Archive - 24 November 2008

While some welcome the decision as an indication that the country is heading towards judicial independence, others prefer to hold back judgement for now.

Parliament snippets Among others, the members of parliament today debated the issue of fake MyKads as well as the long wait for proper roads in Sabah and Sarawak.

The regional chief of Unesco said Penang could lose its newly-acquired world heritage status because of a row over plans for four high-rise hotels.

Why was the Pakatan Rakyat Penang government in such a hurry to approve a hotel project? Gerakan wants answers to avert the loss of Georgetown’s world heritage city status.

The backbencher is upset that the federal government has ‘thrown money’ to states like Kelantan which has not voted for Barisan Nasional, while ignoring Sabah which has.

The PM-in-waiting vows to sharpen the country's competitive edge and regain the ruling party's two-thirds majority in Parliament even as financial turmoil takes a toll on the nation.

Gerakan, which headed the previous Penang government, accepts responsibility for the dire financial straits of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council which has run on eight consecutive deficit budgets.

Tokyo-based Nippon Foundation urged ship owners to contribute to a fund for ensuring safety on the strategic Malacca Straits.

updated 6.45pm Arrested last night at an anti-ISA gathering, the nine party members were released at 3.45am today, but will have to present themselves at the Ampang Jaya Magistrate’s Court.

comment Apart from a few, most of the elected representatives of the Penang state assembly attended the sitting just to warm their seats and be mere spectators.

free 'According to my calculations, if workers opt for a lower EPF contribution rate of eight percent, they will end paying more income tax die to a higher taxable income.'

This is the argument put forth by lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon, who is representing the controversial blogger against a defamation suit.

Some Muslims, according to an unofficial SMS poll conducted by Malaysiakini, are not amused by the National Fatwa Council’s religious edict last weekend against the practice of yoga.

updated 4.45pm The MIC president says he will meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss the National Fatwa Council's ruling on the practice of yoga by Muslims.

updated 4.30pm ‘I am rejecting the motion, although it is specific and of public interest, it is not necessarily an immediate concern,' said the deputy speaker.

The police have cancelled bail imposed on 24 individuals arrested at the Nov 9 candlelight vigil - an indication that action will not be taken against them.

The psychological test is reaching the RM1 billion mark in 2009 and then to target US$1 billion for the year after that, says AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani.

A new era is dawning – of culture and consciousness in the face of state-sponsored corporate crony capitalism. Sarawakians are dancing to reclaim ownership of their sacred land.

updated 5.10pm The High Court today acquitted Irene Fernandez, bringing an end to a 13-year court battle sparked of by poor conditions at immigration detention centres.

The ban on yoga for Muslims continues to generate comment, but the Syarie Lawyers Association has taken a hardline stance against those who question the institution of the National Fatwa Council.

free ‘It will be a matter of time before a fatwa is issued to ban martial arts based on the same reasoning that they have religious connotations,' says a reader.

A government proposal to set up a media council to 'regulate' news reporting has alarmed journalists who see it as an attempt to add yet another layer of control over their profession.

updated 1.20pm Bishop Julius Danaraj Paul and two others were drowned after a boat carrying 14 people capsized in Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

The 21 leaders of the Apec forum, which accounts for half the global economy, met for a second day of talks a day after Bush offered an impassioned plea for free trade.