MELAKA, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is organising a month-long celebration next month to commemorate Melaka's listing in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said several events were being planned for the purpose, including construction of an arch as a landmark.
He welcomed suggestions from the public on the location for the building of the arch.
"Tentatively, we choose August for the celebration in conjunction with the Merdeka celebration," he told reporters here Friday.
He said details on the programmes to be held would be discussed at the next state executive council meeting.
The inclusion of Melaka and Georgetown in Penang as world heritage sites was made on Monday in Quebec, Canada.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=345550]
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Month-long Celebration To Mark Melaka's Listing In World Heritage List - Bernama
Sapp MPs to back Pakatan's motion against PM - Malaysiakini
Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) parliamentarians Eric Enchin Majimbun and Chua Soon Bui have pledged their vote for an opposition motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In a short joint statement today, the duo said that are finally able to carry out their party's intention as announced by Sapp president Yong Teck Lee on June 18.
"This expression of support reiterates Sapp's loss of confidence in the prime minister and the need for urgent government measures to address issues on Sabah rights and current concerns (inflation) plaguing the state," read the statement issued late this evening.
Last month, Sapp rebelled against BN when its supreme council endorsed party president Yong Teck Lee's call for a no-confidence vote against Abdullah.
Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Chua (Tawau) have however not filed for any motions against the PM since Dewan Rakyat resumed late last month.
Instead, opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) filed for an urgent motion of no-confidence against Abdullah on Thursday.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85999]
Anti-Corruption Agency gets prosecution powers - Malaysiakini
The Anti-Corruption Agency has been granted full prosecution powers which will allow the agency to open a case and proceed with it until the matter is brought before the court.
At present, the agency has to refer its completed investigations to the Attorney-General's Chambers to decide on whether the case could be taken to court.
This dramatic change - which will give the agency more bite and do away with the long-held complaints of its lack of independence - was announced today in a brief statement by the ACA in Putrajaya.
The agency said that this new move would allow it to efficiently and effectively investigate corruption cases.
This will also remove the negative perception that it was the AG's Chambers that was delaying the prosecution of high-profile cases involving politically connected individuals.
The new powers will also boost the government's image in fighting corruption.
"Indirectly this will increase the people's trust in the ACA," said the statement.
[More at http://malaysiakini.com/news/85944]
Najib: It's not easy to willingly give up power - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday urged all Umno members to support the transition plan and continue to support his "boss" Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as president of Umno and prime minister.
For the first time, deputy president Najib addressed the 1,000-odd delegates at a special party meeting after Abdullah had spoken to them.
"It is strange for me to speak after the president. I hope this is the last time ever that I have to speak after the president," said Najib, who was visibly touched by Abdullah's announcement of the transition plan.
He said he was asked to speak after Abdullah "so that I could hear what he had to say and then frame my response".
"I am touched by the prime minister's willingness to fix a date for handing over power and I hope all Umno members will support this," he said to loud applause.
Najib told Umno members he had never asked Abdullah to set a date for handing over power.
"I left it to the prime minister. All I asked for was adequate time to make preparations."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2290960/Article/index_html]
