The panel at the forum organised by Konrad Adanaeur Foundation WILL Umno change? That’s been the perennial question since the March 2008 general election. The answer may well be how much its incoming president Datuk Seri Najib Razak will let it. Three political observers, at least, believe that Najib will return to a more authoritarian […]
Anwar Ibrahim
Coming into his own
By Jacqueline Ann Surin and Shanon Shah(File pic by Danny Lim) ONCE it was clear that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would exit as both prime minister and Umno president in March 2009, the favour that Khairy Jamaluddin presumably enjoyed as son-in-law must have evaporated quickly. But the changing political fortunes and shifting political equations could very well be a blessing […]
The politics of decency
By Wong Chin Huat(Pic by striatic / Flickr) LET’S get something straight. What has happened to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Selangor state assemblyperson for Bukit Lanjan, Elizabeth Wong, is nothing unprecedented or unimaginable. All you need to do to potentially get your nude pictures circulated is to share your private life with a person who could one day […]
PKR’s Elizabeth Wong resigns (updated 8.27pm)
By Deborah LohUpdated on 17 Feb 2009 at 8.27pm PETALING JAYA, 17 Feb 2009:Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, who has offered to resign following the release of her nude photographs, to go on leave. “I told Eli (Elizabeth) that we are prepared to defend her […]
Perak, PR and tariffs
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 9 to 15 Feb 2009, the Chinese press highlighted the ongoing Perak political crisis. The press especially focused on state assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong, who left the DAP, and on party chairperson Karpal Singh, who had asked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as de facto Pakatan Rakyat leader. The […]
Mapping change
By Jacqueline Ann Surin and Shanon ShahKHAIRY Jamaluddin knows that he is still the underdog in the upcoming Umno Youth chief race. While Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s nominations rushed in from the very beginning, nominations for Khairy merely trickled. Even the nominations for former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo saw quicker action. That hasn’t stopped the 33-year-old in […]
Umno’s resistance to change
By Jacqueline Ann Surin and Shanon ShahWHO would be envious of Khairy Jamaluddin? Despite his meteoric rise within Umno and the doors that were presumably opened to him as the prime minister’s son-in-law, the changing political tide means the 33-year-old now has to swim against currents. And swim he does. With Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s exit as premier and Umno […]
NGOs against Pakatan are merely Umno’s allies
PENANG, 13 Feb 2009: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng labelled the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) that spoke out against Pakatan Rakyat with regard to the Perak political crisis, as Umno’s allies. The DAP secretary-general also accused Umno of raising racial sentiments for their own party’s political benefit. “Why should we react to Umno’s allies?,” asked […]
Pakatan Rakyat beyond Anwar
By Wong Chin HuatWHAT is the honourable thing for political leaders to do when they lead their party on the wrong path and land the party in trouble? Resign. That was the demand made of MCA’s Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and MIC’s Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu when their parties’ parliamentary seats were reduced by more than […]
Indian M’sian PKR candidate for Bkt Selambau
MALACCA, 10 Feb 2009: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will most likely field an Indian Malaysian candidate in the Bukit Selambau by-election in Kedah following the resignation of incumbent V Arumugam yesterday. PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the party would field a candidate in the state constituency because the seat was allocated to PKR. […]
