Realpolitik behind Lina Joy decision May 31, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Democracy, Human Rights, Islam in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Southeast Asia.155 comments
realpolitik
Pronunciation: rA-'äl-"pO-li-"tEk
Function: noun
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: German, from real actual + Politik politics
: politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives (Merriam-Webster)
To kill two birds with one stone is to have the majority view advocate for jurisdiction be placed in the realm the Syariah court, and the dissenting view aim at satisfying the detractors.
This is, after all, an election year.
Launch: Suaram HR Report May 23, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Event, Human Rights, Malaysia.13 comments
Launch of Suaram‘s Civil and Political Rights Report
Date: 29 May 2007 (Tuesday)
Time: 10 a.m.
Venue:Cititel Mid Valley, Matahari 1, Level 5), Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur
For more information or if you wish to attend the launch, please contact John Liu at suaram@suaram.net.
‘Mushrooms after rain’ May 23, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Women.42 comments
When it rains, it pours.
Then all these noxious mushroom start popping up and the only way out is to use industrial-strength pesticides.
On Monday at the Penang state assembly, Shabudin Yahaya (UMNO – Permatang Berangan) and fellow assemblyman Datuk Jasmin Mohamed (UMNO – Sungai Dua ) blamed women’s provocative dressing for sexual crimes.
Shabudin, who is also state Islamic Religious Council president said, “The women’s dressing menggoda (lures) and mencabar (challenges) men,” adding that ‘men were sure to look when sexily attired women pass in front of them’.
Wait. It gets better.
Watch this guy: Jonson Chong May 22, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics.19 comments
I’m terribly pleased that my former colleague in Suaram, Jonson Chong, survives the craziness known as the nominations of the Angkatan Muda KeADILan, to come out as one of the most watched candidates in the 6-young-men race for only 3 Vice-Youth Chief spots.
This is his first foray into the party elections.
Naturally, there isn’t such a thing as an automatic or easy passage to a key position in KeADILan, even in the Youth wing.
Mongolia appeals for fair and free trial May 22, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Human Rights, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Southeast Asia.3 comments
Susan Loone forwarded yesterday’s Press Release from the Mongolian Foreign Affairs Ministry to a number of people.
Apart from a very revealing chronology, it appeals for the trial, due in 2 weeks time, to be “fair and free from political influence”.
Notes: The late Ms. Altantuya is not referred to as a ‘model’ as painted by the local media here, but a “multilingual interpreter and translator for a Malaysian company.”
Note from Kinibooks.com (re: “May 13” orders) May 22, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.11 comments
Latest update (21 May 2007 6.40pm)
For those who have successfully made payments previously (orders from 14 May 2007 until 18 May 2007), please be informed that your books have been picked up by the courier company today.
For those who have placed your orders from the 19 May 2007 onwards, your orders will fall in the 3rd reprinting edition. Expected picked up by courier will be after Wednesday (23 May 2007).
Parliament building – a 50-year old ‘woman’ May 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Women.10 comments
There is no letting up, eh?
When Parliament House was first built “it was a very beautiful building” but it needed maintenance and renovations.
“A woman 50 years ago, she looks beautiful, but today she won’t look so beautiful,” he said, adding that work under the RM90mil renovations was complete. (Source)
Can Ministers, MPs etc. take their domestic issues elsewhere, far from public eyes and ears?
Please?
Updated:
(Malaysiakini.com: 22 May 2007) A women’s group today ticked Samy Vellu off, saying that it was inexcusable that one of the country’s longest-serving ministers chose a sexist comment to make his point on the need for renovation works on the Parliament House.
“His remarks reinforce the gender stereotype that a woman’s worth lies with her extrinsic attributes (looks) and not with her intrinsic qualities as a human being,” said Loh Cheng Kooi from the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality.
“His statement and comparison are demeaning and an affront to women of all ages as they reduce women to objects of beauty, depreciating in value over time.” (Con’t)
Early budget goodie geared for elections? May 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Economy, Malaysia, Politics.9 comments
There is little doubt that there are many in the civil service who have struggled to make ends meet in this climate of rising cost of living.
Although the salary increase is overdue, the quantum is beyond one’s expectations.
But in the private sector, there’s little to cheer. How many of us have seen a wage increase? Despite the government’s stated growth rate, said to be averaging at 5.6 per cent and the deficit, said to be standing at 3.5 per cent, isn’t reflected on the ground.
As for the market being ‘strong’ – why then are key public listed companies (PLCs) going private?
BUM2007 :) May 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Economy, Event, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics.8 comments
(L-R) Ong Kian Ming (formerly from Sedar, Gerakan’s think-tank, now in pursuit of a PhD), Nat Tan (Special Assistant to PKR’s Tian Chua), Tony Pua (Advisor to DAP’s Lim Guan Eng), Nik Nazmi (Special Assistant to PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim).
Thanks to politikus who loaned me her (dusty) camera, I managed to capture what appears to be the genesis of a new boys club :-P. You should call politikus 10 years from now for this historic photograph.
yeeaAND they’re back in the ring :) May 19, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in History, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.21 comments
Everyone‘s back in the ring, including the one in that very tall building.
Thanks to some rather persistent media folks and customers. Business sense probably kicked in too. Plus someone who said, listen to the Minister, not the officers! 😮
Life’s crazy like that.
Hopefully the news will come out in the English dailies in the morning. Here’s hoping you will receive your copy very soon!
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This news first came out last night in Malaysiakini (Chinese version):
elizabeth wong 