nst online

FOMCA suggests action against owners of vehicles parked on road shoulder

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:59:08 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is urged to take stern action against owners of vehicles parked on road or expressway shoulder to avoid accidents like that at km 252.3 of the North-South Expressway near Seremban yesterday which killed six family members.

Football: United returning to full power

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:27:45 +0800

BIRMINGHAM: Edwin van der Sar believes that Manchester United have done well to stay in touch with Chelsea despite the injury problems that have dogged the season at Old Trafford.

Police nab two, seize 19,965 pirated VCDs, DVDs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:08:39 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested two men and seized 19,965 pirated VCDs and DVDs in a raid on a business premises in Bandar Seri Permaisuri here early today.

Singapore detains Malaysian for cigarette smuggling attempt

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:22:02 +0800

SINGAPORE The Singapore border authority foiled a cigarette smuggling attempt involving a Malaysian-registered prime mover at the Tuas Checkpoint last Friday.

Basketballer Yao Ming to ring in Year of the Tiger in China

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:25:17 +0800

SHANGHAI: Houston Rockets star Yao Ming was due back in Shanghai on Tuesday to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family for the first time since joining the NBA eight years ago, his spokesman said.

US Marines gear up for major Afghan assault

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:32:02 +0800

TOOR GHAR, Afghanistan: US Marines on Tuesday stepped up preparations for a major assault on a key Taliban bastion in southern Afghanistan hailed by officers as the biggest offensive of the eight-year war.

Men, women recurve teams storm into semis

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:54:16 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's and women's recurve teams made short work of their opponents to advance to the semifinals of the inaugural Asian Archery Grand Prix at the National Sports Council's Taman Keramat sports complex here today.

India says no to first GM food crop

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:09:44 +0800

NEW DELHI: India refused to grant permission Wednesday to the commercial cultivation of its first genetically modified (GM) food crop, citing problems of public trust and confidence.

MGM Mirage may drop Atlantic City casino for Macau partner

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:13:46 +0800

HONG KONG: MGM Mirage has said it may unload its stake in an Atlantic City casino resort to settle a fight with US gaming regulators over the company’s Macau business partner.

Afghan avalanche kills 28, injures 70: ministry

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:16:04 +0800

KABUL: An avalanche triggered by heavy snow killed at least 28 people and left another 70 injured in the treacherous mountains of northern Afghanistan, defence ministry officials said.

Boeing 747-8 freighter completes first flight

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:01:29 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Boeing 747-8 Freighter successfully took to the sky for the first time Tuesday before more than 5,000 employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders.

Najib chairs 108th meeting of MBs and CMs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:36:46 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak chaired the 108th Meeting of Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers here today.

Wait for next GE for mandate

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:51:50 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said Pakatan Rakyat will now concentrate on the next general election to get the mandate, following a decision by the Federal Court that Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir as the rightful Perak Menteri Besar.

Dr M pleased with Najib's leadership

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:53:37 +0800

KULIM: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was pleased with the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abduk Razak for an administration that met the needs of the people and the nation.

March retreat for Pakatan Rakyat

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:55:47 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Besieged with problems, the opposition pact of PKR-DAP-PAS, or better known as Pakatan Rakyat, will hold a series of retreats next month to brainstorm strategies to counter "attacks" from the Barisan Nasional.

Toyota vows "everything in our power" to regain confidence

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:02:59 +0800

TOKYO: Toyota’s president Akio Toyoda vowed Tuesday that the car giant would do “everything in our power” to regain customer confidence after its mass global safety recalls spread to the Prius hybrid.

Time for Asian currencies to start "roaring"

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:10:12 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: It is about time for Asian currencies, especially the Chinese Yuan that has been pegged to the US Dollar, to start “roaring” as the region takes charge in leading the global economic recovery.

Six petrochemical projects worth US$2 billion to open at Assaluyeh, Iran

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:32:24 +0800

TEHRAN: Some six important petrochemical projects, worth US$2 billion, will be inaugurated in the presence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari at Assaluyeh, Bushehr province, Tuesday, Iran's IRNA news agency reported.

Chronic illness prevention campaign to be launched

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:54:51 +0800

BENTONG: The Health Ministry will launch a Chronic Illness Prevention Campaign soon in a public awareness effort.

Germany loses trade crown to China as exports plunge

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:11:34 +0800

FRANKFURT: China overtook Germany last year to become the world’s leading exporter as German trade suffered its sharpest slump since 1950, figures from Germany’s national statistics office showed on Tuesday.

China court to rule on Liu Xiaobo appeal Thursday: lawyer

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:16:35 +0800

BEIJING: A court in Beijing is due later this week to announce its verdict in the appeal of leading Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was jailed for 11 years on subversion charges, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Football: New round of World Cup ticket sales kicks off

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:04:00 +0800

JOHANNESBURG: A new round of World Cup ticket sales kicked off Tuesday, with 400,000 tickets up for grabs on a first come, first served basis, organisers said.

Penang police cripple credit card syndicate

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:07:31 +0800

PENANG: Penang police have detained five people, including two women, believed to be members of a credit card fraud syndicate, in an operation in Prangin Mall, here, last Thursday.

Govt approves foreign worker applications due to economic recovery - Subramaniam

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:16:22 +0800

NILAI: The government's decision to approve 100,000 applications from new foreign workers to work in the country over the past five months was made to meet the demand from manufacturers following the global economic recovery.

Top court demands reform of Germany's dole system

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:26:02 +0800

BERLIN: Germany’s top court ruled Tuesday the country’s dole benefits system for its poorest citizens was unconstitutional, a decision that could cost the heavily-indebted nation billions of euros (dollars).

Universities should be more perceptive to students' views: Saifuddin

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:42:13 +0800

SINTOK: University administrations should be more open to the views of students besides providing them the opportunity to put forward their views for mutual benefit.

Anwar's case postponed

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:29:43 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The hearing of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's application to disqualify the trial judge in his sodomy case postponed to tomorrow to give the defence team time to prepare their reply.

MRCB's property turnover to exceed 50 per cent by next year

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:00:06 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) expects turnover from its property division to exceed 50 per cent by next year as the construction of KL Sentral project gains momentum.

Court declares Dr Zambry rightful MB

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:53:30 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to rule Perak after the Federal Court here today declared Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir the rightful menteri besar.

Amendments to ISA will be tabled at coming Dewan Rakyat sitting

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:17:19 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: The proposed amendments to the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be tabled and debated at the coming Parliament sitting, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

UMNO sets up public complaints unit

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:02:23 +0800

ALOR SETAR: Members of the public can now lodge complaints with the Kedah Umno Public Complaints and Customer unit.

Anxious wait at Palace of Justice

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:01:51 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Police place barricades to divide the 300-strong crowd.

BN leaders welcome court's decision on Perak MB

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:56:09 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders today welcomed the Federal Court's decision to retain Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak Menteri Besar and hoped that all parties would accept the verdict and allow him to concentrate on further developing the silver state.

No escape for hostile witnesses, warns MACC panel

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:50:14 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Three high profile cases last year, investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, were jeopardised after main prosecution witnesses turned hostile.

Ironman Langkawi 2010 expected to generate RM30 million

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:48:01 +0800

LANGKAWI: The Ironman Langkawi 2010 competition here is expected to generate RM30 million for the tourism industry given that there will be 729 competitors from 49 countries.

Missing child alert system to be launched next month

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:05:24 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The special response alert system, especially to aid in the search for missing children, is expected to be launched a month after the Chinese New Year.

Official title of deputy king

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:08:09 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Department yesterday issued a statement on the official title to be used by the Sultan of Kedah and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong while carrying out the duties of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

2 missing after raid by armed men

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:08:12 +0800

KOTA KINABALU: A company manager and his supervisor are missing after armed men raided a seaweed farm in Pulau Sebangkat, about 15km from Semporna, early yesterday.

Police declare war on drug addicts in JB

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:16 +0800

JOHOR BARU: The state police will be conducting an all-out war on drug addicts in the city as they have been responsible for a number of snatch thefts and burglaries here.

PM: Malaysia needs more intangible assets

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:20 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to create more intangible assets if it is to retain its competitive edge.

'It is time for brutal competition'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:24 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: There should be "brutal" competition for Malaysia's business environment to thrive, a top industrialist said yesterday.

RM680m to upgrade accident-prone road

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:45 +0800

IPOH: Frequent fatal road accidents along the Batu Tiga Segari-Changkat Jering federal road should be a thing of the past when the stretch is upgraded to a four-lane dual carriageway at a cost of RM680 million.

More lanes for overtaking from Kuching to Miri

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:49 +0800

SIBU: The state government plans to add more lanes for overtaking along the 900km state trunk road from Kuching to Miri.

PRM opens door to 4 PKR men

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:26 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is inviting the four Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders who are at odds with their party leadership to join it.

Waiting for new application

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:30 +0800

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has rejected the RM1.3 million quit rent payment made by the Selangor Poverty Eradication Foundation (YBK) as it wanted to wait for a fresh application from the foundation.

Bloodstain on bedsheet 'matches maid's blood'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:38 +0800

SHAH ALAM: The DNA profile of the bloodstain found on a bedsheet was the same as Muntik Bani's, the Indonesian maid who died from abuse in October last year, the High Court was told.

Three claim trial over fire incidents at churches, school

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:42 +0800

TAIPING: Three of four men charged last week with causing mischief by fire at two churches and a school here have claimed trial.

Fined for pirated DVDs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:51 +0800

KUANTAN: A man was yesterday charged with possessing 24 pirated DVDs, including 17 pornographic copies, an offence punishable by fine of up to RM3,500 or three months' jail.

Truth about RM12m project laid bare

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:56 +0800

LUBOK ANTU: Is this another case of misappropriation of federal funds in the state?

Villagers want road repaired

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:16:03 +0800

PASIR MAS: A collapsed embankment in Kampung Peng- kalan Pasir here, is causing anxiety to villagers about the safety of their houses.

Jail, rotan for sex with minor

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:16:06 +0800

KANGAR: A father of three was sentenced by the Sessions Court yesterday to 15 years' jail and six strokes of the rotan for having sex with an underage girl on two occasions.

Charged with killing father

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:25:04 +0800

KUALA TERENGGANU: A 20-year-old boat builder was charged at the magistrate's court yesterday with murdering his father last week while the family was asleep.

Loud bang, then an explosion

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:18:56 +0800

SEREMBAN: The managing director of a herbal company and his family of five were killed when their car smashed into a stalled lorry at Km252 of the North-South Expressway near the Senawang toll plaza here early yesterday.

It's a huge loss to the state, says CM

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:19:37 +0800

MALACCA: "I thought I would go first but what can I say, God loves him more," said Ghazali Johari, the father of Suhaimi Ghazali who was burnt to death in an accident at Km252 of the North-South Expressway near the Senawang toll plaza yesterday morning.

Ang pow for highway users

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:05:28 +0800

KAJANG: Motorists joining the Chinese New Year balik kampung exodus this year will enjoy discounts and free tolls from 17 highway concessionaires.

Be innovative, be quick, govt servants urged

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:05:32 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants should be more creative and innovative in implementing the government's programmes and activities for the people.

Kids grab lion's share of thrills

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:36 +0800

IPOH: It is normal to see lion dance troupes clamouring to grab ang pow during the Chinese New Year celebration.

1,345 developers blacklisted

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:40 +0800

DENGKIL: Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said 1,345 developers and more than 5,000 directors of such companies involved in problematic projects have been blacklisted.

Wooing more volunteers

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:44 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is seeking additional allowances, including annual bounty and specialist grant, to woo more volunteers to serve in the armed forces.

Don't gather at Palace of Justice, warns IGP

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:48 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have warned the public not to gather at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today for the decision on the Perak menteri besar issue.

Hearing put off to today

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:53 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The sodomy trial of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was yesterday postponed after his defence team filed an application for judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah to recuse himself from hearing the case on the grounds of bias.

'Anwar's affidavit inaccurate'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:56 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has filed an affidavit-in-reply pertaining to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's application to disqualify the trial judge.

M-cyclists top fatality list on first day of Ops Sikap

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:52 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorcyclists topped the number of deaths in road accidents on Sunday, as Ops Sikap 21 entered its first day.

SHE code for bus firms from next month

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:55 +0800

ALOR STAR: All 224 commercial bus operators in the country will be required to adopt the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) code from next month.

All lit up for peace, prosperity

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:00 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: Thousands of devotees attended the annual lighting ceremony at the 119-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, on Sunday night.

Rep still prefers sending greeting cards

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:03 +0800

BUTTERWORTH: Although many in the digital era have turned to text messages to send festive greetings to relatives and friends, Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah has continued the tradition of sending out greeting cards this Chinese New Year.

Belgian company gets Eye on Malaysia

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:07 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Belgian company Fitraco NV won its suit against MST Ad Suria Sdn Bhd to dismantle, remove and sell the Eye On Malaysia Ferris wheel.

Dishonourable intentions

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:11 +0800

WAS MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai really misquoted by the media or was his back-pedalling a face-saving measure following the cold response to his call to boycott party functions?

Umno says no to Mansor for agency post

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:16 +0800

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang Umno has objected to the state government's decision to nominate Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman as head of the state tithe collection agency, Pusat Urus Zakat (PUZ).

Teen assaulted at sports school

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:19 +0800

SETIU: A 15-year-old student suffered cuts on his lip and bruises on his head after being hit by three seniors at the dormitory of a sports school on Sunday.

Teacher hits student over perfume question

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:13:23 +0800

KULIM: A female student was allegedly struck on the head by a male teacher at SM Lubuk Buntar here on Sunday for asking him whether he was using a perfume.

Student Sharmeen wins crown

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:16:10 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: Mass communications student Sharmeen Looi Mee Leng was crowned Miss Penang Times Square here on Sunday night.

Dragon's positive spin off

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:18:58 +0800

Dragons coach Goh Cheng Huat, who has filled in as national coach for the last one year, believes the intense competition in the ABL was just what the national players needed for their development.

Kwong Beng eyes Thomas Cup launchpad

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:25:16 +0800

CHAN Kwong Beng, after his bitter experience in the team event of the 2007 Korat Sea Games, has become a stronger player and wants another team event, preferably the Thomas Cup, to be the launchpad to greater things.

Strong turnout expected at tournament

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:46:07 +0800

THE third Berjaya Sompo KL Amateur Men and Ladies Open golf tournament will tee off at the Bukit Jalil Golf and Country Club on Feb 24.

South Africa sniff win over India

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:07 +0800

NAGPUR (India): South Africa were eyeing victory after Dale Steyn picked a career-best 7-51 to trigger a dramatic India collapse on the third day of the First Test yesterday.

Lotus F1 undeterred by negative comments

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:53:12 +0800

SPECULATION fills the scene as Lotus F1 Racing prepare for the much awaited launch of their car in London on Friday, but chief executive officer Riad Asmat believes all negative airs will be cleared when the car is unveiled.

Johor seek to break winless run against T-Team

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:12:51 +0800

WINLESS Johor will be looking for a change of fortune when they face Terengganu's T-Team in a Super League match at the Larkin Stadium today -- a match which the table proppers need to win to stay afloat.

Zaquan out to make up for lost time

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:10:31 +0800

NEGRI Sembilan striker Mohd Zaquan Adha Razak is ready to terrorise defenders again in the Super League.

Coaching committee finally finds its feet

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:12:43 +0800

ONE would expect hockey to be the topic of conversation when a group of coaches, managers, officials and fans met recently.

Women woefully off target

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:28:58 +0800

THE performance of the national women recurve archers is increasingly becoming a cause for concern after none made the quarter-finals of the Asian Grand Prix meet in Taman Keramat yesterday.

Not a good sign for team

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:34:47 +0800

LEE Chong Wei maintaining his unbeaten record in the National Grand Prix Finals is nothing new but the ease by which he achieved his victories will surely make his rivals stand up and take notice.

Justine stays out of appearnce fee, Maria to decide soon

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:42:29 +0800

AUSTRALIAN Open finalist Justine Henin has decided not to participate in the US$250,000 (RM774,000) Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian International Open on Feb 22-28.

Nurses: In demand

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:37:24 +0800

REGISTERED nurses (RNs) with tertiary education can raise the standard of health services and be effective partners to the medical profession.

Permits for rare species no help

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:37:20 +0800

WE refer to the natural resources and environment mi-nister's decision to take over the chairmanship of the panel that issues special permits for keeping endangered animals from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks director-general.

They cannot replace doctors

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:37:17 +0800

I AGREE with Datin Hatijah Yusof that nurses' standards should be raised ("Lift our nurses' standards" -- NST, Jan 15).

Time to take it seriously

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:37:11 +0800

I REFER to the statement by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that there is no need to establish an interfaith commission as "there are no major religious issues that warrant a setting up of such a commission".

Clear petty traders from Taiping Lake Garden

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:37:14 +0800

TAIPING has a priceless asset -- the Lake Garden. It is arguably the best natural recreational park in the country.

Deserted shophouses a threat to motorists

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:49:02 +0800

AS one approaches Ipoh from the south along the trunk road, one passes through a small township called Kampung Kepayang.

Use assets to draw worshippers

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:35:01 +0800

IT is interesting to note that Sabah is building commercial units in the grounds of the city mosques in Likas (Kota Kinabalu) and Bukit Padang (Ranau), with the Sabah Economic Development Corporation embarking on a programme of providing business premises within compounds of selected mosques there.

Let more people do conveyancing to cut costs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:34:57 +0800

IT is not possible to buy a double-storey link houses in most parts of the Klang valley or in major towns and cities unless one is willing to cough up quite a bit.

Ensure ops is no longer delayed

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:34:54 +0800

I REFER to the article "Crackdown on illegals put off" (NST, Feb 6). I hope the authorities will keep their word to launch the nationwide crackdown after the Chinese New Year.

Why is Proton Saga not on display?

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:35:04 +0800

THE National Automobile Museum located at the heart of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is a testimony to the country's history and achievement in the automotive industry.

EDITORIAL
Follow-up treatment

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:28:03 +0800

THE fact that more than 95 per cent of medical establishments have registered with the Health Ministry -- and some that have not done so are in the process of registering or renewing their licences -- shows that the once controversial and contested registration exercise has become routine and regularised -- and rightly so. For one thing, it is only the foolhardy or the fraudulent who would operate without a licence as it could lead to stiff fines, prison terms, suspension or closure. In this context, it is disappointing to note the absence of specific statistics about those operating without prior approval or practising complementary and allopathic medicine without authorisation, or those that have been refused registration, struck off the register or no longer allowed to practise. At any rate, since the basic aim of registration is to separate the bogus from the bona fide centres and practitioners, the lack of fuss and dawdling in the registration of healthcare premises is a welcome development.

SYED NADZRI
PKR ebbs as Anwar plays Mr Nice Guy

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:31:02 +0800

THE mood and morale in Parti Keadilan Rakyat now is so low that a third of its 69 elected representatives, it seems, don't care two hoots about what happens to the party any more. And people say it has a lot to do with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's crabby obsession to become prime minister at all costs.

UMAPAGAN AMPIKAIPAKAN
No room for self-indulgence in modern journalism

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:31:49 +0800

IN Miami and the Siege of Chicago, Norman Mailer's definitional account of the Republican and Democratic conventions of 1968, there is a reprint of a New York Times piece. It is an account of a confrontation between white Republican delegates and black demonstrators at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. Mailer had missed the encounter and had turned to the press for some clarification.

VIKAS BAJAJ and KEITH BRADSHER
Asia sails smoothly through debt traps

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:29:53 +0800

While Asia is showing resilience in the face of recession, investors are alarmed about Greek, Spanish and Portuguese indebtedness, which highlights the fundamental weakness of the European monetary union, write VIKAS BAJAJ and KEITH BRADSHER