Live from Parliament!

First day of Question time and we only managed to get three questions asked before a series of disruptions and points of order from MPs across the divide. I wrote my observations that is now out at The Malaysian Insider and also here in www.jazlan.net.

We have broken for lunch in Parliament and that will give me time to answer some of the comments made at this website. Also, anyone has question for me to ask in Parliament. Just drop me a line here.

Thanks.

Point of Order!

“This is a very bad start, this a terrible start, this is an atrocious start,” veteran opposition MP Lim Kit Siang said in Parliament today when politicians across the divide stood up to score points.

I recall Lim, who was the then Opposition Leader in the 11th Parliament, lecturing the government bench to improve our “third class” mentality and behave like “First World Parliamentarians”.

I took up the challenge at the 11th Parliament and debated with decorum. Today, in the Dewan Rakyat with a bigger Opposition bench, I do not see them practising what Lim had preached. Read more

Fixing the Oil Fix

There was a time when for one ringgit, you could get at least three roti canais. Now you’d be lucky to get one. And the same size as before.

Our money is small. Very, very, very small, to paraphrase Shebby Singh’s favourite quote on ESPN. Notwithstanding the weakening US dollar. Read more

Um…no youth

Let’s face it. Since Umno Baru was founded in 1988 - let’s not kid ourselves that it is the same party from 1946 - there has not been a vote for the top two party posts. It’s a succession by patronage.

In other words, it’s feudal. Not something that we need in today’s hyper-competitive world. Read more

Nur Jazlan: Umno quota rule puts off younger leaders

From the Star (and the main paper page N18)

PETALING JAYA: Umno should promote competition for posts among its members, especially the younger ones, so the party will have the best talent, Pulai Umno division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said. Read more

Latest articles in the Malaysian Insider

My latest article entitled “Um…no youth” is out in the Malaysian Insider today. The article will posted here within one or two days time. If you can’t wait, please visit the Malaysian Insider to check on my latest articles

A non racial Malaysia: Are we ready for it?

There is growing belief among some Malaysians that our country is ready for non racial politics.

It seems to me that they also believe that they represent the majority in this country.

I hate to burst the bubble, but realistically, this issue will require a debate and an honest self-examination on the rakyat’s part considering the historical and cultural framework of the country to achieve an acceptable formula. Read more

When the honeymoon is over…

This article first appeared in the Malaysian Insider

Let’s face it. The honeymoon is over. Barisan Nasional under Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi won 91 per cent of the parliamentary seats in the 2004 elections but only 63 per cent this year.

I thanked Pak Lah last Friday for the opportunity to contest in the last and this elections when nobody else gave me the chance. But I had to say what I had to say when no one else wanted. Just like when he gave me the opportunity. Read more