The Nut Graph gives out the Merdeka Awards annually in conjunction with Peninsular Malaysia’s independence and the anniversary of our publication. This year, we honour 14 exemplary Malaysian individuals and groups. Find out who they are.
Lim Guan Eng
“Allah” issue: The battle over Bahasa
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
The “Allah” issue is likely to spark partisan jockeying and deep division until we build consensus on a fundamental question. Is our national language of Bahasa Melayu – or is it Bahasa Malaysia – the language of all Malaysians or does it just belong to those who profess Islam and practice Malay customs?
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?
Looking beyond the Chua-Lim debate
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
MUCH has been said about the 8 July debate between DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. The debate, titled “Whose policies benefit the country more?”, drew conflicting responses. For example, theSun reported that “Lim went on the offensive”, while Malaysiakini said it was Chua who took […]
Assault on journalists: Whose fault?
By Ding Jo-Ann
ON 26 Feb 2012, Kwong Wah Yit Poh journalists Adam Chew and Lee Hong Chun were injured in an attack while covering a demonstration in Penang against the Lynas rare earth refinery. Chew and Lee were both hit on the head by a group appearing to be Umno supporters who had gathered to heckle the […]
Who’s afraid of a debate?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
DISAPPOINTING as the Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek-Lim Guan Eng televised debate was, what’s clear is this: Malaysia could do with more public debates between the politicians who covet our votes and the power of public office. Since the 18 Feb 2012 debate between the MCA president and the DAP secretary-general, calls have been […]
“There’s nothing to stop us from being Malaysian first”
By Deborah Loh
(Corrected at 1:20pm, 7 June 2011) THE vocal and articulate Lim Kit Siang many of us know in Parliament, through his blog and from news reports, is reticent when it comes to talking about himself. The veteran politician is slow to reveal what makes him tick or where he draws his ideals and inspirations from. […]
Freezing the toll hike – who pays?
By Gan Pei LingTHE prime minister announced during Budget 2011 that the toll rates for four PLUS highways would not be raised over the next five years. It has since been revealed that the federal government may have to pay PLUS up to RM5bil in compensation as a result. Does the government’s action really benefit taxpayers? What could it be doing instead to resolve the issue in the public’s interest?
Is govt revenue haram?
By Ding Jo-AnnTHE Penang government has come under fire from Umno for allegedly distributing government aid for senior citizens from “haram” sources. But is Umno missing something in its own argument? And whether money from gaming activities was really distributed to Muslims or not, is such aid really “haram” in Islam?
Receiving live bullets “comes with the job”?
By Ding Jo-AnnSHOCK and outrage were expressed by many when DAP Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Pua received a death threat in the form of a live bullet and note on 11 Aug 2010. Such threats are unacceptable and should be thoroughly investigated and stopped. But according to one senior editor, receiving death threats is “part of an MP’s job”.
