MALAYSIANS have been speaking up about crime recently and recounting experiences of violent crime such as robberies, kidnapping and attempted rape. The Nut Graph speaks to political scientist Wong Chin Huat on what it will take for Malaysians to feel safe again and whether crime will be an election issue.
Archives for June 2012
Pilihanraya, pilihan saya
Asam Pedas Oleh Norhayati Kaprawi
PARTI dan pemimpin politik boleh berubah dan kadangkala tidak konsisten dalam perjuangan. Namun sebagai rakyat, yang harus kita perjuangkan dengan jelas ialah nilai-nilai yang baik seperti keadilan, kebebasan kesetaraan dan kedaulatan hak-hak asasi manusia.[
Refocusing the PTPTN debate
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans debate will not get far until we move beyond the polarised back-and-forth between maintaining it and abolishing student fees. Hwa Yue-Yi adds looks at broader issues: a wider range of policy solutions to higher education financing and more thorough consideration of national educational aspirations.
Slow death by aluminum smelters?
As If Earth Matters by Gan Pei Ling
While green activists in Peninsular Malaysia are protesting the rare earth refinery that has yet to begin operations in Gebeng, Pahang, villagers living near an aluminium smelting plant in Balingian, Mukah, Sarawak, have been suffering in silence. How is the plant affecting the lives of local communities in Balingian? Should we be alarmed at plans for new plants?
Religious raids: Can they or can’t they?
By Ding Jo-Ann
CAN religious authorities like Jawi and Jais raid companies, confiscate books and detain Muslims for publishing and selling a book that is deemed a threat to Muslims in Malaysia? What laws empower religious state authorities to act in the way they have over Irshad Manji’s book? And what laws protect citizens and companies from arbitrary action?
Consequences of MBPJ ignoring its own rules
Ampersand by KW Mak
What happens when MBPJ ignores its own rules on development in Petaling Jaya? It’s no use ignoring the problems, says former councillor KW Mak, as eventually everyone will end up having to pay.
Doubtful votes — can they change an election outcome?
By Deborah Loh
Are Malaysians sufficiently educated on how to vote? It is widely assumed that marking “X” next to a candidate’s name is the only legitimate way to vote. It is not. Civil society groups now train volunteers to be election monitors, booth agents and polling and counting agents. They also cover training on doubtful votes, due to concerns that dubiously marked ballots could end up influencing an election outcome. Can this really happen?
Bayu Utomo: “Racism is like sin”
By Koh Lay Chin
Bayu Utomo Radjikin has won various accolades and awards for his abstract and cultural works. He is known for his evocative works dealing with local and international social commentary as well as the “Malay warrior” identity.
