Check out this new music video released by Aliran.
Is Penang turning into another Hong Kong?
Take a look at these photos taken by a concerned Penang resident.
If you think the background of the photo above looks ominous, wait till you see what is in store for the foreground – the area presently being reclaimed near Gurney Plaza.
Pop quiz: If you led a state government …
Let’s assume a hypothetical situation:
These two Zunar cartoons sum up the situation in Malaysia today
As usual, cartoonist Zunar has captured succinctly in a picture (above) what might otherwise take a thousand words to describe. It is a battle between the new more inclusive Malaysia and the old Malaysia, where the politics of race and religion reigned supreme. Pests (the toxic old communal politics) are now trying to devour the young shoots of a vibrant new nation.
Seafield Hindu temple situation: Stand together in peace, compassion, solidarity
Civil society groups have come together to condemn the recent violence at the Seafield Hindu temple and urge all peace-loving Malaysian to stand together in peace and solidarity. They have also urged the authorities to uphold the rule of law. This is the statement just released by Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia.
Who is plucking Penang population figures from the air?
This statement has just been released by Penang Forum:
Penang Forum would like to respond to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s statement that the Penang population, as projected by the project delivery partner for the RM46bn transport proposal, would be “at least 2.3 million” by 2030.
ICERD controversy: Tackle B40 insecurities first
It is obvious that certain parties are using the ICERD to whip up ethno-religious support for their defeated parties. At the same time, the insecurities felt by many among the B40 are all too real and this has to be addressed; otherwise their fears of being left behind are likely to be easily manipulated by unscrupulous politicians.
I wouldn’t say that this is the end of the new Malaysia. It is just that the government will have to be more astute in how it proceeds, plan carefully, raise awareness, eliminate insecurities and then move forward. The new Malaysia is a work in progress, and we all have a hand in it.
Aliran has just released the following statement:
3D drone video of landslides on Penang Hill REMOVED from YouTube
A drone video originally put up on YouTube depicting the serious landslide scars on Penang Hill was removed by the user after it was highlighted in this blog yesterday. The above still image was captured before the video was yanked out.
Save Penang Hill 2.0 call goes out as 23,000 sign online petition in six days
The online petition to save Penang Hill can be found here. 23,000 signatures in six days is impressive by any standards. Expect more people to sign on.
Clearly the Save Penang Hill campaign of 1990 has been forgotten by those who have fantasies of turning Penang Hill into a mini-Genting Highlands complete with cable cars and throngs of visitors. With an express train already carrying more people up the hill, the sound of cash registers on Penang Hill going ka-ching! must seem like music to their ears – never mind the limited carrying capacity of the hill and the many landslides there over the years. And now, two proposed hotels could open the floodgates for even more ‘development’ pressure on the hill.
Does Penang need a new airport?
Our guest writer today is Roger Teoh, who is doing his PhD in transport studies in Imperial College in London: