LUBOK ANTU, 2 April 2009: The Election Commission (EC) is prepared for any eventualities in reaching the most remote corners of the Batang Ai state constituency in next Tuesday’s by-election, its state director Takun Sunggah said today. He said the 201 election personnel would be deployed to the 25 polling stations and 26 polling streams […]
Current Issues
Bringing change to Bukit Selambau
By Shanon ShahDATUK S Ganesan likes to tout two things during his interviews: his past links with some Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, and his belief that he can bring positive change à la US President Barack Obama. Ganesan meeting a breakfast crowd on 27 Mar. When asked if he is campaigning, he says, “No, that’s […]
Mahathir to campaign in Bkt Gantang?
By Deborah LohTAIPING, 2 April 2009: Barisan Nasional (BN) is looking to unleash its secret weapon as it makes its final assault to woo Malay Malaysian voters in Bukit Gantang by bringing in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to help with the campaign. The former prime minister may turn up to stump for the BN candidate Ismail Saffian, […]
No chance for independents: PKR
SUNGAI PETANI, 2 April 2009: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said today it is impossible for any of the 13 independent candidates to win the Bukit Selambau state by-election. PKR information chief Tian Chua said their presence would only split PKR’s votes and confuse the voters. “It is unlikely that any of them can win. They […]
State Tourism Action Councils to be shut
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 April 2009: The Ministry of Tourism has decided to close down all state Tourism Action Council offices and instead set up a central department for Tourism Action. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said a Department for Tourism Action at the federal level would be set up to handle such duties […]
RM11.7 million to repatriate illegals last year
KUALA LUMPUR, 2 April 2009: The government spent RM11.7 million last year to repatriate 60,800 illegal immigrants, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung. He said RM9.8 million was spent in 2007 for repatriation. “The government has to spend RM30 a day on each detainee which covers administrative and medical costs,” Chor said when […]
Abdullah steps down (Updated)
(Updated 12:58pm, 2 April 2009) Abdullah Badawi and the Agong (Agong pic source: parlimen.gov.my) KUALA LUMPUR, 2 April 2009: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara today to hand over his resignation letter as prime minister. Abdullah also sought consent to appoint Datuk […]
No candidates have withdrawn
By Sharon TanBUKIT GANTANG, 2 April 2009: Deputy Election Commission chair[person] Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said no candidate has [withdrawn] from any of the three by-elections when the deadline for withdrawal ended at midnight yesterday. Read more here. This article first appeared on 2 April 2009 in www.theedgemalaysia.com under the title No candidates withdrew in three […]
Give PIS a chance in Bkt Gantang
By Deborah LohKamarul Ramizu Idris IT’S an expensive way to set up a party, but independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris believes the thousands of ringgit he will spend on contesting the by-election in Bukit Gantang is the best way to popularise himself. He is using the by-election campaign as a platform to introduce himself to voters so […]
Testing transition
By Deborah Loh, Jacqueline Ann Surin and Shanon ShahCorrected 11.20am on 2 April 2009 IT might be interesting to find out what Datuk Seri Najib Razak privately thinks of his impending succession as prime minister of Malaysia, which looks set to happen tomorrow, 3 April 2009. Penny for your thoughts (Public domain) Would he perhaps be comparing the responses towards him with those […]

