PETALING JAYA, 17 March 2009: The proposed Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) is a stronger body than the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), but could suffer from irrelevancy just like the latter. This is because it still lacks the independence that is necessary for its role as investigator of misconduct and abuse to be taken […]
Current Issues
MIER sees GDP contracting 3.8% in 2009
By Racheal Lee Mei NyeeKUALA LUMPUR, 17 March 2009: The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) forecasts the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) will contract 3.8% this year, which is its worst-case scenario. MIER executive director Datuk Dr Mohamed Ariff Abdul Kareem said on 16 March that MIER expected investments to shrink 4.6% and exports to contract 9.8%. Speaking […]
A nation divided
By Shanon Shah and Zedeck SiewPolice, media and the majority Malay Malaysian crowd during the GMP gathering on 7 March 2009 PERHAPS the easiest observation one could make about the Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI (GMP) gathering on 7 March 2009 is that it was mono-cultural. While there were representatives from Chinese-language education proponents in the thousands-strong crowd, these numbered in the […]
EPF declares 4.50% dividend for 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has declared a dividend of 4.50% for 2008, lower than the 5.8% in 2007. The lower dividend rate is due to the increase in investment provisioning resulting from the sharp decline in global equity prices brought about by the worldwide financial crisis, the pension fund […]
Karpal to be charged in court tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: DAP chairperson Karpal Singh is expected to be charged at the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta here tomorrow, under the Sedition Act. His son, Ram Karpal Singh, confirmed that his father had received a notice to present himself at 9am, to face charges under the Act. “We were informed that […]
Name those involved in money politics before Umno polls
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib has urged the disciplinary board to announced the names of candidates involved in money politics before the party elections. “Yes, I have heard such talks but let us wait for an announcement from the disciplinary board. It is best to announce their […]
Sujatha “unknowingly drunk” weedkiller (Updated)
(Updated 8:10pm, 16 March 2009) KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: The chief executive officer of Maika Holdings Bhd told the Coroner’s Court today that his personal assistant, K Sujatha, told him she had “unknowingly drunk” paraquet on 19 June 2007. Vell Paari said he came to know about the incident after her younger brother, Ugenthiran, […]
RM10bil for cleaning up Sungai Klang
SHAH ALAM, 16 March 2009: The Selangor state government has allocated RM10bil to clean and rehabilitate Sungai Klang aimed at spurring economic growth via housing and tourism projects. Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Sungai Klang would be developed as an alternative public transportation system. He said the project cost allocated under the […]
Two doctors struck off the register
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 March 2009: Two doctors have been struck off the medical register for serious breach of discipline, Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) President, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, disclosed today. In a statement, he said, Dr Nusyirwan Mohd Syukur was found guilty of falsely claiming to be a graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia […]
S’wak EC gears up for Batang Ai
KUCHING, 16 March 2009: The Sarawak Election Commission (EC) will be conducting a briefing for 201 personnel in Lubok Antu from 31 March to 1 April in preparation for the Batang Ai state by-election. Its director, Takun Sunggah, said the Lubok Antu bazaar, an administrative district centre, about four hours’ drive from here, would be […]
