Yoon Szu-Mae

Malaysia has climbed a notch in an annual development index (HDI) released by the United Nations Development Programme.

Slapped with a one-year suspension for dragging party matters to the press, N Rajen Diran says he won't appeal as those who have the power to overturn the order, are the same people he has a bone to pick with.

ICT, although relieved that it will not be denied a performance licence, has called for an explanation of issues linked to the recent controversy over its production ' Bolehwood '.

KL City Hall appears to have written 'The End' over its reaction to Instant Caf Theatre's refusal to comply with its directive over a satire, but it is an open ending.

As Malaysia ups the ante on dispute over raw water prices with Singapore, questions are being asked as to whether the money spent on a media blitz was necessary. NEAC responds.

Even before protestors were able to light their candles in front of the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur last night, the police had hours ahead secured the zone in large intimidating numbers.

The art circle is fuming over City Hall's decision to slap a theatre company with a ban after it refused to censor its production. They claim the punishment is excessive and unwarranted.

The presidential speech at the 36 ^th PRM congress on Sunday raised eyebrows because of the strong position taken over PAS' policy on the Islamic state. Does this signify a change in the BA's working relationship?

The deputy home minister claims that those held under the act are not mistreated but two former detainees say otherwise.

. Twenty six months of incarceration has done little to cloud the focus of Keadilan leader Tian Chua. In an interview, he expresses optimism the road to fundamental reform is up ahead.

Since the Aceh conflict began over a month ago, civil society groups in Malaysia are concerned for the safety of undocumented Acehnese living in the country, as the government has the authority to detain and deport them back to the conflict zone.

Despite the brutal war in Aceh, Malaysia is reluctant to accord special protection to those fleeing from the violence. But that doesn't stop them from seeking refuge in the country.

The National Service Training Bill 2003, aimed at criminalising those who defy call-up to the three-month national service scheme, gains attention.

Two key party posts - deputy president and Youth chief - are up for grabs at the PAS general assembly in September. However, party leaders prefer to keep mum on whether substantial leadership jostling will be occurring three months from now.

The government has broken its silence on the compulsory national service scheme to reveal that it will begin in February. The cost? A staggering RM500 million.

The process of pumping water out of the flooded underground complex at Dataran Merdeka will be a slow and labourious one - and the contractor hopes for dry weather tonight.

The short and peaceful gathering of a group of individuals outside the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur last night was carried out with little incident.

The accusations range from siphoning cash to monopoly of defence contracts. Second Finance Minister Jamaludin Jarjis is a director and reputedly the biggest individual shareholder in one of the disputed companies.

The party leader says Tian Chua and Saari Sungib will 'play their roles without delay' but keeps mum on plans for the general election.

Whether the anti-ISA movement can keep its momentum remains to be seen now that four of the six reformasi activists are no longer under detention. However, key players behind the struggle vow to keep it going.

But they also reiterate their demand that the controversial security law, which allows detention without trial, be repealed.

Disagreement between the youth sections of Keadilan and PRM over whether women should be accepted into the youth wing of the newly-merged party may signal disquiet in the less-than-rosy union.

Decisions o­n providing humanitarian aid to areas experiencing conflict or disasters rely o­n a number of factors - good intentions alone are insufficient, say two groups.

Despite an early assurance that a representative of the Indonesian government will receive a memo calling for an end to hostilities in Aceh, representatives of NGOs and political parties were met with an embassy no-show.