Gulf Times: Saudi government reportedly ‘not amused’ about 1MDB headlines
The news that Switzerland has now kicked off a probe into banks linked to 1MDB scandal has caught the attention of the Gulf Times.
RM4.25 against US dollar; RM3 against Sing dollar
The ringgit has plunged to RM4.25 against the US dollar and RM3.00 against the Singapore dollar, two key psychological barriers, as many other Asian currencies also fell.
RM27bn Penang transport masterplan deeply flawed
The main consultant for the Penang transport masterplan was Halcrow, better known as an engineering and construction giant in the UK.
Schools barred from Penang state’s Merdeka bash pending KL green light
The Penang education department director has ordered schools in the state not to participate in Merdeka parades or celebrations organised by the state government until approval is received from the federal education ministry.
Popular George Town murals vandalised with Bersih symbols
A couple of popular murals in George Town have been found to be vandalised with #4.0 spray painted in yellow. To me, this appears to be aimed at sparking a public outcry against the Bersih 4 movement.
Botak Hill: MBPP’s statement
On 13 July, the MBPP issued the following statement. I am not sure about 3 iv) and v) ie all that land clearing and blasting of rocks in carrying out the mitigation work. (See items in bold; emphasis mine)
Fresh gaping wound rips through Botak Hill
A few people had brought this worrying development to my attention. While there appears to be some regrowth at the summit of Bukit Relau, a large clearing has ripped up the mid-section of the hill. This looks like the result of rapid erosion or even a landslip.
Electrifying atmosphere at launch of Bersih 4
A crowd of a few thousand attended the launch of Bersih 4 tonight at the PJ Civic Centre.
Zeti’s, Arul’s appearances fail to stem erosion of confidence
Appearances by Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz yesterday and 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy the previous night have failed to stem the erosion of public confidence in the probe of 1MDB as the ringgit fell to 4.08 against the US dollar at noon.
Kampung Mutiara residents face eviction without fair compensation
A landowner has served eviction notices to about five dozen homes in a kampung in Batu Ferringhi, reportedly without proper compensation.
RM4.00:US$1.00 – Thank you, Najib!
So the Prime Minister/Finance Minister/Chairman of the Board of Advisors of 1MDB has done it!. The ringgit has sunk beyond the psychological mark of 4.00 against the US dollar, a slump to levels not seen since the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997-98.
Penang Forum urges MBPP to take tougher action against hill clearing
The Penang Forum Steering Committee has released a statement calling for tougher penalties to be imposed on those responsible for illegal hill land clearing.
Did torrent of criticism of Najib result in reversal of MACC duo’s transfer?
The tide of dissent towards Najib is brewing both within and outside Umno – and both online and outside the internet.
300 journalists, well-wishers march for media freedom #AtTheEdge
This was the scene at the solidarity gathering with The Edge this morning.
Failed state? Five reasons why there is still hope for Malaysia
Economic prospects look gloomy. Government institutions appear compromised. Some RM2.6bn has reportedly found its way into the Prime Minister’s bank account.
No to online registration: Stand up for media freedom #AtTheEdge
Woke up to the shocking news that the government is mulling a proposal to require online news portals to register under proposed amendments to the cyber laws, expected to be tabled in October.
Dr Jeyakumar, 38 others arrested at Perak MB’s office
A group of farmers facing eviction, accompanied by Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and political activists, was arrested this afternoon when they tried to make an appointment to see the Perak MB after eight memos over the last two years failed to elicit a satisfactory response.
Kami akan duduk sini selagi MB beri temujanji. #PetaniPerak pic.twitter.com/buWwuXe20C
— Parti Sosialis MY (@partisosialis) August 5, 2015
The ‘donation’ that shook Malaysia
Aside from all those jokes about ‘donations’ floating around in social media, 10 key questions come to mind about that RM2.6bn “donation”:
Cangkat Bukit Gambir project above 250-feet threshold
Another project that is above the threshold of 250 feet (72 metres) above sea level, the contour for which is indicated by the thin white line.
Ringgit falls to 3.87; foreign investors pull billions out of Bursa
The ringgit has fallen to close to 3.87, a level last seen during the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis, due to uncertainty surrounding the 1MDB probe, the prospect of a US rate hike, and the plunge in global oil prices. Foreigners, meanwhile, have pulled billions of ringgit out of Bursa this year, exceeding the level for the whole of last year.