IN the week of 30 March to 5 April 2009, the Malay-language print media focused on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appointment as sixth prime minister of Malaysia, what his first actions as premier mean for the on-going by-elections, and the fate of teenage star Diana Danielle as she undertakes her stint in national service. In […]
Najib Tun Razak
All about Najib
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 30 March to 5 April 2009, the Chinese media continued to highlight the election campaigns of the three by-elections slated for 7 April. In the same week, Malaysia also witnessed history when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was made Malaysia’s sixth prime minister. In Oriental Daily on 2 April, writer Lin Feng examined […]
30% women, please
By Chong EngTHE new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should comprise at least 30% women ministers. Even if the new Najib-led cabinet is reduced in number, the prime minister should still implement and ensure at least 30% participation of women, in accordance with the United Nation’s Convention on the Elimination of […]
Realising 1Malaysia
By Datuk Dr Denison JayasooriaTHE 1Malaysia slogan is a refreshing concept that is timely at a moment in Malaysia’s history when we are faced with economic and political crises. The slogan under new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is better than the Bangsa Malaysia concept, which seemed to have an assimilation orientation and did not really catch on. […]
Release of ISA detainees “a political ploy” (Updated)
By Deborah Loh(Updated 5:11pm, 4 April 2009) TAIPING, 4 April 2009: Pakatan Rakyat leaders in Bukit Gantang are calling the release of 13 Internal Security Act detainees a political ploy, and say it will not swing votes away from the PAS candidate. PAS national elections director Datuk Mustaffa Ali said voters would know that the release, promised […]
What Najib needs
By Ooi Kee BengA nice big hug (Pic courtesy of theSun) AND so, after holding the sceptre of power for five and a half years, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi now passes it to Datuk Seri Najib Razak. While Abdullah’s ascendance to power in 2003 was greeted with cheers from Malaysians, his retirement is being met with grave […]
The return of Mahathirism
By Zedeck Siew(File pic by Samsul Said @ Flickr) THE appearance of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the final day of the 59th Umno general assembly precipitated a riotous cheering. This overwhelmingly positive reception is telling of what the party truly wants — and what a worrying prospect that is. No doubt Mahathir’s presence […]
All about Umno
Translation by Zedeck SiewONE event above all others held the attention of the Malay-language press from 23 to 29 March 2009: the 59th Umno general assembly. Commentary dwelt on the need for new party leaders to secure public confidence, expressed unabashed confidence in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s impending rule, and looked forward to the challenges facing Umno in […]
Najib moves to transform Umno
By Zedeck Siew(Najib pic courtesy of theSun) THE most solid expression of reform within Umno at the party’s recently concluded five-day general assembly was in new president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s closing address. Whether change will come in the quantity or quality that Malaysians expect is unclear — but some change seems forthcoming. “Our next general assembly […]
Umno’s insincerity
By Jacqueline Ann SurinCorrected on 27 March 2009 at 3.20pm HOW will we know if Umno is really going to keep its promise to reform? Quite simply, really. Similar to how we would measure a friend or partner’s sincerity, all it requires for us to make an educated guess about Umno’s reforms is to watch what the party […]
