Corrected at 8:45pm, 11 Aug 2009 SIVARASA Rasiah was a human rights lawyer before he entered politics and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Subang in the March 2008 general election. Hence, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president is no stranger to the criminal justice system — and to being arrested himself. On 1 […]
Exclusives
What’s wrong with the ISA?
By Deborah LohPolice and water cannon during the 1 Aug anti-ISA rally (Pic courtesy of Merdeka Review) MOB rule. “Ini bukan budaya kita”. Public nuisance. The 20,000 who marched on 1 Aug 2009 in Kuala Lumpur against the Internal Security Act (ISA) have been labelled these. Whether or not one agrees with using street protests as a […]
Confusing party with government
By Shanon ShahTan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh WHEN Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh was Dewan Negara president, the upper house of parliament started regaining just a little bit of its clout as a check and balance to executive power. In 2005, for example, senators resisted just being a rubber stamp for the controversial amendments to […]
Checking power in Malaysia
By Shanon ShahTan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh TAN Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh has had an interesting career in Malaysian politics. An Umno member, he was Member of Parliament (MP), first for the Arau seat in the 1980s, and then for the Kangar seat in 1999. The 1944-born medical graduate was appointed Deputy Speaker of the […]
Problems in Penang
By Deborah LohTHE Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has been busy fire-fighting, no less in Penang. The PR state government in this northern state recently came under fire from Kampung Buah Pala villagers over their impending eviction. The villagers are aided by sympathisers, including the influential Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), and the state government’s image has no doubt […]
“Difference in Islam is healthy”
By Zedeck SiewSusan Carland “IF you publish this, and I get kicked out of the country, I know who to thank,” says Susan Carland towards to the end of our interview. There is a reason for Australian Carland, who was recently in Malaysia, to be cautious. Speaking up as an outsider about Islam in Malaysia has its […]
Picking the right battles
By Deborah LohIN his interview with The Nut Graph yesterday, Puchong Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo spoke about being suspended from attending the Dewan Rakyat, and how the loss of an MP’s salary affects an elected representative’s service to constituents. Gobind, who is blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s lawyer, was suspended for alleging Datuk Seri Najib […]
“There’s no democracy in Parliament”
By Deborah LohGobind Singh Deo HAVING a famous father helps, but first-time Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo, 38, has carved his own reputation as a lawyer and a politician. The “little lion of Puchong” as he is fondly known, has become as well known as his father for being thrown out of Parliament sittings. On […]
“BN has not forgiven us”
By N Shashi Kala and Zedeck SiewSELANGOR is considered among the wealthiest states in the peninsula, and control of its government has long been seen as crucial to the Barisan Nasional (BN). Within its borders lie the administrative and national capitals of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. It is also home to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the nation’s most important […]
Managing Selangor
By N Shashi Kala and Zedeck SiewIT’S been 14 months since Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim took the hot seat as Selangor menteri besar (MB) after the Barisan Nasional (BN) was swept out from power in the state in the 8 March 2008 general election. Since then, the 62-year-old corporate-captain-turned-politician, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament (MP) […]
