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Singapore under pressure to abolish security law

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 09:37 PM PDT

SINGAPORE - Singapore is coming under mounting pressure to ease political restrictions after neighbouring Malaysia unveiled steps to abolish tough security laws and ease media and protest regulations.

Human rights and opposition groups say Singapore needs to keep up with the times and abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial and is seen by critics as an instrument to stifle dissent.

In a surprise move, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said last week his government would scrap the ISA and ease other laws perceived as curbs on civil liberties, including protest rules and annual newspaper licensing.

But Singapore insists the ISA, which was used against leftists in the past and suspected Islamic extremists in recent years, remains relevant and maintains that media regulations are needed to preserve social cohesion.

The city-state's longest-held ISA detainee was Chia Thye Poh, a former Socialist Party MP who was held for 23 years from 1966 to 1989, followed by nine more years of effective house arrest. - AFP

Death toll from Nevada air crash rises to nine

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 06:57 PM PDT

RENO, Nevada - The death toll in the crash of a vintage World War Two fighter plane near the grandstand at a Nevada air race has risen to nine, authorities said on Saturday.

In Martinsburg, West Virginia, another vintage U.S. military plane went down in a fireball at an air show on Saturday, killing the pilot. There were no other casualties.

In the Reno crash, two people who died of injuries at hospitals and seven died on the tarmac following the Friday night crash, Reno Deputy Police Chief Dave Evans said. More than 50 people were injured. Officials said previously the crash killed at least three people.

The pilot, Jimmy Leeward, 74, was among those killed when his P-51 Mustang dubbed the "Galloping Ghost" crashed into a box seat area in front of the main grandstand, said Mike Draper, spokesman for the 48th Annual National Championship Air Races, also known as the Reno Air Races. - Reuters

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Sabtu, 17 September 2011

NST Online: Latest

NST Online: Latest

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