AS MALAYSIA celebrates its 52nd year of Independence, it is gripped, perhaps more than ever, in a struggle between the aspiration for unity – inter-ethnic, inter-religious, inter-political and inter-cultural -- and the push for partisan interests. Even as groups root for particular interests, their intra-group divisions, for some, are beginning to work against them. In Penang, last week’s Permatang Pasir by-election, won by Pas, is a microcosm of this nationwide struggle. It is not surprising therefore that it threw up a spate of comments that are of interest to all.

• Muaz Omar, writing in The Malaysian Insider, looks at the Permatang Pasir lessons for all parties since the March 8, 2009 general elections. Read here
• The Straits Times (Singapore) features the dangers of playing the race card. Read here
• Wong Chin Huat, writing in The Nut Graph, wonders if Pas can manage victory well and not become too arrogant. Read here
• Jocelyn Tan of The Star says the choice of candidates matters. Read here 
• The Malaysian Insider writer Syed Jaymal Zahiid wonders if it would be a quicksand for Umno. Read here

Other news

• Ninth Malaysia Plan projects to be completed on schedule: The federal government is to ensure 22 delayed Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) infrastructure projects worth RM300 million in Penang are completed as scheduled by the end of 2010, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. Penang CM Lim Guan Eng, while welcoming the statement, has expressed shock and asked for more information. Read here and here
• Property density up: The state government has raised the density for property development in Penang and this will “bring down land cost and stabilise property prices”. Read here. Blogger Anil Netto wonders why this announcement was made by property developer Hunza. Read here 
• Tanjung Bungah is not “missing”: Tanjung Bungah is not 'missing' from the Penang Structural Plan, as the area has been placed under the primary development corridor which means it has a higher housing density ratio. Read here and here
• Question mark over Penang tourism figures: Penang tourism arrival figures have been questioned by former State Exco for Tourism Teng Chang Yeow. Read here, here and here
• World Heritage attraction for retirees: Tourism Malaysia is to leverage on WHS status to attract more retirees for the MM2H programme. Read here
• Kampung Buah Pala problem persists: The latest in the issue is the arrest of village leaders and protestors forming a human barricade to stop the ferrying of those arrested from a police station. View video here. For more on the issue, click through here
• Plastic mess: The improper use and disposal of plastic continue to be a massive problem in the state. Read here
• Concern over eco theme park: NGOs and others have expressed concern over the first-of-its-kind eco-friendly theme park to be developed in Telok Bahang. Read here
  

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