Jaishree Balasubramanian

Stories by Jaishree Balasubramanian

Six Muslims charged with sedition in Malaysia

Six Muslims charged with sedition in Malaysia

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2009

Six Malaysian Muslims were on Wednesday charged with sedition and illegal assembly for indulging in an act that hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community during a controversial demonstration against the relocation of a century-old temple in a Muslim majority neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia to prosecute anti-Hindu protestors

Malaysia to prosecute anti-Hindu protestors

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2009

Malaysia will charge protestors who indulged in an act hurtful to the sentiments of the Hindu community in the controversial demonstration against the relocation of a century-old temple in a Muslim majority neighbourhood. The demonstrators will be charged with sedition and illegal assembly.

Malaysian model to be caned for drinking beer

Malaysian model to be caned for drinking beer

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2009

A part-time Muslim model, sentenced to six strokes of cane for consuming alcohol, will become the first woman in Malaysia to be administered the punishment next week. An arrest warrant has been issued by a Shariah court against Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, who was caught drinking alcohol during a raid at a hotel. Kartika, who pleaded guilty to consuming beer in public, will be held for a week from Monday in a women's prison and will be released after the punishment.

Asean: Malaysian goods to be 80% duty-free by '16

Asean: Malaysian goods to be 80% duty-free by '16

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2009

India and the 10-member-group signed the landmark agreement on Thursday in Bangkok. Malaysia International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said 71 per cent Malaysian goods would enjoy duty-free access to India by 2013 and another 9 per cent by 2016, while tariffs for the remaining 10 per cent would come down to 5 per cent.

Worst ever riots strike Malaysia

Worst ever riots strike Malaysia

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2009

Malaysia on Saturday was stuck by its worst ever riots, as thousands of protestors took to the streets demanding abolishing of the draconian internal security law, forcing police to fire tear gas and lobbed water cannons to disperse them.

Hindraf leader to get back his passport

Hindraf leader to get back his passport

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2009

A Malaysian court on Friday ordered that the passport of an ethnic Indian leader to be returned to him, in a sedition case where he wrote a letter to United Kingdom Premier Gordon Brown seeking his intervention to protect the rights of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country.

IATA blasts Delhi, Mumbai airport fee hike

IATA blasts Delhi, Mumbai airport fee hike

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2009

The International Air Transport Association on Tuesday criticised the increase in airport development charges imposed by Mumbai and New Delhi, saying the burden on the already beleaguered global airline industry is a 'wake up call' for the Indian government.

Air India to seek funds from govt

Air India to seek funds from govt

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2009

With recession eroding profits of the global airline industry, Indian national carrier Air India on Monday said it is taking a "hard look" at its operations and would submit a paper to the government for the revival of the airline.

Airlines worldwide may lose $9 billion: IATA

Airlines worldwide may lose $9 billion: IATA

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2009

The airlines worldwide may collectively lose a whopping $9 billion in 2009, a key aviation body said in its forecast, nearly doubling its March estimate of $4.7 billion loss, spelling a rapidly deteriorating revenue environment for the industry.

Malaysian warship saves Indian tanker from pirates

Malaysian warship saves Indian tanker from pirates

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2009

Swift intervention by a Malaysian naval helicopter on Thursday saved an Indian vessel from a hijack bid by armed pirates dressed in military attire in the Gulf of Aden region, off Somalia.

Do yoga without mantra, Malaysian PM tells Muslims

Do yoga without mantra, Malaysian PM tells Muslims

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2008

Abdullah Badawi's remarks come after a ruling by this Muslim-majority country's National Fatwa Council that yoga was haram (forbidden) as it involved chanting of mantras which was against Islamic teachings and that people could deviate from Islam if they performed yoga which has its roots in Hinduism

Malaysian Islamic body bans Yoga

Malaysian Islamic body bans Yoga

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2008

Worried that Muslims could be swayed by Yoga's elements of Hinduism, Malaysia's top Islamic body on Saturday banned the community from practicing the ancient physical exercise.The National Fatwa Council issued a religious decree telling the Muslims, who comprise two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million population, that practising Yoga was 'haram' or prohibited in Islam.

Capital markets: India, Malaysia to work together

Capital markets: India, Malaysia to work together

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2008

Terming India as an important market player in the region, Malaysia has expressed keen interest in strengthening financial ties with the country as the momentum of global business and growth shifts to Asia.

Malaysia can be hub for India Inc's SE Asian ops

Malaysia can be hub for India Inc's SE Asian ops

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2008

Nath told the Malaysia Indian Economic Conference that Malaysia's proven expertise and track record in infrastructure provided a large window of opportunity for Malaysian companies to invest in India in the infrastructure development projects.

Malaysian minister elected CPA chairman

Malaysian minister elected CPA chairman

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

Malaysian Unity and Culture Minister Mohammedd Shafie Apdal was on Saturday elected chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in a bitter contest defeating British Parliamentarian of Indian origin Lord Swraj Paul.

UK accuses India, Malaysia of deals at CPA

UK accuses India, Malaysia of deals at CPA

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2008

In a controversial turn to the election to a top Commonwealth parliamentary post involving high-profile Labour peer Swraj Paul and a Malaysian minister, the British delegation on Thursday alleged that India and the host country were involved in "shocking deals".

Malaysia: Anwar get bail in sodomy case

Malaysia: Anwar get bail in sodomy case

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2008

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was released on Thursday on bail after hours of interrogation and staying overnight in the lock-up for a sodomy case.

Malaysian ex-PM Anwar held for sodomy

Malaysian ex-PM Anwar held for sodomy

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2008

Anwar, 60, was picked by by police personnel at 10.30 IST and bundled up in a white car less than an hour before a deadline to appear at police headquarters, for questioning in the case filed by an aide on June 28.

India to take step against hoarders to curb prices

India to take step against hoarders to curb prices

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2008

"We will not hesitate to take the strictest measures, including using legal provisions against hoarding and profiteering whether in food, cement or steel," Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said. The minister, who is in Singapore to attend the Incredible India @ 60 event showcasing the growth of a resurgent India, told reporters that though there was the provision of 18G of the Industrial Act, "we don't propose to use it."

FM blames US for foodgrain price rise

FM blames US for foodgrain price rise

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2008

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has blamed the US' biofuel policy of diverting food grains such as corn for producing bio-fuels for the spurt in food grain prices globally. He also said that lack of adequate regulations in the US sub-prime market has led to global financial uncertainties. He said the demand for staple food was on the rise, leading to higher prices, but diverting food for fuel had also contributed to increase in food prices. He called US' priorities lopsided.