2007: 9

Levels of faith: Stone, water and air

Posted by on 1 February 2008 No Responses »

Feb 012008

Many are searching for clarity in a
materialistic world confused by permissiveness, blatant consumerism,
unbridled consumption and casino-market economics on one side while
poverty, violence and hate stare at us on the other. We can make a
difference – and collectively, if enough undertake this commitment;
then a critical mass could provide the tipping point for new
possibilities, says K Haridas. We have nevertheless to start with ourselves and what
better time than now.

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Gandhi and the spiritual war between Good and Evil

Posted by on 31 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 312008

mahadev Today is the 60th anniversary of Gandhi’s death. In paying tribute to the Mahatma, Mahadev Shankar says that freedom fighters should not worry too much about the consequences of their righteous acts but rather leave the results in the hands of the Divine.

"I find it very hard to reconcile myself to the numerous statutes which now provide that ‘the decision of the Minister shall not be questioned in a Court of Law’. The ISA is only one of them. You can find similar provisions in the Industrial Relations Act and, of late, even in the Private Health Care Act, which came into force this year.

"Has the immunity – or the impunity – thus conferred led us astray, especially when some Judges seem to have been contaminated with the same syndrome?"

Mahadev quotes Jack Kennedy in saying our success of failures will be measured by the answers to four questions:

"First: Were we truly men of courage…?

"Second: Were we truly men of judgment…?

"Third: Were we truly men of integrity…?

"Finally: Were we truly men of dedication?

"Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi undoubtedly was.

"Why can’t we?" wonders Mahadev.

Is Malaysia going down the Mandalay Road?

Posted by Angeline Loh on 30 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 302008

Malaysian voters, civil society groups and opposition parties are waiting to see how the Barisan Nasional responds to the clamour for free and fair elections and democratic rights, writes Angeline Loh.

The government must be prepared to listen

Posted by on 26 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 262008

Dozens more have been detained today around the KLCC area in connection with a protest by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes). Resorting to heavy-handed action to quell peaceful rallies is not the best solution.

All the rakyat want is a fair and incorruptible government. Tunku Yusuf Jewa urges the government to come to its senses before it plunges into a deeper mess – particularly when the general election is just around the corner and the voters have the power to decide who can win or lose.

Rage against the Machine

Posted by Boo Teik, Khoo on 22 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 222008

badawi Zooming in on what is going in Malaysian society in the aftermath of recent demonstrations organised by lawyers, the Bersih coalition and Hindraf, Khoo Boo Teik observes that the goodwill that was shown to Abdullah Badawi in 2003-2004 has largely evaporated. Is there is a whiff of reformasi in the air now?

One people, one nation – Is it possible?

Posted by P Ramakrishnan on 19 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 192008

P Ramakrishnan says that ordinary people should vote responsibly so that the BN is not given another huge mandate to perpetuate its arrogance and lack of accountability.

Why the Hindraf approach is misguided

Posted by Jeyakumar Devaraj on 18 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 182008

kumar Many of the economic problems facing Indian Malaysians are also experienced by workers of all races in Malaysia – even the Malays. So the struggle for socio-economic justice must be reoriented to make it more multi-racial, says Aliran member Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, who is tipped to contest against Samy Vellu in the coming general election.

Treated as deviant even before court hearing

Posted by on 15 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 152008

It was meant to be a Hari Raya gathering-cum-dinner attended by staff, employees and guests of Rufaqa’ Corporation Penang. But the Penang Islamic Religious Department saw it differently and raided the venue, turning a happy evening into a nightmare. A Detainee recounts his experience at being detained and treated as an Islamic deviant – even before he had a chance to be heard in court.

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Unmuzzle the media

Posted by on 5 January 2008 No Responses »

Jan 052008

In the aftermath of recent rallies, fiction writer Beth Yahp pens an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to unmuzzle the media and practise real democracy.

"When this integral pillar of any democratic system is obstructed and
belittled, as it is in Malaysia, we cannot claim to live in a
democracy," she writes. "Our mainstream media then become merely tools of the
State, used to hoodwink, brainwash and intimidate the people they should
rightly be serving. Instead, we, the people, are spoon-fed, led and
expected to go quietly like sheep to any foregone conclusion."

Aliran Monthly 27: 9 editor’s note

Posted by on 21 December 2007 No Responses »

Dec 212007

AM cover In our cover story, we look at what is
going on in Malaysian society in the aftermath of recent demonstrations
organised by lawyers, the Bersih coalition and Hindraf. Khoo Boo Teik
observes that the goodwill that was shown to Abdullah Badawi in
2003-2004 has largely evaporated and wonders if there is a whiff of
reformasi in the air now. Jeyakumar Devaraj, however, cautions
that the Hindraf approach is misguided and the struggle for social
justice must be reoriented to make it more multi-racial.

Continue reading »

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