Steven Gan

Strange as it may sound, MCA chief Dr Ling Liong Sik's resignation has helped improve his political predicament. By declaring his intention to step down, Ling has effectively taken the wind out of his critics' sail. Now what?

Before anyone buys President George W Bush's war against Iraq, one should read the fine print on the label.

No one dares call him a racist. But Australian Prime Minister John Howard's views from curbing Asian immigration to launching a first strike against Southeast Asia speak volumes of his inherent chauvinism.

For a country which imports half of its oil and this is set to rise to two-thirds by 2020 having Iraqi oil on tap will be vital for the United States to maintain its grip on the global economy. That's what President George W Bush really wants, not nuclear disarmament.

Be prepared if you want to be a whistle-blower in Malaysia. Expect investigations to focus on you, not your complaints. Such is the fate awaiting the Kuala Lumpur Fire Department deputy chief who has accused his big boss of corruption.

Malaysians, 1: Communal politics, 0 — that's the score in the still unresolved debate on whether Maths and Science should be taught in English. The attempt to pit Malay Malaysians against Chinese Malaysians — a ploy which is often used by the government — has fallen flat, for now.

Suhakam's greatest failure is to keep mum when its recommendations are treated with contempt by the government. How can Suhakam defend human rights when it cannot even defend its own reports and recommendations?

What have we achieved from the recent mass deportation of undocumented workers? Not only have we committed a policy flip-flop — the crackdown has forced our construction sites to a standstill and those deported can now return — we have also enraged the people of two nations.

The government says he is a threat to national security. But those who know him say he couldn't even hurt a cat. Today, malaysiakini columnist cum film-maker Hishammudin Rais is spending his 500th day in detention.