Malaysia Online Newspaper

Tourist Hotspots in Malaysia

2010-09-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

The very utterance of 'Malaysia' creates in the mind of the hearer a world of sight seeing possibilities. The great diversity of tourist attractions in Malaysia is amazing. You will need at least a month to have a complete and detailed tour of this beautiful country. Every sight seeing destination is worth the visit. Right from the colonial hill stations of Genting, high-tech city of Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, tropical island of Langkawi to various immaculate beaches, the world's oldest tropical rainforests, national parks, and more,

Malaysia truly captivates the heart and mind of all visitors. And your stay in hotels in Malaysia will turn out to be an affair to be cherished forever. The hospitality as well as the facilities offered, especially in the 5 star hotels, will only allure you to spend a few more days or entice you to plan your next trip to Malaysia shortly again. Such is the aura of hotels in Malaysia and the tourist hotspots.

One city in Malaysia that you will just love to hang out is Kuala Lumpur, also termed as an 'Asian tiger' city. Over a million people reside in this busy cosmopolitan city, nestling sky kissing skyscrapers. The historical twin Petronas Towers - the tallest building in the world - are the key attraction in this city of Malaysia. Besides the towering edifices, you will also find chic colonial buildings; you will even come across a 'little India'! Book your flights and get reservations done in one of the finest hotels in Malaysia. Advanced bookings will let you avail economical stay in the 5 star hotels.

Singapore is another most visited leisure, business, and education destination in Asia. To cater to different discerning tourists, there are countless hotels in Singapore to choose from. Visit a travel portal and look for your preferred hotels in Singapore. As aforementioned you can get cheap accommodation in 5 star hotels in Singapore if you get the reservations done several days ahead. Having access to information about any tourist hotspot is easy online. This way, you can plan an economical trip.

Steily William is freelance International Hotel and travel guide writer and is writing review articles on 5 Star Hotels, India Tourist Guide, Hotels in Malaysia, Budget Hotels, 5 star Hotels. For more details on the Hotels in Singapore you can visit Zoomta.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steily_William

Sipadan the Pearl of Malaysia

2010-03-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

Located of the mainland of Sabah near a town of Semporna is the legendary island of Sipadan. It is known as one of the best diving locations in the region and beyond. Not only do we see coral structures but more amazing are the marine caves, and Palau Sipadan has the largest variety of soft coral anywhere in the world.
It is a place where turtles swim freely in the warm waters of sipadan and scuba divers will find barracudas, lobsters, frog fish, many of the beautiful coral fish and sharks alike.

In total 12 dive sites can be found around the island of Sipadan, all the dive sites consist of wall dives which drop off shear from only 20 feet of the beach front. That will only stop at some 2,800 feet below. These staggering figures and the amazing coral and marine life as made Sipadan one of the top five beach dives in the world.

Below you will find some more details of the amazing Diving:
Temperatures are typically 6 to 30 degrees Celsius so a short wetsuit of three to five millimetres should be adequate and with 20 to 60m visibility will make the prefect dive.
As mentioned there are a total of 12 sites to dive on, ranging from Turtle Cavern where you will see hawksbill and green turtles a plenty, to south point where you will find plenty of sharks up to a shallow dive at lobster lair.

The marine life that can be seen are white and grey tip sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, jacks, barracdas, tigger fish, and mantis shrimp to name just a few.
Sipadan can be dived all year round and this makes it an amazing place.

Visit us at scuba diving shirts for more great original designs or go to Scuba Diving Malaysia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Hemmings

Types of Unit Trust Funds in Malaysia

2010-02-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

The basic feature of unit trust investment is a form of collective investment that allows investors with similar investment objectives to pool their saving, and invested in a portfolio of securities managed by investment professional.

We can classify 5 mains categories of unit trust funds in Malaysia:

1) Equity fund: The major portions of equity fund portfolios are shares of listed companies. It's available in the market with higher risk-higher return to those with lower risk-lower returns:

Aggressive growth fund - generally invests in companies with higher capital growth, but with higher risk.
Index fund- normally the return will closely resemble the performance of the stock market index, both in terms of risk and return.
Income fund - the fund will invest primarily in stocks that earn significant dividend income, rather than companies that are expected to pay little or no dividends.

2) Fixed Income fund: Mainly invest in corporate bonds, government securities and liquid securities. Generally it will provide regular income with less emphasis on capital growth.

3) Property fund: Invest in real property. The fund returns are generated from rental income and capital appreciation. Most property units are listed on stock exchange, as the assets are highly illiquid.

4) Islamic fund: Investment in accordance with Syariah Laws. Main objective is to invest in a portfolio of halal stocks. Non-halal stock - companies produce or involved in activities, products or services and financial services, gambling, alcoholic, beverages and non-halal food products.

5) Balanced fund: invest in between Equity fund and fixed income investments.
By having good understanding of the above funds categories, we start to evaluate the funds to invest in, by considering our investment objectives and risk tolerance level.

Sheng Feng Ang is currently a Unit Trust consultancy, mainly in investment and financial training. Adelaide has obtained the " Certified Financial Planner", is globally recognized in USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Singapore, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, France, South Korea, Brazil, Austria, South Africa and Switzerland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheng_Feng_Ang

Stock Market Malaysia History and Operations

2010-02-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

Stock Market Malaysia - The Bursa Malaysia Berhad is an important member of the global stock markets, with a history stretching back almost 80 years. Instituted in 1930, the private Singapore Stockbrokers' Association was the first sanctioned securities trading organization in Malaysia. This association of stock market Malaysia was renamed the Malayan Stockbrokers' Association in 1937, but did not yet publicly trade shares.

In 1960, public trading of shares was inaugurated with the public Malaysian market, called the Malayan Stock Exchange. The Malayan Stock Exchange was the predecessor of the modern Malayan securities market. The Malayan Stock Exchange was renamed the Stock Exchange of Malaysia in 1964.

The stock market Malaysia operations continued as the Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore (SEMS) after Singapore seceded from Malaysia in 1965. The exchange split into the Stock Exchange of Singapore, and the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Board in 1973, following the separation of the Malayan and Singapore currencies. In 1976, the Kuala Lumpur StockExchange was incorporated to take over operations of the KLSEB. The KLSEB was renamed the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1994.

Under direction of the Demutualization Act, in 2004 the klse stock market was converted from a not-for-profit organization limited by the guarantee of its membership, to an entity limited by its shares, called the Bursa Malaysia Berhad. At this time, the stock market Malaysia exchanges had a market capitalization of US $189 billion. With conversion, the securities exchange part of the business was transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bursa Securities. In 2005, Bursa Malaysia was listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

The main index, called the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) passed the 1,000 milestone in 2006, and in June 2007 held a market capitalization of US $307 billion. The market operations are divided into a Securities Exchange, a Derivatives Exchange, and an Offshore Exchange.

Larger companies are listed on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Main Board, medium sized companies on the Second Board, and high growth and technology companies on the MESDAQ market. There is also a separate board for offshore companies. Futures and options contracts are traded on the Derivatives Exchange, operated by Bursa Derivatives. These capital markets are regulated by various acts of parliament. The network of holding companies also develops and distributes comprehensive market information products and services.

There are plenty of markets that you can trade in. For many, trading a small bit of your portfolio overseas can help lower your exposure to what happens on the North American exchanges.

Investing can be confusing, but we can help with more information on otc online newsletter and where can I purchase penny stocks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

Stock market investment in Malaysia and Singapore
Effective stock market investment in Malaysia

Moon Cake Festival Celebration in Malaysia

2010-02-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

The moon, long an object to curiosity and worship, has inspired many tales in ancient China. While on board a boat, Tang Dynasty poet Li Po was believed to have tried to embrace the reflection of the moon while he was drunk. He fell overboard and drowned. In days of yore, people regarded a round shape as family reunion; thus the appearance of a full moon was regarded as an auspicious time for family members to get together. At no other time of the year is the moon brightest and fullest on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. In 2009, that auspicious day falls on October 3, 2009, which is also known as the Mid-autumn Festival. Lantern processions and the eating of mooncakes are highlights of the celebrations.

In Malaysia, which has a Chinese population, the Mooncake Festival is also celebrated on a moderately grand scale with prayers and reunion dinners. Altars are set up in the open air under the moonlight, and offerings of pomegranates, pomelos, steamed sponge cake, water-calthrops, mini yams and mooncakes are laid. The moon is worshipped, and there is feasting, moon gazing and, in modern families, partying and drinking. Children carry lanterns and sometimes competitions are held. According to older generations, on this day, the taboo of not pointing to the moon should be observed, lest a moon fairy will cut off one's ears!
In Kuala Lumpur, the Thean Hou Kung Temple on Jalan Syed Putra holds a grand celebration annually, while similar merry-making is held in Penang in either the Chinese Assembly Hall or the Kek Lok See Temple. Organisers of such celebrations are the Chinese guilds, associations and temple trustees.

Weeks before the festival, mooncakes and lanterns are put up for sale. In the Chinese districts of many cities, especially Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Malacca and Ipoh, red boxes packed with mooncakes are piled high on the sales counters of restaurants, and lanterns in the shapes of animals, flowers, butterflies and cartoon characters dangle in clusters from toy stores and incense shops. In keeping with the times, some of the lanterns are operated by battery though those lighted by candles are still popular. Mooncakes are bought not only for prayer and consumption but to be given to friends and relatives.

Shaped like the surface of a mooncakes come in several traditional varieties. They can be filled with black-bean paste, brownish lotus-paste, yellow-bean paste and lotus-seed mixed with sweetened paste. Usually, a preserved duck-egg yoke is added to the stuffing. These mooncakes are of the Cantonese version, and in addition, there are also less popular Hokkien-style mooncakes that come in a long cylindrical roll and Teochew mooncakes filled with yam. In Malaysia, halal mooncakes are also available. To cater to the increasing sophisticated taste buds of Malaysians, innovations in mooncakes include ice-cream mooncakes, pandanus moncakes, green tea mooncakes and durian mooncakes.

The origins of the Mooncake Festival have been lost in the mists of time but there are two legends associated with it. The first concerns its role in the overthrow of the Yuan Dynasty (AD 960-1280) that was established by the Mongols in ancient China. Under the oppressive rule of the Mongols, gatherings of a group of people were forbidden, and it was decreed that each household be allowed to own only one kitchen cleaver, which was chained to a chopping block. It was impossible to organise any uprisings. Liu Fu Tong, a rebel leader of Anhui province, requested permission from the District Officer to distribute cakes to bless the longevity of the Mongolian emperor. The District Officer agreed, and Liu made thousands of round cakes which he called mooncakes. Each cake contained a piece of paper outlining the plan of an attack. He told the recipients to eat the mooncakes on the 15th day of he 8th lunar moon. On that fateful day, when the people cut the mooncakes, they were able to coordinate a rebellion on a local scale. Another rebel leader, Chu Hung Wu, capitalised on the chaos to overthrow the Mongol emperor, and established the Ming Dynasty in AD 1368).

Another legend concerns Chang Er, who was a daughter of a poor farming family. When she was 18, Hou Yi, a skilled archer from a neighbouring village saw her attending to the fowls in her parents' farm, and was captivated by her beauty. Over the next few days, he deliberately rode passed the farm again and managed to introduced himself. She accepted his friendship, and soon they became lovers. During the period of their courtship, a phenomenon happened. The ten suns of the earth that took turns to bring warmth and light appeared together. Rivers dried up and the land became barren, causing starvation and massive destruction.

Hou Yi climbed up to the highest mountain he could find and launched his mighty arrows. One by one, nine of the suns were shot down. The people rejoiced and made Hou Yi their King. He married Chang Er, and they lived happily for several years. However, Hou Yi changed into a despot, and tried to seek immortality. He employed sorcerers to create an elixir of life for him. One prominent sorcerer told him he needed children to be sacrificed as part of the process of creating the elixir. Hou Yi ordered his troops to snatch children from their families, and the elixir table was almost completed.

One evening, Chang Er sneaked in the sorcerer's chamber that was housed in a tall tower in the palace. She rummaged everywhere and found the tablet. At that moment, the sorcerer burst in and Chang Er quickly swallowed the tablet. The sorcerer raised the alarm and in rushed Hou Yi who tried to force his wife to return the pill. It was too late. She had swallowed it, and in her bid to escape from Hou Yi, she was forced to jump from a window. However, she did not fall down but floated up to the moon, where she lives alone. Another version says that as punishment for stealing the elixir of life, Chang Er was turned into a three-legged toad. Her pet rabbit became her companion, and is always pounding the elixir of immortality in a large mortar. Today, it it believed that people celebrate the Mooncake Festival to remember Chang Er.

For details about the author, please visit his blog at http://ewepaikleong.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paik-Leong_Ewe

GST Implementation in Malaysia - The Argument

2010-01-25T23:36:00.000-08:00

There were many responses when the Malaysian government first announced the Financial Budget for Malaysia, year 2010, both good and bad. But when they were undecided about GST, it sparked more conversation on whether it'll benefit the Rakyat, or further threaten poorer communities in Malaysia.
What goods GST covers
As proposed by our dear government, GST covers all types of goods & services sold to Malaysian & non-Malaysian residents (therefore consumers) except for a common commodities such as rice, flour & sugar.
This goes to mean: Whenever you walk into your favorite hypermarket with the family to get some groceries in the future, you will be charged additional ~% (the proposed additional 4%) on top of your bill except for certain controlled items.
Further, Malaysia's main revenue shouldn't just live off petroleum. In other words, we shouldn't put all eggs in one basket because petroleum revenues have risks of its own, seeing that it's a natural resource.
What reason did they give? More funds for development and expenses.
How much would they probably get? RM1 billion (RM1,000,000,000) per annum in estimated rounded-up revenue.
Will it hurt the poor & middle class?
To a certain extent, it will somehow affect pockets of middle and lower income group Malaysians.
The arguments:

Recent price hike in petrol, prices of commodities have increased drastically. And now another one called GST?
Income tax brackets for high earners aren't as 'expensive' as middle-to-low income groups.
The Malaysian government has saved approximately RM2 billion (RM2,000,000,000) by lowering fuel subsidies - What's the take on GST now for lower income groups?
GST is tax on SPENDING. Basically, everything from parking fees to purchasing mattress. Even with GST-exempted items, this would still hit lower income groups in Malaysia.
Private sectors aren't paying much to Malaysians - Other more developed countries such as Singapore could take this hit because wages & salaries are much higher.
Other countries such as Britain, India, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore has GST - Doesn't mean GST has to be implemented in Malaysia. Their economic status and way of gaining revenue varies from Malaysia. (GST is also called VAT - Value Added Tax in other countries)
Inflation may happen. Prime Minister Mr. Najib has guaranteed no inflation - But with the introduction of GST, the chain of 'passing the cost' will end up usually at the hands of consumers.
Corruption isn't a rare thing in Malaysia - So businesses has already included 'corruption prices' in goods & services. How does that not reflect additional costs to consumers?
Out of inflation pressures, higher prices for goods & services are sought.

Prime Minister Mr. Najib has promised Malaysians that they will be tabling a public discussion on GST (called the GST Bill) on December. There are also several upsides that could be seen - But until Mr. Najib tables the meeting on GST Bill, we shouldn't be skeptical of anything yet.
Other side of the GST story
GST has been said to promise a few things:

Implementation will not be abrupt. It will be a slow & steady tax preparation so that individuals and small businesses will not be adversely affected.
It will replace the 10+5% services and goods tax. This means taxes are lower now - Consumers need not pay more for one area, but it's divided into many other source of 'tax' payments.
GST rates are promised at 4%, out of the normal 10% or 5% charged in restaurants.
Implementation will not occur until middle to late 2011 or 2012. Planning time is essential to not put 'inflation pressure' on small businesses.
Government's coffers will increase. This will enable further development and budget control to the country, other than relying just on petroleum or income tax revenues.
Tax when consumed, not when earned is much better. It allows better control. Spending influences will be "Careful" and "More controlled" when purchasing on higher prices are made rather than "taxable incomes" generated from work.
It's a broad-based tax system. Some items may be slightly more expensive & cheaper. It's not a overall standardized taxation method.

Your opinion on GST
Of course, there are many pros and cons of the new GST system - And the implementers should look more intricately into all income groups, balance their sheets and understand what are the effects first. While we can only propose so much, there's only so much we can do.
Here are some of the 'preparation techniques' the tablers of the GST Bill can adopt:

Be intricate with details: Tax is a complicated subject, like a science of its own. If you make the subject complicated, it may lead to more misunderstandings and later, more arguments.
Introduce 'layman terms' for further understanding. Giving examples always help. Examples on implementations always help. Tell a story to the public - And make it make sense to them.
Use other form of publicity media: Tabling the GST Bill on national newspapers and mass media isn't going to cut it. Find other means such as introduction campaigns Malaysia-wide.
Engage community understanding: Allow certain private and public (individual or company) figures to table talks and debates on GST Malaysia-wide. This encourages engagement and allows more problems & solutions to be seen.

The Malaysian government or finance department has a long time more (approximately 15 - 20 months) to table talks around Malaysia with regards to GST.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Low

Happy New Year 2010 from Malaysia Online Newspaper

2009-12-31T08:41:00.000-08:00

I wish all readers of Malaysia Online Newspaper happy new year 2010. May the year 2010 brings more prosper to Malaysia and together we can make Malaysia a better country to live in.

Keep visiting Malaysia Online Newspaper for more updates on Malaysia online newspaper.

Cheers!

Inspirational Quotes That Can Improve Yourself

2009-09-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

"Life With Woody" 10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourself

It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.

And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.

10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."

Ciao!

Introduction to Twitter

2009-09-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Internet relationships are very different from actual personal relationships. It is based primarily on like, know, and trust. Many people are reaching out to others through social network websites and one of these sites is Twitter.

If you don’t like a person, then you can’t trust him or her. If you become a subscriber of Twitter, you can meet millions of people and perhaps you can find some individuals that you might like.

In this social network site, you can do microblogging; so why micro? Well, it’s because you can only compose a message that is 140 characters in length. It’s too short but it tells a lot of what you’re doing. You see, if you’re using Twitter, you will be asked to answer the question – “what are you doing?” and the answer should be written in 140 characters.

Whenever you answer that question or when you make updates, the tweets are sent to all your friends to let them know what you’re doing. The aim of the developer of Twitter is to know all the activities of his friends and it is exactly what you can get from the site.

For instance, you’re going out to get some groceries. You can update your tweets and tell your friends that you’re out getting some groceries. Now, some of your friends may respond to your tweets but some will not. That’s the good thing with Twitter. The receiver of the updates or tweets is not forced to respond immediately. In fact, they can ignore the update if they want to. It’s up to you to adjust the settings on your profile page.

You can choose only a few of your friends to receive the message or tweets. You can also choose when and where you will receive the tweets. For example, you can receive the tweets on your mobile phone so that wherever you are, you will know what your friends are doing; and you can even reply via your mobile phone if you like.

Many new users of Twitter are often confused when they receive tweets. You see, some tweets are addressed to only one person and yet everyone on the ‘friends list’ receives it. It’s natural to get confused at first but as you use the site more often, you will appreciate it more. Did you know that Twitter is just as popular as MySpace and Facebook? It has about six million users from different countries. You can meet a lot of new friends there or you can also locate lost relatives and classmates.

Why don’t you sign up now and stay connected 24/7? You don’t need to access your Twitter account every time you want to update the messages on your profile page. The site provides excellent tools that allow you to make changes to your profile even without actually accessing the website. Make use of such tools and have fun.

If you’re new to Twitter, try to learn everything you can about the social network website. Visit their official site and know how they started. Twitter has been in business for almost three years now and their subscribers are still increasing. Because of its simplicity, many people prefer Twitter as compared to other social sites.

Experience Twitter now and see how many friends you can find. If you have a business, you can also promote it on the site.

F1 for 1Malaysia

2009-09-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

Najib is going to the fullest to market 1Malaysia brand name. The most qualified person to do the job is none other than the marketing genius Tony Fernandes. Najib is a genius of sort himself by roping in all the best-in-class people to run market the concept of 1Malaysia. I wish him all the best.

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Malaysia’s own F1 team

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will have its own team in Formula One next year.

A Lotus-powered racing team, to be called the 1Malaysia F1 team, will take on giants like Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and Renault in the premier motorsports event next year.

The team will join Force India-Mercedes as Asia’s representatives in F1, along with old-timers like Toyota.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has accepted Malaysia’s bid to enter the 2010 and future Formula One World Championships, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced yesterday.

F1 foray: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak receiving a model of the Malaysian F1 car at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya.

The 1Malaysia F1 team will be a partnership between the Govern-ment and the private sector, including investors led by Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (AirAsia Deputy CEO), Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes (AirAsia CEO) and SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin (Naza Group CEO).

The Malaysian-owned team will also mark the return of Proton-owned Lotus, the prestigious constructors who left F1 in 1994.

Najib, who made the announcement at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, said the team would be based at the Sepang International Circuit, making it the first to be located outside Europe.

“This is where the cars will be designed, manufactured and tested. It will be ‘Made-in-Malaysia, by Malaysians’ and of course, the pit-stops will be run by Malay-sians,” he said.

“This is a meaningful development and I hope that it will further raise our country’s profile on the world stage.”

The team will have a Malaysian technical and pit crew, totalling some 200 people, to be managed by former Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne.

Najib added that the team hoped to announce its two drivers by Oct 31.

“Currently, six local and international drivers have been shortlisted for evaluation,” he said.

“Our F1 team will also have technical experts from outside Malaysia to ensure that we are ready to compete on the world’s most prestigious racing stage.”

Malaysia hosted its first F1 race in 1999 at the Sepang F1 Circuit and Alex Yoong was the first Malaysian to race in the championships in 2001 and 2002 for Minardi.

The Prime Minister had earlier launched the exchange programme between employees from the government and government-linked companies (GLCs) as part of the Government-GLCs Cross-Fertilisation Programme.

He handed letters-of-trust to 47 government and GLC staff taking part in the programme. -- The Star

Whipping judge hands out 2nd caning for drinking

2009-09-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 – The Syariah court judge who sentenced Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to be caned for drinking beer has served up a similar punishment on an Indonesian man for consuming alcohol, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The New Straits Times said that Nazarudin Kamaruddin, 46, had become the first person to be caned for consuming alcohol in Pahang state in central Malaysia.

Judge Abdul Rahman Mohd Yunos triggered criticism from rights groups and concerns over the growing influence of tough Islamic punishments in Malaysia when he sentenced Kartika, a 32-year-old mother of two, to caning for consuming beer.

“The sentence meted out to him (Nazarudin) is not meant as punishment but to serve as a lesson,” Rahman said, according to the paper.

Kartika’s case is being reviewed by an Islamic appeals court judge and her caning could be carried out once the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is over.

Pahang is the home state of Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, who has pledged to modernise the economy of this country of 27 million people and to win new foreign investment. – Reuters

Something about Tok Wook

2009-09-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

When I read about this news article, the first thing that came to my mind was, "how did she do it?". How did she manage to convince all those people to marry her? Judging from what the article says, one thing for sure, she does not have the look nor the wealth.

So, there must be something about her. Something about Tok Wook that is strong enough to make those people fell for her and eventually married here.

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107-year-old wants 23rd hubby

KUALA BERANG: Afraid that her current husband might leave her after completing his drug rehabilitation programme, centenarian Mek Wok Kundor is looking to marry again - for the 23rd time.

The 107-year-old, who married Mohd Noor Che Musa, 37, in 2005, said they lived blissfully until he volunteered to treat his drug habit in Kuala Lumpur in July.

Tok Wook, as she is fondly known, now believes her husband might leave her after his programme ends and settle down in Kuala Lumpur besides marrying a woman younger than her.

Still going strong: The centenarian’s wish for a husband is so that she can fill her ‘forlornness and nothing more than that’.

“Lately, there is this kind of insecurity in me,” she said.

Tok Wook, who lives in Kampung Bukit TokBat here, said she planned to visit Mohd Noor on the second day of Hari Raya if her neighbours were willing to drive her to Kuala Lumpur.

“I want to express my feelings and tell him that I am lonely without him and if he reciprocates, I will wait for him without thinking of another marriage,” she added

She said she felt lonely without a companion during Ramadan.

“I am not searching for a man as handsome as our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), but someone to accompany me in my twilight years,” she said.

“I realise that I am an aged woman. I don’t have the body nor am I a young woman who can attract anyone.

“My intention to remarry is to fill my forlornness and nothing more than that.”

She, however, declined to talk about her past marriages and the number of children she has.

All she said about her kids was that they were old and dependent on their children.

While she spent her last Hari Raya with Mohd Noor’s family in Bachok Kelantan, Tok Wook will celebrate it this year with her neighbours.

“I will wear a baju kurung that was given as gift by my husband in January,” she said.

Source

Indonesia's Frustration

2009-09-11T03:18:00.000-07:00

The recent vigilante group to 'sweep' Malaysians off the street of Jakarta is an indication of how frustrated Indonesians are with Malaysia. In my opinion, this is a result of a long pent-up feeling which escalated all the way from the day Bali was bombed. The effect of the bombing had crippled the tiny island's economy almost overnight as Bali depends heavily on tourism to keep its economy afloat.

Within days, investigators managed to piece together the evidence and linked it with a terrorism group which was lead by a Malaysian leader Dr. Azhari. Dr. Azhari was somehow shot dead by Indonesian police during a siege.

Just as Indonesia was recoiling from the incident, Indonesia was again shocked by another bombing. This time it happened right in the capital of Indonesia - Jakarta. Again Indonesian authority found a link to a terrorism group lead by Dr. Azhari's protege Nordin Mat Top also a Malaysian-born.

Most recently Malaysia was accused by Indonesia of hijacking Indonesia's traditional dance by showcasing it in its tourism promotional campaign. This is a double-blow to Indonesian which already suffered from the previous incidents.

In both cases, Malaysia took a defensive action instead of engaging directly with Indonesia to resolve the issue. When Malaysia finally relented to bring the matter to the discussion table, it was a little too late. Angry protesters took to the street and burnt Malaysia's flag as a sign of disgust.

What will happen next? Let's wait and see.

Biblical Facts About Angels

2009-09-10T08:45:00.001-07:00

One of the most notable and significant proof about the existence of angels are actually the famous Biblical facts about angels.

Among the most common questions governing such are the age old questions like What are angels? How and why were they created? What do angels do?
Since time immemorial, man always held a strong and devoted fascination for angels and similar spiritual beings.

For centuries, many popular and renowned artists have tried to immortalize the image of angels on canvas and murals.

But it would come as a surprise to many once they get to realize that the Bible describes angels invoking a much more different description of angles as with how they are typically and artistically rendered or presented, like cute and cuddly babies with wings and draped in white cloth.
Here are some common Biblical facts about angels.

One may not be aware, but the Bible has made 273 references to angels and although we do not aim to get to each and every one of those descriptions and references, we hope to show some examples that provide proof of angels in the Bible.

The first reference can be found in the first book of the Bible, where everything else started – the Book of Genesis.
In the second chapter of Genesis, it mentions ‘Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished’ to which the term ‘host’ refers to the description of God’s spiritual messengers commonly known as angels.

This is also cross – referenced in the first chapter of the new testament book of Colossians where it says ‘For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.’

The Bible also provided reference to the fact that angels were created to live for eternity, as stated in Luke 20:36 .. nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

One proof that angels were present when God created the world can be found in Job 38:1-7 where it says that “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: ‘...Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ...while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"

It is also a fact that angels cannot marry or be bethroted to someone as stated in Matthew 22:30 where it says that ‘At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.’

Angels are also wise and intelligent, as the Old Testament book of 2nd Samuel 14:17 that says “Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.”

Also in Daniel 9:21-22 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding."

These are just some of the Biblical facts about angels and there are even more similar entries you may find in the Bible, so go ahead read and discover.

Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times

2009-09-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific)

Product Description
The grandson of an Indian immigrant and the first Malay commoner to become prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad turned the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country into one of the developing world's most successful economies. During his 22 years in power, he adopted pragmatic economic policies alongside repressive political measures, and showed that Islam was compatible with representative government and modernization. Abrasive and outspoken, Mahathir emerged as a Third World champion and Islamic spokesman by condemning the West, not least for trying to impose liberal democracy and neo-liberal economics on developing nations. By raising living standards and winning international acclaim, he contributed to a sense of national identity, pride and confidence among ethnically diverse Malaysians. But in mixing business and politics, Mahathir encouraged cronyism and failed to prevent the spread of corruption. Authoritarian and impatient, he jailed opponents, sacked rivals and undermined institutions as he pursued his obsession with development. In retirement, he broke a promise to stay out of politics, falling out with his two successors while using all available means to protect his legacy.

About the Author
BARRY WAIN, a former editor of the Asian Wall Street Journal, is Writer-in-Residence at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. An Australian journalist who has lived in Asia for 37 years, he is author of The Refused, an account of the refugee outflow from Indochina after the Vietnam War.

V2020, Malaysia Boleh, Islam Hadhari and 1Malaysia

2009-09-08T02:37:00.000-07:00

There is one legacy that Mahathir left behind that impresses me. To me, Mahathir was no doubt a brilliant leader. What we are seeing now and what we are enjoying now are the fruits of the seeds that he sowed when he was still in office. He will always be remembered as a visionary leader.

So what is the thing that impresses me about Mahathir? It was his Vision 2020 and Malaysia Boleh wisdom. As far as I am concerned, he was the first Prime Minister to introduce a catchphrase which was used to uplift the spirit of Malaysians to be competitive locally and globally. It was a brilliant idea. It caught on with the public and we saw people of different background and ages took the challenge and the most famous among them was Datuk Azhar Mansur who went on a solo voyage to circum-navigate to globe.

The trend did not stop there. When Badawi took over as Prime Minister, he introduced a new catchphrase himself supposedly taking a cue from his predecessor. The catchphrase which he introduced was Islam Hadari. As in Mahathir's case, both leaders tend to introduce a catchphrase to reflect their background. Mathatir being a doctor and Badawi being brought up in a strong Muslim family. Unfortunately for Badawi, the idea was not really popular with the public and it died a natural death soon after he stepped out of office.

By now, I supposed you should be able to guess what is the latest catchphrase from the current Prime Minister. Yes, the new catchphrase by Najib is 1Malaysia. A single race concept in a nutshell. Many question the origin of the concept. Some say it was hijacked from the PKR. As PKR or to be exact, RPK (Raja Petra Kamaruddin) has been preaching about it long before Najib took power even though it was not exactly called 1Malaysia then.

Putting the origin of the concept aside, among all the catchphrases, 1Malaysia has the highest commercial intent or commercial value. Within a short period of time, we see so many companies adopt the name in their business slogan. Even Tony Fernandez agrees with that in his blog. But the big question is, will Najib be able to achieve the objectives of 1Malaysia or it is just another elusive mirage that Najib has to deal with.

Malaysia Street Protest

2009-09-07T03:22:00.000-07:00

Do you notice that there are more and more street protests taking place in Malaysia nowadays? Such street protest were hardly heard of just a half decade ago? What do you think triggers the shift of mindset for Malaysians, from different walks of life, to take to the street their grouses with the authority?

In my opinion, it only goes to show that Malaysians have generally matured democratically. Gone are the days where people would take whatever news that were shoved to them. Gone are the days where people would just stick to one news source. The recent political uprisings in Thailand is another factor which was somewhat an eye-opener to the mass majority of Malaysians which showed that people power is strong enough to shake the current government.

Share your opinion at 1Malaysia Forum

Does Malaysia Really Need a Submarine?

2009-09-04T03:49:00.000-07:00

Malaysia finally got its first submarine but the question is that does Malaysia really need one? According to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the nation's move to acquire the submarine will give the navy greater and more effective control over our waters.

"Our Government is taking action to protect our shoreline from threats, and this submarine being our first gives a credible boost to our naval forces within the region".

The arrival of the submarine has been much anticipated as it was shrouded with controversy over the connection with the death of a Mongolian model who was said to be involved in the deal negotiation.

Please visit 1Malaysia Forum for further discussion.

A Backstep in 1Malaysia Concept

2009-09-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

The recent incident in Malaysia where a group of protesters marched towards the Selangor state secretariat building taking along a cow's head with them was a clear sign that religious tolerance is still very much at an infancy stage in Malaysia.

The protest was organized in response to the government's decision to relocate a Hindu temple to a Muslim majority area. The carrying of the cow's head was apparently directed towards the Hindus who are mostly Indians, as cows are considered sacred in the Hinduism faith.

Following the protest, the government immediately issued a warning that those who participated in the protest could be charged under Malaysia's ISA law which allows someone to be detained without a trial.

Please visit 1Malaysia Forum to discuss more on the subject

How do you think Teoh Beng Hock Died?

2009-08-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

A pathologist from the government side suggested that Teoh Beng Hock might have committed suicide as the evidence didn't support the idea that there was a foul play involved. Do you agree with that suggestion?

Take a poll at 1Malaysia Forum - Teoh Beng Hock's Death

Is Samy Vellu Still Relevant

2009-08-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Samy Vellu recently made a statement that the Indians are the king-makers for the Parmatang Pasir by-election on Aug 25. Do you think his statement is still relevant? Some say Najib's appearance at the Batu Cave in the recent 1Malaysia event is a clear indication that Samy Vellu is slowly being sidelined. Do you agree?

Join the discussion at 1Malaysia Forum