Current Issues

BANGKOK, 11 Oct 2008: Malaysia will delay importing another 300,000 tonnes of rice for its stockpile as its current stock of 310,000 tonnes is sufficient. The world price for the staple is also expected to drop further next year after a reaching a record high in 2008. Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed […]

KEMAMAN, 11 Oct 2008: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek today spoke against the proposal to turn the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition into a single multiracial party, saying it was tantamount to dissolving Umno which is the mainstay of the government. He said that as an Umno member he regarded the proposal as a cruel […]

PENAMPANG, 11 Oct 2008: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the party was committed to the struggle of the Barisan Nasional (BN) although it was vocal in bringing to light numerous problems Sabah was facing. “We can work for BN even in the most difficult circumstances. We are prepared […]

PUTRAJAYA, 11 Oct 2008: The Barisan Nasional (BN) Management Committee would look into the details of setting up a platform to allow direct membership for those not keen to join any of the ruling coalition’s component parties. Deputy Prime Minister Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this was because some people who might […]

PUTRAJAYA, 11 Oct 2008: National unity will be Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s greatest challenge when leading the country next, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He said his successor would have to give priority to this issue as the state of inter-racial and inter-religious relations at the moment was not good. “I think […]

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Oct 2008: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be remembered as Malaysia’s “Father of Democracy”, suggested Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Koh described the outgoing prime minister as “an advocate for democracy” because he had opened up space for expression, was committed to fighting corruption and to raising living […]

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Oct 2008: Barisan Nasional (BN) may allow direct membership into the coalition to increase its multiracial composition. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi proposed this today when launching the 37th Gerakan National Delegates Conference at Menara PGRM as an avenue for Malaysians who support the BN, but do not want to […]

KOTA BARU, 10 Oct 2008: Member of Parliament for Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said he would not leave Umno, even if he loses the contest for the Umno president post in March next year. “I will accept the verdict. I am a life member of Umno. I am offering myself for the Umno president […]

PUTRAJAYA, 10 Oct 2008: The fee for international passport applications may be reduced next year to ease the financial burden of the public, said Director-General of Immigration Datuk Mahmood Adam. He said the department was planning to submit a proposal on the matter to the government before the year’s end. The reduction in fees was […]

JERLUN, 10 Oct 2008: Umno Youth head aspirant Datuk Mukriz Mahathir said Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were the most suitable candidates to become Umno president and deputy president respectively. He said Najib, the present deputy president, possessed the character of a quality leader with patience. “Najib is the most suitable […]