Archive - 18 August 2002

Good work, DAP commends Gerakan. While DAP chief Lim Kit Siang welcomes Gerakan's declared stand to maintain the mother-tongue in teaching Science and Maths, he also says the BN component party should submit its proposals to the Cabinet. More importantly, the Cabinet should suspend its decision on the language switch, says Lim.

Treat them humanely and with dignity, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urges the government. Referring to the deportation of illegal immigrants, she also wants the government to investigate workers' complaints of their monies and properties being confiscated by enforcement authorities

Dong Zong stresses today that Chinese independent schools are operating in an open manner and not clouded in 'secret' as alleged by Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Samsudin. Could the deputy minister be running out of ideas when he made the uncalled-for remark? asks Dong Zong deputy president Dr Yap Sin Thian.

Police today arrested six senior members of the Chinese-based opposition Democratic Action Party for distributing leaflets criticising Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's announcement that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

Indonesia's national assembly chairman Amien Rais on Sunday slammed Malaysia over what he called the "inhumane" caning of several illegal Indonesian migrant workers.

Should democracy be sacrificed for economic growth and social progress? Why are the challenges to democratise international governance so difficult? JOMO KS analyses the interesting UNDP Human Develoment Report themed "Deepening Democracy in a Fragmented World".

Who are "economic terrorists"? Those who scram during the bad times after having made it during the good? No, retreating investors are not, says M BAKRI MUSA. He feels that instead of whining, Malaysia should emulate others who are successful in attracting investments.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad begins a two-day official visit to Burma today. The visit is billed as a business trip and arranged to reciprocate Burmese junta leader Than Shwe's visit to Malaysia last year. But the question being asked is: Will the PM meet with democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi or not? That remains uncertain.

The crisis in the Sarawak National Party (Snap) has taken on a new dimension. 'Outsiders' have entered the fray. A senior PBB member has come out with a strongly-worded statement lambasting long-time Snap supremo James Wong Kim Min. More brickbats are expected in the days and months ahead.