FIGHT ADDICTION: (Oct 22) A National Drug Eradication Action Council and three action committees will be set up at the Federal level to fight the growing drug menace in the country. The respective states and districts will be setting up action councils to adopt a more effective approach to curb the problem. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the move as “a show of greater political will in fighting drug addiction”.
PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED: (Oct 19) The Sultan of Selangor suspended with immediate effect the “Datuk” title given to six people who are facing criminal charges in the courts. The unprecedented ruling, made by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah after deliberating with the state’s Council of Royal Court, means that the six are prohibited from using the title until they are cleared of the charges. Pahang became the second state to act against those awarded titles when the Sultan revoked the Datukship of two businessmen for “tarnishing the image of the awards”.