Trees near USM chopped; Peel Avenue palms tagged
Before the controversy over the 21 trees chopped in Tanjung Bungah could subside, another half a dozen roadside trees along Jalan Sungai Dua near USM were chopped on the eve of Raya.
Three ironies of our xenophobia
The first irony: We are now into the new Malaysia, where we are supposed to be celebrating our diversity. But one of the ironies of our time is that this celebration stops short of embracing the ‘other’ in our midst – migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers.
Selamat Hari Raya in the new Malaysia
Wishing all of you, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahid dan Batin – our first major festival in the new Malaysia.
German transport engineer: Penang making ‘serious mistakes’ with elevated LRT
German urban planner Alex Koenig warns that Penang is about to make “two serious professional mistakes” as it plunges headlong into SRS Consortium’s proposal for an RM8bn elevated LRT system from Penang airport in southern Penang Island to Komtar in the George Town city centre.
Klang Valley double-tracking to be reviewed; what about Penang mega projects?
The Transport Minister said the upgrading cost of the second phase of the Klang Valley rail double-tracking is estimated to be RM5.9bn for 110km.
Trees chopped down in Tanjung Bungah – with permit
13 June 2018 Update: So it looks like 24 trees are going to be chopped or have to make way: 21 of these are supposed to be diseased but a nature lover said they looked fine to him. Today, some residents in the area turned up to stage a protest against the tree-chopping:
Independent filmmaker Andrew Ng investigates what happened near the Tanjung Bungah market.
Independent filmmaker Andrew Ng investigates what happened near the Tanjung Bungah market.
Should Penang follow the path of Hong Kong and Singapore?
Someone from the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce has said, “If you ask me or the young, they want Penang to be similar to Singapore and Hong Kong where there are plenty of economic prospects.”
Pennag Forum meets new CM Chow, calls for review of RM46bn transport mega project
Penang Forum met up with new Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office in Komtar yesterday evening. Among the issues raised:
We have a situation in Rifle Range… two arrested, families evicted
Midnight update: Karthi and Nathan were released after 9pm soon after MP Wong Hon Wai turned up at the Patani Road Police Station and spoke to police. Meanwhile, a Muslim group is helping the evicted families. So all is well for now. The state government should now come up with sound, more inclusive policies to protect the housing needs of the lower-income group, including foreigners.
7pm update: Karthi and Nathan are still being held at the Timur Laut Police Station. Activists have been trying to contact the police to seek their release. Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim says he will contact the local MP Wong Hon Wai to assist in securing their release.
All this drama is totally unnecessary and is just a reflection of the low-income housing situation here.
Three reasons why Tommy Thomas would be an excellent choice for attorney general
I think Tommy Thomas would make an excellent attorney general for the following reasons:
Buka puasa solidarity: Creating a new narrative for the new Malaysia
A group of ordinary people from diverse backgrounds came together yesterday in solidarity in George Town, Penang for the breaking of fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Inside the ex-Malaysian prime minister’s home
This was recorded by Daphne Iking a year ago, in May 2017 (and published a year later, a week after the general election), about a TN50 dialogue involving artistes.
Dubai fantasy: Ting Pek Khiing wants to build, baby, build in Langkawi
Update: That was quick. An arrest warrant has been issued against Ting Pek Khiing for failing to appear in court to be questioned by creditors regarding his dealings and ability to pay under provisions of the Bankruptcy Act 1967.
Original post (1 June 2018):
Just when you thought this guy had disappeared into oblivion, the former Mahathir blue-eyed boy Ting Pek Khiing, once declared a bankrupt years after his Bakun Dam efforts flopped, thinks Langkawi could be his new playground.
Abolishing tolls: Short-term gain, long-term pain
This well written piece is by Dr Lim Mah Hui:
The Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto with five pillars, 10 promises to deliver the first 100 days, and 60 promises during its first term is comprehensive and ambitious covering economic, political and social reforms.
Penang state government should review its mega projects
The Consumers Association has just released this statement, which is worth mulling over:
The federal government has announced it is reviewing expensive projects in view of the high debts and the need to improve the financial situation. CAP congratulates the government for this move.
That ‘RM1 trillion debt’ figure – more details, closer analysis necessary
Much controversy in recent days over that RM1 trillion federal government debt figure.
How an unstoppable 20-year tsunami finally swamped BN
It was coming all along. This chart, courtesy of political scientist Johan Saravanamuttu, clearly shows how the ‘tsunami’ started building up two decades ago in the post-Reformasi general election of 1999.
Make public the Penang state action plan on paired road projects
Time to revisit the paired road project:
The Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) calls on the newly elected Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, and the state government to be fully transparent on the need for the North Coastal Paired Road project, the implications of this for the residents affected by the road, what alternatives were considered and deemed not feasible, and how the state action plan addresses all the concerns of the public.
New government should hold transparent independent probe into MH370 mystery
One more item that should be on the to-do list of the new government: finding out what really happened to MH370.
Even Ali Baba would have gasped at this loot
Images of the mind-boggling loot seized by police in KL have stunned Malaysians. The confiscated items, which included Birkin, Hermes and other luxury handbags and lots of other bags and boxes containing cash, foreign currency, jewellery and other valuables, have left many Malaysians dumbfounded. Some of these bags were so heavy that hefty men struggled to lift them.