22 May 2011

Lynas says paid Putrajaya for toxic waste cover


By Debra Chong 


KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Lynas Corp has revealed it deposited money with Putrajaya as an indemnity for potentially dangerous residue that may result from processing its radioactive rare earths in its Pahang plant, which is now under review.

However, Lynas did not elaborate on the deposit. It also did not disclose the sum paid to the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) under the purview of the science, technology and innovation ministry in charge of approving and monitoring radioactive industries.

“Lynas has also agreed to place funds with the Malaysian government to ensure safe management of any remaining residues as required by the AELB,” the Australian miner told The Malaysian Insider in a statement.

But AELB’s director-general Datuk Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan denied his agency had made the deposit a requirement.

“It’s got nothing to do with AELB. You got to check with Mida. Check with MITI,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

20 May 2011

Deputy IGP: Don’t force cops to reveal man in sex video


By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal


JOHOR BARU, May 18 — Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar (picture) warned the public today to stop trying to force the police to reveal the identity of the man in the sex video which many have claimed to be Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Khalid said that since the case was being investigated under Section 292 of the Penal Code in relation to the offence of possession and distribution of pornography, there is no need for the police to reveal the identity of the individual in the video.

“There is no legal need to reveal the identity of the person. If we go above what is legally permitted, we will be accused of being politically motivated.

“We are carrying out our duties in investigating this case. What we cannot reveal we won’t reveal ... Don’t pressure us, we are following the law,” Khalid was quoted by Bernama Online as saying.

Khalid’s remarks were a response to Kita president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s claims that the credibility of the police force would be in jeopardy if they did not reveal the identity of the man in the sex video.

The deputy IGP said that police had wrapped up their investigations and it was now up to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to take further action.

12 May 2011

Kristian-Islam: Blogger ‘Bigdog’ tidak akan mohon maaf

Oleh Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Mei — Dengan mempertahankan tulisannya, penulis blog “Bigdog”, yang mencetuskan provokasi berhubung dakwaan wujudnya konspirasi untuk menjadikan Kristian agama rasmi negara menegaskan, dia tidak akan membuat permohonan maaf atas laporannya, yang disifatkan banyak pihak sebagai fitnah.

Selain menjadikan Kristian agama rasmi negara, penulis blog itu juga mendakwa ia akan melantik perdana menteri dalam kalangan penganut agama itu.

Ekoran pendedahan penulis blog “Bigdog” itu, Utusan Malaysia telah memetik laporan tersebut dan disiarkan pada Sabtu lalu dengan tajuk “Kristian Agama Rasmi?” yang mendapat bantahan dan dikritik banyak pihak termasuk daripada pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat dan Barisan Nasional (BN).

Laporan muka depan akhbar Utusan Malaysia itu turut disiarkan dalam beberapa blog pro-Umno.

Penulis blog tersebut yang enggan namanya didedahkan menerusi entri bertajuk “Making Christianity the official religion?” mendakwa paderi-paderi Kristian mahu perdana menteri dilantik daripada kalangan penganut agama itu.

Selain itu, nama Ahli Parlimen Jelutong Jeff Ooi dari DAP juga diheret dalam tulisan blog berkenaan kerana beliau dilaporkan hadir bersama.

11 May 2011

Umno pimpin hingga kiamat jika PAS ikut gesaan Mahathir

Oleh Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Mei — Sambil mempertahankan kedudukan PAS dalam Pakatan Rakyat, ahli jawatankuasa kerja PAS pusat Mohamad Sabu berkata, Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) semakin terdesak kerana tidak putus-putus menggesa parti Islam itu keluar daripada perikatan tersebut.

Tegas Mohamad, sekiranya PAS bertindak keluar Pakatan Rakyat, secara automatik BN akan terus memerintah negara “sehingga hari kiamat.”

“Kalau PAS keluar Pakatan Rakyat, BN akan memerintah sehingga hari kiamat sebab dia (BN) tahu kalau PAS bersama Pakatan Rakyat ini sahaja yang boleh menggugat BN.

“Sebab itu BN tiada jalan lain, jadi terpaksa mencari apa sahaja jalan bagi memastikan PAS keluar daripada Pakatan Rakyat, ini kerana BN bimbang kekuatan PAS dalam Pakatan Rakyat... tambahan yang boleh kalahkan Umno adalah PAS,” katanya kepada The Malaysian Insider.

08 May 2011

Singapore leaders admit faults, face election test

The prime minister is admitting mistakes and even apologizing. It's a sign that the party that has dominated Singapore and told the island state what's best for a half-century could be facing its strongest electoral challenge.

The People's Action Party, with the son of Singapore founding father Lee Kwan Yew at the helm, is still expected to overwhelmingly win Saturday's parliamentary election and remain in power for at least the next decade.

But more seats are being contested than ever before, by a new crop of well-educated opposition candidates. A gradual opening of traditional media alongside unfettered Internet debate has meant an increasingly substantial discussion of campaign issues, such as immigration and housing costs.

"The opposition in the past was not able to recruit because there was a very strong climate of fear for a very long time," said Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies. "The situation today is very different. We've seen a liberalization of the political space."