The Star Online: Columnists

Davos parties amid the gloom

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:42:50 GMT

The notable absence of a big Chinese delegation at the Davos World Economic Forum due to the Chinese New Year season gave the South-East Asian nations the opportunity to shine.

Form and substance in muamalat

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:42:50 GMT

The world is laden with permissible things, and the right attitude to hold is that we must find ways to make them indeed halal, rather than haram.

To give or not

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:41:26 GMT

Should a parent will his property to a child who is in debt?

Of couples who fight like cats and dogs

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:41:26 GMT

The couple that argues together stays together, say some.

It’s not just about pay cheque but also passion

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:39:15 GMT

AMONG the many stories that have emerged in the global excitement over the Facebook initial public offering (IPO), I find the one about David Choe to be most interesting.

New woes for developing nations

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:39:15 GMT

A South Centre conference last week warned that developing countries could be badly hit by the new global downturn, and also discussed the state of WTO negotiations.

Shahrizat down, but not out

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:39:15 GMT

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil looked serene and at peace when she returned from Mecca but there are rumblings on the Wanita Umno ground and the pressure is starting to build up again.

Food scheme feeds doubts

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:14:30 GMT

Experts are concerned that a scheme to extend food subsidy to more than half of India’s population will distort the country’s food economy.

Evolving with the times

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:14:30 GMT

DAP’s new Malay recruits are more likely to impress its non-Malay supporters than the Malay ground which it is trying to infiltrate but, in the long run, it is an astute move to tap into the changing urban demography.

Be vigilant about competition

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:14:29 GMT

Politicians must devote more attention to energising the economy in this period of economic uncertainties.

Down the tech tools and just talk it over

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:14:29 GMT

FROM all indications, the broad Internet community continues to broaden apace. Now the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is getting into the act with a special committee to produce guidelines for vetting online advertising.

Stick to the facts

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:42:52 GMT

Only then can we interpret the truth about history.

TNB’s woes continue unabated

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:49:12 GMT

P Gunasegaram traces TNB’s woes to the 90s and says what could be done to temporarily exit the doldrums.

Opposition at odds with one another

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:48:02 GMT

Eight months after the general election, the opposition parties are facing troubling times. Internal squabbling followed by mass resignations hit one party while several representatives are jostling for the 2016 battlegrounds.

When it gets too noisy to sleep

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:48:02 GMT

Every year, the eve and fifth day of the Chinese New Year is a nightmare for people in Beijing who want to sleep, no thanks to the din made by the fireworks and crackers that drag on the whole day till the wee hours of the morning.

Gridlock all the way home

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:48:39 GMT

The major festival periods next year fall on extended weekends and this can only mean more vehicles on the road and more headaches for us.

What lies ahead for social media

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:48:39 GMT

It is going to be a tempestuous year with more developments in the social media scene, and a digital war may erupt between Internet users, companies and governments.

Hang-ups over history

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:17:25 GMT

IT’S time to correct the inaccuracies and skewed viewpoints of historical events that have been ingrained as part of lessons in schools.

Quietude amid the revelry

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:17:25 GMT

Festive occasions are a good time to reflect on what’s important in life.

Pressing time for Shahrizat

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:17:25 GMT

DATUK Seri Shahrizat Jalil returns from Mecca tomorrow to face some very tough questions regarding her political future and the NFC typhoon that is threatening to blow her family off their feet.

Not another mandatory jail term, please

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:19 GMT

It’s time we got rid of mandatory sentences, starting with the death sentence.

Hate language still holds sway

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:19 GMT

Again and again in Malaysia, those who defend the rights of citizens to exercise their fundamental liberties are treated as offenders.

Back to basics

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:19 GMT

Our intrepid ‘tech-xplorer’ finally realises when enough is enough.

Medicine king of Jiangnan

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:18 GMT

Rising from rags to riches, Hangzhou merchant Hu Xueyan built a pharmaceutical business that continues to flourish today.

Prof Taj, signing off

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:18 GMT

In this last issue for this year, we say goodbye to our rebel professor and his column of radical ideas on how architecture can help unite a nation.