Rabu, 2 November 2011

NST Online: Topnews

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Posted: 02 Nov 2011 10:27 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: At least 77 people have been killed and 36 injured while attempting to cross KTM Berhad railway lines over the past two years.

Over the first 10 months of this year alone, 17 people died and another 12 were injured.

The numbers appear grim but KTMB president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said these tragedies had not deterred the public from trespassing on railway lines.

Commenting on the fiery collision between a Sabah Railway Department train and an oil tanker at an illegal crossing in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, that injured 12 people on Monday, Aminuddin said KTMB had done its best to stop trespassers by building fences and overhead bridges, but to no avail.

He said more than 50 illegal crossings were used by pedestrians and another 30 by motorists along railway lines in Pahang, Kelantan, Malacca and Johor.

He admitted that part of the problem was because many of the older tracks had yet to be upgraded and did not have fencing. This was especially so in remote areas or places near jungles. "The trespassers are those from the surrounding communities, who are used to crossing the tracks.

"In Rawang and Ipoh, farmers even let their cows roam freely without realising that the presence of cattle on the tracks poses a great danger to train passengers." Although the Port Klang-Batu Caves, Seremban-Tanjung Malim and Ipoh-Padang Besar stretches have perimeter fencing as part of the double-tracking projects, the fencing was often cut and vandalised.

"It is costly to replace the fences, only to have them vandalised again and again," he said, adding that KTMB could not opt for a concrete barrier due to the high cost.

Overhead bridges had also been built at certain locations, but he said the residents still chose to trespass rather than make a slightly longer journey.

"We can't be building bridges at close intervals as they are costly, and require cooperation and approval from local authorities.

"The best solution is to educate the community and create awareness that trespassing is dangerous.

"We will put up more 'D ange r!' signs along the tracks but we doubt these will deter trespassers." Aminuddin said it was difficult to monitor trespassers as KTMB had 1,700km of tracks and its manpower was more focused on monitoring and maintaining the tracks, signals and overhead lines.

KTMB senior corporate communications manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said vandals often damaged and created holes in the fencing just days after repairs were carried out.

He said the company would continue visiting schools and communities as part of its awareness campaign.

"In Kelantan alone, we have identified 50 illegal crossings, located mostly along the Tanah Merah-Gua Musang-Wakaf Baru stretch, used by pedestrians and motorists. The people realise the danger but they prefer to take short cuts." Under the Train Act 1991, trespassers can be fined up to RM1,000.

"We have arrested several offenders.

But we just gave them a warning as we wanted to educate them," Fazil said.

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Input from NRD

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 10:23 AM PDT

2011/11/03
By Farrah Naz Karim
farrah@nst.com.my

Parliament polls panel seeks answers on elderly voters

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) will enter the picture in the ongoing scrutiny of conduct of elections next week.

Yesterday, the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms met the Election Commission (EC), with a second round of discussions scheduled for Nov 10, the day NRD will be called in.

The presence of so many ageing voters in the electoral roll — 128,318 aged 85 and above — could well feature in next week's hearings.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof had said in December that it was not certain if this figure was accurate as many could have died, but that it could not unilaterally remove names of the deceased, unless the family members produced their death certificates, but many had failed to do so.

The death certificate was the only legally accepted proof of death, allowing the EC to remove names of the deceased from the roll. A survey of 10 per cent of the aged found many of them were "missing".

Select committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili told the media after yesterday's two-hour hearing at the Parliament building that the EC gave its word that it would look into the issues raised and promised to examine certain rules, including the campaign period and the candidates' nomination process.

"This is our third meeting and all the committee members were given the chance to ask EC about issues of concern to them.

"Various issues have been brought up, but so far, they have yet to be resolved.

"That is why we have decided that NRD needs to attend the next meeting together with EC for us to get a more detailed account." Ongkili, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, said yesterday's meeting also zoomed in on election rules, the election process, voter registration and the electoral roll, strengthening EC and alternative election systems. Present at the meeting were Aziz and his deputy, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

The PSC was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with the hope of reaching "a consensus in facing the next election without any suspicion about any manipulation by the government".

It comprises five Barisan Nasional members of parliament, three from the opposition and an independent member of parliament.

Aside from Ongkili (who is also the representative for Sabah and the Kadazandusuns), BN is represented by Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (representing Sarawak and the Ibans), Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (representing Umno and Malays), Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn (representing MCA and the Chinese) and Hulu Selangor member of parliament P. Kamalanathan (representing MIC and the Indians).

The opposition is represented by Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali, Pas election director Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and DAP deputy election director Anthony Loke, while Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong represents the Independent Consensus.

Kamalanathan said a range of ideas had reportedly surfaced, including that "a neutral government caretaker" be appointed once Parliament was dissolved for the general election.

Sources said issues on early voting processes and indelible ink were brought up.

The EC may split the postal voting into two types — early voting and postal votes—to clear allegations on the alleged misuse of postal votes.

Early voting can include those who are working or on duty during the general election.

The committee also discussed the use of indelible ink and severalmembers voiced concern about the fact that the Federal Constitution stated the authorities could not force voters to be marked with permanent ink.

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NST Online: Latest

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Three family members killed in car crash

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 09:36 PM PDT

KUANTAN: Three members of a family were killed while another suffered serious injuries when the car they were travelling in collided with a four-wheel-drive vehicle at Km81 Jalan Lipis-Merapoh yesterday.

Nik Abdullah Nik Isa, 51, who was behind the wheel, and his mother, Siti
Long, 78, died at the scene while his wife, Nor Aizan Muhammad, 45, died on the
way to the hospital.

Pahang Public Order and Traffic chief Supt Mohamed Fauzi Abd Rahim said the
family members were heading for Lipis from Merapoh when their car was said to

have entered the path of an oncoming four-wheel-drive vehicle at about 2pm.

Nik Abdullah's sister, Nik Norizan Isa suffered serious injuries and

admitted to the Gua Musang Hospital while the driver of the four-wheel-drive
vehicle sustained minor injuries, Mohamed Fauzi told reporters today. -- Bernama

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Aussie PM committed to deterring asylum seekers

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 08:30 PM PDT

CANBERRA: Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Thursday that she remains committed to her thwarted policy for deterring asylum attempts by boat after at least eight people drowned in Indonesian waters while attempting to reach Australia.

Eight asylum seekers drowned in the boat capsizing Tuesday, and rescuers are searching for about 30 missing people. Police chief Capt. Sugiarto said 48 were rescued from the boat, mostly carrying people from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Gillard told reporters that the tragedy "tears at your heart."

She said such asylum seekers would be deterred if the Parliament would pass legislation that would enable Australia to send 800 new boat arrivals to Malaysia in return for Australia resettling 4,000 registered refugees from Kuala Lumpur.

Gillard shelved the legislation last month when it became clear that it did not have the support of a majority of lawmakers. "The position of the government is that we want to implement the arrangement with Malaysia," Gillard told reporters in Cannes, France, where she is attending a summit of leaders of the world's 20 largest economies. Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor the number of boat arrivals had increased the with collapse of the Malaysia swap deal.

"There's an absolute need now for an agreement to be reached by the parliament to ensure we have the most effective offshore approach to deter people getting on these dangerous vessels," O'Connor told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

A boat carrying 49 asylum seekers and two crew intercepted by an Australian patrol boat off the west coast on Wednesday became the seventh to reach Australian waters since the so-called Malaysian solution was shelved.

The opposition refuses to allow asylum seekers to be sent to Malaysia — the country where most asylum seekers begin their voyages to Australia. The opposition maintains that future arrivals would be deterred if asylum seekers were sent to the Pacific island nation of Nauru, where Gillard's government closed an Australian-funded immigration detention center when it first came to power in 2007.

Gillard argues that Nauru would prove to be an expensive failure as a deterrent. O'Connor said Australia's embassy in Jakarta had reported all the dead were women and children.

Sugiarto said all those confirmed dead from the capsized boat were Iranian. Three were children. -- AP

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NST Online Business Times : latest

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AirAsia cut to 'underperform', stock falls

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 06:27 PM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]AirAsia Bhd, Asia's biggest budget carrier, fell in Kuala Lumpur trading after the stock was cut to "underperform" from "market perform" at RHB Capital Bhd. The stock dropped 1.3 percent to RM3.80 at 9:05 a.m. local time. -- Bloomberg

Guinness hits 9-month high on Q1 results

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 06:30 PM PDT

Guinness Anchor Bhd, a Malaysian brewer, rose to a nine-month high in Kuala Lumpur trading after it said fiscal first-quarter net income rose 43 percent from a year earlier to RM55.2 million.

The stock climbed 1.3 percent to RM10.88 at 9:01 a.m. local time, set for its highest close since Jan. 17. -- Bloomberg

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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SPA GETAWAY

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 09:44 AM PDT

Located an hour's drive from Johor Baru, Pulai Desaru Beach Resort offers a family-oriented vacation amid nature

FOR many vacationers, a weekend escape means travelling great distances. The Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa is proof that holiday-makers need not travel long distances to a leisure retreat because it is less than an hour's drive from Johor Baru, via the new E22 Senai-Pasir Gudang-Desaru Expressway.

The newly refurbished resort is a family-oriented hotel that offers many attractions surrounded by a natural environment.

Located in the heart of Desaru, the area is considered one of the best beaches on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

With a 22km-stretch of uninterrupted beach, the Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa offers captivating panoramic views of the South China Sea with a lush tropical rainforest.

Guests can enjoy the vastness of the sprawling resort and get close and personal with nature.

Its spacious standard, deluxe and superior deluxe guest rooms blend contemporary design, comfortable elegance and modern artistic touches.

With its palette of fresh green shades and signature green floral motives, the new look is calm and relaxing, yet has an atmosphere which evokes holiday fun.

The tastefully furnished lobby, with modern floor tiles and furnishings set against the backdrop of the ocean, has a feeling of tranquility.

At the resort, guests get to enjoy fresh, bold dishes, from a mixture of local and Western cuisine at The Palm Brasserie, to Japanese Teppanyaki cooking at The Teppan!

The Lobby bar overlooking the swimming pool is ideal for chilling out, or sip a cocktail by the pool at the Coco Bar. In the evenings, The Pulai Lounge offers nightly live entertainment.

Alternatively, indulge, soothe and revitalise the body, mind and spirit at the Balinese-themed Pulai Spa, offering a complete spa menu with treatment rooms and high-quality spa products.

Children can play and be kept occupied at the Kid's Club. It has a daily itinerary of activities and a games' room with indoor games.

For an adrenaline rush in water sports, try the jet-ski, and banana boat activities, while land sports such as tennis, cycling, beach volleyball and go-karting are also available.

At the resort, there are excursions for nature lovers such as the popular fireflies experience, kampung tour, river cruises, river fishing, and visits to Kota Tinggi town, a fruit farm, ostrich farm and crocodile farm.

The highway connecting the western and eastern parts of Johor promises a smooth, quick and comfortable journey from Johor Baru to Desaru.

For room bookings and reservations, visit www.pulaigroup.com or call 07-822 2222.

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Ways to get yourself distracted from ‘it’

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 08:15 AM PDT

2011/11/01
SYED UMAR ARIFF

JOHOR Baru is not exactly the "City of Love". But one would be forgiven for thinking it is after reading a rather "amusing" news report on the number of khalwat raids by the State religious department concerning Muslim couples committing close proximity.

An average of three couples were reported to have been detained each day since early this year. Many were caught at private homes or budget hotels, which some financially-strapped couples have considered the perfect love nest.

And it is unfortunate for hotel operators to have their business premises stigmatised by amorous couples.

But there is something to be addressed here, since despite the regular raids and "nosy" neighbours -- much to the chagrin of the couples -- people are still found committing khalwat.

Almost 2,000 people have been caught in Johor Baru city and something needed to be done, other than detaining them to curb this problem.

Not too long ago it was also reported that some beaches in Mersing have been frequented by lovers. Indeed, some were found in various degrees of undress in bushes or secluded spots.

Lust has caused them utter embarrassment and possible popularity on the Internet, thanks to peeping Toms armed with video cameras.

The couples detained by the state during the raids were in their 20s and 30s and 70 per cent were found in private homes. Tip-offs were usually received from suspicious neighbours.

State religious department deputy enforcement chief, Zamri Kambari, said the measures were taken to reduce social ills and sexually-transmitted diseases.

At the same time, it is also up to individuals to practise self-restraint and keep their thoughts checked. To err is human, but it is something else if you fail to learn from examples.

Below are some activities that one may take up to get one's mind off booking hotel rooms.

Sports: Playing sports can strengthen your mind and focus. Whenever you are cycling, for example, you will only have yourself as competition. You will fight mental and physical fatigue by honing your focus and objective to get from point A to point B. A game of tennis, ping-pong or badminton can provide the same effect. You can also engage in martial arts, dancing, or even go fly a kite.

Video games: It can be an expensive investment, but it is certainly worth it. Studies have shown that playing video games can increase mental capacity, problem solving skills and finger coordination. And it is good to have a hobby like this. Living in a fantasy world for a while can be a good escape after a hard day's work. Just don't end up with a geeky nickname due to your prowess in handling the joystick.

Books: Seriously, this does sound boring. But there are a lot of interesting story books, good enough to get yourself immersed in the world of literature. Even comics can be a good source of distraction. Better still, other than gaining knowledge, reading stimulates creative thinking. And of course, it is a good way to train your mental focus.

Work: You can bury yourself in work to distract yourself from temptations. It is also a way to promote yourself, career-wise. And if you are unemployed, go get a job.

I'm not a trained motivator or therapist. These are just simple suggestions I believe many can relate to. And we can give those religious enforcement officers a break from carrying out raids.

Now, have a good day.

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Rabu, 2 November 2011