A CALL for stiffer penalties for syariah offences, and who Umno should field for the Bagan Pinang by-election were among the issues that occupied the Malay-language dailies today. Harsher penalties wanted Utusan Malaysia‘s Herman Hamid reported in Pinda Akta Mahkamah Syariah on the calls for harsher penalties for syariah offences. The Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) […]
Barisan Nasional
Tracking Rais
By Deborah LohI THOUGHT of Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim the other day and reflected on the impact that man has in my life. He affects my work since I rely heavily on the internet. He affects my entertainment choices since I almost would not have been able to attend the Arthur’s […]
Trusting the police
By Jacqueline Ann SurinEARLIER this week, while I was in the office alone in the morning, two uniformed police officers appeared outside our glass office door. One peered in. I looked up and smiled but my fingers were ready to sign in to Twitter if the police rang the doorbell. The officer who was peering in smiled back, […]
Malaysia Day
By The Nut Graph teamPOP quiz: Is Malaysia 46 or 52? Historical facts show that the Federated Malay states gained independence on 31 Aug 1957. Thus, Malaya was freed from colonial rule 52 years ago. But the birth of Malaysia itself, when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined the independent Malay states, took place on 16 Sept 1963. That makes […]
Whither Perak?
By Deborah LohPakatan Rakyat Speaker V Sivakumar (left) and Barisan Nasional Speaker R Ganesan THE Perak Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s persistence in not legitimising the Barisan Nasional (BN) state government draws either admiration or irritation. In part, it’s a difference of opinion that reflects political alignments. The BN-aligned depict such resilience as “buat kecoh”. This was aptly described […]
EC acted beyond powers, court told
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Sept 2009: The Election Commission (EC) acted beyond its powers and functions in not holding by-elections for three state seats in Perak, the High Court here was told today. Counsel Datuk S Ambiga said the EC’s decision in holding that the state assembly seats of Behrang, Changkat Jering and Jelapang were not […]
Ninth by-election to be called for Bagan Pinang (Updated 7.25pm)
Updated 7.25pm on 4 Sept 2009 SEREMBAN, 4 Sept 2009: Bagan Pinang assemblyperson, Azman Mohammad Noor, of Barisan Nasional (BN) died this afternoon at the Seremban Specialist Centre. He was 54. The death of the BN incumbent means that Malaysia will likely see a ninth by-election since the March 2008 general election. Azman’s son, Hairol […]
Abu Hassan will not be suspended
ALOR STAR, 2 Sept 2009: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak today gave his assurance that Article 52 of the state constitution would not be used to suspend Kota Siputeh assemblyperson Datuk Abu Hassan of the Barisan Nasional (BN). “Using Article 52 would only complicate things further. From the very beginning, we […]
Working with PAS
By Boon Kia MengThe writer (right) distributing leaflets while on a walkabout in Permatang Pasir (Pic courtesy of Boon Kia Meng) MUCH has been said and countless analyses have been made since PAS beat Umno in the recent Permatang Pasir by-election by a majority of 4,551 votes. Statistics and results can often be used to spin different narratives […]
Soi Lek takes a break after being sacked from MCA
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Aug 2009: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who was sacked from the MCA yesterday, wants to take a short vacation with “family and friends” and rest. Writing in his blog, the former party deputy president did not indicate if he would appeal within 14 days. Neither did he comment on speculation […]