(al-Quran image by Crystalina @ Flickr; gavel image by mrbill @ Flickr; Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) NEW Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak begins his administration with significant negative perception, as compared with previous power transitions. He realises this, and seems to be taking steps to counteract it, making symbolic gestures and speaking the […]
Features
Politics and economics under Najib
By Zedeck Siew(Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) WHILE there was some effort to stall the inevitable, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has resigned, and Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now prime minister. His ascension coincides with troubled times. Najib appears to be viewing the challenges he will face in office as an opportunity. Malaysia’s sixth prime minister encourages […]
Nizar’s continuing campaign
By Deborah LohIN the final days before voters go to the polls in Bukit Gantang, PAS candidate Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin appears to have changed tack in his campaign. The first few days after the 29 April nomination day, colourful photo-ops of Nizar were aplenty. Frying char kway teow as he wooed Chinese Malaysian voters. Mending […]
Which way in Batang Ai?
LUBOK ANTU, 5 April 2009: It is now almost time to wrap up the campaigning in Batang Ai, but the precious days before Tuesday are still being milked to the fullest by both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The BN’s flagbearer is engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, 49, who is taking on […]
Avoiding issues in Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahShahrizat Abdul Jalil THE Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) both seem keen to avoid their vulnerabilities in their campaigns to win the state seat of Bukit Selambau in Kedah. For example, at BN press conferences and interviews, including by candidate Datuk S Ganesan, leaders refuse to address allegations that new Prime Minister Datuk […]
Trading barbs in Bkt Gantang ceramah circuit
By Deborah LohEntrance to the Chinese fishing village of Kuala Sepetang WET weather has put a damper on the nightly ceramah circuit in Bukit Gantang. In the past week, most Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) gigs drew crowds in the range of 150 to less than 500 by the time the night’s speeches were over. […]
The lone woman candidate
By Shanon ShahSarala (right) with her bicycle INDEPENDENT candidate L Sarala’s election campaign in Bukit Selambau has been a hoot. After being assigned the symbol of a bicycle by the Election Commission (EC), the 33-year-old marketing manager got herself a bike and started riding it to canvass for votes house-to-house. It would be easy to dismiss her […]
Manikumar’s baptism by fire
By Shanon ShahS Manikumar S MANIKUMAR, 35, has many fires to fight. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election has to firstly compete against 14 other candidates for this state assembly seat. Secondly, there are the criticisms that he is too young, inexperienced and not media savvy. On top of this, despite strenuous […]
Bringing change to Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahDATUK S Ganesan likes to tout two things during his interviews: his past links with some Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, and his belief that he can bring positive change à la US President Barack Obama. Ganesan meeting a breakfast crowd on 27 Mar. When asked if he is campaigning, he says, “No, that’s […]
Give PIS a chance in Bkt Gantang
By Deborah LohKamarul Ramizu Idris IT’S an expensive way to set up a party, but independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris believes the thousands of ringgit he will spend on contesting the by-election in Bukit Gantang is the best way to popularise himself. He is using the by-election campaign as a platform to introduce himself to voters so […]
