Archive - 18 October 2002

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated in Islamabab yesterday that oil producing Islamic countries can use the black gold to protect Muslim nations worldwide from being oppressed

NUBE members claim that commercial banks are attempting to capitalise on the union's internal feud. About 500 members protest at Putrajaya today and ask the Human Resources Ministry to intervene.

The UN report linking Barisan Nasional, PAS and other organisations to al-Qaeda is also claiming that the international terror network has financial interests in the region, including Malaysia.

The government gives assurance that it will pursue rape charges against men who allegedly assaulted a minor who was later wrongly deported to the Philippines.

The MCA chief is going on leave soon, right before a court case next month that could implicate him.

Malaysians are familiar with stories of sufferings endured by detainees in police lock-ups. We may have personal experiences or heard about them from a detainee friend or through the media. Suhakam's revealing report has now given such tragic tales an official stand.

Malaysia will remain patient with Singapore despite a deadlock over talks to review the price of water it supplies to the island-state.

Contrary to news reports, deputy premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says no Malaysians were involved in the Bali bombing.

Malaysia could be a target for terrorist attacks similar to those which occurred in Bali and the Philippines this week in which more than 180 people died, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed warned today.

An Australian political analyst says there must be a slow and cautious response in waging war against a country. Describing the impending US attack on Iraq as looking more like a conspiracy, he adds that politics and diplomacy must be conducted with finesse.

Sept 11 has forced a relook at the definitions of war and terrorism. The distinctions are there, in terms of target, method and cause. But the more pertinent question for humanity is: How do we prevent terror?

Devastated by the bombings in Bali, the Australian government is pushing for more anti-terror laws but detractors warn that this would inflict grave damage on the country's democratic system.