Since Merdeka (Independence) in 1957, the top 20% of income earners in Malaysia have benefited much more from economic growth than the bottom 40%. It is significant that the report of the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) on the New Economic Model (NEM) admits that, 'The bottom 40% of households have experienced the slowest growth of average income, earning less than RM 1,500 per month in 2008.' ....... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

The life and work of Kunta-Khadzhi Kishiev, a philosopher, who lived in the middle of the 19^th century, earned him the right to be called a saint. Why such a recognition?

The ideas of Kunta-Khadzhi were very popular among the poorest representatives of Chechen mountaineers during the first Caucasian war. Good in response to evil, modesty instead of excess, sincerity of thoughts and deeds and appeal to God are the main ideas preached by Kunta-Khadzhi Kishiev. He called on his fellow countrymen to refrain from carrying weapons or killing, which, in fact, was an appeal for not resisting evil with violence ....... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Chandra Muzaffar is Malaysia’s best-known public intellectual. A professor at the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, he recently assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of 1 Malaysia, a foundation set up by some concerned citizens to promote harmony between Malaysia’s various ethnic and religious communities. In this interview with Yoginder Sikand, he talks about the ongoing controversy in Malaysia in the wake of a recent court ruling permitting the country’s Christians (and other non-Muslims) to use the term ‘Allah’, which many Malaysian Muslims fiercely oppose.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Article by Latheef Farook

President Barack Obama’s overture to start peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel seems to be yet another “mirage”. So far all such moves by successive US administrations have only helped Israel to consolidate its grip on occupied Palestinian lands while hoodwinking the Palestinians whose almost nine decades of sufferings continue unabated. The question is how can the US ,guardian angel of Israel......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)