Malaysiakini News

The editor of Sarawak Tribune, the state's oldest newspaper which returned to the newsstands in May after a four-year hiatus, has been suspended for publishing an unflaterring report on Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The report, 'Is Taib Mahmud testing the waters?', which was a Bernama wire service report, appeared on the front page of the newspaper on Monday.

It quoted a number of political analysts questioning the chief minister's motive in announcing his willingness to quit ahead of a state election.

According to the commentators interviewed by Bernama, Taib had no intention to step down after 29 years in power and that his statement was carefully made to elicit support from local leaders.

"He will not step down. He just wants to know who is complaining. His remark is a calculated statement to find out who are against him," Bernama quoted James Chin of Monash University as saying.

Malaysiakini has learned that Tribune executive editor Paul Si, who helmed the newspaper since it hit the streets three months ago, has been suspended for two weeks. There are unconfirmed reports that he has since been given marching orders.

This morning (2nd September 2010 9:30am - 11:30 am) Pejabat Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna organized a briefing on COMPETITION ACT 2010 MALAYSIA at Dewan Rafflesia & Cattleya, Tingkat 1, Hotel RH Sibu, Jalan Kg Nyabor, Sibu, Sarawak.

(The Borneo Post - The writer can be contacted via This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it )

“WHY do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-5).Truly decent Malaysians, like Aliran president P Ramakrishnan, are becoming increasingly alarmed and certainly frustrated at current developments in the politics of race and religion in Malaysia.

In his latest missive to the media, published by the online media but, predictably, ignored by most of the mainstream press, Ramakrishnan hits out at the accusations hurled at the Penang Chief Minister by the Defence Minister and also a Malay national daily. Accusations, thus far rather baseless, that the Agong’s name was substituted with the CM’s in a Friday sermon, and accusations that the CM had personally directed his name to be mentioned in the sermon.

Ramakrishnan ends his letter with the plea that “There must be some degree of decency in politics.”

"What disaster can we expect next?” said the Umno vice-president.

Hishammuddin also said it was clear that DAP was adopting an extreme approach by questioning the rights and privileges defended by Malay leaders and the rulers.

First-term MP Teo drew a firestorm of criticism from Umno politicians, pro-Umno blogs and Malay dailies over her visit to the Al Huda surau in Serdang on Aug 22.

[Written by DR AZLY RAHMAN , who was born in Singapore and grew up in Johor Bahru, holds a Columbia University (New York) doctoral degree in International Education Development and Master's degrees in the fields of Education, International Affairs, Peace Studies, and Communication. He has taught more than 40 courses in six different departments and has written more than 300 analyses on Malaysia. His teaching experience spans both in Malaysia and in the United States and in a wide range of teaching context; from elementary to graduate education. He currently resides in the United States.]

“I sincerely and genuinely reiterate that my visit to the Surau Al-Huda was not politically motivated, and had no motive to put into question the sanctity of suraus and mosques,” Serdang Mp Teo Nie Ching said on Saturday...

Teo explained that she had visited the Kajang surau on Sunday, Aug 22, as their MP, in order to hand over to them the state government's monetary contribution for repairs to the surau fence... She had timed her visit in order to break fast with the surau's committee members and congregation…

“Since I was invited to say a few words, I in all sincerity gave a brief explanation of the state's education programmes that benefit the people of Selangor,” she said, adding that she welcomed advice from all parties on better execution of her duties... (Malaysiakini report, Aug 28, 2010)

The Perkasa panic over Teo's visit to a surau in Kajang intrigues me. The latter had gone there in humility to present a state donation to repair the fence. She is now a sensation and forced to mend fences. She may be meeting with the biggest religious head of the state - the Sultan. There will be repercussions. There has already been.