“The issuance of a licence to legalise sports betting is no longer an issue as a decision has been made. We always listen to the people’s wishes and put their interests above all.” PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, declaring after an Umno supreme council meeting that the government would not legalise sports betting. The […]
Nazri Aziz
Bumiputera-ness: who decides?
MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz’s recent assertion respecting the bumiputera-ness of Siamese Malaysians piques my interest to no end. Who or what decides on the bumiputera-ness or the bumiputera-less-ness of a Malaysian citizen? Is it the Federal Constitution? Was it the Reid Commission? Is it the cabinet, or […]
The real pribumi of Malaysia
Orang Asal at a September 2008 gathering in Kuala Lumpur IN an interview with The Nut Graph, Pribumi Perkasa Negara (Perkasa) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali was careful to mention that Perkasa wants affirmative action for all races. He was also careful to mention “native rights” in the same breath as Malay Malaysians. But despite the […]
Why is the BN against local elections?
AT 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 […]
No replies for 4 March 2010
THE following Members of Parliament (MP) have 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. Their responses will be updated if and when they reply. (Pics source: parlimen.gov.my) Name: Abdul Rahim BakriConstituency: Kudat Party: UmnoYears as MP: Since 2004 […]
BN-style resolution to “Allah” issue
WORD is, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is mightily concerned about the “Allah” issue and wants the matter resolved. Forgive me, but it’s hard to believe this, based on the public statements the government has been making. Honestly, how can we believe that the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government under Najib’s leadership is sincere […]
Internet censorship
BACKLASH was instantaneous when Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim announced on 7 Aug 2009 that the Malaysian government was planning to filter the internet. Apparently modelled after China’s Green Dam software, Rais said the Malaysian filter was intended to weed out online smut, especially where children were concerned. “Those who […]
Najib announces govt KPIs
PUTRAJAYA, 27 July 2009: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the lead ministers for the six national key results areas (NKRA). He named Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the lead minister for widening access to quality and affordable education, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin […]
Suhakam Act amended under protest
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 July 2009: Amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Act were passed despite protests by opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) today who questioned the neutrality of some commissioners and of the selection committee. The Act now no longer states that the prime minister is not bound by the recommendations of […]
Commission on enforcement agencies cannot substitute IPCMC
AMNESTY International Malaysia and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) welcome the initiative of the government in passing of the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) bill in Parliament on 30 June. We are encouraged by the government’s willingness to act on the concerns raised by civil society and the general public on the diminishing public confidence in […]
