Archive - 17 October 2013

The pronouncement of Teo Chee Kang and senator Chin Su Phin as the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) number one and two men respectively by the unrecognised LDP election chairperson Yong Wui Chung on Wednesday had no legal effect, said the party’s secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr.  

A Padang Besar Umno division deputy head candidate is disappointed that he was labeled a bankrupt which could result in him being disqualified to contest for any political post.    

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has proposed that a new law on misconduct of public office be formulated to punish civil servants responsible for causing losses to the country.   

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim says a PSC should decide if the programme should be subject to 'revisions' or be 'scrapped'.

Dr Chua Soi Lek says he was told of the complaint when he explained the reason for MCA resolution to censure Liow Tiong Lai to Muhyiddin Yassin.

An event management company today withdrew a RM1.98 million civil suit against Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin in relation to Karnival Sihat 3S in Papar, Sabah, two years ago.

Residents of four residential areas in Cheras are up in arms over having a highway snaking through their neighbourhood.

UPDATED 6.15PM They stick to its stand that 'Allah' can be used by non-Muslims as long as there is no intention...

Coalition of NGOs opposing the Trans-Pacific deal wants credible, independent, and experienced consultants to prepare fresh analyses on it.

The Second Penang Bridge project cost remains within the RM4.5 billion budget, despite several safety testings, says the bridge concessionaire, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

KINIBIZ Aspiring leaders often do, say and pay whatever is necessary to attain power. An example: politicising the use of English.

KINIBIZ Funding the project will be a major issue, as either public or private investment will come with its own set of concerns.

Transfers of five judges from Sabah to the peninsula have raised concerns over autonomy of the judiciary in the Borneo states, says Darell Leiking.

However, Muslim lawyers point out that the judgment states 'Allah' may only be used in the Islamic reference to God.

The DAP sec-gen says the cabinet’s move to stand by its 10-point solution shows that the ‘Allah’ ban was not to protect the sanctity of Islam.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the Home Ministry did not look at the legal aspect alone but emphasised the sensitivities of Muslims in Malaysia.

The state cannot cut red tape or improve productivity and efficiency if housing developers choose to remain silent, says Lim Guan Eng.

The home minister appears more keen on ‘shoot first’ policy than helping stateless people get their citizenship, says DCM II P Ramasamy.

PAS Youth moots an independent election body comprising scholars and non-alligned academicians to run the polls.

The 'Allah' judgment has caused 'serious disquiet and tension' between Muslims and non-Muslims and Karpal wants the appeal heard immediately.

UPDATED 3.34PM Lim Kit Siang muses if the formation of M'sia would have taken place if the 'Allah' ban was  in effect 50 years ago.

UPDATED 6.30PM Reducing income tax when GST comes will help to balance the people's burdens, says ACCCIM.

Four computers under a one-watt LED lightbulb may connect to the Internet under the principle that light can be used as a carrier.

Under orders from the PM, the home minister says the government will engage with Bar Council and NGOs unhappy with the new ammendments.

The White House moved quickly early today to get the United States government back up and running after a 16-day shutdown.

UPDATED 3.25PM ‘Nowhere our report to the UN Human Rights Council are we questioning the position of Islam or rights of Malays,' says the coalition.

UPDATED 3.30PM In its report submitted to the UN, the gov’t presents a rather nice image of the country's human rights issues.

UPDATED 4.10PM A coalition of Chinese businesses calls for other races to be given a larger slice of the economy in the interest of fairness.

COMMENT The Malays do not like to be confused. Their response is to criminalise its possible source, in this case to ‘copyright’ the word ‘Allah’.

While the MACC has not received any reports of money politics in the party, two divisions however allege such practices exist.

Bad weather is being blamed for the crash of a Lao Airlines plane which plunged into the Mekong river in Laos killing all 49 on board.

Construction of Jakarta’s monorail is expected to cost between US$900 million to US$1.5 billion, Indonesian agency Antara reported.

India is building a tsunami early warning system in the South China Sea to avoid a repeat of the 2004 catastrophe, reports PTI.

The police detained two men on Oct 9, believed to be involved in the theft of prayer paraphernalia from temples in Malacca last month.

Don't interpret Quranic verses according to your whims if you don't have the capability, a PAS leader says in ticking off the Johor PKR chief for his tweet.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup says that the cabinet has decided that the 10-point solution stands.

COMMENT It is not about one word alone but our constitutional right to profess, practise and propagate our respective faiths.

UPDATED 1.34PM The Umno Youth chief dodges urgings for the ROS to step in, saying they will conduct internal probes first.

UPDATED 1.04PM A Sudanese Muslim and The Guardian columnist call the 'Allah' ban a bid to seize the national identity.

FREE YOURSAY 'Is this not the time for the students to broaden their outlook about life and Malaysia? What is the gov't afraid of?'

COMMENT Tensions over 'Allah' issue would abate once Pakatan reiterates a stand consonant with authentic history...

I am of the view the Court of Appeal resorted to an ambiguous interpretation of a very clear provision in our constitution.

FREE YOURSAY 'Umno is in fear mode, and that's never been a better time than now to push hard. Remember, they are the minority.'

Things like no electricity and potholes on roads flood his account and the PKR supremo calls for a special task force in the states to attend to these problems.

FREE YOURSAY 'I cannot understand what the gov't is afraid of - some NGOs making a fuss about the use of the word ‘Allah'...?'

FREE YOURSAY 'Islam under Umno is not a universal religion but a political commodity to be traded off for power and influence.'

Endy M Bayuni argues those who believe in one supreme God cannot say there is a God for Muslims and a God for Christians.

The police chief dismisses the possibility of journalists being present to cover the 'PDRM/Surendran vs armed criminals' confrontation.

ANALYSIS With just two days left, indications are that Zahid Hamidi, Ali Rustam and Shafie Apdal will take the veep posts.