Ahad, 21 Ogos 2011

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KTMB not amused by healing-track seekers

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 04:41 PM PDT

KTMB not amused by healing-track seekers

2011/08/22
Ling Poh Lean
lplean@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) said it has encountered trespassers lying on railway tracks in the mistaken belief it could improve their health.

A spokesman said they were mainly foreigners, particularly Bangladeshis.

"We are not sure if this works, but it is clear to us that this is a dangerous act," he said.


KTMB has since increased checks to prevent people using the tracks for "healing" purposes.

Under the Railways Act 1991, trespassers may be fined RM1,000.

The origins of such "cures" can be traced to the village of Rawa Buaya, near Jakarta, and a Chinese report.


The Javanese village made world news following reports that villagers there sought train-track therapy to ease aches and pains.

They believe the mild current passing through their bodies when they lie across the track makes their pain go away and eases the symptoms of conditions ranging from diabetes to arthritis.

International media reports said what inspired this was the tale of a paralysed Chinese who tried to commit suicide on the railway tracks but ended up being miraculously cured instead.

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KTMB not amused by healing-track seekers

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‘Big Brother’ on roads

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 04:39 PM PDT

2011/08/22
Minderjeet Kaur and Roy Goh
news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists will soon have a sense of "Big Brother" watching over them on roads and highways, officials said.

Under the delayed Transport Ministry's automated enforcement system (AES), cameras will be installed by year-end at 600 to 800 accident-prone areas with signs alerting motorists to the camera spots.

Motorists who speed, beat traffic lights, overtake at double lines, weave dangerously or use a mobile phone while driving, are the targets.


The principle behind the AES was to deter motorists from violating road rules.

"It is to give a feeling that Big Brother is watching. The cameras are useful because we do not have enough manpower to deploy, especially at accident-prone areas," said a road safety expert, Professor Farhan Sadullah.

He said the project would benefit motorists in the long run as they would be reminded constantly not to drive recklessly.


"The objective is to save more lives."

A Transport Ministry source said the one-year delay was partly because of negotiations between the ministry and the two companies appointed to manage the system.

This had zeroed in on where the signs and cameras would be placed and how best to inform and warn motorists that "they were being watched".


The ministry had wanted the signs to be placed at the location of the cameras, while the companies wanted them placed in a 14km radius of the cameras so that motorists would only be warned that they were passing a hotspot area.

A source said the companies had argued that it would be difficult to make money if motorists knew the exact location of the cameras, because they would slow down at the spot and continue to speed at other areas.

But ministry officials felt that the objective was to deter motorists from breaking road rules.

"If the signs were in a 14km radius, motorists would be burdened with too many summonses, and that is not the aim of the project.

"It is not about making money, but to save more lives and reduce accidents," said another official.

Under AES, two types of digital cameras will be installed — static and mobile cameras. The cameras are the Australian Redflex and the Robot System from Germany.

The official said a compromise was reached earlier this year where both parties agreed to have the some signs at the exact spot for the static cameras while keeping an element of surprise with the mobile cameras.

"It is not only a win-win solution for both parties, it also meets the objective of road safety experts — to force motorists to drive cautiously at some of the most accident- prone areas."

The camera idea was first mooted five years ago. The ministry had hoped to implement the first phase of the project last year.

The delay was also caused by failure to reach an agreement on the companies' cut from each summons.

Both companies had proposed taking RM16 for each summons issued, after issuing summonses worth RM5 million.

The ministry is looking into this.

A Transport Ministry source said the one-year delay was caused partly because of negotiations between the ministry and the two companies appointed to manage the system.

They had debated over where to place the signs and cameras and how to inform and warn motorists that "they were being watched".

The ministry had wanted the signs to be placed at the locations of the cameras, while the companies wanted them placed within a 14km radius of the cameras so that motorists would be warned that they were only passing a hotspot area.

A source said the companies had argued that it would be difficult to make money if motorists knew the locations of cameras as they would slow down and then speed in other areas.

But a ministry official said: "If the signs were within a 14km radius, motorists would be burdened with too many summonses, and this is not the aim of the project.

"It is not about making money, but about saving more lives and reducing the number of accidents."

Under AES, two types of digital cameras -- static and mobile cameras -- will be installed.

The cameras are Australia's Redflex and Germany's Robot System.

The official said a compromise was reached earlier this year where both parties agreed to have signs at the exact spots for static cameras while keeping an element of surprise with mobile cameras.

"It is not only a win-win solution for both parties, but it also meets the goals of road safety experts, that is, to force motorists to drive cautiously in accident-prone areas."

The camera idea was mooted five years ago.

The ministry had hoped to carry out the first phase of the project last year.

The delay was also caused by failure to reach an agreement on the companies' cut from each summons.

Both companies had proposed taking RM16 for each summons issued, after issuing summonses worth RM5 million.

The ministry is looking into this.

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Global business leaders to attend Forbes Global Conference 2011 in KL

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 09:49 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 400 global business and thought leaders are set to gather in Kuala Lumpur for the 11th Annual Forbes Global CEO Conference from Sept 12-14.


This year's conference will focus on assessing the outlook of the world economy during these volatile times. It will also examine the risks and opportunities arising from a fragile world economy.

The conference is organised in collaboration with the Malaysian government, Julius Baer, EMR Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services, Corporate Executive Board, ADS Securities, Steinway Lyngdorf, Royal Falcon Fleet, Research In Motion, FICOFI and Weber Shandwick.

In a statement today, the organisers said the theme of the conference is," At the Crossroads".


It will also see the participation of Malaysia's top political leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"At the crossroad of global trade, Malaysia is an ideal destination for identifying opportunities for investment and economic cooperation that will help put the global recovery back on track," said Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa bin Mohamed in the statement.

Besides political leaders, prominent individuals from the business world, both locally and internationally will also be present.

They include the Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, the Group CEO of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Vice Chairman of Tata Consultancy Services, S. Ramadorai. --BERNAMA

Prasarana to continue managing until handover to MRT Co.

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 08:28 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) will continue to manage all issues related to the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project until the establishment of MRT Co.


Prasarana will cooperate with the government and the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) to ensure all works continue to progress and in accordance to the schedule, said group managing director Shahril Mokhtar in a statement today.

"Work on the MRT project needs to continue. It is only rationale that we carry on with all works and programmes that had been decided before we officially hand it over to the new MRT Co.," he added. Shahril said several matters pertaining to procurement and briefings havebeen held, while a briefing was scheduled with property owners at Jalan Bukit Bintang on the land acquisition issue today.

"Tomorrow, we will have a pre-tender briefing for all the pre-qualified contractors. All these meetings and the firmly scheduled events need to go on without disruption," he added.


He also said that Prasarana, which was established to transform the country's public transportation system, needs support from other relevant parties to deliver its objectives.

"Public transportation is always about working closely with all our partners and stakeholders. MRT Co is now a new partner to work with us on the MRT, which eventually will be part of our services and responsibility, when it's ready," he said.

Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak announced that the Cabinet had decided to set up MRT Co under the Ministry of Finance Inc., to directly oversee the multi-billion ringgit Klang Valley MRT project. --BERNAMA

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Petronas Dagangan looks overseas

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 06:15 PM PDT

Petronas Dagangan Bhd, the best-performing stock in Malaysia's benchmark index this year, plans to extend its reach in Southeast Asia after making its first overseas venture into Indonesia.

The retail arm of Malaysia's state oil and gas group Petroliam Nasional Bhd is "always looking for acquisitions," and is particularly interested in the oil and gas product markets in the Philippines and Thailand, Chief Executive Officer Amir Hamzah Azizan said August 19 in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

Expanding abroad will generate growth beyond Petronas Dagangan's home market where it has supplies 51 per cent of the nation's liquefied petroleum gas according to its 2011 annual report. The company had cash of more than RM900 million (US$302 million) at the end of June.

"We need to start laying seeds," Amir said. "At some point, we will top out. When you top out, then you sit on earning whatever the normal demand growth is in the country."

Petronas Dagangan closed unchanged at RM17.40 in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 19, bringing its total gain this year to 49 per cent. It is the best performer in the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index, which has dropped 2.3 per cent. Over the past year, its shares have risen 66 per cent.

The company wouldn't rule out the possibility of acquiring sister company PT Petronas Niaga Indonesia, which runs 19 petrol stations in the most-populated nation in Southeast Asia.

"If we believe that a combined entity is better than two stand-alone, I'm sure we will do it," Amir said without giving a time frame.

Profit Growth

Petronas Dagangan posted net income of RM869.7 million for the year ended March 31, 16 per cent more than a year earlier. Over a five-year period, its earnings grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 6.3 per cent, according to Bloomberg calculations.

Petronas Dagangan, which also supplies 60 per cent of commercial demand for petroleum products in Malaysia and is second only to Royal Dutch Shell Plc in the lubricant market, has started selling its products in Indonesia to Petronas Niaga Indonesia, which is wholly owned by Petroliam Nasional, better known as Petronas.

"Indonesia is a big market," said Amir. "We have just scratched the surface of it. I am hopeful that we can get a bit more growth on the volume."

Dividend Policy

Petronas Dagangan, set up in 1982, now has more than 960 petrol stations in Malaysia, he said, adding that it will add 30 more by the end of this year. It aims to increase its market share to 40 per cent from 32 per cent in the retail segment, and to 28 per cent from 22 per cent in the lubricant segment, over the next five years, he said.

The company's newly introduced dividend policy of paying about 55 per cent of its profits as bonus to shareholders on a quarterly basis is "sustainable" in view of its growth prospects, Amir said.

"Because the returns are sustainable and fairly predictable, that's no reason why I would need to wait until the end of the year to declare dividends," he said. -- Bloomberg

Tenaga drops to 28-month low

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 06:19 PM PDT

Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Malaysia's biggest power producer, fell to a 28-month low after saying it may not be able to maintain its dividend payments this fiscal year due to higher fuel costs.

The stock dropped 2.2 per cent to RM5.43 at 9:07 a.m. local time in Kuala Lumpur trading, set for its lowest close since April 15, 2009. -- Bloomberg

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Football / EPL: Villas-Boas wants 'public' support, not jeers

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 05:48 PM PDT


LONDON: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has told the club's supporters they must be more tolerant with the players to have a chance of taking the Premier League trophy back off Manchester United.

The former Porto manager, who is hoping a deal for Valencia forward Juan Mata is near completion, tasted competitive victory for his new club for the first time on Saturday when Chelsea came back from behind to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Albion had led 1-0 at half time thanks to an early goal from Shane Long, the Republic of Ireland forward, and many Chelsea supporters booed the home team off at the break.


Chelsea revived to win the game through goals from Nicolas Anelka and substitute Florent Malouda, moving to third in the table as one of four teams with four points from two games.

Villas-Boas called upon the people he calls 'the public' to be more supportive in future however.

"For us to go through an intense Premier League season we need support, a good environment and good commitment from the public," he said. "We need a good empathy from the public to this team to be champions again.


"This team want to be champions again and the public demands it. We are listening to their demands and we want to perform but we need the full support."

Chelsea had been poor in the first half, especially for a team with so much Champions League experience, and the goal they conceded in the fourth minute was certainly avoidable.

Ramires, the midfielder, played a sloppy pass to centre-back Alex, who was robbed by Long, who sprinted away to score.


Anelka's equaliser was helped past goalkeeper Ben Foster via a deflection off the leg of defender Jonas Olsson in the 53rd minute but Chelsea were already looking more cohesive by that point.

Albion continued to create occasional chances themselves but were undone seven minutes from time by a fine move from Jose Bosingwa, who cleverly beat two opponents in one go and crossed to the back post where Malouda, who had come on before half time for Salomon Kalou, applied a cool finish.

"Today (Saturday) was a very emotional game and the emotional part of the game was the main difference between the first half and the second," Villas-Boas explained. "In the first half we suffered a little bit from anxiety.

"The players couldn't express themselves to their full talent and I don't think that was anything to do with the changes that we made. Our half-time talk was to free them from the anxiety.

"The public was anxious, the players were anxious but there was still 45 minutes to play and anything could happen. And when you do find the back of the net then the emotional impact on the opponent is tremendous. We felt very confident to go in search of the second goal."

The result was a second successive defeat for Albion, who had played well against Manchester United on the opening day only to be beaten by an own goal. Long also scored in that game, which also finished 2-1.

"It feels like a little bit of deja vu as we didn't do badly against Manchester United, when we played some good football but conceded a late goal," said Albion manager Roy Hodgson. -- AFP

Football / EPL: City slickers

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 05:43 PM PDT

Mancini's men hold off fightback for top spot

BIG-SPENDING Manchester City showed their Premier League title credentials with a 3-2 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium yesterday.

Goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko — three lavish signings from previous seasons — maintained City's 100 percent record as they moved to the top of the table.


There was also a substitute appearance from Carlos Tevez, the unsettled Argentine striker who hopes to leave City before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

Mancini gave a first start to Sergio Aguero after the Argentina forward's two-goal cameo appearance against Swansea on Monday.

But it was Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who played the key role as City took the lead in the 26th minute.


Spanish midfielder Silva fired in a speculative shot from the edge of the area and Jaaskelainen made a complete hash of his attempted save, allowing the ball to spill through his hands into the net.

There was no fortune about City's second goal in the 37th minute as England midfielder Barry smashed a ferocious effort past Jaaskelainen from 20 yards.

Bolton mounted an immediate response and Ivan Klasnic got one back two minutes later when the Croatian met Martin Petrov's drilled low cross with a first-time shot that gave Joe Hart no chance.


City restored their two-goal advantage two minutes into the second half when Bosnian forward Dzeko deftly flicked the ball over Zat Knight and ran clear to drive his shot beyond Jaaskelainen.

But Bolton rarely surrender at home and Kevin Davies put the pressure back on City as he scored with a towering header from Petrov's free-kick in the 63rd minute.

Wolves maintained their 100 percent start to the Premier League season as goals from Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis secured a 2-0 win over Fulham.

Mick McCarthy's side had beaten Blackburn in their opener last weekend and they built on that solid victory with an equally impressive display in their first appearance of the campaign in front of their own fans at Molineux.

Fulham were swept aside by two goals in three minutes just before half-time as Republic of Ireland striker Doyle struck first before England winger Jarvis put the hosts in complete control.

At Carrow Road, Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones hit a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against 10-man Norwich City. — AFP

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