Interesting links on Malaysia
As and when you find interesting links or websites in Malaysia, you can post them here 
I'll start with a travel blog I've been reading for a few weeks.
The writer is traveling the region, working in rice farms or boat building sites to discover the Malaysian way of life.
My favourite post is her "one-month survival guide to life on a malaysian rice farm" which you can check here - http://bit.ly/92Is1k
Great read !
Another blog I read with interest is Malaysia-Finance Blogspot
This is a Traders' blog on KL's stock market and regional economic news.
I like the no BS attitude of the blogger which nicknamed himself Salvatore Dali.
Highly recommended to those who wish to invest in the Msian market, an interesting read for the others (like me)
Here is how he introduces himself
... too young, too old, too sarcastic, too dark, too funny, too charismatic, too poor, too Cantonese, too Malaysian, too frank, ...too bad ... and die-hard M.U. fan!
I recently stumbled upon Psychological Warfare of the Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960 by SGM Herbert A. Friedman and found it very interesting.
It is a lengthy read, but well worth the time to read it.
It shed some lights on a period that I did not know much about.
I recently started reading the Nut Graph following recommendations from Shardy and Lindy.
In two words, it's a Malaysian online news site that tries to makes sense of politics and pop culture - not an easy feat, I know 
After three weeks of reading I find that their articles are quite spot on, and not as biased as other online publication.
A good find.
Thanks guys !
Jothi's a Malaysian who likes to write about science, philosophy, the arts, the social sciences and so forth.
What I like is that it's views are always documented and factual. No BS here.
His blog is a little gem of eclecticism and it always got me thinking.
You can discover it here: www.ssjothiratnam.com
Really worth a read: Malaysia's One-Two Punch for Journalism
Malaysia suffered two ominous blows to independent journalism last week, one with the announcement that the government is about to formulate a sedition law to cover bloggers, who are fast becoming some of the most independent news providers in Malaysia.The second was the suspension of the National Union of Journalists President Hata Wahari from his job at the Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia, one of several newspapers controlled by the United Malays National Organization, the country's biggest political party, for advocating an impartial press.
Interesting blog post on the tradition of Gong Making in Borneo: Kota Kinabalu Kampung Sumangkap Gong Making Factory
Really worth a read: Malaysia's One-Two Punch for JournalismQuote:Malaysia suffered two ominous blows to independent journalism last week, one with the announcement that the government is about to formulate a sedition law to cover bloggers, who are fast becoming some of the most independent news providers in Malaysia.The second was the suspension of the National Union of Journalists President Hata Wahari from his job at the Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia, one of several newspapers controlled by the United Malays National Organization, the country's biggest political party, for advocating an impartial press.
It's Journalism Day (World Press Freedom Day) today (May 3rd.) and Hata has been given the boot by Utusan. Bravo, Malaysia.
It's Journalism Day (World Press Freedom Day) today (May 3rd.) and Hata has been given the boot by Utusan. Bravo, Malaysia.
I guess his voice was not one his employers were happy with.
When you see what Utusan has been producing since, the editorial line is clear.
The good link of the day is A reverse brain drain from the Economist. The article itself is interesting. The comments discussion is even better
Asia Sentinel - A Malaysian Political Revolution
PAS is coming back to its roots and promotes a welfare instead of islamic state. A good thing.
Good background info on the Bersih, UMNO and Perkasa manifestation that are planned in a few days only: Malaysian politics takes to the streets - Asia Times Online
Triple Helix is leaving the country just when things are getting interesting it seems...
Jothi's a Malaysian who likes to write about science, philosophy, the arts, the social sciences and so forth.
What I like is that it's views are always documented and factual. No BS here.His blog is a little gem of eclecticism and it always got me thinking.
You can discover it here: www.ssjothiratnam.com
Highly recommended. Especially his Astrology trilogy where he debunks the whole shebang: Astrology 1 - Astrology 2 - Astrology 3
Malaysia rules harsh interrogation caused suicide - The Associated Press
Shame on the Malaysian system.
They bring in an independent criminal forensics expert, but they don't take her expertise into accounts.
Their only conclusion so far is that this is a suicide, it is a human tragedy, and the anti-corruption agency should improve training procedures for officers (no kidding ?!?!). They haven't determined yet whether the police officers should be prosecuted or not 
I'd love to see where the Scorpene scandal will lead to. The lawyer, William Bourdon, gave a talk in Penang last night and was detained upon arriving at KLIA today. If he is being deported, that is good. But otherwise, then the French government better get ready to get him released. You don't want news that says he punched himself in the face to garner sympathy (read Anwar Ibrahim being beaten up by police while under their custody), or commit suicide by jumping from so-and-so building (read the late Teoh beng Hock and Sarbaini) or...
Malaysia will have to answer for this expulsion. Advocates' work is protected under international law and Mr. Bourdon was only commenting on public information as the preliminary report still is in the hands of the Paris court.
For the case itself, it will keep moving through the meanders of the French judicial system until they dig enough dirt on the 114M euro commission. Perimekar and its patrons better pray the different regional (HK/Singapore) trusts and shadow companies used to cover their tracks refuse to share info with the French judiciary system.
Malaysia will have to answer for this expulsion. Advocates' work is protected under international law and Mr. Bourdon was only commenting on public information as the preliminary report still is in the hands of the Paris court.
Yes, they better do and I want to hear it! 
... Perimekar and its patrons better pray the different regional (HK/Singapore) trusts and shadow companies used to cover their tracks refuse to share info with the French judiciary system.
Ah... it's like opening a can of worms... or a Pandora box...
Seriously, I am excited. Maybe I should go get some popcorn and coke. 
The lack of a proper journalism in Malaysia leads to these surat layang – “flying letters”.
Malaysian PM's Wife Draws flak
Yet how can journalists do their job when you read things like this:
In April 2010, Joshua Wong, then the producer of the popular Malaysian current affairs program "Editor's Time," resigned, charging that the NTV7 channel, which is controlled by UMNO, buckled under from complaints from the Prime Minister's Department and Rosmah personally about coverage of opposition politicians. Other newspaper editors complain that she frequently calls to complain about coverage of both her and her husband.
I'd love to see where the Scorpene scandal will lead to. The lawyer, William Bourdon, gave a talk in Penang last night and was detained upon arriving at KLIA today. If he is being deported, that is good. But otherwise, then the French government better get ready to get him released. You don't want news that says he punched himself in the face to garner sympathy (read Anwar Ibrahim being beaten up by police while under their custody), or commit suicide by jumping from so-and-so building (read the late Teoh beng Hock and Sarbaini) or...
Another one deported yesterday: Malaysia deports British lawyer for Indian activists - AFP
Neat move by Hindraf to raise their profile following Mr. Bourdon' expulsion.
Malaysia’s Penang state: Getting back its mojo | The Economist
Penang voters are some of the most politically mature group in the country, and once they have set their sight for change they do so.
Mr. Lim is doing a great job manaing the Pearl of the Orient. A pity he will never have the opportunity to do the same for the whole country.
It's interesting to read the underlying pressure that exists between heritage and development.
If you were to ask me, I much prefer boutique hotels where people stay, live and discover penang than those bird-nest-factories.
George Town residents struggle to redefine Malaysian heritage - BBC
Quite a late warning although better late than never.
As you say, better late than never
On another Borneo front: Borneo tribe loses land case in top Malaysia court challenging the state's seizure of land to build a massive dam. Not sure how to read this news. RG, do you have more insight on this ? Were the tribes' claim just and should the 20/18 agreement have protected them ?
roguegirl wrote:Quite a late warning although better late than never.As you say, better late than never
On another Borneo front: Borneo tribe loses land case in top Malaysia court challenging the state's seizure of land to build a massive dam. Not sure how to read this news. RG, do you have more insight on this ? Were the tribes' claim just and should the 20/18 agreement have protected them ?
I have to admit I'm not very familiar with this case and I only have basic knowledge of the Sarawak Land Code. I believe Baru Bian, one of the lawyers representing one of the two groups, is the expert in land issues in Sarawak having taken land related cases since the 80s.
Land ownership by the indigenous people of the state is based on a number of local customs which is accepted and entrenched in the state's Land Code. However, the land under this part of the Land Code are usually without any documentation apart from what can be gathered from the communities. These land are known simply as the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land. This is a legacy from the state's White Rajah (read here for further insights).
In this case of the Bakun and Pulpwood factory... the issue of land property disadvantaged the local indigenous people. Bakun project was not really done properly as well. When the indigenous people were relocated, they were actually given a few longhouses which were supposed to housed more than one indigenous group of people. This is weird to the people because it clashes with the differences in beliefs and live practises of each groups. Learning from the mistake made at the Batang Ai dam project, the state government decided not to disburse the compensation in one single disbursement because the indigenous people are not very familiar with the value of money and may waste it away. However, the problem is... the disbursement also did not take into consideration the need of the people. Not only that, the longhouses which they occupy now must be paid by the relocated indigenous people as well. With no education, no job, no more land to farm and live a self sufficient lifestyle like they used to (each family are only compensated with 1 ha. of land each) and no money... they find themselves screwed... not that they were enthusiastic about the project in the first place. The project was more forced into their throat in the first place. They were, after all, naive people with little knowledge of what goes in the outside world. Most of the displaced people were reluctant but they were told that it was for their own good.
Almost the same thing happened to the pulpwood factory case. As I understand it, the indigenous people who live in that area came a bit later as compared to those living in the southern part of the state. They were pretty much later pioneers and some of them came to that area during the time logging started during pre-Malaysia or a couple of generations earlier than that (later wave of nationwide migration in the late 1800s or early 1900s, I think). Although the Sarawak Land Code acknowledge land ownership claimed after 1957, the current state doesn't really take it seriously. That is one of the main reason a lot of land dispute cases in Sarawak managed to win several cases. More so because the cases managed to provide enough prove of their claim.
In the cases where their claims had been dismissed by the highest court, I must admit that I am not sure what the real situation were. So, I can't really say much. The above is pretty much what I can say about the whole situation and it is simply to give you an idea of what goes on...
Thanks RG
It is interesting to follow your train of thought. It sounds like the Msian government (or some of its representatives) does not have its native populations's best interest at heart. If they don't even have the rule of law on their side, I fear there is little to hope for :/
Thanks RG
It is interesting to follow your train of thought. It sounds like the Msian government (or some of its representatives) does not have its native populations's best interest at heart. If they don't even have the rule of law on their side, I fear there is little to hope for :/
Quite interesting to note that the Malaysian government made policies that is supposed to give privileges to the so-called Bumiputera but the minority indigenous people (known simply as 'Orang Asal' or literally the original people) are the one who benefit very little from it where land is concern. And, as it is with all kinds of indigenous people in every country, land is very important to them because their belief system, livelihood and identity are very much attached to it...
Quite interesting to note that the Malaysian government made policies that is supposed to give privileges to the so-called Bumiputera but the minority indigenous people (known simply as 'Orang Asal' or literally the original people) are the one who benefit very little from it where land is concern. And, as it is with all kinds of indigenous people in every countries, land is very important to them because their belief system, livelihood and identity are very much attached to it...
It may be simplistic, but I believe the main reason Orang Asal are not given the same right as Bumiputra is that they're not Muslim.
Anyhow, The Economist has an interest article on Malaysia this week: The haze and the malaise. Its conclusion hits the nail on the head:
The Malaysian malaise stems from the congruence of two seemingly conflicting trends. One is the healthy development of pluralist competition in a system that had seemed stuck for ever in an UMNO-dominated quasi-democracy. The other is the sharpening of ethnic and religious dividing lines. It is alarming that, instead of seeing competitive politics as a way of bridging the ethnic divide, too many Malaysian politicians see the ethnic divide as a way of winning the political competition.
It may be simplistic, but I believe the main reason Orang Asal are not given the same right as Bumiputra is that they're not Muslim.
Sounds like the popular marketing concept of "buy one, get one free".
Malaysia Tries to Rein In Private Education Institutions
Malaysia's education system is being re-built from the ground up, with market forces as the deciding factor between winners and losers. The real losers though are going to be the students who ended up paying for a diploma from one of the institutions that do not survive. It's quite a risk to get a degree from a local school.
A good summary of the latest budget.
Lots of talk about taxes
Gay Pastor in New York Urges Change in Malaysia
Courageous. For me, Mr. Boon already won this fight as local and international newspaper are reporting the news.
Most Malaysians I know are very tolerant. I feel that only a minority react strongly against. The same minority that is afraid of change or integration.
I feel that only a minority react strongly against.
I have to disagree with you here, Jacques. If you take into account Malaysians outside of KL, you will see more people who are against gay. Most of those I know in KL are tolerant but...
I may be wrong. The few I know who live outside of KL are quite tolerant.
They may not be pro-gay-union, but they close their eyes and let them be.
I may be wrong. The few I know who live outside of KL are quite tolerant.
They may not be pro-gay-union, but they close their eyes and let them be.
Well... gays are tolerated but if they want to get married or live openly as gay couple, that would be impossible.
Very interesting article on Penang and its new government: Malaysia Losses From Racial Law Exposed. The last paragraph may be prophetic.
“The change in government meant that you have reenergized this place,” said Chris Ong, who owns boutique hotels converted from heritage buildings in Penang. “The old state government was here for far too long.”
Malaysian Telecoms Lift Alcatel Contract Ban
The ban did not last very long. As a reminder, Alcatel paid $200,000 to "Malaysian Consultant A" in 2005 for a series of ‘market reports’ describing conditions in the Malaysian telecommunications market. Similarly, Alcatel Standard paid $50’0,000 to "Malaysian Consultant B" in 2005 for a ‘strategic intelligence report. At the time this story broke, TM said i would conduct internal investigations and will cooperate with authorities when required. Not sure where this investigation is at the moment...
It takes balls to tackle such a juggernaut: Messing around with Malaysian higher education
Not exactly news (it's been known for a while) but it still is a good read: Malaysia’s image tarnished in BBC’s apology
I've always found strange that all these documentaries showcasing palm oil as an oil no worth than other oils had the same "voice". Rang a warning bell for me.
BBC has apologized.
Now waiting for the "Malaysian government" to apologize...
BBC has apologized.
Now waiting for the "Malaysian government" to apologize...
I think I would grow horns first before Malaysian government would apologise!
Erykah Badu Sad but Not Angry Over Malaysian Ban
“I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it’s OK,” she said. “In America, it’s a lot different. Art is also misunderstood but it is not such a harsh gesture to promote the names of God. I am learning and understanding about Islam in other countries more as we travel.”
I hope she can perform in Indonesia, just to discredit the Msian ban even more.
It's great to read some good news written about Islam in Malaysia from time to time.
Great program !
here's the interesting links in my mind now... check out here.. !
Canadian author and Muslim activist Irshad Manji recently visited Malaysia to promote her new book, Allah, Liberty and Love (!) - Controversial book on Islam and Liberties launched in Malaysia
Apparently Muslims here in Malaysia didn't feel the love and were not amused.
"PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan has urged the Government to act fast, adding that while the [Islamic] movement supported freedom of expression, creative or literary works should not be used to promote ideas that were against religion and human nature."
Proving once again that these people do not even understand the CONCEPT of "freedom of expression."
It's positively Orwellian....
"PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan has urged the Government to act fast, adding that while the [Islamic] movement supported freedom of expression, creative or literary works should not be used to promote ideas that were against religion and human nature."
WHAT???!!!! 
I can't believe what they come up with! Against religion and human nature?????
Proving once again that these people do not even understand the CONCEPT of "freedom of expression."It's positively Orwellian....
Spot on!
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