KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – Pakatan Rakyat (PR) won in 59 mixed-race federal seats, almost double its 30 wins in Chinese-majority seats in Malaysia’s Election 2013, according to a new research, debunking Barisan Nasional’s (BN) claim of a “Chinese Tsunami” that cost it more losses. Independent online research house PoliTweet.org also said the ruling BN …

NILAI, May 22 – The National Fatwa Council reiterated a “fatwa” declaring demonstrations and rallies to topple government through violence as “haram” (forbidden) yesterday, becoming the latest Islamic body to comment on the issue. The religious edict comes just days after Muslims nationwide were told in an official Friday sermon last week that it …

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – Police have opened an investigation on DAP National Chairman Dr Chen Man Hin for allegedly conspiring to create public disorder when he used the term “Malaysian Spring” in a private email correspondence, party stalwart Lim Kit Siang revealed today. The Gelang Patah MP (picture) said Chen was now investigated under Section …

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – Under pressure, Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail has said he will press statutory rape charges against a 40-year-old restaurateur for sex with a 13-year-old girl, regardless of the man’s marriage to the minor. The public prosecutor has reportedly dropped the charge after Riduan Masmude declared he had wed the teen …

KUALA LUMPUR: A 32-year-old man, believed to be involved in the shooting of two other men in Bandar Tun Razak two weeks ago, has died after complaining of chest pains while in remand

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional should merge into a single multi-racial party or risk fading away in the next five years, said Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

KUALA LUMPUR: The police will establish a new Crime Prevention Department headed by a director.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – A group of American manufacturers in Malaysia told Putrajaya today to keep the teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI) as a way of strengthening the nation’s talent pool. This comes as over two-thirds of its members surveyed found it difficult to recruit local workforce in the design and development sector, in …

PUTRAJAYA: The Attorney-General’s Chambers will proceed with the case against restaurant manager Riduan Masmud, whose rape charge was dropped after the 13-year-old victim withdrew the report in Sabah.

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 22 — The swearing-in of the Terengganu state assemblymen and appointment of a Speaker will be held on June 16, at Wisma Darul Aman here. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin would officiate the opening of the new term of the 13th state assembly, the following day. “The debate will be for four …

KUALA LUMPUR: Felda has failed to get a judgment in default against PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifudin Nasution Ismail in its libel suit.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ensuring that the East Sabah Security Command (Esscomm) and the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) proceed smoothly will be Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s first order of business.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will set up a Crime Prevention Department in Bukit Aman federal police headquarter and all state and district police contingent headquarters soon. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (picture) said this was for better crime prevention in line with the demands of society …

PETALING JAYA: Not committing to the call by MCA veterans that Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek resign immediately, former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik says only the party’s annual general meeting can force Dr Chua to step down.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― Claiming the goods and services tax (GST) will impoverish each Malaysian by RM1,000 a year, the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact will thwart the proposal when it is raised for approval in the next Parliament sitting. The DAP secretary-general joined ally PKR in rejecting the proposed consumption tax, …

IPOH: Police have arrested four members of the Botak Gang, believed to be responsible for about 20 robbery cases in Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― Barisan Nasional (BN) must consider letting people join directly and without regard to ethnicity if the coalition wished to survive future elections, Gerakan said today, cautioning that young voters were increasingly turned off by the race-based parties. The party’s acting president, Datuk Chang Ko Youn, said the result of …

GEORGE TOWN, May 22 ― Penang Umno Youth deputy chief Norman Zahalan has denied involvement in the scuffle that broke out during a candlelight vigil at Sungai Dua here on Monday night. Admitting that he was at the scene, Norman said he was only passing through the area when he saw the scuffle and stopped to see what was happening. “I saw a group …

KOTA KINABALU, May 22 — Muslim inter-marriages between locals in Sabah and foreigners have been increasing since 2000, numbering almost 20,000 marriages for the past 13 years, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants heard today. Baharuddin Alwi, chief registrar of marriage from the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department, testified …

GEORGE TOWN, May 22 — The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) student representative council lodged a police report today urging PDRM to safeguard student safety. Council treasurer Chuah Wen Xu and vice president Loh Kit Mun, along with several other committee members, lodged the police report at the Sungai Nibong police station here, this …

PETALING JAYA, May 22 — PKR is considering delaying its party elections, initially scheduled for November, as the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) anchor party is still recovering from a “fierce” Election 2013 battle, its secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution said today. The move comes as the party copes with internal strife as its leaders squabble for …

NIBONG TEBAL: The Health Ministry may extend the operating hours of its outpatient clinics till at night in all public hospitals to help reduce the congestion and long queues there.

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA’s Tee Siew Kiong is on leave from the party with immediate effect following his controversial appointment as Johor executive councillor, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia reported today a civil servants union and two other groups joining its boycott of AirAsia and sister airline AirAsia X, after the latter firm’s chief executive condemned the newspaper for its racially provocative headline targeting the Chinese following the May 5 polls. The Malay broadsheet cited …

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 ― The DAP’s elected representatives are prepared to declare their assets in public and disagreed with a “secret declaration” to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) alone, federal lawmaker Tony Pua said today. The DAP publicity secretary accused the anti-graft body of lacking credibility and predicted that a …

SELANGOR Hindraf deputy chairman P. Tamilselvam has cited bickering among the Indian community as the reason why it lost most of the benefits and incentives in the past 56 years, reported Makkal Osai.

SINGER Ning Baizura denied that she was seeking cheap publicity when she held a press conference to show off her first child to the media, Berita Harian reported.

ONE-TIME Singaporean singer Kurt Tay, 27, shot to fame after he had breast augmentation surgery in Bangkok, reported Sin Chew Daily.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Welfare Department is taking steps to take a 13-year-old alleged rape victim under its care and protection while trying to nullify her marriage to the man accused of having sex with her.

PETALING JAYA: Having fulfilled their civic duty as voters in the 13th general election, many Malaysians are now taking the opportunity of the two-week school holidays to realise their travel plans.

ALOR STAR, May 22 ― Thousands attended the “Black 505” rally here last night, where Kedah PAS chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar warned Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders against sparking conflict as the majority was with Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Estimating that a crowd of 50,000 had gathered outside the state PAS headquarters, Mahfuz criticised newly-minted Home …

KUALA LUMPUR: Liew and his family have been living in fear since his son, Meng Kat, went missing after borrowing money from Ah Longs.