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PM announces release of 125 held under Restricted Residence Act

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 11:07 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced the immediate release of 125 people held under the Restricted Residence Act 1933 and the cancellation of more than 200 warrants yet to be served.

The announcement comes in the wake of the motion to repeal the act tabled for
second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today by the prime minister.

"I stand in this august house today to launch the process to deliver the
government's promise. In this world, very seldom does a ruling government
voluntarily relax the power it wields," he said.

When tabling the Restricted Residence (Repeal) Bill 2011 for second reading,
Najib said the repeal of the act and several other acts was part of the

beginning of the country's Political Transformation Programme (PTP) which
complemented the ongoing Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the
Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

"I and my colleagues will not shy away from going forward and, in fact, are all
the more committed to doing the best for national harmony. Indeed, this is just

the beginning," he said.

Najib, in his special message on the eve of Malaysia May on Sept 15, had
announced the repeal of the Emergency Proclamation 1969, the Internal Security
Act 1960 and the Banish Act 1959, and a review of the Restricted Residence Act
1933, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Section 27 of the
Police Act 1967.

The prime minister said the main thrust of the PTP took into account the
national aspiration to build a modern and progressive Malaysia with a
functioning democracy.

He said this was to balance the needs of national security and individual
freedom by taking into consideration the complex national pluralism and the
threat of global terrorism in a post-9/11 world.

Najib also hit out at the opposition parties which claimed that the government
had implemented their proposed plan to abolish the ISA and other laws if they
come to power.

"These people are crowing that the government stole their plan. In fact, we
were influenced by no one ... we were pressured by no one. The government made
the decision on its own will by launching the reform and improvement process.

"The test was whether we kept our promises. Others can claim these to be their
ideas or views, but they are not the government given the mandate by the
majority of the people to deliver on its promises," he said.

Najib said the transformation measures initiated by the government were not
born out of internal or external pressure or due to fears and concerns.

Instead, they were drawn up by the Barisan Nasional government as a responsible
government which had concern for the people at heart and understood their
aspirations, he added. -- Bernama

Muhyiddin warns schools barring students from taking exams

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 08:34 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today warned of action against schools which deliberately prevented any pupil or student from sitting for important examinations.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the Education Ministry was
scrutinising the reports it had received on the matter.

There have been reports recently that some schools prohibited pupils weak in
their studies from sitting for examinations so as to maintain a high pass rate.

Muhyiddin said the teachers could not be blamed if the pupils or students
themselves did not wish to sit for the examinations.

The deputy prime minister spoke to reporters after a visit to Sekolah Menengah
Kebangsaan Seri Hartamas near here to have a first-hand look at the students
sitting for the 2011 Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination which began
yesterday.

The PMR students were taking their English Language Paper 1 examination

then. Muhyiddin reiterated that schools should not be too obsessed with attaining academic excellence to the extent that they denied any pupil or student his or her right to sit for important public examinations.

"No one should be denied his or her right to sit for a public examination,"
he said. He reminded schools not to repeat the mistake and to ensure that every pupil or student was provided ample opportunity to get a proper education and sit for examinations to gauge their achievement.

Muhyiddin also said that an award would be introduced this year to accord
recognition to parent-teacher associations which helped to raise the achievement
of pupils or students.

He said an evaluation would be made of these associations which actively
collaborated with the school administration to elevate the achievement of the
pupils or students. -- Bernama

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Cops bust international theft syndicate

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 10:48 PM PDT

2011/10/05
By Hariz Mohd
news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted an international theft syndicate comprising Latin Americans that has been preying on bank customers around the city for the past three months.

Two of the syndicate members were detained near a bank in Jalan Ipoh here last Friday, when they were about to execute their plan on a victim.

City CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah said further investigations then led to the arrest of three other men in Puchong, and police are looking for another 10, including two women.

"This syndicate operates by stationing their female members, who sometimes wear tudung, in the banks to identify prospective victims.

"The others will then place a special spike made of hollow metal rod under the victim's vehicle rear tyre.

"When the victims drove their cars, the spike will puncture the tires before one of its members acted like a good samaritan and pointed it out to the victims," he told reporters at Tun Razak police station here today.

He said when the victims stopped and were focusing on changing their tires, the syndicate members will sneak around and take the money that the victims kept in their vehicle.

Ku said the syndicate was responsible for at least five cases around the city since the past three months, and did not rule out that they might have also operated in other states.

"The five cases involved losses amounting up to RM600,000, and from records of car rental in other states, they might also be responsible for other cases there.

"Police also found that the syndicate members might have conducted similar crime in other countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Korea," he said.

"However, we are still trying to identify their true nationality, as the passports they used here were fake," he added.

Australia’s RBA officials concealed corruption evidence report

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 07:35 PM PDT

CANBERRA: Senior Australian central bank officials helped conceal evidence of corruption at two bank subsidiaries accused of bribery to help win overseas contracts to print banknotes, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper alleged on Wednesday.

Top Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) officials suppressed damaging information between 2007 and 2008 about payment of secret commissions to middlemen hired by Reserve firms Note Printing Australia (NPA) and Securency to win bank note contracts in Nepal and Malaysia, the report said.

The RBA has a half-share in Securency International, which is being investigated by Australian police, Britain's Serious Fraud Office and Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission, prompting calls from some Australian lawmakers for a judicial investigation so far rejected by the government.

"The government will not be running a commentary on these matters while they are still under investigation by the appropriate authorities and there are court proceedings pending," a spokesman for Treasurer Wayne Swan said.

RBA Deputy Governor Ric Battellino, a former deputy governor, Graeme Thompson, and former NPA boss Chris Ogilvy were among officials who knew of the concerns, the Herald said.

Evidence of the cover-ups was contained in dozens of internal documents from the bank and the bank note firms, including many seized by police after executing search warrants, it said, without naming sources.

Police in July charged Note Printing Australia and Securency over alleged payments to officials in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam between 1999 and 2005 following a two-year inquiry.

The RBA and its partner in the Securency joint venture, Innovia Films, are looking for a buyer for the firm, and this year valued its half share at A$54 million.

RBA Governor Glenn Stevens said in July that six men charged no longer had any connection with the companies or the RBA, and nobody at the central bank had been accused of any wrongdoing.

The RBA denied the latest allegations in a statement and said on Wednesday they were based on "inaccurate and incomplete facts", although details could not be addressed as they were the subject of court proceedings.

"The Australian Federal Police has stated on 1 July that no RBA board members have been involved in any wrongdoing and that the charges against the companies are not a reflection of board members being complicit in or having knowledge of any illegal activity," the RBA statement said.

The Australian Greens party, which holds the balance of power in parliament's upper house, said Stevens and other RBA officials could be asked to appear before lawmakers to answer questions over the new allegations.

"Twice this year Reserve Bank officials, including Glenn Stevens, have told the parliament economics committee that officials really didn't know about any of this at the time. The problems is that the revelations coming out today throw that into question," Greens MP Adam Bandt told Australian radio. -- Reuters

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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.)

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Joseph aims to shine Down Under

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 05:09 PM PDT

Joseph Kallang Tie is set to earn his first international cap.

NEWCOMER Joseph Kallang Tie will fill up the void left by midfielder Safiq Rahim for Malaysia's international friendly against Australia on Friday.

Joseph is set to earn his first cap at the expense of Safiq, who has been dropped.

"What a way to earn your first cap. It will be tough but I'm ready for the challenge," said Joseph by phone from Canberra yesterday.

"He (Safiq) is a very experienced player and I will have to match his qualities here. It is a chance of a lifetime and I do not want to waste this opportunity to impress the coach (K. Rajagobal)."

The Sarawak-born normally plays on the flanks for Super League side Terengganu but is equally good when given a chance to marshal the central midfield.

"I don't think the change from my usual position would affect my performance as I like going forward," he added.

Joseph hopes to make an immediate impact in his first international match.

"It would be great if we can earn at least a draw. However, all of us need to play above ourselves to get a good result."

KRANJI TRACKWORK: Shaw’s Lizarre in winning form

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 05:08 PM PDT

IT could be a case of third-time lucky for Lizarre when he takes on a Class 3 field over 1700m on Friday.

Sent out for a spot of work on the training track yesterday morning, the Patrick Shawtrained five-year-old went like a winner over the 600 metres in 37.7 seconds. He had jockey Barend Vorster in the saddle.

After winning three trials in fine fashion, Lizarre was seen as a good thing when he made his Kranji debut on Sept 11.

Backed down to short odds, he went down by five lengths to Run For The Hills.

That was over the 1200m trip. He tackled a more suitable distance in his next start but again found one to beat in Hint whowon by three parts of a length.

The South African-bred goes over 1700m on Friday. It looks right up his alley and it could be when Lizarre atones for those two defeats.

It's been a long time between drinks, but fans of Excelify could quench that thirst when their runner goes over the 1100m on Friday.

Taken out for a gallop yesterday, the threetime winner showed keen action when he covered the 600m in 38.6s. He had Danny Beasley in the saddle.

Excelify was a debut winner in May, 2009.

He scored his second win in October that year and put win No. 3 on the board in May this year.

Since then, it has been a bleak season for this runner from trainer Michael Freedman's yard. In the last six months, he has had seven starts and the closest he made to greeting the judge was when he ran second to Amadeus Mozar t in a in a 1200m race in June.

But all that could change on Friday when the son of Exceed And Excel tackles a Class 3 field over the sprint. In the form he is in, it could pay to have him in your calculations.

RACE-BY-RACE

WORKOUTS by horses handicapped on Friday:

- Open Benchmark 97 — 1100m: Coup Align 41.6. Fantastic Owners (Aslam) 38.2.
McClintock (Powell) 42.2. Amadeus Mozart (Placais) canter/fastwork. Ten Ten Lai 39.9. Monday: Ten Ten Lai 36.7.

- Class 3 — 1700m: Lizar re (Vorster) canter /3 7 .7 . Imager y (Beasley) 38.5. Joyluck canter/37.9. John Of Arch 41.5. Quinta De Lago (TH Koh) canter/37.3. Raw Courage (Sivan) 37.2. Daad's The Way canter/fast - work at the hill track.
Monday: Monterey 38.4.

- Class 3 — 1 10 0 m: Do r ae m on canter/38.6. Macau (Shafiq) canter/42.2. Excelify (Beasley) 38.6. Ma rcu sin o ca nte r/ 40. 4. How good is that (Aslam) 39.3. Monday: Lago Bay 38.4. Hush Hush (SH Low) 38.2.

- Class 4 — 1600m: Super Rich 39.5. Daring Splendour (Soo) canter/42.2. Li ra
37.2. Chief Secretary canter/38.2. Social Network (Chavez) 38.5. Stride Meteor 36.9. Ice Age (WL Tan) 38.1. Double Ransom (Woodworth) 38.2. Dash For Wincanter/41.1. Eighth Wonder 38.2. Golden Friends canter/36.4. Anak Piasau 37.
Monday: Anak Piasau 45.9.

- Class 4 Div 1 — 1200m: Senor Linear (Soo) 40.9. Swagge r (Placais) canter/36.5. Probo Chandroso (Anandan) 36.2. Beam Me Up 38.6. Br ian 40.6. Astronaut Man (SH Low) 40.1. Good Towkay 39.9. Lightning Ace
37.4. Monday: Nadal canter/pacework at the hill track.

- Class 4 Div 2 — 1200m: Popi Popi 36.5. Yin Xin (Soo) 38.7. Sichuan Ruler (Low) 38.2. Zac Heaven 38.6. Shen Kim 41.9. Monday: Rare Earth 36.3.

- Class 5 Div 1— 1700m: Dan Noble 36.5. Monsoon Break 38.2. Whirlr unner (Saifudin) 35.2. Drama Superstar (Woodworth) 39.6. Buzet (Shafiq) 42.5. Volkov (YF Leong) 35.1. Double Dose 38.5. Kaepeeyai 40.3. Chevy (Chavez) 40.1. Good General (Saravanan) 41.8. Monday: Mesti Boleh 38.9.

- Class 5 Div 2 — 1700m: Sky Mountain 37.8. Boom Town canter/36.4. Bicara (Airy) canter/42.3. Conquest 40.1. Max Resources 39.7. Rieussec Magic canter/37.3. Viper Man 38.2. Lucky Empress 42.3. Monday: Silent Faith (Firdaus) 37.3.

- Class 5 — 1200m: Bengawan (Saifudin) 40.3. Queen Kell (Chavez) 37.7. Sir Excellence 36.5. Sky Protege 36.8. Speedy Phil 38.7. Apache Junction (Oon) 39.2. Cr ucible (KK Ng) 39.6. Feeling Good 35.1. Pasha Khan (Powell) 41.2. Fuku's Pet 42.1. King Of Lotus 42.3. Monday: Lucky Find 37.9.

- Restricted Maiden—1000m: Napoleon B (Anandan) 38.7. Damaipuri 37.2. Rumpelstiltskin 40.9. Fountain 43.5. Natural Nice (Koh) canter/38.2. Xin Treasure 38.2. Monday: Newfoundwealth canter/43.3.
The Hustler 38.2. — TNP

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Foreign funds sell RM300m shares in Sept

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 06:13 PM PDT

Overseas investors sold Malaysian stocks for a second straight month in September, as the benchmark index capped its biggest quarterly slump in almost three years.

Foreign funds unloaded RM300 million (US$94 million) of Malaysian shares last month, according to data on the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange's website. Some RM3.8 billion flowed out of equities in August, the most since at least October 2009, after four consecutive months of inflows.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index slumped 12 percent last quarter, the most since the three months ended December 2008, as concerns Europe's debt crisis will hurt economic growth eroded demand for emerging-market assets. The ringgit completed its biggest quarterly loss since 1998.

Malaysian stocks were cut on Sept. 28 to "equal weight" from "overweight" at Morgan Stanley, which cited earnings revisions and weaker industrial output. Government data on Sept. 9 showed industrial production contracted 0.6 percent from a year earlier, compared with the 2.4 percent growth economists in a Bloomberg survey had forecast.

Before the sell-off, overseas investors piled into Malaysia's stock market, betting on the nation's efforts to bolster economic growth. About RM6.7 billion of foreign funds flowed into Malaysian stocks from April to July, according to stock exchange data.

Prime Minister Najib's government unveiled an economic transformation program in September 2010 that was aimed at attracting investment. The plan includes US$444 billion of programs this decade ranging from mass rail to nuclear power, led by private and government-linked companies. On July 8, Najib broke ground on a RM48 billion mass rail network aimed at easing traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur. -- Bloomberg

IOI Corp upgraded to 'neutral' at OSK

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 06:14 PM PDT

IOI Corp, a Malaysian palm oil producer, rose the most in a month after OSK Holdings Bhd upgraded the stock to "neutral" from "sell."

The stock gained 3.8 percent to RM4.60 at 9:05 a.m. local time, set for its steepest increase since Sept. 2. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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CELEBRATORY RIDE

Posted: 03 Oct 2011 10:44 AM PDT

2011/10/03
By Ahmad Fairuz Othman

The 1Malaysia Convoy of 235 superbikes visited Pasir Gudang as part of their 11-state tour to mark Merdeka and Malaysia Day

A CONVOY of 235 superbikes with more than 400 participants made a stopover in Pasir Gudang during a six-day trip across all 11 states in the peninsula recently.

The group was part of the Superbikers Association of Malaysia (SAM) and others which took part in the 350km 1Malaysia Convoy on Sept 16.

It was held in conjunction with the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.

The group arrived at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Indoor Stadium on Sept 21.

They were treated to Hari Raya delicacies as the reception doubled-up as an Aidilfitri celebration.

They were entertained by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, who sang a couple of lagu asli.

The pop superstar and her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, were participating in the convoy.

SAM honorary chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi praised the organisers and participants for promoting patriotism through the programme.

"Many participants got off from work to take part in this event, and they endured rain and heat for the sake of patriotism," said the defence minister.

He said the convoy was different from others as the 400 participants had visited and stayed at 13 army camps and police training centres during their journey.

"Participants included the public, army personnel, police and members of biker associations."

Zahid said big bike convoys were becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia, and this was acknowledged by signature big bike maker Harley-Davidson.

He said the American company had stated that it was interested in choosing Malaysia to host a regional event to celebrate its 105th anniversary.

Participant Ahmad Kamel Hussein, 58, said he rode his GS BMW bike at about 110 to 120kph on federal roads.

"Besides being a rider, I was the videographer for the convoy. Riding a high-powered motorcycle requires mental and physical stamina, and a lot of discipline."

Kamel, who manages a company that manufactures handwoven gloves in Kota Baru, Kelantan, said he often had to fork out between RM2,000 and RM3,000 to maintain his machine.

Baihaki Muhammad, 36, who rides a Ducati Multistrada, said it was the first time he had taken part in a motorcycle convoy across the country.

"I was very excited about being a participant as it was my first time," said the Kota Baru businessman.

"I have been riding big bikes for the past year and I enjoy it as it provides an opportunity for me to relieve stress from work.

"It is a healthy activity which involves exploring new places by road," said Baihaki.

Nuri Rahman, 42, said the 1Malaysia Convoy was well-planned and prioritised the safety of each participant.

"SAM has always been a good organiser of convoys, and this particular event was no exception," said the business development manager.

"The organiser made sure the marshalling was in place, that the police helped in controlling the traffic and proper accommodation was provided."

Nuri, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, has been riding big bikes for 20 years.

She has been using a Kawasaki ER 6F in the past year.

"There is a lot of excitement when I ride with friends. It is about the brotherhood of bikers. If any of us face difficulties on the road, an accident or whatever, we rely on fellow bikers to help us," said Nuri.

The woman from U.N.C.T.A.D

Posted: 03 Oct 2011 10:15 AM PDT

AS a teenager living with my parents and siblings in Sibu, Sarawak, I dreamt of travelling to many countries.

I wanted to work with Malaysia Airlines as that would give me the opportunity to visit exotic places.

I applied for the post of personnel manager with the airlines but did not get it.

I was glad when later on, I managed to get a job that enabled me to fly around the globe.

I have always been a little adventurous.

Before applying for the Malaysia Airlines position, I was a volunteer in the Army Reserves, also known as the Wataniah.

In 1980, I became the first Sarawak-born woman to be commissioned as an officer by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.

My career at the Kuching Port Authority took an exciting turn. I was sent for a two-week workshop for training managers in Plymouth, England.

I was 35 years' old at the time and had just returned to Malaysia after getting my Masters degree in Business at the New Hampshire College, United States.

At the end of the workshop, the facilitator offered me the job of establishing a regional resource centre with The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

This was under the Training In The Field of Maritime Transport (Trainmar) programme.

I was excited but hesitant. Coming from a small town, I did not know what would be expected of me, and my son was at that time five months old.

But my husband told me to say yes first and to negotiate the terms late r.

The general manager at Kuching Port Authority was very nice about it.

He said I could go back to work there if things did not turn out well. So, I went on 'secondment" to the United N at i o n s.

I was to be a course designer in maritime transport with Unctad on a 20-month contract. Our aim was to train course designers and instructors at 12 training centres of port authorities in the Asia Pacific.

I was tasked to set up the Trainmar regional resource centre at the Johor Port in Pasir Gudang. At age 36, when I finally came to Johor, I was the youngest field expert with the title "junior expert". My 20-month contract stretched to eight years.

During those globetrotting days, I had the time of my life. I have travelled to and worked in 42 countries including Jordan, Albania, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

I was also on "loan" to other United Nations agencies such as International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok and United Nations Ocean of the Seas, I applied the same systematic methodology to train course designers and instructors.

I am currently an English lecturer at Sunway College Johor Baru.

I love teaching because it gives me great pleasure when the students improve their oral and written communication skills.

Now that I have travelled the world, I realise that I really like my current home in Johor Baru. However, I do love visiting Thailand with the Philippines coming in a close second.

I like Thailand because over there, your money can stretch a mile and I also get to talk to the locals as I have picked up a smattering of Thai words. Of course I also love the spicy food and the friendly people. Asians are more communal while Westerners are very individualised.

I am happy to visit friends and relatives, but I would not want to stay with them for long. I am the eldest of six siblings and they are all overseas except for a sister in Penang.

I have two brothers in Australia, a sister in Canada and another sister in England.

Teresa Yeo, 59, lives with her husband, a fish breeder in Taman Suria, Johor Baru. The couple have a daughter studying law in Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom and a son who is a cadet pilot with Singapore Airlines.

Interview by Chuah Bee Kim

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Selasa, 4 Oktober 2011