Archive - 19 September 2002

Suspected terrorists arrested in Singapore were planning to cripple military and other crucial targets as part of a plan to overthrow the Malaysian government and create an Islamic state there.

Television sports newscaster Ras Adiba Radzi brings forward homecoming three weeks earlier than planned as her brother is sick and her funds have run out after a surgery she said she had last Monday.

No fresh habeas corpus will be filed. That is the final decision of the reformasi activities who are still held under the Internal Security Act despite winning the appeal against their initial detention. Their reason — filing a new one means they agree with the government. They don't and will continue with their protest.

Anybody can be nominated to contest for the Puteri Umno chief post, but Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaackob says, only the party's management committee can decide on their eligibility.

Renegade DAP leader Goh Kheng Huat is telling Barisan Alternatif to let his party contest in the upcoming Gaya by-election. He claims that party chief Lim Kit Siang would be the best candidate and that opposition supporters nationwide wish to see him return to Parliament.

Ex-Sabah chief minister Yong Teck Lee is stumped over the Election Commission's decision to disqualify him as the MP for Gaya as his petition for a royal pardon is still pending. Despite the turn of events, Yong says he is not retiring from politics.

Barisan Nasional leaders brush off the alternative budget as a fake. They say the opposition cannot make suggestions on how to use the money 'owned' by the BN government.

Dr Rais Yatim's decision to defer the tabling of the Law Academy Bill is seen as a positive development by the Bar Council. But that may not be good enough. The council is still hoping that the minister will consider its counter proposals.

This strategy was presented on Sept 17 at the Parliament meeting room. It is published here in two parts today and tomorrow.

The Federal Court judged two cases involving different aspects of the Internal Security Act within the span of one week. While the second case was a direct interpretation of the law, the first has made a mockery of the administration of justice. Worse still, it may hold open a backdoor to legitimise continued detention.