THE Dewan Negara, or Senate, has long been perceived as a “rubber stamp” of the Dewan Rakyat or Lower House in Malaysia. In a Westminster parliamentary democracy, the Senate is meant to provide checks and balances on the Lower House. Indeed, healthy democracies thrive because of checks and balances. That the Dewan Negara in Malaysia […]
ministers
Buy me an election?
By Deborah Loh“Please, I help you, you help me. That way we have a very fair and happy relationship….It won’t cost you anything to give us what we want. We will do what we should to give you what you want. And you know what I want.” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak handing over federal funds […]
What use, that cabinet order?
By Deborah Loh“Conversion is not a grounds for the automatic dissolution of a marriage. The children should be brought up in the common religion. For the spouse who intends to convert into Islam, he or she would also have to come clean…The convert would have to fulfil his or her marriage responsibilities according to civil laws prior […]
BN-style resolution to “Allah” issue
By Jacqueline Ann SurinWORD is, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is mightily concerned about the “Allah” issue and wants the matter resolved. Forgive me, but it’s hard to believe this, based on the public statements the government has been making. Honestly, how can we believe that the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government under Najib’s leadership is sincere […]
Zaid: Umno leaders opposed disclosure
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 15 June 2009: Senior Umno leaders shot down efforts last year to get ministers to publicly declare their assets and income, former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim revealed today. Zaid, who was sacked from Umno and joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) on 13 June, blamed Umno leaders for scuttling then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah […]
New ministers and deputies sworn in (Updated 11.55am)
Updated at 11.55am, 10 April 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, 10 April 2009: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin led the newly appointed cabinet ministers and deputy minister in taking their oath of office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara here today. Present were Raja Pemaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime […]
Six made senators to take up posts
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 April 2009: Six people were sworn in as senators today to enable them take up appointment as ministers and deputy ministers in the new cabinet announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. They are former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon; Malaysian Armed Forces Religious Corps director Datuk […]
Eight ministers dropped
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 April 2009: Following is the list of ministers dropped from the new cabinet line-up announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today: 1. Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar 2. Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed 3. Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique 4. Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said 5. […]
Najib’s new cabinet (Updated 6.55pm)
By N Shashi KalaUpdated 6.55pm on 9 April 2009 Najib announces new cabinet line-up today (Pic courtesy of theSun) PUTRAJAYA, 9 April 2009: Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled his new cabinet today, which he said was a leaner, more dynamic team to help him achieve his concept of “One Malaysia. People First. Performance now.“. The […]
MCA submits names for cabinet line-up
TAIPING, 6 April 2009: MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Kiat said he has submitted a list of names to Prime Minister Seri Najib Abdul Razak to be considered for cabinet appointment. “I met the prime minister this morning. We had an hour-long talk, very meaningful but unfortunately, I can’t reveal it to you. “I […]