“We open our ears to whatever grouses the public, in particular the Orang Asli, have. If anyone says we are depriving them, we are neglecting them, that’s not true.” RURAL and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, speaking to reporters after receiving a memorandum from the Orang Asli protesting proposed changes to the […]
Umno
Democratic parties are possible
By Shanon Shah(Pic by Jirikabele / Dreamstime) WHEN the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government dismissed local government elections and school elections on the grounds that these involve “politicking”, it was telling us that it either misunderstands democracy, or holds it in contempt. But when the Selangor and Penang Pakatan Rakyat (PR) governments pushed to restore local government […]
Direct BN membership
By Deborah LohWILL 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 […]
Abdullah Md Zin (Besut)
By Deborah LohBESUT Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions. Name: Abdullah Md Zin Constituency: Besut Party: Umno Years as MP: Since 2004 Government position: Religious advisor to the prime minister Party position: Besut division treasurer Membership in parliamentary […]
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, […]
Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Kota Belud)
By Koh Lay ChinKOTA Belud Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions. (source: parlimen.gov.my) Name: Abdul Rahman Dahlan Constituency: Kota Belud Party: Umno Years as MP: Since 2008 Government position: None Party Position: None Membership in parliamentary committees or caucus: Public accounts committee […]
Road to an absolute monarchy?
By Wong Chin HuatTan Sri Arifin Zakaria, one of the judges on the Perak menteri besar caseREMEMBER these names: Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria, Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin, Datuk Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusoff and Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong. They have fundamentally transformed the nature and prospects of the Malaysian state with their 9 Feb […]
Will Khairy succeed?
By Deborah LohOF late, Khairy Jamaluddin has been saying all the right things. The Umno Youth chief made a progressive maiden speech at the wing’s 2009 general assembly, and has written on the need for a transformed Malay Malaysian mindset. But while Khairy is building up support from outside Umno, some party Youth leaders are cautious about […]
BN-style resolution to “Allah” issue
By Jacqueline Ann SurinWORD 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 […]
Umno Youth a year later
By Deborah LohKhairy, after he was elected Umno Youth chief during party elections in March 2009 (Pic courtesy of theSun) KHAIRY Jamaluddin wasn’t the clear favourite when he was elected Umno Youth chief. A jeering crowd accused him of bribery after he trounced two other contenders in the party elections in March 2009. But Khairy has emerged […]
