Category Archives: On the Beat

EARNING a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) heritage accreditation for a place drives many countries to seek it because of its economic value to tourism as it offers international recognition. It creates jobs and business opportunities, helps […] Continue Reading

Need to know: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into how Malaysia lost the strategic Batu Puteh to Singapore will hopefully reveal why we did not pursue the matter following the International Court of Justice’s 2008 decision. — Filepic/The Star MALAYSIA […] Continue Reading

MANY Malaysians are annoyed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks, which question the loyalty of the Indians and Chinese because of their supposed failure to assimilate into Malay society. In a way though, I feel sorry for the former prime […] Continue Reading

In good hands: The Fire and Rescue Department putting out the fire at Ngeh’s house last Wednesday. It’s best for investigations to be left to the police, says the writer. — Photo courtesy of the Fire and Rescue Department REPORTERS […] Continue Reading

WHEN you’re past 60, like me, conversations among peers have a predictable theme. After whining about our politics, like we’re all culpable of, the dialogue invariably switches to updates on ourselves and our mutual friends. And ultimately, the chit chat […] Continue Reading

PALESTINE ambassador Walid Abu Ali is fond of Christmas. After all, his hometown is in Bethlehem, where the Church of the Nativity stands and is recognised as the site where Jesus was born. But this year, there’ll be no celebrations. […] Continue Reading

MALAYSIA is abuzz with what to expect from Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Feb 1. While the Federal Constitution clearly delineates the power and position of the King as the Constitutional Monarch, there’s nothing to […] Continue Reading

WHILE attending the World Media Summit in Guangzhou, China, last week, I was interviewed by a Chinese media reporter who wanted my views on how the media could improve the perception of Chinese tourists towards South-East Asia. Unsure what he […] Continue Reading

WE seem to be living in an age where nearly everything has become sensitive. This is all outrageous and ludicrous, and downright foolish even. Hot off the press is the controversy of how the state-run TV Sarawak (TVS) had allegedly […] Continue Reading

SACKING a restaurant worker for wearing a crucifix must surely be the first of its kind in Malaysia. Not only is it discriminatory, but this is totally unacceptable, and a strong, unequivocal message must be conveyed to his employer. This […] Continue Reading