Thomas Fann

COMMENT | How not to elect a dictator

COMMENT | How not to elect a dictator

Democracies have repeatedly elected false messiahs throughout history.
COMMENT | Break the corruption cycle - why institutional reforms matter

COMMENT | Break the corruption cycle - why institutional reforms matter

Stronger, independent institutions ensure accountability, prevent power abuse.
COMMENT | Reclaiming truth in an age of viral narratives

COMMENT | Reclaiming truth in an age of viral narratives

It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
COMMENT | When stories defeat truth in Malaysian politics

COMMENT | When stories defeat truth in Malaysian politics

Emotion-driven narratives weaken public debate and democratic decision-making.
COMMENT | Guardrails of democracy

COMMENT | Guardrails of democracy

One of the first guardrails is a functioning legislative arm.
COMMENT | Is democracy worth saving?

COMMENT | Is democracy worth saving?

It's our duty as citizens, voters not to give up when it falters.
COMMENT | Reclaim Jalur Gemilang, and Malaysia

COMMENT | Reclaim Jalur Gemilang, and Malaysia

This Merdeka, raise the flag. The work of building our nation is not done.
COMMENT | Without principles, we have already lost

COMMENT | Without principles, we have already lost

Abandoning principles for quick solutions will haunt us later. 

COMMENT | Bersih not an NGO drunk on heroism

COMMENT | Bersih not an NGO drunk on heroism

It is not a one-size-fits-all NGO that monitors and holds a protest at a drop of a coin over every single issue.

Time to empower voters to recall political frogs

Time to empower voters to recall political frogs

COMMENT | Recent political coup goes against the spirit of democracy and made nonsense of the GE14 results.

Forging a Bangsa Malaysia identity through electoral system redesign

Forging a Bangsa Malaysia identity through electoral system redesign

COMMENT | Our current "first-past-the-post" (FPTP) system creates several problems.

Malaysia is mine and I am hers

Malaysia is mine and I am hers

COMMENT | This country belongs to me and not to politicians or religious leaders who try to define who a Malaysian is.

Bersih, a toothless tiger?

Bersih, a toothless tiger?

COMMENT | We are more of a (watch)dog on the leash of the law, barking to alert our master, the rakyat.

Please don’t jump - we need a strong opposition

Please don’t jump - we need a strong opposition

COMMENT | This is vital in keeping the ruling government in check and holding them accountable to their promises.
Thank you Tun, but what about those who've already crossed over?

Thank you Tun, but what about those who've already crossed over?

LETTER | The rakyat will not accept any contamination from the same BN government they voted out.

Surely you can do better, Johor Harapan

Surely you can do better, Johor Harapan

LETTER | We want you to be different from the previous government, we expect you to be better.

Hope for real reform with the Harapan manifesto

Hope for real reform with the Harapan manifesto

COMMENT | Look past the populism; without power, all pledges to reform would be meaningless.

What if we bring back Mahathirism?

What if we bring back Mahathirism?

COMMENT | Some complain over choosing between two unpalatable options. But hasn't it always been that?

Beer today, dogs tomorrow?

Beer today, dogs tomorrow?

Following the 'success' of religionists in banning the Better Beer Festival, what will their next target be?

What in God’s name is happening to Malaysia?

What in God’s name is happening to Malaysia?

In recent weeks, there have been incidents threatening the delicate social harmony in our multi-ethnic country.

What would it take to end BN’s rule over Malaysia?

What would it take to end BN’s rule over Malaysia?

COMMENT | A 6pct swing towards the opposition in GE14 would end BN’s hegemonic rule.

Happy 10th Birthday Bersih!

Happy 10th Birthday Bersih!

COMMENT | We owe it to Maria and to ourselves to demand her immediate release and to urge the abolishment of Sosma.

The two by-elections - it’s do-or-die time

The two by-elections - it’s do-or-die time

On June 18, 2016, the voters of P 93 Sungai Besar in Selangor and P 67 Kuala Kangsar in Perak will have a chance to elect new Members of Parliament. This was brought about by the tragic death of both the constituencies’ MPs in a helicopter crash in Sarawak while they were on the campaign trail for Barisan Nasional at the recently concluded state election.

Be wary of the new Sarawak fever - the Adenan Fever

Be wary of the new Sarawak fever - the Adenan Fever

COMMENT | This Sarawak BN battle cry is a warning sign: Malaysia’s second poorest state is to be duped, again.