There are valuable lessons that local environmental groups, and our state and federal governments, can draw from the US and China. Two documentaries tell us what they are.
politicians
PKR and patronage
By Deborah LohPKR’s sixth congress in Kota Baru PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is the future, its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail declared at the party’s 2009 congress held at the end of May in Kota Baru. But if that were so, the congress showed little direction as to how PKR would lead the Pakatan […]
Why freedom of expression?
By Jacqueline Ann Surin(pic courtesy of theSun) WHEN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak first came into office, he declared that under his administration, there would be greater freedom of expression and the press. Regrettably, “little concrete action has followed” his promise, according to an annual review of freedom of expression in Malaysia in 2009. Indeed, according to […]
No replies for 29 April 2010
By Koh Lay ChinTHE following Members of Parliament (MPs) have not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Thursday, 29th April 2010, the end of a two-week deadline. Their responses will be updated if and when they reply. (all pics source: parlimen.gov.my)Name: Abdul Wahab DolahConstituency: Igan Party: PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu […]
What is an MP?
By Ding Jo-AnnI WATCHED a rerun of the sitcom Friends recently where Ross and Joey accidentally end up dating the same girl. They then try to win her affection by recounting increasingly embarrassing things about each other to her. “Ross was divorced three times!” yells Joey. “Joey eats his date’s food when she goes to the bathroom!” […]
“I’m not biased, I’m impartial”
By Ding Jo-AnnIT’S been a long, uphill battle for the Malaysian judiciary over the past two decades. From Lord President Tun Salleh Abas‘s sacking in 1988 to the 1996 poison pen letter and the 2007 Lingam video tape exposé, the public is not unjustified in doubting judicial independence. Familiar murmurings have begun again on whether anything has […]
Keeping PKR disciplined
By Deborah LohSEVERAL Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders are to face the party disciplinary board for disparaging remarks about the party and other Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders. But why is the criticising of leaders by some PKR Members of Parliament (MPs) handled with more urgency than actions that contradict party policy and undermine public interest? For instance, […]
Watching our MPs
By Deborah LohTHE Nut Graph is well into the process of contacting Members of Parliament (MPs) and getting them to respond to MP Watch: Eye on Parliament. We dare say it’s the first project of its kind in Malaysia, to get all 222 MPs to state their stand on specific democratic issues. The project is expected to […]
Anifah Aman (Kimanis)
By Koh Lay ChinKIMANIS Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Anifah Aman’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions. (Source: parlimen.gov.my) Name: Anifah Aman @ Haniff Amman Constituency: Kimanis Party: Umno Years as MP: 1999-2004 (Beaufort) 2004-present (Kimanis) Government position: Foreign minister Party position: Kimanis division chief Membership in […]
How democratic are political parties?
By Shanon ShahSINCE the watershed March 2008 elections, intra-party spats and power struggles have become the norm in Malaysia. These problems seem to be an equal opportunity malaise, affecting both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Do our political parties take and share power democratically? (© sanja gjenero | sxc.hu)It could just be that these […]
