Massive crawl in P Pasir as polling closes. Lots of people on both sides of this rural road.
Sarawak food shortages: Who are the storytellers?
Logged and cleared for a plantation near Lapok, Sarawak – Photo courtesy of AFP.
More pictures and AFP report here.
Sarawak Rural Development Minister James Masing reportedly admitted some logging companies had behaved badly and “caused extensive damage” but said the Penan were “good storytellers” and their claims should be treated with caution.
The Penan themselves are now experiencing food shortages. Food shortages in Malaysia? Hungry children queuing for food handouts? Who would have thought we would see this day in Malaysia. A Catholic Church in Miri is now providing relief for the Penan in the remote Kapit Division.
Zunar’s Gedung Katun takes on Gila-Gila
Malaysia’s top political cartoonist Zunar (real name Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque) and his team are launching a fortnightly political humour magazine, Gedung Katun (Cartoon Warehouse), filled with Malaysian parody and satire.
The ‘alternative cartoon magazine’ will probably have to compete head-on with the popular Gila-Gila publication in the comic magazine market – with one main difference: Gedung Katun’s caricatures will focus on political topics and raise awareness of current issues.
Chief editor Zunar spearheads a team comprising chief cartoonist Jonos (Nur Azlin Ngah), editor and illustrator Ronasina (Affendi), and cartoonists Enot and Haili.
“Foreign instigators” behind Penan blockades?
The Borneo Post triumphantly declares:
Foreign hands in blockades
Foreigners caught on camera mingling with and instigating Penans at Long Nen and Long Bangan blockades
MIRI: It’s confirmed! Foreigners are behind many of the blockades set up by Penans in timber camps in the state.
It has long been suspected that many foreign environmentalists and socalled conservationists had been instigating and encouraging the natives to erect blockades and disrupt logging activities, though they had always denied their involvement.
But yesterday four foreigners, including two women, were seen among protesters manning blockades in Ulu Baram.
But wait, Mark Bujang, the executive director of a leading Sarawak NGO, Brimas, points out these were not instigators but AFP journalists carrying out interviews.
New pro-Pakatan tabloid hits the streets
A new pro-Pakatan Malay-language newspaper hit the streets last night.
Konsep Era Pakatan, to be published fortnightly, features news from the perspective of all three PR parties: PKR, Pas and DAP. The paper, however, is not an official Pakatan publication.
Desperate Buah Pala villagers turn to Umno
In their last-ditch bid to save their village, Kg Buah Pala villagers have now turned to Umno.
Gelugor Umno division chairman Omar Faudzar has reportedly agreed to hold talks with the developer (Nusmetro) and the landowner (the Koperasi) on Tuesday.
Misguided obsession with university rankings
In this day and age when everyone is obsessed with climbing up rankings – in everything from global tennis to human development status – it is no surprise that universities and colleges have jumped into the fray.
Some interesting articles about US college rankings — by US News and World Report — can be found in Inside Higher Ed such as the one here.
Another article ‘Using Foucault to Deconstruct Rankings’ suggests that rankings could be forcing deans to focus on the wrong things. Universities may be rejecting good ideas on improving the quality of education in favour of other activities that could bump up their rankings.
This is referred to as “gaming” the rankings system.
What has this got to do with Malaysia?
Perak PR leaders pile pressure on Ganesan, BN
Perak Pakatan leaders question Ganesan’s legitimacy – Photo by Kinta Kid
Perak Pakatan leaders have further questioned Ganesan’s legitimacy as Speaker, piling pressure on the BN.
They claim that even if Ganesan was rightfully elected – “which he was not” – as Speaker on 7 May, “his failure to cease practice as a lawyer would have disqualified him”.
The Pakatan leaders cite Article XXX VIA (5) of the Perak Constitution which states that a Speaker would be disqualified if after three months from his date of appointment, he remains as a member of any board of directors or management or if he works for or engages in the affairs of any organisation (except for welfare or charitable organisations).
Federal Court disappointment for villagers
1210: Kg Buah Pala residents have failed to obtain leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal order for them to vacate the land. The Federal Court struck off their second application for leave this morning.
Selangor govt caves in to developers’ pressure?
The Star today carries a report suggesting that the Selangor government could be buckling under developers’ pressure to allow projects on steep hill-slopes.
Selangor is reported to be drafting new “new development guidelines” for Class 3 (25-35 degrees) and Class 4 (above 35 degrees) slopes.
The state had earlier taken a commendable position by imposing an outright ban on steep hill-slope development. Its ban on steep hill-slope projects was one of the few issues that had set the Pakatan government apart from the BN government. Residents in Tanjung Bunga in Penang had been encouraged by Selangor’s previous principled ban on hill-slope projects.
Alas, no longer, it would seem. Compared to an outright ban, “guidelines” are pretty worthless. It’s a pity that the Selangor government appears to be caving in to the powerful developers’ lobby.