Category: Steve Oh

  Teoh Beng Hock was the man who died while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Shah Alam. We read about him, we saw his photo in the news, and we remember the emotive images of his sobbing sister. We knew him as a political worker. He was law-abiding and… Continue reading Beng Hock: The dead brought to life in documentary

Is Deepak Jaikishin a hero? Not in the eyes of those who believe a hero is one who gives his life for others. At best many see him if the comments in internet websites are any indication, as nothing more than a conniving businessman with a singular eye for self-profit. By baiting the public and… Continue reading The sweeping-under-the-carpet man

  A recent survey revealing Malaysia tops 30 countries where business was lost because a bribe was not offered is merely confirming a Malaysian folklore. It is common knowledge that corruption occurs across a wide section of Malaysian society from the top to the bottom. A royal commission into the police not long ago has… Continue reading Will the present government add to the legacy of corruption?

  I am sure most Malaysians will agree with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a recent speech that there is more to corruption than government abuses. What more is not conjecture as much of it is in the public domain. Surely it must be evident from the various writings in Malaysiakini, CPI and other… Continue reading Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business

  If the oracular Dr Mahathir Mohammed thinks the ‘devil we know’ is running the country, who knows better? The government while promising transformation and boasting about attaining the status of “the world’s best democracy” appears to be wavering as Malaysians see it heading in the opposite direction with the latest denunciation of dissent. The… Continue reading What the devil we know should know

I am among the four billion or so people worldwide who watch the Olympics 2012 on television, albeit in snatches, now in its final stretch. While I enjoyed seeing Usain Bolt win gold twice in the 100m and 200m sprint races and Michael Phelps chalk up gold after gold for an Olympic record of 18… Continue reading Merdeka Spirit: Learning from the best in the Olympics

  Perth may be the most isolated capital city in the world but the Malaysians living there are certainly not isolated from what is happening in their country, Malaysia. Last Saturday more than 500 of them showed they were concerned for clean and fair elections in Malaysia and turned up for the global Bersih 3.0… Continue reading ‘Bersih is Nobel Peace prize material’

If citizens don’t lose their citizenship when they leave their country, why should they lose their voting rights that is part and parcel of their birthright? Democratic countries want all their citizens to vote not abstain, be disqualified or exempted, and often when exempted it is at the behest of the voters, not imposed by… Continue reading If M’sians abroad want to vote why block them?

I refer to recent events in Malaysia. The country is peppered with bad news. Illicit money outflows, the impending conviction of innocent Anwar Ibrahim, the National Feedlot Corporation financial irregularities and so on. Dark clouds are over the horizon. Yet the message of Christmas is hope for all mankind. That is why the angel could proclaim,… Continue reading A bad govt represses its good citizens

The repeal of archaic laws that have not been used cannot disguise the enacting of a law like the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 which will be debated today on its second reading in Parliament. And spin and political rhetoric are not substitutes for sincere actions in the public interest. Those who talk of transformation must… Continue reading What’s needed is a Peaceful Police and Politicians Act