Archive - 25 August 2002

Correcting newspaper reports that Malay groups were in agreement with the government's plan on the language switch, both Abdullah Badawi and Abim clarify today that yesterday's meeting was not for the government to seek consensus but views on the issue.

After months of dragging its feet, Keadilan finally declares that it is against the hudud law advocated by PAS. Party chief Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says Keadilan wants laws which are just and democratic to all races. However, we respect PAS' desire to implement hudud, she adds.

Rohingya asylum seekers have been living in fear of arrest after new immigration laws threaten to have them jailed and whipped if found guilty of entering Malaysia illegally. An effort underway now attempts to have UNHCR "humanitarian letters" issued to all Rohingyas, in the hope that they may be spared from arrest and heavy punishment.

More and more Malaysians across the ethnic divide are opposing the teaching of Science and Maths in English from next year. Parents feel cheated for not being consulted. They believe efforts to explain the policy are mere formalities. But the road-shows continue.

Abdul Hadi Awang is now in Penang to explain Terengganu's hudud law and Islamic state ideology. His aim to win support from non-Muslims. But the firebrand acting PAS president's explanations, so far, may not be enough to realise the party's objective of making inroads among non-Malays.

Colin Skellet says YTL Power is standing behind him over the bribe allegation he faces. He maintains there was nothing shady about the payment and reveals that the second man arrested in connection with the case had worked for YTL Power during the purchase of Wessex.

full version DAP leaders had said the show must go on come what may. So led by party chief Lim Kit Siang, they continued with their 'No to 929' campaign in Klang this morning and, not surprisingly, were arrested by the police. This time, there was a commotion as Lim and company demanded to know why the police took action.

Recent developments in the Middle East, Iraq and Haiti show that sanctions and other forms of collective punishment hurt the innocent and unite whole populations against the West. ANDREW REDING feels it is time to renounce collective punishment in international relations.

Westerners who are down-and-out can now find cheaper places to retire. Many Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, are offering this group a "second home" i.e. if they still have a few dimes to spare to live out the rest of their lives.