Shadow Policy Committee

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal A year ago, Zairil Khir Johari’s only association with politics would be his father — the late Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari, Umno stalwart, former education minister and who served three prime ministers including the late Tunku Abdul Rahman. Over the past few months, however, Zairil’s name has been the talk of the town, namely through opposition blogs as well as anti-Pakatan Rakyat (PR) blogs over his appearance at the coalition’s last convention in Kepala Batas, where he was a guest speaker. His retractors have accused him of being a “traitor” and “anti-Malay” for abandoning his late father’s party and choosing to become a part of the DAP — a party which is still feared by many Malays and considered to be pro-Chinese due to its majority Chinese membership. The DAP has, however, of late extended an olive branch to Malays in its bid to shake off “misconceptions” about the party, and Zairil is seen as an example of the party’s efforts. Zairil said he chose the DAP ov...

By Dr Chen Man Hin Wan Azizah policy speech at the recent PKR congress was a breath of fresh air into politics in the country. She did not introduce some policy of the nature of 1 Malaysia. What she gave was a dream of building a united and progressive Malaysia with a policy designed to change the political landscape. Wan Azizah has a dream for Malaysia where all Malaysians whether Malays, Chinese, Indians or Kadazanas are considered as masters and equals in their own country. Her dream is to spread the concept of KETUANAN RAKYAT which means that all Malaysians have the same status and equal opportunities in all the fields of human endeavour. This is a bold step by Wan Azizah, and just as Martin Luther King had a dream which unleashed a new era for the blacks of America, so will Azizah’s dream open up a new world for Malaysia to be as progressive, compeitive and a high income economy as the tigers of Asia like Singapore, Hong Kong, S Korea and Taiwan. Wan Azizah does not believe in ket...

In the spirit of peace and tranquility, I wish a very happy Wesak day to all Buddhists in Malaysia. On this auspices day, we are reminded of the teachings of Lord Buddha who among other things has preached enlightenment and tolerance. The struggle for understanding and tolerance, especially religious and racial tolerance, among Malaysians may not be an easy task but it is also not impossible. What we need is a very strong political will from those who are in the position of power, as well as the support from the people. When Minister in the Prime Minister's Department formed the Inter-Fatih Committee, it was abandoned due to opposition from extremist groups such as Perkasa and those within UMNO. Will Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak allow its establishment to demonstrate his commitment to 1Malaysia is not just an empty slogan. An interfaith dialogue, whether in a form or a council or a certain body, is never meant to undermine or to surpass any faith or religion. It is...

Penang has set up a Religious Goodwill Council to foster and develop inter-faith understanding and harmony among the various communities in the state. The council, the first government-level body of its kind in the country, will have 21 members from various religious organisations, 11 of whom are Muslims. Chaired by Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, it will also comprise three leaders from PAS including state PAS commissioner Salleh Man. “This is our latest effort to explore and build common universal values between religious communities,” Lim who is also Bagan MP said in a press conference at his office yesterday. “It will help improve religious co-existence and understanding in our society.” Lim had announced an idea to form such a council soon after Pakatan Rakyat’s victory in the state in theMarch 8 general election.