The malaise of Umno and its latest casualty, Pak Lah
September 29, 2008
This article first appeared in the Malaysian Insider.
Political situations are mostly driven by events. It’s hard for any leader to to control his party members with an open style of leadership as unbridled democracy liberates his followers.
An event like a national catastrophe can make an unpopular leader popular again. Read more
Crossing the political Rubicon
September 20, 2008
This article first appeared in the Malaysian Insider.
The fantasy Sept 16 date for Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat and enable Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be prime minister has come and gone.
The BN government under Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is still intact minus the two MPs from the Sabah Progressive Party.
And the 2010 transition plan between Abdullah and Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is still on although many are less confident that it will last. Read more
Trouble in paradise
September 7, 2008
PAD activists demostrate outside govt house - pic from Getty Images
This article first appeared in the Malaysian Insider
Everyone loves Thailand. It is paradise for many people from all over the world who will make repeat visits for a multitude of reasons except for its turbulent political situation.
I arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which was unusually quiet last Tuesday morning. I have passed through the airport many times since its opening but this was the first time I was not greeted by throngs of people upon arrival in the terminal.
I sensed trouble in paradise. Read more
The politics of race, is it a sprint or marathon towards Bangsa Malaysia
September 1, 2008
This article first appeared in Project Malaysia
(Substitute the number of years since Merdeka in 1957) ago, Malayans of all races spilled into Stadium Merdeka and padangs across Malaya to celebrate Independence on August 31st.
And every year since then, we lament, we recriminate, we ruminate, we fulminate what it means, what it was, what it is and what it will be? Read more
Recent Comments
On October,5 at 11:23 tokdalang commented on Annus horribilis: Datuk, Good point. But time for you and your colleagues to get off your high horse and do something about it....more
On June,21 at 20:38 sragu18 commented on One Love, let’s get together and feel alright: Datuk, i think everyone need a chance to prove their worth and our PM has until the next GE to...more
On April,27 at 18:25 tokdalang commented on One Love, let’s get together and feel alright: Datuk, pretty nice sentiments but i fear there is no time like the present. 1Malaysia is so open-ended that if...more
On November,19 at 15:12 fjuara commented on Jazlan: Saya tidak terkilan tiada pencalonan: Saya terkilan jugak sikit
On November,19 at 15:10 fjuara commented on Nur Jazlan tarik diri tanding Timbalan Presiden: Samalah.. saya pun tarik diri jugak
On October,31 at 17:23 7thpm commented on Q & A with Nur Jazlan: Dear Honorable Datuk, Happy Hari Raya. It is a time for celebration, it is also a time to ponder the...more
On October,15 at 10:25 zaki commented on Nur Jazlan: Dr M has no right to call us jokers: Dear Datuk, you have my support. it is about time UMNO undergoes a total overhaul. we need new blood....more
On October,15 at 07:38 sragu18 commented on Nur Jazlan: Dr M has no right to call us jokers: Dear Datuk, It's funny to hear our great Tun M making a joke out of aspiring candidates for the no 2...more