Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) and Aliran held a Rant & Rave 2.0 session in Penang on Saturday.
This was a platform designed to let participants speak openly, without fear or favour, on the performance of the “unity government”.
True to its concept, the session had no keynote speakers. The floor was given entirely to participants, encouraging authentic, ground-level feedback and diverse perspectives.
Held at Coex @ Kilang Besi, the event drew active engagement from participants who valued the openness and inclusivity of the platform.
Traffic congestion, overdevelopment and housing affordability were the issues that dominated the discussion. These are longstanding concerns among people in Penang.
| Please help to support this blog if you can. Read the commenting guidlelines for this blog. |
Why use such negative terms ‘rant and rave’, no different from local slang Kpkb. Need to be more positive to be constructive!
To “rant and rave” means to express intense anger or frustration by talking loudly, wildly, and uncontrollably, often at great length. It describes a passionate, often irrational, outburst or furious complaining about a topic. While “rave” can sometimes mean to praise enthusiastically, in this combined idiom it indicates negative, wild speech.
Negative connotations indeed. Sounds like noise making session for the frustrated folks that have difficulty keeping up with time.
It was actually a lively discussion about some of the key issues facing Penang.
Next time can call it ‘lively and positive’ to give good vibes!
Meanwhile it is Rain n Rave in Bukit Bintang… Can bring in more tourist dollars? Can try at Gurney Bay too?
Care to elaborate those lively discussion? Any video recording uploaded to youtube?
Nothing to show?
Let readers judge if the session is constructive.
Yes, be positive for positive change.
Already too much noise everywhere.
” PM Anwar proposes Asean food security standby arrangement during crises ”
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/05/08/pm-anwar-proposes-asean-food-security-standby-arrangement-during-crises
========
When the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, politicians, economists and business leaders were loudly talking about food self-sufficiency and national security. Then the Madani government took over in November 2022.
Fast forward to 2026, and they are still repeating the same talking points amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. The real question is: between then and now, what meaningful structural changes were actually made? My guess: very little.
” PJ fatal crash involving elderly river sparks racist chants after police wording confusion ”
https://focusmalaysia.my/cops-miswording-of-skidded-vs-speeding-senior-citizen-driver-in-pj-fatal-crash-triggers-racist-chant/
========
Malaysia’s roads have become like war zones. One may enter to travel, but may not come out alive.
Every day, reckless driving and dangerous riding have become a common sight, as many motorists show little concern for their own safety or the lives of others.
The daily death toll on our roads now feels worse than that of a war zone, affecting people regardless of ethnicity.
” Nearly 40 hours on, no news of M’sians abducted on Global Sumud Flotilla vessels ”
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/774109
========
We, the Rakyat, have our own problems here and are struggling with the rising cost of living in Malaysia. It has not been resolved since the Madani government took over. The cost of living continues to increase and is getting worse day by day.
As for yourselves, since you made the bed, you have to lie in it. As the Malay proverb says, “Sendiri buat, sendiri tanggung.”
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/18/anwar-slams-israel-demands-release-of-16-malaysians
========
It’s like a badly written script repeated over and over again — by a PM, no less.
More schools, companies and community groups in Singapore are setting up micro-gardens to grow their own greens, with some urban farming providers reporting up to a 30 per cent increase in demand. The rising interest comes as Singapore steps up efforts to strengthen food resilience.
Even if the plants grown are not food, every square metre of metal, glass, masornry or road shielded from sunlight means the “heat island” effect becomes more tolerable for the non-rich, and nights cooler and more restful for all. Though Singapore is closer to the equator, its peak daily temperature is consistently below ours.
But we have a long way to go. A few days ago, a highway authority said building highways is good for the economy.
Half a month later today on 30th of April 2026 the following statement was made –
” PBAPP seeks federal intervention to avert water crisis in Penang, Kedah ”
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/122437/pbapp-seeks-federal-intervention-to-avert-water-crisis-in-penang-kedah
” PENANG Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) has sought immediate intervention from the Federal Government to avert a potential water crisis in Penang and Kedah following declining levels of Sungai Muda and increasingly worrying capacity at key dams.”
>>> Note the words ” immediate intervention “. What happened to ” piped water is stable ” mentioned just 14 days ago?
Gentrification of Penang, slowly becoming a reality….
https://youtu.be/3cgqK7G23BA?si=vXCba28_J2cfobN2
The title may overstate the case.
What is shown appears to be the commercial transformation of selected heritage districts, particularly those tied to Chinese urban history, rather than the gentrification of Penang in its broader historical and multi-ethnic context.
Penang’s story has never belonged to one quarter alone.
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government said all negotiation efforts with Waterfall Cafe had failed, with the operator rejecting multiple relocation proposals despite repeated notices to vacate the premises.
This came as enforcement action today saw the demolition of the 103-year-old structure at Taman Botani here.
If one does not own the land and redevelopment is moving ahead, the smartest move would have been to negotiate the best exit package, then focus on expanding the business, not fight a battle that was unlikely to be won.
They may have made a costly strategic mistake if they rejected a workable relocation despite lacking ownership of the land.
Residents and community groups in Gelugor, Penang, are actively opposing a proposed high-density mixed development project on Lot 642, a site often used as an informal green space. Locals are urging the government to scrap the, “mega project” and protect the area from becoming a “concrete jungle”.
” AI just a progress in technology, not aimed at replacing workforce, says Penang CM ”
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/culture/115563/ai-just-a-progress-in-technology-not-aimed-at-replacing-workforce-says-penang-cm
While ,
” AI is changing careers: What SPM graduates must do next ”
https://www.thestar.com.my/starpicks/2026/04/17/ai-is-changing-careers-what-spm-graduates-must-do-next
========
The two statements reveal a clear difference. Penang CM says AI is only a progress in technology and not aimed at replacing workers, which seems reassuring.
” Nimble footwork, ponderous steps ” https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/2026/05/24/nimble-footwork-ponderous-steps ======== The mention of the kancil reminds me of an old story from our school history books back in the early seventies. ” While resting under a Melaka tree, Parameswara saw a small kancil (mouse deer/pelanduk) kick one of his hunting dogs into the river. He was impressed that such a small animal could stand bravely against something bigger. He then reportedly remarked something along the lines of: “ This place is good, even the mouse deer here is brave.” Another commonly translated version from the Sejarah Melayu is: “ This place is… Read more »
Parameswara supposedly saw it as a good omen – a small place capable of resisting stronger forces.
After that, he decided to establish a settlement there. and named it Melaka, after the tree he was resting under.
The event later became part of Malacca’s founding legend and is why the kancil/pelanduk appears in Melaka’s symbolism even today.
The Link – https://www.frim.gov.my/quicklinks/the-legendary-melaka-tree/
In a way, that legend also became part of how Melaka’s identity was later remembered historically: a small trading port that grew into a powerful Malay sultanate influencing the region.
” Bersama seems like a personality-driven party, says Ramasamy ”
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/21/bersama-seems-like-a-personality-driven-party-says-ramasamy
========
We, the Rakyat, know for a fact that previous political parties have promised all kinds of reforms but, to date, have failed to carry them out.
Just look at the ‘ Reformasi ‘ political party. The Law Ministry mentioned reforming the justice system by separating the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Public Prosecutor (PP).
This issue has been discussed since 2018, and since then we have heard and seen nothing but one excuse after another.
The impression we get is that, as with other reforms, some form of delay tactics is being applied and the Rakyat are simply being led by the nose.
We, the Rakyat, believe that some small changes might take place under the Bersama political party should they come to power, but the institutions that truly need reform will likely remain unchanged.
Otherwise, they may lose Malay support, and with that, there is actually very little they can do.
“UEC should be recognised to strengthen unity and fairness, says PPP Youth” https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1335314/uec-should-be-recognised-strengthen-unity-and-fairness-says-ppp-youth ======== If unity is truly the objective, then why maintain a separate education framework outside the national system in the first place? Dong Zong and the Chinese independent education movement have long defended educational autonomy and separation from the national education framework in order to preserve their own language, culture, and educational identity. That is their right. But if the argument now is about strengthening national unity, then surely the question of having a common education framework must also be part of the discussion. Unity cannot simply… Read more »
The Link – https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/05/1440292/dong-zong-questions-restrictions-uec-university-pathway
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/13/dong-zong-urges-openness-in-uec-debate-cautions-against-zero-sum-framing-of-language-policy/201821
========
Dong Zong has long defended an independent education pathway outside the national education system in order to preserve its language and educational identity.
If autonomy and separation from the national education framework are the objective, then why should the government now be expected to fully integrate the UEC into public university admissions?
Nobody is saying UEC students are not Malaysian citizens or that they should be denied opportunities altogether.
The real issue is whether citizenship alone automatically requires the government to recognise every independently designed educational pathway for entry into public institutions.
Public universities are part of the national education framework. Their admissions standards are tied to the national curriculum, national examinations, and national education policy.
If a group deliberately maintains a separate education system outside that framework for reasons of autonomy and cultural preservation, then it is reasonable for the government to maintain admission standards linked to the national system as well.
The “taxpayer-funded university” argument also does not automatically settle the issue. Many Malaysians choose private, international, religious, or independent education pathways, but that does not mean the government must align public university admissions to every separate system.
So the question remains: if the Chinese independent education movement wishes to remain institutionally separate from the national education policy, would it not be more consistent to further develop its own higher education framework instead of seeking recognition and integration within institutions built upon the national system?
” KJ praises Anwar for stabilizing economy ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/14/kj-praises-anwar-for-stabilising-economy ======== So why is that, KJ? If the country’s economy is doing well, why do politicians keep repeating it while many ordinary Rakyat still do not feel the same reality on the ground? The cost of living continues to rise, and many people are still struggling. Food prices, goods, rent, utilities, and daily expenses are rising faster than wages for many Malaysians. What are the reasons for this? This is the part politicians rarely talk about. They either keep silent or pretend not to know. Economic indicators may look good on… Read more »
” Muhyiddin more acceptable to non-Malays than PAS, say analysts ” https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/13/muhyiddin-more-acceptable-to-non-malays-than-pas-say-analysts ======== Since DS Najib, with the exception of TMM, almost every former national leader thereafter has been linked to some form of alleged corruption. One is still going in and out of court to resolve his cases, while another reportedly returned money allegedly taken from government coffers. Then we also have the many DNAA cases involving both past and present political leaders. So, who exactly are these opposition politicians claiming that certain leaders are still favored by the Rakyat? Why are they continuing to promote politicians whose reputations are already… Read more »
Statements such as:
“While non-Malays would prefer former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin over a PAS leader,”
“Urimai chairman P. Ramasamy claimed that no PAS leader could match Muhyiddin’s national political experience,”
and “Pakatan Harapan fears the Pagoh MP more than any PAS figure because of his broader non-Malay appeal,”
raise a serious question.
What exactly are the appealing qualities these opposition politicians are referring to?
As mentioned earlier, one leader is still repeatedly attending court over ongoing cases, and even his son was reportedly said to be hiding in the Middle East over another alleged corruption-related matter.
Does the opposition not have leaders who are untainted and free from allegations of corruption to lead the nation? The rakyat do not want recycled leaders associated with corruption controversies.
Has Urimai completely lost its direction? Why continue supporting politicians facing such allegations? If they continue doing this, eventually their own integrity will also come into question.
If we want less congestion, more freedom, and cities built around people instead of vehicles, we need to rethink how we build and move through our urban spaces.
” No compromise on cleanliness at all levels, stresses Penang Exco ”
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/lifestyles/122871/no-compromise-on-cleanliness-at-all-levels-stresses-penang-exco
========
And yet, the DAP government compromised and made a U-turn by removing the ban on single-use plastics after previously claiming and boasting about being the first state to implement it.
” Brickbats hurled at DAP-led Penang for wanting to gazette Hungry Ghost Festival as state heritage ”
https://focusmalaysia.my/brickbats-hurled-at-dap-led-penang-for-wanting-to-gazette-hungry-ghost-festival-as-state-heritage/
========
What is the plan anyway with UNESCO this and UNESCO that, by the Penang state government ?
Is the plan to turn Penang into a heritage colony. One DAP leader has already said that Penang is their Crown Jewel.
Maybe, later may come and say since time immemorial.
” Historians want to protect their rice bowl, Khairy ”
https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/774634
========
With language AI now accessible to the Rakyat, historical interpretation is no longer confined solely to professors, academicians, historians, or politicians.
AI allows ordinary people to critically examine historical narratives without depending entirely on traditional gatekeepers.
Why are most Americans broke — even though America is the richest country in the world? In this video, Prof. Jiang Xueqin breaks down the hidden economic trap that keeps working Americans stuck in debt, unable to save, and falling further behind — no matter how hard they work.This is not about personal choices. This is about a system that was deliberately designed to extract wealth from working people.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DSta_g7FjY4&pp=iggCQAE%3D
Similar trap in Malaysia?
Whether or not same thing is happening here? Can Glisantia comment on this?