Is Malaysia an Islamic or secular state? IF there is one enduring debate in Malaysia, it is whether this country is an Islamic or secular state. No less because successive prime ministers keep making declarations that it is an Islamic state to much public confusion. Islam is the official religion of the federation. But what […]
governance
A letter to readers
By Deborah LohDear reader… (© Cierpki / sxc.hu) Dear reader, The year is drawing to a close and it is giving me cause to reflect on our relationship. Thank you for your support as well as your criticism. There were times when it stung, but in the larger scheme of things, I hope it has made me […]
Should Malaysians be afraid?
By Yasmin MasidiLORD Devlin’s axiom that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is one that is taken for fact these days. For good reasons, too: reams of writing have been expended on the need for checks and balances in any system of governance, democratic or otherwise. What is less often talked about, at least in a […]
Leadership changes merely cosmetic: Hishamuddin Rais
By Khairil AnharKuala Lumpur, 14 Nov 2008: Filmmaker, writer and Reformasi activist Hishamuddin Rais said that changes in the country’s leadership don’t necessarily bring about fundamental transformations. Speaking at a forum yesterday entitled Reformasi’lah! Membincangkan (lagi) 10 Tahun Reformasi Malaysia dan Indonesia, Hishamuddin said that changes in leadership are merely cosmetic rather than structural. “The change of […]
