As a ‘non’ – non-Malay, non-Muslim, non-‘son of the soil’, I often ask myself why I am cast to one side of a hierarchical dualistic world. To be born a ‘non’ is to be condemned to seek freedom from the chains of. To self-reliant and adopt adult self-responsibility from an early age. To be … Read more
Di dalam keghairahan mendapat perhatian di dalam media dan sokongan masyarakat umum yang berada di atas pagar dan mereka yang benar-benar tidak mendapat maklumat sebenar, Perkasa telah menggunakan kaedah menjadikan seorang mangsa sebagai kambing hitam. Persoalannya siapakah yang benar-benar layak di kambing-hitamkan? Akhirnya, individu yang ‘bertuah’ tersebut ialah Helen Ang, seorang wanita berbangsa Tionghua … Read more
The fate of Thailand’s fiercely contested democracy raises the spectre of rising authoritarianism in Southeast Asia. If Thai democracy fails and ends up under a draconian regime akin to its chequered past of military-authoritarian rule, an arc of authoritarianism would grip mainland Southeast Asia in view of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Such a … Read more
Background The IMF, under Article IV of its Articles of Agreement, holds bilateral discussions annually with its Member countries. These discussions are in the nature of a review of member country economic policies, recent economic developments, IMF staff assessments of prospects and the presentation of policy recommendations. A report is then prepared for presentation … Read more
On Aug 10, Perkasa made a police report against CPI columnist Ms Helen Ang, calling for her to be investigated under the Sedition Act or ISA. They alleged: “Helen juga dengan angkuhnya memburuk-burukkan Yang Di-Pertuan Agung Tuanku Mizan dengan mempertikaikan kuasa baginda??? [Helen also arrogantly denigrated the Agong by questioning his authority]. If anyone would … Read more
In a previous article, I highlighted the conflict between PAS’s religious ideology and conditioning and the pluralist vision of a unified Malaysian society that they, as part of Pakatan Rakyat, should be committed to. The fact is that the mode of Islamic politics in Malaysia thwarts all effort towards encouraging the religious pluralism that … Read more
Sejak beberapa dekad yang lalu, kita ghairah menggalak pelajar-pelajar mengambil jurusan sains tulen. Hasrat kerajaan ialah untuk melahirkan jurutera-jurutera dan saintis-saintis tempatan untuk memacu pertumbuhan industri berat dan teknologi tinggi di dalam negara. Bilamana tumpuan lebih diberikan pada bidang kejuruteraan, sains komputer, fizik dan pelbagai bidang sains tulen yang lain, jurusan sains sosial kurang … Read more
Selepas Akta Perdagangan Strategik 2010 diluluskan oleh parlimen pada awal tahun ini, muncul sebuah lagi rang undang-undang yang kali ini memberi kuasa mutlak kepada menteri dalam membuat keputusan. Akta ini membenarkan pembentukan sebuah Majlis Anti-Pemerdagangan Orang. Rang Undang-undang Anti Pemerdagangan ini diberi kuasa untuk memberi arahan kepada Majlis tersebut. Terdapat beberapa frasa di dalam … Read more
After Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor Menteri besar today, lost his opening bid for electoral politics in Ijok 2007, Anwar Ibrahim blamed PKR’s loss on an entire country and not just the few thousand members in a constituency most hadn’t heard of till then. “I am,??? he moaned, “sorry for Malaysia. Why sorry? Has the man … Read more
Malaysia’s political system instead of advancing towards a harmonious society breaks up its parts, leaving only votes to be traded for public service, contracts and licences included. But it’s still the Malays, through Umno, that direct the exchange, a process cemented under the rule of Mahathir Mohamad. The pragmatic Chinese community had been, and still … Read more