Category: Steve Oh

The road to democracy let alone the “world’s best democracy” is a road far less travelled when it is peppered with potholes of corruption and the authorities are selective who they prosecute. The unfailing flow of public corruption scandals involving government politicians has reached a crisis. The government cannot afford to brush them aside in… Continue reading MACC must go after the big fish

  Tunku Abdul Rahman was an icon of racial harmony and religious tolerance having married four wives, at different times that represented the different races. As the one who facilitated the dakwah movement and established Perkim, he did more than any other Malay leader for his race and his religion and he was never a… Continue reading Jalur gemilang: What is excellent about the government today?

While the history of political cartooning makes for a good read on a lazy afternoon over the weekend, it is easy to understand why books like ‘Cartoon-o-phobia’ and other books of political caricature by Malaysia’s contemporary Malaysiakini cartoonist, Zunar – full name, Zulkiflee Anwar Hague – are banned. One man’s humour may be another politician’s… Continue reading Reason for Zunar’s head on chopping block

  Corruption is not only about embezzlement of public funds but the destruction of the public institutions and undermining of the rule of law. Their dysfunctional effects are pervasive and perfidious, even occasionally murderous. The wise learn from history’s dark past and avoid its mistakes but the foolish tread its crooked path, suffer the ignominious… Continue reading Corruption breathtaking in breadth and boldness

  In the world’s most isolated city the same cry for clean and fair elections resounded. Last Saturday on a cold afternoon, I counted more than 300 Malaysians and their Australian friends gathered outside the Malaysian consulate in Perth to show solidarity with Bersih. As Perth lies in the same time zone as Kuala Lumpur,… Continue reading Show of solidarity by Perth Bersih

The cry for free and fair elections resounds throughout the country and around the globe and will not cease until the integrity of the electoral process is achieved. Former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has recently lamented the country’s regressive ways and calling for people to reclaim their rights. In the light of current events… Continue reading Plight of Bersih plight of the people

Is it true that Malaysians emigrate because “they don’t love their country” as a government minister once suggested? I hardly think so. While every Malaysian has his or her reason for emigrating, their loss to the country is seen in a pattern of discrimination, disillusionment and desertion, or the 3Ds. It is a myth that Malaysians… Continue reading Bye-bye M’sia and sayonara to the govt

I agree with Pembela’s suggestion that Islam is under siege but not for the reasons they cited. Islam as practiced in Malaysia is under siege because of other factors. Among some of the more common ones we know: Islam is under siege because of the way the government has used religion as a political tool… Continue reading Islam under siege?’ Pembela suffers paranoia

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

  ‘Actions speak louder than words’ is an age-old adage that any credible government needs to practise. The former Badawi government promised a better police force after the Royal Commission into the Police but it was an empty promise. The latest incident of criminal conduct by police against an innocent Malaysian is further proof. Several… Continue reading Public have little safeguard against police brutality