Isnin, 13 Jun 2011

NST Online: Latest

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Dalai Lama mistakes Australian PM for a man

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 10:18 PM PDT

CANBERRA: It may be just as well that the Dalai Lama has given up his political role after the revered Tibetan spiritual leader today referred to Australia's female prime minister as a man.

Questioned on whether he was disappointed that Julia Gillard would not be meeting him during his visit, the globe-trotting icon replied: "No."

"If your prime minister has some kind of spiritual interest then of course my meeting would be useful," he told reporters at Parliament House.

"Otherwise, I have nothing to ask him. Also, you see, there's no point to seek advice from him." He was quickly corrected by one of his aides, who quietly said: "Her." "Oh, from her," the 75-year-old said with a laugh.

Gillard, the first woman to lead Australia, later defended her decision not to meet the Dalai Lama, saying he was a frequent visitor to the country.

"I think he's been here four times in the last five years. On some occasions he has met with the prime minister, on others he hasn't," she told reporters.

Gillard said major trading partner China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist, had not influenced her decision.

"I make my own decisions and the government makes its own decisions about meetings that we hold," she said.

But the Australia Tibet Council said it was disappointed by the snub.

"Strangely, the prime minister can find time to fly to Sydney to meet Oprah Winfrey and meets regularly with Chinese officials and heads of industry, yet cannot find 10 minutes to meet the Dalai Lama," said the council's Paul Bourke.

The Dalai Lama himself did not seem upset, watching Gillard speak from the public benches during Question Time in Parliament House.

The Dalai Lama formally relinquished his role as the Tibetan movement's political leader in May, transferring powers to the head of the government-in-exile based in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala.

He retained the more significant role of spiritual leader and will meet in Australia with Education Minister Peter Garrett as well as opposition leader Tony Abbott and Greens leader Bob Brown. - AFP

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Housewife claims trial to hurting maid charge

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 10:15 PM PDT

2011/06/14

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KLANG: A housewife pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here today to causing hurt to her Indonesian maid.

Nyew Sock Fang, 34, was charged with causing hurt to the maid, Meliyah, 25, on June 8. -- BERNAMA

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NST Online: Topnews

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Inquest into Sarbaini's death set for July 4-15

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 10:11 PM PDT

Inquest into Sarbaini's death set for July 4-15

KUALA LUMPUR: An inquest is to be held from July 4 to 15 into the death of Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed in April while under the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The inquest will be heard before Magistrate Aizatul Akmal Maharani who will sit as the coroner, according to a displayed notice signed by her.

Ahmad Sarbani, 56, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs Office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the Federal Territory MACC office in Jalan Cochrane here on April 6.

He had been released on bail after his arrest during a graft probe involving Customs officers and had gone to the MACC office on April 6, apparently to change his statement. -- BERNAMA

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Puspakom ready for new ruling

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 09:08 PM PDT

2011/06/13
By Roy See Wei Zhi
news@nst.com.my

Puspakom chief executive officer Hisham Othman says it set up new inspection centres and upgraded existing ones to ease the transition to the new regulation. — NST picture by Nik Hariff Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR: Puspakom set up new inspection centres and upgraded existing ones to ease the transition to the Hire Purchase Inspection (HPI) regulation that will take effect tomorrow.

It added inspection lanes in Glenmarie, Wangsa Maju, Sungai Petani, Padang Jawa and Kuching to increase the number of cars it could inspect.

It set up new centres in Taman Bukit Maluri, Pandan Mewah, Jalan Tandang (Petaling Jaya), Batu Caves, Taman Daya (Johor Baru) and Pengkalan Chepa (Kelantan).

The new regulation requires Puspakom to inspect used cars before they can be sold to another person.

The regulation requires an additional 14-point check (B7) on top of the standard four-point check (B5) in practice for many years.

Puspakom chief executive officer Hisham Othman said some inspection centres would open on weekends.

"We revised the operating hours of some centres and they may even remain open until midnight."

Hisham said there were no legal obligations for Puspakom to perform the upgrades and to extend its service hours, but felt it would be necessary to ease the transition to the new regulation.

He said Puspakom had spent RM20 billion this year in upgrades and added 121 staff to carry out inspections.

"We brought in new machines from France that will improve efficiency and reduce cost in the long run."

He said it was important to note that the new ruling was passed by Parliament last year.

"Puspakom was merely the agency appointed to oversee the enforcement of the act. Parliament had discussed at length the amendment to the Hire Purchase Act, which will finally be carried out (tomorrow) to safeguard the public's interest."

Because only car sales involving financing from banks are affected by the amendment, cash-based hire purchase agreements do not need to go through the HPI procedure.

Hisham said cars needed to be inspected only once and the B7 inspection report would need to be produced to banks upon buyers' request for financing from banks or anywhere else.

"The reason for this is because banks would want to know the condition of the cars they are financing."

"Buyers, on the other hand, would not want to be duped into buying a 'lemon', and spend more money to fix malfunctioning parts."

He said the worst-case scenario was people buying a cut-and-joined car, where either the front or rear half of another car had been welded to it. "Last year, we discovered more than 1,200 cut-and-joined cars.

"Either way, cars that are not properly serviced, or have their structural integrity compromised, are unsafe."

He said there were around 495,000 transactions made to change vehicle ownership on a consumer level every year.

Hisham added that Puspakom staff were well-qualified and were monitored by the Road Transport Department and other government agencies.

"If the public believe that Puspakom staff did not act with professionalism and integrity, they can complain to the authorities."

The public can call 1-800-88-6927 for information.

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NST Online: Sports

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Badminton / Singapore Open: Pairs out to prove themselves

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 05:25 PM PDT

2011/06/14
K.M. Boopathy
boopathy@nstp.com.my

Tan Wee Kiong (left) and Mak Hee Chun could use the tournament to patch up their differences.

SEVERAL doubles pairs and veteran singles player Wong Choon Hann will use the Singapore Open, which begins today, to boost their standings with the BA of Malaysia (BAM).

Professional doubles pair Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen, who were left out of the World Championships by the BAM despite having qualified on merit, will want to prove a point by doing well in the Super Series event.

Teik Chai-Bin Shen, after an easy opener against Adam Cwalina-Michal Logosz of Poland, must overcome possible second round rivals Chai Biao-Guo Zhendong of China to prove that BAM had indeed made a mistake in omitting them from the World Championships.

Should they advance, Teik Chai-Bin Shen face yet another tough hurdle in third seeds Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea in the last eight.

Teik Chai-Bin Shen must make a strong statement in this Super Series event in order not to be sidelined for future major events.

Fairuzizuan Tazari-Ong Soon Hock, who were also overlooked by BAM who opted for Zakry Latif-Hoon Thien How instead, can also continue their progress and improve their current World No 19 ranking.

There is every possibility that Fairuz-Soon Hock could meet fast improving compatriots Goh Wei Shem-Lim Khim Wah in the first round.

Wei Shem-Khim Wah will be playing in the qualifying rounds today and should make the main draw.

Troubled combination Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong must use the event to bury their differences and try to qualify for the main draw.

They must get past Rendy Sugiarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan of Indonesia and Hong Wei-Shen Ye of China to make the tournament proper.

Choong Hann has yet to get past the first round in the Super Series but the veteran gets his best chance in Singapore as he opens against a qualifier, who is expected to be either Przemyslaw Wacha of Poland or Denmark's Viktor Axelsen.

A win will pit Choong Hann against either Bao Chunlai of China or Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro where he will be out to prove that he is not in Singapore to make up the numbers.

Two other Malaysians will be playing in the qualifying rounds where Hafiz Hashim takes on Ajay Jayram of India while Liew Daren meets Dicky Palyama of the Netherlands.

They will play each other for a place in the main draw if they win their matches.

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Hockey: Match-fixing shocker

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 05:24 PM PDT

2011/06/14
Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my

National players allegedly playing to lose to settle gambling debts

HOCKEY has been rocked by allegations of corruption after it emerged that four, and possiblymore, national players have been fixing matches to settle gambling debts.

The players are apparently heavy punters of English Premier League (EPL) matches and after losing as much as RM30,000 each, have allegedly fixed Malaysian international matches and made killings on them by betting.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) suspected something amiss during the recent Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh where the national team, despite dominating play, lost two matches in the last fiveminutes on each occasion.

The MHF has already called in the police and it is learnt an officer from the Anti- Gambling and Vice unit recently met officials from the federation for further information.

The MHF also discussed the matter during its management committee meeting last week.

A source said it was a well-known fact that certain players bet heavily on the EPL and other sports.

"It has, however, reached disturbing levels as the players are getting deeper into debt and when forced to pay, have opted to fix matches involving them and then betting on Malaysia to lose," said the source.

Odds on international hockey matches are also offered on certain gambling websites and this could be where the players are placing their bets.

An even more alarming situation could be that these players are "forced" to play below par by the syndicates to whom they owe money to.

Thiswon't only help settle the players'gambling debts but the bookies could make a bigger killing by taking bets from other punters.

The source added that team officials had received information thatmatches were fixed in theAzlan Shah Cup.

Malaysia fell to four consecutive defeats — 3-1 to Britain, 2-1 to Australia, 5-2 to India and 3-2 to New Zealand.

The information was that certain players were playing below par on purpose and team officials issued a warning in the stadium's changing room just before the match against South Korea.The players responded by beating Korea 3-1.

It is learnt the players have not been dropped yet as MHF is still investigating but it has been made known to all that action will be swift and harsh as MHF is determined to ensure that Malaysia is represented by a clean squad for the 2012 London Olympics Qualifier.

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NST Online Business Times : latest

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Daewoo Engr wins US$190m hotel contract

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT

Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co said it received an order from Malaysia's One IFC Residence Sdn Bhd for about US$190 million to build a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Construction of the 48-floor building will take 42 months to be completed, the Seoul-based company said today in an e-mailed statement. -- Bloomberg

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Samsung deal lifts Alam Maritim shares

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 06:26 PM PDT

Alam Maritim Resources Bhd, a Malaysian oil and has services provider, rose to a one-month high in Kuala Lumpur trading after winning an US$18 million order from the local arm of Samsung Engineering Co Ltd.

The stock gained 2.8 per cent to RM1.11 at 9:18 a.m. local time, set for its highest close since May 19. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

FLORAL FINESSE

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 11:54 AM PDT

FLORAL FINESSE

2011/06/12
By Shenton Thomas

Ikebana society in Johor Baru celebrates its 20th anniversary with grandeur and pomp

THE Ikebana International Johor Baru Chapter 235 celebrated its 20th anniversary in Mutiara Hotel with grandeur and pomp, recently.

The Pearls Galore-themed celebration was also organised to remember the tsunami victims in Japan.

The guest of honour was the consort of Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah who graced the opening ceremony.

Later, a Japanese tea ceremony was held which was attended by the chapter's members, headed by its current president and founder Tunku Shahariah, the eldest daughter of Malaysia's first Yang di-Pertuan Agung, Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Chapter 235 committee member Datin Ong Kid Ching said the tea ceremony involved a ceremonial preparation of 'matcha' or finely-milled green tea.

"Learning how to make the tea is easy but it requires the understanding of the four basic elements in tea-making ceremony, which are namely harmony, respect, purity and tranquility," she said.

Tunku Shahariah, who performed a traditional song under the royal yellow umbrella, described the event as a milestone in the history of the Johor chapter.

"These ladies are intelligent and talented," she said, hoping that the chapter will continue to live on for the next 20 years.

Immediate past president Shirley Cheah concurred with Tunku's statement, saying that "it will be something to remember for a long long time".

Present was another guest of honour from Japan, K Mikimoto & Co Ltd VIP relations officer, Yasua Suzuki, who presented a pearl brooch called the 'Happy Tree' to the chapter.

The company is a world renowned cultured pearl jeweller and the sponsor of the brooch.

Suzuki said he met Tunku in Kuala Lumpur 26 years ago and has been in friendly correspondence with her every now and then.

"This is my second visit to Johor. When Tunku invited me here, she told me she wanted to help the victims in the recent tsunami disaster. That deeply touched me," said Suzuki, adding that he would like to visit Johor again.

He added that Tunku played a vital role in the establishment of Chapter 235.

He lauded the hospitality and kindness extended by the people during his brief stay in the city.

The pearl brooch was sold at an auction held later for RM5,500.

Also present were Japan's consul to Johor, Katsuya Nakazono and Singapore's consul to Johor, Lim Hong Huai, Japan Club of Johor Baru executive secretary, Takeshi Nishikawa, Indonesia's Deputy Consul to Johor, Ibu Woro Sawitree, and representatives from the Penang and Kuala Lumpur Ikebana chapters.

The third guest of honour from the Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, Komon Christopher Lim, said his presence was a sign of his avid support for the Johor chapter.

A Komon is a master in the art of Japanese floral arrangement.

Komon Bernard Tay, also from the Singapore chapter who had exhibited his floral arrangement along the hotel's foyer, said Ikebana is for both the young and old.

"We provide lessons for beginners as young as eight years old. I once met a practitioner of the art from Australia. He was 90 years old then," said Tay.

He added that Ikebana is a kind of de-stressed therapy.

"Have you noticed that people smile whenever they look at flowers, no matter how stressed they look?" he said.

The night was filled with colourful activities which kept the guests and visitors amused and happy.

A solo singer serenaded the guests with melodious English and Japanese songs followed by music accompanied by a traditional angklong musician.

An Ikebana demonstrator from the Penang Sogetsu School, Komon Saito Risho wowed the guests as she deftly completed six beautiful arrangements within 30 minutes.

Some happy guests also returned home with lucky draw gifts.

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Flat tenants laud new service office

Posted: 12 Jun 2011 05:39 AM PDT

2011/06/12
By Shenton Thomas De Silva

LPJ flat residents in Taman Air Biru are happy with the services provided by the new communications office in Block 11 managed by the Johor Port Authority.

THE Johor Port Authority (LPJ) opened its communications office in Block 11 at the LPJ flats in Taman Air Biru, Pasir Gudang, recently, to service its 3,000 tenants.

It will collect rentals, and handle complaints and tenancy matters.

Tenant Arzanizam Mohamad, 38, said the office is convenient for tenants, particularly during weekends.

"The office makes it easy for me to pay my rent in the weekends as I cannot take time off when I'm at work," said Arzanizam.

The flats are mostly occupied by the port workers.

Security officer Raqib Mohd, 27, said: "The service provided by the office is good for the tenants who comprise workers in industries that are supporting the Johor Port."

LPJ general manager Nik Aziz Nik Hussin said the new office has a responsibility towards the community. "The LPJ Taman Air Biru flats committee has been organising community programmes. We are reciprocating their efforts by serving them better," he said.

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Isnin, 13 Jun 2011