V Thomas

It is good that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is re-calibrating the 2016 Budget in view of the changing and challenging local and international situation especially the plummeting oil revenues and the low prices for various commodities like palm oil and rubber, which contribute much for the national economy.

Azilah Hadri’s application for a royal pardon from the sultan of Selangor has once again spotlighted the case of Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in October 2006.

A unique occurrence in December this year is the two religious celebrations, one following the other. On Dec 24 the world celebrates Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, and on the 25th is Christmas - the birthday of Jesus Christ.

The direct entry of Russia has now turned the Syrian civil war from a big powers proxy war into a miniature Third World War minus the nuclear weapons. The US, Britain, France and now Russia have joined the fray together with others such as Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Hezbollah, the Jihadists, IS, al-Qaeda and the anti-Assad forces. It has now become a conflict in which the largest array of forces are battling it out since the Second World War.

It’s a new kind of weather

when you can’t see beyond a kilometre.

Some call it the ‘Malaysian Winter!’

Others wonder whether the good times are over.

The haze, or as some call it the smog, has enveloped Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and has now become an annual affair despite agreement after agreement having been signed by the affected countries within the Asean framework.

The Indian community has lived in Malaysia for the last two centuries and has made immense contributions and efforts for the development of the country especially in infrastructural development, plantations and the public sector.

The meaning and significance of Merdeka continue to evolve and change as the decades go by and with successive generations. More relevant descriptions need to be affixed to this celebration of freedom in tandem with the nation's transformation, needs, changes and challenges. Below, I have penned a short Merdeka poem that I feel embodies the present-day national scenario.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been inspirational since he took office and lauded the new concept of 1Malaysia as well as the transformational agendas, the socio-economic policies such as BR1M, large investments in East Malaysia and other changes. He has earned a lot of respect and accolades for his progressive leadership.

The tragedy unfolding in the Andaman Sea along Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand has drawn the plight of the Rohingyas to international attention and could herald a long-lasting solution to this persecuted and discriminated people, something that has eluded resolution in the last two decades.

Lately, there has been unfounded criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) incentive to help the lower income group and others. The BR1M focuses only on those who need the financial assistance and is an efficient and effective way to help the needy.

With just a few days to go before the goods and services tax (GST) is implemented nationwide, the government needs to iron out the possible chinks in the change-over, especially in the starting phase.

The media debate on the ‘doctors prescribe, pharmacists dispense’ (DPPD) issue is getting hotter as both parties have forwarded their favourable points and information for the attention of the general public. There are many advantages in upholding the status quo as it has worked to the nation’s benefit, especially for the lower income groups. There is no need to imitate other countries with different systems.

The MIC is getting into a deeper crisis by going for a judicial review, and the better way to address the problems is to revert back to the original Registrar of Societies (ROS) directive that re-elections be held again for some position to rectify the mistakes and shortcomings.

Recently, Pope Francis made a visit to the Philippines and celebrated an open-air mass which was attended by an unprecedented 5 million of the faithful, a record for any papal visit.  Pope Francis’ popularity can be traced to his humble demeanour, openness and for his championing the cause of the downtrodden, women’s rights and for those sections of society that have been discriminated against.

It is good that the government is looking into flood mitigation measures to reduce the impact of the perennial flooding in the east coast states during the North-East Monsoon. The floods are an annual occurrence and nuisance and only the intensity varies from year to year and this time it appears to have been the severest due to climate change and also because the South China Sea has become a violent and volatile region lately with natural disasters.

With due respect to the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, I find his criticism and outburst at G Palanivel, who is the Member of Parliament for Cameron Highlands and who is also the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, are unjustified.