KUALA LUMPUR, 30 June 2009: A new investment institution, Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas), will be set up soon with an initial capital of RM500 million. The fund will focus on investing in high-growth potential sectors and bumiputera companies, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. “The government will provide the funds and appoint experts to […]
Foreign ownership of stockbroking firms raised to 70%
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 June 2009: Foreign shareholding limits in existing stockbroking companies will be increased to 70% from the current 49% in efforts to further enhance Malaysia’s position as a listing and investment destination, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced here today. He also announced that with immediate effect, the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) […]
Orang asli take demands to Parliament
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 29 June 2009: Representatives from an indigenous community have submitted a memorandum to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) parliamentarians to protest the Pahang government’s refusal to gazette traditional Orang Asli lands. The memorandum today also protested the state government’s go-ahead for estate owners to open plantations on traditional Orang Asli lands. “It is our […]
Why only briefing for Muslim MPs?
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 29 June 2009: The government has been criticised for organising a briefing on three laws related to conversion and religion for Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) only. Anwar (File pic) “These are very important pieces of legislation. It must be well understood and debated by Muslim and non-Muslim MPs,” Opposition Leader Datuk Seri […]
Indonesian helpers earn only RM300 to RM500 monthly
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 29 June 2009: Malaysians are not keen to become domestic helpers because of the low wages, the Human Resources Ministry said today. A recent ministry study found that “more than 70% of employers are only willing to offer monthly wages of between RM300 and RM500 for domestic help,” Deputy Minister Datuk Noraini Ahmad […]
Three PR-led states receive low federal allocation
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 26 June 2009: Penang and two other Pakatan Rakyat-led states – Kedah and Kelantan – were among six states that received the lowest allocations from the government’s stimulus package. Citing data available from the government’s Treasury website, DAP’s Jalan Tembikai branch deputy chairperson Steven Sim said, for example, that Penang was only receiving […]
Gerakan opposes detention without trial
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 26 June 2009: Gerakan has reiterated its position that detention without trial is unjust and has called for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be replaced. “It (the ISA) is an outdated law. It is unfair to the detainees to be detained without trial,” Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said in […]
Inquest called for death in police custody
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 25 June 2009: The spouse of A Gnanapragasam wants the Home Ministry to hold an immediate inquest into his death while in police custody. “I am very unsatisfied with all that has happened to my husband,” said M Manamegala, Gnanapragasam’s spouse, in a memorandum submitted to deputy minister Jelaing Mersat in Parliament today. […]
PKR’s Thiruvenggadam replies to show-cause letter
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 25 June 2009: Petaling Jaya city councillor A Thiruvenggadam said his expose on contracts between the Pakatan Rakyat state government and waste management company Alam Flora is a state government matter for which his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), should not punish him. Thiruvenggadam today replied to a show-cause letter from PKR asking […]
ISA review includes revising detention period
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 25 June 2009: The Home Ministry may table amendments to the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the next parliamentary sitting that will include a re-examination of the length of detention and the appointment of independent investigators. Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that among others, the ministry would re-examine the ISA’s 60-day detention […]
