Aliran

IIUM staff association raises concerns over Razak Baginda lecture at Istac The Academic Staff Association (ASA) of the International Islamic University Malaysia would like to highlight our concern regarding an upcoming public lecture scheduled for 18 August at the main hall of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) at IIUM. The lecture features Razak Baginda as a guest speaker on the topic…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/iium-staff-association-raises-concerns-over-razak-baginda-lecture-at-istac

Broken promise: Why should Penang voters trust the DAP-led government again? The Protect Karpal Singh Drive action committee (ProtectKarpal), under the Bandar Sri Pinang Pulau Pinang Residents’ Association, is deeply disappointed by the Penang state government’s decision to grant PLB Engineering Berhad yet another extension of time, this time until 18 October, for the Jelutong landfill project. This is no longer simply about another extension.…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/broken-promise-why-should-penang-voters-trust-the-dap-led-government-again

Streams of consciousness can overcome boulders of oppression At this time of war in West Asia and turmoil across the world, and political uncertainty within Malaysia, it is understandable that many might feel despondent. The impasse over the Strait of Hormuz has shown us how interconnected and vulnerable our world is to regional, even localised, conflicts. It has highlighted our dependence on…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/streams-of-consciousness-can-overcome-boulders-of-oppression

Streams of consciousness can overcome boulders of oppression At this time of war in West Asia and turmoil across the world, and political uncertainty within Malaysia, it is understandable that many might feel despondent. The impasse over the Strait of Hormuz has shown us how interconnected and vulnerable our world is to regional, even localised, conflicts. It has highlighted our dependence on…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/streams-of-consciousness-can-overcome-boulders-of-oppression

Fundamental questions for DAP delegates The DAP will hold its national congress on 16 August where over 4,000 delegates will vote by secret ballot on a motion to decide whether the party should remain in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government until the end of the parliamentary term. There will be many thoughts in the minds of delegates, but there…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/fundamental-questions-for-dap-delegates

Growth is up. But so is household debt Charles Santiago The government keeps telling the people to marvel at Malaysia’s impressive growth numbers and be grateful. But Khazanah Research Institute’s findings on affordability and household wellbeing paint a deeply troubling picture. This should have set off alarm bells in Putrajaya. Instead, we have seen remarkably little urgency. Has Prime Minister…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/growth-is-up-but-so-is-household-debt

DAP – stay in government or leave? This weekend, more than 4,000 DAP delegates will vote by secret ballot on whether the party should remain in the federal government until the end of the parliamentary term. After a series of electoral setbacks, has the DAP reached the point where staying in government is costing it more politically, than it is gaining…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/dap-stay-in-government-or-leave

Kawasan hutan paya bakau Sungai Merbok jadi tempat pembuangan sampah / Merbok River mangrove forest turned into dumping ground [ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) menggesa Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani (MPSPK) dan Jabatan Perhutanan menyiasat dan mengambil tindakan segera bagi mengatasi masalah pencemaran sampah sarap di kawasan hutan simpanan kekal paya bakau di Sungai Merbok, Kedah. Tinjauan CAP di sepanjang Sungai Merbok mendapati kebanyakan sisa buangan yang dikesan di dua…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/kawasan-hutan-paya-bakau-sungai-merbok-jadi-tempat-pembuangan-sampah-merbok-river-mangrove-forest-turned-into-dumping-ground

‘The People’s Historian’: New book explores ‘remarkable’ life of Howard Zinn Democracy Now! speaks to Dave Zirin, author and sports editor at The Nation, about his new book, The People’s Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn, chronicling the life and activism of the legendary historian Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States. For Zinn, says Zirin, “being an academic was…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/the-peoples-historian-new-book-explores-remarkable-life-of-howard-zinn

Rocky’s death and what it means for our management of strays The death of the dog Rocky during a recent Klang City Council’s enforcement operation sparked national outrage after videos of the incident went viral, which showed its owner pleading for mercy as it was restrained. Animal welfare groups allege that Rocky was beaten and strangled, while the city council maintains the operation followed standard…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/rockys-death-and-what-it-means-for-our-management-of-strays

Tabung Haji and the cost of broken trust Certain individuals appear to have made it their goal to commit financial wrongdoing at a vital institution for Muslims – the Hajj pilgrims’ fund board, Tabung Haji. For Muslims, a sacred line has been crossed. Those entrusted to run the Islamic statutory body – presumably Malay-Muslims – were also meant to protect the interests…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/tabung-haji-and-the-cost-of-broken-trust

Negeri Sembilan: Will the ‘blue wave’ travel far? Barisan Nasional’s switch in strategy paid off handsomely, grabbing half the state assembly and with Perikatan Nasional securing control of the state. The question being asked is if this winning strategy can go national and deliver Umno leadership of the country. Also laid bare several are other political realities: Pakatan Harapan’s weak hold of…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/negeri-sembilan-will-the-blue-wave-travel-far

PH is in serious trouble The Negeri Sembilan state election may have been more than just another state contest. It may have been the clearest political warning yet for Malaysia’s ‘unity government’. After suffering consecutive setbacks in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, difficult questions are emerging. Was this simply a protest over the rising cost of living? Has Pakatan Harapan…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/ph-is-in-serious-trouble

They threw us in a cell for a podcast Sam: “I am back. I have never in my 62 years of life bowed to bullies. I will not start now or ever. This has motivated me beyond words. Time will be a changing. It will be my calling to ‘National Service’ for the people and nation I love. Come with me. And we…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/they-threw-us-in-a-cell-for-a-podcast

Malaysia’s execution sprint to the general election A recent Merdeka Center survey suggests voters are still willing to believe in the ‘unity government’. The prime minister’s personal approval rating stands at 52%, the highest of all the leaders tested. But belief alone may not be enough at the general election ballot box. Some 73% of voters say the economy is their…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/malaysias-execution-sprint-to-the-general-election

‘Fit and proper’: Tabung Haji’s telling four words M Santhananaban Many of us will have read the full report of the remarkable Royal Commission of Inquiry into Tabung Haji. The report gives a perceptive and professional account of Tabung Haji’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020 – while also placing its findings in the context of Tabung Haji’s longer…Read More https://aliran.com/thinking-allowed-online/fit-and-proper-tabung-hajis-telling-four-words

Weak UN tax treaty implementation rules threaten Malaysia’s revenue sovereignty Charles Santiago NEW YORK – Weak implementation provisions in the draft UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation risk preserving the global status quo and undermining Malaysia’s efforts to plug revenue leakages from multinational corporations, former Malaysian MP and civil society leader Charles Santiago warned during intergovernmental negotiations at the UN headquarters…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/weak-un-tax-treaty-implementation-rules-threaten-malaysias-revenue-sovereignty

Why politics never leaves you alone This article began with a conversation with a friend. There are days when I understand why people say they want nothing to do with politics. They are tired of the drama, the betrayals, the endless cycle of promises and disappointments. They want a peaceful life. They want to work, love, raise their children,…Read More https://aliran.com/web-specials/why-politics-never-leaves-you-alone

Peguam negara perlu jelaskan DNAA Nicky Liow / Attorney general must explain Nicky Liow’s DNAA [ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Kami, organisasi masyarakat sivil yang bertandatangan di bawah, menggesa Peguam Negara Dusuki Mokhtar untuk menjelaskan kepada umum keputusan untuk tidak menyambung kes pengubahan wang haram terhadap ahli perniagaan Nicky Liow Soon Hee, yang berhadapan 26 tuduhan di bawah Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram, Pencegahan Pembiayaan Keganasan dan Hasil Daripada Aktiviti…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/peguam-negara-perlu-jelaskan-dnaa-nicky-liow-attorney-general-must-explain-nicky-liows-dnaa

Beyond fast-tracks: Tenaganita demands systemic labour reform Tenaganita acknowledges the government’s decision to expedite the processing of 15,000 foreign worker applications to address labour shortages in key economic sectors. While responding to labour market demands is important, accelerating recruitment alone will not resolve the structural challenges that continue to undermine Malaysia’s labour migration system. Expediting the recruitment of foreign workers may…Read More https://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/beyond-fast-tracks-tenaganita-demands-systemic-labour-reform