PSM MP, activists spend night in lock-up

The 31 PSM activists, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, held yesterday at the Kepala Batas District Police Headquarters spent the night in police lock-ups. Over in Johor, some 30 PSM activists were released from the Ledang Police Station in Tangkak at around 4.00am.

Police detain busload of PSM activists

Police in northern Seberang Perai have detained a bus-load of PSM activists including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj.

Bersih 2.0: Day of arrests

Yesterday saw a spate of arrests – all in connection with Bersih, and more police action follows today.

TNB, IPPs: Ani Arope spills more beans

Hop along and take a look at Ani Arope’s latest article on his Facebook page.

Activist Lau Shu Shi acquitted

Activist Lau Shu Shi was acquitted today by a magistrate’s court in Penang.
Shu Shi (centre), flanked by her lawyers and accompanied by activists and supporters - File picture from Facebook campaign

“Extraordinary RM4bn investment” for Penang?

Some questions have been raised about a so-called “extraordinary RM4bn investment” for Penang.

Bersih 2.0: The clamour for fair elections

Here’s something on I wrote for Asia Times about the Bersih event on 9 July – just before the sms death threats surfaced.

PBA clarifies restructuring of water services

Received the following from PBA yesterday, clarifying some of the concerns raised in this blog and elsewhere over the federal-level involvement in Penang’s water sector.

Bersih 2.0: Aliran president Rama receives death threat

First Ambiga, then reportedly other members of the Bersih steering committee – and now Aliran president P Ramakrishnan has received a death threat via sms.

Why can’t ordinary Malaysians abroad vote?

Thais in Singapore can vote in their 3 July general election without having to return home. All they have to do is turn up at the Thai embassy in Singapore.

Star’s Bersih poll goes ‘MIA’

Missing In Action – that’s what happened to a Star poll on the Bersih gathering after it showed 99 per cent of respondents said the event should be allowed to go ahead.

Chomsky on democracy in the Arab world

World-renowned political dissident and linguist, Noam Chomsky, speaking at the 25th anniversary of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, courtesy of Democracy NOW!

Unemployed graduates have doubled since 2008

While our universities and colleges are churning out graduates by the tens of thousands, we are saddled with a serious problem: the number of unemployed graduates has doubled since 2008.
Graphic credit: The Edge Daily

MACC probe into Taib embarrassing for Adelaide University

The MACC’s probe into Taib Mahmud over allegations of timber corruption will further embarrass Adelaide University.

Bersih 2.0 ‘Walk for Democracy’ launched

Images from the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall tonight, where the civil society-led Bersih 2.0 Walk for Democracy on 9 July has been launched.
Photo credit: MediaRakyat

Sarawak Aduns’ questions rejected even before asking!

All new Aduns in Sarawak were supposed to submit questions to the State Assembly for the session this coming week. But 10 questions were rejected for the 20-29 June sitting of the legislature.

Anti-refugee swap protesters disrupt Australian minister’s speech

Protesters upset over a Malaysia-Australia refugee swap deal burst into a Sydney university yesterday and disrupted Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen’s speech on the government’s refugee programme.

ILO adopts historic convention to protect domestic workers

A new ILO Convention prohibits the deduction of domestic workers’ salaries to pay recruitment fees and provides for 24-hour weekly rest days, collective bargaining, and written contracts that are enforceable in the country of employment.

Penang Transport Masterplan workshops

The consultant undertaking the Penang Transport Masterplan, together with the State Secretary’s office, is organising a workshop for ‘stakeholders’ so that we can air our problems and hopes regarding transport in Penang.