Josh Hong

The Arctic: cold place, hot war?

The Arctic: cold place, hot war?

During a talk on regional politics with a group of adult students early this week, one of them asked if the dispute over the Spratly Islands would undermine the cordial relationship between Malaysia and China.
Straits of Malacca tests Sino-US relations

Straits of Malacca tests Sino-US relations

Lee Kuan Yew's Malaysia complex

Lee Kuan Yew's Malaysia complex

comments josh hong Mahathir's intention is clear: Hold the Singaporean strongman Lee Kuan Yew in high regard if you want to, but who between us is the more merciless despot?
Obama walks a fineline with China and Asean

Obama walks a fineline with China and Asean

Obama and Asean: a new dawn?

Obama and Asean: a new dawn?

The Tiananmen challenge

The Tiananmen challenge

comments josh hong As Najib and the Chinese leaders bid goodbye, their minds are preoccupied with the growing demand for democratic change both in Malaysia and China.
Disease carriers we once were!

Disease carriers we once were!

The fact remains that migrant workers, like our forefathers and foremothers, have toiled and tilled to make Malaysia what it is today. In short, they are the ‘Sin Keh' (new guests) of our time.
The holy twist

The holy twist

The Pope visits Israel and confronts the dark history of the Holocaust, But what about the Jewish atrocities against the Palestinians?
May 13 and national reconciliation

May 13 and national reconciliation

May 13 special Malaysia must overcome the historical wound so as to truly embrace peace, but this cannot be achieved unless, and until, the wound itself is healed.
Testing Najib's '1Malaysia'

Testing Najib's '1Malaysia'

comments josh hong comment Can the PM rise to the challenge? If recent crackdowns on dissent were his curtain-raiser to his style of administration, then things are not looking up indeed.
Penanti or Penalty?

Penanti or Penalty?

comments josh hong The boomerang is spinning back. Having witnessed Pakatan bagging four by-elections with increased majorities since last August, BN now looks increasingly like cowards.
Torture in detention: Guantanamo to Malaysia

Torture in detention: Guantanamo to Malaysia

She stays but the battle continues

She stays but the battle continues

comments josh hong Will Pakatan eventually win the battle but lose the war? Only time will tell.
Old wine in old wineskins

Old wine in old wineskins

comment By and large, the new cabinet has failed to impress, as it contains too many familiar faces and too little talent.
Tri-elections will determine Najib's fate

Tri-elections will determine Najib's fate

comment BN is prepared to lose Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, but not by a wide margin. That way, Najib can continue to stay on as PM.
Youth polls: The morning after...

Youth polls: The morning after...

khairy jamaluddin umno youth chief 250309 comment Never known for giving in, the ex-PM may now be contemplating his next move to wreak even more havoc.
Pro-active, not pro-Chinese policy needed

Pro-active, not pro-Chinese policy needed

Asia Pacific Community and its pitfalls

Asia Pacific Community and its pitfalls

Dragon turning south

Dragon turning south

Two years ago, I first crossed the Mekong River and landed in Houayxay, a small Laotian town bordering Thailand. It was during the Lunar New Year period and, to my surprise, I ended up celebrating the festive season with a small group of engineers from Guangxi province, China.
Karpal: Bull in a china shop

Karpal: Bull in a china shop

It may not be the right moment to write a critical piece on Karpal Singh, a veteran opposition leader and the national chairman of DAP. Then again, when would the right timing be if not now?

When voyeurism and mediocrity rule the day

When voyeurism and mediocrity rule the day

So, were you in any way heartened by the sympathetic tone of the Malay Mail when the tabloid expressed its anger over the circulation of Elizabeth Wong’s private photos early this week?

US crime and punishment

US crime and punishment

In December 2006, a court in the Philippines sentenced US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to 40 years in prison for a rape of a Filipina at Subic Bay, a former US naval base in the country.
We are all Perakians now!

We are all Perakians now!

Dude, where is my third vote?

Dude, where is my third vote?

But where is my third vote now that Pakatan Rakyat has been in power for nearly a year in the five states?