AMID furore over banned words and price hikes, the redelineation of electoral boundaries is the next big thing that Malaysian voters must not let slip without close scrutiny. Political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat explains the issues to look out for in this upcoming exercise.
Barisan Nasional
Understanding state government SOPs
Was the MBPJ inspection of the Bible Society of Malaysia’s premises, right after they had been illegally raided by Jais, justifiable? And what are the larger issues surrouding both the Jais raid and the council’s action?
“Allah”: The PR’s failure
IT’S not hard at all to be distressed by the BN federal government over the way the “Allah” issue has developed. That said, following the Jais raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia, it is equally troubling to see the PR’s failure in demonstrating it will and can uphold non-Muslims’ constitutional rights.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The two faces of Najib and Umno
OUR Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his government seem to have had a personality change. From human rights, 1Malaysia and helping Chinese Malaysians, Najib has re-introduced detention without trial, harped on Bumiputera empowerment and blamed Chinese Malaysians for BN’s poor election performance. What’s going on? The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat.
Wishing for another 13 May
There are groups who seem to be spoiling for another 13 May to happen in Malaysia. Whether they are politicians from Umno or non-state actors, the signs are mounting that another racial clash is what these individuals and groups want to have happen. What are these signs?
Surviving the sedition season
It seems sedition season is upon us again, with accusations flying back and forth about insulting religions and destroying national unity. Our leaders seem intent on engaging in divisive rhetoric, but how should Malaysians respond?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The implications of Kuala Besut
VOTERS in the Kuala Besut state constituency of Terengganu will go to the polls again in just two days. What are the implications of either an Umno or PAS victory?
Breaking the cycle of polarised politics
GE13 has come and gone, but the partisan blame game continues. How do we “move on”? Are more rallies the answer? The challenge really is for the rakyat to be more democratic than either the government or the opposition – in the hope that, over time, our politicians will follow our lead.
Where does Malaysia go from GE13?
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?
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Beyond GE13 (Part 1)
AND so the BN is still in power. Those hoping for a change in government are still coming to terms with the results of GE13. The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat how the BN won, why it would racialise the poll results, and what needs to happen next.
