Taking on the government used to be a daunting task. But it has been made easier with the internet and social media. What lessons can we learn from groups such as the anti-Kidex movement on how to take on the government in the digital age?
mbpj
The obstacles to local council elections
Ampersand by KW Mak
It’s now six years since the DAP and PKR promised to enact local council elections. Yet neither Penang nor Selangor, which are under the control of the Pakatan Rakyat, has succeeded in doing so. What exactly is the problem with local council elections that it is taking so long to implement? And why is there so much secrecy surrounding the appointment of councillors?
Understanding state government SOPs
Ampersand by KW Mak
Was the MBPJ inspection of the Bible Society of Malaysia’s premises, right after they had been illegally raided by Jais, justifiable? And what are the larger issues surrouding both the Jais raid and the council’s action?
Will DBKL defeat ratepayers?
Ampersand by KW Mak
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) may have postponed its assessment rate hike after the public protested. But is it likely that ratepayers will be able to stop the hike? Former Petaling Jaya councillor KW Mak explains how it may not matter at all what ratepayers think and want.
Can MBPJ’s promises be believed?
Ampersand by KW Mak
Buyers of an abandoned low-cost housing project were recently told that MBPJ would solve their woes by reclaiming the land, developing the project, and selling it at half price. This sounds like great news, but will it be so straightforward for MBPJ to save the day? Or will buyers be faced with more hurdles?
Batu Caves condo cancelled: Who suffers?
Ampersand by KW Mak
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised to scrap the controversial Dolomite Park Avenue condominiums near Batu Caves if BN takes over Selangor at the next elections. Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim just announced that the Selangor government will cancel the project. But can such promises be kept? What will the ramifications be for the condominium’s buyers?
Batu Caves condo: What they’re not telling you
Ampersand by KW Mak
A lot of accusations and allegations have been made in the recent case of a condominium development near Batu Caves. Who is telling the truth: BN or PR? And what else aren’t they telling us?
Crowded cities: What happened to the open-space policy?
Ampersand by KW Mak
The open space policy is meant to prevent overdevelopment and to provide for social-infrastructural facilities. It is a good mechanism to ensure the nation’s social needs are prioritised, but it is not being implemented.
Is MBPJ trustworthy?
Ampersand By KW Mak
Nobody in MBPJ seems to want to take responsibility for illegally converting a field in Kelana Jaya from recreational to commercial use. Former councillor KW Mak points to more evidence of how unaccountable and untrustworthy the council has become.
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.
