Singapore sinks deeper into recession

 Economy, Energy resources, Environment  9 Responses »
Feb 262009
 

The Singapore economy shrank 4.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008 despite posting an annual growth of 1.1 per cent for last year. For 2009, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is maintaining its forecast of minus 2-5 per cent, though others think it could be more than minus 5 per cent if the global economy worsens. The IMF is projecting a global recovery next year – but that looks more than a little optimistic, perhaps wishful thinking.  Truth be told, no one knows for sure how long this worldwide depression will last – certainly not the so-called economists who never saw all this coming 18 months ago.  Any recovery is unlikely to be quick as the biggest consumers in the world by far are in the United States – and we all know they are in deep trouble.

MACC grills Perak Speaker for three hours

 Accountability, M'sian politics  23 Responses »
Feb 262009
 

First, they put the pressure on Selangor MB Khalid. Now, it’s the turn of Perak Speaker V Sivakumar to feel the heat. He was questioned by the MACC for three hours last night for alleged abuse of power probably in relation to the suspensions of BN state assembly members. Meanwhile, Nazri informed Parliament yesterday that the ACA had opened four investigation papers into the Lingamtape affair. Three of these were sent to the Attorney General, who classified two under “no further action” while the remaining one was still awaiting further investigation. The fourth paper is still with the ACA. In case you missed theSun report, here it is:

Growing old with Streamyx

 Accountability, Malaysian finance/business  31 Responses »
Feb 252009
 

It’s not just the economy that has slowed down.  The local broadband service is now crawling at a snail’s pace. For almost a week, we have been hearing complaints from many Streamyx users. Now we know why, or at least this is the official reason: cable/circuit problem with the US. But why are local websites also slow? And why did it take TM so long to announce this? Have Singapore and other Asean countries encountered similar slowdowns? Says blog reader syauki_x in Indonesia: I’m writing this from Bandung, Indonesia… I didn’t even know there was such a thing as cable/circuit problem with the US, until I read your entry… The net connection here is just as normal as it gets… Buck up, TM! No one talks about the MSC anymore.  Meanwhile, we will all grow old waiting for pages to download.

Blogger Jed Yoong investigated for sedition

 Human rights, Media  22 Responses »
Feb 252009
 

First it was bloggers Raja Petra and Sheih Kickdefella investigated for sedition. Now it’s the turn of Jed Yoong, who was hauled up and questioned. Four police personnel also arrived at her house and confiscated her laptop, its power cable, a desktop CPU, a router and a modem, according to Jed in her blog. She was told she was being investigated for sedition. Jed argued that her blog was not particularly influential, compared to the mainstream media. “I strongly feel it is ludicrous and absurd to say that I can even influence anyone what more incite racial hatred or any sort of hatred towards anyone,” she wrote in her blog. “If anyone is hateful, they will be so without reading my blog.’

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