There are groups who seem to be spoiling for another 13 May to happen in Malaysia. Whether they are politicians from Umno or non-state actors, the signs are mounting that another racial clash is what these individuals and groups want to have happen. What are these signs?
Gerakan
Strengthening parliamentary democracy
By Deborah Loh
The majority of MPs who responded to MP Watch want parliamentary democracy strengthened. Two top suggestions for doing this were reforming election practices and having parliamentary select committees.
MPs and the ISA
By Gan Pei Ling
The Internal Security Act has now been abolished and replaced with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act. But not all Barisan Nasional MPs were keen on abolishing the ISA. Find out what MPs told The Nut Graph about what they thought about the ISA during the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project.
New year resolutions for the BN
Uncommon Sense by Wong Chin Huat
IT’S a new year and the countdown to the next general election has begun, expected within the next 100 days. What new year resolutions should political parties be making to perform well at the impending elections?
How legitimate is our elected government?
In A Nutshell by Andrew Khoo
IF rumour holds true, the 13th general election, due by March 2013, will be held sometime this year. Once again, Malaysians will cast their votes and the party that wins the most number of parliamentary seats will govern federally. But how legitimate is the government that eventually gets into power? Does the party in power […]
Lim Keng Yaik: “Let’s build on commonalities”
By Deborah Loh
LIFE for former Gerakan president and cabinet minister Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik is quiet these days since he retired as party head in April 2007 and from government the following year. In his last media interview in February 2010, Lim talked about his frustrations with the Barisan Nasional (BN) government and with Gerakan, the […]
Supporting letters: Abuse or necessity?
By Tarani PalaniARE support letters by elected representatives and councillors necessary to maintain good public relations, or are they a political liability that are open to misuse and abuse?
Strengthening Dewan Negara
By Gan Pei Ling
THE Dewan Negara, or Senate, has long been perceived as a “rubber stamp” of the Dewan Rakyat or Lower House in Malaysia. In a Westminster parliamentary democracy, the Senate is meant to provide checks and balances on the Lower House. Indeed, healthy democracies thrive because of checks and balances. That the Dewan Negara in Malaysia […]
No reply for 8 April 2010
By Ding Jo-AnnTHE following Member of Parliament (MP) has not replied to the six questions under MP Watch: Eye on Parliament as of Thursday, 8 April 2010, the end of a two-week deadline. Her responses will be updated if and when she replies. (source: parlimen.gov.my) Name: Tan Lian Hoe Constituency: Gerik Party: Gerakan Years as MP: Since 2004 Government post: […]
Liang Teck Meng (Simpang Renggam)
By Deborah Loh and Patrick KratzensteinSIMPANG Renggam Member of Parliament (MP) Liang Teck Meng’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions. (source: parlimen.gov.my)Name: Liang Teck MengConstituency: Simpang Renggam Party: GerakanYears as MP: Since 2008 Government position: None Party position: Central committee member Youth vice-president Membership in parliamentary committee or […]
