Three Killed As Army Enters Central Syrian Town

By Khaled Yacoub Oweis

AMMAN

(Reuters) - At least three civilians were killed on Monday when security forces entered the town of Talbiseh in central Syria to crush dissent against President Bashar al-Assad, a rights group said.

The deaths brought to 14 the number of civilians killed in the area around the city of Homs, north of Damascus, since troops and tanks surrounded towns and villages in the region on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

‘No Cold War In Sabah Umno’

State deputy chief Salleh Said Keruak dismisses claims made by national youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno deputy liaison chief Salleh Said Keruak has refuted suggestions of a “cold war” between certain leaders in the state.

He said Sabah Umno was stable, with party leader and members united under the leadership of Chief Minister and state Umno liaison chief Musa Aman.

‘Solid Proof To Declare S’wak Polls Null And Void’

Athi Shankar

Banned activist says rampant vote-buying was a well-oiled operation involving the chief minister's office.

GEORGE TOWN: A political activist said he has visual and documented evidence to prove that rampant vote-buying in the recent Sarawak polls was a well-oiled plot from the very top.

BK Ong, who was deported from Kuching last Tuesday, claimed he has the evidence which revealed cheques and vouchers to voters were issued from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Lagarde Has G8 Backing; Hits Back At Inquiry Call

By Helen Massy-Beresford and Yves Clarisse

PARIS

(Reuters) - G8 leaders all back French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde's bid to run the IMF, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Sunday, as the candidate attacked a call to investigate her role in a 2008 legal case that may harm her chances.

France was careful not to speak out about Lagarde's candidacy during a Group of Eight summit in Deauville last week but Juppe said all eight nations were firmly behind Lagarde.

‘Abu Sayyaf Links Turned Dr M Red’

K Kabilan

However, his attack against the Time magazine over the article was moderate as he was not personally mentioned and wanted to keep a lid on the possible links, said US diplomats.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad was unusually moderate in his attacks against two articles which appeared to criticise his government in the Time and Fortune magazines in early 1995 as he was “not personally mentioned in the stories”.

Also, Mahathir was not keen to pursue his attacks against the Time magazine article in particular as it involved his government’s alleged links with the Aby Sayyaf movement from the Philippines.

‘Sulu Sultan’ Case Crying Out For Answers

Joe Fernandez

There’s no way the authorities can sweep the Akjan ISA detention case under the carpet.

COMMENT

Sabahans are baying for the blood of one Mohd Akjan Ali Muhammad, a Suluk who claims to be a Sulu datu and was previously once held for distributing MyKads to illegal immigrants in Sabah. His case itself mirrors that of the illegal immigrants in the state, but he has led an incredibly charmed life so far. Akjan was reportedly born in the Philippines but holds a Malaysian birth certificate as well as MyKad, although he has admitted in the media to holding a Philippine passport as well.

Scholarships Fiasco Inevitable When Najib Flip-Flops On Policy

Written by  Selena Tay

In the past week, there has been much hue and cry with regards to the scholarships fiasco. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had previously said that all those who obtained 8A+ would be given scholarships. Fullstop. No further elaborations.

This was good news, simple and easy to understand, and all students worked hard in order to achieve the target.

MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong, who is also the deputy Education minister, first raised up the matter concerning the PSD scholarships by claiming that 363 straight A+ students had failed to obtain scholarships despite Prime Minister Najib Razak's promise last year that all students scoring 8A+ and above would secure scholarships.

After Driver Who Wanted Sex, MCA Women Go After Male Secretary Of Tour Group

Written by  Melissa Lee

In its most stinging comments so far, the women's wing of MCA slammed the male secretary of a tourism association for sexist remarks and unmanliness after he implied that the practise of forcing female tour guides to share hotel rooms with male colleagues was not a serious matter.

"Cost saving at the expense of women's security is a very shameful practice. Tai’s gender bias mentality has caused more women to suffer indirectly. Female tour guides are often afraid of losing their jobs because they do not dare confront the old system," Chew Lee Giok (pic), Wanita MCA secretary-general said in a statement.

Air France Crash Sparks Pilot Mystery

By Tim Hepher and Gerard Bon

PARIS 

(Reuters) - A French airliner plunged out of control for four minutes before crashing into the Atlantic in 2009, investigators said, in a report raising questions about how crew handled a "stall alarm" blaring out in the cabin.

Information gleaned from black boxes, and recovered almost two years after the disaster killed 228 people, confirmed that speed readings in the Airbus cockpit had gone haywire, believed to be linked to the icing of speed sensors outside the jet.

North Korea To Free U.S. Citizen Held For Six Months

By Jeremy Laurence

SEOUL

(Reuters) - U.S. rights envoy Robert King on Friday won the release of an American citizen detained inNorth Korea on unspecified charges for the past six months, as he wrapped up a visit to the secretive state to assess its pleas for food aid.

The U.S. State Department said it had been informed by Sweden, which looks after U.S. interests in North Korea in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, that Jun Young Su would be freed.

Russia Joins Western Chorus For Gaddafi To Go

By Joseph Logan

TRIPOLI 

(Reuters) - Russia joined Western leaders on Friday in urging Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to step down and offered to mediate his departure, in an important boost to NATO powers seeking to end his 41-year rule.

It was a striking change in tone from Kremlin criticism of NATO air strikes in Libya, which are officially intended to protect civilians in a civil war but have effectively put the West on the side of rebels seeking Gaddafi's removal.

Is The Tunku’s Dream Dead ?

Mariam Mokhtar

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

COMMENT

How ridiculous that 54 years after Merdeka, we are still talking in terms of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and that we cannot and will not think and work as Malaysians.

In the article, “Big Unity Plan” (Sunday Times, May 28, 1961) the Federation Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, warned of the communist threat: “We want citizens to think, feel, believe and work for the good of Malaya and look to Malaya as the sole object of their loyalty. This, I am sure, is the desire of all in the country except for a small minority.”

Pope Shuts Down Monastery Run By Ex-Night Club Dancer

Pope Benedict XVI has shut down a famous momastery in Rome that organised dances by a former nightclub dancer nun and hosted VIPs like Madonna, earning the disfavour of the Vatican.

The closure of the monastery of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which holds some of the Church's most prized relics, was reported by Italian dailies La Stampa and Il Foglio.

The reports said the community of Cistercian monks based at the church for more than five centuries was being transferred to other churches in Italy.

Feeling The Pinch, Prostitutes Extend Working Hours

Foreign prostitutes here are stripping to only their bras and panties to attract customers at a budget hotel at Jalan Pudu, reported Harian Metro.

To make more money, the prostitutes also work during the day.

It is learnt that the prostitutes offered sexual services specifically to tourists and senior citizens in coffee shops at cheap hotels, for as low as RM10 to RM150.

The Bukit Aman Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) exposed their immoral activities, said to be conducted between 9am and 3pm, during a raid at the hotel last Wednesday.

Mahathir And Anwar - The Top Two Malay Leaders

Written by  Maclean Patrick

Since 1998, no other Malaysian political struggle has had a greater impact than the one between former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim.

It has been a battle of epic proportions dividing the political landscape into two camps of thought. The Mahathir camp which sees Anwar as the mastermind for their demise and the Anwar camp which sees Anwar as the leader for change.

We have been served up every treat in the how-to-kill-off-your political rival cook-book. A relentless barrage of attacks, designed to undermine the people’s opinion of Anwar Ibrahim. Yet, in the deluge of attacks, the government has exposed its soft underside for all to see.

Villagers Cry Foul Over Fraudulent Logging Deal

Joseph Tawie

Villagers in Lundu are claiming that a company has 'contravened laws governing NCR' by harvesting timber from their land.

KUCHING: Bidayuh landowners from four villages in the Lundu district – Kampung Stum Muda, Kampung Stungkor Baru, Kampung Stungkor Lama and Kampung . Bokiah – have claimed that a Miri-based timber company has cheated them through an ‘undated, unsealed and improperly attested agreement’.

They claimed the agreement also had not been stamped with the term ‘hasil’.

‘Anwar Lacked Dr M’s Clout In Tackling Islam’

K Kabilan

A leaked 1997 diplomatic cable shows that the US had backed Dr Mahathir's version of moderate Islam but felt that Anwar was too soft to handle the religious conservatives.

KUALA LUMPUR: The US embassy here had given its tacit approval to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s hardline approach against Muslim conservatives in Malaysia as it was in line with the “US interests and values”, revealed a leaked US confidential cable from 1997.

However, the US diplomats were highly concerned if Mahathir’s successor as prime minister could cope with the growing Muslim conservatism.

UK Clears Attack Helicopters To Join Libya Campaign

By Keith Weir

DEAUVILLE, France

(Reuters) - Britain has said its helicopters can fly sorties over Libya as it seeks to raise the pressure on Muammar Gaddafi to step aside, British officials said on Thursday.

French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said on Monday that Britain would start deploying attack helicopters in Libya along with France as part of NATO's operation there.

However, Britain had not confirmed that until now. British ministers gave clearance in principle for the use of Apache helicopters on Thursday and NATO could now call on them.

Exclusive - LatAm Deserves To Run IMF, Says IADB President

By Daniela Desantis

LUQUE, Paraguay 

(Reuters) - Latin America deserves to provide the International Monetary Fund with its next chief, Luis Moreno, president of the Inter-American Development Bank, said on Thursday, pushing Mexico's bid to head the IMF.

Mexico and other nations have said the selection process should be based on merit and not nationality and Moreno said Mexico's central bank chief, Agustin Carstens, has all the credentials to run the IMF.

Obama Warns Gaddafi Of "No Let Up"

By Matt Falloon and Joseph Logan

LONDON/TRIPOLI

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama warned Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Wednesday there would be 'no let-up' in pressure on him to go, following a second successive night of heavy NATO bombing in Tripoli.

Six loud explosions rocked Tripoli late on Tuesday within 10 minutes, following powerful strikes 24 hours earlier, including one on Gaddafi's complex in which Libyan officials said 19 died.

MAS Suffers Pre-Tax Loss Of RM238 million.

PETALING JAYA: Fuel hike and a stronger ringgit led the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) to post a pre-tax loss of RM238.25 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared with a pre-tax profit of RM320.25 million chalked up in the corresponding period last year.

Revenue decreased to RM3.19 billion, during the period under review, from RM3.30 billion, previously.

“Passenger revenue growth, outstripped by the steep increase in fuel prices and the strengthening ringgit, impacted Malaysia Airlines’ first quarter performance for this year,” Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer,Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin said.

Forgotten People Of The Padang Earthquake

Aneesa Alphonsus

The survivors have no shelter, no food, no jobs, no help and they stay alive on hope that things will get better. 

SPECIAL

PADANG (Indonesia): Just before sunset on Sept 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolted this town and changed the lives of the residents forever. It killed over 1,000 people and left countless injured and homeless.

Now, those who counted themselves the lucky ones then, wonder if they are really the lucky ones. They are homeless, live from hand to mouth and there are no jobs.

Congratulations, Jabu!

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu admits the state does clear forests to plant oil palm as part of efforts to wipe out poverty. But hang on a sec, says Philip Khoo; what happened to RM19bn in logging royalties that the state should have received from a hundred million trees chopped down?

The Official Standard Line In International Forum Is To Flatly Deny That Sarawak Has Cleared Primary Forests To Plant Oil Palm.

‘Govt Abused Power When Detaining Activist’

Joseph Tawie

Lawyer See Chee How is bent on seeking justice for Malaysian Election Observer-network (MEO-net) leader BK Ong who was unfairly deported to Penang yesterday.

KUCHING: Malaysian Election Observer-network (MEO-net) leader BK Ong’s lawyers have accused the state authorities of abusing their power and detaining Ong “as if he is a criminal”.

Counsel See Chee How said Ong was in Sarawak to help instil political awareness, especially on the importance of voter registration among the natives.

Ong has found out that in some areas like Belaga and Baram between 20% and 30% of the population have registered themselves as voters.

Kit Siang: Muhyiddin The Worst DPM - Completely No Class Or Standards !

Written by  Lim Kit Siang

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is shaping up to be the worst Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President in history.

I would not yet say that he is destined to be the nation’s worst Education Minister although he is undoubtedly leading the pack in a more competitive field.

I had thought that the “creative conspiracy” by the Defence Minister and Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi where he allegedly “exposes DAP’s plan to name Malay candidates in general election” takes the cake for being the most silly political statement of the year.

3 US Colonels Punished For Poking Fun At Gays

SEOUL - Three U.S. colonels have been reprimanded for performing a skit that officials believe sneered at homosexuals and the U.S. rules designed to protect gays in the military, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted an official at the U.S. military in South Korea on Wednesday.

The administrative reprimands against the colonels were given by the Eighth U.S. Army commander, Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson, early this month, the official at the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said on the condition of anonymity, confirming an earlier report by the Army Times, a U.S. military newspaper.

It’s Payback Time !

Maxwell Coopers

The city-state has formally announced that the stratospheric salaries of its president, prime minister and all political appointees will be scaled back.

COMMENT

It is payback time in Singapore! No, it is not the settling of scores. Instead, it is the paring down of the salaries of all political appointees.

The stratospheric salaries of its president, prime minister and all political appointees have been scaled back from May 21.

This issue which has caused deep-seated resentment before, during and after the May 7 general election has finally been addressed.

Lagarde Leads IMF Race,Mexico Also In The Fray

PARIS: French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde’s candidacy for IMF chief gained momentum in Europe on Sunday while Mexico put forward its own candidate, ensuring competition for the top job.

The Mexican Finance Ministry said it would nominate central bank chief Agustin Carstens, placing a prominent emerging market name into the race to lead the global lender.

Mubarak, Sons To Be Tried For Killings, Corruption

CAIRO: Ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak and his two sons were today referred to a criminal court on suspicion of graft and ordering deadly fire against anti-government protesters, state media reported.

The official MENA news agency said the 83-year-old former strongman and his two sons Alaa and Gamal have been charged with “premeditated murder of some participants in the peaceful protests of the Jan 25 revolution”.

Sarawak Kicks Out Activist Ong BK

Tashny Sukumaran

He says the deportation order must have come from politicians who “don’t like their vote buying and abuses of power being exposed by MEO-Net”.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak immigration officers caught up with political activist Ong BK in Bengoh today and ordered him out of the state.

Ong, a coordinator of the Malaysian Election Observers Network (MEO-Net), entered Sarawak through Bintulu on May 21 with no difficulties, but 10 officers stopped him at the Bengoh Dam security post this morning and escorted him to the immigration office in Pending.

Canberra Rejects UN Concern Over Refugee Deal

Australia says it stands on solid legal ground when it made a deal to send asylum seekers to Malaysia. 

MELBOURNE: The Australian government insists it is on solid legal ground with its controversial asylum-seeker deal with Malaysia, despite a senior United Nations official’s comments to the contrary.

The Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told a forum in Sydney yesterday the deal – which has not yet been finalised – appeared to violate international refugee law.

‘Opium’ Subsidies: MP Hits Out At Najib

Queville To

Instead of abolishing subsidies completely, the government should implement new policies on subsidies so that poor families won’t go hungry, says Tawau MP Chua Soon Bui.

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah-based MP has urged the federal government to revamp its current policies on subsidies so that the poor are left immune to price increases.

“Instead of abolishing them completely, the government should implement new policies on subsidies so that poor families, especially those in Sabah, won’t go hungry,” Tawau MP Chua Soon Bui said.

Malaysia Aid Ship Ends Sea Attempt To Gaza

KUALA LUMPUR - A Malaysian aid ship attempting to land in Gaza after being warned off by Israeli naval forces last week has been forced to abort its mission after engine trouble, activists said.

Matthias Chang, who is heading the mission for the Perdana Global Peace Foundation, told AFP on Monday that the MV Finch was now stuck six nautical miles from Egypt's El-Arish port.

"At about 5:30pm local time (0330 GMT), our vessel developed engine trouble and we lost our steering capability, so we had to stop our attempt to reach Gaza by sea," he said.

SUPP Man Hits Out At ‘Disrespectful’ Party Leaders

Joseph Tawie

A founding SUPP party member has questioned a call by deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh for its leaders to resign en bloc.

KUCHING: Former Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) leader, Toh Heng San, has accused certain SUPP leaders of disrespecting the decisions made by its central working committee (CWC) and at the party’s delegates conference (DC).

He said the lack of respect for these decisions had caused disarray in the party.

Skilled Foreigners On the Decline

Patrick Lee

Malaysia is seeing fewer skilled foreign workers and expatriates, while low-skilled migrant workers flood our shores.

PETALING JAYA: There are more skilled migrant workers in Malaysia than there are skilled jobs.

According to a 2011 World Bank report entitled “Malaysian Economic Monitor: Brain Drain”, many foreigners were forced to take up jobs lower than their skills levels.

“Despite a sharp decline in the share of migrants in skilled occupations, from the peak level of 10% in 2002 to 5.8% in 2008, the share of migrants with tertiary education level exceeds the share of migrants with higher skilled occupations,” it said.

Feng-Shui And GE-13: What The Masters Foretell For Anwar And Najib

Written by  Selena Tay, Wong Choon Mei

Speculation is running high and bets are already being placed on when Malaysia's 13th General Election will be held. This is a sure indication that the rakyat or the populace believes it is very soon - within months, and the favorite being July.

Some have even prophesied the exact nomination day of July 9 and balloting day of July 23.

How do they know? Well, Malaysian politics is a bit like cheese - full of holes. Very often, the news turns out wrong not because it wasn't true but because the powers-that-be decided to change their plans to regain the element of surprise.