Archive - 17 October 2002

In a refreshing change in parliament, a ministry accepts opposition criticism and admitted it blundered in 'endorsing' a direct-selling company which duped 7,000 people and caused millions in losses.

Although being crowned as the Puteri Umno chief without contest, a political rival is still urging Azalina Othman Said to come clean on the myriad of allegations stacked against her.

Kerajaan tidak akan bertolak ansur dengan ekstremis dan kuasa undang-undang sepenuhnya akan digunakan terhadap mereka yang cuba mengganas, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The police confirms that another terror suspect was arrested late yesterday, making it the fifth arrest of suspects linked to the Jemaah Islamiah organisation. The latest arrest brings to 72 the total detained since November.

From the remarks by the home ministry parliamentary secretary yesterday, it appears that Kuala Lumpur now considers the controversy surrounding the alleged rape of a minor in Sabah resolved. However, Manila points out other allegations which require answers.

updated version An attempt to expose corrupt practices in the Fire and Rescue Department by a senior officer was halted midway when his boss, accompanied by the police, demanded the journalists present to leave.

Even when Barisan Nasional wins, not all its component parties can stay happy. The accolades showered on PBS for its help in securing the Gaya parliamentary seat for the ruling front have left its smaller spin-off, PBRS, sore.

It was a terrorist act, not an accident. Yemeni authorities concede that the explosion on the French supertanker, which was charted by Petronas, was caused by a small boat loaded with explosives.

If you feel that local governments are deaf and heartless, you are not alone. But a United Nations initiative to put people at the centre of development is paying dividends for some urban communities.

Sources say the terrorist cell responsible for the deadly Bali blast was led by a Yemeni and his Malaysian deputy. They and five other foreigners are said to have masterminded the bombing.

If investigators confirm the charges by the US and Indonesian governments that the carnage in Bali was the work of Muslim militants, the 'Islam encourages violence' debate sparked by the Sept 11 attacks is sure to intensify and put pressure on moderate Muslims.

HYDERABAD, India - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in India's high-tech southern city of Hyderabad yesterday to began a six-day overseas tour that will also take him to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.