More and more people in Penang are demanding transparency as mega-projects advance without proper local plan oversight
This piece, published in Aliran, was written by Rebecca Duckett.
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Safeguarding judicial independence and democratic integrity
A statement from Aliran:
Aliran acknowledges that many judges of wisdom and integrity have served our country. Their contributions have shaped our legal landscape and fortified our constitutional values.
These judges have also expanded on those values to recognise new and essential civil rights to meet changing needs. These include the rights to education, to information and to privacy.
What New York’s Mamdani can teach Malaysia’s Madani
Imagine this: you are watching a political debate and one of the candidates has to spell out his own name because his rival cannot get it right.
“The name is Mamdani, M-A-M-D-A-N-I.” (This of course has been turned into a meme, complete with dance moves, that has swept across US social media.)
Focus on bus network rather than RM17bn LRT
Check out this Rapid Penang mini-bus – instead of rushing to start the RM17bn elevated light rail project that risk turning into a loss-making venture.
MBI debacle: Why did it take so long to crack down?
Finally, it appears that China-Malaysia authorities are cracking down on the infamous MBI scheme. But what took them so long?
Mano Maniam – more than just Uncle Chan, he had a dream for Malaysia
Fans of Kopitiam, the TV series around the turn of the century, may recall the wise and affable Uncle Chan bantering with his friends at a local coffeeshop.
The popular sitcom introduced Mano to the masses beyond audiences in Malaysian theatre halls, where he was already an established figure.
Reform roadmap welcome but key appointments process remains unclear
We welcome the government’s initiative to publish the “PetaRI” institutional reform roadmap.
This represents a positive first step towards transparent governance. It allows civil society to monitor progress and hold the administration accountable for any delays more effectively.
A happening time in the Klang Valley
It is going to be an weekend to watch in the Klang Valley with several major events taking place.
- Saturday afternoon, 24 May – PKR election results this Saturday afternoon, 24 May. According to unofficial results, Nurul Izzah Anwar has defeated Rafizi Ramli in the race for the party’s deputy presidency. Unfortunately, we did not see much in the way of debates on which candidate had better ideas on how to implement the People’s Agenda. What will happen to Rafizi now?
- 2.30pm, Saturday, 24 May – Malay and Islamic NGOs’ protest “Himpunan Melayu Berdaulat” to protest against the government’s alleged failure to defend their interests. Issues to be raised include those related to the Urban Renewal Act and land acquisition at Kampung Sungai Baru.
- 8pm, Saturday, 24 May – Sekretariat Undur Azam Baki protest at Dataran Merdeka to protest against the contract extension granted to MACC chief Azam Baki
- 24-25 May – Asean People’s programme and Asean civil society groups policy roundable
- Sunday, 25 May – Minister-level talks for the Asean summit
- Monday, 26 May – Asean leaders meeting
Share your thoughts on these events and what they tell us about the direction the country is heading.
Francis shook up the Church and the world
From the moment Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis upon his election as pope in 2013, you knew he was going to be different.
Never had a pope adopted this name – which is surprising given how St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) lived the Gospel values in his life and community.
Pope Francis called for justice for the excluded and a ‘globalisation of hope’
Aliran mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a brave, towering and progressive leader whose influence and desire for peace extended beyond the Catholic Church.
This was a religious leader who sided with the oppressed, the poor and the marginalised in society.