Anwar At Crossroads Over Zul Noordin, Bernama, 270110

"Anwar looks like he is in a dilemma now, he has to make sacrifices between personal friendship and the interest of the party"
"You can agree and disagree but to what extent you want to sacrice the party interests? Some of Zulkifli's opinions did not carry weight and did not get the support of the PR. If DAP and PAS do not accept Zulkifli's opinion, then there will be some kind of crisis of confidence"
"It is also a choice between personal friends or party interests. Anwar is really at the crossroads now"
Full report, Bernama, 27 January 20101

Malaysia's Anwar Gears Up For Make-or-Break Sodomy Trial, Inter Press Service News Agency, 270110

"The trial can adversely impact his political career and that of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition that he leads and even the reformation struggle he has led for so long"
"It all depends on what happens at the trial and how case is handled, as the 1999 sodomy trial was a public relations disaster, with many people rejecting the guilty verdict that the court handed down.
Full report, Inter Press Service News Agency, 27 January 2010

Makkal Sakti Retak Rugikan Kaum India, Berita Harian, 260110

Dalam temubual bersama wartawan Berita Harian, saya menyatakan bahawa jika krisis kepimpinan berpanjangan, ramai yang akan meninggalkan parti berkenaan.
Artikel penuh, Berita Harian, 26 Januari 2010

End Game For MMSP?, Malaysiakini, 220110

.... if they continue to sack, what will happen to the party?
In the absence of any infighting, MMSP could ride on the Hindraf wave to spread its influence among the Indian community.
Full article, Malaysiakini, 22 January 2010

Cah Keting: Sign Of PAS Leadership Crisis?, Bernama, 190110

Cah Keting is not a new issue. Perhaps the real issue is the leadership crisis in Kelantan PAS!Also, the Kelantan PAS' real challenge is keeping its grip on kelantan in the post-Nik Aziz era.
Full article, Bernama, 19 January 2010

Wooing Voters Through Middle Path Approach, Bernama 180110

My understanding from DAP's 'Middle Path' approach is to attract the growing number of 'fence sitters' who are very much influenced by issues.
At the same time, BN need to find a better way of wooing the fence sitters and of serving the interest of young voters and the middle class group as the majority of them do not belong to any political party.
Full article: Bernama,18 January 2010

Pemecatan Thanenthiran Dianggap Sah, Sinar Harian 180110

Dalam temubual dengan akhbar Sinar Harian, saya menyatakan bahawa:-

'Kemelut kepimpinan dalaman ini harus diatasi dengan segera jika mahu dilihat sebagai parti pilihan alternatif kepada masyarakat India'. Artikel penuh di Sinar Harian, 18 Januari 2010

In 'Allah' Issue, PAS May Have Found A Game-changer, Malaysian Insider 140110

In an interview with the Malaysian Insider, I said:-

'After March 8, people tend to link all the wrongdoings to UMNO'; 'PM Najib Razak has been doing the right things, there is a lack of collective effort'; 'PAS was seen as extreme party back then, but the emergence of younger leaders has helped in garnering the support that UMNO had previously'. Full article, Malaysian Insider, 14 January 2010

Fence Sitter As Kingmakers In The Next Polls; Malaysiakini 140110

My interview with Malaysiakini:-

'Fence sitters are going to play the key role in deciding the winner of next election'. Full article, Malaysiakini, 14 January 2010

Have Faith In Dialogues, Say Leaders; NST 100110

In an interview with New Sunday Times, I said:-

" ...the right thing to do now is for everyone to respect the right that is enshrined in our Constitution and make sure whatever action taken does not jeopardise all that we have achieved". Full report, NST, 10 January 2010.

Thrid Front Can Empower The People, Malaysiakini, 070110

My interview with Malaysiakini, 07 January 2010

A third political coalition would be an exciting prospect for the growth of democracy in the nation, said a local academician.
Hailing it as a “good, progressive idea”, academic Sivamurugan Pandian said a third force would ensure that the people have a viable choice among three political coalitions, unlike now. Full Report, Malaysiakini, 07 January 2010

Sub Judice In Jeopardy As Leaders Rush To Speak Out; NST 060110

My interview on 'Leaders and Freedom of Expression':-

"... Sivamurugan acknowledged that while public figures have the responsibility to lead by example, they also have the right to speak their minds. But he stressed that leaders must remember that getting into the thick of things may not be the best way to share their opinions". Full Report New Straits Times, 6 January 2010.

I agree with Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan whose interview focused on 'People and Freedom of Expression' that "... there will be people for and against (an issue). As long as it is done in an open and democratic space, and responsibility is taken for statements made, I think it is very healthy", he said.

Too Many Political Parties Not Good, Says Don; The Star 040110

GEORGE TOWN: The mushrooming of smaller political parties in the past year does not augur well for the country as it can further divide communities, especially if they are championing the plight of minorities, a political scientist here said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Science Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said these parties might look good on paper but in reality, they could further divide the communities. Full report; The Star 040110.

UMNO Dan PAS Harus Duduk Semeja@Sinar Harian 030110

Dalam temubual bersama wartawan Sinar Harian, saya menyatakan bahawa PAS dan UMNO boleh duduk semeja dalam isu-isu tertentu yang juga memaparkan kematangan berpolitik kedua-dua parti tersebut. Laporan penuh hlm.N4.

Pindaan Demi Kebaikan Negara@Mingguan Malaysia 030110

Dalam ruangan wawancara oleh wartawan MM dengan Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd.Yusof (Pengerusi SPR), pandangan saya yang turut disiarkan adalah:-

'Pandangan saya perkara ini mungkin boleh dilakukan untuk tempoh percubaan dahulu ....';hlm.7 untuk pandangan penuh.

‘Pelihara Institusi Demokrasi Berparlimen’, Utusan Malaysia, 20 November 2009

SEWAKTU merasmikan pameran "Demokrasi Berparlimen Tonggak Pemerintahan Negara" di bangunan Parlimen pada 2007, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menyatakan, "status Parlimen kekal penting kepada tadbir urus negara". Perlembagaan Persekutuan Bahagian 4 Fasal 44 menyatakan, kuasa undang-undang Persekutuan Tanah Melayu terserah kepada Parlimen yang merangkumi Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Dewan Rakyat dan Dewan Negara.

Tahun ini merupakan tahun bersejarah bagi amalan demokrasi berparlimen Malaysia. Ini kerana genap 50 tahun amalan tersebut dipertahan dan diberi pengiktirafan sewajarnya. Ia bersesuaian dengan perkara yang dipersetujui dalam rundingan kemerdekaan di London pada 18 Januari hingga 6 Februari 1956.

Pembinaan negara ini walaupun tidak melalui proses pertumpahan darah, tetapi ia juga tidak datang dengan mudah.

Klik sini untuk artikel lengkap.

‘Raikan Hari Raya Bersama Kaum Lain’, Utusan Malaysia, 19 September 2009

Rakan-rakan 1 Malaysia, Siti Rokiah Ibrahim, (kiri) V. Shanti, Janet Tee Siew Mooi dan Sauyah Che Ros bersama-sama membuat ketupat pada majlis perasmian pameran Nostalgia Sajian Raya di Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Setiap kali menyambut kedatangan Hari Raya Aidilfitri, nyanyian lagu P. Ramlee Dendang Perantaumahupun M. Nasir Satu Hari Di Hari Raya pasti berkumandang di peti televisyen mahupun radio dalam mana-mana rangkaian media, baik berbahasa Melayu, Inggeris, Cina ataupun India.

Ramai yang bertanggapan bahawa sebaik sahaja lagu tersebut dimainkan, maka bermula juga mood Aidilfitri. Banyak lagu lain turut dimainkan terutama nyanyian Jamal Abdillah ataupun Sudirman Haji Arshad yang masih segar dalam kehidupan masyarakat Malaysia.

Suasana di Malaysia berbeza dengan negara-negara lain yang menyambut perayaan ini. Dalam konteks negara majmuk yang terdiri daripada pelbagai kumpulan etnik, kehadiran pelbagai perayaan menggambarkan suasana kepelbagaian dan sejauh mana ia turut diraikan bersama untuk menunjukkan wujudnya nilai 'kemuafakatan'; di samping tanda bermulanya bulan Syawal dan berakhirnya bulan Ramadan serta memenuhi hukum Islam yang ketiga bagi masyarakat beragama Islam.

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‘6 KRA Najib: Penentu Survival BN’, Utusan Malaysia, 14 Julai 2009

Pada 11 Julai 2009, genap 100 hari Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mentadbir negara. Pelbagai penilaian diberikan ke atas kepimpinan beliau; ada yang bersifat positif dan ada yang negatif.

Namun begitu yang menarik adalah kesungguhan beliau untuk mengurus krisis kepercayaan, kesetiaan dan keyakinan dalam kalangan warga Malaysia. Lahir Indeks Petunjuk Prestasi (KPI) yang dijadikan sebagai penanda aras atau kayu pengukur ke atas kewibawaan kepimpinan beliau.

Di samping '11 Hadiah Rakyat' yang mencakupi unsur ekonomi dan sosial, beliau muncul dengan enam Bidang Keberhasilan Utama (KRA) yang akan dijadikan sebagai 'petunjuk' sepanjang beliau memimpin supaya dapat mencapai matlamat KPI.

Keenam-enam bidang tersebut adalah mencegah jenayah, memerangi rasuah, meluaskan akses kepada pendidikan berkualiti dan berkemampuan dan meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat berpendapatan rendah serta memperkasa prasarana luar bandar dan pedalaman dan meningkatkan tahap pengangkutan.

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‘Dimensi Najib 1 Malaysia’, Utusan Malaysia, 11 Julai 2009

‘Perpaduan Agenda 2009’, Utusan Malaysia, 1 Januari 2009

KITA melangkah ke tahun 2009 dengan dipenuhi keyakinan dalam keadaan tidak menentu selepas menyaksikan satu tahun yang penuh dengan kejutan, sandiwara, ramalan, drama, krisis dan tidak kurang keadaan di luar kawalan dan jangkaan.

Krisis ekonomi global pula diramal akan menjadi lebih buruk dan tempiasnya sudah pun dirasai di negara ini. Ada juga yang membuat spekulasi bahawa tahun 2009 bakal diwarnai dengan konflik antara negara-bangsa dan ketegangan hubungan antara kaum dalam sesebuah negara akibat desakan dalaman dan luaran.

Jika tahun 2008 menyaksikan kesungguhan golongan tertentu untuk berubah; kini ia menimbulkan dilema. Adakah perubahan yang mahu dibawa menjanjikan keamanan dan keharmonian?

Klik sini untuk artikel lengkap.