| Brian Yap is a journalist who writes from the place where politics, the arts and technology meet. web.me.com/brianyap |
Quite frankly, the price is too high
May 07, 2009MAY 7 — People are often stupid. There can be no other explanation for the continued success of SMS scams, for instance. Or why people still write letters to mainstream newspapers that clearly have little concern about the welfare of their readers.Yet, for all our individual and collective follies, we are often capable of sensing when something is not … Read More
Technology works wonders, minus the hype
May 01, 2009APRIL 30 — Even BN politicians now realise the power of the Internet as a political tool, especially after the results of March 8, 2008.It has been a long time coming, but many government leaders are slowly accepting the futility of fighting the Internet. The prime mnister himself has demonstrated that some form of online presence is a must these days, … Read More
Change must begin at the grassroots level
April 24, 2009APRIL 23 — There's little doubt that Malaysians are far more politically conscious today. We regularly discuss political developments, we're up to date on the latest scandals, and we've all sent or received text messages or e-mails that touch on Malaysian politics, solicited or otherwise. Plus, it seems as if a new blogger is coming on board every single … Read More
What status quo?
April 09, 2009APRIL 9 – The newspaper headlines were as delusional as ever, trying to paint the by-election results as a continuation of the status quo. The truth is that it’s anything but. The status quo is non-Muslims being afraid of PAS, not voting for its candidate more enthusiastically than the Malay community. The status quo is for a new administration to be … Read More
Roll up the sleeves after the rhetoric
April 03, 2009APRIL 2 — Empirically speaking, turning off lights for an hour isn’t going to win our battle against global warming, nor will it automatically bring about the dramatic change in attitudes and lifestyles needed to reverse the damage already done.Without progressive government policy, events such as last week’s Earth Hour end up being mere media fodder … Read More
Malaysia could go the way of the Philippines
March 19, 2009MARCH 19 — In the early 1960s, the Philippines was an economic power. In fact, during the era, the archipelago nation boasted one of the largest economies in Asia, behind only Japan.Today, while it remains an important part of Asean and the world community at large, it's safe to say that those glory days are long over. When most outsiders think of the … Read More
Hey guys, how about some follow-through?
March 12, 2009MARCH 12 — Almost three whole months have passed into this not-so-new year. Which makes it just about the right time to ask Malaysians a very important question: Have you or your passengers been buckling up in the rear seats of your cars?It's an important question to ask, not because I personally care about the safety of others on the road, but rather, to … Read More
The year of living dangerously
March 08, 2009MARCH 8 - It has been a year of spectacular highs and shocking lows, a year of living dramatically, if not downright dangerously.Yet, the past year has been remarkable not for scandalous behaviour and political theatre, but the manner in which an increasing number of Malaysians are taking responsibility for our nation's future. The most fundamental and … Read More
Is hypocrisy part of our national psyche?
February 20, 2009FEB 19 – Hypocrisy has always thrived in Malaysian life. In my mind, the emphasis we place on the symbolic and superficial, often at the expense of the truly consequential, is one of the defining characteristics of our national culture in the past few decades.It comes in many forms. We constantly use multiracialism and diversity as selling points to the … Read More
Small gains, still gains
February 13, 2009FEB 12 — Less than a year after March 8, things are not going well for Pakatan Rakyat.The state of Perak was taken from right underneath the coalition. Pakatan is also in a difficult position of standing up for what’s right and being portrayed as disrespectful of royalty.As if the Perak wasn’t trouble enough, the coalition has to deal with the fear of … Read More
Recent
- DAP agrees to reveal assets publicly, rubbishes ‘secret declaration’ to MACC
- As thousands rally in Kedah, Mahfuz warns BN against needless spats
- Maiden SOSMA case collapse highlights post-ISA learning curve
- Cops confirm reports of journalists’ assault at Penang vigil
- Sabah agency to probe rapist’s marriage with child victim
- DAP sedia isytihar aset walaupun SPRM kurang kredibiliti
- Ribuan hadiri perhimpunan Kedah, Mahfuz beri amaran kepada BN jangan cari pasal
- Malaysia komited tingkat kualiti hidup melalui pendidikan, kata Muhyiddin
- Wakil Pakatan akan gunakan kekuatan parlimen untuk sekat persempadanan semula tidak adila
- Menteri, ADUN Sarawak dapat kenaikan gaji