After the tsunami

Haris Ibrahim hosts a Komas documentary on Malaysia after the political tsunami of 2008.

Selepas Tsunami (After the Tsunami) from Pusat KOMAS on Vimeo.

Live – Sibu campaign reaches climax

The Sibu by-election campaign reaches a climax on the eve of polling tomorrow. See the twitter updates in the box on the far right. A Pakatan MP campaigning in Sibu thinks it is now 50:50, he told me an hour ago.

Wee quits PKR: So predictable … yawn!

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong’s decision to quit PKR on the eve of the Sibu by-election comes as no big surprise. In doing so, he has betrayed the mandate of those who voted for change. This has been coming for a long time, but I suppose he was waiting for the ‘right moment’.  Aliran president P Ramakrishnan predicted only yesterday something like this would happen on the eve of polling:

Najib’s tweet says it all in Sibu poll

What do you make of this tweet from Najib at around noon today?

Live – Karpal grills Saiful

Another day in the trial of Anwar Ibrahim as Karpal continues cross-examining Saiful.

Watch your heart: Leave the office by 6.00pm

More and more people are working longer hours these days to carve out a decent living. But there was wisdom in the struggle for an 8-hour work day, which now seems largely forgotten. How many people nowadays are leaving the office only at 9.00pm and, in the case of factory workers and security guards, working 12-hour shifts?

Lucrative sports betting licence issued

While we are all distracted by the Sibu by-election, the aborted May 13 gathering and the Anwar trial, a lucrative sports betting licence has been re-issued to a company controlled by a familiar figure. Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd has been re-issued the much sought after sports betting licence. The Abdullah administration had reportedly blocked a similar licence sought by Berjaya.

Sibu abuzz after small targeted Pakatan talks

It is difficult to predict how Sibu residents are going to vote. But after a slew of small Pakatan talks targeted at Christians and females, an analyst detects a slight swing towards the Pakatan. But has ‘Santa’s’ visit cancelled out those gains?

Live – Anwar trial continues

The judge has denied Karpal’s request to produce Saiful’s witness statements in court as the defence applies to impeach Saiful.

French lawyer on the submarine deal

In case you missed it, Joseph Breham on the submarine deal involving DCN, Perimekar and the Malaysian government.

Who paid for Rosmah ad in New York Times?

Who paid for the two-page ad featuring Rosmah in the New York Times?

Live – Cross-examination of Saiful continues

More live updates on the cross-examination of Saiful Bukhari during the trial of Anwar Ibrahim.

Local polls possible, legal experts tell Pg govt

It is legally possible to hold local government elections, a team of legal experts advising the Penang state government has found. The team comprises Tommy Thomas, Malik Imtiaz and Yeoh Yang Poh (former Bar Council chairman, who also led the team). The Penang government will now decide whether to seek a court declaration on the issue.

Hidden origins of Mothers’ Day in the US

Julia Ward HoweMothers’ Day in the United States has its roots in the rallying cry by a feminist, poet and anti-war activist Julia Ward Howe (left) for women to convene a major congress to further the cause of peace and oppose war. Howe strongly believed that women had an important political role to play in shaping societies. Today, however, Mothers’ Day has been shorn of its radical overtones and reduced to a commercial occasion of sweet sentimentality.
Mother’s Day proclamation

First speakers step up at Speakers’ Square

A handful of people created history yesterday by becoming the first speakers to take to the stage at the Speakers’ Square in Penang since its official launch on 4 May. The Square was launched on Wednesday and yesterday, Sunday, was the first time it was available to speakers from the public.

Live – Cross-examination of Saiful

Live updates of the much-anticipated cross examination of Saiful Bukhari in the Anwar trial today.

Malaysia to raise “billions” of dollars from bonds

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Some little-publicised news locally: Malaysia may sell bonds soon in its first major foreign debt offering in eight years. These could be 10-year dollar-denominated bonds.

Live – Nomination Day for Sibu by-election

Live updates on the Sibu by-election nomination process

Penang Botanic Garden horror

Himanshu Bhatt has come up with a piece that describes the appalling “upgrading” project (mostly concrete) at the Penang Botanic Garden.
Horror at the Botanic Gardens SINCE early this year, a scene some may well describe as one of utter horror has greeted Penangites and hundreds of visitors as they approach the island’s beloved Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest colonial-era parks in Southeast Asia. A huge swathe of land in front of the magnificent century-old raintree that looms above the gardens’ famous gates has been turned into a monstrous dusty scab, with two gigantic phallic structures built on it.