tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26069463670670577372024-02-21T08:24:55.151+08:00Stand Up for Malaysia!Calling all Malaysians to stand up for their country!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-36358071434324085022011-07-13T23:00:00.002+08:002011-07-14T02:30:41.657+08:00The day I felt truly MalaysianOn that fateful Saturday, tens of thousands of Malaysians ignored government warnings and descended onto the streets of the capital to raise a simple point; that as citizens we deserve fairer and more transparent elections.They told us it was an illegal assembly, Bersih, but we understood we had the constitutional right to assemble peacefully, what more to demand for a better democracy.But when Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-47299114536018502882011-02-12T16:14:00.003+08:002011-02-12T18:08:31.877+08:00Dumb, And Proud Of Itby: Thushendran AmarakaranAn anti-Valentine’s Day campaign. ‘Awasi Jerat Hari Valentine’, to be more exact. Could a government initiative sound any more ridiculous? Granted, I’m not a big fan of the overly popularized and commercialized annual event that seems to serve little more purpose than prosper gift shop profits. If popular albeit questionable lore is to be believed, this now infamous day Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-23599575118273893232011-02-06T23:58:00.012+08:002011-02-07T15:56:22.230+08:00Malaysia isn't JUST Tanah MelayuFormer Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir admitted at a recent conference that Malaysia belongs to the Malays. As a citizen of this country, I would like to correct Mahathir on this. Malaysia isn't exclusive to a race. It belongs to us, Malaysians.But firstly, let me digress. The organisers of the February 1 conference, in which, Mahathir made the statement, was apparently "ordered" to bar non-MalayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-59267374000206192982011-01-15T13:07:00.007+08:002011-01-15T16:54:40.004+08:00Two wrongs don't make a rightSpeculation suggests that the next General Elections is at hand. With all the talk of Prime Minister Najib seeking a new mandate from the people to push his agenda of reforms, it is only natural for the Pakatan Rakyat to scramble to gain or retain support from the people. But I, personally, do not agree with how the Selangor government has acted recently.The Malaysian Insider reports the SelangorUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-27852354337681650782010-04-27T23:56:00.010+08:002010-04-28T00:37:49.988+08:00Make promises, not threatsThe final outcome of the Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25 was rather shocking if not disturbing especially for those who kept themselves updated by the minute on the vote count. Zaid Ibrahim's re-entry into active politics hit a brick wall when he eventually lost to MIC's P.Kamalanathan by a majority of 1,725 votes. That said, I rather not divulge into conspiracy theories lest I be Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-54239796694225080462009-11-01T21:37:00.000+08:002009-11-01T21:37:39.091+08:00Single-school system a good idea but are there enough guarantees?Tongues are set to wag again over the latest call for a single-school system with UMNO hardliners accusing vernacular schools as breeding grounds for racism. In all honesty, a single-school system is not a bad idea but are there enough guarantees to ensure it remains truly 'Malaysian'?I personally believe that a single-school system is the right track to long term nation building. However, I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-69888545304359040222009-10-13T10:45:00.001+08:002009-10-13T10:45:00.108+08:00M'sians reject tainted leaders? Bagan Pinang voters appear to think otherwiseMalaysians have made their stand. Results of a new Merdeka Center for Opinion Research poll suggested that the majority of Malaysians reject political leaders who have been tainted by money politics or sex scandals. The poll was a timely gesture as to discover how the majority of Malaysians would react to the numerous scandals and money politics that rocked the nation of late.The Merdeka Center Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-69771398792578692972009-10-03T22:41:00.000+08:002009-10-03T22:41:59.473+08:00Those guilty of money politics not fit to run for officeThe decision to field Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad (image) to run for the Bagan Pinang state seat sends all sorts of wrong signals. Credibility is of the utmost importance for politicians who runs for office. But what does it mean for the Malaysian people when a candidate, who was found guilty for money politics, is allowed to contest in an election?To echo former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-11356302342104460302009-09-26T14:59:00.000+08:002009-09-26T14:59:35.859+08:00When monarchies should remain politically neutral...The Royal Institution in Malaysia not only functions as a symbol of sovereignty of the Malay Rulers but is also a system to maintain check and balance within the national political fold. Malaysians expect their monarchs to remain above politics but what happens when they appear otherwise?Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state whose powers are Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-38268963945459488742009-09-09T18:01:00.007+08:002011-07-28T16:40:11.127+08:00Move towards religious acceptance, not toleranceThe recent controversy surrounding the cow head protest of Section 23, Shah Alam has sparked a furore of public dissatisfaction. The Selangor state government has done all it can to satisfy both the protesters and Hindu residents but to no avail. But just when the dust begins to settle, is it possible that 'Muslim sensitivity' has been hijacked as an excuse for downright racism?On August 28, a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-3851300953027455702009-09-01T15:11:00.003+08:002009-09-01T15:47:18.283+08:001Malaysia is still 1Dream too far awayOn August 28, a group of residents from Section 23, Shah Alam and several others from Malay NGOs protested against the relocation of a Hindu temple to their area by carrying a severed bloodied cow head to the State Secretariat building. And as we all know, the cow is considered sacred in the Hindu religion and the protesters have certainly crossed the line.Malaysiakini reported that about 50 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-47907065067864819322009-08-24T23:23:00.005+08:002009-08-26T01:12:48.697+08:00Condemn religious bigotry, not IslamOn August 24, independent news portal Malaysiakini reported that PAS Youth is calling for a ban on MLTR's (Michael Learns To Rock) concert this September - citing it as an insult towards Muslims in the country because it is held during the fasting month of RamadhanFirstly, I would like to clarify that this is not an attack on Islam. I have enough respect for my Muslim friends to honour their Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-63129467458041003772009-08-17T23:39:00.007+08:002009-08-18T22:10:41.370+08:00Kerajaan BN or Kerajaan Malaysia?The Barisan Nasional coalition has been in power for over 50 years. However, the political monopoly has created confusion among ordinary Malaysians and politicians alike of the difference between "party" and "government". This has open doors for abuse and propaganda by the powers that be which I believe every Malaysian should therefore be aware of. It is the very reason why a government should beUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-85014755790101287732009-08-10T01:13:00.006+08:002009-08-10T20:08:29.878+08:00Racial journalism from Utusan Malaysia - yet againEndless racial debates seem to be the main agenda for certain national newspapers like the Utusan Malaysia. Notorious for their racially themed articles, the UMNO-owned paper clearly does not reflect its president's call for 1Malaysia. If Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is sincere in making his 1Malaysia pep talk a success, the first step would be to keep Utusan Malaysia in check from its Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-9027605357458933302009-08-01T22:40:00.015+08:002009-08-12T22:01:55.610+08:00Does Malaysia still need the ISA ?The Internal Security Act (ISA) has never failed to provoke its fair share of controversies. The government says we need it; the foreign media says its unethical but ultimately, the majority of Malaysians want the policy scrapped for good.The preventive detention law was first drafted by the government to counter the communist insurgents during the Emergency Years. And yes, the law has been Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-12675428478819488572009-07-27T11:54:00.010+08:002009-07-27T12:39:42.452+08:00Minister: M'sian football on the rise (because we managed 2 goals against Man Utd)On July 23, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (image) said that Malaysian football is on the brink of renaissance after an impressive performance against English Premier League champions Manchester United on July 18 [source]. I'm saying that is a very shallow basis of evaluation, Mr. Minister.Shabery was also glad that the match between the Malaysian XI and Manchester United wasUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-88662847763542883142009-07-18T02:22:00.004+08:002009-07-18T02:40:30.335+08:00When will narrow-minded Malaysians wake up?It is disappointing to see and hear narrow-minded things some Malaysians had to say, despite belonging to a nation of more than half a century old; let alone a multi-racial one. When will some of us learn to understand the concepts of a matured, open-minded society to move beyond such insularity?A couple of incidents that took place in the course of the week were really self-explanatory (of the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-46174340646563702012009-07-11T03:58:00.013+08:002009-07-12T22:49:48.749+08:00Taking one step forward & three steps back, the M'sian wayOn July 9, the government decided to end the teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI) in national schools, beginning 2012 onwards. Again, the Malaysian people is divided with this latest regression of an initiative set up in 2003 to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the globalised world of information and technology. But in my opinion, the government has shamefully taken a stepUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-51486075493475262402009-07-04T13:13:00.005+08:002009-08-09T01:32:09.214+08:00KTM Komuter- A decade and half not enough to be world class?The KTM Komuter which runs through the heart of the nation's capital has been awful in both quality and punctuality. Since 1995, the KTM Komuter remains the sole railway network which connects large suburban neighbourhoods and satellite towns surrounding Kuala Lumpur to the heart of the city. Many depend heavily on its service daily despite having to face frustration and annoyance ever day for Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-27422610775772992932009-06-24T13:32:00.001+08:002009-06-24T13:33:35.264+08:00What do politicians mean by Malay/Chinese/Indian unity?JITRA, June 21 - Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said today it would be difficult to realise the "1Malaysia" concept if the Malays are not united. [The Malaysian Insider]It has become a rhetorical statement when politicians like to say Malay unity has been split since the emergence of the Pakatan Rakyat. It annoys me every time these elected representativesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-9273302834793030922009-06-17T09:09:00.002+08:002009-06-18T01:14:44.548+08:00About time making English a "must pass" subjectKUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is surprised to learn that English is not a “must pass” subject for SPM and wants public feedback on the matter. [The Star, 9/6/09]The importance of the English language as the lingua franca of knowledge and technology cannot be overstressed. The mastery of the language among Malaysians have spiralled downwards since Independence and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-6392517689567955452009-06-10T09:09:00.004+08:002009-06-10T20:50:45.795+08:00Limit on SPM subjects to 10 not a good ideaNILAI: The days of students taking up to 20 subjects in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination are over. Next year they will be allowed a maximum of only 10 subjects.[NST, 4/6/2009]The government's decision to cap the number of subjects taken in the SPM examinations to 10 has received a myriad of reactions from the public. In the wake of mounting public dissatisfaction over how public Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-53625908022064611662009-06-03T20:00:00.001+08:002009-06-06T02:03:44.091+08:00What Malaysia can learn from BritainWe can all learn a thing or two from the recent British Parliamentary allowance scandal that has made public confidence in the House of Commons hit rock bottom. For those who may not know what it is all about, the British parliament is in dire straits over allegations of public funds abuse by several MPs - including Prime Minister Gordon Brown himself.In Britain, elected representatives in the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-14353092935659184622009-05-27T21:41:00.002+08:002009-06-06T02:10:19.479+08:00Where is the sense of conscience and responsibility?IPOH: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today he was not "the menteri besar of the court" who did not have the support of the Perak people as claimed by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. [ 25/5/09, Bernama]May 22 is the darkest day for democracy in Malaysia - albeit having many 'darkest days' of late following the coup d'etat in Perak. The Court of Appeal Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606946367067057737.post-49715196039743320882009-05-20T09:09:00.004+08:002009-06-06T02:10:28.753+08:00Meritocracy - There is no better time for it than now!PUTRAJAYA, May 18 — Only 20 percent, or one in five, of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships are given based on merit while the rest are allocated based on racial quotas. [The Malaysian Insider]Meritocracy - A system of a government or other organization wherein appointments are made and responsibilities are given based on demonstrated talent and ability. Nonetheless, meritocracy is a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1