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.
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.
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.
‘Surprises’ at DAP polls – but has anything really changed?
In some way, the DAP party polls today has sprung a few surprises as certain party stalwarts put up a poor showing.
But has anything within the party really changed in terms of its thinking on the type of development suitable for the people?
When God opens our eyes
A sermon by Fr Fabian Dicom
There is a moment in every spiritual journey when we are asked to see more than we are comfortable seeing. Not with our physical eyes, but with something deeper – the eyes of the heart.
Each of today’s readings is about vision. Not the vision of ordinary sight, but the vision that changes everything – the kind that shifts our understanding of who we are, where we are and what God is doing.
48 years of tenacious struggle: Aliran refuses to surrender hope!
As Aliran celebrated its 48th anniversary at Penang’s Majestic Theatre last Saturday, the contrast with our previous gathering seven years earlier could not have been starker.
Gone was the heady optimism that hung in the air, four months after the stunning electoral upset in the 2018 election.
So why LRT in Penang?
Read this excerpt from a Singapore Straits Times report:
To quickly disperse traffic in the Bukit Chagar area when the RTS Link is up and running, a driverless tram-bus network called the autonomous rapid transit (ART), which runs on tracks across bridges and viaducts, is expected to serve passengers, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Feb 13.
The elevated ART system is favoured by Malaysia’s federal government to connect passengers to other parts of southern Johor state, Mr Loke told reporters, compared with a light rail transit (LRT) system that would be more costly to build and take a longer time to complete.
“An LRT system can only accommodate a single rail system, whereas the ART can have the flexibility of both a bus and rail (tram) system,” he said.
“The implementation of the (ART) system is also more economical and it can be built faster,” he added at the signing ceremony for the project, which is jointly developed by Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and local conglomerate Sunway Group.
A Johor state official said recently that such LRT and ART networks could cost around RM20 billion and RM7 billion, respectively.
The federal and state governments must explain why they are opting for an expensive RM17bn LRT system in Penang when they are choosing a more economical option for Johor.
Remember, the Penang state government’s annual budget is around RM1.0bn while the Penang Island City Council’s annual budget is around RM0.6bn.
How will the federal government, which is already saddled with RM1.5tn in debt, finance the LRT? And who will pay for any annual operational losses if the LRT ridership falls short of projections?
Penang’s mega-transport plans: Where is the state going to find RM25bn?
In recent days, we have been given some inkling of the total cost of Penang transport infrastructure over the next decade.
The Edge has provided some indicative figures for the elevated light rail transit’s cross-channel stretch and the systems work for the entire stretch.
Penang’s cross-channel LRT will hover ’20 storeys’ above the sea!
More details have emerged about the Penang light rail transit known as the Mutiara Line.
The LRT was first proposed in the “SRS PTMP”, the transport plan that was put forward by the Gamuda-led SRS Consortium.
Only you can change the world….
A message from La Salle Br Anthony Rogers:
Before you forget 2024, recall just three of your most beautiful and joyful memories and try in 2025 to make it SIX.
A happier you is a better Malaysia and more loving world. Your self-care, a kind word, an act of caring and openness to others outside our walls are the bridges to change strangers into God’s friends.
Uncertain times: Is there hope for a better Malaysia?
As Malaysia assumes the chair of Asean on 1 January, the nation faces critical choices at home and abroad.
Global tensions, regional turmoil and domestic challenges demand serious attention.
Global challenges
China and Russia’s rivalry with the US has intensified, with Brics being set up to rival Western hegemony.
Christmas: From the manger to the margins
This message by Fr Fabian Dicom:
Tonight, we come together from many different places, each with our own story – some filled with joy and tradition, others seeking something deeper, and some perhaps simply searching for peace in a world that often feels uncertain.
Whether you are a visitor, here for the first time, returning for your annual mass, or not of the Catholic faith, know that you are warmly embraced and deeply welcomed.
Christmas with tears in 2024
Our guest writer today is La Salle Br Anthony Rogers, who wrote the following reflection for Christmas:
We cannot sing Joy to the World without tears in our eyes.
The Prince of Peace, the Lord of Life, was born in the Holy Land, but today, it is the graveyard of Death and horror of Sorrows.
Silent Night, all is calm? But a genocide is taking place now
When I was mulling over what to write this time, La Salle Bro Anthony Rogers texted to suggest I write about “Genocide at Christmas: Walking with the Palestinian Jesus into the 21st Century in the context of Jesus’ prayer for ‘Your Kingdom Come'”.
Really, how do we celebrate the birth of Jesus with joy and good tidings when a genocide is taking place in the Holy Land? Many of the Christmas celebrations in church and outside are taking place without even a mention of the massacres not far from Bethlehem.