Feeling more empowered than ever before after the shock opposition win in Penang, civil society activists and other concerned individuals came together to discuss and agree on key areas of concern and proposals for submission to the state government. Anil Netto reports on the historic Penang Forum.
Abdullah Badawi has declared his determination to ensure efficiency, commitment, service to the people and an end to corruption and to pay special attention to the people’s problems. But does he have enough people in Umno to help him? Can he push through meaningful reforms before he is shown the door, wonders K George.
In our cover story, Philip Khoo analyses the results of the general election. It wasn’t quite a new dawn but it was a liberation all the same, he said. We now need to rise above pursuing mere economic efficiency; we must promote a more holistic understanding of social solidarity to reduce inequalities and enhance capacities.
Abang Benet then goes on to describe how the BN bullied, bluffed and bribed their way to victory in Sarawak. For democrats in Sarawak, it was a missed opportunity to push forward the agenda of political and economic reform in a state saturated with political abuse and corruption.