Archive - 1 August 2012

Najib Abdul Razak announces the new initiative aimed at developing youth to become the nation’s innovation ambassadors.

Information Minister Rais Yatim says critics can agree with the government's Merdeka theme, but they shouldn't cause a split.

The Klang Valley is still affected by haze with Port Klang and Kuala Selangor recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index at 11am with readings of 101 and 102 respectively.

International Federation of Musicians calls for a global boycott of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra following its termination of nine musicians.

Firefly, in a move to spread its wings further, will fly direct from Kota Baru to Singapore every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, beginning Aug 10.

This is despite earlier investigations that have shown no irregularities in the university’s cafeteria contract, notes CWC member S Vell Pari.

UPDATED 7.40PM The Selangor MB says it is a lot faster to just have five audit firms scrutinise the deal with Talam and make their findings public.

UPDATED 4.35PM Idea for contest aired on TV3 in 2008 from educational firm's concept paper presented to newspaper company in 2005, High Court rules.

UPDATED 5.55PM The women’s rights group is among groups disturbed by unethical behaviour of photographers who stalked naked women.

UPDATED 5.30PM By exposing scandals, Rafizi has created powerful enemies who are now using any means at their disposal, claims Anwar Ibrahim.

UPDATED 7.10PM The DPM has turned down the MB's invitation to resolve the water row, says exco member Ronnie Liu.

Operators of used cars and car owners stand to lose out significantly if the prices of cars and excise duties are slashed.

The George Kent-Lion Pacific Consortium received the Letter of Award from Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd on Monday.

UPDATED 4.30PM The Graphic Design Association of Malaysia is trying to ensure there is no repeat of the fiasco.

Police have detained a 28-year-old mechanic for allegedly breaking into the house of the mother of Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff on July 11. 

The largest circulation Chinese daily also appeals to readers to let its editorial writer, who took responsibility and resigned, to 'lead a quiet life'.

Malaysia’s state-owned firm Petronas is planning to shut its 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) Kerteh refinery for planned maintenance in September.

A Malay NGO says that the previous BN administration had never prioritised the matter but was highlighting it now for its own political agenda.

UPDATED 4.05PM Hee Jenn Wei was having a drink at a hotel café when police hauled him out and dragged him to Dataran Merdeka.

UPDATED 4.45PM P Puspanathan says that policemen forced him to delete pictures of officers beating protesters.

UPDATED 3.55PM PKR veep Surendran says the action against Rafizi Ramli amounts to political persecution. [VIDEO INSIDE]

The Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) has opened tenders for the vehicle registration numbers in the ‘KDH’ series.

Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukin given the power to pick a number of candidates in Sabah for coming general election, New Straits Times says.

The federal government has spent about RM97 million on the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) in Penang involving 194,197 recipients.

Immigration staff initially told P Waythamoorthy that he was wanted by the police, but eventually gave him free passage.

Monday’s failure of the northern network, followed by the expanded collapse of all three grids after midday yesterday caused chaos.

Very few have sought protection as whistle-blowers thus far. With Rafizi Ramli's arrest, expect even less, says DAP.

UPDATED 5.50PM Several Malay NGOs hand Jais a memo, claiming instances of PAS elected reps making such political speeches.

COMMENT The police force has responded to an article on ‘why police are impotent in dealing with growing crime’.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua says this is because previous exposes have shown that the George Kent consortium had failed competency tests.

National shuttlers Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong nearly missed the quarter-finals slot, losing to the world number one duo from South Korea.

About 40,000 people will be affected due to water disruption in the two areas on Aug 8, following maintenance works.

By 10.52am, the counter was up 8.74 percent at RM1.12 per share with 1.15 million shares changing hands.

ANTIDOTE It lays bare the anatomy of corrupt land deals in Sarawak that have enriched the state's political elite and their acolytes

The allegation was raised in February and if the deputy minister remains silent, we will act, says PAS Youth. [VIDEO INSIDE]

Former Bukit Aman CID chief Fauzi Shaari lends his expertise to Pakatan's alternative budget, specifically on crime-fighting.

Foolish to raise the spectre of promises at all.

COMMENT By now Najib Abdul Razak's quest for a propitious time to call snap polls is not only unattainable; it beckons disaster.

FREE YOURSAY 'This is no more than a mega-subsidy scheme for business and industry. Yet Najib wants to cut oil and other subsidies.'

UPDATED 1.30PM Christians are to "pray that the GE will be carried out peacefully and with integrity, and those elected will be honest and able...'

COMMENT Media personnel take photos of nude sex workers, while female journalists pose for pictures with them.

FREE YOURSAY 'This is not a bid but an auction where the highest price won. It makes a mockery of the whole tender process.'

UPDATED 1.18PM Rafizi Ramli is alleged to have exposed banking details on the Cowgate scandal. [VIDEO INSIDE]