MIC must meet challenges to woo Indian community: Palanivel

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysian Indian Congress Deputy President G. Palanivel has said the party must identify the challenges in front of them and face it in a more productive way to woo the Indian community in the country to its fold.

Malaysian Deputy PM clears proposal for extra Deepavali school holiday

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly cleared a proposal that instructs state education directors to approve requests from schools for an extra day off on October 20 to celebrate Deepavali.

HINDRAF leader’s passport still valid, says Malaysian Home Minister

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has said that Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) chairman P. Waytha Moorthy can ask the Malaysian High Commission in Britain to return his passport and come home, but warned that he could be charged if the Malaysian authorities find that he has broken local laws.

Malaysian PM asks all Indian parties to join Barisan Nasional

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has urged all the Indian parties to support Barisan Nasional irrespective of whether they are part of the coalition.The Indian community will go through a process of deciding, in terms of their political representation. I see this as a transition period. Eventually, they will consolidate their position but more importantly, whether they are outside or inside Barisan, they are supporters of Barisan,” The Star Online quoted Razak, as saying.IC President S. Samy Vellu and vice-presidents Dr S. Subramaniam, S.K. Devamany and M. Saravanan were also present at the meeting.

Former Malaysian PM, MIC chief Samy Vellu engaged in war of words

PUTRAJAYA - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has warned that Malaysian Indian Congress President S. Samy Vellu will become a liability to the Barisan Nasional in the next general election since his leadership has failed.

McDonald’s loses eight-year trademark battle against Malaysian restaurant McCurry

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — U.S. fast food giant McDonald’s lost an eight-year trademark battle to prevent local restaurant McCurry from using the ‘Mc’ prefix in a precedent-setting judgment by Malaysia’s highest court.

Universiti Malaya’s Indian Studies Department to remain

PUTRAJAYA - The Malaysian Cabinet has decided that the Indian Studies Department of Universiti Malaya will remain and to be headed by a qualified Malaysian of Indian origin.

Meeting to resolve relocation of temple in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA - The Shah Alam Section 23 residents’ committee will meet the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Council tomorrow to resolve the relocation of a Hindu temple to the 90 percent Muslim-majority area.

Kevin Rudd reassures foreign students about safety in Australia

PUTRAJAYA - Despite a series of racially motivated attacks on Indian students in the country, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has assured foreigners that his country is a safe place to study.

Hindraf leaders no longer a threat to Malaysia: Minister

PUTRAJAYA - Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz has said Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders are no longer deemed a threat to Malaysia.

HINDRAF must file an appeal first, says Malaysian Home Minister

PUTRAJAYA - The ban on HINDRAF will be reviewed if the organisation makes an appeal to the Malaysian Home Ministry to reconsider its status, said the country’s Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Malaysian Indian Congress Youth lodges complaint against Indian High Commission

PUTRAJAYA - The youth wing of the Malaysian Indian Congress has sent a officials at the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

HINDRAF leaders among 13 ISA detainees to be freed

PUTRAJAYA - Banned Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leaders, P.Uthayakumar, M.Manoharan and K.Vasantha will be among 13 ISA detainees to be released soon, Malaysia’s Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein announced in Putrajaya today.

Malay Indians agitated over selling of ASM units

PUTRAJAYA - Malay Indians are reportedly agitated over the unexpected sale of Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) units, which were specially allotted to their community.

Malaysia Muslim convert offers olive branch to Hindu wife who fled overseas with 2 sons

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — A Malaysian convert to Islam urged his estranged Hindu wife who fled abroad with their sons to return Tuesday amid government efforts to end legal spats over religious conversions of children.

Malaysia says it will allow foreigners to hold up to 70 percent of insurers, investment banks

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Malaysia announced Monday it will let foreigners hold a majority stake in insurance companies and investment banks, while five more foreign banks will be allowed to operate by 2011 in major steps toward financial liberalization.

Malaysia scraps Malay ownership requirement for some services sectors to boost economy

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government said it has scrapped a 30 percent requirement for ethnic Malay ownership of investments in some service sectors as it tries to boost the country’s flagging economy.

Malaysia removes ethnic ownership cap for some services investments to help boost economy

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government said Wednesday it will immediately remove a 30 percent requirement for ethnic Malay ownership of investments in parts of the services sector as it tries to boost the country’s flagging economy.

Malay-Indian state councilor pledges upliftment of Indian community

PUTRAJAYA - Newly appointed state executive councilor of Malaysia’s Bukit Selambau state, Malay-Indian S. Manikumar, has pledged to bring the problems faced by the Indian community to the Kedah Mentri Besar.

Malaysian Indian Congress to seek Oz specialists’ advice on Kugan’s death

PUTRAJAYA - The youth wing of the Malaysian Indian Congress has said that it will send two post mortem reports on suspected car thief A. Kugan to Australia for advice.

Tamil schools in Malaysia to get RM 130 million

PUTRAJAYA - The Malaysian Education Ministry has said that it will allocate RM 130 million for Tamil schools through the Public Works Department (PWD) as it is the most effective method.

Transfer of power begins in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA - The transition of power from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Najib Tun Razak begins Thursday as he has an audience with the King to seek permission to resign.

70 percent of foreign worker permits in Malaysia slashed

PUTRAJAYA - Work permit approvals for foreign workers in Malaysia have been slashed by almost 70 percent due to an emphasis on hiring locals.

Malaysia Govt. cancels work visas of 55,000 Bangladeshis

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has informed that the Government has cancelled the work visas of about 55,000 Bangladeshis who have not used them so far.

Malaysian Court dismisses HINDRAF leader’s petition for release

PUTRAJAYA - Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leader P. Uthayakumar’s appeal on his second habeas corpus application to secure his release from detention under the Internal Security Act has been dismissed by a federal court.