Category: Articles

By Low Teck Kuan
November 26, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

NOV 26 — Have you ever felt a sense of discomfort sitting on your chair whenever you read the news?

Or sometimes (most of the time for me) a sense of disbelief and appal at how politics has screwed our rights, liberties and monies over and over again?!

Just when we had to digest all the poor spending and misappropriation (for example, the Auditor-General’s Report, the National Feedlot Corporation scandal and Kedai 1 Rakyat Malaysia fiasco), now we are told that a Bill will be passed to restrict our natural right to assemble!

The government tells us that we can assemble, and it says it is “revolutionary”. However, they seek to implement various criteria and obstacles before we “can”, or rather more accurately, be allowed to assemble (one fine example would be the requirement of a 30 days’ notice). This clearly illustrated the government’s pure hypocrisy in singing the tune of “best democracy”, “revolutionary” or even “upholding democratic principles” when it in fact it seeks to restrict the rakyat’s natural right to assemble! Continue reading “The imperative march against the Peaceful Assembly Bill”

By Aliran
November 28, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

NOV 28 — The much-heralded reforms promised by Najib to bring us into a new era of liberalism has exploded in the face of the rakyat as a sham, a shameful promise.

We were promised that the ISA would be revoked — and the rakyat rejoiced prematurely. The joy was shortlived when it was revealed that two other laws would replace the ISA, retaining the obnoxious detention without trial. The same undemocratic features of the ISA will now come under a new name, gravely disappointing the rakyat.

We were promised easier democratic freedom of assembly without the need for police permit. The rakyat applauded this sensible approach, which seemed to guarantee the right of assembly as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. With the presentation of the Peaceful Assembly Bill, now they realise that they have been deluded once again.

The Barisan Nasional is not capable of respecting the people’s human rights or honouring its solemn word. The BN is only used to restricting our rights, denying our freedom, controlling our space, destroying our faith in the electoral process, trampling upon our judiciary and completing ignoring what is fair and just. Continue reading “Najib has taken the rakyat for a ride!”

By Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos (loyarburok.com) | November 16, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

Saya kerap bertanya soalan tersebut selama hampir 20 tahun: Kenapa dipilih untuk mengelar wakil-wakil rakyat dengan istilah “Yang Berhormat” dan bukan dengan istilah “Yang Berkhidmat”?

Semalam, saya ditanya oleh seorang pemuda aktivis soalan yang sama! Katanya ramai pemuda-pemudi hari ini kurang senang dengan isitlah “Yang Berhormat” kerana mereka merasakan ia tidak tepat menjelaskan kedudukan wakil-wakil rakyat. Saya setuju.

Pertama, pada faktanya, wakil-wakil rakyat diundi oleh rakyat jelata untuk berkhidmat kepada pengundi-pengundi yang berada didalam kawasan Dewan undangan negeri atau dalam kawasan Parlimen mereka. Mereka tidaklah diundi untuk bermegah atau untuk mencapai kejayaan peribadi sebagai seorang wakil rakyat atau untuk memperkayakan diri. Maka jika mereka menawarkan diri sebagai calon dan diundi untuk berkhidmat, bukankah lebih tepat mereka digelar sebagai “Yang Berkhidmat”?
Continue reading “Kenapa Yang Berhormat dan bukan Yang Berkhidmat?”

By Richard Loh

“Just Trust Us Sdn Bhd” (JTU) is the biggest corporation in this country for 54 years running. In a nation that comprises of many races, smaller corporations were formed to operate businesses to suit each individual race. In no time these small corporations were bought over by “Just Trust Us Sdn Bhd” and incorporated into a major company called “Just Follow Our Command Sdn. Bhd” (JFOC) to which “Just Trust Us Sdn. Bhd” remains the major shareholders.

There are many private corporations that are envy of “JTU” and “JFOC” successes (even though by dubious means). They tried many times in corporate take over bids but failed miserably.

Even though “JFOC” is in the forefront carrying out the daily business, it is “JTU” that controls every single thing from behind. All top portfolios in “JFOC” are themselves holding high position in “JTU”. Every three years election is called to elect who will be the management team in “JTU” and even though there are thousands of shareholders only a handful are allowed to vote. “JTU” is in fact owned and controlled by a handful of close and trusted associates and will remain so as long as other shareholders dare not raise the issue. Continue reading “Leave the sinking Titanic now!”

By Aspan Alias | August 01, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

1 OGOS — Dalam situasi politik yang begitu kusut pada hari ini, apa yang perlu bagi negara ialah untuk mempunyai pemimpin yang penuh dengan “wisdom” politik yang berpijak di atas alam yang nyata. Ucapan bergegar-gegar tidak lagi menjadi alat penyatu sesuatu kaum dan di antara kaum di negara yang berbilang bangsa, agama dan budaya ini.

Pemimpin yang dikatakan pemimpin yang mempunyai “wisdom” itu adalah pemimpin yang tidak lagi bercakap hingga pecah anak tekak, tetapi pemimpin yang faham keadaan sebenarnya yang melanda negara. Apabila pemimpin itu faham keadaan sebenarnya maka adalah mudah bagi pemimpin itu untuk mencari kaedah penyelesaiannya mengikut kehendak semua orang dan kaum-kaum.

Tentulah di dalam membuat keputusan untuk di gubal dan di laksanakan itu ianya pasti ada pengorbanan dari semua pihak seperti kaum-kaum yang ada, pemimpin-pemimpin serta mereka yang bakal memberikan kepimpinan bagi penyelesaian itu.
Continue reading “Kita kembali ke barisan permulaan”

By Soothsayer | July 27, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

JULY 27 — Good is bad and bad is good. Those in power attempt to justify their acts of deceit, cruelty and oppression by hard-sell tactics using all the media tools at their disposal.

On Sunday, the news broadcast was filled with falsity and half-truths — one of which is that this country is rated one of the safest and most peaceful in the world. By whose measure, I wonder, in the face of so much murder, death, robbery and violence?

The credit for maintaining the peace should go to the brave “rakyat” who, unarmed, faced water cannons and tear gas on their peaceful march. The government of the day deserves nothing for sending its minions to taunt, provoke and injure the populace.
Continue reading “Apocalypse begins”

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
June 19, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 19 — A grunt, a shadow of a frown or dead silence. These things tell me whether or not Abah is upset with me.

All my life, I’ve known Abah to be a man of few words. A quiet, unassuming type, aunts and uncles call him, but a proud man nevertheless.

Take a walk into Abah’s study at home, or his office at work, and you’ll be greeted by an army of books, yellowed by time and dog-eared with overuse. Continue reading “Growing into my father’s son”

By Aidil Rusli
June 18, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 18 — I’ve never been a voracious reader, though I think I do read quite a bit compared to the average Malaysian. What I do read though is mostly non-fiction stuff, especially articles or interviews where artists I admire talk about their creative process or motivations.

You see, even if I do think of myself as an artist, I’ve never been the cerebral type who can explain exactly why I do this or that with my art. So, it’s pretty fun and revealing to read about what other artists have to say about their creative process because sometimes what they say actually does explain or help me understand how my own creative process works. Continue reading “Changing the world in our own little way”