Friday, 5 December 2025

Author: Francis Paul Siah

Underlying tensions in Bersatu exposed

THE Bersatu annual general assembly (AGM) held in Shah Alam over the weekend did not go as smoothly as expected. This was not election year in the party and everything was supposed to be in order but it was not to be.  Unfortunately, the commotion that took place at the

Lessons from the violent protests in Indonesia

IN a WhatsApp discussion over the protests in Indonesia, a friend commented that “the protests were initiated by the CIA” — a view I do not agree with.  I took that as a kind of “blame the US for all the violence in the world” rhetoric and quickly responded, “I

Sabah mining scandal: More twists and turns

“A system is corrupt when it is strictly profit-driven, not driven to serve the best interests of its people.” – Suzy Kassem, American poet AT the outset, I would like to defend the role played by Malaysiakini, as a media house, in its recent expose of the Sabah mining scandal.

Why the politically bankrupt resort to racism

“As long as there is racial privilege, racism will never end.” – Wayne Gerard Trotman, British film maker THIS week, my attention was drawn to the statement by Aliran which has expressed deep concern that the appointment of Datuk M. Kumar as Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director has been

Let justice prevail for Zara Qairina

“When someone leaves us suddenly, they remind us to be present in each day we’re given.” – Author unknown LAST Sunday, my dear friend, Professor Wong Chin Huat, forwarded me a Malay Mail article titled ‘Was it bullying? Was it worse?‘ The Zara Qairina mystery is gripping Malaysia. Whenever Wong

‘Near impossible’ for DAP and MCA to work together

THERE is one recent episode which I’m sure many of us can recall, and it best sums up why the politics of survival is more important than keeping your word to your supporters or the people at large. It’s true. At times, political expediency takes priority over everything else in

The dark side of the business of the dead

“Death is my business and business is good.“ – Book authored by David Powers, American writer IN January this year, there was a death in the family. It was sudden and unexpected as the deceased was a younger person, only in her twenties. We were not prepared for this. In

What it means to lose our doctors to Singapore

“Great hospitals do two things. They look after patients, and they teach young doctors.” – David Ogilvy, British advertising tycoon “AN annual package of RM385,000 and perks comprising monthly accommodation allowance, insurance and other benefits like on-call allowance.” Wow. Such an attractive package! If I were a Malaysian doctor, I

‘Yes’ to more seats but more quality YBs too

“The periodic review of the composition of the Sarawak legislature is to ensure that it continues to reflect the voices and aspiration of all Sarawakians.” – Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Minister ON July 7, the Sarawak legislature held a special meeting to introduce a bill that will

Despite setbacks, Rafizi’s political future is bright

“Great leaders are not the best at everything. They find leaders who are the best at different things and get them together on the same team.” – Eileen Bistrisky, Canadian writer DATUK Seri Rafizi Ramli has written a book titled ‘A Guide to Rebuilding Our Nation: 5 Steps to Solve