A stirring movie can be a powerful instrument to raise awareness of social issues that we are not usually attuned to. Here are two commendable Malaysian efforts – Abang Adik, a low-budget film focusing on the plight of the stateless, and Pendatang, a crowdfunded film touching on ethnic relations. Try and watch both if you can over Christmas and the New Year.
Aliran annual meeting calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and end to use of ‘pendatang’ label
Members attending Aliran’s 47th hybrid annual general meeting [on 25 November] unanimously passed a resolution urging for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank to allow humanitarian aid to enter.
They also called for the release of all hostages and prisoners illegally or unjustly held captive on both sides and for the immediate withdrawal of Israel from the occupied territories of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
One year of PM Anwar – Unrealistic expectations or underperformance?
My take on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s first year in office. What do you think of his performance over the last year?
Anwar’s first anniversary as PM: Fix the economy and hasten reforms
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.