I WAS not disturbed at all by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad‘s recent communalist remarks that Malay Malaysians have been marginalised after sharing the country with “outsiders”. While I applaud the powerful critiques by the likes of Dr Toh Kin Woon, I do not share the anger and disappointment many Malaysians feel. I certainly do not […]
Mahathir
The language of equality
By Wong Chin Huat(Background pic by Sophokles; Queen Elizabeth I pic public domain. Source: Wiki commons) NOT surprisingly, the debate on the reversal of the English for Teaching Science and Mathematics (known by its Malay acronym PPSMI) policy is largely framed as a zero-sum choice between English and the so-called “mother tongue” languages. Many opponents of the reversal […]
Dr M’s questionable priorities
By Dr Toh Kin WoonI REFER to the latest posting in (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad‘s blog, in which he criticised non-Malay [Malaysians] for asking for more concessions from state policies. In response to these demands, the current prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) has liberalised rules pertaining to equity ownership in some service sub-sectors and promised to set up […]
Premier slogans
By Zedeck Siew“I pledge that I will work tirelessly to serve all of you. I urge us to rise to the challenge of building a One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his inaugural address as premier. Najib emphasised the need to prioritise performance, “because the people must come first” (Source: […]
Avoiding issues in Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahShahrizat Abdul Jalil THE Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) both seem keen to avoid their vulnerabilities in their campaigns to win the state seat of Bukit Selambau in Kedah. For example, at BN press conferences and interviews, including by candidate Datuk S Ganesan, leaders refuse to address allegations that new Prime Minister Datuk […]
Mahathir to campaign in Bkt Gantang?
By Deborah LohTAIPING, 2 April 2009: Barisan Nasional (BN) is looking to unleash its secret weapon as it makes its final assault to woo Malay Malaysian voters in Bukit Gantang by bringing in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to help with the campaign. The former prime minister may turn up to stump for the BN candidate Ismail Saffian, […]
Racism, Umno and media control
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 23 to 29 March 2009, the Chinese media highlighted reactions towards Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of Chinese educationists, Umno’s direction after the party polls, the suspension of two political newsletters, and the barring of online media from the Umno general assembly. During a rally organised by the right-wing Malay group Perkasa […]
Malay dominance and rights
By Deborah LohIN five short years, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has emerged from the sidelines in Umno to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Jerlun, and now a popular candidate in the Umno Youth chief race. Despite his soft-spoken demeanour, he has not shied away from controversy, no less because of his ties to his outspoken father, […]
Being Mahathir’s son
By Deborah LohDATUK Mukhriz Mahathir is his father’s son and proud of it. Without any prompting during the interview with The Nut Graph, he dives right into how the leadership style of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is sorely needed in the current economic and political crises. Undoubtedly, “Mahathirism” is deeply entrenched in the Malaysian […]
Corrupting influence
By Zedeck Siew“Corruption disrupts the entire governmental process, underminds morality and erodes ethical behaviour.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in an address at the 5th Developing Eight (D8) Summit, on 13 May 2006. The call was aimed at Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member states (Source: PM: Muslim nations must check corruption, Star, 14 […]
