Month: August 2008

An Exercise in Reciprocal Tolerance

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An Exercise in Reciprocal Tolerance By John Lee, YouthSpeak Coordinator August 29, 2008 The controversy over the recent Bar Council forum on religious conversions shows little sign of dying down, with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad insisting that the government should have banned the dialogue. The grand old man of Malaysian politics is entitled to … Read more

To the arrogant Mr. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar

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To the arrogant Mr. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar


By Din Merican

August 28, 2008

Dear Mr. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar,

We are not stupid. If you have grounds to say that Raja Petra is publishing “libellous, defamatory and slanderous??? stuff, please take him to court and seek legal recourse.

You are supposed to be a lawyer. So please start behaving like one and do not make arbitrary decisions whch are essentially politically motivated. Stop grand standing since it only reflects your personal inadequacies.

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Government must be more convincing in arguing for DNA Bill

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Government must be more convincing in arguing for DNA Bill

By Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The government must not hastily push through the passage of the DNA Bill which has been presented before Parliament, until the matter is properly debated on publicly and its implications are properly explained.

Right now, public confidence in the authorities, be it the police, the various government departments or any new department to be set up to deal with DNA collection, remains very low.

There is widespread concern that the authorities are not ready for legislation making it compulsory for criminal suspects to provide DNA samples.

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Column: Over a cup of coffee

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Column: Over a cup of coffee Published in The Borneo Post Sunday, August 24, 2008   Penang revisited SOMEHOW it seems different travelling on the highway up the north of the peninsula from Kuala Lumpur, through the three Pakatan Rakyat–controlled states of Selangor, Perak and Penang. My destination earlier this week was Permatang Pauh, which almost … Read more

Abdullah May Use Malaysia Budget to Stymie Opposition

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Written by Stephanie Phang,

Published by bloomberg.com

August 28, 2008

Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, facing challenges to his leadership amid slowing growth and faster inflation, may cut taxes and put more cash in the hands of consumers to bolster support in his 2009 budget.

Abdullah, 68, may propose income tax reductions, lower employee contributions to the national pension fund and cash handouts or rebates to the poor in his budget speech tomorrow, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

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One Small Step…

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One Small Step… By S. Jamal Al-Idrus aka Walski69 @ myAsylumWednesday, August 27, 2008 Flashback, July 21st, 1969. On that day, history was made. Man, for the very first time, set foot on the surface of an extra-terrestial body – the Moon. It was also on that day, a cliché was born: “That’s one small … Read more

Open Dialgue for Religious Freedom and Harmony

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document.write(parent.prscreen) Open Dialgue for Religious Freedom and Harmony By John Lee, YouthSpeak Coordinator August 28, 2008 Religious freedom is hitting the Malaysian headlines again, this time because of yet another recent forum forced to end after threats of violence. Both sides clearly believe they are fighting for what is right; maybe we could have a … Read more

Government to target blogosphere next

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Government to target blogosphere next By The Malaysian Insider August 26, 2008 KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 Next up: a crackdown on bloggers. This possibility looms large after the government reached a sober assessment that it could all end in tears for the Barisan Nasional at the next general election if tough action is not taken … Read more

Malaysia’s Anwar set to win Permatang Pauh by-election

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document.write(parent.prscreen) Malaysia’s Anwar set to win Permatang Pauh by-election Posted by Din MericanAugust 25, 2008 From International Herald Tribune After 10 days of racist insults, accusations of sodomy and oblique references to murder, campaigning drew to a close Monday in a key by-election to Malaysia’s Parliament that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim looks set to win. … Read more