Lite - Opinion - Baradan Kuppusamy

The impartiality of judges

February 27, 2009

FEB 26 — Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Yusof should not have recused himself from hearing the judicial review case filed by Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin challenging the validity of Datuk Dr Zambry Kadir’s appointment as Perak Menteri Besar on Feb 5.I have observed Mohamad Ariff on the Bench — he is learned, fair, patient, and hard … Read More

How low can ‘they’ go?

February 16, 2009

FEB 16 – It is nothing but despicable and gutter politics to use photographs of a woman, taken when she is at her most vulnerable, to tarnish her and attack the party she represents.Selangor exco member Elizabeth Wong, single, has the misfortune of associating with a former boyfriend who probably took the photographs that are now being used by her … Read More

The politics of race in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau

February 11, 2009

FEB 10 — The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has already fired a early salvo in the battle for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary and Bukit Selambau state by-elections.It is looking likely that Datuk Nizar Jamalludin will be fielded in Bukit Gantang and in Bukit Selambau, a yet unnamed Indian.PR supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has already announced at a dinner function … Read More

A hollow victory for BN

February 05, 2009

By Baradan KuppusamyFEB 4 — The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Perak government is all but gone after three PKR representatives and a DAP assemblyman defected, in a dramatic development that has shaken the alliance of PKR, Pas and DAP.More defections from PR are still rumoured in the days ahead as a BN-controlled state government in Perak takes shape.Other defection … Read More

After switching from BN to Pakatan, Indians remain frustrated

December 31, 2008

By Baradan KuppusamyKUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 - The cracks appearing in the Pakatan Rakyat especially among its Indian leadership in Selangor are symptoms of a larger malaise in the opposition coalition that can no longer be ignored.It also comes at a time when the PR is facing the crucial Kuala Terengganu by-election where although Indian voters number only … Read More

IPF set to become second Tamil voice in BN

December 17, 2008

By Baradan KuppusamyDEC 17 — The impending admission of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) into the Barisan Nasional coalition is a significant political event for the Tamil working classes as it gives them, after nearly two decades of trying, a second voice outside of the MIC, in the ruling BN coalition.Consequently they could have a voice in the … Read More

The compromise of reform

December 12, 2008

By Baradan Kuppusamy DEC 12 — It is the unkindest cut of all — with time running out and his reform bills on which he had hoped to pin his legacy under attack, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's desire to be remembered as a great reformer has come under a cloud.With his political clock ticking away Abdullah does not have the luxury of time. … Read More

Lessons from Highland Towers lie buried in Bukit Antarabangsa rubble

December 06, 2008

By Baradan KuppusamyDEC 6 — One of the first actions the government took when Highland Towers collapsed in 1993, killing 48 people, was to announce a ban on hillside development.Today the government announced another ban on hillside development following the tragedy in Bukit Antarabangsa where at least four people are dead, many injured and nearly 5,000 … Read More

Don’t hold your breath for reforms

October 10, 2008

By Baradan KuppusamyOCT 10 — It is ironic that the man who promised to carry out reforms in 2004 has to repeat that promise five years later while announcing his departure as the national leader.It is a depressing indictment of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that in the twilight of his political career he has once again promised … Read More