S
    Sri A.K. Rasa

    Sri A.K. Rasa

  • 10 reasons to celebrate Merdeka

    I was in the lift yesterday when I overheard three people talking about Merdeka Day on Aug 31. The snatch of conversation I heard revolved around the question: What is there to celebrate? A few days earlier, a friend said … Continue reading →

  • MH17: Let’s treat the living with dignity too

    The remains of 20 Malaysian victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash have been buried or cremated. Let’s hope the remains of the rest of the 43 Malaysians who were on board the ill-fated aircraft are brought home soon … Continue reading →

  • Militancy: Kudos to the police

    I saw a video that showed a group of Islamic State militants talking about themselves. It is titled ‘Grooming Children for Jihad: The Islamic State’. I was both saddened and shocked by it. Young children are being indoctrinated to hate … Continue reading →

  • That selfie could kill you

    On Aug.9, a Polish couple fell off a cliff in Portugal. It was not suicide; it was an accident. They were taking a selfie on the edge of the cliffs at Cabo da Roca on the west coast of Portugal … Continue reading →

  • Student’s Facebook posting: Teachable moment wasted

    I often hear parents complaining about the quality of today’s teachers. They say teachers are not as intelligent as one would expect them to be, or not as caring as one would expect them to be or not as dedicated … Continue reading →

  • Gaza: …and the people suffer

    I watched a programme yesterday on the Al Jazeera television channel on the attack on Gaza, and I am still distressed. The programme titled ‘Khuzaa: Attack and Aftermath’ showed the death and destruction that took place in a small town … Continue reading →

  • No more custodial deaths please

    Malaysians will surely welcome the ruling by the Court of Appeal yesterday that a public inquiry must be held whenever someone dies while in the custody of the authorities. It also affirmed that there must be zero tolerance for custodial … Continue reading →

  • Fight against racism gains ground

    A new non-governmental organisation is being formed to fight racism and religious extremism. Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah of Umno and Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa of PAS are collaborating on the formation of the NGO. Both men have shown by their words … Continue reading →

  • Breastfeeding and separation pangs

    For nine months, the foetus, the baby, is in the womb of the mother – safe and secure. Then it is born and immediately a separation occurs. The baby is no longer a part of the mother’s body. It is … Continue reading →

  • World War 1 and the Battle of Penang

    A hundred years ago this week, the first global conflict in the world began. And it set in motion many geopolitical quakes whose ramifications we continue to witness today. It was on July 28, 1914, that Austria declared war on … Continue reading →

  • Hari Raya Aidilfitri, football and Team Malaysia

    Three things never fail to bring Malaysians together: tragedies, festivals and sports (particularly football). We are seeing the solidarity now in the wake of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. People are united in their shock and grief over … Continue reading →

  • MH17: A lesson in handling sensitive issues

    Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has won praise for the way the government has so far handled the MH17 tragedy. He deserves it. I believe most, if not all, Malaysians would acknowledge that he did the proper thing by … Continue reading →

  • MH17: Stop this madness

    This is unbelievable and unacceptable. There is simply no respect for the dead. Being civilised means that one respects the dead and tries to give them a decent burial. But these guys involved in a conflict in Ukraine are simply … Continue reading →

  • MH17: The Ukrainian conflict reaches Malaysia

    Another tragedy. A total of 298 people are dead. My heart goes out to the families of the dead as I watch the pictures of the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. I feel sad; and helpless, too. Among those … Continue reading →

  • It’s about performance, not periods

    My wife is not very happy. Not with me, mind you, but with men who think that women are not qualified to hold positions such as that of Menteri Besar, or Chief Minister, just because they have periods. “I cannot … Continue reading →

  • 7 lessons from World Cup 2014

    What a show the Fifa World Cup 2014 was: It had plenty of sweat and tears; plenty of drama; plenty of joy; plenty of surprises; and some shocks. The biggest shock must surely be the 7-1 thrashing that football giant … Continue reading →

  • May 13 won’t happen again

    I don’t think Malaysia will see another May 13 tragedy. There are two main reasons: one, the ordinary Malaysian wants to live in peace and, two, Malaysians are more mature today and they can see through the deviousness of power … Continue reading →

  • Fasting and the unity of religions

    This month is considered a holy month by Muslims. They fast from dawn till dusk every day during Ramadan which ends with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. I admire the strength of those who go on a fast. Yes, you need … Continue reading →

  • World Cup: Costa Rica, Malaysia boleh and fairy tales

    I like fairy tales, which is why I will be cheering on the Costa Rica team when it takes on mighty Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil on Saturday. I would like to see this … Continue reading →

  • The Suarez bite at the University of Malaya

    I knew it would happen. I am only amazed that it took so long. Each time I read the results of surveys carried out by the University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel), I asked myself how come … Continue reading →