Archive - 19 August 2002

The main youth wing of the ruling front accepts a fellow member's objection to the new policy on English as being "rational", but slams the same stand by an "extremist" NGO as "emotional and racist".

A witness in the rioting trial of six Keadilan leaders today was ticked off twice by the Kulim Magistrates' Court for giving hearsay evidence.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warns Burma that rapid changes towards democracy may result in anarchy. The premier also clarifies that no one from his delegation met with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Despite increasing complaints about the slow issuance of visas, the United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur said nothing much could be done by applicants to expedite the process.

DAP says its "No to 929" crusade will continue despite police harassment and arrest threats. In the latest (and fourth) incident yesterday, police detained six party leaders in Klang. Now, DAP chief Lim Kit Siang feels that this is too much and that the police owe the party and supporters an explanation.

It's better to work together than to oppose each other. At least, this seems to be what 32 NGOs finally realised after boycotting Suhakam for 100 days. All emerged from a meeting today with a better understanding of each other's expectations and more importantly, a commitment to cooperate for a common cause.

Kerja persempadanan semula kawasan pilihanraya yang dikendalikan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) adalah hanya satu formaliti yang sudah dirancang terlebih dahulu oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional. Menurut AMAN RAIS, sebarang bantahan atau cadangan baru oleh sesiapa hanyalah sekadar membuang masa.

Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Samsudin's allegation that Dong Zong has been conducting English lessons in 'secret' is not likely to go down well with many. But it exposes one fact some Cabinet members are just not suitable for the portfolios they hold.

Pemuda Umno mempertahankan keputusan Gerakan menolak penggunaan bahasa Inggeris untuk matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik di sekolah Cina kerana mendakwa ianya beralaskan soal pencapaian akademik dan bukannya bersifat perkauman.

The health ministry has ordered clinics and hospitals to be on standby to react to any patients with respiratory problems due to the worsening hazy conditions. The haze has also caused disruptions in internal flight services in Sarawak.

Gerakan is the first political party from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to officially oppose the use of English to teach Science and Mathematics. This could lead to more parties, especially from those representing the Chinese community, to take a similar stand and force the government to look again into its proposals and come up with a well considered and consulted policy.

Cadangan persempadanan semula kawasan Parlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) telah menjejaskan kekuatan PAS di Kedah berikutan kebanyakan kubu kuat parti itu sudah dipecahkan dan dimasukkan ke kawasan baru.