What exactly is Umno’s stand on Malay rights group Perkasa? At one time, Umno leaders appeared to lend Perkasa their tacit support. But recently, a few have sought to dissociate Umno from the group. Is there a real split in the party over Perkasa, or is Umno just weighing its rhetoric carefully? However it plays out, Perkasa seems to have caught Umno between a rock and a hard place.
Koh Lay Chin
Found in Malaysia book launch
Compiled by Koh Lay Chin
WHAT better day to unveil The Nut Graph‘s Found in Malaysia book than on Malaysia Day on 16 Sept 2010 last week. The book is after all, a compilation of interviews with prominent Malaysians of different lineage on what their Malaysian identity means. Found in Malaysia, published by ZI Publications and now available in good […]
Tiger, tiger, not so bright
Compiled by Koh Lay Chin
THEY dropped to the floor, froze and later danced with gusto for the Malayan tigers. In a tiger-themed flash mob on 30 July 2010 called Freeze Tiger Trade, people from all walks of life surprised patrons at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall with two enthusiastic displays of a flash mob. Only 500 Malayan tigers […]
Wee Ka Siong, the kampung boy
By Koh Lay Chin
HE says he believes in 1Malaysia because he has really lived through it. A politician for 18 out of his 42 years, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong is currently MCA Youth chief and deputy education minister. He is also now the Member of Parliament for Ayer Hitam in Johor, but he still has fond memories […]
The Nut Graph’s Plan B
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
WHEN Cindy Tham and I launched The Nut Graph in August 2008, I was clear that I wanted to achieve two things. One was to create a place for independent, accountable and kick-ass journalism that was premised on the highest ethical standards in journalism. These standards included ideas, such as doing a fact and quote […]
Time to remove the grids
By Koh Lay Chin
WITH five decades under his belt as an actor, director, drama teacher, voice-over artiste and writer, Mano Maniam is best known as a local theatre and television veteran. But Mano, 65, is more than just about theatre. In many ways, he is a modern-day renaissance man. He has been a teacher and scholar at both […]
Where’s the national health scheme?
By Koh Lay ChinMore than two decades have passed and the National Health Financing Scheme still seems up in the air in terms of concept and implementation. Will it be a flat-rate or not? Will it take a year or ten? Despite continuous studies on the proposed scheme, is Malaysia anywhere closer to a health financing scheme which is affordable, fair and accessible to all levels of society?
No reply for 5 July 2010
By Koh Lay ChinTHE following Member of Parliament (MP) has not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Monday, 5 July 2010, the end of his two-week deadline. His response will be updated if and when he replies. Name: Yussof Mahal Constituency: Labuan Party: Umno Years as MP: Since 2008 Government position: […]
Hindus first, before becoming Muslim
By Koh Lay Chin
BEFORE Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim became a politician, he was far better known as a Malaysian champion of transparency, integrity and good governance. Indeed, it was no coincidence that Tunku Aziz, together with like-minded individuals, founded Transparency International Malaysia (TI-Malaysia) in 1998. He was TI-Malaysia president until December 2004. Even after setting up TI-Malaysia, […]
Business council mum over Rosmah ad
by Jacqueline Ann Surin and Koh Lay Chin
PETALING JAYA, 21 June 2010: The Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), which conferred the prime minister’s wife an award in New York in April, has remained mum about whether it was the party which placed a congratulatory advertisement in the New York Times (NYT) for her. BCIU president Peter J Tichansky did not respond […]
