The central argument in this volume of 27 essays on Malaysian politics and society, is that there exists a conflict between the BN’s Old Politics which is essentially ethnic-based and characterised by money politics, coercive laws and other restrictions, and New Politics which demands more democratic participation and social justice, accountability and transparency, and is more multi-ethnic in orientation.
Tok Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Tok Gajah and Tok Janggut were dubbed “traitors” by the British and Chin Peng and his followers were dubbed “terrorists”, observes Hishamuddin Yahaya.
Long years have passed, yet the fire that burns in the hearts of these ex-detainees remains aglow. Tan Pek Leng reviews an inspiring new book of poems and prose of women and men who were imprisoned without trial for their convictions in Singapore.
It’s time to give the rakyat a preview of what ketuanan rakyat economic and social policies will look like, says H A Lee.
Dissenters, critics, whistle blowers and ‘prophets of doom’ are essential cornerstones for building an accountable and just democracy, observes Angeline Loh.
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Ram Puniyani expresses hope that, with the decline of the BJP, those struggling for democratic space and the rights of the downtrodden will come to the fore.
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It’s not just the ISA that needs to be repealed. It is time to set up a law reform commission to look into and update outdated criminal laws, writes Hamid Ibrahim.
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Many believe judges are the natural protectors of liberty. Tommy Thomas debunks this myth, pointing to the Griffith thesis: judges will lend their support to government measures to preserve ‘stability’ and they will not be overly concerned if such measures require the invasion of individual liberty.
George Aeria writes to Penang state government exco members Chow Kon Yeow and Phee Boon Poh to highlight the residents’ deep concerns about property development projects on steep hill slopes in their area.
Maznah Mohamad analyses the recent proposal for Umno-Pas unity talks. A Pas-Umno ‘marriage’, she says, would have been nothing more than a marriage of convenience with disturbing consequences.