Opposition parties seeking to take over the reins of government in Malaysia will have to contend with a daunting obstacle course that could make Frodo’s journey with the ring (in Lord of the Rings) look like child’s play.
The Pakatan Harapan-PSM dilemma
I have always wondered why Pakatan Rakyat and then Pakatan Harapan were so ready to embrace fledgling parties like Bersatu and Amanah – but then kept the long established Parti Sosialis Malaysia at arm’s length.
Pulau Jerejak to turn into a mini-Hong Kong – or Ellis Island?
Check out the recent satellite image above.
Pulau Jerejak: Voices from the Past, Choices for the Future
A video in four parts of a fascinating recent forum about Pulau Jerejak in Penang.
Part 1 above – a presentation by Rexy Prakash Chacko of Penang Forum. More below.
Five reasons why Malaysia’s rising debt should concern us
Here are five reasons why we should be concerned about the Malaysian government’s debt and expenditure levels.
1) Federal government debt has been growing by >10% annually over the last decade
Take a look at the rising government debt level and the projections into the future.
2007 – RM267bn
2017 – RM687bn (end-September, 51.1% of GDP)
2021 – RM1 trillion (estimated)
2028 – RM2tn (est)
2032 – RM3tn (est)
So far, the government has been careful to keep the debt level below 55% of GDP, but this figure does not capture the full picture, as we shall see below.
Not even one Malaysian destination among TripAdvisor’s Top 25 in Asia
We take great pride in getting into any top 10 list of places to visit or live in.
PSM spreads its wings in Penang
Parti Sosialis Malaysia is opening up a service centre in Jelutong, widening its sphere of influence in Penang and adding to the political discourse its idea of an alternative people-friendly economic framework for the state.
The Penang we want: An open letter to Penang Forum
Our guest contributor is Judy Cheng-Hopkins, who comes up with some criticism of Penang Forum for indulging in ‘group-think’. She raises the larger issue of what kind of Penang we want. These days it would seem there are two (or more) competing visions of Penang. Read on.
Judy Cheng-Hopkin’s view from the “outside-in”:
(I am a Malaysian and Penangite, a St George’s and St Xavier’s alumna, who has worked and lived overseas for over four decades. I have a home in Penang and live here a few months a year. That is why my perspective can be considered “outside-in”.)
Looking around me, sitting here in Tanjung Bungah, it maybe a little late to ask the question, what should Penang look like in say 20 years? To our amazement, multi-storey apartment buildings keep sprouting up. However while I have heard passionate complaining about “over- development”, I have yet to hear a good articulation of what the various segments of Penang society want.
Aliran Young Writers Workshop: Elections and Change
This workshop, with the theme Pilihan Raya dan Perubahan or Elections and Change, will focus on stimulating discussions and ideas about what young people (aged 18-35) can do to be heard and to effect changes in the coming general election.
Clearing work begins … Save Taman Rimba Kiara before it is too late!
Trees have been removed in the area so that a sales gallery can be constructed.