A class successfully avoided (©Tiffany Szerpicki / sxc.hu) AS a teacher, I can tell you that students can and will find any excuse under the sky in order to escape classes, and to not study. What is odd for me is that in Malaysia, there are also politicians, political activists, ideologues and public commentators who […]
politics
Trouble in PPP
“I have my job to do and I don’t have a choice about this. He (Kayveas) is my boss and mentor, and he groomed me. I am always grateful to him.” Senator and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) supreme council member Datuk T Murugiah, pledging allegiance to party president Datuk M Kayveas. Murugiah pooh-poohed the rumoured […]
Beyond a shadow of doubt
THE Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s plan to set up special panels to “shadow” each of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s cabinet ministries has stirred up debate over whether such a move would serve a real purpose. This arrangement appears superficially similar to the idea of an opposition shadow government that certain quarters have been clamouring for the […]
Politics and economics under Najib
(Najib image source: cidb.gov.my) WHILE there was some effort to stall the inevitable, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has resigned, and Datuk Seri Najib Razak is now prime minister. His ascension coincides with troubled times. Najib appears to be viewing the challenges he will face in office as an opportunity. Malaysia’s sixth prime minister encourages […]
Realising 1Malaysia
THE 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. […]
The last Rajah’s battlefield
Police on guard during the Ijok by-election (pic by Danny Lim) THE 7 April Batang Ai by-election actually has more similarities with the 2007 by-election for the Selangor state seat of Ijok than to the other two by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Serambau that will happen on the same day. Batang Ai is certainly […]
Mob protests Khairy’s win
IT was a significant victory for 33-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin on the night of 25 March 2009 when he won the Umno Youth race to become its new chief. Significant because Khairy beat favourite Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir by 72 votes and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo by 50 votes. This was […]
Shadow over Umno
Khairy Jamaluddin celebrates his victory (All pics courtesy of theSun) AFTER more than two hours and three recounts, Umno Youth’s new chief was finally confirmed at 11.30pm on 25 March, 2009. Khairy Jamaluddin, with 304 votes, beat rivals Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (232 votes) and Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo (254 votes) in a closely-fought contest […]
Private institution students can be in party politics
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: The Private Higher Education Bill (Amended) 2008, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today, will allow students in private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) to be involved in party politics. Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said the Private Higher Education Bill 1996 was amended to enable […]
Ali Rustam not made a scapegoat, says Najib (Updated)
(Updated 7:23pm; 19 March 2009) PUTRAJAYA, 19 March 2009: There are no elements of sabotage in the Umno Disciplinary Board’s action on party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for involvement in money politics, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today. The Umno deputy president said the board acted based on information and Mohd Ali was […]
