Archive - 16 December 2002

They were promised their homes in January, but finding themselves empty-handed still, apartment buyers in a project in Selangor are suing the parties concerned.

Unclear about what 'indefinite' suspension means, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon says he won't comment on the action taken against the two errant state assembly representatives. However, he notes the suspension proved the duo breached BN discipline.

The government will cut tariffs on imported cars from Southeast Asian countries from next year but will offset the reductions with higher excise duties, says Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz.

Malaysian king arrives in Phnom Penh for a three-day visit to Cambodia aimed at boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.

Health authorities must place the country on dengue fever alert amid a sharp rise in cases of the mosquito-borne disease, says DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang.

PAS Youth seeks an apology from Australian premier John Howard for his feather-ruffling pre-emptive strikes suggestion. Its chief, Mahfuz Omar (photo) says the remark is arrogant and has alarmed millions in the region.

Jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was warded last Friday for treatment of 'baseline pneumonia', has developed asthma. This adds to his health worries — due to chronic back ache, he has been forced to use a wheelchair to move about.

updated version MCA, under intense pressure to discipline two party members, has not gone as far as to sack them as BN leaders wanted, but has chosen to mete out a penalty that the party feels is "appropriate".

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia menyarankan supaya kerajaan PAS dan Barisan Nasional (BN) mengenepikan kepentingan politik masing-masing dan bersedia berkongsi maklumat mengenai hukum hudud sebagai satu tuntutan agama.

The Islamisation race between Umno and PAS will curtail fundamental liberties and bear more repressive laws in a country already laden with them. FARISH A NOOR notes that PAS' willingness to learn from a 'decadent and corrupt' Saudi Arabia is a cause for concern.

State propaganda in Malaysia, based on selective half-truths and a distorted sense of proportion and time-line, is nowhere more blatant than the recent anti-Australia and anti-Howard 'outrage' in the tightly controlled official media.

Global efforts to plug loopholes to prevent funds from reaching terrorists may undercut the tradition of charitable organisations helping needy Muslims around the world.