THE CICAK.com

The rise of left-wing politics in Malaysia

By CHAN SHIJUN

Where has the Left gone in Malaysian politics?

Such is the demise of the Left in the past 50 years since Independence that it has hardly had any influence in the Malaysian political sphere. Through harassment, intimidation and censorship, the establishment has successfully made the words ‘Left’, ’socialist’ and ’social democracy’ taboo words in polite Malaysian society.

Ironically, the Malaysian public has in the process has also been made to believe that racism and ethnic chauvinism was ‘fine’, or at least to be left unchallenged and ‘tolerated’. … Click here for the full article!

Fuel price hike in Malaysia: Bane or blessing?

Photo by lincolnose2
By JAY MENON

The reaction of the rakyat to the fuel price hike has been interesting, to say the least.

I’d never have thought we would react in such a positive manner; in fact I’m quite impressed that, minor demonstrations and votes of no confidence aside, there has been no larger fallout- at least on the surface.

I personally feel that the hike wasn’t a necessity; but more of an educational requirement, like an elective subject you take for your SPM, University or what have you.

Now what do I mean when I say it is not a necessity? … Click here for the full article!

Malaysia’s first LGBT weblog

Malaysia’s first weblog on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual) rights, issues and expressions.

Tilted World is a combined effort of a loose coalition of writers, including regular theCICAK contributor Ana A.

Kick the overspending, underachieving habit, Malaysia

Photo by Ctd 2005

By IZHAM ISMAIL

I can’t help being spiteful towards Singapore.

It definitely seems like Malaysians and Singaporeans just can’t get along. Like oil and water, cats and dogs, or however you put it, the relationship is hostile despite living side by side geographically.

By logic, they should be the best of friends. But unquestionably, both sides have done a great job undermining each other: I’ve heard of Singaporeans saying Malaysians are lazy, underachieving people, while Malaysians would be in high spirits to label their neighbour kiasu.

But whatever it is, Singaporeans play better football than Malaysians do … Click here for the full article!

The best thing Pak Lah has done: Drastic reduction of petrol subsidies

Photo by iocto
By SEBASTIAN NG

I rejoiced as much as the next Malaysian when the incumbent governing party lumpuh over the March 8 elections.

But here I must make a stand. I think Pak Lah allowing for the drastic reduction of petrol subsidies is one of the best things he has done since becoming Prime Minister. Clearly it is not a popular move, and clearly it won’t bring outwardly beneficial consequences to the rakyat. And so much so sudden. But analysts say that is wise - so that you only face the anger once, rather than staggered anger over a few months. Now, if the government can survive this volatile position it has brought itself into, it will have much more leeway and space in terms of using that surplus money generated from the new subsidy scheme.

What are the next decisions? To me that will be the imperative questions. It’s what Pak Lah does next … Click here for the full article!

FFF2008 announces competition winners!

Finally it’s official! The three winners of the KOMAS FreedomFilmFest (FFF) 2008 human rights film proposal making competition were announced last Friday! The declaration was made together with the launching of KOMAS-produced human rights video ‘Mari Kita Beraktivism’, a series of short films featuring ordinary Malaysians and their experiences with human rights’.

… Click here for the full article!

Different races all loving each other?

By JASON LIM

Calling all the bigfoots, monkeys and also the truly berhormats (honourable). I’d like you to bring something up in parliament. Without much ado, a rag-tag outfit of Malaysian artistes pulled off yet another controversy.

Looks like they’ve hit the internet again. Looks like they’ve mixed up our national language amidst other languages again. Looks like they’ve aped the west again. Looks like they’ve gone ahead and done something totally independent of government support or intervention. How dare they? It wasn’t even done in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka celebrations!

I mean, I thought we’d already seen the terrible things artistes would achieve with the internet and political musical content (re: Namewee’s Negarakuku). Now we have something that flies right in the face of all that. Such cheek!

Goodness. What’s this new thing about ending racial discrimination and even more shocking … Click here for the full article!

Part 2, Analyzing Malaysian Parties: Should DAP compromise its principles?

Photo by Fadzly Mubin
By KEITH LEONG

Make as many PAP jokes as you like, it cannot be denied that the Democratic Action Party is one of the most ideologically driven and grassroots orientated political parties in Malaysia today. It has fought long and hard in the opposition benches, and only the most hard-hearted could begrudge the DAP of its recent successes.

But because it has spent so much (if not all) of its history in the political wilderness, many have wondered if the party can govern effectively and even if it can, whether it can maintain the “killer instinct” that … Click here for the full article!

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