Archive - 6 May 2003

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to open Petronas' RM16.6 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Sarawak o­n Thursday.

Malaysia will not rush into recognising the US sponsored interim government in Iraq and has no immediate plans to reopen its embassy in the capital Baghdad, says Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

The European Union today said it was disappointed by the appellate court's decision to uphold the sodomy conviction against jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The authorities have accepted eight out of the 10 objections raised by Petaling Jaya residents o­n the bold plan to remake the township. No wonder, they are pleased.

Such a move could strengthen Pak Lah's position and provide him with more choices for the new line-up. Insiders also warn that the MBs command a strong support and this could spell trouble for certain leaders.

Nine-year-old Iraqi war victim Yasmine Wa'adi will find out soon the type of prosthetic limbs she will be fitted with, courtesy of generous Malaysians.

Investigations into allegations of graft practices made against Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo are nowhere near completion, says the ACA.

Pak Lah says he'll send a high-ranking Bukit Aman officer to meet the PAS leader but Abdul Hadi wants to meet the deputy premier personally instead.

Quarantine order in two Sarawak hospitals lapses today with the health ministry expressing satisfaction over the Sars situation not o­nly there but also nationwide.

Measures including tax and interest rate cuts will help reduce operating costs as the Sars outbreak bites the fragile economy.

No, the arms cache is not brought in by terrorists, but by a group of villagers who want to celebrate a wedding.

While NSTP's top boss claims that "only an idiot" would believe in absolute press freedom, DAP's numero uno counters that o­nly an idiot would believe Malaysians want absolute press freedom.

Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin says Reporters Without Borders was trying to discredit Malaysia by giving it a low ranking in the annual Press Freedom Index. RSF says the findings were based o­n fact.

Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo's letter to The Star o­n April 26 entitled 'ISA is the nation's sword of Damocles' is riddled with several critical flaws in his attempt to defend the draconian law.

Dayak-based political party PBDS, whose leaders are embroiled in a tussle for power, is investigating how files could have gone missing from its office.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's supporters and other opportunists are attempting to deify a man for their own self-preservation - like what the Gang of Four did to Mao Zedong in China's 'Cultural Revolution'.

With Iraq under its occupation and Syria shaken by a series of threats from Washington, Iran is now looming as a major target for US pressure.

Non-executive staff of local banks, upset by what they see as double standards by management, will protest o­n Thursday to back their salary demands.