One year after Anwar Ibrahim took over as Prime Minister, expectations have fallen.
Perhaps we have to be thankful his “unity government” has not collapsed to send the country into political turmoil again.
Hybrid talk: Participatory democracy and citizen empowerment
Speakers:
- Mary Magdaline Pereira, assistant honorary secretary, Aliran
- Dr Evelyn Khor, member, Aliran; Taman Tun Dr Ismail community garden
Moderator: K Haridas, executive committee member, Aliran
Time: 11am, Saturday, 28 October
Poor public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town
In this video, YouTube user Poon points to the poor state of public transport connectivity between Butterworth and George Town. This is so true. (Thanks to the heads-up from blog reader Luca.)
60 years of Malaysia! What is your dream for the nation?
Today, we celebrate the diamond jubilee of the formation of Malaysia.
Former ambassador M Santhananaban tells us in an article on the Aliran website that we have much to learn from Sarawak and Sabah. Putrajaya must strengthen its bond of solidarity with these two territories, especially the lives of marginalised or vulnerable communities.
Johor by-election results: The implications
So the voter turnouts in the Pulai parliamentary by-election and the Simpang Jeram state seats have been poor: about half the voters in Pulai turned up compared to 70% in the last general election. The turnout at Simpang Jeram of 56% at 4pm was only slightly better.
Fear not the ‘green wave’: Build a nation where everyone has a place
Many voters in urban and semi-urban areas are worried about Perikatan Nasional’s inroads in the recent elections in six states.
PN’s rhetoric about the “three Rs” – race, religion and royalty – did not help.
Why bulldoze mega-reclamation in Penang?
The Penang state government today announced it is pushing ahead with damaging plans to dump tons of rocks and sand into fish-breeding waters to create a “Silicon Island”. Civil society groups like CAP, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Aliran have responded. This is Aliran’s media statement:
Aliran is alarmed that the Penang state government is bulldozing through its mega-reclamation plan to create a so-called “Silicon Island” off the southern coast of Penang Island.
Penang exco line-up: What should be their priorities?
The Penang exco line-up has been unveiled.
PKR’s Batu Maung assembly member Mohamad Abdul Hamid, is deputy chief minister I. Jagdeep Singh of DAP is the new Penang deputy chief minister II.
Let’s just say that the Penang public and civil society will be watching their every move very carefully, especially in housing, sustainable mobility and the environment.
Quickly come up with a sustainable local plan. We have waited far too long for that one.
Scrap the ecologically damaging reclamation south of Penang Island.
Don’t succumb to corporate capture and developers’ greed. Build more genuinely affordable housing, ie not more than three times the annual disposal income of the bottom 40% and the middle class. Examine why there is a glut especially in higher end housing.
Now that elections are over, focus on an inclusive People’s Agenda!
13 Aug 2023
Post-election statement from Aliran:
It’s time to acknowledge that the mainstream economic model has left many youths from low-income households feeling anxious, insecure and marginalised.
Why did PN’s vote share rise?
This Malaysiakini graphic above speaks for itself.
Popular vote:
Penang
2018 – PH 67.2%
2022 – PH 60.0%
2023 – PH+BN 66.6%
Selangor
2018 – PH 63.4%
2022 – PH 52.8%
2023 – PH+BN 60.6%
Negeri Sembilan
2018 – PH 53.9%
2022 – PH 44.8%
2023 – PH+BN 60.8%
Kedah
2018 – PH 36.5%
2022 – PH 23.3%
2023 – PH+BN 30.1%
Terengganu
2018 – PH 7.3%
2022 – PH 5.5%
2023 – PH+BN 32.0%
Kelantan
2018 – PH 10.0%
2022 – PH 8.8%
2023 – PH+BN 30.5%
What are the reasons for this? Is there an economic angle to it – economic insecurity and alienation arising from our development model and the urban-rural disparities?
What can Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani government do about this?