Both MCA and MIC are yet to decide to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) officially. However, PN is more than eager to invite both parties to join the PAS-dominated coalition. On August 31, PAS’s deputy president, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reportedly suggested that both MIC and MCA leave Barisan Nasional
Malaysian Affairs
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s cheap attempt to score political points by attempting to harass a hardware store owner in Kepala Batas under the pretence of “schooling” the latter has clearly backfired. The Merlimau assemblyman is being investigated for sedition for uploading a video on his Facebook that
Malaysian Affairs
by Darma Maniam In recent days, Malaysia's digital sphere has witnessed a hashtag battle that captures the growing tension in the country’s political and economic discourse: #SokongAnwar and #TurunAnwar. While one represents unwavering support for the current Prime Minister, the other signals frustration over unfulfilled expectations. These
Malaysian Affairs
by R.Dineskumar Nurul Izzah Anwar has been elected the PKR deputy president, further lending credence to the joke that the party is a family party - or a Madani party - Ma (mama) Da (daddy) Ni (Nurul Izzah). To completely discount nepotism as a factor behind Izzah’s meteoric
Culture
This week, I had the opportunity to watch Ryan Coogler-directed "Sinners" at GSC Gurney Plaza. This movie was never on my "to watch list" for this year's releases. But seeing the movie's critical and financial success tempted me to give this movie
Leisure
The Air Itam dam is no stranger to Penangites. Located in the highland areas of the Penang island, the dam, which faces Air Itam town, has been catering to the water needs of the islanders for decades while at the same time providing an avenue for them to relax and
Culture
As a Penangite, one thing that I love about my state is the lively Thaipusam celebration at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple at Jalan Kebun Bungah in Pulau Tikus here at the Penang island. As a Hindu Penangite, what I love about my fellow peers of the faith is that no
Malaysian Affairs
The controversial guidelines proposed by the government through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) on Muslims’ participation in non-Muslim events and festivities have been rejected by the government following backlash from various quarters. The news of its scrapping is a welcoming one. Yet, the fact that the guidelines even
Malaysian Affairs
Nearly three years after being trounced in the 2023 state elections, Muda appears to be subdued - particularly in Penang. The party fielded 19 candidates in the election (three of them in Penang), and all of them lost to the point of forfeiting their election deposits. The party had previously
World Affairs
The genocide in Gaza is getting worse with more than 43,000 Palestinians killed in the strip since Hamas’ October 7 attack in Israel last year. (the figure could have exceeded 186,000 according to The Lancet medical journal). Israel has assured the world that it would not stop its
Malaysian Affairs
DAP has expressed its openness for Pakatan Harapan to work with Barisan Nasional for the next general election (GE16) which is expected to take place in November 2027 - three years from now. Back in January, the party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke expressed hope that the partnership between both parties
Malaysian Affairs
Amanah has been stirring the pot in recent months, causing needless headaches for Pakatan Harapan. Earlier in August, the party’s Kluang division demanded that the Johor chapter of Barisan Nasional give it the chance to contest the Mahkota state constituency seat, less than a week after its former assemblyman