Towards a developed nation - Sachin Bhanot

"A developed country is one that allows all its citizens to enjoy a free and healthy life in a safe environment."
Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations

Are we living in a country where neat sterile rows of 80-storey skyscrapers define development? Or are we living in a nation where development is quantified by the moral and social progress of its people? The definition of a developed nation has (and probably always will be) a contentious issue. But as Malaysians, I feel that we should highlight the issues that we consider significant in defining us as a progressive and culturally mature nation.

The March 2008 elections were pivotal in providing a paradigm shift in the mindset of our leaders and, at the same time, heightening the political awareness amongst Malaysians. This has been echoed by the current administration through their acknowledgement that “the days of government knows best are over”. However, with awareness comes great responsibility. Are Malaysians developing towards an apolitical society, focusing on policies and key issues, or towards a society that believes in political rhetoric and mere gossip?

Empathy for the Migrant Workers - Melissa Kong

I spent three weeks of my summer break interning in Jakarta. An integral part of my time working there was also spent exploring Jakarta – going out and about to visit all sorts of places, to interact with the people – and to document my experiences. Armed with basic Bahasa Melayu (that has consequentially gone rather rusty thanks to extended periods of disuse) and a camera, I forced myself to step out of my comfort zone to discover what Jakarta had in store for me.

Opium in the Tiger's Lair- Dimishtra

The riots in the UK have been horrific, and they are symptomatic of something even more sinister. Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, remarked that the rioters were just a tiny minority with no ideological justification for such actions. If only.

The truth is policies in the advanced world are increasingly catering to an elite subset of people as opposed to the masses. In a country like the US, which long ago lost any claim to being the land of equality for all, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid cuts are considered acceptable to reduce the deficit but not income taxes for the wealthiest 1%. Can all we see now, unsettled governments and unsettled people, be explained by unequal growth?

Politics and the Economy — Amir

The past week’s bloodbath in global capital markets is a startling reminder to investors that political risk is a very serious business. What started as a political grid-lock between opposing political parties was made worst by a minority pressure group holding the debt-ceiling hostage to push through their one-dimensional political agenda based on false facts and a very skewed vision of how their country should be run.

As a result, the US credit rating was downgraded, and investor confidence was badly shaken across the globe, jeopardizing the already fragile global economic growth and inching many economies closer to a double-dip recession.

The blame game & race-relations in Malaysia — Ainul Aizat

Politics

Our leaders have failed to acknowledge that we are on the verge of a new beginning for our country. Not a new dawn, a crossroads, a new juncture, the beginning of an end – Artificial Racial Harmony.

This superficial peace that we enjoy is under serious threat from what I deem as "terrorists and extremists". This kind of terrorism is more dangerous than the AK-wielding cavemen. These ‘terrorists’ are singing beautiful songs about rights and justice for all Malaysians. We see these songs are even sung in rhythm with Negara Islam, Middle Malaysia or even 1Malaysia. While all those concepts were designed with the best interests at heart, these ‘terrorists’ use it as a mask to propagate their own agenda: power.

JAIS & DUMC — Tai Zee Kin

Many views and opinions were exchanged over the last few weeks regarding the recent raid conducted by Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC), arguably one of the largest Christian congregations in Malaysia. Such views, mainly in the form of slanderous accusations, were from various parties, focusing on the events preceding and leading to the raid. Some went as far as commenting on the enactment of several legislations, which gave the authority for such a raid.

Youth as the Future — Faizul Sukri

They say the youth are the future of a nation, which is true – considering the life cycle’s natural progression. It is not meant as a compliment for us, it is a responsibility. Regardless of being heard or not, it is also becoming more apparent that the voices of the youth are becoming louder by the day, regardless of whether its via web, social media or on the streets. We harp about our generation’s supposedly fresh ideas, we fight for our rights at every corner and we jump at every opportunity the world gives us.

Of reforms and cynics — Steven Rama

As expected, although the prime minister announced the most significant political reforms of the last decade — far surpassing anything that’s been done in the opposition-controlled states, or even within opposition parties — the cynics are still at it.

Some examples include that the government copied the opposition proposals from their Buku Jingga.

Does hubris really know no end? Well, by definition, it technically doesn’t, but I’ll stop digressing. I’m not saying Pakatan Rakyat had no part to play in all of this. It’s obvious that pressure from the government’s weak handling of Bersih led to Barisan Nasional needing an impetus to get the ball rolling again.

The Bukit Kepong Incident — Tai Zee How

There is an ongoing heated debate about Mat Indera’s status as a patriotic independence fighter or a villain threatening the peace of the then Malayan peninsular.

There have been numerous freedom fighters who fought against their colonial masters since the 16th century. Their contributions to the nation must not be forgotten — people like Mat Salleh, Yam Tuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Dol Said, Tok Janggut and Dato Maharaja Lela, who were rightly and unanimously heralded as national heroes.

Where does Mat Indera fit in all this? Some history is needed to put his role as a freedom fighter in context.