Archive for November, 2007

Asean embraces a rogue regime while inking a Charter for Big Business

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-YVdpQHdqo&rel=1]
So the Asean leaders have signed a Charter in the wonderfully democratic nation of Singapore in the company of leaders from Burma’s rogue regime. (Check out this excellent documentary “Burma’s Secret War”.) Each member nation now has to take the Charter back to their home countries so that it can be ratified by their respective [...]

No need for institutional reform? You gotta be kidding!

Here is the Al Jazeera panel discussion (in two parts) on the 10 Nov rally to demand electoral reforms. The panelists were Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy, de facto Law Minister Nazri (Umno as well) and human rights lawyer Imtiaz.
Here’s an excerpt. Nazri tries to keep up with the fast-paced discussion by repeating his mantra [...]

Beware those who want to hijack Malaysia’s People Power movement

In a parting shot, Thierry Rommel, the European ambassador who left his post on Tuesday, castigated the Malaysian government for its deplorable human rights record and the “discriminatory” New Economic Policy (NEP).
News reports quoted Rommel as saying the executive in Malaysia is “all-powerful and not accountable” while the judiciary remains beholden to the executive because [...]

“Iconic towers” or eyesores?

If our experience with “iconic towers” in Penang is any indication, then look out for what could happen with other towers in the pipeline.

Thanks to a reader for bringing these to my attention:

Sad-looking Komtar: Why has its viewing gallery become a store?

And here’s a blocked fire-escape

Cardboard on the windows [...]

“No matter the regime’s physical power, in the end they can’t stop the people”

Those words uttered by Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi could well apply to Malaysia.
Was it a stalemate on 10 Nov? After all, the demonstrators had been thwarted from gathering at Dataran Merdeka in the city centre. They were unable to accompany their chosen representatives to the gates of the palace to hand over their memorandum. [...]