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I have a favourite definition for knowledge.  It allows one to know the difference between wrong and right, and also enables one to make choices about truth matters. But, if we have lots of information about a subject but cannot apply it to solve real problems, then we do not have real knowledge; just information […]

In an earlier article , I discussed the nature of federalism in Malaysia, and proposed that we are ‘inadvertently’ growing into a multi-layered federalism which was not originally provided for by the drafters of the constitution. Originally, only a three-layered federalism was envisaged; that of a federal government, state-level administration, and local authority level by-laws for good […]

There are two George Washington University (GWU) professors who study ‘applied Islamic values’ and use a framework they developed to classify and rate ‘how Muslim are the communities they study’. Apparently, New Zealand is number one on that list. My consequential question is, are they not using good ‘theory’, or is it that they are […]

My last three columns have related to the issue of, if or whether, we can and should seek to make hudud a common law reality in Malaysia. Obviously, I would not write four columns if I had no problems with such a local bylaw within the context of our Federation of Malaysia. Our problem with […]

I have studied animal behaviour, as per studies in social science, and human behaviour as per its application to responsible, conscious, and accountable conduct of human beings. What is the real difference between these two studies and results? A pack of dogs, even if they are tame individually, will turn aggressive with the power of […]

I have been a Petaling Jaya resident for almost 50 years, starting with Section 17 after campus, then Section 9 and finally, at Kampung Tunku, PJ for the last 30 years since we bought our home there. Therefore, technically and, as a payer of local taxes, I have legal and legitimate rights to question the […]

Shocking news article \’ Raping makes us feel free’: DR Congo’s soldiers reveal astonishing stories\’ . The title says it all. My question to all readers; are we still in the 21st century, or are we quickly reverting to the dark ages? Those dark ages are not very far off; it was called the ‘wild, wild, west’ […]

Does our inspector-general of police (IGP) know the law? After all he is our chief law enforcement officer. He should, after all he is sworn to uphold the federal constitution, and the constitution says of itself that ‘it is the supreme law of the federation’. He is the sole authority for upholding the constitution in […]

I have still not seen the written judgments of the seven judges; and yes, I think if you sit on the Federal Court bench, unless it is a unanimous judgment, there must be made available all their views, considerations, and judgments of each of the seven judges in writing. We need to develop this standard […]

I have some basic questions to the planners of the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) proposal. I need these questions answered, and as I wrote in my earlier column on this subject; I have locus standi as a 30-year rent paying resident of PJ to ask and seek the answers to these questions even before the Petaling […]