political scientist Wong Chin Huat for his views.
Nasihat tentang PMR
Oleh Shanon Shah
NAMPAKNYA cadangan untuk memansuhkan Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) menimbulkan debat yang hangat. Lihatlah saja surat dari seorang pembaca kepada Kak Nora yang baru saya temui: Assalamualaikum Kak Nora, Saya tengah stress yang tidak terhingga, Kak Nora. Umur tak sampai 15 tahun pun sudah ada uban, nasib baiklah muka saya lebih […]
Privatising rubbish collection: Who benefits?
By KW Mak
THE federal government wants to privatise rubbish removal services under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) and have local councils focus purely on enforcement. Technically, the federal government cannot legally force a local government to enter into a privatisation contract. A contract’s signatories would have to be representatives from the government entering the contract itself. However, […]
Gambling licence: Why stop there?
Reductio ad Absurdum by Chang Kheng Hoe
A LICENCE has been issued to allow sports betting. At least, that is according to Tan Sri Vincent Tan, although according to our prime minister, no such licence has been issued. Bursa Malaysia has yet to take any action on the announcement because they, too, are apparently uncertain as to whether Tan or the prime […]
The cost of losing credibility
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
ON 17 June 2010, a startling accusation was made against the Malaysian armed forces. The father of Sergeant N Tharmendran said in a police report that his son, who has been charged with stealing two jet engines from the Sungai Besi air base, was tortured by officers to confess to the theft. The Royal Malaysian […]
