Archive - 16 December 2008

The proposed Judicial Appointments Commission is the government's first step to restore public confidence in the judiciary, says the de facto law minister in tabling the Bill for second reading.

In dismissing the concerns of critics, the government is arguing that prosecutory powers in the new anti-corruption commission are not solely in the hands of the AG.

Twenty-seven 'Ride for Change' campaign under-aged activists, who were held at the Rawang police station yesterday, were released this afternoon.

Fishermen have gone on strike over diesel prices for good reason, says DAP parliamentarian Nga Kor Ming, who wants the government to give attention to their difficulties.

Questions are raised as to why the prosecution wants to review the matter when Chia is dead. Chia's lawyer says it's a move purely to massage the ego of certain people.

parliament snippets Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia denies claims that a group of BN MPs submitted a letter to him to protest over how two 'reform' Bills are being rushed through.

updated 7.40pm It recommends the government to reconsider its decision to delay the purchase of the Eurocopter choppers given the problems with the existing fleet of Nuris.

Jerit fired back - Khalid's statement about 'protecting' children does not hold water as it was him who had caused a lot of agony and mental torture for the cyclists. [VIDEO INSIDE]

The country is facing significant loss after a six-month-long seafood ban and the government is helping those affected with soft loans.

The Sarawak native community claims that it is as badly marginalised as Indians in the peninsula, and that Britain should pay heed to its predicament.

Penang CM Lim is urging the federal government to introduce guidelines ala Hong Kong to improve hill slope safety to avert future landslide tragedies.

updated 7.13pm The national carrier said that it has begun talks with various carriers, including Australia's Qantas, to form tie-ups including joint ventures as carriers face a tough economic environment.

While Sabah awaits a court decision in January that is widely expected to see a by-election in Pensiangan, opposition leaders must first work out their local rivalries.

The soon-to-be vacant New York senate seat was once held by Caroline Kennedy's uncle Robert F Kennedy.

A bemused Lim Guan Eng clarifies that cheaper foreign cars will only be bought if and when the state government replaces its current Proton Perdana fleet.

The PAS information chief is claiming that the popular Malay daily had defamed him by reporting that he supported a move to topple the government by using force.

Penang PAC members sat last week to finalise their preliminary findings into the fiasco, which has become a source of embarrassment to CM Lim Guan Eng.

The Selangor police chief said the Jerit cyclists were stopped in Rawang to "save (the children) from being misused and exploited by irresponsible people".

I started to write this column in my head on Nov 4 as I watched the election results refreshing ‘live’ on my computer screen. I grew giddy with quiet delight: At long last change has finally come to America, I thought then.

More than a month later, after digesting Obama-mania, I am now asking: Has it? Will change come to America? Sitting in my apartment in New York City, the view looks different, suddenly.

‘How could the open system not be fair when the whole world is practicing it? In some countries, it is even a jailable offence for not practicing the open tender system,’ says the Penang CM.

Today’s headlines revolve around the petrol price reduction, provisions of the MACC Bill and calls to revert to the mother-tongue in teaching Mathematics and Science.

Abdullah's biggest fight will be the Special Complaints Commission. And like the two other ‘reform' bills, he is not likely to make everyone happy.

updated 1.50pm The Bill, tabled for first reading in Parliament this morning, provides much power to the AG and minister - their decisions cannot be questioned in court.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said his first two weeks in office will be watched with much interest.