SOON after taking office as prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised a transparent and accountable government. One area where openness is sorely needed is in government spending. Billions of ringgit are poured into the economy, and yet unexplained “leakages” still happen — it sometimes feels as though the Treasury department is in need of […]
Features
Penanti: Frivolous or principled?
By Deborah LohWill another by-election simply be a waste of money, as the prime minister has said? THE impending Penanti by-election has raised the question about whether elected representatives and their political parties ought to be penalised for “frivolous” resignations. But just who determines what is frivolous? And how should the public interpret statements such as those […]
Friend of the forest
By Zedeck SiewWHEN we think about the logging industry, it’s not usually in a flattering light. Logging, especially in East Malaysia, has a reputation for being fraught with unethical practices: corruption, unsustainable destruction of ecosystems, and disregard for the land rights of indigenous peoples. Last year, allegations of sexual abuse of Penan women and schoolgirls in Baram […]
Showdown in Perak on 7 May
By Deborah LohNOW that a sitting of the Perak legislative assembly sitting has been called for 7 May, another showdown is expected because it is being convened without speaker V Sivakumar’s consent. Sivakumar In such a case, constitutional law expert Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi believes Perak’s constitutional crisis is far from over despite how recent court […]
Beyond a shadow of doubt
By Zedeck SiewTHE Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s plan to set up special panels to “shadow” each of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet ministries has stirred up debate over whether such a move would serve a real purpose. This arrangement appears superficially similar to the idea of an opposition shadow government that certain quarters have been clamouring for the […]
Censoring with sub judice
By Zedeck SiewWHEN the police banned any mention of Altantuya Shaariibuu or the Barisan Nasional takeover of Perak from by-election ceramah recently, sub judice was used to justify the order. “Both cases are still in court. As such, talking about them or bringing them up in crowds can be sub judice or contempt of court,” declared then […]
Sluggish in Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahManikumar speaking to journalists after the announcement of his victory on 7 April BY the end of campaigning in the Bukit Selambau by-election, even novice reporters sensed that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had an edge over the Barisan Nasional (BN). It is not that the PR has not had its own set of problems. For […]
The meaning of Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahIT appears that not even the return of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Umno’s fold could help the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s chances in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang. And naturally, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders are claiming that the party’s victory in the 7 April polls in Bukit Selambau is a clear referendum against new […]
Hard lessons from Bukit Gantang
By Deborah LohDr M speaking to voters in Taiping on 6 April (All pics by Raj Kumar, courtesy of theSun) DESPITE the Barisan Nasional’s earlier denial that the Bukit Gantang by-election was not a referendum on the country’s new leadership, the ruling coalition turned it into just that within the last few days before polling. Former prime […]
The close race for Bukit Gantang
By Deborah LohTHE last few days in Bukit Gantang have been breathless ones. A whirlwind of VIPs from PAS and the Barisan Nasional (BN) has whipped through as campaigning intensified before polling day today on 7 April 2009. Up till the night of 3 April, the race was said to be tight with votes from the Malay […]
