KUALA LUMPUR, 5 May 2009: The Bar Council has urged the government to eliminate all obstacles that hinder the participation of people with disabilities in society immediately. “Any costs incurred will be more than offset by the greater contributions that persons with disabilities can then make to society,” said Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan in […]
Wong Chin Huat arrested for sedition (Updated)
By Jacqueline Ann SurinUpdated 1am on 6 May 2009 PETALING JAYA, 5 May 2009: Political scientist Wong Chin Huat was arrested tonight for sedition for writing several articles, including on the 1BLACKMalaysia campaign. Wong (Pic courtesy of Bersih) The academic was arrested at his apartment in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and taken to Bukit Aman. His personal computer […]
Signature campaign to free Manoharan, ISA detainees
By Gan Pei LingSHAH ALAM, 5 May 2009: Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has launched a signature campaign to demand for the immediate release of Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson M Manoharan and other Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees. Selangor executive councillor and Kinrara assemblyperson Teresa Kok said Selangor PR has also formed a committee called the Release Manoharan & […]
Patriotic songs!
By Zedeck SiewClick here for some theme music! (© Nick Choo) PATRIOTIC, public-service music has never gone out of vogue. Some people have favourites. Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim recently cited Budi Bahasa Budaya Kita as a shining example of the genre. I like to remember the IT song, because in the […]
Dengue in Malaysia worse than swine flu
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 5 May 2009: Dengue is a more pressing threat in Malaysia right now than the influenza A (H1N1), said prominent virologist Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit. “Though the influenza has a potential of spreading far and wide because of its pandemic nature, it hasn’t entered the country yet. The dengue threat […]
Najib needs to do more
Translation by Gan Pei LingFOR 27 April to 3 May, the Chinese media’s spotlight was on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s new reform policies, the A (H1N1) flu threat, and the Penanti by-election. From the liberalisation of the 27 services sub-sectors and financial sectors to the cabinet’s policy on conversion disputes, Najib’s new policies have become a topic […]
Swine flu hogs headlines
Translation by Zedeck SiewIN the week of 27 April to 3 May 2009, the Malay-language press was filled with musings on swine flu, PAS’s internal strife over the possibility of a unity government with arch-rivals Umno, the morality of art, and the growing problem of mat rempit. Following a week of global anxiety, religious commentators placed the blame […]
Indira Gandhi’s search goes on
Translation by Sharmila Valli NarayananBETWEEN 27 April and 3 May 2009, the Tamil papers continued to devote space to M Indira Gandhi’s quest to get her daughter back from her estranged and Muslim-convert husband. The absence of Tamil-language classes in a local university, and land right issues involving the Catholic Church were also highlighted during the week. Hunt for […]
The rise of Muslim NGOs
By Shanon ShahIT was to be expected that the cabinet decision on unilateral conversion of minors to Islam by a Muslim-convert parent would be opposed. Indeed, less than a week after the cabinet decision, the coalition of Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) known as Pembela criticised the decision. Abim logo Pembela comprises more than 50 Muslim NGOs, and […]
Make PKFZ audit public
By Charles SantiagoIT 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 […]
