Blogs Bloggar
RSS Subjects
Submit Blog Edit Blog How it Works
RSS Subjects — Blogs about "Malaysian politics"

Malaysian politics

Sarawak: Between spin and reality
2009-09-19 14:05:00
Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud has delivered a special message to mark the festive season. Among his comments is a comical demand which will no doubt add to the merriment: stop criticising the government! According to Bernama: “If there are (sic) chaos in the country, it will be impossible for us to celebrate any festivity. We should ...
Mahathir and the judges? again
2008-06-11 12:37:00
Somehow, even after his retirement, Mahathir is still involved in controversy involving the judges. The Lingam tape, Salleh Abas, Ian Chin… ? What else is coming out of the judicial closet? So what do you make of Mahathir’s response (to Ian Chin’s revelations)? Maybe his memory needs refreshing… Both the New Straits Times and the Star today ...
Mahathir quits Umno: What?s next - Umno Baru Baru?
2008-05-19 08:01:00
So the man who established Umno Baru in 1988 quits the party he founded in a huff. Now this comes just a few days after he and a string of his cronies were accused of involvement in the fixing of appointments of judges. Over the last few months, Mahathir has watched from the sidelines as his house ...
Suaram activists released on police bail, complain of ?mala fide?
2008-05-12 06:10:00
This morning, Suaram Penang coordinator Lau Shu Shi, who is also Penang coordinator for the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI), and Teh Chun Hong were released on police bail. Shu Shi told me she is required to report to the police on 21 May to find out about a possible charge under Section 90 of the Police ...
B K Ong, Suaram activists, Hindraf supporters detained after Hindraf demons
2008-05-11 07:53:00
5.30pm - Three more Hindraf activists or supporters are also said to be held by police: Vimal, Hindraf activist Selvam and press freedom activist Stanley, who had earlier campaigned for a boycott of The Star. This brings the total to seven detained. 3.15pm - About 10-15 people are at the police station. B K Ong, Satish, ...
Two hot potatoes in PGCC/Penang Turf Club deal
2008-05-08 04:19:00
It looks like we are going to hear more about the Penang Turf Club in the news. The controversy is simply not going away. Here are two more hot potatoes: First hot potato: No conversion fee charged When the status of the Penang Turf Club land was converted from open recreational to mixed development land, by right the state ...
Utter fiasco! Here?s why CCTV cameras won?t work in Penang
2008-05-07 12:49:00
Now this is why the Penang state government should not go ahead with its plan to install CCTV cameras in crime-prone areas. The only people to benefit will be the camera and equipment suppliers. The UK has the most CCTV cameras - but it has been an utter fiasco as this report from This is London: ...
Malaysia?s folk hero Raja Petra opts for jail to prove a point
2008-05-06 16:52:00
Spent the evening working with Mus on a press statement in response to the action taken against Raja Petra. It is just three days after we marked World Press Freedom Day. Not good. And downright depressing. But mind you, this move could backfire. It is high stakes poker, and I guess they didn’t anticipate that Raja Petra would ...
Odds and ends on World Press Freedom Day
2008-05-03 11:20:00
I was about to wish you Happy World Press Freedom Day, but… …they are at it again. Harassing Raja Petra, that is, over his posting on Altantuya. What exquisite timing. Come on, give the guy a break. And give him back his laptop. Anyway my choice for quote of the day has got to be from ...
Banana-leaf lunch with cartoonist extraordinaire Zunar and blogger Fazlina
2008-04-29 20:21:00
One of the most rewarding aspects of my line of work is that I get to meet some outstanding Malaysians. Really cool people. Like Malaysia’s most famous political cartoonist, Zunar, and his wife Fazlina, who runs the Roti Kacang Merah blog. A couple of colleagues - Ramakrishnan of Aliran and Kris, a human rights activist - and ...
Abdullah?s last stand
2008-04-25 17:05:00
In the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, a hopelessly outnumbered General Custer, along with his Seventh Cavalry of the United States Army, was defeated by a combined Lakota-Northern Cheyenne force. Custer and his forces were outnumbered at least three to one. When the end came, it was swift, the final battle lasting only ...
Malaysia?s leading public intellectual Rustam Sani passes on
2008-04-23 03:13:00
This morning, at around 2.30am, Rustam Sani, social critic, political analyst, author of books on Malay and Malaysian nationalism, former lecturer and politician, newspaper columnist and fellow blogger, passed away. He had been unwell for some time. Rustam Sani, an Aliran member, was famously described by Jomo as “arguably Malaysia’s leading public intellectual”. It was only ...
5 state govts back call for ISA detainees? release, Guan Eng tells Makkal S
2008-04-19 17:55:00
No letting up: Some 2,000 Makkal Sakthi and Hindraf supporters call for release of ISA detainees For one moment, it looked as if the general election campaign was not yet over. The orange shirts were back in numbers. A similar crowd had packed the Penang Chinese Town Hall in the run-up to the general election. Makkal Sakthi ...
Powerful corporate interests penetrate Penang local councils
2008-04-19 07:23:00
Just got a text message from an unhappy political scientist friend, who forwarded to me an sms that he had sent to a DAP rep in Penang: People not happy with councillors appoint & list. old wine in new bottle. expect you guys to deliver your promises during election. Also received another email from a concerned Penangite. ...
LIVE COVERAGE: PM announces Judicial Commission, stops short of apology
2008-04-17 15:20:00
2145: The announcement of an ex gratia payment/financial compensation has not gone down well with some of the lawyers present. There is some discussion at the dinner tables as to whether it would look as if judges could be sacked and later paid off as a crude way of saying sorry. One ...
LIVE COVERAGE of the Penang Forum
2008-04-13 03:21:00
People in the new Penang now feel more empowered in the struggle for justice 4.30pm - The world is watching civil society in Malaysia, which is blossoming and acting as real agents of change. “I’m enthralled by the response of you participants who have stayed on the whole day,” concludes Ahmad Chik, the moderator for the ...
Karpal, Mahathir exchange letters on 1988 judicial crisis
2008-04-09 12:16:00
On 27 March 2008, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, Karpal Singh, wrote to former premier Mahathir about the 1988 judicial crisis. “It is not the present Government which should apologise, but you yourself personally,” wrote Karpal. “Your culpability in the events leading to the dismissal of these three judges cannot have any justification in law ...
?Wang ehsan? model for Pakatan-controlled states?
2008-04-07 05:09:00
The Star carries an alarming report today, the latest in developments which suggest that the BN-controlled Federal Government is looking into alternative models to by-pass the state governments in allocating federal funds to the various Pakatan Rakyat model states. Federal Govt mulling over project mechanism in Pakatan states JITRA: The Government is seeking a suitable mechanism ...
Turf Club members fret as Patrick Lim fails to deliver Batu Kawan racecours
2008-04-02 08:27:00
Abad Naluri’s dream in Batu Kawan goes awry It all seems to be going wrong for Patrick Lim. First, the Penang Global City Centre project has all but been killed off as a result of a concerted campaign by Penang civil society groups to save the Turf Club land on the island. Then, the Penang state government fell ...
Can Abdullah save Umno and the BN?
2008-03-30 12:16:00
I have been wondering about Zaid’s remarks on the 1988 Judicial Crisis. Has he really turned over a new leaf compared to the immediate aftermath of the 1988 crisis, especially in the light of his statements that he has apologised? This report from The Star: Zaid: I never endorsed Lord President Salleh Abas? dismissal By SHAHANAAZ HABIB KUALA LUMPUR: ...
A vulnerable Abdullah casts a wary eye at rivals
2008-03-29 03:50:00
From now onwards, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will be casting a wary eye on all sides as rivals such as Tengku Razaleigh and Anwar sense his considerably weakened position, never mind that the BN is just eight seats short of a two-thirds majority. After all, under his stewardship, the BN lost five states and received less ...
State official forces last-minute change of venue for election talk
2008-03-28 05:35:00
More little Napoleons at work. Just received the following from Suaram Penang: A ban has been ordered by the state authority on SUARAM election talks! SUARAM Penang has received a last-minute call from the Caring Society Complex person-in-charge last night (26/3/08), who claimed that the Penang state Secretariat has ordered a ban on the coming Friday and ...
Will Gerakan leave BN?
2008-03-27 04:00:00
Over the years, Gerakan has tried to change or reform the Barisan “from within” - or so it likes to claim. Clearly, it has failed. Did the BN instead end up changing Gerakan? The question on many people’s minds is, now what for the party that had governed Penang for close to 40 years? In a ...
1988 judicial crisis: Is an apology sufficient?
2008-03-26 04:08:00
Former Lord President Salleh Abas has reacted positively to Zaid Ibrahim’s proposal that the government should apologise to him and the other top judges who were victimised and sacked in the 1988 judicial onslaught by the Mahathir administration. Of course, Karpal Singh has a point that when he says that it is not the present administration ...
Questionable land deals give Guan Eng huge headache
2008-03-22 15:19:00
Lin Lee presents the PGCC Campaign Group’s concerns as Guan Eng, Jeff Ooi and Liew Chin Tong listen It has been over a week since Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as Penang Chief Minister, but already he is discovering some of the serious challenges facing the new Penang state government. He faces a daunting task. ...
What now after NEP?
2008-03-19 16:43:00
If the NEP goes, what will replace it? The Malaysian Economic Agenda? This policy calls for providing assistance to all those who need it, irrespective of ethnicity. Fine, but PKR, DAP and Pas leaders must realise that the people voted for more subsidies and greater government social spending. This is what they were promised. They did ...
The woman who masterminded Samy?s defeat
2008-03-19 08:32:00
Kumar and Rani in Penang fresh after their triumph in Sg Siput While everyone knows Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj as the guy who finally toppled Samy Vellu in his Sg Siput bastion, few are aware that his victory owes a lot to his wife and campaign manager, Rani Rasiah, a PSM central committee member, who played ...
Zaid Ibrahim, Shahrir IN; Rafidah, Tengku Adnan OUT
2008-03-18 05:34:00
PM Abdullah Badawi has just announced a “reformist” cabinet of sorts which includes critic Zaid Ibrahim as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department serving as de facto law minister. Zaid is likely to be made a senator first before he can take up his new appointment. The independent-minded Shahrir Samad makes a surprise entry as Domestic ...
New Perak MB impresses Chinese crowd
2008-03-17 10:56:00
Looks like the new Pas MB in Perak has an impressive command of languages. This should stand him in good stead. This report from Sin Chew (click on link to see pictures): Perak MB-designate wows Chinese crowd IPOH, MALAYSIA: Perak Menteri Besar-designate Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS turned up at the ?What’s Coming Next? political forum held in ...
Mainstream media trying to stir discord among opposition parties
2008-03-17 06:14:00
They are at it again, playing the same old game. This time they are trying to fracture the opposition parties’ unity of purpose and the stability of the new state governments they control. The NST, for instance, carried this report on the frontpage of its website: Pas’ proposal for Islamic govt irks DAP veteran ...
New Perlis MB chosen: It?s the Sultan?s choice
2008-03-16 15:32:00
The NST reports that Shahidan Kassim has failed in his last-ditch attempt today to secure the Perlis Mentri Besar post. It is learnt that Abdullah had already met the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail where they reached a consensus that Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu, who is the Ruler’s choice, would be ...
?Business-friendly? or people-friendly state govts?
2008-03-13 06:05:00
There’s been a lot of reaction over the selection of the Perak Mentri Besar, which has gone to a Pas candidate. Kit Siang should not have asked his DAP state assembly members to boycott the swearing in. After all, there was an agreement among the DAP, PKR and Pas at the state level that they ...
BN?s popular vote dips below 50% in Peninsula
2008-03-11 07:00:00
Greetings from Ground Zero, three days after the political hurricane that struck a wide swathe all the way from Kedah to Selangor. This morning, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was sworn in as Penang Chief Minister even as Zakaria Md Deros passed away. (Oh, what good is storing worldly treasures in earthly palaces when you can’t ...
A Word about Malaysian Politics and the surprising Election Results
2008-03-10 14:00:00
Malaysia is a great country! Unspoiled beaches, excellent diving spots, mountains surrounded by misty fog, exotic fauna and flora and a healthy, vast rain forest are attracting plenty of visitors. Islands like Pulau Langkawi, Tioman, Penang, the Perhentians or locations like Genting Highlands have a legendary reputation with travelers. The country embraced tourism already many years ...
Lets Karaoke to Malaysian Politics!
2008-03-10 07:03:00
First Song going out to our Famous VK Lingam!Title: Lingam's Devil CurryBy: Allan Perera and Indi NadarajahProduction of: Comedy CourtDr Chua Soi Lek's LegacyTitle: Check Three TimesBy: Allan Perera and Indi NadarajahProduction of: Comedy CourtMalaysia's 12th ElectionTitle: Elections Blah Blah BlahBy: Allan Perera and Indi NadarajahProduction of: Comedy CourtThe Princes & Princesses of Malaysian PoliticiansTitle: The Family TreeBy: Allan Perera and Indi NadarajahProduction of: Comedy CourtBye Bye Samy VelluTitle: Goodbye SamBy: Allan Perera and Indi NadarajahProduction of: Comedy Courthttp://jymystique.blogspot-.com
Jubilation in Sungai Siput as Samy rides into the sunset
2008-03-09 15:08:00
Photo credit: PSM Operations Room, Sungai Siput So Jeyakumar Devaraj of Parti Sosialis Malaysia has finally triumphed over S Samy Vellu. When I spoke to him early this morning, he sounded tired but happy. It had been a long, long struggle - more than nine years. “I think the victory was largely due to the nationwide swing ...
After an incredible night, BN loses two-thirds? majority!
2008-03-08 13:01:00
Headline news: Penang, Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor, Perak fall to opposition hands. In: Jeyakumar Devaraj, Charles Santiago, Nurul Izzah, Prof Ramasamy, Tian Chua, Khairy(!) Out: Samy Vellu, Zam, Sharizat, Awang Adek, Koh Tsu Koon 5.47am - The results couldn’t be any better in terms of the fine balance among the opposition parties. PKR has the ...
Campaign in Penang ends on a multiracial high as Anwar warns of phantoms
2008-03-08 02:11:00
The Opposition campaign in Penang ended last night on a multi-racial high as 8,000 people crowded the main road in Sungai Ara near the Pas markas. For the first time in Penang, I noticed that all the ethnic groups were well represented. Malay men shouted Makkal Sakthi along with their Indian counterparts while everyone shouted ...
Massive 60,000-strong rally in Penang raises Opposition hopes
2008-03-06 16:45:00
Photo credit: DAP Ceramah; More pictures here. If you thought last Saturday’s ceramah attended by 10,000 people at the Han Chiang High School indoor stadium was huge, think again… The crowd tonight, this time out in the open in the vast Han Chiang school field, was massive. My engineer friend, a maths whizz, at first tried to ...
Indelible ink U-turn casts shadow over election
2008-03-06 05:48:00
The Election Commission’s decision not to use indelible ink just does not sound right.  If they have nothing to hide, then there should be no hesitation in using such ink. It certainly doesn’t look good for the EC and the government, coming so close to polling day.  How are you going to spot multiple voters? This ...
Jeyakumar vs Samy Vellu: Epic battle that?s too close to call
2008-03-04 15:21:00
If there is one electoral contest that epitomises GE 2008, it has got to be the epic battle of Sungai Siput. A titanic contest is taking place between Samy Vellu and Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj of PSM, standing under a Keadilan ticket - and so far, it’s neck-and-neck. The scenario is more akin to 1999, when Kumar ...
Anwar, Guan Eng join hands to rock Penang
2008-03-01 16:50:00
This was one of the big ones. It was one those evenings where you just had to be there to experience the growing sentiment among Penangites seeking change and reforms. Some 10,000 converged at the indoor stadium of the private Han Chiang High School in Penang. Though the stadium could said to have a seating capacity of ...
Pro-Opposition sentiment rising in Penang
2008-02-29 16:34:00
Some 250 people turned up at the Catholic Church in Pulau Tikus in Penang tonight to listen to Dr Francis Loh presenting a talk on election issues that should concern Malaysians. Though the crowd might seem small, a similar talk at the same church in 1999, at the height of the reformasi period, drew only about ...
Intense interest in Malaysian polls across the Causeway
2008-02-28 08:54:00
I am just back from Singapore, where I took part in a forum on the Malaysian general election with some old friends. The forum on Tuesday was organised by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in the island republic. I was delighted to meet my friend, Farish Noor, ...
Have you read this not-so-secret diary?
2008-02-21 16:21:00
Already tired of the mainstream media’s bias in covering the election campaign? Don’t fret, you are not alone. And I have got just the right antidote for you. In case you haven’t noticed, there is a new blog in town. The Malaysian Election Media Monitors’ Diary, which is now in full flow. This is an initiative launched on ...
?Lingam?s Devil Curry? by Comedy Court
2008-02-20 11:44:00
Just spotted this hilarious skit and I thought you should check it out. It’s from the brilliant Comedy Court, which has been around since 1997. The outfit features the talented duo, Indi Nadarajah and Allan Perera. But at the end of the day, when you think about the Lingam saga, you don’t know whether to laugh ...
Writing?s on the wall for Samy Vellu
2008-02-15 02:42:00
Hostile reception: Police moving in to escort Samy Vellu to his car after he was surrounded by angry youths at a Tamil school groundbreaking ceremony in Petaling Jaya Wednesday. (Photo credit: The Star) I nearly missed this picture in The Star. The MIC leader certainly doesn’t look too happy. In fact, he can’t go anywhere ...
Samy Vellu in ?top form?
2008-02-14 02:18:00
Here’s a clip of the man himself, obviously in “top form”. A lot of bravado. He says “the BN will win 100 per cent because this is one government in South-East Asia that truly fulfils its promises to the people”. Why, his opponents are “already dead” or they simply “don’t exist”. We shall see on polling day. ...
Samy Vellu walks out in a huff after students fail to humour him
2008-02-13 12:32:00
Samy Vellu again. This time at an MIC-organised meet-the-students function at the City Bayview Hotel in Penang yesterday evening. Present were about 200 STPM Indian Malaysian students and college students from around Penang who were probably invited through Indian students’ societies. One source told me the students falied to humour and “cooperate” with Samy Vellu and they ...
Parliament dissolved: How can you trust such a leader?
2008-02-13 05:37:00
So Parliament has been dissovled. And Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has got off to the worst possible start over something as critical as the date for the dissolution of the Federal Parliament to pave the way for the 12th General Election. It was only yesterday that he denied that Parliament would be dissolved today. I mean, how ...
81238 blogs in the directory.
Statistics resets every week.


Contact | About
© Blog Toplist 2009 - Supported by Web Catalog - SEO by FeWorks
eXTReMe Tracker