The Nut Graph gives out the Merdeka Awards annually in conjunction with Peninsular Malaysia’s independence and the anniversary of our publication. This year, we honour 14 exemplary Malaysian individuals and groups. Find out who they are.
Search Results for: Uncommon Sense
Where does Malaysia go from GE13?
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
SOME countries move from relatively democratic systems to more authoritarian ones such as Malaysia in the 1970s. Others from authoritarianism toward democracy. What can the experiences of these other countries tell us about where we go from GE13? And what choices lie ahead of those who want change?
Could hudud be a reality?
By Ding Jo-AnnThe BN attacks on PAS’s hudud agenda involve scaremongering of the worst kind. BN’s alarmist politics aside, can hudud law actually become a reality for Malaysians? And how likely is it that it will be implemented in the near future?
“Allah” issue: The battle over Bahasa
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
The “Allah” issue is likely to spark partisan jockeying and deep division until we build consensus on a fundamental question. Is our national language of Bahasa Melayu – or is it Bahasa Malaysia – the language of all Malaysians or does it just belong to those who profess Islam and practice Malay customs?
Can local govt elections protect public interest and the environment?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
IF we could bring back local government elections, councillors could at least be held accountable for giving the nod to projects without the communities’ knowledge and approval.
What are the Islamic authorities up to?
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
CAN Islamic authorities raid churches and bookstores even though they are non-Muslim entities and summon non-Muslims for questioning? Does the syariah court have jurisdiction the moment Islam or a Muslim is involved? Ding Jo-Ann examines the constitutional issues.
Examining Anwar’s inconsistency
By Shanon Shah
What is the big deal about Anwar’s stand on homosexuality? Sure, he speaks out against racism, detention without trial and corruption, but is he inconsistent for insisting that homosexuality remain criminalised? Does it matter that Anwar’s stand on homosexuality is no different from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s?
The perils of being Muslim in Malaysia
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
Muslims constitute the majority of the Malaysian population and the country’s top leadership. Still, just how safe is it to be a Muslim in Malaysia? And can Muslims trust that their rights will be protected and upheld by a public administration that increasingly says it wants to uphold Islamic values and teachings?
Pilihanraya, pilihan saya
Asam Pedas Oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
PARTI dan pemimpin politik boleh berubah dan kadangkala tidak konsisten dalam perjuangan. Namun sebagai rakyat, yang harus kita perjuangkan dengan jelas ialah nilai-nilai yang baik seperti keadilan, kebebasan kesetaraan dan kedaulatan hak-hak asasi manusia.[
The print media’s failures in Bersih 3.0
By Ding Jo-Ann
IT’S been all about Bersih 3.0 this past week. Stories, tweets, photographs and videos have been shared. And numerous reports have been published by the national press. And yet, anybody reading just the national print media would be left with an incomplete picture of one of the most historic moments in Malaysia’s political development. Ding Jo-Ann shows how the press in Malaysia failed readers in their coverage of Bersih 3.0.
