FMT News |  |
- Lynas must remove residue from M’sia
- ‘Black knight’ Musa vs ‘White knight’ Ramli
- KL shares end higher on positive sentiment
- Close to 45,000 children don’t go to school
- Human rights record still abysmal
- ‘Fixed deposit remark insulting Indians’
- ‘A move to make state documents transparent’
- Kes Nizar saman Utusan didengar 10 April depan
- FIFA launch goal-line revolution in Japan
- Hindraf urges Suhakam inquiry on estate workers
- Musa reveals more, implicates businessman
- Noh dakwa kerajaan Selangor tidak beri kerjasama
- ‘I want my father’s grave back’
- Kempen berbasikal Jerit kenal pasti tujuh isu di NS
- Benitez brushes off Chelsea pressure in Japan
- Vanity thy name is Korean
- Jakarta ranks first in property prospects for Asia Pacific
- Umno smiles as PAS grapples with issues
- South Africa’s economy still in white hands
- Royal phone scandal highlights new media risks
- ‘Stateless’ Indians sue govt
- Tengku Azlan tidak keluar Umno tapi sertai Amanah
- Malaysia’s October factory output growth seen slowing
- Probe govt’s ‘skeletons’, says Suaram
- Share prices end on positive sentiments at midday
- Musa: Good, honest men victimised
- Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno
- New plan has private GPs fearing the worst
- Notre Dame Cathedral brushes up for 850th birthday
- Jabatan Agama Johor terus pantau LGBT
- Petronas sees LNG exports from Canadian facility by 2018
- PAS ingatkan orang bukan Islam jangan bimbang
- Bond beats Lincoln at box office
- Pakistani immigrants have Sabah benefactors?
- Psy, Samsung push ‘brand Korea’ in 2012
- Cook praises team after third Test win
- Tony’s brand of entertainment heals
- Rolling Stones rock Brooklyn
- French film ‘Amour’ named best film
- Jenni Rivera dies in plane crash
- The best fitness classes ever
- Top 7 Christmas beauty tips
- Man hurls paint cans at Black Madonna
- Asian markets up after positive US, China data
- Knee replacement linked to weight gain
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- Alter-ego demolished by challenge
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| Lynas must remove residue from M’sia Posted: 10 Dec 2012 05:40 AM PST
The TOL was granted to the company with this specific condition, said four ministers directly responsible for the portfolio related to the Lynas project in a joint ministerial statement here today. They were International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Douglas Unggah Embas and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai. The Cabinet had also endorsed this condition, they said. The statement was issued in response to recent inaccurate media reports regarding the removal of the residue generated by LAMP. “The obligation imposed on Lynas in this matter is very clear. The government will not compromise the health and safety of the rakyat and the environment in dealing with the issue of Lynas.” They also reiterated that if Lynas failed to comply with the condition, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) had the power under section 22 of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) to suspend or revoke the TOL and order Lynas to immediately cease operation. “As ministers responsible for portfolios directly associated with the Lynas project, we reiterate that public health and safety continue to be our utmost priority.” - Bernama      |
| ‘Black knight’ Musa vs ‘White knight’ Ramli Posted: 10 Dec 2012 04:26 AM PST
"I think this Ramli, he has strong influence with IGP [Ismail Omar] and the police,” he told a press conference here. “From the outside, it seems like he's the white knight, saviour of PDRM [Royal Malaysian Police]… while I'm the black knight who is destroying PDRM… the picture has been painted as such," he said when asked about Ramli’s unending crusade against him. Musa, the patron of the new anti-crime NGO MyWatch, said that he suspects that Ramli has the backing of certain powerful figures that he did not name. “I just want to know who is behind him… who has given him this platform to attack me,” he said. Musa maintained that he had no links with underworld figures, a claim that Ramli, retired Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) director, has repeated, and instead asked the latter himself to answer to the public. "He should answer to the public… how he owns so much riches and wealth when he was still in service. Even I don’t have so much…” Musa said despite the courts clearing Ramli of failing to declare some RM27 million worth of assets, for him, it was still an unresolved question. How could a police officer only holding the post of CCID director amass such money? he asked. Asked if he was implying Ramli was linked to “undesirable individuals”, Musa said: "It is hard for me to answer. Because those who have wealth of that nature will have some links somewhere.” He also denied former KL CID chief Mat Zain’s claim that he (Musa) had fabricated evidence, relating to three reports on the injuries Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim received while in police custody in 1998. Mat Zain had said: “I state, yet again, that I am willing to declare under oath in any judicial proceeding or before any judge that there was indeed an agreement between [Attorney-General Abdul] Gani [Pattail] and Musa to use Dr Abdul Rahman [Yusof] to fabricate the three so-called special reports on the injuries Anwar received while in police custody in 1998.” Musa said he has no knowledge about any such reports, declaring that he has no power to order any doctor to do anything. “He [Mat Zain] is the one who investigated the case. He should have the reports,” he said. He said Mat Zain, along with Ramli, was trying to discredit him. “They are plainly trying to stop me from speaking out. These people are back in operation. They have to say something. They know I can’t stand this kind of things, so this is a preemptive strike by them,” Musa said. "Let me ask them now: who are the real kingpins? Why have there been no actions [taken]?” Defamation suit Musa also denied rumours that he is coming out now because his request to be made the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei was turned down, saying that he had in fact rejected the offer. “I was [in fact] offered the post [but] I refused. I am a policeman," he said. Meanwhile, MyWatch chairman R Sri Sanjeevan said that his NGO was giving former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission adviser Robert Phang three days to apologise and retract comments he made about the organisation. “He has mentioned in his statement that MyWatch is bankrolled by underworld syndicates. I will give him a grace period of three days to apologise for his statement, or we will initiate a defmation suit against him.” "He has no clue about MyWatch. If he is defaming us, he is indirectly defaming Musa,” said Sri Sanjeevan. Meanwhile, MyWatch adviser S Gobi Krishnan denied that the NGO was politically linked. “MyWatch is an NGO… neutral. I can be a party member, but MyWatch doesn’t take instructions from anyone, or report to anyone.” Ex-IGP's influence was bad news for Umno    |
| KL shares end higher on positive sentiment Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:24 AM PST
The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 14.38 points to close at the day’s highest point of 1,632.15, lifted by gains in banking and plantation stocks. The index had moved between 1,617.97 and 1,632.15 today after opening 0.48 of a point higher at 1,618.25. For plantation stocks, United Plantations ended trading 70 sen or 2.86% higher today at RM25.20, while Kuala Lumpur Kepong improved 12 sen to RM20.86. For banking stocks, Hong Leong Financial was among the active counters today, rising 16 sen to close at RM12.92, while Public Bank increased 14 sen to RM15.78. Mercury Securities Sdn Bhd’s head of research, Edmund Tham, said the FBM KLCI was today affected by the better performance of global stock markets and the near-to-year-end trading pattern. “The sentiment in the US is improving. Also, there is only two weeks before the next year and investors are looking to be involved more in the market,” he told Bernama. Gainers led losers by 325 to 295, while 335 counters were unchanged, 684 untraded and 18 others suspended. Volume dipped to 812.07 million shares worth RM1.37 billion from the 971.095 million shares worth RM1.221 billion on Friday. The Finance Index climbed 59.99 points to 15,100.18, the Industrial Index improved 14.65 points to 2,701.45, and the Plantation Index increased 51.35 points to 7,889.64. The FBM Ace Index gained 8.82 points to 4,175.06, the FBM Mid 70 Index jumped 57.35 points to 12,065.68, and the FBM Emas Index surged 86.05 points to 11,091.95, with the FBMT100 chalking up 88.05 points to 10,947.19. Among actives, Tiger Synergy eased one sen to 37.5 sen and Takaso Resources slipped 3.5 sen to 29.5 sen, while DSC Solutions added 2.5 sen, with Hiap Huat earning half-a-sen to 17 sen. Of the heavyweights, Maybank was flat at RM9.06, CIMB and Sime Darby rose half-a-sen each to RM7.60 and RM9.05 respectively, and Axiata added 21 sen to RM6.19. Volume on the Main Market weakened to 641.9 million units valued at RM1.34 billion from the 721.744 million units valued at RM1.187 billion on last Friday. Turnover on the ACE Market declined 136.67 million shares worth RM22.12 million from 214.302 million shares worth RM32.253 million previously. Warrants eased to 28.08 million units worth RM1.6 million from 32.631 million units valued at RM1.52 million. Consumer products accounted for 64.96 million shares on the Main Market, industrial products 220.26 million, construction 22.61 million, trade and services 187.83 million, technology 31.78 million, infrastructure 18.59 million, finance 34.38 million, hotels 385,200, properties 37.76 million, plantations 15.07 million, mining 30,500, REITs 8.2 million and closed/fund 26,000. - Bernama    |
| Close to 45,000 children don’t go to school Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:23 AM PST
The report, published after a two-year research on the status of children in the country, also stated that birth registration remains among the major problems, especially for the “marginalised” groups like the urban and rural poor. The research found that these children were denied access to education because of non-recognition of their citizenship. This could possibly be due to discrimination in birth registrations, which the group said is a breach of the Child Rights Convention that Malaysia ratified in 1995. The government had promised in 2009 that children without birth certificates will be allowed to register in national schools as part of its promise to observe the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), but the coalition said the implementation remains weak. Article 7 of the CRC states that any child born in any country should be registered immediately after birth and should be accorded the right to acquire a nationality. The coalition now wants the government to provide free birth registration system “at all stages” nationwide. “Also, all children, regardless of legal status must be able to get to access birth registration,” it said, adding that the government must ensure children without birth certificates get education, healthcare and child protection services. The coalition also wants the government to lift the remaining reservations in ratifying the CRC. According to the report, the Malaysian government does not recognise three articles of the conventions: non-discrimination, birth registrations and the right to nationality and compulsory education for all. The group also urged the private sector and society as a whole to ensure child rights are observed while calling on the government to comply fully with the CRC.    |
| Human rights record still abysmal Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:22 AM PST
“We regret to say that the Malaysian government has not improved (its rating on human rights). It has failed yet again,” said Suaram’s director, Kua Kia Soong. Kua was speaking at a press conference after the launch of the overview of Malaysia Civil and Political Rights Report at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall this morning He said that this was because detention without trial and abuse of police powers still persists, as evidenced by numerous deaths in custody and fatal police shootings. Kua said that in 2011, there were 30 deaths in custody and fatal police shootings compared to 37 in 2012. “While there have been no arrests made under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, it still allows for detention without trial,” said Kua. Suaram’s documentation coordinator Wong Kar Fai ventured as as far as to describe Malaysia as a police state. He said the only positive development from the government are its plans to abolish the death penalty for drug related offences and to do away with Section 294 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Two months ago, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Aziz suggested replacing death sentences for drug offences with jail terms since many arrested ware merely mules. Stateless Indians
Suaram, nevertheless, noted that the level of human rights awareness among the Malaysian public, is gaining in momentum. “This is on a scale never seen before and is a positive indication of the people’s growing awareness of their human rights,” said Kua in reference to two rallies that took place in 2012. They are the Himpunan Hijau rally which took place on Nov 25 and the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28. Both rallies saw thousands coming out in support of their respective causes. The question of stateless Indians was also raised during a question and answer session. The issue has been hogging the limelight recently following PKR’s claim that there are approximately 300,000 stateless Indians. The figure was, however, disputed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak at the 66th MIC AGM yesterday where he claimed that there were only around 9,000 stateless Indians. Suaram chairperson, K Arumugam, said that while the figures is being contested, he was certain that number was more than 9,000 but less than 300,000. Kua chipped in to say: “There is no political will to resolve statelessness. It is not going to be solved unless there is a by-election or a general election. “It was only in the run-up to the elections that Indians are given instant documentation to enable them to cast their votes,” said Kua citing the Galas by-election where stateless Chinese were given documentation. Two groups won the 2012 Suaram Human Rights Award at the launch. They are Himpunan Hijau and the Murum and Baram communities. The Murum and Baram communities were honoured for their opposition to dam constructions in Sarawak while Himpunan Hijau for championing environmental issues.    |
| ‘Fixed deposit remark insulting Indians’ Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:18 AM PST
Some Indian community leaders said that this was a most disrespectful term. Najib said Indians were BN’s fixed deposit during the MIC’s 66th annual general meeting yesterday. “In the 11th general election [2004], the BN had its fixed deposit in the Indian voters but in the 12th general election, the Indian fixed deposit moved from the BN bank to the opposition bank. "Maybe our interest rates were not good in 2008 for the Indian fixed deposit votes, but over the last three years, I have raised the interest rates and they are making a comeback to the BN bank. The confidence on the BN government is back,” Najib said. Bersih 2.0 co-chairman S Ambiga said she was stunned to hear the term, fixed deposit, in reference to the Indian community. “I was stunned. As an Indian, it is demeaning to be a fixed deposit because it gives the impression that you don’t think. It is unacceptable,” she said. Ambiga, who was a former Bar Council chairman, added that the politicians should be more sensible in their language. “Sometimes they don’t realise that it is insulting,” she said. Mark of desperation Tamil Foundation adviser K Arumugam sees Najib’s remark as a mark of desperation on Najib’s part and the dividends were given out to bait for votes. “If the poorest of the three ethnic groups is the fixed deposit for Najib, it is condescending, mocking and ridiculing and shows his desperation. The poor is getting poorer, and the Indians are worst affected because of discrimination and racism. “Najib’s handouts as dividends are at best, pittance for fishing votes. Things like inflation, low wages, cost of education and housing are making Indians live in increasing debt,” he said. Another civil society leader, A Jayanath, who is Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) core group member, said that Najib had made a false assumption to regard Indian votes as BN’s fixed deposit. “It is a false assumption. It is time we moved away from race-based politics and focus on ideology- based politics. “The real issues are related to class, equity, marginalisation and poverty that affects all groups,” said Jayanath. Also read:
‘Do not belittle intelligence of Indians’    |
| ‘A move to make state documents transparent’ Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:12 AM PST
This proposal came about after a meeting between the Klang local council (MPK) and two NGOs – human rights center Komas and Dignity International which is based in Netherlands. The proposal is line with the Selangor Freedom of Information Enactment 2010, which allows public access to state documents, in a move to curb corruption and increase better governance. "Information is power and with the various layers of government and the paperwork, the people have the right to know what are the projects that the government is undertaking," said Tsu Choong, a participant at the three-hour meeting. Klang councillor V Raju supported the proposal, saying that Right to Information offices are a must to achieve transparency in governance. "I believe that every taxpayer should have the right to know every process and decision-making made by the government," he said. He said without such offices, the issue of Human Rights could not be pursued properly. India is a good example of how the Right to Information Act has worked, in that the number of cases of corruption has dropped and there are more stringent levels of enforcement from the authorities. Klang MP Charles Santiago, cited India specifically when stating that such a proposal could only bring tremendous benefit to both the country and the public. "To deepen democracy, these offices are the link, be it at the state or national levels, between a transparent government and the curious public," he said. He also mentioned that all parties should push to be sincere in making this proposal a success as it gives a chance to the public to govern their own country.    |
| Kes Nizar saman Utusan didengar 10 April depan Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:35 AM PST
Hakim Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof menetapkan tarikh itu di dalam kamarnya apabila kes itu disebut dengan kehadiran peguam Mohd Fitri Asmuni dan Zamri Ibrahim, yang mewakili Mohammad Nizar, dan Nor Atasha Sakinah Jubaidi Yean, bagi pihak Utusan. Mohammad Nizar memfailkan saman itu pada 10 Julai lepas berkaitan komen beliau mengenai nombor pendaftaran kenderaan WWW 1 yang dibida dengan harga Dalam pernyataan tuntutannya, Mohammad Nizar berkata pada 28 Mei lepas beliau membuat kenyataan mengenai nombor pendaftaran kenderaan itu menerusi akaun Twitternya dan mendakwa pada 31 Mei, Utusan Melayu menerbitkan satu artikel di halaman 11 akhbar Utusan Malaysia mengenai perkara itu. Mohammad Nizar, iaitu Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri kawasan Pasir Panjang, berkata kenyataan berbaur fitnah itu antara lain bermaksud beliau adalah seorang penderhaka terhadap Raja-raja Melayu, terutamanya Sultan Johor, seorang ahli politik yang anti-sultan dan cuba menghasut rakyat supaya membenci Sultan Johor. -Bernama    |
| FIFA launch goal-line revolution in Japan Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:22 AM PST
The technology will be employed in Thursday’s Club World Cup curtain raiser between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Auckland City as soccer’s governing body finally answers calls for it to join the 21st century. Hawk-eye, widely used in cricket and tennis, and GoalRef, which uses a microchip in the ball and low magnetic waves around the goal, will be used at venues in Toyota and Yokohama. “The important thing is for the technologies to perform as well as possible and there are no mistakes,” Hawk-Eye’s managing director Steve Carter told Reuters. “Obviously the worst scenario you can have is if the technology isn’t that accurate is the TV broadcast cameras proving that the answer’s wrong.” With European champions Chelsea, whose players have been at the centre of several goal-line controversies in recent years, competing in Japan, the science is set for even closer scrutiny. “Hawk-Eye has seven cameras per goalmouth,” said Carter. “You’re talking millimetre level and that’s absolutely essential for football.” Carter referred to John Terry’s goal-line clearance in England’s 1-0 win over Ukraine at Euro 2012 as an example of the precision required to get decisions right. “If you look at the John Terry incident, we measured it using the TV footage, the ball was actually 25 millimetres over the line,” he said. “That is well within the accuracy of our system – two, three, four millimetres of accuracy in that scenario. Football needs that level.” FIFA had resisted pressure for technology, successfully used in other sports including cricket, tennis, rugby and American Football, for years. But Lampard’s goal for England against Germany in South Africa, not seen by either the referee or linesman, prompted FIFA to finally turn to science. “What happened at the World Cup in 2010 cannot happen again,” FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke told reporters. “The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. The ball was not two centimetres in the goal – it was clearly in. “Millions of people see that and wonder how the referee didn’t see it. That’s the decision we made after the 2010 World Cup.” Expensive business Hawk-Eye and GoalRef are front-runners for next year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil, although FIFA have kept the door open for other competing companies. “It is expensive but over time technology gets cheaper,” said Valcke, adding that FIFA had invested $2 million to date on development and installation at stadiums in Japan. “The more market competition there is the cheaper it will get. It has to be available for all but at the same time it has to be accurate. We can’t afford mistakes.” After analysing data taken from the Club World Cup, FIFA will choose which system to implement for the six Confederations Cup venues by the end of March. Those chosen will remain in place for the 2014 World Cup, although the six other venues could potentially end up with a different system. “Obviously the Confederations Cup is going to be a competitive tender process,” said Carter. Both the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems inform referees the ball has crossed the goal-line in a split second via a vibrating wrist-watch flashing the word “GOAL”. GoalRef were equally confident of persuading FIFA their radio-based system using low-frequency magnetic fields would be the most accurate. “We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t confident we were going to proceed further beyond this tournament,” said programme manager Ingmar Bretz. Whichever system FIFA chooses, the likes of Chelsea, eliminated from the 2004-05 Champions League by Luis Garcia’s “ghost” goal, will have one less reason to blame the referee. Hawk-Eye also floated the idea of an ultra-motion video replay, although stopping the game to watch a replay would be detested by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. “It looks perfectly down the goal-line,” said Carter. “If football wanted to use it, a definitive replay that absolutely proves the ball is over the line. “It would be a bit like watching Usain Bolt run the 100 metres, winning by one hundredth of a second and then not seeing a photo-finish replay.” -Reuters    |
| Hindraf urges Suhakam inquiry on estate workers Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:19 AM PST
Estate workers were victims of the "largest single forced displacement in the region" and the world had yet to know anything about its "disastrous consequences", Hindraf national advisor N Ganesan said today when presenting a petition to Suhakam commissioner Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah. Sha'ani said he supported the petition and would do his part to persuade Suhakam to hold the inquiry. He said he would try to meet Hindraf's Dec 24 deadline for an answer from the human rights commission. In an emotional speech during the presentation of the petition, Ganesan said at least 800,000 Indian estate workers were displaced between 1970 and 2000, causing massive structural changes within the community and thereby making the ethnic minority a vulnerable target for discrimination. "They were pushed out from rural communities into alien urban centres in a short span. When they lost their jobs, they lost everything." He singled out the Malaysian government as the main culprit in the discrimination of Indians, saying it had been treating them "like cattle" with impunity. Speaking to reporters after the presentation, he said the estate workers used to live in an ordered social system in large British-owned plantations, with their own schools, temples and burial grounds. However, when the country achieved independence in 1957, the British scrambled to sell off the large estates, letting go of them in parcels. "When you have a 1,000-acre estate, you can have an economy of scale," Ganesan said. "But if you break it down for different owners, you reduce the economic scale. "In time, the property became a land bank and was sold to third and fourth parties. And then you would have the problem of whether a school or a temple has a legal title." Ganesan referred to a report that economist and academic Ungku Aziz Abdul Hamid presented to Parliament in 1963, pointing out that it was against the fragmentation of the estates because that would create a class of absentee landlords and urban investors with no concern for the workers.
The Hindraf leader tied the displacement of estate workers to structural changes in the Malaysian economy, citing the influx of foreign workers, major property development projects and the takeover of major plantation companies by Perbadanan Nasional Berhad. He said such changes were accompanied by government discrimination against Indians, manifested in land grabs and forced evictions. He cited the cases of Kampung Buah Pala in Penang, Bukit Jalil Estate in Kuala Lumpur and the Gatco Plantations in Negeri Sembilan. He said the discrimination came in many forms, including the demolition of temples, the takeover of burial grounds, the denial of citizenship to Malaysia-born Indians and deaths in police custody.    |
| Musa reveals more, implicates businessman Posted: 10 Dec 2012 01:13 AM PST
It is learnt that the project was mooted towards the end of 2008 and involved the replacement of more than 30,000 new walkie-talkies for beat policemen, stations and vehicles nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak. However, problems arose a year or two after the project, which was a direct negotiation contract, took off as the implementation of the devices were allegedly not according to specifications. One of the problems was the apparent lack of coverage or “black spots” in certain areas around the country such as in certain buildings, and in one case very little coverage along the East-West highway despite being promised otherwise. The other issues, which “deviated from the agreed specificaitons”, include a recording system which sometimes records when nobody speaks and vice versa; and also incidents where the walkie talkie transmits by itself. However, despite the flaws, sources said that those within the Home Ministry and top ranking policemen were constantly pressuring a team of technical experts to sign the acceptance of the equipment before the issues were smoothed out. “[Former inspector-general of police] Musa Hassan did not agree to a project that was not done properly but they used KDN [Home Ministry] to force the technical team to do whatever the company wanted. They were under tremendous pressure,” said a source with direct knowledge of the deal. “By mid 2010, when the first phase was being put out in the Klang Valley, we already noticed that all these problems were surfacing, but they were swept under the carpet. “They realised that if they signed the project, we will go to jail. So better transfer,” added the source. Investigate Ismail Click here to view the video on YouTube. Speaking to FMT on this, Musa said when he was still IGP, he kept a close watch on the project to ensure that the equipment was what the police needed. However, he claimed, other parties’ interests crept in after he left. Musa said that prominent businessman and former MACC advisor Robert Phang was a consultant for the project and acted as a go-between the police and the provider, a multinational telecommunications company. “Because he was close with the police. So at that time, I believe that there were some government officers in the ministry who was involved in the company. “Since it was approved by the government, I had to carry it out. But I made sure that the technical team that overseeing the project does not compromise to ensure that it is up to specifications and to ensure that this communication can be used throughout Malaysia without any hiccups. “So after I left… I was not quite happy because it was still not up to specifications. I was informed that it would not work well and that is why the technical team refused to sign the commission so that money can be paid,” he told FMT. However, Musa alleged that even Phang threatened the team. “The team received a call from him saying that if you don’t sign it, you will be transferred out.” True enough, he added, at least three officers ranked DSP, Supt and SAC were then given letters of transfers out of the department. “So the team refused to sign, and they were called by the IGP. The present IGP [Ismail Omar] asked them to commission it… because they need the government to pay the money… I don’t know how many million. So they got transferred and now it actually went through. “Officers who have the capability and technical expertise in communication are being put in cold storage by this businessman. That’s how good his connections are. He is very close to the IGP now… very friendly with the home minister,” said Musa. Musa said that he wanted the authorities to investigate Ismail for possibly abusing his powers and Phang for allegedly abetting the former. Bigger influence He said that Phang had also approached him when he was still the IGP.
Asked what being an advisor meant, Musa shrugged and replied:” You are a businessman, and you want to advise on what? Wouldn’t you advise to your own benefit? When somebody offers himself to me to be an advisor. To me it is something strange, why does he want to advise me. Advise me on what?” Musa then claimed that Phang was “working for somebody” but declined to name the person, beyond saying that the individual had "bigger influence". Asked if the transfer of officers was a move to remove those from his camp, Musa replied:”I never had a camp, everybody is my officer. If I work for the people, why should I have camps?” Meanwhile, Phang said he would respond to the allegations after studying them. Also read: Musa: Good, honest men victimised Ex-IGP's influence was bad news for Umno    |
| Noh dakwa kerajaan Selangor tidak beri kerjasama Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:48 AM PST
Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Seri Noh Omar membuat dakwaan itu berhubung satu program Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang (LPP) yang berada di bawah kemnenteriannya September lalu. Beliau berkata program tersebut mendapat halangan daripada pihak penguatkuasa. Katanya walaupun program tersebut diadakan di tanah persendirian namun ia mendapat halangan sehingga wujud kehadiran 20 lori dari pihak penguatkuasa pada ketika itu. “Kita tutup (program) sebab penguatkuasa ramai. Bila malam nak buat kugiran oleh pihak TEKUN ia dihalang sedangkan ia diadakan di tanah persendirian. Jelas wujud berat sebelah sebab PKR takut dengan bayang-bayang. Bila dia (kerajaan Selangor) buat program di tanah persendirian semua boleh. “Saya difahamkan program tersebut dihalang kerana bertujuan politik, kerana PKR adakan taklimat tentang isu Talam di Banting,” katanya dalam satu sidang media di sini hari ini. Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai tindakan kerajaan Selangor yang mengadakan Selangor Agro Fest 2012 dijadualkan berlangsung pada 11 hingga 16 Disember sedangkan kementerian pertanian dan industri asas tani turut mengadakan pelbagai program seumpama itu. Peruntukan persekutuan lebih banyak Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Noh berkata kerajaan persekutuan memperuntukan sehingga RM 5.5 bilion (2011 hingga 2012) kepada rakyat Selangor membabitkan pelbagai projek pembangunan. Menurut Noh, peruntukan kerajaan persekutuan ini lebih tinggi berbanding kerajaan Selangor yang ditadbir Pakatan Rakyat. Bilangan projek adalah 439 dengan 280 projek adalah projek baru dengan peruntukan (RM2.8 bilion) manakala projek sambungan 159 projek (RM2.85 bilion). “Selain itu kita ada projek di bawah peruntukan JAKIM iaitu sebanyak RM32 juta merangkumi pelbagai elaun kepada imam, kelas agama dan fardu ain (KAFA), guru takmir dan lain-lain. Melalui program pembasmian kemiskinan peruntukan diberi adalah sebanyak RM5 juta yang membabitkan program Bantuan Rumah, Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandan dan Wilayah. “Pelaksanaan peruntukan Khas tahun 2012 di bawah peruntukan Perdana Menteri juga adalah sebanyak RM56 juta dengan 308 projek. “Manakala di bawah peruntukan timbalan perdana menteri diberi peruntukan sehingga RM7 juta dengan 90 projek,” jelas beliau yang juga timbalan pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) Selangor.    |
| ‘I want my father’s grave back’ Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:13 AM PST
K Bathumalai’s father, an ex-policeman in the British army, died in 1998 and was buried in the Kuala Sawa cemetery. The cemetery is now the Taman Zed housing estate near Rantau in Negeri Sembilan. “My family and I cannot even do prayers for my father since his body has vanished in the name of development. We have six family members including my father buried there,” said Batumalai, adding that the Taman Zed developers had built houses on top of the graveyards without relocating the graves. According to Batumalai, 65, before Taman Zed became a housing area, it was a cemetery belonging to Ulu Sawah Estate. “It was an 100-year-old Hindu cemetery which was maintained by the Kuala Sawah Muniswaran temple. “In 1988 the state government gazetted the 3.6-acre cemetery land. “We were shocked when in 2004, the land was given to a private developer. We found out that the developer is an influential Umno man in Negeri Sembilan and that they built the houses on top of the graves. “The bodies are still under the Taman Zed Indah houses,” he said, adding that he is seeking for the bodies to be relocated to another cemetery in nearby Rantau. In 2004, he applied to file a case against the developer and the state government. But in 2010 his application was rejected on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence. Batumalai today showed FMT several photographs of the cemetery in question. He is now seeking Najib’s intervention in the matter after failing to receive any help from Menteri Besar Mohamad Hassan and the state MIC chairman T Rajagopalu and state executive councillor VS Mohan. “We [temple committee] have approached the state government and MIC to relocate the 40 graves but had no success. “During the meeting with Mohamad, he was arrogant with me and said Indians are troublemakers. He refused to discuss the cemetery matter and used derogatory words against me. “Even Rajagopalu and Mohan were afraid to take up the issue. When I met Mohan, he told me he if he took up the issue he would lose his exco seat. Rajagopalu always flip-flopped with his answers,” Batumalai said.    |
| Kempen berbasikal Jerit kenal pasti tujuh isu di NS Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:07 AM PST
Justeru itu peserta terbabit ditemani kepimpinan Jerit dan Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) cuba menyerahkan sebuah memorandum yang diberi nama 'Memorandum Rakyat Pengayuh Perubahan 2.0' kepada Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; di hadapan Wisma Negeri, Seremban pagi tadi. Ketua peserta kempen 'Rakyat Pengayuh Perubahan 2.0' untuk Negeri Sembilan, S Tinagaran berkata sepanjang jelajah berbasikal sejauh 420 kilometer itu mereka telah kenal pasti tujuh isu berbangkit di negeri Sembilan melalui maklum balas penduduk setempat di beberapa lokasi persinggahan peserta kempen tersebut. "Kesemua tujuh isu ini dimasukkan di dalam memorandum ini berserta dengan tujuh tuntutan asal Jerit kepada kerajaan negeri Sembilan", kata Tinagaran. Tujuh isu yang dikenalpasti peserta kempen 'Rakyat Pengayuh Perubahan 2.0' ialah:
2. Penduduk dan peniaga berdekatan pantai Telok Kemang, Port Dickson meminta pihak berkenaan agar tidak menswastakan pantai Telok Kemang dan pantai tersebut tidak ditambak. Mereka juga meminta agar air longkang tidak disalurkan ke laut dan memohon gerai, tandas awam serta bangunan buruk digantikan dengan bangunan baru. 3. Masalah penduduk Taman Koperasi di Pedas, Rembau yang tidak mempunyai tangki air besar (central water tank) meskipun sudah tinggal di taman perumahan itu lebih 22 tahun. 4. Masalah hak tanah perladangan di Kampung Serampang Indah (Gatco) di Jempol. 5. Peneroka Felda di Felda Raja Alias 1, 2 dan 3 telah mengemukakan masalah seperti generasi kedua (anak peneroka) yang tidak mempunyai masa depan yang cerah kerana mereka tidak terlibat dalam skim peneroka, Peneroka juga terpaksa menanggung hutang aktiviti penanaman semula yang tinggi. 6. Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (SRJK) Tamil Ladang Senawang, Sungai Gadut menyerahkan memorandum kepada peserta kempen berhubung masalah pengambilan padang sekolah tersebut untuk sebuah projek jejantas. Mereka turut menyatakan kebimbangan tahap keselamatan dan kesihatan murid kerana projak itu berdekatan dengan kawasan sekolah. 7. Penduduk estet Ladang Kirby menuntut perumahan alternatif disediakan apabila mereka ditamatkan kerja. Selain daripada tujuh isu yang dikenalpasti di atas, memorandum tersebut turut mengandungi tujuh tuntutan Jerit untuk peringkat Nnegeri Sembilan iaitu skim perumahan alternatif, perkhidmatan awam dan jalan raya, keperluan asas, penternakan, pendidikan, keselamatan dan pembangunan. Memorandum diterima Setiausaha Sulit Menteri Besar
"Saya dimaklumkan oleh setiausaha sulit menteri besar, bahawa Mohamad ada di sebuah program lain. "Bagaimanapun saya berpuas hati kerana hajat kami untuk sampaikan memorandum ini tercapai walaupun melalui setiausaha sulit beliau. "Negeri Sembilan merupakan kempen Fasa pertama. Untuk Fasa kedua kami akan mulakan kempen kayuhan pada bulan Januari tahun hadapan di Pahang', ujar Arutchelvan. Arutchelvan turut menyerahkan satu lagi memorandum kepada ketua pembangkang sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), Negeri Sembilan, Loke Siew Fook (DAP-Lobak). Turut hadir ialah Kordinator Jerit, M Nalini; Adun Bahau, Teo Kok Seong; Adun Senawang, P Gunasekaran (DAP); Adun Port Dickson, M Ravi (PKR) dan Naib Yang DiPertua PAS Jempol, Abu Samah Jamal.    |
| Benitez brushes off Chelsea pressure in Japan Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:04 AM PST
Benitez, runner-up as Liverpool manager at the 2005 Club World Cup in Japan, brushed off fears that a slip-up this time might cost him his job. “With the economic crisis around the world everybody is under pressure,” he told reporters after Chelsea’s arrival in the Far East. “I don’t have a problem with pressure. The future is the next game and the one after that.” Chelsea face Mexico’s Monterrey in Yokohama on Thursday, and will hope to meet either South American champions Corinthians or Egypt’s Al-Ahly in the final on December 16. “It’s a massive competition,” Benitez said. “Everybody here has the same idea as me – to win every trophy. “It doesn’t matter if we are in the Champions League or not,” added Benitez, who won the Club World Cup with Inter Milan in 2010 in Abu Dhabi. “It’s a great opportunity and we’re here to win. We won our last two games and we’re playing well.” With striker Fernando Torres rediscovering his scoring touch with four goals in two games, including two in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Sunderland, Benitez backed his players to continue their recent improvement. “Fernando is in a good position now because the team is creating more chances and because the team is doing well,” said Benitez, who replaced the sacked Roberto Di Matteo last month. “I can communicate with him in a different way and work with him but the main thing is his team mates playing well.” Goalkeeper Petr Cech said the dethroned European champions could live with the pressure of being labelled favourites to win the Club World Cup at the first attempt. “We came to win the competition and will try to prove it on the pitch,” he said. “You can only play in this competition if you win the Champions League and I’ve had to wait eight years to get here. “As the boss said, the last two results were very good for us so we’ll try to carry that momentum and hope it takes us through.” Cech also gave the goal-line technology being used in Japan by FIFA for the first time the thumbs-up. “I’m very happy with the decision,” Cech said with a sideways glance at Benitez, whose Liverpool side knocked Chelsea out of the 2004-05 Champions League through Luis Garcia’s “ghost” goal. “I’ve been saying for 10 years football needed something like this. Results of certain competitions could be different. “As a player you would rather wait for the right decision than be disappointed at the end of the game.” -Reuters    |
| Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:01 AM PST
South Korea’s male K-pop icons have been enlisted by the country’s cosmetics firms as they try to expand beyond its borders to take on global giants like L’Oreal and Unilever across the continent. “The male K-pop stars are very good looking and I think the make up helps them look good. So why not me as well?” said Lenard Heng, a 26-year old graphic designer, out clubbing in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. South Korean men spend $900 million a year on beauty products, more than a fifth of the global total, research firm Euromonitor says. But even the vanity of a nation is no longer much of a growth opportunity. By contrast, in the emerging markets of Asia the middle class is rapidly expanding, and with it opportunities to sell goods like foundation, lip balm, skincare lotions and eyeliner. Demand for personal care products will rise by over 40 percent in China and Indonesia alone in the next five years, Euromonitor estimates.
“Using male K-pop stars charms the ladies. It may also prompt younger men to want to look more like these idols,” said Kim Jungcheon, Chief Executive Officer of South Korean cosmetics firm Tonymoly. For the region’s young men who were raised on K-pop, the metrosexual appeal of South Korean boy bands like 2PM, Big Bang and Super Junior, their faces glowing with youth, is a quality Western or Japanese competitors cannot deliver. “In Korea male stars use foundation so a few of my guy friends in Bangkok have started wearing foundation too,” said 28-year-old Thai man Pitak Iamsamang. Working the look By pushing out into Asia, South Korean cosmetics firms are treading a path established by compatriot manufacturing giants Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Hyundai Motor Co, which simply outgrew their rich but small home of 50 million people. Cosmetics firms also hope to use the appeal of K-pop’s divas to market their wares to women, still the core market for beauty products.
“Cosmetics sales tend to mirror the popularity of Korean cultural exports, so K-pop stars are the best way to market our products,” said Kim Hee-jeong, marketing manager of LG Household’s The Face Shop, which has over 1,000 overseas stores. Overall, South Korea’s cosmetics market was worth US$4.4 billion in 2011, according to the Korean Cosmetics Association, and is nearing saturation. Its exports, however, totalled just US$775 million in 2011, dwarfed by L’Oreal, which sold US$4.71 billion worth of goods in the Asia Pacific region. Still, the total value of South Korean cosmetics exports has doubled since 2007, three-quarters of which went to China and Southeast Asia, data from the association showed. Mass brands such as Amorepacific’s Etude House and Tonymoly play up their origins by blaring out K-pop hits while sales agents chirp “annyeonghasaeyo” (hello) in stores from Ulan Bator to Manila, backed by posters of heart-throbs like boy band JYJ. Women like Nattakarn Nattudee, a 35 year-old shopping for cosmetics in Bangkok, have bought into the K-pop sales pitch. “Posters of Korean pop stars with their bright, clear faces make me want to buy the products so I can have clear skin like them,” she said.—Reuters    |
| Jakarta ranks first in property prospects for Asia Pacific Posted: 09 Dec 2012 11:57 PM PST
The report, jointly published by the Washington-based Urban Land Institute (ULI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said, Jakarta shot up to the number one position from 11th place. It deposed Singapore which topped the list last year. English daily, the Jakarta Post said the report showed that Jakarta led both the city investment and city development prospects lists, with scores reaching 6.01 and 6.10 respectively, outperforming Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur. In the survey, ULI, a non-profit research institute and PwC interviewed and surveyed over 400 individuals, representing various industry experts, including investors, fund managers, developers, property companies, lenders, brokers, advisers and consultants. The report found that demand for property in Jakarta was strong, supported by Indonesia’s stable interest rates and inflation, steady gross domestic product (GDP) growth and increasing foreign direct investment (FDI). “The FDI grew by 39% in the first half of 2012, while year-to-year office rental leapt by 29%,” the report said. - Bernama    |
| Umno smiles as PAS grapples with issues Posted: 09 Dec 2012 11:55 PM PST
It is learnt that PAS supporters are deeply divided over the issue. One side feels that PAS should defend the application of syariah-inspired by-laws on non-Muslims. The other side calls for a reprimand, if not punishment, of local authorities for their excess of zeal at the expense of support from non-Muslim voters. The issue's potential to threaten the stability of support for Kelantan PAS is best summed up by businessman Hussein Ahmad, who operates a string of kopitiam outlets here. Alluding to the claim by Kelantanese that their state is the cradle of Malay culture, he said: "The cradle is rocking too hard, and the baby is wailing." He believes PAS' indecisiveness over the issue of moral policing is inevitable given the factionalism within the state administration that has been apparent to some political observers for some time. He believes too that this is all brought about by the twin factors of Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's declining health and his deputy Ahmad Yakcob's lack of talent for administration. Political sources have said that PAS' top leaders want Nik Aziz to remain as Menteri Besar despite his offer to resign. They see him as an indispensable asset for political support because he commands deep respect across the political and racial spectrums. They want him to continue leading Kelantan while they work out a succession plan, which is a difficult task given the factionalism in PAS, at least at the state level. This is all good news, of course, to Umno, which has recently been waxing optimistic about its electoral chances in Kelantan. Umno currently occupies only six of the 45 seats in the Kelantan legislature. Umno Kelantan treasurer Hanafi Mamat says his party is now confident of winning 25 seats in the coming election and that Barisan Nasional may even be able to deny Pakatan Rakyat its two-third majority in the state. Economic changes “We're not over-confident, though," he told FMT, but he added that young voters in the state were increasingly showing they wanted changes, especially in the economic sphere. "The young generation is keen to know about job creation, economic management and the way forward. "The issue of corruption may not be a big issue here as the people here are a pious lot and would not cave-in to such sinful acts. "The new support for Umno may not be enough to enable BN to take the state from PAS, but is significant compared to 2008." Young voters, according to Hanafi, are receptive to Umno programmes "aimed at driving the economy forward". Kelantanese tend to personalise politics. They want their elected representatives not only to be capable administrators, but also pious and humble. Hanafi claimed that Umno's emerging leaders in Kelantan were not short of those qualities. He acknowledged that Umno would not have an easy time trying to match PAS's reputation for having leaders with upright morals, but he said voters were now demanding to see good character translated into administrative acumen. He said they were asking questions such as the following: How many jobs has PAS created? How many families have pulled themselves out of the misery of poverty? Can the young afford good homes? What about healthcare? These were questions that PAS would be hard-pressed to answer and Umno could easily respond to, he said.    |
| South Africa’s economy still in white hands Posted: 09 Dec 2012 11:51 PM PST
Despite the ruling African National Congress' drive for "black economic empowerment", under which firms are set black ownership and other targets, millions of blacks remain trapped in poverty and excluded from the formal economy. Coming less than two weeks before the start of an ANC leadership election conference, the study will increase pressure on ANC president Jacob Zuma for more "black empowerment", widely criticised for creating a politically connected, self-serving black corporate elite. In June, Zuma called for a "dramatic shift" to redress the wealth balance in favour of blacks, who account for 80% of South Africa's 52 million people. "If you look at the demographics of this country, what would be normal is that no less than 50% of the JSE [Johannesburg Stock Exchange] should be owned by black people," ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said. Inequality fuelled labour unrest this year, unleashing a wave of crippling strikes that began in the mining industry and spread for months, unsettling investors. Frustrated by the slow pace of change, the ANC's Youth League has called for the wholesale nationalisation of mines and banks and the seizure of white-owned farms – a policy that triggered economic meltdown in neighbouring Zimbabwe in 2000. The league's former leader, Julius Malema, was expelled from the party this year but he remains popular among the young and poor, and the JSE figures add weight to his calls for radical redistribution of land and state seizure of the mines. "If you're not making changes there, then all you have is this cosmetic facade on the JSE – and it's not even an impressive cosmetic facade," League spokeswoman Khusela Sangoni-Khawe said. The JSE-commissioned study showed that black investors directly hold 9% of the bourse's top 100 companies, which represent nearly 90% of its US$834 billion market capitalisation. Black ownership rises to 21% when pension funds and other indirect holdings are taken into account, and a heady 33% when foreign holdings of Africa's biggest stock market are stripped out. But some experts question the ability to track black ownership through pension funds, which ultimately represent thousands of people, or exchange traded funds. "I have a problem with what comes after the 9%," said Duma Gqubule, a consultant Trevor Chandler, the consultant who ran the study, said the research was in line with government guidelines for calculating black ownership that recommend stripping out the value of foreign holdings. Despite the ANC's misgivings, a black business lobby group said the incremental progress made had hammered home the need to redress three centuries of white economic dominance. "There's reasonable progress in the level of ownership by black people, notwithstanding the fact that the economy has not grown significantly over the last year," Sandile Zungu, head of the Black Business Council, told Talk Radio 702. "What that really means is that there's beginning to be an attitude among South Africans that we have to transform the economy." - Bernama    |
| Royal phone scandal highlights new media risks Posted: 09 Dec 2012 11:37 PM PST
‘Fonejacker’ proved such a hit with the British public that the next year the program, in which a masked caller bamboozles hapless victims, won a coveted BAFTA award for best comedy, underscoring the attraction of the prank call amid a blurring of a ceaseless news cycle with social media and entertainment. But just such a prank telephone call, to a London hospital where Prince William’s pregnant wife Kate was being treated, has sparked a firestorm in traditional and social media after the apparent suicide by the nurse who put the call through. Much of the fury has been directed at laying blame for the nurse’s death on the Australian DJs who made the prank call, or the media in general, with the most vitriolic comments appearing on the public domains of Facebook and Twitter. The social media outrage has become a story of its own, outlasting the original news value of a prank call, and has seen advertising pulled from the program which broadcast the hoax call and the suspension of the two radio announcers. Shares in radio station 2DayFM’s owner, Southern Cross Austero fell 5 percent on Monday as the public backlash gathered strength. Media commentators and analysts warn the rapidly changing traditional and social media worlds may have given people greater freedom of expression, but can unleash a genie which can have destructive or negative repercussions, without responsible behavior by both mainstream and social media operators. “It’s all changing so fast that societal norms have retreated in confusion,” said veteran newspaper columnist Jennifer Hewett in the Australian Financial Review. “What is clear is that we will soon look back to count the mounting costs and destructive force, as well as the great benefits, of the explosion of communication in an all-media, all-in, all-the-time world,” Hewett said.
Her death, still being investigated, followed still simmering outrage in Britain over phone hacking, as well as Australian anger over the power of radio announcers to plump ratings with a diet of shock, including a 2Day announcer who sparked fury by calling a woman journalist rival a “fat slag”. And while in Britain the popular press were quick to seize the moral high ground and point the finger “Down Under”, Australian commentators pointed blame the other way, or at confusion over the changing role of media and voracious public demand for not only information, but increasingly titillation. Australian newspaper columnist Mike Carlton said while 2Day FM and its parent company made good money by “entertaining simple minds”, for tabloid British papers to point “Down Under” over a ‘gotcha’ news genre they created was “towering hypocrisy”. Changing media ethics The social media condemnation of Saldanha’s death should prompt a re-think of ethics in the era of celebrity news, said Jim Macnamara, a media analyst from Australia’s University of Technology, Sydney. “There is a lesson in this for media organizations everywhere, and for journalists and media personalities, and that is that they need to look at community standards and better self regulate,” said Macnamara. The tragic fallout from the radio stunt has rekindled memories of the death of William’s mother Diana in a Paris car crash in 1997 and threatens to cast a pall over the birth of his and Kate’s first child. Public amusement at the prank started turning when British media reported the call as a major security breach of the royal family’s privacy, despite the call never reaching Kate’s room and the information revealed by a nurse was already public. But news of Saldanha’s death is what sparked the Internet firestorm, that once unleashed could not be controlled. Hypocritically, some of the harshest criticism was on Twitter and Facebook, where people unleashed fury on Australian and British media, after having themselves publish news of Saldanha’s error under a Twitter topic #royalprank, which was repeated more than 15,000 times. “When the twitterverse goes into meltdown, we all react with a chain reaction any nuclear plant would be proud of. I hope, in time, the world will learn to splash cold water on itself when these stories break and cool down, before we all get dragged into the mud of our own making,” Tristan Stewart-Robertson, a Glasgow-based journalist wrote in a blog on www.firstpost.com — Reuters    |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:55 PM PST
The three, represented by N Surendran who is also PKR vice-president, said they named the Home Ministry, the National Registration Department and the Malaysian government as defendants. Speaking to reporters later, the human rights lawyer said S Letchumy, K Sarojini and K Mala were part of a larger problem facing thousands of Malaysian Indians allegedly denied citizenship. “They are asking for a court order on the defendants to immediately issue a MyKad which they have unlawfully denied. They are also asking for a declaration that their fundamental rights have been violated and are claiming for damages,” he said. The filing came just two days before the opposition bloc planned to hold a sit-in outside the NRD office to protest against the alleged systematic effort by the authorities to deprive the minority Indians of their basic rights. Malaysian Indians, who form less than 10% of the country’s population, are among the poorest. The majority of them have no basic education and Surendran said one of the major reasons was that their citizenship status, despite being born in Malaysia, remained unknown. “Both Letchumy and Sarojini did not go to school because they have no IC (identification card),” he said. Surendran claimed that there were currently 300,000 “stateless Indians”. His colleague in PKR R Sivarasa said this was a conservative figure based on their calculation. The Subang MP cited a report made in the 1970 by then chief statistician of Malaysia, R Chander, to show that the population growth for the Indians was below the projection, alleging that this meant the numbers of those left out by NRD could be more. Putrajaya dismissed the accusation that it was intentionally victimising the Indians as baseless but admitted that the problem was real with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak vowing to solve the problem. Surendran said the suit would have a larger impact and force the government to respond. “It’s a damning indictment on their failure to resolve the issue,” he said.    |
| Tengku Azlan tidak keluar Umno tapi sertai Amanah Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:53 PM PST
Sebaliknya beliau hanya menyertai NGO iaitu Angkatan Amanah Merdeka pimpinan Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Perkata ini disahkan oleh Adun Tahan Ahmad Jaafar yang juga naib ketua Umno bahagian Jerantut ketika dihubungi hari ini. “Saya telah mengesahkan perkara ini dengan orang kuatnya. Datuk Seri Tengku tidak keluar parti, beliau hanya sertai Amanah. “Tetapi beliau masih ahli parlimen Jerantut dan ketua Umno bahagian ini,” katanya lagi. Ahmad juga menjelaskan, Tengku Azlan beberapa kali memberitahu tidak berminat untuk bertanding lagi dalam pilihan raya umum ke 13. Bagaimanapun, bekas menteri pengangkutan itu dikatakan mahu terus menjadi ketua Umno bahagian Jerantut. Tengku Azlan menjadi ahli parlimen dan ketua Umno Jerantut sejak tiga penggal lalu. Sebelum itu beliau pernah menyertai parti Melayu Semangat 46 apabila parti itu dithubuhkan oleh Tengku Razaleigh selepas kalah kepada Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dalam perebutan jawatan presiden Umno pada tahun 1987. Bagaimanapun, kedua-dua mereka kembali semula ke pangkuan Umno.    |
| Malaysia’s October factory output growth seen slowing Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:49 PM PST
The Industrial Production Index (IPI) likely rose 2.4% year-on-year in October, down from a 4.9% increase in September, according to a median forecast of 14 economists. The forecasts ranged from a rise of 0.5% to 4.0%. Industrial output growth has been slowing since May with a contraction in August because of falling demand for Malaysia’s exports of electronics and electrical components as well a drop "Industrial production remains largely a function of Malaysia’s export growth, which has remained very much lacklustre for the entire course of the year,” said OCBC economist Gundy Cahyadi. The IPI measures manufacturing, electricity and mining output. Manufactured goods make up about two thirds of Malaysia’s total exports. Government data released on Friday showed exports fell a sharper than expected 3.2% on year in October because of a combination of poor demand for commodities in China and Japan as well as lower shipments of electrical goods to Europe. “As long as there is no marked increase, especially in the global demand of manufacturing, we expect IPI growth to remain lacklustre, as well, going into 2013,” Cahyadi said. Government spending on mega infrastructure projects including a US$444 billion ringgit Economic Transformation Project have so far helped to prop up Malaysian factory activity. The economy grew a surprisingly strong 5.2% in the third quarter, spurred by domestic demand and increased government spending including giveaways ahead of an election that must be called by April. “Manufacturing probably continued to be healthy at a decent pace of 4%, while mining likely remained sluggish,” said Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist Chua Hak Bin in a note. - Reuters    |
| Probe govt’s ‘skeletons’, says Suaram Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:39 PM PST
Speaking at the launch of Suaram’s Civil Political Rights Report overview launch here today, its director Kua Kia Soong that Musa’s allegations about political interference and criminal elements having infiltrated the police force were damaging. “The allegations are serious. It warrants an urgent independent commission to reveal the truth. “It also explains why the IPCMC [Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission] was not implemented,” he added. While Musa had stressed on the need for the police to be independent, his former aide-de-camp had claimed in a statutory declaration in 2009 that the ex-IGP himself had abused his powers. The SD had surfaced again following Musa’s recent press conference, where the startling revelations were made. Kua added that the government had no political will to implement the IPCMC. The IPCMC was a vital recommendation made by the Royal Commission to enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police in 2005. It did not materialise due to the objection from the police force. Instead of an IPCMC, the government opted for a watered down Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) Act in 2009 and formed it in 2011.    |
| Share prices end on positive sentiments at midday Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:31 PM PST
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 11.37 points to 1,629.14 after opening at 1,618.25. Public Bank, as at midday break, rose 14 sen to RM15.78, AMMB added one sen to RM6.47 while Hong Leong Financial improved 10 sen to RM12.86. The Finance Index moved up 53.01 points to 15,093.2 and the Industrial Index advanced 13.48 points to 2,700.28, with the Plantation Index easing 1.25 points to 7,837.04. The FBM Emas Index surged 70.31 points to 11,076.21, the FBM Mid 70 Index jumped 52.38 points to 12,060.71, but the FBM Ace shed 5.55 points to 4,160.69. Advancers led decliners by 246 to 227, while 285 counters were unchanged, 881 untraded and 18 others suspended. Among actives, Tiger Synergy earned half-a-sen to 39 sen, Hiap Huat added 10 sen to 17.5 sen, DSC Solutions rose 1.5 sen to 15.5 sen but Karambunai fell half-a-sen to 11.5 sen. Of the heavyweights, Maybank added one sen to RM9.07, CIMB and Sime Darby were half-a-sen higher at RM7.60 and RM9.05, respectively, and Axiata Group rose 19 sen to RM6.17. - Bernama    |
| Musa: Good, honest men victimised Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:06 PM PST
Musa suggested that these moves are now allowing more and more criminal syndicates to operate freely with “blessings from somebody on top” and also involved politicians at the highest levels. Musa gave several examples of such transfers, and spoke out against the nationwide enbloc transfer of D7 officers in early 2011. “After I left, there was an enbloc transfer of D7 officers, right? Not everybody is bad in the D7, why must you change the whole team?” he asked. On rumours that the transfers were part of a exercise to facilitate syndicates changing hands, Musa said that was not the case, but said it was “because these officers are taking action, because they know a lot of things.” “…. they were afraid that they couldn’t direct these people from D7,” he said, without explaining who “they” were. Musa admitted that many of these people given transfers were those he had promoted at one point, but denied that they were part of his ‘camp’. “I promoted people because of their capabilities and have done a good job…they were transferred out and not given any ranks. “[During the D7 redeployment], the whole country, all the IPK contingents headquarters, some were transferred to the field force.” “See… they were all good officers, when they were under me they arrested quite a number from the syndicates, but now there are no arrests anymore. Musa said D7 is the division tasked with cracking down on vice, gambling, loansharks, prostitution and also to investigate syndicated crime. “So they have all the intelligence about them, especially the bosses. These are the ones [D7 officers] who actually go after the [crime syndicate] top [guns]. ‘Politicians involved in transfers’ When you say “they” you are referring to? So are you then saying the current IGP is openly allowing syndicates to operate? You mean this is linked to politicians? Ministerial level? Do you know this for a fact or you are guessing? Musa also cited examples of a former deputy director in Bukit Aman, CID SAC Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof, who was recently transferred out to be the deputy CPO of Pahang. “He was labeled as my man. Its not a demotion per se, but they wanted to humiliate him,” he said. “Why? Just because he was the one who assisted me in the investigation of Sodomy I and the abuse of power case against Anwar Ibrahim, so now, they try to humiliate him by sending him to Pahang. He is the most senior SAC now, together with SAC Mazlan Mansor,” he said. Also read:    |
| Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:00 PM PST
However, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had interfered in this exercise, and this has caused a lot of problems for the Chinese underworld and crime syndicates. "And that is why Musa recently gave his interviews – alleging interference by the politicians in the running of the police force. It is true that the minister blocked Musa's every move," said Raja Petra in his latest blog posting in Malaysia Today. Raja Petra said that Hishammuddin had decided to act as he feared that a continuation of Musa’s influence in the police force would have had a backlash on Umno in the coming general election. "They know that the voters are unhappy with the police force and that may cost Umno a lot of votes. "Hence if the minister does not rein in the police, then there is a danger that Umno could lose a sizeable number of votes," said Raja Petra. In recent weeks, Musa had claimed that during his tenure as the IGP from 2006 to 2010, there had been political interference and inflitration of criminal elements in the police force. He said that he had raised these issues through the "proper channels" to the prime minister and home minister, but to no effect. He had also lashed out at his successor Ismail Omar, claiming that he was a weak police chief. Musa’s detractors, however, had responded by saying that it was Musa who had allowed the triads to take control of the police force, of his alleged corrupt practices, and of his underhand tactics to "fix people up", including his former boss Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) chief Ramli Yusuff. Adding to the list of Musa’s detractors, Raja Petra claimed that the former top cop has many grievances against the government, the present IGP Ismail and Hishammuddin. Musa’s role in Bersih violence? Raja Petra said Musa’s bitternes was due to the government’s rejection of his request for a further extension as the police chief. "He then asked to be made the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei and that too was rejected. Instead, he was given just a teaching job, which, to him, is a great insult when other retired IGPs before him were given 'good' posts," he said. The blogger also claimed that many suspected Musa’s role in the manner police acted violently against Bersih 3.0 rally-goers on April 28 this year. "The fact that the Bersih 3.0 rally turned out the way it did is evidence that the top does not know what the bottom is doing. "The prime minister gave very clear instructions that there must not be any police violence at all costs and this instruction was made clear to the IGP. "However, as we all know, the reverse happened. And many suspect that Musa's hand is at play here," said Raja Petra. Undermining Ismail He said that Musa wanted to undermine Ismail, and to prove to the government that they made a mistake in not extending his (Musa's) service. Raja Petra said Musa’s game plan was for the government to retire Ismail and replace him with someone aligned to Musa and "who will not 'disturb' the Chinese underground and crime syndicates". Raja Petra also found it puzzling for PKR to be flirting with Musa, especially given his role in Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy l and Sodomy ll trials. Musa’s recent public appearance is linked to his position as the patron of MyWatch, a newly formed PKR-linked NGO. Raja Petra had first exposed Musa’s alleged links with the criminal triads in Malaysia Today almost five years ago. Also read: Musa: Good, honest men victimised    |
| New plan has private GPs fearing the worst Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:44 PM PST
The legislation’s main provision involved the controversial removal of dispensing rights from doctors, thus awarding pharmacists the sole right to dispense medication. At present, doctors were carrying out the duties of both professions by prescribing and dispensing medication and this was not the standard practice in most developed nations. The Health Ministry, according to reliable sources, wants to adopt the same approach for private healthcare here. However, one private doctor thinks that our current healthcare system does not permit such a change. "They do not understand that what might work for other countries… might not work for us… given the situation of our private healthcare system," he said. He pointed out that the majority of general practitioners (GP) make most of their income from the sales of medication, although many would not admit. "These developed nations have national bodies which pay private doctors extremely well but here doctors have to rely on the sale of the medication they dispense to make ends meet," he said. Another private GP from Mont Kiara, who also refused to be named, felt that such a move would only trigger higher consultation fees and was not all bad news for doctors. "The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has a schedule of fees which stipulates that there is a minimum amount in consultation fees to be charged to patients… but many doctors do not practice this," she said. She was implying that when the law fell into place, doctors would be more than happy to charge patients the minimum RM35 consultation fees for minor ailments as they too would need to generate a steady income. The MMA’s schedule of fees also states that for visits after 5pm, an additional 50% is to be charged, thus confirming the GP’s statement that doctors would be in for a hefty monetary windfall. Due to the cloudy situation regarding the exact details of the law, all sources either declined to comment or be named as the issue was sensitive and involved many parties.    |
| Notre Dame Cathedral brushes up for 850th birthday Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:41 PM PST
The graceful and inspiring Catholic church that has dominated Paris since the 12th century, survived the Hundred Years War, the French Revolution and two World Wars is being readied for an invasion of camera-wielding birthday visitors. Nestled on an island in the Seine river, Notre Dame is a beloved religious, cultural and historical site in the City of Light that has no shortage of breathtaking showpieces. “For 850 years this cathedral has been a symbol of beauty, truth and goodness which attracts generations to the water,” said Monsignor Patrick Jacquin, rector and archpriest of Notre Dame, speaking beneath it on the bank of the Seine. With its graceful flying buttresses, imposing facade and famous bells – immortalized in Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by the ungainly bell-ringer Quasimodo – the church has enthralled visitors since the first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III. From December 12 through November 24, 2013, Notre Dame expects to welcome up to 20 million pilgrims, tourists and others for its celebration – a step up from its average of 14 million per year. On the vast plaza outside the cathedral, visitors will be able to follow a walkway that leads to an elevated viewing area from which the face of Notre Dame can be better appreciated, before entering the cathedral itself. A series of concerts and religious and cultural colloquiums are planned throughout the year, and architectural and other renovations have been timed to the anniversary. The bells
The cathedral has raised 6.5 million euros (US$8.44 million) from private donors for the ongoing projects. The cathedral has required constant upkeep throughout the centuries, as structures lean, facades blacken and gargoyles crumble. During the French Revolution, Notre Dame was plundered and the heads of the kingly statues lining the facade beheaded. “Much beauty as it may retain in its old age, it is not easy to repress a sigh, or restrain our anger, when we mark the countless defacements and mutilations to which men and Time have subjected that venerable monument,” wrote Hugo about Notre Dame in his famous novel. “Upon the face of this old queen of the French cathedrals, beside each wrinkle we find a scar.” The most impressive undertaking for the cathedral – where France’s protestant King Henry IV converted to Catholicism, Napoleon crowned himself emperor and Joan of Arc was beatified – is the creation of eight new bells to replace the four in place since the mid-19th century. “Notre Dame, which is France’s greatest church, don’t forget, has never had a bell which did justice to the building,” said Paul Bergamo of Normandy-based bellmakers Cornille Havard, charged with making the new bells. “It took a great event, in the form of the 850th anniversary, to be able to put such a project in place,” he told Reuters TV.
“Making bells for Notre Dame hasn’t occurred for hundreds of years so it will really be a historic moment that has garnered particular interest around the world,” said Jean-Francois Lemercier, secretary general of Association Notre Dame 2013. This week, workers were putting the finishing touches on the temporary structures in the plaza to prepare for the opening of the celebration, when the Archbishop of Paris, Andre Vingt-Trois, will lead a procession of about 100 clergy into Notre Dame for an evening mass. Despite the barricaded worksite, tourists and others continued to file into the Gothic masterpiece, and a woman at the reception desk said she wasn’t fazed by the prospect of an extra crush next week. “Oh, crowds are something we’re used to,” she said with a wink.—Reuters    |
| Jabatan Agama Johor terus pantau LGBT Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:32 PM PST
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Agama Johor Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman berkata JAJ sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan LGBT menerusi media massa selain turut menjelaskan isu itu melalui khutbah Jumaat di seluruh negeri. “Jabatan Agama Johor merancang mengadakan seminar pendidikan dan penjelasan tentang penyelewengan LGBT kepada masyarakat Islam di negeri ini supaya mereka lebih memahami mengenainya,” katanya menjawab soalan Datuk Abdullah Ali (BN-Bukit Naning) pada persidangan dewan undangan negeri, di sini hari ini. Mengenai fahaman pluralisme dan liberalisme pula, Zainal Abidin berkata Jabatan Agama Johor sukar mengesan penyebaran pengaruh fahaman tersebut melalui pemantauan yang dilakukan. Bagaimanapun pihaknya percaya kemungkinan terdapat segelintir individu yang cenderung kepada fahaman terbabit melalui Facebook, laman sesawang lain mahupun berhubung secara terus dengan negara luar melalui media sosial Skype. KR1M akan dibuka Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna Johor Datuk Hoo Seong Chang berkata dua lagi Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) akan dibuka di Johor bagi memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat. Menjawab soalan Datuk M. Munusamy (BN-Permas), Hoo berkata dua kedai tersebut adalah di Taman Pesona di Kluang dan Pasir Gudang, di sini. “Sehingga kini lapan KR1M sudah dibuka di negeri ini yang membabitkan Taman Bukit Pasir di Muar; Pusat Perniagaan Square dan Kompleks Pekan Rabu di Johor Baharu; Kota Tinggi; Pontian; Taman Maju Jaya di Labis; Endau di Mersing dan Jalan Muafakat di Tangkak,” katanya. Menjawab soalan tambahan Ong Kow Meng (DAP-Senai), beliau berkata pembukaan KR1M yang kini berjumlah 85 buah di seluruh negara amat rasional bagi menyediakan kemudahan kepada rakyat dan bukan gimik pilihan raya semata-mata. -Bernama    |
| Petronas sees LNG exports from Canadian facility by 2018 Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:06 PM PST
The LNG export facility, to be built on Canada’s West Coast, will receive a final investment decision in late 2014, both companies said today, after Petronas won regulatory approval last week for its US$5.3-billion bid for Toronto-listed Progress. “Petronas’ well-established and extensive network of LNG customers will add value to Canada’s natural gas resources and provide a strategic alternative to the traditional North American natural gas market,” the companies said. The companies will also continue the upstream development of natural gas production in the Montney region, and install a pipeline to carry natural gas from production fields to the new “These components will create thousands of well-paid jobs during construction of the facility and pipeline, as well as permanent, ongoing operating jobs throughout our LNG business, from the Montney region to the West Coast,” Shamsul Azhar Abbas, president and chief executive of Petronas, said in the statement. Canada approved the acquisition of Progress along with a bid by China’s CNOOC Ltd for energy company Nexen Inc. “The acquisition will enable Petronas to secure long-term strategic gas resources and leverage on Progress’ extensive experience in unconventional resource development,” the statement said. - Reuters    |
| PAS ingatkan orang bukan Islam jangan bimbang Posted: 09 Dec 2012 09:01 PM PST
“Ia tindakan yang biasa…undang-undang ini ada pada semua pihak berkuasa tempatan di seluruh negara. “Pegawai penguatkuasa Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) pernah menyaman orang bukan islam di taman berhampiran KLCC,” kata ketua penerangan PAS Pusat, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Tuan Ibrahim menegaskan tindakan MBKB itu hanya penguatkuasaan undang-undang PBT dan bukannya mempunyai motif politik atau agama. Katanya, isu ini kecil sahaja tetapi telah diperbesarkan kerana ia berlaku di Kelantan yang diperintah oleh PAS. “Mereka menggunakan istilah khalwat sedangkan kejadian itu di tempat awam. “Khalwat terpakai untuk orang Islam iaitu berdua-duanya di tempat sunyi hingga boleh menimbulkan syak wasangka,” tambah beliau lagi. Menurut Tuan Ibrahim, PAS menyokong tindakan untuk membanteras kelakuan tidak bermoral di khalayak ramai. “Saya mengajak pihak lain untuk menyokong tindakan itu. Saya percaya orang bukan Islam pun menyokong,” tambah beliau. Tuan Ibrahim berkata demikian ketika diminta menjelaskan kekeliruan MBKB mendenda empat individu bukan Islam di Kota Baru. Tindakan itu menimbulkan pelbagai kecaman termasuk dari DAP dan MCA.    |
| Bond beats Lincoln at box office Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:56 PM PST
“Skyfall,” the 23rd film in the series featuring Agent 007, also led movies at the box office when it first opened on November 2 and is already the best-selling movie in the 49-year old series. This weekend, it became the highest grossing movie in Sony Pictures’ history with US$918 million in ticket sales worldwide. The film distributed by Sony’s Hollywood studio, has collected nearly US$262 million in domestic sales, according to the movie tracking site Hollywood.com. The animated “Rise of the Guardians” from Dreamworks Animation was second with US$10.5 million in ticket sales. The movie, which was made for US$145 million, opened with a disappointing US$23.8 million when it first hit movie theaters on Nov 21. Since then, it has been steadily working its way toward becoming a solid family hit this season.
“Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” the box office leader for the past three weeks, tallied US$9.2 million in ticket sales. The five-movie series, released by Lions Gate Entertainment, is based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling book about young vampire love and has collected more than US$1.3 billion in overall domestic ticket sales. “Lincoln,” which chronicles the 16th president’s successful fight to pass a constitutional amendment outlawing slavery, had total ticket sales of US$9.1 million, according to studio estimates provided by the box office division of Hollywood.com. “Life of Pi,” director Ang Lee’s movie about a boy who escapes a shipwreck but then shares his lifeboat with a tiger, sold US$8.3 million in tickets to finish in fifth place. The movie, released by the Fox studio, is based on a best-selling 2001 novel by Yann Martel.
The only new major release, the romantic comedy “Playing for Keeps” starring Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel, opened with a lackluster $6 million, which was on target with forecasts by industry experts.—Reuters    |
| Pakistani immigrants have Sabah benefactors? Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:55 PM PST
A mixture of politics, crime and other social problems related to demographic changes along with discussions and comments on the Internet has erupted into open simmering discontent between Sabahans and the newcomers. The first to bear the brunt of discrimination and bigotry were the Filipino refugees streaming across the border from civil war-torn Southern Philippines and Indonesians. Now the focus is on Pakistani traders. The unexplained death of Norikoh Saliwa, a 16-year-old student in Kota Marudu recently, and the subsequent detention of a shop manager of Pakistani origin have, however, stirred anger against immigrants in general and Pakistanis in particular. Turn any corner in Sabah – even in the most unlikely and remote places in its poor northern reaches or the scrappy east coast of the state – one is bound to see a trader from the sub-continent happily attending to a small grocery store, clothing outlet or selling electrical items and cell phones. Ask and many will cheerfully admit that they are from Peshawar or some area in the North-West Frontier Province, in northwestern Pakistan near the Khyber Pass on the border with Afghanistan. They are quiet, polite, speak Malay fairly fluently and keep to themselves. Talk about cricket or any of the stars of the game and they become amiably animated. All admit that they come from a hardscrabble background in their home country. Sabah has been good to them and they have become wealthy beyond their dreams. But questions are now being raised about how these immigrants from an impoverished background have had the funds to start businesses in the state. Who has given them the money and the licences to operate? Do they have a benefactor at state and federal level? Some of the shoplots they rent in strategic areas are not cheap. Rentals can be between RM2,500 and RM4,000, the wage of a middle income office worker. Then there is the cost of the goods in the shop that can range from RM25,000 to over RM100,000. Serious threat to locals Where is that stake or seed money coming from? Many say they have obtained loans but declined to reveal from who but, insist they can make ends meet and even turn a profit despite the interest on the loans. With an eye on the general election around the corner and growing voter dissatisfaction over immigration, politicians have thrown caution to the winds and joined in the free-for-all immigrant-bashing. The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), a local opposition group, which is hoping to resurrect its fortunes on a Sabah-for-Sabahans agenda, expressed on Sunday its “grave concern over the increase in the number of Pakistani traders in the district over the years”. Party information chief Chong Pit Fah warned that their increasing presence in the district, if left unchecked, could pose a serious threat to the socio-economic well-being of the local residents. "The business of the local tuck shop operators has been badly affected since these Pakistani traders started to come in to Penampang district in the last few years to set up their tuck shops in almost every nook and corner of the district right up to the Putatan sub-district," he said. Speaking to reporters after lodging a police report at the district police station here yesterday, Chong who, is also SAPP Kepayan chief, claimed that a recent random survey carried out by its Kepayan Youth wing found that there were more than 20 tuck shops operated by the Pakistanis in the district. The survey, he said, was prompted by public concern over the increasing number of Pakistani traders in the district, following the alleged murder of Saliwa. "SAPP felt compelled to lodge a police report to urge the police as well as the Immigration Department to conduct a thorough check on these Pakistani traders who are operating the tuck shops in the Penampang district. “We strongly believed they could be abusing their social visit pass, or even having secured their stay and permit to do business through such dubious means like marriages of convenience with the rural native women, some of whom are single mothers," he said. BN polls tactic? Chong claimed to have received numerous reports that many of the Pakistanis coming to the state are targeting rural young native girls for marriages of convenience so that they could secure a longer stay in Sabah as well as to apply for trading licences. According to sources, the preferred entry point into Sabah for Pakistan nationals and others is an indirect flight from Kuala Lumpur via Labuan. "The major concern among the native community in Sabah now is that some of these Pakistani traders had returned to their wife and children back in Pakistan for good, thus leaving behind their native wife and children here," Chong said. He also claimed that the district of Kota Marudu has a large population of Pakistani nationals and has been dubbed “mini Karachi”. Chong, who was a former deputy chairman of the Penampang district council, said that the increasing number of Pakistanis in the district could be a government-sanctioned tactic to alter the demographics of various “troublesome” districts in the state in order to produce a favourable outcome for the Barisan Nasional government in any election. He said there seemed no other justifications for the relevant authorities to allow such a huge number of Pakistani nationals to continue to come into Sabah. "We know for a fact that the Filipino and the Indonesian workers are here because they are needed by the plantation and construction industries. “But as for the Pakistanis… what have they contributed to Sabah? To help increase the population of Sabah and to ensure a perpetual rule by the Barisan Nasional?" he asked. Making the report with Chong at the police station were several SAPP district leaders.    |
| Psy, Samsung push ‘brand Korea’ in 2012 Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:49 PM PST
While some may question the benefit of a chubby 30-something and his horse-riding dance becoming your best-known cultural export, the phenomenal success of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” undoubtedly raised the national profile. Name-checked and imitated by everyone from US President Barack Obama, to Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and pop icon Madonna, Psy bestrode his invisible horse and the music world like a colossus in 2012. The hit video is already the most popular of all time on YouTube, having racked up more than 922 million views, and could well break through the one-billion mark before the end of the year. A one-hit wonder maybe, but one with such staying power that the main sufferer of “Gangnam Style” fatigue was Psy himself. “Sometimes, honestly, yes I get tired or I get sick of it,” the rapper said in Singapore, during one of his endless overseas promotional stops. In South Korea they gave him a medal in November for, as one foreign ministry official put it, “increasing the world’s interest in Korea”. But the scrutinising spotlight of fame brought its problems, digging up a 2004 concert held to oppose the US-led invasion of Iraq when Psy rapped lyrics calling for American soldiers to be killed “slowly and painfully”. On Saturday, the singer felt obliged to apologise, regretting any “pain” he might have caused. Despite achieving extraordinary things in an extraordinarily short space of time, South Korea remains a frustrated understudy on the global stage compared to leading players like neighbours China and Japan. Immense national pride The narrative of its rapid transformation from dictatorship to vibrant democracy and war-torn, impoverished backwater to Asia’s fourth-largest economy is a source of immense national pride. But outside views of the country are all too often dominated by glib stereotypes about dog restaurants or filtered from spurious sources like the long-running US television series M*A*S*H. Even its obvious export success stories went unrecognised until recently, with many believing companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG to be Japanese or Taiwanese. For Samsung, 2012 was a watershed year that saw it take a giant bite out of Apple Inc as it carved out a dominant position in the global mobile computing market. Having ended Nokia’s 14-year rule as the world’s top cell phone manufacturer, Samsung saw its share of the lucrative smartphone market surge to 31.3% in the third quarter of 2012, up from just 3.3% in late 2009. Apple smartphone sales in the July-September period were half those of Samsung’s for a total market share of 15%. The South Korean government has spent a substantial amount of time and money in recent years on raising the country’s international profile – notably through its support of the “Korean wave” of TV dramas and pop music that have become enormously popular in Asia and beyond. For nation branding expert Simon Anholt, the success of someone like Psy is proof that state-sponsored or state-controlled cultural output is never as potent or attractive as individual self-expression. “Countries are judged by what they do and what they make, not by what they say about themselves,” Anholt told AFP. “If a country wants to be admired, it has to be admirable, and in a way which catches people’s imaginations: it’s as simple as that,” he said. Generational change Samuel Koo, the new head of South Korea’s Presidential Council on Nation Branding, is all too aware of the pitfalls of behaving like a “PR politburo” that simply trumpets the country’s achievements. “What is successful in, by and from Korea is already there and too big for us to do anything about. What can you possibly add to Psy?” Koo told AFP in an interview. The presidential stamp gives the council genuine clout, which Koo is using to push for, among other things, greater recognition of overseas development assistance (ODA) and “green” policies as crucial tools for raising South Korea’s standing in the international community. But rather than throwing all its efforts behind a specific campaign, Koo sees the council’s role as one of “joining dots” and presenting a mosaic that reflects Korea’s diversity. “Yes, it is the country of Samsung, but it’s also a country of empathy, a country of ODA, the country of Psy, the country of Olympic medals. “It cannot be too systematically orchestrated, but there are easy connections one can make,” he said. South Korea has struggled to build a reputation for creativity and genuine innovation, with even Samsung’s success tainted by accusations of copycat piracy and lawsuits with Apple over alleged patent infringements. But Koo sees a generational change – nurtured by economic growth – that affords young Koreans the financial freedom to pursue creative avenues that were closed to their parents and grandparents. “That’s why we have the Psys. In my generation, if someone’s son or daughter wanted to become a pop star, they would have been shot. Well, perhaps not shot, but at least had their arms twisted until they recanted. “There’s a paradigm shift there, and it’s all to the good. Koreans would not be Koreans unless they were individualistic,” Koo said. - AFP    |
| Cook praises team after third Test win Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:35 PM PST
After losing the first Test, England lead 2-1 and will earn a first series win in India since 1985 if they avoid defeat in the final match in Nagpur. “I can’t fault the character they have shown since Ahmedabad,” said Cook. “I can’t praise the lads enough, but we have to keep our feet on the ground because we’re here to win the series.” Just as in the the 10-wicket second Test win in Mumbai, the victory in Kolkata came after Cook lost the toss and was asked to field first. But England restricted India to 316 all out, with the bowlers again coming to the fore to take six wickets for 36 runs on the fourth afternoon to halt the hosts’ second-innings revival. “After Ahmedabad, a few basic things were rammed home to the England team. Deep down, they knew they had a better bowling attack than India, but that was never going to do them any good unless they had runs to play with. The tourists worked out what they had to do – bat long, sell your wicket dearly.” “It was a great performance level for four and a half days. Everyone performed from one to 11,” Cook, on his first tour since being appointed as Andrew Strauss’s successor, told BBC Sport. “To keep India to 300 on that wicket was a fantastic effort and to get six wickets in that session really won us the game. It was a credit to the hard work they’ve put in that they can perform in these conditions.” Cook made 190 – an England record 23rd Test centur y – in the tourists’ first-innings total of 523, but was denied a double hundred by a bizarre run-out. The left-hander, in easy reach of the crease at the non-striker’s end, moved to avoid Virat Kohli’s throw, which then hit the stumps to leave the opener short of his ground. Cook’s efforts helped England to a lead of 207 and the tourists looked set for an innings victory when India collapsed on the fourth afternoon. However, Ravichandran Ashwin’s 91 not out stretched the game into a fifth day, with England eventually set 41 to win. They slipped to 8-3 – including Cook, stumped in the first over – but were taken across the line by Nick Compton and Ian Bell. “It’s a great win, especially after losing the toss on a wicket like that,” Cook continued. “It’s not ‘job done’ though, there’s still five days in Nagpur to go.” -Agencies    |
| Tony’s brand of entertainment heals Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:34 PM PST
The idea to help those in need came about years ago when baby Callum, son of former national hockey goalkeeper Paul Lopez required surgery to correct a deformed hand and other serious health issues. Tony explains, "In one night, we raised $10,000 through auctions and drink sales. The smiles, the teamwork and the overall feel good vibes put me on an emotional high. It was then that I decided to do what little I could to help on a twice yearly basis." True to his word, Tony holds two big charity events every year at Waikiki Bar. One in June (his birthday) and the other in November (the anniversary of his bar's opening). Tribute to kindness In his second charity project, Tony raised RM18,000 for musician and dear friend, Alvin Fletcher who had to undergo a heart bypass.
"I dare say I’ve never seen so many musicians under Waikiki’s roof at one time before," Tony says of that night. They also raised money for their very own deejay Thomas Alvin Cross who needed to be fitted with a prosthesis after losing his leg to a long-time bone infection. This time they raised RM13,000. Share the power of a wish Although we banded together and worked fast to make her wishes come true, little Nurin passed away just two days before the event. "I, for one was completely shell shocked, and it was then that I knew exactly what we were going to do next – fulfill the wishes of the kids at the cancer ward at KLH," Tony explains of how 'Share the Power of A Wish' came about. With 63 kids in the initial list, Tony and gang set about to make the kids' wishes come true. He says with a chuckle, "There were requests for simple toys like robots, games and barbie dolls but there were also some pretty expensive items on that list like iPhones, iPads, lap tops, portable DVD players and lots of PSPs."
Tony's latest event was held in November this year and called 'Tribute to Charity' Fiesta, the recipients of which were the poor families of children suffering from cancer. This particular event was close to Tony's heart as his youngest son, Heston aged just nine months was officially diagnosed with A.M.L. Leukemia recently. With only a 35%-40% chance of survival, Baby Heston’s fate is yet to be determined as even after two rounds of chemotherapy, the little one has not achieved remission status yet. Remembering how his friends rallied around to help him settle his mounting hospital bills, Tony felt he wanted to repay the gesture through the 'Tribute to Charity' Fiesta. Tony says he will continue to give to charity no matter what the circumstances. He says, "By encouraging empathy, decency and goodwill and having our children involved, hopefully we may create a new and better generation, growing up strong and with better morals." LINKS:    |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:31 PM PST
Drummers wearing gorilla masks warmed up the crowd packed into Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as black-clad women swung their long tresses in rhythm. Mick Jagger pranced, shimmied and howled his way through the 2-1/2 hour show, pausing to reminisce about the band’s history and its first New York concert at Carnegie Hall in 1964. For a group whose early years were punctuated by quarrels and occasional brushes with the law, the biggest controversy ahead of Saturday’s show was the price of seats – up to US$800, and as much as 10 times that amount on websites offering last-minute tickets. In those days, milk was cheaper and “tickets to the Rolling Stones was – well, I’m not going to go there,” Jagger acknowledged. The band’s last major tour was in 2007 and the latest reunion almost didn’t happen, owing in part to a spat between Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards over comments Richards made about the singer in a 2010 autobiography. Richards joked in a recent interview: “We can’t get divorced – we’re doing it for the kids.” A tribute video opened Saturday’s proceedings featuring celebrities heaping praise on the band. “They’re great songs to do bad things to,” said actor Johnny Depp. “Just how skinny they all are… It really, really pisses me off,” said actress Cate Blanchett.
Women in the crowd opened their arms wide as Jagger, wearing a silver sequined jacket, strutted along the horseshoe-shaped stage for “I Wanna Be Your Man”, a Beatles tune. The band was then joined by R&B singer Mary J. Blige for “Gimme Shelter”. “People say ‘why do you keep doing this?’” Jagger told the crowd. He thanked fans for buying records and “generally being amazing for the last 50 years.” The Stones started their brief diamond jubilee tour in London and are due to play twice in Newark, New Jersey. Fans said it could be the last chance for New Yorkers to see the band live. “It’s the only concert I wanted to see before I die,” said Lucy Webley, 33.—Reuters    |
| French film ‘Amour’ named best film Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:24 PM PST
In a list that broke ranks with early movie award picks in New York, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association named Paul Thomas Anderson best director for “The Master” and the film’s Amy Adams best supporting actress. “Zero Dark Thirty,” the thriller about the killing of Osama bin Laden, took just one award, for best editing. Last week, “Zero Dark Thirty” picked up two best picture accolades from the New York-based National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle. Nominations are to be announced later this week for the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards, in what are likely to be leading indicators for the Oscars in February. The 60 or so members of Los Angeles Film Critics Association showed wide-ranging tastes and little agreement with awards industry watchers. Emmanuelle Riva, 85, who plays a retired piano teacher who suffers a stroke in the Cannes film festival winner “Amour,” (“Love”) was named best actress in a tie with American Jennifer Lawrence, who plays a young widow in the quirky comedy “Silver Linings Playbook.” Supposed Oscar front-runners like actors Daniel Day-Lewis (“Lincoln”), Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty”) were shut out by the Los Angeles critics, along with much-anticipated musical “Les Miserables” and epic fantasy “The Hobbit.” Newcomer Dwight Henry won best supporting actor for playing a beleaguered father in mythical indie film “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” and the Los Angeles critics gave the best screenplay award to Iran hostage drama “Argo.” Nominations for the Critics Choice awards come on Tuesday, with the Screen Actors Guild announcing their nominations for the best movie and TV performances in the year on Wednesday. Organizers of the Golden Globes unveil their picks on Thursday. Nominations for the Oscars – the highest honors in the movie industry – are announced on January 10, with the Oscar awards ceremony set for February 24 in Hollywood.—Reuters    |
| Jenni Rivera dies in plane crash Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:18 PM PST
A spokesman for the state government of Nuevo Leon said investigators had found the remains of Rivera’s Learjet, which disappeared from the radar 62 miles from the northern city of Monterrey at about 3:30 a.m. local time/4.30 a.m. EST. Speaking after the wreckage was discovered, the singer’s father, Pedro Rivera, told Telemundo television all seven of the people on board the plane, including two pilots, had died. “Everyone was lost,” Rivera said, flanked by two sons. Investigators are still searching the crash site in the municipality of Iturbide, south of Monterrey. The transportation and communications ministry said the wreckage was strewn so far and wide that it was hard to recognize anything. It was not clear what caused the crash. Rivera, 43, was heading for the city of Toluca in central Mexico after a concert in Monterrey on Saturday night. Born in Long Beach, California, to Mexican immigrants, Rivera sold some 15 million records in her career, won several awards and received Grammy nominations, her website said. A mother of five, Rivera was a renowned performer of the Nortena and Banda musical styles.—Reuters    |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:16 PM PST
SoulCycle Classes last for 45 minutes, so this is not a class for those who have recently decided to ditch their couch potato ways. Yet for those wanting more of a challenge, you can join the SoulSurvivor class, which lasts for a whopping 60 minutes. Sadly, for now most of the SoulCycle classes are in New York, but we're sure this fitness philosophy will be sweeping the globe before long. Buggy fit Parents (normally mums) pack their little ones into their buggies and meet up with an instructor outside; typically in a park. The class members do a warm-up before heading on a three to five mile course, which can be ran or walked. Individual exercises are also performed along the route, which are aimed at improving and strengthening your post-baby body. Instructors tend to be fully trained personal trainers who have knowledge of prenatal and antenatal fitness. Ballet Beautiful Even though Ballet Beautiful is based in New York you can get online and take part in a live class. The instructor can see the students and you can see them. You can even ask the Ballet Beautiful instructor questions. Plus you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home, which saves you time, money and can give you added motivation to attend. SurfSet Classic
Group rowing Yet, although great for your body, using a rowing machine can get dull very quickly. To combat boredom you should go to a group rowing fitness class. Students work in unison, but each student can work at a different pace depending on their own fitness level and ability. One of the biggest perks of group rowing is that you are taught how to use the rowing machines correctly and learn the technique, which is invaluable. So, as well as boosting your motivation, group rowing does wonders for your performance. LINKS    |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:10 PM PST
Party make-up Simple up 'do Glittery lips Combat alcohol Tired eyes Flat stomach Have a great time LINKS    |
| Man hurls paint cans at Black Madonna Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:06 PM PST
The 58-year-old attacker was detained by guards at the monastery holding the revered depiction of Mary and the baby Jesus in the southern city of Czestochowa, police said. “The icon is shielded by a protective plate of glass and was unharmed,” Czestochowa police spokeswoman Joanna Lazar added. It was unclear why the man carried out the attack or whether the paint cans were open. A statement on the Jasna Gora monastery website said the attacker had tried to deface the icon with a “black substance”. The monastery became a symbol of national pride after Poles successfully defended it against invading Swedish troops in the 17th century. According to legend, the sacred image was painted by St Luke and helped repel the foreign soldiers. Solidarity leader Lech Walesa kept his 1983 Nobel Peace Prize medal at the monastery for safekeeping beyond the reach of the country’s then communist rulers who regarded the award as part of a Western plot. Thousands of Poles make pilgrimages to the monastery every year to see the icon, whose origin is shrouded in mediaeval lore.—Reuters    |
| Asian markets up after positive US, China data Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:57 PM PST
Investors appeared unmoved by figures confirming Japan’s economy shrank in the three months to September, as traders keep their sights on Nov 16 general election, which is expected to see Yoshihiko Noda’s government ousted. Tokyo rose 0.25% the break, Hong Kong added 0.58%, Shanghai was 0.26% higher, Sydney gained 0.26% and Seoul climbed 0.13%. Washington on Friday unveiled figures showing the economy added 146,000 jobs in November, up from a revised 138,000 in October. Expectations had been for just 80,000 jobs to be added. The Labor Department also said the unemployment rate dropped to 7.7% last month, its lowest since December 2008, from 7.9% in October. However, the data were tempered by a University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, which declined to 74.5 from November’s five-year-high of 82.7. Traders are also nervous about the lack of progress on Capitol Hill in talks aimed at averting the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts due to take effect on January 1 and which would likely tip the economy into recession. Wall Street was mixed, with the Dow up 0.62% and the S&P 500 gaining 0.29% but the Nasdaq lost 0.38%. In China the government said yesterday that November had seen a double-digit increase in production at factories, workshops and mines for the first time since March. Figures on retail sales, fixed asset investment and inflation reinforced the view that the economy is finally on the mend after seven straight quarters of slowdown in growth. “Overall it’s a quite strong set of numbers, supporting our view of rebounding GDP growth,” said Lu Ting, China economist with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Figures released today showed exports rose 2.9% in November, while imports were flat. On currency markets the euro bought US$1.2904 and 106.40 yen in early Asian trade, down from US$1.2928 and 106.64 yen in New York Friday afternoon. The dollar bought 82.47 yen, from 82.46 yen. The yen has come under pressure in recent weeks after polls were called for December 16. Noda and his Democratic Party of Japan are expected to be beaten by the Liberal Democratic Party, headed by former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Abe has promised to push a more aggressive monetary easing policy to kickstart the economy. Oil prices were higher, with New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, gaining 29 US cents to US$86.22 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for January delivery adding 39 US cents to US$107.41. Gold was at US$1,705.60 at 0250 GMT compared with US$1,696.90 late on Friday. - AFP    |
| Knee replacement linked to weight gain Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:52 PM PST
Researchers, whose findings appeared in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, analyzed the medical records of nearly 1,000 knee-replacement surgery patients, and found that 30 percent of them gained five percent or more of their body weight in the five years following surgery. One possible explanation for the counter-intuitive results, experts said, is that if people have spent years adapting to knee pain by taking it easy, they don’t automatically change their habits when the pain is reduced. “Patients who undergo knee arthroplasty are at increased risk of clinically important weight gain following surgery,” wrote study leader Daniel Riddle, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. “Future research should develop weight loss/maintenance interventions particularly for younger patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight prior to surgery, as they are most at risk for substantial post surgical weight gain.” Riddle’s group used a patient registry from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which collected information on 917 knee replacement patients before and after their procedures.
In contrast, fewer than 20 percent of those in a comparison group of similar people who had not had surgery gained equivalent amounts of weight in the same period. “After knee replacement we get them stronger and moving better, but they don’t seem to take advantage of the functional gains,” said Joseph Zeni, a physical therapy professor at the University of Delaware, who was not part of the study. “I think that has to do with the fact that we don’t address the behavioral modifications that have happened during the course of arthritis before the surgery.” Riddle’s team explained that this degree of weight gain can lead to “meaningful effects on cardiovascular and diabetes related risk as well as pain and function.” Part of the explanation for the weight gain could be the age at which patients get surgery. People in their 50s and 60s tend to gain weight anyway. Still, in light of the lower rates of weight gain in the comparison group, which was also middle aged and older, Riddle said something else may also be at work. Indeed, the team found that patients who had lost weight before their surgery were slightly more likely to gain weight afterwards – perhaps because when people lose weight in anticipation of an event, such as surgery, they are more likely to put it back on after they’re achieved the goal. Zeni said that to help people stave off weight gain after surgery, health care providers need to address the sedentary lifestyle people often adopt to accommodate their arthritis. “We need to encourage patients to take advantage of their ability to function better and get them to take on a more active lifestyle,” he said.—AFP    |
| Why shares are oversubscribed for IPOs Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:47 PM PST
KUALA LUMPUR: The multiple times oversubscription of shares for local initial public offerings (IPOs) may not be due to pent-up demand from local institutional investors, but simply a case of the investors putting in a higher than required bid to ensure they secure a certain minumum amount of shares in the company. Institutional investors spoken to by The Malaysian Reserve said local institutional investors were usually inclined to bid for higher amounts of IPO shares than what they really aim for. The reason is simple: they would normally only be alloted a certain portion of the shares they bid for since in most IPOs there are limited shares to go around for public and institutional investors. This practice leads to IPOs being oversubscribed many times over. The latest spate of mega IPOs for IHH Healthcare Bhd, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH), Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd and IGB Real Estate Investment Trust saw an oversubscription by institutional investors of between 20 and 60 times. FGVH, Malaysia's largest IPO this year in terms of market size of shares made available, saw the institutional portion of its IPO being oversubcribed by 30 times. The stock opened the first day of its trading on Bursa Malaysia at a premium of 18.5% over its institutional price of RM4.55. However, FGVH has since dipped below the IPO level. IHH, floated on both Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Exchange on July 25 at RM2.80 per share, gained 10% on debut. Both these counters had significant government shareholdings. "The level of oversubsciption depends on the quality of the IPO which then affects the level of demand and supply," said RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd research head Lim Chee Sing. IHH, which is principally involved in the healthcare industry, is seen as defensive stock. The recent trend of the level of oversubscription for the institutional portion of IPOs may suggest that institutional investors are losing out in the allocation of IPO shares, according to one institutional investor.
"The practice of having cornerstone investors actually works against the interest of the companies by concentrating shareholding in a few hands, thwarting the aims of good corporate governance and the promotion of a fair capital market by not giving everyone equal opportunity to own shares in a listed entity," said another stockbroker. In the case of IHH, among its so-called cornerstone investors were Kuwait Investment Authority, BlackRock Inc, JF Asset Management Ltd and Newton Investment Management Ltd. This content is provided by FMT content partner The Malaysian Reserve.    |
| Alter-ego demolished by challenge Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:43 PM PST FMT LETTER: From S Ramakrishnan, via e-mail On Nov 20, about 30 officers from Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) trespassed into S Gobikumar's house and demolished an altar his family built for personal prayers. The altar was structurally ready but no statues were installed and no prayers had commenced. Having seen the altar size outside the house but within the compound, it clearly shows that such a structure is in violation of the local council act. I’ve come to understand that the house owner Gobikumar was given three warnings within a six- month period to tear it down by the Sepang municipal council. The council was challenged by Gobikumar to tear it down if they dares. I think some people are foolish enough to challenge knowing well that such structure is illegal. Gobikumar is a supporter of Thanendran the betrayer of makkal sakti movement and his other family members are MIC members. Gobikumar is known to go into trance and give consultations, and this attracts some crowd to his house. The Selangor state government has a standing ruling that no temple can be destroyed since they took over the state in 2008. The municipal council heads in Selangor need to get state permission before bringing down any temple structure. I suppose in this case the council enforcement personnel made their own decision since this is not a temple but an illegal extension within the compound. The Menteri Besar and the state government seem to be caught off guard by this unilateral action of the Sepang municipal enforcement personnel. MIC, rejected and still nursing the wounds of the 2008 defeat saw it a timely opportunity to capitalise on this demolition of an illegal alter structure outside the house. They think this issue will catapult them into political limelight by championing the demolition of this shrine. This action of MIC youth shows that they cannot champion any worthwhile cause for Indians. I only wish they show the same vigor and enthusiasm in the lack of job opportunities, discrimination of business opportunities, scholarships and places in higher education institutions. They are silent and indifferent and tacitly support the Umno's discriminative policies. But when it comes to scoring political points for Umno-BN, MIC youth shows a lot of drive and enthusiasm. They had summoned gangsters to join them in their protest at the state secretariat building on Friday (Dec 7) against the demolition of this illegal extension. If MIC youth still behave as Umno's lapdogs and champion mundane and illegal activities of ignorant members of the Indian community, are they doing any service and justice to the Indian community? Now they have promised to rebuild the illegal alter in Gobikumar's house. This will strengthen others like him to build more illegal extensions. By supporting such activities, is MIC youth showing the community the right way forward? Indians in Malaysia have come a long way in political realisation and are looking forward to change in government. But MIC is doing everything to keep Indians indulged in superstitious and devious so that they continue to have a political role. PR Indian leaders too, are caught in a difficult situation. As much as we don't want council enforcement personnel to break our shrines, they too do not support challenging the enforcement officers to break an illegal extension. Indian politicians have a larger political agenda like our rights as citizens of this country, low enrolment in universities and difficulties in job opportunities and businesses. Therefore instances such as breaking of this shrine outside the house are a distraction to the larger political struggle and must be avoided.    |
| Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:41 PM PST
The 2012 season will be remembered as one of the most thrilling ever — with Vettel crowned Formula One’s youngest ever triple world champion by a mere three points. The 25-year-old German’s sixth to Alonso’s second in Brazil made him only the third driver in history to win three successive titles, equalling the feats of the great Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio and childhood idol Michael Schumacher, who finished seventh for Mercedes in his final race before retiring. But while plaudits rained down on Vettel runner-up Alonso was mapping out ways to end his Red Bull rival’s supremacy in 2013 after what the 2005 and 2006 champion called “the best season of my life”. The 31-year-old reckoned his title bid was undermined by his Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness compared to the super reliable and super fast Red Bull, and rough justice at Spa and Suzuka. In Belgium and Japan, Alonso finished pointless after being shunted out of contention by Lotus duo Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen. “We definitely did not lose the title in Brazil; that happened in Spa and Suzuka,” argued Alonso. “In the end, we lost the title by three points, however I did the best season of my life and now I can only think of the year to come. “It was a miracle to see, race after race, what we managed to achieve: Next year, we will try and improve the car, trying to start further up the grid, thus avoiding accidents. Let’s hope we also have a bit more luck.” He shrugged off any anger he and Ferrari stirred up amongst Vettel’s fanbase in Germany when lodging an ultimately fruitless appeal to the sport’s governing body against Vettel’s Brazil win. The action was based on suggestions that Vettel may have carried out an illegal overtaking manoeuvre. He said: “Frankly, I’m not that interested in what the opinion is of me in Germany or elsewhere. “What I know is that people who see me in the streets hug me and call me gladiator or samurai.” The unassuming Vettel will be hard to dislodge from the top of the F1 tree — the mantle of champion resting comfortably on his broad shoulders. After different winners of the first seven races he took the 2012 championship by the scruff of the neck in Asia, rattling off four straight wins. And his reputation for coolness under pressure was plain for all to see in Brazil, when he overcame a near-disastrous first-lap collision to pick his way through the pack in treacherous rain-swept conditions for the all important sixth place finish. “He’s in a club on his own now, three in a row is going some..,” said his teammate Mark Webber. Vettel, who has committed to Red Bull until 2014, reflected: “We stepped up our game in the second half of the season which allowed us to come back in this championship.” The season witnessed the end of the marriage between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren with the 2008 champion turning his back on the British team in favour of a fresh start at Ross Brawn’s Mercedes, with his drive alongside Jenson Button handed to highly-rated Mexican Sergio Perez. A 20-race menu is again on offer in 2013, but the planned Grand Prix of America on the Jersey shore opposite New York City won’t be on it. Next year’s grid has been reduced to 22 cars after the HRT team missed the deadline. -AFP    |
| Defeated Pacquiao says “fine”, has no plans to retire Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:38 PM PST
There had been speculation the 33-year-old Pacquiao might consider retirement after losing for a second time in his last three bouts but the Filipino southpaw made it clear he would be back to compete after taking a well-earned break. “To all my fans, I would like to thank you for your prayers and assure you that I am fine,” Pacquiao said in a statement just hours after his stunning defeat in a non-title welterweight bout in front of a sellout crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “I am looking forward to a nice rest and then I will be back to fight. On behalf of (his wife) Jinkee and our family we would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.” Pacquiao, who had won twice and drawn once in his three previous meetings with Marquez, was floored by a thunderous right by the counter-punching Mexican with just one second left in the sixth round of a high-energy bout. The Filipino was also knocked down in the third round but fears of a possible concussion were put to rest after a precautionary CT (computed tomography) scan at nearby University Medical Center hospital after the fight ended. “The results were negative,” said Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s advisor. “We were in and out in just over an hour and Manny was in excellent spirits.” Both fighters had much to prove in their heavily anticipated fourth showdown on Saturday. Marquez was determined to set the record straight after firmly believing he had been “robbed” by judges’ verdicts in their three previous fights while Pacquiao was eager to prove his powers had not diminished with age. The Filipino had delivered a below-par performance against Marquez 13 months ago when he narrowly retained his WBO welterweight title with a controversial majority decision that was greeted by loud booing from disgruntled Marquez fans. Pacquiao’s preparations for that fight were hampered by various distractions, including marital difficulties, but he has since patched up his relationship with his wife and become a much more disciplined boxer after giving up his former pastimes of cockfighting, gambling and nightclubbing. In June, however, Pacquiao lost on a hotly disputed split decision to American Timothy Bradley, his first defeat since he was beaten by Erik Morales in Las Vegas in March 2005. With his ego bruised and his stature diminished, the Filipino set his sights on bold vindication against Marquez, but once again he fell short in his bid. “I want to congratulate Juan Manuel,” said Pacquiao, who slipped to 54-5-2 with 38 knockouts. “I have no excuses. It was a good fight and he deserved the victory. I think boxing fans who watched us were winners too.” Pacquiao’s stunning loss has almost certainly written off any chance of a long awaited mega-fight between the Filipino and American Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he is now much more likely to take on Marquez for a fifth time. “Yes, why not? It’s a good fight,” said the Filipino, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. “If you give us a chance, we’ll fight again.” -Reuters    |
| Afghan women opt for cosmetic surgery Posted: 09 Dec 2012 07:36 PM PST  KABUL: Despite living much of their lives behind a veil, some Afghan women are feeling pressure to conform to ideals of female beauty and are lining up for cosmetic surgery at a handful of clinics in Kabul.A few years ago, most operations would have been to repair war wounds or scars from family violence, acid attacks or attempts at self-immolation by women driven to despair by hard times in a male-dominated society. Now, nose jobs are most popular, but facelifts, breast enhancement and tummy tucks are also sought after. “Ten years ago it was all about repairing scars,” said Dr Aminullah Hamkar, 53, who runs a Kabul clinic.
This was a good sign, he said, showing that people, at least in the capital, were moving beyond the violence of a hardline Islamist Taliban insurgency and contemplating ideas usually reserved for times of peace. “I was always jealous to see my sisters and others had longer and bigger noses while my nose was small and flat,” said Shaida, an 18-year-old girl who had a nose enlargement at Hamkar’s clinic. Shaida is from the minority Hazara ethnic group, many of whom have slightly Mongolian looks, with almond eyes and noses that are flatter than those of other Afghans. Shaida, who works as a policewomen, sought cosmetic surgery after seeing some of her friends and colleagues change the shapes of their noses and eyes. “Now that I have a bigger nose, I feel more comfortable and satisfied,” she said smiling. The two surgeons at the clinic perform about two cosmetic procedures each week, apart from their regular plastic surgery for medical or reconstructive purposes. Most cosmetic operations are done under local anesthetic to cut costs. And for nose enlargement, instead of using silicon, the surgeons cut cartilage from a rib, carve it to the right shape and use that. A typical nose enlargement costs about US$300, more than a month’s salary for many Afghans, but since the ousting of the Taliban regime 11 years ago, the influx of billions of dollars in aid has led to the emergence of a growing middle class. They have been exposed to trends in Iran, Dubai and European countries, and are willing to pay for plastic surgery purely for cosmetic reasons.
The girl, from a conservative and insurgency-plagued province in eastern Afghanistan, had married, had children early and had breast-fed them. “Now for me, who has worked as a plastic surgeon for years, seeing such cases in other countries was nothing new, but this was something new here in Afghanistan,” the doctor said. “Her husband travels to a liberal, more open city like Dubai, probably sees beautiful and in-shape women and upon his return home he dislikes his wife’s shape and even approves her visiting a plastic surgeon. “Many people’s perceptions of life and sex change upon their return from a trip to a less conservative place.” Mohammad Ibrahim, a former army officer whose daughter wanted to make her nose smaller — the family belongs to the Tajik ethnic group — says he agreed with the operation as it would make her feel better. “Back in the sixties and seventies, the governments then would encourage us to learn about different cultures and even as government employees they helped us travel to different countries.” But decades of war after a Soviet invasion in 1979 and the rise to power of the Taliban “deprived our youths from their god given and human rights”. “Today we enjoy a relative democracy and I don’t want my daughter to feel ugly and isolated,” he said. “That’s why I easily agreed to bring her here, so she can have a better nose and feel happy.”—AFP    |
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