Archive - 26 October 2002

Keadilan's fourth annual general meeting kicked off in Sungai Petani today with the Youth wing proposing that party leaders should be selected by party members through direct elections. Party president Dr Wan Azizah will deliver her address later tonight.

Ummi Hafilda Ali is ready to meet the prime minister's challenge for her to come up with evidence that Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said is a lesbian. She will begin with a police report and vow not to let Azalina walk away freely. Ummi who once claimed to be a virgin did just that to Anwar Ibrahim.

The government expects to introduce teaching Science and Mathematics in English in stages next year as part of a national initiative, but before that happens the government must find a face saving solution for its leader and for the dominant ethnic parties that make up Mahathir's administration.

DAP chief Lim Kit Siang calls on the government to get its act together and not send out confusing and conflicting signals about the threat of terrorism in the country. He says the government must be sincerely prepared to get all Malaysians involved to ensure a terrorism-free nation.

India will play host to leaders from some 185 countries at the Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). At hand are some pressing issues such as the impact of global warming and entitlements and accountability under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

ROS Ismail Dolah is expected in Kuching to personally notify the two Snap factions of his long-awaited decision on the fate of the party. Meanwhile, there is still a lot of mistrust among the feuding groups.

Still reeling from the tremors following its purchase of two Chinese dailies last year, MCA has once again concluded a controversial transaction. Several party leaders claim the deal to purchase the Australian Institute for University Studies (AIUS) is unconstitutional as the central committee was not informed. Needless to say, MCA president Ling Liong Sik is under fire again.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi fires a new shot in the lonely anti-globalisation battle long waged by his boss, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He marks his debut at the APEC forum in Mexico by aiming a salvo at International Monetary Fund.