2007

Aliran Monthly 2007

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."

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Why fear greater democracy?

 Posted by on 29 December 2007  No Responses »
Dec 292007
 

The levels of corruption in all areas of life are evident and marked. The judiciary is in a shambles; the police, customs and immigration departments are reeling from serious questions of credibility. The only option now seems to be to register a strong protest vote at the next general election, urges K Haridas.

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Cool architecture, cool cities

 Posted by on 27 December 2007  No Responses »
Dec 272007
 

No amount of wind turbines, green lungs and good intentions can offset the carbon foot print of constructing a “zero-carbon city” – unless you build a solar photovoltaic power plant as a central energy source first, says Gwynn Jenkins.

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Aliran Monthly 27: 9 editor’s note

 Posted by on 21 December 2007  No Responses »
Dec 212007
 

AM coverIn 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.

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An iconic monument to folly

 Posted by on 14 December 2007  No Responses »
Dec 142007
 

The Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) is being developed by Abad Naluri, a
25 percent-owned associate firm of Taman Equine, which in turn is
wholly owned by developer Equine Capital. Equine’s executive chairman
is Patrick Lim, widely seen as one of the most influential businessmen
in Malaysia. Former premier Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, himself often accused of cronyism
during his 22-year tenure at the helm, has reportedly referred to Lim
as ‘’Patrick Badawi’’, alluding to the perceived close ties between
Abdullah and Lim.

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No to PGCC! Yes to Penang State Park!

 Posted by on 12 December 2007  No Responses »
Dec 122007
 

penangturfclub.jpg

Penang Turf Club land (240 acres)

Sold to Abad Naluri ("open recreational space"): RM43 per square foot

After re-zoning (to "mixed development"): value soars to RM250-300psf

Developer makes windfall profits before work can even begin! 

Aliran puts the spotlight on an iconic monument to folly known as the Penang Global City Centre Project with an eye-popping development value estimated at RM25 billion. Critics have dubbed it the "Penang Graveyard and Crematorium Complex" because of its proximity to a crematorium and a cemetery. Already a civil society campaign against the PGCC is gaining momentum as more and more Penangites become aware of its horrendous environmental implications. Instead of creating a concrete monstrosity with 40 towers, the government must convert the Turf Club land into a State Park as a legacy for future generations



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