In our cover story, Martin Jalleh looks back at the last 12 months and highlights the Mahathir-Abdullah spat, the Umno keris affair, Proton and its can of worms among others. But alas, 2006 was also a year when Pak Lah and his “half-past six government” functioned only at half throttle, with half-measures and half-hearted efforts.
We also carry articles in Q and A format: one by the Article 11 Coalition to dispel some of the myths that have arisen following last year’s aborted road-show and the other by the IPCMC Coalition on why we urgently need an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
Inter-religious relations meanwhile have taken a turn for the worse, and a resourceful Zaharom Nain decides to take the matter up with the highest levels – in a manner of speaking. But no, not another open letter to the Prime Minister – but one addressed to God himself…
Speaking of the Almighty, K George reminds the Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman that we are all children of the one God after Ghani declared that the Malays are a superior race.
Mustafa Kamal Anuar reports on the recent National Roundtable on Internet Media held in Penang. The event provided a unique opportunity for bloggers, webmasters and civil society activists to share their experiences of the Internet as a medium for publishing news that rarely gets reported in the mainstream media.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Finally, also in Penang, Angeline Loh describes a long overdue meeting with the chief of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board – a meeting which provided little hope and came 15 years too late for Penang’s bus system (or rather, bus chaos).
Wishing all our readers a happy Lunar New Year!
Stay connected, current and committed to justice. We deliver the truth right to your doorstep every month at only RM30 a year — which is far less than your newspaper bill each month. All you have to do is click here to subscribe.
Justice was never won without personal sacrifice – whether measured in time volunteered, energy devoted to a cause, or financial support generously given. We need your support in our struggle for justice. Your contribution no matter how small will be like a droplet that builds up into a wave of change. Click here if you would like to contribute financially.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
