1) The bill to extend by five years the authority for the harsh security act Sosma, which allows detention without trial, has moved up to number 3 from number 7 on the parliamentary agenda. [Detention without trial should be abolished – not extended.]
Alarming images of Botak Hill
This is a close-up view of what Botak Hill looks like these days. The video footage was taken by a concerned Penangite.
You can imagine the surface run-off from those badly eroded slopes and deep gullys during heavy rain.
A few Malaysian entities, individuals on US State Department’s sanctions list
A few Malaysian individuals and entities have appeared on the US State Department’s list of sanctioned entities and individuals believed to “engage in proliferation activities“.
Economic angle to government’s retreat on Hadi’s bill
It was a spectacular U-turn, after all the hype about the government planning to take over Hadi’s bill. When it came to the crunch, the moment of truth, Najib, Umno and the government blinked.
The new Customs director general, the glass ceiling and the regressive GST
When news broke that Subromaniam Tholasy had been appointed the new director general of the Royal Malaysian Customs, not a few Malaysians, especially those from minority groups, cheered.
As bewildered motorists look on, water spout crosses over Penang Bridge
A water spout crossed over Penang Bridge as bewildered motorists looked on this evening. Does anyone else think the weather is getting a bit more freakish or it it just me?
New wave of Chinese nationals drawn to Malaysia
A report in the South China Morning Post has highlighted a new wave of Chinese nationals moving to Malaysia. The report “Why are Chinese nationals moving to Malaysia?” mentioned two main categories:
As Gurney Drive changes forever, a nostalgic 1970s video goes viral
This photo was sent to me a couple of days ago showing the outline of the massive land reclamation taking shape off Gurney Drive (131 acres) and in the distance, the first phase (253 acres) of a 760-acre artificial island off Tanjung Tokong.
Tears over Tasik Chini – a once majestic lake now suffering
The biggest threat to Tasik Chini in Pekan is not the legendary Naga Seri Gumum (Malaysia’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster) but corporate activity and the greed of outsiders with vested interests.
Aduh! Nik Abduh trounced in Pas divisional polls; Husam makes waves
Pas youth leader Nik Abduh Nik Aziz suffered a crushing defeat in his bid to wrest the number two post in the Pengkalan Chepa Pas division from incumbent Dr Izani Husin.