Najib: Projects to stimulate economy must take off soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Programmes under Budget 2009 and the RM7bil stimulus package must preferably take off by the first quarter of next year.Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said it was important for the programmes, which were introduced to reinforce the economy, to be implemented soon.“Right now, that’s our priority,” he told reporters yesterday after attending the Economic Council...

Hubby: Missing wife was being blackmailed over naked photos

JOHOR BARU: A 39-year-old waitress went into hiding after a man threatened to distribute her nude photos.Tan Chui Peng took her three children aged between 9 and 11 when she left her house in Taman Ehsan Jaya on Oct 31.Her husband, Wang Ban Soon, 51, said the problem started when Tan befriended a customer, known as Ah Kiong, three months ago.“I told her not to entertain this man because...

Duo nabbed by Johor cops after 2-hour, five-car chase

KLUANG: Two men were arrested after a two-hour chase involving four patrol cars from Johor Baru to Simpang Renggam.Police tried to stop the men at least four times by blocking their vehicle’s path but they managed to evade capture.During the chase, the suspects also rammed their car against one of the patrol cars.Police fired shots at them twice but missed.The incident began when a policeman...

Little Miss Sunshine

Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries series, chooses to escape the darkness of her past by writing only about the bright side of life for now. MEG Cabot might be jet-lagged and exhausted, but the American author is the image of chic when you meet her in her suite at the Ritz-Carlton.The 41-year-old, who easily looks 10 years younger...

Mahathir can’t swim, urges parents to ensure their kids can

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can do many things but take him to a pool and that’s where his human frailty will begin to show The former Prime Minister can’t swim.For a deserving cause: Dr Mahathir launching the charity triathlon event near the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya yesterday. Among those present are Salman,...

RPK unfazed by ISA ‘sting’

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin will not be cowed into ending his controversial writing.“Malaysia Today is meant to provoke society, but when you touch on sensitive things, you will be detained .... It is like poking at a beehive, sometimes, you get stung.Raja Petra: ‘I am also sure there was no political intervention...

Angkasawan denies being paid RM1.2mil for seminar appearances

PETALING JAYA: Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor who is embroiled in a controversy over claims that he has collected RM1.2mil in fees for talks has vehemently denied the allegations.The Angkasawan, whose family has also come out in support of him, also denied that he had made appearances and given talks to 150 companies.“I am a millionaire? I wish I were,” he said in reaction to...

Workers and employers rail against EPF directive

PETALING JAYA: EPF’s move requiring contributors who wish to maintain their existing contribution at 11% to fill up a form has drawn protests from employee and employer associations.Cuepacs and Fomca regard EPF’s arrangement as tantamount to forcing workers to comply, while the MTUC and Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) feel it implies that the move was mandatory instead of voluntary.“This...

Mukhriz throws down the gauntlet at his accusers to prove money politics

THE UMNO INTERVIEWSThis is the first in a series of Umno interviews. Next on the pipeline are Q & As with ex-Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo and deputy youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.Mukhriz: Walking the talk.BESIEGED by claims that he is not walking his talk on the issue of money politics, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, in an interview...

Raja Petra surprised at being freed by High Court

SHAH ALAM: Blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin said he was surprised to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).“Not many people who challenged Section 8 of the ISA have succeeded, so I did not give much hope to it. It is a sort of 50-50. I was surprised actually,” said the 58-year-old.Asked about his feelings, Raja...

Umno elections: Ali Rustam qualifies for deputy race

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is set to take on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the fight for the Umno deputy presidency.The Malacca Chief Minister qualified to contest the post when he received nominations from Pasir Salak, Tumpat, Pendang, Ketereh, Sandakan, Sg Petani and Kubang Kerian bringing his tally to 39.A candidate needs to secure at least 39 nominations from the 191 divisions...

Only minimal medical test done on Anwar, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested by the police, refused to give a sample for a DNA test when he was brought to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.His lawyer R. Sivarasa said that police requested for a full medical examination at the hospital but only a minimal one was done.“I can confirm no DNA was taken. At this stage, we are...

CID chief explains why Anwar was arrested earlier

KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim an hour before the 2pm deadline as they feared that he would not show up.Federal CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said Anwar was supposed to go directly to the Kuala Lumpur headquarters immediately after giving his statement to the ACA in Putrajaya.“However, we were informed...

Early arrest surprises Bar Council chairman

PETALING JAYA: The Bar Council said there was no reason to believe that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not show up at the police headquarters to give his statement at the appointed time.Its chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan said: “We are particularly surprised (about the early arrest) as he had been given until 2pm to show up at the police...

I fear for him, says Wan Azizah

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has a sense of déjà vu over her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's arrest.Anwar was arrested in 1998 on charges of abuse of power, corruption – and sodomy. This time, he has again been arrested over an allegation of sodomy,“It is a feeling of déjà vu. Of course, now my children are big and...

Najib: I am not weak or scared

ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his outstanding track record of giving priority to the people cannot be denied.Stressing that he was neither a weak nor a scared leader, Najib said his achievements reflected his credentials, capabilities and commitment to safeguard the interests of the people.He said his track record should not be disputed.“Look at my track...

Raja Petra ordered to report to police

PETALING JAYA: Blogger and online editor Raja Petra Kamarudin is expected to be charged today with criminal defamation over his statutory declaration on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.The Malaysia Today editor said in a posting on his website that he had been ordered to report to the ninth floor of the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters at 10am today.In his June 18...

Ruckus in Dewan over Mukhriz’s comment on Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat erupted in a war of words after Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said that he believed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was involved in “doing such things.”While the House was debating the Supplementary Supply Bill yesterday, Mukhriz stood up and said the people wanted to know whether Anwar had committed sodomy as alleged by his former aide.At that time, Gombak MP...

Cops arrest Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the city police headquarters here at 1.15pm Wednesday in a white Pajero after being arrested by the police.He was earlier arrested in front of his house in Bukit Segambut.His lawyer Sankara Nair said the police told Anwar that he was being arrested for investigations...

Anwar and Shabery trade facts, pot shots

KUALA LUMPUR: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek took on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a rarely seen debate on live television last night.The one-hour debate, entitled “Today we form the Government, tomorrow the fuel prices will go down” proceeded smoothly with both speakers backing their points with facts.The event...

Anwar to give statement to cops Monday

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is alleged to have sodomised his former aide has agreed to give his statement to the police tomorrow.CID director Comm Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said police have advised Anwar through his lawyers to assist them in their investigations.“Lawyer Sankaran Nair told us that Anwar has agreed to meet us on Monday at 2pm at the city police...

Dr M: Najib will never become PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will never become Prime Minister, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.Writing in his blog chedet.com, Dr Mahathir predicted that more accusations would be thrown at Najib to put him down until he would be deemed unfit to serve as Deputy Prime Minister.“Someone who...

Abdullah to contest Umno top post, Najib to go for No. 2

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will step down as Prime Minister in June 2010 and hand over power to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.Abdullah, who is Umno president, said he would seek nomination to contest the party’s top post in the December party elections and Najib, who is his deputy, would go for the number two party post.He,...

Muhyiddin: Leave it to Umno members to decide on leadership

TOKYO: Some people consider the succession date in 2010 as too long, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.“Some have expressed concern that if the duration is that long the situation will not become more convincing. This needs to be taken into account,” he said.He said there were party members who believed that it would be better...

Bala’s house broken into

GOMBAK: Private investigator P. Balasubramaniam's house in Taman Pelangi here has been broken into but police have yet to ascertain whether anything was stolen.According to a neighbour, M. Eswary, a Form Four student, she noticed the back grille gate of Balasubramaniam's house was ajar at 2.30pm yesterday.“I went to inspect and found the gate and a door leading to the kitchen opened. There...

Investigator in Malaysian murder case located in SEAsia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9, 2008 (AFP) - A private investigator who went missing after linking Malaysia's deputy premier to a murdered Mongolian woman has been traced to an unnamed location in Southeast Asia, police said Wednesday.Criminal Investigation Department director Bakri Zinin said Balasubramaniam Perumal and his family had left Malaysia...

Anwar makes religious case against accuser

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday lodged a complaint with the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department against the man who accused him of sodomy. Anwar is accusing his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, of committing qazaf or false accusation of fornication.Anwar, who was accompanied by his wife and Parti Keadilan...

Special Umno briefing today

PETALING JAYA: The issue of leadership transition in Umno will be one of the topics discussed at a special briefing today by the party’s top two leaders.There is tremendous anticipation that Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will talk about the rather sensitive issue of transition and...

All set for fuel debate between Shabery and Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek is confident of doing well in his debate on the fuel price increase with PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 15.“I have always prepared my mind. Do you think it’s tough? I don’t think it’s tough at all. I’m very confident about it,” he told reporters at Parliament...

Saiful dares Anwar to swear

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan who alleged he was sodomised by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently is daring the latter to swear on the Quran to prove his innocence.The challenge posted as a link in his fiancee’s blog said: “Dear Anwar the hypocrite! I challenge you to swear on the Quran. Set the place and time!...

Mahathir: There’s a concerted campaign against Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is convinced that there is a concerted campaign against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and that “somebody is behind it” besides Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.The former prime minister said he could not understand why the Deputy Prime Minister was coming under constant attack, adding that he believed the allegations...

Australian Prime Minister decides not to meet Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who is scheduled to arrive here for an official visit Thursday, has decided not to de facto leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, according to a news report published by The Australian” today. The report said Rudd, who will be visiting Malaysia for the first time...

Rock singer’s show upsets crowd

PETALING JAYA: A singer pulled down his trousers and showed his boxer shorts during a concert at the anti-fuel price increase rally in Kelana Jaya Stadium yesterday.The lead singer of rock band Carburettor Dung was halfway through a song when he dropped his pants and showed his boxer shorts.His antics saw the audience hurling abuses and throwing...

Protection for Saiful until probe completed

KUALA LUMPUR: Police revealed yesterday that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had sought protection after his explosive sodomy report against Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "He asked for protection. He has the right to do so as a citizen," said the federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Bakri Zinin,...

Mystery of the missing private eye:

KUALA LUMPUR: Private investigator P. Balasubramaniam could have been detained by "interested parties", say police. While not explaining "interested parties", Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Bakri Zinin said Balasubramaniam could also be in hiding as he was afraid of police action.Bakri, however, in stressing that...

Samy Vellu slams former protege

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran was good at chairing meetings but failed to come up with clear programmes and policies to uplift Indian youths, said party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu yesterday.In his first attack after his former protege asked him to step down, Samy Vellu said Vigneswaran had failed in his responsibilities,...

Anwar challenges PM and DPM to debate on fuel prices

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has challenged the Prime Minister and his deputy to a live debate on July 15 to discuss how to tackle the oil crisis and reduce the local price of petrol and diesel.He said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak kept saying that there was no way that prices could come down in...