A few days ago, two senior academics involved in the writing of history textbooks emerged from the shadows with the public allegation that the history textbooks in the country are biased and littered with errors. According to Dr Ranjit Singh Malhi, one of the two authors, “secondary [school] text books have been used to promote … Read more
Wikileaks has opened a Pandora’s Box of leaked government secret communiqués that has seen politicians in affected countries scuttling into damage control mode. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton calls the latest dumping of US embassy diplomatic cables “an attack on American foreign policy interests, an attack on the international community???. In contrast … Read more
Malaysia sebuah negara yang unik di mana di atas nama demokrasi, masih mengamalkan undang-undang kuku besi. Pelbagai siri protes demonstrasi dan penghantaran memorandum dianjurkan oleh pelbagai pihak tetapi ianya diakhiri dengan penangkapan para demonstran, diberhentikan kerja, dikeluarkan dari universiti dan sebagainya. Pelbagai sekatan dibuat ke atas pelajar universiti. Mereka tidak dibenarkan berpolitik, didakwa hanya … Read more
The deputy Utusan editor-in-chief Zaini Hassan (left) had recently written that May 13 should be celebrated as ‘tarikh keramat’ — an auspicious and sacred day. He opined that May 13 is a blessing in disguise and without May 13 the Malays would not have enjoyed the benefits as what they are enjoying today. From … Read more
In astounding disclosures of US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks via Australian newspapers touching on controversial Malaysian politics, both the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional and opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat were rattled. These leaks, said to be US State Department cables, recorded opinions of Singapore officials on its regional neighbours, particularly Malaysia. These opinions were blunt, … Read more
Surat daripada seorang pembaca yang tersiar di akhbar the Star (Dis 9, 2010) boleh memberi nafas baru dalam usaha pemimpin Malaysia sendiri untuk mencari satu formula yang berupaya merangsang rakyatnya supaya lebih bersatu dan merasakan diri mereka benar-benar sebahagian daripada negara ini. Surat itu ekoran daripada laporan tentang sebuah buku oleh Dan Buettner bertajuk … Read more
The conflict between the liberal and conservative elements of Malaysian politics has spun off another sticky controversy. No sooner had Anwar Ibrahim suggested that a non-Malay like Lim Kit Siang could be appointed Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) under Pakatan Rakyat’s rule than were we greeted with Nik Abdul Aziz’s insistence that a non-Malay aspirant must … Read more
Bekas menteri besar Selangor Dr Mohd Khir Toyo telah dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen pada hari Isnin atas tuduhan rasuah berhubung pemilikan dua lot tanah dan sebuah rumah mewah di Seksyen 7, Shah Alam. Tanpa ada pengungkapan kes ini secara telus, kita khuatir pemberantasan rasuah hanya akan di persepsi umum sekadar retorik politik belaka. Rakyat … Read more
On Feb 12, 2008, Dato’ Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, the Minister of Energy, Water and Communication, wrote in the foreword to the book, ‘The Water Tablet: Malaysian Water Reforms’ that “The reform model [in the water services industry] that we are embarking on is unique and I hope it will serve as a guide … Read more
Introduction by Dr Lim Teck GheeMalaysia recently participated as one of 74 countries/economies in the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) assessment. The results for Malaysia which was one of nine countries that carried out the assessment in 2010 unfortunately will only be available next year. Nonetheless, the outcome – released yesterday — of this … Read more