Selasa, 5 Julai 2011

NST Online: Latest

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Thailand's PM-to-be denies job for Thaksin

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 11:27 PM PDT

BANGKOK: Thailand's next leader Yingluck Shinawatra Wednesday dismissed mounting speculation that her brother Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, will be given an official role under her tenure.

Yingluck, who fronted the opposition Puea Thai party's election campaign as the political stand-in for her fugitive sibling, stormed to victory in Sunday's polls and has assembled a five-party coalition.

But she dismissed media reports that said Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid a jail term for corruption, was likely to become a government trade envoy promoting the kingdom's exports abroad.

"It's not true, there is no such position appointed," Yingluck told reporters as she arrived at her party's headquarters in Bangkok for a meeting with economic advisers.

"There is no role for Thaksin. He is only giving moral support and advice," she said. "He is fine overseas and he is not anticipating getting any political position. He merely wants to see national reconciliation."

The return of Thaksin, a deeply divisive figure in Thailand, would risk angering his foes in the Bangkok-based elites in the military, palace and bureaucracy and could spark further turmoil after years of violent protests.

After his sister's win, Thaksin said he had no plan to return to office himself and that setting foot back in Thailand was not a priority, but he has previously expressed hopes to be at his daughter's wedding in December.

Yingluck, who is yet to be officially appointed by a new parliament, has formed a five-party coalition that will control about three fifths of the lower house seats, but the new cabinet line-up is yet to be announced.

"No single cabinet post has been named. Today I want to focus firstly on policy, and how to implement our campaign platform," she said. - AFP

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Trader claims trial to having 'Bersih' t-shirts

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 11:23 PM PDT

KOTA BARU: A trader pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here today to having in his possession for sale hundreds of T-shirts promoting the interests of an unlawful society.

Zakaria Che Will, 40, was charged with having 388 yellow T-shirts bearing the word 'BERSIH' at a market in Jalan Datuk Pati here at 10.45 am five days ago.

Magistrate Nur Zakiyah Shamsudin set Aug 9 for mention of the case and allowed Zakaria bail of RM4,000 in one surety.

Zakaria was charged under Section 47 of the Societies Act which says it is an offence for anyone found in possession of documents and/or collateral which are issued or appear to be issued by or on behalf of or in the interests of an unlawful society.

The Bersih 2.0 electoral reform coalition has been declared an unlawful society.

Zakaria is liable to imprisonment of up to two years or a maximum fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.

He was represented by lawyer Abdul Rashid Yah, Mohd Murtaza Mokhtar and Hatman Abdullah while DPP Wan Abdul Razak Wan Hussin appeared for the prosecution.
-- BERNAMA

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NST Online: Topnews

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Street rallies off<br>PM: Govt ready to meet Bersih on using stadium instead

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 05:26 PM PDT

2011/07/06
By Sean Augustin
sean@nst.com.my

After an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday afternoon, Bersih leaders emerged from Istana Negara and declared they would hold the rally in a stadium.

PUTRAJAYA: The street rallies are off with the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) backing down, much to the relief of business operators and the public.

After an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday afternoon, Bersih leaders emerged from Istana Negara and declared they would hold the rally in a stadium.

This effectively put a stop to the counter rallies threatened by Umno Youth and Malay rights group Perkasa.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak later told reporters that the government was prepared to meet Bersih organisers to discuss the possibility of holding the rally at a stadium.

He said they had not given any indication to which stadium they would prefer, but the government "would respond accordingly".

Najib, however, stressed that certain conditions must be attached before a permit was given for the rally to be held in a stadium.

"They must come in peace, hold it peacefully and go back peacefully," the prime minister said. He also said the organisers would be held responsible if the demonstrators caused chaos, damaged property or caused harm to others.

"We hope the organisers will keep their promise so that all will go well and peacefully and no untoward incidents will take place," he said.

Najib added that the government was against street rallies as it was concerned about public safety and was determined to protect Malaysians from any untoward incidents.

The government had on a number of occasions proposed that such a rally be held in a stadium instead of taking it to the streets to safeguard public order.

Bersih was earlier adamant in going to the streets to push for their so-called electoral reforms, but softened their stand after Tuanku Mizan on Sunday urged certain segments of the people not to be overzealous in their attempts to "enrich democracy lest this brings about destruction".

Najib yesterday also thanked the king for his concern in ensuring the country's peace and security. "It is due to this concern that the king instructed all quarters to cancel all planned street demonstrations or gatherings on July 9," the prime minister said after chairing the first Malaysian Innovation Agency governance council meeting, here.

"I would also like to thank all quarters for respecting the Agong's wishes. " On whether it would be an offence for supporters to turn up at the stadium wearing a Bersih T-shirt, Najib said it was up to the police to decide.

"We consider them (the organisers of the gathering and the gathering itself) illegal... (but) they don't consider themselves illegal.

"What is important is to protect the interests of the public. I want to protect Malaysians from any untoward incidents. " Asked if Umno would also hold a gathering on Saturday, Najib said the party would not do so.

"If Umnowants to respond, we can have a much bigger gathering... a much bigger demonstration. I can assure you that the crowd will be very big ," The Bersih rally is being organised by a coalition of non-governmental organisations headed by former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga.

The coalition was outlawed by the Home Ministry last week and to date, more than 100 Bersih supporters have been arrested for links to the illegal rally.

Police have also detained six Parti Sosialis Malaysia members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, for 60 days under the Emergency Ordinance.

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6 moves to make nation more competitive

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 11:32 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has put in place the last building block of its plan to transform into a high-income nation with the launch of six strategic reform initiatives (SRIs), a group of policy measures designed to improve the country's competitiveness.

Previously, the government had identified the industries Malaysia needed to focus on for further economic growth. Now, the SRIs will help to develop the National Key Economic Areas like plantation and tourism.

"The pursuit of economic growth complemented by policy reforms will enable us to compete robustly in the global arena," said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his speech, which was read by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

The Economic Transformation Plan involves doubling the per capita income to RM48,000 and creating more than 3.3 million new jobs by 2020.

The SRI launch drew a big crowd at the KL Convention Centre where senior civil servants made up the bulk of them, alongside senior corporate executives and industry captains.

The measures were arranged in six clusters, namely Public Finance, Gover nment's Role in Business, Human Capital Development, Public Service Delivery, International Standards & Liberalisation and Narrowing Disparities.

The Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), the agency in charge of driving the transformation plan, carried out six labs over six weeks involving some 500 members of the public and private sectors.

"We now have 13 reports that amounted to 3,000 pages, containing detailed recommendations and policy changes," said Pemandu chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

In Public Finance for instance, the government plans to improve tax collection, cut costs and create new revenue with the launch of a Government Service Tax.

Another plan under the Narrowing Disparities SRI is to create worldclass Bumiputera entrepreneurs. To do this, help will only be given to deserving small and medium enterprises under a transparent mechanism.

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NST Online Business Times : latest

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Europe crisis clouds Malaysia key rate call

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 06:28 PM PDT

Europe's debt crisis and signs of a slowdown in global growth are complicating Malaysia's decision on interest rates as a pickup in inflation coincides with dimming prospects for export gains.

Bank Negara Malaysia will raise its benchmark overnight policy rate to 3.25 percent from 3 percent at its fourth meeting of the year, according to 10 of 15 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. The rest expect no change. The central bank will release its policy decision at 6 p.m. in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

The likely discussion tomorrow may echo debates across the Asia-Pacific region, which has led global growth and where policy makers have enacted the steepest increases in borrowing costs.

While India, South Korea and Thailand opted to raise their key rates last month, China and the Philippines asked lenders to set aside more cash as reserves instead.

"The rates call is 50-50," said Matthew Circosta, an economist at Moody's Analytics in Sydney. "Bank Negara Malaysia will be mulling global worries against domestic inflation pressures."

European finance ministers have authorized an 8.7 billion- euro ($12.6 billion) loan payout to Greece by mid-July, pulling the country back from the brink of default and gaining time to hammer out a formula for ending the debt crisis.

Economic growth in the U.S. slowed to a 1.9 percent annual pace in the first quarter from 3.1 percent in the previous three months and the unemployment rate has climbed back above 9 percent.

Over Adjustment?

Malaysia's inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in more than two years in May as consumer prices rose 3.3 percent. Bank Negara has raised the benchmark rate by a percentage point since the beginning of March 2010 to curb inflation, most recently a quarter-point increase at the last meeting in May.

Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said last month central banks around the world should be wary of an "over adjustment" in their response to faster inflation. Malaysia has raised rates four times and doesn't want to overreact, she said in an interview with Reuters Insider.

Banks are charging each other 30 basis points more than the benchmark policy rate for three-month loans, according to the Kuala Lumpur Interbank Offered Rate, signaling expectations for higher interest rates and bank reserve requirements.

Interest rate swap forwards show traders are pricing in 43 basis points'increase in lending rates between September and June next year.

The Malaysian ringgit has jumped more than 6 percent against the dollar in the past year, and reached 2.9598 against the U.S. currency on May 2, the strongest level in 13 years. It traded at 3.0088 as of 6 p.m. local time yesterday.

Power Prices

Officials may also consider increasing the statutory reserve requirement level to 4 percent from 3 percent, nine of 14 economists predict. The central bank last raised the reserve requirement in May, saying it was a "pre-emptive" measure to manage a "significant" buildup of liquidity.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's government allowed national power distributor Tenaga Nasional Bhd. to raise electricity charges for the first time in almost three years in June, adding to price pressures for business and consumers.

"Inflationary pressures are expected to continue to climb," said Daniel Wilson, an analyst at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore.

"Demand-side pressures will be fuelled by a tightening labor market and positive consumer sentiment. We believe the proactive Bank Negara Malaysia will hike rates."

Consumer prices may climb 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent this year from 1.7 percent in 2010, the central bank said in March. - Bloomberg

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SapuraCrest, Australia's Clough in talks

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 05:59 PM PDT

SapuraCrest Petroleum Bhd, a Malaysian oil and gas services company, confirmed it was in talks with Australia's Clough Ltd regarding its marine construction business.

This may result in an acquistion, co-operation or other arrangement, SapuraCrest said in a Kuala Lumpur exchange filing today. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: Sports

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Badminton: RM41m smasher<br><small>BAM gets super partner in Maybank</small>

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 06:33 PM PDT

2011/07/06
K.M. Boopathy
boopathy@nst.com.my

BAM patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Maybank president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar (second from right) and BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh meeting the national badminton players after a sponsorship signing ceremony between BAM and Maybank at Menara Maybank yesterday. — Picture by Sairien Nafis

THE BA of Malaysia's (BAM) push to win the country's first Olympic gold medal at London 2012 received a massive boost when Maybank signed a whopping RM41 million six-year sponsorship deal in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

This is the biggest single sponsorship received by BAM and it stands to get RM6 million this year and RM7 million a year until 2016. Maybank has also pledged to continue the tie-up for another four years after that.

Proton used to be BAM's biggest sponsor at RM4 million for almost a decade but currently contributes RM2 million annually. This means Maybank will most likely become the outright title sponsor after the Malaysia Open Super Series.

Maybank president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said the nation's leading financial institution wanted to do its part in taking Malaysian badminton to another level.

"We are attracted to badminton as it has tremendous popularity and is a sport where Asians excel in. It is a strong sports brand that puts Malaysia in the world arena," said Wahid.

"To kick-start our collaboration with BAM, Maybank will soon undertake a 'Going for Gold' campaign aimed at winning gold in the 2012 London Olympics. This will also set the stage to build champions beyond the Olympics where our players are able to achieve success in various events, including the Thomas Cup, All England and the World Championships.

"We are also committed to ensure that our funding will be able to churn out a new generation of champions once the current players retire. This will be done by putting the emphasis on grassroots development and focusing on schools.

"I would also like to reiterate that we (Maybank) are not here to run BAM but work hand in hand with them to take badminton to a higher level and provide information to BAM on promotional activities to popularise the event."

BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh said Maybank's sponsorship was timely as the national elite and development programmes had been expanding and funding was crucial on ensuring success at the highest level.

"We express our gratitude to Maybank for coming up with such a sponsorship which was necessary as our programmes at national level have been growing as we work towards rewarding Malaysians with the country's first Olympic gold in London.

"Maybank and Proton will be joint title sponsors for the Malaysia Open Super Series next year. After that, Maybank will become title sponsor while Proton will continue its support. We will also focus on development where RM1 million will be spent for that purpose."

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Football: Praying for a miracle

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 05:32 PM PDT

2011/07/06
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

Selangor coach K. Devan (right) and Amri Yahyah in a training session.

SELANGOR coach K. Devan will be hoping for Sabah to provide one last twist to the Super League title race in Kota Kinabalu today.

"All we can do now is hope. It is not in our hands," said Devan of the final day of the Super League season.

Kelantan, who lead by two points, play Sabah while second-placed Selangor are away to Perak.

"I don't like to be in this situation. I've told my players to get the goals against Perak. We need to win big as Kelantan have the advantage in goal difference," he said.

Selangor will have a full strength squad except for injured centreback Nasriq Baharom. Devan hopes national trainees Amirulhadi Zainal, Asraruddin Putra Omar and Safiq Rahim, who reported for training yesterday, will be fit for the match.

Kelantan cannot afford to slip-up against Sabah, who drew 0-0 with them on April 16 in Kota Baru. A draw should be enough for Kelantan to lift their maiden league title.

But it will surely be asking too much of Sabah to provide one last twist to an exciting Super League season that hardly needs any more drama.

Kelantan messing up in Kota Kinabalu would be a great story, as it would hand Selangor, if they beat Perak, their third straight league title.

Kelantan coach M. Karathu said: "Beating Selangor to the title on the last day will be a great moment for us."

Devan appears to accept that Kelantan are too experienced to be unsettled at this late stage and has already begun his team's post-mortem.

"We could have been in a better position if we had done better in May. Our downfall started after we were beaten by Kelantan in the FA Cup semi-finals as after that, we lost three straight league matches," he said.

Devan may claim that his season was undermined by serious injuries. Selangor had actually recovered the points lost in May by notching three straight wins over Negri Sembilan (2-0), Perlis (7-1) and Felda United (2-1). But many believe Selangor's troubled season really started after striker Safee Sali left for Indonesian side Pelita Jaya. after the start of the league.

Third-placed Terengganu have an outside chance of clinching their first league title if both Kelantan and Selangor lose.

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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Parents of hit-and-run victim plead for witnesses to come forward

Posted: 04 Jul 2011 11:06 PM PDT

2011/07/05
By Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed
streets@nst.com.my

Omar Mohd Jam (with songkok) and wife Junainah Hussein (beside him) being consoled by Khalid Mohamed (front row, seated second from left). — Picture by Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed

THE parents of hit-and-run victim, Mohd Taufik Ramli, are pleading for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and shed some light on the fatal tragedy.

Mohd Taufik, 21, died after being knocked down by an unknown motorist at 2½ mile Jalan Skudai along Lido Beach last week.

The victim's stepfather, Omar Mohd Jam, said Taufik, who worked as a despatch assistant for the Syariah Court office at the Pusat Islam in Johor Baru, left his office around 2.30pm on June 27 on a motorcycle.

"As he moved past the junction of his office along Jalan Skudai, a fast-moving car hit Taufik who was thrown off from his motorcycle. The motorist sped off quickly to avoid being traced.

"Taufik was immediately rushed to Sultanah Aminah Hospital but pronounced dead upon arrival," said Omar, who was informed of the incident by police at his Taman Skudai Kanan low-cost flat.

Omar was speaking to an entourage of sympathisers led by Johor Baru Umno Youth chief, Khalid Mohamed.

Omar's wife, Junainah Hussein, said that her late son was obedient and affectionate towards his seven siblings.

"It's sad that he left us so unexpectedly. He had recently celebrated his birthday on June 19 and secured a reliable job only three months ago," said the teary-eyed Junainah.

Taufik was also a loyal member of the Skudai Kanan Umno Youth branch.

The bereaved family was grateful to officers from the Johor Religious Department for their assistance in the burial of Mohd Taufik.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Khalid who is also a Johor Baru city council member, hoped the police would speed up their investigations so that the culprit would be brought to trial.

Anyone with information on the incident can call Omar Mohd Jam at 017-781 2093/012-792 2365 or the nearest police station.

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HANDS-ON DADS

Posted: 04 Jul 2011 09:51 AM PDT

HANDS-ON DADS

2011/07/04
By Peggy Loh
streets@nst.com.my

KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital's prenatal class 'graduates' show off their acquired skills at reunion party.

IN 2009, KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital (JSH) started holding prenatal classes for expectant mothers on every third Saturday of the month.

The 2pm-to-5pm class is the initiative of consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Mohanraj Krishnasamy working in collaboration with Dr Lim Keng Joo and a team of registered nurses.

Participation is not limited to JSH patients but open to first-time expectant mothers from other hospitals, private clinics and maternity homes.

"This is the most important event in their lives and it's good for first-time parents to be better informed so that they can cope better," said Dr Mohanraj as he welcomed parents with their babies and toddlers to JSH's first antenatal reunion party.

He recalled how the class started with a small group of eight to 10 participants, who were usually accompanied by their husbands.

He said it was encouraging to see a record number of 15 participants in the June class and hoped the JSH prenatal class would develop into a premier quality class to benefit more expectant mothers in Johor Baru.

Since its inception, the class has helped more than 100 first-time parents by guiding them through pregnancy, delivery and care of the newborn.

The alumni appeared quite experienced as they arrived at the reunion party with prams, pushcarts, baby bottles and diapers, eager for some fun and games.

Many of the proud parents and babies were accompanied by doting grandparents.

"Enjoy them before they grow up and leave home," said JSH executive director and chief executive officer Norita Ahmad, referring to the empty nest syndrome that parents experience when their children leave home to study or work.

She also encouraged parents to nurture their families because the future of young families is also the future of the country.

She was clearly delighted to meet the babies again and took time to appreciate how each was growing up so beautifully.

Chong Guo Huei, wife Suh Fenq and 8-month old baby Jun Jie made an attractive team in Manchester United jerseys.

"My whole life changed after the baby arrived," said Suh Fenq and went on to discuss how each time she went shopping now, her priority was to buy baby clothes.

Jun Jie is the paternal grandparents' first grandchild and it was interesting to see that the new grandmother no longer shopped but always found something nice to buy for the baby.

At 14 months, Devraj is delighting his parents Jaspreet Singh Bhuller and Baljit Kaur with his expanding vocabulary.

"His favourite word is 'shoes'," said proud dad Jaspreet. Beaming mum Baljit added that Devraj could also say "car", "papa", "mama", "hot" and even a Malay word, "jatuh"!

"He brings so much joy into our lives," said Baljit, agreeing that her son was developing so much faster as a 21st-century child.

No party is complete without some games and prizes so there was much fun and excitement as parents and their babies joined in the contests.

First, the mothers paraded with the babies for the Best Dressed Mother and Best Baby Costume contests.

This was followed by a Diaper Changing contest for fathers to race to change baby's diapers in the shortest possible time.

The panel of judges had a difficult time reaching a decision for the Best Dressed Mother and Best Baby Costume contests.

When the scores were tallied, 5-month old Keisha Nur Damia Muhammad Zikri, daughter of Nor Syazila Muin and Muhammad Zikri Sukardi, won the prize for Best Baby Costume.

The same father-and-daughter team bagged the prize for the Diaper Changing contest when Zikri changed his daughter's diaper in less than 15 seconds.

Jaspreet came in a close second as a speedy diaper changer while his other half Baljit won the prize for Best Dressed Mother.

The hospital is located at 39-B Jalan Abdul Samad, Johor Baru. For information on JSH prenatal classes, visit www.jsh.kpjhealth.com.my or call 07-225 3000.

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Selasa, 5 Julai 2011