Category Archives: On the Beat

Populated metropolis: Kuala Lumpur is a major international city, and it needs an able MP who knows KL, or the adjacent Selangor, to helm it. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star IT’S almost certain that the Prime Minister needs to make some […] Continue Reading

AROUND this time in 2000, I was seated in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur with the late Singapore leader Lee Kuan Yew. It was his first visit to Malaysia in 10 years and he was eager to be updated […] Continue Reading

IT’S time to move on now that the elections in six states are over. Please remove the party flags and billboards as soon as possible because they’re truly an eyesore. They are a reminder of how Malaysia has continued to […] Continue Reading

Capturing the ballot boxes: Pakatan chairman Anwar needs to urgently give that extra push in Selangor, especially with the non-Malays, before Aug 12. — AZMAN GHANI / The Star ON the surface, Selangor seems to be a safe bet for […] Continue Reading

Political fatigue might just be the buzzkill of the state elections. SEASONED journalists often cringe in embarrassment when their younger colleagues ask politicians facing an election if they are confident of winning and how many seats they expect to secure. […] Continue Reading

THE campaigns for the six state elections haven’t even begun officially, yet the air is already choking with toxic political drivel. The arrest of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor may result in sympathy for him and Perikatan Nasional, but […] Continue Reading

The release of Sultan of Johor’s book ‘Johor Throne – HM Sultan Ibrahim’s First Decade of Rule’ is most timely. — Others HE calls a spade a spade. When the Sultan of Johor grants an interview, it’s likely to make […] Continue Reading

The state election will be a litmus test for the unity government and will determine whether the PKR-DAP-Barisan alliance can work together at grassroots levels. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star IT’S doubtless that when the elections in six states take place […] Continue Reading

IF we are expecting PAS to leave non-Muslims alone to practise their own lifestyles, then we must be naïve. The Kota Baru Municipal Council has agreed to cancel the fine imposed on a non-Muslim boutique owner for “indecent” attire after […] Continue Reading

Equal partners?: (From left) PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Lau holding a press conference after the coalition’s meeting on seat allocation for the upcoming state elections at Perikatan‘s headquarters. Gerakan can […] Continue Reading