Archive - 12 September 2002

updated version DAP member of parliament Kerk Kim Hock claims not all parties had been consulted on the controversial amendments to the Election Offences Act 1954. In an attempt to rectify this before the bill is tabled, he proposes to bring it to a select committee comprising all parties. However, due to a technical error his motion was denied, leading to a walkout by all opposition MPs.

Technology Resources Industries Bhd (TRI)has lodged a police report alleging fictitious invoices worth RM259.32 million (US$68.24 million dollars) were issued in 1998 and 1999.

After much anticipation, the bid by four Singaporean families to be represented by prominent Malaysian lawyer Karpal Singh in the 'tudung case' failed since he has been denied a work permit. The lawyer is now calling on his Singaporean counterparts to take up the case in the interest of justice.

The government has withdrawn the tabling of the controversial Law Academy Act until early next year to consider the counter-proposals put forth by the Malaysian Bar and to include views of the legal profession from East Malaysia.

updated version The timing could not be more crucial. With Puteri Umno's maiden election just around the corner, an ex-aide to the movement's chief is blowing the whistle on discrepancies under Azalina Othman Said's leadership.

Buoyed by last Tuesday's court ruling on the five reformasi activists, the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) is now embarking on a month-long campaign to repeal the ISA.

Gerakan Reformasi dalam bentuk demonstrasi jalanan mungkin tinggal asap nipis tetapi ia bukanlah alasan untuk memilih jalan mati atau tidak kembali lagi ke medan tempur.

A newspaper quotes an unnamed source as saying the Chinese-based Barisan Nasional parties want the status quo to remain for Chinese primary schools. Education Minister Musa Mohamed is asked on the veracity of the report.

While opposition MPs are determined to halt the passing of the proposed amendments to the Election Offences Act 1954, there seems to be a lack of participation on the debate from Barisan Nasional MPs, apart from those from Umno. The debate enters its third day today but MPs from other BN parties, particularly MCA and MIC, were surprisingly quiet. Does this mean that they are not fully in support of the bill?

Philippine Justice Secretary Hernando Perez has said that there is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation that a 13-year-old Filipina was sexually abused in an illegal immigrants holding centre in Sabah.

Advertising plays a major role in our lives and is powerful enough to influence our buying patterns. But what can consumers do about distasteful advertisements? A paper presented at a human rights education conference has some pointers.

As the Likas petition continues to haunt the recently unseated representative of the constituency, SALBIAH AHMAD compares performances of past election judges and argues for written judgments to be made even on preliminary objections as this will add to the transparency of court processes.

The two feuding factions in the Sarawak National Party will have to wait a little longer for the Registrar of Societies' stamp on who will be given the right to lead the party even though the decision had already been made. Meanwhile, last-minute efforts are being made to avoid the party from being split into two.

A storm is brewing in Kampung Bohol, Puchong, over an incinerator scheduled to be built there. The environmental impact assessment study was completed two years ago, but residents vehemently dispute the findings which they say are based on outdated information.

There is too much silence concerning the Sept 11 terror attacks. Americans must open the charred envelope and read the message from hell as ignoring it will lead to greater peril.