KUALA LUMPUR, 17 June 2009: There was no cost analysis for the formation of a Tentera Wataniah battalion in all 222 parliamentary constituencies. “There is no cost analysis for the nation’s defence,” Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat today. “The cost (for the battalion) is not high, because we only pay [...]

Corrected on 31 May 2009 at 10am KLANG, 29 May 2009: The government should freeze the bank accounts of everyone implicated in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) controversy, while those who are also holding government positions should be suspended pending the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations into the scandal. DAP Klang member of parliament [...]

Updated 4.15pm on 6 May 2009 PETALING JAYA, 6 May 2009: Several groups, think tanks and political parties have condemned the arrest of political scientist Wong Chin Huat for alleged sedition. “The arrest of Wong does not augur well for (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak)’s promise of openness and respect for the people,” said [...]

IT is appalling to read The Edge daily’s article that the Port Klang Free Zone scandal could balloon from RM4.6 billion to RM8 billion. The initial development cost, when mooted in 2002, was RM2.3 billion. This development has implicated a string of Barisan Nasional politicians. The lead players were two former MCA presidents and transport [...]

SOON after taking office as prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised a transparent and accountable government. One area where openness is sorely needed is in government spending. Billions of ringgit are poured into the economy, and yet unexplained “leakages” still happen — it sometimes feels as though the Treasury department is in need of [...]

I WELCOME the decision by Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to release 13 prisoners who were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I also laud his move to lift the ban on two [Pakatan Rakyat party] newspapers. But Najib’s announcements come at the time of three crucial by-elections that would gauge [...]