KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dec 2008: The government has no objection in principle for Sime Darby Bhd to acquire a stake in IJN Holdings Sdn Bhd but the conglomerate must ensure high priority for the poor, said the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today. “We are in the process of finalising the matter with […]
Current Issues
MCA hopes IJN will not be privatised
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dec 2008: The MCA hopes that the National Heart Institute (IJN) will not be privatised, its deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, said today. He said that apart from promoting Malaysia’s good name in the eyes of the world, the institute had done a lot in helping the poor in […]
AIDS infection has dropped by half since 2003
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dec 2008: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rate in the country has dropped by half since 2003, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today. The deputy prime minister said the number of recorded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases had dropped from 6,756 in 2003 to 3,452 this year. “We found that, […]
Mandatory pre-marital HIV screening in 2009 (Updated)
Updated 6:00pm, 18 Dec 2008 KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Dec 2008: Beginning next year, Muslim couples will have to undergo a mandatory screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) before they get married. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the HIV screening would be a part of the pre-marital course. He said the measure was […]
Police shoot dead four criminals
PERMATANG PAUH, 18 Dec 2008: Police shot dead four criminals, believed to be members of a housebreaking and robbery gang which is active in the state, in a shootout in Guar Perahu here at about 5am today. State deputy police chief Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid said two of the men were foreigners, believed to be […]
Keeping Parliament independent
By Elizabeth LooiWHAT does it take for the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to reject or approve an emergency motion either in the House or in chambers? Approved emergency motions in 2008 On 10 Dec 2008, the Dewan Rakyat uncharacteristically accepted an emergency motion by an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) to debate the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide. In announcing […]
No ban, but Al-Arqam book seized
By Zedeck SiewBook cover of Rahsia ArqamPETALING JAYA, 18 Dec 2008: Copies of a book examining the Al-Arqam sect were confiscated by Home Ministry officials on four different occasions, beginning May 2006. Yet, until today, the status of the book remains unclear. According to PTS Publications general manager Fauzul Na’im Ishak, whose company publishes the title, there […]
S’gor rejects Zakaria family courtyard application
SHAH ALAM, 17 Dec 2008: The Selangor government has rejected an application from the family of Datuk Zakaria Md Deros to obtain temporary occupation licence (TOL) on the courtyard of their mansion in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran in Klang near here. Zakaria, a former Port Klang state assemblyperson, passed away on 11 March. Menteri Besar Tan […]
M’sia yet to receive report on tug boat seizure
PUTRAJAYA, 17 Dec 2008: The National Security Council has confirmed the pirate hijack of a Malaysian tug boat off Yemen yesterday and is now awaiting the latest development on the incident. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the council had not received any report on the hijack and was worried over the fate […]
Dewan Rakyat passes JAC Bill (Updated)
Updated 10:58PM, 17 Dec 2008 KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Dec 2008: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the bill seeking to establish the Judicial Appointments Commission which will appoint judges of the superior courts as a measure to uphold the continued independence of the judiciary. Twenty-four MPs spoke during the debate on the bill, which was passed […]
