ALIRAN NEWS

In our cover story, Mohamed Hanipa looks at the constitutional impasse in Perak and the impact of the Court of Appeal’s decision favouring Zambry.

We reproduce a series of statements reflecting Aliran’s stand on the Perak power grab, the constitutional crisis and the judicial maneuvering. This is followed by a series of public statements from prominent personalities, mostly urging the BN team to go back to the Perak people and let them resolve the issue at the ballot box once and for all. Anil Netto looks at something that has not been discussed much: the mainstream media’s role in legitimising the power grab in the state executive as well as the legislature.

What we now have here is OnePerak! One state with two chief ministers, two Speakers and lots of other ‘unique achievements’, making it truly a one-of-a-kind state, observes Martin Jalleh. One colossal failure.

The political problems come at a time of increasing economic difficulties, leaving the lower-income group most vulnerable. John Inbaraj writes an open plea to the prime minister, urging him to ensure that the poor can walk with dignity.

Another marginalised group is the Orang Asli. Yogeswaran Subramaniam observes that principles such as equality and social justice seem to be missing from a proposed federal land policy for this group. Meanwhile, Dalbinder Singh Gill takes a look at the High Chaparral residents in Penang who are facing eviction following a controversial land swap.

Finally, Prof Bhanoji Rao reviews a new book looking at the emergence of India and the Indian communities in East Asia.Stay connected, current and committed to justice. We deliver the truth right to your doorstep every month for only RM30 a year -- which is far less than your newspaper bill each month. All you have to do is click here.

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Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) (National Consciousness Movement) 103 Medan Penaga, 11600 Penang, Malaysia Tel: +60 (0)4 658 5251 Fax: +60 (0)4 658 5197 e-mail: aliran@streamyx.com Website: http://www.aliran.com/ALIRAN is a reform movement dedicated to Justice, Freedom, and Solidarity and is listed on the roster of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations To subscribe to Aliran Monthly, click http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/subsform.htmlTo become an Aliran member, click http://www.aliran.com/content/view/2/8/To donate to Aliran, click http://www.aliran.com/content/view/1/7/ To subscribe to the Aliran e-mailing list, send an e-mail to alirankn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To subscribe to the Charter2000 e-mailing list, click charter2000-subscribe@yahoogroups.com