A DAY before nominations for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election takes place on 6 Jan, the atmosphere in the constituency is calm. Though party flags and banners are not yet up (according to electoral rules, they can only be put up once the nomination process is over), politicians are virtually in full-on campaign mode. Also […]
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PKR national congress in full swing
By Ng Boon Hooi
Corrected on 2 Dec 2008 at 6pm PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s 5th National Congress is being held at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam from 29 to 30 Nov 2008, with the Youth and Wanita wings’ congress having taken place on 28 Nov. (Corrected) The congress, attended by 1,927 delegates and over 1,200 party observers, is […]
Hindraf, one year on
By Zedeck Siew
THE Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is arguably one of the most influential forces in Malaysia today. The non-governmental-organisation coalition brought the issue of Hindu temple demolition national attention, intensified outcry against laws of detention without trial, and was one of the deciding factors in the 12th general election. Its most famous slogan, Makkal Sakthi, […]
Bersih’s first anniversary ends in arrests
By Ng Boon Hooi
POLICE arrested 23 people on the night of 9 Nov 2008 while they were singing the national anthem during a candlelight vigil in Petaling Jaya to commemorate the first anniversary of the Bersih street demonstration. DAP Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua, DAP state assemblyperson for Kampung Tunku Lau Weng San, Petaling […]
Obama wins twice
By Zedeck Siew
EVERY year that Americans go to the polls, the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur throws an election watch party — typically in the morning, local time, due to time differences. With widespread dissatisfaction of the Bush administration, a gutted global economy, and the possibility of an African-American president, it was no surprise that the 2008 […]
Graffiti: Artistic expressionism or vandalism?
By Khairil Anhar
GRAFFITI, derived from the Italian graffito — meaning unauthorised writing or drawing on a public surface or place — has a long history. From the earliest declarations of love and witty banter found in the Roman city of Pompeii in seventh-century BC, to the politically inclined statements that emerged in the United States in the […]
Historic MCA polls result in new leadership
By Deborah Loh and Ng Boon Hooi
THE 55th MCA annual general assembly on 18 Oct 2008 saw its hottest election in party history with a record number of candidates vying for top posts. The new party president is Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, who beat former Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng with a 512 vote margin. This is Chua’s […]
Anwar’s open house
By Zedeck Siew
ON 12 Oct 2008, Kg Baru’s Sultan Sulaiman Club was swamped by a public in search of food and photo opportunities with de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Aidilfitri open house held from 2pm to 5pm was the second such event hosted by the opposition leader and his family. […]
Gerakan in search of revival
By Deborah Loh and Ooi Ying Nee
GERAKAN’s 37th National Delegates Conference took off with two main issues: the need to return to its roots as a multi-racial party and the dilemma of whether or not to remain in the Barisan Nasional. In this conference, held from 10 to 12 Oct 2008 at Menara PGRM in Kuala Lumpur, a record 10 candidates […]
Engaging children through dance
By Ooi Ying Nee
ON 25 June 2008, Five Arts dancer-choreographer Elaine Pedley won a RM3,500 grant for her series of dance and performance workshops with children from Selayang in Selangor. The grant, which was given to seven recipients, was part of the The Annexe Central Market and Fashion Inc’s Grant For Grabs programme, set up to encourage and […]
