Top 10 news of 2005
Dec 28 - Article prepared by the malaysiakini team
Dec 28 - Article prepared by the malaysiakini team
Listen closely and you will hear it - 2005 stood out for the range and volume of noise emanating from several quarters.
Once the hushed horror and grief over the tragedy wreaked by the tsunami had worn off, Malaysians utilised their collective voice to keep politicians and policymakers on their toes.
There was outrage over the nude ear-squats and water privatisation; disgust with campus and law enforcement authorities; bedlam in Parliament; tell-tales in BN component parties; and even a shout or two from across the Straits of Malacca.
How much did this influence action and, more importantly, the mother of all solutions in each case? You decide, as we look back at the news items that shattered the peace in Malaysia.
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Aftershock in tsunami fund
The issue: The seabed off Sumatra shook - measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale - and unleashed a tsunami that swept over coastal regions around the Indian Ocean on Dec 26, 2004.
The death count mounted through the early months of the year and was finally estimated at 74 for Malaysia - both locally and abroad, with six others missing - as well as more than 165,000 in Indonesia and 30,000 in Sri Lanka and 8,000 in Thailand.
Once Malaysians came to terms with the immediate horror and grief, they joined in the global tidal wave of humanitarian assistance with a collection of RM78.9 million, of which RM51.4 million has been paid out in death compensation and recovery assistance in Penang and northern Kedah.
The main lessons did not go unlearned and the unprepared nations and their governments examined the creation of an effective early warning system for tsunamis. Malaysia has allocated RM19 million to install equipment by the end of 2005.
Already, periodic warnings on earthquakes are issued via SMS by the Meterological Department to those who have signed up for the service. This followed aftershocks that rocked parts of Malaysia in March, resulting from a second earthquake off Sumatra.
However, the disbursement of donations in Malaysia remains trapped in the usual bottlenecks. Reports filed six months after the tragedy revealed that many survivors were still waiting for the aid pledged to the worst affected areas.
There have been complaints of fraudulent use of the money. The Anti-Corruption Agency, said to be investigating these, has yet to provide information on its progress to date.
WHAT'S NEXT: The government has one last chance to dispel lingering resentment among survivors who felt sidelined in the disbursement of donations. Decisions on use of the balance of RM27.5 million will be keenly watched by both donors and recipients.
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Cops in squat-gate scandal
THE ISSUE: Malaysia, and more specifically the Royal Malaysian Police, shot to international stardom over an arresting video-clip revealing a nude woman being made to do ear-squats in front of a policewoman. The location turned out to be the locker room of the Petaling Jaya police station.
As this made headlines around the world, the nation was gripped in a speculative frenzy as to the identity of the woman and outrage over the indignity to which she had been subjected. It did not help the police case that four female Chinese nationals had in preceding weeks accused them of abusing their powers.
As a series of contradictory official statements fed the rumour mill, the public perception grew that the woman in the video-clip was also a Chinese national. This was seemingly confirmed when the government despatched a ministerial delegation to provide Beijing with an explanation.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry was hastily set up and on the second day of its hearing, news emerged that the woman was neither a foreigner nor of Chinese descent, as speculated, but a local Malay. The revelation set off another round of finger-pointing, this time at the media.
The police maintained that the Standing Orders provide for strip-searches and that nude-squats are the preferred approach to dislodging drugs or prohibited items in bodily orifices. Lawyers, among others, disagreed.
Even as the inquiry panel wrapped up evidence gathering, the focus shifted to conspiracy theories and the over-riding concern: why didnt the police immediately deny speculation that the woman in the video-clip was a Chinese national when they had known this all along?
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Home Minister Azmi Khalid and Deputy Internal Security Noh Go Home Omar led the damage limitation exercise with belated explanations, but many remain unconvinced with the spin.
WHAT'S NEXT: The inquiry panels report is due on Jan 15. This should define the parameters of conducting a body search including when a strip-search is justified and how this should be done. The police may choose to plug their ears and do diddly-squat about this, of course. As to why crucial information on the womans nationality was not timely revealed, that can go into our X-files.
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High drama in Parliament
The issue: Parliament saw several dramatic scenes over the year and none more so than on June 22, when MIC secretary-general S Sothinathan was suspended for three months as deputy minister. He was deemed to have breached Barisan Nasional discipline when debating the governments contentious decision to withdraw recognition for degrees awarded by the Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine.
During that infamous debate, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz yelled the word racist no less than 41 times - and later admitted this was targeted at both Sothinathan and DAPs M Kula Segaran.
Two other BN parliamentarians paid the price of being vocal over a different issue. Outspoken Sri Gading MP Mohamed Aziz and Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin received a stern warning for supporting an opposition motion on disciplinary action against International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz in October over the Approved Permits issue.
There was no dearth of unparliamentary language either. BN-Jerai MP Badruddin Amiruldin told those do not like Malaysia being an Islamic state should just get out of Malaysia; he also labelled Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang as the damned bloody stupid old man and Ah Pek (old man) on another occasion. Deputy Minister M Kayveas repeatedly likened the opposition MPs to monkeys, but was eventually forced to withdraw his remark.
In April, the leaky roof let in rain water during a thunderstorm, forcing the last day of that sitting to be adjourned abruptly. Works Minister S Samy Vellus explanation in October was questioned in light of recent and expensive renovations to the Parliament building.
The year was also marked by a move to reclaim Parliaments administrative independence. Almost all MPs in the House staged a rare show of unity to urge the government to revive the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) 1963. The executives attempt to create a Parliament Department was rejected and watered down to a single administrative post.
WHAT'S NEXT: The genie is out of the bottle - claims that Parliament is being reformed will continue to be tested, and not just by the anticipated passage of the PSA. Watch too, for greater collaboration among MPs in resolving issues through caucuses and select committees. But their language - or BNs tolerance of dissent - is less likely to improve.
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The many faces of corruption
THE ISSUE: Federal Territories Minister Isa Samad probably knew the writing was on the wall when Umno found him guilty in June of buying votes ahead of the party election in September 2004.
The veteran politician had no choice but to resign from his cabinet post on Oct 17, after the finding was upheld. His only consolation was the halving of his six-year period of suspension from the party and all posts held.
Once the hushed horror and grief over the tragedy wreaked by the tsunami had worn off, Malaysians utilised their collective voice to keep politicians and policymakers on their toes.
There was outrage over the nude ear-squats and water privatisation; disgust with campus and law enforcement authorities; bedlam in Parliament; tell-tales in BN component parties; and even a shout or two from across the Straits of Malacca.
How much did this influence action and, more importantly, the mother of all solutions in each case? You decide, as we look back at the news items that shattered the peace in Malaysia.
The issue: The seabed off Sumatra shook - measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale - and unleashed a tsunami that swept over coastal regions around the Indian Ocean on Dec 26, 2004.
The death count mounted through the early months of the year and was finally estimated at 74 for Malaysia - both locally and abroad, with six others missing - as well as more than 165,000 in Indonesia and 30,000 in Sri Lanka and 8,000 in Thailand.
Once Malaysians came to terms with the immediate horror and grief, they joined in the global tidal wave of humanitarian assistance with a collection of RM78.9 million, of which RM51.4 million has been paid out in death compensation and recovery assistance in Penang and northern Kedah.
The main lessons did not go unlearned and the unprepared nations and their governments examined the creation of an effective early warning system for tsunamis. Malaysia has allocated RM19 million to install equipment by the end of 2005.
Already, periodic warnings on earthquakes are issued via SMS by the Meterological Department to those who have signed up for the service. This followed aftershocks that rocked parts of Malaysia in March, resulting from a second earthquake off Sumatra.
However, the disbursement of donations in Malaysia remains trapped in the usual bottlenecks. Reports filed six months after the tragedy revealed that many survivors were still waiting for the aid pledged to the worst affected areas.
There have been complaints of fraudulent use of the money. The Anti-Corruption Agency, said to be investigating these, has yet to provide information on its progress to date.
WHAT'S NEXT: The government has one last chance to dispel lingering resentment among survivors who felt sidelined in the disbursement of donations. Decisions on use of the balance of RM27.5 million will be keenly watched by both donors and recipients.
THE ISSUE: Malaysia, and more specifically the Royal Malaysian Police, shot to international stardom over an arresting video-clip revealing a nude woman being made to do ear-squats in front of a policewoman. The location turned out to be the locker room of the Petaling Jaya police station.
As this made headlines around the world, the nation was gripped in a speculative frenzy as to the identity of the woman and outrage over the indignity to which she had been subjected. It did not help the police case that four female Chinese nationals had in preceding weeks accused them of abusing their powers.
As a series of contradictory official statements fed the rumour mill, the public perception grew that the woman in the video-clip was also a Chinese national. This was seemingly confirmed when the government despatched a ministerial delegation to provide Beijing with an explanation.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry was hastily set up and on the second day of its hearing, news emerged that the woman was neither a foreigner nor of Chinese descent, as speculated, but a local Malay. The revelation set off another round of finger-pointing, this time at the media.
The police maintained that the Standing Orders provide for strip-searches and that nude-squats are the preferred approach to dislodging drugs or prohibited items in bodily orifices. Lawyers, among others, disagreed.
Even as the inquiry panel wrapped up evidence gathering, the focus shifted to conspiracy theories and the over-riding concern: why didnt the police immediately deny speculation that the woman in the video-clip was a Chinese national when they had known this all along?
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Home Minister Azmi Khalid and Deputy Internal Security Noh Go Home Omar led the damage limitation exercise with belated explanations, but many remain unconvinced with the spin.
WHAT'S NEXT: The inquiry panels report is due on Jan 15. This should define the parameters of conducting a body search including when a strip-search is justified and how this should be done. The police may choose to plug their ears and do diddly-squat about this, of course. As to why crucial information on the womans nationality was not timely revealed, that can go into our X-files.
The issue: Parliament saw several dramatic scenes over the year and none more so than on June 22, when MIC secretary-general S Sothinathan was suspended for three months as deputy minister. He was deemed to have breached Barisan Nasional discipline when debating the governments contentious decision to withdraw recognition for degrees awarded by the Crimea State Medical University in Ukraine.
During that infamous debate, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz yelled the word racist no less than 41 times - and later admitted this was targeted at both Sothinathan and DAPs M Kula Segaran.
Two other BN parliamentarians paid the price of being vocal over a different issue. Outspoken Sri Gading MP Mohamed Aziz and Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin received a stern warning for supporting an opposition motion on disciplinary action against International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz in October over the Approved Permits issue.
There was no dearth of unparliamentary language either. BN-Jerai MP Badruddin Amiruldin told those do not like Malaysia being an Islamic state should just get out of Malaysia; he also labelled Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang as the damned bloody stupid old man and Ah Pek (old man) on another occasion. Deputy Minister M Kayveas repeatedly likened the opposition MPs to monkeys, but was eventually forced to withdraw his remark.
In April, the leaky roof let in rain water during a thunderstorm, forcing the last day of that sitting to be adjourned abruptly. Works Minister S Samy Vellus explanation in October was questioned in light of recent and expensive renovations to the Parliament building.
The year was also marked by a move to reclaim Parliaments administrative independence. Almost all MPs in the House staged a rare show of unity to urge the government to revive the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) 1963. The executives attempt to create a Parliament Department was rejected and watered down to a single administrative post.
WHAT'S NEXT: The genie is out of the bottle - claims that Parliament is being reformed will continue to be tested, and not just by the anticipated passage of the PSA. Watch too, for greater collaboration among MPs in resolving issues through caucuses and select committees. But their language - or BNs tolerance of dissent - is less likely to improve.
THE ISSUE: Federal Territories Minister Isa Samad probably knew the writing was on the wall when Umno found him guilty in June of buying votes ahead of the party election in September 2004.
The veteran politician had no choice but to resign from his cabinet post on Oct 17, after the finding was upheld. His only consolation was the halving of his six-year period of suspension from the party and all posts held.
Initially, a total of 69 party members had been hauled up before the Umno disciplinary board for election offences. Further allegations surfaced in a letter purportedly furnished by a Umno division leader which implicated 15 top leaders in vote-buying as well.
Despite national belief in, and backing for, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawis anti-corruption drive, the momentum began to flag because of uneven outcomes.
Enter malaysiakini with an April Fools prank that was intended to revive the debate and focus on corruption. All it did was to cause a flap in the other media and in government circles. Those taken in reacted instantly - even the fact the joke was revealed within minutes on the website had no effect on them.
The online news portal was accused of telling lies and the government insisted on investigating malaysiakini over the report.
On Oct 18, Transparency International Malaysia released its annual corruption perception index, in which Malaysia retained 39th spot, with a of 5.1 out of 10. The watchdog said the country still has a long way to go in stamping out corruption.
WHAT'S NEXT: More of the same, as the nation struggles to root out an endemic problem - the political will in this instance is not matched by public will. Dont expect those in officialdom to develop a sense of humour either.
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Year of disgrace for public universities
Despite national belief in, and backing for, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawis anti-corruption drive, the momentum began to flag because of uneven outcomes.
Enter malaysiakini with an April Fools prank that was intended to revive the debate and focus on corruption. All it did was to cause a flap in the other media and in government circles. Those taken in reacted instantly - even the fact the joke was revealed within minutes on the website had no effect on them.
The online news portal was accused of telling lies and the government insisted on investigating malaysiakini over the report.
On Oct 18, Transparency International Malaysia released its annual corruption perception index, in which Malaysia retained 39th spot, with a of 5.1 out of 10. The watchdog said the country still has a long way to go in stamping out corruption.
WHAT'S NEXT: More of the same, as the nation struggles to root out an endemic problem - the political will in this instance is not matched by public will. Dont expect those in officialdom to develop a sense of humour either.
THE ISSUE: Credence was lent to claims that the public university system is politicised and riddled with bureaucracy -
three academics were shown the door for trivial reasons for reasons that had nothing to do with their ability to teach.
In March, Universiti Utara Malaysia, the service of lecturers Dr Azly Abdul Rahman and Dr Mutiara Mohamad was terminated because they refused to sign the Akujanji (pledge of loyalty), required of all public sector employees.
In May, Universiti Malaya economics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Edmund Terrence Gomez was forced to resign when his application for leave was rejected. However, premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawis intervention saw to it that he could go to Geneva to head a United Nations research project for two years without giving up his university post.
The same month, it was reported that Higher Education Minister Shafie Mohd Salleh had ordered University Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Zohadie Bardaie to resign from his post after he recited a pantun at a function which allegedly ridiculed the minister. In December, the vice-chancellor did indeed resign - his tenure, which began on April 18, 2001, ends on Jan 5, 2006.
In August, outspoken political science professor P Ramasamy of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia inexplicably had his contract terminated; he had been retained after retiring from the same university. UKMs loss was DAPs gain, for he immediately became a party member.
Throughout the ruckus raised in each case, Shafie was forced to field queries about transparency in public universities, although his defence of the decisions earned universal derision.
During the campus elections in September, allegations of malpractice surfaced yet again. This time around, the situation so incensed anti-establishment groups that they encouraged a boycott of the elections and protested outside Parliament. Disciplinary action has been instituted against certain students in a number of universities.
Controversially, too, the Health Ministry decided to derecognise degrees from the Ukraine-based Crimea State Medical University in June. The decision will take effect from January 2006.
In November, the year of ignominy for public universities was complete when Universiti Malayas ranking plunged from 89th place last year to 169th position in the Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings 2005. Universiti Sains Malaysia fell out of the ranking altogether.
WHAT'S NEXT: Some would like to believe that the only way is up for public universities and their leaders. Others are less charitable - they expect Shafies head to roll if and when there is a cabinet reshuffle.
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Divisions over NEP revival
THE ISSUE: Not everyone liked it when the New Economic Policy (NEP) was implemented in 1970 and breathed a huge sigh of relief when its shelf-life expired in 1990. But wait, did they exhale too soon?
In March, Universiti Utara Malaysia, the service of lecturers Dr Azly Abdul Rahman and Dr Mutiara Mohamad was terminated because they refused to sign the Akujanji (pledge of loyalty), required of all public sector employees.
In May, Universiti Malaya economics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Edmund Terrence Gomez was forced to resign when his application for leave was rejected. However, premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawis intervention saw to it that he could go to Geneva to head a United Nations research project for two years without giving up his university post.
The same month, it was reported that Higher Education Minister Shafie Mohd Salleh had ordered University Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Zohadie Bardaie to resign from his post after he recited a pantun at a function which allegedly ridiculed the minister. In December, the vice-chancellor did indeed resign - his tenure, which began on April 18, 2001, ends on Jan 5, 2006.
In August, outspoken political science professor P Ramasamy of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia inexplicably had his contract terminated; he had been retained after retiring from the same university. UKMs loss was DAPs gain, for he immediately became a party member.
Throughout the ruckus raised in each case, Shafie was forced to field queries about transparency in public universities, although his defence of the decisions earned universal derision.
During the campus elections in September, allegations of malpractice surfaced yet again. This time around, the situation so incensed anti-establishment groups that they encouraged a boycott of the elections and protested outside Parliament. Disciplinary action has been instituted against certain students in a number of universities.
Controversially, too, the Health Ministry decided to derecognise degrees from the Ukraine-based Crimea State Medical University in June. The decision will take effect from January 2006.
In November, the year of ignominy for public universities was complete when Universiti Malayas ranking plunged from 89th place last year to 169th position in the Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings 2005. Universiti Sains Malaysia fell out of the ranking altogether.
WHAT'S NEXT: Some would like to believe that the only way is up for public universities and their leaders. Others are less charitable - they expect Shafies head to roll if and when there is a cabinet reshuffle.
THE ISSUE: Not everyone liked it when the New Economic Policy (NEP) was implemented in 1970 and breathed a huge sigh of relief when its shelf-life expired in 1990. But wait, did they exhale too soon?
Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein waved a keris at the Umno general assembly in July, pledging to uphold Malay privileges as he called for a revival of the NEP.
The non-bumiputera community including MCA and Gerakan leaders had predictable reactions, leading to suspicion and resentment being revived in other quarters as well.
Gerakan minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik was embroiled in controversy when he called on Malaysians to do away with the narrow communal slant of the NEP. He was immediately accused by Malay dailies of trying to breach the social contract, and was subsequently forced to explain his stance to the cabinet.
Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported as saying he is supportive of the NEP concept as a primary economic policy. Little is known about the proposed New National Agenda.
WHAT'S NEXT: 2006 marks the start of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which will take the nation to the halfway point in its bid to build a Bangsa Malaysia by 2020. There is little doubt that race-based strategies will be retained, but at what cost to the national psyche?
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MCA, Gerakan polls: Must-win matches
THE ISSUE: The two largest Chinese-based political parties MCA and Gerakan held elections in the same month - August. Both recorded a tough fight for posts at all levels amidst vigorous campaigning that saw the gloves come off in very public displays.
MCA incumbents Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy were looking for a mandate to affirm their appointment as president and deputy president respectively, under a peace pact brokered by former premier and BN chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The campaign got off to an exciting start when a heavyweight contender - former vice-president and one-time health minister Chua Chui Meng - took on Ong. Then secretary-general Ting Chew Peh and former Youth leader Chan Tse Yuen chose to challenge Chan.
Gerakan minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik was embroiled in controversy when he called on Malaysians to do away with the narrow communal slant of the NEP. He was immediately accused by Malay dailies of trying to breach the social contract, and was subsequently forced to explain his stance to the cabinet.
Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported as saying he is supportive of the NEP concept as a primary economic policy. Little is known about the proposed New National Agenda.
WHAT'S NEXT: 2006 marks the start of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which will take the nation to the halfway point in its bid to build a Bangsa Malaysia by 2020. There is little doubt that race-based strategies will be retained, but at what cost to the national psyche?
THE ISSUE: The two largest Chinese-based political parties MCA and Gerakan held elections in the same month - August. Both recorded a tough fight for posts at all levels amidst vigorous campaigning that saw the gloves come off in very public displays.
MCA incumbents Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy were looking for a mandate to affirm their appointment as president and deputy president respectively, under a peace pact brokered by former premier and BN chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The campaign got off to an exciting start when a heavyweight contender - former vice-president and one-time health minister Chua Chui Meng - took on Ong. Then secretary-general Ting Chew Peh and former Youth leader Chan Tse Yuen chose to challenge Chan.
Nine candidates vied for the four vice-presidential posts, while 46 hopefuls signed up to contest the 25 central committee member seats.
Ong and Chan survived the mud-slinging to retain their posts, but analysts had a field day with the unmistakable resistance shown to their leadership.
The Gerakan elections sparked equal excitement as long-time president Dr Lim Keng Yaik was challenged by heir apparent-turned-nemesis Kerk Choo Ting.
Lims favoured successor Dr Koh Tsu Khoon won the deputy presidents post unchallenged, but there was a rowdy five-cornered fight to fill the three vice-presidents seats - Dr S Vijayaratnam, Dr Teng Hock Nan, Chang Ko Youn, Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Rhina Bhar all contested.
Lim secured his fifth consecutive victory as president but not without conceding a substantial percentage of the votes to his opponent.
WHAT'S NEXT: No major policy changes are expected under the new leadership in either party. In MCA, though, the endorsement of Ong and Chan may result in greater emphasis on the Chinese agenda against the BN backdrop, since the two leaders were educated in the vernacular system. In Gerakan, Koh appears to have been endorsed as the future leader when Lim steps down in 2007.
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Cold water over privatisation plan
THE ISSUE: The push to privatise the lucrative water-supply sector was pushed right back to the drawing board, with a citizens coalition being given rare credit for this - by the government, no less.
The government said it wanted to improve the management and quality of supply, distribution and related services. It cited acute water shortages in some states in recent years.
Wary consumers saw the potential for unbridled tariff hikes and the inevitable impact on poorer sections of society. Citing human rights, a coalition of interest-groups piled on the pressure.
It criticised the government for not consulting the rakyat and lobbied parliamentarians to withhold support for the two water bills that will enable implementation - Water Services Industry and National Water Services Commission.
In June, the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications caved in and called off the privatisation move. It also conceded what the coalition had pointed out all along - that the Penang model of corporatisation as a public-private partnership was indeed the better choice.
Once that realisation sank in, the ministry made the water bills public via its website in October in order to obtain public feedback. It has also started dialogues with the main stakeholders including the coalition and industry players, and is urging state governments towards corporatisation.
WHAT'S NEXT: Public consultations will be completed ahead of the April sitting of Parliament, during which the water bills will be tabled. The pressure is shifting even now to state governments to prepare for implementation. Those with privatised services may opt to switch to the corporatised model or feel the squeeze of external supervision. And long-suffering consumers may finally get clear water instead of teh-o from taps.
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Another amnesty, another exodus
THE ISSUE: For undocumented migrant workers, the year began on a bad note. Between both ends, the muddle of mixed messages, flip-flop policies, and dragnets continue.
Malaysias announcement in October 2004 that it was preparing to crackdown on undocumented migrants led human rights and labour groups, among others, to issue warnings that this would lead to abuse.
Ong and Chan survived the mud-slinging to retain their posts, but analysts had a field day with the unmistakable resistance shown to their leadership.
The Gerakan elections sparked equal excitement as long-time president Dr Lim Keng Yaik was challenged by heir apparent-turned-nemesis Kerk Choo Ting.
Lims favoured successor Dr Koh Tsu Khoon won the deputy presidents post unchallenged, but there was a rowdy five-cornered fight to fill the three vice-presidents seats - Dr S Vijayaratnam, Dr Teng Hock Nan, Chang Ko Youn, Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Rhina Bhar all contested.
Lim secured his fifth consecutive victory as president but not without conceding a substantial percentage of the votes to his opponent.
WHAT'S NEXT: No major policy changes are expected under the new leadership in either party. In MCA, though, the endorsement of Ong and Chan may result in greater emphasis on the Chinese agenda against the BN backdrop, since the two leaders were educated in the vernacular system. In Gerakan, Koh appears to have been endorsed as the future leader when Lim steps down in 2007.
THE ISSUE: The push to privatise the lucrative water-supply sector was pushed right back to the drawing board, with a citizens coalition being given rare credit for this - by the government, no less.
The government said it wanted to improve the management and quality of supply, distribution and related services. It cited acute water shortages in some states in recent years.
Wary consumers saw the potential for unbridled tariff hikes and the inevitable impact on poorer sections of society. Citing human rights, a coalition of interest-groups piled on the pressure.
It criticised the government for not consulting the rakyat and lobbied parliamentarians to withhold support for the two water bills that will enable implementation - Water Services Industry and National Water Services Commission.
In June, the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications caved in and called off the privatisation move. It also conceded what the coalition had pointed out all along - that the Penang model of corporatisation as a public-private partnership was indeed the better choice.
Once that realisation sank in, the ministry made the water bills public via its website in October in order to obtain public feedback. It has also started dialogues with the main stakeholders including the coalition and industry players, and is urging state governments towards corporatisation.
WHAT'S NEXT: Public consultations will be completed ahead of the April sitting of Parliament, during which the water bills will be tabled. The pressure is shifting even now to state governments to prepare for implementation. Those with privatised services may opt to switch to the corporatised model or feel the squeeze of external supervision. And long-suffering consumers may finally get clear water instead of teh-o from taps.
THE ISSUE: For undocumented migrant workers, the year began on a bad note. Between both ends, the muddle of mixed messages, flip-flop policies, and dragnets continue.
Malaysias announcement in October 2004 that it was preparing to crackdown on undocumented migrants led human rights and labour groups, among others, to issue warnings that this would lead to abuse.
After two requests for a postponement by Jakarta after the tsunami, the government adopted the soft approach of initially advising undocumented foreigners to return to their country of origin.
When the amnesty period expired on March 1, law enforcement teams swung into motion enlisting the help of the civilian reserve force. By the end of the second day, 563 undocumented migrants had been detained. By the third day, about 8,000 were in detention camps.
Conditions quickly deteriorated in the swollen camps, while a labour gap opened up in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing and services sectors.
Conditions quickly deteriorated in the swollen camps, while a labour gap opened up in the agricultural, construction, manufacturing and services sectors.
To address the shortage, plans were floated to hire refugees and re-hire those who had been deported, but this was stymied by red tape in major sending countries like Indonesia. One unanswered question was why the authorities did not legalise those already here instead of sending them back and rehiring them later.
In October, Home Minister Azmi Khalid said tamper-proof biometric identity cards would be issued by the end of 2005 to foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing and agricultural sectors and to restaurant workers.
WHAT'S NEXT: High-security documents have lasted only as long as it has taken some genius to figure out how to make and sell replicas. Expect this for the biometric cards, together with difficulties for foreign workers at street level where it really counts. For them, it will be same old, same old...
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Lane-change in language switch policy?
THE ISSUE: Two years ago, the government steamrolled its policy to switch to the English langauge in teaching Mathematics and Science in primary schools.
Although mother-tongue crusaders in the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities reluctantly accepted the decision, they have never given up on their cause to reverse the policy.
Chinese associations led by Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) have kept up the pressure on the government, and have been backed by oppositions parties as well as former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.
Dialogues were held in October between DJZ and the BNs Chinese-based parties MCA and Gerakan. After the dialogue, Gerakan deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Koon announced support for the DJZ stand, but came under a barrage of criticism from Umno leaders and Malay newspapers.
In October, Home Minister Azmi Khalid said tamper-proof biometric identity cards would be issued by the end of 2005 to foreign workers in the construction, manufacturing and agricultural sectors and to restaurant workers.
WHAT'S NEXT: High-security documents have lasted only as long as it has taken some genius to figure out how to make and sell replicas. Expect this for the biometric cards, together with difficulties for foreign workers at street level where it really counts. For them, it will be same old, same old...
THE ISSUE: Two years ago, the government steamrolled its policy to switch to the English langauge in teaching Mathematics and Science in primary schools.
Although mother-tongue crusaders in the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities reluctantly accepted the decision, they have never given up on their cause to reverse the policy.
Chinese associations led by Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) have kept up the pressure on the government, and have been backed by oppositions parties as well as former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.
Dialogues were held in October between DJZ and the BNs Chinese-based parties MCA and Gerakan. After the dialogue, Gerakan deputy president Dr Koh Tsu Koon announced support for the DJZ stand, but came under a barrage of criticism from Umno leaders and Malay newspapers.
MCA, too, was supportive of mother-tongue education as the medium of teaching the two subjects, but wisely chose to pursue the issue through BN channels.
In December, DJZ mobilised 4,000 supporters at a rally which also attracted a few Indian and Malay associations.
In December, DJZ mobilised 4,000 supporters at a rally which also attracted a few Indian and Malay associations.
Parallel movement within the Malay community saw two major events held in March and December - the Second Malay Education Congress and Congress for Malay Interest. Delegates at both urged the government to allow the subjects to be taught in Bahasa Malaysia again.
Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak all repeatedly stated that the policy is here to stay, and they found backing for this from MIC president S Samy Vellu.
In April, Hishammuddin revealed statistics to show that primary pupils had performed well under the new policy, although dissenters had doubts about this.
In April, Hishammuddin revealed statistics to show that primary pupils had performed well under the new policy, although dissenters had doubts about this.
In November, Abdullah instructed all BN parties to stop discussing the policy, saying the
government would maintain its policy.
Two weeks before the school year start, Hishammuddin finally announced that the dual language system will continue in Chinese schools Year 4 according to a new formula dubbed '6-2-3-2'.
Despite the usual protest from DJZ and opposition parties, the new formula was welcomed by MCA. Apart from Chinese schools - where the two subjects are being taught first in Chinese, then in English - other schools will have them solely in English.
WHAT'S NEXT: Protest will continue but the government is expected to stand its ground. However, problems such as the lack of qualified teachers to teach in English and pupils in rural areas having greater difficulties in coping with the new policy will haunt the government.
Two weeks before the school year start, Hishammuddin finally announced that the dual language system will continue in Chinese schools Year 4 according to a new formula dubbed '6-2-3-2'.
Despite the usual protest from DJZ and opposition parties, the new formula was welcomed by MCA. Apart from Chinese schools - where the two subjects are being taught first in Chinese, then in English - other schools will have them solely in English.
WHAT'S NEXT: Protest will continue but the government is expected to stand its ground. However, problems such as the lack of qualified teachers to teach in English and pupils in rural areas having greater difficulties in coping with the new policy will haunt the government.
Panduan untuk bakal pengantin & sudah berkahwin.. cara utk mengawal kewangan, meningkatkan dana kewangan utk berkahwin & sesudah berkahwin, berbelanja secara berhemah.. insha ALlah
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