The debate is still ongoing between those who believe that a mastery of English is needed for Malaysia to become a so-called ‘knowledge economy’ and those who believe that the quality of education is more important than the medium of instruction.
See this Insider article. Both sides may have a point in some of their arguments.
Whoever is arranging Najib’s schedule these days has been busy. This time the PM has managed to get a chance to thump the mallet at the New York Stock Exchange and ring the closing bell on Monday.
Has Tengku Razaleigh been put in a spot? The BN MP or Umno division head for the area would ordinarily be expected to play a pivotal role in his party’s campaign.
The Kelantan state assembly seat of Galas falls smack within his Gua Musang parliamentary constituency. But Ku Li is no ordinary MP. He has been one of Umno’s most vocal internal critics.
A Jewish peace ship heading for Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy today and towed to Ashdod, a cargo port in Israel 40km south of Tel Aviv.
The London-based Jews for Justice for Palestinians had organised the aid voyage. Among those on board were Holocaust survivor Reuven Moskovitz, 82, and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli whose daughter was killed in a suicide attack by a Palestinian in 1997. Also on board were American and British peace activists.
The Israeli peace group Gush Shalom reports on a demonstration by peace activists at Ashdod Port to protest the capture of the ship:
Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd has a 25-year concession to operate and maintain the Penang Bridge which expires on 31 May 2018. What happens next?
It is important for the bridge to be returned to the Penang government after that – or even earlier if possible – as part of an overall restructuring of transport in Penang, in line with the principle of subsidiarity (local affairs managed by local government).
PBSB now comes under UEM Group Bhd, which is wholly owned by the Finance Ministry’s Khazanah. PBSB has probably collected many times the original RM800 million cost of the bridge.
The Penang Water Authority (PBAPP), the most efficient water authority in the country, has decided to impose a ‘conservation’ surcharge of 24 sen per 1,000 liters on domestic consumers using more than 35,000 litres of water per month.
First let me say, the publicly owned PBA has done a brilliant job in keeping non-revenue water low at around 19 per cent. Its efficient management has put private water utility firms elsewhere in the country to shame. Despite low water tariffs, its efficiency has allowed it to make a profit before tax of RM16 million for 2009 (RM28 million in 2008) on the back of RM185 million (RM188 million in 2008).
And yes, there is a pressing need to conserve water as consumption per capita in Penang is higher than acceptable. The surcharge-free 35,000-litre threshold is based on the basic needs of a household of five. This move could curb wastage but a few critics have contended that such a surcharge could burden low-income households with large families. Conversely, excessive consumers in smaller households will be spared the surcharge. What are your views on this? Perhaps large low-income households could be exempted from the surcharge or the threshold for exemption could be raised for such households?
1914: What better way to end this post than with a cartoon, this one from Hisham Rais’ blog about Zunar’s six stops at various police stations within seven hours yesterday. Go here.
1836: On the line with Zunar. Yes, indeed he is in high spirits, especially when he hears about the tremendous support he has received. “Please say thank you to all my supporters,” he says, truly humbled. He breaks out in that trademark hearty infectious laugh of his when I mention that someone has suggested over Twitter that he should come up with a lock-up cartoon series! “Now, that’s an idea.”
1630: Zunar will know in two weeks if the authorities want to press charges, says his other lawyer Fadiah. For now, it’s celebration time!
First, a book launch last night without the author, cartoonist Zunar, who was arrested. Now a remand hearing without his lawyers.
Zunar’s lawyer Latheefa Koya lamented that the remand hearing this morning at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court was held despite the magistrate having been informed that the lawyers were on their way to the court, according to Malaysiakini. She later tweeted: “io informed Fadiah will only take stmt frm zunar after bringing him around 2 “crimescenes” etc -too funnylah! when no one disputing d comic.” He is expected to be taken to the Malaysiakini office early this evening.
Zunar has been remanded for one day, even as Malaysians continue to express shock and outrage over the popular cartoonist’s detention: “Free Zunar now!”
Read Aliran Monthly’s interview with ‘Zunar, the multifaceted cartoonist’ and Charter 2000-Aliran’s statement ‘Zunar’s arrest no laughing matter’.
Zunar’s book launch gets underway – even as the cartoonist is in detention.
2035: Special guest Nizar Jamaluddin has just arrived.
2030: “First time author not present at his own book launch!” tweets Malaysiakini CEO Premesh Chandran.
2020: About 70 people plus media personnel are now at SCAH for the book launch.
2000: People are arriving for the launch of Zunar’s ‘Cartoon-o-phobia’ book at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Special guest Nizar Jamaluddin is expected to turn up.