North Korea: Paper Lauds Military-First Politics, Urges Depending On Own Strength

Excerpt from article by Kim Ho-song, entitled: “Revolution and construction under military-first banner on our own strength”; published by North Korean newspaper Nodong Sinmun on 12 November
Today, our military-first politics is highly displaying its might as an invincible banner, vigorously advancing the independent cause of the popular masses. Our military-first politics is the embodiment of the juche idea Kim Il-sung’s ideology promoting a self-sufficient, closed society – the guiding ideology of our era – and it is precisely the vitality of this great methodology of politics that has defended the justice of humankind and socialism and has opened a new era to win the victory of the cause of independence, regardless of the situation. Read more

Putting Paid To Money Politics in Umno

DATUK Dr Affifuddin Omar has been one of Parliament’s more regular faces.
And it appears that he intends to maintain his attendance record even
though he is now Deputy Finance Minister.
Affifuddin is the MP for Padang Terap, a remote constituency at the
foothills where Kedah merges into Thailand. He takes his constituency
duties seriously and is back in Kedah by Friday on most weeks.

For this Cornell University PhD-holder, moving into full-time politics
was, in a sense, an extension of his work as a government servant with
Mada, the agency which manages the sprawling landscape of padi fields on
the Kedah plains.
This intrinsic connection between politics and people is something that
Affifuddin is keenly aware of.
Unfortunately, he is nagged by the fear that contemporary Malaysian
politics is increasingly associated with earning a living or what the
Malays call cari makan. Read more

Zimbabwe – New Constitution Key to Free and Fair Elections In 2008

It is general knowledge that the next Presidential election will be in 2008. Although there are different opinions about whether the Presidential election will be held then or not, it is abundantly clear and enshrined in the present constitution that we are required to hold a Presidential election in 2008.
Assuming that the election is called for early 2008, it leaves a period of less than 15 months to prepare for the presidential election. Zimbabweans should start to debate the kind of a presidential election we will have without a new constitution. Read more

North Korean Article Reiterates “Military-First Politics” Role in Reunification

Text of report in English by North Korean newspaper Nodong Sinmun via Uriminjokkkiri website on 2 May
[Special article by Han Ch’o’l-chun: “Military-First Politics of Loving the Country, the Nation, and the People Is a Sure Guarantee for the Nation’s Independence Reunification”]
The great leader [ryo’ngdoja] Comrade Kim Jong Il [Kim Cho’ng-il] [preceding name in bold as published] has pointed out the following. Read more