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Is Malaysia’s property bubble poised to burst?

Anil Netto
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As the ringgit depreciates and as US quantitative easing tapers off, the era of low interest rates and cheap credit via bonds – the primary drivers of speculative investment – could soon end. Could that, in turn, lead to the popping of the property bubble?

Are there signs that this is already happening as heavily indebted Malaysian households tighten their belts in anticipation of further inflationary pressure? Will hot money from QE head for the exit doors at the first whiff of uncertainty? Check out the weakening ringgit in recent months after the QE tapering was first announced in June 2013.

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Is the Kajang Move justified?

Anil Netto
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The Kajang Move is one of the most hotly discussed topics of conversations in coffee-shops and homes across the country at the moment.

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Nurul Izzah’s private life: Double standards in The Star’s reporting

Anil Netto
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The other day I was approached by The Star to comment on the issue of media coverage of politicians’ private lives in the light of Nurul Izzah’s personal situation. Can politicians really expect their private lives to be no-go areas?

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Overstretched general hospital lacks adequate infrastructure, equipment

Anil Netto
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While the political elites live the high life obtaining the best medical and health care treatment, Steven Grumach shares with us his experience at a government general hospital. Bear in mind that the Malaysian government spends only about 2 per cent of GDP on public health care. A big chunk of the money goes to privatised hospital support services and privatised drug procurement.

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Indah Water Konsortium: Why is the sewerage company interested in ‘race’?

Anil Netto
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The national obsession with ‘race’ appears to have gone a bit too far. The other day I received, together with the usual bill from national sewerage company Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) a notice about the firm’s personal data protection policy. It was then that I learned that IWK is also interested in ‘race’. Now, I cannot for the life of me understand why ‘race’ should be relevant to a sewerage company, can you?

Excerpt from IWK's Personal Data Protection Notice
Excerpt from IWK’s Personal Data Protection Notice
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Poll: The Kajang Move – good idea or bad?

Anil Netto
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Let’s see what you think of the ‘Kajang Move’.

[yop_poll id=”7″]

Also, check out this critical piece from the Aliran website:

The dark treacherous road to Putrajaya

by Azmil Tayeb

Since when have Malaysians ever voted for the Prime Minister? The nature of the parliamentary system is such that the electorate chooses which political parties that best govern the country, which in turn choose who amongst their leaders should head up the executive branch i.e. to become the Prime Minister. There is no direct election for Prime Ministership, unlike in a Presidential system.

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Happy Lunar New Year to all readers!

Anil Netto
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Dear readers, wishing all of you a Happy Lunar New Year of the Horse. I wish you all the best attributes of the horse – courage in adversity, strength in overcoming challenges, diligence in toil and hard work, and perseverance against all odds in these challenging times.

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Penang Botanic Garden: Another concrete structure emerges (updated)

Anil Netto
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Update (29 January 2014): It is confirmed that this new structure at the corner of the Formal Garden is for new toilets to replace the old toilets located nearby, which are apparently in bad shape and will be demolished. Climbing plants will be used on the stone walls so that the new structure blends with the rest of the landscape. (But why such a tall structure for toilets?) Meanwhile it is heartening to hear that approval has been given for all buildings that have no apparent use to be demolished. One wonders why they were built in the first place.

Original post on 25 January 2014:

Sigh! Another concrete structure is sprouting at the Penang Botanic Garden.

Structure at Penang Botanic Garden
What on earth are they building in our precious Garden?!
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Rafizi Ramli explains ‘Kajang Move’

Anil Netto
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The plot thickens! Rafizi Ramli says the gambit to force a by-election in Kajang is in anticipation of the possibility of Najib Razak being ousted by the Mahathir faction and to showcase Selangor as a model of Pakatan rule.

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Bishop Sebastian Francis responds to provocative banners, molotov cocktails

Anil Netto
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Bishop Sebastian Francis has released a pastoral letter calling on Malaysians not to be diverted from the real issues affecting us.

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