http://thestar.com.my/columnists/ Update: Sunday, November 08, 2009 MYT 8:29:05 AM http://thestar.com.my/common/images/thestar_140x45.gif http://thestar.com.my/ 88 31 http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/behindtheheadlines/5069490&sec=behindtheheadlines The renewed US interest in this region is fine, but how far can it really go? http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/thestarsays/5069200&sec=thestarsays No sooner had the Malaysian Syariah Lawyers’ Association apologised to former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin for complaining about him to the King than the apology was retracted. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/onthebeat/5068650&sec=onthebeat The liberal lifestyle enjoyed by Malaysians is at stake if they support PAS leaders who, with their flowing robes and turbans, cut deals for power and position just like any other politician. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/joceline/5070004&sec=joceline PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayob was a very worried man at the start of the party’s political seminar yesterday. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/joceline/5056304&sec=joceline The boyish-looking Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin shot to fame during his tenure as mufti of Perlis but he is now under siege from Islamic groups who are questioning his standing as an ulama. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/stateside/5063238&sec=stateside While elections in a few US states this week saw mostly narrow margin fights, a Taiwanese migrant scored a landslide victory in New York to become city comptroller. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/eurofile/5063375&sec=eurofile The traditional Malacca House is Tourism Malaysia’s centrepiece at the world’s biggest tourism showcase in east London this week. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/thaitakes/5062619&sec=thaitakes Life as an occasional drag queen can be a drag, says Penangite. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/insightdownsouth/5063009&sec=insightdownsouth AFTER the rains come a little sunshine, and I’m not referring to the torrential downpours that have been hitting Singapore. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/28/columnists/musings/4980475&sec=musings All Malaysians should awaken to defend the rights of others to express themselves. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/5/columnists/wheelpower/5026850&sec=wheelpower CAT’s dog forum proved to be a howling success. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/3/columnists/articlesoflaw/5011978&sec=articlesoflaw There is nothing wrong with sub-contracting, but it must be for a legitimate purpose. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/1/columnists/vasthusastra/4999994&sec=vasthusastra A reader is building a home sweet home based on ancient rules of contruction. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/2/columnists/butthenagain/5003015&sec=butthenagain IT’S amazing the things we lie about. It’s also amazing the things we remember. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/3/29/columnists/mindmatters/3575613&sec=mindmatters It’s heartening for us that there are still nooks and corners in our country where issues of race and religion are totally irrelevant. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/6/columnists/whynot/5039771&sec=whynot Tourism is our second biggest revenue earner, yet it gets little consideration when it comes to drawing up long-term Government policies. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/5/columnists/alongthewatchtower/5043123&sec=alongthewatchtower Racist remarks should not be swept under the carpet, as this can only result in the entire party sharing the blame and bearing the consequences. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/5/columnists/midweek/5036049&sec=midweek NOW it’s official: Hamid Karzai is designated President of Afghanistan for another five years. But how much or how little of that term he will eventually serve is another matter. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/2/columnists/globaltrends/5023141&sec=globaltrends This week in Barcelona sees the last five days of global climate talks before Copenhagen. Several intractable issues have to be dealt with. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/2/columnists/indiadiary/5022501&sec=indiadiary Rebels armed with bows and arrows now threaten an India with highly unequal economic development. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/3/columnists/ikimviews/5028501&sec=ikimviews Diversity is natural, healthy and God-given. We only need to make our differences work well together. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/4/columnists/reflectingonthelaw/5036367&sec=reflectingonthelaw Regardless of size or power, no country or national leader is exempt from international humanitarian law. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/29/columnists/bravenewworld/4995302&sec=bravenewworld Those who should know better are forgetting the values enshrined in our Constitution, thus the Bar Council’s education campaign. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/madeinchina/5060673&sec=madeinchina How a simple youth from Pudong rose to become a most feared gangland leader a century ago. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/contradictheory/5038851&sec=contradictheory Digital money is extremely convenient to have, but should a private company have details about how you spend your money? http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/cultureculdesac/5045642&sec=cultureculdesac Our columnist offers tips to help lessen the dreaded death of the mind. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/1/columnists/senseofstyle/4987351&sec=senseofstyle DZIREENA MAHADZIR attended some events and found out the reason why she really love her job. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/architectureinsideout/5045110&sec=architectureinsideout A humble structure down south offers a glimpse of the way forward for Malaysian administrative architecture. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/4/columnists/ziyingbrush/5026930&sec=ziyingbrush Nothing beats travelling with like-minded friends. However, a companion with divergent interests can turn a journey into a bad dream. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/4/columnists/childwise/5026890&sec=childwise Cooking offers a great learning experience for young children. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/5/columnists/londonlog/5034066&sec=londonlog A PICTURE, as they say, tells a thousand words. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/30/columnists/nottoday/4988354&sec=nottoday When you’re hungry and miss home food, nothing is too expensive ... or is it? http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/28/columnists/thedoctorsays/4947781&sec=thedoctorsays Pregnant diabetics have to be vigilant as failure to control their blood glucose can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/sharingthenation/5063571&sec=sharingthenation The arrest of a progressive ulama has plunged many Malay­sians into further despair that this country is hurtling towards an implosion but it may prove a blessing in disguise. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/3/22/columnists/wideangle/3526166&sec=wideangle Our columnist makes his maiden parliamentary speech – in his living room. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/1/columnists/straythoughts/4989821&sec=straythoughts New technologies are not necessarily destroying us, but they are certainly changing us. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/31/columnists/navelgazer/4985282&sec=navelgazer At some point, most people think about abandoning the security of their jobs and pursuing their dream. How do you know if it’s the right thing to do? And what makes that decision worthwhile? http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/31/columnists/sambalontheside/4985310&sec=sambalontheside As a provocative film by a renowned German investigative journalist about ‘‘latent and blatant racism’’ in Germany plays in cinemas here, our columnist wonders whether it’s only race that needs addressing. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/6/columnists/questiontime/5054214&sec=questiontime Improving the quality of national schools will solve that and provide myriad other benefits too. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/aquestionofbusiness/5063303&sec=aquestionofbusiness P. Gunasegaram points out that the first step for Malaysia to move towards higher income is to let the currency rise. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/2/columnists/mondaystarters/5012387&sec=mondaystarters AS if Iceland does not have enough problems, McDonald’s has just announced the closure of its three restaurants there and said it has no plans to return. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/29/columnists/diplomaticallyspeaking/4977234&sec=diplomaticallyspeaking AN old saga with new actors. Boat people are again on the move. While the boats have been taking to the sea and the seas have been taking the boats for quite a while, the plight of boat people is once again grabbing world headlines. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/7/columnists/atyourservice/4832869&sec=atyourservice When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This saying applies to everyone, especially those in the industry. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/10/29/columnists/putiklada/4996251&sec=putiklada Reforms are needed in the Employment and Industrial Relations Acts to protect more Malaysian employees. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/yumcha/4905230&sec=yumcha The success of the Harry Potter books has inspired school teacher and textbook writer Khor Ewe Pin to pen a series that has now become a bestseller in the local Chinese publishing industry. http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2009/11/8/columnists/yumcha/5065064&sec=yumcha So what are the stories and characters that are sweeping so many children off their feet?