Category Archives: General Politics

Time to Take Stock

Time to Take Stock (From theSun, 28th December 2012) Former President of the United States Bill Clinton would use a Nasa-loaned moon rock, carbon-dated 3.6 billion years old, to help him gain perspective on things, saying, “We’re all just passing … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, General Politics, The Cause | Leave a comment

The PAS conundrum – or is it really?

The PAS conundrum – or is it really? (From Selangor Times, 28th December 2012) At a recent policy dinner at St. Mike’s, a cozy Ipoh restaurant, I spoke of civil society, reform issues and my experience of having worked at … Continue reading

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Religion | 1 Comment

Change of mayor too high-handed to ignore

Change of mayor too high-handed to ignore MBPJ Building Photograph: INCOLNOSE2® With a string of surprising transfers being made in the MBPJ, including the mayor, many questions are being raised about the structure of command at that level. For the … Continue reading

Posted in General Politics, Public Administration, Selangor | Leave a comment

Can Overseas Malaysians Contribute?

Can Overseas Malaysians Contribute? (This was first published in Selangor Times on 2nd November 2012). At the Singapore FreedomFilmFest 2012 where the three documentaries were screened (including The Rights of The Dead, on the late Teoh Beng Hock’s story), a … Continue reading

Posted in General Politics, Outside Malaysia, The Cause | Leave a comment

The Internet and Political Education

The Internet and Political Education (A version of this was published in theSun, on 2nd November 2012) At a forum on the Internet and citizenship recently held at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, I had the privilege of speaking with Deputy … Continue reading

Posted in Education, General Politics | Leave a comment

In What Shape, Democracy?

In What Shape, Democracy? (A version of this was published in theSun on 19th October 2012). Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of travelling to places like Bukit Mertajam, Kempas, and Parit Yaani in Peninsular Malaysia … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Society, General Politics, Media | Leave a comment

In Search of National Identity

In Search of National Identity (A version of this was first published in theSun on 7th September 2012). It has become somewhat of an annual affair in August and September that Malaysians obsess about our national identity. Although laughable at … Continue reading

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Reflections | Leave a comment

A Matter of Sacrifice

A Matter of Sacrifice (A version of this was published in theSun on 24th August 2012). I started fasting alongside my Muslim friends in 2009, making this year the fourth time I observed the full Ramadhan month. Many friends ask … Continue reading

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, Reflections | Leave a comment

Time Malaysians Moved On

Time Malaysians Moved On (A version of this was first published in theSun on 10th August 2012). The country was glued to their television and computer screens on Sunday night, where cheers of excitement and hope resounded across the streets. … Continue reading

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Penang Port in peril?

Penang Port in peril? Photograph: Ong Ee Lynn The social costs involved in privatisation of public goods have been obvious since this lazy man’s method of nation building became the fashion in the 1980s. In Malaysia, despite huge losses to … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Federalism, General Politics | Leave a comment