MANILA - SUSPECTED Muslim militants separately abducted a businessman and a school official on southern Jolo island despite a government crackdown intended to curb a rash of kidnappings in the region, officials said on Sunday.

Peter Go was taken at gunpoint by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants late on Saturday from his electronics store near Jolo's pier then taken away aboard a van, Sulu provincial police chief Julasirim Kasim said.

KUALA LUMPUR - ABOUT 20 ethnic Indian Malaysian activists launched a protest fast on Sunday to demand the release of their leaders who have been imprisoned without trial for allegedly threatening racial stability.

The protesters began consuming only water outside a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, but there was no consensus about how long they will continue the fast, said Mr S. Jayathas, a member of the Hindu Rights Action Force.

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S prime minister designate has ordered his ruling coalition to launch its comeback from grievous losses in March national polls by winning a special parliamentary election next month.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said late on Saturday that a victory for the National Front coalition in the Jan 17 by-election would 'give a clear signal to the country and the world' that the coalition retains the support of most Malaysians.