Sharing books with young friends with a hope

My old friend Beng Ching's daughter Xiao Qing has just borrowed two books from me, namely William Shirer's The Rise & Fall Of The Third Reich and Edgar Snow's Red Star Over China. Shirer (1904-1993) and Snow (1905-1972) were two very legendary American journalists who turned historians. I always encourage younger friends to read quality classics on serious subjects with the hope that one day in the future, public debates in Malaysia would become more respectable as well as responsible in the eyes of the world, especially in the age of Internet.

Reorganising bookshelves in my reading room

Dispute in court on God' s Malay name still on

Meanwhile, the uniquely and also extraordinarily Malaysian dispute of whether God can be addressed as Allah is still in progress. Rationally speaking from a monotheistic premise, if the question can be solved legalistically on earth in this manner, then the judges must first and foremost assert a claim to be omniscient even on matters in heaven.

Malay Christian weekly ban partially reversed

Rest of British Commonwealth less vindictive

Chin Peng has been quite a free man outside his homeland in the last ten years or so as he visited some old friends and former enemies in Britain, Australia and Singapore. Normal societies are less vindictive.

Rais not updated with another side of history

Rais not updated with another side of history

The neo-colonial outburst of Rais Yatim against CPM veterans clearly shows that he has not read the memoirs of Chin Peng, Abdullah C.D., Rashid Maidin, Shan Ru Hong, Suriani Abdullah as well as Abu Samah. Rais Yatim's memory of violence in the past is selective or one-sided.

CPM veteran Abu Samah (1926-2009) departs

On plight & predicament of Sri Lankan Tamils

Clare Street is certainly concerned with the plight and predicament of the Tamil civilians in the aftermath of the civil war in Sri Lanka. It is hoped that all the authorities in Sri Lanka would work closely with the global community to ensure the security, dignity and well-being of all innocent peoples in the postwar zone, especially children and women. Clare Street also urges readers to donate generously to humanitarian funds for the needy, and pray for national reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

UMNO 'wins' a legalistic battle for Perak coup

Umno has won a legalistic battle for its regime in Perak but it is also losing a political war nation-wide for hearts and minds of the people. The prolonged crisis of polity in Perak is ultimately political in nature.

One & only solution to political mess in Perak

One & only solution to political mess in Perak

It is fairly trite but still very important and relevant to reiterate that the only solution to the political impasse is for the State Assembly in Perak to be dissolved immdiately for a new state election to be held.

Zambry regime struggles to secure legitimacy

Historical facts that simply can't be distorted

Ong Boon Hua @ Chin Peng (pix) was born on 21 October, 1924, in an upstair backroom of a shop lot situated at No. 36, Jalan Kampong Koh in Sitiawan town in Perak. No legalistic judgements or/and any forms of propaganda could work to change, or distort these facts of history.

C' bridge historians : Chin Peng born in Perak

Zambry regime struggles to secure legitimacy

The value system of the Zambry regime and its functionaries in Perak is evidently different from most of us living in psychologically normal societies in Malaysia and also many other parts of the civilised world.

Root cause of Perak crisis very clear & simple

Hee Yit Foong as a liability to MCA & Gerakan

It is certainly to the self-enlightened interests of both MCA as well as Gerakan not to accept the now extremely notorious Hee Yit Foong as member. Hee could change all her elements of identity to join Umno. What is good for Umno may not be good for MCA, Gerakan and other.

Defending good values for future generations

65th anniversary of defeat of fascism in Europe

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Happy Wesak Day greetings from Clare Street

Clare Street would like to wish all readers who follow the teachings of Gautama in their journey to attain Buddhahoods a Happy Wesak Day.

Jesus always sided with poor & downtrodden

Zambry regime rescinds restrictions on media

Zambry has reportedly rescinded the restrictions on media's access to the Perak State Assembly meeting to be held on 7 May (Tues) in Ipoh. Because of its serious lack of political legitimacy and moral capital as clearly evidenced and highlighted by Pakatan's convincing victories in the Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections, the BN regime in Perak, led by Zambry on the public fronts, has been put on defensive.

Lack of legitimacy still haunts Zambry regime

Lack of legitimacy still haunts Zambry regime

The restriction imposed by the Zambry regime in Perak on media and public access to the May 7 State Assembly meeting clearly shows that it lacks political legitimacy as well as transparency and accountability.

Opposition captures two Hills against all odds

Islamic theologian: no person above criticism

According to former Perlis mufti Mohamad Asri Zainul Abidin, citizens should have the right to criticise any rulers on earth, and "there is no such thing as any person who is above criticisms" in the Islamic faith.

MB Nizar wins multicultural respect for Islam