Archive - 2 November 2002

The dilemma faced by a group of stranded migrant workers, now seeking refuge in a church in Petaling Jaya, highlights again inconsistent implementation of foreign worker policy. A labour rights group questions why employers are still allowed to get away with impunity.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is standing by his decision to quit next October and not to contest the next general election. He reiterates that he has made up his mind on the matter and that the decision is final.

A landmark breakthrough in resolving the battle of sovereign claims in the hotly-disputed Spratly Islands has been hailed as a genuine move towards ensuring regional and global security.

Is the opposition worried about the Barisan Nasional-controlled RTM? Yes, says Zainiddin Maidin. This was why the opposition tabled a motion on a RM10 salary cut against the Information Minister because it is worried about RTM's effectiveness in exposing its political tactics, he says.

DAP chief Lim Kit Siang says the party will embark on a nationwide campaign to highlight the flaws of the language switch compromise which he says is educationally unsound. The campaign will start on Nov 19. Meanwhile, the party will continue with its 'No to 929' campaign.

Fifty people were killed and 89 others injured when a fire raged through a prison in El Jadida, south of the Moroccan capital Rabat, reviving a debate about conditions in the north African kingdom's notoriously overcrowded jails.

Saddam Hussein, realizing that American intervention could bring his rule to an end, has been winning friends in Western Europe and Russia by offering large, generous oil deals to powerful countries who are in a position to make a US invasion more difficult.

Compulsory national service for our youth, so decide our policy makers. But what do the youth think about that? According to a street poll by malaysiakini , some agree that it'll be great for national unity and patriotism; a few wonder what's the connection.

The US anti-terror centre to be set up in Malaysia is just Big Brother America here to watch out for its little Asean brothers. Hogwash, says FARISH A NOOR who points out Uncle Sam's history of 'helping' Asean countries is anything but altruistic.

Sarawak DAP representative Chiew Chin Sing wants the proposed RM7.6 billion aluminium smelter plant in Bintulu to be scrapped as its costs far outweigh the benefits. There is no need to build the plant, he says.