Selasa, 18 Oktober 2011

NST Online: Latest

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Malaysia on track for 4.7pc labour productivity

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:51 PM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is on track to achieve the target of 4.7 per cent growth in labour productivity this year, said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said Malaysia's productivity level or output per employee last year at US$13,577 was 3.3 times higher than China's and 4.7 times higher than Indonesia's.

"However, comparisons with the productivity levels of more advanced countries in the region such as Korea at US$33,628 and Singapore at US$54,556 confirm that there is still room for improvement," he told reporters today after officiating the Productivity & Innovation Conference and Exposition 2011 here today.

Mukhriz said Malaysia needs to benchmark its productivity level against countries like Korea and Singapore which are doing better, adding this is where the focus on productivity and innovation comes to play.

"We want to benchmark against the best, but it is not just the number, it is the real initiatives by conferencing like what we are doing today and competition where we get companies to look at specific subjects on how to improve the productivity level.

"Going by the attendance today, it tells me that people from management all the way to factory workers are very interested to improve productivity," he added.

Mukhriz said achieving productivity improvements can be thought of in terms of five interlinked catalysing factors which enable individuals and firms to thrive.

"These involve organisational development, human capital management, the capability to innovate, the ability to acquire and use technology, and efficient management systems," he said.

Mukhriz also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Pembangunan Sumber Malaysia Bhd.

The MoU will focus on providing enterprise intervention innovation programmes and modernising business regulations to complement the government's efforts at achieving a high-income economy.

It will also contribute to productivity and innovation enhancement for enterprises and industries.

Some 2,250 participants from various sectors are attending the two-day conference organised by MPC and featuring 16 speakers from the public and private sectors as well as academia. -- BERNAMA

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Tun Abdullah gets courtesy call

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:20 PM PDT

PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today received a courtesy call from the speaker of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Mohamad Taufiq Kiemas.

The meeting lasted about an hour at his office, here.

Mohamad Taufiq is leading a delegation comprising six members of MPR as well as members of Indonesian media, for a working visit to Malaysia.

Apart from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the delegation had also paid courtesy visits on Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Senate President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.

The visit, which began on Monday, is aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries not only at the government level but also among the people and members of the media. -- BERNAMA

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Flood spoils 30-year vinyl collection

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 06:27 PM PDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nation needs DNA banks, says lead CSI

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 10:50 AM PST

2010/12/08
By Nor Hidayati Mokhtar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NST Online: Sports

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Football / Malaysia Cup: Advantage Negri, Terengganu

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:04 PM PDT

2011/10/19
By Ajitpal Singh and Zainuddin Muhammad
nstsport@nstp.com.my

Selangor goalkeeper G. Jeevananthan makes a save under a challenge from Terengganu's Abdul Manaf Mamat in their Malaysia Cup semi-final match at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Terengganu won 2-0. — Picture by Yazit Razali

TERENGGANU and Negri Sembilan earned crucial away victories over Selangor and T-Team respectively in the semi-final first leg of the Malaysia Cup yesterday.

Manaf Mamat's first half brace helped Terengganu notch a 2-0 victory over Selangor at the Shah Alam Stadium while veteran Hairuddin Omar continued his fine form with two goals in Negri's 4-2 win over T-Team at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.

Terengganu strikers Manaf, Abdul Hadi Yahya and Ashaari Samsuddin tore apart Selangor's defence with their speed and telepathic understanding as the homesters struggled to organise themselves.

Manaf's cheeky back heel, off a cross from Ashaari left the Selangor players flatfooted to put the 2001 champions in the lead after just 52 seconds.

He again found the net with a powerful drive from outside the penalty box after outwitting his markers in the 33rd minute.

Manaf dedicated both goals to his late father Mamat Mahmud, who passed away last Thursday in Kuala Terengganu.

"My dad would have been so proud if he was still around," said Manaf yesterday.

Safiq Rahim, a key man for Selangor in previous matches, sent three free kicks over the cross bar and one attempt onto the post in the first half.

After the breather, Selangor took a calculated risk by attacking in numbers, which left holes in defence but Terengganu failed to add goals.

Substitutes Rudie Ramli and Fadzli Saari, who came on for an ineffective Hardi Jaafar and Azidan Sarudin, added variety to Selangor's game, which troubled the visitors on numerous times. However, Terengganu held onto their lead until the final whistle.

In Kuala Terengganu, midfielder Shahurain Abu Samah gave Negri the lead in the sixth minute after being set-up by Idris Karim but their lead stood for only five minutes.

Former international Indra Putra Mahayuddin soared above everyone to head the ball home for T-Team's equaliser.

But Hairuddin Omar restored Negri's lead with a brilliant header after meeting a Shukor Adan's cross in the 25th minute for his sixth goal in the Malaysia Cup.

T-Team's Norfarhan Mohamad got his name onto the score sheet in the 41st but two minutes later Hairuddin was once again at the end of S. Kunanlan's cross to head in his second and Negri's third.

It took only six minutes after the breather for Negri to extend their lead through winger Kunanlan, who curled in a loose ball, which led to the substitution of T-Team goalkeeper Zairie Hafizi Idris. Coach Yunus Alif brought on Jibrail Kamaron Baharin as replacement.

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Beach Football: Terengganu sure of retaining title

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:01 PM PDT

2011/10/19
ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD
nstsport@nstp.com.my

WHEN it comes to football, Terengganu want to win them all including the National Beach Football Felda/Fam 2011 tournament scheduled for Friday at Teluk Chempedak Beach in Kuantan, Pahang.

Team manager Mohd Sekanther Abdul Hamid said with five national players in the squad, Terengganu, who won the inaugural championships at same venue two years ago, are on course for another success.

He said in addition to Hamidi Alias, Abdullah Mohd Nor and Khairul Azizi Norwawi who were part of the winning squad in 2009, two more national players -- Khairulnizam Mohamad and Suffian Ngah -- have also joined.

"We are also lucky to have the services of Hailmizi Jalil, Razif Ghani, Zaharim Yusof and Riduwan Mohd Nor, who were also in the squad when we won the the first tournament by beating Kedah in the final.

"Kedah will once again be the team to beat but we believe Selangor and Kelantan are going to be strong challengers too," said Mohd Sekanther when met after training at Batu Buruk beach in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

The other competing teams are Perlis, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Johore, Sabah, Sarawak, Armed Forces, Police and Kuala Lumpur Felda United.

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NST Online Business Times : latest

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Mah Sing's price estimate raised, stock up

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:23 PM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Mah Sing Group Bhd, a Malaysian property developer, rose in Kuala Lumpur trading after Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd increased its share estimate to RM2.14 from RM2.05. The stock climbed 2.7 percent to RM1.94 at 9:15 a.m. local time. -- Bloomberg

Genting climbs on NY casino opening plan

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:11 PM PDT

Genting Malaysia Bhd rose in Kuala Lumpur trading after it said it will open Resorts World Casino New York City on Oct. 28 at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

The stock climbed 3.4 percent to RM3.62 at 9:03 a.m. local time.

This will be New York City's first casino with the first phase including 2,485 electronic slot machines and table games, Genting said in a statement. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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DOWN MEMORY LANE

Posted: 17 Oct 2011 10:40 AM PDT

Johor Baru's coffee king Hong Say Tee tells of the good old days

JUST as we listen to our elders talk about life in the old days, an audience gathered at the Red House in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee recently to share a nostalgic evening with Hong Say Tee, an entrepreneur who arrived in Johor Baru from Fukien Province, China, in 1935.

In coffee shop circles, Hong is renowned as Johor Baru's coffee king.

This is because he made a name for himself as a owner of coffee shops and cafes in the city.

Listening to Hong speak about the Johor Baru he knew was like turning back the pages of history for a glimpse of life in Johor Baru throughout the 1950s and early 1970s.

Johor Baru Teochew Eight Districts Association director Tan Chai Puan, who gave a brief introduction of Hong, said that one of Hong's coffee shops was in Jalan Ibrahim Sultan.

This road was known as hai ping lu or "seaside road" as it faced the Johor Straits.

In the 1960s, while Tan was in that area, he was involved in a motor accident and later realised that the rescuer who came to his aid was none other than Hong, the owner of the hai ping kopitiam (seaside coffee shop).

The site of that shop is now occupied by a club.

Wearing a white, satiny Chinese-designed top, 88-year-old Hong, who still has a full head of hair and sports a little beard, looked every bit like the sage he is, with much to share about life's experiences.

If he was at first feeling rather awkward speaking into a microphone to a waiting audience, he soon calmed his qualms, speaking passionately as he warmed to the subject close to his heart.

Using old photographs, his presentation in Mandarin was casual, with frequent breaks to listen to comments and answer questions from the audience.

Johoreans, familiar with the annual tradition of the Chingay parade, were thrilled to see a faded black--and-white photo of the parade along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in the 1950s. The parade is an annual tradition in Johor since the 1800s.

The only year it ceased was when the Japanese invaded Malaya in 1942.

As Hong discussed the history of the Red House on that road, he pointed it out in the photo's background. It was not yet painted red, but easily recognisable by the ornate design of its balcony.

Hong is familiar with this area because his family members also owned coffee shops in Jalan Dhoby, Jalan Pahang and Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

Aware of the preferences of the British in Johor at that time, Hong was an innovative pioneer who transformed traditional coffee shops into modern cafes and snack bars in the city.

The mention of his former businesses in popular dining destinations such as Wato Inn and Wato Snack Bar along Jalan Ibrahim struck a familiar chord as many in the audience nodded their heads in recognition, probably because they once dined there.

Interesting details in a photo of Jalan Wong Ah Fook bordered by Jalan Siu Nam and Sungai Segget depicted boats that used to transport goods such as fish, timber, pepper and charcoal.

The river was then an important waterway, navigable up to where Tropical Inn is now, and bridges across the river allowed sampan laden with goods to pass through with ease.

From a photo of the old market built with wrought iron in 1894 on a small triangular island where the Mara building now stands, Hong vividly described the market's various sections that sold meat, vegetables and other goods.

Before the Causeway existed, the mode of transport between Johor and Kranji in Singapore was by ferry.

Jetties were constructed along Sungai Segget's sheltered estuary.

A photo of one such jetty with travellers on it gave the audience an idea of how elite men in Johor Baru used to dress.

They liked the Western ensemble of linen trousers teamed with shirts, and many wore neckties and blazers in white suits.

During the 90-minute talk that included poignant anecdotes of atrocities committed during WW2, more visitors to the cultural street found their way into the Red House.

The event was organised by the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk Committee as part of its calendar of cultural events in the Red House and Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk to bring tourists into the heart of old Johor Baru.

The Red House is at 56 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

Enquiries on using the Red House for cultural and heritage events can be directed to the office of the Johor Chinese Heritage Museum.

The landmark museum is at 42 Jalan Ibrahim.

For more information, call 07-224 9633, fax 607-224 9635. You can also email heritage_museumjb@jb-tionghua.org.my

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Mobile healthcare units treat rural poor

Posted: 17 Oct 2011 06:44 AM PDT

Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman with Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin inspecting one of the MPVs equipped with medical supplies and equipment. — Picture by Zulkarnain Ahmad Tajuddin

THE Johor Puteri Umno is reaching out to the people by providing medical treatment and healthcare through its Puteri Cares programme.

The national programme, which was launched last month, provides free health checks and medical treatment in rural areas to needy patients in hospitals using 10 Proton Exora multi-purpose vehicles.

It was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and has been moving from state to state.

It will begin its final leg in Johor next month.

Johor Puteri Umno chief Norshida Ibrahim said at the initial stage, the movement focussed on 10 parliamentary constituencies which were regarded as grey areas.

"Each constituency had 15 Puteri Umno members who mobilised the programme. Each MPV was manned by a doctor with two hospital staff.

"The mobile units would target rural areas that do not have clinics," said Norshida, after the launch of the Puteri Cares programme in Johor by Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman at Dewan Raya Taman Damai Jaya, Johor Baru on Sunday.

Also present were Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Biro Tatanegara director-general Datuk Raja Arif Raja Ali and Johor state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan.

Norshida said treatments for fever, rashes, cough, and flu and health checks for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) were offered by the mobile units. -- By Ahmad Fairuz Othman

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Selasa, 18 Oktober 2011