Full transcript of Abdul Razak’s Q&A
This is the full transcript of Abdul Razak Baginda’s question and answer session during the press conference held at Hotel Maya, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday.

ACA begins probe into RM28m Marine Park
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has begun investigations into discrepancies in the RM28mil Marine Park project in Sungai Panjang, said Selangor Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Lee Kim Sin.

Sighting of moon for Aidiladha on Nov 27
The sighting of the moon to determine the date for Aidiladha will be held next Thursday evening, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal announced today.

Parliament: Judges’ promotions based on seniority, capability
Judges’ promotions are based on seniority, capability, integrity, experience and completed judgments, said Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Ex-newscaster Sharma Kumari, husband win appeal
Former newscaster Sharma Kumari Oam Parkash and her husband won the appeal against the High Court decision ordering them to pay RM1.8mil in damages to businessman Abdullah Sani Hashim.

Arianna offers new tennis show for Penang
Penangites may still get to see some former tennis greats in action, according to Kings of Tennis event organiser Arianna Teoh.

Melamine issue resolved: Health Minister
The Health Ministry will work closely with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) to send its officers to overseas markets in a bid to restore confidence in locally-produced biscuits.

Malaysia to set up embassy in Turkmenistan
Kuala Lumpur will set up an embassy in Turkmenistan to assist Malaysian businessmen and government-linked companies who wish to invest in the republic.

Parliament: Call for toll reduction across the board
The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club called for a 10% reduction of toll rates instead of a 10% discount for private car owners using the North-SouthExpressway and the North-South Central Link between midnight and 7am.

Tee Keat denies MCA setting up Veterans Committee
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has denied the party is setting up a Veterans Committee as reported in a Chinese daily Thursday, but admitted there were proposals for such a body.

Shahrizat to challenge Rafidah for top post
Wanita Umno deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil will be contesting the chief's post.

Parliament: 30% of Visa on Arrival holders have overstayed
Some 30% of the 250,000 Visa on Arrival (VOA) holders have been found to abuse their visas by overstaying.

Menglembu residents instructed to conduct health survey
Dissatisfied Menglembu residents have been asked by the Perak Health Department to jointly conduct a survey to see if factories near their homes were causing them health complications.

Medical exam won't prevent NS mishaps: Dr Chua
Having national service (NS) trainees undergo compulsory medical exams will not be effective in preventing medical mishaps, said former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

ACA begins investigating 82 cases of money politics
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has begun investigations into 82 cases involving money politics.

Penang wants to retain George Town’s heritage status
Four development projects planned in George Town may not have to be scrapped to avoid the town from being stripped of its status as World Heritage Site by Unesco. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said negotiations could still be held with Unesco and also the developers who had yet to start their projects, such as Bintang Holdings and Asia Global Business.

Quran in hotel rooms soon
A copy of the Quran and its intepretation will be made available in most hotel rooms in the country to allow both Muslims and non-Muslims to have “access” to the Holy book.

Parliament: Petrol price likely to drop further in December
The petrol price is likely to reduce further from the current RM2 per litre starting next month.

Sivarasa, six others in court over unlawful assembly
There was uncertainty at the Sessions Court on Thursday when the defence counsel tried to introduce video evidence in an unlawful assembly case.

Forty-five convicts pardoned since 2000
Forty-five convicts, including three foreigners had been pardoned by the State Pardons Board since 2000, Dewan Rakyat was told on Thursday.

High Court sets Feb 5-6 for Anwar’s sodomy case
The High Court on Thursday set Feb 5 and 6 to review Session Court judge Komathy Suppiah’s decision to retain Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial at her court.

Action plan launched to respond to unemployment
The Government has introduced a National Action Plan to resolve the problem of increases in unemployment triggered by the global economic chaos.

Rain in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang could lead to floods
Moderate rain occasionally heavy is expected over Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang until Saturday afternoon and may cause floods along river banks and low-lying areas.

Najib, wife never met Altantuya: Razak (updated)
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak never met murdered Mongolian beauty Altantuya Shaariibuu, Abdul Razak Baginda said.

Apec to push for revival of stalled WTO talks
Asian-Pacific nations, including Malaysia, will push for a quick conclusion to the World Trade Organisation stalled negotiations as a means to overcome the present global financial crisis, said International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Lima, Peru. <hr noshade size="1" width="50%">

Heritage at stake: Unesco status or high rise dilemma for Penang
The state government has found itself in a catch 22 situation – jeopardise George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site status or run the risk of being sued for hundreds of millions by developers.

Ka Chuan steps down as minister, sends letter to Tee Keat
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who was defeated in the recent MCA elections, has tendered his resignation from his Cabinet post.

Shah Rukh Khan can’t come to receive Datukship
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan will not be able to receive his Datukship on Nov 29 due to his busy schedule.

Malaysia keen to help Turkmenistan
Malaysia is keen to participate in Turkmenistan’s tourism and infrastructure development to expand bilateral trade between the two nations which currently amounts to only RM36mil.

‘Resolve cases within two years’
The Human Resources Ministry wants all cases received by the Industrial Relations Department and referred to the Industrial Court to be resolved within two years.

Subra: Too early to think of polls
MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam will leave it to the party to decide on its future direction, including whether he should contest in the coming party election.

Cops slam NGO’s action
The police have hit out at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that allegedly kept two Penan women for nine days here before allowing police to record their statements on being raped.

MCA: BN success due to component parties
Umno is not the sole party in the Barisan Nasional coalition government, said MCA publicity bureau deputy chief Lee Wei Kiat.

Pempena probe has Azalina fuming
The nonchalant attitude of those being questioned over the Pempena Group of Companies controversy has irked the Tourism Minister.

No car perk from Pempena, says Chew
Pempena Group of Companies executive chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun has denied that she was given a personal car by the company, and also said there were no plans to purchase one for her.

Only a small number of members involved in revolt, says Syed Hamid
Kota Tinggi Umno chief Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, who is facing a revolt in the division, says he will prevail based on the overwhelming support for him.

Johor Wanita Umno sends strong message to contenders
Johor Wanita Umno chief Datuk Halimah Sadique has told the three contenders for the movement’s top two posts that if they fail to set aside their personal agendas, they would be held responsible for causing a rift in Wanita.

Azalina to meet Sabah CM over Mabul
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, who is unhappy with plans to develop an oceanarium resort on Pulau Mabul, will trash out the matter with the Sabah Chief Minister soon.

Dept: Resort developer must comply with all conditions
The Sabah Land and Survey Department will issue a land title for the controversial oceanarium resort in Mabul only if all special conditions are complied with.

Keep Jalan Silibin name, says lawyer
A 75-year-old Ipoh-born lawyer is pleading for the name of Jalan Silibin to be retained as he had spent half his life there.

AirAsia plans to fly to Tashkent next year
AirAsia will begin flights to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent by the end of next year, said chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

CIQ complex to finally open next month
The new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Bukit Chagar is expected to open its doors within the next month.

Jakim not involved in Rebana Ubi arch project
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is involved in the construction of the Rebana Ubi arch, which will reportedly be built on the Federal Highway.

Plantation earnings to go up
Despite a worsening global economic outlook, the Malaysian plantation industry is expected to achieve export earnings of RM100bil compared with last year’s figure of RM89bil.

Producer refutes Teoh’s allegations
The owner of all intellectual property rights in relation to the Kings of Tennis brand and event format has strongly and categorically refuted all allegations made by event organiser Arianna Teoh last week.

DCM slams critics asking him to quit
Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has lashed out at certain quarters who he said were jealous of him and were after his position.

Penang refutes Tee Keat’s claim on cause of floods
The Penang state government has refuted Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s criticism that it had blindly accused MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd of causing floods in several areas on the mainland.

Nazrin warns of dangers in rejecting diversity
Multicultural societies are fast becoming the rule rather than the exception in the world but people are failing to create a sense of community in such societies, Raja Nazrin said.

Dr M to name those involved in money politics
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has promised to name Umno members implicated in money politics on his influential blog www.chedet.com.

Over 10,000 jobs available for those retrenched in Singapore
Malaysian workers in Singapore who have been retrenched are advised to contact the Johor Manpower Department as there are more than 10,000 job vacancies in the state.

Three killed in car crash
Three people, including a baby, were killed when their car crashed head-on with a palm oil tanker at the 44th kilometre of the Sandakan-Beluran road here at 1pm on Wednesday.

Gush sweeps away motorcyclist
Store coordinator Foziah Osman watched helplessly as a motorcyclist was swept off the road by water gushing down a hill only to realise hours later that the victim was her brother.

Terengganu folk owe government RM100mil
Property owners owe the local government a whopping RM100mil.

Sarawak to work with Ohio varsity over cancer treatment
Sarawak is in talks with the Ohio State University Medical Centre to develop a compound extracted from a local tree for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Penang hill funicular train to run again next month
Visitors will be able to take the funicular train up to the Penang Hill top station again when service resumes in the middle of next month.

Alert for Gas Cylinder gang
Police are on the lookout for a group of robbers nicknamed “Gang Tong Gas” (Gas Cylinder Gang) who use cooking gas cylinders to break into locked rooms.

Celcom’s ‘chat’ messaging service launched
More mobile phone users can now “chat” on their cellphones, with the launch of a new mobile instant messaging service by Celcom.

Bureau wins best marketing award
The Sarawak Convention Bureau’s marketing programme has won the International Convention and Congress Association’s (ICCA) best marketing award.

Ship caught transferring sludge
A tanker was detained off Pengerang, near here, as it was transferring 678,000 litres of oil sludge worth more than RM1mil from another vessel.

Suspected Johor crime mastermind gets two-year detention
A 44-year-old MIC politician has been detained under the Emergency Ordinance for alleged involvement in major crime syndicates in Johor.

Return money of those who booked tickets before fuel surcharge waiver, AirAsia urged
BUDGET carrier AirAsia has been urged to look into the possibility of refunding the fuel surcharge to passengers who made their flight bookings before the surcharge was waived, reported Sinar Harian.

Harlem-Annie marital woes continue to make news
NEWS of Taiwanese singer Harlem Yu’s marital problems with Annie Shizuka Inoh continues to receive widespread coverage in the major Chinese dailies.

Retraining to upgrade skills of SME workers
HUMAN Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the skills of some 750,000 workers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be upgraded through retraining to enable them to compete in a bigger market and be independent, reported Malaysia Nanban.