Rais shocked by Ku Li's stand on oil royalty

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said today he was shocked at the change in the stand of former finance minister, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, that Kelantan had the right to receive oil royalty compared to his earlier stand.

Why shocked lah but what is new? Anything or anyone going against Umno's stand or 'principle' is bound to have negative or violent reactions!

Has not Umno-led government changed its stand over the many things many times???

Game over for Liow and gang

It appears that hopes for fresh polls in MCA are dashed now that the all-powerful CC has decided not to have any.

Why oh why? Liow really looks like he wants so much to push own agenda. He really looks bad...

Toyota suspends sales of 8 models in recall: Camry, RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia, Tundra, Avalon and Highlander

Toyota suspends sales of 8 models in recall

A man looks around Toyota Motor's showroom in Tokyo. Toyota Motor Corp said it will suspend sales of eight models involved in a recall announced last week for potentially faulty accelerator pedals. — Reuters pic

DETROIT, Jan 27 — Toyota Motor Corp said yesterday it will suspend sales of eight models involved in a recall announced last week for potentially faulty accelerator pedals.

Toyota also said it would halt production at plants in the United States and Canada in the first week of February.

In Tokyo shares of Toyota fell 2.7 per cent by midmorning today, compared with a 0.2 per cent fall in the Nikkei average.

“The recall itself won’t be a big problem for Toyota’s earnings, but suspending production and sales could have a big impact depending on how long it lasts,” said Koji Endo, an auto analyst at Advanced Research Japan.

The sales suspension and recall includes Toyota’s top-selling vehicle in North America, the Camry, for model years since 2007.

Also included are the 2009-2010 model year RAV4, Corolla and Matrix, the 2008-2010 model year Sequoia, the 2007-2010 model year Tundra, the 2005-2010 model year Avalon and the 2010 model year Highlander.

Annual combined sales of these models are one million cars in North America, more than half of Toyota’s annual sales there last year, according to Advance Research’s Endo.

Toyota is suspending production of the models for the first week of February at plants in North America. The plants are located in Indiana, Texas, Kentucky, and in Ontario.

Bob Carter, Toyota US group vice-president, said the world’s No.1 automaker is taking the actions to ensure safety and restore confidence in Toyota among consumers.

“This action is necessary until a remedy is finalised,” Carter said in a statement. “We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.”

Toyota said last week it would recall 2.3 million vehicles in the United States to fix potentially faulty accelerator pedals, its second massive recall in four months in the US. — Reuters

Toyota said the defective pedal was not used in any of its cars in Japan, Australia and Asia excluding China.

Stageless S'gor gov't a sensation at Thaipusam

A major religious event attracts attention for all the wrong reasons as both sides of the political divide continue with their shenanigans.

The Star Online reported 'Najib: Vital to mutually respect the religious beliefs of one another'. Najib preached 'respect' but did he FIRST respect his fellow politicians of opposing belief?

Umno-led BN could not even respect the PR state government when the latter built a stage for the event, only to be forcefully dismantled by the police. The PR state leaders had to make do with a makeshift stage attached to a Selayang Municipal Council truck.

Organising exco, Xavier Jayakumar told Malaysiakini that the disruptions cost the state at least RM120,000, excluding payments to be made to pop stars from India whose appearance had to be cancelled.

British Papers are More Fun to Read - HAHAHA 8)

(Images of newspapers snippets lifted from a forwarded email)

Police disrupt S'gor gov't Thaipusam function

UPDATED 5.55PM A stage set up for a Selangor government event was dismantled by the police for ‘security reasons’. However today evening, the police gave permission for the function to proceed - but no stage was allowed.

Selangor Exco Xavier Jayakumar said that the police said the event could be a “security threat” as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is making a visit to Batu Caves in commemoration of the festival.

Xavier said that the police act is politically motivated. Oh well! Obviously!

Just go to my previous post 'recycling' Hannah Yeoh's post:
Umno, tajaan PDRM? PDRM, sponsor of Umno?

Umno Mustapa a sycophant, Utusan a myth reporter

@ The Malaysian Insider - Ku Li insists Kelantan gets 5pc oil royalty
The former finance minister and one-time Umno vice-president, who had unsuccessfully challenged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the Umno presidency, had no kind words for his party during the speech and later when speaking to reporters.

He described Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, also International Trade and Industry Minister, as a sycophant, and party-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia as reporting fiction.

“Don’t mention those names to me. Mustapa is a sycophant, Utusan is just [reporting] myths,” he retorted.

In other words, Mustapa is an ass-kisser

and Utusan is just talking cock!

No extra evidence for Anwar: Beginning of the end for Anwar?

Federal Court rules no extra evidence for Anwar
BREAKING NEWS Anwar has lost his final chance to get more key evidence such as CCTV footage and medical reports from the prosecution to prepare...

Among the key documents sought: 1. The recorded witness statement of Mohd Saiful and the condominium owner Hasanuddin Abdul Hamid 2. The examination notes of Dr Osman Abdul Hamid from Pusrawi Hospital 3. Statements and notes of three doctors from Hospital Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) 4. a chemist's notes and medical reports.

It has been reported that the medical reports indicated that there was no sign of penetration of Saiful's anus.

Anwar also wanted the CCTV footage of the condominium at the alleged time.

On July 16, the High Court judge Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah allowed Anwar to obtain Mohd Saiful's medical report from HKL and CCTV footage but he rejected Anwar's application to obtain the original DNA specimens as they have been packeted and sealed.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/108605

Following justice Zabidin's decision, the prosecution filed an appeal, while Anwar filed a cross appeal.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/108746

Meanwhile, Anwar has also filed an application to stay his sodomy trial scheduled next week. The High Court will first hear his stay application before the controversial trial can proceed.

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

Alleged Tabernacle Church arsonists to be charged

BREAKING NEWS The alleged arsonists of the Metro Tabernacle Church are expected to be charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today.

@ The Star Online

Published: Friday January 29, 2010 MYT 12:29:00 PM

Three men charged over church arson

KUALA LUMPUR: Three men claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to committing mischief with fire of the Metro Tabernacle Church AG in Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju on Jan 7.

They are brothers Raja Muhammad Faizal Raja Ibrahim, 24 and Raja Muhammad Idzham Raja Ibrahim, 22, and 23-year-old Azuwan Shah.

Student reps disqualified over Facebook campaign

UPDATED 9pm with UPM's response Seven students who won during the UPM campus polls have been disqualified for campaining in groups and on Facebook. The seven students are The seven students are Muhammad Hazim Md Noh, Amirul Rahman Mohd Khozam, Mohd Rafi Abu Bakar, Mohd Hanif Md Radzi, Nurul Hanisah M Yunus, Siti Hajar Zolqarnain and Azlinda Abdullah and their posts will be automatically filled in by the runner-up candidates.

Who is a true Muslim - he who fetes for peace or he who fights?

@ The Malaysian Insider
Excerpt from Nik Aziz fetes non-Muslim religious leaders
PAS has taken the position that Islam does not prevent Christians from using the word ‘Allah’ but it should not be used to confuse Muslims. Today the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) together with the Attorney-General’s office also organised a special session in Putrajaya to explain its position on the use of the term. In a recent interview given to Harakahdaily, Nik Aziz said that he hoped that today’s meeting would bring calm and comfort to the people of the country.

Excerpt from Muslim overseers blame Christian for 'Allah' row
But Zamihan went as far as suggesting that a repeat of the May 13 racial riots was possible if the Christians, which to him practised extremism in the matter, did not back down.
“Who knows, there might be a Feb 13?” said Zamihan.
(Zamihan Mat Zin from the Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia)

Avatar overtakes Titanic as top-grossing film ever

Click on image to go to BBC News to read further.

Hishammuddin: We will even arrest Umno members

The government will arrest and prosecute the culprits of the Metro Tabernacle church attack, even if they are Umno members Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein declared today.

He was responding to the allegation by PKR vice-president Azmin Ali's that Umno members were involved in that incident.

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Government Transformation Program at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, he also dismissed allegations that claimed his party had issued instructions for such attacks.

"In fact I am urging the police to take action against the culprits, no matter who they are," he said.

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

INTERVIEW - Malaysia Anwar confident ahead of sodomy trial

By Razak Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim goes on trial next week on sodomy charges for the second time, confident he will win and believing the government's mishandling of a religious row has bolstered the opposition's political standing.

Anwar, 62, was this Southeast Asian country's deputy premier and prime minister-in-waiting until 1998, when he was ousted from government, accused of corruption and sodomy and eventually jailed at the height of the Asian economic crisis.

Read more @ REUTERS India

I say to Anwar, 'Do not be confident yet for you yourself know how corrupt the system is!'

Muslim saboteurs could be behind attacks

Zulkifli Mohamad, the imam who leads prayers at the Al-Imam Al-Tirmizi mosque, called for calm and said Muslim saboteurs could be behind the latest incidents and told reporters that it was the work of some people to stir racial tension in the country and wanted the police to act fast and asked Muslims to be patient. Is it possible that the Muslims are behind the mosque attacks while the Christians are behind the church attacks? It was one of the theories 'espoused' by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin. Nevertheless, my personal belief is that these attacks are politically motivated. Read 'Motif politik antara 3 teori Asri gereja diserang.'

Bedrock of the nation - Will someone send me a pillow, please?

The Sun today front-paged:

Bedrock of the nation, followed by what Najib said (and my comments in blue ;)):
Najib: They are religious freedom (?), tolerance (?), peace (?) and fairness (?)

*YAWN* BETTER FOR ME TO GO TO BED THAN TO READ THIS PIECE OF NEWS!

Give MACC free rein

By: Terence Fernandez (Tue, 26 Jan 2010)

IN June 2008, three months after his party took over the administration of Selangor, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had invited the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to set up office in the state government building to pore over stacks of files and volumes of documents to determine if the previous administration or those in its employment had abused the public trust.

Although the agency did not respond to that invitation, it had its work simplified by Abdul Khalid and his team as the new state leaders started producing one evidence after another on the questionable alienation of land; overseas trips on public money to among others Disneyland; the breach of trust of RM10 million by the association of the wives of assemblymen and exorbitant gifts such as a RM160,000 watch for the former mentri besar paid for by taxpayers and a multi-million ringgit house supposedly beyond the means of the former mentri besar.

In the meantime and even before the 2008 elections, this paper had exposed the unlawful alienation of land; the transfer of land meant for public amenities to political parties; dubious deals at local council and state levels concerning outdoor advertising and questionable lawatan sambil belajar and not to mention the numerous shenanigans of a now deceased state assemblyman.

The ACA, however, did not find these revelations – ours and the Pakatan Rakyat government’s – needed immediate attention, ie as cause to launch an investigation. For theSun, apart from two visits by the ACA on an illegal funeral parlour and the billboard scandal, there has been no follow-through.

However, judging by the diligence of the ACA and its new identity the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the last two years, it looks like it should have taken up Abdul Khalid’s offer. After all since the state government changed hands, it has made about a dozen visits to the state government office as well as the service centres of Pakatan Rakyat representatives.

I find this sudden burst of enthusiasm by the MACC in investigating politicians and civil servants a breath of fresh air from its complacent and sluggish response and conduct with regards to the other cases which were not investigated.

Perhaps in its list of priorities, the theft of public land is not as serious as say the theft of sand. Or that state subsidiaries donating cattle to poor Muslims warrant immediate action compared to say a gift of a watch that cost as much as four low-cost houses.

Having said all that, those being investigated should not hide behind the perception that they are being victimised for being on the other side of the political divide. Attacking the MACC’s credibility should not be a façade for covering up their own dubious activities which have also slowly emerged from the woodwork.

I will, however, repeat the comments that I said on air two weeks ago: “The MACC has a golden opportunity to address the public perception under the new leadership of Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed – a decorated civil servant whose strong principles and run-ins with superiors are whispered in the hallowed corridors and pantries of the MACC headquarters.”

If it wants to win the hearts and minds of the public, there is no other choice but to go after the high-profile cases. Anything less will be a disservice to the people as well as to the reputation of the MACC and its new boss who came into office with high approval ratings.

Which is why the support for the MACC, like I said on Bernama TV two Fridays ago; must be from top down, not the other way round.

The people have been doing their bit to help the MACC by providing information and the like, but if the mandate is not given to Abu Kassim and his men to act on them, all the MACC will ever be is old wine in a new bottle.

The MACC has a long way to go to regain the public trust and respect but I am optimistic that the new leadership can help address the negative perception – if only it is allowed to do its job without fear or favour.

Terence says there are crooks on both sides of the divide. He can be reached at terence@thesundaily.com

Article's URL: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=42773

Purple Cane Tea Restaurant @ The Gardens Mid Valley - www.purplecane.com.my

Healthy and yummy food! The top selling tea dishes are must-tries! You will love 'em! So, one visit is not enough...mmm...Price: Reasonable. Service: Not bad.

Add:

LG-206, Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City , Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200 Kuala Lumpur
W. P. Kuala Lumpur , MY

Tel:

603-2283 6090

Fax:

603-2283 6093

Web:

http://www.purplecane.com.my

Cab passengers’ right to complain

Cab passengers’ right to complain

Fare ride ... Passengers Nuraisyah Abd Latib and Norisma Ismail sit in a cab driven by Mohamad Najib Zubri that displays a "metered taxi" sticker.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18, 2009) : Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz urged consumers not to be apathetic and exercise their rights to complain against errant taxi drivers "as only with their cooperation and that of the enforcement agencies can the taxi service be improved"

"We want the consumers to know their rights and quit the apathetic or lazy habit to complain," he said during the launching of the the public transport consumer rights awareness campaign here.

Mohd Nazri said flyers listing the consumers’ rights will be distributed to raise their awareness.

He said consumers may complain to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board via hotline (1-800-88-9600), sms (15888), email (aduan@lpkp.gov.my ), website (www.lpkp.gov.my ) or the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

I did once sms to 39900 when a commercial lorry was being driven recklessly somewhere in Melaka. A few days later, I received a call from LPKP informing me that the registration number of the lorry was not found in the system. In short, it was an unregistered vehicle (probably with a false license plate) or what they called a 'lori hantu', my friend said.

PKR to Zul Noordin: 'Zip it'

UPDATED 8PM The party's political bureau has imposed a gag order on its controversial MP Zulkifli Noordin pending a disciplinary committee hearing soon.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who had previously told the press that Zulkifli had crossed the line with his police report, was ambiguous when asked if Zulkifli is now a liability to the party and said PKR regretted (his actions) and felt very strongly against the decision to lodge the police report against a fellow MP.

Also, Anwar refused to confirm if the party would pressure Zulkifli to retract his police report and said he didn't know what he (Zul) would prefer, but certainly, PKR was convinced his action was wrong and he had to make the necessary correction.

I really wonder why Anwar cannot say what Zaid said - SACK ZULKIFLI!

MB vs MB, Nizar vs Zambry: Decision set for Feb 9

Pakatan Rakyat's Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin will know on Feb 9 if he is the rightful menteri besar of Perak - just over a year since he was ousted amidst chaos.

The Federal Court will deliver its decision on his protracted legal tussle to win recognition of his status, following the collapse of the Pakatan government on Feb 4 last year.

The Perak Pakatan Rakyat secretariat said in a statement today that Nizar was informed through official correspondence to attend court at 9.30am on Feb 9.

Nizar, the Bukit Gantang MP and Permatang Pasir assemblyperson, urged “all those who support Pakatan Rakyat to pray to God for the return of justice and prosperity to the state of Perak”.
(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

altantuya Najib: Performance to be judged from speedy decisions

Prime minister said Malaysia's performance will be judged by its speedy decision making and execution.

Firstly, I think the PM seriously needs to do something speedy about the worsening traffic in KL and PJ! Can ah? That problem affects my personal life and many others as well who drive to work.

Umno, tajaan PDRM? PDRM, sponsor of Umno?

@ YB Hannah Yeoh's blog:
I was in Melaka for Christmas. This banner caught my attention. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the sponsors and their logos for this particular UMNO event. Polis Diraja Malaysia (PRDM) supposedly an impartial institution, was a sponsor for this particular ruling political party. We see for ourselves the political patronage system employed by UMNO-BN here. The federal government sets aside budget for the police force, and in turn, the police force returns the money/resources back to UMNO via sponsorship such as these. How will PDRM claim to be apolitical?

ALLAH-AYAH ANALOGY

A man came home from work and his children ran to him and called out ‘Ayah! Ayah!’.

His neighbor got very upset and said to him, “Can you please tell your children not to call you ‘Ayah’?”

The man asked, “Why?”

The neighbor retorted, “Because my children call me ’Ayah’ too. They might get confused and mistake you to be their father.”

Then the man told his neighbour, are you not ashamed to say that your children do not know who is their 'Ayah'? So you are saying that by using the word 'Ayah' , your children will call me ayah too without knowing who is their father.

The neighbour said "Yes", and only he should be allowed to use the word 'Ayah'.

The man said, "Then there is something wrong in what you are teaching your children. They are not sure and do not know who their 'Ayah' is."

By the way, this joke was sent to me by a non-Muslim-non-Malay-non-Christian-non-Catholic friend. In short, a Buddhist.

92% want PKR and Anwar to get rid of this trash

@ The People's Parliament
An Ultimatum to PKR and Anwar: Choose between the rakyat and Zul Nordin

Penang dragon boat accident: Money cannot bring my son back, says dad

(Source: Sun2Surf)

January 20, 2010 14:25 PM

"Money Cannot Replace My Son's Life" - Father Of Victim

PENANG, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- "Money cannot replace my son's life because he was an excellent student and took up the German language to continue his studies in Germany after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) this year," said Yeoh Cheong Hean, the father of Brandon Yeoh who was among six who drowned while practicing for a dragon boat competition here on Sunday.

Yeoh who thanked everyone for their kind contributions said he was still in a state of shock as he had vested so much hope and expectations on Brandon.

Brandon was the chairman of the Science Design Club and had won numerous awards in the state for his designs while his ambition was to become a famous designer one day, but all that hopes had been dashed, he said.

The body of Brandon will be cremated Khoo Kongsi Crematorium and his ashes will be kept at the Kek Lok Si Temple.

Yeoh had earlier received RM3,000 from the Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) which was handed by Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan from Parti Gerakan.

Teng said the state BN had decided to give RM3,000 to families of the victims who died when their boat capsized at the Gat Lebuh Macallum seafront on Sunday while training for a dragon boat race.

"Apart from handing out the contributions, BN will also form a committee to investigate the cause of the tragedy and the necessary steps to be taken to avoid a similar incident," he told reporters here Wednesday.

During the incident on Sunday, a teacher was among six from Chung Ling High School who drowned when their boat capsized after being hit by a wave, about 100m from the shores at about 8.45am.

Those who perished in the tragedy were Chin Ai Fang, 28 (teacher), Jason Ch'ng, 17, Goh Yi Xiang, 15, Brandon Yeoh, 17, Cheah Zi Yun, 17 and Yong Xiang, 16.

Twelve others who were also on the boat during the incident, managed to swim to safety while some were rescued by boats that were in the area.

-- BERNAMA

The 3 Facebook Settings Every User Should Check Now - The New York Times - www.nytimes.com

The 3 Facebook Settings Every User Should Check Now

Read all about it @ The New York Times

Just to be sure, I checked my 'Privacy settings' again after reading this article.

They are all set to either 'Friends and Network' or 'Friends of Friends'.

So, is my 'privacy' guaranteed? ;)

Two Haitians saved after 10 days, man survived 11 days on Coca-Cola

Two Haitians saved from quake rubble after 10 days

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) – An elderly woman and a young man were rescued Friday after spending 10 days buried in the rubble of Haiti's quake-hit capital, as the death toll from the disaster soared to more than 110,000.The miracle rescues of 84-year-old Marie Carida Roman and the unnamed 22-year-old man came despite aid workers saying they were winding down efforts to find people trapped in the worst disaster on record to hit the Americas. Read more @ Yahoo! News

Haiti quake victim 'drank Coke to survive'

A 25-year-old Haitian man rescued after spending 11 days buried in the ruins of a grocer's shop survived on snacks and Coca-Cola, he told AFP in a hospital interview. Read more @ 9NEWS

Word for the parents

I. The Duty
The Basic Duties: 1. Provide food, shelter & basic skills, 2. Protect children from harm, 3. Provide education, 4. Provide behavioral guidance

II. The Authority
1. Role Models - (Deu 10, 28 & Prov), 2. Power to bestow blessings or even curses - (Gen 49), 3. Power to protect and preserve descendents - (Gen 6:7-9, Gen 7:1)

One man's story: Noah
1. Noah "...found (grace) in the eyes of the Lord" - Gen 6:7
Noah's qualities: i. He was a just man, ii. He was perfect in his generation, iii. He walked with God
He was referred to as righteous before God in his generation (Gen 7:1)
2. Noah fulfilled his God-given assignment

Tun Mahathir not anti-Christian but anti-terrorism, war

@ Bernama today
I Am Not Anti-Christian, Says Tun Mahathir

On Jan 10, 2010
Bernama Should Highlight Gaza's True Scenario - Dr Mahathir
Excerpt from the news article:
Dr Mahathir also hoped that Malaysian newspapers would not depend on the western press as "it is owned by people related to Israelis."
He noted that everyone knew that the Jews were killing Muslims and Christians in Gaza, and Christians in Palestine.

I am sure being a smart man that he is, Tun knows the difference between Jews and Christians.

Anti-graft NGO chief quits, may join PKR

Selangor PKR chief Khalid Ibrahim is likely to become strange bedfellows with the person who implicated him of abusing his powers in the 'cows controversy'.

This is widely speculated as immediately following the resignation of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Movement (Gerak) chairperson Mohd Nazree Yunus today, in order for him to join a unspecified political party, PKR Youth announced that it would holding a special press conference tomorrow. The special press conderence is widely speculated to be a platform to announce Nazree's entry into the party.

Nazree is best known for lodging a report against Khalid with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Jan 21 last year the slaughter and distribution of 46 cattle in the constituency during the recent Hari Raya Korban.

One year on, Kugan's mom still in anguish

Last week's 'happy ponggal ', greetings triggered memories of her son's disappearance exactly a year ago.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail had initially classified the case as murder and initially 11 police personnel were said to have been involved but it was later re-classified when the Attorney-Genenal charged constable V Navindran on two counts of causing "grievous hurt" while trying to extract a confession or information. From murder and 11 involved to "grievous hurt" and 1 charged!

Unsurprisingly, Kugan's mother, N Indra told Malaysiakini that she was unhappy with the outcome of police investigations.

Can we trust the police to investigate the police?

2-in-1 harness buddy - good to restrain kid in malls!

Last Christmas @ The Gardens Mid Valley

Dragon boat accident: Even with a lifejacket, one could be pulled down

@ Sun2Surf

Look at reclamation impact on channel current, say fishermen

By: Himanshu Bhatt (Tue, 19 Jan 2010)

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 19, 2010) : Inshore fishermen who ply the waters of the Penang Channel where the dragon boat capsize incident occurred on Sunday want the authorities to look into the impact of reclamation on the currents in the channel.

Traditional inshore fisherman Khoo Kay Keat points to this new shallow shoreline along the reclaimed land in Jelutong where the Bandar Sri Penang fishermen's jetty is built. Penang held its Pesta dragon boat race here last year. The accident that took the lives of six people during a dragon-boat training session on Sunday occurred about a km away from this reclaimed area.

Khoo Kay Keat, 55, a former Penang Inshore Fishermen’s Welfare Association committee member, who now operates in the area, said they had observed currents changing over last 10 years or so.

He said the inshore fishermen had seen certain stretches along the coastline becoming shallower about the same time that reclamation work had taken place, while the middle portions of the channel had remained deep.

"Certain parts of the channel are as deep as 40ft," Khoo estimated.

"When you reclaim, a lot of sand is placed in places where the sea once was and the sea water is forced to flow along a more constricted route."

He also noted that the authorities had not placed warning signs or buoys to caution the people, especially those going into the channel for amateur water sports activities.

Khoo spoke to theSun near the Jelutong fisherman’s jetty in Bandar Sri Pinang, where the Penang Pesta Open Dragon Boat Race was held last year.

After the dragon boat, which carried 18 rowers, was hit by waves and capsized, survivors recounted being pulled down into the waters by powerful undercurrents.

Khoo said the authorities should consult the traditional inshore fishermen, who had accumulated knowledge and experience of the waters in the channel.

"Do not underestimate the power of the currents. We fishermen know the currents here and how they are changing," he said.

"We can also gauge winds and calculate directions based on the calendar. We even know how to measure depths.

"The currents here can be very strong. Even with a lifejacket, you could be pulled down."

He said the winds and currents around the island had been particularly strong on Sunday, when the accident occurred.

"I was out in the sea and I felt very strong northerly winds," he said.

Khoo also said the state could look into the feasibility of having dragon boat races at the Pantai Jerejak coastline, shielded on two sides by Pulau Jerejak and the Bayan Lepas coastline, and where the waters were more placid.

Article's URL: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=42518

Husni, you are wrong. Like their forefathers, Malaysians emigrate because they believed that their children would have a future beyond Malaysia!

@ The Malaysian Insider

Husni: Malaysians 'wrong' to abandon country

Husni stressed that the government has always ensured that Malaysians are able to own their own homes.

Sure but there is one group of Malaysians who are MORE able than others to own their own homes!

Everyone knows that there is 1Malaysia but 2Home-ownership policy.

FOR LADIES ONLY: How to Tie a Tie seductively!

Woman, you can now please your man by tying his tie!

Surau arson attacks: Police arrest four

The police have arrested four men who are allegedly involved in the firebombing of two surau in Muar, Johor, two days ago.

According to the police, the four are aged between 16 and 28 years.

It is believed that one of the youth is a son of a police officer.

(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)

ANTI-KORUPSI: Lim Kit Siang-Ong Tee Keat SAMA GENG

A rare moment when a minister and an opposition leader find themselves on the same page - against graft.

No more letters of support, says Tee Keat
by Husna Yusop

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 20, 2010): The Transport Ministry will no longer issue any letters of support for bidders or lobbyists for all government tenders, be it those called by the ministry or other ministries.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, said today this was in line with the cabinet decision last week made after a brainstorming session at the National Key Results Areas (NKRA) laboratories.

“I would also want to seek cooperation from others, especially the people’s representatives, legislators, political leaders and grassroot leaders, not to issue such letters because at the end of the day, this would not be entertained," he told a press conference at the ministry.

“This decision was made in line with the cabinet decision following our NKRA workshop deliberations."

He expressed the hope that others would understand that political leaders should not entertain requests for letters of support made by people in their constituencies or individuals and companies involved in tenders.

Stressing good corporate governance, Ong also said he has decided to extend the recommendations made by the ad hoc committee on good corporate governance, set up last year to tackle the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.

“What was recommended can be used not only by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) but is also suitable for use by other government agencies under this ministry," he said.

“So, the good corporate governance that we have been talking about that I had received sometime ago from the committee is going to be extended to all agencies or port commissions under this ministry."

He said the various taglines spelt out by the committee include the requirement for one third of the board of directors to comprise independent or non-partisan members.

The good corporate governance will also see a new initiative called the whistle-blowing policy which Ong is expected to launch tomorrow.

Asked the reason for the cabinet’s decision, Ong said he would not elaborate further but said he felt the decision was relevant to the ministry’s effort to create a positive culture in the ministry.

Asked whether the decision was made based on the PKFZ issue, Ong said: “This particular
directive is not linked to PKFZ.”

Meanwhile, Ong also announced the new secretary-general for the ministry is Datuk Long See Wool, who is taking over from Datuk Seri Zakaria Bahari effective Jan 26.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) clarified that letter of support sincerely issued without offering or demand for bribery is not an offence.

In a statement, the chief commissioner office's corporate communication unit stated that the issuance of letter of support will be liable to an offence under the MACC Act 2009 if:

> The letter is issued to an individual or company, which has conflict of interest to the writer himself, relatives or associates;

> Someone is forced to bribe for the issuance of the letter of support; and

> Someone, relatives, or associates are promised of bribe should a project is approved as a result of the letter of support.

@ Lim Kit Siang's blog

Away with support letters, cries DAP leader

by Rahmah Ghazali | Malaysiakini

DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang urged government ministries to get cracking for a total ban on government support letters for those tendering for its projects.

In response to Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat’s statement on the a move by the ministry on Wednesday, Lim had said it was a step in the right direction.

The Ipoh Timor MP said ministries should, instead, replace the questionable support letters with the open tender system.

“The prime minister, PM’s department and other ministries should impose a total ban on support letters and practise open tenders, so questions over the letters would vanish.

“If there are open tenders, then there would be accountability and transparency. They would be open to public scrutiny and all will depend on the merits and demerits of the proposals,” said Lim when contacted.

Anti-graft warriors sleeping on the job?

On Wednesday, the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) had justified support letters, saying no corrupt practices were involved.

However, the English daily New Straits Times reported that it was against the law to issue a support letter to an individual or company in which the issuer or his family or partners had a vested interest.

Despite that Ong said the ministry will impose the ban in order to instill a culture of good governance and as a result of the exchange of ideas at the National Key Result Ares (NKRA) laboratories.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Derek Fernandez told Malaysiakini that the support letters could impact negatively on the image of a particular administration.

According to him, it would still be acceptable if the intent in issuing the letter for endorsement was “in a nature for character reference or legal or administrative purposes.

“However, if the letter is intended to put pressure on the ultimate decision maker directly or indirectly, then that would be improper,” he said.

Man Finally Sees Justice Over Son's Death

January 22, 2010 20:09 PM

Man Finally Sees Justice Over Son's Death

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- A construction worker wanted justice over his son's death.

So, for the past three years, Soy Chew Seng, 54, never missed a day of the trial of Chin Choon Keat -- the man charged with his son's manslaughter.

On Friday, the grieving father can finally look forward to resuming his normal life after the Sessions Court sentenced 32-year-old Choon Keat to 12 years' jail for causing the death of Soy's son, Chaan Wei, in 2006.

When the sentence was pronounced to begin Friday, Soy rushed towards Deputy Public Prosecutor Geethan Ram Vincent to confirm the verdict delivered by the judge, Mohamad Sekeri Mamat.

"I am happy with the court decision. Now, I can go on with my life and take care of my three other children," the long-suffering father told reporters.

On Dec 22, last year, Choon Keat's younger brother, Choon Mun, 30, received a 30-day jail sentence and fined RM1,000 when he pleaded guilty to causing hurt to Chaan Wei.

In his judgement, Mohamad Sekeri said the court found Choon Keat guilty as he had chosen to remain silent and failed to raise any doubt in the prosecution's case.

The judge also did not allow his counsel, Thong Seng Kong, to stay the sentence and told him to file a formal application for the court to consider.

Choon Keat was charged with the manslaughter of Chaan Wei, 27, who was his friend, at 2-6-6 Kondo Prisma Cheras, Taman Midah Cheras, about 3pm on Jan 24, 2006.

According to the facts of the case, the brothers had a misunderstading over some money owed by the victim who worked with his mother in running a transport business.

On the day of incident, the duo had invited the victim to their house and while discussing how to settle the issue, Choon Keat attacked the victim with a torchlight and he died later in the hospital.

In mitigation, Choon Keat's counsel told the court that he had been under remand for nearly 10 months before his bail was posted, and was remorseful over his act.

The court heard that Choon Keat was now living with his mother after he and his wife parted ways.

Geethan submitted that the victim was defenceless during the attack and Choon Keat's action had caused the victim's family to suffer in silence.

-- BERNAMA

'9/11, mission impossible for poor at planning Arabs'

UPDATED 8PM 'These people are not good at planning, they just strap bombs to themselves and storm into a crowd,' says former premier Dr Mahathir.

Oh no...Mahathir is embarrassing (and contradicting!) himself. He said a lot of people in America (the apologists would dismiss them as conspiracy theorists) questioned whether the towers collapsed because the planes crashed into them or that something else caused them to come down and had watched a wide-distributed video showing the attack and the collapse of the towers, pointing out certain peculiar features such as the manner of their collapse was akin to multi-storied buildings being demolished by demolition experts.

Simply put, the towers fell because there were 'INVISIBLE' demolition experts who planted 'INVISBLE' explosives around the buildings days and possibly weeks before 9/11 and the explosives were set off at the timing of the planes crashing into the building on 9/11! How smart!

State proposes public inquiry into boat accident

(Click on images to enlarge)
Source: Sun2Surf

Dr M: If they can make Avatar, they can make 9/11

@ The Star Online

Thursday January 21, 2010

Mahathir: 9/11 was staged

By JOSHUA FOONG and SHAMINI ANN

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: There is strong evidence that the Sept 11 attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 could have been “staged” as an excuse to mount attacks on the Muslim world, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Show of support: Dr Mahathir greeting Wael A. Saqqa, a participant from Jordan, at the conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“I am not sure now that Muslim terrorists carried out these attacks. There is evidence that the attacks were staged.

“If they can make Avatar, they can make anything,” the former prime minister told a press conference here yesterday after delivering his speech at the General Conference for the Support of Al-Quds to aid the Palestinians.

He said killing innocent people to provide an excuse for war was not new to the US.

“But whether real or staged, the 9/11 attacks have served the United States and Western countries well. They have an excuse to mount attacks on the Muslim world,” he added.

Mahathir also criticised US President Barack Obama for failing to fulfil his promises concerning the country’s commitment in West Asia, including his promise to resolve the prevailing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I am a bit disappointed because so far none of his promises have been kept. He promised to get out from Afghanistan but he ended up sending more troops there instead.

“He promised to close down Guantanamo but he has not closed down Guantanamo.

“It is quite easy to promise during election time but you know there are forces in the United States which prevent the President from doing some things. One of the forces is the Jewish lobby, AIPAC,” he said.

On another issue, Dr Mahathir said he supported the plan to set up the inter-faith council as it could help promote effective understanding among religious groups in the country.

Such a council, he said, would provide a platform for people to talk about sensitive religious matters reasonably without taking it to the streets.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Mahathir spoke about the Palestinians’ claim on their land in West Asia which he said was based on legitimate grounds.

He said one of the greatest injustices done was to take Palestinian land to give to the Jews to create the state of Israel.

Later in Putrajaya, Dr Mahathir said the opinions of “powerful nations” should not deter Malaysia from continuing with its effort to help Palestine.

He was speaking at a ceremony to hand over certificates of appreciation to nine Malaysians who were part of the Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza.

Frankly, I've not watched Avatar but I don't need to watch it to deem Mahathir's statement that 9/11 was staged as DUMB!

BN BLAME GAME: Dragon Boat Tragedy

Thanks to an anonymous' comment, I was directed to MarGeeMar: Pakatan Rakyat Caused Deaths of Teacher & Students in Penang Dragon Boat Tragedy.

I hereby reproduce the posting verbatim:
By T.K. Chew

Dear Admin

While I'm writing this, my heart is filled with sorrow and anger. Sorrow, because six young lives was lost in the Dragon Boat tragedy in Penang. Anger, because some irresponsible people are trying to spin this tragedy to score points for Barisan Nasional.

I'm an Alumni of Chung Ling High School and my son is a student in that school. My son will be sitting for his SPM examination this year. The sudden deaths of the schoolboys and their teacher has left my son in a state of shock. My wife and I are very worried about he state of mind of our son. I'm sure parents of the other students fron CLHS are also having similar concerns about their children.

Though it was not reported by the mainstream media, the CLHS students and the Alumni have asked the MCA and Gerakan to get lost as we feel that the Barisan nasional especially MCA and Gerakan are trying to gain political mileage out of this tragedy. You only need to go to Facebook to read what the students of CLHS think and feel about the MCA, in particular the cry baby Wee Ka Siong who show up only for the publicity. Even the RM 3,000 given to the victim's families by the BN has been publicized by the BN controlled mainstream media.

However what really irks me and makes me feel disgusted is the heartless and sickening blog posting of Goh Wei Liang in his A PIECE OF MY MIND blog. He has the audacity to compare one tragedy, Kuala Dipang Tragedy in Perak, with the Dragon Boat Tragedy in Penang. Goh is blaming the Pakatan Rakyat government and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for this tragedy in revenge for the blaim laid on the BN government for the Kuala Dipang tragedy. Goh must realize that the Kuala Dipang tragedy is the direct handiwork of Najib Razak and his government as the bridge was built not according to specifications and that the children lost their lives all because of Perak Mentri Besar Zambry wanting to apple polish his boss Najib with the stupid 1 Malaysia Expedition which caused this unnecessary lost of lives. What happened in Penang cannot be blamed om the Penang government.

If anything, the Penang government and its Chief Minister should sue Goh Wei Liang for slander. Goh has made this allegation even before an investigation to the cause of the tragedy had been carried out. Goh Wei Liang must realized the Chinese in Penang are fed up with MCA, Gerakan and BN. As dar as we are concerned, BN can get lost from Penang. As for Goh Wei Liang I suggest that he renames his Blog as A PIECE OF MY SHIT. You can read Goh Wei Liang's sickening blog posting here http://manifestogwl.blogspot.com/2010/01/penang-dap-must-be-held-responsible.html

Thank you.

TK Chew
Penang.

Paradigm : Appraisal Vs Resignation

A forwarded email that I received:
A newly-joined trainee engineer asks his boss, "What is the meaning of appraisal?"

Boss : "Do you know the meaning of resignation?"

Trainee : "Yes, I do."

Boss : " So let me make you understand what an appraisal is by comparing it with resignation. "

Appraisal	Resignation
In an appraisal meeting they will speak only about your weakness, errors and failures.	In a resignation meeting they will speak only about your strengths, past achievements and success.
During an appraisal you may need to cry and beg for even a 10% pay hike.	In a resignation meeting you can easily demand ( or get more without asking ) more than 50-60% pay-hike !
During an appraisal, they will deny promotion saying that you did not meet the expectation, you don't have leadership qualities, and that you had several drawbacks in reaching objective/goal.	During resignation, they'll say you are the core member of the team; that you are the vision of the company, and so " How can you go ? "; you have to take the project on your shoulders and lead your juniors to success.
There is a 90% chance of not getting any significant incentives after appraisal.	There is a 90% chance of getting an immediate pay-hike after you put in your resignation.

Trainee : "Yes, boss, good enough. Now I know what to do. When you are about to do my appraisal, I will resign."

I emailed the above to a colleague who had just tendered her resignation last week. Though she LOLed reading it, she said her resignation was like the appraisal- k'mno counter offer and her weaknesses were brought up.

Pakatan losing Malay support in Perak

The Malay electorate, particularly in rural areas, is becoming disenchanted with the coalition, concedes ousted Perak MB Nizar.

Speaking to Malaysiakini at his home in Ipoh yesterday, the Bukit Gantang PAS parliamentarian said the decline has been particularly significant in rural areas which Pakatan has not been able to penetrate successfully because the alternative media (has not been able to) challenge the (traditional media) like Utusan Malaysia and (other newspapers).

According to Nizar, two main issues that are “close to the Malay heart” that attributed to the failure in luring back support are:
1. The allegation that Perak Pakatan had been 'giving face to the Chinese and has become a stooge of (Chinese-majority) DAP'.
2. The allegation I had committed treason with regard to the palace, to the sultan.

Najib Arrives In Delhi For High-Level Talks

January 19, 2010 23:55 PM

Najib Arrives In Delhi For High-Level Talks

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak arrived here on Tuesday to begin his five-day official visit to India, where high-level talks are planned to harness strategic partnerships with Asia's third largest economy.

Leading a large delegation to India, his first since taking office as prime minister in April last year, Najib is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh -- where both leaders are expected to touch on a broad range of topics from trade to security.

On a chill winter evening, India rolled out the red carpet for Najib -- to accord a warm welcome to the Malaysian delegation -- signifying the importance of Malaysia as an "old friend" in the region.

The private jet carrying Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, plus other entourage members, landed at the Palam Air Force Station here at about 7pm (Indian time).

On hand to welcome the Malaysian delegation were various Indian dignitaries, including Minister of State for Railway E. Ahmed and India's High Commissioner-designate to Malaysia, Vijay Gokhale.

On Wednesday (Jan 20), in the morning Najib will visit the "Rajghat" (Mahatma Gandhi memorial) for the wreath laying ceremony followed by a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

He will later call on India's president Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in the Indian capital.

The main events in New Delhi will be his keynote address at the Malaysia-India Business Forum, jointly organised by the Associated Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Najib will also call on India's vice-president Hamid Ansari and later meet Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi.

The climax of his visit in New Delhi will be a meeting with his counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House, where the Indian government will host a banquet for Najib, who is on a state visit.

He is also slated to meet Sonia's son Rahul Gandhi, who is also a Member of Parliament and a General Secretary of the the Congress party, before departing for Chennai in the afternoon of Jan 21.

Senior delegation members, among others, include Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen and Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

Also in the entourage are Menteri Besar of Perak Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Melaka Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Najib arrived from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after concluding his official trip to the emirate.

-- BERNAMA

Satu lagi 'Projek Kerajaan Barisan Nasional': Hospital Shah Alam

Its public relations department is too 'busy with more routine matters' to shed light on alleged irregularities over the Shah Alam Hospital project.

More than a month after allegations of irregularities surfaced over the Shah Alam Hospital project, the Public Works Department (PWD) has yet to respond to the questions raised in a Malaysiakini report on source-based claims that the contract was awarded under debatable circumstances and at an inflated price of about RM500 million to Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd, a company owned by a member of the Selangor royalty.

AirAsia CEO loses West Ham bid, David Sullivan takes control

BREAKING NEWS Tony Fernandes' withdrawal of his bid cleared for David Sullivan and David Gold to buy the English football club.

@ Telegraph.co.uk

David Sullivan wins battle to take control of West Ham United

David Sullivan won the battle to take control of West Ham United on Monday night in a deal that values the club, including its debts, at £105 million.

By Jason Burt
Published: 6:30AM GMT 19 Jan 2010

In control: David Sullivan has claimed a 50 per cent stake in West Ham United after holding off a rival bid from Air Asia chief executive Tony Fernandes Photo: CHRISTOPHER PLEDGER

A deal was agreed shortly before 10.30pm after the Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes was unable to secure 100 per cent ownership, something he had desperately fought to achieve, and conceded defeat.

Sullivan has taken a 50 per cent stake with the rest of the club remaining in the control of the Icelandic bank Straumur – something that Fernandes had decided he could not agree to.

Dragon boat tragedy raises queries

Dragon boat tragedy raises queries
by Bernard Cheah and Wong Wooi Kean

In grief ... Relatives of Yi Zhang break down as they identify his body which was the first to be recovered this morning.

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 18, 2010): As the grieving families of the teacher and five students who died in yesterday's dragon boat training session tragedy prepare for their funerals, questions are being raised on the suitability of the area for training and whether the school was negligent in ensuring the safety of its wards.

The hopes of family members of four missing students were dashed today when the search and rescue team recovered all four bodies from the waters off Lebuh McCallum Ghaut, bringing the death toll to six.

The body of Goh Yi Zhang, 17, was found floating near the Tanjung City Marina at 8.03am. The body of Brendon Yeoh Yuen Khye, 17, was discovered at noon at the Raja Uda ferry terminal, both about 1km from the point of the tragedy.

At 4.25pm, the bodies of Cheah Zi Jun, 17, and Wan Yong Xiang, 16, were found in waters around the jetty near the Customs Department in Weld Quay.

Authorities who led the operations said none of the four was found with a life jacket.

On Sunday, the SAR team recovered the bodies of Jason Ch'ng, 17, and teacher Chin Aik Siang, 28. Both had life jackets.

The Chung Ling High School teacher, 15 students and two instructors were training for the Penang International Dragon Boat Race scheduled for July in Teluk Bahang when their dragon boat capsized after being hit by a wave.

Jason's father, Ch'ng Chin Teik, 52, plans to take legal action against SMJK Chung Ling, alleging that it was negligent in its duty of ensuring the safety of his son during the training.

He claimed the area where the training was done was a dangerous one and a passage for large boats.

Bernama quoted a fisherman, Aznan Bakar, as saying he was surprised the school dragon boat team chose the area to train.

He said the area was dangerous for small boats as it was where ships unloaded cargo and fishermen stayed clear.

Penang Port has urged people plying the Penang Channel or any point along the state’s coastal waters for purposes of recreation or sports, to notify the police or the marine operations force of their plans.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said people should learn from the accident and take precautionary measures before embarking on such trips.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the school and the relevant authorities need to provide some explanation for the incident as the grieving parents would expect answers.

Family members broke down in emotional scenes each time a body was brought ashore at the rescue operations centre. The remains were sent to the Penang Hospital for post-mortem before being handed over to the families.

The families of Jason and Yi Zhang wept inconsolably as they held prayers with Taoist priests, for the souls of the two teenagers, while facing the sea.

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas arrived about noon to offer his condolences and support to the families.

During the search operation, involving some 200 personnel led by State Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, one of the relatives lashed out at reporters, demanding privacy and sympathy from the media photographers.

Volunteers from the St John Ambulance helped the anxious and grieving relatives by offering water.

Wan Yong Xiang	Brandon Yeoh	Cheah Zi Jun
Chin Aik Siang	Ch'ng Wai Seong

(Source: Sun2Surf)