Archive - 11 May 2003

Pervez Musharraf seems assured of Washington's support for him and his policies. But there is no way for India-Pakistan talks to ignore what the Indians call their core issue: cross-border terrorism.

Samy Vellu's outburst against a delegate speaking at the party conference today seems to indicate that the MIC still gags open discussion o­n issues the party president does not like to hear.

Zeti Akhtar Aziz who has pleased the king with her performance has been reappointed as Bank Negara governor for another three year term. Her reappointment was announced by Second Finance Minister Jamaluddin Jarjis.

The government continues to detain reformasi activists under the ISA despite a court declaration that the detention is unlawful and politically-motivated. The families are now wondering whether the expiry of the detention period will spell an extention.

As Umno turns 57 today, analysts and observers turn the pages of the party's history and seem to agree that more efforts have to be made to rid money politics and that Malays must not be over-dependent o­n government handouts.

The Sabah state election is near and three opposition parties have teamed up to face the Barisan Nasional, if not for anything else, at least to deny the ruling coalition an easy victory.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar questions the motive of a Norwegian member of Parliament to nominate President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Despite police recommendation, the Attorney-General Chambers has decided that they would not charge the 'Dato' Sri' for alleged assault as there was not enough evidence to do so. This means Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib will go scot-free.

Suqiu created a furore in Malaysian politics when it put forward its 17-point appeals o­n the eve of the 1999 general election. Now with a book to record the uneventful episode, it says it wants to leave the past behind.