K Kabilan

Much ado over a playing field

The battle over the Kampung Kuala Ampang's playing field is between the need to preserve the environment and the villagers' right to housing. The real victim, however, could be the country's development of sports.

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Bleak future for undergraduates facing court case

Seven undergraduates were charged in 2001 for protesting against the ISA. Two years later, their case is still not heard and worse, they are still suspended from their universities. Now they are garnering support to highlight their plight.

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YSS finds ways to solve Indian gangsterism problem

The problems associated with gangsterism are quite alarming among Indian Malaysian youths. To arrest the situation, the MIC-run Yayasan Strategik Sosial ventures into various programmes with the help of the local community.

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Kuala Lumpur - the garden city of lights...and floods

Kuala Lumpur City Hall must be firm in tackling the flash flood problems in the city. It must implement some tough measures and also assist those who suffer from the muddy encounter.

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Tian, Hishamuddin still under remand

Ex-ISA detainees Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais have been transferred to the Kajang prison pending additional bail application hearings in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

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Other ways to curb the VCD piracy menace

The government's all-out battle against pirated CDs and VCDs can be won by undertaking several other measures, both conventional and unconventional, as well.

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AI raps Malaysia...again

Amnesty International's 2003 annual report on Malaysia once again highlights the government's restriction of fundamental human rights.

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Old-timers sacked for rejecting night-shift duties

They had laboured for the company for up to 25 years. In the bid to boost productivity, the workers were told to work night shifts. When they refused, the company booted them out.

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MIC: Its time the old guards leave

Even before the contest could begin, MIC's top leadership have returned unopposed. Some may say this is good for continuity but the party does need new faces and ideas to uplift the Indian community.

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RSF: No political motive behind Malaysias low ranking in index

Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin says Reporters Without Borders was trying to discredit Malaysia by giving it a low ranking in the annual Press Freedom Index. RSF says the findings were based on fact.

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The long and winding road to press freedom

Another World Press Freedom Day has gone by with many still fighting for press freedom in Malaysia. While the proposed media council could put this on the right track, it could be a double-edged sword.

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Judges must temper justice with mercy

A person on the street holds a high expectation of a fair and just interpretation and implementation of the law. He also expects the judges to assuage the application of the law with some human touch.

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Winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqis

It is important for the US-led forces to ensure that civil order returns in Iraq. They must start imposing law and order as well as facilitate safe passage for humanitarian aid workers.

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The propaganda war in Iraq

A parallel battle is being fought in the US-led war against Iraq to gain the psychological advantage, with the media becoming the pawn of the opposing military forces.

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A tale of two demos

The guns and roses treatment given by the police to the two different anti-war demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday reinforces the belief that freedom of expression is closely associated with political patronage in Malaysia.

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What 2003 holds for political parties

Next year will be an important one for the political parties in the country, especially with the general election expected to be held by the end of the year. Questions then rise if senior leaders of other BN coalition partners follow Dr Mahathir's steps in retiring from politics, or on how PAS' new president Abdul Hadi prepares to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.

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Commoners nabbed, VIPs speed away from police dragnet

The failure of the police to act against VIP traffic offenders, especially after the forceful manner in which the public was 'encouraged' to settle their outstanding summonses, reeks of double standards.

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From Bali to KL: The next step

The bomb blasts in Bali drive home two points — the war against terrorism is being waged closer to home now, and it could shatter tourism in a region that is still economically fragile. To bring back the tourist dollar, countries must stay united in fighting terrorism.

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Regional policy can solve migrant workers debacle

Malaysia's strict enforcement of amended immigration laws saw thousands of migrant workers deported. Those caught in the country after the amnesty deadline face whipping and jail. Following protests in Jakarta and Manila at these, perhaps a more practical and economically beneficial solution is to have a region-wide workers policy that will ensure free movement of workers legally across the region.

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US visa policy: Should Msian students be victimised?

As a measure to deter possible terror attacks, the US government imposed stringent immigration regulations for travellers from about 26 countries, mostly from the Mideast. Inexplicably Malaysia is also on the list and this does not augur well for us, especially our students.

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Can Gerakan force the government to turn around?

Gerakan is the first political party from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to officially oppose the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics. This could lead to more parties, especially from those representing the Chinese community, to take a similar stand and force the government to look again into its proposals and come up with a well considered and consulted policy.

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Tamil schools at crossroads: end in sight?

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A list of lesser dilemmas for Dr M

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Public donations: between morality and ethics

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