Editor's Note - Issue 2003: 5

Although there has been no contest for the UMNO presidency since 1987, there has been intense jostling for other top posts.

In our lead story, Khoo Boo Teik discusses the unresolved struggle between the president and the party over succession. In particular, Mahathir�s latest annointed successor, Abdullah Badawi, will have to appoint as his new deputy someone from the three vice-presidents, who were once in Anwar�s Wawasan Team. Will Abdullah�s choice also be the party�s? There is no guarantee.

Abdullah also inherits other problems as well, which Anil Netto, in the back cover story, elaborates on. The UMNO president may not have shed many tears this time, but future generations of Malaysians might have to do so.

The daunting problems confronting migrant workers - which came to light with the deportation of 7 Burmese workers - are highlighted. We take a careful look at their oppressive wage structure, the broken promises and the pittance that they are forced to live on here.

Asghar Ali Engineer discusses how the rise of Hindutva in multireligious India increasingly threatens its democracy and the notion of a common citizenship. Another article contributed by a student talks about �Why Freedom is Good for Us�. There are lessons here for Malaysians.

We carry an interview with Tan Jo Hann of Komas, an alternative media group. Jo Haan explains how alternative media can be used as a creative tool to promote social awareness and reforms. Noraida Endut argues that violence against women should not be seen merely as a women�s problem but should be regarded as a broader human rights issue. Her piece is especially pertinent now in the wake of the recent spate of murder and rape cases.