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Raya memories

Anil Netto

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11 Sep 2010

As with other festive occasions in Malaysia, Raya is a time when memories of times long past come flooding back at the most unexpected moments. The holiday break may also conjure a sense of nostalgia, perhaps a yearning for a world that has somehow slipped from our grasp, almost unnoticed.

: Image via Wikipedia

Here’s one such moment, recalled by an up-and-coming young journalist who is fast making a name for himself. Those who have experienced a family member with Alzheimer’s may also relate to his recollection.

Share with us your own Raya memories.

Remembering the postmaster
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
September 11, 2010

No. 7 Gedung Lalang Satu… my grandfather’s house in Seremban.
SEREMBAN, Sept 11 — The best thing about forgetting something is that once you remember it, chances are you won’t ever forget it again.

Hari Raya in No.77, Jalan Gedung Lalang Satu is synonymous with the burnt Raya morning air — courtesy of a night of firecrackers piercing the dark skies amid the sounds of takbir from the nearby surau.

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GM mozzies … now, GM fish? What’s next?

Anil Netto

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10 Sep 2010

26

Genetically modified salmon could be next on your menu.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is soon going to decide whether to approve GM salmon as food. See the story on Natural News here. (We have already seen the so-called ‘genetically improved’ fish tilapia. See WorldFish Centre website here.)

: Aedes Aegypti – Image via Wikipedia

A GM goat and GM pig could be next on the cards. See the Telegraph story here.

At the end of the day, it’s all about business interests and profits. Notice that one of the main concerns in GM salmon centres on the supposed sterility of the male:

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Malaysia Today down after major exposes

Anil Netto

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10 Sep 2010

16

Raja Petra’s Malaysia Today site has gone down after a few exposes were posted on the site outlining cases of alleged corruption.

Asia Sentinel has the story here.

Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim readers and happy holidays to everyone else. Let us rededicate ourselves to the struggle for justice and democracy.

Shun the bigots and work together

Anil Netto

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9 Sep 2010

36

Like many other Christians elsewhere in the world, I condemn the plan by a pastor in Florida to burn copies of the Qur’an.

That is nothing but a hate crime and has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity or the values of love, compassion and forgiveness that Jesus promoted.

Similarly, I don’t see anything wrong behind plans for an Islamic centre that is open to inter-religious dialogue in New York. (Lest we forget, Muslims too died at the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001.)

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Keadilan enters a new era: direct elections

Anil Netto

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8 Sep 2010

7

PKR is preparing for its party elections which, for the first time, will see ordinary members directly voting for top leadership posts in the party.

But what has been Anwar’s role be in all this, given that he is torn between his court case, party matters and never-ending campaigning? Is the party prepared for the outcome of the trial? I wrote this piece for Asia Times:

As Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy case meanders its way through the courts, the spotlight has shifted to how his party is preparing for the possible outcome.

A guilty verdict in the high-stakes case would be a significant blow his opposition People’s Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat), which hopes to capitalize on significant gains it made against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition at the last general election in 2008.

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Another controversial land deal

Anil Netto

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8 Sep 2010

18

Another case of land being transferred at what seems to be an undervalued price.

This legal suit regarding a land deal was reported in theSun.

The YBPP was set up to improve the economic lot of the Malays in Penang, but read below to find out what’s happened. Thanks to blog reader Tan, Tanjung Bunga for the alert.

Suit against agency over transfer of land
By: Himanshu Bhatt (Tue, 07 Sep 2010)

newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 7, 2010): Two Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 33 individuals have filed a suit against Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang (YBPP), an Umno-linked agency, after it allegedly transferred 280ha of land reserved for bumiputras to a development company with a non-Malay majority shareholder.

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Penang monorail test track ‘tak jadi’

Anil Netto

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7 Sep 2010

3

Was hyped-up talk last year of a monorail test track in Batu Kawan little more than hot air?

Nothing seems to have moved since then – which is probably just as well. What was all that about then?

Penang monorail test track not materialising just yet
Written by Regina William
Monday, 06 September 2010 11:30

GEORGE TOWN: It is likely plans for the monorail test track which had been slated for construction in Batu Kawan will not materialise anytime soon.

It is learnt the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), which had received a proposal from one company sometime last year for land to construct the test track, has referred the matter to the state government.

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Utusan, BH, Star, NST circulations drop

Media

Anil Netto

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6 Sep 2010

46

Utusan has been very much in the news for its sensationalist and racially tinged reporting. Less well known is the fact that the paper’s circulation has been sliding over the last four years.

According to Audit Bureau of Circulation (figures for West Malaysia publications for the period ending 31 December 2009), Utusan Malaysia’s daily circulation has dropped 21 per cent from 213,445 in 2006 to 169,548 in 2009. The group revenue of Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd fell correspondingly from RM384m in 2006 to RM349m in 2009, according to Utusan’s Annual Report for 2009. This had an impact on its bottom line as well, as profit before tax plunged from RM21m to RM7m in the last four years. The firm’s performance was saved by sister publication Kosmo!’s steady rise in circulation from 100,798 in 2007 to 172,253 in 2009.

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Beng Hock is not forgotten

Anil Netto

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5 Sep 2010

25

Some 300 people packed a hall in Penang this afternoon for a Malaysians for Beng Hock forum organised by civil society groups.

Nora Murat, executive director of Amnesty International Malaysia, challenged the government to declare Malaysia a torture-free nation – Photo by Anil

Aliran president P Ramakrishnan called for the Beng Hock inquest to be disbanded and replaced with a royal commission of inquiry.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-09-05

Twitter

Anil Netto

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5 Sep 2010

1

Amnesty s Nora challenges the govt to declare Msia a torture-free country. More loud applause. #
Aliran president Rama says if you want things to change, you must change the govt. The crowd breaks out with the loudest cheer of the af … #
Kin woon notes that concern over beng hock s death is still strong and far from dwindling. The crowd breaks out in applause as if to end … #
Beng hock s sister calls for public support backed by action and the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry to seek justice. #
Fighting back tears, beng hock s sister delivers a heart rending message via video to the audience in penang, who listen in rapt attention. #
Beng hock s sister is speaking via a recorded video message relayed to a packed hall in penang. #
About 300 people in packed hall in han chiang school for malaysians for beng hock forum. Standing room only now. #
Man forgives British soldier who shot & blinded him w/ a rubber bullet. Now they R friends http://bit.ly/a7RbdM #
Record rise in UK home solar panels fitted. What about M'sia with its abundant sunshine? http://bbc.in/aW5lsW #