FMT News |  |
- Share prices close lower on lack of buying interest
- Church, SDMC still in talks
- Panasonic prepares for ‘garage sale’, to axe 10,000 jobs
- Inspiring women and quotes through the decades
- Bomohs to ‘direct’ Sibu cops?
- Sadasivan dilantik Pengerusi JK bebas projek kondo Batu Caves.
- Govt unjust to Muslims too, says report
- ‘Don’t sabotage Umno again’
- China party congress sets Xi on leadership path
- Djokovic inspired by father’s health battle
- Perbicaraan Husam saman Kickdefella 18 dan 19 Disember
- McLaren link up with Formula E electric series
- Asian markets bounce back after recent losses
- Austin’s love -hate relationship with F1
- Sabah opposition ‘magic’ number is 10
- South Africa attack still the best, says Amla
- ‘Get tough on errant civil servants’
- Give me your ideas, Najib tells youths
- Court declines appeal to suspend Lynas plant
- Hundreds of cobras seized in Thai customs bust
- PAS semakin hilang taring?
- Toyota recalls 2.77 million vehicles worldwide
- Indian diamond fetches $21 million
- Astro wins EPL broadcast rights for next three seasons
- ‘Lim Kit Siang is not a liar’
- Malays should wisen up
- DHPP gesa PAS cari semangat tahun 1999
- REDtone bags RM82.5m contract from MCMC
- Muktamar lebih panas dari yang dijangka
- Ban on Indonesian workers to continue
- Penjelasan Nurul perlu diterima dengan baik
- BHP sells diamond assets for US$500 million
- Japan’s Sharp soars on hopes for Intel cash injection
- Thai housemaids get days off, paid leave
- Ninetology targets 12% share of smartphone market
- Bernanke’s monetary policy to continue
- Labuan ‘has potential’ to become O&G hub in the region
- YT sambung pinjaman pelajar terlibat himpunan Bersih
- Menghidupkan agama dalam berpolitik
- Mindsets must change
- Federer: Quicker courts for better tennis
- UMW in push to sell more cars, expand lubricant business
- Milestone man Gerrard set for more records
- 7 shocking food facts
- Budget deficit rises to US$120 billion in October
- Kontroversi Halloween Nabila Huda
- Iran unveils new missile systems on second day of drills
- Anti-austerity strikes sweep southern Europe
| Share prices close lower on lack of buying interest Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:52 AM PST
The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 5.91 points to 1,631.68, after hovering between 1,629.24 and 1,638.84. TA Securities senior technical analyst Stephen Soo said the local bourse was dampened by losses in selected bluechips as investors were reluctant to take heavy positions due to the Deepavali and Awal Muharram public holidays yesterday and tomorrow. “The market was quiet today with investors remaining on the sidelines,” he told Bernama. Another dealer said that Asian stocks were traded mixed today, with Hang Seng’s index leading the gains, after the conclusion of China’s 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress and the imminent announcement of leadership posts. “Greece was successful in auctioning treasury bills ahead of Friday’s redemption,” he added. In the broader market, losers led gainers by 357 to 308, while 325 counters were unchanged, 656 counters untraded and 24 others suspended. Volume rose to 888.22 million shares worth RM1.8 billion from Monday’s 780 million shares valued at RM1.03 billion. The Finance Index earned 0.03 of a point to 15,076.09, but the Plantation Index fell 3.65 points to 8,019.15 and the Industrial Index lost 22.33 points to 2,794.22. The FBM Ace Index slipped 5.28 points to 4,243.27, the FBM Emas Index slid 26.76 points to 11,146.93, the FBMT100 weakened 27.02 points to 10,985.23 but the FBM Mid 70 Index rose Among actives, Tiger Synergy and Axiata added one sen each to 33.5 and RM5.94, respectively, Digi was flat at RM4.84 but Telekom Malaysia shed three sen to RM5.55. Of the heavyweights, Maybank advanced three sen to RM9.05, Sime Darby slipped seven sen to RM9.62, CIMB was two sen lower at RM7.65 and Petronas Chemicals declined three sen to RM6.38. Volume on the Main Market advanced to 703.16 million units worth RM1.78 billion from 593.05 million units worth RM1.01 billion on Monday. Turnover on the ACE Market fell to 113.92 million shares worth RM19.53 million from 133.33 million shares valued at RM178.87 million on Monday. Warrants jumped to 69.38 million units worth RM5.07 million from 50.48 million units valued at RM2.84 million on Monday. Consumer products accounted for 64.84 million shares on the Main Market, industrial products 129.09 million, construction 20.38 million, trade and services 310.5 million, technology 26 million, infrastructure 27.81 million, finance 61.71 million, hotels 477,100, properties 37.32 million, plantations 15.76 million, mining 33,000, REITs 8.87 million and closed/fund 359,100. - Bernama |
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:46 AM PST
They have agreed that the panel be transferred to the Marian Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, but have yet to decide when to do it, according to a spokesman for SDMC. The image was spotted several days ago on a window pane on the seventh floor of the hospital. Church officials will investigate to ascertain whether the image is a true Marian apparition. They will do so in accordance with rules that the Vatican has published. The Vatican guideline entitled "Norms Regarding the Manner of Proceeding in the Discernment of Presumed Apparitions or Revelations" has been in use since 1978, but the guideline has only recently been translated into English. The document aims to aid bishops in the tricky task of distinguishing presumed apparitions and revelations of presumed supernatural origins. The norms mandate that the local bishop must conduct a "serious investigation" to ascertain, with "at least great probability" whether a Marian apparition has effectively taken place. The rules require an evaluation of the "personal qualities" of the alleged seer, including his or her "psychological equilibrium, rectitude of moral life" and "docility towards ecclesiastical authority". The contents of the "revelation" must be "immune" from theological error, and the apparition must bear "abundant … spiritual fruit," such as conversions. The authenticity of the vision should be rejected if, among other factors, the alleged seer shows "psychological disorder" or "evidence of a search for profit.” |
| Panasonic prepares for ‘garage sale’, to axe 10,000 jobs Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:22 AM PST
Hideaki Kawai said the country’s biggest commercial employer will axe another 10,000 jobs by end-March as it pares its costs and looks to return to profit. Panasonic shed 36,000 jobs last business year, some through the sale of businesses. “Our new boss has said businesses must achieve at least a 5% operating profit target within three years,” Kawai said, referring to Kazuhiro Tsuga, who took over as company president in June. “But we won’t wait that long to tackle units that need to be dealt with.” Sell-offs and business closures will start as early as next year, he told Reuters at Panasonic’s headquarters in Kadoma, near Osaka in western Japan. Kawai said Panasonic aims to earn group operating profit of at least 200 billion yen (US$2.52 billion) in the year to end-March 2014 – in line with forecasts by analysts polled by Thomson Reuters StarMine. Panasonic warned last month it will lose close to US$10 billion in the year to March as it writes off billions of yen in tax-deferred assets and goodwill related to its mobile phone, solar panel and small lithium battery businesses. It also put aside money to cover the lay-offs and other restructuring measures. Panasonic plans to offload assets worth 110 billion yen before the end of March, mainly land and buildings in Japan, Kawai said. More assets sales will follow from next business year if needed to bolster cash flow. Panasonic’s "garage sale" comes ahead of a turnaround plan that Tsuga has promised to unveil by end-March, which will be the start-line to offload underperforming businesses. As financial chief overseeing hundreds of accountants spread across a sprawling conglomerate, Kawai plays a key role in helping Tsuga identify which businesses to close, sell or merge. Selling businesses and offloading other assets should boost Panasonic’s cashflow and help pay for the latest restructuring at a company that began in 1918 making electrical socket extensions and bicycle lamps, and now employs 300,000 workers. Panasonic shares, already trading near multi-decade lows, slumped by almost a fifth on Nov 1 on the loss forecast, and Standard & Poor’s has cut its credit rating to close to junk. The stock closed up 0.8% today, ending a four-session losing streak. Ahead of its earnings revision, Panasonic won US$7.6 billion in loan commitments in October from banks including Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, a funding backstop it says will help it avoid having to seek capital from credit markets. “Panasonic’s debt holders are concerned and it is critical for us to improve our finances,” Kawai said. Panasonic this year aims to cut net debt to 770 billion yen from 1.08 trillion yen and will look for another 200 billion yen improvement next business year. Japan’s big banks have also provided TV rival Sharp Corp with US$4.6 billion in emergency loans, though the maker of Aquos TVs warned this month it may not survive alone as it expects a US$5.6 billion net loss this business year. Japan’s other ailing consumer electronics brand Sony Corp, inventor of the personal music player, lowered its target for its handheld PSP and Vita games consoles, TVs and digital cameras, but did maintain its annual forecast, helped by the sale of a chemicals business. - Reuters |
| Inspiring women and quotes through the decades Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:21 AM PST
Kelly Holmes Mother Teresa Joan of Arc Marilyn Monroe Oprah Winfrey Amelia Earhart Billie Jean King JK Rowling Princess Diana Rosa Parks LINKS |
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:20 AM PST
Sarawak DAP took a jibe at the Sibu police chief for saying that they would engage bomohs to help them solve a number of murders that occurred in Sibu in the last few months. "If they really believe these bomohs, then the police should set up a college to train people to become bomohs and Taoists [Chinese medium] rather than train people to become policemen," said state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen. Many people would agree with Chong that Sarawak has a number of state leaders who would be qualified to be appointed “chancellor” of the college. Chong, who is also the MP for Bandar Kuching, was commenting on a statement by Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail. Shafie had reportedly said that the police might use a bomoh to solve the latest murder case involving 44-year-old housewife, Law Leh Kuong. Law was shot dead at close range early this month. Her husband Lau Ngik Yin, 42, was also injured. Law is the sister of a businessman Law Leh Hing who was gunned down at Brooke Drive, Sibu early this year. Both murders are yet to be solved. The police were severely criticised for being clueless on a number of other murders in Sibu. ‘Apologise to people’ Wong, who is Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman, said as an elected representative of the people it was his right to speak on behalf of the people. "I am just voicing out the real problems on behalf of the people," he said. On the remarks made by Shafie, Wong said he did not believe the bomoh could help. "The police should apologise to the people for making such a statement. "But if they really believe in bomoh, then they should ask bomohs to forecast when a crime would be committed so that the police could prevent a crime being committed," he said. |
| Sadasivan dilantik Pengerusi JK bebas projek kondo Batu Caves. Posted: 14 Nov 2012 01:09 AM PST
Manakala Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa (JBPD) Negeri Selangor, Norasiah Bee dilantik sebagai Setiausaha di mana JBPD adalah sekretariat yang akan membantu jawatankuasa bebas ini bergerak lancar. Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim mengumumkan demikian selepas mesyuarat Exco di Shah Alam hari ini. Sadasivan berpengalaman dalam bidang pentadbiran serta pengurusan, pernah memegang pengarah di beberapa syarikat swasta dan dua institusi kewangan kerajaan iaitu Bank Negara dan Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad serta pernah dilantik ke Lembaga Pengarah Petronas. Beliau akan dibantu beberapa anggota jawatankuasa lain yang akan diumumkan dari semasa ke semasa melibatkan golongan profesional dan bebas untuk membantu kerajaan negeri dengan syor-syor bagi menangani isu ini. “Saya akan bertemu dengan Sadasivam serta ahli-ahli yang lain dalam minggu ini untuk menyampaikan hasrat kerajaan dalam penubuhan jawatankuasa bebas ini,” kata Abdul Khalid dalam kenyataan media selepas mesyuarat Exco. Antara skop jawatankuasa tersebut adalah untuk mengkaji semula semua projek pembangunan yang telah dibuat dan dirancang di Batu Caves dan mengambil kira setiap aspek termasuk kebajikan rakyat, kepentingan masyarakat Hindu, keselamatan alam sekitar dan undang-undang yang sedia ada. Kerajaan Negeri berpendapat penelitian jawatankuasa ini akan memberi manfaat dan tambah nilai kepada usaha untuk menjadikan Batu Caves sebagai tapak warisan dunia oleh Unesco. Abdul Khalid juga mengulas kenyataan Perdana Menteri yang mahu membatalkan pembinaan kondominium ini sekiranya Barisan Nasional kembali mentadbir negeri Selangor. `Kenyataan raih populariti’ “(Ini) adalah jelas kenyataan bagi meraih populariti dan sokongan dan bukannya untuk menyelesaikan masalah. “Tindakan tidak profesional Perdana Menteri ini memberi kesan negatif kepada integriti dan pentadbiran yang baik kerana sebarang pembatalan projek perlu dilakukan mengikut prosedur. Rakyat Selangor harus menimbang dengan teliti "janji" Perdana Menteri memandangkan bahawa kerajaan negeri Selangor yang diketuai oleh Barisan Nasional dahulu yang meluluskan projek tersebut,” kata Abdul Khalid. Bagaimanapun, kata Menteri Besar sikap Najib ini telah memberi motivasi kepada kerajaan Selangor untuk mentadbir secara lebih profesional, telus dan bertanggungjawab berbanding Barisan Nasional yang tidak konsisten dalam membuat keputusan.Katanya, kerajaan negerii komited untuk memperbetulkan semula kecuaian dan kesilapan yang telah dilakukan oleh pentadbiran BN sebelum ini tetapi perlu dilakukan mengikut tatakelola yang betul dan selaras dengan dasar pentadbiran negeri yang mengutamakan ketelusan dan kebertanggungjawaban. Selaku kerajaan negeri, kita mengutamakan hak serta kepentingan rakyat. Justeru, kita tidak teragak-agak membawa mana-mana pihak ke muka muka pengadilan sekiranya berlaku kecuaian dan penyelewengan, katanya lagi. |
| Govt unjust to Muslims too, says report Posted: 14 Nov 2012 12:45 AM PST
The study, conducted by international human rights organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and local rights group Tenaganita, found that Muslims who express beliefs not approved by "official interpreters of Islam" face discrimination from the state and federal government due to provisions in the constitution. "In the Malaysian context, the belief that only the religiously learned (the ulama) are entitled to opine on religious matters in Islam has created a culture of taboos at the expense of the right to freedom of religion without discrimination," said a report from the study. "Today, those Muslims who do not follow the officially sanctioned religion can face persecution. "As Sunni Islam is the officially accepted branch of Islam in Malaysia, any other forms, practices or schools of Islamic thoughts are vulnerable to being classified deviant." The government maintains an official list of 56 sects of Islam it considers deviant and a threat to national security. The list includes Shi'a Islam. "The government, upon approval by a Syariah court, may detain Muslims who deviate from accepted Sunni principles and subject them to mandatory 'rehabilitation' in centres that teach and enforce government approved Islamic practices," said the report. In the case of non-Muslims, it said, Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution had been used to place discriminatory restrictions on the religious freedoms of Christians, including the freedom to propagate their beliefs. Article 11(4) states that "state law and, in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, federal law may control or restrict the propagation of religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam." This article was used against Christians to ostensibly prevent them from proselytising to Muslims and threatening the supremacy of Islam in Malaysia, the report said. Arrests "In 2009, nine Christians were arrested by Malaysian police at Universiti Putra Malaysia … for allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity." Article 11 (4) is also the basis upon which state laws have prohibited the use of words and phrases by non-Muslims, the report revealed. "The Malaysian government has banned the use of the word 'Allah' by other religions, on the basis that Muslims would be confused by the use of 'Allah' in other religious publications." This led to the 2009 seizure of 35,000 copies of the Malaysian-language Bible, which the government finally released two years later on condition that each copy was stamped with the phrase "Not for Muslims". Non-Muslims continue to be prohibited from using the word "Allah" pending an appeal made by the government over the High Court's decision in 2009, which granted a Catholic organisation the use of the word when referring to God in its newspaper. In February this year, a concert by Grammy-award winning US singer Erykah Badu was cancelled because a publicity photograph showed her with a tattoo with the word "Allah" in Arabic. Non-Islamic religions also face obstacles in establishing and maintaining places of worship, the report said, citing the destruction in 2006 of several Hindu temples, some of them almost two centuries old. "In 2007, authorities demolished the 100 year old Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple in Padang Jawa, Selangor, and reportedly assaulted its chief priest. "Later that year, the Sri Periyachi Amman Temple in Tambak Paya, Malacca state, was demolished by local authorities to make way for a development project." The report also said Christians in Malaysia often found it difficult to obtain a permit to build churches and faced restrictions with regard to the functioning of churches. "For example, the ringing of church bells has been forbidden in some cases," it added. The report urged the government to repeal Article 11 and a host of other discriminatory provisions in the Federal Constitution, including articles 9, 10, 14, 15, 24, 26, 89, 153 and 161. |
| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 12:13 AM PST
“This is the feedback I received based on my survey on 80 per cent of the constituencies in Malaysia, including the black and white areas. “Please don’t sabotage the party again. "We should not put our own interests above the party’s,” he told Bernama here. He said there were three factors for sabotage, namely because the person did not like the selected candidate, the person was not selected as a candidate and the person cannot stay loyal and had planned to quit the party. As such Ahmad, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the upcoming Umno general assembly should become the final battlefield for Umno members to get rid of the sabotage virus in the party before facing the 13th general election. He said the majority of the delegates at the assembly were the winnable candidates who were also capable of being the carriers of the sabotage virus. “So, they should be able to explain to the party’s top leadership the preparations undertaken in their divisions to face the general election, besides producing evidence on what they have done to prove their loyalty to the party,” he said. Ahmad also proposed for Umno members to renew their pledge of loyalty at the general assembly, which will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from Nov 27 to Dec 1. He said this year’s assembly was vital to ensure that the party had reached its full-preparedness stage to help BN in restoring its tradition of having two-thirds majority, winning back the states currently under the opposition and increasing the number of popular votes in the 13th general election. “The factors of ABATA, where A stands for ‘agama’ (Islamic religious), BA for ‘bangsa’ (race) and TA for ‘tanah air’ (country), must be observed by all Umno members if they want the country to continue to be governed BN in the future,” he said. When asked on Umno’s additional weapon to face the general election, Ahmad said Umno’ barometer indicator would also be on new voters after the pro-aspiration teams won the most seats in the campus elections. “These new voters have positive mindsets with long-term visions and this can really help our election machinery in the general election,” he added. Bernama |
| China party congress sets Xi on leadership path Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:50 PM PST
The week-long Communist Party gathering in the cavernous Great Hall of the People ended after its 2,200 delegates from around the country selected a new leadership committee of roughly 200 party members. Xi was renamed to the Central Committee, a widely expected development that was singled out in a report by state media, suggesting he was firmly positioned to be announced as the party’s top leader on Thursday. The week-long forum ended with a show of unity by the delegates in the red-draped hall, who stood and sang the “Internationale,” the socialist anthem. The last word went to President Hu Jintao, who opened the meeting with an address warning the party faces the threat of “collapse” if it cannot rein in rampant corruption. “I now announce that the 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress has come to a victorious conclusion,” said Hu, the outgoing party leader. “The congress has elected a new central committee of the party and replaced older leaders with younger ones.” The main business of the congress, which is held every five years, was to select a new circle of leaders at a time when China faces major economic challenges and growing scrutiny from its citizens. The party did not immediately release the full Central Committee list. However, state news agency Xinhua reported the appointments of a number of officials from each of the two main factions that observers believe are jockeying for power, suggesting give-and-take in the backroom dealings. In one corner is octogenarian former president Jiang Zemin, who is seen as a kingmaker after making a surprise political comeback, while the other faction comprises Hu’s allies. Besides singling out Xi, considered a consensus figure who leans toward Jiang, Xinhua mentioned in the same dispatch that Hu protege Vice Premier Li Keqiang was also re-appointed to the committee. Li is tipped to become China’s next premier in March, when Xi is expected to be named president. Xinhua also singled out about a dozen other officials who have been tipped for inclusion in the Politburo Standing Committee, China’s elite power grouping which is to be unveiled on Thursday when its members march onto the stage. Only the line-up of the standing committee — currently at nine members but likely to be reduced to seven — and its pecking order will provide certainty on the factional outcome. Analysts say that despite rivalries between the two camps which are largely divided on patronage lines, they broadly agree China must reform its economy away from a dependence on exports, while maintaining a firm hand on dissent. Xi’s ascension has been expected since 2007, when he was given a position on the standing committee. That indicated his status as heir apparent to Hu, who officially relinquishes party control this week. Xi is expected to complete his takeover in March when China’s rubber-stamp legislature officially names him the nation’s president, while Li is strongly believed destined for the premiership, replacing incumbent Wen Jiabao. They are expected to serve two five-year terms. The pair will take over at a time when China’s powerhouse economy is suffering a rare slowdown, undercutting the party’s key claim to legitimacy — continually improving the livelihoods of the country’s 1.3 billion people. Leaders also face localised unrest across China, typically sparked by public rage at corruption, government abuses or the myriad manifestations of anger from the millions left out of the country’s newfound prosperity. Anti-Chinese unrest in ethnic Tibetan areas has also flared with a spate of self-immolation protests over the past week. The congress unanimously approved a report on corruption in the party and further amended the Communist charter to call on the party to “support ecological progress,” a reference to the environmental destruction that has accompanied China’s boom. Beijing has ramped up security in Beijing and on rambunctious media sites to prevent any criticism during the gathering. The run-up to this year’s congress was unsettled by the scandal surrounding Bo Xilai, a one-time political star whose ambitions were torpedoed when his wife was given a suspended death sentence for the murder of a British businessman. -AFP |
| Djokovic inspired by father’s health battle Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:45 PM PST
Srdjan Djokovic was absent from his normal courtside position as his son beat Federer 7-6 7-5 at the O2 Arena and cemented his place as the world’s best player. He was not out of mind, however, and Djokovic was quick to pay tribute to his father after his gritty victory over world number two Federer, winner of the title for the past two years. “It’s been a very long year, a very long two years, but very successful two years,” five-times grand slam champion Djokovic, who ended a second consecutive season as world number one having won a career best 75 matches, told reporters. “I didn’t really know how I would follow up after my incredible 2011, but I believed that I have to use the time where I’m playing the best tennis of my life. “It was a fantastic year, where I’ve had to face a lot of difficulties off the court as well. Especially coming into this tournament, having my father fighting his own fight for health gave me extra strength that I wanted to play for him in a way. “That’s one of the reasons I really gave it all every match, especially tonight. This was a title for him.” Djokovic’s father has been seriously ill with a respiratory problem and Djokovic has spent hours on the phone over the past eight days monitoring his progress. It makes his achievement of marching to the title undefeated, having won all his round-robin matches, including one against U.S. Open champion Andy Murray, even more impressive. “I actually feel even more satisfied right now than last year, even though I had an incredible 2011,” the 25-year-old, who won three of the four majors last year after starting the season with a 43-match winning streak, said. “I feel this year, considering the circumstances that I had to face on and off the court, expectations, all these things, I believe that this year has been even more successful for me.” Djokovic battled back from 3-0 down in the first set and 5-3 in the second to claim his first year-end title since 2008 in Shanghai, and with it the $1.76m jackpot for remaining unbeaten. “I was playing really great tennis throughout the whole week,” Djokovic said of his run in London, where he had never previously made the final. “The first match, you know, still feeling a little bit rusty on the court. But I won against Andy (Murray). “That was a big confidence booster for me. You know, every match after that I felt like I played really very close to the top of my game. “Tonight whenever I needed to, to come up with some really good shots, really focus myself and get every ball back in the court, I’ve done that. I cannot be more thrilled.” -Reuters |
| Perbicaraan Husam saman Kickdefella 18 dan 19 Disember Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:43 PM PST
Tarikh itu ditetapkan oleh Hakim Datuk Mariana Yahya di dalam kamarnya hari ini, bagi proses pengurusan akhir kes tersebut. Mariana turut mengarahkan kedua-dua pihak iaitu peguam plaintif, Hisham Fauzi dan peguam Kickdefella, Datuk Jaharberdeen Mohamed Yunoos menyelesaikan segala urusan berkaitan dokumen yang diperlukan sebelum perbicaraan berlangsung. Jaharberdeen ketika ditemui pemberita selepas itu berkata pihaknya akan mensapina beberapa pihak yang akan dijadikan saksi dalam kes berkenaan minggu depan. “Antara saksi yang akan dipanggil ialah Menteri Besar Kelantan, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Timbalannya, Datuk Ahmad Yakub dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan Kelantan, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan,” katanya. Pada 19 September tahun lalu, Husam selaku plaintif memfailkan saman terhadap Syed Azidi yang dinamakan sebagai defendan bagi menuntut ganti rugi RM5 juta ekoran penyiaran artikel yang didakwa berunsur fitnah terhadap beliau. Artikel tersebut bertajuk ‘Husam telah menipu rakyat dan sahabat’, ‘Sebelum kita lupa Normala Sudirman’ dan ‘Husam itu pembohong’ yang ketiga-tiganya disiarkan melalui blog defendan, kickdefella.wordpress.com antara Januari hingga Julai tahun lalu. Defendan pada 9 Oktober tahun yang sama pula memohon kes tersebut dipindahkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur. Bagaimanapun pada 17 April lalu, Hakim Besar Malaya mengarahkan kes tersebut dipindahkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi Kuantan berikutan Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kota Baharu, Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim menarik diri daripada mengendalikan kes berkenaan. Bernama |
| McLaren link up with Formula E electric series Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:38 PM PST
McLaren will join forces with Spark Racing Technology, led by Frenchman Frederic Vasseur, as part of a consortium to design and assemble the racecars. “I’m a passionate believer in the role that motorsport can play in showcasing and spearheading the development of future technologies, and regard the Formula E concept as an exciting innovation for global motorsport,” said McLaren F1 team principal Martin Whitmarsh in a statement on Monday. “McLaren has worked with Frederic Vasseur for many years, and our association has been very successful,” added the Briton. Vasseur set up the ART team, which competed in this year’s GP2 and GP3 series as Lotus, with Nicolas Todt whose father Jean is the president of the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA). Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, who won the 2008 Formula One championship with McLaren, raced for ART in Formula Three Euroseries. “Working together in Formula E, McLaren’s world-class technology and Spark Racing Technology’s expert knowledge will combine to allow both companies to stay at the forefront of technical innovation and hopefully open up great opportunities for the racing cars of tomorrow,” said Whitmarsh. McLaren, who build their own sportscars at their Woking headquarters, have diversified into a range of applied technologies in recent years. They are also the official suppliers of electronic control units to Formula One and NASCAR and have developed a 120KW E-motor for hybrid and electric vehicles. Formula E will be an FIA-sanctioned championship, with the commercial rights licensed to a Hong Kong-based consortium, which aims to hold races in the heart of at least 10 cities around the world. Organisers said demonstrations of the first cars will start next year before races, of an hour in duration, begin in 2014 with plans for a grid of 10 teams and 20 drivers. -Reuters |
| Asian markets bounce back after recent losses Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:34 PM PST
The euro, which sank to a two-month low against the dollar in Europe yesterday, edged up against the greenback and yen. Tokyo ended flat, edging up 3.68 points to 8,664.73, Sydney gained 0.20%, or 8.60 points, to 4,388.4 and Seoul rose 0.23%, or 4.34 points, to 1,894.04. In the afternoon Hong Kong climbed 1.01% and Shanghai was 0.23% higher. Regional markets have suffered big losses since last week’s re-election of US President Barack Obama, with dealers fearing a stand-off in Congress in addressing the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts that are due to come in on Jan 1. If a deal is not brokered in Washington the package, drawn up during fraught spending cap talks last year, will most likely tip the world’s biggest economy back into recession. Adding to the selling pressure is uncertainty over Greece after European finance chiefs put off for a week a decision on granting Athens the latest instalment of a multi-billion-euro bailout. And in Germany a survey showed investor confidence had worsened in November as the region’s crisis began to drag on its biggest economy. However, there was some good news for Greece with the threat of a default this week receding after it raised 4.0 billion euros (US$5.1 billion) in short-term bond auctions, which should help plug a financing gap left by the stalled loan. In forex trading the euro – which touched a two-month low of US$1.2662 in London – bought US$1.2716 in afternoon Asian trade from US$1.2703 late yesterday in New York. The European single unit also rose to 101.17 yen from 100.85 yen, while the dollar firmed to 79.55 yen from 79.38 yen. On Japan’s Nikkei troubled electronics firm Sharp surged on news reports that it is in final talks with chip giant Intel over a possible US$500 million cash injection by the US firm. In China eyes were on the Communist Party’s latest congress that approved its next leadership and which ended today, with investors hoping for an indication of future economic policy. “Once that’s known it will set the tone a bit. If there is a reform-minded set-up then that give Chinese markets some support,” Lorraine Tan, vice-president of research Asia at S&P Capital IQ in Singapore, told Dow Jones Newswires. Wall Street finished in the red yesterday. The Dow dropped 0.46%, the S&P 500 fell 0.40% and the Nasdaq lost 0.70%. Oil prices were mixed, with New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery up 4 US cents to US$85.42 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for delivery in December down 8 US cents at US$107.91. Gold was at US$1,727.21 by 0620 GMT compared with US$1,726.30 late yesterday. In other markets, Taipei rose 0.33%, or 23.70 points, to 7,159.75. Smartphone maker HTC climbed 4.0% to Tw$234.0 while TSMC was 0.22% higher at Tw$90.5. Wellington closed 0.38%, or 14.99 points, lower at 3,955.56. Telecom was down 0.84% at NZ$2.375, Fletcher Building was off 0.94% at NZ$734 and Contact Energy was flat at NZ$5.27. - AFP |
| Austin’s love -hate relationship with F1 Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:26 PM PST
In this environmentally-conscious college town of 800,000, where the bumper stickers say “Keep Austin Weird” and there are no professional sports teams, there is widespread opposition to the Formula One race. “Many opponents said that this is kind of the wrong image – frivolous emissions, carbon and other pollutants into the air just for amusement purposes – for a city that wants to be seen as the most sustainable city in the United States,” said Tom Smith, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. Officials at Circuit of the Americas, which owns the new racetrack, say they’re working to minimize the environmental impact of the event and point out that F1 innovations lead to more efficient passenger cars. Texas Comptroller Susan Combs touts the economic impact of the event, which she says will generate some $220 million for the state. And many Austinites are thrilled about the race at the 3.4-mile (5.5 kilometre), $400 million track facility southeast of town, as well as a downtown fan festival and concerts by Aerosmith and Enrique Iglesias. “It’s just another thing that makes Austin weird,” said Julie Loignon, a spokeswoman for Circuit of the Americas, adding that F1 was too shiny, too chic for Austin, more of a Dallas-type thing. “Austin is very European, with its politics, its progressive thinking. People are going to come here, buy their boots, let their hair down, and they’re going to have a lovely time.” F1 has not raced in the US. since 2007, when the Grand Prix was held at Indianapolis, and teams are eager to return to a country that is a key market for sponsors and car manufacturers but one that the sport has found hard to crack over the years. A second Grand Prix was planned for New Jersey in 2013 but has been postponed until 2014. F1 is expected to race for a decade at the 20-turn Austin track featuring a steep climb to a hairpin Combs has called “that extraordinary drive up into the heavens.” The fact that the race is in Austin is due in large part to Tavo Hellmund, an Austin-born former race car driver who has a close relationship with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. After working to bring the race to his hometown, Hellmund eventually parted ways with Circuit of the Americas, and there were such serious struggles among race organizers that in late 2011, construction on the track was halted prompting speculation the race may not happen. “For a lot of us longtime Austinites, Formula One is hard to swallow,” City Council Member Chris Riley wrote in the Austin American-Statesman last year. “We’re not that big on fast cars; we’re more into hybrids, electric vehicles, bikes and public transit.” Since then, Riley has warmed to the idea, mostly because the city and Circuit of the Americas signed an environmental agreement that calls for purchasing carbon offsets, limiting traffic, providing access for cyclists, planting trees, recycling and composting, and allowing electric vehicle research at the track. The City Council’s support of the project was needed to qualify the event for $25 million in state subsidies that race officials can seek after it happens. “If this were just another race car venue, well then, that would detract from our character,” Riley, who plans to bike to the race, told Reuters recently. “On the other hand, if this site becomes known as being the most sustainable racetrack in the world and that’s here in Austin, Texas, that’s a lot closer to the character of the city that we love.” -Reuters |
| Sabah opposition ‘magic’ number is 10 Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:23 PM PST
PAS deputy president, Mohamad Sabu, more popularly known as Mat Sabu, reckons that voters in the east Malaysian state will have to make a complete turnaround compared to the last election to allow the opposition to march into Putrajaya. While confident that Pakatan Rakyat would do even better in Peninsular Malaysia compared to the 2008 general election, the popular and down-to-earth PAS leader said Sabah voters would either swing it the opposition’s way or help maintain the status quo. He said, “We have very good prospects of winning more seats in Sarawak and can reach the magic number of 112 in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat provided voters in neighbouring Sabah respond to the loud calls for change. “We must win 10 to 12 seats in Sabah for Pakatan to take over at federal level,” he said at a luncheon with friends at Chessington on Sunday. Together with the lone parliamentary seat of Labuan, Sabah has 26 seats up for grabs in the coming 13th general election. In the last election, the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition won 25 seats, losing only the state capital Kota Kinabalu to DAP. However, BN lost two more seats when one of its components, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), left soon after the 2008 general election and took with it the Tawau and Sepanggar seats. Another two Sabah parliamentary seats, Beaufort and Tuaran, were recently handed over to the opposition when incumbents Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing left the BN to become Pakatan supporters. Mat Sabu, who was in London from Nov 7-11 to meet friends and supporters including Malaysians residing around UK, also expressed confidence that the opposition front could win sufficient seats to form the next government if the opposition is united. “We must have a one-to-one fight with BN, otherwise, though 60% of the electorate favour us, we will not win because of the split vote,” he said of the threat posed to a consolidated vote by opposition parties outside the coalition. Not worried But the unflappable opposition politician is not worried by the occasional flare-ups between Pakatan and go-it-alone Sabah opposition parties like SAPP and the State Reform Party (STAR) which have yet to thrash out their differences and agree to a one-on-one contests against the BN. “Biarlah kita ‘bertumbuk’ bincang sesama kita daripada nanti kalah,” he said in Malay which loosely means “it is better for all the opposition parties to fight with each other now and arrive at a compromise than wait for a certain defeat".
Spontaneous protests by civil society, the recent Sarawak state election as well as desertions by prominent personalities from the BN coalition parties are the surest sign the BN is losing support. Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats and two of them, Kuching and Sibu, are already in the Pakatan fold. It has been a gradual turnaround from 2008 when voters in Sabah and Sarawak saved the ruling BN coalition from being removed from power at federal level. As it was, the BN suffered shocking losses, after being ejected from power in six states, including the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, on the way to losing its two-thirds majority for the first time in decades. Political pundits noted that if the majority of the combined 57 parliamentary seats in the two Borneon states had gone to the opposition, the Umno-led BN would have certainly lost its grip on the central power for the first time in 50 years. The coming general election, nevertheless, remains a toss-up. In Sabah, native-based STAR and SAPP are both competing with Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS – for opposition votes. Unlike in the past when Sabah was ignored by BN leaders at federal level who were content that they had the majority Malay vote sewn up, BN chairman Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is taking pains to woo voters in the state. Both he and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim have been visiting the state quite often within days of each other in a race to ensure voters resonate to their calls. |
| South Africa attack still the best, says Amla Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:22 PM PST
The tourists fielded a four-pronged pace attack in Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and debutant Rory Kleinveldt but they conceded centuries to Ed Cowan and Mike Hussey as well as an unbeaten 259 to Australia captain Michael Clarke. Amla, the top ranked batsman in the ICC standings, scored a century in South Africa’s first innings as the Proteas took early charge of the match and then played a key role to hold off Australia’s fired up quicks and eke out a draw on Tuesday. “Australia has a good attack, obviously they had home conditions and so on,” said the quietly spoken Amla. “In world cricket there are a lot of good attacks. In my opinion, we have the best attack and Australia and England are also up there.” South Africa had the Australians on the ropes at 40-3 on day three of the test before Clarke joined Cowan at the crease for a record stand to wrest the momentum back. Bowling coach Allan Donald thought his attack had performed well in parts on a surface that offered little movement. “I thought we created some chances, I thought we created some chances for long periods,” he said on Monday. “We could have had Michael Clarke caught a couple of times with some really good telling deliveries that fell into spaces. “You go through those periods as batsmen, you ride that pressure and I thought that Australia rode that pressure really well and got through those stages.” That said, figures of 1-129 for Steyn, 0-103 for Philander, 3-127 for Morkel and 0-97 for Kleinveldt did not make attractive reading for the South Africans. For Philander it was a first real setback since the late bloomer burst onto the test arena and started his meteoric rise to number two in the world rankings behind Steyn. “He knew at some stage that he would run into something like this. He is a class bowler,” said Donald. “Australia have done their homework pretty well and came out of their crease a little bit more to nullify the lbws. “You are going to get those days where you are going to have to slog it out, you are going to get those days when you are going to toil for long periods time. “Vernon is the honest businessman, he comes to the party most of the time. That’s why you have a group of players, if someone’s having a tough time, someone needs to help him out.” South Africa’s progress after a dominant day one was halted by the second day being washed out for rain and they also played most of the test with 10 men after JP Duminy, who bowls handy offspin as well as being a solid middle order batsman, ruptured his Achilles in training. Having lost Duminy for six months, there seems little chance South Africa will leave spinner Imran Tahir out for the test at the Adelaide Oval, that while batter-friendly can deteriorate markedly towards the end of a five-day match. Kleinveldt is almost certain to make way for Tahir after a difficult debut, if nothing else because of the 12 no balls he bowled. “I think he bowled well in patches, nobody thinks you are going to get an easy ride on your test debut. I think he did okay,” said Donald. South Africa, unbeaten in an away series since 2006, are likely to give up the number one test ranking if they lose the series. The second test begins on Nov. 22. -Reuters |
| ‘Get tough on errant civil servants’ Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:13 PM PST
Auditor-General Ambrin Buang said that the PSD should regularly monitor the disciplinary committees of each government department so that punishments being meted out are adequate. “… so that a strong message is sent to public servants that for serious cases of negligence the offenders will be severely dealt with and they will not get away with just an inconsequential verbal warning,” he said. Ambrin was speaking to FMT via a recent e-mail interview, where he responded to various issues, including the most recent, the 2011 Auditor-General’s Report, tabled in Parliament in mid-October. On criticisms that his department was “toothless” in resolving the irregularities that have been highlighted annually, Ambrin said that while it has no powers to impose punishment, other agencies should take up those responsibilities. “It is true that the department has no power to impose punishment. Punishment for criminal offences like fraud and corruption lies with the courts if the public prosecutor is successful in prosecuting offenders based on investigation by authorities like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission [MACC] or the police.” Ambrin added that for non-criminal cases, the Treasury can impose surcharges or the various disciplinary boards of ministries and agencies can mete appropriate punishment under existing disciplinary procedures. Asked about his position on open tenders, Ambrin stressed that open tenders, where suitable, should be preferred over direct purchase or direct negotiation. However, the size of purchase or project needs to be considered when determining the type of tender process. “For small amounts it is practical to use direct purchase or through price quotations as currently the practice; otherwise it becomes time-consuming. But it must be done with a high level of integrity and diligence so that the government will get the best deal in terms of price and quality,” he said. Possible loopholes Ambrin also reiterated that he wanted the government to re-examine the existing process to “plug possible loopholes” in terms of procurement processes. “The government should re-examine the existing process to plug the possible loopholes and to strengthen internal controls, for example by ensuring internal audit to monitor the departmental procurement process more closely,” he said. Previously, Ambrin suggested the government rethink its procurement system which no longer goes through the Accountant-General's Office. Now it only relies on internal controls within ministries to ensure proper spending of public funds. Ambrin had said that internal checks would not be able to stop those who wanted to "cheat". "Last time, you used to receive queries from the Accountant-General if something was not proper. I think that's one of the weaknesses of the [new] system, especially if people don't have integrity. So maybe the government should look at this. But, under the new system that has been in place for the past few years, the document is sent to just the ministry or department,” the New Sunday Times had quoted him as saying. Ambrin also gave his take of the country’s performance since he began serving as the Auditor-General in 2006. He said his department has noted two areas where both the federal government and state governments “have shown encouraging improvement”. Opinions based facts "Firstly is the reduction in the number of agencies given a qualified audit certificate. This means that more and more agencies are able to prepare their accounts according to government accounting principles.” “Secondly is the increasing number of departments/agencies given excellent rating in their Accountability Index. For example, 111 departments/agencies were rated excellent in 2011 compared with 10 in 2007. This means that the degree of compliance with government financial regulations has improved significantly.” However, Ambrin said that audit findings would normally find weaknesses by public servants discharging their responsibilities. “Most of these weaknesses could be avoided if they are not only aware of government guidelines and procedures but actually comply with those guidelines and procedures. Our hope is that our audit findings can serve as lessons learned so that these weaknesses will not be repeated.” “This can happen if public servants are conscious of the need to do their work with integrity and mindful that they will be audited.” He rubbished suggestions that the Auditor-General’s Report was “toned down” or “edited”, saying: “As always, we endeavour to do our work as an independent and professional organisation without any interference by anybody and certainly not influenced by political events, like elections. We based our opinions strictly on facts and not on emotions, and as objective as possible.” He also explained about the supposed “delay” in the report being tabled. “Yes I have signed the report much earlier but after that there is the process of obtaining the consent from the King and to inform the Cabinet, together with the report from the Treasury regarding the feedback from the various ministries and agencies on our findings. “After that we need time to print the report to be forwarded to Parliament and the state legislatures. We tabled our report together with the Treasury’s report. Our report was tabled about two weeks after the budget speech for the past three years because the government wanted sufficient time for MPs to debate the budget." |
| Give me your ideas, Najib tells youths Posted: 13 Nov 2012 11:10 PM PST
Saying, Malaysia was a place “where we were born and live”, the prime minister said the people must together, strive to make the country second to none. “This is our country and we must make Malaysia second to none, and I believe we can do it,” he said in a session, ‘Youth Opinion Leaders For A Better Malaysia’, at a restaurant in Bangsar here today. Najib said, while he was attending today’s meeting because the election was around the corner, it was also important to generate ideas to build the nation. “The important thing is, we want to build this nation, and as your prime minister, I want to listen to your ideas and I believe that some of your ideas are great ideas,” he noted. Responding to questions from the floor, Najib said he was really serious and passionate about transforming the country. “(This is) Because I have lots of hope for the nation, and those hopes can be translated, and can become reality,” he added. He said, such a session with young people to generate ideas could help the government in its programme to transform the country. The prime minister said he believed in young people as they had great ideas that could propel the nation, saying that there were really great ideas that were brought up at the session, and could actually be implemented. “They are not ideas that we call fanciful ideas, but ideas that can be translated into action,” he said. Forty-eight participants, comprising youth leaders, senior media representatives, notable young bloggers and other young opinion leaders participated in the session to share ideas with Najib. The session touched on topics such as ways to improve customer service, education system, tourism revenue, street cleanliness, as well as decreasing instances of diabetes in the country. Najib later launched ‘Genovasi Challenge’, which will serve as an exciting platform for Malaysians, especially the nation’s youth, to take ownership of the positive changes they wish to see take shape in the country. The Challenge is part of the overall Genovasi initiative which was launched by the prime minister on Aug 1, this year. Bernama |
| Court declines appeal to suspend Lynas plant Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:48 PM PST
Activists linked to the environmental group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) were appealing the Kuantan High Court’s decision last week to lift the suspension on the temporary operating licence granted to Australia’s Lynas. After dismissing the appeal, the court set Nov 30 for the next hearing on the case, a lawyer for the activists told Reuters. They wanted the court to suspend the licence until two judicial review cases challenging the government’s decision allowing the plant to operate are heard. Lynas temporary operating licence for the US$800 million (RM2.4 billion) plant early in September, had aimed to start production this month. |
| Hundreds of cobras seized in Thai customs bust Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:39 PM PST
The 600 deadly wild snakes were discovered in crates on a truck when it was stopped at a checkpoint in the south of the country. “They were in blue net bags, they could breathe through the net — there were about five cobras in each bag,” the customs officer told AFP, requesting anonymity. Estimating the total number of snakes at around 600, the officer said a full count would take place on Wednesday night as it was too dangerous to do it without extra help. The cobras, worth an estimated $16,300, were destined to be used in traditional medicine, the official said. They are prized in some forms of Chinese medicine, which holds that their blood and meat boosts sexual potency. The snakes had been smuggled in via the southern Thai border and were believed to be on their way through the kingdom and destined for neighbouring countries, the official added. There are three cobra species native to Thailand. Although none is endangered, the export of live snakes is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. Two men have been arrested in connection with Monday night’s haul in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and face up to 10 years in jail. The cobras have been sent to a national park in central Thailand. -AFP |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:31 PM PST
Dalam perjuangan PAS, Hadi merujuk kepada kerjasama dengan parti lain dalam Pakatan Rakyat, iaitu DAP dan PKR dalam agenda menawan Putrajaya. Bagaimanapun hukum kerjasama politik dalam Islam ini diharuskan dengan beberapa syarat, antaranya pihak bukan Islam itu boleh dipercayai, tidak menggadaikan prinsip Islam atau dasarnya, serta tiada unsur hipokrasi tentang motif sebenar kerjasama itu dijalankan. Tahaluf itu turut melarang wujudnya penindasan ke atas Islam atau menyebabkan Islam redha dengan penindasan itu sehingga membenarkan berlakunya syirik. Sebab itulah wujudnya sesetengah pendapat ulamak yang mengatakan pihak Islam perlu mendominasi sekiranya sesuatu tahaluf siyasi dibina. Namun persoalan utama di sini, apakah PAS menjadi parti dominan dalam Pakatan Rakyat? Adakah tahaluf itu dijamin ‘halal’ sepanjang PAS bekerjasama dengan PKR dan DAP? Pejuang hal ehwal Islam PAS pada awal penubuhannya sejak tahun 1951 adalah parti yang memperjuangkan hal ehwal Islam. Dipimpin golongan ulamak, PAS menjadi parti pilihan bagi orang Melayu yang mengagumi gaya pemimpinnya memperjuangkan dakwah Islam dari sudut politik. PAS pernah menerima cadangan Umno supaya bersatu membentuk Parti Perikatan (Barisan Nasional) selepas berlakunya tragedi hitam 13 Mei 1969. Bagi mengekalkan kuota kerusi Melayu di Parlimen, buat pertama kalinya kerjasama politik dijalinkan PAS dengan menjadi salah satu parti komponen BN. Bagaimanapun ‘tahaluf’ itu tidak kekal lama apabila PAS tersingkir daripada BN selepas berlakunya krisis dalaman sehingga Kelantan diisytihar darurat pada tahun 1978. Pengalaman pahit itu menjadi pengajaran buat PAS yang sehingga kini kekal dengan pendirian idea gabungan PAS dan Umno selama-lamanya wajar ditolak sama sekali. Berjuang bersendirian Selepas sekian lama berjuang bersendirian, PAS kemudiannya mula menerima gabungan Pakatan Rakyat selepas berjaya mempertahankan kubu kuatnya di Kelantan serta peningkatan beberapa kerusi di negeri lain semasa PRU12. Kejayaan itu juga dijadikan motivasi buat PAS untuk terus mengekalkan tahaluf bersama Pakatan sehingga impian menawan Putrajaya tercapai. Namun PAS juga punya cita-cita dan agenda sendiri. Penubuhan negara Islam, pelaksanaan hudud, antara matlamat parti itu namun punya halangan besar terutamanya daripada rakan dalam Pakatan. “Langkah mayat kami dulu”, “ekstermis”, serta beberapa kenyataan lain yang ditentang secara hebatnya tanpa diberikan ruang penjelasan bagaimana hasrat itu bakal dilaksanakan. Tidur sebantal, mimpi tidak sama. Akibat terlalu berkiblatkan Buku Jingga, terhimpit antara dasar perjuangan dan cita-cita bersama, PAS akhirnya dlihat terpaksa akur dengan tekanan. Keputusan ini membuatkan ahli akar umbinya terpinga-pinga. Di manakah prinsip istiqamah (ketegasan) PAS memperjuangkan parti berlandaskan “PAS kini semakin terbuka (kompromi). Namun keterbukaan itu sebenarnya terpulang kepada berapa banyak kerusi untuk tentukan kuasa PAS. “Misalnya di Perak semasa tahun 2008 yang banyak menang kerusi adalah DAP tetapi PAS diberikan peluang menerajui negeri. “Walau bagaimanapun yang menjadi tangan ghaib menentukan segala hal adalah DAP. PAS hanya boneka walaupun berada di atas,” kata bekas pemimpin veteran PAS Kedah Datuk Muslim Othman ketika ditemui dalam satu majlis baru-baru ini. Ya, PAS punya golongan ulama dalam Majlis Syura tetapi sejauh mana kekuatan suara mereka dalam memastikan PAS tidak terus tergelincir daripada landasannya? Bila sudah terbang tinggi jangan sesekali lupakan rumput dibumi. Mungkin PAS kini perlu bersedia memikirkan dan mengatur semula langkah mereka termasuk kedudukannya dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Sudah pasti kita tidak mahu melihat pisang berbuah dua kali dan tahaluf itu berakhir sama seperti apa yang berlaku semasa PAS berada dalam BN satu ketika dulu. |
| Toyota recalls 2.77 million vehicles worldwide Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:24 PM PST
Japan’s biggest automaker said there were no reported injuries or accidents, but it had received about 400 complaints in Japan over the pump issue and a handful about the steering problem. The announcement comes after the firm last month issued a huge global recall of 7.43 million vehicles, including its popular Camry and Corolla models, over a possible fire risk tied to a fault with electric windows. Toyota’s latest recall involves a number of vehicles manufactured between August 2000 and December 2011, including its popular Prius hybrid, which suffered from one or both of the defects, Toyota said. In a worst case scenario, the steering issue could allow drivers to lose control of the vehicle, while the water pump problem could render it inoperable, it added. About 1.5 million of the vehicles were sold in Japan, with the remainder sold around the world, including in the United States and Europe. Toyota, once lauded for its safety standards, has been forced into damage control mode in recent years after recalling millions of vehicles over defects. Earlier this year it added two models to a controversial 2009 recall launched after floor mats became trapped under the accelerator, linked to accidents that allegedly caused dozens of deaths. - AFP |
| Indian diamond fetches $21 million Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:21 PM PST
The price which the 76 carat jewel fetched at the Christie’s sale is a record for the auction of a clear, colourless diamond. It is also the highest auction price per carat for such a gem and the record for a Golconda diamond, the same mines which produced the Koh-i-Noor which adorns the British Queen’s crown. “It’s a cushion-shaped diamond, weighing 76.02 carats, of D colour” the purest, most colourless variety of diamond, a rarity and a speciality of the ancient Golconda mines in the Indian state of Andhra Paradesh, said Christie’s jewelery expert Jean-Marc Lunel. The ‘Archduke |Joseph,’ which was bought by an anonymous bidder, once belonged to the Habsburgs, former rulers of the Austrian empire. It takes its name from the Archduke Joseph (1872-1962) who was for a short period the Hungarian head of state. The diamond was sold in 1936 to a still-anonymous buyer and, hidden in a safe, escaped the attentions of the Nazis during the Second World War . It reappeared on the international scene at a sale in London in 1961. In the 1990s it was sold again, in Geneva, for $6.5 million. -AFP |
| Astro wins EPL broadcast rights for next three seasons Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:18 PM PST
Under this arrangement, all the 380 BPL matches will be televised live on Astro. “We are excited to further strengthen our association with the most popular football league by bringing three more football seasons action from the BPL. “Since 1997, Astro has been showcasing BPL action as part of a comprehensive bouquet of football programming for the Malaysian football fans. “Now with Astro On the Go, they can enjoy the best sporting events on their mobile devices wherever they are, as well as from the comfort of their homes,” said Astro Malaysia Holdings’ CEO Rohana Rozhan. Meanwhile, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “We are extremely pleased Astro has chosen to invest in our broadcast rights for the 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons. “They are a long-term partner of the Premier League and renowned for quality sports broadcasting. “We know that they will continue to broadcast the Barclays Premier League to Malaysian football fans in an exciting and innovative manner,” he added. - Bernama |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:16 PM PST
Responding to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman's scathing remarks about Lim, Bosi said the party and its leaders were credible. "Lim Kit Siang is not a liar. Liars do not last long in politics. " He has stayed relevant in politics for more than 50 years. The fact that DAP is now the second largest political party after Umno shows credence on the integrity and credibility of DAP and its leaders," Edwin said in a statement. Musa, had on Sunday, called Lim a liar (kaki tipu) and referred to DAP as a "samseng" party. An irked Musa had made the statement in Sandakan in response to Lim's claim on his blog that Sabah leaders were corrupt and were resorting to a 'divide and rule' strategy now that they are under severe political threat. Lim had during his tour of Papar, Kota Belud, Inanam, Matunggong and Kudat recently flogged Pakatan Sabah's RM7.28 billion Alternative Budget 2013 and the fact that Sabahans were ‘kingmakers’ and deciders of who will be seated at Putrajaya after the 13th general election. "The announcement has put intense pressure on Musa and Sabah BN leaders. "When put to the test as to which political coalition is prepared to put national interest above all other interests, Umno and BN have in their desperate bid to hold on to power resorted to the traditional but divisive "divide and rule" tactics polarizing the diverse races and religions in the country. "Pakatan Rakyat parties of DAP, PKR and PAS have maintained a common theme and unifying message of "unite and rule" to all races, religions and states which underline the need for all Malaysians to rally together as one Malaysian people to build an united nation with a common vision," said Lim. Lim and Pakatan Rakyat component party leaders have been making frequent visits to Sabah this year reiterating their call for Sabahans to make a political change. With politics in Peninsular Malaysia tipped to go either way, many believe that Sabah and Sarawak will once again decide the team that will wrest or retain Putrajaya. Said Bosi: "Lim Kit Siang believes that Sabahans will be the 'kingmakers' in the coming general election. "When Sabah votes Pakatan Rakyat, there will a change of government in Putrajaya," he added. "It is only when Pakatan Rakyat is in Putrajaya that many issues affecting Sabah and Malaysia in general will be addressed and resolved." Bosi said Lim will continue to spend more time in Sabah to get the people to support DAP and Pakatan as the country heads towards a defining 13th general election tipped for December this year. |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 10:11 PM PST
Malaysians, especially the Malays, cannot and must not continue to live in poverty. After 55 years, you must surely say that is enough. You have a choice and you can show that through your ballots in the next general election. Use your ballots to make change so that another government can try to make life better for everyone. Umno's battle cries for 55 years have been – Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy), Menyelamatkan Melayu (Save Malays), Bela Melayu (Defend Malays), Jangan Hilang Kuasa Melayu (Don't lose Malay Powers). What Malay Supremacy? More like Umno Supremacy. Save Malays? From what? Defend Malays, from whom? Don't lose Malay power? More like don't lose Umno powers. Malaysians, including Malays, are at a critical political crossroad. We must start asking ourselves intelligently and come up with honest answers and decisions. It is clear for all to see that the corrupt BN government has only been plundering and enriching their cronies, family members and themselves. It all started with the 22-year Dr Mahathir Mohamad's rule, followed by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and now Najib Tun Razak. Their plundering has saddled us with a more than RM502.4 billion federal debts, as revealed by Budget 2013, which we and our children and generations will have to bear. Before the Mahathir regime, the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was used to acquire land for infrastructure and public development projects, like roads, schools, hospitals etc. In 1991, Mahathir amended the Act to enable state governments to acquire such land, and then to alienate such land to their cronies and crony Umno companies for development. The agriculture village land, mostly Malay customary-owned, are acquired cheaply by the state government and then converted to property development to enrich their cronies and themselves. Such land grabs have been carried out by Mahathir, then Abdullah, Najib and in Johor, we are seeing Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman at work in Pengerang. Did you not see this happened in Gelang Patah, Pasir Gudang, Denga Bay, etc? We are seeing thousands of Malays driven out of their kampungs (villages) when such land grabs are initiated by Umno leaders. Are these stories made up by us? Umno manipulation The BN-Umno brainwashing Biro Tata Negara (BTN) has for years, and is still doing so, telling their civil servants to go into the interiors and Malay villages and promise the villagers everything they want. After the general election, no need to deliver the promises. They are told that as long as the villagers remain ignorant and their children's salaries remain low, they will be under control. That is why the wages and salaries in our country are kept low compared with others. You don't need to look far. A high school classmate told me that his daughter who is working in Singapore as a secondary school teacher was earning about RM28,000 a month (inclusive of four months bonus). What are the salaries of our secondary school teachers? The country's richest natural resource, Petronas' oil and gas, is being and has been bled by the government. These are what Umno claims to be the New Economic Policy (NEP) for Malays. If the NEP is really for the Malays, with the trillions of ringgit in oil revenue over the years, why is the majority of Malay villagers still living in abject poverty or below the low-income group? You must consider all these with honesty and make a correct decision for yourselves in the next general election. Chua Jui Meng is PKR vice-president and Johor state chief. He is also a former MCA vice-president and an ex-Cabinet member. |
| DHPP gesa PAS cari semangat tahun 1999 Posted: 13 Nov 2012 09:29 PM PST
“Kita mesti mencari jalan untuk kembali kepada semangat tahun 1999 di mana orang Melayu secara besar-besaran menyokong PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat. “PAS kena fokus kepada orang Melayu tentang semangat 13 tahun lalu itu,” kata Hu Pang Chow, Ketua DHPP. Hu bagaimanapun, tidak menjelaskan sama ada sokongan orang Melayu terhadap PAS sudah menurun berbanding pada 1999. Beliau hanya mengingatkan pucuk pimpinan PAS supaya fokus kepada pengundi Melayu. Sebalikya Hu menegaskan sokongan pengundi bukan Melayu kepada PAS serta Pakatan Rakyat sudah berada di kemuncak. “Respons masyarakat bukan Islam kepada PAS serta Pakatan Rakyat sangat positif dan menyakinkan. “Sebagai contoh program DHPP di Kota Tinggi pada bulan Oktober lalu, 80 meja ditempah oleh orang Cina dan india serta orang Kadazan. “Ini tidak pernah berlaku. PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat tidak perlu bimbang dengan dengan mereka,” tambah beliau. Hu menegaskan kemuncak sokongan orang bukan Islam ialah kepada PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat akan dapat dilihat pada pilihanraya ke 13 ini. |
| REDtone bags RM82.5m contract from MCMC Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:46 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: ACE-listed REDtone International Bhd has secured a three-year contract worth RM82.5 million from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to build, operate and maintain RAN (radio access network) infrastructure in rural areas in Sabah. In an exchange filing on Monday, the company said REDtone as a neutral party will build, operate and maintain the RAN infrastructure for telco providers to install their systems to offer voice and data services to the people living in the rural areas covered under the contract. The RAN, to be located at Tongod, Lahad Datu, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Papar, Sipitang and Tenom, is part of MCMC's RAN Sharing Time 3 Phase 3 Programme aimed at providing voice and data connectivity in rural areas of the country. "The Time 3 project is set to boost contribution from the government sector towards REDtone's data revenue. Currently, government projects make up about 30% of the company's data revenue," the company said in a statement. Its CEO Lau Bik Soon (photo) said REDtone aims to increase the government sector contribution to its revenue from 30% to 50% by the end of its current financial year ending May 31, 2013. "The Time 3 project is a major win for REDtone as the company continues to make greater inroads into securing awards from the government and its agencies. It will help to drive the company's revenue and profit, both of which are on track for a profitable FY13. REDtone recently announced that its first-quarter ended Aug 31, 2012, net profit for the period stood at RM2 million on the back of a RM30.67 million revenue. This was the second consecutive profitable quarter for the company. |
| Muktamar lebih panas dari yang dijangka Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:44 PM PST
Meskipun tidak ada pemilihan jawatan, muktamar kali ini dijangka hangat dengan perbahasan terbuka terhadap isu-isu semasa seperti hubungan PAS-DAP. Pada muktamar kali ini rakyat terutama penyokong PAS mahu melihat pendirian terbaru pimpinan parti dalam isu negara Islam yang masih menjadi buah mulut. Isu ini menjadi buah mulut berikutan pendirian tidak jelas dan sentiasa berubah-ubah di kalangan pemimpin PAS. Meskipun, pimpinan mengatakan ia telah selesai tetapi sesetengah rakyat melihat PAS telah tunduk kepada DAP dan PKR regunya dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Kedudukan dan masa depan bekas Timbalan Presiden, Nasharuddin Mat Isa dijangka dibahaskan secara panjang lebar terutama dari perwakilan yang melihat ahli Parlimen sudah menjadi `musuh’ PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat. Apatah lagi sejak-sejak akhir ini Nasharuddin tidak henti-henti menyerang PAS terutama dalam pendirian negara Islam dan hudud. Seorang perwakilan dari Terengganu – Wahab Mohamad – menduga perwakilan dari kumpulan penyokong Timbalan Presiden sekarang Mohamad Sabu akan membuat gesaan supaya Nasharuddin dipecat dari PAS. “Saya dapat merasakan begini…seolah-olah Nasharuddin menjadi musuh besar kepada PAS. Sebahagian orang PAS di sini (Terengganu) sudah bercakap mengenai hal ini. “Masa depan Nasharuddin akan ditentukan di sini. Perwakilan akan menekan pimpinan supaya memecat Nasharudin,” kata perwakilan veteran itu. Rakannya Abas Ali, pula mencelah sejak kebelakangan ini PAS semakin ghairah untuk menghukum orang yang tidak sebulu dengan pimpinan tertentu. Katanya, sebelum ini PAS memecat Naib Presiden, Datuk Hasan Ali kerana mengecam pendirian parti dalam isu negara Islam. `Kita mesti bersatu’ “Jika PAS memecat Nasharudin bermakna dua orang profesional hilang dari perjuangan kita. Saya bimbang selepas ini golongan profesional akan takut untuk menyertai PAS,” tambah beliau. Hasan sebelum menyertai PAS pada 1999 merupakan pakar motivasi dan memegang jawatan kanan dalam pelbagai jabatan kerajaan. Nasharudin pula bekas pensyarah UKM. Pada pilihanraya umum 1999, beliau menang kerusi Parlimen Yan di Kedah. Isu Nurul Izzah Anwar turut dijangka disentuh oleh sebilangan perwakilan terutama dari golongan yang masih berpegang teguh kepada Islam sebenar. Mereka bimbang keterbukaan PKR dalam beberapa isu sosial akan menjadi halangan kumpulan pengundi Melayu tradisional untuk menyokong PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat. Bagaimanapun, Ketua Dewan Himpunan PAS Pusat, Hu Pang Chow berkata, muktamar ini perlu memfokuskan kepada pilihanraya umum 13. “Pakatan Rakyat perlu menjatuhkan kerajaan Umno dan BN. Kita mesti bersatu,” katanya. Nada serupa disuarakan olek Ketua Penerangan PAS, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man dan Ketua Ulamak Datuk Harun Taib. Beliau menekankan isu-isu utama yang diketengahkan ialah mengenai pilihanraya. Muktamar PAS kali ke 58 akan bermula Jumaat ini. Bagaimanapun, Permuda dan Muslimah bermula malam ini. |
| Ban on Indonesian workers to continue Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:41 PM PST
Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said the suspension will continue until the two countries agreed on appropriate protection for Indonesian migrant workers and until Malaysia was seen to uphold justice in four major outstanding cases involving Indonesians there. The Jakarta Post quotes him as saying: “The government will continue to discourage migrant workers from travelling to Malaysia until all those involved in the three cases are brought to justice.” He was referring to the killing of three migrant workers from West Nusa Tenggara on March 25, three East Javanese workers on June 19 and five from Batam on Sept 7. Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno on Monday submitted a diplomatic note of protest to the Malaysian government over two rape cases which have sparked public outcry. Iskandar said Indonesia would resume labour supply only when the Malaysian government could guarantee the safety of Indonesian migrant workers in that country. “I have instructed the Indonesian team in the bilateral working group to put the strongest emphasis on protection for migrant workers and their families as a preliminary condition in the ongoing review of our labour agreement,” he said. The director general for overseas labour placement and protection at the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry, Reyna Usman, said her office was awaiting the arrival of the Malaysian task force before evaluating the increasing number of crimes against Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. “If the current conditions are found to be unsatisfactory, we will continue to suspend the sending of workers to Malaysia until our neighbouring country improves conditions and can guarantee our workers’ safety,” she added. This comes after a public outcry over two rape cases. The most recent being an Indonesian maid who was allegedly raped by her employer in Seramban, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa revealed yesterday. Shocking rape cases The incident took place two days after allegations of a shocking rape of an Indonesian migrant worker in Penang by three Malaysian police officers. “We just heard today that another Indonesian citizen has been raped. This time, by her employer,” Natalegawa said. The Acehnese maid was reportedly raped on Nov 5 by her employer and assaulted by the employer's wife. However, the Malaysian police only informed the ministry of the case on Monday night. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said the matter was discovered when the employer's wife took the maid to a police station, accusing her of theft. “Noticing that the maid was injured, police officers questioned her. She later testified that she had been abused and raped. When police tried to obtain statements from the employers, they were found to have run away,” he said via telephone. The Negeri Sembilan police are still looking for the couple, while the maid is now being treated at a hospital in Seremban. The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur deployed a team yesterday to give her support and protection. “Doctors say her condition is improving. This incident saddens us and we cannot accept this,” Natalegawa added. He called on the Malaysian authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the case. “The Malaysian police must detain the employers who have reportedly run away,” he said. Responding to the two rape cases of Indonesian workers, Natalegawa has corresponded with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, requesting the Malaysian government give its fullest attention to the cases. Agencies |
| Penjelasan Nurul perlu diterima dengan baik Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:38 PM PST
Kesanggupan media Umno dan para pencacainya memfitnah Nurul Izzah Anwar berhubung dengan ucapannya di sebuah forum di Subang Jaya adalah bukti muktamad bahawa Umno tetap Umno. Keputusan PRU ke-12 pada 2008 di mana Umno mengalami prestasi terburuknya tidak mampu mendatangkan perubahan kepada kejelekan keperibadian Umno sebagai sebuah wadah politik, walaupun sedikit. Fitnah adalah 'second nature' kepada Umno. Usaha memfitnah Nurul Izzah adalah selari dengan strategi Umno untuk menakutkan masyarakat Melayu terhadap kedudukan Islam dan ummat Islam sekiranya Pakatan Rakyat memerintah di peringkat pusat. Sekiranya mereka berjaya untuk meyakinkan masyarakat Melayu bahawa Anwar dan keluarganya adalah penganut fahaman Islam liberal dan PAS serta Pakatan tidak mampu menghalang dan hanya ikut sahaja, maka Melayu akan mengundi Umno walaupun sudah jelas kejelekan dan kezalimannya. Di atas sebab itu, usaha memfitnah sebegini perlu ditentang dan sesungguhnya ianya tiada lain melainkan fitnah semata-mata. Dalam kita berusaha untuk memahami apa sebenarnya yang ingin disampaikan Nurul Izzah pada hari tersebut, kita mesti mengambil kira semua yang telah berlaku pada hari berkenaan. Bukan sekadar menonjolkan satu ayat yang disebut Nurul Izzah, untuk ditafsirkan sesuka-hati seperti yang dilakukan media dan pencacai Umno. Sebaliknya kita perlu meneliti keseluruhan daripada apa yang telah beliau nyatakan dan berusaha untuk menyampaikan. Ucapan sebagai ahli panel Pada mulanya kita mesti memahami bahawa Nurul Izzah telah hadir sebagai ahli panel forum yang bertajuk 'Negara Islam: Versi mana? Tanggung-jawab siapa?' Forum tersebut dianjurkan di sebuah Gereja 'Full Gospel Tabernacle' di Subang Jaya dan dihadiri ramai bukan Islam. Sebagai ahli panel, Nurul Izzah telah diberi hanya lebih kurang lima minit untuk mengupas tajuk berkenaan. Nurul Izzah telah memilih untuk memetik kata-kata Syeikhul Azhar Dr Ahmed El-Tayyeb sebagai isi kandungan ucapannya dan kata-kata ini adalah berhubung keadilan dan kebebasan beragama yang dituntut Islam. Hampir keseluruhan ucapan Nurul Izzah sebagai ahli panel adalah dari petikan kata-kata Syeikhul Azhar yang bertujuan, mengikut fahaman saya, untuk menghilangkan kekhuatiran masyarakat bukan Islam terhadap apa yang diperjuangkan Islam dalam arena politik. Matlamatnya adalah supaya ungkapan 'Negara Islam' tidak perlu dilihat sebagai ungkapan yang menggerunkan tetapi sebaliknya sesuatu yang menjamin keadilan dan kebebasan. Dalam usahanya kearah ini, persoalan kebebasan beragama, khususnya bagi bukan Islam, yang dijamin Islam ditegaskan. Berdasarkan latar belakang seperti di atas, adalah jelas bahawa Nurul Izzah hadir sebagai 'ahli politik pendakwah' yang ingin menjelaskan kehebatan Islam kepada masyarakat bukan Islam yang selama ini dimomok-momokkan oleh Umno dengan imej Islam sebagai sesuatu yang zalim dan mengongkong. Hanya Umno yang mampu memutar-belitkan usaha yang berniat murni seperti ini sehingga menjadi usaha 'menyokong murtad'. Jawapan apabila disoal Setelah selesai menyampaikan ucapannya, Nurul Izzah ingin meninggalkan majlis tersebut kerana perlu hadir di majlis yang lain. Atas permintaan pengerusi maka Nurul Izzah bersetuju untuk menjawab soalan dari pihak hadirin dalam tempoh dua minit, iaitu seminit satu soalan. Soalan yang telah dikemukakan adalah berhubung LGBT, suasana di Mesir dan juga kebebasan beragama, khususnya "samada ianya hanya untuk bukan Melayu ataupun untuk orang Melayu juga." Berhubung isu pertama Nurul Izzah menjawab bahawa sebagai seorang Islam beliau tidak boleh menerima amalan LGBT. Pada masa yang sama ianya mesti ditangani dengan cara yang hikmah bukan dengan kekerasan semata-mata. Berhubung isu kedua beliau menyanjung kemenangan rakyat Mesir dan walaupun mengakui suasana bergolak di Mesir dewasa ini, beliau menganggap ianya suatu proses yang perlu dilalui selepas sahaja berlakunya perubahan tampok kepimpinan. Ia tetap dilihat sebagai sesuatu yang positif untuk jangka masa panjang bagi rakyat Mesir. Nurul Izzah menjelaskan kejayaan Ikhwanul Muslimun dan sikap kerjasama Ikhwan dengan golongan Kristian Koptik sebagai bukti keterbukaan Islam. Jawapan Nurul Izzah berhubung soalan ketiga merupakan perkara yang ingin diputar-belit Umno sehingga sanggup menuduh Nurul Izzah sebagai seorang yang menyokong murtad. Oleh kerana jawapan beliau berhubung isu ini ingin diputar-belit Umno, saya ingin melakukan 'bedah siasat terperinci' terhadap apa yang dinyatakan Izzah pada pagi tersebut. Jawapan berhubung kebebasan beragama masyarakat Melayu Untuk berlaku adil dan tidak bias, marilah kita rujuk kepada transkrip ucapan beliau. Saya telah meletakkan transkrip ini di blog saya beberapa hari sebelum ini dan saya perbetulkan terjemahannya di beberapa tempat berdasarkan versi Inggeris yang disertakan sekali seperti berikut: Question: Answer: When you ask me, "there is no compulsion in religion", Even Dr Farouk quoted that verse in the Quran. How can you ask me, or anyone… How can anyone really say, “Sorry, this only applies to non-Malays”. It has to apply equally. That is the basis. In the Quran, there is no specific term for the Malays. This is how it should be. So I’m tied, of course, you know, to the prevailing views, but I will say that what you want is, of course, is in terms of quality. You believe so strongly in your faith that even me, being schooled in Assunta, with a large cross in the hall, and an active singing Catholic nuns, Catholic society, will not deter you. Thank you. Soalan: “Apabila anda bercakap tentang kebebasan beragama, adakah anda bermaksud untuk masyarakat Melayu sekali? Terima kasih.” Jawapan: "Bila anda bertanya kepada saya, "tiada paksaan dalam agama" , Dr Farouk pun telah memetik ayat Quran tersebut dari Al-Quran. Bagaimana anda boleh menanyakan kepada saya, atau kepada sesiapa pun… Bagaimana sesiapa boleh mengatakan, “Maaf, ini hanya untuk orang bukan Melayu”. Ia mesti diguna pakai secara sama sahaja (untuk Melayu dan bukan Melayu). Inilah asas. Di dalam Quran, tiada rujukan khusus untuk (orang) Melayu. Inilah apa yang sepatutnya. Tetapi saya terikat, seperti kamu tahu, kepada pendapat yang diterima umum, tetapi saya berkata di sini bahawa apa yang anda inginkan, semestinya, adalah kualiti. Seseorang begitu yakin dengan pegangan agamanya hinggakan, seperti saya sendiri, yang bersekolah di Assunta, dengan salib yang besar di dalam dewan, dan kumpulan nyanyian biarawati, persatuan Katolik yang aktif, tidak akan menjejas (keyakinan) anda. Terima kasih." Kupasan jawapan Nurul Izzah Berdasarkan terjemahan yang disediakan seperti di atas, adalah jelas bagi saya bahawa Nurul Izzah merujuk kepada prinsip yang terkandung di dalam ayat Al-Quran yang menjadi asas perbincangan Syeikhul Azhar yang dipetik beliau. Walaupun soalannya berhubung 'kebebasan beragama' namun yang difahami Nurul Izzah adalah persoalan berhubung prinsip ayat Quran berkenaan. Itulah sebabnya Nurul Izzah seolah-olah menzahirkan kehairanan terhadap soalan tersebut dengan respon: "Bagaimana anda boleh menanyakan kepada saya, atau kepada sesiapa pun… Bagaimanakah sesiapa boleh mengatakan, “Maaf, ini (maksudnya prinsip dari ayat ini) hanya untuk orang bukan Melayu”. Bagi beliau, pengajaran dari semua ayat Al-Quran, termasuk yang disebut terjemahannya, adalah releven dan perlu diguna-pakai untuk semua, bukan hanya untuk golongan bukan Melayu sahaja. Dari sudut umumnya apa yang disebut Nurul Izzah adalah benar kerana Al-Quran, seluruhnya, adalah 'huda-l li-n Nas' atau hidayah untuk semua manusia. Untuk menyatakan ayat ini adalah hanya untuk bukan Islam semestinya bercanggah dengan kefahaman umum ini. Persoalan ini terus ditekankan oleh Nurul Izzah dengan mengatakan "Ia (prinsip ayat berkenaan) mesti sama diguna pakai (untuk Melayu dan bukan Melayu). Inilah asas. Di dalam Quran, tiada rujukan khusus untuk (orang) Melayu. Inilah apa yang sepatutnya". Kenyataan ini menegaskan keyakinannya bahawa setiap ayat Al-Quran itu adalah releven untuk semua dan tiada yang dikecualikan orang Melayu. Malahan seperti disebutnya, perkataan 'Melayu' tiada di dalam Al-Quran. Saya tidak tahulah sekiranya ada Melayu yang beranggapan bahawa adanya ayat yang berbunyi "Melayu itu Islam dan Islam itu Melayu" dalam Al-Quran. Seterusnya Nurul Izzah menyebut "Tetapi saya terikat, seperti kamu tahu, kepada pendapat yang diterima umum". Di sini Nurul Izzah mengakui bahawa berhubung tafsiran terhadap maksud dan applikasi ayat ini, dia bukan seorang mufassir atau pakar tafsir Quran. Maka dia terikat dengan tafsiran yang diterima umum oleh ulama' Islam berhubung ayat tersebut. Dalam soal tafsiran yang diterima umum, adalah jelas bahawa ayat berkenaan menegaskan bahawa seseorang bukan Islam tidak boleh dipaksa memeluk agama Islam. Sebabnya dijelaskan apabila dibaca seterusnya ayat tersebut iaitu "telah jelas kebenaran dari kesesatan..". Ini bererti Islam tidak mahu seseorang bukan Islam dipaksa memeluk Islam kerana kebenaran Islam jelas terserlah dan manusia bukan Islam dikehendaki memeluk agama Islam atas sebab yakin akan kebenarannya. Bukan atas sebab dipaksa. Berdasarkan ayat ini dan tafsirannya maka adalah haram untuk seseorang Muslim memaksa orang bukan Islam memeluk agama Islam. Namun demikian, adalah juga jelas bahawa prinsip keyakinan terhadap agama Islam tidak terhad hanya kepada orang bukan Islam yang ingin memeluk agama Islam. Prinsip umum ayat tersebut juga diguna-pakai untuk orang Islam yang juga semestinya yakin dengan kebenaran Islam. Prinsip inilah yang dimaksudkan Nurul Izzah sebagai yang mesti sama diguna-pakai untuk Melayu ataupun bukan Melayu. Penerimaan prinsip ini tidak bererti bahawa apa yang termaktub dalam perlembagaan dan halangan untuk murtad ingin dimansuhkan. Ia hanya penegasan bahawa agama Islam menuntut keyakinan bahawa ia adalah agama Allah, samada dari orang yang baru ingin memeluk Islam atau yang sedia Islam! Amatlah malang apabila orang yang menyeru supaya ummat Islam perlu yakin akan kebenaran Islam dianggap menyokong murtad. Sebenarnya persoalan murtad langsung tidak disentuh Nurul Izzah dan hanya merupakan tafsiran jahat yang dilakukan pencacai Umno. Saya hairan kalau masih ada yang ingin memperjuangkan 'hak' orang Melayu supaya tidak perlu yakin terhadap agama Islam. Bahawa agama adalah sesuatu yang diwarisi, seperti bangsa, dan oleh itu walaupun tidak yakin akan tetap Islam. Mungkin akan ada yang mengatakan tidak percaya pun tidak mengapa, asalkan Melayu tetap Islam. Persoalan keyakinan ini ditegaskan oleh Nurul Izzah dalam ucapan seterusnya iaitu, "tetapi saya berkata di sini bahawa apa yang anda inginkan, semestinya, adalah kualiti. Seseorang begitu yakin dengan pegangan agamanya hinggakan, seperti saya sendiri, yang disekolahkan di Assunta, dengan salib yang besar di dalam dewan, dan kumpulan nyanyian biarawati, persatuan Katolik yang aktif, tidak akan menjejas (keyakinan) anda." Kesimpulan Saya berkeyakinan bahawa sesiapa yang mempunyai hati yang bersih dari agenda jahat akan melihat ucapan Nurl Izzah sebagai sesuatu yang tiada apa-apa kesalahan. Beliau menjawab dalam masa terhad, ayat-ayatnya banyak tergantung dan oleh itu jawapan kepada soalan ketiga dieksploitasi oleh golongan yang berkepentingan. Namun Nurul Izzah telah menjelaskan maksud dan semangat disebalik ucapannya sebaik sahaja mendengar desas-desus putar-belit yang dilakukan pihak pemfitnah. Penjelasan beliau perlu diterima dengan baik sepertimana juga usaha beliau untuk menghilangkan ketakutan bukan Islam terhadap agama Islam. Khalid Samad adalah ahli parlimen Shah Alam and ahli majlis pusat PAS. Turut baca: |
| BHP sells diamond assets for US$500 million Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:31 PM PST
BHP had an 80% stake in the remote EKATI diamond mine, some 200km (120 miles) south of the Arctic Circle which produces more than three million carats of rough diamonds a year. The company said it was offloading the assets as part of its strategy to only invest in large, long-life, expandable projects. “We are very proud of EKATI’s track record and the substantial value it has created for the region and our shareholders,” said BHP Billiton Diamonds president Tim Cutt. “Harry Winston has long experience in the Canadian diamond industry and their commitment to study further development at EKATI could help extend the mine’s contribution to northern Canada for many years to come.” Mining analyst Jeff Largey told Dow Jones the price tag was at the bottom end of value estimates. “We never thought it was an asset worth billions of dollars. The price is probably at the lower end of our valuation range,” he said. BHP’s decision followed a review of the diamond business launched last year, with the Anglo-Australian miner deciding that there was limited ability to expand given the scarcity of large deposits worldwide. “Together with the recent sale of our interests in Richards Bay Minerals (mineral sands) and Yeelirrie (uranium), the sale reflects our ongoing pursuit of a simpler business,” BHP chief executive non-ferrous Andrew Mackenzie said. The company sees its future core assets being iron ore, coal, copper, petroleum and potash. Completion of the deal is expected in the first quarter of 2013 and follows BHP last December agreeing to sell its 51% interest in the Chidliak diamond exploration project, also in Canada, to Peregrine Diamonds. The company’s share price was fractionally higher at A$33.78 in afternoon trade. - AFP |
| Japan’s Sharp soars on hopes for Intel cash injection Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:30 PM PST
Sharp was up 7.23% at 163 yen in early trade on the Tokyo Stock Exchange after surging 10.5% briefly. The Asahi daily said Sharp and Intel were close to agreeing a 30-40 billion yen (US$377-US$503 million) injection. The Yomiuri said Intel, which has joined hands with Sharp to develop digital products equipped with its microprocessors, may purchase 30 billion yen of Sharp bonds that could be converted into shares. The two firms aim to reach an accord by the end of the month, the Yomiuri said, while adding the sum could be lower. An investment of 30 billion yen could give the US company a potential equity stake of more than 17%, based on Sharp’s market capitalisation of 168.8 billion yen at the close yesterday. The reports said Sharp was also looking for investment from other US companies including telecom group Qualcomm. Jiji Press news agency said Sharp would get a combined 24 billion yen from Intel and Qualcomm. An expected capital injection from Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision, which makes Apple gadgets in China, has stalled but Sharp will continue talks with the Taiwanese partner, the reports said. Sharp would not confirm the reports but they were “an obvious positive for Sharp,” said Toshiyuki Kanayama, market analyst at Monex. “Sharp may really be in talks with Intel and Qualcomm, or it may merely be posturing in order to secure better terms with Hon Hai for its pre-existing capital arrangement,” he told Dow Jones Newswires. “Of course, Sharp might be eyeing a shift away from Hon Hai altogether. It’s difficult to tell at this preliminary stage, but Sharp’s tactical situation looks better with more potential suitors.” Sharp has warned it will book a US$5.6 billion net loss for the year to March as it undergoes a painful restructuring to try to staunch the flow from its bleeding television business and the falling price of LCDs amid stiff competition from overseas rivals. The company’s credit rating has been downgraded to “junk” status, making the 200 billion yen it needs to raise next year a potentially expensive and difficult process. - AFP |
| Thai housemaids get days off, paid leave Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:29 PM PST
Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap signed the amendment to the ministerial regulation on Oct 30. Under the new regulation, domestic workers are entitled to at least one day off each week, plus 13 traditional paid holidays a year, six days paid annual leave after one year of employment, and three days of paid sick leave a year. The Bangkok Post reports the new rules also require employers to pay wages directly to maids who are younger than 18. Employers are prohibited from paying workers’ wages to third parties, including job brokers. Pakorn Amorncheewin, director-general of the Labour Protection and Welfare Department, warned that employers would be fined up to 20,000 baht if they failed to give their maids at least one day off each week or do not pay them during their entitled sick leave. The paper reports employers could face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of 100,000 baht if they failed to pay wages to their maids who worked on official holidays. However, a human rights advocate warned the new rules will not work without proper enforcement, voicing continued concerns about a lack of public information and protection for domestic workers’ rights. Surapong Kongchantuk, of the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s human rights subcommittee, said although the Labour Ministry has amended its regulations to improve the rights of domestic workers, the public — particularly employers and their maids — were left in the dark. He said no amendments were made to several key issues related to domestic workers’ rights, including their working hours and wages. Unlike other workers in the formal sector, household maids’ minimum daily wages have not been protected, he said. Surapong said domestic workers receive wages below the minimum rate set by the government. -Agencies |
| Ninetology targets 12% share of smartphone market Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:27 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: Ninetology Marketing Sdn Bhd (NMSB), a mobile device technology firm which is looking to float its shares on Bursa Malaysia by 2014, aims to capture 12% of the overall Malaysian smartphone market share by the end of next year. The RM2 paid-up capital mobile device technology company claimed to have sold 20,000 of its smartphones and 8,000 of tablets in Malaysia since its initiation in August 2012, which represents a 4% share of the lower end RM599-RM799 smartphone niche market. "I'm looking at a year-end market share of 8%, up from our current 4% share in the niche priced smartphone market," said CEO and managing director Sean Ng Chee Heng on Monday. The niche pricing NMSB adopts puts it in competition with some lower-end models from established international brands such as Samsung, Nokia, Sony and Chinese brands such as Huawei and ZTE. NMSB plans on spending RM2 million in Malaysia for its brand advertising and promotional budget next year to establish and grow the brand. The smartphones, which are sold exclusively bundled-in with DiGi.Com Bhd Smart Plan, bodes well for DiGi as it would translate well as additional revenue for the company. NMSB aims to sell by year-end 40,000 more of its three models aimed at starter smartphones users. "When we started this business, DiGi was the operator that took the initiative and believe in our business model and has the same philosophy with us, apart from providing the best value for money plan," Ng said. The company ventured into Indonesia in September, where 15,000 smartphones and 8,000 tablets have been sold, and it plans to expand into Vietnam and Cambodia, by end-2012 as well as Singapore and Thailand early next year. "Our products will still be manufactured in China and Taiwan but Malaysia will be the centralised supply chain to all Asean countries as it is strategically located centrally within this economic region," Ng said, responding to a question on whether the phones would be manufactured locally. Photo: (from left) Ninetology Asean brand manager Vijian Chan Wai Yew, Malaysian Nature Society executive director Shah Redza Hussein, Ng, Yayasan Maha Karuna director Tan Kim Ming and Ninetology Asean chief operating officer Marco Beh at the product launch in Kuala Lumpur. This content is provided by FMT content partner The Malaysian Reserve. |
| Bernanke’s monetary policy to continue Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:25 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: One of the outcome of President Barrack Obama's re-election last week is that US Federal Reserve (Fed) chairman Ben Bernanke's job is safe and along with him, the continuing loose monetary policy for the US. Hwang Investment Management Bhd (HwangIM) said the US' third quantitative easing (QE3) has resulted in more funds flowing into Asia and the Asean region as managers search for higher yields. Like Bernanke, the market can also take a breather, knowing that he will remain Fed chairman and that despite concerns that the sustaining power of QEs is getting shorter, his accommodative monetary policy will provide a much-needed lifeline for the US economy. HwangIM said strong US macro-economic data, such as the purchasing managers index, has yet to be priced in by the markets due to the election risks earlier, and the markets are still digesting the destruction caused by hurricane Sandy. Sandy's aftermath provides an opportunity for the US government to pump prime, rebuild the cities, tend to the welfare of those affected and reach a compromise on the "fiscal cliff" terms such as extension on tax breaks on certain sectors, raising the debt and milder budget cuts to make life less painful for everyone. On the Chinese economy, HwangIM said there has been too much concern with regard to China's slowdown. China, it said, cannot sustain its historical double-digit growth rate; however, the growth rate of 7.5% a year is reasonable and sustainable. The research house said the Chinese government has enough reserves in its coffers to ensure that the economy will not be too cool such that it would result in unemployment. It said Beijing will not risk the unemployment rate spiking and the government will do what it can to keep this rate in check as changes by even one percentage point will be too much to handle. Furthermore, the new leaders will implement policies to ensure they start their administration on the right footing. On investor's strategy, the research house said high quality dividend stocks and bonds in Asia will continue to do well as interest rates remain low in developed markets. The investment house said this will encourage assets inflow into Asia as the search for superior yield continues, hence, providing support to the asset price. It said that keeping to high quality names also positions an investor's portfolio to strategically participate in the upside while maintaining confidence that the asset quality will act as a guard against excessive risks. HwangIM said the uptick in US economic data and early signs of bottoming in China's slowdown are "giving us good opportunities" to deploy money into sectors that provide exposure to economic growth in China such as banking and insurance in the H-Share market. In addition, HwangIM believes the green energy sector play in China will be a potential beneficiary of the Chinese government's push towards a cleaner energy source for the country. This content is provided by FMT content partner The Malaysian Reserve. |
| Labuan ‘has potential’ to become O&G hub in the region Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:24 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: Labuan has the potential to become a major oil and gas (O&G) hub with its strategic location, being adjacent to international shipping lanes and its close proximity to deepwater O&G fields offshore Sabah. Industry players note that Labuan's proximity to Sipitang and Kimanis in Sabah, where close to RM8 billion in value of downstream facilities are being constructed, is seen as another one of its advantages. Industry officials also note that Labuan has two major facilities crucial to the O&G activities – the Labuan Shipyard & Engineering Sdn Bhd (LSE) and Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd (ASB). According to LSE chief executive officer Mohd Azman Nasir (photo), LSE is the largest fabrication and engineering yard on the island of Borneo whereas ASB is the largest logistics supply base in Malaysia. "Both facilities are matured facilities, having been operating on the island for more than 30 years," he said. "These two large facilities combined attract more than 300 O&G and marine companies from all over the world. These international and domestic businesses provide the full range of services within the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the O&G industry." However, Mohd Azman said Labuan is still a distance away from badging itself as an O&G hub compared to the Singapore-Johor-Batam triangle as it lacks supporting industries to the O&G and marine sectors. "Most specialised equipment are imported from Singapore, thereby affecting cost competitiveness of products constructed or services rendered in Labuan," he said. He said more marketing and promotion is needed to promote Labuan as an O&G hub while the authorities must encourage original equipment manufacturers and multi-national companies to invest in the island. "Since 2010, there has been a noticeable increase of new O&G players operating on the island, arising from the intensification of activities by Petroliam Nasional Bhd [Petronas] both in the shallow water and deepwater fields," said Mohd Azman. Kimanis is a Petronas Gas Bhd's RM1 billion regassification plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah, and is expected to be completed by 2015. It will have a capacity of 100 million standard cu ft per day of send out capacity. It is expected to supply the first 100MW of power to the grid by December 2013, with the remaining 200MW to be delivered by April 2014. The power plant will be the largest independent power producer in Sabah and is expected to play an important role in the development of the Sabah Oil & Gas Terminal as well as enhance the state's power generating capacity to meet growing demand for electricity in the state. Mohd Azman said all players, existing and future, upstream and downstream, will benefit from Labuan transforming into an O&G hub and oilfield services and equipment (OFSE) companies will stand to benefit the most. OFSE companies are using Labuan as a support base and onshore headquarters for their offshore activities, he said. Mohd Azman said the marine side on the other hand is utilising the island for procurement of services and materials in support of operations. |
| YT sambung pinjaman pelajar terlibat himpunan Bersih Posted: 13 Nov 2012 08:07 PM PST
Ketua Penolong Pengarah Tajaan Pelajar YT Mohd Razali Mahmud berkata Muhamad Hasyim Che Ngah, 21, telah membuat pengakuan dan rayuan mengenai penglibatan beliau dalam perhimpunan itu. “Jadi bagi menentukan nasibnya, kita bawa kesnya ke mesyuarat Lembaga Pemegang Amanah Yayasan Terengganu yang bersidang pada 8 Oktober lalu. “Lembaga itu dalam keputusannya bersetuju untuk menyambung semula pinjaman pelajar berkenaan setelah ditamatkan apabila dia didapati terlibat dalam himpunan berkenaan tahun lepas,” katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama di sini hari ini. Muhamad Hasyim, 21, pelajar tahun tiga jurusan perubatan Universiti Al-Azhar adalah antara sembilan pelajar anak Terengganu yang terlibat dengan perhimpunan itu sebelum masing-masing ditamatkan pinjamannya tahun lepas. Beliau adalah salah seorang daripada sembilan pelajar yang terlibat, telah menemui Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said pada 1 Ogos lepas dan membuat pengakuan serta merayu agar pinjamannya disambung semula. Mohd Razali berkata semasa pinjamannya diberhentikan pada Mac lalu, Muhamad Hasyim telah membelanjakan sebanyak RM170,000 daripada RM301,144 yang diluluskan YT sebelum itu. Katanya kini pelajar berkenaan meneruskan pengajian enam tahunnya di bidang perubatan di universiti berkenaan. Bernama |
| Menghidupkan agama dalam berpolitik Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:50 PM PST
Kembali kepada Islam bermaksud menerima dan menurut apa sahaja yang diperintah Allah dan meninggalkan segala larangannya. Secara definasi Islam bererti himpunan aturan yang dibuat Allah sesuai dengan struktur penciptaan manusia. Kembali kepada hanya menyembah Allah bermaksud menumpukan segala bentuk ketaatan, baik dalam sistem perundangan, politik, budaya dan cara hidup serta tunduk sepenuhnya kepada hukum hakam dan syariat Islam. Sayyed Murtadha Askari dalam artikelnya bertajuk “Menghidupkan Agama” dalam Jurnal Al Bayan terbitan Islamic Cultural Center, Jakarta mengupas mengenai siapa itu Rabb serta hubungkaitnya dengan agama dan politik yang tidak mungkin boleh dipisahkan. “Rabb” adalah istilah Islami yang terpenting yang harus difahami kerana kita sering mengucapkan ‘alhamdulillahi rabbil ‘alamin’ tetapi kebanyakan kita tidak memahami apa erti “Rabb”. Selagi makna “Rabb” belum jelas, maka kita tidak mampu mengenal Allah, nabi dan rasul. Kita juga tidak boleh membezakan di antara orang yang mengesakan Allah dan yang menyekutukanNya. “Rabb” adalah pemilik, pengatur dan pembina sesuatu. “Rabbul ‘alamin” bererti Allah yang merupakan pencipta dan pemelihara alam semesta, langit dan bumi. Al Quran berulang kali menjelaskan kisah Nabi Musa a.s. dan umatnya serta permusuhan baginda dengan Fir’aun. Setelah Fir’aun bertemu Nabi Musa dan melihat tanda-tanda kekuasaan Allah, dia mengumpulkan penduduk Mesir dan berkata kepada mereka, “Akulah Tuhanmu yang paling tinggi”, seperti tercatat dalam ayat 24 Surah An Nazi’at. Undang-undang Fir’aun Fir’aun juga berkata, “bukankah kerajaan Mesir dan sungai-sungainya milikku?” Oleh kerana itu, aku berhak menentukan undang-undang bagi kalian dan Allah merakamkan dakwaan Firaun ini dalam ayat 51 Surah Az-Zukhruf yang bermaksud: “Dan Fir’aun berseru kepada kaumnya seraya berkata, “wahai kaumku! Bukankah kerajaan Mesir itu milikku dan bukankah sungai-sungai ini mengalir di bawahku; apakah kamu tidak melihat?” Pertikaian seperti ini juga boleh disaksikan dalam kehidupan Nabi Ibrahim a.s. Baginda berseteru dengan Raja Namrud dalam masalah rububiyah Allah. Allah telah memberi Namrud kekuasaan yang besar tetapi kekuasaan ini membuatnya lupa diri dan mengingkari rububiyahNya. Nabi Ibrahim berkata kepada Namrud, “yang berhak menentukan aturan dan hidup manusia adalah yang menciptakan dan mematikan manusia. Dia (Allah) Tuhan semua manusia.” Namrud menjawab, “aku juga boleh menghidupkan dan mematikan. Nabi Ibrahim segera menjawab, “Tuhanku menerbitkan matahari dari arah timur. Jika kau memang Tuhan, terbitkan matahari dari arah barat. Lantas Namrud terkedu dengan jawapan itu. Kisah ini disebut dalam ayat 258 Surah Al Baqarah. Oleh kerana itu, para nabi berjuang agar manusia hidup di bawah rububiyah Allah serta hanya menerima perintah dan laranganNya. Jika kita terpaksa menerima keputusan seorang penguasa yang berlawanan dengan hukum Allah maka kita tidak menjadikan Allah sebagai Tuhan. Semua nabi dan para rasul membawa kalimah tauhid dan mengakui rububiyah Allah. Mereka mengatakan, “wahai manusia! Tuhan dan penguasa kalian adalah yang berkuasa atas langit dan bumi. Dia (Allah) pembuat undang-undang bagi semua makhluk. Dia yang mengatur kehidupan langit, bumi dan makhluk penghuni keduanya Dialah yang menentukan cara hidup kalian. Pemerintahan sekular Oleh itu, bagi mendepani tahun-tahun yang akan datang, kita mesti menolak pemerintahan sekular yang menjadi tunjang kepada kezaliman dan perhambaan manusia sesama manusia. Buatlah perubahan dengan memilih para pemimpin yang menjadikan para nabi dan rasul sebagai contoh tauladan serta yang berhasrat untuk melaksanakan sistem dan syariat Islam dalam kehidupan seharian. Menghidupkan agama dalam berpolitik harus dijadikan tema baru dalam melangkaui tahun baru hijrah 1434 ini dan sekaligus menolak penguasa dan pemimpin yang memisahkan agama dan politik. Apatah lagi para pemimpin yang secara terang-terangan mempersenda dan menghina Islam serta menolak peranan agama dalam kehidupan berpolitik. Mereka hendaklah dibuang jauh-jauh dan patut dihumban ke luar dari alam semesta ini. Agama dan politik memang tidak boleh dipisahkan. Justeru kita memerlukan kehidupan beragama dalam berpolitik dan inilah jalan kehidupan yang dibawa oleh para nabi dan rasul kepada seluruh umat manusia. Jauhilah syaitan dan bukannya menyokong syaitan yang dikenali kerana syaitan-syaitan yang dikenali adalah juga musuh kita yang nyata, sepertimana firman Allah dalam ayat 208, Surah Al Baqarah yang bermaksud: “Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Masuklah ke dalam Islam secara keseluruhan dan janganlah kamu ikuti langkah-langkah syaitan. Sesungguhnya ia (syaitan) adalah musuh kamu yang nyata.” Sedarilah bahawa kehidupan beragama dalam berpolitik adalah satu-satu jalan untuk menyelamatkan manusia dari lembah kehinaan agar menggantikannya dengan kehidupan yang sejahtera, makmur lagi diberkati Allah s.w.t. |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:47 PM PST
Nurul Izzah is right in saying that all Malaysians, including Malays, have the right of freedom of religion, that is freedom to choose their own religion. This is a basic fundamental right as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. The legal perspective. Article 11 of the Federal Constitution provides that every person has the right to profess and practice his own religion. Every person has the right to propagate his religion, but the law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among Muslims. Article 160 defines a Malay as inter alia a person who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, and adheres to Malay customs. Article 11 contains a proviso only against proselytising to Muslims but not a proviso against professing another religion. If a person who habitually speaks Malay and practices Malay customs but does not profess to be a Muslim is by definition not a "Malay" under the constitution. I agree with constitutional lawyer Malik Imtiaz when he said that Nurul's statement was consistent with the Federal Constitution. As Malik Imtiaz rightly opined, ”Malaysia is not an Islamic state, Malaysia is a secular state and the constitution is the supreme law of the land", in Malaysia the Federal Constitution prevails. Article 11 prevails. Article 160 merely defines who a "Malay" is. What the scriptures say Surah Al-Baqara 2:256 : "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things." Surah Al-Imran 3: 85 : "And whoever desires other than Islam as religion, never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. How shall God guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them?" I totally agree with Haris Ibrahim's scathing article against Nasharudin Mat Isa that even God allowed the freedom of religion under Surah Al-Imran 3: 85-90 albeit those who chose to leave Islam shall be condemned to Hell. Anisah Sukry's article is like a compendium on freedom of religion with legal, scholarly and scriptural references. She deftly argued that what Nurul Izzah said is nothing new and has basis both in the Quran and in the viewpoints of certain Islamic scholars. My favourite is the one by the former chief judge of Pakistan, SA Rahman who wrote "There is absolutely no mention in the Quran of mundane punishment for defection from the faith by a believer, except in the shape of deprivation of the spiritual benefits of Islam or of the civil status and advantages that accrue to an individual as a member of the well-knit fraternity of Muslims." "He should, however, be free to profess and propagate the faith of his choice, so long as he keeps within the bounds of law and morality, and to enjoy all other rights as a peaceful citizen of the State, in common with his Muslim co-citizens." SA Rahman also added that apostasy is an offence in the realm of the rights of God, rather than the rights of mankind, thus there would be no pressing necessity to punish a peaceful change of faith. DAP life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin said that the threat of apostasy was used frequently in the Middle Ages. Then,Christianity was a very strict religion. Wrongdoings were frequently said to be heresy and apostasy. One outstanding example was Joan of Arc. Her enemies used the church to discredit her despite her many exploits of heroism for France. She was burned at the stake for heresy. Mindsets must change The mindset of the our people must change. Nurul Izzah wants young Malaysians to be free and open minded so that they will be the scientists who can create a new society. She wants to encourage the people to be adventurous and enterprising so that Malaysia can play a dynamic role in the new century which is destined to be an Asian Century. Nurul Izzah is a courageous and conscientious leader. Malaysia needs such leaders in order to progress lest we stay in the Middle Ages' mentality. All the three Abrahamic faiths allowed for free will, lest we all become like robots. The choice is ours and we bear the consequences of our choices. Nurul Izzah has opened up a fundamental truth that religious freedom is for all. Nicole Tan Lee Koon is a lawyer and a party official in Negeri Sembilan DAP. Also read: Penjelasan Nurul perlu diterima dengan baik |
| Federer: Quicker courts for better tennis Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:25 PM PST
Not that long ago men’s tennis was dominated by big servers and natural volleyers such as Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg and even the baseliners like Andre Agassi and Jim Courier had naturally aggressive styles. Nowadays, baseline exchanges of 20 plus strokes are commonplace, shots that used to be clean winners are coming back and matches are stretching longer and longer. The year began with a near six-hour Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal while the US. Open final between Andy Murray and Djokovic was only slightly shorter. More recently the Shanghai Masters final between Murray and Djokovic went to three and a half hours and that was only a best of three set contest. Federer believes slower courts and balls, combined with improved fitness levels, may have tipped the balance too far in favour of those for whom no ball is unreachable. Speaking after his 7-6 7-5 loss in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals to Novak Djokovic in another epic, Federer said there was an easy fix to reward the risk-takers. “Just make quicker courts, then it’s hard to defend. Then attacking style is more important,” the 31-year-old Swiss, a free-hitting shot-maker whose defensive skills cannot be overlooked in his 17 grand slam titles, told reporters. “It’s only on this type of slow courts that you can defend the way we are all doing right now. “I think it’s exciting, but no doubt about it, it’s tough. What you don’t want is that you hit 15 great shots and at the end, it ends up in an error. “I think sometimes quicker courts do help the cause. I think it would help from time to time to move to something faster. That would help players learn different styles, to realise that coming to the net is a good thing, not a bad thing.” With the U.S. Open, Australian Open and so many of the Masters Series tournaments being played on medium-paced hardcourts, Federer said there was a danger of styles becoming homogenised, especially with Wimbledon’s grass now suiting baseliners. “I’ve played on all different speeds. But I think some variety would be nice, some really slow stuff and then some really fast stuff, instead of trying to make everything sort of the same,” Federer said in London. “You sort of protect the top guys really by doing that because you have the best possible chance to have them in the semis at this point. But should that be the goal? I’m not sure.” World number one Djokovic is the best in the business at getting back one more ball, often launching attacks from improbable positions. His fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic agrees that the modern player’s priority is to be able to retrieve rather than strike loads of winners. “You look at the game of tennis, in my opinion the point which improved or the level that increased in the last 10 years is not the offence, it’s the defence,” he said last week. “Even the tall guys like (Juan Martin) Del Potro, (Tomas)Berdych and (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga are defending incredibly well. “If you look at Sampras and Agassi, all these guys before, they used to be very aggressive, but couldn’t really defend.” -Reuters |
| UMW in push to sell more cars, expand lubricant business Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:20 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: Every one in two cars sold in Malaysia comes from UMW Holdings Bhd's 51%-owned subsidiary UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd or 38%-owned associate Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua). The Permodalan Nasional Bhd-controlled group's automotive business, which has achieved commendable results thus far this year, is gearing for a better performance. UMW president and group CEO Syed Hisham Syed Wazir believes Toyota and Perodua may exceed their 93,000 and 188,000 sales targets, respectively, for the year with the growth of the auto parts business. Perodua, which has a 31% market share of the Malaysian market, aims to sell 10,000 to 11,000 cars abroad in markets such as Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal, Fiji and the UK this year. It is scouting other emerging markets to achieve a target sales of 20,000 cars overseas by 2015. Perodua now also exports 1,000 units to venture partner, Daihatsu Motor Co (DMC), that are rebadged and sold in Indonesia, he said. "The sale of cars to DMC shows the quality of Perodua cars has reached international levels as have our auto parts such as shock absorbers made by companies like KYBUMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd and hydraulic power steering pumps and systems by KYB-UMW Steering Malaysia Sdn Bhd that are sold in the region and Europe," he said. The success of its auto components business is, in a way, helping Malaysia become a hub for aftermarket components in the region, he added. UMW's auto parts joint ventures in India sell their makes to companies like Hyundai, Ford and Tata. The regional expansion now offers UMW an extensive supply chain network that allows UMW and its venture partners to source and sell products, said Syed Hisham. On the heavy equipment front, Syed Hisham expects UMW's heavy equipment supply business to grow in Malaysia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea on the back of demand from buyers in the plantations, mining and civil construction sector. "The growth of the jade mining industry in Myanmar has increased demand for our heavy equipment. We are building relationships with large miners there with sales supported with the establishment of service centres for maintenance works and spare parts," he said. The rollout of infrastructure and construction projects under the Economic Transformation Programme continues to support sales in Malaysia, he explained. New hub for resources With Myanmar set to become a new hub for resources such as jade, oil, gas, timber and precious metals, Syed Hisham expects the company’s heavy equipment business there and in Malaysia to perform well in the near future barring unforseen circumstances. Another key area is the lubricant business. UMW, which has about 10%-12% market share of the lubricant business in Malaysia, is now seeking to expand its lubricant business in the region, India and China. "We want to sell lubricants to the non-automotive market such as the industrial market and marine sector," he said. The group blends its own brand for Toyota, and distributes the Pennzoil and Repsol brands in Malaysia. The group has been offered exclusive rights to distribute Repsol lubricants across Asean (minus Indonesia), India and China. "Our blending plant capacity in China is being filled up and I think the facility should be profitable in about 18 months. We are now studying the lubricant market for India on how best to approach it," he said. The group's China plant, costing some US$20 million (RM61.4 million) to set up, also blends lubricants for clients like Petroliam Nasional Bhd and Shell, he added. In the highly competitive lubricant business abroad, UMW will target the premium product market abroad with brands like Repsol, he added. While expansion may require investment, UMW will seek to keep its dividend payout rate at a healthy level. "We intend to keep the payout level as best as possible. The payout rate has been at the 70% level in the past two years," he said. “The group may venture into a new business area next year," he added, declining to reveal further details. This content is provided by FMT content partner The Malaysian Reserve. |
| Milestone man Gerrard set for more records Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:18 PM PST
The 32-year-old midfielder has had to cope with a few more injuries in recent times but is confident he can keep making a telling contribution for his country. “My journey has been full of ups and downs and I feel there are a few chapters to write. I don’t feel my England career is coming to an end,” Gerrard told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m slightly nervous, very excited and can’t wait for the game to start. I try to be the driving force, get assists and goals and lead by example.” There were doubts over Gerrard’s fitness when he received a knock in Sunday’s Premier League game at Chelsea but a scan gave the Liverpool skipper the all-clear. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125), David Beckham (115), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105) have also reached a century of England appearances, with Beckham the most-capped outfield player. “David’s a hero of mine and it is not important if I beat his record, it is just about qualifying for the next major tournament,” Gerrard said of his former team mate who has not played for his country since 2009. Roy Hodgson explained that Gerrard’s captaincy had been a highlight since he took over as manager in May. “I’ve been exceptionally pleased with his leadership qualities, giving younger lads a wise, calming, comforting word,” said Hodgson who also briefly worked with Gerrard at Liverpool in 2010-11. Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the midfielder is no ordinary performer. “He feels more like an international player rather than a normal English player,” said Ibrahimovic. “English players have big hearts, they are always fighting and are very aggressive but for me Gerrard feels more international. He has more skills than the normal player. “He must be a very good person to have as a team mate. He always gives 200 percent,” added Ibrahimovic. -Reuters |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:17 PM PST
World chocolate supplies are set to run out One of the world's most expensive foods is made from saliva Your food can legally contain bugs and hairs Fruit and vegetables have become less nutritious 'Pre-washed' salads may be contaminated with bacteria Chewing coffee beans can freshen your breath Chocolate is as healthy as fruit LINKS [This content is provided by FMT content partner realbuzz.com] |
| Budget deficit rises to US$120 billion in October Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:12 PM PST
The Treasury said yesteray the October deficit was US$120 billion, larger than economist forecasts for a US$114 billion gap and up from US$98 billion in October of 2011. Growth in expenditures outpaced rising receipts, deepening the deficit. Outlays grew to US$304 billion from around US$262 billion in the same month last year while receipts rose to US$184 billion from US$163 billion. Following President Barack Obama’s election to a second term last week, the debate in Washington has quickly shifted to the combination of expiring tax breaks and new spending reductions known as the “fiscal cliff.” Lawmakers involved in the debate gathered in Washington yesterday for the first time since the elections, setting the stage for a week of trial balloons and rhetorical repositioning. The Congress has just returned from a break after the November 6 elections. Topping the agenda is the year-end convergence of urgent tax and spending issues that, if mishandled, could plunge the economy into another recession. The United States had reported a budget surplus for September, the final month of the 2012 fiscal year, but the tiny bump in revenues did not prevent the country’s deficit from exceeding US$1 trillion for the fourth year in a row. The 2012 budget gap was US$1.089 trillion, smaller than last year’s deficit of US$1.297 trillion largely because of higher corporate income tax receipts and less spending. - Reuters |
| Kontroversi Halloween Nabila Huda Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:11 PM PST
Begitulah keluhan dan jawapan dari pelakon ini bila di ajukan pelbagai soalan berkenaan kontroversi terbarunya di party Halloween. Pelakon yang sering menimbulkan kontroversi sama ada dari segi penampilan diri ataupun kehidupan sosial, Nabila Huda atau lebih mesra dipanggil Abil mengaku isu kontroversi atau gosip merupakan lumrah dalam kehidupan seorang artis. Meskipun begitu, pelakon ini mengambil segala isu tersebut secara positif dan tidak menjadikannya sebagai penghalang untuk dia terus berjaya dalam bidang lakonan. "Manusia tidak sempurna dan dalam setiap kehidupan mesti ada keseimbangan. Maksud saya, pasti ada perkara yang kita tidak boleh elakkan daripada berlaku." "Saya mengambil perkara-perkara negatif yang berlaku sebelum ini sebagai satu pengajaran dan pengalaman. Kita tidak boleh meneroka sesetengah perkara tetapi kehidupan peribadi saya adalah hak saya!" Pelakon ini turut memberi respon berkaitan isu yang mendakwa dia menghadiri parti Halloween pada hujung bulan lalu dan menafikan segala gosip tersebut. "Setiap orang ada buat salah, itu antara saya dan Tuhan. Apabila orang suka membuat cerita, maka timbul kisah-kisah sebegini. "Majlis hari jadi itu diadakan pada 28 Oktober dan sambutan Halloween adalah pada 31 Oktober. Kenapa saya perlu menyambut Halloween? "Sedangkan pada tarikh 31 Oktober itu saya ada penggambaran. Pada majlis itu juga saya yang memilih untuk memakai pakaian puntianak, adakah perbuatan itu salah?" ujar Abil penuh kesal. [This content is provided by FMT content partner galaxtar.com, hiburan informasi terkini dan sensasi] |
| Iran unveils new missile systems on second day of drills Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:10 PM PST
Played out against a backdrop of high tension between Iran and the West over Tehran’s nuclear program, the “Velayat 4″ man oeuvres across a vast swathe of the eastern half of the country have focused on air defenses. Israel has threatened to strike Iran’s nuclear sites if diplomacy and Western sanctions fail to stop the country’s atomic program, which the United States and its allies believe is aimed at developing an atomic bomb, a charge Tehran denies. The three domestically-built missile and artillery systems would be a significant boost to Iran’s military defenses, said Farzad Esmaili, head of Iran’s air defense headquarters. “The low-altitude missile system ‘Ya Zahra 3′ is completely indigenous and Iranian and has been designed and produced to suit internal needs,” Esmaili was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). He said the second missile system named ‘Qader’ was highly mobile and could be deployed in less than 30 minutes, while a new artillery system named ‘Safat’ could escape detection by enemy surveillance. “Today and tomorrow, the most significant firing of missiles in the … exercises will take place,” Esmaili said, according to state television. Western experts say Iran often exaggerates its weapons capabilities, although there are concerns about its longer-range missiles. The military drills come less than a week after the US Pentagon said Iranian planes opened fire on an unarmed US drone over international waters on Nov 1. Iran said it had repelled “an enemy’s unmanned aircraft” violating its airspace. Missile tests Iranian officials have threatened to strike US military bases in the region and target Israel if its nuclear sites are attacked. In August, it said it test-fired a short-range missile called the Fateh-110, which it said was capable of striking land and sea targets at a range of around 300 km. In July, Iran said it had successfully test-fired medium-range missiles capable of hitting Israel, and tested dozens of missiles aimed at simulated air bases. Michael Elleman, a missile expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think-tank, said he could not assess Iran’s latest claims, but said in the past the Iranian military has modified and upgraded weapons procured from abroad and said they were Iranian-made. “Iran has a history of unsubstantiated boasts about its weapons and indigenous capabilities,” Elleman wrote in an e-mail to Reuters on Tuesday. “Iran, while increasingly capable in the field of engineering and program management, is years away from creating new air defense systems on its own.” The missiles that receive the most attention in the West are those with longer ranges, including the Shahab-3, with a reach of 1,300 km, as they may be capable of carrying a nuclear payload, if Iran was able to make a small enough bomb. Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons. The IISS said in a report this year there was mounting evidence that the tightening of sanctions on Iran “has stymied efforts to develop and produce the long-range ballistic missiles capable of striking potential targets in western Europe and beyond.” - Reuters |
| Anti-austerity strikes sweep southern Europe Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:07 PM PST
Unions in Greece and Italy also planned work stoppages and demonstrations on a “European Day of Action and Solidarity” against austerity policies, which labor leaders blame for prolonging and worsening the continent’s economic crisis. The international coordination shows “we are looking at a historic moment in the European Union movement,” said Fernando Toxo, head of Spain’s biggest union, Comisiones Obreras. Spain, where one in four workers is unemployed, is now teetering on the brink of calling for a European bailout, with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy trying to put off a rescue that could require even more EU-mandated budget cuts. Passion has been further inflamed since last week when a Spanish woman jumped from her apartment to her death as bailiffs tried to evict her when her bank foreclosed on a loan. Spaniards are furious at banks being rescued with public cash while ordinary people suffer. “We’re going to protest because they’re ignoring people’s rights. People are being evicted and they’re raising our taxes,” said Sandra Gonzalez, 19, a social work student at Madrid’s Complutense University who plans to march with friends. In Portugal, which accepted an EU bailout last year, the streets have been quieter so far but public and political opposition to austerity is mounting, threatening to derail new measures sought by Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. His policies were held up this week as a model by Germany’s Angela Merkel, a hate figure in crisis-hit southern European countries. “The first ever Iberian strike” would be “a great signal of discontent and also a warning to European authorities,” said Armenio Carlos, head of Portugal’s CGTP union which is organizing the action there. Some 5 million people, or 22 percent of the workforce, are union members in Spain. In Portugal about one fourth of the 5.5 million strong workforce is unionized. Unions have planned rallies and marches in cities throughout both countries, with a major demonstration beginning at 6:30 p.m. (1730 GMT) in Madrid. Just 20 percent of Spain’s long-distance trains and a third of its commuter trains are expected to run. Lisbon’s Metro will be shut completely and only 10 percent of all trains will run under court-ordered minimum service. More than 600 flights were cancelled in Spain, mainly by Iberia and budget carrier Vueling. Portugal flag carrier TAP cancelled roughly 45 percent of flights. Hospitals in Spain will fully staff emergency and surgery rooms but non-essential care will be scaled back. Italy’s biggest union, CGIL, called for a work stoppage for several hours across the country. The transportation ministry expects trains and ferries to halt for four hours. Students and teachers are expected to march. In Greece, which saw a big two-day strike last week while parliament voted on new cuts, the main public and private sector labor unions called for a three-hour work stoppage and an anti-austerity rally in solidarity with the Spaniards and Portuguese. Athens police expect 10,000 demonstrators, small by the standard of protests there. Economies shrinking This will be the first time Spanish unions have held two general strikes in one year. Spain’s last general strike, in March, brought factories and ports to a standstill and ignited flashes of street violence. Protests against cuts and economic reforms have since gained even more steam. A violent march in Madrid in September – coupled with riots in Greece – sparked a September 26 sell-off in the euro and European and U.S. stock markets. Spain’s economy, the euro zone’s fourth biggest, will shrink by some 1.5 percent this year, four years after the crash of a decade-long building boom left airports, highways and high-rise buildings disused across the country. Portugal’s economy is expected to contract by 3 percent. Every week seems to bring fresh job cuts. Spain’s flagship airline Iberia, owned by UK-based International Airlines Group, said last week it will cut 4,500 jobs. The prestigious El Pais newspaper just laid off almost a quarter of its staff. Portugal has long avoided the street unrest seen in Spain and Greece, but that appears to be changing as the government continues to seek new measures to shrink a budget deficit. A strike organized by CGTP in March had little impact, but in September hundreds of thousands of Portuguese rallied against a government plan to raise workers’ social security contributions. “This austerity is a never-ending story. We see no light at the end of the end of the tunnel, just more pain and difficulties. We have to protest, do something to stop it,” said Lisbon pensioner Jose Marques, who plans to march today. - Reuters |
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