Home 2006: 9 Aliran Monthly 26: 9 editor’s note

Aliran Monthly 26: 9 editor’s note

Join us on Telegram and Instagram for the latest.

am cover 26:9In our cover story, Francis Loh looks at the silly season in Malaysia that is full of odd events such as the Mahathir-Abdullah spat, the Zakaria mansion fiasco and the SMS rumours in Ipoh. Looking at the larger picture, he discovers that we are stuck between the old world and the new, with contrasting forces tugging in opposite directions. There are other contradictions at work. Mustafa K Anuar explores how justice itself is being held hostage in Malaysia, violating the very Islamic values that the present government seems to be promoting.

Talking about contradictions, Mahathir’s accusation that Malaysia is a ‘police state’ must take the cake. After all, as Farish Noor points out, it was Mahathir himself who laid the foundations to the ‘police state’ he bemoans today.

And while we project ourselves as a ‘caring society’, a hidden war is being silently unleashed against defenceless undocumented migrant workers. Romany and Amy Alexander expose the unsavoury role played by Rela in a hidden crackdown.   

These are dark days indeed, literally speaking. Wong Soak Koon pines for the days not-so-long ago that were not so crazy and hazy. Further north, a cloud of uncertainty has descended on Thailand after a military coup put an end to the crazy, gung-ho days of Thaksin. But Francis Loh warns that Thais may lose patience if the military overstays its welcome.  

Meanwhile, the US-Malaysia negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement have hit some turbulence as differences emerge in various areas. Anil Netto argues that Malaysians have no idea what they are getting themselves into.

Finally, Koon Yew Yin takes a look at the NEP and points out that Malaysia was once on par with countries such as Singapore and South Korea. What has gone wrong since then?

Why don't you subscribe to Aliran Monthly and get it delivered to your door-step every month? It costs just RM30 annually – less than your monthly newspaper bill!  Click here to subscribe.

Or why not support our struggle for justice by making a donation? Any amount, no matter how small, would be most welcome. Click here to donate.

 

Thanks for dropping by! The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

Our voluntary writers work hard to keep these articles free for all to read. But we do need funds to support our struggle for Justice, Freedom and Solidarity. To maintain our editorial independence, we do not carry any advertisements; nor do we accept funding from dubious sources. If everyone reading this was to make a donation, our fundraising target for the year would be achieved within a week. So please consider making a donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB Bank account number 8004240948.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x