NOBODY seems to be paying attention to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) exco and Bukit Tambun assemblyperson, Law Choo Kiang, on this muggy night on 24 May 2009. The 300-odd Chinese Malaysians in Kampung Sungai Lembu are more interested in piling their plates sky-high with the range of buffet dishes spread before them. The basketball court […]
Features
Spotlight on PSD grants
By Zedeck SiewCorrected 7pm, 25 May 2009 (xlucas / sxc.hu)WE fight over the Public Service Department (PSD) overseas scholarship programme almost every year. It’s the same routine: once the recipients are announced, the media and political parties such as the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and DAP are overwhelmed with complaints that many SPM high achievers are left out. […]
Why Pakatan needs Penanti
By Shanon ShahCorrected 9:18am, 23 May 2009 NOMINATION day for the Penanti state by-election takes place tomorrow (23 May), but this time around, the traditional blue and white banners of the Barisan Nasional (BN) will be missing from the scene. The coalition announced on 18 May that it would not contest the Penanti by-election. Prime Minister Datuk […]
Tackling the Chinese vote
By Deborah LohFui K Soong THERE is consensus among political analysts that one year on after the 2008 general election, Chinese Malaysians by and large remain “entrenched” in their support for the opposition. Despite problems within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and conflicting stands on issues like hudud law among its parties, some analysts think that the trenches of […]
PAS’s Penanti tantrum revisited
By Shanon ShahNik AzizFOR a while there, PAS nearly gave Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) a scare for the upcoming Penanti by-election — the party’s Permatang Pauh division wanted the seat for itself. In fact, newly elected Penang PAS Youth chief Yusni Mat Tiah even told the press there was the possibility that a PAS candidate could run […]
Remembering 13 May
By Zedeck SiewInterview with Hassan Muthalib, a witness to the events of 13 May 1969, as featured on The Fairly Current Show. Lead pic on TNG home page is by Hassan, depicting a Malay/Chinese Malaysian kampung the day after 13 May IT’S been 40 years since the race riots of 13 May 1969. Every Malaysian is familiar […]
Najib’s Penanti strategy?
By Shanon ShahDATUK Seri Najib Razak’s assertion that by-elections are wasteful and his insinuation that the Barisan Nasional (BN) may boycott the Penanti by-election are not new ideas. Back in August 2008, then Kelantan Umno chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa called for the BN to boycott the Permatang Pauh by-election for similar reasons. Of course, the BN […]
What will Sivakumar do?
By Deborah LohWILL tomorrow, 7 May 2009, mark the end of the road for Perak Speaker V Sivakumar? Will he allow a motion to remove him as speaker and to appoint or elect a new one for the state legislative assembly? Will he uphold the suspensions of Barisan Nasional (BN)-appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul […]
The rise of Muslim NGOs
By Shanon ShahIT was to be expected that the cabinet decision on unilateral conversion of minors to Islam by a Muslim-convert parent would be opposed. Indeed, less than a week after the cabinet decision, the coalition of Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) known as Pembela criticised the decision. Abim logo Pembela comprises more than 50 Muslim NGOs, and […]
Decision on conversion raises questions
By Deborah Loh(Family silhouette by jayofboy / sxc.hu) ON the surface, the cabinet’s decision to stop unilateral conversions to Islam by one parent is a welcome resolution. But questions remain as to whether it can be effectively implemented. One issue is whether a cabinet opinion is enforceable in a court of law when there are no legal […]
