Month: May 2008

Fake farewell for Malaysia’s Mahathir

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Fake farewell for Malaysia’s MahathirFrom Asia Times By Anil Netto PENANG – Former premier Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to quit the ruling United Malays Nasional Organization (UMNO) on Monday represents his strongest political protest yet against his hand-picked successor Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi – and perhaps his biggest gamble. His high-stakes decision came after a royal … Read more

Fixing Malaysia’s Judiciary

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Fixing Malaysia’s JudiciaryBy ZAID IBRAHIM From Today’s Wall Street Journal AsiaMay 20, 2008 KUALA LUMPUR If there’s one lesson to be learned from March’s elections, it’s that business as usual in Malaysia is no longer acceptable. This is a challenge to the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, and to me, as law minister. And … Read more

UMNO Minus Mahathir

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UMNO Minus MahathirFrom Today’s Wall Street Journal AsiaMay 20, 2008 Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned yesterday from the party he led for 22 years. It’s good news for Malaysia’s economic reformers and a sign that the country may finally be able to move beyond the divisive affirmative action policies that have hampered economic growth … Read more

Seditious statements

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It is generally accepted that it is seditious to question any of the sensitive issues. What needs to be appreciated is what is meant by ‘to question’.

SEDITION as a subject was hardly talked about until the 1970s and 80s and then receded into the background until recently, when it again started receiving a considerable measure of attention.

According to some writers on English Law, the first definite instance found of a law relating to quasi sedition offences was a provision in the First Statute of Westminster passed in the year 1275 which provided a penalty for the publishing of false news or tales “whereby discord may grow between the King and his people??? or “the great men of the realm???.

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PM Abdullah in danger as Mahathir quits party

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PM Abdullah in danger as Mahathir quits partyFrom theSun,  20 May 2008  KUALA LUMPUR (May 19, 2008): Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit Umno today and urged others to follow suit in a move that could weaken its (Umno) hold on power and unsettle financial markets. The still influential Mahathir, who was prime minister and … Read more

Dr M quits Umno

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Dr M quits UmnoBy The StarTuesday May 20, 2008 ALOR STAR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced he is quitting Umno, in what is seen as his final push to force Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister and party president. His wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has also … Read more

Dr M’s Malay Ultra Redux

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Dr M’s Malay Ultra ReduxBy Din MericanMay 19, 2008 The wheel has come full circle for Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. He began his rise up the UMNO hierarchy as an agitator for Malay economic and political rights. The role took him all the way to the top of the greasy pole, as Benjamin Disraeli elegantly … Read more