Archive - 17 July 2008

Shouts of racism again marred proceedings in the House today as parliamentarians crossed swords over the issue of government scholarships.

The government can't be 'so stupid and unimaginative' to use the same issue to discredit Anwar Ibrahim, says the former premier.

They point out that there are already laws in place that allowed for civil proceedings so why the need for the state to act?

The PKR chief demanded to know who had instructed the police not to show him the report.

First the roadblocks, now Anwar's arrest. Lim Kit Siang says the police have given themselves two 'black eyes' in a week.

'We target at least 100,000 to 150,000 people to be deported,' said Najib.

The politician's lawyer reveals that there is a case law which may frustrate the police’s attempt to obtain a DNA sample using legal avenues.

Political turmoil and a gloomy global environment will cut Malaysia's growth to 4.6 percent in 2008, from an earlier forecast of 5.4 percent.

While the Pakatan promise to bring down petrol prices may rightly be populism, it also speaks cogently to the pinched pocket.

Watchdog Gerak lauds the Anti-Corruption Agency's move to reveal the names of corrupt port authorities.

With so much at stake, the timing of the new accusations against Anwar is extraordinary.

updated 8.55pm The opposition party says this is because there have been allegations of senior law officials allegedly manipulating and falsifying evidence against the PKR de facto leader.

updated 6.05pm The police will look into legal avenues to compel Anwar Ibrahim to provide them with a DNA sample to facilitate their investigations into the sodomy allegation.

updated 5.25pm He needed medical treatment after a night in a bare cell at Kuala Lumpur police headquarters which aggravated a back injury.

The following is Anwar Ibrahim’s press statement providing his own account of what had transpired in the days leading to his arrest.

comment Veteran journalist Terence Netto compares the Anwar-Shabery debate on Tuesday with a similarly charged debate that occurred almost 40 years ago.

After serving the party for 20 years, central committee member Tan Yee Kew has decided to throw in the towel.

Arresting him is the best way to generate sympathy and headlines for Anwar domestically as well as internationally.

updated 5.50pm 'When I was brought to the hospital, I was stripped naked for tests and had my private parts examined,' said Anwar. [VIDEO INSIDE]

Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers?

Malaysian firms are busy building dams in Laos at the expense of the local communities and their environment.

The police had 'reason to believe' Anwar would not show up for questioning but former UN special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy is far from convinced.

In remarks certain to infuriate the Malaysian government, US said the arrest of Anwar raised "serious concerns".

updated 6.40pm Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin has been arrested and charged for defaming DPM’s wife, Rosmah Mansor and two others. [VIDEO INSIDE]

free ‘The action in sending in 15 police cars and men in balaclava to arrest DSAI one hour before the stated deadline is absolutely amazing’.

free ‘They needed 15 police cars to arrest Anwar after giving him until 2 pm to turn up. Does anyone else feel we are sliding dangerously into an authoritarian, police state?’

updated 1.40pm PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested yesterday, was freed on police bail at 9.45am. [VIDEO INSIDE]