Category: Malaysia In The News

Umno’s jumbo misstepsBy Singapore Straits Times senior writer Cheong Suk-Wai SINGAPORE, May 29 – Malays are fond of likening the powerful to elephants, in proverbs such as “gajah sama gajah berjuang, pelanduk mati di engah-tengah” – when elephants joust, the mousedeer caught in the middle die. The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) remains for now… Continue reading Umno’s jumbo missteps

Ringgit expected to rally; Political uncertainty bolsters the currency in face of inflationBy DAVID ROMAN, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIAMay 29, 2008 SINGAPORE — Political uncertainty isn’t usually good for a currency, but it’s helping the ringgit since Malaysia has few alternatives to using the ringgit to curb inflation. So as inflation pressures mount, the… Continue reading Ringgit expected to rally; Political uncertainty bolsters the currency in face of inflation

Plugging leaks in fuel subsidies By S JAYASANKARAN KL CORRESPONDENT Business TimesMay 05, 2008 KL can take steps to beef up revenue, stop leakages to rich KUALA Lumpur is between a rock and a hard place. Last year, when global oil prices averaged around US$70 a barrel, the government spent almost RM$53 billion (S$22.8 billion)… Continue reading Plugging leaks in fuel subsidies

M’sia plans to stop S’poreans, Thais from buying cheap fuel Business Times May 25, 2008 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia yesterday said that it was considering using its chip-based national identity card to prevent visitors from Singapore and Thailand from buying cheap subsidised fuel meant for locals. Its latest plan comes as the government begins radically reviewing… Continue reading M’sia plans to stop S’poreans, Thais from buying cheap fuel

UMNO Minus MahathirFrom Today’s Wall Street Journal AsiaMay 20, 2008 Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned yesterday from the party he led for 22 years. It’s good news for Malaysia’s economic reformers and a sign that the country may finally be able to move beyond the divisive affirmative action policies that have hampered economic growth… Continue reading UMNO Minus Mahathir

Fixing Malaysia’s JudiciaryBy ZAID IBRAHIM From Today’s Wall Street Journal AsiaMay 20, 2008 KUALA LUMPUR If there’s one lesson to be learned from March’s elections, it’s that business as usual in Malaysia is no longer acceptable. This is a challenge to the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, and to me, as law minister. And… Continue reading Fixing Malaysia’s Judiciary

Fake farewell for Malaysia’s MahathirFrom Asia Times By Anil Netto PENANG – Former premier Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to quit the ruling United Malays Nasional Organization (UMNO) on Monday represents his strongest political protest yet against his hand-picked successor Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi – and perhaps his biggest gamble. His high-stakes decision came after a royal… Continue reading Fake farewell for Malaysia’s Mahathir

Razaleigh bent on unseating Abdullah By S JAYASANKARAN, Business Times 13 May 2008 He’ll contest presidency in December party polls; says Umno must look beyond its own race for peace, stability WHEN Malaysia’s second premier Abdul Razak Hussein died in 1976, his successor, Hussein Onn, looked for a deputy from among the three elected vice-presidents… Continue reading Razaleigh bent on unseating Abdullah

Malaysia’s Islamic court makes landmark ruling to let Muslim convert return to Buddhism The Associated Press Thursday, May 8, 2008 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: A Malaysian Islamic court allowed a Muslim convert Thursday to return to her original faith of Buddhism, setting a precedent that could ease religious minorities’ worries about their legal rights. Lawyers said… Continue reading Malaysia’s Islamic court makes landmark ruling to let Muslim convert return to Buddhism

New Malaysia parliament opens with rowdy name-callingAFP Thursday, May 1 KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – – The opening session of Malaysia’s new parliament descended into noisy name-calling Wednesday as a newly emboldened opposition took on the government. “Monkey” and “Bigfoot” were two of the epithets hurled in a rowdy session during which lawmakers shouted and gesticulated… Continue reading New Malaysia parliament opens with rowdy name-calling