Category Archives: On the Beat
Hint of polls fuels guessing game ( 16 August 1998 )
The argument is that Barisan Nasional wants to seek a fresh mandate before it rides through the mounting uncertainties clouding the economy and the region. The political strategy, the reasoning goes, is to get through the polls before the country […] Continue Reading
Herd mentality will only lead to self-destruction ( 09 August 1998 )
Last week, newspaper offices were bombarded with telephone calls from concerned members of the public who wanted to know whether there was any truth to talk of impending riots. The impact of the rumours was so bad that it prompted […] Continue Reading
Durian solution to thorny issues ( 26 July 1998 )
It came as no surprise that a proposal by Sarawak DAP leader Sim Kwang Yang to hold roundtable talks did not receive much enthusiasm. Sim had appealed to leaders of the fractious opposition party to observe a five-day ceasefire, saying […] Continue Reading
We can only turn the other cheek ( 19 July 1998 )
The tabloid, known for its sensationalism, had used this headline in reference to Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Sabbaruddin Chik. “Malaysian minister unrepentent even after Singapore points out fact,'' the sub-head elaborated. The newspaper had carried a full-page story […] Continue Reading
Familiar ring to events in other economies ( 12 July 1998 )
The price of diamonds, according to the poll, has dropped more than half in places like New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. In Tokyo, the price of an 18-carat gold wedding band has fallen by more than 77%. That's not all. […] Continue Reading
Campaigns ruffle feathers ( 05 July 1998 )
Adding to the sparks, rebel Penang leaders have joined in the fray with fingers pointing to the existence of a Knock Out Kit Siang (KOKs) campaign. Some say KOKS can also stand for Knock Out Karpal Singh, the party's deputy […] Continue Reading
Foreign media should get to know us better ( 21 June 1998 )
In the run-up to this year's Umno general assembly, the foreign media had stated boldly in their stories that Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad should step down. There appears to be a concerted effort by the foreign media. The Asian […] Continue Reading
Going down and under in politics ( 14 June 1998 )
At one point, there was speculation that the Universiti Malaya history graduate, with first-class honours, might make a political comeback. That seems remote now. His image has been dented, made worse by his bad English. Another politician, Datuk Musa Aman, […] Continue Reading
All that fuss over new potency pill ( 07 June 1998 )
For many Malaysian men with erectile dysfunction, it is, of course, no laughing matter. Like their brethren elsewhere with similar problems, they are toasting over the invention of the remedy. Aptly called wai kor (great brother) in Cantonese, Viagra has […] Continue Reading
G15 members still strangers to each other ( 24 May 1998 )
By then, the Malaysian officials and businessmen had decided to sing the national anthem themselves. The fiasco did not end there. As the Prime Minister spoke, a computer graphic of Indonesia with its red-and-white flag appeared as backdrop. After eight […] Continue Reading
