Baradan Kuppusamy

Three years after its formation, Suhakam is no longer seen as a crusading protector of individual human rights. Sadly, not a week passes without some interest group questioning its relevance.

If the strategies for a 'New Malaysia' announced by BA take hold, the government of outgoing premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad may lose ground once again. This, at least, is the hope of the battered opposition front.

The international community and human rights groups claim that deporting the Acehnese is tantamount to signing their death warrants but Malaysia is coming under pressure from 'big brother' Indonesia to do just that.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad leaves his name stamped on every symbol of modernisation in Malaysia. And his is leaving knowing full well that his place in history is assured.

His capture ends the career of a successful and dedicated Islamic militant who was fired by zeal to wage war against the 'enemies of Islam'.

When they arrived, they found neither shelter nor protection but police waiting for them. Groups are now demanding that the government recognises fleeing Acehnese as refugees and not as undocumented immigrants.

Paloh, Malaysia's first movie funded by the government to dazzle the world, perhaps win awards at international film festivals and make the country stand tall, has been rejected by domestic viewers.

It depends on which side you are on. Chemical firms say that to know paraquat is to like it but to weed sprayers - to use paraquat is to hate it.

They are confined in luxury condominiums to satisfy a select club of the rich and old in Malaysia, who visit them regularly in late afternoons to wine, dine and have sex.