The Hindraf blueprint gets into some immediate specifics for the Indian Nation in Malaysia, especially the underclass. A peanut figure of RM 4.5 billion has been mentioned. More importantly, the problems between Hindraf and BN/PR can only be resolved on a macro basis if both sides of the political divide accept that: the Sapu Bersih … Read more
Recent financial crises have visited economic calamity upon ordinary citizens in the countries of the East and West alike. Experience tells us that there can be no complacency about a nation’s financial state. Concerns voiced in various reports and the media call for special attention to Malaysia’s finances and their management. These concerns are: A … Read more
Rakyat Malaysia pasti berbangga apabila membaca laporan bahawa pendapatan isi rumah bulanan purata di Malaysia bertambah dari RM4,025 ke RM5,000 iaitu peningkatan sebanyak 7.2 peratus dari 2009 sehingga 2012. Laporan Penyiasatan Pendapatan Isi Rumah (PPIR) 2012 juga menunjukkan bahawa kadar kemiskinan telah berkurangan daripada 3.8 peratus pada 2009 kepada 1.7 peratus pada 2012 manakala isi … Read more
CPI Introduction We are reproducing a commentary on the role of Singapore as a haven for illicit financial flows, including from Malaysia, by Singapore-born Tan Wah Piow who is currently practising law in London. Tan fled Singapore in 1976 after being jailed for eight months for ‘rioting’ while he was a student leader campaigning for democracy … Read more
Three days ago (27 March), together with a colleague Commander (rtd) S. Thayaparan, I visited P. Waytha Moorthy who is presently in the 20th day of his hunger (viratham) strike aimed at pricking the conscience of the nation on the plight of the Indian poor and marginalized. A small group of supporters were also there … Read more
This is the third part of a three-part CPI series on Malaysian debt. The first part, entitled, ‘Investigate Malaysia’s debts now’ , surveyed the overall debt situation. The second part, entitled, ‘Malaysian government debt to approach RM1 trillion by 2020’, looked at the trend in government debt. This part critiques the debt-to-GDP ratio and questions … Read more
This is the 18th day of my Hunger Viratham. In this tenth part I will be penning my thoughts on the option of strategic abstention by the Indian poor in the forthcoming elections. Today there is still a lot of residual anger against Umno among the Indian poor. Pakatan is capitalizing on this and … Read more
This is the sixteenth day of my Hunger Viratham. Yesterday was a tiring day. I left the temple for Putrajaya for a meeting with the Prime Minister on his invite. Now, let me share my thoughts with you on this meeting. My journey into human rights activism started in 2005 with the formation of Hindraf. … Read more
Dr Paraman, as usual, has put together a thought-provoking piece – ‘Hindraf critics are demonising the victims’ – and no doubt with the help of subject matter experts on several related issues. No one can deny the arguments being made and which can continue to be made among others by the Indian Nation in Malaysia, … Read more
This is the 15th day of my Hunger Viratham. The past 14 days have given me a great opportunity to grow. Thinking, writing, listening and observing during this period of the fast has allowed me to push my thoughts further and deeper into issues that otherwise I would have passed over summarily. This Hunger Viratham … Read more