Jumaat, 3 Jun 2011

NST Online: Latest

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Mohamad Sabu elected PAS deputy president

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 10:04 PM PDT

PAS Central Committee member Mohamad Sabu was elected as PAS Deputy President beating incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa and vice presiden Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man in the party's election at Taman Melewar today.

In the contest for the vice-president's posts Salahuddin Ayub, Datuk Husam Musa and Datuk Mahfuz Omar were elected.

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US fears clashes in South China Sea: Gates

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 08:55 PM PDT

SINGAPORE - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned today that clashes may erupt in the South China Sea unless nations with conflicting territorial claims adopt a mechanism to settle disputes peacefully.

"There are increasing concerns. I think we should not lose any time in trying to strengthen these mechanisms that I've been talking about for dealing with competing claims in the South China Sea," he said.

"I fear that without rules of the road, without agreed approaches to deal with these problems, that there will be clashes. I think that serves nobody's interests," Gates told a security conference in Singapore.

The islands at the centre of the long-running dispute are the Paracel archipelago and the more southerly Spratlys, both potentially resource-rich outcrops that straddle strategic shipping lanes.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam have laid claim to overlapping sections of the territories.

Gates called on the countries involved to build upon a 2002 agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China setting a "code of conduct" aimed at resolving disputes peacefully.

Diplomatic tensions have risen in recent weeks following allegations of increased Chinese activity in the area.

In May, Chinese maritime ships confronted a Vietnamese oil exploration vessel between the Paracels and the Spratlys.

On Friday, Philippines President Benigno Aquino said the country had documented up to seven incidents in less than four months in which China trespassed into what Manila considers its territorial waters.

One of the incidents involved a Chinese vessel allegedly opening fire on Filipino fishermen, he added. - AFP

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NST Online: Topnews

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No compromise with groups acting for own interest: Najib

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 10:55 PM PDT

No compromise with groups acting for own interest: Najib

The government will not compromise with groups which act for their own interests without regard for the consequences their measures will have on the nation, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

The prime minister said the government wanted to remind these irresponsible people that they were playing with fire in fanning racial and religious sentiments openly or subtly.

"They are gambling with the future of our children and grandchildren and, eventually, both the victors and the vanquished will be the losers," he said in his speech at the investiture in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Negara.

Najib said that if this was what they coveted, then it would be a failed and disunited Malaysia that they would leave behind for the coming generations.

"Shouldn't we learn from what's happening elsewhere, such as in the Balkans in the continent of Europe? Let us also not forget to learn from the tragedy which befell our beloved country," he said. -- Bernama

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No compromise with groups acting for own interest: Najib

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Subsidy rasionalisation aims to boost people's living standard: Najib

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 09:38 PM PDT

The government's subsidy rationalisation is not a measure to eliminate subsidies but to provide reasonable amounts of subsidy to the eligible and needy target groups and sectors, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

The prime minister said Malaysia provided among the largest amounts of subsidy in the world for daily essential goods such as sugar and rice, and this did not even include the indirect subsidies given to the education and health sectors.

"The welfare of the people is the highest goal in the administration of the country," he said in his speech at the investiture in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at Istana Negara.

Najib said a decision which seemed popular might not necessarily be the best measure for the longer term and, as such, in managing the national economy it was important to avoid excessive expenditure.

"In the interest of the people and country, a responsible government will find solutions and make choices for the well-being of the people, not only in the short and medium terms but also in the long term," he said.

The prime minister said decisions, for example, to slash and raise taxable income and provide an average subsidy without regard for target groups might elicit rave response at times, but they might invite problems later.

"In fact, when only less than two million of the 12 million workers pay taxes, the two million tax-payers will subsidise the majority who do not pay taxes. This will pose more challenges, particularly when health and education services are relatively free.

"Malaysia is not a major power which can print fiat money," he said. (Fiat money is money which has no intrinsic value and cannot be redeemed for any commodity, but is made legal tender through government decree.)

Najib said dependence on natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas would not be for perpetuity, adding that the people should be grateful that the country had a well-managed national petroleum company and the government was able to maximise the profits.

"However, these resources are on the decline. Evidently, much more capital has to be expended to seek new resources," he said, adding that one must realise what would happen to the country if the economy was not well-managed.

Najib cited Greece, a developed nation which faced a budget deficit of 10 per cent of GDP and debt to GDP ratio of 137 per cent as well as a 14 per cent unemployment rate.

"Without prudent management, some 110 billion Euros or RM477 billion, equivalent to 2 1/2 times Malaysia's cumulative budget, was needed for its (Greece's) bailout," he said.

He also cited Ireland which faced a budget deficit of 32 per cent of GDP last year and a debt to GDP ratio of 113 per cent as well as a 15 per cent unemployment rate, and said that country needed 85 billion Euros or RM369 billion, equivalent to 1 1/2 times Malaysia's cumulative budget, for its bailout.

"Reportedly, both Greece and Ireland may need a second bailout," he said.
Najib said the Malaysian government would always be responsible and not act rashly or even seek popularity which would be to its detriment.

"Every decision is studied, considered and scrutinised with prudence for the welfare and prosperity of the people," he said. -- BERNAMA

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NST Online: Sports

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Siti Nur Syafiqah makes right switch

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:45 PM PDT

Siti Nur Syafiqah Husin (right) and Nurul Ain Atiqah Rosli in action yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan.

THERE is no denying that Siti Nur Syafiqah Husin was born to be an athlete.

She started as an archer under the National Sports Council (NSC) talent identification project and barely a year after switching to judo, she combined with Nurul Ain Atiqah Rosli to win the women's kata gold for Johor yesterday in the Malaysia Games.

Siti and Nurul, whose home state is Selangor, totalled 795 points to beat Selangor sisters, Low Er Zhen and Low Er Yie for the gold.

"We just started this combination in January and last year Nurul Ain won a bronze in the Malaysia Games in Malacca with another partner, so this is such a surprise. We came here just targeting a medal," said Siti.

The Tunku Mahkota Iskandar Sports School (formerly Bandar Penawar Sports School) fourth former who turned 16 on Feb 4, said her next target is to get selected for the Sea Games in Indonesia later this year.

"We never expected to win the gold medal, but this is just reward for our hard work," she said. -- ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL

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Syafiq and Siti stay in the hunt

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 08:44 AM PDT

2011/06/03
By Ajitpal Singh

The women's team after qualifying for the second block at the Singapore Open yesterday.

FORMER national champion Syafiq Ridhwan and newly promoted elite bowler Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi were Malaysia's best performers in the men's and women's Masters first block at the Singapore Open yesterday.

Syafiq, the Brunswick Euro Challenge finalist, posted lines of 218, 212, 204, 213, 194, 190, 226, 245 for a grand total of 1,702 pinfalls, averaging 212.75, to finish seventh in the men's section.

Last year's Malaysia Open champion Adrian Ang was the second best performer by recording 1,657 to finish 11th ahead of compatriots Zulmazran Zulkifli (11th - 1,640), Daniel Lim (20th - 1,593) and former national bowler Kang Bo Long (21st - 1,592).

Shaker Al Hassan and Khalid Al Dubyyan made it a 1-2 finish for UAE with 1,806 and 1,787 respectively. Singapore's former Asian Games gold medallist Remy One finished third on 1,783 ahead of Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong (1,725).

Syafiq, together with Zulmarzan, are in striking distance to qualify for the stepladder finals, involving the top four bowlers. However, they will need to push harder in today's Masters second round of eight games to make the top-four bracket.

Siti Shazwani also produced a commendable performance to finish eighth with a 1,623 series ahead of Sin Li Jane (11th - 1.604), Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore (13th - 1,577), Hee Kar Yen (14th - 1,574), Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (15th - 1,572), Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani (16th - 1,569) and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi (17th - 1,551) in the women's Masters first block.

Singapore dominated the top three positions with Bernice Lim leading the field on 1,712 ahead of Daphne Tan (1,706) and Jazreel Tan (1,691) while Taiwan's Wang Ya Ting is fourth with 1,682.

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NST Online Business Times : latest

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US stocks sink on bad May jobs data

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 06:40 PM PDT

NEW YORK: US stocks dropped sharply Friday after a dismal report on the country's jobs situation in May.

In closing trades the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 97.29 points (0.79 per cent) at 12,151.26.

The broader S&P 500 index lost 12.78 points (0.97 per cent) to 1,300.16, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite gave up 40.53 points (1.46 per cent) to 2,732.78.

The Labour Department reported that the economy added a paltry 54,000 jobs in May, one-quarter of the February-April pace, intensifying the challenge to the Obama administration to get the economy growing.

"While the private sector has added more than 2.1 million jobs over the past 15 months, the unemployment rate is unacceptably high and faster growth is needed to replace the jobs lost in the downturn," White House economic adviser Austan Goolsbee said in a statement.

The news sent all the Dow blue chip components tumbling but one, Wal-Mart, which added 0.2 per cent.

Alcoa, DuPont and Walt Disney led the losers, with each firm's stock down 1.7 per cent.

Goldman Sachs gained 0.7 per cent as investors shrugged off Thursday's report that it had been subpoenaed in a New York investigation into its actions during the US financial implosion of 2007-2009. -- AFP

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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TO TEACHER WITH LOVE

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 11:55 AM PDT

TO TEACHER WITH LOVE

2011/06/03
By Syed Abdullah Syed Mohamed

More than 500 teachers from 10 districts gathered for the state-level Teachers Day celebration in Kulaijaya

The guest of honour was Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman. Other guests included state executive councillors and senior government servants.

On hand to welcome them were Johor Education director, Mohd Nor A. Ghani, and the members of the organising committee.

Among the many programmes lined up for the celebration were a choir performance by teachers and students, zapin dance, gamelan ensemble, a live four-piece band performance, a pantomime and a multi-media presentation.

All the performances were put up by staff and students from the Kulaijaya district education office and the district's schools.

The highlight of the celebration was the award presentation for the coveted "Best Teacher 2011" and "Best Education Leadership 2011" awards.

The "Best Teacher 2011" award went to Jamian Jaffar, 59, whose last position was the Johor Education department deputy director.

Zakaria A. Syukor, also 59, clinched the "Best Education Leadership" award. Prior to his retirement in 2008, "Haji Z", as he was fondly known to his colleagues, was the director of Temenggong Ibrahim Teachers' Training Institute in Johor Baru.

They each received RM3,000 , a pendant, a set of traditional Malay attire and a certificate of appreciation from Abdul Ghani.

Rasidah Ismail, 33, and Koh Chai Swee, 43, were the winners of the "Innovative Teachers" and "Distinctive Teachers" (for disabled persons) awards respectively.

Rasidah is a pre-school teacher at SK Temengong Abdul Rahman(2) Johor Baru while Koh, a poor- vision educator, teaches Physical Education at the SK Princess Elizabeth.

Both teachers recently also won similar awards at the national-level Teachers Day celebration that was held in Sarawak.

Nur Syaheerah Syazwanie Mohd Azmi from SK Seri Saujana, Kota Tinggi and V. Pravin Kumar from SK Temengong Abd Rahman, Segamat, won the first prize for the Bahasa Malaysia and English story-telling contest respectively.

Prior to the celebration, other programmes that were held included a blood donation campaign, a book exhibition, Yaasin and Tahlil prayers as well as field and indoor games such as soccer, golf, table tennis and badminton.

The celebration kicked off with a poetry recitation and gurindam declamation, followed by the singing of the Johor Education Department anthem entitled Selangkah Di Hadapan, led by the Kulaijaya teachers choir represented by 26 teachers from the SK Kampung Melayu.

The choir went on to perform Guru Malaysia and this year's TDC's theme song, Guru Penjana Transformasi Pendidikan Negara.

MORE than 500 educators from ten districts in Johor, clad in their flashiest batik attire, attended the state-level Teachers Day celebration at Dewan Raya Putra (DRP) at Kulaijaya recently.

The theme song was performed together with the student choir group from the SMK Bandar Putra.

The VIPs and other guests were also enthralled by the melodious voice of vocalist and harmonica player Osman Zainal, whose song Biar Ku Menjadi Lilin had accompaniment from a pop group. Some even shed tears upon hearing the tune, once popularised by A. Ali.

In his speech, Abdul Ghani lauded the sacrifice and the dedication of teachers towards the education of future generations.

"Besides teaching in the classroom, the teacher must also instill moral values into every student so that they will be a valuable asset to the nation" he said.

State Education Department director Mohd Nor A. Ghani thanked Abdul Ghani and other VIPs for their attendance.

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Helping Japan’s disaster victims

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 10:29 AM PDT

2011/06/03
By Chuah Bee Kim

Event organising chairman John Tok (seated, second from right) said they were hoping to raise RM100,000. With him are (from left, seated) Japan Club of Johor Baru executive secretary Nishikawa Takeshi, Kiwanis Club of Johor Baru president Lily Kew, and Grand Bluewave Hotel general manager C.S. Long (right) with (standing) the hotel's financial controller Cecilia Ong, the hotel's promotions and advertising manager Cannus Yong, and Kiwanis Club of Johor Baru members Alfred Chen and Y.T Huang.

THE Kiwanis Club of Johor Baru is organising a charity dinner to raise funds for the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

About 350 guests will attending the eight-course Chinese dinner on June 1.

The charity dinner is sponsored by Grand Bluewave Hotel Johor Baru and the Japan Club of Johor.

Event organising chairman John Tok said: "Families have been torn apart, homes and settlements have been destroyed and now a nuclear disaster threatens the survivors.

"Governments and international institutions are sending relief aid, rescue teams and nuclear experts to help Japan in its hour of need. Every little bit counts. We believe we can do something to help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami to get through this crisis."

Tok said the committee was hoping to raise RM100,000.

"All expenses related to the charity dinner will be borne by Grand Bluewave, which is the event's main sponsor.

"Funds raised will be channelled to the Japanese Red Cross Society's (JRCS) disaster relief efforts.

Katsuya Nakazano, the second secretary of the Consulate of Japan in Johor, and his wife will be the guests of honour.

In addition to the sale of dining tables priced at RM1,500 per table, funds will also be raised through cash sponsorship, advertisement in the souvenir programme, charity auction of sponsored items, sales of raffles tickets and beverages.

Diners will enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the evening.

For details, call Cannus Yong at 012-7878 832 or Caterine Wong at 012-7086 078.

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Jumaat, 3 Jun 2011