January 21, 2011

Local

With Malaysian politics, it's always an adventure. This year, the upcoming general elections are causing quite a stir, and currently, the by-election in Tenang, Johor has been the hottest news topic this week. It will be held on the 30th of January, 2011, and will be the first by-election held in Johor since the March 2008 general election.

The Tenang parliamentary seat became vacant when the previous state assemblyman, Datuk Sulaiman Taha of United Malay's National Organization (UMNO) passed away due to complications caused by diabetes, including a blood infection.

Wrestling for the seat now are political parties Pakatan Rakyat (PAS) and Barisan Nasional (BN). PAS has selected Normala Sudirman as their candidate, who is a former teacher, as well as the first woman candidate in a by-election. BN on the other hand, has selected Mohd Azahar, a former assistant district officer who hails from Labis.

The Tenang by-elections are a tense affair, and winning the seat would be extremely important to both parties for separate reasons.

International

Australia has been hit by the worst floods it's seen since 1993. It also happens to be the most expensive natural disaster to have ever occured to the land down under. Damages recorded are believed to cost up to $30 billion.

The floods have devastated Queensland and Victoria the most. In Queensland, the estimated death toll has reached about 33 people with 20 people reported dead this month, while 9 people are believed to be missing. More than 6000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. According to Premier Anna Bligh, 5400 homes have been destroyed in Queensland, and another 21000 homes and buildings have flood damage. However, tourism minister Peter Lawlor says that none of the tourism hotspots were affected by the floods, and tourists can even help alleviate the costs for the damages in Queensland by booking a holiday.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, it is believed that about one-quarter of the entire state has been flooded, and several main roads have been barred due to the dangers caused by the floodwaters. There have been hundreds of people who have no choice but to sleep in emergency shelters because their homes are currently uninhabitable. Unfortunately, in the midst of this crisis, there are reports of unscrupulous people who are attempting to make some easy cash out of this disaster. The public has been warned to be careful and to check the ID's of workmen who arrive and "offer" to do repairs. There have been reports of tradesmen who ask to be paid up front, and then disappear mysteriously with the money, leaving the victims helpless and feeling even worse about their already-awful situation.