Myanmar postpones Aung San Suu Kyi verdict

Aung San Suu Kyi' s verdict has been postponed and America has also renewed its call for the freedom of the opposition leader in Myanmar. Clare Street shares the opinion that Aung San Suu Kyi should be freed for Myanmar's national reconciliation to be reaslised meaningfully and for Myanmar to regain its honour and respect in the region and world.

America imposes sanctions again on Myanmar

America imposes sanctions again on Myanmar

The US has reportedly renewed sanctions against Myanmar/Burma, a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a party that has signed the Treaty of Amity And Co-operation (1976). Seven days ago, the US also officially signed the treaty that requires signatories not to 'interfere' into the 'internal affairs' of one another.

Observations on America' s SEA policy change

Observations on America' s SEA policy change

On 22 July 2009, American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially signed ASEAN' s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (1976) in Thailand. UKM's Professor Dr. Lee Poh Ping shares some of his observations on the strategic implications in a recent e-mail correspondence with me.

USA & its foreign relations from 1989 to 2001

Final memoirs of Red Abdullah now published

I am very glad the third and final part of the memoirs of CPM veteran Abdullah CD is now published in a 407-page book, titled Perjuangan di Sempadan Dan Penamatan Terhormat (Petaling Jaya, SIRD, 2009). He led the all-Malay forces of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) from 1949 to 1989, and now resides in southern Thailand with his family as well as other veterans such as Siti Norkiah Mahmud Baginda @ Minah. The first two books of Abdullah CD's 3-part memoirs are titled Zaman Pergerakan Sehingga 1948 and Penaja Dan Pemimpin Regimen Ke-10.

Abdullah : more people understand CPM now

Probe on Beng Hock' s death closely followed

There is, of course, still a question for the Cabinet to answer: why is the Royal Commission of Inquiry set up earlier yesterday not assigned to probe the real cause or causes of the sudden as well as mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock ? The composition of the Royal Commission of Inquiry would probably also be subject to very close public scrutiny. The nation and people are watching every moves of the investigators and all details of the case as Beng Hock's death is genuinely shocking.

Cabinet decisions on Beng Hock' s death right

Cabinet decisions on Beng Hock' s death right

I applaud the right decisions made by the Cabinet today on Teoh Beng Hock's death that shocks the nation and people, especially the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. I also pray for justice to prevail.

MCA & MIC want royal probe on Teoh' s death

Sociability important to mastery of languages

From my own experience as well as many observations in politics and journalism, sociability is certainly an important factor in the success of mastery of languages other than one's mother tongues. Sociability, of courses, presupposes open-mindedness and also positive thinking. If we are sociable enough, there is no lack of language 'teachers' and 'tutors' among our friends and neighbours in our multi-lingual society.

Out-of-box thinking for betterment of English

MCA & MIC want royal probe on Teoh' s death

The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) as well as Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), two major and traditional allies of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) have reportedly backed the call for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe the sudden and mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock, which traumatises the country. The death of Beng Hock is a national, not racial or religious, concern.

Support for royal panel on Beng Hock' s death

Support for royal panel on Beng Hock' s death

In an interview with the China Press earlier today, I expressed my full support for the call to set up a Royal Commission to probe the sudden and mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock, so that justice will not only be done but also be seen by the nation to be done. Some friends in PJ have read the write-up published in the evening edition of the media.

Time for investigations of MACC investigators

Time for investigations of MACC investigators

The credibility of the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) has doubtlessly been damaged with the mysterious death of Teo Beng Hock and also the serious allegations made publicly by Tan Boon Wah. It is certainly the time for the MACC investigators to be investigated with no stone left unturned to restore the world image of our country.

Teo Beng Hock' s sudden death truly shocking

Teo Beng Hock' s sudden death truly shocking

The death of Teo Beng Hock under highly controversial circumstances is truly shocking. I would like to extend my condolence to Beng Hock's family. I would also like to call on the relevant authorities to leave no stone unturned in finding out the real cause or causes of the tragedy.

Out-of-box thinking for betterment of English

Thus far, the public exploration on how best to improve the command of English among our children and youths has been dominantly school-centric. What about our informal systems of education like television and radio programmes ? What about the Internet, which always thrills younger generations ? Can' t the government and society make use of these less school-centric systems to facilitate the learning or mastery of English in our country ? Out -of-box thinking is fairly much needed.

Help youths to master major world languages

Help youths to master major world languages

Now that the Federal Government has correctly reversed the teaching of science and also mathematics to primary students from the English language to Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil, it is also important for our society to creatively explore more and better ways and means to facilitate younger Malaysians to learn major world languages, such as English and Chinese in order to enhance economic competitiveness and the quality of human capital of the nation in the globalised world.

Language change for science & maths correct

Language change for science & maths correct

The Federal Government has certainly arrived at a correct decision to reverse the teaching of science and mathematics to primary students from English to Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil. Improvement of the English language should be effected through purpose-specific and expertly structured language programmes for our children and youths.

On root cause of English-language chauvinism

Critical questions of Batang Kali Massacre '48

Why has it taken so long for the more or less full picture of the 1948 Batang Kali Massacre to surface ? Had there also been local attempts to help the colonial master to cover up the unpleasant truths ? Those who want to know more about the details should find out the answers themselves by buying and reading Slaughter And Deception At Batang Kali penned by veterans of journalism, Ian Ward and Norma Miraflor. The authors have told Clare Street that they stand by all the findings and also conclusion published in their new book, which is now on sale.

Lawyers commend Batang Kali Massacre book

Lawyers commend Batang Kali Massacre book

Last evening, lawyers Quek Ngee Meng and Firoz Hussein bin Ahmad Jamaluddin flew to London to meet officials of the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) as well as Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FOC) to present the case of the 1948 Batang Kali Massacre. They also brought along with them several copies of Slaughter And Deception At Batang Kali (Singapore, Media Masters, 2008) for reference. Both Ngee Meng and Firoz revealed to me that they found the new book written by Ian Ward and Norma Miraflor "absolutely essential" for those who want to comprehend the historical backdrop and factual truths of the atrocity.

Coherent account on massacre at Batang Kali