Malaysia's 'hudud Bill' off the table for now

KUALA LUMPUR • Proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 seeking to impose stiffer penalties for offences, excluding the death penalty, will not be tabled in the current parliamentary session , Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday.

He said the private member's Bill brought by Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang will merely be read a second time this week to include several tweaks. The amendments will not be tabled or debated.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Contestant dies after choking on rice ball

TOKYO • A 28-year-old man died in Japan after choking on a rice ball at a speed-eating contest in the western city of Hikone.

He died last Wednesday in hospital three days after choking, said the local farmers' cooperative, the event's sponsor, yesterday. Just after he shoved his fifth "onigiri" rice ball, a Japanese comfort food, into his mouth, he passed out and was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Eating contests are popular events at regional fairs held in Japan to promote local produce and culture.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE