DATUK Mukhriz Mahathir was recently reported to have offered to release the confidential agreements between Tenaga Nasional Bhd and independent power producers (IPPs) to Parliament, but not to the public. This offer was immediately denounced by the DAP Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Pua as being “complete and utter bunkum”. Pua said even MPs cannot […]
NGO
Consult civil society on councillor appointments
By Jeffrey PhangTHE Coalition of Good Governance (CGG) congratulates the Selangor government for maintaining the 25% civil society quota in the appointment of local councillors. However, we are concerned that there may be a repeat of last year’s incident where many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional councillors were left off the list. They were only confirmed much […]
The politics of dialogue
By K ShanmugaSome people just don’t understand dialogue… SO now the government wants a formalised interfaith dialogue mechanism? Going by the history of the state’s response to attempts by civil society to initiate interfaith dialogue, I am not holding my breath. In 2005, various members of civil society had a conference proposing a statutory Interfaith Commission (IFC) […]
Democratic rights still far off
By Ding Jo-Ann“POST-8 March, [the election results] left civil society exhilarated and giddy knowing that change is possible,” says Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah. “It has strengthened Malaysians as a whole to speak up, organise and demand reform.” Candlelight vigils have become part of the fabric of city life Indeed, since the last general election, Malaysians have been upping their […]
Upholding diversity in Islam
By Deborah LohDr Hamidah Marican SISTERS in Islam (SIS) has a new executive director, Dr Hamidah Marican, who took over the helm from Zainah Anwar on 6 July 2009. Over the past 21 years, the outspoken organisation which promotes justice and fairness in the name of Islam, has often been targeted for attacks by those who deem […]
1Malaysia according to Tamu
By Claire Brownell and Deborah Loh1Malaysia. There are merits to the philosophy behind it — after all, who doesn’t wish for national unity, and for genuine respect and fair treatment between all groups in Malaysia. The latest poll by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research showed that while 76% of the public surveyed knew of 1Malaysia, 39% of respondents said […]
Govt revives NGO to explain 1Malaysia
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 24 June 2009: Concerned about misunderstandings over 1Malaysia, the government has revived a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Tabung Amanah Muhibah (Tamu), to explain the concept to the public. Tamu executive director Datuk Dahan Abdul Latiff said the NGO was given its new mandate in April , after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced […]
PAS should accept diversity
By Ivy JosiahIS PAS ready for non-threatening, open dialogue with dissenting voices within civil society? The recent resolution by PAS to investigate and possibly ban the women’s rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) suggests that PAS needs a reminder to react democratically to opposing views. This is not an unfamiliar call that civil society and political parties […]
Projek Cari widened to include health-based NGO
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 March 2009: The Welfare Department will extend the search for people who need welfare assistance through its “Projek Cari” programme by identifying potential candidates at community and healthcare-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said her welfare officers would start with dialysis centres. […]
Vision of the mayor
By Shanon Shah(Background image © Kristina Afanasyeva / sxc.hu; Datuk Ahmad Fuad pic courtesy of DBKL) REPORTS on Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail’s appointment as mayor of Kuala Lumpur (KL) on 12 Dec 2008 have generally been favourable. The long-serving civil servant and former Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general has been touted as people-friendly, efficient, and fair […]
