Malaysia: Security Bill Threatens Basic Liberties

Replacement for Internal Security Act Offers Some Reform, but New Concerns

(Bangkok, April 11, 2012) – The government of Malaysia’s proposed law to replace the infamous Internal Security Act (ISA) of 1960 opens the door to a range of future abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. On April 10, 2012, the government submitted the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012 to parliament, where quick ratification is expected.

The administration of Prime Minister Najib Razak touted the bill as a significant improvement over the ISA because it reduces the period of detention without judicial review from 60 to 28 days and only for an “active investigation.” It also prohibits arrest solely on the basis of “political belief or political activity.”

Large Aceh quake triggers Indian Ocean tsunami warning

Source 

An earthquake with an magnitude of 8.7 has struck under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province.

The quake triggered a tsunami warning across the Indian Ocean region.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said it was not yet known whether a tsunami had been generated, but advised authorities to "take appropriate action".

Such a sad state of affairs in Malaysia

By Abdul Haleem Abdul Rahiman

Kuala Lumpur,  April 05, 2012

I will join the Bersih 3.0 rally because I can’t stand the gross stupidity that is crippling the entire nation. Honestly, as much as I agree stupidity has no limit, I can’t take this absurdity which has been fed to us in high doses on a daily basis.

Day in, day out the events unfolding in Malaysia make you sick and drive you insane. With all the transformation programs and what-not, I believe we are on full speed in a very wrong direction. Almost every institution in this country is failing. Religious bigotry is at its peak.

‘Mafia’ trio Gani, Musa, Anifah cornered MACC files

Even as new revelations surface about MACC thwarting investigations in
Sabah, infighting within Sabah Umno is threatening Najib's influence.

By Pushparani Thilaganathan

Source
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah’s most influential men – Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, Chief Minister Musa Aman and his brother Foreign Minister Anifah – allegedly blocked the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigations into tens of millions of ringgit worth of secret timber concessions and money laundering.

Leaked MACC documents revealed that Gani had allegedly shelved files on the investigation and refused to prosecute.

UPKO branch in Kg Lampada Kota Marudu dissolves as members joined STAR

By Ezra Haganez
KOTA MARUDU : One branch of UPKO in Kampung Lampada, Kota Marudu, was claimed to have been dissolved with its members quitting en masse to join State Reform Party (STAR).

The branch leader, Taimin Kanur, had quit UPKO, a key component party of Barisan Nasional, together with 50 other members.