KJ

I have tried to follow the current US presidential elections closely as a way of learning about the nature of their democratic politics. I am especially interested to learn how a mature democracy prepares and identifies an appropriate candidate for the 50th US presidency. Of course, we are long way from becoming a republic but […]

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz is the daughter of the first Malaysian vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya and professor of Economics. He got his doctorate in Economics from Japan. She was also an Economics student of the then-Faculty of Economics and Administration between 1967-70. Her lecturers included former minister Rafidah Aziz and Dr […]

I was born in Sungai Petani, Kedah seven years before ‘Merdeka’, but I remember British headmasters, bank managers, plantation estate managers, and even some military officers being part and parcel of the Merdeka Generation of Malaya. Nevertheless, entering Universiti Malaya (UM) on May 11, 1969 for our first year was a special event. None of […]

We are a country of laws, but not yet a country of justice. We usually rule by law; but do not practice enough rule of law. Rule of law requires all of us to come under the same set of laws and rules. Today we are a rule of the few, for the few, and […]

How can a minister of our federal government encourage, “or em-courage and empower undisciplined and disobedient kids to break the law without regard, through organising and financing the breaking of multiple sets of laws, bylaws, and common sense?” This is Malay hedonism at its worst. My basic question to him is: Would you allow your […]

The Minister in charge of Islamic Affairs, a subsidiary member but still a full minister under the PM’s Department has promised that they will monitor Muslims who are liberal. Allow me to wonder aloud what that is all about? Who does that assertion really refer to? Please bear with me as my public wondering is […]

Friends, citizens, and Malaysians, allow me to say welcome to all present for our Green Dialogue about truth matters. We have collected and put on stage some of the best Green Minds and Hearts in Malaysia. Each of them has a deep heart and concern for good values and virtues related to the Green Environment […]

Our father, K John Kuruvilla, the last living sibling of that generation of Malaysians died on March 8, 2016 at 4.15pm. Mum left us earlier in 2008. Our ‘that generation of Malayans’ in Malaysia is now gone. They came as ‘Indians’ or, as Kerala Malayalees, because it was even before India was. He was 96; […]

What is the Citizens’ Declaration? The Citizens’ Declaration is a 37-paragraph statement issued by some ex-politicians of fame (or, is it infame) and many civil society individuals or CSIs in their personal capacity. Dr Mahathir Mohamad initiated it, then resigned from Umno, and now leads the signing of this document by citizens. Both Ambiga Sreenevasan […]

Why corruption needs a redefinition On Dec 18 last year, a team of us met with some of the leadership of this country related to integrity and corruption and argued that corruption involves more than financial exchange of money for wrong reasons. Mere evidence of improper transactions may not yet define this evil deed. Corruption […]