Updates – Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 goes missing
Wikipedia carries the following update of the tragic situation involving Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members:
As Anwar’s political future thrown in doubt, Nurul Izzah addresses Kajang voters
Nurul Izzah is being touted in many circles as one of the possible candidates to replace Anwar in the Kajang by-election in case Anwar’s bid to contest fails.
Court finds Anwar guilty, but his star still shines
The Court of Appeal may have found Anwar Ibrahim guilty as charged but there is no doubting that the man’s stature as one of the icons of the pro-democracy movement remains undiminished. If anything, it has been enhanced – probably much to the chagrin of BN leaders.
Crowd throngs Kajang Stadium in show of solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim
Thousands have turned up at Kajang Stadium in a show of solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim hours after the Court of Appeal overturned his acquittal on a charge of sodomy, casting a cloud over his candidacy for the Kajang by-election.
Anwar Ibrahim found guilty; will he be able to contest in Kajang?
The Court of Appeal has found Anwar guilty of the sodomy charge and sentenced him to five years jail in a decision that has sent shockwaves across the nation ahead of nomination day (Tuesday, 11 March) for the Kajang by-election (23 March). What are the chances of Anwar being eligible to contest now?
Penang tunnel could lead to even more congestion
The public display on the Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 Detailed EIA has apparently been relocated from Level 4 to Level 16 in Komtar. I am not sure why. Doesn’t seem like much of a “public display” to me. Anyway, the display ends tomorrow, for what it is worth. Activists, however, are asking for a two-month extension to the public feedback period, which expires next week. The 800-page report in three volumes is long, technical and complicated and most people are still unaware of it. A hard copy costs RM500 while soft copies of the files (totalling 666MB! – interesting number, eh?) are too large to send over the internet.
Meanwhile, the Pulau Tikus state assembly rep has come out expressing concern about the traffic impact of the proposed cross-channel tunnel. “We cannot compare ourselves to Hong Kong because there are only 50 cars per 1,000 population whereas Penang has more cars registered than the total population,” she said.
Privatisation reversed! MPSP takes over rubbish collection, terminates private contractors
In a major exercise, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) is reversing the privatisation of rubbish collection and cleaning services, which were outsourced to private contractors during the Mahathir era.
Penang tunnel: Comparison with Hong Kong flawed
The Penang state government’s contention – that Hong Kong has three tunnels; so why can’t Penang have one – is flawed as it is not comparing nutmegs with nutmegs.
How internet trolls disrupt serious discussions on blogs, websites
Ever wondered why certain trolls persistently play up divisive issues such as race and religion in the comments sections of websites and blogs? Could it be they are trying to disrupt serious discussions on the critical issues of the day? This video discusses how these trolls are deployed in certain countries.
Second Penang Bridge opens: Hello, more congestion!
The Second Penang Bridge, actually the third cross-channel link, was opened tonight and the stage is set for more congestion in Penang Island, especially along the Jelutong Expressway with more cars expected to flood the island.
When crime strikes close to home
Crime statistics may seem abstract but when it affects people you know, then it becomes more real. Over the last few weeks, I have come across the following incidents affecting relatives, friends and people I know.
Book launch: Operation Coldstore in Singapore 1963
Find out more about what happened in Singapore during the Operation Coldstore crackdown of 1963, when over a hundred activists, stalwarts of the opposition front Barisan Sosialis, newspaper editors, trade unionists and university students were detained. As climate change engulfs Malaysia, water-bomber tries to douse Penang Hill fires
Amidst a surreal hazy backdrop, a Canadian-made Bombardier 415 Super Scooper continued its aerial water-bombing this morning in a bid to douse the persistent Penang Hill fires.
Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 detailed EIA: Public viewing period extended
Following an outcry, the Department of the Environment has agreed to an appeal by the Penang state government for an extension of public viewing of the controversial three-volume Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 detailed EIA report.
Water-bomber deployed as Penang Hill fires spread
A Canadian-made water-bomber, a Bombardier 415 operated by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, was deployed yesterday evening as the smouldering Penang Hill fires spread to 10 hot spots.
Smouldering fires break out on Penang Hill
A couple of activists phoned me just now to report of fires in some half a dozen spots on Penang Hill visible from the Botanic Garden area. Then I spotted smoke emerging from the hill at the Bukit Gambier area and another cloud of smoke visible from the Gelugor Post Office.
Bersih delegation visits Major Zaidi Ahmad to express support
A Bersih delegation visited Major Zaidi Ahmad to express their support for the air force officer’s predicament as he faces seven charges for going public about the easily washed off ink used in the last general election.
Duck! Red paint hurled at Malaysiakini office
The dirty tricks ‘kaki’ are at it again, this time the target is the country’s leading independent news portal, Malaysiakini.
Integrating gender-responsive budgeting and participatory budgeting
A major two-day Asian regional conference kicked off at a hotel in downtown George Town this morning to propel the integration of gender-responsive budgeting and participatory budgeting.
Marina Mahathir celebrates diversity; Khalid Samad tours St Anne’s Church
Writer-activist Marina Mahathir today talked up diversity as an asset for the country in the Putra Lecture organised by the Penang Free School Foundation at Wawasan Open University.