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Repeal of ISA a hollow victory

T Vicknaraj | Apr 12, 2012
Letters
Malaysiakini

The ambiance in Malaysia in April 2012 is both celebratory and festive due to the recent policy changes pertaining to Malaysian’s civil and political rights; and yet there is a strong sense of scepticism and mistrust at the ground level among the civil society movements, opposition politicians and the general population.

The general population’s feeling denotes a strong awareness that that this year possesses a crucial landmark in our nation’s history, as the concepts of participatory and parliamentary democracy are being negotiated and boundaries of civil and political rights are being rebranded, redesigned and rehashed in light of the impending general elections rumoured to be held in June 2012.

The stakeholders who are active in this negotiation for democracy are the political parties from both side of the divide, the ever growing civil society movements like Bersih, NGOs and the young adult population (gen X and Y), all of whom have a crucial say on how this political drama unfolds.

This mixed feelings and confused euphoria is justified. Continue reading “Repeal of ISA a hollow victory”

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Is the Tun hallucinating?

by P Ramakrishnan
Aliran
12 April 2012

In an open letter to Mahathir, P Ramakrishnan takes to task the former premier for his outrageous statements about the Pakatan administrations in Penang and Selangor of late.

My dear Tun Dr Mahathir,

I’m at a loss as to whether you are hallucinating or failing to see the reality.

Your views on Penang and Selangor are misconceived and misplaced. You come across as a dishonest politician determined to score political points and mislead Malaysian voters. You do no credit to yourself nor do you live up to your reputation as an elder statesman (Bernama, 29 January 2012).

Your statement, “They have already been given a lot of chances. A lot of unhappy things have happened in Penang, the same (is happening) in Selangor,” does not make any sense at all. “They have been given a lot of chances”, you unreasonably claim.

Pakatan only came to power on March 8, 2008. They have been in office only for four short years. What chances were given to them and who gave them those chances? What are you talking about? What miracles were you expecting them to perform in this short period of time?

Compare their short term of office to the Barisan Nasional’s nearly 55 years of tenure – truthfully and honestly. We can justifiably throw back at the BN the very words you had uttered: “They (BN) have already been given a lot of chances. A lot of unhappy things have happened in Penang, the same (is happening) in Selangor.” This is indeed a valid observation requiring an honest answer from you, dear Tun. Continue reading “Is the Tun hallucinating?”

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The foreigners can go fly kites

— Syed Feisol
The Malaysian Insider
Apr 12, 2012

APRIL 12 – We are on our own. This is what Malaysians who want to save this country from the corrupt regime of the Barisan Nasional have to realise.

Not too long ago, former Aussie PM Kevin Rudd praised Malaysia as a robust democracy. Can you imagine calling Malaysia a robust democracy? But the people in Canberra will do anything for business or some strategic interests, including sacrificing so-called sacred principles of democracy.

Today, the British PM lauded Najib Razak for the cosmetic surgery on the ISA, he probably wants Malaysia to go ahead and purchase the Typhoon jets.

This is my message to Opposition politicians, non-governmental organisation and Malaysians for change: screw the foreigners. Continue reading “The foreigners can go fly kites”