Archive - 8 January 2003

MCA deputy president Lim Ah Lek has condemned 'misleading' press reports which linked him to yesterday's Barisan Nasional supreme council discussion of party chief Dr Ling Liong Sik's resignation letter.

Pro-government and opposition supporters clash at a celebration to mark the seven-year overdue closure of the Jalan Kuching toll plaza last night and DAP says Umno supporters started it.

MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik wants to vacate the battlefield but his orders are otherwise. As a loyal soldier, he says he must obey the general's command and hold the fort until further instruction.

Speculation is spreading as quickly as a wildfire in Penang, where a settlement was razed yesterday. While the authorities have not ruled out foul play, an opposition leader has thrown cold water over the rumours.

The United Nations Sanctions Committee that published a chart linking several Malaysian political parties and organisations to al-Qaeda has removed the offensive material from its website.

A bitter contest may be in the works if PBDS leaders fail to reach a consensus on who becomes the next deputy president. Some are warning that such a battle would have serious repercussions on the party.

Pemuda Umno yakin dengan keikhlasan Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik untuk berundur dari Kabinet, tetapi pembangkang menyifatkannya sebagai "sandiwara babak kedua" presiden MCA itu.

Jika perkembangan politik Barisan Alternatif (BA) dijangka penuh dengan pelbagai kemungkinan, politik Barisan Nasional (BN), terutamanya Umno juga sukar untuk menghindari krisis perebutan kuasa selepas Dr Mahathir Mohamad berundur pada Okt depan. LEE BAN CHEN mengulas senario semasa politik di Malaysia.

Rent control may be designed to help urban residents obtain affordable housing, but the adverse effects on both properties and landlords cry out for better solutions to a socio-economic problem.