The move to block the Sarawak Report website and Lim Kok Wing’s resignation are signs that the BN is losing the propaganda war over 1MDB and other scandals.
So no massive land reclamation in Penang in the offing then?
The present Penang state government may not have granted any land reclamation rights since 2008, but recently concern has been expressed about possible land reclamation to finance the RM27bn Penang Transport Masterplan (of which RM17bn is for the construction of more roads and highways).
The following is an extract of a descriptive piece written for Malaysiakini by Mariam Mokhtar about a dialogue in London with the Penang Chief Minister.
The question that irked Lim was as innocuous as those that preceded it, but they brought passion to Lim. They were about the sustainability of development in Penang, hillside development and the threat posed to the breeding grounds of fish, by land reclamation.
Selamat Hari Raya
Maaf zahir dan batin to all readers.
Zahir refers to the outer, material or physical or what is apparent whereas batin refers to the inner, spiritual or what is not so apparent. So “maaf zahir dan batin” refers to seeking forgiveness for both these kinds of transgressions. After all these years, I only learned that from a Muslim friend yesterday.
May the peace, goodwill, compassion, love, justice, unity and the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation among us this Raya prevail over those promoting hatred, illwill and divisiveness.
For your reading pleasure this weekend, check out these two articles:
Ramadhan reflections on 1MDB, sarongs and the Low Yat brawl by Zaharom Nain, published by Aliran.
In Malaysian politics, keep calm and amok on! by Sophie Lemiere, originally published by New Mandala. This piece discusses Pekida among other things.
New hope with Harapan Baru?
The following statement was released with the launch of Harapan Baru at a hotel in KL yesterday. What do you think? Does it really bring about new hope? I believe this new entity/movement provides a platform for a more enlightened, inclusive and progressive alternative to Pas’ increasingly conservative approach to Islam and its bewildering rapprochement with Umno. That can’t be a bad thing for the country; in fact, it is a movement whose time has come.
The Lowyat incident
I am disappointed at how a phone theft was manipulated by certain groups to turn it into an incident with racial overtones, which then allowed some to try and take the law into their own hands.
Look at this guy, for instance:
But I believe most Malaysians are sensible and mature enough not to be swayed or diverted from the real issues facing the nation.
Flight with plane door open?
This video was circulating on Whatsapp (I don’t know who filmed it). I put it up on Youtube for you all to establish if it is genuine (that’s the reason for the question mark) and if so, to try and establish which flight and route it is.
Include Income Tax Department top official in task force
The top official from the income tax department should be included in the task force investigating the Wall Street Journal’s allegations.
Fading Malaysian dream: Now it is a question of survival
Is this the result of our neoliberal economic policies driven by cronyism and corruption?
New electric trains: No direct B’worth-KL service; utter confusion over schedules
The new KL to Padang Besar electric train service opens today. Most people are excited about it. But wait…
Penang Forum: Green building incentives not eco friendly
This is a statement released by Penang Forum:
Where is the logic when sustainable energy initiatives are rewarded with higher density and non-sustainable developments elsewhere?