FOR the week between 12 and 19 Jan 2009, the different vernacular presses highlighted both national and international issues. In this BFM 89.9 audio report of Found in Translation, toll discounts, the ongoing Sri Lankan civil war, and the use of English to teach Maths and Science are highlighted. BFM 89.9 is a 24-hour radio […]
Vault
KT, Palestine, sex toys and language
Translation by Zedeck SiewBETWEEN 12 and 19 Jan 2009, alongside the Kuala Terengganu by-election and the conflict in Palestine, the Malay-language press was also preoccupied with the sale of sex toys and the teaching of science and maths in the English language. Jews in the news Israel’s invasion of Gaza continued to occupy headlines throughout the week. On […]
Signal from KT
Translation by Leong Lai MingFROM 12 to 18 Jan 2009, the Chinese press highlighted the Kuala Terengganu by-election. Guang Ming Daily‘s editorial on 18 Jan, titled Pay attention to the signal from the Kuala Terengganu by-election, examined what Chinese Malaysian voters want from political parties. The 17 Jan by-election saw PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut wresting the parliamentary […]
Sri Lanka’s civil war
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananA Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam vehicle with soldiers (© Ulflarsen; source: Wikipedia) THE plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils, the rising crime rate among the Tamil community, and Ponggal wishes dominated the Tamil press headlines during the week of 12 to 18 Jan 2009. Tamil newspapers have always reported on the ongoing civil war […]
More enrol in Tamil schools
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananTAMIL school issues continued to grab the attention of the Tamil press in the week of 5 to 11 Jan 2009, specifically the increase in enrolment and the standoff between parents and a Tamil school. The global Indian diaspora and one man’s fight for citizenship were also highlighted. Up, up and up! All the Tamil […]
Bets, secrets and safety
Translation by Leong Lai MingFROM 5 to 11 Jan 2009, the Chinese media highlighted the betting over the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the declassification of highway concession agreements, and the people’s concern over public safety. On 7 Jan, Guang Ming Daily reported PAS candidate for the Kuala Terengganu by-election Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut as being the favourite among bettors, with […]
Israel, KT and sex parties
Translation by Zedeck SiewISRAEL’S invasion of Gaza, the minutiae of the Kuala Terengganu by-election, and the evil of New Year sex parties were issues that occupied the Malay-language press from 3 to 9 Jan 2009. Israel’s offensive, which began on 27 Dec 2008, was condemned by Malaysian prime ministers former, current, and in waiting. In the 9-11 Jan […]
Cracks in Pakatan Rakyat
Translation by Leong Lai MingFROM 29 Dec 2008 to 4 Jan 2009, the Chinese media highlighted the reactions of political parties towards the proposal for hudud to be implemented; the Gunung Rapat village chief elections; and the compulsory use of rear seat belts. On New Year’s day, Yi Ren’s commentary on sinchew-i.com titled DAP need not lower itself […]
Islam, BM and celebrity weddings
Translation by Shanon ShahTHREATS to Islam, the tussle regarding mother tongue education, and celebrity weddings were some of the more prominent stories featured in the Malay-language press from 28 Dec 2008 to 1 Jan 2009. Islam threatened, again On 28 Dec 2008, Metro Ahad quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying the Home Ministry and […]
Hair-raising issues
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananBETWEEN 29 Dec 2008 and 4 Jan 2009, Tamil newspapers focused on RTM’s new guidelines on hair length for women newscasters; Indian Malaysians’ improved performance in education; and the success of entrepreneurs from the community. It also kept the guessing game going over what rogue Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member and Member of Parliament (MP) […]
