Archive - 1 September 2002

Did opposition parties really ask military leaders to topple the government on Oct 31, 1999? Former navy chief Abu Bakar Jamal claimed they did in an interview published in a local daily today. However, Keadilan has denied outright that allegation and asked the retired naval commander to come forward with evidence.

The deportation of illegal Filipino immigrants from Sabah has given rise to a thorny issue in Malaysia-Philippines relations — the claim over Sabah. President Gloria Arroyo asks Philippines legislators to tone down their anti-Malaysian rhetorics.

Two Australian human rights activists are in Malaysia to learn more of the Internal Security Act (ISA). Using it as an example, they hope to return and educate the Australian public on the evils of preventive detention. However, the proposed legislation is unlikely to get past the Australian Senate.

The Barisan Nasional used to be the popular haunt for phantom voters. But it looks like the ghosts of elections past may be switching teams now as PAS gains ground. It is now the ruling party's turn to demand for an exorcism, or risk an upset in the coming general election. DAP chief Lim Kit Siang is urging the EC to propose rules whereby becoming a phantom voter is an offence.

As the English-language switch debate continues, Tamil children from poor families are the among those who will suffer. This seems to be the general consensus of many who spoke up on the issue. But this debate on education should also make Indian Malaysians sit up and decide on the political leadership they desire for their community.

A Philippines taskforce will arrive in Malaysia tomorrow to investigate alleged harsh treatment of migrant workers at detention centres, amid a temporary halt to the deportation of illegal Filipinos, a top diplomat said today.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia's first leafleting exercise under its 'Back to the People' campaign on Merdeka Day was a success.

Malaysia's first captive-born baby elephant has died of a mystery illness, leaving shocked zoo keepers in tears, officials said today.

The deportation of illegal Filipino immigrants from Sabah has given rise to a thorny issue in Malaysia-Philippines relations — the claim over Sabah. Today, Philippines Foreign Secretary Blas Ople slammed his fellow lawmakers for urging Manila to revive its claim to Sabah.

Economic pundits say Malaysia has to introduce attractive incentives across the board to compete with neighbouring Singapore and Hong Kong for foreign direct investments (FDIs) and PM assures that such incentives will be unveiled in the 2003 budget.