Selasa, 19 Julai 2011

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King calls for stronger KL-Seoul ties

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 11:31 AM PDT

King calls for stronger KL-Seoul ties


 Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin  inspecting a guard of honour on his arrival in Seoul yesterday. — Bernama picture

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin inspecting a guard of honour on his arrival in Seoul yesterday. — Bernama picture

SEOUL: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has urged the government to strengthen relations with South Korea.

The king, who arrived here yesterday with Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah for a two-day official visit, said the republic had vast potential for growth.

This is the king's first state visit to South Korea following President Lee Myung-bak's visit to Malaysia last December.


Tuanku Mizan urged Malaysians, including students in South Korea, to play an impor-tant role by assisting in efforts to strengthen relations.

"They must respect the local culture and community as long as they live here.

"They must also project themselves with dignity, respect and safeguard the good name of our country and religion.


"I am proud to note that Malaysians living in South Korea are mostly made up of students and youth sent here under the Look East Policy executive development programme," he said after a dinner with some 100 Malaysians last night.

Accompanying the king are International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Malaysian Ambassador to South Korea Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim. -- Bernama

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Suhakam: Call it advance voting, not postal voting

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 11:30 AM PDT

2011/07/20
By Minderjeet Kaur
mkaur@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: A Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner yesterday suggested that the term "postal voting" be corrected and changed to "advance voting" as ballot papers were no longer mailed to the army or police personnel.

The suggestion also received support from the Election Commission, which explained that although the the mailing of ballot papers to service personnel ended in 1990, the term postal votes remained until today.

Suhakam Commissioner Shaani Abdullah said postal votes described the method of voting in an election with ballot papers distributed and returned by post, while in truth, the army and police personnel were allowed to vote in advance.


"They cast the votes a day or two earlier and it is then sent to the polling stations, not posted."

He added that advance polling is held to allow every citizen who might not be able to vote on election day to vote. It is also held to increase participation and relieve congestion at polling stations on the election day.

EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar echoed his sentiment and said the correct term was advance voting.


He said the first postal voting exercise was carried out during the country's 1959 general election with the ballot papers sent via the postal service, but it it was discontinued because the boxes often did not arrive at the counting stations on time.

"It was such a waste. There were too many ballot papers not counted as votes. A review later discovered that the post offices did not have enough time to mail all the ballot papers to the respective counting stations.

"Since then, ballot boxes are flown in through military or police courier once it is verified and checked by the officers and the candidate's representatives.


At the counting stations, the ballot boxes are again checked by the returning officers, who are mostly district officers or council presidents, for verification."

Wan Ahmad said the commission was also in the process of developing a software to allow all house owners to check the number of voters in their units.

"This will allow them to check if there are other voters registered under their address. Sometimes, the names of their dead parents or grandparents might still be in the electoral roll as the families often fail to inform the National Registration Department of their deaths.

"In early days, most citizens register as voters by writing their names and addresses. Their names are still in the system because family members did not update the NRD records. Now people say these are phantom voters".

But once the software is implemented, he said EC would be able to keep their records updated.

"It will eliminate the perception that we plant phantom voters."

At present, registered voters key in their MyKad 12 digit numbers for details of their voting centres at the EC's website available online.

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Court upholds sentence on teacher

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 11:15 PM PDT

ALOR SETAR: The High Court here affirmed the eight-month jail sentence imposed on a teacher who was found guilty of sodomising two of his students six years ago.

Judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab said the Alor Setar Sessions Court was correct in imposing the sentence on Muhammad Nizar Shuib.

"Having look into the defence's submission, I found that there was no strong ground to reject the prosecution's argument which had proven the charge beyond reasonable doubt," Mohd Zaki said.


Muhammad Nizar, 30, was found guilty under Seksyen 377E of the Penal Code of committing the offence on the two students, both aged 11.

He was suspended from work when he was charged in court in 2004. -- BERNAMA

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'Disseminate info to Malaysian students abroad'

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 10:26 PM PDT

SEOUL: The Malaysian government should provide various mediums to channel the latest information on domestic issues to Malaysian students abroad so they are not misled by false information, several Malaysian students here said.

Amirul Fazreen Mazli, 22, said the government should provide various channels so that Malaysian students abroad can get accurate information about issues back home.

"Currently, we depend on information which are found on social websites or blogs, which resulted in many students being influenced by what they read although the information may not be true," said the third year engineering student at Korea University.


He was speaking to Bernama after attending a dinner in honour of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah here last night.

More than 100 Malaysians here attended the dinner. Also present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Malaysian ambassador to South Korea Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim.

Amirul Fazreen said among the steps that could be taken included having more meetings between government leaders and Malaysian students abroad.


Another Malaysian engineering student at the same university, Wan Mohd Hanif Wan Ismail, 22, who agreed with Amirul Fazreen, said the students were exposed to false information available on web pages.

"With the government channeling information to us, we can have an accurate and true picture of any incident or issue taking place in Malaysia," he said.

He also described the illegal rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9 as tarnishing the image of Malaysia in the eyes of the world.


"It is noble to want a transparent election but organising illegal gatherings is not the right way," he said.

Meanwhile, Ramlan said an attempt by certain quarters to hold a gathering here on July 9 fell through because Malaysian citizens in South Korea did not support the move. -- BERNAMA

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Flood spoils 30-year vinyl collection

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:27 PM PDT

2010/11/10
Adie Suri Zulkefli
adie@nst.com.my


Tengku Nahar Tengku Mansor holds his treasured collection of Michael Jackson Thriller at his flood-ravaged house at Taman Rakyat, Alor Star. NST picture by Ramdzan Masiam

Tengku Nahar Tengku Mansor holds his treasured collection of Michael Jackson Thriller at his flood-ravaged house at Taman Rakyat, Alor Star. NST picture by Ramdzan Masiam

ALOR STAR: Flood victim Tengku Nahar Tengku Mansor, 48, was devastated when he came home to find his collection of vinyl records was soaked in mudwaters after the city was ravaged by floods last Wednesday.

The father of three only realised the irreparable damages when he returned to his house at Taman Rakyat, Jalan Sultanah Bahiyah here on Saturday after seeking refuge at a relative's home in Hutan Kampung.

Self-employed Tengku Nahar said his record collection were kept in the storeroom of his double-storey house and he had forgotten about the records when his family were rushing to evacuate the house last week.


"I was busy moving our furniture to the upper-floor when the flood started to reach our doorstep last Wednesday. I forgot about the records that was stacked in a box which I placed on the floor of the store room," said crestfallen Tengku Nahar.

Tengku Nahar said he may salvage the vinyl records but the album covers were spoilt.

His collection includes evergreens and superstars the likes of Bee Gees, Dan Hill, Neil Young, David Gates, Kim Carnes, Cliff Richard, Nat King Cole, and Graham Nash.


Tengku Nahar began collecting the vinyl records in the 1970s, and he loved each of them dearly.

"This is the precious collection of my life, I simply could not believe that I forgot about them when we were leaving the house," he added.

Tengku Nahar had lived in Langkawi for over 20 years before moving back to his hometown in Alor Star two months ago.


"I had never expected this area would be inundated by flood as it was never badly affected even during the major flood in 2005. I certainly hope that it would not occur again," he said.

He thanked the volunteer rescuers for helping them in the evacuation process.

"I didn't realise how serious the situation was until the rescuers arrived at 11pm on Thursday telling us to leave the house as the authority was about to cut-off the electricity supply on safety ground," he said, sharing his first experience with flood disaster.

Tengku Nahar said he was planning to frame all the vinyl record and have them hung on the wall but did not have the time to do so.

He only managed to frame his most treasured album 'Thriller', by the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. "At least I still have this."

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Nation needs DNA banks, says lead CSI

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 10:50 AM PST

2010/12/08
By Nor Hidayati Mokhtar

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia needs to build DNA banks or repositories to assist in solving crimes and prosecuting cases, according to a senior forensic police officer.

Head of the Police Forensic Lab's Crime Scene Unit (CSU) Supt Amidon Anan said the ability to collect DNA at crime scenes often proved futile as the forensic lab had only a limited bank of samples.

"Having the DNA is useful if we have suspects we can match the samples against. But we are unable to use the samples to help us find potential perpetrators as we don't have DNA banks like what you see on the television series CSI," said Amidon.


He was speaking to students from UiTM's Faculty of Communication and Media Studies on the topic, 'Crime as the elective subject' at the campus here on Oct 5.

The need to create and develop DNA banks was critical, said Amidon, given the high public expectations on the police to safeguard society and reduce crime.

He said: "DNA banks can help the CSU in many pending cases, such as Nurin Jazlin. It was sad that while we were able to collect a DNA sample from the body of the child, we had little means or resources to match it with the likely murderer," he said.


Nurin Jazlin was a high-profile case of a missing child whose body was subsequently dumped in a gym bag in Petaling Jaya more than three years ago.

Amidon expressed his frustration that the CSU's repeated requests for the establishment of DNA banks seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

While the cost of implementing such a project would be substantial, he said it would only escalate over time and "if not now, then when?"


"It is not about being a hero in solving these cases. It is about finding justice for the victim's family."

"Having this ability to solve and prosecute cases would significantly reduce the ability of criminals to get away with their crimes," added Amidon.

(Ed: This article first appeared in Varsity Voice, a monthly publication jointly produced by the New Straits Times and Universiti Teknoogi MARA (UiTM) under the newspaper's Journalism on Campus project.)

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Ajiya gains on Q2 net income jump

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 06:21 PM PDT

Ajiya Bhd, a Malaysian building materials supplier, rose to its highest level in almost a month after second-quarter net income rose 13 per cent to RM7.2 million.

The stock gained 1.1 per cent to RM1.78 at 9:01 a.m. local time in Kuala Lumpur trading, set for its highest close since June 24. -- Bloomberg

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Mitrajaya climbs on lab complex job

Posted: 19 Jul 2011 06:20 PM PDT

Mitrajaya Holdings Bhd, a Malaysian builder, rose to a one-week high in Kuala Lumpur trading after winning a RM13.5 million contract to construct a laboratory complex.

Its shares climbed 3.4 per cent to 60.5 sen at 9:05 a.m. local time, set for their highest close since July 13. -- Bloomberg

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History of modern Johor in musical extravaganza

Posted: 18 Jul 2011 10:55 AM PDT


A scene from  ‘Bumi Berlantai Permata’.

A scene from 'Bumi Berlantai Permata'.

THE history of modern Johor and the Johor sultanate was staged in a musical at Bukit Timbalan in conjunction with the 8th JB Arts Festival in Johor Baru, recently.

The cast of Bumi Berlantai Permata (The Bejewelled Land) won the hearts of the audience. About 1,500 attended the musical which ran for five nights.

The musical caught the attention of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who came to watch the 90-minute production last Saturday, the last day of the performance.


The production had better-than-expected audio-visual effects which boost the quality of the musical.

Two actors -- Bulat and Kecil -- with the help of an antique camera, brought the audience to the 1860s, an era of turbulence, punctuated by threats of colonisation.

The simple language, and synopsis of the play projected on a screen, made it easier for the audience to enjoy the musical.


According to history, Sultan Abu Bakar, with the support of Chief Minister Dato Ja'afar, Dato Mohd Salleh Perang in Muar and the Chinese migrants led by Tan Hiok Nee, suppressed the rebels in northern Johor in what is now known the Jementah Civil War in 1879.

Later, the sultan, who was a personal friend of Queen Victoria, employed diplomatic strategies to drive Sir Frederick Weld out of the State as he wanted to colonise Johor for its rich natural resources.

The role of Dato Ja'afar was pivotal in the musical, as he was in most of the scenes.


His character and wisdom were crucial as a leader during the turbulent period of 1862 to 1886.

The part of Dato Ja'afar was played by Fairuz Ahmad, whose solid and commanding voice was ideal for the role.

His English nanny, was played by Norhafzan Ahmad. She was also consulted on matters of attire and etiquette. Norhafzan's British accent is reminiscent of Julie Andrew's Maria in The Sound of Music.

Award-winning artiste Shamsul Akmal Md Iliasa played Tan Hiok Nee. Addressed as Towkay Tan by Dato Ja'afar, Shamsul put on a heavy Teochew slang which injected humour whenever he spoke Malay.

It is doubtful whether the audience understood Shamsul's intermittent Teochew phrases during his performance.

Directed by Sahruddin Manas, or popularly known in the theatrical circle as Dean Manas, the play was his third instalment for the festival after Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri and Kasih Teja Di Muara Muar.

It was produced by the Johor Society for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Alpha Consult.

Scripted by Rahimah Muda and choreographed by Shaque Saini and Khairul Anuar Bahari, the musical had a cast and crew of 70.

The 8th JB Arts Festival ends on Sunday. For details, on other events, visit jbartsfest.com/. -- By Sim Bak Heng

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PASSING-OUT PARADE

Posted: 18 Jul 2011 10:54 AM PDT

PASSING-OUT PARADE

2011/07/18
By Rizalman Hammim


Undergraduates from 14 public universities receive their commissions as junior officers of the Territorial Army

IT was a day like no other in the life of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) student Norazlan Abdullah.

On July 9, the 25-year-old, whose father is an ex-serviceman, and 1,108 other Reserve Officer Training Unit cadet officers received their commissions as officers in the Territorial Army.


The Royal Commissioning Ceremony was officiated by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, at UTHM.

Also present at the ceremony were Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Army Chief Gen Datuk Zulkifli Zainal Abidin and chairman of the board of directors of UTHM Tan Sri Jamilus Md Hussin.

Norazlan, who was chosen as the best cadet officer from UTHM, said: "In secondary school, I was active in Pasukan Kadet Bersatu Malaysia and when I studied for my diploma at Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, I joined the Territorial Army."


The final year mechanical and manufacturing engineering student, said he wanted to join the Army.

The new officers who came from 14 public universities received their commissions after three years of training.

The ceremony started with the passing-out parade by the officers at UTHM.


Looking smart in their uniforms, the officers stood at attention as Sultan Ibrahim inspected the parade onboard a special military vehicle.

The sultan also presented awards to the top 25 cadet officers. The officers received their commissions in a ceremony at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail.

Norazlan's mother Siti Rahmah Sidek, 57, said the family had always been supportive of his interest in the military

"We are proud of what he has achieved. He seems to have inherited the warrior spirit from his father, Abdullah Hasan," she added.

The top cadet officer from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Zuraini Mohd Ruslan, 22, said: "While in training, I had to be smart in dividing the time between studying and training.

"I also had to sacrifice a lot of my free time to fulfil my commitment to the Reserve Officer Training Unit.

"I learned a lot from my training, including self-discipline.

"It also prevented me from engaging in unhealthy activities," said the material engineering student.

The Reserve Officer Training Unit was established in 1979 to train public university students to become junior officers in the Territorial Army.

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