In search of common ground
Raja Petra KamarudinSome of you, or maybe all of you, may have noticed that Malaysia Today delights in focusing on two main issues. These two issues, which can be regarded as the two most sensitive…
Conflict or convergence: which will it be?
Raja Petra KamarudinIn 1998, Anwar Ibrahim launched the Reformasi Movement. Soon after that he was unceremoniously thrown into jail on what many believe were trumped-up charges of corruption and…
The NEP in the Islamic perspective
Raja Petra KamarudinWhen the government embarked on the move to introduce a common language for all, in this case our own National Language (in the beginning called Bahasa Kebangsaan), it was done…
The Republic of Malaysia
Raja Petra KamarudinMany bloggers in Malaysia Today seem extremely perturbed by Malaysia’s rulers and would like them removed and Malaysia turned into a republic. What kind of republic do you think…
Writing in blissful ignorance
Raja Petra KamarudinIf Prince Charles was Malay, he would have absolutely no problems with having more than one woman in his life. After all, his religion would allow him to have up to four wives, and…
The problem with Islam
Dr. JentayuThe last few weeks has seen Islam in Malaysia under siege. Beginning with the JAWI raid on Muslim patrons of a disco, the subsequent events has blown up a call by a group of NGOs for the…
Opportunity knocks but once
Raja Petra KamarudinIt is easy to be an ‘expert’ on hindsight. Speaking with foresight is more difficult.Anyone can be an expert when talking about the 1999 general elections, or the 2004 general…
The need for a marriage counsellor
Raja Petra KamarudinWhat Malaysians do not seem to grasp is that, before any disease can be cured, the disease must first be identified. If the doctor does not know what is wrong with you, how can he…
The three monkeys syndrome
Raja Petra KamarudinOne-time Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was one for launching concepts and slogans. Amongst one of his earlier campaigns was ‘Leadership by Example’. Basically, Dr…
Quotable Quotes
Raja Petra KamarudinQuestion : If you could live forever, would you and why?Answer : I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we…
Race-based politics, the barrier to racial integration
Raja Petra KamarudinMalaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government cannot create a separate branch or stream in the national education system that serves as a 100 per…
MELAYU
Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana,Nakalnya bersulam jenaka,Budi bahasanya tidak terkira,Kurang ajarnya tetap bersantun,Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.Melayu itu berani jika bersalah,Kecut takut…
Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku!
Raja Petra KamarudinMalaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, fondly and respectfully referred to as Pak Lah or ‘Father’ Lah, said that the plan to turn the Bukit Cahaya Agriculture Park in Shah…
The long and winding road
Peering into the heart of a born-again MuslimRaja Petra Kamarudin The long and winding road. That leads to your door. Will never disappear. I've seen that road before. It always leads me here.…
Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone
Raja Petra KamarudinI remember my Tok Guru (religious teacher) once telling me: why quarrel and fight over matters of sunat (optional) when matters of wajib (compulsory) are not yet resolved? For…
Terengganu: where the one-eyed man is king
Raja Petra KamarudinThe late Dato Andika who recently died at a ripe old age of 100 once told me that when he first arrived in Terengganu in the pre-war days (Second World War that is) the locals did…
Anger is good: it makes you stand up to be counted
Raja Petra KamarudinOne blogger going by the pseudonym of ‘zique’ posted this message in my Monday Morning Blues column, I am my own man:R. Petra Been watching you getting angry and angrier, while…
Is this the beginning of the end of the American Superpower?
The Last Waltz?By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTSCounterpunchThe US economy is headed toward crisis, and the political leadership of the country--if it can be called leadership--is preoccupied with nonexistent…
I am my own man
Raja Petra KamarudinI have read postings in Malaysia Today’s blog that said something to the effect the Chinese will never forget the May 13 tragedy and, one day, they will seek revenge. I would…
Committing political suicide
Raja Petra Kamarudin“Our national vision includes the challenge of establishing a matured, liberal and accepting society in which Malaysians of all colours and creed are free to practice and profess…
TNB: a den of thieves
Raja Petra KamarudinReading through Mr Pillai’s article today on Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) brings back ‘fond’ memories of my own experiences 15 to 20 years ago with that power giant.I had just left…
What in heaven’s name is politics?
Raja Petra KamarudinLittle Johnny goes to his dad and asks, “Dad, what is politics?”Dad says, “Well son, let me try to explain it to you this way. I’m the breadwinner of the family, so let's call me…
FLASHBACK – The Kangaroo Court that tried and convicted Anwar
Anwar Ibrahim is the first person in Malaysian history to be convicted for the crime of ‘corruption’ where no financial gain is involved. Normally, under the particular section of the law that Anwar…
Ohhh ISLAM HADHARI
Ahmad Fuad bin Abdul RahmanEver since I heard of ‘Islam Hadhari’ I was always anxious and determined to find out what kind of ‘animal’ it is. You see, I do not read the mainstream newspapers. Well,…
Pilehan raya atau pilehan jalan raya?
Is there hope for a change through the ballot box?Raja Petra KamarudinYesterday was Malaysia Today's first half-year anniversary (we were 'born' on 13 August 2004) and we 'celebrated' it by welcoming…
The REAL meaning of Kafir and Kufur
Raja Petra KamarudinMalaysia Today is only six months old and already the Federal Territory Mufti has called me jahil (ignorant), the Deputy Prime Minister has threatened to take action against me,…
A racist is a follower of Iblis
Raja Petra KamarudinMalays, being Muslims, are very careful about what they eat. Most Malays will not eat in a non-Muslim restaurant even if that eating establishment does not serve pork. Quite a few…
Did I insult Islam or did I insult Muslims?
Raja Petra KamarudinThis is what Malaysiakini reported on 4 February 2005:Pemuda PAS Wilayah Persekutuan hari ini membuat laporan polis terhadap tiga lamanweb yang didakwanya menghina Islam dan cuba…
The truth is out there somewhere
Raja Petra KamarudinHow much has Petronas earned since the mid-1970s until now, a period of about 30 years?How much did Petronas earn in the 22 or so years Dr Mahathir Mohamad was Prime Minister of…
A city of two tales
Raja Petra KamarudinSome of you have probably read ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, the story about the French Revolution. Well, in Malaysia we have ‘A City of Two Tales’, a story about the Malaysian ‘Islamic…
