Aliran Monthly 2007
Tony Pua takes a close-up look at one of the Hindraf Five, V Ganabathirau, and discovers not a racist, but a concerned Malaysian who has selflessly sacrificed a lot in his quest for a better, more just Malaysia for all Malaysians.
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Munching popcorn in a cinema, Wong Soak Koon ponders over a string of intriguing issues such as involvement in society, erosion of media ethics, and culpability for loss of lives in times of war.
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With the general election around the corner, many Malaysians have expressed concerned about the integrity of the electoral process. Subramaniam Pillay, for his part, recalls how delighted he was to participate with his better half in a significant event in the history of civil society in Malaysia – the Bersih rally. Here are his eye-witness impressions of a day to remember.
The elections are around the corner! In our
cover story, Francis Loh paints a realistic picture of what’s in store
for the various political parties and assesses their chances in the
various types of seats.
Election fever may be infectious – but
realistically, on the morning after the election, what really will have
changed? This is why, he says, it is important to link the electoral
process to the larger struggle for broader participatory democracy.
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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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.
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.
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.
The Penang Global City Centre project has been stalled after a concerted civil society campaign. We must never buy into a developer’s claims so easily without first critically questioning all the details and the evidence, says Concerned Penangite CLW.
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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?