Condolences for families of perished children

My wife Po Chin and I would like to extend our deep condolence to the families of Davadharshini Maheswaran and Divyasree Vasudevan. Our prayer and thought are also with the family of Dina Deve Nathan. RIP.

James' condolence for family of N. Dina Deve

V. Sivakumar's legitimacy as Speaker of Perak

What if V. Sivakumar was stripped naked yesterday by the policemen who seized his ' robe' ? Sivakumar is certainly still more legitimate as the Speaker of Perak because he is elected by the people, whereas R. Ganesan, who later wore the ' robe' given to him by the police, is not.

On form & substance of Speaker's 'robe' again

On form & substance of Speaker's 'robe' again

In jest, Uncle Krisnan suggested just now that the policemen in Perak who seized the 'robe' of the Perak Speaker should be awarded medals for 'dedication' after it has been concluded by chemists to be no fake.

On form & substance of being Perak's Speaker

James' condolence for family of N. Dina Deve

My wife Po Chin and I would like to extend our deep condolence to the family of N. Dina Deve, who perished in the Kampar River on Monday. As ex -servants of the Kampar people, we share the sorrow and grief.

Classic Chinese literature in English language

Needless to say, many Chinese classics like The Water Margin, Dream of Red Chamber, Journey to the West and also Romance of The Three Kingdoms have long been translated into English and other languages. Civilizational dialogues and cultural exchanges require many untiring, meticulous and also out-of-limelight efforts of, above all, translators.

Romeo & Juliet performed in 7 Chinese cities

Romeo & Juliet performed in 7 Chinese cities

A British group is reportedly staging "a new version" of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Romeo And Juliet in seven major cities in China now. Modern Mandarin translation of the masterworks of Shakespeare and many other English writers has been in existence for several decades. The earliest attempt to translate Shakespeare's works into Chinese is now known to be in 1623 and the modern Mandarin edition of Hamlet was first published in 1921 by Tian Han who later composed the lyrics of the legendary and still well -known song, March Of The Volunteers.

Singaporean rediscovery of value in Mandarin

On Edward Gibbon's death & Karl Marx's birth

Recently, I received an email from a seemingly intelligent reader who opined that Edward Gibbon' s The History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire, is fairly "Marxist". The English historian passed away in 1794 whereas the German philosopher and political economist was only born in 1818. There is a time-gap of 24 years between Gibbon' s death and Marx' s birth. In this light, we can say Marx is "Gibbonian".

Victor Hugo's deep message in Les Miserables

On form & substance of being Perak's Speaker

Even if Mr. R. Ganesan finally puts on the robe of the Speaker of the Perak State Assembly, it still does not change the fact that he is not even a popularly elected representative of the people of Perak State.

Robe of Perak Speaker liberated from illusion

Robe of Perak Speaker liberated from illusion

The robe of the Perak Speaker is actually just a piece of cloth ( which can be re-cut to make underwears or brassieres ) without any magical or divine power. It's the legitimacy of the Speaker that matters most.

Next focus in Teoh Beng Hock's death inquiry

The country and the world are certainly observing how the credential and credibility of Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan are going to be challenged. Like it or hate it, those of Malaysia's own forensic experts have been called into question in public perceptions as a result of her testimony.

Dr. Porntip's assessment of Beng Hock's death

Dr. Porntip's assessment of Beng Hock's death

The country and world have not yet heard any 'public outcry' calling on the authorities to declare Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan persona non grata or for her assessments on the cause(s) of Teoh Beng Hock' s death to be classified under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Dr. Porntip's report may be challenged later on the ground that it was not delivered in the official language of Malaysia or that she is a foreigner or non-Muslim.

Teoh Beng Hock's death assessed in new light

Teoh Beng Hock's death assessed in new light

The independent reassessment of Teoh Beng Hock's death by forensic pathologist Dr. Porntip Rojanasunan certainly calls for a response and committment by PM Najib Abdul Razak who has assured the family of Beng Hock and the people of an no-stone-left-unturned investigation.

Probe on Beng Hock' s death closely followed

Trustworthiness as foundation of social order

No society in the world, however materially developed or intellectually sophisticated, can be said to be good if treaty and/or contract is not honoured. Trustworthiness is vital for the functioning of social order.

Only one (1) issue in Chin Peng's homecoming

More perspectives on Malaysia' s nuclear plan

An academic in Singapore, Benjamin K. Sovacool has also offered his educated and well -informed perspective on the governmental plan in Malaysia to develop nuclear power as an alternative source of energy. Meanwhile, Charles Santiago (DAP MP for Klang) urges the authorities to immediately de-classify the various papers and studies of the plan.

Nuclear power as new energy source in M' sia

Nuclear power as new energy source in M' sia

Although there are many issues being discoursed in Malaysia now, not many people seem to be interested in focussing on the official plan to develop nuclear power as an alternative source of energy for Malaysia by 2025. Dr. Ronald McCoy, who provides a critical perspective on the subject recently, is definitely one of the fairly noteworthy exceptions.

James & family share festive joy of Deepavali

James and family shares the festive joy of all our relatives in Ipoh as well as neighbours and friends everywhere in Malaysia and Singapore who celebrate Deepavali or Diwali, which means the Festival of Light.

Only one (1) issue in Chin Peng's homecoming

There is only ONE (1) pertinent consideration on the question of Chin Peng's homecoming : whether the government has or has not fulfilled all its obligations in the Peace Accord solemnly and publicly concluded on papers between the Government of Malaysia and Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) in Haadyai in Thailand on 2 December, 1989. Period.

Three-day rendezvous in Bangkok memorable

Taking a break from blogging for a week to catch up with old friends.

Noble Peace Prize also under very heavy fire

Like it or hate it, the Noble Peace Prize itself is also under heavy fire while there are already calls in US for Obama to turn down the award. The closing date for nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize was 1 Feb. Obama was sworn in as the President of the United States on 20 Jan. There is indeed a wide range of passionate views on the controversy and the partisan polemics in America has become even more heated.

Be fair to Obama on Nobel Peace Prize award

Be fair to Obama on Nobel Peace Prize award

Let us be fair to President and C-in-C Obama: he did not campaign or lobby for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 to be awarded to him. Obama just didn' t decline nomination and he is prepared to accept the prize.

Award of Nobel Peace Prize (2009) to Obama

Award of Nobel Peace Prize (2009) to Obama

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 to Obama is in effect an act to cheer a stated intention rather than a reward for a done result. There is a diversity of opinions both within America and in the world, and it can be expected that the controversy would persist for a while. The range of views on this subject is as wide as that on Afghanistan. How would it affect his leadership as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed services of the United States is a concern of some Americans.

US military's operational request now official

US military's operational request now official

General McChrystal's operational request for more American troops to be put on the Afghan ground has now been officially forwarded to the US president for an actionable or implementable decision to be made.

Wide range of opinions on Afghanistan in USA

No M'sia & Indonesia in Obama's Asian journey

The White House has announced that President Obama will pay visits to Japan, Singapore, China as well as South Korea in mid- November. Indonesia, the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world, is not in the presidential itinerary. Malaysia is also not part of the tour.

President Obama to visit Singapore and China

Wide range of opinions on Afghanistan in USA

There is indeed a very wide range of American opinions on the war in Afghanistan and no final decision would please all parties and schools of thoughts. Personal attacks on President Obama provide no solution to a problem that involves not only security or military operations but also diplomacy, international relations and also the state of economy.

McChrystal & American debate on Afghan war

McChrystal & American debate on Afghan war

As a matter of public record, before General Stanley McChrystal went to London and reportedly made those remarks which are construed by certain quarters to be behaviour "verging on insubordination", he had "complained bitterly" about the "bureaucracy" in Washington DC. But, whether those words are personal opinions or collective voices of the larger community of men and women in uniforms is yet to be studied. While the US Constitution establishes civilian control over the armed forces, American men and women who serve in uniforms are entitled to cast their ballots in Congressional as well as Presidential elections.

American debate on war in Afghanistan tense

American debate on war in Afghanistan tense

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates' latest statement appears to be a response to the reported behaviour of General Stanley Mc Chrystal in London. The debate on Afghanistan in the US is becoming very tense.

UK army chief for more troops in Afghanistan

UK army chief for more troops in Afghanistan

The new head of UK's Army General Sir David Richards has reportedly backed calls for more international troops to be sent for Afghanistan. He also warned that delay in putting more boots on the ground would cost more lives, risk huge strategic failure and "embolden" Al Qaeda with "terrifying" results. Meanwhile, the debate on what to do next is still going on in Washington D.C. The United Kingdom is a key ally of the United States in the war in Afghanistan, launched on 7 Oct, 2001.

American debate on Afghanistan still ongoing

USAF successfully stages Air Show in Malaysia

I attended the air show staged by the U.S. Air Force held yesterday at RMAF's Subang Air Base. It was a success as it attracted some 10,000 people. A huge crowd also gathered outside to watch the performance which featured the very famous Thunderbird F-16 and C -17 aircrafts. A few years ago, I was also invited to board USS Kitty Hawk, USS John C. Stennis and USS Blue Ridge, which are under the Pacific Command. The American military is still the most powerful in the world in terms of budgetary allocation, advanced technology and force projectability.

Women fighters in China hail national rebirth

The grand military parade held at the Tiananmen Square yesterday to celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China showed both troops and weaponry. Women fighters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) also proudly participated like in all previous such parades. Yesterday, the weather condition in Beijing was fine just as forecast.

PLA women set to fly over Tiananmen Square