Just what are the benefits of hudud? Its supporters should spell them out so that Malaysians can decide if the Islamic penal code is good for the country, and so that the electorate can make informed assessments about the politicians who are pushing for Malaysia to be an Islamic state.
Umno
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Can Sabah and Sarawak secede?
By Jacqueline Ann Surin
There have been renewed calls for Sabah and Sarawak to assert its interests and rights within the federation of Malaysia. These calls have even included proposals to consider secession. The Nut Graph finds out what’s behind these calls and whether secession by any state in the federation would even be possible.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Constituency redelineation and citizen vigilance
By Wong Chin Huat
AMID furore over banned words and price hikes, the redelineation of electoral boundaries is the next big thing that Malaysian voters must not let slip without close scrutiny. Political scientist Dr Wong Chin Huat explains the issues to look out for in this upcoming exercise.
Beyond the Shia “threat”
Holding Court by Ding Jo-Ann
Umno and the Home Ministry, which the party’s vice-president is minister of, have proposed a constitutional amendment to stipulate that Islam in Malaysia is of the Sunni sect. Would such an amendment to the federal constitution be possible? And if so, what are the ramifications?
The cost of saving Utusan
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
IS there any incentive for Utusan Malaysia to stop reporting in a way that is racially polarising, defamatory and damaging to the nation? It would seem that the answer is ‘no’, not when Umno wants to bail out the ethno-nationalist paper, even at a cost to public interest and the nation.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: The two faces of Najib and Umno
By Ding Jo-Ann
OUR Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his government seem to have had a personality change. From human rights, 1Malaysia and helping Chinese Malaysians, Najib has re-introduced detention without trial, harped on Bumiputera empowerment and blamed Chinese Malaysians for BN’s poor election performance. What’s going on? The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat.
Wishing for another 13 May
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin
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?
Breaking the cycle of polarised politics
Work in Progress by Hwa Yue-Yi
GE13 has come and gone, but the partisan blame game continues. How do we “move on”? Are more rallies the answer? The challenge really is for the rakyat to be more democratic than either the government or the opposition – in the hope that, over time, our politicians will follow our lead.
Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Beyond GE13 (Part 1)
By Ding Jo-Ann
AND so the BN is still in power. Those hoping for a change in government are still coming to terms with the results of GE13. The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat how the BN won, why it would racialise the poll results, and what needs to happen next.
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.
