Archive - 14 January 2003

Economists predict that the economy is likely to grow only moderately over the next few years until it can sharpen its competitiveness.

MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik is in the limelight again. Barely a week after the frenzy concerning his resignation, a former protege is now accusing the veteran politician of deceit.

MCA Youth chief and party vice-president Ong Tee Keat demonstrated allegiance to deputy president Lim Ah Lek today, saying that president Dr Ling Liong Sik's plan to resign as president would not pose a problem if the present hierarchy is maintained.

Accusations of opposition interference in the campaign against the proposed mega-incinerator project have got Semenyih/Broga residents all riled up. They are demanding better treatment and respect from their elected representatives.

The government today remained tightlipped over reports that it had offered asylum to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe if he reliquishes power.

PAS says it never invited its former ally DAP to rejoin the Barisan Alternatif but was merely suggesting that opposition parties cooperate in the upcoming general election.

Public funds are used yet again to prop up the ailing KL stock market, this time a whopping RM10 billion. The opposition questions the move, but an economics don is confident of a positive result.

The government is engaged in an ideological battle for the hearts and minds of Muslims in its fight against terrorism, to the extent of ending funding for private religious schools, says Defence Minister Najib Razak.

The Fernandez trial has been postponed to tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances. Other matters that have cropped up since the last hearing was held in May 2001 also have to be resolved.

The shortage of judges is causing a backlog of cases and fanning the frustration of lawyers. The Bar Council is urging the government to resolve the problem before the situation worsens.

Vendors distributing the new Oriental Daily News are appealing for help against alleged "threats and intimidation" from rival newspaper groups. But competitors say they have the right to disallow others to make use of their established distribution network.

The prickly subject of polygyny was raised yet again when Perlis recently proposed to relax the conditions for Muslim men. The prime minister wants the issue to die off, but there are a few myths about this 'preferred' form of marriage in Islam which needs to be exposed.

The world is the house of God, whose children regardless of colour, creed and belief are welcomed. M BAKRI MUSA says diversity should be tolerated.

'Forward defence' appears to be the latest buzzword popularised by the prime minister, yet its theory and practice are not new and its origin is also quite ancient in both Asian and Western warfare.