Author: Dr Jeniri Amir

Political termites and figures of speech

ANALYSIS In politics just as in literature, at times it’s more effective to use a figure of speech to convey certain messages to certain individuals or parties especially when or where blunt speech can be taken as undiplomatic or considered too confrontational. A figure of speech is a word or phrase that

Malay unity — is it achievable?

ANALYSIS Last Friday the Prime Minister made a surprise and controversial proposal. He suggested that all Malay-based parties in the country including his former party Umno should join Bersatu. The shockwaves from this call is still reverberating through political circles and hotly debated in various media outlets, including social media.

What is the ripe age to vote?

ANALYSIS ‘Malaysia is among the last few nations that allow only 21-year-olds to vote. The others include Singapore, Samaoa, Soloman Islands, Lebanon, Tonga, Tokelau, and Oman.’ If amendments to the laws are passed in Parliament to lower the voting age from 21 currently to 18, Malaysia is going to join

We aren’t questioning Lateefa’s appointment, but the way she was appointed!

ANALYSIS Undoubtedly, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is the most appropriate and important agency to fight corruption head on. Public trust in the MACC is of paramount importance for the agency to execute its duties and responsibilities without fear or favour. Once the integrity and impartiality of the institution is

Celebrating the day of victory over a month of temptations

VIEWPOINT Today, Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia are celebrating the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast” or Hari Raya Adilfitri. They celebrate this day to conclude a month of fasting or Ramadan during which they were required to resist satisfying their basic needs and urges between sunrise and sunset.

Let’s not wait any longer! Make LRT a reality

The car has been the most popular method to travel within cities, small towns and rural areas in the past several decades including in Sarawak. With the increase in population and volume of vehicles on the roads, traffic congestion has become a common phenomenon. It is reported that even small

Wealth inequality: A time bomb if unchecked and allowed to fester

ANALYSIS On December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, 26, a street vendor who was originally from a village, set himself on fire outside the governor’s office in Tunisia. Despite the difficulties he encountered in life, according to the media reports, he was always keen to help others, often helping other poor

The workings of Kaul as practised by the Melanaus

Kaul is essentially a presentation of offerings in the form of food and other items put in “serahang”, a woven receptacle on stilt, and placed at a certain spot on a beach. The ceremony is held in the belief that it can appease the spirits of the sea, rivers and forests.

MIC and MCA could face fight or flight situation

ANALYSIS MIC and MCA have given the Barisan Nasional (BN) supreme council an ultimatum — make sure secretary-general Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz doesn’t show up on Friday or they will not attend its meeting. If Nazri is still adamant and attends the meeting, then the validity of the meeting

Press freedom still a head-scratcher in Malaysia

We are supposed to embrace a new Malaysia now that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is in power with press freedom as one of the aspects that we should enjoy. After all, press freedom was one of the campaign themes and promises by PH before the 14th general election (GE14). Voters and