Eileen Ng

Opposition leader Abdul Hadi Awang accuses the United States of protecting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over a nuclear black market scandal to prevent Islamists from taking power in upcoming elections.

The country's economy is poised for sharper growth after expanding 5.2 percent in 2003, beating the official 4.5 percent target thanks to an upturn in foreign investment and exports in the fourth quarter.

More than 28,000 youths from different ethnic groups reported today in the country's first national service call-up aimed at boosting patriotism and racial integration.

In an old English-style mansion in downtown Kuala Lumpur, 54 single people tired of looking for love take part in five-minute speed dates in the hope of being struck by Cupid's arrow in time for Valentine's Day.

The government says US activists are tarnishing its image at a major UN environmental meeting with a false report alleging large-scale smuggling of illegal timber from Indonesia.

Activists at a UN environmental conference accuse host-country Malaysia of turning a blind eye to large-scale smuggling of illegal timber from Indonesia, provoking strong denials from the government.

The new premier has surprised the business community with some bold moves such as deferring a multi-billion-ringgit rail deal and indicating a possible change to Malaysia's six-year-old currency peg against the dollar.

Hundreds of thousands of Malaysian Hindus made their annual pilgrimage to a 113-year-old limestone cave temple to celebrate Thaipusam, where devotees pierce their bodies with sharp hooks and skewers in self-mortification.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today left open the prospect of change to Malaysia's six-year-old currency peg against the dollar.

Analysts say Proton's new models slated this year will "make or break" the carmaker which has been struggling over the last year to arrest a sharp slide in its market share.

Malaysia faces rosier growth prospects in 2004 following some disruption this year, with an upcoming general election expected to give a further boost to one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing economies.

Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has made his first major decision in shelving a controversial rail deal awarded by his predecessor but analysts say it is premature to conclude that he is now striking out on his own.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today says a new tax structure for imported cars will be introduced by the government by the end of the month.

With a year left before Malaysia's auto market is forced open under a regional free trade pact, Proton is aggressively expanding its reach with two ambitious tie-ups to prepare for greater competition.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was warmly welcomed by the mainstream media on his first day in office today, but warned of major challenges ahead.

Looming general elections, a serious budget deficit and the need to bolster economic competitiveness and woo investment are some of the challenges facing Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warns that too much freedom could lead to anarchy as he defended his democratic record today during his last appearance in parliament ahead of retirement.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will inherit a modern and progressive Malaysia when his mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad steps down this week, but he will also be confronted with an array of tough political and economic challenges.

The amount is to be invested in research and development over the next five years in its drive to become a major player in the region.

"They are still considered a security threat in this current situation," said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also home minister responsible for signing the detention orders.

Malaysia's first elections in 22 years without Dr Mahathir Mohamad's dominating presence are shaping up as a fight for the soul of the Muslim majority, a congress of the hardline Islamic Party (PAS) showed today.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad shuffled the cards in his farewell budget Friday, ending six years of pump-priming to cut a towering deficit and setting the economy on a sustainable track for his successor, analysts say.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad today provided tax boosts for businesses in his final budget after 22 years in power but offered few goodies for the man on the street ahead of impending elections.

New president Abdul Hadi Awang also says the party holds firmly to its aim of turning Malaysia into an Islamic state.