KUALA LUMPUR, 20 April 2009: Bukit Lanjan assembly[person] Elizabeth Wong’s decision to stay the course she embarked on just over a year ago as an elected representative has saved the country another by-election. Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and [the] state exco should claim credit for standing by her and allowing her […]
Current Issues
Friend of the forest
By Zedeck SiewWHEN we think about the logging industry, it’s not usually in a flattering light. Logging, especially in East Malaysia, has a reputation for being fraught with unethical practices: corruption, unsustainable destruction of ecosystems, and disregard for the land rights of indigenous peoples. Last year, allegations of sexual abuse of Penan women and schoolgirls in Baram […]
Call to release Penan task force report
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 20 April 2009: Women’s and indigenous peoples’ advocacy groups are urging new Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to release the findings of the 2008 Penan task force. A Penan woman (All pics by Tajai @ Flickr) The task force was commissioned by the ministry under former minister […]
Showdown in Perak on 7 May
By Deborah LohNOW that a sitting of the Perak legislative assembly sitting has been called for 7 May, another showdown is expected because it is being convened without speaker V Sivakumar’s consent. Sivakumar In such a case, constitutional law expert Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi believes Perak’s constitutional crisis is far from over despite how recent court […]
Zainal Rahim appointed Penang state secretary
KUALA LUMPUR, 17 April 2009: Penang Island Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman has been appointed Penang state secretary effective today. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan in a statement today said that Zainal Rahim replaced Datuk Jamaludin Hasan whose service contract ended on 2 March. Zainal Rahim, 52, graduated with […]
Kit Siang: Fed Court decision defective, null and void
By Elaine CheeKUALA LUMPUR, 17 April 2009: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog today that because Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and the six executive councillors sued the wrong party, yesterday’s Federal Court order is rendered “defective, null and void”. Lim pointed out the suspension was issued by the Perak […]
EC meets on 22 April on Penanti vacancy (Updated)
Updated 7:12pm, 17 April 2009 PUTRAJAYA, 17 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) will meet on 22 April to determine the vacancy of the Penanti state assembly seat and the need for a by-election. EC Chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, when contacted today, said the commission would announce on 24 April the status […]
Govt wants solution to toll hike issue
KLANG, 17 April 2009: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department to find a comprehensive solution to address the perennial issue of having to raise toll rates every three years. “I’ve directed the EPU to suggest to the government a comprehensive solution to tackle […]
Perak assembly to meet 7 May
By Chua Sue-AnnPETALING JAYA, 17 April 2009: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, via the state legislative assembly secretary, has issued a notice this morning calling for the Perak legislative assembly to convene on 7 May, said Teja assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang. ZambryChang told The Edge Financial Daily that he had received a call this […]
Hindraf coordinators suspended
By Elaine CheeKUALA LUMPUR, 17 April 2009: Ten national and state coordinators of Hindraf have been suspended with immediate effect. According to The Star Online, a gag order also has been issued on the former coordinators, though they were free to voice personal opinions. An interim three-member committee will replace them. The coordinators were appointed at the […]
