Baradan Kuppusamy

'Toothless Bills' harm reform agenda

'Toothless Bills' harm reform agenda

Trial over, Fernandez eyes political career

Trial over, Fernandez eyes political career

Alarm at move to regulate media

Alarm at move to regulate media

A government proposal to set up a media council to 'regulate' news reporting has alarmed journalists who see it as an attempt to add yet another layer of control over their profession.
Judiciary shows signs of independence

Judiciary shows signs of independence

judiciary gavel Malaysians, especially members of the law fraternity, are hailing the release of Raja Petra Kamarudin as a positive sign of an increasingly independent judiciary.
Foreign labour exit

Foreign labour exit

Moving away from race-based politics

Moving away from race-based politics

Ever since voters gave the race-based BN coalition government its biggest ever drubbing in March the search has been on for a new political formula.
Race Relations Act will change little - critics

Race Relations Act will change little - critics

After 50 years of trying to build a plural society Malaysia now plans to enact a race relations law to end discrimination and protect minorities. But critics say a new law will change little.
Mahathir may return to centre stage

Mahathir may return to centre stage

analysis Critics say Najib's rise to power would also see the return of Mahathir to political centre stage, probably as a tenured advisor to the government.
Tribal flesh trade comes to 'Truly Asia'

Tribal flesh trade comes to 'Truly Asia'

Protests mount against draconian ISA

Protests mount against draconian ISA

comment The protests indicate a changing perception of the ISA among the people. Where before they thought it is a necessary evil, many strongly oppose it now as draconian.
I welcome criticism but...

I welcome criticism but...

DNA legislation lurks

DNA legislation lurks

Sleaze, race dominate crucial by-election

Sleaze, race dominate crucial by-election

analysis BN unleashes money, patronage and the overwhelming control it has over the mainstream media to convince voters that Anwar is simply unfit to be anything, let alone the next PM.
The fear campaign is on

The fear campaign is on

Students find ways to defy repressive laws

Students find ways to defy repressive laws

Malaysian students are forming groups and NGOs to oppose old, draconian laws and a regime that compares poorly with the dynamism found in Thai, Indonesian and Philippine campuses.
Racket turns workers into commodities

Racket turns workers into commodities

Like thousands of migrant workers, Mir Hussein Wahab, aged 29, from Lahore, Pakistan, is a victim of a new phenomenon called jual-beli , a Malay term that describes a human trafficking racket that rakes in millions of dollars for international syndicates.

Literally, jual-beli means 'bought-sold' and is used to refer to the daily trading of goods in the local market.

In recent months, migrant workers have been persuaded to part with hard cash to enter the country only to learn that they had been duped and left stranded without jobs, money or assistance from their sponsors or authorities.

Suhakam faces downgrade by UN

Suhakam faces downgrade by UN

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia risks a downgrade by the United Nations for failing to proactively defend human rights, combat an alarming rise in rights abuse of students, minorities and indigenous people.

It's make or break for PKR leader

It's make or break for PKR leader

While he is expected to win, political observers will be watching how big his winning majority would be to gauge how well his agenda for change is accepted by Malaysians.
Race talk affectations

Race talk affectations

Emerging Malay NGOs are placing an imperative on PAS to talk to Umno, but its affects might compromise the stability of Pakatan Rakyat.
Cracks show up in opposition ranks

Cracks show up in opposition ranks

analysis An incident at the anti-fuel hike rally is indicative of the tensions within Pakatan - a rock singer showed his buttocks that angered the puritanical Islamists and a punch-up broke out.
Sodomy charge to deny him power

Sodomy charge to deny him power

He has come close to becoming prime minister twice. They were able to stop him in 1998. And they hope to do it again, with yet another sodomy charge.
Opposition pledges yet to be fulfilled

Opposition pledges yet to be fulfilled

First 100 days Pakatan Rakyat needs to face up to its election promises and not be distracted by managing partner relationship and devising means to 'buy' MPs.
Two-party system taking shape

Two-party system taking shape

The move is hailed by pro-democracy activists as the first step in the creation of a viable two-party political system, probably the first stable, working system in Southeast Asia.
Desperate MIC turns to ailing Pandithan

Desperate MIC turns to ailing Pandithan

pandithan sick 021006 analysis MIC is in a fix. The support it once commanded from the Indian community is on the wane. In a desperate bid to regain some lost ground, the party uses the IPF president.