FROM the arrest of Opposition politicians and activists to heightened ethnocentrism and threats of violence to the excommunication of Malay critics, the BN seems to be on overdrive. And with its legitimacy in the balance, we can expect far more threats and repression for a while yet.
Columns
Running as an independent in GE13
Ampersand by KW Mak
THE 5 May general election saw a record number of independent candidates – 270 in all. KW Mak was one of them, running in the Bukit Gasing state seat against DAP’s Rajiv Rishyakaran, Gerakan’s Juan Sei Chang and fellow independent Simon Lee. He tells The Nut Graph of his experiences.
Where does Malaysia go from GE13?
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
SOME countries move from relatively democratic systems to more authoritarian ones such as Malaysia in the 1970s. Others from authoritarianism toward democracy. What can the experiences of these other countries tell us about where we go from GE13? And what choices lie ahead of those who want change?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Beyond GE13 (Part 1)
By Ding Jo-Ann
AND so the BN is still in power. Those hoping for a change in government are still coming to terms with the results of GE13. The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat how the BN won, why it would racialise the poll results, and what needs to happen next.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Beyond GE13 (Part 2)
By Ding Jo Ann
WITH the DAP’s strong showing at GE13, should the Opposition Leader come from DAP? And will PAS continue with its calls for an Islamic state and hudud? And why didn’t Sabah and Sarawak deliver much-needed votes to PR?
Towards national reconciliation
Reductio ad Absurdum by Chan Kheng Hoe
NATIONAL reconciliation requires all our cooperation and input. It cannot just be accomplished by the PM alone. What can be done?
Voting out the wrong government
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
DEMOCRACY cannot guarantee that you vote in the right government, but it guarantees that you can vote out the wrong government. Jacqueline Ann Surin explains how we can tell when it’s the wrong government in power.
Not enough reforms for GE13
By Andrew Khoo
TO what extent have Bersih 2.0’s demands for a clean, free and fair election been met? What new measures have been introduced thus far as Malaysia heads to the polls on 5 May 2013 and are they good enough?
From BN, with love
By Bernice Low
IF you use a mobile phone, chances are you’ve received political text messages for festive seasons, birthday greetings, and now, to vote a certain coalition. What can you do about annoying SMSes? And are they even considered a breach of privacy in the first place?
Najib’s mixed human rights record
By Andrew Khoo
AS we head into the 13th general election since independence, it is time to review Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s human rights record. Many bold promises have been made since he took office in April 2009. Have they come to pass? Or have we gone two steps forward and two steps back and remained in the same place?
