The Malaysian Insider :: Malaysia

Anwar claims symbolic win after former prosecutor joins legal team

Tue, 22 May 2012 04:17:40 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed a symbolic victory today in having the man who unsuccessfully prosecuted him for sodomy join his legal team to defend an illegal assembly charge, pointing out that someone who was in government did not want to be a part of what he called the “dirtiness”. Anwar has repeated ...

Tunku Aziz’s quit move: How big a blow for DAP?

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:50:17 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — There is no doubt that Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim’s decision to quit the DAP is a public relations disaster for the party but one question remains — how much impact does it have on the party? When Tunku Abdul Aziz joined the DAP in August 2008, it was a great moment for the party as it tried to expand its base from a ...

Anwar, Azmin claim trial to illegal assembly charge

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:19:58 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Top PKR leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin Ali today claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to taking part in an illegal rally, the first persons to be charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act less than a month after the new law aimed at allowing public gatherings “in accordance with international norms” was ...

Explain cost overrun claims on double-tracking project, Pua tells Putrajaya

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:59:37 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — DAP MP Tony Pua today demanded clarification from the Transport Ministry on reports claiming that the Ipoh-Padang Besar double-tracking project had incurred cost overruns of up to RM1.5 billion. The Petaling Jaya Utara MP suggested that the Auditor-General conduct an early probe on the RM12.49 billion project, saying ...

Umno says muzakarah will head off extremism among Malays

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:23:12 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Umno leaders want a “muzakarah” with PAS to stem “fanaticism and extremism” among Malay Muslims, warning that a failure to act could lead to conflict such as the centuries-old civil strife between Sunnis and Shias in war-torn Iraq. Although lawmakers from the ruling Malay party accused their political rivals of having sown ...

Sodomy II prosecutor now in Anwar’s legal team for illegal assembly charge

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:22:33 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Former Solicitor-General II Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden has joined Datuk Anwar Ibrahim’s legal team as the opposition leader is charged with taking part in an illegal street demonstration today. It was a startling turn of events as Yusof had led the Sodomy II prosecution against Anwar, which saw the latter being acquitted ...

Tunku Aziz debacle shows DAP tolerates no dissent, says Chang Yeow

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:25:39 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim’s recent fallout with the DAP confirms the party leadership’s lack of tolerance for dissenting views, Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Teng Chang Yeow has said. The Gerakan secretary-general pointed out that Tunku Aziz was a “principled man” and it was unsurprising that he had chosen to walk away ...

To cut costs, MAS offers staff 2 years’ unpaid leave

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:59:16 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has offered a maximum of two years of unpaid leave to its Malaysia-based employees as the flag carrier works out strategies to cut costs and seek RM6 billion to fund a re-fleeting programme after losing RM2.52 billion last year and aborting a share swap with competitor AirAsia. The Malaysian Insider ...

Three Nayati kidnappers in the dock tomorrow

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:15:25 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21—Three of the seven kidnappers behind the abduction of schoolboy Nayati Shamelin Moodliar will be charged tomorrow, The Star reported on its website today. According to the newspaper, the trio will be charged with abduction for ransom, under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, and will face either death or life in prison ...

Karpal disputes Penang Umno chief’s capacity to sue for party

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:50:01 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Umno is not a provocative party, the High Court hearing the defamation suit filed by Penang Umno liaison chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was told today. The party also had no ill-intention against the DAP state government, said Zainal Abidin, 52, when cross-examined by lawyer Jagdeep ...

DBKL moves to clean up paint outside Ambiga’s home

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:08:55 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — City Hall (DBKL) moved in this evening to clean up the road fronting Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s house in upscale Damansara Heights here, hours after a group of petty traders defaced the public property with yellow paint. The Bersih 2.0 co-chairman (picture) told The Malaysian Insider that DBKL’s clean-up crew had arrived at ...

One more term and I’m out, says Ongkili

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:32:23 GMT

KOTA MARUDU, May 21 — If Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili is chosen by the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to defend his Kota Marudu parliamentary seat and wins it in the next general election, it would be his last term, he said today. Ongkili, who is also PBS deputy ...

Shot thrice and slashed, man dies outside Ayer Tawar home

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:13:27 GMT

IPOH, May 21 — A man died after being hacked and shot by two unidentified men in front of his house in Kampung Tun Sambanthan, Ayer Tawar, about 70km from here, last night. Manjung deputy police chief DSP Ahmad Mat Isa said the incident was reported by the public and when the police reached the crime scene, they found the body of S. Nachiemuthu, ...

Najib to visit Sarawak for Gawai, says DCM

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:03:26 GMT

KUCHING, May 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is scheduled to make a one-day “Gawai Dayak” visit to the Iban heartland of the Betong, Pakan and Julau districts in Sarawak on June 3, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said today. He said Najib, who will be accompanied by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was expected to join Chief ...

DBKL shoots down protest stalls outside Ambiga’s home

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:10:26 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will not allow the group calling itself “Bersih 4.0 — Cleaning up Bersih 1,2,3” to open a night market in front electoral watchdog leader Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s house in Bukit Damansara Kuala Lumpur Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 does not ...

Gamuda says to make ‘expenses and losses’ claims, not VO

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:41:15 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Gamuda has denied news reports that it is seeking an additional RM1.5 billion to complete the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track (EDTP), but admitted that it will be seeking claims for “expenses and losses” caused by the government. This comes after Business Times said in a report that the MMC-Gamuda consortium will ...

What tactics?

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:28:35 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — I was among the thousands who walked in the April 28 rally. There were no tactics. I walked because I want free and clean elections. I walked because I want this current government to stop all its corrupt practices. No tactics were used, Marxist or otherwise. Tan Sri Rahim Noor is just spinning the term. It is so sad to see ...

Suhakam to probe Bersih 3.0 for police violence

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:53:18 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has agreed to conduct a public inquiry into the Bersih 3.0 rally, saying today it could “no longer wait” for Putrajaya’s independent panel to release its terms of reference. The commission, in a brief statement here, added that its decision to conduct the inquiry was made “upon ...

President says glad Bar not being replaced, wants end to attacks

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:49:34 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee welcomed today Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that Putrajaya is not looking to replace the existing Malaysian Bar, and called for an end to attacks against the legal profession’s regulator. “The Malaysian Bar welcomes the clarification made by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin ...

No Umno-PAS talks, says Hadi

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:36:46 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — PAS insisted today there will be no talks between PAS and Umno, blaming the media for misreporting a proposal for a “muzakarah” (discussion) between the two Malay Muslim parties. President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the only discussion PAS was having was with non-governmental organisations over accusations that the ...

Wanted: Clean and fair elections

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:31:28 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — My name is Mohamed Haji Said. I am 65 years old, a retired corporate executive, a law graduate from the UK and called to the English Bar in 1968. The only reason I attended Bersih 2.0 and 3.0 was that I want clean and fair elections. Is that too much to ask of the prime minister and the Election Commission? Who is the ...

Penang insists Malay voters increased since 2008

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:18:33 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — The DAP today refuted a claim by former Penang PKR leader Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin that Malays in the state have migrated elsewhere after being sidelined by Pakatan Rakyat (PR), insisting instead that the community’s population had increased by over 30,000 since 2008. Zairil Khir Johari, aide to Penang Chief Minister Lim ...

UK court to rule on Batang Kali bloodbath by August, says lawyer

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:37:28 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — After 64 years, the family of 24 Batang Kali villagers killed by British soldiers in 1948 will know by August the truth behind the massacre and if they will get an apology and reparation from the British government. Lawyer Quek Ngee Meng, who is representing three family members of the villagers — Lim Ah Yin, 76, Loh Ah ...

Enter letter-writing contest and get marks for co-curricular activities

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:58:33 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Students who participate in the 1 Malaysia Letter Writing Contest 2012 will receive 10 per cent of the marks for co-curricular activities. Education Ministry Co-Curriculum and Art Division assistant director Cik Siti Khadijah Mion said it was agreed that the marks would be given to reward students who take part in the ...

Anwar, Azmin to face charges over Bersih rally

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:48:54 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali will be the first persons to be charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act less than a month after the new law aimed at allowing public gatherings “in accordance with international norms” was enforced. The PKR de facto leader and the Gombak MP will be charged tomorrow ...

Muslim NGOs ask Putrajaya why lesbian author allowed entry

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:48:45 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — A group of 37 Islamic civil societies have lashed out at the federal government for allowing lesbian author Irshad Manji to enter the country and promote her book which the NGOs say is “filled with religiophobia and Islamophobia.” A joint statement by the Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN), Malaysian ...

Cop hurt after being hit by Mat Rempit

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:43:14 GMT

IPOH, May 21 — A traffic policeman was injured after being hit by a motorcyclist during an operation codenamed “Ops Samseng Jalanan” in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah here early yesterday morning. Ipoh traffic police chief DSP Wan Sharuddin Wan Omar said Corporal Mohd Fazli Ali, 40, injured his right hand and received outpatient treatment at the Raja ...

Ibrahim Ali says will defend Pasir Mas seat

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:29:07 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali has confirmed he will defend his Pasir MAS seat in the 13th national polls, saying the local community there wants him. The truculent politician, who has drawn much flak for his racial comments, won the parliamentary constituency in the March 2008 elections under the PAS banner but declared ...

Irene Fernandez blasts cops for sedition probe, says bid to ‘intimidate’ her

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:23:58 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Prominent activist Irene Fernandez lashed out today at the police for investigating her for sedition instead of dealing with reports of Malaysian authorities’ abuse of migrant workers. “Why waste time to intimidate me when they should be investigating police reports made by migrant workers who have been abused?” the ...

Indian minister faces questions over Maxis-Aircel affair

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:39:01 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — India’s Home Minister P. Chidambaram is now under pressure from the country’s opposition over questions arising from the unfolding probe into the alleged favourable treatment received by Maxis in the acquisition of its Indian subsidiary Aircel, The Hindu has reported. This comes after Maxis was accused late last year of ...

PPP sends its list of candidates for general election

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:58:27 GMT

SUNGAI PETANI, May 21 — The PPP has submitted the list of its candidates for six parliamentary and 12 state constituencies for the 13th general election to the Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general. PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said that among constituencies that it proposes to contest was a state seat in Kedah besides continuing to contest in ...

Judge wants no more delays in Kong Choy’s trial

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:16:05 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — A High Court judge warned prosecutors against any further delay in Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy’s cheating trial over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, pointing out that he did not come to court for “sight-seeing”. The former transport minister’s trial was today postponed for the third time to October 31. Deputy public ...

Court defers NFCorp cheating trial to June 12

Mon, 21 May 2012 03:18:40 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — The Sessions Court today postponed the mention date of Datuk Shamsubahrin’s Ismail’s trial for allegedly defrauding the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) to June 12. The 45-year-old businessman was charged last December with cheating NFCorp chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail of RM1.76 million in fraudulent ...

MMC-Gamuda wants extra RM1.5b for rail job

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:24:25 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — MMC-Gamuda is due to submit a RM1.5 billion variation order to the government for cost overruns in the Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track (EDTP), according to the Business Times. The financial section of the New Straits Times reported today that the main contractor will also ask for an extension for completion from ...

Ex-CID chief joins PAS, says to strengthen Islamic efforts

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:07:25 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Retired senior policeman Datuk Fauzi Shaari has joined PAS, the first big name to sign up with the Islamist party which has embarked on a campaign to recruit key establishment figures to help shore up voter support ahead of looming polls. Harakah Daily, the opposition party’s paper, reported today that Fauzi handed in his ...

Australia to seal trade deal with Malaysia

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:12:50 GMT

CANBERRA, May 21 — Australia will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia tomorrow in a move it hopes will add new momentum to stalled bilateral trade talks with other key Asian trading partners. Australia is still negotiating free trade deals with South Korea, Japan and China, with progress in reaching agreement with Beijing and Tokyo ...

Treasury, MRT Corp mull options in Bukit Bintang land dispute

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:57:09 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Delays in acquiring land in Jalan Bukit Bintang for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has prompted the Finance Ministry to call MRT Corporation and other parties for an urgent meeting tomorrow to consider options to ensure the country’s most expensive infrastructure project meets its 2017 deadline to start ...

Don’t sabotage party, Dr M tells Umno leaders

Sun, 20 May 2012 14:09:07 GMT

JITRA, May 20 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today reiterated his advice for Umno leaders to discard self-interest and acts of sabotage to ensure a Barisan Nasional (BN) victory in the next general election. The former Umno president said victory for the party would mean a continuation of BN administration in the country although ...

RM101.5m to spruce up DBKL’s low-cost flats, says Nong Chik

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:36:06 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — An estimated RM101.5 million will be spent to maintain Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) low-cost flats, the federal territories minister said today. “Based on the findings of DBKL’s audit on (housing) damages, it is estimated that RM101.5 million will be spent for restoration works, which will cover public works (RM57.6 ...

Nasharudin urges PAS, Umno to be receptive to talks

Sun, 20 May 2012 12:42:46 GMT

BANGI, May 20 — Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa today said leaders from the Islamist party and Umno should be open-minded to enable proposed talks between the two rivals to be held in the interests of the people and the country. He said if leaders of the two parties could come together for discussion, many issues could be ...

Jamil Khir wants probe on lesbian Muslim author’s book

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:34:24 GMT

ALOR SETAR, May 20 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has called on Home Ministry to carry out an immediate investigation into a book authored by liberal Islamic activist, Irshad Manji. He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) analysis of the book, entitled “Allah, Liberty and Love”, ...

Kong defends road death rate, blames motorcyclists

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:49:00 GMT

PORT KLANG, May 20 — The high rate of road accident fatalities in the country should not be compared with the rates in other countries, said the Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. He said each year, more than 1.3 million people throughout the world die from road accidents. “In countries like China and India, more than 100,000 people die ...

KL traders plan two-day protest outside Ambiga’s house

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:53:46 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — A new group of traders based in the city now want to hold a two-day protest in front of Datuk Amibga Sreenevasan’s house over the loss of income due to the chaotic April 28 rally, despite previous protestors calling off further events at the Bersih chief’s home. Bernama reported that 60 petty traders are planning to sell ...

BN not oath breakers or bigots, says Ismail Sabri

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:19:09 GMT

BERA, May 20 — Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today officially opened the new building of a Tamil school here and said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government does not break promises or practise racial discrimination. The domestic trade, co-operatives and consumerism minister said the government had collected RM100 million to upgrade Tamil ...

EC aims to make postal voting for media transparent

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:13:34 GMT

PUTRAJAYA, May 20 — The Election Commission (EC) will ensure that the postal voting process for media personnel during 13th general election is transparent to avoid negative perception and complaints from various parties. Deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said EC will avoid third parties and proposed that media personnel take ballot papers ...

Sabah illegals RCI must be given powers to act, says panel

Sun, 20 May 2012 06:44:57 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — A bipartisan roundtable has urged that the proposed Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants being given citizenship in Sabah be given power to identify and take action against those responsible. Yesterday's panel discussion, which included United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation secretary general ...

Nayati: I knew daddy would rescue me

Sun, 20 May 2012 05:23:21 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Kidnap victim Nayati Shamelin Moodliar said yesterday the thought of his father rescuing him was what kept him strong through his week-long ordeal. “I knew daddy would get me home,” Nayati (picture) was quoted as saying yesterday by The New Sunday Times. Speaking about his ordeal for the first time, Nayati admitted he was ...

PM encourages students to seize overseas opportunities

Sun, 20 May 2012 05:06:02 GMT

WASHINGTON, May 20 — Malaysian students should look at the world as a stage and take advantage of the enormous opportunities abroad, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said here following a luncheon and a Friday prayer session with students and embassy staff. “You can maintain your roots but also have a global perspective by acquiring job ...

Selangor residents hint of protest votes over uncollected rubbish

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:42:12 GMT

SHAH ALAM, May 20 — Several residents interviewed have lamented the poor rubbish collection in Selangor and hinted that the issue could drive the people to cast protest votes against the PKR-led state government in the next general election. They argued that incidents of uncollected rubbish have disturbed their peace of mind and asked the ...

DBKL, police failed to act against ‘sexual harassment’ of Ambiga, says Guan Eng

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:00:51 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Lim Guan Eng has slammed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the police for not acting against protesters who he said “sexually harassed” Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. The DAP secretary general was referring in a speech last night to Tuesday’s protest in front of the Bersih chief’s house where army veterans flexed their bottoms ...