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...