Among all ASEAN countries, only Malaysia's and Thailand's rankings dipped. But Thailand had fallen only four places while Malaysia had fallen nine places. Meanwhile, Indonesia achieved greatest improvement among ASEAN countries as it rose to 111 from 126 last year. By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily

Among all ASEAN countries, only Malaysia's and Thailand's rankings dipped. But Thailand had fallen only four places while Malaysia had fallen nine places. Meanwhile, Indonesia achieved greatest improvement among ASEAN countries as it rose to 111 from 126 last year. By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily

Whatever the facts of the case may be, it remains true that Asri is a unique individual in the contemporary Malaysian context: an ulama who is at ease dealing with the real issues of society, and whose appeal transcends ethnic and religious barriers. He has even been seen as a moderate voice among the country's non-Muslims. By Farish A. Noor, The Malaysian Insider

Whatever the facts of the case may be, it remains true that Asri is a unique individual in the contemporary Malaysian context: an ulama who is at ease dealing with the real issues of society, and whose appeal transcends ethnic and religious barriers. He has even been seen as a moderate voice among the country's non-Muslims. By Farish A. Noor, The Malaysian Insider

We work overtime without extra pay. We are neglecting our families to attend to others. We have to be clean, stay clean and appear to be clean every second. We will be scolded like dogs if we happen to make one mistake – there’s not really a chance for us to explain anything. By Tohkong Mosjid

We work overtime without extra pay. We are neglecting our families to attend to others. We have to be clean, stay clean and appear to be clean every second. We will be scolded like dogs if we happen to make one mistake – there’s not really a chance for us to explain anything. By Tohkong Mosjid

By Koon Yew Yin (CPI) It is an indictment of our system that IJM is able to compete internationally for contracts but yet is required to work as a sub-contractor to Bumiputera companies on the North-South Highway in Malaysia.

It is too dangerous to leave politics entirely to professional politicians and their political parties. There is plenty of room for political participation by the citizenry beyond the small circle of political parties. By Sim Kwang Yang, Malaysian Mirror

It is too dangerous to leave politics entirely to professional politicians and their political parties. There is plenty of room for political participation by the citizenry beyond the small circle of political parties. By Sim Kwang Yang, Malaysian Mirror

By Koon Yew Yin (CPI) It is an indictment of our system that IJM is able to compete internationally for contracts but yet is required to work as a sub-contractor to Bumiputera companies on the North-South Highway in Malaysia.

But without Nizar resigning, how could the post become vacant, and how could the Ruler appoint another mentri besar?  This is the mother of all questions that the judges must answer before any one can rule that Nizar has lost his post. By Kim Quek

But without Nizar resigning, how could the post become vacant, and how could the Ruler appoint another mentri besar?  This is the mother of all questions that the judges must answer before any one can rule that Nizar has lost his post. By Kim Quek

By Helen Ang, CPI Ordinary people whose paths may never have crossed that of our political ruling class are surprisingly resilient. Their preoccupation is with putting food on the table, not politics or patriotism. Making a living for their family keeps them thoroughly absorbed, and in any case, their orbits do not intersect with the bottom band of the heap – the hopeless and helpless who are sadly unable to cope.

By Helen Ang, CPI Ordinary people whose paths may never have crossed that of our political ruling class are surprisingly resilient. Their preoccupation is with putting food on the table, not politics or patriotism. Making a living for their family keeps them thoroughly absorbed, and in any case, their orbits do not intersect with the bottom band of the heap – the hopeless and helpless who are sadly unable to cope.

By Dr. Lim Teck Ghee (Centre for Policy Initiatives) We know that closed non-competitive tenders have for a long time been the norm in the Government and that this has led to cronyism and corruption on a massive scale. Is this also the case with R allocations? 

Pas leaders may be underestimating the severity of the rifts in the party over its position in Pakatan Rakyat, writes ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR, The New Straits Times

By Dr. Lim Teck Ghee (Centre for Policy Initiatives) We know that closed non-competitive tenders have for a long time been the norm in the Government and that this has led to cronyism and corruption on a massive scale. Is this also the case with R allocations? 

Pas leaders may be underestimating the severity of the rifts in the party over its position in Pakatan Rakyat, writes ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR, The New Straits Times

In his book Tok Mat revealed that PM Hussein wanted to “bring down the PAS government in Kelantan”. “To ensure the success of the campaign I deployed 300 officers and staff of the Information ministry’s special unit. By MOHSIN ABDULLAH, MySinchew

Our own laziness and lack of self-belief are producing high-handed action by some authorities. By AZMI SHAROM, The Star