tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7102035428192935032024-03-14T20:12:39.842+08:00New MalaysiaThe Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.comBlogger480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-21439138406007910112011-06-05T10:46:00.000+08:002011-06-05T10:47:57.328+08:00On The Beat: A journo’s jottings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrapmoNWlT-NUWav3-mDQ5Gd8aLPyg6-cp-LHxJjOLjofmCgnUQnl1cw7vmO95ImaNWUQxPncqkjjd9wQgTNat5TaPtTdeZPg4Q7Se-dp6RGf04sa9S1bxFoJyJ4urh8eMxXIeqr5dI2X/s1600/sm_13chunwai.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrapmoNWlT-NUWav3-mDQ5Gd8aLPyg6-cp-LHxJjOLjofmCgnUQnl1cw7vmO95ImaNWUQxPncqkjjd9wQgTNat5TaPtTdeZPg4Q7Se-dp6RGf04sa9S1bxFoJyJ4urh8eMxXIeqr5dI2X/s320/sm_13chunwai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614561708410360738" border="0" /></a><br />In the face of brickbats from politicians and pundits, through holidays and hectic days, a newspaperman wrote his piece every week for 14 years, staying steadfastly on the middle path. Read about Wong Chun Wai's passion and mission following the launch of his book, On The Beat, recently. Click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/6/5/lifebookshelf/8816063&sec=lifebookshelf">here</a> for The Star's interview with me.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-87473090113494427232011-02-13T11:29:00.003+08:002011-02-13T11:32:59.930+08:00Never overstay, a lesson from Cairo<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U__GYNHns314WZB8n5qMCEoyJZckQFMflfIju3GzxaBYTw-A7Lo9vE3CnYJZDc6oGmDBfus1Vc8dr0BUdqdu8uS6av2Zla3GhE50XVf0l7EUXWkZZhf7D39mKam7Tk6_21UzHWuLbLXN/s1600/egyptstar.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6U__GYNHns314WZB8n5qMCEoyJZckQFMflfIju3GzxaBYTw-A7Lo9vE3CnYJZDc6oGmDBfus1Vc8dr0BUdqdu8uS6av2Zla3GhE50XVf0l7EUXWkZZhf7D39mKam7Tk6_21UzHWuLbLXN/s320/egyptstar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573011270303201890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">The Star was in Egypt to capture that moment in history. Pixman AZHAR MAHFOF, who is in Cairo with AMY CHEW, took this picture of jubilation in the streets.</span><br /></div><p>IT’S a disease that affects many ageing politicians. They refuse to let go and cling on to their powers, believing that they are indispensable, possibly even invincible, and that chaos would result if anyone else were to take over their jobs.</p> <p>But a defiant Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has finally given up despite his stubborn stand barely 24 hours earlier, when he told the people that he would not allow himself to be forced out of office.</p> <p>He repeatedly said over state TV that he would “not leave this soil until I am buried underneath it”, and reminded his listeners that “I never sought false power or popularity. I am certain that the majority of people are aware of who Hosni Mubarak is”.</p><p><br /></p><p>More of this Comment, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/13/focus/8057145&sec=focus">here.</a><br /></p>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-25933730621373525842011-01-03T21:39:00.000+08:002011-01-03T21:41:08.090+08:00Hoping for the new in 2011IT’S the start of a new year. It brings hope, changes and renewal. Yet many things would remain very much the same as it always has in decades, especially in politics.<div id="story_content"> <p>The same language, same promises and lies are still being voiced by our leaders, regardless of their political affiliation. How we wish they could be more creative this year.</p> <p>Ironically, many of the politicians calling for change in politics have in fact been in the game for the last 20 years or more. But some have cleverly changed their agendas to suit the current demand for transparency and such.</p>And they have found a whole new base of supporters among those whose parents were busy changing their nappies while these same politicians were making a mess of the country. <p>Then there are those who are still in government, after all these years, some clinging on to their positions believing that no one else can be as good. Some are still as arrogant as ever, still refusing to learn their lessons.</p> <p>So what can we expect from our politicians, celebrities and other publicity seekers for this year? I guess it will be more of the same, whether they are platitudes, promises or excuses.</p> <p>Here’s a list of the more banal statements and remarks:</p><p>Continue reading h<a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/2/focus/7709134&sec=focus">ere.</a></p><br /></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-86670947446860177772010-11-21T11:36:00.001+08:002010-11-21T11:38:31.971+08:00Be proud of our plural society<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPRFoQ9Hg1S8mKmiHiRNLonfjH32mOMWLqA_ujmv_kyTwEUpHSCl7gDaJeTHNNi-VjiSXg82SuGHI4lOPf8PHxARmaRlA5GwvmZvRsOx94LeodXiC57WT5dahwww72cCmc1tVrXTgf-Vv/s1600/n_30zarith.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPRFoQ9Hg1S8mKmiHiRNLonfjH32mOMWLqA_ujmv_kyTwEUpHSCl7gDaJeTHNNi-VjiSXg82SuGHI4lOPf8PHxARmaRlA5GwvmZvRsOx94LeodXiC57WT5dahwww72cCmc1tVrXTgf-Vv/s320/n_30zarith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541842254427601218" border="0" /></a><br /><p>IT was simply refreshing. At a time when some politicians seem to take pride in posturing their racial and religious identities, it was heartening to read about Raja Zarith Sofea Sultan Idris Shah declaring that her ancestral roots were from Sumatra and the Peranakan Chinese.</p> <p>The consort of the Sultan of Johor (pic) went on to say that the use of the term <i>pendatang</i> to describe non-bumiputras was “hurtful and ignorant”.</p> <p>It was shameful, she added, for apparently educated and mature individuals to use such terms or suggest that fellow Malaysians go back to where they came from.</p> <p>Raja Zarith, who was speaking at the Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (PCORE) forum in Kuala Lumpur last week, stressed on the importance of recognising the diversity of Malaysian society, brought about by centuries of inter-racial and inter-faith marriages and communication.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/21/focus/7468404&sec=focus">here</a>.<br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-77551450869211831212010-10-03T16:07:00.002+08:002010-10-03T16:08:26.954+08:00Act fast against the racists<p>EVERYONE is taught that when a wrong is done, the person who did it apologises, regrets his error and promises it will never happen again. The person is often punished to show that society does not accept such behaviour.</p> <p>In Malaysia, we are still waiting to see what action will be taken against the principal who made racist remarks during a school assembly.</p> <p>Investigations have been carried out, according to news reports, but we are now being told that bureaucratic requirements are delaying further action.</p><p>Rest of the article, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/3/focus/7139520&sec=focus">here</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-59256659129204630882010-09-12T10:37:00.001+08:002010-09-12T10:39:26.076+08:00Why bother with bigots?IT’S a lesson for media organisations all over the world: Does a pastor of a tiny church who threatens to burn copies of the Quran deserve the kind of coverage that has now provoked so much anger?<br /><br />The unheard of pastor, who is said to make a living selling furniture online, has achieved international notoriety because he was given the soapbox by the media.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/12/focus/7021376&sec=focus">here</a> for the rest of my column.<br /><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/12/focus/7021376&sec=focus"></a>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-20749065122798568402010-09-05T22:47:00.000+08:002010-09-05T22:49:01.885+08:00Tear down the wall of silence against racismTHE message has been made loud and clear – there will be zero tolerance for racism. No rational and reasonable Malaysia would argue against this in the wake of racist remarks made by bigoted Malaysians.<div id="story_content"> <p>We are used to bankrupt politicians uttering hurtful words about other communities in the belief that they can win votes by projecting themselves as racist supremacists and, by extension, as protectors of their race.</p> <p>But this sickening action seems to have grown, with more racial champions being given bigger space in the media, which would only encourage them further.</p><p>For the rest of my comment, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2010/9/5/columnists/onthebeat/6984062&sec=On%20The%20Beat">here.</a><br /></p></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-14690558137448487662010-08-22T11:38:00.000+08:002010-08-22T11:39:37.698+08:00We need to move on as one nationIT’S just about 10 days now to National Day. By right, we should be in an upbeat and celebratory mood and yet Malaysians are gripped with emotional political issues that are threatening to tear us apart instead of bringing us together as a nation.<div id="story_content"> <p>The country turns 53 on Aug 31. As a nation, we are not old but we are not so young either. We can have our differences, especially political allegiances and economic approaches, but we also share the same destiny and many aspirations as Malaysians.</p> <p>More than ever, we should not let racists and religious bigots hijack our hopes. We must say no to self-serving politicians who beat the racial and religious drums and get their way at the expense of the moderates.</p>The rest of the column, please click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2010/8/22/columnists/onthebeat/6899533&sec=On%20The%20Beat">here</a>.<br /></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-33376821806095407682010-07-29T13:41:00.001+08:002010-07-29T13:43:40.611+08:00Jho Low: A world exclusive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjH7JfZpfVZ4xs1UTI55sDTkPgqxBD4ye6Q1WHu-T3HZWl7WNV8Zt_zfwkzo30j18ajgenS5swNlAwvyv9r4gIvtyMIkN7W_TJlyNzUCxJle3NtMvE0mRwIP9hTQH7qrIi9tGVLFXErnO/s1600/jholow.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjH7JfZpfVZ4xs1UTI55sDTkPgqxBD4ye6Q1WHu-T3HZWl7WNV8Zt_zfwkzo30j18ajgenS5swNlAwvyv9r4gIvtyMIkN7W_TJlyNzUCxJle3NtMvE0mRwIP9hTQH7qrIi9tGVLFXErnO/s320/jholow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499199291480310226" border="0" /></a><br />International Man of Mystery Jho Low, who parties with Paris Hilton and is reputed to chalk up hefty bills for champagne, has finally come out to talk about himself and the life he lives. Read the full story exclusive <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/29/nation/6753558&sec=nation">here</a>.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-32174078994341494712010-07-25T13:25:00.002+08:002010-07-25T13:27:11.166+08:00Guan Eng can learn from Yes Minister<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlm7mogRwLWChz-ck4FducjhsrUGBjASo333iiNWxHbidI-nn6cyOcmH0Q03_zQPBFOUvYXIMnL9xsaoDiaP4RxYbsMbBJK22d6HO84_Sq7H0UUCA0xqZyaIG4b79fupk6ZAmMB9ngJVS/s1600/feud.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlm7mogRwLWChz-ck4FducjhsrUGBjASo333iiNWxHbidI-nn6cyOcmH0Q03_zQPBFOUvYXIMnL9xsaoDiaP4RxYbsMbBJK22d6HO84_Sq7H0UUCA0xqZyaIG4b79fupk6ZAmMB9ngJVS/s320/feud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497711106990317698" border="0" /></a><br />Guan Eng must have surely watched the popular ‘80s British satirical political sitcom <i>Yes Minister</i> to appreciate how civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby – who was actually holding the powers – manipulated Administrative Minister James Hacker. If he hasn’t, he had better do so now. Read my On The Beat comment today by clicking<a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/25/focus/6731176&sec=focus"> here</a>.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-14300886225526126552010-06-27T15:50:00.001+08:002010-06-27T15:52:14.150+08:00All part of the political game<b>Politicians in the PKR may like to project themselves as saviours to the people, and some may even start believing in their own propaganda, but it is also about power and positions.</b> <p>THIS is what we will hear from Parti Keadilan Nasional leaders about the leadership feud in Selangor as they downplay the issue: it is not as bad as portrayed and the press should be blamed for blowing up the matter.</p> <p>As much as PKR leaders like to project themselves as defenders of the people and the Barisan Nasional as a corrupt, incompetent and detached government, they cannot run away from the fact that politics is about power – or more precisely, the spoils of power.</p> <p>Selangor is Pakatan Rakyat’s jewel in the crown and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, a PKR leader, is the Mentri Besar. Another important state, Penang, is under the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng.</p>Read the rest of my column <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/27/focus/6557728&sec=focus">here</a>.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-38220210644565951562010-06-20T14:02:00.001+08:002010-06-20T14:03:24.493+08:00Subsidies: Time to get out of mindsetDATUK Seri Idris Jala found himself facing a barrage of criticism, and even a demand for him to be sacked from the Cabinet, when he said the country risked going bust if our Budget continued to be in a deficit. <p>Many of our politicians prefer to put on the blinkers and pretend that all is rosy and fine in Malaysia, and assume that we are still ahead in the region.</p> <p>Here’s the bad news. We may have gotten out of the recession and the Prime Minister has taken bold initiatives to make things work but we’ve got to get out of this mindset.</p> Read more <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/20/focus/6508177&sec=focus">here</a>.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-40905119845064912472010-06-14T13:01:00.005+08:002010-06-14T13:04:00.079+08:00Namewee's got talent!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bByWv1jiAYo"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22xj0tN37jruSlXJbu5CM1eEio4399mCtItm5BfmwE5a2I95-TDzU_6QGvBDQpdy1nft7qwandy2FJHIdOgLk4YGq8yLem3S_RSNXzR5eoeUiUB25142QeIAY89JRZ2FcU-9w_07wqK69/s320/wcup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482490208305666082" border="0" /></a><br />Check out this latest video by Namewee. Click on the image. Check out his blog <a href="http://namewee.blogspot.com/">here</a>.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-42776210849284852182010-06-13T09:05:00.000+08:002010-06-13T09:06:26.751+08:00A gentleman knows when to cut losses<b>If the company screws up, the board must take responsibility and quit. Good corporate governance and accountability should prevail.</b> <p>IT’S pretty straightforward. In any public listed company, it is the board of directors that leads and controls the company but the series of news relating to Sime Darby and Kenmark have put corporate governance in Malaysia in bad light.</p> <p>It is not just the chief executive officer who must take responsibility but also the executive and non-executive directors for all decisions taken.</p><p>Read the rest <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/13/focus/6461031&sec=focus">here</a>.</p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-20766124941895131802010-05-30T09:40:00.001+08:002010-05-30T09:42:36.637+08:00Forever in snooze mode, time to wake up...<b>Our politicians must take heed that the old ways of wooing voters will not work any more in the changing political landscape.</b> <p>IT has become a ritual for our political leaders to ask their members to wake up after each electoral defeat, but Malaysians wonder if these politicians are still on snooze mode even after making their wake-up calls.</p> <p>The impression we get is that while Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has taken bold initiatives to win back the lost ground following the March 8 general election, some Barisan Nasional leaders are still refusing to see the changing political landscape.</p> <p>Some are continuing to cling on to outdated ways, even in states controlled by Pakatan Rakyat where they behave like they are still in power simply because the federal government is under Barisan rule. Worse is that there are still component party leaders who refuse to retire.</p><p>Read the rest <a href="http://www.blogger.com/*%20Nation%20%20%20%20%20*%20World%20Updates%20%20%20%20%20*%20Courts%20%20%20%20%20*%20Parliament%20%20%20%20%20*%20Columnists%20%20%20%20%20*%20Opinion%20%20%20%20%20*%20Honours%20List%20%20%20%20%20%20*%20%20%20%20%20*%20%20Click%20here%20to%20find%20out%20more%21%20Sunday%20May%2030,%202010%20Perilous%20to%20stay%20on%20snooze%20mode%20On%20The%20Beat%20By%20WONG%20CHUN%20WAI%20%20Our%20politicians%20must%20take%20heed%20that%20the%20old%20ways%20of%20wooing%20voters%20will%20not%20work%20any%20more%20in%20the%20changing%20political%20landscape.%20%20IT%20has%20become%20a%20ritual%20for%20our%20political%20leaders%20to%20ask%20their%20members%20to%20wake%20up%20after%20each%20electoral%20defeat,%20but%20Malaysians%20wonder%20if%20these%20politicians%20are%20still%20on%20snooze%20mode%20even%20after%20making%20their%20wake-up%20calls.%20%20The%20impression%20we%20get%20is%20that%20while%20Datuk%20Seri%20Najib%20Tun%20Razak%20has%20taken%20bold%20initiatives%20to%20win%20back%20the%20lost%20ground%20following%20the%20March%208%20general%20election,%20some%20Barisan%20Nasional%20leaders%20are%20still%20refusing%20to%20see%20the%20changing%20political%20landscape.%20%20Some%20are%20continuing%20to%20cling%20on%20to%20outdated%20ways,%20even%20in%20states%20controlled%20by%20Pakatan%20Rakyat%20where%20they%20behave%20like%20they%20are%20still%20in%20power%20simply%20because%20the%20federal%20government%20is%20under%20Barisan%20rule.%20Worse%20is%20that%20there%20are%20still%20component%20party%20leaders%20who%20refuse%20to%20retire.">here</a>...<br /></p>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-78473591507440232612010-05-23T13:36:00.001+08:002010-05-23T13:36:39.103+08:00The race is far from over<p> GOOD news seems hard to come by in the media but Malaysians had something to cheer about last week over two news reports - the strong appreciation of the ringgit and our ranking as the 10th most competitive nation.</p> <p>It was reported that the ringgit was the best performing Asian currency for the year, especially against the euro, pound and dollar.</p> <p>For at least a month now, ordinary Malaysians, especially businessmen and parents with children studying overseas, have been watching the movement of the ringgit against other currencies.</p> Read the rest of my column <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/23/focus/6321491&sec=focus">here</a>.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-45258281451128937582010-05-16T18:07:00.001+08:002010-05-16T18:09:47.471+08:00Time to shift gear to higher mode<p>WE cannot go on being known as the region's importer of cheap and unskilled labour. Malaysia is unable to attract the best talent but what is worse is that we are in danger of becoming an exporter of professionals.</p> <p>Malaysia is attracting workers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar but they are mostly kitchen helpers, cleaners and security guards.</p> <p>The country needs doctors, engineers, accountants, scientists, academics, bankers and lawyers but unfortunately they are not coming. And worse, the local ones are migrating.</p><p>More from this column, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/16/focus/6272904&sec=focus">here</a>.</p><p>An interesting insight into migration patterns, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/16/nation/6273783&sec=nation">here</a>.<br /></p><p><br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-78182675339824355932010-05-10T15:11:00.000+08:002010-05-10T15:12:21.162+08:00Where have all the Chinese gone?<p>THE numbers have finally hit home. For years, the country’s Chinese population has been decreasing steadily but now it’s officially recognised that Penang is no longer a Chinese majority state.</p> <p>Last week, a Chinese newspaper highlighted that there were now 18,000 more Malays this year than Chinese in <leo_highlight style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 150); background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 50%; -moz-background-size: auto auto; cursor: pointer; display: inline; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" id="leoHighlights_Underline_0" onclick="leoHighlightsHandleClick('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseover="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" onmouseout="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut('leoHighlights_Underline_0')" leohighlights_keywords="the%20state" leohighlights_url_top="http%3A//shortcuts.thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/plugin/highlights/3_1/tbh_highlightsTop.jsp?keywords%3Dthe%2520state%26domain%3Dthestar.com.my" leohighlights_url_bottom="http%3A//shortcuts.thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/plugin/highlights/3_1/tbh_highlightsBottom.jsp?keywords%3Dthe%2520state%26domain%3Dthestar.com.my" leohighlights_underline="true">the state</leo_highlight>.</p> <p>Quoting Penang Statistics Department director Wan Mohamad Noor Wan Mahmood, <i>Nanyang Siang Pau</i> reported that there were about 650,000 Chinese in Penang, making up about 43% of the total population in 2005, but this was expected to drop to 40.9% this year.</p><p>Read the rest of this week's On The Beat column <a href="http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2010/5/9/columnists/onthebeat/6221879&sec=On%20The%20Beat">here</a>.<br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-73761470005935738182010-05-02T13:55:00.002+08:002010-05-02T13:58:18.567+08:00No need to tick off voters...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMaxUbYCv8NA0JOKRvNSzE-caSdtRyrn521lb8F3cLFDE1UY9X6L3E6ycyChj1-C_tHLsYdxcYDSuuAHfRjr2tgKzLzydaf-TN3o4n7sA51WdsiHRXm64tHNk7F1SNF1WQTwoM72yRnrK/s1600/harith.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMaxUbYCv8NA0JOKRvNSzE-caSdtRyrn521lb8F3cLFDE1UY9X6L3E6ycyChj1-C_tHLsYdxcYDSuuAHfRjr2tgKzLzydaf-TN3o4n7sA51WdsiHRXm64tHNk7F1SNF1WQTwoM72yRnrK/s320/harith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466547998479960978" border="0" /></a><br />STAND-UP comic Harith Iskandar is the product of Malay-English parentage. He has acted in plays and movies speaking in Bahasa Malaysia and earns a living telling jokes, mostly in English with some Malay and Chinese words thrown in. <p>He has been telling his audiences that he plans to get married soon with a woman of Chinese-Indian parentage. “I do not know how our children will fill up those forms. I think they will have to tick every box – Malay, Chinese, Indian and <i>lain-lain</i>.”</p> <p>The predominantly Chinese crowd in Petaling Jaya roared when he asked when Malaysians could stop having to state their racial background. Then he delivered his punch line: “But I am a Malaysian first.” His listeners were on their feet by then, which goes to show how much the issue had struck a chord with urban Malaysia.</p><p>For the rest of the column, click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/2/focus/6166722&sec=focus">here</a>.<br /></p><p><br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-18255535598858508402010-04-25T11:46:00.001+08:002010-04-25T11:48:33.810+08:00Sugar, spice and everything nice...NEVER mind if it was only for a week but the voters in sleepy Hulu Selangor have never had it so good. Malaysians would know by now that a by-election is the best thing to happen after a general election in this country. <p>In a general election, the campaign is spread out across the 222 constituencies and media attention is focused only on certain areas, those regarded as hot seats with key personalities. Thus, a constituency like Hulu Selangor would not be on the media radar screen.</p><p>To follow the rest of my column, click<a href="http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2010/4/25/columnists/onthebeat/6127941&sec=onthebeat"> here</a>.</p><p>To follow live the Hulu Selangor by-election today, click <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/25/hulu_selangor/20100425083429&sec=hulu_selangor">here</a>.<br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-91134480018557852752010-04-20T11:37:00.000+08:002010-04-20T11:38:56.339+08:00Treat the verbal diarrhoea<h1 id="story_title"><br /></h1>MALAYSIA is spending millions of ringgit trying to repair its image overseas but plenty of taxpayers’ money can be saved if our politicians exercise some self-restraint with their statements. <p>The foot-in-the-mouth disease seems to be rampant and many of us wonder why they even make these statements in the first place.</p> <p>We are talking about politicians from both sides of the political divide whose astounding statements often make world headlines for the wrong reasons. Little do they realise the serious implications involved, including loss of foreign direct investments.</p><p>Read the rest of my column <a href="http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=onthebeat&file=/2010/4/18/columnists/onthebeat/6080863&sec=On%20The%20Beat">here</a>.</p>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-87017881850363631422010-04-11T12:46:00.000+08:002010-04-11T12:47:06.142+08:00Why harp on a non-issue?IT’S strange that some of us should find it difficult to identify ourselves first by our nationality and then only by our ethnicity. Yet, when we are overseas, none of us, including the politicians, have any qualms calling ourselves as Malaysians first. <p>When we fill up the immigration forms before we enter a foreign country, they only want to know our nationality and the passports we carry.</p> <p>Really, they don’t give two hoots about our race or religion. They may want to know our gender or marital status but beyond that, no country, Malaysia included, really wants to know more than is required.</p><p>This is from my On The Beat column today. To read the full comment, please click <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/11/focus/6031421&sec=focus">here</a>.<br /></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-13702496300161733742010-02-28T07:55:00.005+08:002010-03-01T15:41:35.372+08:00Up close and personal with Stephen Hawkings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIaGR7oZMrcRs4wKbkGFXq6hgdw2fsC29MBcW1GEOTJ41K8fNQTlbeBctBLbl4Zm-t5dUnCUj3sGKVyygIxlvNftDJ1tsTdcQdiTWhWe1bHyHKQlJecbnL71SvmPUn0UEEDRCqAj0O6oU/s1600-h/chunwaihawkings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIaGR7oZMrcRs4wKbkGFXq6hgdw2fsC29MBcW1GEOTJ41K8fNQTlbeBctBLbl4Zm-t5dUnCUj3sGKVyygIxlvNftDJ1tsTdcQdiTWhWe1bHyHKQlJecbnL71SvmPUn0UEEDRCqAj0O6oU/s320/chunwaihawkings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443567336984190082" border="0" /></a><br />I had an exclusive interview with Prof Stephen Hawkings (his daughter Lucy on the right) in Cambridge last month. Read the story in the Star Online link <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/28/focus/5765749&sec=focus">here</a>, <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/28/focus/5765750&sec=focus">here</a> and <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/28/focus/5765746&sec=focus">here</a>.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-29618995496034197012010-02-21T17:37:00.001+08:002010-02-21T17:39:07.873+08:00Not a good year for the big cats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2NVhGkK6yRaljQaYc1NNCQ882JAyNfwE3oSdEqK5NQZYAQJPYvuUTjVsi2xxz-L3xgWK5-LBhukYYWbjc18ym3Ta7omzNYGsHVMasDiK5kfA4lXSPlI67S34GX1I7RlVuuEa0RWhZqhD/s1600-h/tigers_large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2NVhGkK6yRaljQaYc1NNCQ882JAyNfwE3oSdEqK5NQZYAQJPYvuUTjVsi2xxz-L3xgWK5-LBhukYYWbjc18ym3Ta7omzNYGsHVMasDiK5kfA4lXSPlI67S34GX1I7RlVuuEa0RWhZqhD/s320/tigers_large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440628830952236674" /></a><br />The tiger occupies a position of prestige in many of our country’s symbols. As such, there are plenty of reasons for us to protect and conserve our tigers. Read my column <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/21/focus/5715911&sec=focus">here</a>.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710203542819293503.post-46820111207814099762010-02-14T14:26:00.002+08:002010-02-14T14:33:44.138+08:00A Blessed Year of the Tiger to one and all<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5uVOMjdeyVQ6CwoLrTmAse-6gpbHIdCv2_VDO46rvsR6FMeAwMJ_UTjaVDFjND61aU70uaAwxiWhNgN9x5U9eB-DkUkd3L4NB3Q82q-hy2ZhQnJOtpuWSnY-hG_hrOYuM3ON0UH9tVAs/s1600-h/tigerchinese.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5uVOMjdeyVQ6CwoLrTmAse-6gpbHIdCv2_VDO46rvsR6FMeAwMJ_UTjaVDFjND61aU70uaAwxiWhNgN9x5U9eB-DkUkd3L4NB3Q82q-hy2ZhQnJOtpuWSnY-hG_hrOYuM3ON0UH9tVAs/s320/tigerchinese.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437983530872175410" /></a><br />It's a special day for me today in more ways than one. It's the first day of the Lunar New Year as the Tiger takes over from the Ox. It's also Valentine's Day. And it was this day 20 years ago that I tied the knot with my wife. So it's a time of reflection in today's <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/14/focus/5677653&sec=focus">On The Beat</a> as I wish all of you a very Blessed Year of the Tiger.The Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15059125424007265156noreply@blogger.com2