The Consumers Association has just released this statement, which is worth mulling over:
The federal government has announced it is reviewing expensive projects in view of the high debts and the need to improve the financial situation. CAP congratulates the government for this move.
Much controversy in recent days over that RM1 trillion federal government debt figure.
It was coming all along. This chart, courtesy of political scientist Johan Saravanamuttu, clearly shows how the ‘tsunami’ started building up two decades ago in the post-Reformasi general election of 1999.
Time to revisit the paired road project:
The Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) calls on the newly elected Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, and the state government to be fully transparent on the need for the North Coastal Paired Road project, the implications of this for the residents affected by the road, what alternatives were considered and deemed not feasible, and how the state action plan addresses all the concerns of the public.
One more item that should be on the to-do list of the new government: finding out what really happened to MH370.
Images of the mind-boggling loot seized by police in KL have stunned Malaysians. The confiscated items, which included Birkin, Hermes and other luxury handbags and lots of other bags and boxes containing cash, foreign currency, jewellery and other valuables, have left many Malaysians dumbfounded. Some of these bags were so heavy that hefty men struggled to lift them.
A great day for press freedom in Malaysia in this new era: Sarawak Report and Asia Sentinel websites, which played a tremendous role in uncovering the scandals of the Najib Razak era, have both been unblocked and are now accessible in Malaysia.
Back to earth. Independent filmmaker Andrew Ng was quick to try and trace the source of the teh tarik-coloured river water after a Penang-based activist noticed a change in the colour this afternoon. Over to MBPP.
Anwar Ibrahim has stepped out to freedom to find a new Malaysia which many could scarcely imagine over a week ago.
Update: A message from Judy Cheng-Hopkins: Yayyy! PF is ready to come out of its group-thinking cocoon! A new day, a new beginning: Malaysians have decided on ‘The Malaysia We Want’, now Penangites can start a dialogue in earnest on “The Penang We Want”. HK or Costa Rica? (See my piece) or something in between? Time for all sides to rethink and reach out, and leave the baggage behind! JCH
A few statements from Penang-based civil society groups, Aliran, Penang Forum and the Consumers Association of Penang in the wake of the recent general election.