This is an opinion published by not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) on Wednesday, 9 May 2012. The Malaysian media encourages the misguided view that differences of opinion among members of political parties are unhealthy. Differing views are often portrayed as ‘squabbling’ or ‘spats’ or ‘rifts’ between members of the fraternity and indicative [...]

Advocates of PPSMI (Teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science in English) have not conceded defeat despite the Education Minister’s pronouncement that PPSMI is abolished effective January 2011, starting with Year 1. Though doors for appeals and discussion seem to be shut tight, PAGE’s (Parent Action Group for Education) resolve is undiminished; the quest to [...]

REFSA clarifies its non-partisan stand. —————————————————————– A flood of  questions on REFSA’s non-partisan stance has emerged following our Critique of the ETP (Economic Transformation Programme) series. We expected the doubts on our independence. After all, other than unveiling the dodgy data and questionable directions of the much-glorified ETP, our past analyses have also pointed out [...]

This is an open letter to Curtin University and Curtin Student Guild from independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) in Malaysia. Dear Curtin University and Curtin Student Guild, Please uphold the honour of (Dr) Rosmah, Curtin University, its alumni and its students The basis of the Honorary Doctorate of Letters[1] which Curtin [...]

This is an opinion published by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) on Wednesday, 11 Jan2012. — Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have advocated that Malaysia should shift from race-based affirmative action (AA) to need-based affirmative action[1]. The idea seems sensible and equitable. It appears we have finally discovered a wonderful formula that can [...]

This is an opinion published by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) on Wednesday, 21 Dec 2011. — REFSA disagrees with the proposed Computing Professionals Act 2011 (CPA). REFSA recognises the good intentions of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Information (MOSTI) to safeguard IT industry standards and “enhance the value of [...]

This is a statement by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Wednesday, 7 Dec2011 . ———— Malaysia’s heavy reliance on subsidised gas to generate electricity is being displayed in sharp relief. Our power generators are now burning very costly distillate fuel to generate electricity as gas supply has been curtailed [...]

This is an opinion by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Thursday, 24 Nov2011.  [Click here for the PDF version] ———— REFSA read with dismay news of the abrupt resignation of Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong.  Eddy, as he is popularly known, has been said to be instrumental in the [...]

This is a statement by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Wednesday, 9 Nov2011 following revelations in the Auditor-General’s  2010 Report and various media articles.   Many Malaysians love beef. But inadequate supplies and high prices of imported beef have been the bane of the man in the street. So, [...]

This is an opinion by independent, not-for-profit research institute REFSA (Research for Social Advancement) released on Monday, 7 Nov 2011 following an article published in the Sun newspaper on Monday, 31 Oct 2011. The above opinion had been submitted as a letter to the editor to the Sun last week, on 2 November. To the [...]