Archive - 5 September 2002

The alleged rape of a Filipina minor spawned swift reactions from Suhakam and police which have launched separate investigations into the Sabah immigration centres where thousands are waiting to be deported to the Philippines.

Civil servants must decide whether to opt for an improved salary scheme in one month's time, but Cuepacs has yet to receive the official circular from the authorities. Already, however, signs of discontent are there, specifically with the insubstantial salary adjustment for the lower-income group.

Ekoran muzakarah khas hari ini, jawatankuasa fatwa negara menyeru semua pihak supaya tidak mengeluarkan kata-kata yang menghina Allah, Rasulullah serta terhadap sesama manusia. Pihak berkuasa juga diminta mengambil tindakan ke atas pihak yang tidak mengendahkan seruan ini.

Umno vice-president Najib Abdul Razak's 'exposé' on an allegedly confidential document entitled 'Tahun tawan Kedah 2003' (Capture Kedah year 2003) by PAS was actually a working paper presented in a seminar two years ago. So there is nothing confidential about it, PAS leaders say.

A labour rights organisation is urging the government to accept responsibility for the deaths of immigrants at the Sabah detention centres and employ measures to rectify its ill-judged policy.

It is in China's interest to maintain good relations with Asean as these countries are unlikely threats to the middle kingdom. Besides, China and Asean also share the same social values and ideals on human rights and democracy, according to a Chinese academic.

Lawatan Azalina Othman Said ke negeri-negeri telah menimbulkan tanda-tanya apakah tujuan sebenarnya berbuat demikian — untuk meninjau persiapan persidangan bahagian-bahagian pergerakan itu, ataupun risau dengan kemungkinan dicabar bagi jawatan ketua pergerakan itu Oktober ini.

A day after receiving a protest letter from Philippine President Gloria Arroyo that a 13-year-old Filipina girl was raped while awaiting deportation, the Malaysia police say they have launched an investigation.

Recent catastrophes like flooding and drought in various parts of the world point to neglect of Earth's most precious resource — fresh water. HARUN RASHID expresses concern that attention to global pollution is even less apparent than the water table.

Many mornings has the haze greeted us yet have we really woken up to the burning problem? Instead, authorities entrusted with the responsibility of clearing the air have been sitting on the problem and, when the seat gets too hot, even blurring the issue.

Continuing with the series in conjunction with the Johannesburg Summit 2002 from Aug 26 to Sept 4, today's article focuses on timber harvesting and how Malaysian companies are exploiting land, not only at home, but elsewhere, too.

Their bitter rivalry resulted in an acrimonious split and the formation of a new party 20 years ago. Now embattled leader of Sarawak National Party (Snap) James Wong Kim Min is holding secret talks with Leo Moggie's Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) on a possible merger.

A Sarawakian local community has been given a United Nations award for its efforts in reducing poverty and conserving biodiversity. Its independently funded projects have marked a difference among the natives and are improving their lives.

Following reports that a 13-year-old Filipina girl was raped while awaiting deportation in Sabah, the Philippines government may file a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Outraged by the incident, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad calling for swift prosecution.