KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S top investment bank CIMB on Monday urged its staff to go on unpaid leave for up to six months in a move to cut costs because of the global economic downturn.

CIMB Group chief executive Nazir Razak said the offer to its 36,000 staff was aimed at avoiding layoffs and would involve branches in Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore, state news agency Bernama reported.

JAKARTA - MORE than 100,000 people turned out in Jakarta on Monday at an election rally by the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) ahead of Indonesia's April 9 legislative polls.

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN police seized DVDs used by the opposition to campaign for upcoming special elections, officials said on Monday, heightening fears of a crackdown on political dissent.

The April 7 balloting to fill three legislative seats is being fiercely contested because the results will be considered a barometer of public support for the incoming prime minister and other newly elected ruling party leaders.