NEWS : SUNDAY 24 MAY 2009

Tricky task of fine-tuning KPIs
Finally, after six weeks, the preliminary key performance indicators(KPIs) for the ministers are ready. What are they and will theyactually help our ministers perform their duties better? ANIZA DAMISspeaks to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr KohTsu Koon, who is in charge of driving the ministers and their KPIs, andfinds out that this is only the beginning

Malayan Communists' Blog: For youngsters, it's alternative history
AFACEBOOK identity named Malayan Communist Party, and a blog run by anold communist narrating the history of the MCP from the communistperspective. What do these two websites have in common?

Malayan Communists' Blog: There is always another side to the story
IT was reading Ahmad Boestamam's political memoir, Merentuh Jalan keArah Puncak, which made Fahmi Reza decide to make his documentarySepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka (10 Years Before Merdeka).

Malayan Communists' Blog: Textbooks only give victor's version
HOW are communists presented in our school history textbooks?

Malayan communists go online
Nearly 50 years after the end of the 12-year Emergency against armedcommunism, people still seem interested in the subject. Blogs thatpurportedly speak from the perspective of the communists garner goodreception, particularly from the younger generation. Should we worry?ANIZA DAMIS finds out

Science, Maths decision in 6 months
PASIRGUDANG: Any decision to review the teaching of Science and Mathematicsin English may be reached within the next six months.

Cops kill man who held family hostage
JASIN:Armed with a single-barrell shotgun and a parang, an Indonesian manstormed into a house at Kampung Jambatan Lantai, Air Barok, here.










Plural society a strength
PEKAN:The country’s plural society is a source of strength in the currentchallenge to turn Malaysia into a high-income country.

Anwar trying to ‘fool the world’
PETALINGJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said Datuk SeriAnwar Ibrahim was moving around freely and did not face any safetythreat, contrary to the Oppo­sition Leader’s claims in a foreignpublication.

Samy: Don’t back Lankan bid to quash censure
KUALALUMPUR: The Govern- ment has been asked to withdraw its backing for SriLanka’s move to stop a Western attempt to scrutinise and censure itshuman rights record during the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Pensioners advised to emulate ex-PM who is still sharp at 84
PEKAN:Pensioners should emulate former Prime Minister Tun Dr MahathirMohamad, who is still sharp and energetic despite being 84.

Ministry puts off induction plan for maids and foreign workers
PETALINGJAYA: Employers can heave a sigh of relief. The mandatory inductioncourse for maids and foreign workers to qualify for visas to come herehas been put off indefinitely.

Employers detained after maid found dead
PETALINGJAYA: Employers of an Indonesian maid found dead in their house havebeen detained on suspicion of having severely beaten her.

Sultan to undergo treatment in Singapore
KOTABARU: Kelantan Sultan Ismail Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra isin stable condition following treatment for a heart ailment.

JJ shortlisted for US envoy job
KUALALUMPUR: Former minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis andambassador-at-large Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid are among fourpersons being considered for the post of ambassador to the UnitedStates.

Decision on English for Maths and Science in six months
JOHORBARU: The Education Ministry expects to reach a decision within sixmonths on the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English.

PPP and MIUP team up to work for Indians
KUALALUMPUR: The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has joined forces with theMalay-sian Indian United Party (MIUP) to support Barisan Nasional andwork for the welfare of the Indian community.

Third bridge likely to boost industry in east Johor
JOHORBARU: The third proposed link between Malaysia and Singapore in eastJohor has received good feedback from the tourism industry in Desaru.

Four celebrate in Malacca after eight-day Unity Walk
MALACCA:An eight-day Unity Walk for four men from different parts of the worldcame to an end when they joined thousands of Sikhs from around thecountry to mark the community’s annual Sant Sohan Singh Ji celebrationshere.

Cosmetology Bill delayed to avoid redundancy
PETALINGJAYA: The proposed Cosmetology Bill to regulate the use of beautyservices, products and devices in cosmetic practices, has been delayedbecause of the wide range of issues that have to be ironed out.

PKR to face three independents in absence of Barisan
BUKITMERTAJAM: PKR is facing three independents for the Penanti seat whichthe party is expected to retain easily in the absence of BarisanNasional.

No party as Barisan stays away from polls
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Pakatan Rakyat supporters were ready to party but they were all dressed up with nowhere to go, so to speak.

Cops raid DAP HQ and seize computer and 19 DVDs
PETALINGJAYA: Police raided the DAP headquarters here last night in connectionwith the candle-light vigil two nights ago and seized a computer and 19DVDs.

Lim: Don’t take away Khir’s stipend
PETALINGJAYA: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has urged the Selangor Government notto deny Sungai Panjang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo andfour others their allowances, even if the House decides to suspend them.

Wee: Over RM500,000 given to five Chinese schools
KUALASELANGOR: The Education Ministry has disbursed more than half a millionringgit in allocation to five Chinese primary schools in Kuala Selangorand Sabak Bernam.

BN will completely ignore Penanti polls, says PM
PEKAN:Barisan Nasional will completely stay out of the Penanti stateby-election and not even send an observer to check on developments, itschairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

Hard questions lie ahead for PAS
Followingunprecedented support from non-Muslim voters, PAS is now at thecrossroads, with some tough choices ahead that will influence whatdirection PAS takes and its relationships with its partners in PakatanRakyat.

Malaysia-Singapore ties look set to bloom again
AreMalaysia-Singapore bilateral relations finally on the right footing? Itis too early to tell, but at least Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib TunRazak’s visit to the city state promises an exciting and challengingera for both countries.

Zambry wants end to Perak tiff
IPOH:Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir wants to put the Perak political crisisbehind him, urging politicians not to trigger unrest in the statethrough speeches and actions.

Manek Urai polls an acid test for new Kelantan Umno chief
KOTABARU: The Manek Urai state by-election will be an acid test for DatukMustapa Mohamad, the newly-appointed Kelantan Umno Liaison Committeechairman.

Adnan: Barisan has 50-50 chance of winning by-election
PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional has a 50-50 chance of winning the Manek Urai state by-election because the rakyat have started to see changes in the coalition, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Teary but joyful end to nine-year wait for taxi permit
GEORGETOWN: Cabbie Jenny Teoh Cheng Lee had been waiting nine years for apermit to drive her own taxi. When the moment finally came yesterday,she was overcome by emotion.

‘Rambo’ robber shot dead after hostage drama
JASIN: A Rambo-style robber armed with a shotgun, an ammunition belt and parang held a family of five hostage for more than 13 hours but was gunned down by police while he was trying to escape.

Cops: RPK now staying in Brisbane
PETALING JAYA: Police have confirmed that online news portal Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin is in Brisbane.

Dumpling Festival to see dearer 'bak chang'
GEORGE TOWN: Consumers can expect dearer chang this year as most of its ingredients have gone up in price.

Penang targeting 10 million tourists soon, says Guan Eng
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has set a target of 10 million tourists in a few years, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Cops: Ignore SMS on rally for Tamil Tigers
SHAHALAM: Selangor police have urged the public to ignore an SMS callingfor a gathering at Batu Caves today in support of the Liberation Tigersof Tamil Eelam group in Sri Lanka.

Foreign trio free of A (H1N1)
GEORGETOWN: The Australian, who was admitted to the Penang Hospital forobservation for influenza A (H1N1) on Friday, is free of the virus.

All NS trainees fine and back in camp
PETALINGJAYA: National Service (NS) trainees at the Setia Ikhlas camp inSemenyih are no longer under quarantine for fever or flu-like symptomsand have resumed their training.

90% of audited estates found to be ‘unsafe’
TELUKINTAN: Only 50 out of the 581 estates audited by the OccupationalSafety and Health Department passed the safety level set by the HumanResources MInistry.

Thief held after snatch attempt on Rexy’s wife
KUALALUMPUR: The wife of national badminton coach Rexy Mainaky almost becameanother snatch theft victim if not for the brave action of a familyfriend.

South Korea’s Break Out a sell-out in Kuala Lumpur
KUALALUMPUR: The Korean extreme dance comedy theatre, Break Out, played to apacked hall of appreciative viewers at Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA.

Mukhriz’s father-in-law dies at 83 in Seremban
SEREMBAN:Zakaria Jundai, the father-in-law of Internation­al Trade and IndustryDeputy Min­ister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, died yesterday. He was 83.

Tracking fishes in the east via satellite
KOTAKINABALU: Satellite technology will be used to track fish and improvethe haul of fishermen in the eastern states of the peninsula.

Numbers aptitude adds up for TAR College biz student
KOTAKINABALU: A childhood fascination with numbers sparked an interest inthe accounting profession for Tunku Abdul Rahman College studentJacqueline Wong Su Kiun.

Sarawak tops FDI list in 2008
MIRI: Sarawak has attracted the highest level of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country over the past year.

Chan: Sarawak to enjoy lower electricity rates with completion of dams
KOTASAMARAHAN: Electri-city tariffs in Sarawak may come down once its twohydroelectric dams are completed and large, energy-intensive industrieshave moved into the state.

Movement to hold briefing on ministry loan scheme
KUALALUMPUR: MCA Beliawanis will organise a briefing for Chinese youths onthe loans given out by the Youth and Sports Ministry to help them starta business.

Sime Darby returns to sponsor education pullouts
PETALINGJAYA: Sime Darby Bhd will lend a helping hand to 400 schools in theteaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English.

Two more drug traffickers held in JB
MUAR:Two more men, believed to be drug traffickers, were arrested a dayafter police detained nine gang members following a shootout in whichtwo suspects were killed in Johor Baru.