Aziff Azuddin's Blog, page 4

Kelantan Economy: Assessment and Opportunity

A few months ago, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng revealed that Kelantan was the largest state debtor, requiring RM388 million in financial assistance from the federal government1. This came at the end of the federal government’s decision to then suspend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project that the government administration claimed was putting financial stress on the nation’s...

Open data: informing Malaysian decisions

Recently, Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh highlighted a major issue that’s been the stumbling block for policy research: open, accessible data. In her speech, she acknowledged how a data-driven approach could help with directing government resources to solve social problems efficiently and accurately. She described her challenge in solving issues in her ministry, with the lack of data sharing between government departments and an inadequate data collection methodology.

Hannah’s challenges, among...

For Britain: Reading Political Rhetoric

Recently, I picked up an unassuming leaflet. It seemed innocent enough, advocating against animal cruelty. The emotive photo of a cattle’s eye behind a metal grill communicated that. It wasn’t until I carefully read the copy on the flip-side of the leaflet did it occur to me; this was political rhetoric at its finest.

A brief introduction: For Britain is a UK far-right political movement. Its leadership is founded on anti-Islam and anti-EU principles, and though they do not have any...

Public Protests, Private Spaces?

“I’m sorry, sir. You’re not allowed to record here.” I was told to put away my audio recorder by a grim-looking security guard. I had only started rolling tape for less than a minute before the guard appeared from behind the bushes, stopping my interview session. This was midday in KLCC Park, during a weekday when many would prefer to be indoors than out. I ended up interviewing my respondent in a nearby mamak where the waiters didn’t bat an eye to the presence of an audio recording device.

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Postgraduate experience

It was almost midnight. I looked around and counted only myself and a handful of others – all of us diligently working. I stretched, forcing myself to look at something other than the white screen in front of me. My working space, as it has been for the past few months, consisted of my laptop, several books, a random meal and water. Sometimes, when I’m feeling for it, a cup of coffee – down to its dregs.

This was my life as a postgraduate student. Burying myself deep in academic texts and...

On discrimination against the hijab

This writing is in response to MCA’s Ng Chok Sin’s knee-jerk opinion published yesterday in the Malay Mail, titled “Shariah complaint dress codes for private sector?”. I normally would not address someone so directly, but his statement demanded a response.

His writing glaringly failed to examine the conditions of the industry he is commenting on and instead relied on cheap rhetoric. What he has conveniently side-stepped is the context that prompted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department...

What Umno means when they say ‘social media’

During Umno’s recent presidential debate, Zahid Hamidi pointed towards social media as his overarching strategy to win over the grassroots. His campaign ticket did not reference the reforms expressed by the other two candidates, Tengku Razaleigh and Khairy Jamaluddin. Zahid’s instead was an aggressive strategy, which was consistent with how he rebuked other component Barisan parties who had failed to muster enough wins in GE14.

Following that, Puteri Umno also echoed this strategy, harnessing...

Roma: Cobblestoned History

In Roman mythology, Rome was founded on the death of Remus, after a heated dispute with his twin-brother Romulus on where to lay the foundations of the ancient city. This myth serves a backdrop for the city and its people, not for the tale’s violent or aggressive elements – but for the display of will and determination that came after Remus’ death; a survival and enduring trait embodied by Romans throughout.

Located in the Mediterranian belt, Italy is generally predisposed to the sun and...