S Ramakrishnan

ADUN SPEAKS | Locate vaccination centres nearer to the people to reach herd immunity

ADUN SPEAKS | Locate vaccination centres nearer to the people to reach herd immunity

This can be done by converting one section of hospitals and government clinics in small towns into vaccination centres.

ADUN SPEAKS | Johor-S'pore border opening, digital platform needed to lift state economy

ADUN SPEAKS | Johor-S'pore border opening, digital platform needed to lift state economy

State government should set up task force to review opening of border-crossing as soon as possible.

ADUN SPEAKS | Johor forestry officials must act to limit human-elephant conflicts

ADUN SPEAKS | Johor forestry officials must act to limit human-elephant conflicts

Orchard owners and palm oil farmers in Bekok, Johor, are complaining that their crops are being destroyed by elephants.

ADUN SPEAKS | Silent Johor state assembly stifles aid for the rakyat

ADUN SPEAKS | Silent Johor state assembly stifles aid for the rakyat

A full sitting is needed to approve measures to help people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
M'sian workers are never a threat to S'poreans’ employability

M'sian workers are never a threat to S'poreans’ employability

ADUN SPEAKS | They already have a ratio system to ensure there are only a fraction of foreigners working in a single company.

Security offences law impedes a fair trial

Security offences law impedes a fair trial

ADUN SPEAKS | The prosecution must definitely produce at least a smidge of a proof before stripping a person's freedom and rights away.

Politics in Malaysia is no more the same

Politics in Malaysia is no more the same

ADUN SPEAKS | Harapan must focus on the bread and butter issues of the people, who have been under duress for a long time - not give them excuses.

Zakir Naik has to go before it’s too late

Zakir Naik has to go before it’s too late

ADUN SPEAKS | It is dangerous providing shelter to such a guest.

AS1M shares – nice, but Indians still remember Maika

AS1M shares – nice, but Indians still remember Maika

COMMENT | The Indian community has had enough of bad investment experiences with the MIC.

Segamat Tamil school surviving despite deprivation

Segamat Tamil school surviving despite deprivation

LETTER | Why has the education ministry failed to relocate and assist this dilapidated school?

Another blueprint for disaster?

Another blueprint for disaster?

Yet another blueprint for the Indian Malaysian community is to be announced on Sunday April 23, 2017. This blueprint is the prime minister’s initiative to give hope to the Indian Malaysian community in return for their vote. Unfortunately, the bureaucrats do not seem to be involved in the design and implementation of this plan. Private individuals, NGOs and some businesspersons have provided input and rolled out the blueprint.

Chettiars should be graceful to accept changes

Chettiars should be graceful to accept changes

It has been settled. The Penang Hindu Endowment board (PHEB) will come out with their own golden chariot that will carry the Murugan vel from the Queens Street Mariamman temple to the hilltop Murugan temple before the Thaipusam festival and bring it back after the festival.

At a political crossroad, will Malaysia make critical U-turn?

At a political crossroad, will Malaysia make critical U-turn?

Politics in Malaysia is slowly but surely being transformed beyond race and religious ideology and sentiments. Despite the continuous onslaught by Umno propaganda that the opposition is DAP-dominated, large sections of educated and urban Malays are increasingly wary and do not trust the Umno-dominated government.

Policy on foreign workers marred with inconsistent flip-flops

Policy on foreign workers marred with inconsistent flip-flops

The Malaysian government’s attempt to bring another 1.5 million unskilled Bangladeshi workers has riled up many sections of Malaysians into disbelief and disapproval. In November 2014, Human Resources Minister Richard Riot had revealed that there were some 6.7 million foreign workers in Malaysia. Out of that number, only 2.1 million possessed valid work permits and were registered with the Immigration Department.
Blessed with sweet crude, but cursed with bitter debts

Blessed with sweet crude, but cursed with bitter debts

COMMENT | Since its formation in 1974, Petronas has contributed RM800 billion to the government.
PAS is in the past, new hope lies with Pakatan Harapan

PAS is in the past, new hope lies with Pakatan Harapan

Parti Amanah Negara, DAP and PKR have officially announced the formation of their new coalition Pakatan Harapan on Sept 22, 2015 with much hope and promise in view of the fast emerging new political landscape. One faction in PKR wants the formation delayed until PAS is persuaded to join the coalition. But PAS seems not keen in joining the coalition, while their friendship with Umno is warming day by day.
Blind loyalty takes the edge out of 1MDB probe

Blind loyalty takes the edge out of 1MDB probe

The silence and apparent collusion of law enforcement agencies like Bank Negara Malaysia, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in the increasing number of criminal breach of trust episodes, while whistleblowers get reprimanded, shows the lack of governance and a culture of blind obedience prevalent in the civil service.
Policy paralysis renders 11MP naught

Policy paralysis renders 11MP naught

The 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) announced by the prime minister was high in objectives, vision and political rhetoric but low in action plans and implementation strategies. It is common knowledge that the Achilles’ heel of the Umno-led government is implementation.
Racists dictating economic and social reforms

Racists dictating economic and social reforms

The 11th Malaysia Plan is to be tabled on May 21, 2015 during the second parliamentary sitting of 2015. The 10th Malaysia Plan (for the period 2010 - 2015) was launched with much pomp after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak took office in 2009. It had five key strategic thrusts.
GST hits the low-income group hardest

GST hits the low-income group hardest

The implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) seems to have hit a snag in the service sector. Service providers are now required to display their collective agreement in order to be able to exact service charges.
With proper management, M’sia does not need GST

With proper management, M’sia does not need GST

The much-despised and repressive consumption tax the goods and services tax (GST) is finally here to drain our pockets further.
Hudud incompatible with multi-religious society

Hudud incompatible with multi-religious society

The hudud amendment passed in Kelantan state assembly still preoccupies the thoughts of both Muslim and non-Muslim Malaysians. It is rightly so since the amendment can have far-reaching consequences that cannot be reversed. It is one way all the way.
Umno the devil’s advocate in pushing for hudud

Umno the devil’s advocate in pushing for hudud

The passing of the amendment to the Syariah Criminal Code 11 1993 in Kelantan is uncalled for at a time when Malaysia is inundated with serious economic and financial debacles and dilemmas - the RM42 billion 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) loan, weakening of the ringgit, high cash outflow, the 16 years continuous budget deficit, rising prices and wages stagnation, rising extremism and fundamentalism supporting Isil, to name a few.
PAS good at scoring own goals

PAS good at scoring own goals

Umno must be relieved at the turn of focus from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to the hudud amendment in Kelantan. PAS without Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat has lost its focus and is falling into Umno’s trap.