Huge opposition rally in KL signasl new political shift in Malaysia

By Julia Zappei of AFP

KUALA LUMPUR : Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim urged voters to oust the country's long-ruling government as tens of thousands of supporters gathered Saturday in a show of force ahead of coming elections.

At least 50,000 people crowded into an iconic stadium in the capital Kuala Lumpur where independence was declared in 1957 and tens of thousands more thronged surrounding areas as the opposition effectively kicked off its campaign.

"We plead for you to give us a chance so that the people's voices will become the voices of the leaders of this nation," Anwar told the crowds as he denounced what he called the government's misrule and corruption.

France jet fighters flew to Mali's rescue and bombed Islamist rebels

BAMAKO/PARIS (Reuters) - French aircraft pounded Islamist rebels in Mali for a second day on Saturday and neighboring West African states sped up their plans to deploy troops in an international campaign to prevent groups linked to al Qaeda expanding their power base.

France, warning that the control of northern Mali by the militants posed a security threat to Europe, intervened dramatically on Friday as heavily armed Islamist fighters swept southwards towards Mali's capital Bamako.

Under cover from French fighter planes and attack helicopters, Malian troops routed a rebel convoy and drove the Islamists out of the strategic central town of Konna, which they had seized on Thursday. A senior army officer in the capital Bamako said more than 100 rebel fighters had been killed.

Bumburing, a Prisoner of Conscience? : Dr. Jeffrey

I was shocked for three reasons – One, what leverage do you have to demand when you belong to them (PKR). 
Two, where will you go if you leave? …. BN?   Third, are you not a potential traitor to PR/PKR and to
the rakyat who elected you?; Dr Jeffrey

“Wilfred Bumburing, leader of the so-called APS, is a prisoner of his own conscience because he is unable to distinguish between the right to fight/defend Sabah’s inalienable rights and the politics of nationalism. He seems pre-occupied with the politics of “carimakan” rather than fighting for regaining Sabah’s rights and correcting the wrongs committed by Malayan political leaders on Sabah” said Datuk Dr.Jeffrey Kitingan, Chairman of STAR SABAH in response to Bumburing’s statement that STAR is “Anti-Malaya”.

Star will move on, says Papar leader

By Baharudin Nayan
PAPAR : In respond to the claim by former Star head for Papar, Datuk Patrick Sindu, that Papar Star is dissolved, i would like to stress that the majority of grassroots leaders and members in Papar are steadfast in their unity with Star state leadership in regaining our pride and empowering Sabahans.

In Pantai Manis especially, there is no big effect at all from Sindu's departure. If anything, Star strength and support from the people in Pantai Manis is increasing even more by the day as more and more see and understand the earnest strugle and clear direction of Star. 

Salleh: Stop the debate on ‘Allah’

Former Sabah CM says the prevailing peace,
unity and stability in the country should
be maintained at all costs.

KOTA BELUD: State Legislative Assembly Speaker Salleh Said Keruak today called for an immediate stop to debate over the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims, for fear that the prolonged open debate may give room to extremists in all religions to take advantage of the situation.

In making the call, the former chief minister said the prevailing peace, unity and stability in the country should be maintained at all costs.

“Don’t politicise it [the use of Allah] and score points. Keep sensitive issues aside. We must maintain a harmonious environment and respect each other.