WILL direct membership into Barisan Nasional (BN) really help boost support for the ruling coalition? Or are there more pitfalls than advantages? Politicians from various parties have weighed in, and while it is viewed as a workable strategy, the move could potentially harm BN’s internal cohesiveness. Drawing more support from outside the coalition through this […]
Malaysia
No replies for 11 March 2010
By Deborah LohTHE following Members of Parliament (MPs) have not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Thursday, 11March 2010, the end of a two-week deadline. Their responses will be updated if and when they reply. (source: parlimen.gov.my)Name: Ago Anak Dagang Constituency: Kanowit Party: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Years as MP: Since […]
Towards a liberal Malaysia
By Keith LeongLIBERALISM, or rather, what some would have us believe is liberalism, has been accused as the source of all sorts of wickedness and chicanery from sexual immorality to high treason. But what is liberalism really, especially in the Malaysian context? Can Malaysia be considered liberal at the moment? Is there such a thing as Malaysian […]
Why is the BN against local elections?
By Wong Chin HuatAT least on the surface, the Barisan Nasional (BN) agrees with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) on two things: ethno-religious inclusion and governmental reforms. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia and Government Transformation Programme are basically the BN’s answer to the PR’s ketuanan rakyat and “competency, accountability and transparency“. But the two coalitions now differ […]
“Every right to be here”
By Nick ChooShanthini Venugopal, with son Hari and cat (All pics courtesy of Shanthini Venugopal)SINGER, actor, director and teacher Shanthini Venugopal has been in the Malaysian theatre industry for nearly three decades, having worked with various theatre companies since 1981. She is a pioneer member of The Instant Cafe Theatre Company. She has starred in films, including […]
Whither national education?
By Deborah LohIN this final of a four-part series on education, The Nut Graph attempts to examine the problems that have become entrenched in the national school system. While public schools were reliable and multi-racial centres of education for Malaysian children not too long ago, today, parents who can afford it are sending their children to private […]
The home schooling option
By Deborah LohCorrected at 12:10pm, 10 March 2010 IN this third of a four-part series on education, The Nut Graph attempts to examine the problems that have become entrenched in the national school system. While public schools were reliable and multi-racial centres of education for Malaysian children not too long ago, today, parents who can afford it […]
Ismail Abd Muttalib (Maran)
By Deborah LohTHE following Member of Parliament (MP) has not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Thursday, 4 March 2010, the end of a two-week deadline. His response will be updated if and when he replies. (source: parlimen.gov.my)Name: Ismail Abd MuttalibConstituency: MaranParty: Umno Years as MP: Since 2004Government post: None […]
BN’s whipping quandary
By Ding Jo-AnnDigging…and digging…and digging THE big hole our government found themselves in after Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was sentenced to caning for drinking alcohol has just gotten bigger. Stuck between pleasing those who thought moral offenders deserved caning and outraged human rights groups as well as the international community, the government decided to cane three other […]
Forget the two-party system
By Wong Chin Huat(Corrected at 12pm, 24 Feb 2010) (Scales by darktaco / sxc.hu) FEDERAL opposition politicians and their well-wishers like to talk about an emerging two-party system in Malaysia. I believe having a two-party system is a noble goal, but it is also a false option at this juncture. A two-party system implies normal politics in a […]
