MPH sale starts tomorrow

DISCOUNTS up to 70% off normal prices will be offered at the MPH Stock Clearance from tomorrow till March 22.

You can find prices as low as RM2 for selected books, with choices ranging from bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, to business and children’s books.

The sale will be held at Mayang Plaza (the building formerly occupied by LimKokWing Institute of Creative Technology College), Jalan SS26/2, Taman Mayang, Petaling Jaya, Selangor (daily 9.30am to 7pm).

Throughout the sale, there will be announcements at the venue of special offers of the day. For more details, call % 016-607 3733.

MPH Bookstores have promotions lined up throughout the year. E-mail mrc@mph.com.my or go to www.mphonline.com for details.

Meanwhile, MPH is offering 10 books for free each day exclusively to 10 readers of The Star every day during the MPH Stock Clearance period.

This offer is valid for the first 10 customers of the day with a minimum purchase of RM50. The reader has to present this page (original copy only) at the venue to redeem his or her free book. Each customer is entitled to one copy only on a first-come-first-served basis.

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More evidence that depression is hard on the heart

Severe depression may silently break a seemingly healthy woman's heart. Doctors have long known that depression is common after a heart attack or stroke, and worsens those people's outcomes.

Monday, Columbia University researchers reported new evidence that depression can lead to heart disease in the first place.

The scientists tracked 63,000 women from the long-running Nurses' Health Study between 1992 and 2004.

None had signs of heart disease when the study began, but nearly 8 percent had evidence of serious depression.

The depressed women were more than twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death - death typically caused by an irregular heartbeat, concluded the 12-year study, published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

They also had a smaller increased risk of death from other forms of heart disease. The big surprise: Sudden cardiac death seemed more closely linked with antidepressant use than with the depression symptoms the women reported.

That might simply mean that women who used antidepressants were, appropriately, the most seriously depressed, cautioned lead researcher Dr. William Whang.

But he said the finding merited more research.

Studies of the newer antidepressants most often used today so far haven't signaled a risk of irregular heartbeat, and some even have suggested protection, noted Dr. Redford Williams of Duke University, a specialist in how psychosocial factors affect health.

The drug question aside, Williams said the work adds to growing evidence that depression is an independent risk factor for heart disease - on top of the classic risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking.

The predominantly white Nurses' Health Study may underestimate it, Williams said.

"If anything, the impact in African-American women is probably greater," he said, adding that it's time for the next step: A study testing whether properly treating depression lowers the risk.

Why might depression have that effect?

The study found that the more severe the women's reported depression symptoms, the more likely she was to have traditional heart risk factors.

Also, stresses like depression have been linked to such physical effects as a higher resting heart rate.

Perhaps a more straightforward reason: Depression can make people do a worse job taking care of themselves. Indeed, the American Heart Association last year recommended that everyone who already has heart disease be regularly screened for depression - because depressed patients may skip their medications, sit indoors instead of exercising, and eat particularly poorly.

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SuperHeadz Plamodel DIY 35mm Camera

DIY projects crapper be modify depending on what you are building. A consort hit today created a DIY camera outfit which belike ranks amongst the coolest of DIY projects.

The camera is titled the SuperHeadz Plamodel and is a DIY camera that you requirement to build. The camera is not digital, but uses 35mm film. The send takes a pair of hours to physique from irritate and every you requirement to do is behave the bits and pieces together. The camera has a 28mm lense to earmark for wideish seek photos to be captured. The DIY outfit costs meet $28.

SuperHeadz Plamodel DIY 35mm Camera Features

* Includes: Assembly outfit in radical bag, carpus band and propellor driver
* No batteries necessary
* Finished camera: 4.25″w, 1″d, 2.5″h
* Vinyl, plastic
* Web inner

Product Page Via: UberReview

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Digital voting plan for Umno polls rejected

The digital voting system may not be used in the Umno elections as almost 90 per cent of the candidate agents have rejected it.

Umno executive secretary BrigGen (R) Datuk Husainay Hashim said however, the final decision would be made by the Umno Management Committee headed by Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We decided to introduce the digital ballot to the representatives today but almost 90 of them were not in favour of the idea.

"So we will revert to the manual vote counting system and like in previous elections, the results will be known late," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the digital voting here on Friday.

The party's Election Committee headed by Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman decided to discontinue the dry run of the electronic system rented from Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad after a dialogue with the agents.

Husainay said the agents did not want delegates, who had voted for the wrong candidates, to correct their mistakes or to change their minds during the elections.

"If it's wrong, it's wrong. They also want the ballot papers to be displayed especially the spoilt votes.

"We will do that but we will ensure that the delegates and agents will not get too close to the election workers to avoid suspicion and disturbing the process," he said.

He said the Election Committee also accepted a request that delegates could either put a cross or right marks for the candidates of their choice on the ballot papers.

On whether Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Norza Zakaria, who was charged this morning in Temerloh for alleged involvement in money politics, could contest in the elections, he said:

"It's not fair to comment. We have to wait for the black and white before making any decision," he said.

A total of 269 candidates are vying for the supreme council executive committee posts of the three wings of the party.

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Three postal clerks charged with road tax rebate fraud

Three Pos Malaysia Bhd clerks were charged in the Sessions Court here on Friday with criminal breach of trust involving RM6,875 in cash rebates for 11 road tax renewals.

Mohamad Amirul Helmi Shafie, 20, from Jalan Raja Nong, claimed trial to two charges.

He was alleged to have approved false claims for six cars amounting to RM3,750 at the Klang Selatan Pos office on Oct 31, last year.

He was also accused of committing a similar offence involving three cars amounting to RM1,875 at the Rantau Panjang Pos office on Nov 14, last year.

Mohamad Amirul also faces another charge with Shafful Sraffiq Shawar, 28, from Taman Anika, for approving a false claim worth RM625 at the Klang Selatan Pos office on Oct 31, last year.

The two claimed trail to the charge. Meanwhile Mohd Fikri Mohpot, from Taman Masnah, pleaded guilty to a similar offence involving one car at the Klang Selatan Pos office on Nov 5, last year.

Each offence carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

Prosecuting officer ASP Nasula Ibrahim proposed a RM10,000 bail for each offence citing that the cases involved public interest and it had tarnished the image of Pos Malaysia.

Judge Mazilah Manap set bail at RM6,000 on one surety for each charge.

She also fixed May 5 for mention and March 23 for sentencing.

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Perak’s "Democracy Tree" vandalised

Vandals have broken the edges and damaged the plaque marking the “Democracy Tree” under which a historic Perak assembly was held on March 3.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders including former Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and former state executive council member Nga Kor Ming took an oath beneath the tree.

They swore that they would continue to defend the people’s democratic rights and believe they could solve the political crisis in the state through the dissolution of the state assembly.

Nizar told reporters that this was the work of the people who did not want to see democracy in the country.

“We feel that this was done to deny the rakyat their rights to choose their own government,” he said, adding that they were still undecided on lodging a police report on the damaged plaque.

Nga said Pakatan will start a fund to collect money to rebuild a bigger and stronger plaque which would have four languages - Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, English, and Chinese.

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Six charged for insulting Perak Sultan on the web

In the first conviction of its kind, lab assistant Azrin Md Zain, 33, was fined RM10,000 or, in default, five months jail, at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for posting comments insulting the Sultan of Perak on the Internet on Feb 12.

He became the first ever person to be convicted under the Multimedia and Communications Act 1998 and was among the six charged Friday in courts nationwide for similar offences.

Azrin admitted to have sent his comments to the guests book at http://books.dreambook.com/duli/duli.html which has linked to the Sultan’s official website with intention to annoy other person.

The father of one has committed the offence using his personal Internet protocol account at his house in Taman Tun Dr Ismail here at 9.12pm on Feb 12.

According to the facts of the case, information technology officer Noorhaliza Masri, from Perak secretariat office, lodged a complaint at Multimedia Communications Commission on Feb 16 upon detecting the posting which insulted the Sultan.

The Telekom Malaysia had confirmed that Azrin had used TM Net Streamyx on that day.

The commission had obtained a search warrant from Kajang magistrate’s court on Feb 19 to check at his house and seized a laptop, a modem and a telephone bill dated Dec 28 last year registered under his name.

On Friday, Azrin told Sessions Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff that it was his own mistake for committing the offence.

“I was not in the right state of mind. I was in the midst of doing online forex trading to New York. My profits were negative. So I just clicked to the website. I posted the comments without thinking.

“I will not touch the website anymore because the Malaysians are actually sensitive,” he promised.

The diploma holder repeatedly expressed his regrets to the judge.

In mitigating further, Azrin said he was not a member of any political party.

“I have also clicked on a website which praised Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” said Azrin who stood near the witness stand and promised to be a law abiding citizen if he got a lenient sentence.

DPP Nahra Dolah however pressed for deterrent sentence saying that the case involved public interest and the court had to send a strong message to Internet users about the gravity of the offence.

At the same court, self-employed Muslim Ahmad, 54, claimed trial to three counts of posting offensive remarks against the Sultan in February.

In the Butterworth Sessions Court, Chan Hon Keong, 27, pleaded not guilty while Khoo Hui Shuang was absent and was summoned for mention of the case on April 15.

The two were accused of posting and distributing comments containing obscenities and offensive comments on a website linked to the Sultan of Perak’s website.

At the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court, land surveyor Nor Hisham Osman, 36, claimed trial to defaming the Sultan of Perak.

Judge Balqis Ainin Mohd fixed bail at RM4,000 with one surety and fixed next hearing on Apr 14.

Meanwhile, in Kota Kinabalu, Bernama reported that a mobile phone salesman pleaded not guilty to spreading a comment which insulted the Sultan of Perak through a website.

Rutinin Suhaimin, 36, was charged with committing the offence on Feb 13 and linking the offensive remarks to the website http://books.dreambooks.com/duliduli.html with link to a website on the Sultan Perak, www.sultanperak.gov.my.

If found guilty, Rutinin can be jailed for up to a year or fined up to RM50,000, or both.

Sessions Court judge Ummu Kalthom Abdul Samad fixed May 25 and 26 for trial and allowed bail of RM10,000 with a deposit RM5,000 and two sureties.

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Teresa Kok files suit against Home Minister for unlawful arrest

MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok Suh Sim has filed a suit against Home Minister and three others for wrongful detention and false imprisonment under Internal Security Act (ISA).

Kok has named Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Special branch senior officer DSP E Kim Tien and the Malaysian Government as defendants.

Her lawyer, S.N.Nair filed the suit on her behalf at the High Court civil registry at 8.37am on Friday.

“The way my client was arrested and interrogated that day is not right. All her constitutional rights, to call her family and her lawyer, were denied.

“No communication was allowed, all of us were left in the dark. It is only by chance that we know about her arrest after more than two hours later,” Nair told reporters after the filing on Friday.

In the statement of claim, Kok said the defendants and or their agents had forcibly and in a dangerous manner effected her arrest at the entrance gate of her house in Jalan Awan Cina here at 11.15pm on Sept 12 last year.

She claimed that she was not given an opportunity to contact her family or lawyers despite repeated pleas.

Kok said she was not informed as to the place of detention but was taken to Wangsa Maju police station without her consent where she was kept under unlawful detention for about two and a half hours.

The next day, Kok said she was informed by DSP Kim that she was being detained under Section 73(1) of the ISA 1960.

Kok said she was continually kept under detention in a certain secret place of detention-without-trial from Sept 12 to Sept 19 last year.

She claimed that she was continually held in solitary confinement and was deprived of all her constitutional rights.

She said she had been put to severe mental anguish, pain and suffering during the period.

Among others, Kok is seeking damages for unlawful arrest, false imprisonment, pain, suffering and mental anguish.

She is also asking for other relief deemed fit by the court.

Speaking to reporters later, Kok said she decided to initiate the legal suit as her arrest was baseless.

“I am a wakil rakyat. I have official duties to carry on.

“I have waited for half a year for the police and Government to give proper explanation but they never responded to the letter of demand issued by my lawyer,” she added.

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Australian judge jails Malaysian cocaine trafficker

A judge sentenced a Malaysian woman Friday to eight years in prison for smuggling cocaine from Brazil into Australia.

Customs officers arrested Ramia Binti Jimson, 46, at Brisbane International Airport a year ago after finding more than four pounds (almost two kilograms) of cocaine hidden beneath a false bottom of her suitcase.

Prosecutor Glen Rice told the Queensland state Supreme Court on Friday that Jimson had been selected for a random bag search on arrival from Brazil.

Defense lawyer Dennis Lynch said Jimson, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, was offered $2,000 to smuggle the drugs, which police estimate had a street value of more than $1.3 million.

Jimson planned to use the money to improve her poverty-stricken life outside Kuala Lumpur, Lynch told the court.

Judge Peter Lyons sentenced a tearful Jimson to eight years in prison without the possibility of parole for four years and six months.

She had faced a potential life sentence.

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Retired policeman shoots Ah Long

Three loan sharks met their match in a retired policeman, who shot one of them in the buttocks.

In the 4.30pm incident on Wednesday, the Ah Long had gone to the former cop’s house in Taman Shatin here looking for his son.

Armed with sticks, the loan sharks, in their 20s, created a ruckus at the 70-year-old man’s house, following which he fired his rifle at them in self-defence, hitting one of suspects.

The suspect was later sent to a private hospital here for treatment while a remand order was obtained for the other two suspects.

When contacted, state CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Mohd Dzuraidi Ibrahim confirmed the incident.

“We are still investigating what led to the shooting,” he said.

Asked whether it was normal for a retired policeman to own a rifle, SAC Mohd Dzuraidi said: “They can apply for it.”

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Doc held for selling cough mixture to addicts

A 53-year-old doctor is among five people arrested for the illegal manufacture and sale of cough mixture to drug dependants this week.

About RM500,00 worth of medical preparations and designer drugs have also been seized.

The group’s activities were uncovered when police arrested a man and a woman in Subang Jaya on Tuesday after finding 10 bottles of cough mixture and 400 Eramine 5 pills in the car they were in.

Selangor deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm I Datuk Jamshah Mustapha said police raided a private clinic in Klang the same day and arrested the doctor and his two assistants.

Police seized various medical preparations and food colouring from the clinic.

Initial investigations indicated that the clinic was used as a lab to make and sell cough mixture.

“Later, the doctor led us to his house in Klang where we recovered more medical preparations and RM58,000 cash,” SAC Jamshah told a press conference yesterday.

The cough mixture and drugs were sold throughout the Klang Valley.

The doctor and the four others, in their 20s, have been remanded until March 19 to facilitate investigations.

In an unrelated incident, police arrested a 28-year-old masseur and seized RM65,000 worth of ketamine and Eramine 5 pills in his house at Cheras on Thursday.

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Mat Rempit Strikes Again!

Just the other day, 2 guys were attacked by 50 Mat Rempits. Now, a lady waiting at a bus stop was robbed by the same menace to society. What's next?

When will the Home Ministry solve this menace and disgrace? This problem has been terrorising us for God knows how long. They are nothing but robbers on motorcycles or should I label them with harsher words... terrorists on our roads!

One of my unfortunate friends was attacked by Mat Rempits 2 years back. The incident left him with a bloodied face and damages to his car of almost RM15,000.

If the police cannot handle these Rempits, perhaps the Ministry of Defence should step in? Send in the armoured cars, helicopters, army or what have you and STOP these terrorists.

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Why don’t ants have traffic jams?

Why don’t ants have traffic jams?GOOD question. Or is it a stupid one?

“They never get stuck in traffic,” Audrey Dussutour, an entomologist in the University of Sydney, says in
‘Taking Traffic Control Lessons From Ants’ in Wired Science.

“We should use their rules. I’ve been working with ants for eight years, and have never seen a traffic jam...”

If humans could learn from ants, they might spend less time in traffic jams, the story says. “When opposing
streams of leaf-cutter ants share a narrow path, they instinctively alternate flows in the most efficient way
possible. Studying how ants manage this could provide the basis for a system of driverless cars running on ant traffic algorithms.”

The operative word above is “driverless cars”. That is the reason ants don't have traffic jams. They are not
greedy nor selfish and, most importantly, not stupid. (I am, of course, talking about other people – we are
not like that, are we? Tut, tut. The way some people drive!)


Audrey Dussutour is only 30 years old but as a scientist, the quality of her work is already well recognised.
Her questions are simple. Why don’t ants get into traffic jams? Why don’t they bump into each other in
tight spaces? How do ants and social caterpillars make group decisions?

What factors govern decisions about whether or not ants will climb over or around walls? And so on.

In the February issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology, Dussutour’s team found that ants leaving
the colony automatically gave right of- way to those returning with food.

Right. Try telling our motorist that they are better off trailing that overloaded smoke-belching truck than
trying to overtake it. Like any other red-blooded egocentric human, I hate following that 30-vehicle-long
queue behind a truck.

But I also know that it would be futile, not to mention life threatening, to try to overtake it on a single-lane road, particularly with another massively over-laden under-powered truck also trying to pass it.

So, logically, the best thing to do would be to stop by a nice roadside warung for a drink, to stretch cramped legs and to buy some fruits, and then when one gets back on the road 15 minutes later, the queue would be nowhere to be seen.

Some readers are probably familiar with the work of Dr Richard Dawkins of Harvard. The Selfish
Gene, with its singularly persuasive argument that natural selection acts at the level of the gene and
only the gene, gave rise to the rather politically incorrect contention that evolution only favoured men (and
women) of quality, those who were brave, strong, innovative and smart.

He contended that there is no such thing as true altruism, that it is only selfishness in disguise.

Looking around us, it is understandable how easy it is to buy into that argument. One can’t help asking
the question if charitable organisations are genuinely charitable or are they merely vehicles for yet another
ego trip for some of its members?

Be honest; that thought has occurred in many of our heads.

Another scientist working with ants, some 14,000 species of them, is Dr Edward O Wilson, also of Harvard who, based on studies on the genetics of ant colonies, believes that natural selection operates at many levels, including at the level of a social group, that often evolution takes place for the benefit of the group at the expense of the individual.

In humans, these take the form of generosity, morality, ethics, and even religion. (Dawkins coined the term
“meme” to account for the evolution of culture – a software evolution as opposed to the hard-wired one as it were.)

Still, people have long been fascinated with the organisational ability of ants and scientists are now converting ant traffic flows into algorithms that can be applied to data transmission and vehicular traffic.

For ants, common good is more important than individual good. This is hard-wired into them. Humans
preach the same thing (because it is politically correct, and makes them look good to do so) but their actions are often the opposite.

As for driving, Marcus Randall, a Bond University software mathematician says, “We essentially would
have to hand over control of the vehicle to a collectively intelligent system that would move all vehicles
from their source to destination (and) accidents would be virtually non-existent and travel would become
much more efficient.” University of Zoln traffic flow theorist Andreas Schadschneider says, “One dominating factor in human traffic is egoism.” We can’t argue with that, but no one is about to be persuaded to give up driving – it is too much an extension of our ego.

But as a compromise, he says, improved communication between drivers and cars would help.

“This has already been achieved by new devices which transmit information about abrupt velocity decreases to the following cars, which then start to brake automatically, before the driver even realises the
need to brake.” Cool. Better than self-parking.

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Getting to know George Town

TO be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site in question must posses “outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity”.

A lofty definition to fill indeed but in July 2008 George Town, Penang, was awarded World Heritage Status, along with Malacca.

Enter iGeorgeTown Penang (iGP) (www.igeorgetownpenang.com), a portal created with the aim of telling people more about Penang and its capital.

For the team behind this venture, in addition to its recognition as a site of cultural and historical

importance, its preservation and awareness within the consciousness of the people is most crucial
to its survival.

“Even in its present neglected form, George Town offers a lot surprises to visitors. There is much
to discover in the city which has a history of over 200 years,” writes iGP assistant manager for projects, Sheetal Sharda.

“A lot of people from all over the world have made their mark there. Apart from various groups of Malays, Chinese and Indians, there were (and, in some cases, are) Armenians, Acehnese, Burmese,
British, Eurasians, Germans, Japanese, Jews, Portuguese and Thais with sizeable communities there at one time or another,” she says.

So for the uninitiated and the curious, head over to iGP for an introduction or refresher on a vibrant
and enduring piece of this nation's historical roots.

How and when did iGeorge-Town Penang start?

We started in December 2008, when we launched the project in conjunction with the first Penang
Cultural Fest.

What were the reasons?

Culture and heritage are two invaluable assets of Penang. However, there is a lack of integrated and
comprehensive information about them. So we thought we would try and do that. The site is still in its infancy and we will constantly develop it to include more facets to further benefit its intended audience. We welcome suggestions and comment.

What would the site really like to achieve through Cyberspace communication?

New media is the way to go in publishing. We are embarking on a new adventure in communications that is multi-channelled. iGeorge-Town has done print, website and audio-visuals. We intend to go into mobile too.

Any regrets?

No. It has only been four months. It is hoped that the site it will help make George Town and Penang more accessible to people in terms of information.

We are happy with the response so far and would like now to build a bigger readership.

Therefore we appeal to all Penang lovers out there to register with us so that they can get a bimonthly e-newsletter called iGT Connect.

The “Blogosphere”. What does it mean?

A medium that gives even the most common person a voice, from expressing the most mundane everyday story to reporting news-altering events. It has also created a “public sphere”, where views, opinions and beliefs are openly aired.

Absolute favourite blogger?

As a team, we read all blogs related to George Town and Penang.

Some Penang food blogs are really great and we link our readers to them. There is even a podcast
that is dedicated solely to speaking Penang Hokkien (penanghokkien.com).

Foremost feature of cyberspace?

Two things irritate/disgust us: Lies and the cyber-assassination of people and organisations by
ruthless people. With freedom comes responsibility, but many people on the Net are utterly irresponsible.

If there were someone who should take up blogging, who would it be?

The many living heritage keepers of Penang should blog more, start websites for various places
of interest, get themselves interviewed by newspapers, TV stations, websites, etc, so that content
on the State can be enriched further.

Otherwise, it would start disappearing. For example, there are many octogenarians who played a
big part in Penang’s development.

Can you imagine the stories that they would have for us? If only... Any memorable incidents?

We had to work very hard (almost round-the-clock) to launch on Dec 4, 2008, at the E&O Hotel
in Penang. Apart from the site, we produced a booklet called “George Town World Heritage Site”, a video called “We are our heritage”, which is available on YouTube via our site, and a sideshow on a plasma screen. And, yes, we would do it all over again if we had to. It was a great rush.

Additional thoughts?

Two things. Firstly that iGeorgeTown is privately-funded and privately-driven so we need all the support we can get from advertisers, sponsors and our audience.

Secondly, we have a Facebook cause, “Why George Town, Penang, needs our attention”. So
please join and take part. George Town needs all the proper attention it deserves.

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Guan Eng thanks Najib for money, then asks where it will come from??

Like many other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng welcomed the new stimulus deal, with a great deal of scepticism thrown in.

The Penang Chief Minister thanked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for setting aside RM250 million to expand the state's international airport.
But he wants the federal government to pump in an additional RM11.5 billion into 21 state projects he described as "critical" to boost economic growth, such as the proposed RM500 million halal hub in Balik Pulau and Batu Kawan; RM200 million loan for its Heritage Rehabilitation Plan in Georgetown as a Unesco-recognised World Heritage Site; and RM1.1 billion to expand the Mengkuang Dam.

"The reality is if Penang fails, Malaysia will fail because 30 per cent of the total export and tourists originate from and visit Penang," Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Lim's biggest beef with the stimulus concerned the RM60 billion figure. "Where is the RM60 million coming from?" he asked.

"How does the RM10 billion equity investment benefit ordinary workers?" he added.


He claimed that the RM10 billion would be used as a "rescue package for certain crony companies" and pointed to last year's RM5 billion loan from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to ValueCap to support his statement.

He concluded his speech by offering to work together with the federal government to face the economic crisis if it prioritised the public.

"What we want to see is direct assistance to the rakyat, not only focusing on companies. Look at Taiwan and Singapore which gave RM8.5 billion or RM400 spending money in cash to each citizen. Not a sen was for ordinary Malaysians," said Lim.

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Azalina's Office raided by MACC

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers raided the office of Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman in relation to a probe on vote-buying for the Umno party elections.

Azalina was not present during the raid.

MACC officers spent three hours in her office and inspected documents in relation to the award of contracts by the ministry.

The officers also took away with them a number of files and other documents.

Today’s raid follows the detention last week of Azalina’s political secretary who was caught by MACC officers with RM75,000 in cash in his car.

The arrest of Azalina’s political secretary and the raid on her office today will have a significant impact on the minister’s fortunes in Umno and continued employment in the incoming Najib administration.

The minister is competing for a position on the party’s supreme council.

So far no senior Umno politician has been charged with corruption in relation to vote-buying in the Umno elections though there has been a trail of claims saying that money has been exchanging like never before for Election 2009.

Azalina is the highest profile politician to be under investigation in the current probe on vote-buying in Umno.

In a statement issued after the MACC raid, her office said they noted press reports about the probe into her political secretary’s affairs.

They also pledged to give their full cooperation to MACC officers.

It is understood the investigations are centred on whether the Tourism Ministry had awarded contracts to Umno delegates ahead of the party polls.

Investigators are also looking into the affairs of Pempena, a subsidiary of the Tourism Ministry,
which had shed its investments in five companies after suffering a loss of RM20 million.

This was out of an RM54.4 million total outlay on 24 companies as stated in a summary report of a “high level business review” of the Pempena Group released to the ministry on Nov
6.

In their probe into vote-buying activities for the Umno polls, the MACC has so far picked up 12 party divisional officers.

They were allegedly working to help Datuk Norza Zakaria defend his supreme council seat.

The men are being investigated for distributing between RM300 and RM500 to some of the 2,000 delegates who will be attending the general assembly-cum-elections.

Norza has also been questioned by the MACC but has denied any involvement in money politics, saying that he was a victim of a scheme to discredit him.

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Malaysia's First Submarine To Arrive In July

The country's first submarine is expected to arrive as scheduled in July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the preparation for the arrival of the French-made Scorpene-class KD Abdul Rahman was progressing well.

"I am told that the Sepanggar Naval Base will also be completed on schedule in July," he told reporters after visiting the 190ha naval base project in Sepanggar, near here.

Abdullah, who is Defence Minister, said he was satisfied with the facility at the RM636 million base, which will house the submarine.

Also present was Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

The second submarine, KD Tun Abdul Razak, is expected to arrive at the end of the year.

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New Desktop Trackballs from TrackballWorld.com

I’ve never utilised a trackball as my pointing device, but I ingest pussyfoot instead. Looking the newborn trackballs from TrackballWorld.com, attain me poverty to essay it. It’s mentioned to hit a sort of crisp advantages over mice much as requirement inferior desk expanse and never requires repositioning. And the threesome newborn trackballs meet additional to TrackballWorld.com (QTronix R-15 Trackball, Kensington Slimblade Trackball, and CST LaserTRAC Trackball) substance land of the prowess pointing figure performance.

“All threesome newborn trackballs equal land of the prowess signaling figure technology,” notes Barry. “Trackball utilization has been untended for the terminal some eld and we are rattling bright to wager new, higher action models again existence introduced. These newborn trackballs substance rattling assorted approaches to individual ergonomics. We conceive that is meet enthusiastic - we circularize them every so users with assorted preferences crapper opt from the widest doable activity of devices.”

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22 in 1 Precision Screwdrive Set Review

Every erst in a patch you strength intend the propose to unstoppered up digit of your gadgets to mend it, decent it or provide it whatever generalized maintenance. In doing this you ofttimes become crossways a difference of propellor heads to care with. Most grouping hit a accepted slotted (flat) screwdriver along with a Philips or Pozidriv. What do you do when you become crossways digit of those queer hexagon or grapheme attendance screws though? The 22 in 1 exactitude screwdriver ordered should face this problem.

The screwdriver ordered comes with 20 assorted tips that arrange from Philips to slotted on to Pozidriv and then on to the grapheme formed ones (which are titled Torx). Torx screws are commonly institute in electronics. If you hit a laptop, fling it over and you strength encounter a Torx propellor on the backwards or verify a countenance at your ambulatory sound as there strength be a some in there too. The tips in the Torx arrange become in individual sizes though there are no markings to inform which sizes are included. From attendance lonely it seems same T1 - T8 in filler is included. Also included are Hex Socket tips allowing you to ingest it for unfastening diminutive comedienne attorney identify screws.

Overall I institute the screwdriver ordered rattling accessible as I successfully unsealed up the counterbalance on the heatsink on the side of my laptop (of which I haven’t been healthy to do previously). For meet unsure of $10 it doesn’t outlay the connector and comes in rattling handy.

If you poverty to intend your safekeeping on this component or some another over at budgetgadgets then see liberated to ingest this cipher to intend 5% knocked soured the amount price.

Item reviewed - 22 in 1 Electronic Tool Precision Screwdriver Set.

Go To Source

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A thosai toss-up?

AT least 16 Indian warriors have cocked their guns for the showdown in the Bukit Selambau by-election next month – all convinced that it is Indian Territory.

None of the warring parties have named their candidates for the State seat but these “gunslingers” proclaim they are ready with their six-shooters.

They all want to be the Big Chief of so-called Indian-held Bukit Selambau, in Kedah, a Malay-majority seat.

There is a lone Chinese, though, among the eight independent candidates who have to date offered to stand in the by-election.

The rest are from Pakatan Rakyat while Barisan Nasional looks likely to stick with the previous Bukit Selambau Indian chief – V. Saravanan (MIC) who ruled for 13 years between 1995 and
2008.

This is a story of little Indians who want to be the Big Chief.

Indians who think that their daily bread will forever be marginalised if another Malaysian gallops into their “turf” and becomes the assemblyman.

If all eight independents throw their hats into the ring, Bukit Selambau will see the highest number of candidates in the electoral history of Malaysia.

And all they will do is argue: over whose dad is harder, over who started the phrase craze “Lembu Ku”. If one says “thosai”, the other says “would you like a masala thosai?”

It is an epic sumo bout, sorry, shootout.

Researchers from Si-Lembu University have discovered that words or phrases considered likely to die out soon include “guts”, “stick”, “wipe”, “bad” and “Malaysia in the Hockey World Cup”.


After a bit of digging we found a longer list of words on their way out: dirty, squeeze, bad, because, guts, push (verb), smell (verb), stick (noun), turn (verb), wipe.

These words suggest that we will just stop talking about poo.

They seem to have a rather excremental theme – every single one of them (except stick, arguably) could be used to describe your basic bowel movement. Delete them, and what will we have left?

Bet you the 16-odd wannabe Bukit Selambau wakil rakyat will keep every faecal phrase in their quest to trundle their way down the constituency to taunt the electorate.

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Wait and see, KL

A REPORT on the flash floods that occurred in the city last Tuesday is being compiled by the Drainage and Irrigation Department’s Hydrology Division.

The report, which is expected to be out “soon”, will cover the intensi ty of the rainfall , the areas affected and the depth of the flooding. “It will give a detailed look into what happened that day and hopefully stop people from speculating or laying blame on others,” said a DID spokesman yesterday.

He said that one of the contributing factors that caused the massive floods that brought the city to its knees was the delay in the completion of the Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation project.

The project comes in two main par t s : The Smart Tunnel or Package A, which was completed two years ago; and Package B, which consists of the Batu and the Jinjang ponds.

The primary function of these ponds is to store excess water and release them gradually into the Gombak and Keroh rivers to prevent flooding. The other smaller elements that make up the entire system have either
been completed or are in various stages of construction.

The Batu pond was completed in the middle of last year, and is bigger than the Jinjang pond. The Jinjang pond, which should have been constructed together with the Batu pond, is now 95 per cent completed.
However, the spokesman could not say for certain floods would be a thing of the past once the ponds are fully operational.

“While we can’t guarantee that, we are confident that it should not happen.” The spokesman added that the
company tasked with the job had been given four extensions since last year. “We are not giving the company any more extensions. Work should have been completed last December,” he said.

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Bossing Mourinho

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson is paying little heed to the somewhat extraordinary fact that, in all his years of tussling with Inter Milan counterpart Jose Mourinho, the Scot has managed only one win against a side managed by the colourful but egoistic Portuguese.

The two managers match up once again at Old Trafford for the last 16 second leg of their Champions League tomorrow (3.45am), now on a knife-edge after a goalless first leg in Milan.
And Ferguson feels that his personal record against Mourinho is barely relevant to the game.

“I look at this football club and I have every right to be proud of it and what it has achieved in the time I have been here. That is more important to me.”

Ferguson’s only win against Mourinho came in 2005, when a Darren Fletcher header saw the Red Devils to a victory over Chelsea. And the fact that United, despite dominating the game for long periods, didn’t manage to score in Milan, could leave Ferguson wondering whether perhaps there is a ‘jinx’ when he faces the controversial and colourful Mourinho.

That goalless first leg also leaves United open to the threat of an Inter away goal — a fact Ferguson also acknowledged.

“You can never be overconfident in this position simply because an away goal can be a severe setback,” he said.

“That was the situation when we played Barcelona. What we required that night was magnificent concentration and really good focus in our game. We managed to get through because of both those two factors.”

Should United win tomorrow though, Ferguson is unlikely to dash down the touchline in joyous celebration, the way Mourinho chose to acknowledge his Porto side’s goal at Old Trafford five years ago.

“Look at the ages. There is a difference,” the 67-year-old concluded wryly.

Ferguson has all the quality players who can steer United to a place in the last eight — like Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo - to frustrate Mourinho and his players.

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Everything BOLEH!!! - Malaysia BOLEH!!!

THERE are so many reasons why Malaysia is often referred to as “Bolehland”.

Feel like grabbing a bite to eat at 3am? Boleh. Want to dump trash wherever you feel like it?

Boleh. Don’t feel like wearing your motorcycle helmet?

Boleh. Want to double-or-triple park your car during peak hours?

Boleh. Overload your lorry with wooden planks that are not fastened securely and make drivers following behind on the Kesas Highway fear for their lives?

Just look at the picture. Boleh!

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Nine out of ten answered in English

Nine out of 10 candidates candidates who sat for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination last year opted to answer the Science and Mathematics papers in English.

Malaysian Examinations Council (MEC) chairman Tan Sri Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said a total of 49,722 or 92.7% of the 53,638 candidates answered in English, an increase of 0.8% compared to 2007.
5A students: (From left) Cheh Ghoon Hoong, Mark Wong Siang Kai, Neo Jia Hui, Nicholas and Foo Jong Yi looking at their certificates yesterday.

5A students: (From left) Cheh Ghoon Hoong, Mark Wong Siang Kai, Neo Jia Hui, Nicholas and Foo Jong Yi looking at their certificates yesterday.

“Candidates don’t take risks in examinations. If they had not been comfortable, they would not have answered in English,” he said when announcing the STPM 2008 results here.

Since 2004, candidates have been given the choice of answering the Science and Mathematics papers – Mathematics S, Mathematics T, Further Mathematics T, Computing, Physics, Chemistry and Biology – in English or Bahasa Malaysia, or both languages.

MEC chief executive Omar Abu Bakar said candidates were not penalised if they answered a question in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.

He added that there was no data to show the breakdown of candidates who answered the Science and Mathematics papers in both languages, or solely in Bahasa Malaysia.

In terms of candidates’ overall performance in urban and rural areas, Prof Dzulkifli said there was still an obvious difference.

“Urban candidates performed better than their rural counterparts, with 10.39% obtaining three to five As compared with 6.77% in rural areas,” he said.

But, he added that for the first time, candidates in the science stream from rural areas did better than those in the urban areas.

“About 14.18% of rural candidates obtained three to five As compared with about 12.99% of those in urban areas.”

Prof Dzulkifli, who is also Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor, said that although candidates were allowed to take five subjects, the majority took four in 2008, as the Higher Education Ministry’s requirement for entry into public universities was four subjects, including the General Paper.

He said 13 candidates obtained As in all the five subjects they took, compared with 25 in 2007.

“This includes five candidates from the science stream who obtained all As in the papers they took, which are General Paper, Mathematics T, Physics, Chemistry and Biology,” he said.

Thirty-one candidates who sat for five subjects obtained four As, while 223 who took four subjects obtained four As.

Prof Dzulkifli said 259 candidates obtained a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.0, compared with 437 in 2007.

There was a decrease in the number of STPM candidates last year – 53,638 compared with 66,048 in 2007.

The results for eight subjects, namely Usuluddin, Geography, Economics, Commerce, Further Mathematics T, Computing, Sports Science and Visual Arts, showed an improvement. No subject showed a decline of more than 3%.

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Gangsters held over fatal assault and arson

Nine members of the Ang Kim Lan gang were arrested after they killed a senior citizen and set fire to two cars in an apparent turf war.

State CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Amer Awal said police rounded up the gang members, aged between 20 and 30, in Seri Alam and Masai, here, early Monday morning.

“Initial investigations revealed that they had been involved in gang fights and drug trafficking since early this year,” he said, adding that police were hunting for the remaining 10 members of the gang.

On Sunday night, the gang attacked a 68-year-old man and his son-in-law with parangs outside their home in Bandar Seri Alam.

The man died at the Sultan Ismail Hospital while the son-in-law, 27, is still being treated at the Johor Specialist Hospital for his injuries.


The gang is also believed to have torched a Proton Perdana V6 and a Perodua Kelisa of another victim in Taman Rinting in Masai on Monday.

Police urged those with information to contact its hotline at 07-2212999.

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600 conned by syndicate promising ‘high paying’ jobs

At least 600 people are believed to have been conned by a syndicate promising high-paying jobs of up to S$8,000 (RM19,200) a month on board a cargo ship in Singapore.

The victims, who were retrenched workers or who had quit their jobs, said they have paid S$100 (RM240) or RM250 to an “agent” who was known only as Ah Kwang.

They found out that they were cheated when their “employer” failed to meet them in Johor Jaya on Sunday.

One of the victims, who only wanted to be known as Lee, 21, said that he had quit his job in Singapore as a deliveryman. “I resigned from my job of four years on Friday to start the new job on Sunday but now I am jobless.

“I do not know what to do now,” he said adding that he had to settle his monthly car loan repayments.

Another victim, Jazz Lim, 26, she had lost a few hundred ringgit by paying commission fees to the “agent” on behalf of her relatives.

Lim, who sought help from the Johor Jaya assemblymen Tan Cher Puk, said she learned about the jobs from Ah Kwang. “He told me about the high paying jobs and I told my friends and relatives about it.

“Some of them were looking for a job, some were retrenched while others thought it was a good idea to quit their jobs for higher income,” she said adding that she felt miserable over the incident.

When contacted, Ah Kwang said he too had been conned by someone who claimed to be a bank manager who told him that he could earn up to S$10,000 (RM24,000) in commission if he could get people to work on the ship.

He said he had found about 200 to 300 people who were interested but he did not receive his commission.

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Yaakob confirmed that several police reports had been lodged. He said police are still investigating the case and urged those with information to call the police hotline at 07-221 2999.

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Vacant houses can be broken into to fog against dengue

Vacant houses suspected of being mosquito breeding grounds will be broken into by local authorities for fogging purposes.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said local authorities had such right under the Vector Control Act if house owners failed to react to notices served to them within 14 days.

“We are also considering shortening the notification from 14 days to three to five days as part of the effort by the Government to tackle this problem,” he told a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said it was the ministry’s aim to reduce dengue cases throughout the country by 10,000 cases this year and the number of deaths caused by such cases from 0.22% to 0.2%.

Until March 7 this year, he said, the number of dengue cases was 10,916 cases with 31 deaths, which was 35% higher than the same period last year.

“A total of 52% cases and 71% deaths reported happened in Selangor while cases in Penang, Perak and Kedah have also increased,” he said.

Last year, there were 7,134 cases with 12 deaths. Liow said 53% of the death could be saved if patients were treated early.

“All these cases could be avoided if patients received treatment as soon as they showed symptoms of such disease,” he said.

He said the ministry would also conduct fogging work in a wider area of 400 metre radius, compared to the previous 200 metre radius in epidemic area.

“Local authorities must also ensure that 85% of the epidemic area is under control within two weeks.

“We will also cut the response time for fogging to 24 to 48 hours once a dengue case is reported to control the spreading of such cases,” he said.

He said 1,000 additional staff would be employed to tackle the problem and operation centres would also be set up in all states throughout the country to monitor such epidemic.

Liow said the ministry had issued 18,469 compounds last year and 59,518 compounds this year to owners who failed to ensure that their premises were clean and mosquito free.

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PM: No agenda in unexpected meeting with Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dismissed any political agenda in his unexpected meeting with Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a religious school in Hulu Langat on Tuesday.

"There was no discussion between me and Anwar. There is nothing more about it,” he told reporters here Wednesday after visiting the Sepangar naval base.

He said he was invited by well known Ustaz Sheikh Mahmud Al-Mazjub to celebrate Malulidur Rasul to mark the ending of the spiritual development of the Uztaz.

"I was having my lunch with the Uztaz when Anwar came (later). We were listening to Sheikh Mahmud during lunch," he said in dismissing speculation by bloggers about political implications of the meeting.

Asked if a date has been set for the transition of power between him and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Abdullah replied: "Of course we have a date. I have discussed with Najib. I will make official (in time)."

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Five dead in suspected arson

Five people, including four family members, were killed when the cabin they were living in Jalan Sungai Buloh was razed in a suspected arson attack.

The victims were identified as Poritish Kumar, 32, Tounsari Das, 28, their two children two-year-old Prema and eight-month-old Shilpa. All of them are Bangladeshis.

Also killed in the incident was a local man identified only as 50-year-old Ah Yong. He was living in a partition in the cabin.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said all five were asleep when the fire hit them about 5am on Wednesday.

He said the local man and Poritosh are believed to be working in a second-hand car dealer located in front of the cabin.

However police are still investigating the background of the victims and how long Paritosh and his family had been in the country.

“We could not find any of their documents at the scene. The documents must have been destroyed in the blaze,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

The case has been classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder according to evidence found at the scene.

ACP Arjunaidi said police believe the fire was a pre-planned incident by someone known to the victims or the owner of the car dealer.

Police have contacted the employer of the victims and were in the midst of recording his statement.

Initial investigation also revealed that the cabin door was locked outside with a wire.

Paritosh was believed have tried to escape the fire as his body was found near the locked door.

The Fire and Rescue Department from Sungai Buloh sent two fire engines and 12 men to the scene at about 5.30am after receiving a distress call 15 minutes earlier and took them 20 minutes to put out the fire.

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Bangladesh shocked after M’sia pulls visas

Bangladesh on Wednesday expressed shock at Malaysia’s decision to revoke work visas for more than 55,000 Bangladeshis, a move aimed at filling those jobs with Malaysians facing layoffs.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Tuesday ordered the visas for 55,147 Bangladeshis approved in 2007 to be canceled to stave off unemployment at home, which is expected to rise to 4.5 percent from 3.7 percent last year.

All those workers are still in Bangladesh, and were waiting to replace compatriots returning from Malaysia after their visas had expired.

Talat Mahmud Khan, labor counselor with the Bangladesh High Commission, said the workers would have worked on plantations and construction sites - jobs Malaysians shun because of the hard work and long hours.

“This approval was given by the Malaysian government ... and now all of a sudden they stopped everything. I’m pretty much shocked about this,” he told The Associated Press. “Plantations always need foreign workers.”

He said many workers had paid in advance at least part of the recruiting fees, usually a sum equivalent to more than $2,000.

“They have lost a lot,” he said. “Their families will be ruined.”

Syed Hamid said Tuesday that foreign labor was not needed because of the global economic crisis, adding that levies paid by Malaysian companies to recruit the workers would be refunded.

The Malaysian Employers Federation and other groups contend that foreign workers, who make up a fifth of the country’s 11 million-strong work force, are still needed.

Together with an estimated 1 million illegals, they work mainly on plantations, construction sites, factories and restaurants.

Malaysia froze the intake of new foreign workers in the manufacturing and service sectors in January.

Khan said about 400,000 Bangladeshis still work in Malaysia.

They have traditionally worked in factories, restaurants and gasoline stations, but Khan said many now had learned to tap rubber and harvest palm oil.

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Thousands of plantation vacancies but no takers

Despite more than 3,000 vacancies in the plantation sector, there are no takers, Malaysian Agricultural Plantation Association (MAPA) executive director Mohamad Audong disclosed Wednesday.

He said MAPA had made provisions to give priority to retrenched local workers to fill the vacancies, but so far, there were no applicants.

Mohamad said Malaysians should change their mindset as working in plantations was a very lucrative alternative as the perks and salaries were also attractive.

The lowest category of worker, that is, general worker, was paid a clean monthly wage of RM600.

For skilled and semi-skilled workers, the pay would vary from RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month.

Besides this, the workers are provided with free housing, transportation, electricity and water.

They are also entitled to medical benefits, Socso coverage and Employees Provident Fund contributions.

Mohamad said that the 400 MAPA member estates were employing a total of 125,000 workers and almost half of them were foreigners.

"However, in line with government policy, we are reducing our dependence on foreigners," he ex plained.

He hoped retrenched Malaysians would consider working in the plantations and help realise the government's policy.

On the ongoing negotiations with the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), he said MAPA was reviewing its collective agreement with the union for the benefit of members who were oil palm harvesters and mill workers.

The NUPW, the country's oldest union, represents 40,000 local and foreign workers in the plantation sector.

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A-G, IGP cleared in Anwar ‘black eye’ case (Update 3)

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail were cleared of fabricating evidence in the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “black eye” incident of a decade ago.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday that the two were cleared of any wrong-doing after a two-month investigation conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Anwar had accused both Abdul Gani and Musa of tampering with evidence in an investigation into an alleged beating he received from then IGP Abdul Rahim Noor while in police custody in 1998.

“Since this case is sensitive and of high profile, the MACC had suggested a three-person independent panel be appointed as deputy public prosecutors to look into the case,” Nazri in response to a question by Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong).

The independent panel was made up of former Federal Court judges Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman and Datuk Wira Mohd Noor Ahmad, and retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah.

In reply to Gobind’s supplementary question on when the decision was made, Nazri said that the case was investigated on July 2 last year and was completed two months after that.

“Since we need to consider several things, we took a bit more time to announce the decision so that it does not create doubt among people,” he said, adding that that was why he decided to reply on Wednesday.

In reply to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s question on who was the dissenting voice, Nazri said he could not give the information and majority decision obviously means a 2-1 decision.

He added that the decision for the IGP was 3-0.

Gobind had been asking why the result of the investigation was not officially announced.

MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan had announced the results in an interview with Sunday Star on March 1.

Later Wednesday, Anwar expressed his "disgust" at the outcome of the probe, claiming that the evidence against the IGP and A-G was "strong and solid."

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Singapore’s web radio services go offline over royalty issue

A dispute over licence fees has forced most of Singapore’s radio stations to stop streaming online.

Following an amendment to the Copyright Act last November, the Recording Industry Performance Singapore (RIPS) asked radio broadcasters to pay an annual licensing fee if they wanted to continue their Internet radio service.

Currently, over-the-air radio stations are exempted from having to pay royalties to record companies. The November amendment, though, clarified that this exemption did not extend to Internet streaming services.

Because of this, said RIPS general manager Barbara Wong, broadcasters need to obtain “licences to continue their Internet streaming, just as their counterparts in many other jurisdictions are required to.”

She declined to elaborate as “these friendly negotiations are still ongoing.”

Last week, though, MediaCorp and Safra Radio suspended the Internet streaming of their radio stations. MediaCorp runs more than a dozen radio stations, including Class 95 and Yes 93.3; Safra Radio operates two, Power98 and 88.3 Jia.


A MediaCorp spokesman said it is “still continuing with our negotiations with RIPS... . The service will be resumed if we can come to an agreement.”

Safra Radio did not reply by press time, but a notice on its website said that “Internet streaming of Power98FM is no longer available until further notice.”

For now, SPH UnionWorks’ Radio 91.3 and Radio 100.3 stations remain online. A UnionWorks spokesman declined to comment, citing ongoing negotiations.

A source familiar with the issue here told The Straits Times that one of the main stumbling blocks is the five-figure sum per station each year that RIPS wants. If RIPS and the broadcasters cannot reach an agreement, the broadcasters may simply stop their Internet radio services for good.

No statistics are available on the popularity of Internet radio with Singapore audiences, but according to a 2008 American study, 13% of Americans aged 12 and above listen to Internet radio every week, up from 11% in 2007. -- ANN/ The Straits Times

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Maxis to bring iPhone 3G to Malaysia on March 20

Maxis announced on Wednesday that it will offer iPhone 3G 8GB for free on its iValue 4 plan from March 20.

Maxis will offer a range new tariff plans, starting at just RM100 per month, tailored specifically for iPhone customers.

Maxis chief executive officer Sandip Das said in a statement: “We are very pleased to launch iPhone 3G in Malaysia as many of our mobile users have been eagerly anticipating this revolutionary phone.


“They will really enjoy the many embedded and downloadable applications from the first time they use iPhone 3G.”

The iPhone 3G combines three products in one – a phone, widescreen iPod and an Internet device.
“With fast 3G networking, GPS mapping and support for enterprise features including Microsoft Exchange, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips.

“The ground-breaking App Store provides access to tens of thousands of applications from games to social networking to financial planning and health management, generating more than 500 million downloads to date,” Maxis said in the statement.

Maxis will offer the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G models with four specially designed postpaid plans called iValue, all of which are voice-data bundled price plans, starting from RM100 per month.

For customers who sign up for a monthly commitment of RM375 over a 24-month period on the iValue 4 plan, the iPhone 3G 8GB will be free of charge.

The bundled voice and data plans are the first of their kind in Malaysia.


“Malaysians, including our Maxis customers, are among the highest Internet and data users in the world and iPhone 3G will further enliven their mobile experiences with Maxis,” said Das.

“We are making nearly RM1.6bil of investments into our networks this year. Over the coming months we will continue a comprehensive upgrade and expansion programme that will further enhance coverage and performance, including our high speed 3G data network.”

For more details, visit www.maxis.com.my/iPhone

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I saw croc drag him in: Colleague

A plywood factory foreman was seen dragged into the murky water of Sungai Bako by a crocodile and was still missing as at press time yesterday.

TRAUMATISED: A visibly shaken Farizan (left) recounts the incident to reporters. At third left is Sharizal.

Identified only as Pak Jono, an Indonesian in his 40s, the victim was with two fellow workers looking for fish in the stream behind the plywood factory at Demak Laut Lorong 7 when the incident happened around 11am.

According to one of the workers, Farizan Gom, 31, the group was standing waist-deep in the river when he saw the head of a crocodile suddenly lunging up from beneath the water and grabbing hold of the left side of Pak Jono’s stomach before dragging him under.

“The incident was so sudden that Pak didn’t even scream. I was only about two feet away from him when it happened. I saw the croc drag him in,” said a visibly shaken Farizan, who hails from Kota Samarahan and has only been working at the factory for two months.

He immediately made his way to the river bank together with the other co-worker, 18-year-old Sharizan Rahman, and stood there scanning the water in the hope of seeing the foreman surfacing.

“We saw the croc surfaced momentarily at the other end of the river bank with what looked like one of Pak’s yellow rubber boots in its mouth before it disappeared underwater again,” said Sharizan, who too appeared shaken.

After that, the duo said they saw the reptile, which they described as ‘fairly large’, surfaced two more times further upriver before losing sight of it altogether.

Together with another worker, Jamadil Radat, 20, who was standing on the edge of the river bank at the time of the incident, the group rushed back to their quarters about 20 metres away and informed everyone of Pak Jono’s fate.

They then informed the factory owner, who contacted the police, before lodging a police report of the incident.

A police team led by officer-in-charge of Gita police station Chief Inspector Fauzan Abu Kassim arrived at the scene together with personnel from the Civil Defence Department, who proceeded to mount a search operation using two boats.

However, there was no sign of the victim as of yesterday evening.

When met after the incident yesterday, the victim’s wife Ramliedi, 42, said she never expected such a fate to befall her husband as he fished in the river many times during his five years of working at the factory.

The distraught woman revealed the couple has four children together, with the youngest only five years old.

She said her eldest son, 21, had only recently arrived in the city to look for work while her second son, 18, and a 13-year-old daughter are staying in Pontianak.

For Farizan, meanwhile, the experience of seeing a fellow worker being attacked by a crocodile right in front of his eyes has left him traumatised.

“It was my first time going into the river to look for fish, but it will certainly be the last,” he shuddered, while casting a wary eye towards the river.

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How to minimize Ur Blog Main Page Space

Normally, when u posted ur latest posting it will show up at ur main blog page. But if your posting is too long, it could make your main page full and of course this might result your blog will slow during loading.

Here are the simple trick that will help u to show a few words of your post and in the end of it your readers need to click to 'read more' link if they want more details about ur posting.

Just follow this few step;

1. Login to your blogger account then go to -->>> "Layout -->> Edit HTML
2. Checked the Expand Widget Templates box.
3. After that type Ctrl + F - On the Find box search for this HTML code <data:post.body/>.
4. Change the code to this new code -

Right click and copy to change <data:post.body/> code with this code

<b:if cond="'data:blog.pageType"><style>.fullpost{display:inline;}</style><p><data:post.body/></p><b:else/><style>.fullpost{display:none;}</style><p><data:post.body/></p><a href="'data:post.url'">Read More......</a></b:if>

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5. If you read the code you will find 'Read More......' word. U can change this word with ur own taste ... for instant in BM - 'Klik disini untuk butiran lanjut.....'

6. Save your template.

7. Then u need to go to your blog Setting tab, and click on Formatting.

8. Copy and paste this code at your Post Template, Then Straight away you save it.

Right click and copy the code

<span class="fullpost"> </span>

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9. When you start posting/ writing, there were two tab, one is stand for 'Edit HTML' and the other one is 'Compose'. When you click on 'Edit HTML' tab shall see this code;

<span class="fullpost"> </span>

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10. To enjoy this great tips.. all you have to do next is, you need to write your post first and in the end of it, go to Edit Html paste this code <span class="fullpost"> until which word u want to show it own your main page, then in the end of ur post please do not forget to put this code too... </span>

Good luck guys!.. Have a nice day!

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How to Create your own widget

Do you want the static image to be put at the corner of your web??

It can be used to give the mood of your web with any image that you want. All of the items here are FREE! So, enjoy then... It is advised that you use the latest browser i.e IE7 and Firefox.

Here's are the simple script that u need to follow..
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1. Login to your blogger account then go to -->>> "Layout -->> Edit HTML

2. Find this code -->>>]]></b:skin> (For easy search copy the word and on Edit HTML page type ctrl + f and paste it, you will surely found it). Then copy the script listed below on top of it. Please Choose Which is the best position for you.

a) Bottom Left

CODE
Right click and copy the code before -->>> ]]></b:skin>

#trik_pojok {<br />position:fixed;_position:absolute;bottom:0px; left:0px;<br />clip:inherit;<br />_top:expression(document.documentElement.scrollTop+<br />document.documentElement.clientHeight-this.clientHeight); _left:expression(document.documentElement.scrollLeft+ document.documentElement.clientWidth - offsetWidth); }

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b) Bottom Right

CODE
Right click and copy the code before -->>> ]]></b:skin>

#trik_pojok {<br />position:fixed;_position:absolute;bottom:0px; right:0px;<br />clip:inherit;<br />_top:expression(document.documentElement.scrollTop+<br />document.documentElement.clientHeight-this.clientHeight); _left:expression(document.documentElement.scrollLeft+ document.documentElement.clientWidth - offsetWidth); }

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b) Top Left

CODE
Right click and copy the code before -->>> ]]></b:skin>

#trik_pojok {<br />position:fixed;_position:absolute;top:0px; left:0px;<br />clip:inherit;<br />_top:expression(document.documentElement.scrollTop+<br />document.documentElement.clientHeight-this.clientHeight); _left:expression(document.documentElement.scrollLeft+ document.documentElement.clientWidth - offsetWidth); }

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b) Top Right

CODE
Right click and copy the code before -->>> ]]></b:skin>

#trik_pojok {<br />position:fixed;_position:absolute;top:0px; right:0px;<br />clip:inherit;<br />_top:expression(document.documentElement.scrollTop+<br />document.documentElement.clientHeight-this.clientHeight); _left:expression(document.documentElement.scrollLeft+ document.documentElement.clientWidth - offsetWidth); }

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3. The last step is copy & paste the script below before this code -->>> </body>
(For easy search copy the word and on Edit HTML page type ctrl + f and paste it, you will surely found it)

CODE

Right click and copy the code before this code -->>> </body>

<div id="trik_pojok"><br /><a href="http://malaysiatopview.blogspot.com"><br /><img src="http://kendhin.890m.com/soniclari.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></div>

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"http://malaysiatopview.blogspot.com" changed this link to your own link.
"http://kendhin.890m.com/soniclari.gif" changed this link to your own picture that u want to use.

4. If u want to change the static picture to clock/calendar/hit counter/others widget just change This code -->>> <a href="http://malaysiatopview.blogspot.com">
<img src="http://kendhin.890m.com/soniclari.gif" border="0" /></a>
<<<-- with ure own widget script.

5. Jobs Done -- Save it n see yourself!! Good luck guys!

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New Soldier Knife : Victorinox

Victorinox introduces the updated edition of Soldier Knife as requested by land Government. Used by today’s land Army, the wound features a newborn ergonomic threefold spacing handle, which module earmark for a bonded appendage in extremity algid or dewy defy situations. The wound is acquirable in a black and olive naif compounding appendage and due to impact the street in the outflow of 2009. Other features that you crapper wait include: a one-hand notched protection blade, Phillips Screwdriver, crapper person with diminutive screwdriver, bottleful person with super protection screwdriver, accommodate stripper, reamer, key anulus and vegetation saw.

Read

Soldier Knife, Swiss Army, Victorinox

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Chairman Smartphone

A land maker titled Ulysse Nardin is antiquity a smartphone titled the Chairman. The Chairman is a sound that uses kinetic forcefulness to ready it’s consciousness powered.

The sound harvests it’s necessary forcefulness from motion. The change is regenerate in to electrical noesis which if touched around sufficiency crapper ready it powered. There are no info meet still on the theoretical glasses same what processor it module hit shapely in, what identify of concealment and how bounteous the concealment is. Nor is there whatever aggregation on if it module be Windows Mobile supported or whatever another OS. What we do undergo is that it’s a rattling restricted edition sound with exclusive 1846 existence made. With that in nous we crapper adopt that it’s feat to be kinda pricey too.

Via: TechChee

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Fireflies lose sparkle as mangroves come down

NDISCRIMINATE land clearing along the banks of Sungai Selangor are threatening the fireflies in Kampung Kuantan, Kuala Selangor.

The acts of some irresponsible land owners who have rented out their plots to outsiders have been identified as the main culprits.

The riverbanks have been cleared of the mangrove treess such as nibong and rumbia, and replaced with those that will generate higher income including oil palm.

The original trees were not only conducive to the existence of the millions of the fireflies that live on berembang trees but have also been a source of income for the villagers who weaved attap roofs from the rumbia and nibong leaves.

A check also revealed that the facilities at the sanctuary were not fully used due to a lack of visitors.

On the way: Visitors preparing for a trip downriver as the sun begins to set.

The gazebos are left empty while the playground equipment has also been left unattended.

The tourist development centre which is located just behind the jetty also appeared to be in a deplorable state.

Sahar Lahajar, who is a coordinator at the Kampung Kuantan firefly sanctuary, said the land clearing work started in 2007.

He said Kampung Lubok was one of the areas where major clearing had been done.

“The nibong and rumbia trees had been replaced with oil palm trees, while some areas have not been planted with any crops yet.

“The indiscrimate land-clearing is not good for the fireflies as the insects live on the mangrove trees,’’ he said, adding that the land clearing had also been done along the riverbanks at the sanctuary.

Besides felling trees, Sahar said the irresponsible parties had also conducted open burning and built drains in the area.

He said there were 31 boatmen at the sanctuary, which was one of the state’s unique tourist attractions.

Sahar said the number of visitors to the village had not been encouraging in recent years and he felt that the mangrove trees must be protected.

Serene sight: The river comes alive at night as millions of fireflies light up the gloom.

“The government has done its bit to save the fireflies by barring boats with engines since 2004.

“They have also improved the facilities around the jetty and I think they should also do something to stop the clearing of the trees so that we will not lose this natural heritage,’’ he said

Boatman Fuad Arif, 62, said Kampung Kuantan had earned its name among tourists from all over the world since 1978.

He said he was one of many who had been earning a living ferrying visitors to view the fireflies.

“It is important that the environment is maintained as naturally as possible so that the fireflies will continue to live here,’’ he said.

Kuala Selangor District Council secretary Azahari Sairin said the council had identified those who were responsible for the clearing of the mangroves and it was taking action against the culprits.

He said it was an offence to clear land within a 5km radius of the Sungai Selangor riverbanks under the Local Plan.

“We are also in discussions with the Forest Research Institute of Malayisa (FRIM) on the possibility of planting mangroves at the affected areas,’’ he said.

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Yellow card for FAM

MEMBERS of Parliament criticised the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the sport’s poor state of affairs.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng had just started his winding-up speech on his ministry when Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) stood up and chided the FAM for failing to raise the standard of Malaysian football.

Bung Mokhtar said the FAM leadership should undergo a major revamp to return Malaysian football to its former glory.

“We have been beaten by a country which can’t even feed its citizens,” he claimed.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) went a step further and demanded that everyone in FAM be sacked.

When Wee said the Government could not simply interfere in the main football governing body whenever a problem occurs, Bung Mokhtar interjected and said that no improvement was forthcoming even after decades of discussions.

“No sponsors are giving money because of the poor standard of Malaysian football.

“AirAsia sponsored Manchester United because they have good players,” he added.

Wee said the ministry was serious about improving local football and recommendations would be brought up to the ministry for action.

The MPs also criticised the lack of good leadership in youth associations.

Azan Ismail (PKR-Indera Mahkota) said the standard of youth associations had gone down because they continued to be led by elderly people.

“The older leaders should step down and let youths become the leaders because they know the interests of their generation.

“Some people want to become association leaders for their own reasons and this will not help to attract new members,” he added.

Datuk Ismail Abd Muttalib (BN-Maran) said senior leaders usually had the leadership and financial capacity to make their associations stronger.

However, he agreed that they should resign if they could not perform.

Wee said the ministry would formulate more new programmes to help attract youths based on feedback from MPs and others.

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Clunky but funky

Altec Lansing’s glossy Expressionist Classic FX2020 stereo speakers sound as good as they look.

ARE you looking for a pair of speakers that look as good as they sound?

Then the Altec Lansing Expressionist Classic FX2020 may be right up your alley.

These speakers are more for the user who is concerned with style and design.

Bulky bricks

Before unpacking the FX2020, I was under the impression that they are small, slim speakers that would fit snugly and inconspicuously next to an MP3 player or laptop.

I was wrong because the FX2020 is by far the largest stereo speakers I have ever seen.

When they are set up, you may need more desk space than you had gauged for and they do overwhelm the objects near to them because of their sheer size.

Only when you place it next to a desktop PC with a 19in LCD monitor and a lot of table space, for example, does the FX2020 start to blend in with its surrounding nicely.

And to think with its giant ­footprint Altec Lansing could have added a remote control which they did not.

It is disappointing because you would expect a wireless remote no less for a lifestyle product that is aimed at those who want to have a laidback listening experience.

HIDDEN: The volume controls are well-hidden and difficult to reach.

It does not help that its volume controls are well-hidden and difficult to reach.

The cables and wires are thick and cumbersome. There is one wire that joins the two speakers together which means the speakers can only be set up less than 2m apart.

One more cable to worry about is the audio output cable so these speakers may look unsightly and messy when put together with your media players or notebooks.

And although the FX2020 looks like it may make good glossy bookends, it is an optical illusion as these speakers are surprisingly light and may disappoint some who are looking for a heavy set of stereo speakers to handle bass.

Grows on you

Playing a song for the first time on these speakers can be quite ­disappointing but you begin to appreciate the sound after awhile.

You will be surprised at how well it handles different types of music, giving each instrument a distinct clarity that is hard to find from a normal pair of stereo speakers.

In fact, it gives the impression of surround sound and the sound meets well in the middle of the two speakers so if placed on either side of your notebook, for example, you will like what you hear.

The sound is solid and well-spaced out but still sounds pretty muffled so they will not be good enough for watching action flicks or playing games.

Clearly bass is out of the question as these speakers emit a faux bass feeling.

Not the best if cranked up too loud or if you are into rock music as it starts to hurt the ears.

However, if you are not an audiophile and into chill-out background music then these speakers are more than enough.

Conclusion

The Altec Lansing Expressionist Classic FX2020 takes up a wee bit too much desk space, uses unsightly thick wires and lacks a remote.

However, the sound quality is something to appreciate at a reasonable volume and the speakers do not look that bad.

Can’t give Altec Lansing flack for trying to be tasteful with the shiny design.

Pros: Easy setup; decent sound quality.

Cons: No remote; chunky design; lacks power.

EXPRESSIONIST CLASSIC FX2020

(Altec Lansing)

PC stereo speakers

Dimensions (H x W x D): 127 x 127 x 159mm

Price: RM299

Review unit courtesy of Ban Leong Technologies Sdn Bhd, (03) 7956-6300.

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Love does not demand anything but giving

EVEN if one has love, sometimes one fears losing it. But we should just keep giving love and respect to others. As we sow the field, we will reap the fruit.

We should internalise this practically and not just intellectually.

We do not need external force such as a show of anger. We need internal power so that we can share it with others.

Love is the spiritual magnetism that draws men together for the working of miracles.

“Ten men banded together in love” wrote Carlyle, “can do what ten thousand separately would fail in.”

When love is strong, personalities do not need to create an impact, for love itself is stunning and it illuminates the important things naturally.

When one understands that he is a traveller on this earth and that others are co-travellers and have a definite role to play, egoistic nature will turn into adjustments, understanding, co-operation and love.

When I appreciate others fully, it boosts their self-esteem and helps them pass on a loving attitude to others.

Love means so much more than lust or romance. Keep alive the greater meaning of the love we all seek. Even though I may not see the results immediately, love always works.

Recognise the love you give, and cherish the love you receive.

Thought for reflection: Through love one is able to change the negativity of the other individual.

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