South Tyrol heading to unofficial independence referendum in autumn

Secessionist South Tyrolean Freedom organizes poll on whether South Tyroleans wish to "exercise the right to self-determination" · Survey says majority of German and Ladin speaking South Tyroleans support secession, most Italian speaking reject it · Pro-secession leader Eva Klotz says referendum is an issue of "grassroots democracy"

South Tyroleans will be able to cast their votes on self-determination in an unofficial referendum next Autumn. The vote is currently being prepared by South Tyrolean Freedom, a party that strives for secession of South Tyrol from Italy. Citizens will be able to choose if they want to cast their votes directly in a ballot box or either through internet or SMS. An electronic system has been prepared so that votes are controlled and no one can vote twice.

Malaysian MPs put to some tests

The Star newspaper surprised MPs with a game of 20 Questions at the sidelines of the opening of the 13th Parliament recently. But they came up with their own surprises in their answers.

> How much does 1kg of sugar and a box of 10 Grade A eggs cost?

Answer: RM2.50 to RM2.60 / RM3.50 to RM4.50

DO our Members of Parliament know the actual cost of living?

Only 12% of the MPs who took part in the survey could answer the question above correctly. The finding suggests that many, from both sides of the political divide, are comfortable enough financially to “not need to know” about these nitty-gritty items of a household budget. Give or take a few sen, many got close to the price of sugar, but how much people fork out to buy eggs, the most affordable source of protein for some households, was lost on many. Some gave their lack of time to shop as a reason: “I haven’t gone to the shops for some time” or “My husband/wife does the shopping.” And most looked sheepish for their ignorance, like PAS Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin who apologetically added – after saying, “I’m not into groceries” – that it is important for MPs to be aware of the rakyat’s bread and butter issues and “know the prices of the basic essentials like cooking oil, rice ...”

Killed for jumping a red light?

Another case of unnecessary police violence,
says Puchong MP Gobind

KUALA LUMPUR: An alleged traffic offender died last week after he was arrested and manhandled by four police officers in Medan Imbi, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo told a press conference today.

Gobind said the assault occurred at a restaurant and he had seen a video recording of it that was shot by a patron.

A report in China Press quoted police sources as saying that the victim, 53-year-old Chong Foo Ming, was foaming at the mouth after he was restrained and handcuffed. The report said police tried to flag him down after he had beaten a red light, but he sped off.

Shake-up in Sabah STAR leadership

By Luke Rintod of FMT

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah chapter of Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR) top leadership has appointed its new state line-up in a presidential-decree style, shocking reform-minded leaders in the party.

With the absence of a clear proviso in the party constitution, Sabah STAR chairman, Jeffrey Kitingan, is apparently left with absolute power ‘to hire and fire’ in the party here.

He began his bid to overhaul the party following its shocking defeats in the recent 13th general election, by not reappointing all his five deputies.

De-gazetting Christian holidays ‘legal’

By Joseph Bingkasan

KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu High court has struck off with cost a suit against the Sabah Legislative Assembly for abolishing three Christian public holidays.

The High Court ruled yesterday that the Sabah Government’s decision to abolish Easter Monday, Holy Saturday and Boxing Day as public holidays 34 years ago was in accordance with the State Constitution.