Anwar: Equal economic opportunity for all races - TheStarOnline.tv

Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim spoke about the situation of the Malays and possible solutions at the launch of PKR deputy president and academician Dr Syed Husin Ali's book, "The Malays: Their Problems and Future" Saturday.

Three PKR lawmakers arrested, then released - Malaysiakini.tv

Three opposition MPs and three others were arrested for gathering outside the King's palace at around 10am this morning.

The three legislators nabbed were from PKR - Sivarasa Rasiah (Subang), S Manikavasagam (Kapar) and Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang).

Fuel Price Increase Inevitable But Should Have Been Done Gradually - Dr M - Bernama

TELUK INTAN, June 14 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Saturday the fuel subsidy reduction was inevitable due to the rising crude oil prices in the global market.

He said the subsidy reduction was something that the government had to do as the price of crude oil reached US$138 per barrel as compared to US$30 per barrel during his time as prime minister.

"Although inevitable, we can reduce the burden borne by the people by increasing the fuel prices gradually.

"At the same time we must also find ways to enhance the people's income. This is something that we can do," he said at a dialogue after delivering a talk on the future of the Malays in Malaysia organised by Pekembar, a non-governmental organisation, here.

Dr Mahathir was answering a question from a participant from the Teluk Intan 4B Youth Movement on the measures he would have taken to lighten the people's burden if he was to return as prime minister. "Toll rates reduction would mean an increase in the toll subsidy. But why should we reduce the fuel subsidy and increase the toll subsidy?

"This should therefore be studied carefully as we don't to see a 'left pocket in, right pocket out' situation," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=339544]

3 MPs arrested in front of Istana Negara - The Star

By Teh Eng Hock

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Members of Parliament were among six people arrested Saturday for participating in a rally in front of Istana Negara here.

Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, Subang MP R. Sivarasa and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin were arrested at 10.30am Saturday for protesting the detention of Hindu Rights Action Force leaders under the Internal Security Act 1960.

Three other PKR members were also arrested.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said all of the people arrested were released on bail by 12.45pm.

He said the police arrived at about 10am and asked members of the public, including tourists, to vacate the area around Istana Negara's main gate.

"Everybody left except for a group who refused to leave. We gave them three warnings to disperse. Deputy OCPD (Supt Azri Abd Rahman) spoke to them, and at 10.20am, I told gave them five minutes to disperse.

"At 10.25am, they still refused to leave so we arrested them. No force was used, and they did not resist arrest," he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/14/nation/20080614122700&sec=nation]

Umno Will Rise Again, Says Abdullah - Bernama

KOTA BAHARU, June 14 (Bernama) -- Echoeing the sentiment voiced by his deputy, Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday night he would not do anything that could harm the party.

"I will not let Umno to be divided. In the north (of Peninsular Malaysia), Umno was founded by my father and grandfather," he said in his speech at a dinner in conjunction with his one-day visit to Kelantan.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters in London on Thursday that he was a "true Umno man" who would not risk destroying the party his father built.

Najib also said he would not challenge Abdullah for the Umno president's post and as he believed in "the traditional way of leadership transition".

Abdullah said, like his deputy, he would not do anything that could split the party.

He said despite the results of the March 8 general election, Umno's strength remained intact.

[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=339391]

Rebates only for citizens - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian permanent residents are not entitled to the cash rebates announced for car owners.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said this in response to a query from a reader who asked whether her Indian national husband, who had applied for permanent resident status seven years ago, was entitled to the rebate.

“Only vehicle owners who are Malaysian citizens are entitled to the rebate,” he said.

On June 4, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced the new fuel price of RM2.70 a litre for petrol and RM2.58 a litre for diesel.

In line with that, owners of private vehicles with engine capacity of 2,000cc and below will enjoy a RM625 rebate.

Owners of private pickup trucks and jeeps with engine capacity of 2,500cc and below will also receive the rebate.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/14/nation/21548005&sec=nation]