M Jegathesan

Iraq's ability to reach targets for increased oil exports to a world market hit by high prices depends on improved security, warns a former top British diplomat.

Canberra has invited Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to visit Australia. It has been 20 years since a Malaysian premier made an official visit to Australia.

Islamic teachings had been corrupted to serve the militant cause and al-Qaeda linked terrorists could drive the world to the brink of disaster, says Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leaves for a five-day visit to China on Thursday for talks aimed at strengthening political and trade ties with the emerging economic superpower.

The United Nations will spearhead economic and humanitarian aid to Burma if it freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and consulted the opposition in constitution talks, says UN envoy Razali Ismail.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the government will transfer shares worth billions of ringgit in some 30 publicly listed companies held by the Ministry of Finance to its top investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

Jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim received a new setback at his final appeal hearing today when the judges refused to consider a bail application.

The government fears violence in southern Thailand, where clashes with suspected Muslim rebels yesterday have left at least 95 dead - the bloodiest day in the history of the troubled region - could spill over the border.

While China promises full disclosure, regional health officials say they are confident the deadly disease would be contained.

Southeast Asian states adopt a common strategy to fight deadly epidemics such as Sars and bird flu, which have cost the region hundreds of lives and billions of dollars over the past two years.

Malaysia's economy was clearly gaining momentum, in line with global trends led by growth in the US economy, says the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research.

The demand for anti-terrorism equipment by security forces worldwide has risen sharply since the attacks on the United States, defence officials said at a major international arms show in Kuala Lumpur.

Budget carrier AirAsia says it is unfazed by a looming dogfight over Southeast Asian skies as rivalry heats up after Australia's Qantas entered the fray this week.

Faced with an internal party election in June, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has filled his new cabinet with loyalists to strengthen his position after his recent landslide election victory.

Winning the hearts and minds of farmers and fisher folk in the paddy fields and coconut groves of the Malay heartland is crucial as it will determine the future shape of Malaysian politics.

Indian Malaysians are at the bottom of the country's economic and political ladder. Despite their woes, most back the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition

The ruling coalition has made sweeping changes in its line-up of candidates for elections on March 21, marking a fresh break with the leadership of retired strongman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The struggle for Islamic hearts and minds in Malaysia's elections shaped up today as a contest with global resonance as the government pressed a modernist agenda despite a strong challenge from fundamentalists.

The fate of ISA detainees on hunger strike loomed as an election issue as the son of the opposition party's spiritual leader was hospitalised.

The country's two main Muslim parties looked to God for help as campaigning for the March 21 began.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says that while some people might be "sympathetic towards" Anwar Ibrahim, they would still vote for the ruling coalition as it had the capacity to deliver development.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will call a snap election within 30 days after cancelling his trip to the G15 summit in Venezuela to focus on a nationwide tour, say analysts and politicians.

Newspapers, opposition parties and ministers themselves were speculating feverishly over who would be next after Lands and Cooperative Development Minister Kasitah Gaddam quit the cabinet.

The arrests this week of a government minister and a high-profile tycoon show that new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is backing his pledge to crack down on corruption with unexpected vigour.