mynews

KL seeks more meetings with Jakarta on issues

2007-12-23T01:24:00.000-08:00

Sunday December 23, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia wants frequent meetings to be held at various levels, and with different groups from Indonesia to iron out issues.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the meetings should also include sessions with the republic’s media.

Apart from exchange programmes, Malaysian leaders visiting the country should also make it a point to “have a chat” with them.

“We believe this is important as the Indonesian media is very open but they have a tendency to sensationalise stories reported from Malaysia.

“Sometimes the issues are blown out of proportion until we are seen as offending Indonesians, resulting in them having a negative perception of the country and our people,” he said.

Najib was speaking to reporters after hosting a breakfast dialogue with members of Indonesian political party Golkar, led by senior party leader H.R Agung Laksono.

The 23-member Golkar delegation is on a three-day visit, mainly to have discussions with Umno leaders.

He said that most times, the “issue at hand” was minor, such as the use of certain terminologies.

“While Malaysians and even Indonesians residing here would refer to those from the republic as Indons, the Indonesians back home take offence to such a reference. They feel we are degrading them, when that is certainly not the intention,” he said.

Najib said the dialogue was fruitful as both parties exchanged views in an open and frank manner.

Of late, the Indonesian media has been critical of Malaysian songs and dances performed at official functions and on the television. The republic claims these art forms belong to it.

The Malaysian Government has decided to shelve cultural performances originating from Indonesia, such as the barongan and endang dances, from official functions.

Land scams on the rise

2007-12-23T01:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday December 23, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Landowners beware! Your property is at risk. There has been a rising number of land scams in recent years, especially in the Klang Valley. Worse, the scams are targeting higher-value land too.

Government statistics revealed in Parliament recently showed that there were 16 land scams recorded in 2001, 19 in 2002, 22 in 2003, 32 in 2004, 35 in 2005 and 80 last year.

Police statistics also showed that last year the value of land involved in the scams was almost RM4.9mil. This year, up till October, the value of the land was more than RM10.4mil.

Only four people were arrested over the offences last year and just one this year.

National House Buyers Association secretary Chang Kim Loong expressed concern over increasing incidences of land scams and the high number of unsolved cases.

“This could lead to a loss of confidence in the Malaysian property market,” he said.

Chang urged the Government to initiate an insurance scheme to indemnify anyone who suffers loss due to fraudulent land transfer.

Commercial Crimes Investigation Department legal / inspectorate division principal assistant director ACP Tan Kok Liang said that in certain cases it was difficult to get evidence against the perpetrators because they used other people's identity.

The most recent case involves Taiwanese businessman Chen Wei Pin, who found that a private caveat had been entered on his land by a director of Zen Zaman Sdn Bhd, claiming that Chen had sold the land to his company. Chen denied any such transaction.

His plight was brought up by the MCA Public Service and Complaints Department, which has received 18 such complaints involving land worth RM30mil in the past five years.

Assistant professor Dr Sharifah Zubaidah Syed Abdul Kader of the Public Law Department of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the law did not fully protect landowners, especially in cases of forgery.

“Even if they are able to prove the title is theirs, they can still lose their land. The court will inevitably rule against them as long as it can be proven that the purchaser had bought the land on good faith,” she added.

Roger Tan, the Bar Council's Conveyancing Practice Committee chairman, said the onus had fallen on landowners to conduct regular checks on their land title.

Tun Dr Mahathir quizzed by ACA over video clip

2007-12-23T01:18:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 22, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has interviewed Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the video clip purportedly showing a senior lawyer brokering the appointment of judges.

Dr Mahathir, who was fielding questions during a brief press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here Saturday, said three ACA officers interviewed him on Friday.

"They questioned me and I answered them," he said, adding that the interview lasted for about one hour.

When asked what some of the questions were, Dr Mahathir said: "I cannot tell you that."

He said if he was asked to testify at the recently set up Royal Commission of Inquiry into the videoclip, he would not say no.

Dr Mahathir was also asked to comment on the setting up of the commission to which he said it was not his place to talk about it.

A reporter then said that Dr Mahathir's name was implicated in the video clip to which he said he did not know what was said and that he had not seen the clip.

"The only thing I have seen is what was shown on TV3. So I do not know what the lawyer (in the clip) said. You (the reporter) know better," he said.

On the Government using the Internal Security Act (ISA) against Hindraf leaders, Dr Mahathir said he himself had used the ISA before.

"It is up to the government and the people to decide this. You see, we are a democratic country.

"If the people selected to lead are the people who support the use of ISA, then they will use it. The choice is yours. I thought people approved the use of ISA when they supported me, so I implemented it."

However, Dr Mahathir felt that problems felt by any community ought to be addressed in other ways and that public assemblies should only be used as a last resort.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir launched a book entitled The Third World & International Law authored by Tunku Sofiah Jewa.

Dr Mahathir, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday and Tunku Sofiah whose birthday was Saturday, were also given surprise birthday cakes after the book launch.

Second bridge link with Thailand opens

2007-12-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 22, 2007

JELI: The relationship between Malaysia and Thailand received a major boost yesterday when the second bridge linking both countries was officially opened.

The RM9.2mil bridge, spanning 120m across Sungai Golok, took 11 months to complete.

Both countries split the cost equally, with the project given to a Malaysian contractor.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who opened the bridge with his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont, said he was confident the new link would contribute to the relationship between both countries.

New landmark: A Thai boatman pushing his boat at Sungai Golok as the Thai and Malaysian Prime Ministers Surayud Chulanont and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (inset) launch the second bridge between Kelantan and Narathiwat. — Reuters

“I am confident the new link between Bukit Bunga (Jeli) and Bau Buketa (Narathiwat) will contribute towards further enhancing the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries and people, especially between the residents of Kelantan and Narathiwat,” he said.

He also said the bridge was a project identified for implementation under the Joint Development Strategy for the border areas established in 2004.

Abdullah added that with the second bridge, which has an average of 100 people crossing it daily, the people of Kelantan would enjoy the benefits directly and immediately.

“This fact relates well to the special effort that the Malaysian Government is now undertaking to make Kelantan a new focal point for the development of the economy and social affairs, including the development of human capital.

“Kelantan is one of the states earmarked for growth and accelerated development under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) corridor,” said Abdullah.

He also said that Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah and Perak were designated areas under the development blueprints for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), and he invited Thailand to invest in it.

Abdullah also said Malaysia was aware that Thailand was working hard to promote reconciliation and establish peace and stability in southern Thailand, and that Malaysia was always ready to give its full support to the Thai Government.

Surayud said the bridge was very important in fostering closer ties between both countries.

“This is historic because it is built at a time when we are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between Thailand and Malaysia.”

He added that the bridge, the second across Sungai Golok, would be a boost to the ECER and would also improve economic growth and the transportation system in the border areas.

Later, after performing Friday prayers at the Jeli mosque, Abdullah presented a cheque for RM300,000 to the mosque for renovations.

He also urged Muslims to pray for the flood victims and hoped they would get new homes soon.

New RM50 note from Jan 30

2007-12-22T01:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 22, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM50 note gets a makeover with enhanced anti-forgery security features and a design theme reflecting how far Malaysia has moved up the economic value chain after 50 years of independence.

The illustrations on the note include oil palm trees and microbiology technology, representing Malaysia’s economic transformation to the higher value-added activities in the agricultural, manufacturing, services and other sectors.

The front retains the portrait of the first king, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad, on the right. The national hibiscus flower is in the centre.

Songket patterns frame the background and edges of the note to reflect traditional Malaysian textile handicraft and embroidery.

Bank Negara employee Lim Hsin Ying showing the new RM50 note. The issuance of the new RM50 notes also commemorates Malaysia 50th independence anniversary.

On the back, first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman is featured raising his hand in proud declaration of Merdeka! There is the logo of the 50th Independence anniversary as well.

Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz presented the new RM50 to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday. The note bore the serial number AA 0000009.

“This is yet another symbol of the economic success, national stability and prosperity of the nation. God willing, we will continue the success into the next 50 years,” said Abdullah at the TUDM air base before flying off to Kelantan.

The new notes will be available from Jan 30 next year.

Bank Negara has prepared commemorative special packaging for 20,000 of the notes.

Each will cost RM60 and will be available from Dec 26 at the headquarters and branches in Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Dr Zeti said the current RM50 notes would continue to be legal tender even with the introduction of the new notes, adding that they would be phased out in a few years.

Candlelight vigil postponed

2007-12-22T01:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 22, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The candlelight vigil organised by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, planned tonight, will not take place.

GMI said the event has been postponed to Jan 5.

Its secretary E. Nalini, when contacted, confirmed the postponement, and said this was because there was shortage of lawyers to defend them should they be arrested.

"Most of the lawyers who volunteered to help us are out of town because of the holidays," she said.

Nalini said the police have asked it to re-apply for the new date.

The vigil was supposed to have been held at 8pm at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday.

Flood victims warned of water-borne diseases

2007-12-22T01:17:00.000-08:00

Saturday December 22, 2007

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Flood victims should take precautionary measures when they return home from evacuation centres to prevent being infected with water-borne diseases.

Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said typhoid; cholera and hepatitis A were found to have increased during or after floods.

He said drinking contaminated water could lead to these diseases.

It was estimated that about 20% of the water-borne diseases were contracted after floods and people had to take preventive measures, he said, reminding people to drink only boiled water.

“Parents should also see that their children do not play in flood waters as it will increase risk of wound infections, dermatitis, conjunctivitis and ear, nose and throat infections,” he said.

He was speaking after opening the 'Healthy Living Programme’ held at Dewan Serbaguna, Taman Chai Leng, Prai near here Saturday.

He also advised flood victims returning home to make sure their houses were thoroughly cleaned to prevent infections.

Two Hindraf leaders file habeas corpus applications

2007-12-22T01:14:00.000-08:00

Friday December 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Two leaders of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), who are detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), have filed their habeas corpus (wrongful detention) application at the High Court here for their release.

Lawyer Karpal Singh filed the application on behalf of Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar and its co-ordinator K. Vasantha Kumar. He filed at the High Court (criminal) registry at about noon Friday.

They named the Internal Security Minister and the Kamunting Detention Centre’s superintendent as respondents

In the affidavit, P. Waytha Nayagi, who affirmed the document to support the application for her brother Uthayakumar, said his arrest in Bangsar last Thursday and continued detention was unconstitutional and unlawful.

Waytha Nayagi, 41, said there had been contravention of the provisions of the Federal Constitution and non-compliance with the provisions of rules of Internal Security (Advisory Board Procedure) Rules 1972.

She said the allegations against her brother were groundless and asked the court to declare the detention order null and void.

She applied for him to be brought to the court and released forthwith.

In a notice of motion Waytha Nayagi also asked for any order deemed fit by the court.

In the other habeas corpus application, K. Vickneswary, wife of Vasantha Kumar, affirmed an affidavit for the purpose.

Vickneswary, 35, said her husband's arrest in Brickfields last Thursday was not in accordance with law and illegal.

She said the minister had acted mechanically and prematurely and that the allegations of fact against her husband were baseless and that his continued detention was unconstitutional and unlawful.

She applied for him to be brought to the court and be set at free as well as any further order deemed proper by the court.

Speaking to reporters later, Karpal Singh said:

"We are serving the papers of four applicants (lawyers M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, Uthayakumar and former senior executive Vasantha Kumar) to the minister so that they will be ready for the hearing at High Court on Wednesday before Judicial Commissioner Zainal Azman Abdul Aziz," he added.

Lorry with RM500,000 microchips hijacked

2007-12-21T01:15:00.000-08:00

Friday December 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Three men armed with parangs hijacked a lorry laden with computer chips worth over RM500,000 at the Rawang rest area.

The trio surrounded the lorry driver, in his 30s, as he came out of the toilet at 5.30am yesterday.

The men then forced the driver into the lorry and drove away from the rest area, while their accomplice trailed the lorry in a four-wheel drive, police said.

The lorry driver was dropped off about five kilometres from the rest area and lodged a police report at Gombak district police headquarters.

Anyone with information on the incident can contact the district police headquarters at 03-6126 6666.

Guard shot dead in RM20,000 bank robbery

2007-10-26T17:43:00.001-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

AMPANG: A security guard was shot dead when a robber, armed with an automatic pistol, robbed a bank in Taman Muda, here.

The guard, Kamaruzzaman Hussin (pic), 36, was shot in the head and the armpit. He died at the Ampang Hospital an hour after the 9.35am incident.

The robber, in his 20’s, wearing a helmet and jacket, walked into the Public Bank after it opened for business and fired a shot near one of the counters.

Kamaruzzaman returned fire with his pump gun and in the subsequent shoot-out, the security guard was hit and he fell. The robber then ordered a cashier to hand over the money.

Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Mazlan Mansor said the robber fled on a motorcycle after taking RM20,450. It is learnt that at least eight shots were fired during the robbery.

The entire robbery lasted just one minute and 20 seconds. There were between 10 to 12 customers in the bank during the robbery. None were harmed.

At the Ampang Hospital here, Kamaruzzaman’s wife Sriwati Kasim, 26, said she was shocked to hear that her husband had been killed.

“We were planning to go back to Kuantan tomorrow (today) for his younger brother’s wedding,” she said, adding that Kamaruzzaman had worked as a security guard for the past 11 years.

Seven days to process expat pass

2007-10-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Seven days to get an answer to an application for an expatriate’s pass or you can call Pemudah directly to complain.

That is the promise of Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, Chief Secretary to the Government and co-chair of Pemudah, the task force set up to untangle red tape and help smoothen the public delivery.

Previously, Mohd Sidek said it could take up to a few months to process the application for an expatriate’s pass and that sometimes, the procedures could be very confusing to the public.

“Explanations on the procedures for obtaining such passes were all over the place as the approving agency differs from one sector to the next.

“For instance, expatriates working in the financial sector will be under the purview of Bank Negara and those in the manufacturing industry will be under that of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority.

“This guidebook will give a flow chart explanation to help industry players and managers navigate their way through the various steps involved.

“It is written in simple language and lists down all the agencies involved,” he told reporters after launching the book at the Prime Minister’s Office here yesterday.

Mohd Sidek said that with the guidebook, procedures could be made so simple that industry players need not resort to a third party or runners to put up their application forms.

“This book will not only benefit foreign investors but our local industries who wish to bring in expertise from overseas. This is expected to bring a lot of positive impact on our economy.

“The Government is serious in improving the ease of doing business,” he said.

The guidebook also explains how to bring over their spouses and children, and contains comprehensive details on procedures, criteria and the processing period.

The guidebook is available on the Pemudah website at www.pemudah.gov.my.

There are currently 40,000 expatriates working in the country.

Train runs over students

2007-10-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

TAMPIN: Two Form Two students were killed when they were run over by a freight train near Kampung Tanjung, Ulu Gadong, in Kota near here.

Five of their schoolmates, all aged between 15 and 17, escaped when they managed to jump off the tracks in the nick of time.

The seven were resting on the railway tracks when the incident occurred at about 11.45pm on Thursday.

The two killed were Fazrul Asri Zulkifli from Juasseh in Bahau and Mohd Hafiz Adnan from Masjid Tanah in Malacca.

The students of SM Agama Hj Mohamed Yatim near here only realised there was a freight train approaching them when the driver sounded the whistle.

The train was heading from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Rembau district crime chief Asst Supt Nagappan Kuthuraman said preliminary investigations revealed that the boys could have dozed off while resting on the tracks.

ASP Nagappan said the train driver stopped to report the incident at the Tampin railway station.

He said police would record statements from the five students to find out what they were doing on the tracks.

It is learnt the students had slipped out of their hostel and gone to Kota town for supper.

Villagers at the scene of the incident said the boys would loiter along the tracks almost every night despite being advised not to do so.

Resident Mohamat Hassan, 66, whose house is located several metres from the railway line, said that between 10 and 20 boys could be seen sitting on the tracks every night.

“We have been living here for the past 40 years and this is the first time that such an incident had taken place,” he said.

School authorities refused to comment.

The boys’ remains were sent to the Tampin Hospital for post-mortem and were later released to their next of kin.

PM: No decision on power tariff

2007-10-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

KEPALA BATAS: The Government has not decided whether to raise the power tariff in the country despite the escalating fuel price, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

“We’ve not decided on anything yet,” the Prime Minister told reporters after opening the Kepala Batas Hospital here.

He was asked to comment on the statement by Tenaga Nasional Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh that the company, burdened with high operating costs following the increase in the oil and gas as well as coal prices in the market, had submitted a proposal to the Government to raise the electricity tariff.

Abdullah said the increase in the price of oil and other fuels was acutely felt and was sure to hurt Tenaga Nasional.

On the appointment of a new Chief Justice, Abdullah said there was no development on the matter.

“I’ve already said that I will not discuss the matter in public,” he said.

Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim is going on compulsory retirement on Oct 31.

PM: Follow procedures before going on raids

2007-10-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

KEPALA BATAS: The deaths of two police officers during a drug raid in Kampung Desa Aman, Sungai Buloh, on Thursday could have been avoided if they had followed procedures, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

“The approach (used by the police officers) in this case was inappropriate. It (the killings) could have been avoided if it was carried out properly, with help from different police squads, probably with the use of loud hailers as well.

“To have a proper strategy, the superiors should be notified before any raid is carried out. It is vital to have a well coordinated plan before embarking on raids against suspects,” he said after opening the RM83mil Kepala Batas Hospital here yesterday.

Abdullah said the suspects were said to have been involved in drug production, as there was a laboratory in the premises.

“Those involved in this case probably knew if they are caught, and if found to be guilty, would be sentenced to death.

“Definitely they would have wanted to live, and I suppose they could have fired the shots at the policemen to escape,” he said.

He said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had assured him that the police force would work hard to ensure those who killed the officers would be caught.

Abdullah said weaknesses should be looked into and improved as lives of the law enforcers were at stake during the raid.

“I am angry with what had happened and don’t want a repeat of such an incident where lives are unnecessarily sacrificed.”

Abdullah said he was angered by the incident, noting that the criminals had become more brazen of late.

In KUANTAN, Internal Deputy Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said criminals are becoming more violent and they have access to firearms.

He advised the police to be always on the alert.

Musa orders thorough probe

2007-10-26T17:35:00.001-07:00

Saturday October 27, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Get the cop killers – that was Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s order to his men following the killing of two detectives who were gunned down during a drug bust in Sungai Buloh on Thursday night.

A furious Musa also wants his men to use all resources available to bring to book the trigger-happy gunmen who also shot and wounded two police Inspectors during the incident at Kampung Desa Aman.

“My priority now is to catch these cop killers.

“A massive hunt is on to identify and get them,” he said after the launching of the Community Day With Police 2007 by Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s department at the Sungei Besi police station here yesterday.

L/Kpl K. Jayabalan from the Gombak police headquarters died at the scene while detective L/Kpl M. Alagesan from the city police headquarters died at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

The injured were C/Insp Helmi Zakaria from the Gombak Narcotics division and C/Insp R. Rajkumaran who both had 9mm bullets removed from their bodies at the Kuala Lumpur hospital. Their conditions were listed as stable.

Musa also ordered thorough investigations into what actually happened, including finding out if the officers and men involved in the operation were part of a task force.
He also wants answers as to how the operation was carried out and who the task force commander was.

“When we form a task force, officers and personnel from various departments will be roped in to assist in the investigations and operations.

“It is not unusual for officers and men from different departments to be involved,” he added.
To a question, the IGP said he would be requesting an allocation from the Government to buy more bullet-proof vests for his men to be worn during special operations and patrols.
He said the number of vests they had now was only enough for the personnel of the Special Operations Force and serious crimes division.

“At the moment, the vests are used by those who are in the special task force (UTK) because they are more likely to be involved in dangerous operations.
“I want to buy more bullet-proof vests for policemen who carry out general duties including those in patrol cars and those who carry out operations in the CID, narcotics and commercial crime divisions,” he added.

On the activities of the drug syndicate that was raided, Musa said his officers were trying to identify who they were and how many people were involved in the syndicate.

It is learnt that police found several packets containing “ice” or syabu and suspect that the double-storey terrace house was being used as the distribution centre.

A car found parked in the porch of the house is believed to have been reported stolen. Police have dusted the car for fingerprints.

In KOTA BARU, IAN MCINTYRE reports that Kelantan police have tightened checks at the three main border crossings in the state following the shootout in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Latest information and photo profiles of suspects have been distributed to the border areas and police outposts, state CPO Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said.
He said the General Operations Force (PGA) personnel have also been notified since they conducted several roadblock checks around the border.

“If they come, we will be ready for them. We have been informed they are armed and dangerous,” he added.

Driver beaten to death in foiled carjacking bid

2007-10-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

Wednesday October 24, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: A limousine driver was bludgeoned to death in a botched carjacking attempt at the 10th kilometre of Jalan Gombak here.

Low Teck Chai, 46, from Gombak was found slumped in a pool of blood in the back seat of a Mercedes-Benz S Class.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Ku Chin Wah said Low was attacked by four men when he stopped to fill up petrol.

“When Low refused to get out of the car, he was repeatedly assaulted. One of the armed men pushed Low, who was bleeding profusely, aside and got into the driver's seat.

“The car thief drove the car less than 30m before the vehicle’s immobiliser jammed its engine and the alarm went off.”

The men fled from the scene in a black Proton Perdana, also believed to be stolen.

Goh Tong dies at 90

2007-10-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 24, 2007

Remembering Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong Lim Goh Tong dies at 90 Photo gallery

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the founder of the Genting Group and one of the world’s richest men, died Tuesday. He was 90.
His son Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said his father died at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre where he was admitted two days ago.

The funeral will be held on Monday.

“On behalf of my family and the Genting Group of companies, it is with great sadness I announce that my father and the founder of the Genting Group of companies passed away peacefully at 11.20am this morning.

“He was not ill. It was due to old age,” he told reporters at the hospital.

Grief: Lim’s widow Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua was at the hospitalSitting with him at the press conference was his sister Lim Siew Lian. Goh Tong’s wife Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua and several other relatives were also at the hospital.

At 5pm, an ambulance with Lim’s body, led by two police cars, left the hospital.
At 6.15pm, it was seen passing through the checkpoint at the entrance to his home GohTong Villa at GohTong Jaya, a township halfway up Genting Highlands.

A convoy of eight cars ferrying family members followed the ambulance.

Kok Thay: Said his father died at the SJMC at 11.20am yesterdayAt the GohTong Memorial Park where Lim will be buried, a hearse picked up an empty coffin at 6.30pm and headed towards the house. A simple ceremony was performed at the hill before the hearse left.
The park, which sites a mausoleum for the late tycoon, is about 1km from Lim's residence.

Mausoleum caretaker Kua Seng Kee declined to talk to pressmen and barred them from entering the site.

Pressmen were also denied entry to Lim’s residence.

About a dozen policemen were present to ensure that only those invited could go through the first security checkpoint of three before the house, taking down details of people in the cars.
Cars passing by the road to the GohTong Sports Centre nearby were also asked to turn back.
Meanwhile, condolence messages and tributes poured in from political and business leaders in the country and overseas.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described Lim's death as a great loss to the country and all Malaysians while MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said he was an exemplary figure to all Malaysians.

Lim developed the popular hill resort of Genting Highlands and founded the Genting Group which comprised listed companies on the Bursa Malaysia as well as the Singapore and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

He was ranked 204th on the Forbes 2007 list of billionaires worldwide and his life has always been seen as a classic “rags to riches” story.

Born in 1918 in China’s Fujian Province, Lim came to the then Malaya when he was 19.

Extra school holidays next year

2007-10-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 24, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be 84 school holidays next year, five more than this year, and 207 school days, one less than this year.

Students will go back to school on Jan 3. Those in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will start classes a day earlier (see chart).

Schools can apply for cuti peristiwa (occasional holidays), which need not be replaced, or for cuti ganti (replacement holidays) for an extended break during the festive seasons.

EC distributes transparent ballot boxes

2007-10-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 24, 2007MYT 8:34:30 PM

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) is in the process of distributing 50,000 transparent ballot boxes across the country ahead of next general election.

Commission secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said the distribution exercise began two weeks ago.

“The boxes will be distributed to polling stations in Peninsula Malaysia first before being flown to Sabah and Sarawak.

“We have also finished training 200,000 personnel, including clerks and heads of polling stations. However, the commission has yet to decide on training for the returning officers, assistant ROs and campaign enforcement officers.

“We have also identified the voting stations,” he said when contacted Wednesday.

A total of 10.5mil voters will be eligible to vote at the next general election.

Fund to declare higher dividend

2007-10-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 23, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Employees Provident Fund contributors can expect to get higher dividends than last year, EPF chief executive officer Datuk Azlan Zainol said.

However, he declined to give the exact percentage.

Last year’s dividend was 5.15%.

Azlan said the EPF could afford to declare a higher dividend because the fund had done well in its equities investments.

“We have benefited from the market going up,” he said.

Azlan added that the EPF was experiencing an annual growth of about RM26bil.

EPF scheme to help members save more for retirement

2007-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 23, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: All Employees Provident Fund contributors will, from Feb 1, be able to withdraw part of their funds and channel them to approved investment programmes.

Under the new scheme, contributors, irrespective of age, will be able to withdraw from Account One what is in excess of a “required amount” of savings as determined by the EPF and invest the money in unit trusts.

Currently, contributors can only do so if they have in excess of RM50,000.

This is one among a range of changes that the EPF is implementing in stages to make it easier for contributors to exercise the option to augment their savings for their retirement.

Using the tagline “Beyond Savings”, the EPF also hopes the changes will ensure that contributors have enough money for retirement.

Other changes include:

MORE flexible withdrawals for contributors at age 55;

ALLOWING withdrawal of any amount irrespective of age for savings in excess of RM1mil;

ALLOWING withdrawals from Account Two for critical illness insurance; and

WITHDRAWALS for housing loan instalments.

These changes were revealed by EPF chief executive officer Datuk Azlan Zainol at the fund's headquarters here yesterday.

Azlan said the EPF has established a set of “required amounts” for contributors depending on their age.

The amounts are based on the assumption that a person would need at least RM120,000 – or RM500 a month – from retirement at 55 to age 75.

He said a contributor could withdraw 20% of the amount in excess of the required amount for investments in unit trusts.

“For example, if a 25-year-old has RM20,000 in Account One, he can take 20% of the excess to invest once every three months. This is because his required amount is only RM9,000,” he said.

For those who have reached 55, Azlan said that from Nov 1 they would have several options: withdraw everything they have, go for monthly withdrawals of at least RM250 for at least one year, or withdraw at least RM2,000 at any one time.

Currently, members aged 55 can only choose to withdraw the entire sum, withdraw only annual dividends, or take out monthly amounts but for at least five years.

Azlan said there would also be changes to the procedures for age 50 withdrawals.

From Jan 1, 2013, those who reach 50 would only be able to withdraw any amount from Account Two if their Account One has at least RM90,000, the required amount for that age.
On using EPF withdrawals to pay housing loan instalments, Azlan said that although the money would be banked straight into the contributors' accounts, it would be liasing with the banks to ensure that the loans are properly serviced.

“If they fail to pay their instalments for three months, the bank will inform us and we will stop payment to the contributors,” he said, adding that this scheme would start from Jan 1.
Azlan said that from Nov 1, those who had more than RM1mil in their savings could withdraw and invest the excess amount anytime. He said there were about 4,700 contributors who had more than RM1mil in their accounts.

Boy remanded over schoolmate's death

2007-10-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 23, 2007MYT 6:02:35 PM

BAGAN SERAI: Police have obtained a seven-day remand order to detain a 14-year-old student of SMK Bagan Serai to help investigation over the killing of a 13-year-old schoolmate.

Kerian OCPD Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan said the boy was brought to the Parit Buntar magistrate's court Monday for remand until Oct 29.

He is held to help investigation into the murder of Remove Class student Loh Wei Kuan.
Loh was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Bagan Serai health clinic about 500m away from the school on Monday afternoon.

A short scuffle over a stolen pen was said to have broken out between the two boys at a corridor of a classroom block.

Supt Mat Fauzi said the suspect was picked up at his home in Kampung Keramat here on Monday.

The case has been classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Supt Mat Fauzi said the police were in the process of completing their investigations to be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's office for further instructions.

"Our investigation shows that this was an isolated case and not related to any other illegal activities. The matter has been solved with the suspect's arrest," he said.

He declined to reveal the findings of the victim's post-mortem report.

Pahang ready for ECER

2007-10-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 23, 2007MYT 6:02:48 PM

KUANTAN: The Pahang state government is all set to implement the RM112bil East Coast Economic Region (ECER) initiative to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi next week.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the state machineries were already prepared to facilitate the implementation of the projects spanning transportation, infrastructure development, tourism, education, manufacturing, oil and gas industries and agriculture.

"This is in line with the Prime Minister's call for state governments to facilitate the process and not to frustrate the procedures.

"This, we will give emphasis on ensuring smooth implementation of the ECER initiative," he told reporters after presenting appointment letters to state-level advisory panel members here Tuesday.

Abdullah will launch ECER in Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru on Oct 29 and in Kuantan the next day.

In Kuantan, Abdullah is expected to launch Kuantan Port City, the palm oil industry cluster and the Gambang halal hub.

Malaysia's first submarine launched

2007-10-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Tuesday October 23, 2007MYT 11:02:07 PM

CHERBOURG(France): Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine was launched Tuesday, signifying yet another leap in the nation’s pursuit of new technology.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after the country’s first prime minister, was unveiled in a historic ceremony at the DCNS dockyard here, about 400km from Paris.

In keeping with maritime tradition, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor broke a bottle of water against the submarine’s sail to signify the official launching and naming of the vessel.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s wife then unveiled a plaque with the submarine’s name and called upon “Allah to bless her and all who serve and sail with her”.

Accompanying her were Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali, DCNS chairman Jean-Marie Poimbeouf and Submarine Force Project Team head Laksamana Pertama Rosland Omar.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, French Defence Minister Herve Morin, Defence Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and senior officials from both countries witnessed the ceremony.
Later, the VIPs toured the submarine, which is equipped with torpedoes, sub-surface to surface missiles and sea mines.

The vessel was one of two bought by Malaysia in 2002, with both being jointly constructed by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain.

In his speech, Najib said the submarine was named after the Tunku in recognition of his contribution in leading the country to independence.

“His courage, wisdom and foresight had steered our nation to what it is today,” he added.

He said the submarine acquisition was part of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme, which could contribute significantly towards creating a more balanced capability.

As a maritime nation and given its geographical setting, it is inevitable that Malaysia’s national interests and security concerns are closely related and associated with the seas, he said.
He said commercially, more than 90% of the country’s domestic and international trades were dependent on sea transportation.

On the seabed lie underwater pipelines that transport Malaysia’s oil and gas ashore as well as cables that link major international communication networks.

“It is thus crucial for Malaysia to have a small but credible and effective naval force to not only safeguard its sovereignty and maritime interests but also contribute to the region’s maritime security and safety,” he added.

Najib said the project signified a major leap into high technology defence acquisition, providing the impetus for the local industry to acquire cutting-edge technological knowledge and expertise.

KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is set to sail home, manned by the country’s first submarine crew in January 2009 while the second vessel, to be named KD Tun Razak, is expected to be delivered by October 2009.

Canadian consultant attacked by Mat Rempit

2007-10-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Monday October 22, 2007

SEREMBAN: A 43-year-old Canadian consultant on a job assignment here escaped serious injury when a group of Mat Rempit attacked him along Jalan Rasah on Saturday night.
Manjit Sokhal from Montreal, who comes here to work at a branch office three to four times annually, was driving his four-wheel drive at about 11pm with three friends from India when a car suddenly pulled up in front.

Some 40 Mat Rempit on motorcycles then surrounded his vehicle.

“When I wound down my window to inquire, one of them punched me. He also hit my face with a helmet,” said Manjit Singh, adding that he was injured in his left eye and mouth.

Bad experience: Manjit showing the injury on his mouth after he was assaulted by the Mat Rempit in Seremban. With him is Yip.Manjit Singh said the Mat Rempit then went on to damage his vehicle’s rear lights, wipers and number plates.

“It was the most harrowing experience. I was assaulted for no reason,” he said.

Manjit Singh said the motorcyclists warned him to be careful as he was a foreigner.

Manjit Singh claimed that he was not aware what prompted the attack but felt it could be due to his slow speed of 40kph.

He lodged a report at the Seremban Two police station the same night, and also met Rahang assemblyman Datuk Yip Chee Kiong.

Yip urged the police to haul up those responsible, adding that the country’s image was at stake.

Nik Aziz: Smokers are like animals

2007-10-24T18:53:00.001-07:00

Monday October 22, 2007

KOTA BARU: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is stepping up the anti-smoking rhetoric, describing smokers as "similar to certain animals which have no brains to think rationally."

He said that although smokers knew the habit was bad for health, they continued to allow themselves to be addicted, “so they do not use their brains.”
“People who do not want to think are like animals,” he said when launching an anti-smoking campaign at KB Mall.

Nik Aziz, a non-smoker, reminded that alcohol consumption and gambling were not allowed in Islam as it could corrupt those involved.

Similarly, he said smoking was discouraged as it could corrupt smokers to not think of their health.

The PAS spiritual adviser had in the past suggested that smokers should not be fielded as PAS candidates in the next general election.

Burglar shot dead in shootout

2007-10-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

Monday October 22, 2007MYT 7:31:07 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit policemen were seriously injured while a burglar was shot dead in a shootout during a break-in in Selayang.

The burglar died on the spot after he was shot twice on his chest in the 1am incident Monday near the Selayang wholesale market here in Jalan Ipoh.

He was identified as Ng Kien Tee, 38, from Sentul.

A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with two live bullets and four spent shells used by the burglar was recovered near his body.

Selangor deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm I Mohmad Salleh said Lance Corporal Mat Azri Awang Ngah, 29, was shot on his right thigh while Constable Abdul Hafiz Jalamlul Ramle, 22, took a shot to his ribs and his left knee.

Both underwent surgery and are reported to be in serious condition.

Boy, 3, training to climb Mt Kinabalu next year

2007-10-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007

Raring to go: Mohd Noor and Sahrul Nizam giving the thumbs-up at their home in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.KUALA TERENGANU: He's only three years old but Sahrul Nizam Mat Noor has started training to climb Mount Kinabalu next year and celebrate his birthday on the summit.

If he makes it, he will become the youngest ever to have made it up the mountain.

Sahrul Nizam started training under his seasoned mountaineer father Mohd Noor Mat Amin from the second day of Hari Raya. He will set off with his father on June 8 to hike up the mountain and reach the peak on June 13, which is his birthday.

Mohd Noor said they have to start much earlier as his son would most likely develop muscle cramps and have to rest frequently due to his tender age.

“Nevertheless, Sahrul Nizam is coping with the gruelling training session that I am putting him on now,” said Mohd Noor who is in the Malaysia Book of Records for climbing solo to the peak of Mount Kinabalu 50 times.

“My son has always been curious about what it is like at the peak.

“I asked whether he wanted to celebrate his birthday at the top of the mountain and he nodded happily, so I am helping to make his wish come true,” he said after a dinner organised by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh on Tuesday.

Shafie: Brace for higher fuel prices in future

2007-10-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007

SEMPORNA (Sabah): Malaysians should use less fuel and brace themselves for any increase in fuel prices in view of rising world oil prices.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said the Government might not be able to continue giving subsidies in view of the high international oil price and other factors.

Shafie, however, said the Government would keep its promise not to increase oil prices this year.

“The high cost of fuel is not only affecting oil importing countries but also oil producing countries like Iran,” he said, adding that weather and wars were pushing up international oil prices.
“Our oil reserves can only last us for about another 10 to 15 years,” he told reporters at his Hari Raya open house here.

Shafie said the Government was taking steps to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuel by encouraging the use of alternative renewable energy.
He said the alternative energies being adopted included the use of bio-diesel as well as solar energy in rural areas.

ACA wraps up pipe probe

2007-10-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007

PENANG: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has concluded its investigations into a Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd manager in connection with a RM2mil pipe replacement project on the island.

State ACA director Ja’afar Mahad said the six-month-long investigation had been completed and the case had been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office in Putrajaya last week.

“Now it depends on the Attorney-General’s Office if they want to pursue the case,” he said.
Ja’afar, who refused to divulge further details on the case, said it was investigated under Section 11 (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

If convicted, a person can be jailed a minimum of 14 days or a maximum of 20 years, and fined five times the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
It is learnt that the manager drives a luxury car and owns at least two properties worth several million ringgit.

Sources said the water corporation had been purchasing about RM120mil of iron pipes a year from 2000 till 2006.

These pipes were used to replace the old ones on the island and Seberang Prai to reduce frequent disruptions in supply and leakages.

Costly to hire Indian maids

2007-10-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: If you cannot afford to pay a maid RM1,400 a month, don’t even think about hiring one from India.

Employers looking to hire maids from India must also put up a whopping bank guarantee of about RM9,000, to be deposited with the Indian High Commission.

The maid’s minimum wage is set at RM1,400 per month and she must be provided with a prepaid mobile phone as part of mandatory requirements issued by the Indian High Commission.

Flight costs and other miscellaneous expenses are also to be borne by the employer.

A copy of the conditions and “contract of employment for maid” is available at the Indian High Commission.

The High Commission’s first secretary (consular) S.K. Mehrotra said the employment contract should be between the worker and the employer directly, and not through any agent.
“The employers must go to India themselves to directly hire the maid. The High Commission does not want agents to get involved in recruiting maids because agents have brought in workers and short-changed them,” he said.

“If the employer is not happy with the maid, he can send her back. Training is not a requirement yet, as both countries (Malaysia and India) have not signed any bilateral agreement on the hiring of maids.”

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said recruitment from the four countries – India, Nepal, Laos and Vietnam – would take place only after the memorandums of understanding were signed.

Currently, there are many Indian women working as maids in most Middle Eastern countries.
Asked why the recommended pay was high, Mehrotra said, “The pay is set at RM1,400 because the maid will have to leave behind her family and go to serve in another country.
“Indian maids get about the same serving in other countries in the Middle East, and the bank guarantee provides proper protection for the maid.”

According to the contract of employment, if the employee fails to fulfil the expectation of the employer, her salary shall not be reduced or deducted in any way.
It states that “the maid will be insured for a minimum of RM20,000 (at a premium of RM300) against sudden death during the course of her duties as a maid”.

“All complaints concerning the terms of the contract should be made to the Labour Department here. The contract has to be signed by the employer at the Indian High Commission and the maid in India before the protector of emigrants,” it added.

In Ipoh, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K. Kantha said Malaysia and India would soon sign a memorandum of understanding to address the problem of Indian nationals being cheated when seeking employment here.

Abducted maid found 400km away

2007-10-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007MYT 4:07:06 PM

MIRI: The Indonesian maid abducted by a gang of armed robbers during a robbery at a contractor’s house in Bakun on Monday has been found unharmed in Bintulu town, 400km from where she was taken.

The maid, in her early 20s, was found early yesterday morning, apparently dumped by the robbers on a road near the town centre.

Five robbers, armed with shotguns and samurai swords, had robbed the contractor, whose house was in a remote oil palm plantation near the Bakun hydroelectric dam project site in Belaga district, of more than RM20,000 in cash and belongings. They abducted the maid before escaping in a car.

Sources said the robbers had initially demanded another RM20,000 from the contractor, who is his late 30s, for the safe return of the maid but he did not entertain the ransom demand.
They apparently panicked and released the maid after they had escaped to Bintulu following a massive manhunt by the police.

Belaga police chief ASP Mohamed Rizal, who led a team of investigators to Bintulu to join in the hunt for the robbers, said Thursday that the maid was unharmed but declined to give further details.

Two held after girl reports rape

2007-10-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007MYT 7:20:36 PM

MUAR: Police have detained two youths, aged 16 and 21, after a 14-year-old girl alleged that she had been raped twice.

The secondary school student said that one youth raped her in Taman Tangkak Jaya a week before Hari Raya and the other person raped her in Bukit Kepong on Oct 16.
The suspects, from Bukit Gambir and Bukit Kepong, were detained after the girl's father lodged a police report at 1am Thursday.

Muar CID chief Deputy Supt Khoo Leng Huat said the suspects, a school dropout and an unemployed, would be charged with statutory rape.

PAC still has questions on PKFZ

2007-10-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 18, 2007MYT 7:27:21 PM

PORT KLANG: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) wants to know the final cost of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and how the provisional cost of RM560mil will be spent, since the project is almost completed.

PAC chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the committee was seeking explanations from the Port Klang Authority and PKFZ on the RM2.8bil development cost, including 20% of the provisional cost.

“It (PKFZ) is practically ready now except for the hotel, exhibition centre and the main access road due to be done by the end of this year, how much of the provisional cost does it needs? We want to know the actual development cost,” he said.

Shahrir said he hoped to get the answers from the authorities concerned by year's end, when the project would be completed.

After visiting and being briefed on the project at the PKFZ site Thursday, he said there were many questions still unanswered.

“Now we have confirmed the project’s existence, but we still have questions on the project,” he said after a two-hour site tour and briefing by PKFZ business development general manger Chia Kon Leong.

Also present were six MPs and Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.

When asked if he was satisfied with the visit and the explanation by PKFZ, Shahrir said: “As far as the project is concern, we are satisfied, but are not finished with the PKFZ yet.
“We have one more meeting with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, only then will we decide if there are other areas of inquiry we have proceed with.”

Shahrir said the PAC was still waiting for a suitable date to meet with the Attorney-General to get legal opinion on the decision made by the Transport Ministry and Port Klang Authority to buy the land for PKFZ instead of acquiring it through established means.

Other questions PAC were focusing on were land price and execution of the project, he said.
“We are not anti-development, we just don’t want to see any party taking advantage of the situation or any misconduct.

“We support the government’s programme because we are also part of the system but we cannot condone corruption, over expenditure and decisions not made according to procedure,” he added.

The PAC first met on Sept 6 to discuss the PKFZ issue. Its aim is to determine how the PKFZ project came up to RM4.7bil in all, and also the issuance of bonds worth RM4.6bil by the Securities Commission for a soft loan for the project.

Buses must go to destinations, can’t cancel trips

2007-09-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Friday September 28, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Once a bus ticket has been sold, the company must ensure that the bus leaves for the said destination. That is its obligation.

The company cannot use the excuse of not having a driver for a particular bus and absolve themselves by refunding the ticket money to a passenger who is left in the lurch, as he has to find another way to get to the destination.

Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said refunds were not acceptable and should be reported to the board.

“Even if their drivers have been barred from driving for being found positive for drugs and so on, there must be a replacement immediately; no one is allowed to refund money to passengers,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters here after attending the opening of the Franchise Exposition and Conversion and Co-Branding Franchise Seminar.

Markiman added that to date there were 583 applications for the 1,000 temporary permits for the Hari Raya period from Oct 6 to 22.

Two killed, nine injured after bus plunges into sea

2007-09-27T19:15:00.002-07:00

Friday September 28, 2007

By TEH ENG HOCK

JOHOR BARU: Two passengers died after their bus plunged into the sea at the Stulang Laut beach near Jalan Ibrahim Sultan.

Nine more people, including the bus driver, were injured in the 8am accident yesterday and were sent to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital.

Rescuers recovered the body of Esa Aman, 47, at about 8.30am, and the body of Kweh Mei Phing, 49, at around 9.30am. Police fear some passengers might have drifted out to sea.

Rescuers carrying out the body of one of the passengers killed when the bus they were travelling in plunged into the sea at Stulang Laut in Johor Baru yesterday. Two passengers died and nine others, including the driver, were injured in the mishap.

Johor Baru (South) traffic chief Deputy Supt Ooi Kok Siong said the bus was travelling from Johor Baru city along Jalan Lingkaran Dalam towards Stulang Laut when the driver lost control of the vehicle in the rain and it plunged into the sea.

“We will be conducting a more detailed check on the bus and the driver,” he said.

One of the passengers who cheated death, V. Pathamawathy, 54, said the bus was not speeding as it neared a bus stop near her workplace at Menara MSC Cyberport.

“The bus was travelling at normal speed. But somehow it did not stop. The next thing I know, the bus was heading into the sea,” she said.

The clerk suffered a fractured toe on her right leg in the accident.

DSP Ooi said search and rescue operations would continue.

The Johor Baru Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Abdul Hamid Suhari said 19 personnel, including 10 from the scuba diving unit, took part in the search and rescue efforts.

Lucky to be alive: Pathamawathy resting in bed at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru yesterday after the accident.

“The bus was lying on its side, making it hard to search for victims. We then used a crane to get the bus upright,” he said.

Kweh’s body was discovered after a crane, borrowed from a nearby construction site, was used to lift the bus.

At about 10.20am, two more cranes arrived to help drag out the bus from the sea. The three cranes finally lifted the bus out at about 11am.

Pathamawathy and three others were warded at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital while five were discharged after receiving outpatient treatment.

Nor Azrin Md Zam, 27, was warded for aspiration pneumonia (swallowing water), while Manis Ibrahim, 52, had a concussion.

Driver R. Moorthy, 51, suffered internal injuries and broke his left leg. The driver could not be interviewed at press time as he was heavily sedated.

Another senior court official held for alleged graft

2007-09-27T19:15:00.001-07:00

Friday September 28, 2007

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: A second senior official of the Perak syariah court has been arrested for alleged graft in just three weeks.

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) detained the 38-year-old man at 11.45am yesterday after he was summoned to the Perak state ACA office.

ACA director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan

It is learnt that the official had allegedly demanded and accepted bribes totalling about RM4,000 to settle a khalwat (close proximity) case.

ACA director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate as investigations are still under way.

On Sept 6, another senior Perak syariah court official was arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes to expedite the settlement of a case involving a VIP.

He was arrested at his office by ACA officers following complaints from the public.

Sources said the complainant in the second case contacted the ACA after the official said he could drop the case for a fee. He allegedly asked the victim to deposit the money in his bank account, which the victim did after lodging a report with the ACA.

The ACA is expected to obtain a remand order today before the official is charged under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

In the earlier case, it is believed that the official is being investigated under Section 11(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act for allegedly accepting RM4,200 on two occasions.

It is also learnt that it was not the first case involving the official, who is in his 50s. On Sept 10, the official was released after posting RM10,000 bail at the ACA office in Ipoh.

Speed limit reduced to 80kph for federal, state roads during Raya season

2007-09-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 27, 2007
MYT 8:05:24 PM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: Several measures have been taken by the authorities to reduce accidents and road fatalities during the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season, including reducing the speed limit at federal and state roads from 90kph to 80kph for a period of 36 days effective Oct 6.

The authorities will also be imposing a travel ban on heavy vehicles during the festive period but exception is given to lorries transporting essential goods and providing critical services.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas said the lower speed limit would be enforced from Oct 6 till Nov 12 but the speed limit of 110kph along expressways remains.

He said lorries transporting gas, chemicals for the medical and chemical industries, cargos and containers to and from the airports as well as from ports to airports would be allowed on the roads during the festive period.

Also exempted are lorries transporting and involved in daily essential goods/services such as food items, fruits, vegetables, newspapers and poultry, garbage and sewerage trucks, petroleum tankers and those involved in rescue operations.

"With the traffic volume on Malaysian roads expected to increase by two to three folds during the festive period, the authorities are taking all the necessary measures to ensure those going home to their respective towns and villages can travel in a more conducive manner.

"We are doing all we can so that motorists can reach their destinations safely but we also hope they play their part by being more responsible while on the road," he told a press conference.

Douglas said the travel ban would be imposed on Oct 10, 11, 12, 20 and 21, on lorries transporting timber, iron, stones, sand and earth, apart from cranes, low loaders and other types of heavy vehicles, while cargo or container lorries with electronic and electrical goods and those serving port-airport routes would be allowed to travel from 6am till midnight.

"Selective enforcement will be carried out by the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board under Ops Sikap 13 from Oct 7 till 21. The JPJ will mobilise 1,200 personnel for duty during the festive period and their duty encompasses checks on express, tour and stage buses. They will also be checking on the drivers to ensure they have all the sufficient permits and licences," he said.

He said a maximum compound of RM300 with no appeal would be slapped on drivers who commit six types of road offences namely speeding, jumping queue, beating the traffic light, driving along emergency lanes, driving dangerously and overtaking at double lines, adding action would also be taken against motorcyclists and pillion riders if they fail to wear helmets or change lanes in a dangerous manner without using the indicator.

"The relevant enforcement parties will also ensure that bus drivers are only on duty for eight hours a day and be given rest time after every four hours of driving. We will also check that buses serving a route of more than 300km or four hours travelling time must have a co-driver and that their journey be logged," said Douglas.

He said media road safety campaigns would be increased with the help of the private sector, which would air special advertisements on road safety during the festive period, adding a special message on road safety by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy would also be published.

TM awarded RM15.2bil High Speed Broadband services project

2007-09-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 27, 2007
MYT 8:05:24 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia has been awarded the RM15.2bil High Speed Broadband (HSBB) services project to be rolled out under a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the service, which will enable speedier Internet connectivity, would offer competitive rates to encourage more broadband usage.

“If the rate is too high people will not subscribe,” he told reporters after receiving contributions at Mindef from Bakti (Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) and 61 other bodies for Hari Raya goodies to be presented to armed forces personnel.

Najib, who is the Defence Minister, said TM had been directed to start initial work but the physical rollout was only possible six months after the partnership agreement was signed.

As such, he said Government hoped to sign the agreement as soon as possible. He said the RM15.2bil was an estimate cost over 10 years, with the Government investing a third of the amount.

“We have asked the Finance Ministry to verify the figure, which includes the cost of ‘last mile’ fibre, core network and international connectivity,” he added.

Najib said the Cabinet Committee on Broadband which he chairs had decided that TM was the best partner to embark on the future development of HSBB, as the key considerations were cost and deployment speed.

“We want the service to be rolled out quickly, in a cost-efficient manner so that Malaysia would not be left behind in terms of competitive edge.

“The Government is committed to ensure this materialising in the shortest possible time and the best way is choosing TM as our partner,” he said.

TM’s existing infrastructure meant that additional investment would be done on lower cost basis and at faster speed, he said, adding that with over 90% of broadband market share it provided the highest chance of service take-up.

He said the role of other industry players in the project would be determined later, adding that chargers for industry players interested to access the network were being discussed.

Asked if the Government was confident of achieving a 50% household broadband penetration rate by 2010 with the partnership, Najib said supply and demand needed to be addressed.

“To support a quick rollout the Government announced in Budget 2008 financial incentives such as investment allowance, import duty and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment and consumer devices,” he said.

The broadband project target is to cover 2.2 million premises in key economic areas in the country, with the service covering fixed and wireless transmission

KL Hospital to get RM1.5bil facelift

2007-09-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) will be redeveloped under a RM1.5bil facelift programme to transform it to the country’s best medical and healthcare facility.

The redevelopment – slated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan – would focus on specific specialised medical and health disciplines, said hospital director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain.

Under the plan, the number of hospital beds would be halved to 1,200 from the current 2,400 to allocate more funds to specialised expertise and professional services.

Dr Zaininah said that basically, the hospital would have a spanking new premises without having to relocate to another place.

She said the facelift would be implemented in stages.

Speaking to reporters after receiving Raya goodies from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council yesterday, Dr Zaininah said the hospital treated about a million patients last year, of whom 380,000 were outpatients.

Meanwhile, the council has allocated more than RM2mil this year to provide medical equipment and financial aid to patients at HKL, University Malaya Medical Centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in Cheras.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin said the council extended the aid during Ramadan every year.

Abdullah, who is the council’s chairman, handed RM250,000 to the HKL Hospital Welfare Fund and medical equipment worth about RM96,300. – Bernama

600 fish die at Langkawi Underwater World

2007-09-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007

By SIRA HABIBU

LANGKAWI: About 600 fish worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit have mysteriously died at Langkawi Underwater World.

Police believe the fish, which included sharks and stingrays, were poisoned. They have also not ruled out sabotage as the fish started dying en masse just before closing time at 6pm on Monday.

A mystery: A worker removing the dead Travelitunne from the fish tanks at the Langkawi Underwater World yesterday.

Among the sharks that died were the blacktip, whitetip, leopard and nurse sharks.

Yesterday morning hundreds of fish carcasses were floating in the hexagonal and tunnel tanks at the old wing of the UWL. Fish in five smaller tanks were also not spared.

UWL workers managed to save about 30 fish in the smaller tanks.

Deputy general manager Mohd Hafizuddin Abdullah said the fish died quite fast, without any obvious sign of distress.

“We did not see them wriggling in water before dying.

“Samples including water and carcasses have been taken for chemical analysis,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Mohd Hafizuddin said a thorough investigation was being carried out.

“Among the oldest fish that has died was a nurse shark that is about 12 years old,” he added.

He said the freshwater and marine life section at UWL has been temporarily closed to visitors to facilitate the investigation.

UWL houses 4,000 animals and sea creatures in 100 specially designed tanks.

UWL worker Malik Azmin said he felt sad to see the carcasses floating in the tank.

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 7:38:25 PM

Fishy deaths - police believe it's an inside job

By SIRA HABIBU

LANGKAWI: In what is believed to be an inside job, Langkawi Underwater World has offered a RM10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for poisoning about 600 fish.

Langkawi OCPD Supt Mohd Ali Jamaludin urged those with information to assist the police to bring the culprits to book as soon as possible.

“We believe the poisoning was done by insiders. It was well planned.

“We suspect two or more people were involved,” he said, adding that the crime had affected Langkawi’s highly-valued tourism product.

It was reported that about 600 fish worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit were found dead in two large tanks and five smaller tanks of the old wing of UWL on Monday.

Among the valuable fish that died were sharks including the white tip, black tip, leopard and nurse, and variety of stingrays including the rare cownose ray.

“The fish started dying en masse at about 6.40pm just as the lights were switched off,” he said when contacted on Wednesday.

Police have ruled out outsiders’ involvement because the inlets to the tanks were accessible only to UWL staff.

Supt Mohd Ali also noted several weaknesses in the security system at the old wing including absence of CCTV and free accessibility to all personnel.

He said police had taken water and carcass samples for analysis and the results would be known within a week.

“The chemical used could be petroleum,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 429 of the Penal Code for treason. If found guilty the offender is liable to a minimum fine of RM25,000 and or jailed up to five years.

Shortage of cooking oil in Johor towns

2007-09-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007

JOHOR BARU: Several towns in Johor are facing a shortage of cooking oil, according to the Johor Consumer Protection Association.

Its chairman T. Saravanan said Segamat, Batu Pahat, Kluang and Gelang Patah have problems getting the 1kg packet.

“We have had at least 50 complaints about the oil shortage,” he said, adding that the association suspected traders of hoarding 1kg packets to push the sale of bottled cooking oil.

Provision shop owners here are complaining that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get extra stock of cooking oil.

When contacted, Johor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry chief enforcement officer Fahmi Kassim said checks confirmed that there was a “slight” shortage of 1kg packets in some shops.

“But there will definitely be enough supply for the festive season,” he assured.

Fahmi said that traders or consumers who found it hard to get cooking oil could contact the ministry toll free hotline at 1-800 886 800.

I forgot to pay duty, says politician

2007-09-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007

By SIRA HABIBU

ALOR STAR: “Oops, I forgot.”

This is the excuse given by one of the prominent politicians who have flouted Customs regulations by using a duty-free Nissan van on the mainland without paying duties.

“A Customs officer did remind me sometime this year to settle the duty by end of this year but I forgot. Thank you for reminding me,” said the politician when contacted yesterday.

The politician took the duty-free van from Langkawi about nine years ago. He said the van was actually used by the spouse for commercial purposes. The van needed to be overhauled several years ago and was sent to the workshop for repairs.

“However, many of the car parts were stolen and as such we had left it in the workshop for years,” she said.

The politician promised to send a letter to the Customs department soon to resolve the matter amicably.

“I will pay the duty,” he said.

Another prominent politician who was implicated said he had submitted a letter to the Customs director-general stating his intention of paying duty and keeping the duty-free Harley Davidson.

It was reported in The Star on Monday that two prominent politicians were among several VVIPs who have yet to pay duty after the vehicles were taken out of the duty-free island.

They are among the 79 people who have breached Clause 21 (1) of the Customs Duty Order (Exemption) 1988 by keeping vehicles away from the duty-free island for more than a month in a year.

Lawyers march to PM’s office

2007-09-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 5:07:14 PM

PUTRAJAYA: A group of about 1,000 lawyers gathered at the steps of the Palace of Justice here to march to the Prime Minister’s office.

The march, organised by the Bar Council, was to hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister's office, calling for a royal commission to investigate the authenticity of a video clip showing a senior lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges with a senior judge.

Several buses ferrying lawyers from Kuala Lumpur turned up for the march. Members of NGOs and others also joined the lawyers in the march.

After the peaceful march, the Bar Council handed over the memorandum to the PM's Office at 1.05pm.

Higher fees for replacement MyKad

2007-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 1:15:30 PM

PETALING JAYA: Effective Oct 1, there will be a new fee structure for those wanting to replace their lost MyKad.

According to the National Registration Department (NRD), a RM100 fee will be imposed on those requesting for their first replacement MyKad, RM200 for the second replacement, and RM300 for the third and subsequent replacements.

In a press statement, the NRD noted that this fee did not include the application fee of RM10; no processing fee will be charged.

Currently, payment for MyKad replacement ranges from RM30 (for first replacement) to RM120 (for fourth and subsequent replacements).

NRD director-general Datuk Mohd Abdul Halim Muhammad said the new fee rates will be applicable to both Malaysian citizens and non-citizens, and it was meant to curb the problem of misplaced identity cards.

However, those exempted from this fee are:

The poor, disabled, the elderly - They need to show a confirmation letter from the Welfare Department, District Office, Penghulu or the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA).

Those who lost their MyKad because of robbery or snatch theft - They need to show a police report stating the details of the incidents clearly.

Those affected by natural disasters such as house fire, floods, typhoons, landslides or tsunami - They need to show a confirmation letter from the Welfare Department, Penghulu or District Office.

"Those who want to be exempted from this fee will have to fill in the exemption/reduction form available at any NRD offices.

"For cases on fee reduction, the application charge still applies, while those who are exempted there will be no charges," he said.

Senior cop faces 2 more charges of money laundering

2007-09-27T19:03:00.002-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 4:27:58 PM

By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

TEMERLOH: A police superintendent, who is already facing three charges of money laundering in a court in Johor, has been charged with another two counts of similar allegations involving an amount close to RM2.8mil in a Sessions Court here on Wednesday.

Supt Azmi Osman, 52, was charged with committing the offences between Feb 6, 2002 and Oct 2, 2003.

He was said to have committed the offences at Malayan Banking Berhad, No 1, Jalan Haji Kassim, Mentakab.

Supt Azmi claimed trial to both charges.

In the first charge, he was accused of accepting RM2,093,300, received from illegal activities, into his bank account on Feb 6, 2002, and Dec 20, 2002.

Supt Azmi was also accused of accepting RM683,850, received from illegal activities, into the same account on Jan 7, 2003, and Oct 2, 2003.

The charges were read before Sessions Judge Ishak Bakri.

The accused was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and if convicted, he could be fined up to RM5mil, or jailed up to five years, or both, for each charge.

Supt Azmi was represented by counsel C.N. Sritharan while leading the prosecution was Anti-Money Laundering and Forfeiture of Property Unit head Dzulkifli Ahmad, who was assisted by Muhd Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi.

Bail was fixed at RM100,000 with one surety for each charge and Supt Azmi's international passport was impounded by the court.

The court also allowed Dzulkifli's application for the cases to be transferred to Sessions Court in Johor Baru and be heard together with Supt Azmi's three other charges.

It then fixed Oct 31 for the cases to be re-mentioned in the Johor court.

Earlier, Dzulkifli applied for bail be set at RM200,000 with one surety.

However, Sritharan, who took 15 minutes to present his argument, asked for the sum to be reduced on the grounds that his client was already facing three charges and needed to pay a bail of RM200,000.

He assured the court that Supt Azmi would not run away because the accused was required to report to the disciplinary board every week until all the cases were settled.

Supt Azmi was later seen leaving the court with his lawyer around noon after posting his bail.

On Tuesday, the senior police officer was charged with three counts of laundering almost RM1.3mil.

The amount of money he was said to have received from illegal activities now totals more than RM4mil.

Negri govt says no to new poultry farms

2007-09-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 3:48:03 PM

SEREMBAN: The state government will not allow the opening of new poultry farms in Negri Sembilan and existing chicken breeders have been told to operate closed farming systems by Dec 31 if they wanted to remain in the business.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said drastic measures were being taken as the state had been having massive problem with flies.

“The people cannot be made to suffer at the expense of others who make big profits out of poultry farming," he said after chairing the exco meeting on Wednesday.

Mohamad said the state had more than enough poultry farms and there was no need for more.

"We are already exporting chicken and eggs. We want our people to have a good quality life and not be bothered by flies," he said adding that the problem had reached critical levels.

Mohamad said some of the areas hard hit by flies infestation were Port Dickson, Rembau, Tampin and Seremban.

He said the state authorities would not entertain requests from poultry farmers to extend the deadline to move to the closed farming system.

"The three year deadline ended last December. We are now giving them until end of this year to do so. We cannot always bend the rules for them as people have been suffering as a result of the open farming," he said.

Mohamad also told corporations which bought chicks from poultry farmers to ensure that the suppliers practised the closed farming method.

"Eight out of every 10 poultry farmers have contracts with these large corporations who provide them with chicks and chicken feed. I hope they will take note of this," he said.

He said the state government had received many complaints from residents and hotel operators in Port Dickson of the problem.

"We are trying very hard to promote Port Dickson as our premier tourist destination. Since we are also planning to turn the resort town into a wellness zone, we cannot afford to have flies everywhere," he said adding that the closed system was not costly to build.

Mohamad said attempts by the state government to centralise poultry farming had not received positive feedback from farmers, adding that the goverment was prepared to allocate between 60ha and 100ha of land for the purpose.

"We are lucky that we haven't had any outbreak of diseases spread by flies here," he said. Asked whether errant farmers would have their licences revoked, Mohamad said this would be decided once the deadline ended.

Chicken, fish to be imported if there's shortage for festive season

2007-09-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 7:37:31 PM

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will allow imports of fish and chicken if there is a shortfall in supply for the festive season, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the ministry's officials were closely monitoring the market for any signs of a shortage.

"They is no shortage yet but our contingency plan is to import chicken and fish if the local poultry farmers and fishermen cannot meet the demand," he told reporters after his weekly post-Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

Muhyiddin said if poultry farmers, who are saddled with escalating production costs, such as the cost of animal feed, could not increase production; the Government would intervene to ensure supply in the market.

"We will allow the importation of chicken from neighbouring countries to ensure consumers could still buy them at affordable prices. Likewise, fish would also be imported if bad weather causes supply to drop," he said.

He said apart from fish and chicken, there was adequate supply of meat and the other agricultural produce like fruits and vegetables in the market.

M'sia rises a rank in Corruption Perception Index

2007-09-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

Wednesday September 26, 2007
MYT 7:36:59 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has risen a rank up on Transparency International's 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

It was ranked 43rd this year but the score of 5.1 was a minimal improvement from the 5.0 that Malaysia recorded last year.

However, the slight positive change in how people perceived corruption in the country's public sector stopped a five-year downward trend in the rankings, which was 33rd in 2002, 37th in 2003, 39th in 2004, 39th in 2005 and 44th in 2006.

The annual survey was carried out in 180 countries and is a composite index that draws on 14 expert opinion surveys. It was released Tuesday.

There were 16 new countries including Afghanistan, Maldives and Somalia.

The highest Asian country was Singapore which was ranked fourth and is the only non-Western economy to break the Top 10 list, led by Denmark. Somalia and Myanmar shared the last spot.

Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia scored lower than Malaysia.

Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Dr Ramon Navaratnam hoped that the result would be the turning point in further improving the CPI.

"There needs to be more effort and greater political will," he said to reporters Wednesday after announcing the results.

The organisation's founding president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said the results showed that people still perceived Malaysia as being "very corrupt".

"It is very important to have enforcement and honest civil servants. Perception is very real and very important. You cannot just dismiss the results," he said.

Nazri: No need for lawyers to march to PM’s Office

2007-09-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar Council should not behave like the opposition by marching to the Prime Minister’s Office to hand over a memorandum calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the judiciary, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said there were other proper ways for the memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

“They can set up an appointment and send a delegation to meet the Prime Minister,” he said.

He was commenting on the Bar Council’s plan to march from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Office to submit the memorandum tomorrow.

The plan was made at the council’s emergency meeting last Saturday to discuss the controversial video clip of a lawyer supposedly talking to a senior judge over the brokering of the judge appointments.

Nazri however said the lawyers were free to hold the march as long as it was a peaceful one.

“That is entirely up to them but they should consider the stature of lawyers who are officers of court.

“Unless they want to show their hostility, why should they stoop so low by behaving like Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), DAP and PAS?” he said.

Bar Council president Ambiga Sreneevasan said the call arose out of the council’s belief that the independence of the judiciary was the highest ideal that it must “cherish and be prepared to stand up for.”

“In any event, how can the call for strengthening of the Judiciary be only the position of opposition parties when surely it must be the Government’s stand too,” she said.

Onions, garlic ‘shrunk’

2007-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

BUKIT MERTAJAM: When Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officers checked 261 gunnysacks of large red onions and garlic, they found the sacks lighter than the stated weight of 10kg.

The reason, according to the wholesaler, was that “the onions and garlic had shrunk in size”.

Enforcement chief Norashikin Abdul Hamid, who led a team of officers to a warehouse in Jalan Megat Harun here at 9.45am, did not buy the explanation and seized the gunnysacks.

“The weight difference in each 10kg gunny sack was more evident in the large red onions. They weighed from 8.35kg to 9.75kg,” she said.

She said the 10kg gunnysacks of garlic weighed between 9.35kg and 9.9kg.

“The 10kg gunnysack of large red onions or garlic is sold to grocers at RM15 each. If the grocers are short-changed, they might pass their loss to consumers,” she told reporters during the raid.

She said the onions were sold at RM1.80 per kilo while the garlic went for RM3.50 to RM4 per kilo. Both are not price-controlled goods.

“In the invoice to grocers, the wholesaler stated that that each gunnysack was 10kg but this was not the case.” she said.

Also found in premises were 200 gunnysacks of Holland onions but they were “heavier” than the 10kg stated weight.

Superintendent arrested in Shah Alam

2007-09-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

By LOURDES CHARLES

KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has arrested a police superintendent for allegedly amassing RM9mil in cash and property while still in service.

The officer, in his late 40s and once in charge of the anti-vice and gamming division of a state, is expected to be charged today.

One of the charges is under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

It is learnt that ACA officers picked up the officer at his house in Shah Alam yesterday morning after he was discharged from hospital.

ACA director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate as investigations were still in progress.

Sources said the officer had been on the police and ACA radar for the past two years and was directed to declare all his assets early this year.

He is said to have omitted listing down quite a number of his assets. Among the assets he is said to have amassed are several houses, shoplots and a substantial amount of shares in firms.

The sources said the officer was removed from state post and transferred to Bukit Aman recently and assigned to a desk job pending the investigations.

The arrest of the officer is said to be the beginning of more as police and ACA step up their fight against corrupt practices.

It has been reported that several other senior police officers were under investigation for various corrupt practices and would be called in soon to assist in investigations.

Abdullah: No decision yet on raising gas prices

2007-09-27T18:56:00.002-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has yet to decide whether to raise gas prices.

The relevant agencies and Economic Planning Unit are working on the details for the Cabinet’s consideration.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was asked whether the Cabinet would make a decision on raising gas prices by this week, said the Government needed time to study the matter.

“We also need to look into its impact and implications on the people and industries,” he told reporters after chairing the Umno Supreme Council meeting.

Last week, Petronas said it was pushing for an increase in gas prices as it has been subsidising nearly to RM50bil in the last 10 years for gas.

Abdullah, who is Umno president, said gas prices in Malaysia was currently 70% lower compared to other countries.

“The industries are enjoying such good subsidy and cheap prices for gas. But industries in other countries still exist with high gas prices,” he said.

“Why can’t we be competitive if gas prices were increased?”

Single session for kids’ safety

2007-09-27T18:56:00.001-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

By AUDREY EDWARDS

KUALA LUMPUR: To keep children safe from danger, the Prime Minister has suggested that a single session for schools be implemented.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said this would mean students starting school as they were doing now and ending at 4pm.

“If it can be done, it will be a massive exercise,” he told reporters yesterday after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting.

“This will be a relief when both parents know their children are in school so they will be safer.”

This was the view, he said, of many working parents who were not at home to monitor their children when they got back from school.

Abdullah, who is Umno president, said the students could complete their homework or take part in extra-curricular activities during the last few hours.

He said a combination of ways was needed to keep children safe from any danger.

“Everyone must carry out one’s responsibilities and not only fault the authorities or the police,” he said when asked whether parents should be held responsible for negligence leading to children being hurt.

On the recent murder of Nurin Jazlin Jazmin, Abdullah said police would hunt for the criminal until those responsible were caught.

He also said the Government wanted to “reactivate” the Rukun Tetangga movement so the people could keep a vigilant eye on strangers in their neighbourhood.

Independent panel to probe lawyer video

2007-09-27T18:54:00.002-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007

MYT 7:32:43 PM

By V.P. SUJATHA

PUTRAJAYA: A special independent panel has been formed to probe and determine the authenticity of the video tape showing a senior lawyer purportedly brokering judges' appointments, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The three-member panel will be headed by former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor. National Service Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar are the other two members.

Najib said panel member, who had accepted their appointments, would soon start investigating the matter with the support and cooperation of all agencies concerned.

Their findings would be made public later, he added.

Survey: M'sians lead exciting sex lives

2007-09-27T18:54:00.001-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007
MYT 7:32:43 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians lead a relatively active and exciting sex life compared with the global average, according to Durex’s Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey.

The second report from its survey said that 79% of Malaysians -- compared with 67% of the world’s lovers -- make love weekly.

Furthermore, over 35% Malaysians do so three times a week or more, versus a global average of only 10%.

However, this is not enough for 54% of Malaysians and 62% of the world’s lovers who would like it to happen more often, the condom-maker said in a statement.

This is part of the second wave results from the latest Durex’s Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey, which builds on the Sexual Satisfaction report revealed in April.

Almost two thirds of Malaysians (62%) say they lead an exciting love life. This is compared with a global total of 50%, just 43% of Thais, 32% of adults in Hong Kong and a mere 10% of Japanese.

Moreover, 60% of Malaysians feel uninhibited when making love and just 31% are uncomfortable telling their partners what they want.

The survey also revealed that Malaysians are considered romantic when it comes to spicing things up with more than two-thirds (67%) saying that a relaxing massage is important to them while 45% like to wear sexy underwear.

When asked what would improve their love lives, most of the respondents said that more romance (74%), better communication with their partners (66%) and more fun (64%) would be among their top priorities.

Ops Sikap to begin on Oct 7

2007-09-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 25, 2007
MYT 9:09:44 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The police's seasonal Ops Sikap operations will commence on Oct 7 and one of the strategies will be the deployment of plain-clothed officers on express buses to monitor drivers.

The officers will issue summonses on offences committed when the express bus reaches its destination.

Police will concentrate on six main offences that contribute to road accidents -reckless driving, speeding, beating the red light, overtaking on double lines, illegal usage of emergency lanes and cutting queues.

Federal traffic chief Senior Asst Comm II Hamza Taib said his men would focus on express buses and motorcyclists, who contribute to the highest number of deaths during the holiday periods.

A total of 5,190 policemen assisted by Federal Reserve Unit and General Operation Force personnel are expected to be deployed in the operation.

Police have also established 346 high-risk locations on federal and state roads, and highways.

Nineteen 19 watchtowers will be used to monitor traffic flow along with 212 close circuit television cameras belonging to City Hall’s traffic management centre and roadblocks will also be set-up.

Random urine tests will also be conducted on motorcyclists, bus drivers and attendants throughout the country.

Many Malays haven’t signed up as voters

2007-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

MALAYS are the biggest group of people yet to register themselves as voters, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abd Rashid Abd Rahman said.

He said Malays comprised 90% of 1.5 million Malaysians who had not registered as voters, compared to other races, after the EC launched the voter registration campaign which ended last month.

“The recent campaign failed to attract bumiputras, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, to register as voters. These people are aged 21 to 35 years old.

“I’m perplexed by their attitude. They are not even aware that their failure to register can affect the country’s future,” he told Mingguan Malaysia.

Abd Rashid said non-bumiputras were more aware of their rights as citizens, citing that for the Chinese community, the parents reminded their own children to register.

Internal Security ban al-Arqam's book

> The Internal Security Ministry has banned a book on former al- Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad entitled Politik Islam Membawa Kasih Sayang (Islamic Politics Brings Love), which it said was aimed at propagating his teachings and mislead Muslims with contents of fake hadis (prophetic traditions).

The ministry’s Publications and Quranic Texts Control Division secretary Che Din Yusoh told Berita Minggu the ban came into force on Sept 12.

According to a Jakim official, the book’s contents claimed that Ashaari could communicate with Prophet Muhammad.

Minimum pay proposed for three groups

2007-09-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

CLINIC assistants, security guards and casual farm workers can look forward to a minimum wage and better perks if employers accept recommendations for higher pay, the Malaysia Nanban reported.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said clinic assistants in the private sector in peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, and casual farm workers in Sabah and Sarawak would also enjoy the benefits.

He was speaking to reporters after launching an international information and communications technology competition.

He said that the recommendations for the three groups by the Minimum Wage Council, and those by employers and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress are in the final stage of review by the ministry.

Among the recommendations made are that 1.2 million workers in the three job categories be paid a minimum wage of RM700 a month over the current average wage of RM500, aside from other benefits such as rest days, overtime claims and a retirement scheme.

Recruit more Indian youngsters as MIC members

> Tamil Nesan reported MIC vice president Datuk S. Sothinathan's call to MIC branch leaders to recruit more Indian youngsters as members.

He said that Indian youngsters, who would be the country’s future leaders, must come forward to get rid of the social ills destroying many Indian youths by working together in coordinating programmes that were beneficial for the Indian community.

Mobilise police volunteers, Rela

2007-09-27T18:48:00.002-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

BATU PAHAT: Having more voluntary policemen and Rela members on the ground will help keep the crime index down, without the Government having to foot a hefty bill.

Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon suggested that the Government increase the number of members in the police voluntary reserve and Rela to help policemen combat crime.

He said such a move would have maximum effect with minimum cost.

It would increase the number of uniformed men on the ground, as the police voluntary reserve and Rela members have their uniforms, he said after launching the party’s Johor annual delegates meeting.

Paying attention: Koh (right) and Johor Gerakan chairman Teo Kok Chee listening to a delegate speaking during the state's annual delegates meeting in Batu Pahat on Sunday.

Dr Koh, who is also Penang Chief Minister, said that while not everybody was willing to leave his job to become a full time policeman, many did not mind sacrificing some of their time to become volunteer cops.

It is the same with Rela members, who were very enthusiastic, although they get a very small allowance, he said.

Dr Koh also backed the Prime Minister’s call for a thorough investigation on allegations of judicial impropriety in the light of a video clip purportedly showing a prominent lawyer brokering the appointment of judges over the telephone.

“In our promotion of the country to attract investment, we always cite that we have a credible legal framework and judiciary system.

If we cannot confidently promote the legal framework and judicial system, then we have lost an advantage in attracting foreign investments,” he said.

Government to fund 47% of the bill

2007-09-27T18:48:00.001-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

BACHOK: The Federal Government will foot 47% of the RM112bil project proposed under the Eastern Corridor Economic Re-gion, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said.

He said the remainder would be borne by private development initiatives and government-linked companies.

Dr Awang Adek said the heavy expenditure by the Government showed its confidence in the strategies drawn up by Pet-ronas to jumpstart opportunities in the east coast.

He said this after handing over a funeral van to the Tok Bachok mosque before breaking fast on Saturday.

Dr Awang Adek said once the projects were implemented, residents would be able to see the emergence of new sub-sectors such as property, services and technology transfer to sustain the economic growth in the east coast for up to two decades.

He said the first group to experience spillover benefits would be farmers and fishermen.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will launch the regional masterplan on Oct 29.

“Fishermen will also be given ample fun-ding opportunities to open up chalet accommodation beside the seafront so they can supplement their income through tourism promotions,” Dr Awang Adek added.

The ECER could also lay the groundwork for the east coast states to tap the regional economic prospects of Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Laos.

It could also eventually be a hub for trade into and out of China.

Dr Awang Adek noted that the proposed multi-billion oil pipeline project linking Yan in Kedah and here was not part of ECER but was initiated by a private firm with international links including with the Middle East oil suppliers.

During the event, Bank Kerjasama Rak-yat Malaysia also handed out zakat am-ounting to RM10,000 contributions to the poor, senior citizens and single mothers.

Study to identify areas in danger if sea level rises

2007-09-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

By V.P. SUJATA

vpsujata@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: Could Tanjung Piai, dubbed the southern-most tip of mainland Asia, and the western part of Langkawi Island disappear under water?

It's a fear that's becoming very real as Malaysia grapples with the effects of a rising sea level caused by global warming.

To find out how vulnerable the country is, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has undertaken a major study to determine if the rising sea is going to swallow up low-lying areas along Malaysia’s 4,800km coastline.

DID director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah said coastal belts – the zone stretching from the coastline inland until it reaches high ground such as the Main Range – could be inundated, especially during high tide if the sea level rises.

“The study will see what could happen when the sea level rises and its impact on the people, industries and agriculture,” he told The Star.

He said that the DID embarked on the coastal vulnerability index study as a basis for recommending measures to mitigate the impact of sea level rise.

“The study is to identify and index vulnerable areas that could be affected, should the sea level rise by half a metre to 1m,” Keizrul said, adding that the study was among various strategies proposed by Malaysia to address the problem of global warming and rising sea level in its first communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Destroyed: Stumps of fallen mangroves in Tanjung Piai. A study is being done to predict the effects in the area should there be a rise in the sea level.

The first phase of the study costing about RM1mil, began last year and was expected to provide some answers on vulnerable areas by the end of the month, he said.

Its findings would form the basis of the study's second phase, he added.

Keizrul said the rise in sea level only becomes a threat if an area is inhabited.

The best mitigation measures in low-lying areas, he said, was building bunds along the coastline, such as in Bagan Datoh and Kuala Selangor.

As part of the first phase, “we will do micro studies on two areas namely the southern-most tip of the peninsula at Tanjung Piai and the western part of Langkawi Island in the north,” he said.

The focus of studies would also differ according to location, he said.

For instance, a study on Port Klang would focus on residential areas and industries, while a stu-dy on Pulau Tioman would look at the impact on tourism.

Keizrul said that the rising sea level caused by melting ice caps, which contain fresh water, would also affect the salinity of the water as well as push salt water into rivers.

“This would make river water unsuitable for agriculture and human consumption,” he said, adding that fortunately most of the country's drinking water intake points were on higher ground.

Keizrul said the DID would also need help from the Forestry Department, Marine Department, and Department of Environment for the study, as a higher sea level would cause erosion and damage mangrove and marine life, including corals.

Corals, he said, would migrate to shallow water in order to benefit from the sun's rays if they are to survive.

The corals in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and in the Maldives in the early part of the century were damaged due to climatic changes, which he considered a natural process.

Food prices going up

2007-09-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

Food prices going up

PETALING JAYA: The price of food in restaurants and hawker stalls has been on the rise since the salary increase for civil servants from July 1.

Many consumers say they were paying more for the same meals while restaurant owners and hawkers admit increasing prices by between 20sen and 50sen.

Those who have not increased prices are serving smaller portions of food.

The National Consumers Complaints Centre (NCCC) said it was receiving more complaints about the rising food prices.

NCCC director Darshan Singh said that even the prices of teh tarik, Milo and Nescafe had gone up by between 50sen and RM1.

Becoming expensive: many consumers have started paying more for the food as prices at restaurants and hawker stalls have been steadily increasing since July 1.

“We are receiving an average of 30 complaints a day from consumers on the higher price of food,” he added.

The NCCC works closely with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and forwards all complaints received to the enforcement division of the ministry.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said more enforcement was needed to rein in food prices.

“Clearly, many traders and restaurateurs are still not being kept in check. We have received many complaints,” CAP officer Uma Ramaswamy said.

She added that, in Penang, the food portions served had become smaller.

“Food prices, however, have in general only gone up by 10sen. But this (price increase) will continue if nothing is done.

“True, there is no law against increasing prices but the authorities should not just leave it at that,” she said.

Uma said CAP had also been encouraging the public to have more home-cooked meals to save money but this practice was troublesome for working couples.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry’s enforcement (development) division deputy director-general Iskandar Halim Sulaiman said that under Ops Gaji, which started on May 21, the ministry had conducted 580,485 checks on grocery shops, restaurants and food outlets.

More than 130,000 compounds were issued and 550 restaurants hauled up for not adhering to their price list.

“So far, RM459,166 worth of goods have been seized and RM219,480 in compounds collected,” he added.

Those who have complaints about higher food prices and other essential items can call the enforcement division at 1800-886-800, SMS 32255 or e-mail e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my

Monday September 24, 2007

Food sellers: Cost of ingredients eating into profits

PETALING JAYA: Hawkers, petty traders and mamak restaurant owners lament the higher cost of ingredients as well as intense competition which they say are making a dent on their profits.

While most traders and restaurant owners said they were absorbing the increase in expenditure, some stall owners had passed on the cost to consumers.

Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations of Malaysia president Datuk Ghai Soo Ming said many ingredients had become more expensive.

“Business is tough. If a trader simply increases the price, customers run away. For traders who really cannot make ends meet, it is advisable to keep the increase low,” he said.

Restaurant owner, J. Selva, said wholesalers had raised prices but they were within the ceiling prices set by the Government.

“But at the end of the day, restaurant owners like me still have to pay more for the foodstuff,” he added.

Selva said that some restaurants had increased the prices of drinks.

“Take Milo for instance. I pay about RM14 for 1kg of Milo. For a good-tasting cup, you can only make about 15 glasses for every kilo of Milo. I also need to use two tins of condensed milk, which costs RM4.80 for both.

“So, my cost for the 15 glasses of Milo is RM18.80. I sell it at RM1.50 each, which works out to a total of RM22.50. That means my profit is RM3.70.

“But then we have not taken into consideration the cost of gas for boiling the water, electricity bill, rental and also workers’ salaries,” he said.

A chap fun (rice and pre-cooked dishes) seller in SS2 here said he now charged 20sen more per plate of food.

“However, I do not charge my regular customers extra because I want them to continue patronising my stall.”

Politicians among 79 who have taken vehicles out of Langkawi

2007-09-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

By SIRA HABIBU

LANGKAWI: Two prominent politicians are among several VVIPs being tracked by the Customs Department for taking luxury vehicles out of the duty-free island without paying excise duties.

They are among the 79 people who have breached Clause 21 (1) of the Customs Duty Order (Exemption) 1988 by keeping the vehicles away from the island for more than a month in a year.

Customs are seeking the help of the police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to help track down the vehicles including BMW, Mercedes Benz, Toyota and high-end motorcycles. The other cars include Proton and Hyundai.

Before tax, the prices of various models of Mercedes Benz range from RM62,193 to RM466,110. For BMWs, a 325i costs RM200,000 while a 318 costs RM103,000.

When the vehicles are taken out of Langkawi, import duty and excise and sales tax amounting to between 150.25% and 193.15% would be charged depending on the capacity of the car.

The amount of excise duties is based on the price list of vehicles fixed by the Finance Ministry’s valuation.

A Harley Davidson motorcycle is about 69% cheaper on the island.

Langkawi Customs chief Abdul Mutalib Embi declined to comment on VVIP involvement.

“I can confirm that we are working on a mechanism to check attempts to evade duties.

“We are in talks with JPJ to ensure road tax for vehicles bought in Langkawi can only be renewed on the island.

“We are also seeking police help to seize the vehicles if they spot them during roadblocks,” he said yesterday.

Abdul Mutalib said some of the vehicles were taken out of Langkawi 17 years ago and had yet to return.

“We keep track of all the duty-free vehicles that had been taken out. These cars can only be taken out of the island once owners pay up the duties.

“The older the car the lower the duty as its value would have depreciated,” he said.

Alert on TB and HFMD

2007-09-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007

By DHARMENDER SINGH

PORT KLANG: The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Klang has increased and people have been advised to seek immediate medical treatment if symptoms occur.

Klang MP Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew said 350 TB cases were reported in the first half of this year compared with 471 throughout last year.

On HFMD, she said 502 cases were already reported in the first half of this year compared with 300 cases throughout last year.

“Most of the TB patients fall in the 20-45 age group,” she said after launching a health clinic jointly organised by the Klang Wanita MIC and the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital Hindu Welfare Society at SMK Pandamaran Jaya yesterday.

Dr Tan said 86% of those afflicted with TB were Malaysians, adding that the health authorities were concerned. The symptoms include continuous coughing, weight loss, fatigue, fever, shivers and loss of appetite.

Dr Tan advised parents and kindergarten operators in Klang to look out for symptoms of HFMD in children.

She said kindergartens in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Taman Eng Ann and Taman Pendamar Indah had to be closed to control the spread of the disease.

She said doctors testing samples of the HFMD here had found that the virus strain was different from the one in Sarawak.

Dr Tan also called on residents, non-governmental organisations and government agencies to work closer together to reduce the number of dengue cases in Klang.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is our astronaut

2007-09-22T03:07:00.015-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007
MYT 7:31:19 PM

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's astronaut candidates Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed have passed their training programme successfully and have qualified to become astronauts.

Both the medical officer and army dental surgeon are equally eligible to be sent to space on Oct 10, but if all goes according to plan, it will be Dr Sheikh Muszaphar making history as the first Malaysian in space.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announces the country's first astronaut at his office in Putrajaya, Monday. - AP

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, 35, has been named as part of the three-member first crew for the Soyuz 15-S mission alongside Yuri Malechencko from Russia and American Peggy Whitson, while Kapt Dr Faiz, 27, is a member of the second crew with Michael Fincke from the United States and Russian Sharizan Sharipov.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in announcing this said the Government was proud that both Angkasawan candidates had passed with flying colours and were equally eligible to represent the country in its first outer space mission.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Whitson and Malenchenko will board the Russian Soyuz TMA-11, which will blast off from Baikanur in Kazakhstan on Oct 10.

Perak: Local authorities won't lose power because of NCER

2007-09-22T03:07:00.013-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007
MYT 7:31:19 PM

By CLARA CHOOI

IPOH: Local authorities will continue to have jurisdiction over projects to be implemented in Perak's 250,000 ha of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

Assuring the local authorities that the NCER would not cause them to "lose their power," Perak State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim said work for the local councils would not be any different because of the NCER.

"There will be no curtailing of their authority," he told reporters after an NCER meeting here Monday.

The meeting was held between NCER officials and the state government to ascertain the latter's views on bills drafted for the implementation of the multi-billion ringgit development.

Dr Abdul Rahman said the current system of authorities of the local councils would be maintained via efforts to be coordinated by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) with the help of the state Economic Planning Unit and the councils.

The NCIA is the implementation agency for the NCER that will act as a facilitator between the Government and investors of the project in order to reduce red tape.

"The NCIA will work together with the state through the Economic Planning Unit (Upen) to process or attain the approvals needed for the implementation of projects from the local councils," said Dr Abdul Rahman.

"Hence, the role of the local authorities will not change; only a mechanism will be introduced to establish a relationship for the purpose of permits and so on," he added.

On the meeting, Dr Abdul Rahman said the state government had no objection over the details of the bill as it did not infringe upon the power of the state.

"We are agreeable mainly on the spirit of the bill as the state's power will be maintained. This is going to be the overriding principle of the Act and I am sure no one will have a problem with it when it is brought into the coming state assembly meeting," he said.

Special adviser to the Prime Minister for the NCER Datuk Annuar Zaini said that the meeting was the second in a series of meetings with other state governments to get feedback on the bill.

"The main purpose of the bill is to create a network of cooperation among the parties involved in the NCER in order to improve its delivery system," he said.

The bill, he said, would be debated in Parliament in December.

Shafie: Shop smart instead of boycotting all market traders

2007-09-22T03:07:00.011-07:00

Monday September 24, 2007
MYT 7:31:19 PM

By DEVID RAJAH

PUTRAJAYA: A blanket boycott on all market traders over rising prices of essential goods will adversely affect the economy, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said.

Instead, Shafie, called on the public to look for alternatives or buy from traders who offered reasonable rates.

Shafie, who clearly did not support the blanket boycott call by the umbrella union bodies - Cupeacs and MTUC - on market traders, said: "Be a smart consumer and look for cheaper alternatives."

He said even the honest traders would be affected if people boycotted markets.

If this happens traders would have to close shop, workers would lose their jobs and the economy would suffer, he said.

"There are markets and places where you can still buy goods at reasonable prices," he said, adding that four to five enforcement officers would be deployed to all the main markets to check on unscrupulous traders who raised the prices of essential goods.

"Consumers must exercise their right by comparing prices to avoid traders who hike up prices. This will force them to lower their prices.

"Don't buy what you don't need as the Government can only check on prices of controlled items," he told a press conference at his ministry here on Monday.

However, Shafie said the ministry would not hesitate to take stern action on errant traders who sold price-controlled items above the ceiling prices.

"Please give us the information and we will act," said Shafie, who called on the public, including the union bodies to call the ministry's hotline at 1-800-886-800 to report such traders.

He said between Sept 13 and 23, the ministry's enforcement officers checked 130,374 premises and seized RM78,114 worth of goods and issued compound fines worth RM37,850 to 230 traders, comprising wholesalers and retailers.

He said the ministry would continue to check and enforce the laws on errant traders.

"We don't want any adverse impact on the domestic economy," he said, when asked if he objected to the boycott call.

MTUC and the civil servants umbrella union body Cuepacs launched a nationwide boycott campaign against rising prices of essential goods at the Sungai Besi toll plaza here on Sunday.

Leaders of the two bodies urged the public to seek alternatives to rice, sugar, milk, salt, wheat flour, cooking oil, bread and chicken.

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said the campaign was not merely about boycotting errant traders but to force the Government to tackle the problem of price increases.

Cuepacs president Omar Osman said consumers must show that the power was in their hands.

"If everyone worked together to support the boycott, prices will be reduced drastically. If they just go with the flow, things will never change," he said.

Congestion fee for KL proposed

2007-09-22T03:07:00.009-07:00

Sunday September 23, 2007

STOCKHOLM: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is proposing to introduce a congestion fee on motorists.

Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan said discussions on the matter would be held before the end of the year and a paper submitted to the Special Cabinet Committee on Public Transportation chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak early next year.

“The public may object to the proposal initially, but they will accept it after they realise the system will improve traffic conditions in the city,” he told reporters after visiting the Stockholm Traffic Control Centre yesterday.

Earlier, Stockholm traffic manager Henrik Sundquist briefed him on how the congestion fee was implemented in the city.

“There were protests when the system was first implemented in Stockholm but after a six-month trial run, it yielded results. There is no more objection,'' said Abdul Hakim.

He said the way the system was implemented in Stockholm was simple, where vehicles on certain streets would have their registration numbers recorded and the drivers would then have to go to a bank or 7-11 outlet to pay the fee.

He said Stockholm drivers were given two weeks to pay the fee.

RM4.5m aid for the needy in Kelantan

2007-09-22T03:07:00.007-07:00

Sunday September 23, 2007

BACHOK: Needy Kelantan folk are in for some Hari Raya cheer, thanks to the Federal Government.

A RM4.5mil allocation has been made for senior citizens, single mothers, and the underprivileged in the state.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, who will distribute the Ramadan aid, said the special allocation had been personally approved by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for Kelantan due to its high incidence of poverty.

The aid is a form of zakat contribution from the Federal Government to the state, said Dr Awang Adek, who is Kelantan Umno deputy head and Bachok MP.

He gave an assurance that the aid would be distributed to the needy regardless of political affiliation in the PAS-ruled state.

The deputy minister said Kelantan Umno head Datuk Seri Annuar Musa led a state party delegation to meet with the Prime Minister on Wednesday, seeking a zakat contribution and also briefed him on the state Umno’s insurance scheme, Takaful Merdeka.

“We are grateful that the Prime Minister approved the zakat contribution which is the highest ever received by the state,” Dr Awang Adek told newsmen after presenting aid to 1,000 senior citizens and single mothers at the Jelawat state constituency here.

He said Kelantan Umno was committed to helping eradicate hardcore poverty in the state by 2010.

Bar calls for royal inquiry

2007-09-22T03:07:00.005-07:00

Sunday September 23, 2007

By SHAILA KOSHY

'Probe allegations of judicial impropriety over the years'

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar wants the Government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry immediately to investigate allegations of judicial impropriety over the years in light of the video clip that has emerged showing a lawyer apparently “fixing” the appointment of judges with a senior judge over the telephone.

Serious issue: Bar Council officer-bearers (from left) treasurer George Varughese, Lim, Ambiga and Ragunath listening to a question posed during the press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“The video clip is just one issue (on appointments and promotions). Members have expressed their grave concern.

“We have gone from one crisis to another since the 1988 judicial crisis; it is time to confront fully and completely all the issues that have arisen since then with a view to strengthen the administration of justice,” Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan told a press conference yesterday.

She added that the Bar would present a memorandum calling for a Royal Commission to the Cabinet on Wednesday in Putrajaya.

Earlier, the Bar convened an emergency council meeting that was attended by 25 of the 36 members of its governing body.

“We are also proposing an extraordinary general meeting for 3pm on Oct 6 to discuss the state of the judiciary as well as the clip,” Ambiga, who is also council chairman, told reporters after the meeting.

“We are referring the lawyer in the clip to our disciplinary board, chaired by senior lawyer Tan Sri Khalid Ahmad,” she replied when asked if it had considered asking the lawyer to explain himself before it even called for the Oct 6 meeting.

Ambiga said the recent incident only underscored the need for a judicial commission for transparency in the appointments and promotions of judges.

When asked the need for a Royal Commission since the public continued to use the courts despite the various crises, she said: “No doubt many cases are filed but the public has no choice (but to do so) to resolve their issues. All that shows is how important the courts are. It is necessary to note that there are many good hardworking judges and it is in their interest that the entire system is looked it.

“Many are opting for arbitration but that involves a lot of money and the man in the street has no choice but to go to court.”

Asked when the disciplinary board would convene, she said the board acted independently of the council.

Council secretary Lim Chee Wee added that the senior judge implicated had issued a statement, saying “no comment.”

Asked what the Bar would do if nothing developed from the authorities’ investigation, Ambiga said that would be unacceptable.

“The outrage you see in our website and the response you’ve heard from civil society shows the people are fed-up,” stressed vice-chairman Ragunath Kesavan.

“This latest is a watershed for us. Clearly, something is seriously wrong in the judiciary.”

Referring to her press statement, Ambiga said they hoped the focus would not turn against the whistleblower.

Factories fear gas price hike

2007-09-22T03:07:00.003-07:00

Sunday September 23, 2007

By MANJIT KAUR

KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium-scale manufacturers fear that they may not be globally competitive if the Government decides to increase the price of gas for industrial use, an industry source said.

For industries to continue to manufacture, create employment, and, in short, survive, the source said more gas should be given to the sector and any price increase should be applied to all players.

For instance, he said, manufacturers now pay RM12.87 per MBTU (million British thermal unit) but Petronas sells subsidised gas to Tenaga Nasional Bhd and independent power producers (IPPs) at just RM6.40 per MBTU.

Yet, the power generation sector consumes 60% of total gas production in Peninsular Malaysia, while manufacturers consume a mere 12%, while the rest was exported.

“We, the small consumers, are paying double compared to the power sector, although they have a bigger piece of the cake,” he said.

He said overall (including Sabah and Sarawak), Petronas produces 60 billion cubic metres of natural gas in the country, accounting for 2.1% of worldwide production.

He asked why it was not possible to reduce the export of gas produced in Peninsular Malaysia, which could then be channelled to the non-power sector.

“I am afraid that we may have to pay RM15 per MBTU if there is a price increase. If there is one, then it should involve the power sector,” he said in an interview, near here, yesterday.

In addition, he said, since December 2005, Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd had stopped signing new supply agreements due to curtailments by Petronas. This prevents manufacturers from buying gas if they wish to expand or relocate their businesses.

It was reported in StarBiz on Sept 19 that a hike in gas price is imminent, and although the quantum is in question, it is speculated that there will be a 15% increase in the price of gas for industrial use.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said that a Cabinet committee chaired by the Prime Minister would decide tomorrow the next gas policy and gas prices for TNB and IPPs.

When contacted, FMM Malaysian Ceramic Industry Group, under the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, said it felt that the burden of future increases in gas prices should be shared by all consumers of natural gas.

Its chairman Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz said “favouritism” was practised when it came to TNB and IPPs.

“It is time to be fair, and it is time for the big players to pay more too,” he added.

PM: Get to the bottom of video clip

2007-09-22T03:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday September 22, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has directed the police to immediately start investigations into a video recording implicating a prominent lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges.

The Prime Minister said it was important to act quickly because the content of the clip could tarnish the image of the country’s judiciary.

“We cannot treat this lightly. We will act fast to determine the truth,” Abdullah told reporters after chairing a Police Commission meeting at the Internal Security Ministry here yesterday.

On Wednesday, Parti Keadilan Rakyat released a video clip of the lawyer talking on the phone to someone who is said to be a senior judge about how he had helped get this judge appointed to one of the top judiciary posts.

The appointment was supposedly done through a prominent businessman and a politician. The lawyer also said he was working through the same two contacts to get the judge elevated even further and also get him a “Tan Sri” title.

The names of a number of prominent judges were also mentioned in the video.

Abdullah said that based on the content of the video clip and transcript that was sent to his office, only a single person’s conversation could be heard despite claims that the lawyer was talking to a senior judge.

“Can we believe or accept this?” he said.

He added that if investigations revealed that the claims were false, action would be taken against those who were trying to undermine the judiciary.

The prime minister said the video recording would invoke public anger and hatred towards the judiciary.

He said at this juncture, the question of setting up a Commission of Inquiry did not arise as the allegations in the video clip had yet to be proven as authentic.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the authenticity of the video footage had to be determined first before the Government could decide on any action.

“Modern day technology can also be abused. So before we conclude anything, let us establish whether there is basis or not,” Najib told reporters after launching the Malaysia Airlines Engineering Training Centre in Subang yesterday.

He said he had not seen the video footage. He also said that he had “not formally” spoken to Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim about the matter.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said as an immediate step, the police would call the prominent lawyer for questioning over the video clip issue.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Police Commission meeting yesterday where he briefed Abdullah on the developments in the police force.

Establish if lawyer brokering video is authentic first: Najib

2007-09-22T03:06:00.001-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007
MYT 3:22:56 PM

By JANE RITIKOS

SUBANG: The Government will have to first establish the authenticity of the video footage of a senior lawyer brokering the appointment of judges, before deciding on any action, said the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said he personally had not seen the footage.

However, he stressed that it was important to establish the veracity of the footage "before jumping to any conclusion."

"Modern day technology can also be abused and fabricated. So before we conclude anything let us establish whether there is basis or not," Najib told reporters after launching the Malaysia Airlines Engineering Training Center here on Friday.

Asked if an investigation on the matter would be carried out, he said: "We have to establish it first. Then whatever it is, we will decide at the next stage."

To a question, Najib said he had "not formally" spoken to Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim about the matter.

Probed further on whether he had engaged in communication with the Chief Justice, Najib said: "I think you better ask the Chief Justice, in this regard."

On Wednesday, Parti Keadilan Rakyat released a videoclip, purportedly shot in 2002, which it obtained recently of the lawyer talking on the telephone to someone who seemed to be a senior judge about how he (the lawyer) had helped get this judge appointed to one of the top judiciary posts.

According to the telephone conversation, the appointment was done through a prominent businessman and a politician.

The lawyer was heard saying that he was working through the two persons to get the judge elevated even further and get him a “Tan Sri” title. The names of a number of prominent judges were also mentioned in the video.

Petronas dispatches team to contain oil spill in Kertih

2007-09-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007
MYT 6:45:22 PM

KEMAMAN: Petronas dispatched its emergency response team with the support from Marine Department and Petroleum Industry of Malaysia Mutual Aid Group to contain an oil spill about 1.2km from Kertih Port, late Thursday night.

Petronas in a statement said that the oil leak occurred at the floating hose of a single buoy-mooring chamber while loading to an oil tanker was underway.

The leak occurred while an oil product known as low sulphur waxy residue (LSWR) was being piped from the Kertih refinery to the oil tanker. About 50 barrels of oil spilled.

The statement also said that the Department of Environment and related authorities had been notified.

Petronas is currently carrying out work to contain the oil spill and a clean-up operation is underway to recover LSWR tar balls.

A shore clean-up team is on standby for shore cleaning should the tar ball reach the shore.

30 sen postage for Raya cards

2007-09-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd (PMB) is offering a promotional postage rate of 30 sen for all sizes of Hari Raya cards not exceeding 2kg for all destinations within the country.

PMB PosMel’s chief operating officer Mohd Zarif Hashim said previously, the postage for Raya cards ranged from 30 sen to 50 sen each depending on the size, weight and place of destination.

“If the response is positive, we hope to extend the promotion to other festive seasons in future, including for Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year,” he added.

He said the cards should be mailed before Oct 6 so as to reach their recipients before Hari Raya. – Bernama

Cop under probe for having RM9mil

2007-09-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: A police officer from Bukit Aman police headquarters is at the centre of an Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) probe for having assets worth RM9mil.

Sources said the officer with the rank of Superintendent is in his 40’s was believed to have been involved in five money-laundering cases in Johor. He is also being investigated for abuse of power.

It is learnt that the officer was supposed to present himself at the ACA office yesterday but failed to do so.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking police officer who had undeclared assets worth about RM27mil made the asset declaration on Wednesday to the Deputy Public Prosecutor in Putrajaya.

The officer heads a department at Bukit Aman. According to sources, ACA would still proceed to ascertain the source of his assets.

Its was reported the officer allegedly played the role of “godfather” to an oil palm plantation company in Sabah.

Block illegal song download sites, says RIM

2007-09-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

PETALING JAYA: The music industry here wants the Government to block Internet users in the country from accessing illegal song download sites.

The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) said music sales were plummeting.

“We are feeling the pinch from foreign websites offering illegal downloads to Malaysians,” said RIM chief executive officer Tan Ngiap Foo.

He said the association had proposed the measure to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the regulatory body for the telecommunications industry.

“It’s hard to quantify just how much damage has been inflicted by such (illegal download) sites but sales last year was only RM87mil compared with RM200mil about 10 years ago,” said Tan.

“Nobody wants to buy CDs anymore, not even pirated CDs,” he added.

According to him, the demand for digitised music is increasing among Malaysians due to growing broadband penetration and the larger storage capabilities of personal computers and music-playing handheld devices such as cellphones and MP3 players.

Unfortunately for RIM, Tan said, much of the demand was being satisfied by illegal download websites.

“We are hoping that once MCMC is aware of this matter, it will block these music sites. You can find a lot of local songs on them. You can even get Siti Nurhaliza downloads from sites registered in China – all illegal,” Tan said.

RIM is compiling a list of illegal downloading sites hosted overseas to present to MCMC by the end of the month.

MCMC chairman Datuk Dr Halim Shafie said the commission would need to study the situation and RIM’s request before taking any action.

“We must be mindful of what the implications are because there is a lot of sensitivity involved when it comes to blocking websites,” he said.

Music fans can now make legal downloads from sites like music.bluehyppo.com and bimbit.com.

Malacca extends deadline to pig farmers

2007-09-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

MALACCA: Oct 4 is the new deadline given by the state government to reduce the number of pigs in farms in Paya Mengkuang, Bukit Beruang, Man Lok and Londang.

Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the initial deadline today was extended because the pig farmers had managed to take out only 23,824 pigs, with another 97,241 pigs still remaining.

Abu Seman, who heads the state government committee monitoring the process to reduce the pig population, said the farmers also agreed to close all pig farms in Man Lok, Bukit Beruang and Londang by Oct 4.

“After Oct 4, the government will ensure that only 48,000 pigs are allowed in Paya Mengkuang,” he said.

Abu Seman, who is also Deputy Federal Territories Minister, said five pig farms in Man Lok would cease operations today while another five farms in Man Lok, Bukit Beruang and Londang would close on Sept 30.

“Another 15 farms in Man Lok and Bukit Beruang will cease operations on Oct 4,” he said, adding that the state government would monitor their closure. The agreement was reached following discussions between state MCA officials and the farmers to solve the issue.

The initial deadline to reduce the number of pigs in the state from 140,000 to 48,000 was agreed upon when the state called off an operation to cull pigs two weeks ago.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong, who visited the farms in Paya Mengkuang yesterday, said the director-general of the Veterinary Services Department and its state directors had met in Putrajaya to draw up guidelines for sewage treatment at pig farms.

In PUTRAJAYA, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the farmers had to adhere to the agreement for the Malacca state government to be flexible in its deadline.

“The state government has agreed to be flexible, including in the deadline, to solve this issue, provided the farmers keep their commitment,” he said after witnessing the signing of an agreement between Felda and Indonesia’s PT Kalpataru Investama on planting of oil palm in East Kalimantan.

IGP: We are closing in on the killer

2007-09-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

Tan Sri Musa Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have a lead on the merciless murderer of the girl found stuffed in a sports bag at a shop in Petaling Utama, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said.

“We cannot say whether he is a serial killer but we’ll be arresting him soon.

“Only one person is involved at the moment. We cannot say if he is a foreigner,” he told a press conference held at the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry yesterday.

It has been reported that a video footage of a motorist leaving a sports bag at the staircase of the book distribution shop in Petaling Utama holds the key to solving the murder of the little girl.

Police said they were viewing the recording captured by a closed circuit television (CCTV) there and hoping to obtain crucial information that could lead to the arrest of the killer.

The CCTV footage also has images of a woman loitering around the area and getting into a car. It showed the woman in jeans and a red top walking about in the area at the time, and the bag could be seen in the background.

The woman, estimated to be in her 20s, later entered a Silver Kenari.

Musa also reiterated that the body of the dead girl “remains unidentified”.

“I was just informed that from the report of the Chemistry Department, the DNA matches that of Nurin’s parents but they still say it’s not her body.

“We’ll do further DNA tests. Her identity is not confirmed,” he said.

Second DNA test proposed

2007-09-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

Friday September 21, 2007

SHAH ALAM: The DNA of the dead girl stuffed in the sports bag matches that of taxi driver Jazimin Abdul Jalil and his wife Norazian Bistaman.

But Jazimin is adamant the dead girl is not his missing eight-year-old daughter Nurin Jazlin.

The police have now proposed a second DNA test to confirm the identity of the dead girl.

Nurin Jazlin Jazimin's mother Norazian Bistaman consoling her husband Jazimin Abdul Jalil at the Forensics Department at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Thursday. A second DNA test will be conducted to ascertain if the body of the dead girl (top mugshot) is Nurin (bottom mugshot). - Kamarul Ariffin / The Star

Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that the results of the DNA test done on the blood sample taken from the dead girl matched that of Jazimin, 33, and his wife Norazian, 35.

The results were released by the Forensics Department about 2pm yesterday.

“We called the parents for a second identification of the body to determine if she was indeed their daughter. But the parents still insisted after the second viewing that she was not Nurin.

“So, police have suggested that a second round of DNA tests be conducted. This time, we will also take blood samples from one of Nurin’s siblings and another close relative, possibly a grandparent,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Asked why the parents have refused to accept the body as that of Nurin's, he said: “It’s hard to say ... as parents, maybe it’s difficult to accept.

“The DNA test shows it is Nurin's body but the parents say it is not her. So, we cannot make any confirmation,” he added.

Jazimin and his wife Norazian, seated between two of their daughters, and a relative (left) waiting at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur mortuary on Thursday to re-identify the body of the girl who was found in the sports bag.

DCP Khalid said police were also trying to get Nurin’s dental records for a comparison with the body for further confirmation.

He said police would also seek the opinion of doctors on the missing BCG mark on the body if it was proven that she was a Malaysian child.

Jazimin said he wanted the police to pursue the search for Nurin “because I know she is still safe out there.”

“I am Nurin’s father ... I know my daughter better than anyone else. My heart is saying that the dead girl is not my daughter.

“If police insist that I take the body, I will do it. I will perform the funeral rites and bury her,” Jazimin told reporters outside the KL Hospital mortuary yesterday.

Nurin has been missing since Aug 20 when she went to a night market near her home

in Wangsa Maju on her own. She was last seen being dragged into a white van by a man.

On Monday, an employee of a book distribution company found a sports bag at the bottom of a staircase of a shoplot in PJS1/48, Petaling Utama and brought it into her workplace, thinking that it belonged to her boss.

Her boss later opened the bag and discovered the naked body of a girl, believed to between six and nine-years-old in a foetal position in the brand new bag.

Police later found bruise marks on her neck, suggesting strangulation, and a brinjal and a cucumber inserted in her private parts.

MPs flag polls for debate

2007-09-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Star 17 September 2007

By ELIZABETH LOOI

“ELECTION fever” apparently hit the Dewan Rakyat last week.

Although there were no signs that the general election will take place anytime now, MPs from both sides of the House accused each other of claiming political mileage to prepare for the elections.

The torching of the Jalur Gemilang during a riot in Kuala Terengganu last Saturday was also highlighted.

MPs were in agreement that it was wrong for those concerned to burn the national flag, stressing that it was an insult to the country’s sovereignty.

But their views clashed when the Opposition said the police should not have used aggression to control the crowd.

When Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang raised the issue in his debate on the Budget, Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN – Sri Gading) interjected and thanked Lim for criticising the parties involved for burning the flag.

But all niceties ended there. He noted that Lim was only critical in Parliament and “if there is an election the next day, these people will be the ones supporting the Opposition.”

Lim retorted that Mohamad’s statement was uncalled for, pointing out that the Opposition would criticise anything that was not right.

He also said it was not fair for the police to reject the permit application for the ceramah at the last minute, especially when the organisers, Bersih, had applied much earlier.

At this juncture, Mohamad stood up and said the organisers should not have continued with the talk if they did not have a permit.

“The police did not want to cause chaos but the Opposition wanted to be popular. There were no issues so they kicked up a riot. This was the problem.

“I beg the Opposition Leader not to support law offenders. Just because the election mood is near, everyone is getting the fever, (everyone) wants to be popular,” he said.

Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar’s (BN – Larut) also raised the flag burning issue in his speech.

A shouting match eventually broke out when Lim tried to correct Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan), who had compared the incident with that involving Wee Meng Chee, the student who created a controversy for performing a rap version of Negaraku.

But when Raja Ahmad Zainuddin refused to allow Lim to intercept longer, the veteran DAP leader made a snide remark against him over his loss of the vice-president's post in the FA of Malaysia’s election on Sunday.

“Is there a Standing Order that allows a person to get angry for losing in the football association yesterday? (He) had to get out. Finished!” said Lim.

Raja Ahmad Zainuddin and his fellow backbenchers then countered the remark by jeering at DAP for “getting pushed around in the last general election.”

“From Malacca to Penang. (But) people pushed to Perak. What is this? Hopping around like a frog?” Raja Ahmad Zainuddin said amidst the commotion.

Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin (BN – Jerai) then said there was nothing else for DAP to talk about, as the party had lost most of its seats in the previous elections.

“What have you got to say about losing in the last elections, Yang Berhormat (Lim)? How many states?” he said.

Meanwhile, Wong Nai Chee (BN – Kota Melaka) urged the Government to review the requirement for public-listed companies to submit an analysis involving the racial and gender composition of their workforce.

He said such a move was an act of micro restructuring, which was against the stand of MCA.

“What is the purpose of the analysis? Is the Government trying to ensure that companies have 30% bumiputra workforce?

“The recruitment of staff should be based on the person’s qualifications, experience and capabilities,” he said, when contacted later.

He said the companies should not be compelled to undertake programmes to develop bumiputra vendors, as this would sideline other vendors.

The Dewan adjourned on Wednesday for the Ramadan and Hari Raya break. It will sit on Oct 22.

Price rise upsets consumers

2007-09-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

The Star 17 September 2007

MALACCA: Consumers are fuming over the price increase of flour by 30 sen a kilo, accusing the traders of taking advantage of the festive season to up prices.

Traders, however, say that suppliers have raised the price and traders have no choice but to follow suit.

Traders in Melaka Central market said that suppliers had informed them that the price of packed flour would increase from today.

“Before, a kilogram of flour was sold at RM1.80 but now it is RM2.10 or we can not make any profit,” trader Quek Boh Jee said.

Nordin Mamut, 50, from Lorong Pandan said traders were taking advantage of the festive month and hoped the Government would step in to investigate or take action against the guilty parties.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Department Malacca Deputy Chief Enforcement Officer Abdul Halim Abdul Karim said there was no increase in flour prices.

“We control the price of the 25kg pure grade flour at RM1.35 per kilo. For small packs, we only control the supply and distribution,” he said.

He explained that during every festive period there were unscrupulous traders who raise prices because of the demand.

He urged consumers to call his department at 06-2881422 so that the matter could be investigated

Perlis women can marry without wali’s consent

2007-09-16T20:36:00.002-07:00

The Star 17 September 2007

KANGAR: Women in Perlis who have been denied consent by their wali without a valid reason, can still be married following the implementation of the amended Administration of Muslim Family Law Enactment.

A wali is a person such as a father, grandfather, brother or uncle who can give away a bride for marriage.

State Islamic Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Abu Bakar Ismail said the enactment was passed in the state assembly on Tuesday.

With the amendment, a syariah judge is empowered to decide on cases where the wali of the would-be bride has refused to give consent to the marriage without a valid reason.

Abu Bakar said that under the amendment the judge can summon the wali of the bride to initiate investigations.

If the wali fails to turn up on two occasions, the judge is empowered to approve the marriage.

“Islam encourages Muslims to marry and start families and, as such, the wali cannot stop a marriage without a valid reason as it could adversely affect a couple,” he added.

“Those who cannot marry because of objection from the wali will come under stress and this can lead to vice and adultery.” – Bernama

PM: Riots not the Malaysian way

2007-09-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

The STAR 17 September 2007

By IAN MCINTYRE

TANAH MERAH: Malaysia does not condone riots or street mobs as it is not the country’s way of life or culture, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Furthermore, most religious teachings did not call on their followers to incite violence as a way of resolving anything, he said.

For their welfare: Abdullah presenting aid to single mothers and the poor in Pasir Mas yesterday. With him is Annuar (second from right). — Bernama

“I don't condone any street mob and I will not accept it as a reason to cause hurt.

“Malaysians must be grateful that we are living in a peaceful country especially in the holy Ramadan month,” Abdullah said when addressing some 10,000 people at a meet-the-people session in SMK Tanah Merah I.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, state Umno head Datuk Seri Annuar Musa and his deputy Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, state Umno secretary Datuk Ramzi Ab Rahman, Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Tanah Merah Umno division head Datuk Hashim Safin.

Abdullah also said that a total of RM378mil under the Ninth Malaysia Plan had been allocated for the district and it involved seven projects.

He said that to realise the benefits of development, the cooperation of everyone, from politicians to senior government officers to the people, is required, he added.

Noting the presence of non-Muslims during the breaking of fast, he said it was a good tradition and hoped that it would continue in this multi-racial and multi-religious country.

Earlier, when presenting aid to 3,000 single mothers and the poor in constituencies under the Pasir Mas and Rantau Panjang parliamentary areas, Abdullah stressed he did not want any Malaysian to cite poverty as a reason for not sending a child to school or not sitting for a required public examination.

He said this was the main aim of abolishing school fees announced in the recent 2008 Budget.

He also urged everyone not to forget their parents and remember the sacrifices they had made.

“Many Kelantanese in Kuala Lumpur are successful but many of them came from poor homes. So please care for your parents when you go home for this festive season,” he said.

He also asked Malaysians to donate generously to Indonesians affected by the recent earthquake.

Bus companies made liable

2007-09-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

The STAR 17 september 2007

By ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: The poor track record of express buses has resulted in a major insurance company refusing to assume full liability for passenger deaths and property damage arising from accidents.

The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, in an immediate reaction, said the move was unfair to bus companies.

Kurnia Insurans (M) Bhd has decided to make bus firms partly liable for passenger deaths or injuries, and property damage if their drivers fail to comply with an additional set of conditions which mostly concern road safety.

The company, which insures the bulk of express buses on the road, will require bus companies to pay up to RM5,000 for death or injuries, and RM10,000 for property damage claims if those conditions are not fulfilled.

Among the conditions are:

> Full compliance with permit provisions,

> Having Puspakom roadworthiness certificates,

> That drivers are not drug addicts and alcoholics,

> That drivers have valid licences and are free of traffic warrants, and

> That drivers are physically and mentally fit.

Kurnia Insurans chief executive office Kong Shu Yin said the conditions applied to express buses only.

“It is due to the very poor safety record of express buses lately,” he said.

Kong said passengers would not suffer from the system because Kurnia would pay their claims first and then recover the bus company’s portion of the liability from them later.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said bus companies were now being held to ransom by such a requirement.

“It is a requirement by law to buy insurance, so now they (insurance companies) are taking advantage of that.

“It now becomes nonsensical to buy insurance. At the same time, we cannot pass the extra cost to the consumer because our fares are controlled,” he said.

As insurance coverage is mandatory, buses would have to be grounded if bus companies are unable to get coverage.

CVLB chairman Datuk Markiman Kobiran said the move was unfair because it imposed unnecessary conditions on bus companies.

“Right now, the industry is actually moving from bad to a better situation. It is not going from bad to worse. This is the wrong time to do this,” he said.

He said enforcement had weeded out most of the unscrupulous drivers and bus companies were very aware that they had to improve safety conditions.

He added that the insurance companies ought to be thanking the Government for reducing their exposure to risk instead of squeezing the bus companies further.

Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said the move would cause hardship to the bus companies.

“It should not be the stick alone. The carrot and stick method should be used. They should be working with the Government and industry to reduce their risk,” he said.