BERITA MALAYSIA

Mancini demands Manchester City improvement despite rout

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:45:00 +0000

MANCHESTER: Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City players that he wants to see an improvement – despite the club’s flying start to the campaign.

City make their Champions League debut at home to Napoli on Wednesday on the back of four wins out of four in the Premier League.

Their latest success, an easy 3-0 win over Wigan at Eastlands on Saturday was inspired by a hat-trick from Sergio Aguero. But Mancini believes there is much more to come from his expensively-assembled side, and insists there is room for improvement.

“I think we had about 15 chances in the first half and only scored one goal and this is a problem because every moment in a game can change,” said the City manager.

“Maybe the game was closed after the second goal, but next time we have to close the game in the first half. The whole team played very well, but we need to improve. We’ve started the season very well, but the season will be long and if we are to stay on top for a long time we need to improve.”

Mancini also claimed his players are suffering from fatigue ahead of their Champions League debut – despite a recent 13-day international break.

He said some were suffering as they had played two games for their countries during the break.

“The players are so tired,” revealed the Italian. “Some of them have played two games for their national team and need to recover over the next three days.”

Aguero proved he is in excellent form ahead of Napoli’s visit after taking his tally to six goals in four games since joining from Atletico Madrid for £38mil last month.

But Mancini was reluctant to single out the Argentina international after an easy win which ended Wigan’s unbeaten seven-match run.

He said Carlos Tevez, who started for the first time this season after being stripped of the captaincy, was just as impressive.

“Sergio played very well but so too did all my players. I enjoy watching it because I like it when we play football very well,” added Mancini.

“Carlos (Tevez) is not 100% fit at this moment, but I am happy for him because for me he played very well. He linked well with Sergio. It was important for him to start and play well. Maybe in two or three days’ time he will be 100%.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes City can flourish against Europe’s elite after witnessing the likes of Aguero and David Silva destroy his side. — AFP

Taken from The Star Online

PM: Don’t idolise the bad guys

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:43:00 +0000

BUKIT MERTAJAM: People must not change historical facts or glorify communist terrorists, warned Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said no one should hero worship those who were cruel and traitors to the country.

“We have attained independence and lived in harmony. We give authority to the people and we respect the democratic process,” he said.

The country's leaders, added Najib, had used their wisdom to unite Malaysians in overcoming various challenges during independence, including fighting the communists during the Emergency.

He said although Malaysia was friendly with communist nations now that they had left their old ways behind, those during the Emergency had wanted to rule the country.

“The communists back then did not give freedom to the citizens as they were anti-religion. They were cruel and brutally killed people. That is why we opposed them back then,” he said at the national-level Malaysia Aidilfitri-Merdeka Open House at SMK Guar Perahu, Penanti, here yesterday.

In Bagan Datoh, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it would not use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against PAS deputypresident Mohamad Sabu for his remarks over the Bukit Kepong attack.

“I feel it is not suitable to use the ISA against a politikus (politician),” he said, adding that the Act should only be used in matters related to national security.

“We have to follow procedures and the law. We leave it to the Attorney-General to decide on the next suitable course of action,” he said, adding that he did not think Mohamad's statements would affect the country's security and public order.

“The A-G is independent and the Government will not get involved,” he told reporters after the Bagan Datoh Umno Hari Raya open house.

Hishammuddin also said he would meet the ex-servicemen's association next week over Mohamad's statement.

Bagan Datoh Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Defence Minister, said former servicemen had expressed their disappointment over the remarks.

“Association members will sign a pledge to support the Government and criticise the recognition given by Mohamad to the communists,” he said.

Taken from The Star Online

Road closures for Malaysia Day rehearsals cause traffic congestion

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:42:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: Roads into the city were clogged Monday morning due to the closure of certain roads in the city for rehearsals ahead of Malaysia Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka on Friday.

The traffic is expected to ease soon as the closed roads were opened after 10am.

Kuala Lumpur traffic chief ACP Rusli Mohd Noor had said Thursday that several major roads in the vicinity of Merdeka Square here would be closed for rehearsal and parade in conjunction with the 54th Independence Day and Malaysia Day celebrations from Saturday until Sept 16.

"Certain roads will be closed as early as 4am for the purpose of preparations and all affected roads will be reopened after the events," he had said in Thursday's statement.

The roads affected are Jalan Travers, Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Damansara (Carcosa Seri Negara), Jalan Lembah, Jalan Perdana (National Mosque), Hishamuddin Roundabout, Jalan Hishamuddin, Jalan Tembusu, Jalan Cenderasari, Jalan Kinabalu, Bukit Amja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Munsyi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan.

Taken from The Star Online

If the poor are burdened, then abolish the tax

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 02:39:00 +0000

Ghkok: Telekom Malaysia is also charging the 6% service tax. So is TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad), Astro and toll roads, and your favourite 'mamak' restaurants, fast food outlets and 'kopi tiams' all over the country.

The tax goes to the government. The Finance Ministry decided on this tax. PM Najib Razak is the finance minister.

Now, the government wants telcos to absorb the 6% tax. Since food is an essential item, should it not be consistent and ask all food outlets to also absorb the 6% tax?

Road usage is also a basic need. So at the end of the day, it looks like the finance minister is imposing 6% corporate tax on all these companies? No? Why doesn't the finance minister just say so?

Justicee: The government imposed the 6% tax. It is unfair and malicious that the government wants the telcos to absorb it. If Najib feels the poor are being burdened, abolish the tax. The wrong signals are being sent to investors.

Kgen: Service tax is a tax on end users so the telcos have every right to pass it to consumers irrespective of how much profit they are making. Jumping on the telcos show poor governance. The proper move is to exempt prepaid cards from the tax.

TSC: This is one of the classic features of a weak leader. When facing opposition, he tries to wriggle out of the difficulty by shifting blame to others.

Onyourtoes: Labis MP Chua Tee Yong s/o Chua Soi Lek, corporate social responsibility should rightly come from the heart. It is the voluntary action of corporations wanting to do something good for the society. It is something discretional that the companies exercise by looking at their profitability, cash flows and other extenuating factors.

When corporate responsibility becomes mandatory (as in this case), it becomes taxation, do you get it? When the government asked the corporations absorb the service tax, it is six percent extra tax on these companies' revenue, mind you, not profit.

When companies make profits, the reasons could be many, not necessarily they are exploiting the customers, although I must say in Malaysia, it is rather rampant because our market is not sufficiently competitive.

The government can not exercise arbitrariness by making decisions as they like. The message shown to the business community is one of unpredictability and abuse of power. In actual fact, once the service tax is approved and implemented, the government has no authority to direct corporations to shoulder the burden.

If the government coerces and forces them to comply, then we are third world economy. Running a government is not based on feelings and hunches of some individuals in the fourth floor of the PM's Office.

Bersih 2.5: What about 6% service tax for post-paid users? Be fair to all the telecommunication users.

Siapa Saya: You are the one that makes consumers pay the service tax. Not the telcos (telecommunication companies). Even an idiot will not believe what you said.

Thousands throng national Hari Raya open house

Ferdtan: If it is people's national Hari Raya open house, and if they are keen to come, then why must the organiser hire 200 buses (at least RM20,000 in rental) to ferry them?

Compared this to the thousands of Bersih 2.0 marchers: they came willingly at their own cost, courting arrest by the police and no transport provided.

And they got more than they expected from our very own police; some were arrested, some beaten, others sprayed with chemical-laced water and shot at with tear gas.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: And with this 'huge' turnout as confirmed by the Umno-BN aligned Penang chief police officer, is the Permatang Pauh seat going to fall to Umno in GE13?

Najib can dream on. Given that it was a Sunday and the Malaysian penchant for free food and entertainment, no wonder thousands turned up, but this does not mean that it is going to be translated into votes.

But it is rather odd that a "national" day Hari Raya open house in Penang could exclude the entire Penang state government and the sitting MP for Permatang Pauh. This is democracy ala Umno.

Ben-ghazi: The large crowd is proof enough that Anwar Ibrahim still has the support, and his supporters heeded his call to attend and enjoy the free food, which was paid for by taxpayers.

So, there is no surprise. Food should not be wasted, and since transport is also provided, what is there to prevent people from attending. Even Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also attended. Does he support the PM? I doubt it.

Democracy: The large turnout is the result of the government's failure to control inflation and the removal of subsidies for the poor. So keep the food cost inflation up and remove more food subsidies and next open house will have a bigger crowd.

Try having an open house with no food served with only greetings from Umno VIPs and lots of propaganda talk and then see if there is large turnout. Only then BN can claim credit of support.

Taken from Malaysia Kini Online

Vocational education set for 'dynamic change'

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:22:00 +0000

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin with Professor Frances Corner, the head of the London College of Fashion, at the University of Arts London yesterday. — Bernama picture

THE much anticipated transformation of vocational studies in the country is set to take off with a revamped curriculum to be introduced by 2013, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said here yesterday.He said the move was part of the Education Ministry's re-engineering of vocational education to transform it into a more dynamic system which could produce skilled graduates to fulfil manpower needs in various sectors.

Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, said the transformation process would involve basic vocational education for students who have just completed Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and also those seeking diplomas at vocational schools, which would be upgraded to vocational colleges.

"We view vocational education as being just as important as academic studies and want our vocational institutions to produce at least 20 per cent of our manpower needs in coming years.
"Right now we are only fulfilling 10 per cent of the industry needs from our vocational set-ups," he said after visiting the University of Arts London where he met the head of the London College of Fashion, Professor Frances Corner.

He also said the ministry was mulling establishing a strategic partnership with the renowned university.

The stopover was part of his three-day working visit here.

Muhyiddin said the transformation of vocational education would create a clearer path for vocational school students as their qualifications would be equivalent to a diploma.

It was reported that the secondary school syllabus was being revamped with vocational studies being added as a new stream. This means Form Four students will have three streams -- Science, Arts and Vocational. They will also be exposed to vocational studies from Form One.

Muhyiddin said the revamp of the vocational education would see students being exposed to more practical training of up to 80 per cent of the curriculum instead of academic studies.

The government was also in the process of establishing a National Vocational Council with the participation of the private sector and representatives of various organisations.

"We hope to see this council established soon and this reflects our commitment towards transforming the whole vocational education system to make it into an education of choice.

"This is a major exercise we are undertaking and private sector support is most welcomed."

Read more: Vocational education set for 'dynamic change' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/6yasm/Article/#ixzz1Xc941lKa

Taken from New Straits Times Online

'My Distress' application may be extended to other states Read more: 'My Distress' application may be extended to other states

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:15:00 +0000

SEREMBAN: The "My Distress" smart phone application recently launched by the Selangor police has received encouraging response and may be extended to other states.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said today that some 30,000 people had registered for the application which enables the public to signal police in emergency situations by pressing an icon.
"If every emergency call through the application is satisfactorily settled by the police, I don't discount the possibility of it being extended to other states.

"Apart from the response of the people, we have to look at the ability of the police to react immediately to a distress call. This is what we are monitoring now," Khalid told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house at Kampung Gebok in Mantin near here.

The application is equipped with the Global Positioning System, enabling police to track the person sending a distress signal. -- BERNAMA

Read more: 'My Distress' application may be extended to other states http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/MyDistress_applicationmaybeextendedtootherstates/Article/#ixzz1Xc8McECR

Taken from New Straits Times Online

MTUC urges PM to end NUBE-Maybank row

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:51:00 +0000

MTUC urges PM to end NUBE-Maybank row

By G. Manimaran

September 09, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step in and resolve the growing controversy between bank workers and Maybank, the country’s biggest banking corporation.

The 50-year-old National Union of Banking Employees (NUBE) is representing some 5,000 Maybank workers who have been locked in a dispute with their employer since June 2009 over bonus claims and the issue over the legality of an in-house union for non-executive personnel.

“We hope the prime minister will intervene to resolve the issues faced by NUBE, we hope the prime minister will act to rectify this situation,” MTUC president Khalid Atan told The Malaysian Insider.

Wading into the controversy today, Khalid said the MTUC views that the federal government should not allow the setting up of an internal union within an organisation when one already exists at the national level.

“We don’t know if there exists loopholes within labour laws [that enable the setting up of an in-house union]. But from a moral angle, it should not be allowed,” Khalid said.

He declined further comment for fear of being charged with subjudice as the NUBE had taken the dispute with Maybank to court for resolution.

A new union known as the Maybank Non-Executive Employees Union (Mayneu), was set up last October and registered three months later under the Trade Union Act 1959 in January this year to represent the lower-level workers.

The NUBE, which has been portrayed as a stout supporter of the Najib administration, released a statement yesterday doubting the PM’s leadership, saying his popularity has been dwindling among the clerical staff.

Maybank is the largest bank in Malaysia with more than 380 domestic and 90 international branches.

The banking union has 30,000 members and alleged that Najib, who is also in charge of the Finance Ministry, had failed to resolve issues affecting workers in the banking sector, in particular those in Maybank, since it was brought to his attention last year.

NUBE secretary-general J. Solomon attributed Najib’s sliding rating among the clerical staff to the widening income gap, oppression of workers and the increasing inflation rate.

“The silence of the prime minister to act on complaints against Maybank, a government-linked company (GLC), will not endear him to the public,” Solomon said in a statement.

“Maybank is boldly and brutally violating international standards of human rights, making a mockery of Malaysian laws, and making wider an already huge income divide,” he added, and warned the union will go on a roadshow after Razak’s prolonged silence over its pay dispute with the bank.

MTUC’s Khalid refused to be pulled into that argument, saying the umbrella organisation supports those that are able to address the demands and problems of workers.

“We support whichever party that supports our workers’ cause, we support the prime minister if he is able to bring about a positive result to workers’ cause and demands... that is our stand. We support anyone who helps us,” he said.

Taken from Malaysian Insider

Watchdog wants end to secret defence deals

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:49:00 +0000

By Shannon Teoh

September 09, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) wants the government to put a stop to using national security as an excuse for the secrecy that ends up hiding graft involving defence contracts, and consider appointing independent monitors for such deals.

Datuk Paul Low, the president of the independent watchdog, told The Malaysian Insider that secrecy in the name of national security has led to such deals being riddled with corruption due to the practice of political funding and patronage.

Low said the government could not ask for money while suffering leakages. — File pic

“As the government is trying to cut the budget deficit while introducing goods and service tax, it cannot ask for money while suffering leakages,” he said.

The seedy and allegedly corrupt side of Malaysia’s defence procurement was laid bare in a US embassy cable, with startling revelations on how Umno politicians, agents, civil servants and military officials receive 30 per cent “commission” on deals.

In a note on the opaque procurement system here revealed by whistleblower site Wikileaks, the US embassy noted that American companies operating here had three main complaints about the system: the lack of transparency, outright corruption, and Bumiputera requirements.

The undated cable sent during the Abdullah administration between 2004 and 2009 also noted that many government tenders do not follow procurement rules.

A US aerospace executive told the US embassy here defence deals were done through shadowy agreements with no tendering process. For example, the then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s sister-in-law arranged a US$400 million (RM1.2 billion) contract to buy military cargo aircraft from Airbus.

The deal was announced following Abdullah’s return from a trip to France.

“The US executive asserted that PM Abdullah’s brother told him this deal was ‘done for political and other reasons, such as commission’,” noted the US embassy cable madepublicthrough Wikileaks.

Similar scenarios were described for the procurement of T91 Polish tanks and SU-30 Russian aircraft, noted the executive, who also said that once someone purporting to work for then-Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak approached him about a deal and suggested “you will get a part of it.”

The US embassy noted that Malaysian political parties including Umno rely on “money politics” for much of their operating funds.

“Projects or tenders often are awarded as political patronage with a cut of funds circulating back to the party through different channels,” noted the embassy.

These revelations come at a time when there has been some scrutiny surrounding the deal to buy Scorpene submarine. More than RM500 million was allegedly paid to a local consulting company Perimekar and the opposition has pointed fingers at Najib who was the defence minister when the deal was inked.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians have also questioned the inflated costs of several new defence deals announced by current Defence Minister Datuk Zahid Hamidi.

The US embassy noted that lack of transparency was also evident when it came to awarding contracts in the information communication technology (ICT) sector. A manager at a US ICT firm pointed out that it was shortlisted for a tender with Telekom Malaysia Bhd but lost to another company that did not even bid for the contract.

Though the cable was sent during the Abdullah administration, there is little evidence that the procurement system has improved.

In response the the revelations, TI-M’s Low noted that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Auditor-General’s office were monitoring the RM50 billion Mass Rapid Transit project and such a mechanism could also be used on defence deals without laying bare details considered sensitive to national security.

Taken fom Malaysian Insider Online

Pakatan: Set up small panels to scrutinise budget allocations

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:47:00 +0000

PETALING JAYA, Sept 9 — The federal opposition has demanded at least seven committees to debate budget allocations in Parliament, a move it says will end the current practice where “billions of ringgit are approved with a brush stroke.”

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers told reporters today that allocating MPs to committees would allow each ministry’s allocation to be debated for about four days instead of the two hours some portfolios received in Dewan Rakyat now.

“At the committee stage, only three MPs from each side speak for a few minutes before the ministry’s budget of several billion ringgit is rushed through with a swift brush stroke,” DAP international secretary Liew Chin Tong (picture) said of some smaller portfolios.

The PR alternative budget committee said that in other Westminster systems, each ministry would have its own committee of MPs from all parties to discuss the allocation over the entire committee stage.

It proposed a compromise for the upcoming budget session beginning on October 7, with MPs being divided into seven committees of 20 lawmakers each to discuss allocations simultaneously over the entire 18 days set aside for the committee stage instead of the current practice where the entire House becomes a committee.

Liew, who is Bukit Bendera MP, said that it would ensure that MPs could sit in serious discussion instead of merely “crossing swords” as members of the government or opposition.

PAS research chief Dzulkefly Ahmad said this would allow parties to make fuller use of the expertise of their lawmakers.

“Each committee member will be able to develop specialist expertise and experience over the long term,” the Kuala Selangor MP said, adding that each member should be given a RM10,000 allocation per month to hire a research team.

The Najib administration’s proposed budget for 2012 is seen as crucial in charting the country’s economic amid fears of a global double-dip recession due to the current debt crises in the United States and Europe.

Malaysia’s economy growth has also lost its momentum after rebounding to a 7.2 per cent jump last year, slowing to 4.9 and four per cent in the first two quarters of 2011 respectively.

Putrajaya is also grappling with surging inflation that has remained at a two-year high of over three per cent since March while having to slash a subsidy bill that would otherwise double to RM21 billion this year, severely jeopardising its commitment to reducing the budget deficit.

After it hit a two-decade high of seven per cent in 2009, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged to reduce the deficit and has targeted a reduction to 5.6 per cent this year.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said today that given the economic climate and the need to rein in the deficit, ruling Barisan Nasional lawmakers should also support the call for more stringent monitoring of ministerial allocations.

“Instead of being preoccupied with the political dictation of leaders of the day, we should focus on what is an

important budget given the economic setbacks the country is facing,” the Lembah Pantai MP said

Taken from Malaysian Insider Online

MANCHESTER: Football/ Premier League - Tricky Swans

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:28:00 +0000

City boss Mancini not taking things for granted against Welsh delight

Monday, August 15th, 2011 12:31:00

Mancini: Difficult to play against a newly-promoted side

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini is anticipating a tough time when his side host newly-promoted Swansea at Etihad Stadium tomorrow (3am).

On paper, a home fixture against a team who have come up from the Championship would appear to many to be an ideal assignment for City in their Premier League opener.

But last season's promoted trio Newcastle, West Brom and Blackpool — who memorably got their campaign started with a 4-0 thumping of Wigan at DW Stadium — all fared well in their initial round of league matches and were each positioned in the top half after 10 games.

With that in mind, there is no danger of Mancini underestimating the task that awaits his players.

"When you start the season and you play against a team who come from the Championship, it is really difficult," said the Italian.

"Last season, with all the teams that came from the Championship, it was very hard to play against them in the first 10 games and it will be the same this time around. But this is why the Premier League is difficult. Every game is hard."

Swansea will be the first Welsh team to compete in the Premier League.

They have become renowned for their dynamic brand of football over the last few years and Mancini is well aware of the kind of challenge the Swans are likely to pose.

"I have watched many of their games," said Mancini.

"Swansea play good football.

They don't play long ball and they have good players.

"Their manager Brendan Rodgers is good — last season, he played really good football and got promoted."
Although Mancini's expensively assembled squad are being widely tipped to mount a serious title challenge this season, he has been keen to stress the difficulties of the early part of a season, both in terms of player recruitment and condition.

He is currently being forced to operate short of what he had hoped, with any talks over Samir Nasri's expected move from Arsenal too late to give the Frenchman a chance of being involved against Swansea.

Record signing Sergio "Kun" Aguero is still some way short of full fitness as well, while controversial Carlos Tevez only came back to training last Monday.

"I think the first 10 games are very difficult — the squad is not 100 per cent ready," said Mancini.

"It needs four or five games to find good form for the players."

Tevez will sit out the game tomorrow, while Aguero may feature for the first time since his £38m (RM185.7m) move from Atletico Madrid, but Mancini reckons the 23-year-old can contribute only 45 minutes at best.

Taken from Malay Mail Online

Malaysian joins two protocols on rights of child

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:26:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will join two optional protocols of the Convention on Rights of the Child introduced by United Nations (UN), said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil.

She said the protocols approved at the Cabinet meeting Wednesday cover the sale, prostitution and child pornography and to protect children from being involved in armed conflict.

Malaysia's participation in the two protocols was to contain problems that often affect children in the country, especially abuse and trafficking in children for sexual exploitation.

"The Cabinet agreed that Malaysia join the two optional protocols in addition to protecting children's rights," she said at a press conference after launching State of the World's Children Report 2011, here Thursday.

The ministry will plan several programmes to educate and raise awareness to guardians of youths and teenagers on issues with cooperation of the Home, Health and Education Ministry.

"The government is serious in planning strategies to curb this problem. Children have been know to spread their naked pictures on the internet without knowing the danger."

Earlier, Shahrizat who participated in a panel talk with six teenagers about their hopes and dreams discussed opportunities provided by the government.

Also in the panel was Unicef Children's Fund representative Hans Olsen.

She said teenagers are the country's important asset and must be approached and understood and their ideas used in implementing policies.

"They are too old to be treated like a child and yet young to be treated like an adult. At this young age, they can assess the mood to be more accountable to self, family and country," she said at the one hour talk.

Teenager Alayna Rani Sreenivas said "I feel more responsible for all my action. It is our right to participate towards a better country and world.

"There are 1.2bil youths in the world with so many ideas that should not be ignored," she added.

Taken from Malay Mail Online

Massa eyeing big effort for Ferrari

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:22:00 +0000

MONZA (Italy): Two weeks after watching a seemingly-formidable Sebastian Vettel drive to yet another victory for Red Bull, Felipe Massa and his Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso want to finally give Italian fans something to shout about.
In the last European race of the season, this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, Brazilian Massa and the Spanish two-time champion will also be hoping for some hot weather at the old Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

They know that high temperatures will favour not only the conditions for the 'Tifosi', but also for their tyres' performance in what is expected to be another close fought contest between the champions Red Bull and their nearest rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

"This is, of course, a very important weekend for us," admitted Massa.
"But not in the sense of it being a last chance for us this year -- or anything like that.

But because we really want to produce a great result for ourselves, for the team and most of all for the fans.

"Spa was not fantastic for us and the cold weather accentuated our tyre problems, but this weekend, we have the same tyre compounds but hopefully much hotter weather.

"We will need a car with good top speed."

Massa, without a win this year, added: "Monza is our last weekend of racing in Europe this year and, because this season has not gone so well for us, it will be even more important to do our job perfectly and try and get the result that we and all the Tifosi want and deserve.

"Like all the teams, we will have a low down-force set-up unique to Monza, with small wings -- and in free practice you need to make sure the car is well balanced with good traction to pull out of the slow chicanes and that it is able to deal with jumping the kerbs, which is vital for a quick lap time, especially in qualifying."

Massa forecast a weekend of excitement for the spectators.

He said: "I think we will see a lot of overtaking, because of the high speed nature of the track and the fact we will have two zones where we can use the DRS (Drag Reduction system).

"I'm not saying it will be an advantage to be second coming into Parabolica on the last lap to overtake the car in front.

"Obviously, if you have a good car, it's probably a better strategy to pass before then and pull out a gap that is bigger than one second.

"However, if you are fighting right down to the last lap, well, that could be the case, which would make for a very exciting race." -- AFP

Read more: Massa eyeing big effort for Ferrari http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/40orf/Article/#ixzz1XPyY3Uqi

Taken from New Straits Times Online

ETP plans will continue

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:20:00 +0000

Slowing global economy won’t affect projects, says Pemandu chief
KUALA LUMPUR: The slowing global economy won’t affect projects planned under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), said Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

“There is no doubt in my mind that these will continue,” said Idris, who is chief executive officer of Pemandu, the unit under the Prime Minister’s Department that oversees the ETP’s implementation.

Idris’ assurance comes amid growing concern among analysts that a global economic downturn could lead to several projects under the ETP being delayed or shelved.

These projects are key to the country’s plan to transform itself from a middle-income nation into a high-income one by 2020.

Speaking at an ETP progress update here yesterday, also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Idris allayed these concerns. He said it was important for Malaysia to continue to be more competitive.

“It’s clear the winners (in an economic downturn) will be those countries or companies that are more competitive than others.” To date, 84 per cent of the 87 initiatives announced under the ETP — unveiled in October last year — are being implemented. Of these initiatives, 23 are operational, 50 have commenced and 14 are in progress.

Najib yesterday announced eight more initiatives expected to produce RM1.4 billion in investments.

These span eight sectors such as manufacturing, retail, education, agriculture and aerospace.

The biggest of these initiatives is the RM706 million investment by plantation firm Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd in developing the downstream sector of the palm oil industry. It plans to build three plants and a research and development centre.

Read more: ETP plans will continue http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/ETPplanswillcontinue/Article/#ixzz1XPxltthD

Taken from New Straits Times Online

Prepaid mobile users to pay 6pc service tax Read more: Prepaid mobile users to pay 6pc service tax

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:41:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: Come Sept 15, prepaid mobile users will need to pay a six per cent service tax whenever they buy a starter pack or reloads.
This means, a customer will need to pay RM10.60 for a RM10 prepaid reload.

"Service tax is a consumption tax and chargeable to the customer, as provided for in the service tax laws.

"The Service Tax Act 1975 requires telecommunication companies to levy service tax at the prevailing rate on telecommunication services, including mobile prepaid services.
"This is similar to the service tax levied on food and beverage purchases from restaurants and hotels," said mobile service providers in a joint statement yesterday.

Since the launch of mobile prepaid services in 1998, mobile operators have been absorbing the service tax.

According to mobile operators, the move was to ensure mobile prepaid services remained competitive compared with postpaid.

"With prepaid rates progressively reduced over the years, it is currently offered at very competitive rates," they said.

Telecommunications analysts view the news as "generally positive" for mobile operators, with DiGi.Com Bhd seen as the biggest beneficiary and Maxis Bhd benefiting the least.

As at June 30 this year, 83 per cent of DiGi's customer base comprised prepaid users. In contrast, about 75 per cent of Maxis' customers were prepaid users.

Today, prepaid users are spending about RM36 to RM51 a month.

Analysts believe the implementation of the service tax is unlikely to reduce prepaid users spending significantly.

Taken from New Straits Times Online

It’s all in the chromosomes

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:38:00 +0000

NINE out of 100 males are colourblind, says consultant opthalmologist Dr Tan Niap Ming.
She said there were many types of colour deficiency, but the most common was the “red-g reen” colour blindness.

“Many people with the condition cannot tell the difference between green and tones of red.

“But a big majority of them can differenti at e solid colours, even if it is between green and red; and they usually face difficulty in identifying desaturated hues of colours.” Dr Tan said to help such people drive on public roads, some countries had added a tinge of blue to the traffic light ’s green bulbs, so they have a greater contrast with red bulbs.

“They can also read the red light’s position on traffic lights.” The traffic light system, where red is the highest bulb and green the lowest, is universally standardised.

“Abnormal colour perception, or colour deficiency, is the termprefer red by medical practitioners as the word ‘blindness’ implies it is a disability or handicap,” Dr Tan said.

Even though the condition could not be cured and visual aid to correct the abnormalities had not proven to be effective, she said people with abnormal colour perception could function just as well in their daily commitments as others, such as driving.

“People with abnormal colour perception should be allowed to drive as their condition is really not a big hindrance.” However, she maintained that other professions which required perfect colour and eye vision, such as airline pilots or bus drivers, should continue to keep the ruling as the risks were much g reater.

Dr Tan urged parents to check their children to see whether they had the condition.

She said it was important to do so because only then could they provide clearer career guidance.

Dr Tan, who is also an aviation opthalmologist, said she had to tell many young, aspiring pilots they could not pursue their dream career because they had colour deficiency. Most of them did not know it.

“They had wanted to become pilots all their lives. Imagine having to ditch 10 to 15 years of preparations just because they did not know they had abnormal colour perception.” She said parents should start testing their children from the ages of 5 to 7.

“Grownups above the age of 40 should test their colour perception as well, as the ability to detect different hues of colours tapers off at that age due to the natural yellowing of the lens.” She said the reason the condition was apparent in males was that males only had one X chromosome, whereas females had t wo.

The abnormality is caused by a mutation in the red-green receptors in one’s eye, and the genes of which are located in the X chromosomes.

“Since men only have one X chromosome, the condition will show if it is inherited from their parents (one of whom or both carry the mutated chromosome),” said Dr Tan.

“Women are less susceptible to display colour deficiency because they have two sets of X chromosomes.” She said if one X chromosome carried the hereditary mutated gene, there was a second healthy X chromosome that could override the deficiency.

“But some women, although not colour-blind themselves, can be a carrier of that gene. Her male children may inherit and display the condition.” Dr Tan said other than genetic inheritance, colour blindness could also be caused by nerve damage or degeneration of the eye receptors.

Taken from New Straits Times Online

IWK to be privatised to 1MDB

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:18:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) is expected to be privatised soon to a consortium led by strategic investment agency 1MDB, some 11 years after the government was forced to bail out the national sewerage company from financial difficulties under its previous owners, according to sources in the Finance Ministry. The sources told The Malaysian Insider that the 1MDB-led consortium will include water distribution company Puncak Niaga, and that the deal has been given the nod by the Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. However, it is understood that some ministry officials are still scrutinising the deal because of concerns about its feasibility and worries that the government could once again be forced to bail out the company if the latest plan fails. Under the proposed deal, the 1MDB consortium will acquire IWK for RM1 and take over its debts which include more than RM1.5 billion in loans still owed to the ministry. The consortium is seeking a 60-year concession from the government and will only pay back the principal amount and interest on the loan over the long term. It also has plans to link sewerage charges to water usage. The plan could spark a new round of controversy because of the lack of transparency surrounding negotiations, with consumers still wary about deals involving IWK. From Day One, IWK has had problems convincing a sceptical public to pay for separate sewerage charges which had previously been part of the water bill. In 2000, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration paid nearly RM200 million to nationalise IWK to “safeguard public interest and to avoid service disruptions.” The nationalisation of IWK was to tackle the company’s debt then of nearly RM700 million. IWK’s bailout in 2000 exemplified the pitfalls of Dr Mahathir’s privatisation policy in which government-owned assets or resources were allocated or sold to private investors in the hopes of generating profits. The IWK story began in 1993 when businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan convinced the government to let a consortium of private interests led by him to take over the ownership, operation and maintenance of more than 2,800 state-owned sewage-treatment plants nationwide. But IWK subsequently found that many of the treatment plants it inherited from the government were not functioning and costs began escalating. A nationwide furore also ensued, with many consumers and businesses complaining bitterly about IWK. Maintaining the plants and staying profitable proved impossible for IWK. Under pressure, the government also forced the company to reduce its charges. By 2000 Dr Mahathir’s government then decided to nationalise IWK. The Najib government’s new plan could attract similar criticisms because it involves 1MDB and Puncak Niaga, a company that is seen as politically connected to Putrajaya.

Taken from Malaysian Insider

Cops complete probe into Mat Sabu’s alleged remarks

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:44:00 +0000

GEORGE TOWN: Police have completed their probe into PAS deputypresident Mohamad Sabu’s alleged remarks that the men who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950 were the country’s true heroes.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said the investigation papers were sent to Bukit Aman before they were forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“We have made some recommendations but it is up to the Deputy Public Prosecutor to decide on the next course of action,” he said at the state police headquarters here yesterday.

DCP Ayub said Mohamad gave his statement on Sunday.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday chided the PAS leader for his views on the Bukit Kepong incident.

However, Dr Mahathir felt it would be wise for the authorities not to arrest Mohamad but instead to let him continue with what he wants to say about the events at Bukit Kepong.

He said this after delivering a keynote address at a function in Malacca.

Taken From The Star Online

Umno demands PAS deputy president to return medical claims

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:42:00 +0000

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno has called on Mohamad Sabu to refund the Penang Water Supply Corporation the RM8,434.05 he received in medical claims.

Penang Umno chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said the PAS deputy president should instead claim reimbursement of the hospital bill from PAS since he was, by most accounts, representing his party when he suffered the injuries.

Mohamad, who was injured in a motorcycle accident on the same day as the Bersih 2.0 rally, was admitted to a hospital for three days from July 15 where he underwent surgery on his right knee.

He subsequently submitted a claim for the RM8,434.05 hospital bill from the corporation.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, is a director of Bursa Malaysia-listed PBA Holdings Bhd, the parent company of the corporation.

Zainal Abidin said it was unethical for a company director to claim medical expenses from his company if the ailment or injuries incurred are not related to his scope of duties as a director.

“Mat Sabu and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should understand that PBA Holdings is a listed company, meaning that the public can make enquiries on their accounts.

“Both of them in the past have questioned other company directors for alleged questionable dealings.

“Now, they must also subscribe to the same principles,” he added.

Lim had on Monday denied that Mat Sabu was caught during the Bersih 2.0 rally.

“He was caught at noon but the rally started at 2pm.

“When he was caught, he was on his way to a mosque,” Lim had said.

Taken From The Star Online

Daughter of cop killed in Bukit Kepong denounces Mat Sabu

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:40:00 +0000

KUALA TERENGGANU: The daughter of policeman Kons Jaafar Hassan, who was killed during the Bukit Kepong tragedy, says she will never forgive PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu for questioning the heroism of her father and the others involved.

Azlas Jaafar, 62, said Mohamad dishonoured her father's sacrifice.

“I am very sad that he (allegedly) hailed the communists' as heroes.

Among those at her side was her aunt Minah Mohamad, 85.

“My family and I do not want to have anything to do with him,” she said at her home in Cendering here yesterday.

Azlas said her mother Seri Ahmad told her that her father died during a gunfire battle following an attack by a group of communists.

“I was only a year old when the incident occurred.

“My father was shot but other policemen had to endure torture by the communists before being burnt alive,” she said, adding that both she and her mother had been living in Muar, Johor, when the attack occurred.

Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, who visited Azlas, said PAS members should admit they made a mistake in electing Mohamad as their deputy president.

“He was willing to insult the nation's policemen to win support from non-Malays.”

“We cannot simply rewrite history based on our whims and fancy, and this latest controversy will show people PAS' true nature,” he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, the family of Mohammad Indera, better known as Mat Indera, who was alleged to be one of those instrumental in the attack on Bukit Kepong, has refuted reports that he was a communist.

Mat Indera's brother Baharom Shah, 65, said the family wanted his name cleared so that he could be recognised as a patriot and not a traitor.

“My brother was committed to his religion and would never have accepted communist teachings,” said Baharom.

He claimed that Mat Indera had not collaborated with communists and instead worked with nationalist groups Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API) and Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM).

“My brother had not come to Bukit Kepong to fight, but to help the victims. Among those he saved were police officer Yusof Rono and Jamilah Abu Bakar, the daughter of one of the marines at Bukit Kepong,” he claimed.

Taken From The Star Online

Appointment of judges by JAC transparent, says Zaki

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:38:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of judges and judicial commissioners (JCs) through the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is “very transparent” since it has been carried out by secret balloting, outgoing Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi said.

He said it was very hard to predict the final decision on the selection of judges and JCs by the JAC panel.

“The JAC is more fussy, as all this is done by secret balloting and there are no serial numbers, and you do not know who the panel selects,” he told a news conference after opening a three-day judges conference here yesterday.

Zaki said the panel also took into consideration the judges’ judgments and the backlog of cases before selecting the judges and JCs.

The JAC, which was set up in 2009, comprises former CJs, former senior judges and former attorneys-general as commissioners.

Zaki said that during his three-year tenure as the top judge, six or seven practising lawyers had been appointed judges and JCs.

Asked about allegations that the amendment to the Judges Remuneration Act 1971 in July was to benefit him, Zaki said the allegations were an insult to him.

Zaki said the report that he would get RM2mil as a full pension upon retirement despite having served only a few years in the judiciary was “very annoying”.

He said the pension amendment was not for him but to benefit previous senior judges like former chief justice Tun Salleh Abas, former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim and former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Mohamad Jemuri Serjan.

At the judges conference, Zaki, in his last speech as the chief justice, said all levels of the judiciary had worked hard to achieve a dramatic reduction in the backlog of cases.

He said he was confident that his successor, Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria, would continue to take the judiciary to greater heights. — Bernama

Taken from The Star Online

Abuse video angers Netizens

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:36:00 +0000

PETALING JAYA: A year-old video, which resurfaced in the past 48 hours, has irked Netizens over its disturbing images of a man who slapped, punched and kicked two female student nurses.

The YouTube clip also showed the man, believed to be in his 20s, repeatedly intimidating his victims using vulgarities in Tamil at a public parking lot.

Ironically titled “Malaysian Heroes”, the video has also been circulated onFacebook.

The assault appeared to be primarily aimed at one of the women, but her friend also received several slaps as she shielded her from the man throughout the six-minute-long video.

The cause of the incident was not clearly understood.

At one point, the targeted girl offered an apology to the man. In a shivering voice, she indicated a regret over “(my) mistake”.

However, the bespectacled man demanded: “Fall to my feet and say you are sorry.”

Looking helpless, the girl fell into a squatting position before the man slapped and kicked her again.

In an earlier part of the video, the man had threatened to run over the women with his car.

A voice was heard faintly in the background, believed to be from a passer-by, urging the man to leave the women alone but the plea went unheeded.

The man was believed to be accompanied by at least two accomplices. One of them apparently recorded the encounter while the other person was captured on the video, teasing the woman by putting his face near her neck.

One of them was heard saying: “Get inside the car and I will check if she is a virgin.”

The video was posted under the username “youhavebeenhacked88”, who listed Malaysia as his country of origin. It did not have a history of posting other files on the video-sharing site.

As of last night, the YouTube clip recorded 42,546 viewings.

Officials from a nursing and health science college have identified the girls as its students.

“The college has lodged a police report on the incident and has advised the students to do the same, but they have indicated that it was a personal matter,” the official said.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia Youth member S. Nagentran said four of its members had also lodged a report at the Sungai Siput district police station upon viewing the video on Facebook last year.

“Since then, we have not heard any update about the case,” he said, adding that he believed the drama took place in Sabak Bernam.

Sungai Siput OCPD Supt Azman Salim and Sabak Bernam OCPD Mushar Mohamad Noor could not confirm the report at press time.

Taken from The Star Online

All for independent judiciary

beritamalaysiaku@gmail.com (BERITA MALAYSIAKU) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:34:00 +0000

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is committed to ensuring the independence of the country's judiciary, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

“An independent judiciary is an essential ingredient in any successful nation-building effort,” he said in his speech during a visit to the Palace of Justice here yesterday.

He noted that the Government was fully aware and respected the need for an independent judiciary.

With greater access to information via ICT and social media, he said Malaysians had become more aware and emboldened in the preservation of their rights.

“As such, every segment of the government must adapt to meet these new challenges,” Najib said.

He also commended the judiciary for its transformation efforts over the last two years, including reducing the backlog in cases.

“The backlog has been reduced by almost 90% nationwide,” he said, adding that three-quarters of cases currently being heard were those registered last year and this year.

He also said the computerisation of the courts and the setting up of specialised courts had resulted in a dramatic increase in efficiency of between 300% and 400%.

“We are proud of the changes made by the judiciary as their efforts have gained recognition from the World Bank via its recent report Malaysia Court Backlog and Delay Reduction Programme',” he said.

Najib added that the report praised the judiciary for successfully reducing the backlog in cases over a short span of time, adding that it could be a model for other countries to emulate.

He also revealed that the Govern-ment was considering a proposal submitted by the judiciary to elevate the service grade held by Sessions Court judges and magistrates.

Later, when asked if Najib's visit to the Palace of Justice was inappropriate and could jeopardise the independence of the judiciary, outgoing Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi replied: “It should not as it was merely a visit by the head of government.”

He said it was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to look at the upgrading of the judiciary.

Taken from The Star Online