Updated: Malaysian parliament to hold special sitting March 2 to elect new PM

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — A special sitting of the Malaysian Parliament will be held on March 2 to determine the candidate who commands majority support to be the next prime minister, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The interim Prime Minister said if the House fails to arrive at a…

Dr M announces RM20 bln economic stimulus package

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Malaysia’s interim Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad today announced a RM20 billion economic stimulus package aimed at reducing the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s economy. From tax incentives to measures to put more money in the pockets of Malaysians, the three-pronged package has…

Updated: Malaysia’s Political Crisis: Dr M leaves palace after audience with King

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was spotted leaving Istana Negara (national palace) at around noon Thursday after having an audience with the Malaysian King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. The interim prime minister arrived at the palace at 10.57 am. Bernama is still…

Najib’s SRC Trial: Jho Low referred to ex PM as boss court told

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The group managing director of Putrajaya Perdana Bhd (PPB) told the High Court here Thursday that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, referred to former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak as his “boss”. Rosman Abdullah, 53, said this happened when Jho Low asked to be informed after the RM27 million…

COVID-19: Saudi Arabia suspends entrance for Umrah

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (NNN-BERNAMA-SPA) — Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the entrance of pilgrims for Umrah activity and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque as proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival of COVID-19 to the Kingdom, said its Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the Kingdom is also temporarily…

EU states urge Russia, Syrian regime to stop Idlib attacks

BERLIN, Feb 26 (NNN-ANADOLU) — More than a dozen of EU member states urged Russia and the Syrian regime on Wednesday to stop military attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone, and recommit themselves to a 2018 cease-fire agreement, Anadolu news agency reported. Foreign ministers from 14 EU member states wrote…

When the fundamentals speak, listen

By M.Saraswathi & Aishah Mohmad Afandi KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) — There are the normal blue skies, warm weather and traffic congestion. And, Malaysians are at work and play, as usual, unperturbed by the political goings-on since Sunday. The attempt to bring about a realignment in the political landscape…

Last two accused of links with LTTE acquitted

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — The joy of freedom for the acquitted. Photo courtesy of BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Two more men accused of supporting the defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist group were acquitted and discharged by two separate High Courts ​​​​​​ here today.  With the latest discharge, all 12…

S.Korea fears more infections may come from hospitals, medical facilities

DAEGU, S.Korea, Feb 26: Troops belonging to the Army’s 50th division check the driver of an ambulance for fever near its base in northern Daegu, 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. 2020. The military is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among its ranks. Photo courtesy of…

Mahathir says he will try to establish non-partisan national administration

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that if given the chance, he will try to establish a non-partisan national administration, with priority accorded to national interests. “I feel, rightly or wrongly, that politics and political parties have to be set aside for the time being.…