Year 2009
Malaysian authorities seized shipment of Bible
Friday, 11th September 2009
The authorities seized a consignment of 10,000 copies of the Bible sent from Jakarta to Kuching in Sarawak state, because the Indonesian-language books contained the word "Allah," a translation that has been banned in this Muslim-majority country. Another 5,100 Bibles, also imported from Indonesia, were reportedly seized in March. Church officials said Allah is not exclusive to Islam but is an Arabic word that predates Islam.
Tribal Girls Sexually Abused
Wednesday, 9th September 2009
A Malaysian government report said indigenous tribal girls have been sexually abused by loggers in remote jungles on Borneo island, in the first official verification of rape accusations involving timber companies.
Spiderman Scaled Petronas Twin Towers
Tuesday, 1st September 2009
Malaysian police arrested Alain Robert, age 47, a French climber nicknamed "Spiderman," after he scaled the iconic 88-story Petronas Twin Towers.
Big Street Protest Broken Up By Police
Saturday, 1st August 2009
Police broke up KL's biggest street protest in nearly two years, firing tear gas and chemical-laced water at thousands of opposition supporters demanding an end to a law that allows detention without trial.
To Be Canned For Consuming Alcohol
Monday, 20th July 2009
A woman was fined RM5,000 and ordered to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court after she pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol in public. She is expected to undergo her caning sentence after her audience with the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang.
English To Teach Math and Science Abandoned
Wednesday, 8th July 2009
Malaysian education officials announced that they will abandon the use of English to teach math and science, bowing to protesters who demanded more use of the national Malay language. Science and Maths to be taught in Bahasa Malaysia (BM) again. Officially reversing the 6-year English policy in Science and Math education. The teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in English will be scrapped in stages from 2012 starting with Year 1, Year 4, Form 1 and Form 4.
Young State Councilor Aide Died
Tuesday, 16th June 2009
Teoh Beng Hock, a young aide to a state councilor, fell from a window where Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officials had been questioning him. The MACC had been created earlier this year from the ashes of another agency.
Men Held By Moneylenders Freed
Wednesday, 27th May 2009
Malaysian police rescued three men shackled to the wall of a filthy room for two months by illegal moneylenders after failing to repay their debts.
PM Abdullah Badawi Resigned
Thursday, 2nd April 2009
Malaysia's PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, age 69, in office for 5½ lackluster years, resigned to make way for Deputy PM Najib Razak, who must now fix an economy close to recession, heal the country's deep racial divisions and revive a moribund ruling party.
Singapore Fugitive Caught In Johor
Wednesday, 1st April 2009
Mas Selamat, a fugitive on the run from the Singapore Police, was caught and put under interrogation by the Malaysian authorities. Mas Selamat used an improvised flotation device to escape from the north shore of Singapore to Johor. He then made is way north and stayed in a secluded house in Kampung Tawakal, an obscure village with the population of less than 100 in Skudai, 25 kilometres (16 mi) northwest of Johor Bahru. Warning: This is not an April Fool’s joke.