Khamis, 20 Oktober 2011

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Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:22 PM PDT

KUCHING: Sarawak Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has asked local authorities to enforce the use of Bahasa Melayu on signboards and billboards, saying people should not get the impression that they are in a foreign land when they are in the state.

Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said Malaysians should be confident that using the national language will also play a role in delivering knowledge as well as push the country towards developed nation status.

"I hope Sarawak will work towards this and I ask all local authorities to look at signboards in their areas," he said in his speech at the launch of the Kuching-level National Language Month 2011 at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak branch today. The text of his speech was read out by Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazlan Abg Hipni.

Abang Johari said the use of Bahasa Melayu also serves to assist in realising the 1Malaysia concept to unite the country's multi-racial and multi-ethnic communities.

"Our national language does not belong to any particular race, it belongs to all Malaysians," he said. -- BERNAMA

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74 injured in Hong Kong ferry crash

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:21 PM PDT

HONG KONG: Seventy-four people were injured after a Hong Kong ferry crashed into a mooring pillar Friday, the city's marine department said.

Of the injured, nine were in a serious condition and had to be air-lifted to hospital, Patrick Wong, a spokesman for Hong Kong's Marine Department told AFP.

"At about 5am this morning, a 29-metre long ferry carrying 140 passengers crashed into a concrete mooring facility by a typhoon shelter shortly after departing Cheung Chau," Wong said.

"The boat did not sink, but some people were hurt." The commuter ferry was carrying people from Cheung Chau, a small island off the city's southern coast, to the main Hong Kong island.

Wong said an investigation into the accident had been launched, adding that visibility at the time was normal.

The cause of the accident was yet to be determined.

"We were all thrown out of our seats when the ferry crashed — people were bleeding all over, from the head, nose and lips," a passenger told local broadcaster Cable News TV.

"It was very chaotic inside, none of the crew came to help us, we had to help ourselves," another passenger told the station.

Last year, eight people died in Hong Kong when a vessel collided with a cargo boat in the South China Sea. - AFP

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Chinese hit and run toddler dies

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 08:04 PM PDT

Chinese hit and run toddler dies

BEIJING: A Chinese toddler who was ignored by 18 passers-by as she lay critically injured in the street after being run over by two vehicles has died, the hospital treating her said Friday.

Surveillance camera footage of people walking past the two-year-old girl, nicknamed Yue Yue, as she lay bleeding and unconscious sparked a wave of condemnation and soul-searching on China's hugely popular social networking sites.

A rubbish collector who finally moved the girl to the side of the street in the southern Chinese city of Foshan was hailed as a national hero, but the incident also led many online commentators to question the state of Chinese morality.

"Yue Yue died of systemic organ failure," a spokesman from the hospital treating her told AFP, adding that no expense had been spared to try to save the girl, whose parents are migrant workers.

Doctors had earlier said Yue Yue, who had been in a coma since the October 13 incident, was unlikely to survive.

The death of Yue Yue was one of the most popular topics on China's weibos — microblogging sites similar to Twitter — on Friday as people expressed sorrow and anger over the incident.

"Farewell to little Yue Yue. There are no cars in heaven," wrote one microblogger on Sina's weibo.

"Yue Yue was consumed for a week by the fake kindness of netizens... All the wishes are fake and only the 18 passers-by are real. Farewell, and do not be born in China in your next life," another weibo user wrote.

Police have detained the drivers of both vehicles involved in the incident. - AFP

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Indonesia lifts maid freeze

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:24 PM PDT

2011/10/21
From Noor Adzman Baharuddin in Mataram (Lombok)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the 8th Malaysia-Indonesia Leaders' Consultation in Lombok yesterday. — Bernama picture

PRESIDENT Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesians can once again work as maids in Malaysia from Dec 1.

He said both countries had resolved all problems and obstacles to Indonesians becoming maids in Malaysia.

A Malaysian-Indonesian task force will submit a report to him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when they meet again at the Asean Summit in Bali on Nov 17.

Susilo said: "There are many Indonesians working in Malaysia and the governments of both countries have agreed to provide protection and assistance to our workforce, since they are contributing to the Malaysian economy.

"We are also happy with the amendments made between the two governments on the recruitment and placement of maids this year.

"As such, we have agreed in principle to normalise this (lift the moratorium) on Dec 1," he said at a press conference with Najib at the end of the 8th Malaysia-Indonesia Leaders' Consultation here yesterday.

Indonesia imposed a freeze on the sending of its citizens to work as maids in Malaysia in June 2009, following complaints of abuse.

In May this year, the two-year freeze was supposedly lifted when Malaysia and Indonesia signed a new memorandum of understanding.

Among the conditions agreed upon was that the employer would get a replacement maid or compensation if the maid ran away, was inefficient or failed the medical test in six months.

But, two weeks ago, Indonesia said it had not lifted the moratorium.

Najib said he did not see problems with lifting the moratorium. He said people had inundated his social network Facebook and Twitter accounts with concerns about the maid freeze before he came for the meeting.

"We have resolved the matter and President Susilo's announcement reflects his sincerity and earnestness to boost cooperation and bring greater prosperity to both countries." Najib advised Malaysians against mistreating Indonesian maids.

He said there might be only a handful of abuse cases, but prospective Malaysian employers must improve the image Indonesians had about how Malaysians treated maids.

"The number of cases of mistreatment may be small, but don't let a few bad apples spoil our good name." On the issue of wages for maids, he said thematter would be covered under the National MinimumWage Policy, which would be announced soon.

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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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Golf CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia: Shaaban swings into the money game

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:28 AM PDT

Shaaban Hussin

LASt year, he received US$50,000(rM156,275) for finishing last.

this time, Shaaban Hussin will earn more than that amount irrespective of his position in next week's cIMb Asia Pacific classic at the Mines Golf and country club in Kuala Lumpur.

that is because the total prize money for the tournament has been increased from US$6 million to US$6.1 million.

the winner's purse is US$1.3 million but Shaaban, who is Malaysia's sole challenger after winning a local qualifier, will have to first beat five Major winners.

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Rugby / World Cup: French ready to repel Kiwi onslaught

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:11 AM PDT

France coach Marc Lievremont (right) chats with doctor Jean Philippe Hager during training at the Takapuna Rugby Club in Auckland yesterday. — AFP picture

AUCKLAND: The battle lines have been drawn, the weapons selected, and now the French rugby team have thrown up a Gallic siege wall ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand.

The French are sure to face a ferocious onslaught from an All Blacks side backed by a New Zealand public desperate to win the World Cup after 24 barren years.

France have found themselves cast as very much the villains ahead of the clash at Eden Park, as much for their turgid rugby as for the identity of their opponents. But this pugnacious French side are determined to turn all the external negativity into a force to throw at the hosts as they bid to pull off one of the more unlikely upsets.

"For several weeks now it has been us against the world," France flyhalf Morgan Parra told reporters yesterday.

"We felt after beating England we might have some more support. We felt after beating Wales we might have some more support... but yet again, it is us against the world.

"So ... we are trying to keep ourselves cocooned in this bubble. Some people are saying we don't deserve to be where we are. Criticism from supporters or from certain England and Wales players saying we don't belong in the final -- that hurts," he added.

For one half of their quarter-final victory against England, France played the dashing, fluid rugby French sides have prided themselves on through the years.

But, for the rest of their campaign, and never more so than in their scrappy 9-8 semi-final win over 14-man Wales, they have resorted to dull, staccato set-play and kicks, winning few fans along the way. Even their own coach Marc Lievremont has been critical about their performances, creating yet more tension in the camp and drawing the ire of senior squad members.

All this, though, has simply served to make the squad a tighter unit. "We are like a family now," scrumhalf Dimitri Yashvili told reporters. "We will have French support ... all our families and our squad. We know we will be 15 players on the pitch against all the world, maybe."

Winger Vincent Clerc said the French had to be given some credit for their bellicose showing in New Zealand. "This is the World Cup final .. you can put some of it down to good fortune, but we are not here by chance or coincidence. We've been saying for some time we came here to be world champions and now we are in the final. We didn't come here to lose.

"We understand only too well that the All Blacks are the favourites -- somebody has to be the favourites. They will have a stadium jam-packed with New Zealanders -- but we haven't played the match yet ... they are not world champions yet. And I do not feel like I am in the skin of a loser ... like somebody who cannot win. I don't feel like that at all. And it doesn't matter what happens before -- only what happens on Sunday counts.

"We are in our bubble. Not many people believe in us, but we do not want to miss this opportunity." -- Reuters

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NST Online: StreetsJohor

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CREATIVITY CHALLENGE

Posted: 19 Oct 2011 08:13 AM PDT

2011/10/19
By Chuah Bee Kim

500 pupils vie for honours at the district-level Living Skills Carnival

FIVE hundred pupils from primary schools throughout Johor Baru put their creative skills to the test recently in competitions organised in conjunction with the district-level "Primary Schools Living Skills Carnival".

The competitions were divided into categories such as sewing, electronics, woodwork and floral arrangements and held in various schools, including SK Temenggong Abdul Rahman 1, SK Taman Mutiara Rini, SK Taman Pelangi and SK Taman Impian Emas.

Each team, comprising students and teachers, were given two to three hours to complete a project.

The prize-giving and closing ceremony, organised by the Johor Baru Primary School Living Skills Committee with the support of the Johor Baru City Council and Plaza Angsana, was held at the plaza in Johor Baru.

Council secretary Ismail Abdul Rahman, who represented mayor Burhan Amin at the event, said it was essential for the next generation to develop creativity, along with having a good education.

"Living skills should not be viewed only as a subject in school, but from a wider perspective. The council will continue to help the district education office in promoting living skills," said Ismail.

He later joined Johor Baru assistant district education officer (school management) Mohd Hanafi Samad, who represented Johor Education director Mohd Nor A. Ghani, to distribute prizes to the winners in each category.

Nur Asmida Ayuni Abdullah and Anis Suraya Zamiri, both 12, of SK Tasek Utara, won the top prize in the sewing category. They each took home a trophy and certificate.

The girls worked together with their teachers, Nurulaida Abdullah and Noorsuzana Che Kar, in completing the project.

"The girls were given three hours to sew a bag during the competition," said Noorsuzana.

Nur Asmida and Anis's schoolmate, Mohd Adib Hannan Aziz, 10, did not win first prize in the electronics category, but his project, which came in 10th, generated interest among the crowd who attended the closing ceremony.

Mohd Adib, with the help of his teacher, Noorsuzana, created a project called "Roll the dice", which was similar to a game of rolling the dice, except that Mohd Adib had used a rechargeable battery and an integrated circuit board with six Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs to play the game.

The winner of the electronics category was SK Bandar Uda 2, which was represented by Muhamud Syamil Zafri and Muhammad Eizaz Danish Hussen, both 11.

The duo built the "kingshock game" with the help of their teacher, Norain Zainal Abidin.

"The boys used basic components for their project such as a buzzer, wires and a transistor to design a game that creates a shock effect when a piece of metal touches the steel wire," said Norain.

Some among the crowd thought the kingshock game an innovative and interesting project.

Another participant, N. Kugan Reddy, 12, of SK Jenis (Tamil) Jalan Yahya Awal, took part in two categories -- woodwork and electronics.

His projects came in 8th and fifth, respectively.

Although he did not win the top prizes, Kugan said he was happy because he had tried his best.

He also thanked his teacher, S. Naga Thevi, for helping him with both projects.

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RM93 million underutilised showpiece

Posted: 19 Oct 2011 07:27 AM PDT

2011/10/19
by Sim Bak Heng

ABOUT RM93 million has now been spent to transform Sultan Ismail International Airport in Senai, Johor Baru, into an aviation hub in the south.

One wonders if the money was well spent, considering that the airport, ranked the fifth largest international airport in the country, handles fewer flights these days than Langkawi International Airport, which ranks sixth.

The Sultan Ismail Airport handles an average of 15 to 18 departures a day, as compared with 20 at Langkawi.

This is in stark contrast to the fourth biggest airport, Kuching International Airport, which has about 60 departures daily.

The top three are Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Penang International Airport, which handle about 300, 80 and 70 departures respectively, each day.

Sultan Ismail Airport ceased handling international flights after budget carrier Air Asia terminated its flights to Jakarta and Surabaya from the airport early last year.

When Firefly came into Johor in the middle of this year, it commenced domestic flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in May, and started flying to Surabaya and Bandung in August.

Early, this month, the community airline suddenly stopped flying to East Malaysia, and is expected to cancel its two Indonesian routes by next month.

Quite pathetic, considering the airline is new in Johor, and not even six months old.

Although no reason was given, industry sources claim the MAS-Air Asia share swap is the main reason, as it is not viable for two once-rival aviation companies to fly the same routes.

Whatever commercial reason is given, the biggest casualty is the airport itself, which has just undergone major redevelopment to prepare itself for bigger passenger volume.

Dwindling flights do not augur well for the airport, which is the only one in Iskandar Malaysia.

The number of departures a day is considered too small for an airport of international status.

After next month, there will be no more international flights from the airport, and the number of flights will be even fewer.

With more tourism products coming up soon, the scenario is putting the Johor tourism sector in an awkward situation.

Johor Tourism and Domestic Trade Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said the state government had written to MAS for an explanation.

"Regretfully, I was informed that the number of flights at the airport has declined and this will certainly affect the tourism industry," said Hoo.

During its glory days, Senai operated flights connecting Johor Baru via many international routes to places such as Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Palembang, Bangkok and Macau.

However, poor passenger load has led to the removal of flights one after another over the years.

It is easy to understand why the state government is concerned about the problem, as two key tourism products are scheduled for completion very soon.

The Kulaijaya Premier Outlet is set to open its doors by next month, while Legoland in Nusajaya will be ready by next year.

Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said Firefly's decision was rather damaging and embarrassing to the Johor tourism industry.

He said passengers were not given any flight options, just a refund.

"I was told that many tour agencies have already packaged their new tourism products and sold them to their Indonesian counterparts. With the termination of flights at the end of the year, Indonesian tourists will completely lose their confidence in us.

"They might not believe us again when we have new promotion or flight routes in future, as we have failed to honour our promise," he said.

What could possibly be the solution to bring in international tourists when these products are ready?

Relying too much on the nearest airport to Johor Baru, Changi Airport in Singapore, will not benefit Senai Airport at all. Chances are that international tourists will exhaust their spending in the republic by the time they reach Johor Baru.

For those flying via KLIA, Johor Baru is quite a distance away, and a connecting flight to Senai will add unnecessary cost and hassles for tourists.

The state government will have to change its strategies if it is serious about increasing passenger volume from 1.6 million last year to three million by 2014.

Failing to do so will lead to the impressively designed Sultan Ismail Airport inviting more cobwebs sooner than expected.

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Khamis, 20 Oktober 2011