Khamis, 13 Oktober 2011

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Posted: 13 Oct 2011 10:50 PM PDT

MECCA: Haj pilgrims from Malaysia are reminded to carry out their haj and umrah rituals with confidence and not to follow the actions of pilgrims from other countries.

Tabung Haji consultant Datuk Seri Hassan Ahmad said the reason being that the haj pilgrims from other countries could be from a different sect.

He said he had heard of pilgrims paying "dam was-was" (doubt penalties) to certain quarters for their doubtful actions.

"There is no 'dam was-was. It is something made up by certain quarters," he told a media conference here Thursday.

He advised Malaysian pilgrims to refer to the 37 Tabung Haji counsellors should they have any doubts.

"If they are still not sure, they can come to us (consultants)," he added.

Besides Hassan, who is also Penang Mufti, the other Tabung Haji consultants for the current haj season are Johor Islamic Religious Council adviser Datuk Noh Gadot and a member of the Tabung Haji adviser, Maznah Daud.

Hassan said the consultants would meet the counsellors from time to time to obtain feedbacks as well as brief them on matters pertaining to haj and umrah.
-- BERNAMA

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Wife rescues bed-ridded husband in fire

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 10:45 PM PDT

RANTAU PANJANG: A fire which destroyed eight houses and three shophouses at Jalan Sekolah Cina last night almost cost a bed-ridden former taxi driver his life.

However, Mohd Rosdi Rashid, 49, who was crippled following a stroke was rescued by his wife Rubiah Ruman, 48, in the 8.15pm incident.

Rubiah said they lost almost everything but she was thankful her husband who was now receiving treatment at the health centre for injuries caused by a falling piece of burning wood, and their five children, were safe.

"I only managed to salvage my handbag which contained my identity card but all the other documents including my children's birth certificates were gone," she said when met at the scene.

The family's motorcycle was also destroyed.

Another victim Noraida Ismail, 39, said she and her seven children were watching television and rushed out of the house upon realising there was a fire.

She said her husband Azmi Mat Yatim, 36, was not in the house as he was working in Pasir Mas.

"We are temporarily staying with a neighbour," she said, suspecting that the fire was caused by a short circuit as many of the affected buildings were very old.

Meanwhile, Rantau Panjang Fire and Rescue operations officer Abdul Ghani Mamat said three fire engines and 18 personnel were rushed to the scene after receiving a call and managed to control the fire within 30 minutes.

He said the cause was still being investigated. No loss of life was reported.
-- BERNAMA

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NST Online: Topnews

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Najib: 1Malaysia spirit will help us persevere

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 06:38 PM PDT

2011/10/14
By Eileen Ng
news@nst.com.my

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak attempts a karate chop on a wooden block in a symbolic gesture to launch the 7th World Karate Junior and Cadet Championships in Malacca. From left are Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Antonio Espino Ortueta, the president of the World Karate Federation. — NST picture by Rasul Azli Samad

MALACCA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called on Malaysians to join hands and subscribe to the 1Malaysia concept to overcome future challenges.

He believed that if Malaysians were imbued with the right set of values, attitude, world views and had a positive outlook to life, no obstacles would be insurmountable.

"We can overcome all challenges if we join hands, close ranks and believe in the 1Malaysia (concept).

"If you throw your weight behind the government, I promise you, we'll deliver a better future for all Malaysians," he said in his speech at the ground-breaking of the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies at Bukit Katil here yesterday.

His remarks were met with thunderous applause from some 500 people, including attendees from Singapore, China, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Present at the function were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, the academy chairman Prof Chin Kung and president Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew.

Scheduled to be completed in Dec 2013, the academy aims to share Chinese philosophies and values. It will teach Chinese fine arts such as calligraphy, painting and music.

Najib called on Malaysians to "break down the walls" that separated everyone and stand together to show the world that Malaysia, as a multiethnic and multireligious country, was united.

He said if everyone had a single vision and worked together as one nation, Malaysia would be on its way to becoming a great country.

"I believe there is greatness in store for Malaysians. We are a blessed nation, God has given us so much. Let us put to good use the fortune given by God by showing that Malaysians can rise above problems."

He also paid tribute to the academy, saying that it would attract scholars worldwide who would know more about the country as well.

He said it was fitting that the academy was being built in Malacca as China and the state had a long history, beginning with the arrival of Admiral Cheng Ho from China some 600 years ago to establish trade and relationship with the Malacca Sultanate.

Earlier, Najib opened the 7th World Karate Junior and Cadet Championships where he hoped to see a healthy spirit of competition.

He said karate was much more than competition, a desire to succeed and be the best. It was also about focus, discipline and perseverance.

Also present were Ali Rustam and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

More than 1,200 participants from over 77 countries took part in the event, which will end on Sunday.

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Electoral clean-up

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 06:38 PM PDT

2011/10/14
By Mazlinda Mahmood
news@nst.com.my

Commission to display 40,000 'questionable' names

SHAH ALAM: The Election Commission (EC) will soon be displaying 40,000 "questionable" names in the electoral roll to clean up and dispel perceptions that it is tainted.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the list would be displayed for public viewing at more than 1,000 places nationwide, as well as on the EC website and in newspapers.

He said only the individuals concerned could correct the errors found on the list, and not EC.

"We will divide the list into states, constituencies and localities. We will then display the list so that everyone can see if the people actually exist or have died." He was speaking after a briefing for returning officers and assistant returning officers in preparation for the 13th general election here yesterday.

The term "questionable" refer s to a number of discrepancies and inaccuracies, including cases where a voter's name differs from that in the National Registration Department.

There were also cases brought up by political parties of voters who were once civilians but have since joined the army, and cases of non-citizens who had been granted citizenship.

Aziz said the EC had a team to continuously review questionable addresses on identity cards, and other discrepancies on gender status and religion.

"It is just that we did not announce this to the media. The NRD and EC are not 100 per cent perfect.

"Therefore, we welcome the assistance and cooperation of political par ties.

"What I am sad about is when political parties do not refer discrepancies to the EC but highlight them in blogs and the media instead, and (in the process) belittle the EC." Aziz said the EC had stopped the services of 94 assistant registrars and given stern warnings to 163 others for various reasons, including submitting dubious registration for ms.

On yesterday's briefing, he said it was the first of a series organised for returning officers and assistant returning officers so that they were in a state of preparedness whenever the next general election was called.

The next briefing will be held in Kelantan, followed by Perak, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Johor, Kedah and Sabah.

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NST Online: Exclusive

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I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 11:25 PM PDT

I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul

2010/10/29
By NST team in Gua Musang, Kelantan
news@nst.com.my

GUA MUSANG: Pas' candidate Dr Zulkefli Mohamed remained a good sport over jokes that his stocky frame might tire him fast during the campaign trail.

He said he was used to work long hours when he was a doctor at government hospitals in the past.

"There were times when I had to work over 36 hours on a stretch, then. I think I can keep up with the hectic campaign schedule now," he said.

Dr Zulkefli, 44, will be up against Barisan Nasional's Abdul Aziz Yusoff, 49, in the Galas by-election on Nov 4.

Some segments of political watchers have been heard making comparisons between the two candidates of their physiques.

Such light banter follows an absence of substantive issues to debate since campaigning started on Nov 26.

Dr Zulkefli said he was feeling alright even when there were many places to visit over the past three days.

To keep fit, he said he took a lot of water and sufficient rest.

When a reporter asked about his weight, Dr Zulkefli said: "I do not know. Let us keep it as a secret."

In jest, he said he could take on Aziz in a running or tug-of-war competition.

Visit us for more web exclusives everyday from NST Galas team. For full stories and in-depth news, get NST in print tomorrow.

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Sabah Umno reaching the 500,000 mark

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 08:17 PM PDT

Once upon a time, a real history took place and handed down the real lessons out of the events concluded that a small number can defeat a huge number of opponents by the will of Allah taala. Therefore, in the modern institutions and struggle like political institutions, this lessons of history is still relevant and worthy to ponder. In fact, there are many facts to ponder on why the listed numbers of political members do not reflex the true pictures.

The Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman's recent annoucement of Sabah UMNO success in the recruitment of membership drive does not mean much to me as it seems to suggest it is the result of his leadership.

A leader should be humble and not self glorifying. One's work should be judged by the people and not himself.

I still remember our DPM, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin remark in the opening of the PBS congress in Kota Kinabalu recently where he said "he has done little in the success of the Batu Sapi by election ".

Frankly how many can do that ?

This is the model of leader we must emulate - humble, unassuming and lead by example.

Traits of great leader who make small people feel great.

Afterall, recruitment of new members in any party is the duty and obligation of its leaders.

It is not a competition as it is the quality and not quantity of the effort that count.

We should not trumpet about it.

High membership in any political party does not guarantee success if the party and its leaders do not command the support from its ranks and files as well as leaders from other coalition parties, particularly in the state of Sabah.

Having such a mentality would breed complacency and place the party concerned and BN in a perilous situation.

Sabah UMNO chief, Datuk Musa Aman's annoucement that their membership drive to date has reached 456,000 membership level, the highest among all other states is indeed quite credible.

The first thing that comes to thought is 456,000 is 456,000 until the half million mark is reached which is another 44,000 more to go and this is not a small number.

In the annoucement, last year alone, they only managed to recruit 40,000 new members and has no mention of what this year's result is ?

Has the effort reached been saturated is another question that surfaces in my mind.

My concern however is in any numerical assessment, we must give the picture in its correct perspective and not try to over dramatise or sensationalise it to justify certain motives, personal or otherwise.

And when figures concerning and affecting the outcome of an election, the state and the image of UMNO and Barisan Nasional, we have to be careful and truthful.

The annoucement also gives rise to many questions to be answered.

First, how many of these registered members will actually and eventually vote and vote for BN comes election time?.

Is the annoucement trying to suggest we are growing stronger, there is nothing to worry and we can repeat the big win in the state achieved in the last election ?

The Batu Sapi by election is no doubt the combined efforts in greater and lesser extend of all state BN coalition members.

However, with the bad blood that existed all along with the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Musa Aman and PBS president, Datuk Pairin, with SAPP president, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the duel was in actual fact a life and dead battle among the subject combatants.

Aided by a predominantly bumi constituency,the vast resources from BN and the ever tireless presence of our DPM, the vast win at Batu Sapi could be an isolated incident.

Removing these factors, or in a diluted extent, the result could be different.

As a rough estimate, Sabah with a population of 2.5 million and say,with a 60% eligible voters, it will work out to have about 1.5 million potential voters.

From the above, the present UMNO membership only represents to about 30% of the total possible voters. Will that be adequate to determine another landslide victory in the coming election ? given the fact there 60 constituencies in the state ? Many in the last encounter encountered sort of narrow escape ? The growing number of unresolved problems faced by the people todate? The discontents of the present leadership among the files and ranks ? How much support the present state leadership since last reappointed, still enjoy is therefore any one's guess.

To me the annoucement seems to be made in conjunction with the coming BN convention in Kuala Lumpur in an effort to influence its outcomes

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NST Online: Sports

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Football / Malaysia Cup: Big five back to boost Perak

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 11:45 AM PDT

2011/10/14
By Devinder Singh
devinder@nst.com.my

Perak's Akmal Rizal (centre) is expected to terrorise Selangor at Perak Stadium today.

IT will be a different Perak side which Selangor will face in the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals return leg in Ipoh today as skipper Shahrulnizam Mustafa and striker Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli are set to start after returning from suspension.

The duo, along with teammates Nasril Nordin, Syazwan Roslan and Azmeer Yusoff, had their seven-match suspensions lifted by the FA of Malaysia on Monday and came on as substitutes in Perak's 3-1 defeat at the Shah Alam Stadium.

Coach Norizan Bakar is now set to throw caution to the wind and field Shahrulnizam and Akmal from the start as Perak look for the 2-0 win at the Perak Stadium which will send them into the semi-finals against either Negri Sembilan or Felda United.

The five players were originally only expected back if Perak reached the semi-finals but the lifting of the ban could not have been more timely, which came hours before the first leg but not soon enough for Norizan to include them in the starting line up.

But it was only when Shahrulnizam and Akmal came off the bench did Perak begin to pose a threat to Selangor and managed to pull a goal back through Failee Ghazli and give them a lifeline.

"We have no choice now but to win. The players must double their effort. What's happened is in the past and there is no use thinking about it.

"It is up to the players to make sure what they want is realised," said Norizan after the first leg.

Norizan is set to restore Shahrulnizam in the centre of midfield and pair Akmal with Failee, the striker who is on loan from Premier League side Universiti Sains Malaysia and has scored five goals in the Malaysia Cup.

Failee, the second highest scorer in the tournament after Kedah's Khyril Muhymeen Zambri (six), has impressed Perak officials so much that his loan stay will be made permanent along with Rafiuddin Roddin, who has been released by Young Tigers A.

This was confirmed by Perak FA president Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin at the association's annual meeting earlier this month.

While Perak welcome back their key players, Selangor coach P. Maniam has to protect his side's lead without the suspended Bunyamin Umar who was sent off in the first leg for collecting two yellow cards.

Maniam, however, does not believe Bunyamin's absence will affect his side with Hardi Jaafar more than capable of filling the defensive midfielder's role.

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Tennis / Shanghai Masters: Murray lives to fight another day

Posted: 13 Oct 2011 11:42 AM PDT

Juan Carlos Ferrero lies on the court after missing a shot and falling in his third round match against David Ferrer at the Shanghai Masters yesterday. Ferrer won 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 — AFP picture

SHANGHAI: Defending champion Andy Murray survived a testing encounter with Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters yesterday as David Ferrer saved three match points to progress.

Second seed Murray, on a red-hot run of form of 21 wins from 22 matches coming into the clash against the Swiss 13th seed, won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 under the roof at the Qi Zhong Stadium.

The British player looked set for a straightforward victory after taking the first set but cut a frustrated figure as he conceded a break of serve in the second set as Wawrinka levelled the match with an ace.

Murray raced into a 5-0 lead in the decider as Wawrinka was warned by the umpire after smashing his racquet but despite a late wobble, he closed out the match and remains on course for a title clash against top seed Rafael Nadal.

Earlier, Spain's Ferrer edged into the last eight when he beat injured Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Third seed Ferrer won the all-Spanish tie 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 after a major fright in the 10th game of the second set, when he was forced to dig deep to hold serve and prevent Ferrero from sealing the win.

The win for Ferrer means he becomes the fifth player to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals, featuring the world's top eight singles players over the year.

"I served very well in important moments," said the Spaniard, referring to how he saved the match points.

Speaking about qualifying for the season-ending showpiece, Ferrer said: "I think this season I have played really good tennis. I am very consistent. Maybe it is my best year of my career. I think so."

Injury-cursed Ferrero had strapping applied to his right ankle midway through the second set after a nasty tumble and although he recovered to force the match points, his challenge faded in the third set.

American 10th seed Andy Roddick reached the last eight after an impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over Nicolas Almagro, seeded seven, of Spain.

Roddick secured a single break in each set, wrapping up victory with his 11th ace in a controlled display that saw him make just 14 unforced errors.

Ukrainian 12th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov also reached the quarter-finals, beating Australian teenager Bernard Tomic while Japan's Kei Nishikori triumphed over Santiago Giraldo of Colombia.

l LONDON: Rafael Nadal will miss next year's Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen's Club and instead play at Halle in Germany, media reports said yesterday.

Nadal won Queen's in 2008 but will instead head for German grass, with the BBC reporting that the Spaniard's switch is linked to tax reasons but also the offer of a large appearance fee in Halle, his rival Roger Federer's own preferred Wimbledon tune-up.

Under British tax legislation, sports stars must pay a portion of tax on their worldwide endorsements, the proportion determined by how much time they compete in a year in Britain.

They must also pay around half of their appearance fee.

The British tax ruling also was a factor in sprint Olympic champion Usain Bolt skipping the London Diamond League meeting last year.

Reports said Nadal had been offered around E1 million (RM4.3 million) to play in Halle.

Queen's tournament director, Chris Kermode, says he hopes Nadal will return soon to the event. -- AFP

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

GOLDEN OLDIES

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 09:13 AM PDT

2011/10/12
By Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed

Johor Senior Citizens Association members and their families enjoyed themselves during the association's eighth annual family day

Over 150 Johor Senior Citizens Association members and their families had great fun at the association's eighth annual family day, held recently at Hutan Bandar in Jalan Tasek Utara.

They played childhood games like the fishball-and-spoon relay and took part in a jogathon.

The participants arrived as early as 6.30am to sign up for activities such as the Modenas rim race, pass the parcel, baby elephant walk, flour-blowing relay and laughter yoga.

Children were included in the fun in the colouring competition open to those aged five to 10.

Stulang assemblyman Mok Chek Hou flagged off the 2km jogathon.

Prior to that, Mok joined the members in a brief laughter yoga session led by JB Happy and Joyous club members.

In his speech, Mok commended the association for organising a programme that was meaningful and fostered goodwill between members.

He also stressed on the importance of being fit. "Regular exercise reduces the risks of falling ill," he said.

Aishah Hamid and T. Parameswari, both 60, were in good spirits after crossing the finishing line of the jogathon.

"I feel healthier for it. Jogging with friends is a fun experience," said Aishah who is the state welfare council secretary.

Parameswari, who signed up as an association member six months ago, said she would participate in all the programmes the association organised.

Heng Kok Kai drew the most attention at the race as its oldest participant The gritty 97-year-old come up ninth behind eight contestants who were at least 30 years his junior.

His secret formula for staying healthy and alert was happiness and a good diet -- both to be applied at all times.

The Modenas rim race had participants push a motorbike rim along with the aid of a stick for about 75m. The race was won by 53-year-old Lim Tuan Cheat.

Zohdan Omar's team won the "baby elephant walk" by covering 100 metres in 15 minutes. "We practised consistently a week prior to the race and we made sure to only have a light breakfast today," said 72-year-old former secondary school principal who led the team.

Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian launched the event.

Also present were state welfare council vice chairman Mohamad Abdul Jalal and the association organising chairman Soon Boon Keng.

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Longing for the good old 'kapchai' days

Posted: 12 Oct 2011 07:22 AM PDT

2011/10/12
by Wazi Abdul Hamid

AS a former motorcycle racer, I hold a high regard for Johor racers as the state has had many successful racers in motorsports at the national level.

The early 1990s saw many races in the state, and most of us racers would look forward to perform our best.

I started my racing career in my home state of Perak when I was still in my late teens. I later made it to the national circuits by successfully racing in the cub prix series.

The cub prix (kapchai or underbone bikes) races were popular back in the 1990s, and most Johoreans tend to dominate the races at that time.

The regional racing circuit in Pasir Gudang, now known as the Johor Circuit, was important as the region's best motorcycle and car racers once battled it out on its tarmac some 20 years ago.

At that time, the Johor Motorsports Club (JMC) was among the most active state-level sanctioning motorsports clubs.

It constantly organised big race events in Johor, and were also regular participants in national events in other states.

It taught me that in order to do well as a club owner and organiser, one must be active at the grassroots-level to promote the sport actively.

Despite not actively competing as a racer anymore, I am still very much in touch with most of the motorcycle race teams, and also the Suzuki Racing Team which was known as the Hi-Rev Suzuki Team when I was racing with them in the 1990s.

That's how I receive feedback on the current state of the cub prix scene.

My friend and former racer Shahrul Yuzy Ahmad Zaini is retired, but acts as a team manager for a cub prix team and will explain any new developments in the sport to me.

Obviously, things are different now as there are many developments in the field of motorsports, especially motorcycle racing, as the demand is for less polluting emissions such as four-stroke machines.

However, since the mid- to late 2000s, JMC has not been active. This has resulted in a lack of Johor-born talents who make it to the top-level kapchai and car races.

Johor had potential in motorsports in the late 1980s and 1990s, as I had many memorable wins in the state, especially at the Pasir Gudang circuit.

I still remember my first kapchai race in the state that was held in Batu Pahat in 1990. Following this, I raced in Johor at least once a year for the cub prix and other race events that were held there for the next decade.

Of late, I feel that Johor as a state is not that active in organising racing events as before.

Even Malacca, which was once not even listed in the annual motorsports calendar, is now on many race organisers' agenda as its state government has been aggressively promoting the state as a destination for such events.

Personally, I feel that Johor can still rise again to be back in the motorsports scene with support from the state government and various state-based motorsports clubs.

Wazi Abdul Hamid, 41, is a veteran motorcycle racing champion and the undisputed Malaysian Kapchai King. He is still active in the motorcycle scene and divides his time between family and his beloved sport. He is also a motorcycle safety consultant to schools and government agencies.

Interview by Ben Tan

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Khamis, 13 Oktober 2011