CNA – Interview on the Malaysian elections May 3rd 2013
Dear friends, I appeared on CNA earlier this morning to talk about the upcoming elections–two more days! I’m excited. Click on image below to watch: Continue reading CNA – Interview on the Malaysian elections May 3rd 2013
Cheeky Harry cartoon from Malaysia, 1983
Dear friends, given the recent hullabaloo over the arrest of a Singaporean cartoonist, and the fact that it’s Labour Day, I thought I might share a somewhat naughty cartoon that pokes fun of Lee Kuan Yew’s handling of workers (Pekerja), the opposition (Pembangkang), minority cultures (Kaum minoriti) and Chinese education (Pendidikan Cina).
This is the front cover of the Feb 1983 issue of a now defunct Malaysian bilingual monthly publication, Nadi Insan. This hangs on the “Press Freedom Wall” in Malaysiakini‘s KL office.
No disrespect to the old man; but I always find it interesting to see depictions of Malaysia and Singapore (and our leaders) by the other side.
I have so many questions about this cartoon: Did LKY do something particularly nasty in late 1982 to provoke this cover? What exactly does the caricature represent? It seems like he’s wearing a sumo outfit, but with the face and fangs of one of those scary Indonesian monsters. Comments, thoughts much appreciated. Continue reading “Cheeky Harry cartoon from Malaysia, 1983”
Talking honestly about race
Dear friends, I published an Op-ed on Yahoo! today about
the arrest of a Singaporean cartoonist last week. It’s depressing that the authorities continue to resort to harsh action to suppress commentary they dislike. Click here to read the article on Yahoo!
Or I have reproduced it below:
In order for Singaporean society to deal with race, religion and other sensitive issues in a mature way, they have to be discussed and debated publicly, not suppressed. Singapore needs to learn to talk honestly about race.
In that light, the most disturbing thing about the arrest last week of Leslie Chew, a Singaporean cartoonist, is that he appears to have been targeted for asking, through his cartoons, a very pertinent question: is there institutionalised discrimination against Malays in Singapore? Continue reading “Talking honestly about race”
Government bans “69″ sexual position
The Singapore government today banned the “69” sexual position following police reports that many residents in the posh Spanking Condominium complex have been engaging in the sexually unproductive act.
The National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) had called for the police investigation after observing abnormally low fertility rates at Spanking Condominium. According to the NPTD, the expected total fertility rate of Spanking residents is 0.1, which means that the average female “Spanker” has almost one child less than the average Singaporean. Continue reading “Government bans “69″ sexual position”
CNA – Views on the News Apr 23rd 2013
Dear friends, I appeared on CNA earlier this morning to talk about Japanese ministers visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, the Indian government providing state security for Mukesh Ambani and Google’s privacy breaches in Germany. Click here to watch. Continue reading CNA – Views on the News Apr 23rd 2013
Goodbye full time, Hello freelance
Though I am not given to soppy, soul-searching posts, I suppose there are times when life cries out for them. Up till a year ago, I was fairly certain I was going to spend the majority of my working life at The Economist Group, and now I find myself on the verge of leaving my job for the unpredictable world of freelancing. Easter Sunday is my last day.
Everybody has quibbles about their job; and life is no different here. Yet I think we have it better than most. Laissez faire culture; good work-life balance; stimulating environment for a writer; flat corporate structure; and lots of interesting work. (See my other post, “Our work at The Economist Group”.) Continue reading “Goodbye full time, Hello freelance”
CNA – Views on the News Mar 19th 2013
Dear friends, I appeared on CNA earlier this morning to talk about the proposed deposits levy in Cyprus, press regulation in the UK and, best of all, the return of David Bowie. Click here to watch. Continue reading CNA – Views on the News Mar 19th 2013
Floating on a Malayan Breeze: US book tour, April 2013
Dear friends, as I enter my last two weeks 
at The Economist Group, am getting increasingly nostalgic. I’ve had a wonderful seven years here, the longest I’ve spent at any institution–so feel like I’m losing a small part of me.
Thankfully, as part of my transition to full-time writing, I’ve got a great trip to the US to look forward to. Am very happy that this book tour has come together, partly because the US remains the most important market for English-language writing. Exciting!
For all of you based in the US, I’d love to see you sometime, perhaps at one of these events. For those based elsewhere, if you have any friends in these cities who might be interested in Malaya or my writing, please do share this page with them. Tell them to come support a Malayan author 🙂 Continue reading “Floating on a Malayan Breeze: US book tour, April 2013”
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
A few months ago I finished this
wonderful biography of Steve Jobs, who–along with Muhammad Ali–is, I reckon, the most inspirational figure in recent times. These are some of my favourite quotes from the book:
“The juice goes out of Christianity when it becomes too based on faith rather than on living like Jesus or seeing the world as Jesus saw it. I think different religions are different doors to the same house. Sometimes I think the house exists, and sometimes I don’t. It’s the great mystery.” Continue reading “Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson”
CNA – Views on the News Feb 21st 2013
Dear friends, I appeared on CNA earlier this morning to talk about Apple/Foxconn, the horsemeat scandal and proposed football goal-line technology. Click here to watch. Note to self: Stop swinging in the chair!!! Thought I had kicked the habit. Continue reading CNA – Views on the News Feb 21st 2013