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Musa calls for foreign investments in Sabah Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:42 PM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants more foreign Islamic banks, especially from the Middle East, to invest in the state, said Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman. He said as the state continued to grow and prosper, it would offer vast investment opportunities. "Islamic banks from the Middle East would bring significant experience from the Gulf region and share this with local financial institutions," he said at the opening of Kuwait Finance House (M) Bhd''s (KFH Malaysia) branch here today. Also present was KFH Malaysia chief executive officer, Jamelah Jamaluddin. Musa said Sabah has undergone major developments in recent years and put in place business-friendly policies as well as various attractive incentives to ensure competitive and conducive environment for both local and foreign investors. He said the state government appreciated KFH Malaysia's efforts in bringing Islamic banking to the state and hoped that the setting up of its branch here would herald the start of a long and fruitful relationship with the people of Middle East. "It is hoped that this will encourage more people to go for syariah-based banking products and services. "Sabahans would benefit as there would be more opportunities and choices in Islamic banking products and services," he said. Musa said the diversity of products and services would help enrich the state's financial markets and position Kota Kinabalu as a vibrant and growing city, apart from encouraging new opportunities in other towns, especially Sandakan and Tawau. -- BERNAMA Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Malaysia Airlines takes off for new worlds Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:40 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines, through its travel and tour arm, MASholidays, has partnered Swiss-based digital media and technology company, E-Dynamics SA, to take the carrier into the infinite realms of 3D Virtual Social Game Worlds (VSGW). The VSGW will use the latter's proprietary technology. It allows users toconnect and socialise with each other and will be launched in November this year. "We will be engaging a new generation of travelers who are living online via the social media and virtual world. So, this game changing strategy will allow us to continue fulfilling the needs of our costumers in new territories, even if that means in virtual ones," said Malaysia Airline's executive vice president of commercial strategy, Dr Amir Khan in a statement today. He also said that the 3D VSGW being created for MASholidays, will be both fascinating and rewarding to explore, offering a truly Malaysian journey, which highlights the best, the country has to offer travelers. E-Dynamics, whose MojiKan browser-based virtual world portal has a hugely popular following in the region, will create an interactive online platform for the airline that introduces Malaysia in an exciting and innovative manner. Meanwhile, E-Dynamics chairman and co-founder Jean-Claude Petter said MASholidays has taken the bold step to go where no airline has gone before. "This visionary strategy to harness the power of social media as an early adopter will allow it to redefine the parameters of social media as well as how consumers make their travel decisions," he added.-- BERNAMA Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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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. Air your comment on this issue: I can take on Aziz anytime: Dr Zul Log in with your Facebook account or use the form below to comment. New Straits Times reserves the right not to publish offensive or abusive comments and those of hate speech, harassment, commercial promos and invasion of privacy. Your IP will be logged and may be used to prevent further submission.The views expressed here are that of the members of the public and unless specifically stated are not those of NST. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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 Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Zeti: Bank mergers good for Malaysia Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:19 PM PDT Malaysia's central bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said consolidation among banks would be good for the country and help integrate the its financial system with other emerging economies. "We do envisage there will be future consolidations," Zeti said in an interview in London today. "If two or three large banks merge in our financial system, I think it is good for Malaysia as we venture into our next phase of development in our financial system where we become more integrated with the rest of the world." Her comments come days after CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Malayan Banking Bhd, Malaysia's two biggest banks, scrapped rival talks to acquire RHB Capital Bhd, ending ambitions to create Southeast Asia's biggest lender. Local banks are seeking expansion amid intensifying competition as the central bank grants more licences to international lenders including Bank of China Ltd. "There will be more financial centres in emerging economies that will be highly connected with each other and this is important because it will lead to the better intermediation of funds across borders," she said. "If we are going to participate in that, we do need to have a few larger banks." Zeti said in April that the central bank will let market forces decide how many local lenders remain in the country should there be consolidation. Asked today if RHB should seek a new partner, she said the issue is "entirely up to RHB." Speaking on the sidelines of a conference hosted by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum and Lafferty Group, Zeti said the terms and conditions of any consolidation will be driven entirely by the private sector, though the central bank will set the parameters, one of which is that any transaction shouldn't "weaken the institution." The financial industry should support the real economy, not the other way round, she said. Zeti also said the central bank has "other priorities" than consolidation on its agenda. -- Bloomberg Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

CIMB: We cease merger talks with RHBCap Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:15 PM PDT CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Malaysia's second-biggest banking group, isn't in talks for a merger with RHB Capital Bhd, Effendy Shahul Hamid, head of group marketing and communications at CIMB, said by phone today. "I can reaffirm that we have ceased negotiations on RHB and there is no change in that position," he said. He was responding to a Straits Times report that said RHB is planning to acquire CIMB in a deal that would create Southeast Asia's biggest lender. -- Bloomberg Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Safee will be missed Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:44 AM PDT 2011/06/30 Devinder Singh devinder@nst.com.my SAFEE Sali's likely absence from Malaysia's Asian World Cup qualifier first round return leg against Taiwan in Taipeh on Sunday could leave the national team struggling for goals. The Pelita Jaya striker's consistency and experience were key factors in Malaysia winning the AFF Cup last December and with several strikers in the team either having just recovered or still struggling with injury, progress to a second round clash with Singapore is far from assured. Safee will be greatly missed at the Taipeh Municipal Stadium but national coach K. Rajagobal believes there is enough firepower in the squad to overcome Taiwan after Wednesday's 2-1 win in Bukit Jalil gave Malaysia a narrow advantage in the tie. "Safee suffered an injury to the back of his knee and he won't play against Taiwan (on Sunday). Baddrol (Bakhtiar) missed a golden opportunity in the second half and we are very concerned with some players just having recovered from injury like Ahmad Fakri (Saarani) and Hadi (Yahya). "Norshahrul (Idlan Talaha) is also not yet ready so we will have to see what we can do. Hadi did well to hold the ball when I was forced to make a tactical change because we needed a goal badly at the time," said Rajagobal after the game. Hadi made an instant impact a minute after he came on as he put S. Kunanlan through to cross for Safiq Rahim to ram home the opening goal. Safee was then withdrawn at half-time after a knee injury suffered in training on Monday flared up during the match in which the former Selangor forward made little impact. It led to a merry-go-round in the forward line with Hadi having come on midway through the first half as Baddrol was shunted to the left wing before Fakri appeared as Safee's replacement. However, none of the four forwards scored with Malaysia's goals coming from skipper Safiq and defender Aidil Zafuan Radzak before Chen Po Liang ensured the tie was far from dead ahead of Sunday's second leg. "I'm very disappointed with the manner in which we conceded the goal. I told the players before the game Taiwan are a committed team and we needed to be organised to guard against their counter-attacks. "But the defence just when to sleep. They lost their concentration and the goal gave Taiwan the energy to come at us. Our defenders will have to be more focused and disciplined in the next game," said Rajagobal. Rajagobal's ire was directed in particular at Amirulhadi Zainal, who had dropped into the right-back position after Helmi Remeli was taken off for Hadi. But Amirul was caught napping after a quick throw-in allowed Wu Chun-Ching to slip behind the Malaysian defence and pull the ball back from the byline and into the box for Po Liang to side-step into goal past Sharbinee Allawee Ramli. "We did not have much penetration from the flanks and I wanted to change both players on the right but to make two changes was a risk. "But we just did not play well and we have no excuses. We started sloppily and were not as aggressive as normal. We'll just have to do better in the second leg," added Rajagobal. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Brazil, Norway pushed hard for wins Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:45 AM PDT MOENCHENGLADBACH: Brazil and Norway lived up to their status as Group D favourites when they both opened their Women's World Cup campaigns with 1-0 wins on Wednesday. But the footballing heavyweights were pushed hard by rivals Australia and debutantes Equatorial Guinea respectively in ties which wrapped up the first round of group matches. Brazil, the 2007 runners-up, needed a 54th-minute goal from Rosana to get past a young Australian side in Moenchengladbach, while earlier in Augsburg Emelie Haavi's late goal ensured all three points for 1995 champions Norway. "I knew coming here that we were going to play the toughest competition ever," said Brazilian coach Kleiton Lima. "Women's football has come a long way in the last four years and we knew we would play very hard matches." Despite boasting five-time World Player of the Year Marta in their ranks the Brazilians showed signs of early nerves. The much-anticipated clash had failed to warm the crowd early on with Marta far from her usual inspirational form as the young Matildas proved more than a match for the World No 3 team. Australian coach Tom Sermanni fielded a new line-up including teenagers Emily van Egmond, 17, and Caitlin Foord, 16, and admitted he was proud of how they helped contain 25-year-old Marta. Both sides missed chances to score in the first half in front of the 27,258 spectators but Brazil came out firing after the break with Rosana finally lifting spirits after she picked up a short pass from Cristiane. Lisa De Vanna missed one of Australia's last chances to grab a point when she broke free three minutes from time only to fire wide as an injury-time corner from Collette McCallum gave hope of an equaliser before being cleared. "It was a tough, really difficult match," said Kleiton. "When you're at a World Cup players might be experienced but they get nervous and this can get in the way. After the break the team gained more confidence and played a bit more organised football." It was a similar case in Augsburg, with Norway having the run of play early in the second half before finally breaking through in the 84th minute. Leni Larsen Kaurin crossed from the right side to Emelie, who struck into the upper netting from left of goal for the Norwegians. "I had a feeling it would be a tough game. The main thing is that we have three points. And now we can focus on getting three more points," said Norway coach Eli Landsem. "We had a lot of chances and actually we were hoping to score even more goals." The second round of Group D matches will take place on Sunday with Brazil taking on Norway in Wolfsburg, while Australia play Equatorial Guinea in Bochum. -- AFP Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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IT’S SHOWTIME! Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:55 AM PDT IT'S SHOWTIME! The month-long Johor Baru Arts Festival promises yet another eclectic line-up of exciting shows IT'S that time of year when arts enthusiasts can expect another exciting and eclectic line-up of shows in the 8th Johor Baru Arts Festival. With the positive feedback from the previous outing, the Festival Village will once again be located on the grounds of the Sultan Ibrahim Building at Bukit Timbalan. The historical charm and magnificent architecture of this iconic building, built in 1940 during the colonial era, is the perfect foil for the city's annual arts fest. While this building is used as Johor's symbol for tourism, it was not accessible to the public for many years. The arts fest, however, provided the opportunity for everyone to enjoy the premises, and people are encouraged to bring their friends and families, and even their bicycles and tricycles to play and picnic on the idyllic grounds. With vehicles parked outside the premises, the grounds are a greener and safer place for everyone to enjoy. "This year's festival promises to be the most exciting yet," said Suzie Yap, the festival's director as she outlined the wide range of performances that include music, dance, musical theatre and film screenings. In the music category alone, there are a variety of jazz, classical, Indie, pop and retro, traditional kompang music and a Chinese orchestra. In line with the festival concept, the programme that spans three weeks from tomorrow to July 24 will reflect four key elements, namely local, international, educational and interactive. The fest will encompass all recognised disciplines of performing arts that showcase Johor talents and expose audiences to performers and talents of international repute. The public is invited to explore the Iskandar Puteri Heritage Trail on July 9 during the Heritage Race, which is a treasure hunt organised by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda). On July 16, skateboard enthusiasts can compete in a challenging Skateboard Race around a city circuit. To create more excitement in the heart of Johor Baru, the organisers are working in partnership with the Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk Committee to host a series of supporting events at the nearby Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street. A photography contest dubbed "Photo-kopi @ Jalan Tan Hiok Nee" from June 26 to July 5 is expected to capture iconic scenes of JB's old town, including its streets and the people's old way of life. One of the attractions to see on the Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street from July 9 to 17 is the art of making traditional lion heads and costumes used for lion dancing, by Master Siow Ho Phiew. Lion dance enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling High Pole Lion Dance performance on July 16. On July 23, the award-winning movie, Love is a Many Splendored Thing with William Holden and Jennifer Jones in lead roles, will be screened to a by-invitation audience. This screen classic is based on a novel written by Han Suyin and believed to be her autobiography. Han Suyin, known to locals as Dr Elizabeth Comber, was a Eurasian doctor who spent about 10 years in Johor Baru, working in a dispensary above the former Universal Pharmacy at No 24, Jalan Ibrahim, a building that has now been demolished. A public viewing of the same movie will be held on Aug 6. "A good quality of life includes arts and cultural activities," said JB Arts Fest patron and Johor Baru member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Shahrir Abdul Samad. He added that while Johor Baru is rapidly-developing under Iskandar Malaysia, Johor could be enriched by a civil society who appreciate the arts. From the keen response to the arts fest currently gauged from internet search engines, he commended the organisers for putting Johor Baru firmly on the tourism map once again. He said this year's arts fest is seeing a better variety of foreign acts compared to last year. There are two sponsored shows, Your Sweet Smile...Help, featuring re-mix from Singapore and Empathy -- in Remembrance of the Victims of the Japanese Tsunami, a collaboration among Sekolah Seni Johor Baru, Japan Club of Johor and the arts fest organisers. A Sri Lankan Odyssey and Exuberance, the Punjab Experience are two foreign cultural groups that volunteered their participation in this year's art fest. With a script, score and music written by Johoreans and directed, choreographed and performed by local artistes, the centrepiece of the festival must be Bumi Berlantai Permata II, a musical drama on Johor's history. This drama was first staged at the previous arts fest and while there are several interesting changes in this version, get ready to be dazzled by colourful costumes, riveting songs and dance routines in this dramatisation of the state's proud history. The JB Arts art fest will kick off on June 30 with the screening of recorded versions of Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri and Bumi Berlantai Permata. All shows are free of charge and there are only nine paying shows with tickets priced at RM30 per adult and RM5 for students and senior citizens. Weekday shows start at 5pm with evening shows at 8.30pm while weekend activities begin from as early as 9am for competitions, games and workshops. For ticketing enquiries, call 019-716 9900/713 9900. For more information, visit www.jbartsfest.com Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Call to desludge septic tanks Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:57 AM PDT 2011/06/29 By Chong Chee Seong Noriah Kasnon (centre) watches as workers desludge a septic tank in Muar. — Picture by Shahrul M. Zain NINETY-FIVE per cent of individual septic tanks in the country have never been emptied as required once every three years. Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Noriah Kasnon said only five per cent (or 69,000) of the one million individual septic tanks in the country have been emptied, or otherwise known as undergo desludging according to schedule. She said, as a result, water from septic tanks contaminated streams and drains, or entered houses causing intolerable stench. Noriah said when this happened, the source of drinking water in the rivers would be polluted and this would affect the health of the people. "It is the responsibility of each household to ensure cleanliness of the water in our rivers," she said during the recent opening of the national-level Emptying of Septic Tanks Campaign at Kampung Kenangan Tun Dr Ismail 2 in Jalan Sungai Abong, Muar. Noriah said the ministry and state governments were working together to create awareness on importance of emptying septic tanks to protect the the environmental cleanliness and health of the community. She said if the trendcontinued, the Government would consider drafting new laws by placing the emptying of septic tanks to the responsibility of house and premise owners. Noriah said a recent study revealed that the cleanliness of water in the rivers had deteriorated, with only 306 rivers categorised as clean in 2009 as compared to 368 clean rivers in 2007. She said the number of rivers catgeorised as polluted rose from 48 rivers in 2008 to 54 in 2009. Earlier, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Kadir Mohd Din said it costs only 20 sen a day (or RM6 a month) for two years to pay RM144 for the service of emptying individual septic tanks, to keep the people healthy and country clean. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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