The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Line-up for committee on electoral reforms to be revealed Oct 3
- Three outstanding M'sians for 2011 Merdeka Award
- Aussie High Court begins asylum swap hearing
| Line-up for committee on electoral reforms to be revealed Oct 3 Posted: 22 Aug 2011 06:19 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The line-up for the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reforms is expected to be announced on Oct 3, when the motion on the setting up of the committee is tabled in Parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the committee would then be given six months to make recommendations on electoral reforms in the country. He said the Election Commission (EC) would prepare a memorandum on the setting up of the committee, including its framework, to be tabled to the Cabinet on Sept 7. The framework, among others, would name nine members of the committee, besides taking into consideration all matters raised by non-governmental organisations earlier, he told reporters after attending a meeting with the EC concerning the committee's framework at Parliament House here Monday. Bernama More in The Star on Tuesday |
| Three outstanding M'sians for 2011 Merdeka Award Posted: 22 Aug 2011 04:30 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Three outstanding Malaysians are recipients of the 2011 Merdeka Award for their outstanding and lasting contributions to the nation and people in their respective fields. Datuk Kenneth Yeang will receive the award in the Environment category - for outstanding contribution to the development of design methods for ecological design and planning of the built environment. One of the two joint recipients in the Outstanding Scholastic Achievement category are Prof Datuk Dr Goh Khean Lee for his outstanding contribution in elevating the study and practice of gastroenterology and hepatology in Malaysia to global standards. The other recipient is Prof Dr Mak Joon Wah for outstanding fundamental and applied research in parasitology and parasitic diseases, public health and pathology. The announcement was made by the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Merdeka Award, Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas on Monday. He said the recipients had demonstrated the true spirit of Merdeka - the liberation of mind and spirit and the pursuit of excellence. Shamsul Azhar, however, said that there were no recipients in the categories of Education and Community, Health, Science and Technology, and Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia. Each category offers a prize money of RM500,000, a trophy and a certificate. The joint recipients in the category of Outstanding Scholastic Achievement will share the award equally. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to present the awards on Oct 10 at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas. BERNAMA |
| Aussie High Court begins asylum swap hearing Posted: 22 Aug 2011 04:04 AM PDT MELBOURNE: The Australian Government's people-swap deal with Malaysia was unlawful because Kuala Lumpur had no legal obligations to afford asylum seekers proper protection, the High Court in Canberra was told. The Australian Associated Press (AAP) said the court's full bench on Monday began hearing from refugee lawyers who say the controversial plan to send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia in exchange for 4,000 already-processed refugees should be struck down. The court ordered an injunction against the policy earlier this month but only began hearing detailed arguments against it on Monday. The injunction will remain in force until the court makes a final ruling. Debbie Mortimer SC argued on Monday Canberra could not legally send asylum seekers to a third country like Malaysia that did not have domestic or international legal obligations to protect them. Canberra's unenforceable political agreement with Malaysia, which contains assurances asylum seekers would be treated humanely, was not adequate, Mortimer told the court. "There is no commitment in any sense other than a political one," AAP quoted her as saying. Mortimer said the policy also infringed upon three fundamental rights of asylum seekers: liberty, freedom of movement and freedom from assault. The Australian Government says it took into account a range of advice from Malaysian officials, the immigration department and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees before deciding Malaysia was a suitable destination. The court will continue hearing the case on Tuesday. Refugee lawyer David Manne told reporters he had no idea how long it would take the court to make its ruling. Five boats carrying more than 300 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia since the government signed the deal late last month. Meanwhile, Christian charities are offering to care for any unaccompanied children the government wants to send to Malaysia, at no cost to the taxpayer. Mission Australia and Baptcare have offered to team up with Melbourne's Crossway Baptist Church to help accommodate up to 200 unaccompanied minors. BERNAMA |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Nation To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan