Selasa, 13 September 2011

NST Online: Topnews

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NST Online: Topnews

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 06:27 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has conceded that Malaysian professionals are underpaid compared with their counterparts in foreign countries.

He said the state of affairs had somewhat deterred efforts to retain as well as attract good talents to work in this country.

"Although Malaysian professionals are competent, they are not being paid as well as those in other countries.

"I have been telling the private and public sectors to pay people salaries that commensurate with their skills and talents in accordance with international standards.

"So, it is my desire to see our wage rate move up steadily but with an eye on improving productivity as well," he said at the 11th Forbes Global CEO Conference here tonight.

Najib said focused efforts were needed to retain good Malaysian professionals as well as attract Malaysian diaspora back with better remuneration as a pull factor.

Also important, he said, was to create opportunities, whereby the government had undertaken various measures under Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

"I believe if we create opportunities, pay people well and push productivity, we will be able to attract more talents to work in Malaysia," he added.

On the removal of subsidies, Najib said, the government would be careful to ensure that it would not burden the people.

Najib cited some of the Arab countries which are in turmoil due to unemployment and rising cost of living.

"We are very cautious of the fact that rising cost of living is the responsibility of the government to deal with.

"Otherwise, in a political democracy, there will be a backlash against the government. So, we are committed to reducing subsidies gradually but we will have to ensure that there will be no additional burden for the people," he said. -- BERNAMA

PKR, DAP in seat row: Johor opposition leaders trade insults ahead of next polls

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 05:53 PM PDT

2011/09/14
By Shahrum Sayuthi and Chuah Bee Kim
news@nst.com.my

JOHOR BARU: All is not well between DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Johor as their state leaders scramble to put a lid on a spat over the distribution of seats among the opposition parties for the next general election.

Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau and state PKR leaders, including his counterpart Datuk Chua Jui Meng, had issued several statements criticising each other over the past few days.

It started when Dr Boo, who is the state assembly opposition leader, posted in his Twitter account last week a criticism against PKR for refusing to concede to DAP some seats allocated to it in the last general election.

Several state PKR leaders then retaliated.

They included Ledang PKR division chief Ng Keng Chuan, who, among others, accused Dr Boo of breaking a promise not to disclose details of negotiations between the two parties. akatan to capture Johor, it has made him (Dr Boo) the number one culpr it," Ng was quoted as saying by a pro-opposition web portal.

Dr Boo was then quoted by Chinese newspapers on Sunday as again criticising the PKR leadership for being dishonest in their negotiations with DAP over the distribution of seats in Johor.

He made the statement during a DAP dinner here the night before.

Chua had then replied, also in the same newspapers, that Dr Boo should not be making such statements as he was just a state leader and thus, not fit to comment on issues that should be handled by party leaders at the national level.

Chua was quoted in a China Press article as saying that Dr Boo was "arrogant and should not have made such a remark".

When contacted by New Straits Ti m e s yesterday, Dr Boo declined to elaborate and insisted that there was no tussle between the two parties.

"I do not want to talk about that again as the matter is sensitive." Chua also declined to elaborate when contacted.

"I am not interested to talk about that. I don't blame you for asking because you are not at fault. It is your boss who is to blame." In the 2008 general election, DAP contested six parliamentary seats in the state and won in Bakri, once Chua's stronghold when he was an MCA leader. Pas and PKR contested eight and 11 parliamentary seats respectively in Johor and lost all of them.

According to a source within DAP, the main tussle between the party and PKR in Johor centred on who should contest the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat and the state seats of Tangkak, Johor Jaya, Pengkalan Rinting and Bukit B at u .

Itwas learnt that both parties had even contemplated on having a three-cornered fight along with Barisan Nasional for the Gelang Patah and Tangkak seats.

The Gelang Patah parliamentary seat was said to be the most sought after by PKR to replace Chua's former seat in Bakri, which had turned into a DAP stronghold.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

NST Online: Exclusive

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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

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."

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.)

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

NST Online: Sports

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Tennis / US Open: Djokovic now eyes career Grand Slam

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 05:08 PM PDT

Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal in the US Open final in New York on Monday. — AFP picture

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic, whose US Open triumph was his third grand slam title of the season and 64th win in 66 matches in 2011, insisted on Monday that he was not invincible.

But his modesty did not prevent the 24-year-old World No 1 from keenly anticipating his next big ambition in a sport which he is beginning to monopolise -- a career Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal, who he beat 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 in a gruelling, brutal final, was the last man to win all four grand slams when he triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2010, to become the seventh man to achieve the feat.

Djokovic missed out on a rare calendar grand slam in 2011 when he lost in the French Open semi-finals to Roger Federer, a defeat which ended his 43-match winning streak.

But despite dominating 2011, winning three majors and 10 titles in all, including five Masters, Djokovic is desperate to keep predictions in check.

"I am not invincible," said Djokovic.

"I just think a positive attitude keeps you on top of your game, when you go on court and when I had the start to the year that I had.

"Of course I want to win more majors and prove things to myself. It would be unbelievable to complete the Grand Slam.

"I need to win the French Open, but I think it will take time."

Despite Djokovic's caution, he still has many backers including American legend John McEnroe whose all-time season-best record of 82 wins against just three defeats, set in 1984, is now well within the Serb's sights.

"He has had the greatest year in the history of our sport," said McEnroe on Sunday.

The statistics back up McEnroe's conclusion.

Featuring amongst Djokovic's 64 wins are six in six matches against Nadal -- all in finals -- four wins against just one loss to Federer and two wins and one defeat against World No 4 Andy Murray.

Even that loss to the Scotsman in Cincinnati was due to an injury retirement when Djokovic damaged his shoulder.

Despite his heroics and the belief that leading Serbia to the Davis Cup last year was the catalyst to his successes, Djokovic also believes the seeds of his victory in New York were in the first round last year.

Then he had to come from a set down to defeat compatriot Victor Troicki in a duel which taught him many things about his game, lessons which became important when he saved two match points in the semi-finals against Federer before finishing runner-up to Nadal.

"Last year I made the final but I could have easily lost in the first round. I overcame that.

"I needed those tough matches to get confidence and the belief that I could win the majors.

"Something just clicked. In the previous years, I hadn't changed my game in any big way and my strokes were still the same and was hitting the shots I wanted to hit.

"But I had difficulties approaching semi-finals and finals.

"I would wait for players to make mistakes.

"I didn't have the positive attitude. That has changed now -- the 2010 US Open was the turning point." -- AFP

Football / Malaysia Cup: Negri keep up fiery form

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 05:03 PM PDT

NEGRI Sembilan kept their 100 per cent record intact in the Malaysia Cup while the Klang Valley derby between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor turned out to be a bore yesterday.

Negri, the former champions, edged Super League runners-up Terengganu 1-0 in a Group B match in Paroi.

An on-form Hairuddin Omar and Ahmad Fakri Saraani were Negri's most hardworking players in the first half as their darting runs and skill tormented Terengganu's defenders.

Hairuddin almost took his Malaysia Cup tally to four goals but his spectacular scissor kick was saved on the line by Terengganu keeper Sharbinee Allawee in the 12th minute.

The homesters continued to dominate proceedings and their persistence paid off in the 65th minute through Shahurain Abu Samah.

The midfielder ran through the Terengganu defence before flicking the ball past keeper Sharbinee for the lead.

Negri have collected a maximum of nine points from three matches, and ahead of Terengganu by three points in the group.

Premier League champions PKNS FC recorded a slim 1-0 win over Sime Darby FC for their first victory in the competition.

T-Team regained their form with an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Police in a Group D match in Kuala Terengganu.

T-Team made several changes to their squad after last weekend's defeat to KL by replacing goalkeeper Jibrail Kamaron with Zairi Hafizi Idris and also bringing on striker Haris Safwan, who was a substitute in previous matches.

It took some time before T-Team broke the deadlock through a spectacular Zairo Anuar Zailani's corner kick, which swerved into the back of the net in the 44th minute.

Defender Norhazly Alias scored his third straight goal in the competition, when he headed home Norfarhan Mohamad's cross a minute later.

Fitri Omar added their third when he poked home a rebound in the 66th minute.

Zairo turned provider for T-Team's fourth goal when his pass found an unmarked Norfarhan, who in turn steered the ball past the out rushing Police keeper Hamdan Sairi in the 76th minute.

Kuala Lumpur lead the group by a point after sharing the spoils with Selangor in a 0-0 draw at the Selayang Stadium

Selangor dominated the first half and could have scored on several occasions but for wayward finishing and fine goalkeeping by Norazlan Razali.

Amri Yahyah chipped just over the bar, Razman Roslan sent a free-kick straight at the goalkeeper while Fadzli Saari shot at Norazlan in the space of 10 minutes midway through the half.

Norazlan then twice denied Selangor, first sticking out a leg to block Fadzli's point-blank attempt before tipping Amri's free-kick on to the bar in stoppage time.

In Kuching, Johor FC recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Sarawak in a Group C match to stay in contention for a spot in the quarter-finals. Veteran striker Eddy Helmi scored a penalty in the 54th minute.

Surprise package Sabah and Perak maintained their supremacy in Group A with each earning three points once again yesterday.

Perak fought hard to edge Kedah 2-1 in a match, which was stopped by the referee for 10 minutes after fans threw flares onto the pitch.

Shafiq Jamal (16th) and Failee Ghazali (38th) scored for Perak while Kedah replied through Khyril Muhymeen (36th).

Zainizam Marjan scored a brace in the 36th and 55th minutes to help Sabah beat Premier League side Johor 3-1 in Kota Kinabalu.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

NST Online Business Times : latest

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Khazanah identifies more assets for sale

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 07:41 PM PDT

Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysia's state investment company, has identified further assets to divest and is waiting for the "right timing," Managing Diretor Azman Mokhtar told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He didn't say what might be sold. -- Bloomberg

MAS to name MD soon: Khazanah

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 07:38 PM PDT

Malaysian Airline System Bhd, the national carrier, will soon announce the appointment of a new managing director, according to Azman Mokhtar, managing director of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, its biggest shareholder.

Collaboration between Malaysian Air and local rival AirAsia Bhd. is required, although that alone isn't sufficient to ensure a turnaround, he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

HAWAIIAN NIGHT

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 10:57 AM PDT

2011/09/13
By Chuah Bee Kim

Befrienders JB celebrates its fifth anniversary with a party themed Hawaii 0-5

MEMBERS of the Befrienders Society Johor Baru, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that offers emotional support using telephone therapy, recently took time off and let their hair down at the non-governmental organisation's fifth anniversary and fundraising dinner themed "Hawaii 0-5".

After listening to countless sad stories over the past year, the members showed up at the dinner in casual wear, beaming with delight as they welcomed each guest with a garland made of drinking straws and plastic flowers stringed together.

The volunteers were joined by fellow volunteers from Befrienders Centres in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Ipoh, Seremban, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.

About 600 people attended the event, organised in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept 10 which had the theme "Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies".

National Council of Befrienders Malaysia secretary, Lilian Chui, represented president Joshua Ling who was unable to attend the function.

Chui lauded Befrienders JB for extending its hours from five to eight since June last year to cater to the increasing number of distress calls.

"The growth and success of Befrienders JB is largely dependent on having dedicated and capable volunteers who make a difference in the lives of the people they come into contact with over the phone," said Chui.

Also present were Befrienders JB president, Esther Teo, and event organising chairman, Lim Kok Sin.

Johor Baru member of parliament Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was the guest-of-honour at the event, pledged an annual grant of RM3,000 towards Befrienders JB.

Shahrir also announced that a conference will be held on Nov 5 in Johor Baru to provide a platform for private corporations nation-wide to meet with NGOs in Johor Baru.

The aim of the inaugural event is to matchmake NGOs with private companies for a possible year-long collaboration as part of the companies' corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

Shahrir, who is organising that event, said there are 190 NGOs in his database. He also urged the NGOs to get ready their 2012 budget for the conference so that they can submit them to the companies.

Among the highlights of the evening were a martial arts performance, packed with kicks and punches, by the Win Long Taekwondo Club, and an energetic performance by a Michael Jackson impersonator.

One supporter who was not a member of Befrienders JB volunteered to set up a booth selling items made from recycled materials, with all the proceeds going to the NGO.

There were also lucky draws, a bellydancing performance and a song number that kept the crowd entertained throughout the night.

A total of RM33,000 was raised from the charity dinner, surpassing the target of RM24,000 which was needed for the annual running of the NGO.

A public seminar to create awareness on suicide prevention was also held at 11@Century Hotel in Taman Century, Johor Baru, the following day.

There are currently 46 volunteers, and the NGO is embarking on another recruitment drive in November.

Using 'Johor Streets' to teach English

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 10:22 AM PDT

2011/09/13
by Vincent D'Silva

MUCH has been written over our students' poor command of English.

The deputy prime minister himself lamented that after 13 years of learning English in school, our young people's proficiency remained poor.

The time has come for us to check on the decline of English among schoolchildren. The question that needs to be asked is this: Is the problem with the teachers, textbooks or teaching methods?

Yes, in order to have a good command of English we need to do lots of reading, especially for school-going kids. The more you read, the better your grasp of the language.

Perhaps our younger generation is spending too much time in front of the computer and sending SMSes to their friends, and less time reading and talking.

I have noticed that a number of schools in Johor are encouraging their students to read newspapers.

Teachers at these schools have realised that the Newspaper-in-Education (NIE) method can help to bring about a tremendous improvement in the students' English proficiency.

Some schools here are using Johor Streets as an educational aid during English lessons. Teachers have commented that this has sparked renewed interest in the subject among their students.

Many teachers feel that Johor Streets is a good choice as it highlights local and current issues in the state which students can identify with.

M. Pushpam of SK Bandar Uda 2 has been using Johor Streets to teach English for several years.

She said it was an ideal teaching tool as it was a "slice of real life" and could be used to integrate issues of the day in English lessons.

"I find teaching English the newspaper way is an excellent and inexpensive way to motivate students," she said.

"Teachers should not be expected to work to a rigid syllabus, and must be given leeway in their approach to teach English."

She stressed that it was not an "added burden" for the teachers to try NIE in class.

"I know that a great concern among teachers is whether they would be able to complete the year's syllabus if they were to incorporate NIE into their classes," Pushpam said.

Irene Lee, an English teacher and author, said: "Using Johor Streets has a more appealing and stimulating feel. Furthermore, the paper highlights localised issues that our students are familiar with."

She pointed out that Johor Streets offered a wealth of materials for class activities incorporating grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension skills and dialogue practice.

"News develops every day. The beauty of the newspaper in the classroom is that it is also fresh each day. It comes to you with the latest news and information and, unlike other media, comes beautifully written with lots of detail," she said.

Desmond Pereira, a retired principal said: "Children should hear, or read news about what is happening in their own country before they hear or read news about events in other countries."

Pereira said this was an extension of the educational principle "from the known to the unknown".

He said: "The truth of this principle is self evident, in view of the fact that what children see happening in their own environment naturally has a greater impact on their senses, and therefore their understanding, than what happens further afield."

Initiated by the New Straits Times in 1985, the NIE was aimed at championing the Education Ministry's goal to improve English Language teaching and learning through nationwide workshops and printed education supplements.

Vincent D'Silva is an English lecturer who has been in the teaching profession for more than 22 years.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Selasa, 13 September 2011