In our cover story, P Ramakrishnan provides a litany of gross mismanagement and glaring corruption in government spending. The money squandered could have been used to relieve poverty and empower the marginalised. Does the BN deserve to remain in power? A change of government would mean prudent spending, better governance and an end to repressive laws.
Now there are quiet plans to build expensive nuclear power plants. That has prompted a string of civil society groups from across the region to call on the government to stop its nuclear power development plans.
One reader writes in to say the BN may be following the way of the dinosaurs. If the coalition is seen to be obsolete and irrelevant, it will not be the fault of the opposition or the rakyat, she says. Another reader sent in an article expressing dismay about the performance of the Education Ministry. The education system needs to be revamped – but this has to be done by reputable academicians and not by politicians, she insists.
No wonder the BN is worried. It appears incapable of reform. Far from ushering in greater democracy as the PM pledged, the government seems to be moving in the opposite direction, by passing the so-called Peaceful Assembly Bill in Parliament. Contrary to its name, the Bill restricts further whatever public space there is left for dissent and assembly, observes Christopher Chong.
Finally, we look at the immense political and cultural legacy of two giants from the Indian subcontinent, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
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
cowgate is a typical example of sanctioned corruption which is condoned by the ruling party.teoh beng hock is an example of trying to nail somebody for a crime that he did not commit. one is corruption.the other is witchhunting.after coming to 4 years of 4 state pkr rule,the opposition is clearly relatively clean compare to the ruling party.everyday,we hear of more cases of denial by macc ,the polce and the ag office of any wrong doings by umno but investigation and harassment of false accusation based on police reports.the joke is the police themselves are making police reports.when is all these comedies in the eyes of the world going to end.knowing how well now that president obama is briefed of malaysian politics,he must be laughing inside whenever he meet his malaysian counterpart.what is this country coming to?why do malaysians vote for jokers like this? can you teach me how to cheat in elections?in usa if there is cases like the malaysian cowgate,the ministers involved will be hung dry or the whole government brought down by public pressure.here,the pm is waiting for his minister to write in… Read more »
change is always difficult???the coalition ruled this nation since 1957 n won all 12 GE easily?? the incumbent has the edge- mSM, machinery n resources; its tough to unseat them< 1n 2012 the scenario seems different as now Malaysians have a choice as PR is now a worthy alternative as they are ruling 4states now n with 78 mps- are a real threat to the coalition, change may come in 2012 GE 13