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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | Latest | Other News & Views |

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Families of top brass should not bid for gov’t contracts, says MACC panel

KUALA LUMPUR: Family members of Federal and state government top brass should be barred from bidding on government contracts, said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP).

Malaysia to work hard for UN Security Council seat

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will go all out to secure a seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2015-2016 term so that the country can play a part in international security issues.

Respect the rule of law, Senate chief tells Karpal

KUALA LUMPUR: Senate president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang has advised DAP national chairman Karpal Singh to respect the rule of law and the Federal Constitution instead of calling for the Dewan Negara to be done away with.

Fishermen slammed for selling off free engines

PEKAN: Fishermen have been selling off the Government’s gifts of motorboat engines for quick profits.

Cops urge motorists to avoid roads near Dataran PJ Thursday evening

PETALING JAYA: Police are advising all road users to avoid the roads near Dataran Petaling Jaya on the evening of Thursday, May 23, due to a large gathering scheduled to take place there.

EC: Special team to find out why indelible ink was not indelible

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has set up a special team to find out why the indelible ink used to mark voters in the 13th general election could be easily removed, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof on Tuesday.

Banting murders: Thilaiyalagan never met Sosilawati and friends

SHAH ALAM: Second accused T. Thilaiyalagan has never met cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three other individuals who were allegedly murdered on Aug 30, 2010 at Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat in Banting, the High Court was told Tuesday.

Sabah moves to nullify rape victim's marriage to alleged rapist

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is taking steps to nullify a 13-year-old rape victim's marriage to her alleged rapist and to remove her into the care of welfare officials.

Sarawak ministers, assemblymen get three-fold pay hike

KUCHING: The monthly remuneration of the Sarawak chief minister, deputy chief minister, ministers, assistant ministers and state assemblymen will rise by about three-fold under a bill approved Tuesday by the state legislative assembly.

Low’s Cabinet appointment will not change his principles, says Tunku Aziz

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Paul Low's principles have not changed because he has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to serve the Government, said former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim.

Saturday rally near Amcorp Mall to go on despite official warning

KUALA LUMPUR: A rally set to take place next to Amcorp Mall this Saturday will go on as planned, despite official warnings not to do so.

Merged Education Ministry to have workforce of half a million

PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry is expected to be the biggest ministry around with a workforce of more than half a million people.

Security guards jailed for killing alleged Nigerian conman

SHAH ALAM: Two security guards have been jailed for causing the death of a Nigerian who allegedly cheated them.

Coconut yogurt anyone?

JOHOR BARU: A team of researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here has successfully formulated a coconut-based yogurt concoction, which is dubbed to be an alternative to the traditional dairy-based yogurt.

Court postpones return of Genneva directors’ assets

KUALA LUMPUR: The Session Court has granted Bank Negara Malaysia's application to postpone the return of assets of three Genneva directors and a former director acquitted of illegal deposit-taking involving more than RM141mil.

Contest for top MCA posts to be held in December

KUALA LUMPUR: The contest for top MCA posts will be held on Dec 21, said party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Tee Siew Kiong on leave from MCA with immediate effect, says Chua

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA's Datuk Tee Siew Kiong is on leave from the party with immediate effect following his controversial appointment as a Johor executive councillor, said president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Malaysia voices concern over North Korea's missile launch

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has voiced concern over the latest short-range missile launches by North Korea from May 18 to 19, resulting in heightened tensions in the Korea Peninsular.

Let us find common ground on water issue, Ongkili tells Selangor

PUTRAJAYA: The new Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, has called on the Federal and Selangor government to find a 'common ground' in solving the water problem.

Ex-Penang Hindu Endowment Board secretary urged to help in missing gold bars case

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman Dr P. Ramasamy wants former board secretary R. Siva Nathan to assist in the investigations into the three missing gold bars valued at RM250,000.

Blogger denies he is Papa Gomo

KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris has denied he is the owner or publisher of the Papa Gomo blog.

Abu Zahar sworn in as Senate president for second term

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang took his oath of office as president of the Dewan Negara (Senate) for a second term.

Takeover of Sungai Nibong bus terminal leads to stand-off

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Municipal Council's attempt to take over the operations of the Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal has led to a stand-off.

Ahmad Zahid: Armed forces, police collaboration to be strengthened

KUALA LUMPUR: More measures will be in place to strengthen police and armed forces collaboration under the National Blue Ocean Strategy, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

MAS flew baby home with doctor's certification, says CEO Ahmad Jauhari

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flew home a Malaysian mother and her 14-month-old daughter, who were earlier prevented from boarding a flight from another carrier, after getting the doctors to certify that the girl was not a health risk to passengers.

Former top judge questions Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission

PUTRAJAYA: Former Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad has questioned the capability of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) in handling complaints related to enforcement officers and misconduct of government agencies.

The best ways to national unity

In this Cafe Latte chat, we bring together Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong, social entrepreneur and founder of Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd Anas Zubedy, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran and PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya to discuss national unity and what are the best ways to move forward as a nation. The chat was moderated by Philip Golingai.

Officers find illegal farms cleared of workers and machines

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The District and Land Office raided four areas in Pos Terisu for illegal land clearing but only managed to tear down the workers’ quarters as all the machinery had been removed.

Land clearing done legally, says Adnan

KUANTAN: The clearing of land in Pos Terisu, Cameron Highlands, was done in accordance with the laws for the benefit of orang asli villagers, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said.

‘Boycott will be self-defeating’

PETALING JAYA: Boycotting products made by Malaysians, regardless of their race, is self-defeating, said a local business group.

Zahid: I will not interfere with decisions of HODs

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will not interfere with the decisions and actions taken by any of the Home Ministry’s heads of departments, including the Inspector-General of Police.

Rape accused defends marriage to 13-year-old, says it was mutual

KOTA KINABALU: He allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl and saw no wrong in it.

Wee: MCA shouldn’t join Government

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA members who persist in taking up or not letting go of government posts should be sacked, says Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Court: Sosma not applicable to Yazid and two others

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Internal Security Act detainee Yazid Sufaat and two others arrested under the new Special Offences (Security Measures) Act (Sosma) for promoting acts of terrorism in Syria have been freed by a High Court here.

Enough documents for Lahad Datu case

KUALA LUMPUR: Enough documents have been obtained to build a case against the four Malaysians said to be behind the Lahad Datu intrusion earlier this year, said newly appointed Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Government looks into broader base for broadband

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is looking at several avenues to make Internet services more affordable.

Group upset over man marrying underage victim

KOTA KINABALU: A women’s group in Sabah is outraged over an alleged 40-year-old rapist marrying his underage victim under Syariah law in an apparent attempt to escape criminal prosecution for statutory rape.

Group lodges report after missing gold bars

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Hindu Endowment Board has lodged a police report over three missing gold bars valued at RM250,000 from its safe deposit box.

Indonesian who brought mum to Penang for treatment falls to her death

GEORGE TOWN: An Indonesian woman who brought her mum here for treatment fell to her death from the 37th floor of a condominium in Persiaran Gurney.

AirAsia: Child not allowed on board because of chicken pox

PETALING JAYA: A mother and her child were prevented from boarding a flight from Vietnam to Malaysia because the child was infected with chicken pox and was deemed a health risk to other passengers, AirAsia said.

Liow accepts apology from Astro AEC host

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai accepted the apology by Astro AEC host Gan Jiang Han who posted a message that a blackout had allegedly occurred in Bentong which led to the Barisan Nasional winning the parliamentary seat in the May 5 polls.

MPs: Money goes to the people

PETALING JAYA: A good chunk of the allowances earned by MPs are spent on their constituents – this includes giving donations, at weddings and funerals, for fuel, meals and other unexpected expenses.

Minister has no problem in publicly declaring his assets

PETALING JAYA: Newly-minted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low has no problem meeting the challenge by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to publicly declare his assets.

Five arrested in raid at gambling dens

IPOH: Police have arrested five men and seized 63 computers, believed to be for gambling activities, during a raid at several premises in Taman Cempaka here.

Samy denies resigning over senator’s post

PETALING JAYA: MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member K.P. Samy has denied reports that he has resigned from his post because he was not offered a senatorship by the party president.

Mustapa against call to boycott products of Chinese firms

PETALING JAYA: International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said he was “deeply against” a call by some groups to boycott products by Malaysian Chinese companies.

PKR: Eight could not vote on May 5

PETALING JAYA: PKR claims eight people have come forward to allege that they could not exercise their rights on May 5 because their votes were already cast by others earlier.

Cops want rally relocated

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu police have urged the organisers of the Black 505 gathering to postpone their rally and relocate to a more suitable venue.

Kg Tunku rep lodges police report over postings

PETALING JAYA: Kampung Tunku DAP assemblyman Lau Weng San has lodged a police report over an alleged offensive and seditious posting in the Sayangi Selangor Facebook fan page.

Expert: Students deserve the opportunity to master the English language

PETALING JAYA: English is used as a medium of instruction in international schools – but only a small percentage of Malaysians go to such schools.

Durian orchard turned into drug lab

GEORGE TOWN: A durian orchard in Balik Pulau has been turned into a drug processing laboratory.

IGP’s relatives become victims of armed robbers

NILAI: A relative of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was robbed by five men armed with machetes in Mantin.

48 NGOs to take part in PJ rally

PETALING JAYA: Organisers of a planned rally here said some 48 non-governmental organisations and civil society bodies are expected to take part in the gathering on Saturday.

Fear grips slashed guards

KUALA LUMPUR: The three foreign security guards who were viciously slashed during an unprovoked attack at a Cheras condominium are afraid to go back to work. One of them is even planning to return to Pakistan once he is fit to travel.

Woman among seven held for armed robberies

IPOH: Police have arrested seven people, including a woman from China, believed to be involved in a spate of crime cases.

Sodomised in game of hide-and-seek

JOHOR BARU: Bachelor Fairuz Arbain invited two young girls to a game of hide-and-seek and little did the younger one know that she was about to fall prey to a sexual predator.

‘Politics and geography led to higher citizenship applications in Sabah’

KOTA KINABALU: The number of foreigners who had obtained Malaysian citizenships was higher in Sabah compared to Sarawak due to political and geographical reasons, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) heard.

Teacher freed of molest charges

KUALA LUMPUR: A head discipline teacher has been acquitted by a magistrate’s court in Ampang of 11 counts of molesting female students in his school over two years ago.

‘Fortune tellers’ from China nabbed

IPOH: Five “fortune tellers” who have been conning their victims of money by “helping” to rid them of bad luck are themselves in a fix after police moved in on them.

Pahang to form panel to promote racial integration

KUANTAN: The Pahang Govern-ment is forming a committee on racial integration to promote unity among the people, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.