M Bakri Musa

The Malays have never learned or refused to learn what it would take to be a Tuan. In this competitive world, you work to be one, you must earn it!

The records and memoirs of our nation's great leaders are either gathering dust in some forgotten corner if not already lost forever. This invaluable heritage of the nation needs to be preserved for posterity and we could start with veteran leaders who are still with us.

The present education system has been in existence for decades and it is time to examine it critically.

Malaysia should open up its skies. Who cares how those tourists arrive or who owns the planes we fly in?

The Tunku's frankness was refreshing, except when he got carried away with those he disliked. His disparaging personal remarks on Mahathir's heritage were unbecoming and offensive.

Muslims are potentially subjected to two conflicting or at least competing legal jurisdictions.

Allah in His Wisdom gave us an intellect, an attribute unique only unto humans, for a reason. We value this divine gift by fully utilizing it.

Malay College excelled when it was the only residential school. It thus represents a sorry metaphor for the Malay mentality - to excel, there must not be any competition.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi secured a massive mandate in the 2004 elections, but has squandered it.

There is more to solving the safety problem than endless exhortations for drivers to be careful.

Until there is serious self-examination by Umno leaders, speeches about towering or Glokal Malays will go no further than that.

A folly repeated or political posturing? The recent police raid on Malaysia Today was mounted uncannily close to the Umno general assembly.

Whither the Indian Malaysian community? Should it choose the path of affirmative action policies or strike out on its own to uplift its status?

I am a Malaysian, despite attempts by my critics to label me otherwise. They do so because I reside abroad and thus no longer a 'true Malaysian', bumiputra or no bumiputra.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently conceded that there are shortcomings in his leadership. But humility is not going to win over those critics who want to see action.

Jobs considered degrading a generation ago have disappeared due to technological advances. Malaysia should be eliminating jobs considered as demeaning instead of bringing in foreigners.

Pak Lah's three-prong problems: He cannot grasp the enormity of a problem, he only sermonises and there is no follow through.

The prime minister should not hesitate to co-opt his predecessor's help with specific projects or simply for general advice. Were Abdullah to do that, he as well as the nation would benefit immensely.

While city authorities are pondering ways to redevelop Kampung Baru, a Malay settlement in Kuala Lumpur, solutions can be found in taking the economic route.

We do things differently here! The 'we' could refer to Americans or Malaysians and the 'here' could be Washington DC or Putrajaya.

He never aspired nor expected to be prime minister. He is content with coasting along, resting on the achievements of his predecessor. Coasting is fine when you are already at the top, but not when you are still ascending.

Five years on, online news portal malaysiakini has become a model that others are emulating, says a contented columnist.

Political leaders of the Islamic world need to stop trying to appear pious and being addressing the real needs of their people.

When seeking private contracts, the government must be open to competitive bidding if it is to pay fair prices for a decent job.