Visiting scholar Tariq Ramadan made heads turn with his elucidation of Islamic principles, and his call for justice, non-discrimination and ethics in public life.
BFM Uncensored interviews Rafizi Ramli
Arrested whistleblower Rafizi Ramli, the man-of-the moment, is clearly a politician to watch. Listen to what motivates him in this interview by BFM Uncensored.
Syed Mokhtar eyes the big one
This is the big one, folks. Tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary is reportedly proposing a merger of the national sewerage and water businesses in a joint venture with the national water assets management corporation.
‘Amazing coincidence’ in bidding for Prai power plant
A business weekly has questioned an “amazing coincidence” in the bidding for the Prai combined cycle gas turbine power plant.
Proposed Penang Heritage Square near Komtar (updated)
Update (2 August): What is this huge (five-storey?) building in this plan? (It reminds me of the aborted ‘airport terminal’ building for the Penang Hill Railway.) Something to keep the developers/contractors happy? Do we need yet another ‘iconic’ building when we already have sore thumb Komtar, 1st Avenue and Prangin Mall nearby, with lots of unutilised space in them? Please, not more concrete structures when the space for a green lung is so limited. Thanks to QuercusBen on twitter for raising this concern.
Also, do we need even more boutique hotels etc? Be careful that this place doesn’t become a another gentrified heritage area, devoid of authentic living cultural heritage.
Original entry (31 July 2012):
The proposed Penang Heritage Square has the potential to be a landmark if done properly, with ample public consultation, plenty of green and public spaces, and a showcase of heritage street food.
Whistleblower Rafizi’s arrest: Aliran responds
Aliran has responded strongly to the arrest of whistleblower Rafizi Ramli under the charge of violating section 97(1) of the Banks and Financial Institutions Act (Bafia), which carries a maximum jail sentence of three years and a fine of up to RM3m.
Old Penang: Prangin Canal (updated)
Update: In the 1940s, boats used to carry cargo all the way from the sea-front all the way along Prangin Canal, which was once a river, passing by Capitol Cinema (demolished to make way for Komtar) until the junction of Transfer Road.
Back in the 19th century, George Town only reached up to Prangin Canal, and that’s why the old market area near the canal was called Sia Boey (end of the town). More history of Prangin Canal on the Travel Tips website.
31 March 2011:
Now that there are plans to revitalise the Prangin Canal area in Penang, those responsible should proceed very carefully with what they do, bearing in mind that the surrounding area is swampy ground.
The urge to pour concrete into green spaces
Paths to nowhere? We have so few green spaces around our urban areas; yet there are always people who want to pour concrete and paving into the few spaces we do have.