Of late, former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been trying hard to re-invent himself – singing on social media, riding pillion on a superbike, being seen eating out in public places – especially in the run-up to the Cameron Highlands by-election on 26 January 2019.
But Malaysians should not forget the legacy of his administration so easily. Take a look at these latest figures:
This tree made me marvel at the resilience of Nature. It was one among a row of trees that were hacked down to make way for thoughtless road-widening.
A funny thing happened in Penang last week. Think City organised a talk by Yoga Adiwinarto, the Indonesia country director of the Institute of Transport and Development Planning (ITDP), on 16 January – with unexpected results.
Independent film producer Andrew Ng has produced this video of what is going in Penang.
Here we are in 2019. We made it through a tumultuous 2018 and major regime change.
I usually spend some time sifting through thought-provoking analyses and commentaries. I find I learn more about Malaysia that way than by reading new reports. One of the great things about the new Malaysia – even if not everything is going our way – is that we are seeing more openness in critical thinking – and this is coming out in various writings in the media.
Dr Lim Mah Hui has come up with another rejoinder for those fascinated with ultra-expensive six-lane elevated and underground highways and elevated light rail transit for Penang.
It looks as if the Singapore Straits Times has cottoned on to the discontent that is brewing over the RM46bn Penang transport land reclamation and property development masterplan, which has been described by critics as a ‘property play’. Check out the video above.
The following piece by Lim Mah Hui is bang on target. I doubt the pro-elevated LRT camp will be able to refute his figures for KL ridership figures and projected LRT operational losses, no matter how much they spin to try and justify this exorbitant mega project.
A sobering message as we usher in 2019. Wishing you all the best in the coming year. See also this Aliran statement about the need to work together to achieve the vision of a new Malaysia.
Activists from Penang’s emerging green movement gathered at the Penang Youth Park this morning to display a model of an 80-foot-wide six-lane overpass that will cross over the green haven, a popular spot for exercise and recreation.
Taiping has just been included in the 2018 Sustainable Destinations Top 100 list.
On a dark night, in a distant frontier of the oppressive Roman Empire, a child was born who would go on to proclaim Good News to the Poor and point to a new way of living, based on a different set of values.
This Christmas Day, let’s pay tribute to those who dare to be different – the ordinary people who speak truth to power, who raise awareness of a gentler, more holistic model of development that is in harmony with our environment.
The recent vote in the Malaysian Parliament to pass amendments to three acts to allow students greater political freedom has been generally welcomed – but not everyone is happy.
No racial trouble broke out as a result of local council elections in Penang in the 1950s and 1960s (at least, not that I am aware of) until they were suspended in 1965. So why can’t they be reintroduced in Penang and the rest of Malaysia? Penang Forum has just released a media statement:
The popular linear park of Sungai Ara (River of Figs) is likely to be severely compromised by the six-lane Pan Island Link flying over it, with its huge pillars rising from the river banks.
This is the sort of piano that Tanjung Bungah boy Jho Low reportedly gave to supermodel Miranda Kerr in 2014.
