Umno Youth to counter slander against leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth will counter every accusation against party leaders by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, its chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.

Statements recorded from A-G, IGP
PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency yesterday recorded statements from Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan in connection with the allegation of abuse of power by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

ACA given greater clout
PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency has been given the power to decide whether to prosecute anyone for corruption.

Ex-coach's molest conviction upheld
PUTRAJAYA: Former national athletics coach Ramanathan Chelliah began his four-year jail term yesterday for molesting two of his trainees.

Visa bribe arrests: Top Immigration officer, among others, detained
PUTRAJAYA: A top officer of the Immigration Department has been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to issue visas to foreign workers.

Taxi drivers persist in raising initial charge
KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer associations have welcomed the move to allow taxi drivers to buy petrol at the old price, but hope the government will also extend the subsidy to diesel-run taxis.

New subsidy scheme for taxis
PUTRAJAYA: Taxis nationwide will be entitled to purchase unleaded petrol at the old subsidised price of RM1.92 per litre up to a limit of 720 litres a month, starting July 27.

No conspiracy against Anwar, says Abdullah
PUTRAJAYA: The prime minister yesterday challenged Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to immediately disprove the sodomy allegation against him by submitting to DNA tests.

Minister accused of interfering with probe
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has been accused of interfering with investigations into the sodomy allegations against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Rais: Rule of law in Malaysia unquestionable
PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday challenged to debate anybody questioning the country's rule of law in connection with the detention of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the sodomy allegation by the latter's former aide.

Drunken cop attacks 22-year-old woman
KUCHING: The actions of a drunken police corporal from the state criminal investigation division, who assaulted a 22-year-old woman with his service pistol here on Thursday night, has riled up Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohamad Salleh.

Balasubramaniam in hiding?
RAWANG: All is quiet at the home of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam.

Editor refuses to enter plea
KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Petra Kamaruddin refused to enter a plea on three counts of criminal defamation in the Sessions Court yesterday, reprising his actions in the magistrate's court on July 17.

Pas’ 54th Muktamar: Pas president coy about being PM
IPOH: Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday was coy about wanting to become the prime minister should the Pakatan Rakyat form the next government.

Olympic medal in the bag for Malaysia: I WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH, SAYS CHONG WEI
DESCRIBING the Olympic gold as "his life", shuttler Lee Chong Wei has promised that tomorrow's men's singles final will see him fight to the death.

Sermons cancelled to spare palace 'pressure'
IPOH: Pas cancelled plans for spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to deliver the Friday sermons here on its own accord.

Anwar: He was directed by police to do it
BUTTERWORTH: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accused the police of forcing Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan to swear at the Kuala Lumpur mosque yesterday that he had been sodomised by the Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader.

It's not political, says Saiful
Q: Where did you disappear to after lodging the police report on June 26? A: I did not not disappear. I kept silent to build my strength because I was slandered by Anwar Ibrahim. That is my excuse (for disappearing).

Saiful swears he was sodomised by Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan fulfilled his promise yesterday to swear on the Quran that he had been sodomised by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nomination Day hots up
They came in the thousands. From as early as midnight, say police.

Three-cornered fight for Permatang Pauh
The Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election on Aug 26 will see a three-corner fight among Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah of Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) president Hanafi Mamat.

Pressmen covering Permatang Pauh assaulted by Pakatan supporters
NST photographer Mohamad Sairen Mohamad Nafis and a French photographer Halim Berbar were attacked by a group of Pakatan Rakyat supporters while covering the Permatang Pauh by election today.

Ezam threatens to expose Anwar Ibrahim's secrets
Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor said he will divulge the secrets of PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibahim if he is linked to a political conspiracy over the sodomy report.

New education initiatives to help Indian students
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced immediate steps to enhance education among Indian students, either at school or university level, for the long-term benefit of the country's third largest community.

Hidden agenda probe after retraction by private eye
KUALA LUMPUR: Private investigator P. Balasubramaniam will not be let off so easily, after making bombshell claims on Thursday and then withdrawing them less than 24 hours later.

BN files three objections
BN has filed three objections while the other parties did not file any. Objection time closed at 11am. Watch this site for more updates as they come in. PICTURES HERE AS THEY COME IN

Raja Petra, Shafee feud spills over to drama in court
KUALA LUMPUR: The Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah-Raja Petra Kamaruddin legal feud had all the makings of high drama when it unfolded at the magistrate's court yesterday.

Lawyer: No reason to doubt first statement
KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyer who had taken down the statutory declaration by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam said it was done voluntarily.

Malaysian politics degenerating into 'dirty' slander: DPM
Malaysian politics was degenerating to a level of being dirty with the opposition using slander and statutory declaration to achieve their political objectives, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

'Anwar can contest but probe on'
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is free to run in a by-election but he is still not free from the possible upshot of the sodomy allegation against him.

Retail petrol price to reflect world crude price
PUTRAJAYA: Effective Sept 1, the retail price of petrol will be based on the average monthly market price of world crude oil with the government maintaining the subsidy rate at 30 sen per litre, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

Lorry rams into six vehicles, two killed
KUALA LUMPUR: A lorry carrying boulders crashed into six vehicles at the East-West Link Highway, in Taman Connaught, Cheras, yesterday, killing two and seriously injuring six.

Triple eight delight as curtain goes up on Beijing Games
BEIJING: The 29th Olympic Games, costing an estimated US$40 billion (RM132 billion) and shrouded by political controversies, burst into life yesterday with a spectacular opening ceremony.

Anwar Sodomy Trial: 'Several contradictions in doctor's declaration'
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have begun investigations into a statutory declaration purportedly made by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid of Hospital Pusrawi.

Anwar Sodomy Trial: Dr Mohamed Osman still absent from work
KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid has been absent without leave (AWOL) from Hospital Pusrawi since last month.

PM pledges justice 'in accordance with laws'
PUTRAJAYA: As a sovereign country with its own laws, Malaysia will make every effort to ensure justice and consistency in their application, the prime minister said.

Merc Perk Controversy: Proton boss disputes excessive cost claims
KUALA LUMPUR: RM542. This is the average amount spent annually by the Terengganu government on each of the 35 Proton Perdanas it sent to Proton authorised service centres.

Merc Perk Controversy: Ex-MB Idris may sue over Perdana issue
JERTIH: Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh will take legal action against anyone claiming the cost of maintaining the state executive councillors' Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars was high during his tenure.

Where BMW and Mercedes Benz rule
KUCHING: While controversy rages over the Terengganu government's choice of official cars, in Sarawak it is a non-issue as the official cars for ministers and assistant ministers had always been either the Mercedes Benz or BMW.

Merc Perk Controversy: Mercs for use by state's guests only, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: The 14 Mercedes Benzes purchased by the Terengganu government are to be used only for its guests.

Merc Perk Controversy: Don't limit scope of probe, says MB
KUALA TERENGGANU: Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said wants the Anti-Corruption Agency to probe everything -- the Proton Perdana maintenance cost, the maintenance of cars used by ministers, the Monsoon Cup and the Islamic Civilisation Theme Park.

Military on Anwar's claims
KUALA LUMPUR: The country's military intelligence yesterday denied it had been a source of information for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concerning threats to his safety and that of his family members.

'Statement stands'
KUALA LUMPUR: The statutory declaration made by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam linking Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, cannot be withdrawn, says Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Lawyers: Balasubramaniam has committed an offence
KUALA LUMPUR: Criminal lawyers said private investigator P. Balasubramaniam has committed an offence for making conflicting statutory declarations (SD) in relation to the ongoing Altantuya murder trial.

Document can be tendered in court
KUALA LUMPUR: A statutory declaration (SD) can be tendered as evidence in court in the absence of the maker.

Rais: We expect positive response from Rice
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has sent a letter of protest to the United States government expressing disappointment over remarks by a US State Department official on the allegation that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had been involved in an act of sodomy.

Auditor-General's Report: Hauled up over RM9.56m 'missing' equipment
KUALA LUMPUR: The auditor-general has taken the Education Ministry to task over RM9.56 million worth of missing equipment for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English from 812 schools nationwide from 2005 to 2007.

Auditor-General's Report: Equipment is there, says ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: The teaching equipment deemed "missing" by the auditor-general has since arrived and been installed.

Budget 2009: Opposition's promises will cripple us, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The spendthrift promises of the opposition, if implemented, will cripple the country's finances and bankrupt the nation for the next generation, the prime minister said.

Budget 2009: Penang welcomes RM50m conservation funding
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Tourism Action Council yesterday welcomed the RM50 million allocation for conservation work at heritage sites in Malacca and Penang.

Budget 2009: Sabah to use RM3b for roads
KOTA KINABALU: State officials generally welcomed the huge allocations for the state under Budget 2009, describing the monies as proof that the Federal Government sincerely wants to develop Sabah.

Budget 2009: Energy incentives proposal lauded
KUALA LUMPUR: Car companies and environmentalists have lauded the incentives to promote greater use of renewable energy and more efficient energy usage provided in the Budget 2009 proposal.

Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough'
KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled have described Budget 2009 as "insulting" and "terrible".

Budget 2009: Praise for public transport move
KLANG: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad praised the government's move to beef up the public transport system, especially the rail system.

Budget 2009: We have lost our competitive edge, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was disappointed with Budget 2009, saying there was "nothing new" in it.

Budget 2009: Developers laud move
KUALA LUMPUR: Measures announced under Budget 2009 will spur demand for houses priced under RM250,000, a segment that has been affected recently because of cost increases, developers said.

Budget 2009: Urban poor get lifeline with agency
KUALA LUMPUR: Low-income earners here, in Penang, Johor Baru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu have been given a lifeline by Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

Budget 2009: Big boost for development corridor
JOHOR BARU: Several key projects planned for Iskandar Malaysia will commence next year following the RM300 million allocation under the Budget 2009 yesterday.

Budget 2009: Duty hike 'will spur illicit tobacco trade'
KUALA LUMPUR: British American Tobacco Malaysia is disappointed with the "high" excise increase.

Budget 2009: NUTP wants fair allocation
KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2009 has garnered positive reactions from the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) and the National Parent-Teacher Association.

Auditor-General's Report 2007: Disposal of hospital clinical waste not done properly
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has been slammed by the auditor-general over the way clinical waste is being disposed of in hospitals and health clinics.

Budget 2009: Najib: Boost for sluggish economy
KUALA LUMPUR: Describing the budget as "people-centric", De- puty Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak attributed the increased deficit to new spending outlays, such as on food security and a broader social safety net.

Budget 2009: Civil servants unhappy with budget, says Cuepacs
KUALA LUMPUR: Civil servants feel let down by the newly unveiled budget,

Budget 2009: Reduced road tax a 'drop in the ocean'
KUALA LUMPUR: The government may have reduced the road tax fees for buses and taxis to just RM20, but operators are still unhappy.

Budget 2009: Unity key to overcoming inflation, slow growth
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday tabled a RM207.9 billion budget for 2009 in Parliament, calling on Malaysians to unite in the face of a global environment of higher prices and slower economic growth.

LRT firm warned for poor service
PUTRAJAYA: Syarikat Prasa-rana Negara Bhd (SPNB), the owner of the two light rail transit (LRT) systems in Kuala Lumpur, has been issued a warning letter by the Railway Department under the Transport Ministry following the numerous complaints received pertaining to the poor quality of its services.

Immigration officers 'used fake academic documents' to secure promotions
PUTRAJAYA: Two immigration officers were charged in the magistrate's court yesterday with using fraudulent academic documents in order to get promoted.

Student sues policeman for raping her
KUALA LUMPUR: A 17-year-old student is suing a police constable for allegedly raping and forcing her to perform oral sex on him at the Putra Heights police station in Subang Jaya two months ago.

Perak exco men demand ACA and media apologise or face RM100m suit
IPOH: Two state executive councillors, under investigation for receiving bribes to expedite the approval for a proposed housing project, have demanded an apology from the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Jamaluddin released on bail
IPOH: State Agriculture Committee chairman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for allegedly receiving a bribe to approve a proposed RM180 million housing project, was released on ACA bail yesterday.

Fill up for less: Lower petrol, diesel prices to help poor cope with inflation
KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol prices will be reduced to RM2.55 per litre and diesel to RM2.50 per litre from today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced.