Archive - 25 February 2004

The country's economy is poised for sharper growth after expanding 5.2 percent in 2003, beating the official 4.5 percent target thanks to an upturn in foreign investment and exports in the fourth quarter.

This is because there is already a strong foreign presence in the banking sector, says Bank Negara. The country is required to open up its door to foreign investors by 2007 in accordance with World Trade Organisation rules.

An affidavit filed by a veteran lawyer reveals allegations of electoral discrepancy and overall mismanagement of the Bar Council's affairs.

Since the former deputy minister's main job is to run BN propaganda, the proper way to award his services is for Umno or BN to hire him, not the state using public money, argues DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.

PSM wants four seats which were previously contested by DAP. A former DAP MP supports their call for the opposition party to give way. But so far, DAP top guns are still uncertain what to do.

The Malaysia Airline System Employees Union had controversially invested RM1 million in a 'non-existent' company and wants its money back. But so far it has only received RM200,000.

Indonesian police have arrested 15 Malaysians for suspected involvement in illegal logging in Papua province.

Mursyidur Am PAS, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat berkata ramai penyokong Umno termasuk daripada kalangan bekas ketua cawangan Umno menyertai PAS sejak akhir-akhir ini.

MCA and Gerakan - the two rival parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition - held its first merger talks yesterday. While they discussed cooperation in the coming general election, the two gingerly sidestepped any discussion on their differences over seat allocations.

The government is likely to reject calls by the United States for tighter export controls despite a row over the involvement of a local company belonging to the PM's son in the nuclear black market.

In view of the coming elections, a despondent Anwar Ibrahim sends two letters to the Chief Justice asking the judiciary to hear his bail application as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will call a snap election within 30 days after cancelling his trip to the G15 summit in Venezuela to focus on a nationwide tour, say analysts and politicians.

The prime minister's expressed confidence that Malaysia will not suffer international sanctions as a result of the Scomi/Scope-BSA Tahir fiasco must have arisen from the genuine lack of mens rea on the part of the government.

A call is made to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to reverse the misguided policy of the previous administration that anglisization means globalisation which, the writer claims, is also opposed by the Malay-language sector in the country.

Orang-orang 'besar' yang terlibat dalam rasuah bukan sedikit jumlahnya. Mampukah Pak Lah mengheret setiap satunya ke muka keadilan?

Ruslan Kassim yang 'kembali ke pangkuan Umno' tiba-tiba memusuhi ideologi reformasi Keadilan dan bermesra kembali dengan ideologi Umno yang dihentamnya habis-habisan sebelum ini.

In standard Islamist political discourse, says MAZENI ALWI, secularism is seen as anti-religion because it removes Islam from any role in the public and political sphere.

An academic says it is not impossible to reconcile contradicting provisions in the Federal Constitution with those listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but it will not be an easy task.

The State Reform Party of Sarawak says it is prepared to make way for other opposition candidates if it helps the opposition to secure victory in the coming polls.