KJ

I agree whole-heartedly with Citizen Nades’ core thesis in the Sun (July 7): that the third force of society often called the social sector, is fed up, tired and dismayed by the lack of leadership integrity in the government of the day. So, with Nades, I too sound my word of advice to Pak Lah. Please be […]

Last week, I attended a function where there were three speakers: a bishop, a teacher who specialises in leadership, and a minister who is also the head of a political party. Each addressed core issues related to truth versus perception. The bishop warned that ordinary people are confused between the truth and perception in Malaysia […]

I never thought I would see the day when a director-general and deputy director-general of a strategic government department would be remanded for investigations into corruption charges. The Anti Corruption Agency must be congratulated for taking such a bold step. Of course, seeing that our ACA is not really the brightest nor smartest outfit in […]

Rather interestingly, in the last few weeks there has been talk about dialogues. First, there were two articles in The Star about an ISIS sponsored Forum on Muslim-Christian Dialogue in the history of Islamic Civilisation. The talk was delivered by Syed Farid Alatas – the oldest son of the late Syed Hussain Alatas.He is an Associate Professor […]

The federal government was very upset when the US issued warnings about “due process fair play in the new Anwar Ibrahim trial, especially by the media.” Their caution and concern was only that Anwar be given a fair, transparent and open hearing in the yet unsubstantiated complaint. I am frankly amused by the PM’s argument […]

I have known Irene Fernandez and her family since about the 1960s. We were neighbours and I often say publicly \”that we all, as kids, used to play marbles, rounders, and kites together.\” Those were the days before TVs and computers, when life was simple and great fun. Therefore I know Rita, Josie, the late […]

I was not at the Bar Council forum as I was at another day-long forum. But, from what I have read, it looks like the police have fine-tuned the art and the practice of double standards in the enforcement of laws of this country. Ours is therefore not the rule of law but the rule […]

In sociology, culture is defined as beliefs, practices, and propositions which amplify a particular way for life. Therefore, if one wants to do a culture analysis, one must go below the surface of the visible portion of the ice-berg. It will then reveal the underlying beliefs, values, and assumptions which may tell an even greater […]

Dubai debacle of asset bubbles After the US-triggered financial crisis lead by the sub-prime asset bubble, another volcano is now erupting on this same model of \”ugly-capitalism\” driven by today\’s greedy economics. Amitai Etzioni, full professor at George Washington University wrote The Moral Dimension: Towards a New Economics , but because he was a sociologist, nobody in Economics […]

When the current KSN took office few years ago, I sent him a personal and private note suggesting 10 steps to improve the PTD service and move her from a role of subservience to the political masters and to become co-equals, as in the early days of this premier public service of Malaysia. I had […]