At this time when Barisan Nasional leaders are indulging in an orgy of throwing public funds to buy votes in the current Sarawak state elections with polling only days from now (on April 16), it is indeed heartening to hear the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) categorically insisting that all forms of… Continue reading Tragedy of election under repression
Month: March 2011
Interlok: Indians 1 Chinese 0
Introduction by CPI Many Malaysians are not aware of NIAT and Hartal MSM, among two NGOs that have been in the forefront of civil society opposition to the use of Interlok as a compulsory Bahasa Melayu SPM text. Through a combination of hard research and public consciousness-raising actions, these two civil society organizations have shown… Continue reading Interlok: Indians 1 Chinese 0
In Malaysia, Shiites Struggle to Practice Their Faith
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Like a vast majority of Muslims in Malaysia, Mohammad Shah was raised according to the Sunni school of Islam. But when he was about 30, he said, he came to believe that Sunni teachings did not answer all of his questions about Islam. He began reading about the Shiite school of thought,… Continue reading In Malaysia, Shiites Struggle to Practice Their Faith
No definite agreement yet between Idris Jala and Christian leaders
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala issued a press statement in The Star (March 23, 2011) which gives the impression that the government has made a great offer to Christians in solving the Alkitab issue. Christians should remain guarded about the terms of the offer. First, the press statement undermines trust in the… Continue reading No definite agreement yet between Idris Jala and Christian leaders
Sex video – Plot implausible and irrational
This article was actually written yesterday (March 24), but upon completing it, I was stunned by the explosive news of the sudden appearance of the trio behind the sex video. Concerned that my article might have been overtaken by this sudden turn of events, I withheld its release yesterday. However, upon a review of the… Continue reading Sex video – Plot implausible and irrational
Expose on sexual exploits tarnishes country’s reputation
It is a day of scandalous shame for Malaysia. Its civil society must be concerned that Malaysian politics has descended to a new low in the seeming bottomless pit of sewer politics. And indeed they should be very upset. You can’t spend hundreds of millions of ringgit on national programs to teach young Malaysians moral… Continue reading Expose on sexual exploits tarnishes country’s reputation
Interlok: Say ‘No’ to indoctrinating our youth
To say that Interlok is only offensive to the Indian community, and then again only because of the word ‘pariah’, is to ignore the bigger issues at hand. The real focus should be on how racist BTN doctrines are being subtly implanted in the minds of our nation’s youths. This can be readily seen… Continue reading Interlok: Say ‘No’ to indoctrinating our youth
‘Interlok’ and Our Tragic Reality
I HAVEN’T read Interlok by Abdullah Hussain, but some of those who have, accuse it of racial stereotyping and derogating Chinese and Indian Malaysians while others say it is a novel that calls for inter-racial unity. The interpretations appear so poles apart that one might wonder if they are talking about the same novel. I… Continue reading ‘Interlok’ and Our Tragic Reality
Interlok: Time to Make a Stand
As the drama over the Interlok textbook issue continues to unfold, it is important for Malaysians to understand the context and the stakes involved, and to make a stand. There are some defenders of the book who have argued that withdrawing or even just editing it will rob Malaysian writers of their artistic freedom and… Continue reading Interlok: Time to Make a Stand
Is MCA a subsidiary of Umno?
If MCA is not a subsidiary of Umno, why should the MCA president bring his purported letter (of resignation from his party) when he went to see Umno president cum Prime Minister in the first instance? This was exactly what happened when Chua Soi Lek held a meeting with premier Najib Razak on yesterday morning… Continue reading Is MCA a subsidiary of Umno?