4 theSun | FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 2009

news without borders

He also sought a declara-

Botanical
Gobind still suspended, tion from the court to restore
his remuneration and other
benefits that are granted to
MPs under Article 64 of the
Federal Constitution.
Gobind’s counsel and

rules High Court

Group wants Science
and Maths in English
KUALA LUMPUR: The
Parents Action Group for
Education wants national
schools to be given the option
to continue teaching Science
and Mathematics in English.
Its chairman Datin Noor
Azimah Abdul Rahim said
an opinion poll carried out
in seven schools in Selangor
and Kuala Lumpur showed
that 97% of parents wanted
their children’s schools be
exempted from the scrap-
ing of the policy of teaching
science and mathematics in
English.
The seven schools are
Gardens
traders
to be
relocated
pg 6
Sekolah Kebangsaan As-
sunta 2, Sekolah Kebangsaan
Bukit Damansara, Sekolah
Kebangsaan Seri Hartamas,
Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman
Megah, Sekolah Menengah
Kebangsaan Seri Hartamas,
Sekolah Menengah Kebang-
saan (Perempuan) Sri Aman
and Sekolah Menengah Ke-
bangsaan Taman SEA.
“We are not against the
policy of upholding Bahasa
Malaysia and strengthening
the command of English.
We just want schools to be
given the option,” she said.
– Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The High
Court here ruled yesterday
that it does not have the power
to challenge the parliamen-
tary decision to impose a 12-
month ban barring Puchong
MP Gobind Singh Deo from
attending parliamentary ses-
sions.
“I am of the view that the
proceedings of the House
cannot be questioned by this
court under Article 63(1) of
the Federal Constitution,”
said Judicial Commissioner
Justice Mohd Ariff Mohd
Yusoff when delivering his
decision.
‘Education system must embrace 1Malaysia’
BUKIT MERTAJAM: Historian
and academician Prof Emeritus
Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim has
called on the government to
restructure the national educa-
tion system and do away with
the multiple stream arrange-
ment.
He said having a multiple
stream system was not helpful
in getting the people to under-
stand the concept.
The court ruled that the
constitution was supreme and
it cannot question proceed-
ings of the Dewan Rakyat.
However, Mohd Arriff
ruled that Parliament does not
have the power to withhold
remuneration from the DAP
MP, and ordered Parliament
to pay remuneration due to
Gobind.
He also directed that
Gobind be reimbursed for the
eight months he was denied
his allowances as MP.
Gobind was suspended
from Parliament on March
16 for accusing then deputy
He said the people had
been segregated since they
were small either according to
streams in schools or mother
tongues, and when they grew
up, it would be difficult for them
to cooperate with one another.
“We don’t need a multiple
stream system, and the
teaching of mother tongues
can be incorporated into the
curriculum,” he told reporters
prime minister Datuk Seri
Najib Abdul Razak of
complicity in the murder of
Mongolian national Altantuya
Shaariibuu. He filed a origi-
nating summons on April 23.
The suit named the
Speaker, Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department
Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, the
Dewan Rakyat secretary and
the government over the
suspension.
In the suit, Gobind had
sought a declaration that his
suspension from sitting in
Dewan Rakyat sessions on
March 16 was null and void.
after a discourse programme
on “One Malaysia: Challenges
and Hopes” here yesterday.
He said there would be
people who would object to the
proposal, but added that they
should look into how far the ex-
isting system had strengthened
nation-building efforts.
Khoo said during the British
era, vernacular schools were
set up to allow students to learn
father, DAP chairman Karpal
Singh, speaking to report-
ers outside the courtroom,
described the decision as a
“landmark” and “fair”, add-
ing that they would not be
appealing it.
Karpal, who is also Bukit
Gelugor MP, then called on
Parliament to reimburse him
and Batu Gajah MP Fong Po
Kuan for six months worth
of withheld remunerations
stemming from their 2004
suspensions.
“Batu Gajah MP Fong Po
Kuan and I were suspended
in 2004 and our remunera-
tions were withheld for six
months. We should be paid
our remunerations. Fong
would agree and so will I
that these proceeds be given
to charity,” said Karpal.
about their countries of origin.
“However, the system is no
longer needed as they are now
citizens of Malaysia and should
be taught to accept the country
and its multiracial races as part
of themselves,” he said.
He expressed disappoint-
ment over the attitude of some
sections of society whom he
said were ignorant of the coun-
try’s history. – Bernama

Proposal to make medical

briefs
Impose maximum sentences
for child abuse: Shahrizat
KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Commu-
nity Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat
Abdul Jalil, who was shocked and upset over a
toddler who died after being abused, has pro-
posed maximum sentences to be meted out to
offenders.
Urging the police to speed up investigations
into child abuse cases, she said the Welfare Serv-
ices Department would also take action against
offenders under the Child Act 2009.
Acts of violence against children must be
curtailed and the public should report such cases
to the police, the ministry or the department, she
told a news conference yesterday.
She was commenting on the death of Aaliyah
Aiman Hussin Abdullah last week at a condo-
minium in Cheras.
Aaliyah’s mother and her Sudanese boyfriend
are expected to be charged with murder. Shahri-
zat said the public can seek help on child abuse
by contacting Talian Nur 15999. – Bernama
Three jailed for robbing debt
collector
SHAH ALAM: Three friends, including a
woman, were jailed for seven years by a ses-
sions court here yesterday for robbing a debt
collector and causing serious injury to the
victim three years ago.
The woman, Misliha Ayon, 29, together
with Mohamad Hilmi Md Halid, 31, and
Norizam Kamal, 36, were found guilty with
four others, who are still at large, of robbing
Thum Tong Yew, 27, of RM550 in cash, a gold
chain, a wristwatch and a mobile phone
which resulted in losses of about RM3,000,
at the Batu Caves Business Centre, Gombak,
on April 15, 2006.
For causing serious injury to the victim at
a coffee shop at Kuala Kubu Baru at 6pm on
the same day, Mohamad Hilmi and Norizam
were sentenced to three years’ jail and two
strokes of the cane while Misliha was jailed
for two years. Judge M. Gunalan ordered
the sentences to run concurrently effective
yesterday. – Bernama
exam mandatory
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has proposed
to Bank Negara to make medical examination
mandatory for those intending to purchase per-
sonal, life and medical insurance, Deputy Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T.
Murugiah said yesterday.
The proposal was made following numerous
complaints of non-payment of medical bills by
insurance companies, he said. “On the average the
Public Complaints Bureau receives about three to
four complaints every month on such issues.”.
According to him, at present there were com-
panies that did not require medical examination
when purchasing insurance. – Bernama
Discovery Channel to film
Negri ruler’s installation
SEREMBAN: The installation ceremony of
Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the 11th
Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan on
Oct 26 will be filmed by Discovery Channel.
Negri Sembilan information director, Ahmad
Iqbal Zainal Azim, said the documentary will be
on the customs and traditions of the monarchy
system in Negri Sembilan, especially the instal-
lation of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
“This is an opportunity for us to showcase
Negri Sembilan as a state rich in customs and
traditions to be understood at the interna-
tional level,” Ahamd Iqbal said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan broadcasting
director, Norbaiyah Baharudin, said Radio
Television Malaysia will broadcast the instal-
lation ceremony live over TV1. – Bernama
Pairin returned unopposed
as PBS president
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin
Kitingan has been returned unopposed as Parti
Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president for another three
years following nominations from 55 out of 60
party divisions in Sabah.
Announcing this yesterday, PBS information
chief Johnny Mositun said nominations were not
received from five divisions because they could not
hold their annual general meetings for this year.
Also returned unopposed were the two
deputy presidents, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
for the non-Muslim bumiputra quota, and Dr Yee
Moh Chai representing the Chinese members in
the party. – Bernama