NEWS

KHASIAT MINUM AIR

2010-03-04T09:51:00.003+08:00

MENGANTUKNYA! Setiap kali selepas makan tengah hari mesti mengantuk. Kadangkala rasa tidak larat hendak buka mata. Rasanya bukan sebab tidak cukup tidur sebab tiap-tiap malam aku tidur nyenyak,” rungut seorang rakan yang beberapa kali tersengguk-sengguk depan komputer.

Sememangnya, mengantuk selepas makan bukan disebabkan kurang tidur, sebaliknya ia menandakan kita dahaga dan badan tidak cukup air. Ramai tersilap menafsirkan keperluan badan terhadap air dengan rasa lapar.

Dahaga bukan petanda terbaik untuk memberitahu badan memerlukan air kerana sensitiviti terhadap dahaga semakin berkurang apabila umur meningkat, terutama pada orang tua. Badan kita hanya boleh mengawal keseimbangan air hingga satu peringkat tertentu.Paras garam akan meningkat apabila simpanan air dalam badan berkurang.

Otak akan mengesan perubahan keseimbangan ini dan memberi isyarat kepada buah pinggang untuk mengurangkan kehilangan air serta mencetuskan rasa dahaga.Bagaimanapun, cetusan rasa dahaga ini berlaku lewat.

Biasanya apabila kita berasa dahaga, badan sudah kehilangan kira-kira dua cawan cecair badan. Kehilangan ini boleh menimbulkan pelbagai implikasi.Air adalah unsur penting dalam badan. Badan lelaki membabitkan 65 peratus air dan 55 peratus bagi wanita.

Air bertindak sebagai pelarut, penyejuk, pelincir dan agen pengangkut nutrien ke seluruh badan.Kandungan air dalam badan setiap orang adalah berbeza mengikut kandungan lemak masing-masing.

Secara umumnya, jumlah peratusan air dalam badan orang yang tidak banyak lemak adalah lebih tinggi. Kira-kira 70 peratus berat otak, 75 peratus berat jantung, 90 peratus berat paru-paru dan 82 peratus kandungan darah membabitkan air.

Badan mengalami kehilangan air sepanjang masa iaitu hampir 80 peratus sehari, walaupun kita tidak aktif. Kehilangan ini berlaku melalui air kencing, najis, peluh dan pernafasan. Setiap kali menghembuskan nafas, kita kehilangan air dalam bentuk wap.

Jika dikumpulkan, kita mungkin boleh dapat satu atau dua gelas air yang hilang melalui pernafasan.Ini sebabnya pakar kesihatan menyarankan kita minum sekurang-kurangnya lapan gelas atau satu liter air setiap hari.

Sumber air bukan hanya daripada air minuman kerana ia juga ada dalam makanan, buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran.Berapa banyak air yang kita perlukan?Secara umumnya setiap orang memerlukan sekurang-kurangnya lapan gelas air atau satu liter air sehari. Namun, jumlah ini berbeza antara setiap individu, aktiviti dilakukan dan cuaca tempat tinggal.

Tentu saja jika kita melakukan senaman pada hari panas, kita kehilangan lebih banyak air melalui peluh.Air yang keluar ini perlu diganti segera, sama ada ketika atau selepas bersenam, untuk mengelak masalah kekeringan.

Kehilangan banyak air menyebabkan tekanan darah turun mendadak, bekalan oksigen ke otak menurun dan jika terlalu serius, ia boleh membawa maut.

Jika terlalu banyak minum, tidakkah akan berlaku keracunan air? Memang boleh, tetapi ia jarang berlaku. Sebenarnya sukar bagi orang sihat mengalami keracunan air. Ia biasanya berlaku pada bayi. Malah, individu yang alami masalah berat badan berlebihan perlu minum lebih banyak air, iaitu segelas bagi setiap 11 kilogram melebihi berat badan unggul.Mereka yang bercita-cita mengurangkan berat badan juga digalakkan minum banyak air.

Kekurangan air merendahkan kadar metabolisma dan badan tidak boleh memecah dan menggunakan lemak dengan berkesan. Akibatnya, proses menurunkan berat badan menjadi lebih sukar.Masalah retensi air atau ketidakbolehan badan mengeluarkan air dari pundi kencing menjadi lebih buruk jika kita tidak mendapat cukup air.

Ada kalanya masalah ini boleh diatasi dengan minum lebih banyak air untuk menggalakkan pembuangan air berlebihan.Oleh kerana kebanyakan zat makanan larut dalam air, mungkin ada yang risau ia dibuang melalui air kencing. Jangan risau. Masalah ini tidak berlaku kerana buah pinggang kita mempunyai sistem penapisan yang cerdik.

Hanya bahan tidak berguna dibuang. Semua khasiat makanan diserap ketika dalam usus dan dimasukkan ke dalam darah untuk diagihkan ke seluruh badan.Sebenarnya ramai mengalami masalah kekurangan air tanpa disedari. Malah, ramai juga berkata tidak mahu kerap berulang ke tandas sebagai alasan untuk tidak minum banyak air.

Tindakan ini sebenarnya meracun diri kerana tanpa air yang cukup, badan sukar mengeluarkan bahan toksik dan boleh berkumpul membentuk batu karang.Tanpa air yang cukup juga, nutrien daripada makanan tidak dapat diagihkan dengan baik dan menyebabkan lebih banyak lemak terkumpul dalam badan. Bentuk dan saiz otot turut berubah.

Paling malang , jika kekurangan air meningkatkan paras bahan toksik hingga membahayakan nyawa.

Kesan kekurangan cecairKajian menunjukkan kehilangan dua peratus cecair badan boleh menyebabkan:

Lemah daya ingatan (ingatan jangka pendek)
Sukar membuat kiraan, walaupun yang mudah
Sukar memberi tumpuan terhadap perkara dilakukan terutama pada skrin komputer atau bahan bacaan bercetak
Tekanan darah menurun
Jumlah oksigen yang sampai ke otak berkurang menyebabkan rasa mengantuk
Lesu pada waktu siang
Sakit belakang
Dehidrasi
Sakit kepala
Memperlahankan kadar metabolisma
Meningkatkan risiko kanser usus, pundi kencing dan payu dara
Sendi dan otot mengalami kekeringan
Menyukarkan penyingkiran bahan toksik
Meningkatkan keinginan untuk makan
Darah menjadi pekat
Mudah keliru.
Degupan jantung meningkat
Menjejaskan tindak balas kimia dalam badan

6 PERKARA PALING.............?

2010-01-07T08:25:00.002+08:00

Assalamualaikum Warohmatullohi Wabarokatuh

Bissmillahirrohmaan irrohiim

"Demi masa. Sesungguhnya manusia itu benar-benar berada dalam kerugian, kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan mengerjakan amal saleh dan nasihat menasihati supaya menaati kebenaran dan nasihat menasihati supaya menetapi kesabaran". QS. Al-Ashr (103) : 3.

1. Apa yang paling DEKAT dengan diri kita di dunia ?
2. Apa yang paling JAUH dari kita di dunia ?
3. Apa yang paling BESAR di dunia ?
4. Apa yang paling BERAT di dunia ?
5. Apa yang paling RINGAN di dunia ?
6. Apa yang paling TAJAM di dunia ?

Jawabannya:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Suatu hari, Imam Al Ghozali berkumpul dengan murid-muridnya. Lalu Imam Al
Ghozali bertanya....

Pertama,
"Apa yang paling dekat dengan diri kita di dunia ini?".
Murid-muridnya menjawab : "orang tua, guru, kawan, dan sahabatnya".
Imam Ghozali menjelaskan semua jawapan itu BENAR.
Tetapi yang paling dekat dengan kita adalah MATI.
Sebab itu sememangnya janji Allah SWT bahwa setiap yang bernyawa pasti akan mati (Q.S. Ali Imran [3] : 185 "Tiap-tiap yang berjiwa akan merasakan mati. Dan sesungguhnya pada hari kiamat sajalah disempurnakan pahalamu. Barang siapa dijauhkan dari neraka dan dimasukkan ke dalam surga, maka sungguh ia telah beruntung. Kehidupan dunia itu tidak lain hanyalah kesenangan yang memperdayakan" .)

Kedua,
"Apa yang paling jauh dari diri kita di dunia ini?".
Murid -muridnya menjawab : "negara Cina, bulan, matahari dan bintang-bintang" .
Lalu Imam Ghozali menjelaskan bahawa semua jawaban yang mereka berikan itu adalah BENAR.
Tapi yang paling benar adalah MASA LALU.
Walau dengan apa cara sekalipun kita tidak dapat kembali ke masa lalu.
Oleh sebab itu kita harus menjaga hari ini dan hari-hari yang akan datang dengan perbuatan yang sesuai dengan ajaran Agama.

Ketiga,
"Apa yang paling besar di dunia ini?".
Murid-muridnya menjawab : "gunung, bumi dan matahari".
Semua jawaban itu BENAR kata Imam Ghozali.
Tapi yang paling besar dari yang ada di dunia ini adalah NAFSU (Q.S. Al-A'Raf [7] : 179 "Dan sesungguhnya Kami jadikan untuk isi neraka Jahanam kebanyakan dari jin dan manusia, mereka mempunyai hati, tetapi tidak dipergunakannya untuk memahami ayat-ayat Allah dan mereka mempunyai mata tetapi tidak dipergunakannya untuk melihat tanda-tanda kekuasaan Allah, dan mereka mempunyai telinga tetapi tidak dipergunakannya untuk mendengar ayat-ayat Allah. Mereka itu sebagai binatang ternak, bahkan mereka lebih sesat lagi. Mereka itulah orang-orang yang lalai".).
Maka kita harus berhati-hati dengan nafsu kita, jangan sampai nafsu membawa kita ke neraka.

Keempat,
"Apa yang paling berat di dunia ini?".
Ada yang menjawab : "besi dan gajah".
Semua jawaban adalah BENAR, kata Imam Ghozali, tapi yang paling berat adalah MEMEGANG AMANAH (Q.S. Al-Ahzab [9] : 72 "Sesungguhnya Kami telah mengemukakan amanat kepada langit, bumi dan gunung-gunung, maka semuanya enggan untuk memikul amanat itu dan mereka khawatir akan mengkhianatinya, dan dipikullah amanat itu oleh manusia. Sesungguhnya manusia itu amat lalim dan amat bodoh",).
Tumbuh-tumbuhan, binatang, gunung, dan malaikat semua tidak mampu ketika Allah SWT meminta mereka untuk menjadi khalifah (pemimpin) di dunia ini.
Tetapi manusia dengan sombongnya menyanggupi permintaan Allah SWT, sehingga banyak dari manusia masuk ke neraka karena ia tidak dapat memegang
amanahnya.

Kelima,
"Apa yang paling ringan di dunia ini?"
Ada yang menjawab : "kapas, angin, debu dan daun-daunan" .
Semua itu BENAR kata Imam Ghozali, tapi yang paling ringan di dunia ini adalah MENINGGALKAN SHOLAT. (QS.An-Nisa [4] : 103. "Maka apabila kamu telah menyelesaikan shalat (mu), ingatlah Allah di waktu berdiri, di waktu duduk dan di waktu berbaring. Kemudian apabila kamu telah merasa aman, maka dirikanlah shalat itu (sebagaimana biasa). Sesungguhnya shalat itu adalah kewajiban yang ditentukan waktunya atas orang-orang yang beriman".
Gara-gara pekerjaan, kita meninggalkan sholat; gara-gara bermusyawarat, kita meninggalkan sholat.

Dan pertanyaan keenam adalah,
"Apakah yang paling tajam di dunia ini?"
Murid-muridnya menjawab dengan serentak : "pedang".
BENAR, kata Imam Ghozali, tapi yang paling tajam adalah LIDAH MANUSIA. QS. Al-Ahzab [33] : 19. "Mereka bakhil terhadapmu apabila datang ketakutan (bahaya), kamu lihat mereka itu memandang kepadamu dengan mata yang terbalik-balik seperti orang yang pingsan karena akan mati, dan apabila ketakutan telah hilang, mereka mencaci kamu dengan lidah yang tajam, sedang mereka bakhil untuk berbuat kebaikan. Mereka itu tidak beriman, maka Allah menghapuskan (pahala) amalnya. Dan yang demikian itu adalah mudah bagi Allah".
Karena melalui lidah, ,manusia selalu menyakiti hati dan melukai perasaan saudaranya sendiri.

Semoga bermanfaat

Wassalamu'alaikum Wr. Wb.

BARCELONA BEATS MU

2009-05-28T07:13:00.001+08:00

Barcelona beats Man United 2-0 in final

ROME: A rare headed goal by Lionel Messi helped Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League final on Wednesday, giving the Spanish side its third European Cup title and third trophy in a magical season.

Samuel Eto'o put the Spanish champions ahead in the 10th minute and Messi's 70th-minute goal - his ninth in the Champions League this season - sealed the victory over the defending champions at the Stadio Olimpico.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola holds the trophy at the end of the UEFA Champions League final soccer match between Manchester United and Barcelona in Rome, Wednesday. Barcelona won 2-0. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

The triumph completed a sweep of titles for 38-year-old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his first season, after wins in the Spanish league and cup.
The former Barcelona star, who started as a ball boy at Camp Nou, now joins the ranks of those who have won the title both as a player and a coach.

Guardiola became the youngest coach to win European soccer's top club competition since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993.
Barcelona also won the trophy in 1992 and 2006.
"No team has ever done the treble in Spain, and we'll be remembered as the first team to do it," Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said. "That's amazing."

United had been chasing its fourth European Cup title, and fourth trophy this season after winning the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and League Cup.
But United was thoroughly outplayed by the Spanish side as Messi scored his 38th goal of an amazing year for Barcelona, which has 53 league and cup goals this season.
Xavi floated a diagonal ball into the United area to find Messi unmarked, and the 5-fooot-7 (1.69 m) Argentina striker - renowned for his deft dribbling and shooting - used his head to loop the ball over United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar and into the net.

Messi set off colorful celebrations at one end of the stadium, filled with 62,467 fans, and left English fans in silence.
The loss left Man United manager Alex Ferguson at 25 titles in 23 seasons.
He failed to match Liverpool's Bob Paisley's three titles in the competition.
"We started the game brightly. We were confident and we could have been in front," Ferguson said.
"We had the ball but didn't use it very well. ... We defended fantastically all season but they were two shoddy goals.
"We didn't play as well as we can, but they are a good team. We have to give them credit. Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Iniesta can keep the ball all night. They made it very difficult."
South Korean winger Park Ji-sung became the first Asian to play in a Champions League final.
He almost scored for United in the opening minute but his shot was deflected wide after Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick had been blocked by the goalkeeper.
It was the nearest United came to scoring all night.
The victory also marked the first Champions League title for Henry, the French striker who was on the losing side when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in 2006.
"Finally, I've been waiting for so long to get this title and now finally today," said Henry, who had been doubtful for the final because of a knee injury.
"The last five minutes were the longest of my life."

United almost went ahead in the opening minute when a needless foul by Yaya Toure on Anderson handed Ronaldo an early free kick.
His powerful drive was blocked by the hands of goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Park's rebound was deflected for a corner by Gerard Pique.

With Barcelona's dangerous forwards barely getting a touch of the ball in the early stages, there was little danger at the other end until the Spanish champions went ahead with their first attack of the game.
Iniesta started the move with a break through midfield and found Eto'o on the right.
The striker cut inside a weak tackle by Nemanja Vidic and poked a low angled shot past Van de Sar.
The goal changed the pattern of the play with Barcelona's stars settling into their confident style of interpassing.

United, now chasing the game, was unable to create any real danger.
Ronaldo wanted to shoot at every opportunity, but fired wide and headed over.
Seeing his title slipping away, Ferguson reshaped his attack for the second half.
The 67-year-old Scot took off midfielder Anderson and sent on Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker who is convinced he's leaving the club because United won't turn his loan deal into a full term transfer.

That left United undermanned in midfield and Barcelona continued to create openings. Ferguson made another change when he took off Park and sent on Dimitar Berbatov.
Barcelona could have added more but Van der Sar saved twice from Carles Puyol and Ronaldo was shown the yellow card for some petulant late challenges on the Barcelona captain. - AP

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

Re-inventing mobility

2008-12-28T08:19:00.000+08:00

Re-inventing mobility

Car makers are designing a new vehicle for an era of sustainability as the industry braces for its worst crisis ever
by Reino Gevers

CAR factories from Detroit to Tokyo and Munich are grinding to a halt as the car industry faces its biggest shake-up in decades with millions of unsold, new cars standing idle in the parking lots of dealerships and storage depots.

But while analysts are asking themselves whether big names such as General Motors, Chrysler and Ford will survive the winter, engineers are looking at nothing less than re-inventing the car for a new era of sustainability.

Paradoxically, the crisis in the industry comes at a time when car makers are announcing almost weekly, new innovations in clean-drive technology and dealerships are offering special discounts. Cars have never been safer, more efficient and versatile.

But it is a Catch-22 situation. Buyers are postponing purchases of new cars in the hope of even cheaper deals in future and in the assumption that current, fuel-efficient models may not be as good as those on offer in 2010.

Do I keep my old petrol or diesel car until I can afford a cheaper hybrid or electric car?

That is a question car makers will have to answer.

Speaking at the recent Los Angeles Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, said: "We are reinventing mobility," and pointed out that by 2020, sales of electric clean-drive vehicles would increase to seven million units annually from the current level of a mere 50,000.

Once derided as a cumbersome technology for backyard freaks, electric power is fast becoming a real alternative to vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

BMW was the first major car maker to launch a fleet of 500 electric-powered Minis in Los Angeles which will be available initially only for lease.

The Mini E is driven by a 150kW/204hp electric engine, powered by lithium-ion batteries with a range of 250km on one electric charge.

The lithium-ion battery technology is expensive and takes time to set up the loading station infra-structure.

German car expert Prof Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer said the German car industry was at its worst since the 1973 oil crisis.

He has predicted that electric cars will become a mass phenomenon by 2015 with sales picking up in 2011.

German solar energy producer, Solarworld, recently made a bid for the ailing GM subsidiary Opel.

The company would become the first mass producer of high-tech cars with zero-emission.

The bid was quickly rejected by GM, but it was an indication of where the car industry might be headed.

"The car industry is facing a major shake-up," says car market analyst Christoph Stuermer. "Old players will disappear. New market participants will appear including some who have previously not been engaged in the field of mobility." – dpa

SOURCE: THE SUN ONLINE

Honda Jazz amazing

2008-11-26T21:17:00.000+08:00

Honda Jazz amazing
Khong

A couple of years ago, when I reviewed the Honda Jazz, I said that it was going to be difficult for Honda engineers to come up with the replacement model, since it was such a great car.

Even Honda admitted it was a challenge, but now that the new Jazz is here and having driven it, I must salute the Honda engineers.

Although pretty much the same shape as the old Jazz, some key improvements have made the new Jazz even better.

Improvements to the 1.5-litre engine include the incorporation of i-VTEC and an electronic throttle, pushing the power up to 120PS at 6,600rpm; and producing 145Nm of torque at 4,800rpm.

But even with more power, our test results based on highway driving at between 80 to100kph speed, with light-footed throttle and unhurried acceleration, got us 27km per litre, or approximately 3.7 litres per 100km.

The new Jazz not only delivers in terms of power, but also gives good economy. Heavy-footed driving may push the consumption up, but now we have a choice.

The transmission has been changed from the CVT (continuously variable transmission) to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Old-fashioned me prefers the feel of speed building up as the revs climb.

In addition, the higher Grade V model comes with a set of F1-style paddle shifters.

Having five speeds allows for better spacing in between gears, and fuel economy will improve as a natural consequence.

At 100kph in fifth gear, the engine is pulling quietly at a little over 2,000rpm, in contrast to some cars in this class whose engines are turning closer to 3,000rpm or more.

The steering system retains the EPS (electric power system) from the previous generation: steering feel is light, and the car is easy to drive.

The Grade S model comes with 15-inch wheels while the Grade V model now has 16-inch wheels as standard. Brakes are discs all round, with the front ones being ventilated.

On the road, the new Honda Jazz is easy and fun to drive. Response to throttle is excellent, with zero to 100kph done in under 10 seconds, while top speed is around 190kph.

The suspension is on the firm side of comfortable, and the Jazz is stable all the way up to its top speed. Brakes are reassuringly good, with ABS, EBD, and BA as standard.

Front driver and passenger airbags are included for both models.

Inside, creature comforts abound; the rear ‘Ultra seat’ folds away to allow tall items to be stowed in the rear, and there are now two glove boxes in addition to 10 cup holders.

Music lovers can connect their MP3 to the sound system. The driver gets an armrest, while the steering comes with height and telescopic controllability.

Doors open wide, up to 80° angles to allow for easy ingress and egress, while the seats split and fold in many configurations for stowage versatility.

At a retail price of between RM104K and RM109K, depending on the model, the Honda Jazz is great value for money, due consideration given to it as a CBU.

There is really nothing else that exists that is anywhere close to the Jazz, unless you want to have a look at the about-to-be-launched new City, which is a sedan, but with the same mechanically, hopefully!

SOURCE:http://www.thesundaily.com

MINI CROSSES OVER TO SUV

2008-10-21T15:06:00.000+08:00

Mini crosses over to SUV

MINI plans to extend its range with a compact SUV study featuring four doors, four-wheel drive and four single seats. The concept car (pix) was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show which opened on Oct 4 until Oct 19.

Planned for production in 2010, the BMW subsidiary’s model features two conventional doors positioned on the passenger side with a third for the driver. The fourth door, for the rear passenger on the driver’s side, slides back along the outside of the car for convenient access and loading.

The rear door has a frameless, retractable window and when open, swivels to one side to facilitate the loading of long items, such as skis, snowboards and surfboards. Capacity can be increased by folding the roof cover which extends across the whole length of the roof.

The four single seats can be adjusted forwards and backwards by up to 13cm in the rear – allowing more legroom for the rear passengers.

The front and rear seats are linked visually by a matt-polished aluminium fastening rail which extends from the dashboard through the middle of the car, to the rear.

In the dashboard, there is a a new display and control console which hosts all major entertainment, telecommunication and navigation functions. This three-dimensional globe can be personalised independently by both the driver and passenger as the display is shown in two hemispheres – allowing the passenger to surf the Internet while the driver follows the navigation.

Operated by a touch-sensitive surface, the Mini Centre Globe can also be programmed by a trackball on the steering wheel, buttons or slide controls in the lower section of the globe or even by a keyboard which extends out from the dashboard on the passenger’s side.

The Mini Centre Globe also hosts the stop/start function, whereby the driver inserts a Keyball into the upper edge to start and switch off the engine. – dpa

source: the sun online

MELAMINE-LACED MILK

2008-09-25T12:02:00.001+08:00

MELAMINE-LACED MILK:

53 China-made food items sent for testing

By : Regina Lee

Datuk Liow Tiong Lai showing one of the food items to be tested.

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has sealed 53 milk-related products produced in China for testing.

Samples of the items, including chocolate, candy, yogurt and biscuits, have been sent to the Chemistry Department for tests on suspicion that they may contain milk tainted by the banned substance, melamine.

Household names, including distributors of M&M's chocolates, Snickers chocolate bars and the White Rabbit creamy candy, will know their fate when the tests results are released today.

The ministry will also start seizing products off shelves if the test results show that they contain dangerous amounts of the substance.

"But, this is no cause for alarm at the moment. We are doing our best to check everything and we hope to get cooperation from the manufacturers, importers and retailers," Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said yesterday.
He also said other food products imported from China and suspected of containing melamine had been placed on Level 5 of the six-level Food Safety Information System of Malaysia, which requires that products be detained pending results of sample analysis.

Milk-related products from China have been placed at the Level 6 alert since Sept 13, which means an automatic rejection.

Liow confirmed that there were no dairy products (milk or milk powder) from China sold in Malaysia since last year.

"To sell milk here, you would need a special licence from the Veterinary Services Department. The department has said that none had been given to Chinese companies since last year."

Liow said it was normal for food items to contain a small amount of melamine as a result of using plastic wrappers. A directive from the European Commission said up to 30 parts per million (ppm) of the substance was still safe.

Powdered milk produced by China's largest dairy producer, Sanlu Group, was found to have a melamine content of up to 2,563ppm.

Liow urged doctors who come across kidney disorders suspected to be caused by tainted milk products to report the cases to the ministry.

SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

TERESA

2008-09-20T06:41:00.001+08:00

Teresa: "I was made a scapegoat..."
Giam Say Khoon

PETALING JAYA (Sept 19, 2008) : DAP's Seputeh MP and Selangor senior executive councilor Teresa Kok, who was released from a seven-day detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) today, has claimed that she was made scapegoat in the move to contain the outrage over the alleged racist remarks.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok makes a gesture during her
press conference at the DAP office today.

"I see my detention as a ploy by Umno to try to cover up the embarassment and the outrage over the racist statements made by (Bukit Bendera Umno division chief) Ahmad Ismail in Penang," she told a press conference shortly after her release at the DAP headquarters here.

"I wonder why they chose an innocent person like me as I have never made any racist remarks or racist speeches in the past," she said, adding that she has instructed her lawyer to sue the government for her unlawful arrest and detention.

She also urged police to investigate her report lodged against Utusan Malaysia, columnist Zaini Hassan and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo under the Penal Code.

She also reiterated that she will sue the newspaper, the columnist and Mohd Khir for defamation.

On her detention, she said she was held at a detention camp "somewhere between Sentul and Jalan Ipoh" in Kuala Lumpur.

Kok, 44, said the police officers were only able to ask her a few questions entirely based on an article by Zaini, titled "Azan, jawi, JAIS, Uitm dan ba-alif-ba-ya" that was published in Utusan Malaysia on Sept 10.

She said the three main questions that the investigation officers asked were:

> Whether she mobilised a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose the azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;

> Whether she made a statement that 30% of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) allocation is to be given to other non-Islamic religious bodies; and

> Whether she opposed the road signates which contained Jawi wordings in Kuala Lumpur.

"I denied the first two accusations as I did not do any such things. I also told them the issue of opposing Jawi road signages in Kuala Lumpur were done in January or February this year at the request and following the pressure of resident associations.

"I was quite surprised that there were no other questions posed to me besides these few main questions," she said, adding that when she asked why she was being detained, the police officers only told her that they were only following orders from "the top".

Recounting her ISA detention ordeal, Kok said: "I was put in a six by eight holding cell everyday after 5.30pm and my only opportunity to get fresh air was during the sessions with the investigation officers which was conducted in an air-conditioned room.

"The food (at the detention camp) was similar to dog food, there was one day that I was only given two hard-boiled eggs with gravy and cucumber for my lunch and dinner," she said. (It was earlier reported by her parents that Kok suffered from diarrhoea).

Kok was spirited and happy at the press conference and answered questions animatedly. Asked if she cried during her detention, she said she was very upset and sorry for her family, friends and supporters who prayed for her release when she was informed that she might be detained for 28 days.

"A chief inspector told me that I would be detained for another 28 days and asked me to sign the order. This was ridiculous as I had given my full cooperation answering all questions and there was nothing else they needed to know.

"I blasted all the officers and told them that it was uncalled for but I did not blame them because it was not their fault," she said.

Kok also said when she was detained, she had just had a meeting with potential investors from Guangdong, China, adding that her arrest would have an impact on her duty which was to bring investors into Selangor, and by extension , the country.

Kok also called for the release of Malaysia-Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, the five Hindraf leaders and all other 60 over detainees under the ISA.

"I would like to thank all politicians in the ruling parties as well as the Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, churches and all social organisations who have campaigned and prayed for my release," she added.

Asked if she would fight for the release of Zaini if the author is detained under the ISA, she said: "Of course, I will fight for Zaini's release because one should be charged in court and not detained under the ISA."

Kok also specially thanked former de facto Law Minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who resigned after protesting against the use of the ISA on the three people arrested last Friday.

"He (Zaid) is really my friend and I thank him for taking a stand on this issue and I hope that he will be one of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members," she said.

Also present were Kok's parents, Kok Kim Tong and Poh Seh Kwon, Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang, , DAP chairman and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh, Selangor

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, other Selangor executive councilors, Federal Territories and Selangor MPs from Pakatan Rakyat and a group of supporters who brought a chocolate cake, mooncakes and a few bouquets of flowers.

Lim said the release of Kok and Sinchew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng after their detention under the ISA was further proof of the abuse of the Act, as the law is only meant for subversion and organised violence.

Kok's father, Kim Tong said he was very happy for his daughter's release. "I thank the people who showed their love, concern and care about Teresa.

She is now not just my daughter as everyone has taken her like their daughter. I also would like to thank all religious bodies, the churches, temples and mosques for their support," he said.

SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

WASHINGTON SUMMONS MALAYSIA ENVOY

2008-09-14T06:29:00.001+08:00

Saturday September 13, 2008 MYT 5:41:36 PM

Washington summons Malaysian envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: The United States has summoned Ilango Karuppannan, the charge d’affaires of the Malaysian embassy, to protest what it called the “crackdown on dissent” at a time when the opposition was attempting to form a new government.

According to the AFP, Ilango was summoned to the State Department after the three arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Friday.

”Peaceful expression of political opinions is a fundamental right and critical to a democracy,” a State Department official told AFP.

”The United States believes that the Malaysian Government should provide due process and treatment consistent with Malaysian law and international standards,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

”We expect that democratic countries that purport to advocate free expression of political views will not curtail such freedom,” the official said.

This is the second time Ilango was summoned to the State Department in a month.

The last time was when PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with sodomy.

”The United States firmly believes that freedom of the press and freedom of speech are fundamental to a vibrant democracy,” the State Department official said.

On Friday, Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin, Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and Seputeh MP and Selangor senior executive councillor Teresa Kok were arrested under the ISA.

Three publications - Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan - have also been issued show-cause letters by the Home Ministry for breaching guidelines set by the Government.

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

EXPLAIN OR FACE ACTION

2008-09-09T06:51:00.002+08:00

Monday September 8, 2008 MYT 9:37:45 PM

PM to Ahmad Ismail: Explain, or face action

PUTRAJAYA: Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s fate will be decided Tuesday after a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“He will be asked to explain himself, after which we will decide what action will be taken against him,” Abdullah said.

“I’m very unhappy with what has happened and will take a firm stand on the issue,” he told reporters after meeting ambassadors and foreign dignitaries at Wisma Putra on Monday.

When briefed on a meeting earlier Monday in which Ahmad had asked Gerakan to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition, Abdullah said, “Ahmad should not blame other parties; it’s not for him to ask a component party to leave Barisan.”

Ahmad, already embroiled in a controversy where he is alleged to have described Malaysian-Chinese as “squatters,” has also been involved in a war of words with Gerakan.

Earlier Monday, he said Gerakan should leave the coalition because it has only created chaos among the component parties.

He also said that Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon should be stripped of his post as the state Barisan chairman and the post be given to the MCA.

He said this was because a few Chinese leaders from Gerakan, including Dr Koh, had deliberately taken advantage of the situation and turned it into a racial issue “to hide their own weaknesses.”

Dr Koh should apologise not only to the Malays and the Muslims but also to the Chinese in the country for creating so much tension, he said at a press conference called by leaders and representatives of the 13 Umno divisions in Penang, led by state Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah and secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim.

Ahmad made veiled threats as well, saying that “He (Dr Koh) is a leader who is really good at tai chi but I would also like to remind everyone not to forget that the Malays are equally good at silat,’’ referring to two martial arts disciplines.

He reiterated that he would not apologise for his remark made at a ceramah on Aug 23 and was prepared to face the consequences.

He said what was important now was for all parties to be united so that there would be peace and harmony in the country -- however, at the end of the 40-minute press conference, reporters who were in the meeting room witnessed several supporters bringing down a picture of Dr Koh, which was hanging on a wall, and tearing it to pieces.

When contacted later, Ahmad denied any role in the incident.

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

CHECKS TO ENSURE CLEAN FOOD

2008-09-07T06:28:00.001+08:00

Checks to ensure clean food

KUALA TERENGGANU: The cleanliness, quality and handling of food at Ramadan bazaars throughout the state will be monitored during the fasting month to prevent food poisoning.

State Health, Unity and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar said similar checks conducted last year and in 2006 by the Health Department showed that food contamination at the stalls was high.

Kerabu, a mixed salad, was the most contaminated dish, followed by noodles and drinks.

The most commonly contaminated foods were those that were made by hand, half-cooked food, dishes that use coconut milk, sugar cane juice, rojak and cakes.

"From my own experience, I have treated a lot of people with food poisoning during the fasting month.
"We hope to reduce the number by monitoring the bazaars," he said after visiting the Ramadan bazaar in Marang on Wednesday.

Those found guilty of violating the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985, under which the checks would be carried out, would be fined and their goods could be confiscated, he said.

Last year, action was taken against 31 stalls throughout the state, while 1,594 items worth RM24,709 were seized.

A total of 1,114 notices were also issued.

Dr A. Rahman also said he had not received any reports about food shortages for the upcoming Raya holiday or complaints of unreasonable price hikes.

SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

PUSPAKOM'S

2008-08-31T07:50:00.000+08:00

Transport Minister studies requests to remove Puspakom's exclusivity

By TEH ENG HOCK

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat MPs, non-governmental organisations and public transport groups are calling for an end to Puspakom’s monopoly.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said yesterday that he was considering requests from these quarters to allow other companies to offer services provided by Puspakom (Computerised Vehicle Examination Centre).

“We have to look at the current concession agreement and also the negotiations with Puspakom. We have to see if we are bound by any agreement,” he said.

“So far, there are no business proposals yet. Just the proposal to remove Puspakom’s exclusivity,” he said after launching a Chinese art painting and calligraphy exhibition at Nirvana Memorial Centre.

However, Ong would not be drawn into revealing when the study on the proposal to end Pusapkom’s monopoly would be completed or when a decision would be made.

Puspakom has been in the news lately because of the swoop by Anti-Corruption Agency on its staff.

Ong said the arrests had affected the company’s capacity and services.

He said he had also asked the Road Safety Department and the Road Transport Department to identify the vehicles that had supposedly been passed by corrupt Puspakom inspectors.

Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali welcomed the idea of removing Puspakom’s exclusive rights.

He proposed that the industry be de-regularised by allowing independent workshops with certified mechanical engineers to inspect vehicles, just like panel workshops appointed by insurance companies to carry out repairs.

Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association president Er Sui See said that without the exclusivity to hide behind, Puspakom would have to buck up or lose customers.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association vice-president Dave Lim said the Government should look at how other countries implement their vehicle-inspection systems.

“When there are more operators, there is more competition, which leads to more efficient service. Giving it to one company means there is absolute power, which will lead to corruption,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Taxi Owners and Drivers Association secretary S. Balakrishnan said Puspakom officers had grown arrogant.

“They know that we have to tolerate them to get our vehicles approved. Let’s see how they operate when they have competition,” he said.

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

GRAFT IN PUSPAKOM

2008-08-29T11:51:00.000+08:00

Graft in Puspakom: How the ACA cracked it wide open...

By : Minderjeet Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: They came in as newly-employed staff and made efforts to blend in with Puspakom workers involved in inspecting and certifying vehicles as roadworthy.

For three months, the newbies quietly went about their work, but their eyes and ears were wide open.

They studied every move made by Puspakom staff, seemingly eager to learn the ropes as traffic wardens, administrative staff, personal assistants to senior officers and even "tea boys".

So successful were these newbies that the Puspakom staff didn't know what hit them when in a nationwide blitz, dozens of them were picked up by the Anti-Corruption Agency for accepting bribes to certify the roadworthiness of vehicles without even inspecting them.

The newbies were undercover ACA officers.

A Transport Ministry source said the undercover officers were placed in strategic positions at all Puspakom centres nationwide since May.

"Their job was to zoom in on those accepting bribes from runners and syndicates," she said.

The round-up began on Sunday and continued yesterday.

The source said the bribes were shared by senior and junior officers involved in inspecting vehicles. She said some staff took home RM50,000 every month.

"The majority of those caught were junior officers tempted to take large sums in bribes. The senior officers would later take a cut for certifying the vehicles as roadworthy.

"Officers who have an aversion to bribes succumbed to peer pressure. This is because the corrupt ones need the assistance of everyone involved in inspecting the vehicles," she said.

To send a vehicle for inspection, the owner or the runner will make an appointment with Puspakom. Once the date is fixed, the vehicle owner or his runner has to wait in line for the inspection.

The inspection is carried out in several stages by various staff. Vehicles undergo inspection involving the chassis, smoke emission, tyres and brakes, among others.

"This is why the officers had to work as a team to collect bribes," the source said.

"Some of the certified vehicles were not even at Puspakom centres for the checks," she said.

This is where the senior officers played their role. They "close both eyes" and certify the vehicles as roadworthy.

"Almost everyone will receive a cut. This is why there are so many cars, buses and lorries that are not roadworthy still on the road," she said.

Those involved in giving the bribes are runners who are banded together in syndicates.

"The runners are constantly in touch with Puspakom staff. They also know used car dealers well and act as middlemen for Puspakom and the car dealers," she said.

SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

ANWAR WON

2008-08-27T07:18:00.001+08:00

Anwar is Permatang Pauh MP (Final update)

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the Permatang Pauh by-election.

The PKR de-facto leader was returned to Parliament with a majority of 15,671 votes, exceeding the 13,388-vote majority won by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the March 8 general election.

Anwar garnered 31,195 votes to beat Barisan candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, who polled 15,524 votes, while Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia candidate Hanafi Hamat lost his RM15,000 deposit after getting only 92 votes. There were 447 spoilt votes.

"This is the people's victory," Anwar said in a victory speech.

"Permatang Pauh has given a clear signal to the leadership of this country. We demand change. We want freedom. We don't want to live with corruption and oppression.

"We want an independent judiciary, we want the economy to benefit the vast majority not the corrupt few," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the result was proof that democracy was still alive in the country and there was no manipulation involved.

"As we have pointed out right from the start, we would be facing a tough challenge," he said.

The closely watched by-election was called after Dr Wan Azizah resigned as the MP on July 31 to enable her husband to run for election.

Anwar held the seat for four terms before he was sacked from his Deputy Prime Minister's post in 1998 under corruption and sodomy charges.

Dr Wan Azizah, who had been known as a reluctant politician, won the seat for a third term in March.

A mammoth crowd comprising PKR leaders and supporters gathered early at the tallying centre at the Tuanku Bainun Teacher Training College in Bukit Mertajam to celebrate Anwar's victory.

Supporters in the crowd let off fireworks as returning officer Roslan Yahaya announced the results about 10pm.

Voter turnout was relatively high, at about 80% of the total of 58,459 registered voters in the constituency.

Barisan was the underdog from the start in the hard-fought by-election that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak described as a titanic challenge.

Anwar’s convincing victory was reminiscent of his heyday, when he secured a stunning 23,515-vote majority in the 1995 general election by polling 27,945 votes. In Tuesday's polling, 47,258 voters cast their ballots, or 80.83% of the 58,459 total number of voters.

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

NEW MYVI

2008-08-24T20:25:00.001+08:00

Friday, August 22, 2008

Perodua introduces facelifted Myvi

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Perodua today introduced its facelifted Myvi, and the freshened up hatchback features a decent number of revisions and refinements, all of which should help to keep the quarter-million volume seller a winner.

New face - it's a meatier front.

Exterior-wise, the car gets a minor style reworking - at the front, there's a new, beefier looking nose section courtesy of a new hood, with corresponding grille, logo and front bumper in tow.

At the rear, there's a new, wider bumper and the styling of the two reflectors on it have been revised. Also, the rear lamp assembly now features the use of LEDs. The car also features the use of new glass, which offer improved ultraviolet rejection, with up to 91% reduction.

Inside, while the cabin layout remains pretty much unchanged, the updated vehicle features a new interior colour as well as new seat fabric upholstery, and a new colour Optitron instrument cluster, which features three instrument meters as opposed to the two on the previous version.

Can you spell Optitron?

Oh, and there's a new entertaiment system to boot - this one is M3/WMA-capable, has a USB port and offers Bluetooth connectability.

What else? Well, on the Premium version, you get a shopping hook on the backrest of the front passenger seat, perfect for carrying takeaways, as well as a seat height adjuster.

The choice of 1.3l and 1.0l twin-cam DVVT powertrains and auto/manual drivetrains continue as before, but two new body colours have been added, these being Medallion Grey and Caribbean Blue, and join Glittering Silver, Klasik Gold, Ebony Black, Pearl White, Mistik Red and Ivory White in the entire 1.3L variant lineup (the 1.0SR model has all but the special metallic Pearl White as a colour choice).

And what the rear looks like.

Prices for the five variant lineup (on the road, with insurance and road tax, in Peninsular Malaysia) are:

1.0 SR (five-speed manual only) - RM38,924 (solid), RM39,447 (metallic)

1.3 SX (five-speed manual) - RM43,400 (solid), RM43,900 (metallic)

1.3 EZ (four-speed auto) - RM46,400 (solid), RM46,900 (metallic)

1.3 SXi (five-speed manual) - RM46,200 (solid), RM46,700 (metallic)

1.3 EZi (four-speed auto) - RM49,200 (solid), RM49,700 (metallic)

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com

OLYMPIC BEIJING

2008-08-15T07:43:00.002+08:00

Our best hope

BEIJING (Aug 14, 2008): Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei is just a match away from an Olympic medal after breezing into the men's singles semifinals with an easy 21-9, 21-11 win over Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro today.

Chong Wei, the second seed behind China's world champion Lin Dan, will face either Bao Chunlai, also of China, or Lee Hyunil of South Korea in the last four scheduled for this evening at the

Lee Chong Wei gestures in triumph after defeating Sony

Beijing University of Technology gymnasium.

"Bao and Lee are two very tough players. I will not spend time thinking about them, how good they are. All I want is to focus and prepare the best I can," said the 26-year-old who is rated Malaysia's best medal hope from the onset.

Chong Wei admitted that being the sole shuttler left in contention has racheted up the pressure on him as he becomes Malaysia's second singles player to qualify for the Olympic semifinals after Rashid Sidek who returned with a bronze medal from Atlanta in 1996.

"I am not thinking of any medal now but to take one match at a time. I will take a rest and watch the television this evening when Bao and Lee play instead of coming to the stadium," he added.

Chong Wei had a tensed start against Sony, the Athens bronze medallist, but when he reached 11-8, the Malaysian played with better confidence and when he got into stride, his Indonesian rival buckled under the quick attacks and rapid pace.

"I didn't expect it to be an easy victory but today was not too good a performance from me. I chased every ball and my game strategy was to be quicker at the net," he said of the 32-minute encounter.

He is the only shuttler left after Thursday saw the exits of women's singles Wong Mew Choo and men's pair of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong at the quarterfinal stage.

Malaysia is counting on the badminton team to get a rostrum finish. Since its inclusion in the 1992 Barcelona Games, it is the only sport to deliver one silver and two bronze medals but after the 1996 Atlanta Games, Malaysia had returned empty handed from Sydney and Athens.

But Lee played down his victory , and was circumspect about his chances of causing an upset over China to clinch gold, saying although he had beaten their three players before, they were enjoying home ground advantage.

"Maybe it's too tough for me but I'll try," he said of possibly reaching the final where, barring a major upset, he would meet world No. 1 Lin Dan.

To whet the appetite of the athletes to break the drought, the government announced before the departure to Beijing a RM1 million bounty for the first gold and RM300,000 and RM100,000 for the silver and bronze respectively.

SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

U.S. FLIES AID INTO GEORGIA

2008-08-14T10:14:00.001+08:00

U.S. flies aid into Georgia, backs ceasefire

By Matt Robinson and Margarita Antidze

TBILISI (Reuters) - U.S. military planes began delivering aid to Georgia as Washington stepped up support for a shaky ceasefire with Russian troops around the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a news conference, on the situation in Georgia, at the State Department in Washington August 13, 2008. (REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was set to hold talks in Tbilisi on Thursday after discussions in France with President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday. Her trip comes six days into a conflict that has shifted from artillery, tank and gun battles at the weekend to increasingly sharp diplomatic and political exchanges out of Washington, Moscow and Tbilisi.

U.S. President George Bush, flanked by Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates in the Rose Garden, demanded Moscow end the crisis, abide by an agreed ceasefire and withdraw Russian troops sent into Georgia after fighting began last Thursday.

"The United States of America stands with the democratically-elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected," Bush told reporters at the White House.

Moscow has denied violating a ceasefire and rejected claims its troops and armour had advanced on Tbilisi or looted the key town of Gori, 60km (35 miles) west of the capital and south across the Kura river from South Ossetia's capital Tskhinvali.

Speaking in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, told by Rice that Russian servicemen were failing to prevent looting by irregular militias in Gori, said such actions would not be tolerated.

"I said from the very beginning that if any such facts prove true, we will react in the most serious way...The peaceful population should be protected. We are investigating all these reports and will not allow any such actions," Lavrov said.

Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based organisation with staff in Georgia, said its onsite researchers had witnessed looting of ethnic Georgian villages in South Ossetia, the rebel province at the heart of the current conflict.

AIRLIFT AID

Lavrov said the United States needed to choose between partnership with Moscow or the Georgian leadership, which he characterised as a "virtual project" of the Bush administration.

Rice bristled when asked about Lavrov's comments.

"Georgia is a democratic government in the caucasus that has elected leaders. To call it a project of anyplace, of anybody, perhaps belies more about what Russia thinks about its neighbours that what it thinks about U.S. policy," Rice said.

Bush, who spoke with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili earlier in the day, ordered humanitarian supplies to be delivered to Tbilisi on U.S. military aircraft.

A U.S. C-17 military aircraft carrying supplies arrived in Georgia and a second flight was planned for Thursday.

Bush said the United States expected Russia to allow humanitarian supplies into Georgia and ensure that all lines of communication and transport remain open.

Speaking in Tbilisi, Saakashvili said Bush's pledge meant Georgian ports and airports would be taken under U.S. military control -- a claim swiftly denied by the Pentagon.

The fighting in the Caucasus, an important transit for Caspian oil, has unnerved the United States, NATO and the European Union and rattled investors.

Russia says 1,600 civilians died when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, though the figure has not been independently verified. Moscow's general Staff says it lost 74 soldiers in the fighting, with 171 wounded and 19 missing.

Tbilisi puts deaths on its side at over 175, with hundreds injured. That figure does not include South Ossetia.

Moscow announced an emergency aid package for South Ossetia, with Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin pledging 10 billion roubles ($414 million) to rebuild the shattered region.

(Additional reporting by Sue Pleming and Tabassum Zakaria in Washington, Dmitry Solovyov in Vladikavkaz, Oleg Shchedrov in Moscow)

MY STATEMENT WAS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT

2008-08-14T10:09:00.002+08:00

Khalid: My statement was taken out of context

SHAH ALAM: "It was blown out of proportion and taken out of context."

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said this in response to the negative reaction to his suggestion that 10 per cent of places at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) be allocated to non-Bumiputeras.

Abdul Khalid said he made the suggestion in response to a question from the press about the admission of foreign students and non-Bumiputeras to UiTM.

He said it was made in the context of raising the standards of institutions of higher learning, so that the Malays and other Bumiputeras could improve their career prospects.

He said the suggestion was not a policy of the Pakatan Rakyat state government. The state government, he added, would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution and the special rights of the Malays.

He said his personal stand on the matter did not mean he was ignoring the special rights of Bumiputeras.

"It is regrettable that the issues had been taken out of context and made into a racial issue," he said after the weekly state Executive Council meeting yesterday.

He added that he was aware that UiTM was established to improve the status of Bumiputeras.

"In fulfilling the aspirations of Malays, UiTM should not merely focus on the issue of quotas but also on improving quality and facilities at the university so it will be respected."

He said the statement was not an apology. He said it was his belief that universities must be open in order to develop.

"All world renowned universities progress because there is openness and exchange of ideas."

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

NO POWER

2008-08-13T08:04:00.001+08:00

PM: No power abuse in power transition
By Husna Yusop

newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12, 2008) : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today brushed off an accusation that he and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak were politically corrupt in arranging the transition of power by middle of 2010.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Abdullah said the decision to inform Umno members about the transition was made by the party supreme council (MT), not out of a "silent conspiracy" between the two top leaders.

He said he informed the MT of the outcome of his discussions with Najib and they accepted it and felt that party members should be informed so that they can understand the issue.

"That was an important matter which the MT decided should be announced. It was related to transition of power; definitely all members must know. So, that was the reason. It was not me and Najib quietly conspiring about this. No!" he said.

He was asked to comment on the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) report lodged by veteran Selangor Umno leader Datuk Mazlan Harun last week against Abdullah and Najib for alleged abuse of power.

Mazlan had said the report was based on a letter written by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division head Kapt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim which accused the two of "political corruption of the highest order."

In the letter addressed to the Umno secretary-general, Zahar said the two top leaders had been campaigning to defend their positions despite asking others not to do the same, adding their actions had violated guidelines issued by party headquarters.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism Show (MAHA) 2008 here, Abdullah said he did not know who were the Umno Sabah division head and secretary investigated by the ACA for alleged involvement in money politics as reported in a Malay daily today.

He said there could have been certain aspects which had involved the ACA, resulting in the Umno headquarters allowing the agency to come in and investigate.

"It depends on the particular case," he added.

Asked to comment on Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that money politics was quite rampant in the party’s division and even branch elections, Abdullah said there may be some truth to this as he (Abdullah) also had heard about such stories.

"I hope those involved in such activities will stop it. It is meaningless to seek popularity using money politics. It would not be genuine for someone to get support and victory by means of money politics.

"We want a person to be supported because of his capability, ability and good deeds, proven to have helped in the party’s struggle, helped the people and the likes. That is the yardstick we should use for someone to be entrusted to hold a certain position in the party," he said, adding the same should be applied to government posts.

Abdullah said money should not be a factor when choosing a leader, adding if that was the case, only the rich can be leaders.

Asked to comment on some views that it was meaningless for Umno to take disciplinary action against party members but later allow them to take part in contests, he said some probably think the penalty was light.

"These people think after serving their term, those penalised will start committing the same offence again. I hope those who had used it (money politics) and have faced action will not use money politics again in future," he added.

He said it was okay for someone who has been disciplined to be given a chance to contest in the elections.

"Punishment in cases related to money politics also has its limits. After they have served their punishment, they are free to contest for posts and move about as before," he added.

In another development, Abdullah said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim does not have the power to determine the intake quota for Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students.

"Matters pertaining to student intake are related to the institution concerned. They have the power to decide on their policy," he added.

Khalid had suggested for 10% of the current student quota at UiTM be opened to non-Bumiputras and foreign students to raise the quality of education and spirit of competition among students there.

This morning, some 5,000 UiTM students took part in a 2km protest march from Dataran Shah Alam, to hand over a seven-page memorandum to Khalid.

The document was accepted by Khalid's press officer Hazril Abu Hassan. The event was staged to protest Khalid's suggestion.

SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

US - RUSSIA

2008-08-13T07:54:00.001+08:00

U.S.-Russia ties soured further by Georgia crisis

By Sue Pleming

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington's poor relations with Moscow have soured further over Russia's military action against Georgia and experts say it will be impossible for President George W. Bush to mend them before his term ends.

An unidentified military aircraft is seen near anti-missile flares over the town of Gori, about 80 km from Tbilisi, August 12, 2008. (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)

"This is the most intense crisis in U.S.-Russia relations since the end of the Cold War," said Russia expert Stephen Jones, a professor at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

With just months before Bush leaves office in January, 2009, there had been efforts to focus on areas of cooperation and paper over disagreements on a missile defense shield in Europe proposed by Washington and a strong U.S. push for NATO membership for Georgia.

But experts say a rapprochement is unlikely and Russia's actions in Georgia will make it tough for a new U.S. president -- whether it is Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain, who has taken a hard line against Russia.

"This is a setback for U.S.-Russia relations and it will make it very difficult for this administration to push forward any kind of positive initiative," said James Collins, former U.S. ambassador to Russia.

He predicted Russia's military action in Georgia and its breakaway regions, would also make it harder for "pragmatists" in Washington.

"This will confirm the views of those that have been Russia critics and have taken the harder line. They will be saying, 'I told you so,'" said Collins, now with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

A senior U.S. official warned that Russia's integration into the World Trade Organization and other global clubs may now be at stake because of its actions in Georgia, adding "that's what's at stake when Russia engages in behavior that looks like it's from another time."

Former senior State Department official Steven Pifer predicted the focus of the administration in the waning months would be more on Afghanistan and Iraq rather than Russia.

"Unless someone has a particularly brilliant idea to give it some impetus, there should be a do-no-damage mode (with Russia) before January 2009," he said.

REGIONAL INFLUENCE

Although the Georgia crisis has damaged ties, it was in America's national interest to continue dealing with Moscow on many issues, one of which is Iran's nuclear program, said State Department spokesman Robert Wood.

"It has affected the relationship. There is no doubt," he said. "But we will continue to work with Russia."

Moscow's military action in Georgia followed years of bellicose statements and promises by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other officials to rebuild Russia's military might.

The conflict has renewed concerns that a nationalist Russia, strengthened by oil revenues, will seek to directly influence states in the formerly Soviet sphere.

The impact on U.S. influence in the region is uncertain but experts say the United States cannot ignore Russia's wealth and strategic influence.

Washington's lack of leverage with Moscow was underscored by Europe's lead role in mediating. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy took a lead role and was in Moscow on Tuesday as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced a halt to military operations in Georgia.

The Bush administration grappled with how to respond, delayed sending an envoy for days and relied on key staff who were on vacation, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a Russia specialist.

Washington's close ties with Georgia, which Bush has hailed as a beacon of democracy, meant the rest of the world did not see the United States as an honest broker in the conflict.

Some Russia experts believe the United States dropped the ball by putting too much faith in Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Not enough was done to restrain his actions in South Ossetia, which triggered the crisis.

"We thought Saakashvili was going to be a nice prudent democrat and failed to look at the signs. We talk ourselves into these things," said Robert Hunter, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO now with RAND Organization.

Not enough attention was paid to intelligence which showed a build-up of Russian military hardware and troops in the region before the invasion, said Hunter.

The State Department's Wood rejected such suggestions. "I don't think there was a failure of intelligence or U.S. policy here," he said. "We have been working the diplomatic track on this and the Russians clearly over-reacted. This was plain and simple, blatant aggression on the part of Russia."

SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

UMNO MEMBERS JOIN PKR

2008-08-12T12:39:00.002+08:00

Tuesday August 12, 2008 MYT 8:55:37 AM

150 Umno members join PKR

By ELIZABETH LOOI

PETALING JAYA: Two former leaders of the Bandar Tun Razak Umno division led 148 members to cross over to PKR.

Norasida Silam, who was the deputy chairman of the division, and Azmi Hassan, a former deputy chairman, handed over application forms to Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who is also Selangor Mentri Besar, at the division's PKR office on Monday.

“Norasida wanted to join us because he said he could no longer tolerate the non-existence of democracy practice in Umno, for instance the quota system for party elections,” said Bandar Tun Razak PKR deputy chief Othman Karim.

“He said ... he prefers to work for the people, not only for the Malays,” said Othman.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

FILL PETROL TANKS

2008-08-11T07:51:00.001+08:00

Monday August 11, 2008

Help teach the public to fill petrol tanks

BATU PAHAT: Petrol kiosk operators here want the Government to educate vehicle owners on the self-service system.

They said they were willing to implement the self-service ruling but it was not easy when customers demanded attendants to help fill petrol tanks.

Owner Ahmad Sampur said some customers insisted on attendants pumping the petrol.

“A few days ago, a customer ordered my cleaner to do the job,” he said during a dialogue between the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry district office and about 40 petrol kiosk owners recently.

Ahmad, who has been in the business for 24 years, said that most customers found the self-service system troublesome as they did not know how to operate a pump.

“The Government has to educate the public so that they will accept the system,” he said.

When contacted, a ministry spokesman said they understood the hardships of the businessmen.

She said that many customers did not know the self-service system had started and only Petronas displayed notices at the pumps.

“Other kiosks display the notices only at payment counters and customers are not aware of the system,” she said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

COP FOUND DEAD

2008-08-11T07:44:00.001+08:00

unday August 10, 2008 MYT 8:16:09 PM

Syabu theft: Cop found dead (updated)

BY MEERA VIJAYAN & FARIK ZOLKEPLI

JOHOR BARU: A 40-year-old policeman who was being investigated for the RM1mil syabu theft from the state police headquarters was found dead at an oil palm plantation.

The body of L/kpl Morne Aliamat, from the state Narcotics unit, was discovered at the plantation in Setia Indah at about 11.40am here on Sunday.

Police also recovered a semi-automatic pistol, a bullet casing and a motorcycle owned by Morne.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff classified the case under Sudden Death.

“We discovered a gunshot wound on the right side of the victim’s head.

“We have to wait for the post-mortem results to discover whether it was suicide or otherwise,” he told pressmen at the state police headquarters here.

He confirmed that the victim was being investigated for the syabu theft and his statement had been recorded.

DCP Mohd Mokhtar said the victim went missing on Thursday and his wife had lodged a missing persons report at Tampoi police station on Saturday.

“He joined the police force on Jan 17, 1990 and has been attached to the Johor Narcotics unit since March 16 last year," he said.

Meanwhile, on the syabu theft case, DCP Mohd Mokhtar said police had released the two other suspects, both aged 21, on police bail and rearrested them under Section 3(1) of the Special Preventive Laws.

“Both men are acting Corporals and they joined the police force two years ago,” he said.

He added that the first suspect, who was released on police bail and rearrested under the same law on Friday, was a 34-year-old lance-corporal who joined the force in 1995.

DCP Mohd Mokhtar said the task force assigned to the case was working around the clock to catch the culprits and solve the case.

“I like to make it clear that there is no cover-up.

“We will catch those responsible,” he said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

OLYMPIC GAMES PARTY

2008-08-09T12:44:00.001+08:00

Olympic Games party set for "big bang" start

BEIJING (Aug 8, 2008) :

China celebrates its ancient past and modern power when the Olympics open tonight, looking to put criticism behind it as world leaders arrived in Beijing.

The opening ceremony is the culmination of seven years of hard work that re-shaped the capital, and sets the seal on a sustained economic boom that has seen China emerge as a new superpower.

It all kicks off at 8pm tonight -- the eighth day of the eighth month -- a number whcih symbolises fortune to Chinese -- before an estimated global audience of one billion.

Displaying its new economic clout, China has invested US$43 billion on the Games.

Some US$100 million, twice the 2004 Athens bill, has gone on "big bang" opening and closing ceremonies.

Some 15,000 performers and 29,000 fireworks will give the Games a sparkling start. Film director Zhang Yimou was tasked with condensing 5,000 years of Chinese history into one show.

"It's a historic combination of a great country with a great sport event," the People's Daily said.

Guests in the head-turning Bird's Nest Olympic stadium will include US President George W. Bush, who despite saying he was coming for sport not politics, gave a speech in Bangkok en route voicing "firm opposition" to China's detention of dissidents.

The elements too, have proved stubbornly hard to master. Although authorities have closed factories and pulled millions of cars off the road, but smog and haze enveloped the capital this morning -- obscuring views of the futuristic skyline.

In fact, the opening ceremony has been ensnared in politics from the outset: Hollywood director Steven Spielberg quit as an adviser earlier this year to protest against China's ties with Sudan.

The best-known face of Chinese sport, 7ft 6in NBA basketball player Yao Ming, will lead his team at the opening ceremony.

But in a move that could embarrass both China and Sudan, US athletes chose former Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong, a victim of government-sponsored Arab militias in the south who fled at the age of six in 1991, to carry their flag around the track.

China is a major oil investor and arms seller in Sudan, and global campaigners blame it for failing to pressure Khartoum to end the conflict in its western region of Darfur.

Unfortunately for the Olympic ideal of global harmony, the two Koreas failed to agree to march at the opening as a unified team even though they managed that in 2004 and 2000.

The finer points of global geo-politics are unlikely, however, to dampen the enthusiasm of many Chinese.

"My heart is bursting with excitement about the Games," said Zhu Shegqiang, a 22-year-old student walking through Tiananmen Square. "I want people to see what is special about China."

Meanwhile, with hours to go, some foreign activists have issued an on-air challenge to the host city with a pirate broadcast, calling for freeing of political prisoners and lifting of censorship.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said China's attempts to control the media "would never succeed". Their words were often drowned out by a local official broadcast.

Small groups of foreign protesters have also popped up in Beijing this week, but have been whisked off quickly by police forming part of a 100,000-strong security force.

Meanwhile, suspected Islamist separatists killed 16 policemen in western China on Monday, and yesterday a little-known Islamist group issued an Internet threat to the Games.

A video dated Aug 1 carried pictures of the Beijing Olympics logo in flames and a speaker holding an AK-47 assault rifle and wearing a face mask, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, a US - based firm that monitor statements from militants.

In Hong Kong, a lone protester unfurled banners on the largest suspension bridge on Friday calling for human rights. -- REUTERS

NO SIGN OF SODOMY

2008-08-08T08:33:00.002+08:00

August 07, 2008 Categories: News

THE doctor who examined Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s accuser has reportedly proclaimed in a statutory declaration (SD) that he did not find any evidence that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had been sodomised.

In his statutory declaration posted on blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s website Malaysia Today, Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid says he stands “firm by my findings” that he found no evidence of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan being sodomised.

The portal also posted a medical report purportedly prepared by Dr Osman for his employer, Pusat Rawatan Islam (Pusrawi) medical centre, in which he had listed the chronology of Saiful’s visit to the centre on June 28.

The report states Saiful went to Pusrawi’s Emergency Department at 2.14pm that day and was sent to Dr Osman by an assistant called Hidayah.

The report, dated June 30, claims Saiful had complained he could not even sit down because of “pain in the anus for two days”.

It says that assisted by a nurse, Yazihan Yusof, Dr Osman examined Saiful’s anus and found it to be “normal”, that there was no sign of bleeding, piles, abcess, pus, injury, tear or discharge; that Saiful’s “anus was clean, dry and looked normal” and that “no abnormalities (were) seen”.

The report claims Saiful told Dr Osman that he had been sodomised by a VIP and wanted to report to the police, despite the doctor’s confirmation that he found no evidence of sodomy.

“I advised him to go and see a doctor at any government hospital because, according to his complaint, it was a criminal case,” the report says. “After that, he left the hospital. I didn’t prescribe any medication and didn’t gave (give) any referral letter.”

The posting of Dr Osman’s report was followed with the posting of his statutory declaration, purportedly signed before Commissioner of Oaths Mohd Annuar Mohd Salleh, on Aug 1.

In it, Dr Osman says he recorded his findings in Pusrawi’s standard medical examination folder.

“I later learned that the medical examination folder was widely circulated in the media and Internet, and I was shocked and surprised to find out that the exact medical examination folder, with its exact content, without amendment or addition, found its way to the media,” the posting says.

The statutory declaration also says Dr Osman was only aware that the medical report had been circulated after he went on leave.

The posting also says Dr Osman was visited by an officer from the Brickfields police station in July.

Dr Osman said he was asked to sign and stamp all “nine to 10 pages” of his statement to police, which the officer prepared in Bahasa Malaysia.

The posting says the officer returned a week later with a typed statement and asked Dr Osman to sign it.

“I read a few paragraphs and made a few amendments to the statement with the officer’s assistance,” the doctor says.

He also queried why Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s name had appeared in the statement when it was never brought up in the first interview.

He said he pointed out that Saiful had not named the alleged perpetrator. The officer, the posting says, then told Dr Osman that Anwar was the accused, and that he signed the typed statement because he did not want to have “any issues with the police”.

Dr Osman also claims that a female officer from the Jalan Hang Tuah police station visited him a week later to take another statement in Bahasa Malaysia, and that the officer had translated it into English before asking him to sign on it.

From the onset, he says, the officer told him he would be “charged” if he did not co-operate with the police.

Dr Osman also says in the statutory declaration that he decided to apply for leave after this, out of fear for his and his family’s safety. He is said to have left the country.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

ANWAR TO BE CHARGED

2008-08-07T08:40:00.001+08:00

Thursday August 7, 2008

Anwar to be charged with sodomy

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be charged today with sodomy and the legal battle will have serious implications on his comeback bid in the Permatang Pauh by-election, which he engineered by getting his wife to resign the seat.

Nomination Day is set for Aug 16 and polling day 10 days after that, but the question now is whether the PKR adviser will be on hand to personally campaign or will he be locked up as a sodomy is a non-bailable offence.

Reacting to the Election Commission announcements on the date and the authorities’ decision to charge him, Anwar accused the Government of conspiracy to fix him to prevent him from making a political comeback.

He even held Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi personally responsible. Anwar cited the timing of the EC’s announcement and when the police served him with the notice that he is to be charged for sexually assaulting his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari.

Brickfields CID chief Asst Supt Jude Pereira was at the PKR de facto leader's house in Bukit Segambut at about 12.15pm, five minutes after the EC issued its statement.

However, Abdullah denied Anwar’s claims, and stressed that he had reminded police not to charge Anwar if they did not have enough evidence.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

ACTRESS APPEALS TO HUSBAND

2008-08-06T08:08:00.000+08:00

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Actress appeals to husband to settle debts with loan sharks

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Wan Nor Azlin Wan Mohd Husain, who has been targeted by loan sharks after her husband allegedly failed to repay a loan, is appealing for him to return and be responsible for his actions.

“Only my husband knows who he borrowed the money from. I want him to come back and face his problems and not run away from it,” she said yesterday at a press conference organised by the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department.

She also feared for her family’s safety and asked her husband to cooperate with the police to settle the matter.

“I fear for the safety of my children. They are very young. It is not fair for you to just leave me to take care of them,” she said in her plea for her husband to return.

Wan Nor Azlin also apologised to the moneylenders for not being able to repay the loans.

The 40-year old won the Seri Angkasa Award for best drama actress for her role in Takbir Untuk Abdah in 2001 and had starred in more than 200 drama and theatre productions.

She also appealed to them to stop harassing her family because she did not have details of her husband’s debts.

Wan Nor Azlin added moneylenders had continuously harassed her famiy since her husband went missing on July 10.

This included having offensive posters pasted on the gates of her house with the most recent being paint poured on her car and house on July 30.

“My husband did not answer my calls that night but he sent me an SMS to just text him if anything happened,” she said.

She believes her husband has gone into hiding because of the threats and has been unable to contact him since.

“Don’t threaten him. Give him a chance to go to work and earn the money to settle the debts,” she said. “My family is effected too as I am not working right now and I depend on my husband’s income.”

Department head Datuk Michael Chong said it is believed the husband had borrowed some RM200,000 from about 30 Ah Long since last year.

“But no one knows the exact amount that he owes and who he owes it to,” he said.

Malaysian Artistes Association Freddie Fernandez was also present and said the association would help Wan Nor Azlin find employment.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

BUSH VISIT

2008-08-06T07:51:00.000+08:00

July 31, 2008 Categories: Asean+

BANGKOK: Asis Times Online reported that as a clean-up measure ahead of US President George W. Bush’s visit to Thailand next week, pirated DVDs, fake Swiss watches and imitation designer garments are fast disappearing in a red-light strip in Bangkok, which is a popular destination with bargain-hunters and others.

The two-day visit by Bush is part of his final Asian tour as chief executive.

Last week, Thai police launched a crackdown to rid Patpong of vendors who line the streets in the evening with their fake goods, shouting out bargains for pirated versions of Hollywood films such as Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada. Another part of this sprawling city, the backpacker areas around Khao San Road, saw similar raids.

The news report said the police effort highlights simmering US-Thai trade tensions, which have recently come to a head over Bangkok’s moves to produce generic versions of US patent-protected pharmaceutical drugs.

It added that Washington recently downgraded Thailand onto its “priority watch list” of countries that habitually violate intellectual property rights.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

AZIZAH SAYS SORRY

2008-08-06T07:47:00.001+08:00

Wednesday August 6, 2008

Azizah says sorry to pixman

GEORGE TOWN: PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has apologised to a Guang Ming Daily photographer who was allegedly assaulted by a group of party supporters on Sunday.

Loh Huay Hoon, 25, said she received a call from Dr Wan Azizah at 11.40am yesterday.

“Wan Azizah said she was shocked to see a picture of me being attacked by a group of men in the newspapers,” she said.

Loh lodged a police report on Monday, saying she was kicked, choked and hit on the head by some of the men in the group.

The men had tailed her to the car park after a ceramah by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Seberang Jaya Expo site.

“Wan Azizah said looking at the picture, she would also be afraid because the man was so huge.

“She apologised profusely many times and said PKR would conduct an internal investigation on the matter,” said Loh.

Dr Wan Azizah, she added, explained that the security personnel were jittery about security that night as somebody had found a bullet at the expo site.

“She said Anwar was also angry with the security personnel because they were strict with the crowd when the people tried to shake hands with him,” said Loh.

Loh believed she was attacked after an exchange of words with security personnel who tried to stop her from moving closer to snap pictures of Anwar.

She said the conversation lasted about five minutes and she accepted Dr Wan Azizah’s apology.

Meanwhile, Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Dr Mohd Shah Hussin Shah said police were trying to identify the men who allegedly attacked Loh, based on a press photograph and would interview the person who took the picture.

Penang Gerakan condemned the attack and called for a thorough police investigation into the incident while Guang Ming Daily said it might take legal action against the attacker.

Penang PKR secretary Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the party’s preliminary investigation found that the attackers were not part the usual group of security personnel.

He said one of the attackers was not among those who attended a briefing for security on Sunday before the ceramah.

“We do not deny that he was wearing a PKR uniform but that does not make him a security official,” he said, adding that the person could have been planted.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.m

BATTLE OF PERMATANG PAUH

2008-08-05T18:07:00.001+08:00

Battle of Permatang Pauh begins…

by Bernard Cheah and Karen Arukesamy

SEBERANG PERAI (Aug 4, 2008) : A 25-year-old female press photographer was roughed up by some PKR officials while attempting to take pictures of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a ceramah here on last night.

Loh Hoay Hoon of Guang Ming Daily was punched, kicked and held by the neck in the event at the Seberang Jaya expo grounds here.

An ugly scuffle breaks out between PKR youths at
Anwar's ceramah after a group of PKR youths attacked a
Chinese media photographer. Sunpix by Masry Che Ani.

"I was bewildered and confused," Loh told theSun today.

"All I was doing was taking some shots of Anwar before he left the grounds. I don’t understand why they had attack me like this," she said, choking with tears and still visibly traumatised.

Loh received outpatient treatment at the Seberang Jaya Hospital later, before lodging a report at the Seberang Jaya police station at about 3.15am.

She was taken to the hospital again for an additional check-up late this afternoon.

Loh said afterr the ceramah had ended, she wanted a few shots of Anwar getting into his car.

However, an unidentified man, believed to be an Anwar bodyguard, stopped Loh and pushed her aside, she said.

"I told the man ‘saya hanya buat kerja saya’ (I'm just doing my work)," she said.

She remembered hearing something like "Jangan kacau, jangan buat susah di sini." (Don't disturb, don't cause trouble here.)

Then she found herself being hit and held by the neck by the man and several others, as she was leaving the grounds.

A few other PKR members then tried to hold back the man, apparently to restrain him.

A scuffle then broke out, as the group that attacked Loh and the one that helped her shoved each other and traded insults.

Loh said she was also hit on the back of her head by an unknown assailant.

She said she had had an untoward incident with the same man earlier this year, and had complained to PKR state secretary Abdul Malek Abul Kassim.

"Some reporters have also been pushed by the same individual."

Penang Media Club acting president Zuraida Abdul Rahman condemned the incident.

"All we want to do is just report what happens at a ceramah as it is."

Abdul Malek expressed regret over the behaviour of the official, adding that stern action would be taken by the party to prevent a recurrence.

He explained that security had to be beefed up as there were death threats made against Anwar.

Most party officials who act as guards were PKR members and not trained professionals, he added.

"We really appreciate the job done by members of the media in giving us coverage," he stressed

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president Norila Mohd Daud also condemned the Seberang Perai incident, saying that some members of PKR had become over-protective of Anwar and nobody knows "what is their reason or what is the stand of the party."

On July 15, during the televised debate between Anwar and Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, three photographers were roughed up by security personnel hired by AgendaDaily, the organiser of the debate.

Police reports were lodged, but there has been no response from the police.

TheEdge executive producer Othman Abu Bakar, whose photographer was one of those assaulted, said so far they had been questioned by police on what happened. He wants the police to look into the matter.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

REPORT ME FOR ORAL SEX

2008-08-04T11:00:00.000+08:00

Report me for oral sex, Soi Lek challenges adversaries

FORMER MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who quit all party and government posts in January because of a sex DVD, has challenged his adversaries to lodge police reports against him over oral sex performed in the video.

Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek

Chua made the challenge in an interview with Oriental Daily News published today, saying he was prepared to face the consequences, to prove that the DVD is a political conspiracy and to nab the people behind the filming of the video.

"They said oral sex is a crime, I hope they will go to the police, really!" said Chua who believes that if someone lodges a report, the police will have to trace the original DVD and the persons responsible for it, like the investigations into the Lingam video tape.

He also believes he will be vindicated when the persons and motives behind the filming of the DVD are revealed.

Chua, who won the Batu Pahat MCA division chief post without a fight last month, said: "The moment I declare my candidacy for a higher post, I am sure someone will lodge a (oral sex) report against me.

They have already warned me against contesting. I said they can go ahead and report me to the police."

"This shows that it (sex DVD) is a political conspiracy, an (MCA) internal conspiracy as they (political opponents) are very 'concerned' about my personal problems and conduct.

Asked if he is not afraid that he would be charged with oral sex, a crime punishable under section 377B of the Penal Code which provides for a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping, and barred from contesting the central elections, Chua said he was ready to face the consequences.

"I will have the courage to face it," he said, adding that his political adversaries are resorting to all means to destroy him.

"You did not ask who is the mastermind behind this. Make a guess, who will benefit from all these? I am 90% sure of who did it (the sex DVD), except I lack the evidence."

"I encourage them to lodge police reports. People have seen all of me, what is there to be afraid of? I only want to tell MCA, the elections have become a slugfest," he said, adding that he does not want to see the party becoming a stage for mudslinging, with leaders being attacked for their personal conducts.

"I am a politician, I leave it to the members to decide my (political) destiny. I know that when I declare my intention to contest party posts, others will use the DVD against me.

"No one is perfect. Every leader has some kind of scandals except they are not exposed and debated in the open.

"Some say your scandal is your personal problem, and what is important is you are not corrupt and have not abused your power."

He said he understands that there are two schools of thought in the party regarding the issue.

"One is that I should be evaluated on performance, and regard my conduct as something personal. As long as my family accepts me, no one else should interfere. The other deems my private life more important than my performance."

Chua who admitted that the sex DVD has affected him to a certain degree, says he has two options:

> wallow in self pity and bitterness; or

> continue to use his experience and optimise his strength to do what he has been doing for the last 23 years; serve the party and the community.

The former Health Minister said following the incident, he did what he had to do as a responsible leader, and now wants to move forward.

He added that a poll conducted on Labis voters showed that 60% of them believed that the sex DVD is a personal problem and should not affect the public's assessment of his ability.

Chua said his comeback bid was not aimed at "taking revenge" at anyone but to let party members judge him.

"I believe MCA central delegates have the wisdom to pick the right leaders and will not allow a leader to be run down by the action of certain despicable people," he added.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

IRAN VOWS NO NUCLEAR

2008-08-03T08:43:00.002+08:00

Sunday August 3, 2008

Iran vows no nuclear retreat on day of deadline

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives at the presidential office to attend a welcoming ceremony for his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Tehran August 2, 2008. (REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl)

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran will not retreat "one iota" from its nuclear rights, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday, the day of an informal deadline set by Western officials in a row over Tehran's atomic ambitions.

Ahmadinejad made the remark in a statement posted on the presidential website after talks in Tehran with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

SAIFUL VS ANWAR

2008-08-03T08:37:00.002+08:00

Saiful's three trips with Anwar

By : Irdiani Mohd Salleh

KUALA LUMPUR:

Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan has claimed that he accompanied Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on three overseas trips this year.

In his blog posting on Friday, the 23-year-old revealed that he accompanied Anwar to Hong Kong in early May, Bangkok at the end of May and to Singapore from June 16-18.

It was among his duties as a "coffee boy".

Mohd Saiful had filed a police report on June 28, claiming he had been sodomised by Anwar.

In his posting at mohdsaifulbukhari.blogspot.com entitled "Tasks as a former 'coffee boy' to Anwar", he said that his duties also included assisting PKR staff chief Ibrahim Yaacob in arranging Anwar's schedule and working out secret meetings, for example, with members of parliament who wanted to cross over to PKR. These were held in the Desa Damansara condominium.

He claimed that the unit was owned by a Pas branch member or leader.

"The rest will be revealed in court later. Please be patient.

"It is up to you whether you believe me or not or ask Anwar to explain all this himself whether it is true or not."

He added, as promised, he would swear in due time as he was informed that the investigation into the case had been completed.

"I pray the Attorney-General's Chambers will take up this case because I want justice," he wrote at 2.29pm.

Mohd Saiful also wished Anwar good luck in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

articles source: http://www.nst.com.my

note: Give me your comment for this articles..... tq

FUEL STOCK CONCERN FOR DEALERS

2008-08-02T09:03:00.003+08:00

Fuel stock concern for dealers

By : R.S. Kamini and Kristina George

KUALA LUMPUR: The Petroleum Dealers' Association of Malaysia wants the government to implement a standard system to measure fuel stock at all pumps.

Association president Abdul Wahid Bidin said if the retail price was to be fixed at the beginning of each month, it would be difficult for dealers to gauge the monthly stock needed to maintain a profit.

He said if the retail price of petrol was to fall to RM2.20 per litre, operators carrying a 100,000 litre stock could lose up to RM50,000.

"How are they going to control the stock? Some of us still measure our stocks manually before informing the oil companies to replenish it," he said, adding only a few stations had an online monitoring system to check fuel stock.

He said dealers and operators should be reimbursed for losses if the government did not place a proper gauging system.
The association also touched on the implementation of the self-service system (SSS), which it said would lead to less competition.

Abdul Wahid said at present some station owners were burdened by the cost of "idle" pump attendants. But he urged a delay in its implementation unless the government could reassure them that oil companies would not manipulate the ruling to their benefit.

"Some companies might try now to 'modify' the ruling, saying that the rule only states no filling customers vehicle tanks with petrol and that it does not include window washing or other services."

In June, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad announced the implementation of the SSS nationwide from yesterday.

The minister said all customers, excluding those who were aged, disabled or pregnant, would be required to fill their own tanks.

The ruling applies to all petrol stations nationwide, except small, unbranded ones in rural areas.

The number allowed in the forecourt area will also be limited to one for stations with four islands or fewer, two at stations with five to six islands and three at stations with more than seven islands.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

NOTE: YOU CAN GIVE YOU OPONION OR COMMENT FOR THIS NEWS.....TQ

LOWER FUEL PRICES

2008-08-01T01:00:00.002+08:00

Thursday July 31, 2008 MYT 8:28:26 PM

PM: Govt may lower fuel prices

PUTRAJAYA:

The Government is considering lowering retail fuel prices, in line with falling global crude oil prices, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the Cabinet discussed the possibility on Wednesday, a day after crude oil slipped to US$122.19 (RM402) a barrel.
Petrol prices were raised by 41% and diesel by 63% in early June to curb a runaway subsidy bill when crude prices were hovering around US$140 (RM460.60) a barrel.

“We are looking at it very, very carefully. Of course I would be so happy if we can reduce it,'' the Prime Minister told AP in an interview here Thursday.

But he said the Government was wary of lowering prices at the pump just to have to hike them when oil markets rose again, Abdullah said.
Crude has fallen over the last three weeks from a record high of US$147.27 per barrel on July 11, in part, on expectations that the spike in prices over the last year has begun to dampen demand by the United States for petrol.

But the slide has since halted and sweet crude for September delivery was holding steady at US$126.81 (RM417.20) per barrel Thursday in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Abdullah said the Government was conducting a study to find out if retail fuel prices can be brought down and would announce a decision “at an appropriate time.''

He acknowledged that rising inflation was weighing heavily on the Government by handing the Opposition a way to criticise its economic policies.
“This has been regarded as a weakness of the Government today for allowing prices to go up. I am upset also myself. We are paying more than before. It is a burden to us,'' he said, adding that the Government was taking steps to reduce inflation.

Abdullah said the Government was making efforts to boost income levels of the poor as well as improve transport services and seek cheaper sources of power.

Bank Negara has raised projections for average inflation for this year to between 5.5% and 6% from 4.2%.
Also, the Government announced last week that consumer prices spiked by 7.7% in June compared with the same month last year. It was the steepest climb in 27 years, spurred by higher gasoline prices.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my/

WAN AZIZAH QUITS

2008-08-01T00:51:00.001+08:00

Thursday July 31, 2008 MYT 5:12:01 PM

Wan Azizah quits, Anwar to contest

By ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA:

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has resigned as Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament to make way for her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election.

At a packed press conference at the party headquarters on Thursday, Dr Wan Azizah said the decision was made after deliberations with her family, the PKR leadership and its partners in the Pakatan Rakyat loose coalition of Opposition parties.

"I have officially submitted my resignation as MP to the Parliament Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, to make way for my husband, Anwar Ibrahim, to contest as a candidate for Pakatan Rakyat in a by-election as soon as possible," she said.

Dr Wan Azizah, who showed no emotion during the press conference, said it was the right decision for Malaysia and that she would continue serving as PKR president and chairman of the Peace Foundation.
Together with her were PKR vice-presidents Azmin Ali and R. Sivarasa, her daughter and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, and Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.
Dr Wan Azizah also thanked her supporters in Permatang Pauh who had stood by her in the most difficult of times.

"Anwar Ibrahim has the experience and intelligence to reinvigorate our economy, and the charisma and integrity to unite Malaysians.
"And I'm not saying this just because he is my husband," she added.

As to who would be taking over as the Opposition leader in Parliament, Dr Wan Azizah said that would be discussed with other Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
Anwar, under a police investigation for allegedly sodomising a former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, had previously said he would contest in the Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentary constituency, where an election petition is pending.

The case is scheduled for hearing on Aug 19.
On Thursday, Anwar said he had decided to contest in Pematang Pauh instead because the Kulim petition might take too long to settle.

He had previously said that he would have the numbers to form the government by Sept 16, and said the sodomy allegation was a part of a conspiracy to stop him from doing so.

He has denied the sodomy allegations and has filed a defamation suit against Mohd Saiful.
The Election Commission is required under the law to call for a by-election within 60 days.
Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the Commission would start preparing for the by-election upon receiving notice from the Speaker.

Also on Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar announced that the police had wrapped up their investigations into the sodomy case, and have sent their report to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

articles source: http://thestar.com.my/

THAKSIN OVER MYANMAR LOANS

2008-07-31T08:33:00.002+08:00

Top Thai court hits Thaksin over Myanmar loans

BANGKOK (July 30, 2008) :

Thailand's Supreme Court said on Wednesday it would hear a case against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra relating to allegations he arranged soft loans to Myanmar while in office to benefit his family's telecoms business.

The court's decision is the latest blow to Thaksin's bid to clear his name after his removal in a 2006 military coup, in which he was accused of "rampant corruption".

Given the general perception that he is the driving force behind the coalition that came to power after an election in December, it is also another blow to an administration already being hammered by the courts, nationalists and an ailing economy.

An army-appointed graft panel has accused Thaksin of ordering a state bank in 2004 to increase the size of a loan to the military-ruled former Burma to buy telecoms equipment from a company owned by Thaksin's family.

The deal caused the bank to lose 670 million baht (US$20 million), the panel alleged. Thaksin has denied any wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is expected to reshuffle his cabinet this week, although it is hard to see the move deflecting criticism from an administration under attack for being a Thaksin proxy.

A small party announced its departure from the coalition on Tuesday, but Samak said this would not derail his plans to submit a list of new ministers to the king for approval.

"It won't affect the cabinet reshuffle," he told reporters in answer to a question about the withdrawal of the Pue Pandin (For the Motherland) party from the coalition.

Announcing the departure, Pue Pandin boss and Industry Minister Suvit Khunkitti criticised Samak's push to amend the 2007 army-designed constitution and his handling of the economy at a time of stuttering growth and decade-high inflation.

"We think amending the constitution is less important than tackling the economic problems," Suvit said. "But when parliament convenes in August, the government is going to amend the charter."

He also had scathing words for the government's conduct in a nationalist spat with Cambodia over competing claims to a 900-year-old Hindu temple on their border.

Samak has kept unusually quiet about the planned new line-up, saying only that it will involve 10 portfolios.

A respected career diplomat, Tej Bunnag, was appointed foreign minister at the weekend to replace Noppadon Pattama -- Thaksin's lawyer -- who was forced to resign over the Preah Vihear temple dispute with Cambodia.

However, newspapers are speculating that Samak's new cabinet will contain a host of Thaksin loyalists.

"The names of new ministers being speculated on in the newspapers suggest that those who have been loyal to Mr. Thaksin are being favoured," political commentator Sukhum Nuanskul told Reuters. - Reuters

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

HOUSING RESCUE BILL

2008-07-31T08:29:00.000+08:00

Bush approves housing rescue bill

The US housing market slump has hurt the wider US economy

US President George W. Bush has signed into law a bill designed to help struggling US homeowners and prop up the battered US housing market.

The new law creates a $300bn (£150bn) rescue fund to help thousands of homeowners get cheaper loans.

It may also be used to bail out the struggling mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which own or guarantee around half the nation's mortgage debt.

The White House said the bill would boost confidence in the housing market.

It said the bill was designed to help hundreds of thousands of Americans trapped by mortgages they can no longer afford.

They will be offered the chance to refinance their debts with state-backed, fixed-rate loans.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said that the Federal Housing Administration would begin right away to implement the legislation that is "intended to keep more deserving American families in their homes".

However, the bill's critics have said it will cost US taxpayers billions of dollars, and query the wisdom of bailing out irresponsible homeowners or unscrupulous lenders.

Reposessions soar

According to US research firm RealtyTrac, the number of US homes in some stage of foreclosure more than doubled between April and June from the previous year.

The figures showed that one in every 171 US households was in he process of losing their home - up 121% on last year.

The problems in the housing market stem from sub-prime lending to those with poor credit histories.

Many of these borrowers have been unable to keep up with their mortgage repayments, and now face losing their homes.

This in turn has hurt the many financial institutions worldwide that invested in instruments linked to sub-prime mortgages.

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae do not lend directly to homebuyers, instead buying mortgage debt from approved lenders such as banks, and then selling it on to investors.

Their shares have plunged in recent months on fears that they will not be able to cover their losses.

The new law expands a temporary line of US Treasury credit to the two firms and gives the government the option to buy their shares in them if they ran into trouble.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk

SEX SCANDAL

2008-07-31T08:22:00.002+08:00

Text messages link MCA's Wee in 'sex scandal'

JOHOR BARU: Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong is being dragged into a "sex scandal".

He is alleged to have been involved with a student from China whom he helped to settle a problem several years ago.

Text messages via the short messaging system (SMS) have been circulating over more than a week, predicting that Wee would be forced to resign his government and MCA posts under the same circumstances which forced out former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Dr Chua gave up all his posts early this year when a VCD of him having sex with a woman in a hotel surfaced.

Wee, who is the MCA Youth secretary-general, lodged a report at the Central police station on Friday, after learning that the text messages had been circulating since July 22.
One of the messages read: "To whom it may concern: Countdown 90 days. Dr Wee Ka Siong will resign from all the posts by 20 Oct 2008 just as Dr Chua."

Wee said the text message was a clear attempt to tarnish his image, and was initiated to coincide with the run-up to the MCA's divisional elections last week.

Wee, who won the Johor Baru MCA division chief post uncontested on Sunday, is now eyeing either the Youth chief post or even a vice-president's post in MCA.

He claimed he knew the person who initiated the circulation of the text message.

"I am not afraid of this person who is clearly out to tarnish my image. There has been some bad blood between this person and me since my days as chief of the Johor Baru MCA public complaints bureau."

Wee said Datuk Michael Chong, head of the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department, had in 2002 asked him to help a student from China who had allegedly been swindled of RM100,000.

She had given the man the money to help her further her studies here.

"I organised a press conference on behalf of the student and I believe this person has been nursing a grudge against me since that incident."

He added that the person who initiated the "vicious SMS" had also lodged a police report against him and Chong alleging defamation after the media had highlighted the case.

"Let it be known to the public as I am sure of my innocence."

When contacted, Chong said he remembered the case.

He said the man, posing as a Mara education agent, duped the girl into paying RM100,000 to study in a college in Johor.

"The girl came to Malaysia, only to find that her offer letter turned out to be a fake," he said.

Chong said the case was forwarded to Wee because he was the party's Education Bureau chief and also in charge of public complaints in Johor.

"As far as I remember, the case was settled and the girl returned safely to China with some compensation," he said.

Johor Baru district police chief ACP Zainuddin Yaacob confirmed the police report but declined to disclose the details of the investigations.

It was learnt that police had recorded the statement of the person who Wee alleged is the one who started the text message. He is believed to be the founder and chief executive of a Chinese education group based here.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

BADMAN DOWN

2008-07-31T08:16:00.001+08:00

Dead gunman linked to several violent crimes

By FRAN KIE D’CRUZ, TEOH EL SEN, T.H. TEOH and SURAYA ROSLAN

Pistols, machine guns, ammo and other weapons found after Subang Jaya
shootout with former Deva Gang member

THE gunman shot dead by police at midday yesterday on busy SS14 Subang Jaya is believed to have heavily armed himself after he split with the vicious Deva Gang and paired off with another gang member.

He is thought to have double teamed with his accomplice to pull off a string of robberies that included recent strikes on jewellers in the Klang Valley.

Soon after the shootout, police discovered a cache of weapons at the house he had occupied in SS14/2A. The cache included several pistols, large machine guns, including an older version of the M-16, several hundred rounds of ammunition, two sledgehammers and fake guns.

Some jewellery was also found at the premises. A red and black Yamaha LC 125, similar to the one seen by witnesses at a jewellery heist at the Giant hypermarket in Kelana Jaya last month, was also spotted there.

The gunman is thought to have struck a number of jewellery outlets located in hypermarkets with an accomplice, who became known for waving to the shop employees before sauntering off with the loot. According to police sources, he could have amassed all that heavy weaponry solely for his heists and that it was unlikely that he was a gunrunner.

The search is on for his accomplice. The Deva Gang is believed to have pulled off several daring robberies, including the brazen robbery at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on June 9 when four gunmen escaped with almost RM3.5 million after a violent shootout. Police had detained four men aged between 23 and 30 in Johor soon after the KLIA incident.

Speculation is also rife whether the gunman could be a suspect in a murder case in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam early March.

Selangor police acting CID chief ACP Omar Mammah could not confirm or deny the man's involvement but said that Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar would hold a Press conference on the shooting today.

The shootout yesterday was the second in the Klang Valley in less than 24 hours, each bringing the ferocious crime sprees of two wild fugitives to a bloody end. The first happened at about 12.15am yesterday when the Myanmar Gang leader, suspected of countless drug, murder and gang fight offences, was killed in a shootout with police near the Selayang wholesate market.

In the Subang Jaya incident, police had trailed the gunman from Bangsar before blocking off his Naza Ria near a curb along Jalan SS14/2 at the commercial centre of Subang Jaya. Police then ordered the man to exit his vehicle. It is learnt police fired several shots, some of them through the driver's side windshield, when the man drew a semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol and fired at them.

It was not immediately clear how many shots the suspect had fired.

"We trailed the suspect after policemen noticed him behaving suspiciously.

Police are investigating the man's involvement in previous cases," ACP Omar said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

ANWAR: I DON'T FEAR ARREST.

2008-07-31T08:05:00.003+08:00

Anwar: "I don't fear arrest."
Tim Leonard

newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR (July 30, 2008) : Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today went to the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) where he handed over a copy of a medical report by Hospital Pusrawi based on an examination done on his accuser Saiful Bukhari Azlan that showed no signs of sodomy.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim surrounded by reporters at
Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court today.

He also submitted other 'evidence' to support his complaint lodged with the department on July 9 that the 23-year-old man had made false accusations against him.

"I was asked what other evidence could be produced to substantiate my claims, other than medical evidence and alibi, and I have done all these...which is somewhat similar to the normal criminal cases conducted by the police," Anwar told reporters after spending close to two hours at the department.

He was accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, his lawyers and friends.

He praised Jawi investigators as being more professional than the police.

"I can sense the manner questions asked was more professional...wanting to know the facts and not in an accusing tone," he said.

Anwar said there was no reason why the police should charge him for sodomy because there was no proof.

Despite rumours of his imminent arrest published in blogs and newspapers, Anwar declared that he was not afraid of being arrested.

The rumours had prompted scores of local and foreign journalists and photographers to posiition themselves in front of his house in Bukit Segambut.

"Let me remind that this country is not a police state. The decision (to charge) must be based on facts and law. If they (police) follow the law, then the facts, the alibi and the medical report is enough to drop the case," he said,.

It has been a month since the sodomy report was lodged, and it is learnt police have yet to complete the investigation.

Anwar later lashed out at Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

Asked to respond to Syed Hamid's comment that he (Anwar) was not co-operating with the police, Anwar said: "Ask Syed Hamid if he is willing to be stripped naked and his private parts examined and made to sleep on a cement floor.

"I have cooperated all this while. So why is he (Syed Hamid) saying that I am not co-operating (with the police)?" he asked

Syed Hamid was referring to the fact that Anwar had refused to offer his DNA sample, which Anwar reportedly said he feared would be tampered with.

Anwar said he also did not fear the Kuala Lumpur Hospital's medical report on Saiful as he believed it would vindicate him.

He said if the medical examination and investigations were done professionally, like the one done by Pusrawi, he believed the authorities would come up with the same conclusion that he did not sodomise anybody.

The authorities had said they would stand by the HKL report, which is normally done in any such investigation.

A copy of the medical report on Saiful, carried out by a Myanmar doctor attached with Pusrawi allegedly claims there were no signs of sodomy.

Anwar said his reform agenda and his intention to run for Parliament are still on track despite the possibility of arrest.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

STOLEN BIKE

2008-07-30T08:14:00.001+08:00

WeirdNews> Politician gets back stolen bike

LONDON: British opposition leader David Cameron has been reunited with his stolen bicycle thanks to a tabloid newspaper and a supporter of the rival Labour Party, the paper reported last Sunday.

The Conservative party leader, often photographed riding his bike to work at the House of Commons, realised that it was stolen after he left it outside a supermarket near his west London home last Wednesday evening.

The Sunday Mirror said it located the bicycle — dumped in a nearby street — with the help of 60-yearold resident Ernest Theophile, who enlisted neighbourhood youths to trace it. "You never want to see anyone have their bike nicked (stolen) — not even a Tory," he was quoted as saying.

The Conservative Party confirmed that the newspaper had returned the bike to Cameron.

Cameron, 41, uses the bicycle to commute from his home in trendy Notting Hill to Parliament to highlight his party's commitment to green issues. — AP

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

MORE CONFUSION

2008-07-30T08:10:00.001+08:00

'Missing' doc's report sparks more confusion

By Yushaimi Yahaya, Frankie D'Cruz. Badrolhisham Bidin, Teoh El-Sen and Najiha Najib

Doc in the Anwar mix

DOCTOR Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the newest player in the second Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sodomy scandal, has triggered a sequel that has sparked off another round of confusion.

A medical report attributed to the doctor of Hospital Pusrawi that claims that Anwar's accuser, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, was not sodomised and, now, his sudden 'disappearance' are taking centrestage this time around.

At Press time, the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman, a Myanmar Muslim, was not known. His employer, Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam), said he was on leave. His 'disappearance' is being likened to that of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, who was hired by one of the accused in the murder trial of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaaribu.

P.I. Bala disappeared after making two conflicting statutory declarations that fuelled speculation, leaving a trail of accusations and denials.

Barely 24 hours after making public the first statutory declaration in which he alleged that police had omitted vital information in the Altantuya case, P.I.Bala made an about-turn and withdrew parts of it.

Police had said there were three likely possibilities for Bala's disappearance: he could be hiding out of fear; he does not want to co-operate in investigations; or he has been 'forced' to go into hiding by certain parties.

Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said that in the wake of the latest developments the police should expedite investigations into Dr Mohamed Osman's "revelations" to clear the air.

"The matter is getting out of hand as there are so many conflicting reports.

The authorities must come clean on this," he said.

Institute of Public Relations Malaysia president Datuk Hamdan Adnan said police should either drop the case against Anwar or charge the so-called victim if there was truth in the doctor's report.

"There are too many question marks in the case," he said, adding the authorities should resolve the matter soon.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar told Malay Mail that contrary to speculation, Dr Mohamed Osman was never "arrested" but was only interviewed for a short while.

He said that police recorded his statement but that it was untrue that they had detained him for three days.

"Many things have been said and reported that are not true," he said, adding that "police have been very transparent and professional in handling this case".

Asked why Anwar was arrested even after a statement from Dr Mohamed Osman had already been taken, Ismail declined comment, saying investigations are ongoing.

Ismail was reported as saying police were considering investigating a "news website and a blog over their reports".

Online news portal Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today had reported that there was no evidence that Saiful was sodomised, according to Dr Mohamed Osman who examined him for four hours before he lodged a police report alleging he was sexually assaulted by Anwar, the de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader.

Saiful, Anwar's former aide, is said to have gone to two different hospitals on June 28, the day he lodged the police report claiming that he was sodomised by his ex-boss.

He first went to Hospital Pusrawi at Jalan Tun Razak about 2pm, complaining of 'tenesmus', a medical term for difficulty and pain in passing motion. He had alleged he was assaulted by the intrusion of a piece of "plastic" in the anus. He was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman, the medical officer on duty.

It was reported that Dr Mohamed Osman, in his medical report which was recorded at 2.14pm, found "zero active bleeding", "zero ulcer or pus", "zero tear and scar" in Saiful's anus.

In his report's concluding remarks, he advised Saiful to go to a government hospital so as "to rule out" assault and sodomy.

At 6pm that day, Saiful went to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for his second medical examination. He subsequently lodged a report against Anwar at the hospital police beat base.

Malaysiakini reported that the police had recorded statements from Dr Mohamed Osman after Saiful lodged the report against Anwar.

The doctor was said to be under tremendous stress as a result of the police interrogation over a number of days and was advised by the hospital to take leave.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.mmail.com.my

TOP US

2008-07-30T08:00:00.001+08:00

Top US astronaut welcomes space tourism

The commander of the latest US shuttle mission Tuesday welcomed the advent of space tourism, predicting that such travel is on the brink of the massive growth seen a century ago with airplanes.

"The private sector can go out and make money doing something that only governments now do. You really are going to see an expansion of the industry," Discovery commander Mark Kelly said.

Kelly's comments came hours after Virgin Galactic, owned by British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, unveiled in the California desert a futuristic aircraft dubbed WhiteKnightTwo that will ferry tourists into suborbital space.

"In the early part of the 20th century when airplanes first started to fly, there were initially some advancements but only when companies started doing it to make a profit did it really take off," Kelly said.

US and Japanese space agencies will "likely stay on the forefront of space exploration," he said. "But the other stuff like flying in Earth's orbit is going to take off with space tourism."

Virgin Galactic is hoping to send its first paying customers 110 kilometres (70 miles) above the Earth in 2010. The company has said more that more than 200 passengers have already signed up for the first flights, which will cost 200,000 dollars each.

"I think the company is going to be successful. I'm pretty excited about it," Discovery commander Kelly said.

But he said there "is certainly going to be a lot of risk involved for those passengers," in part because the missions would have less heating than US shuttles.

Kelly said that for now space flights would likely be limited to short travel involving shooting up and shooting back down to Earth.

Virgin Galactic mission would go five times the speed of sound, while Discovery travelled 25 times as fast, he said.

"There is a much greater technical challenge to go into orbit around the Earth. You've got to get going a lot faster," he said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

PERDANA V6

2008-07-30T07:55:00.002+08:00

PERDANA V6 PROBE:

Five, including two workshop managers, detained by ACA

By : Zarina Abdullah

KUALA TERENGGANU:

Five people, including two workshop managers, have been detained by the Anti-Corruption Agency in connection with the probe on the high maintenance cost of Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars used by state executive councillors.

State ACA director Sharudin Sapian said so far, 20 people including mechanics and civil servants, have had their statements recorded to assist the investigations.

Sharudin, however, refused to comment if the workshop managers were operating within Kuala Terengganu or outside the state capital.

“If necessary, we will not hesitate to call executive councillors to give their statements. We hope to complete our investigations into the case as soon as possible,” he said.

articles source: http://www.nst.com.m

ANGRY PASSENGERS

2008-07-30T07:50:00.000+08:00

Angry passengers crash computers, desks

BEIJING (July 29, 2008) : Scores of Chinese air passengers smashed computers and desks and clashed with police on Tuesday after a night stranded at an airport without accommodation, state media said.

More than 170 passengers were due to leave Kunming, capital of southwestern Yunnan province, on three flights operated by China Southern Airlines late on Monday, but the flights were cancelled due to bad weather, Xinhua news agency said.

"All the passengers had to spend the night on the planes or in the departure hall," Xinhua said. "No one came to tend to their food and board."

The passengers clashed with airport police on Tuesday morning, smashing computers and desks, Xinhua said, blaming the melee on China Southern staff's "inappropriate working attitude".

At around 2am, many of the passengers -- including toddlers and people over 60 -- took taxis to a hotel where China Southern said they could stay, only to be turned away once they arrived, Xinhua said.

Frustration at mysterious delays, diversions and cancellations have at times boiled over into violence at Chinese airports as passengers try to storm grounded aircraft and police are brought in to keep the peace.

There have also been cases in which passengers, after delayed arrivals, have refused to get off the planes in protest. - Reuters

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

ABDUL RAZAK NEVER MEANT TO HURT ALTANTUYA

2008-07-30T07:46:00.002+08:00

Lawyer: Abdul Razak never meant to hurt Altantuya

By Maria J.Dass

nwsdesk@thesundaily.com

SHAH ALAM (July 29, 2008) : Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda never intended to hurt Altantuya Shaariibuu and the surrounding circumstances of the case which corroborates with his affidavit proves this, his counsel Wong Kian Keong told the murder trial today.

"Abdul Razak never retracted his affidavit which stands to be scrutinised by all and sundry. It is an affidavit of truth and proves that the accused is innocent beyond a reasonable doubt," he said during his submission for the trial proper.

Wong said the surrounding circumstances and corroborating testimonies by prosecution witnesses show that Abdul Razak never meant to harm Altantuya and instead chose to play "the waiting game" – which was to wait until she had exhausted all her finances following which she would return to her home in Mongolia.

"This he had made known to private investigator Balasubramaniam who testified that Abdul Razak paid him RM4,000 for protection services required until Altantuya ran out of cash and returned home," he said.

"He never told Balasubramaniam to harm Altantuya," Wong said, adding that all this showed that Abdul Razak had intended that Altantuya returned safely to Mongolia.

Abdul Razak had also made his relationship to Altantuya known to his wife Mazlinda, daughter Rowena, parents and staff Siti Aisyah Mohd Azlan, Wong said.

He added that Abdul Razak also appointed lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra and contacted police officers who are duty bound to uphold the law including DSP Musa Safri who had referred him to officers at the Brickfields police station.

He also told Siti Aisyah that a police Special Action Unit (UTK) officer C/Insp Azilah Hadri would be coming to the office and to show him in when he showed up.

"All this are not consistent with the behaviour of a person planning a murder," Wong argued.

"His family and neighbours too knew what was happening and Abdul Razak had even asked Musa what happened to Altantuya as mentioned in the affidavit," he said of Abdul Razak's openness.

He said Abdul Razak had only met Azilah once and had never known or met Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, adding that it was unlikely that he would appoint two police officers to carry out a murder instead of a hired killer.

"Furthermore, he would not have been so stupid as to allow Altantuya to be abducted from in front of his house for everyone to see if his intention was to murder her," Wong added.

Azilah and Sirul both UTK personnel are charged with murdering the Mongolian woman at Mukim Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20, 2006 while Abdul Razak is charged with abetting them.

Wong also argued that the charge against Abdul Razak was defective based the manner of the charge, the 36 hour time-frame given, (between 9.54am on Oct 18 and 9.55pm on Oct 19) and because the specific place of where the purported event took place was never mentioned. The charge only states the place as Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, he said.

Wong added that the testimony of prosecution witness L/Cpl Rohaniza Roslan who is facing impeachment should not be thrown totally out as some of the statements can be adduced.

He was referring mainly to a statement by Rohaniza that she did not know Abdul Razak, which Wong said was corroborated by a witness from telecommunication company Maxis Goh Peng Chew who clarified that there were no call transactions between the two.

Judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin commented that some people who knew each other never called one another.

Wong will tomorrow be submitting on six grounds as to why Abdul Razak is innocent. He said these are:

> Overwhelming credible prosecution evidence to prove that Abdul Razak is innocent of the abetment charge

> No direct nor circumstantial evidence to prove circumstantial evidence to prove Abdul Razak committed the abetment charge.

> Totality of the prosecutions evidence clearly raises at the very least, a reasonable inference that Abdul Razak did not commit the abetment charge which should be adopted by the court.

> There should is more than reasonable doubt about the third accused guilt in the abetment charge.

> Adverse inferences should be drawn against the prosecution for failure to call certain material witnesses and to explain how Abdul Razak was alleged to have been the registered user of phone number 012-9042042 which was co-related in telephone logs prepared by CyberSecurity Malaysia Bhd.

>The abetment charge is defective for not specifying the manner, approximate time and place of the alleged abetment which irreparably prejudices Abdul Razak’s defence.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

OBAMA

2008-07-30T07:39:00.002+08:00

Wednesday July 30, 2008

Obama, Bernanke discuss U.S. economic risks

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday, discussing the risk of further deterioration in a weakening U.S. economy.

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama speaks alongside his top economic advisors during a roundtable meeting at a hotel in Washington, July 28, 2008. Obama met Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday, discussing the risk of further deterioration in a weakening U.S. economy. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)

With U.S. economic troubles taking center stage in his battle for the White House with Republican rival John McCain, the Illinois senator met Bernanke at the Federal Reserve for about 40 minutes after speaking with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson by telephone in the morning.

"Senator Obama had an informative meeting with Chairman Bernanke at the Federal Reserve about the health of the U.S. economy and the risks of further economic deterioration," Obama's Senate spokesman Michael Ortiz said.

"Senator Obama made clear his respect for the independence of the Federal Reserve System and the special importance of its role during periods of economic uncertainty," Ortiz said.

Polls show the faltering U.S. economy has become the top issue by a wide margin in the Nov. 4 election contest with McCain, and Obama has turned his focus to potential solutions during two days of meetings with economic leaders and advisers in Washington.

A campaign adviser said Obama had wanted to talk with Bernanke about the U.S. housing crisis and what he saw as the need for tighter financial regulation and more fiscal stimulus to boost the economy.

Obama wanted the Fed chairman to give him "an update on where the economy is and where it's going," the adviser said, and was "not there to tell Bernanke how to do his job."

Obama reminded Paulson in the phone call that he supported housing legislation passed by Congress last week and now awaiting President George W. Bush's signature.

The measure gives the Treasury secretary wide discretion to extend a financial lifeline if needed to the two companies that are the largest source of U.S. home finance. Obama urged him to use that discretion to help homeowners, Ortiz said in a statement.

RESTORE CONFIDENCE

"The two men agreed that Washington must restore confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a way that protects the taxpayer and our financial system, and that we must reform and modernize our regulatory structure to avoid these problems in the future and protect average Americans," Ortiz said.

A Treasury Department spokeswoman said there would be no comment on the phone call with Paulson. The Federal Reserve had no comment on the Obama-Bernanke meeting.

McCain spokesman Taylor Griffin said the Arizona senator also "regularly consults with a range of experts including Bernanke and Paulson and has done so for years."

"Barack Obama's confused economic plans make it clear that he lacks experience on economic issues and has a great deal to learn," Griffin said. "Hopefully his meetings will help him to understand that raising taxes in a slowing economy is a sure way to kill jobs."

Obama organized the sessions with Bernanke and Paulson last week as he was traveling overseas because he kept seeing bad economic news from home, an adviser said. Obama's trip took him to Afghanistan, the Middle East and Europe.

Obama met in Washington on Monday with an all-star group of business and economic experts, including billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who participated by telephone, former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Obama also made another stop on Tuesday, his second in two days, at the downtown office of former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder, who is heading his search for a running mate.

Obama expressed confidence in Bernanke during an interview with Reuters on Saturday, saying he had made some good decisions in difficult circumstances.

In a move that some criticized as a bailout, the Fed came to the rescue of investment bank Bear Stearns by helping to broker its takeover by J.P. Morgan Chase. The Fed and Treasury also offered a financial lifeline to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The moves marked an expansion of the Fed's role in the financial system that has made some wary.

Bernanke's term as head of the U.S. central bank ends in January 2010 and the next president, who will take office in January 2009, will decide whether to nominate him for another term.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

ANWAR

2008-07-30T07:36:00.001+08:00

Tuesday July 29, 2008 MYT 3:53:08 PM

Anwar: Drop the case (Update 3)

PETALING JAYA: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the medical report leaked on Monday confirmed that the sodomy allegations against him were baseless and were politically-motivated.

He urged the police to stop their investigation and to send the medical report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and classify the case under “no further action.”

The medical report from Hospital Pusrawi, signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28, was leaked on the Internet on Monday.

The report said that there was no medical indication that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Anwar’s 23-year-old former aide, had been sodomised.

In the report, Dr Mohamed Osman had also recommended that Mohd Saiful go to a government hospital for further check-up.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that the case won't be dropped based just on the medical report.

"This is just one aspect of the investigation. The police are piecing together evidence, let them do their job and complete their investigation," he said.

"As it is, they haven't charged Anwar with anything yet," he noted.

Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of news portal Malaysia Today which first carried the medical report, also claimed that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar.

The police have denied that allegation.

“We interviewed the doctor in the early stages of our investigations following the police report lodged by Mohd Saiful,” said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

“But we did not arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged by the Malaysia Today report. We don’t have any plans to do so either,” he said.

In GOPENG, (PKR) vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye went one step further and said the police should act against Mohd Saiful for lodging a false police report against Anwar.

Speaking at the opening of the Gopeng PKR service centre here on Tuesday morning, the Gopeng MP said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan should stop all investigations into the sodomy claim against the Opposition de facto leader.

Based on the medical report, "Saiful should be arrested for lodging a false report against Anwar and the IGP should also stop all investigations into the claim," Dr Lee added.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

KFCH STILL ATTRACTIVE

2008-07-29T12:33:00.000+08:00

Tuesday July 29, 2008 MYT 11:41:49 AM

KFCH still attractive, cheap valuations

KUALA LUMPUR: KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd (KFCH) remains a buy at RM6.35 and Aseambankers Equity Research says there is more upside for the counter due to the cheap valuations.

In a report issued Tuesday, it said other factors were the potentially better capital management in the second half of 2008, and more remotely, a chance at privatisation.

On the consumption trends in the first half of 2008 (1H08), it estimated KFCH’s 1H08 revenue rose more than 20% year-on-year from the RM808mil in the previous corresponding period.

The increase was underpinned by a by 2%-3% store network expansion and 12% same store sales (SSS) growth at the Malaysian KFCH chain.

“Strong consumption trends were driven by the government’s fiscal measures, innovative new products (Triple XL Burger, Breakfast menu) and effective marketing promotions such as KFC’s 400th store celebration set meals,” it added.

Aseambankers Research said despite the firm earnings momentum anticipated for 2Q08, it was maintaining its 2008 forecasts in anticipation of consumption slowdown and margin erosion.

“We expect SSS to slow to mid single-digit levels in 2H08, as consumers curtail their discretionary spending as inflation chips away disposable income (July’s inflation rate rose to 7.7%).

“We expect gross margins to ease further in 2Q08-3Q08 as an estimated 3% average price hike at the Malaysian KFC restaurants is insufficient to offset rising raw material costs,” it added.

Aseambankers Research said the 1Q08 earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins had eased 0.8 percentage point year-on-year and 1.0 percentage point year-on-year due to rising costs.

In 2Q08, average soybean and corn prices rose 77.6% and 69.5% year-on-year (up 4% and up 22% quarter-on-quarter) to US$13.81 per bushel and US$6.29 per bushel respectively. Current soybean and corn prices were at US$14.1 per bushel and US$5.85 per bushel range.

However, the research house expected KFCH shares to gradually re-rate towards year-end, with QSR Brands Bhd expected to soon thereafter raise its stake in KFCH to over 50% (from under 49%).

It also expected KFCH to raise its net dividend payout from the 50% in 2007. It also did not rule out media reports of KFCH being taken private and merged into QSR.

“We maintain our 12-month target price of RM7.60, based on a 30% discount to its revised net asset value (RNAV) of RM10.80, which implies a target mid-2010 price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of 11.3 times,” it said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://biz.thestar.com.my

CHINA USING OLYMPICS

2008-07-29T12:19:00.000+08:00

China using Olympics as 'pretext' for crackdown: Amnesty

China is using the Beijing Olympics as a pretext to pursue -- and in some cases tighten -- a crackdown on human rights, notably ridding the capital of "undesirables," Amnesty International charged Monday.

Reporting 11 days ahead of the August 8 opening ceremony, the rights group said that despite some minor reforms, authorities had stepped up repression of activists and lawyers to present a picture of stability and harmony.
Amnesty urged the International Olympic Committee and political leaders to do far more to challenge China, warning of even more repressive measures once the spotlight on the Games has faded away.
"Unless the authorities make a swift change of direction, the legacy of the Beijing Olympics will not be positive for human rights in China," it warned.

"In fact, the crackdown on human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers has intensified because Beijing is hosting the Olympics."

Amnesty's report, citing specific cases, said activists who had tied their cause to the Games had been singled out for the pre-Olympics "clean-up," while many others were being detained, imprisoned or placed under house arrest.

"Authorities have used the Olympic Games as a pretext to continue and in some respects, intensify existing policies and practices that have led to serious and widespread violations of human rights," the report added.

It listed a series of recommendations urging China to:

- release all prisoners of conscience;

- stop police arbitrarily detaining activists and dissenters;

- impose a moratorium on the death penalty;

- allow complete media freedom; and

- account for those killed or detained in Tibet.

"It is very disturbing that Chinese authorities have indulged in such a big crackdown on the activists," Mark Allison, China researcher for Amnesty, told AFP.

"These are people who represent many many more people in China."

Officials were also extending the use of punitive administrative detention, notably of activists and petitioners as well as beggars and peddlers, Amnesty said.

In January, Beijing police launched a campaign against "illegal activities that tarnish the city's image and affect the social order," it noted.

In May, authorities adopted a "re-education through labour" law to control various types of "offending behaviour."

In June, authorities in Shanghai sent notices to activists and petitioners ordering them to report to the police every week and barring them from leaving without permission or visiting Beijing until after the Games.

A clampdown on journalists has also intensified in recent months, Amnesty said, citing figures from the Foreign Correspondents Club of China showing as many as 230 cases of reporters being obstructed from interviews this year so far, compared to 180 cases in the whole of last year.

Internet controls have also been tightened up and many websites closed down for providing information deemed sensitive, the group noted.

Amnesty said that journalists working from Beijing's Olympic press centre were unable to access the group's website, as well as those of the BBC, Germany's Deutsche Welle, Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, and Taiwan newspaper Liberty Times.

"This flies in the face of official Chinese promises to ensure 'complete media freedom' for the Games," said Allison.

Such tactics raised concerns that officials would seek to block broadcasts of anything deemed sensitive or inappropriate, despite public commitments by organisers not to cut coverage.

Amnesty said China's crackdown in Tibet earlier this year, and restrictions on reporting there, highlighted the authorities' ongoing censorship.

It urged the IOC and the international community to express concerns publicly and press China to fulfil its obligations on human rights and dissent.

"The danger now becomes that after the Olympic Games, these patterns of serious human rights violations may continue or intensify with even less attention paid by the international community than has been the case so far," it said.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

ANWAR TO COMMENT TODAY

2008-07-29T12:12:00.002+08:00

Anwar to comment today?

DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expected to have held a media conference at the PKR headquarters about noon today on the leaked medical report that his accuser, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old university dropout, was
not sodomised.

He could not be reached for comment last night on the medical report, which supporters say backs the defector PKR leader's claim of innocence.

Police, however, have slammed the report as sabotage and meant to confuse the public.

PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim said the leaked medical report confirms the party's stand that the allegations against Anwar were "without merit and politically motivated".

He added that it further eroded public confidence in the police investigations into this case.

"Why has this medical report surfaced only today, over one month after the allegations were made, after Anwar spent a night in jail, and after the police had spent so much time and money on this case?" Salehuddin asked in a Press statement issued yesterday evening.

He also noted the reports that Dr Mohamed Osman had been interrogated by the police for three days and that, as a result, the doctor and his family had since gone into hiding. "Every assurance must be given for his safety and protection," Salehuddin said.

Anwar's lawyer, Sankara Nair said that the legal team would discuss the latest developments.

Saiful has claimed he was sodomised several times, including abroad, on occasions when he had accompanied Anwar.

He also claimed to be Anwar's personal aide but PKR has dismissed him as just a volunteer "coffee boy".

articel source: http://www.mmail.com.my

Deadly wreck

2008-07-29T12:05:00.001+08:00

A 43-year-old administrative assistant was killed in Marang when this car collided head-on with another car at Km50.2 Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kuantan, near Kampung Jambu Bongkok, yesterday.

Sabanan Yassin, from Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu, was a passenger in the car driven by Mohd Khairul Azali Ramli, 28, a clerk, who broke both legs
and has been admitted to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.

State public order and traffic police chief Superintendent Farid Mahmud said Sabanan and Khairul were heading towards Dungun from Kuala Terengganu when the car skidded and spun several times before colliding with the other car.

The driver of the other car, Carl Benjamin Kono, 64, from Kuala Lumpur, escaped unhurt. — NST picture by Noor Asnida Alias

articles source: http://www.nst.com.my

Hospitals come under fire

2008-07-29T08:25:00.001+08:00

Hospitals come under fire

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ and TAN KARR WEI

TWO private hospitals located in Kota Damansara have come under fire from the residents and the business community in the area.

Residents and businessmen claim that the location of the two hospitals would only add to the traffic situation in the township.

One of the hospitals, which have begun ground clearing works, is located on a piece of land adjacent to the Giant hypermarket along Jalan PJU 5/26, next to the Dataran Sunway commercial centre.

Gugusan Dedap residents' association president Zamarudin Zainudin said a hospital should not be built within a commercial area that was prone to traffic congestion.

Project under fire: An aerial view of the hospital site. In the background is Dataran Sunway (white buildings) and a block of commercial shoplots that is under construction.

“Emergency vehicles would have problems getting into the area,” he said.

MBPJ Town Planning Department director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said the hospital must submit a fresh application for approval to the council.

“When the initial building plans were approved, there were no objections from the the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS), the owner of the neighbouring plots. Since residents are now complaining, we have rejected the building plans. They would have to do a comprehensive traffic study and resubmit plans,” she said.

Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions from business operators at Dataran Sunway about the opening of another specialist centre in the area.

The location of the four-block medical centre, occupying the corner lots of the commercial building along Jalan PJU 5/6, opposite The Strand, is said to be not conducive due to the high traffic volume anticipated in area after the opening of the Giant hypermarket.

A businessman who owns several shoplots in the area said due to the anticipated high traffic, it would be difficult for emergency vehicles to gain access to the area.

However, there are others who think otherwise.

Lee Hui Seng said the specialist centre provided medical facility for the residents.

He said Kota Damansara residents needed medical facilities, as the only hospital in the vicinity was the Tropicana Medical Centre, located next to the Segi College.

“But that is a big hospital with ambulance facilities whereas this specialist centre is for outpatient treatments,” he said.

He added the specialist centre would not add to the anticipated traffic jam in the area as unlike shopping malls, people do not visit hospitals everyday.

“Besides, the specialist centre would only generate more business to the area.

“People should view it as a life-saving subject and not as a bad omen,” he said.

Sharipah said the building plans for the specialist centre has been approved.

articles source: http://thestar.com.my

US and Pakistan stress close ties

2008-07-29T07:43:00.001+08:00

The US still considers Pakistan a key ally in its "war on terror", President George W Bush has told visiting Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani.

After talks, Mr Bush said Mr Gilani had made a strong commitment to securing Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

The issue has caused strain in recent months, with the US urging Pakistan to move against Islamic militants.

The talks came as a top al-Qaeda figure was reported to have been killed in a missile strike in the border area.

Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar, a leading chemical weapons expert who the US says trained militants in Afghanistan, was reportedly killed along with six others in South Waziristan in a strike on Monday.

It was suspected to be a strike by US forces, but this has not been confirmed.

US and Afghan officials say Taleban and al-Qaeda militants have established their strongholds on Pakistan's western border from where they carry out attacks into Afghanistan.

Midhat Mursi al-Sayid Umar has been reported killed before

The US has recently expressed misgivings about Pakistan's handling of Islamic militancy in the area, while Pakistan has complained that attacks inside its borders could bilateral relations. On his first trip to Washington since taking power in February's elections, Mr Gilani used the meeting to tell Mr Bush that his country was committed to fighting extremists.

"We talked about the common threat we faced, extremists who are very dangerous people," Mr Bush told reporters during a break in his talks with Mr Gilani.

Missile attacks

On the issue of US missile attacks targeting militants on the Pakistani side of the border, Mr Bush said: "The US respects the sovereignty" of Pakistan.

Mr Gilani stressed Pakistan's desire to improve relations with Washington.

He was also expected to meet the Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls, Barack Obama and John McCain.

Despite Mr Bush's public praise, it was expected that Mr Gilani would hear some tough words in Washington, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington reports.

The Pakistani prime minister is also scheduled to meet senior US officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

In recent months the US and its allies have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in military and other forms of assistance to help Pakistan's new government tackle militancy in border areas.

Earlier this month, Mr Gates said he was considering sending additional troops to Afghanistan to counter the flow of insurgents from Pakistan.

Washington has also said it is concerned about peace deals that Islamabad has been signing with some of the radical groups in its western tribal-dominated areas.

Warning

The Pakistani government says the peace deals will bring stability to the volatile regions.

But Washington argues this gives the militants too much room to manoeuvre and increases the threat to Nato troops across the border.

US military commanders have warned that if there is ever another attack against the US, it will be planned in those areas.

But there will be statements of support - and possibly action - to back them as the US seems keen to encourage the fragile transition from military to civilian rule in Islamabad, our correspondent says.

Last week, President Bush announced that he wanted to allow Pakistan to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets by using two-thirds of the annual counter-terrorism aid it gets from the US.

But the US Congress has criticised the move, saying the jets are not essential to the fight against the militants in the tribal areas.

ARTCLES SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk

TWIST IN SODOMY SAGA

2008-07-29T07:37:00.000+08:00

Monday July 28, 2008 MYT 9:20:20 PM

Twist in sodomy saga (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Police have slammed a news portal report, which claimed that a private hospital doctor who had examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had been arrested.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the articles were just another attempt by certain quarters to confuse the public over the on-going investigation into Mohd Saiful's police report alleging that he had been sodomised by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The online articles posted a medical report which said there was “zero active bleeding”, “zero ulcer or pus” and “zero tear and scar” in Mohd Saiful’s anus.

The report from Pusrawi Hospital was signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28.

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who also carried the report on his website, said this proved that Mohd Saiful was not sodomised by Opposition de facto leader Anwar.

“The police also have a copy of this report that I have published, so they know what I know,” he wrote.

Raja Petra also alleged that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar.

“There is no truth to these allegations," said the Deputy IGP.

"In fact we interviewed the aforementioned doctor in the early stages of our investigation following the report lodged by Saiful.

“Neither did we arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged in the Malaysia Today article. We do not have any plans to do so either,” Ismail said, declining to comment further.

PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim said there needed to be a complete public disclosure of the facts of the case.

“The medical report appears to confirm what we have always believed – that the allegations against Anwar are without merit and are politically motivated.”

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said: “This is a very disturbing turn of developments and will subject Malaysia to a new spate of international bashing unless the police can come forward to throw light on the first medical report and the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman.”

How the medical report was leaked, which is a breach of patient confidentiality, is unknown, but Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the Malaysian Medical Council must look into the case.

A top Health Ministry official said the leaked report was probably not a full report because it appeared to be documenting only the superficial.

A spokesperson from the hospital said a statement would be issued soon.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my

NIK SAPEIA ORDERED TO ENTER DEFENCE

2008-07-29T07:33:00.000+08:00

Nik Sapeia ordered to enter defence over causing injury to Dr M and three others

BERNAMA

KOTA BAHARU, MON:

The Magistrate’s Court here today ordered businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff to make his defence on a charge of causing injury to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three other people exactly two years ago.

Magistrate Azman Mustapha, in making the order, said the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against Nik Sapeia, 53, who is charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for injuring them by spraying a substance which posed a danger to the body when inhaled.

Azman set Dec 15 to 19 for the hearing.

If convicted, Nik Sapeia is liable to a maximum of three years jail, or a fine, or whipping, or any two of the penalties.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa here at 11 am on July 28 2006.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Rozela Raja Toran and Khairul Anuar Wahab appeared for the prosecution while Nik Sapeia was represented by Zainal Abidin Mustaffa, Mohd Ilyas Mohd Noor and Datuk Abdul Aziz Nawi.

ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my

EZAM PREPARED TO GO UP AGAINST ANWAR

2008-07-29T07:25:00.000+08:00

Ezam prepared to go up against Anwar in by-election

PETALING JAYA (July 28,2008):

Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor is prepared to contest against his former boss, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should there be a by-election for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency.

Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor
Mohamad Ezam is now an Umno member told a press conference here today he was prepared to face the former deputy prime minister if the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership allows him to contest there.

"I'm an ordinary Umno member. So, it is best that the issue of candidacy in the area, more so if it is against Datuk Seri Anwar, be decided by the party leadership," Mohamad Ezam said.

"But I want to stress and reiterate that I'm ready... I'm not afraid to face Datuk Seri Anwar if the party wants me to contest in the by-election," he said, when commenting on Anwar's statement last night that he is likely to contest in the constituency.

The seat is now held by Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who is speculated will vacate it to pave the way for Anwar to stand in the by-election.

Meanwhile, commenting on Anwar's claim that there would be up to 30 BN members of parliament crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat to let PKR form the federal government on Sept 16, Mohamad Ezam said the claim was baseless.

"Up until today there has been no proof of the claim. It is just a story crafted to divert the people's attention and not based on a serious agenda," Ezam said, stressing that it would be impossible for Anwar to form the government.

"Today, it is becoming clear that the Pakatan Rakyat is a fragile pact. The crack is appearing and we see this in the statement made by (DAP chairman) Karpal Singh who is unhappy over the dialogue held between PAS and Umno," he said.

"This goes to show that there are indeed internal problems in Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar knows this," he added.

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