Archive - 20 August 2002

Parti komponen Cina dalam Barisan Nasional bermesyuarat kali keempat pada malam ini berhubung isu penggunaan bahasa Inggeris untuk matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik. Dan keengganan pemimpin parti-parti terbabit mengulas mesyuarat itu, dianggap sebagai tanda mereka masih belum mencapai kata-putus berhubung isu tersebut.

The right to information and the freedom to express opinions may occupy the thoughts of Malaysians over the next three years as they are persuaded to join their counterparts in five other Asean countries to explore and extend access to these basic human rights.

In their fourth meeting tonight to decide on the government's proposal for English, the Chinese-based parties in the ruling front will have to bear in mind Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's instructions: avoid controversies and come to an agreement.

The government wants every household to have a computer, but people would rather have the cash, disappointed officials admitted today.

Seven years into its enforcement, the Domestic Violence Act 1994 is still seen as inadequate in addressing the needs of those who experience family-related violence. Campaigners are going on the offensive to push for legal and policy reform.

Rapid development in certain areas has warranted the creation of new parliamentary and state seats in the country. However, it is wrong to assume that the recent redelineation exercise was drafted in a manner beneficial to Barisan Nasional alone.

But Formula One grand prix series and soccer events will be given temporary exemptions, pending further discussions.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meminta pemimpin parti Barisan Nasional yang mewakili kaum Cina meneruskan perbincangan mengenai isu penggunaan bahasa Inggeris bagi matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik bagi mengelakkan tercetusnya kontroversi yang berpanjangan.

Kuching residents woke up today to find the air quality reaching unhealthy levels and visibility down by almost 90 percent — the worst in the country. This harks back to the September 1997 haze which blanketed not only Sarawak but most of Southeast Asia.

The government has reduced its support for well-connected businesses so Standard and Poor's decides to raise the country's credit ratings.

It takes more than the prevalence of a multitude of religions to make up the whole picture of diversity. A Harvard academician argues that followers of different faiths have a major role to play in shaping the nature of pluralism.

The government should stop emulating the destructive development practised in the west and pay attention to recommendations in the World Commission on Dams report instead.

Pembangkang, khususnya PAS, mendakwa persempadanan semula kawasan pilihanraya, lebih menguntungkan pihak kerajaan. Bagaimanapun, Naib Presiden Umno, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib menyangkalnya, dengan menegaskan bahawa ia belum tentu menguntungkan Umno.

Unlikely allies? A spat over the proposal to teach Science and Mathematics in English next year may lead to just that, as friends and foes traverse the political divide to take positions on the controversial issue.

It is only a matter of time before Malaysia opens its doors to foreign workers again, says a labour activist. Their absence — sparked off by tough new laws — is already being felt in numerous aspects of daily life.