Ahad, 16 Jun 2013

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News


Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News


Najib reminds Malaysian students abroad not to fall for Opposition lies

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 08:07 PM PDT

(Bernama) - JAKARTA — Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has reminded Malaysian students in foreign countries not to fall for Opposition lies to the extent of not supporting the Government.

The Prime Minister said the slander and lies spread by the Opposition on the recent 13th General Election (GE13) process, for instance, had created a wrong perception of the government to the extent that some students also believed the slander and lies.

"Until today, there is no proof of the opposition's claim that we (Barisan Nasional) had brought in 40,000 Bangladeshis (to vote for BN). This was slander and a very big lie in the general election this time.

"That's why I ask, are people not able to think (that it's illogical)? It has turned out that some people cannot think wisely, even lawyers can't," said Najib, who questioned the people's level of intelligence and rationality over such issues.

He was speaking at a luncheon with Malaysian students in Indonesia at the multipurpose hall, Malaysian embassy in Kuningan, here, Sunday.

Also present were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin Syed Hassan and his wife Datin Sharifah Ikhlas Syed Ismail.

Najib is here on a personal visit to meet up with a number of Indonesian leaders who are close to him, and for a rest after the GE13.

He urged the Malaysian students to think rationally whether it was possible for BN to bring in 40,000 Bangladeshis to vote for the ruling coalition as claimed, because it would require 100 jumbo planes to fly them to Malaysia and 1,000 buses to bring them to the polling stations.

He said the opposition's claim was absurd as it would also be difficult for BN to hide Bangladesh nationals in Malaysia as their appearance was different from most Malaysians'.

"I, as the BN chairman, strongly refute that there was cheating by BN (in the GE13) as alleged. The general election was conducted in a fair manner and in accordance with the law and regulations."

Najib said BN had carried out a lot transformation in terms of delivery over the last four years and had validly won the GE13, but it lost in the war of perception because of the slander and lies churned out by the opposition through the alternative media, which many people believed in more than the truth provided by the mainstream media.

"For the next general election, BN must equip itsef well to fight in the war of perception. In reality, we have delivered, as Malaysia is increasingly prosperous and a good example for many countries, but perceived otherwise by some quarters.

"The war of perception is thus the biggest challenge for BN," he said.

The prime minister said he had stressed to the Indonesian leaders close to him that Malaysia-Indonesia relations was very important and should be strengthened through official and personal visits.

Najib said during his visit here this time, he was interviewed by private television station MetroTV and Tempo magazine where, among others, he conveyed the message that Malaysia wished to see deeper economic integration with Indonesia although trade between the two countries was good at about US$18 billion worth.

He added that the target by 2015 was US$30 billion.

"I conveyed the message with the hope that the compatible G to G (government-to-government) and people-to-people relations could be translated into enhanced economic, trade and investment ties which could further strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia relations," he said.

 

Militants bomb Jinnah house

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 05:14 PM PDT

(Bangkok Post) - Militants destroyed a historic house associated with Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and shot dead a guard on Saturday.

Police said attackers on motorcycles planted bombs at the 19th century residence in the mountain resort town of Ziarat in Baluchistan province, a hotbed of ethnic nationalism.

Jinnah lived in the house before his death in 1948, a year after he led Pakistan to independence. He is also referred to as Quaid-e-Azam, which means "great leader."

Three bombs exploded, triggering the blaze that destroyed the building, said enior police officer Asghar Ali Yousufzai.

The attackers also shot dead a police guard outside the residence, which had been turned into a museum about Jinnah.

Police found six unexploded explosive devices hours later after firefighters extinguished the fire, Yousufzai said.

Baluch nationalist groups in tghe area have been demanding greater rights and a share from gas and mineral revenues. The province has also been home to sectarian insurgent groups and Taliban militants.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed his sorrow over the policeman's death.

The wooden building was constructed in the late 19th century. Pakistan's founder spent his last two months there, and the building was serving as a museum with Jinnah's belongings and other historical artifacts on display

There had been no previous threat to the historical monument, the chief secretary of the province said on television.

"This tragedy happened which is a huge national loss," said Babar Fateh Yaqoo. "The people of Ziarat are protesting over this incident."

Ziarat is about 120 kilometres north of the provincial capital of Quetta.

 

Gerakan hopes four years enough to turn the tide in GE14

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 04:57 PM PDT

Gerakan is going back to the drawing board as the party seeks to regain lost ground, says acting national president Datuk Chang Ko Youn

Chua Sue-Ann, fz.com

After yet another disappointing election outing, Gerakan is hoping that the next four years is enough time for the party and  Barisan Nasional to turn the tide of popular support in their favour.

Gerakan is going back to the drawing board with the next general election in mind as the party seeks to regain lost ground and the crushing defeats it suffered in the past two general elections.
 
When officiating the party's post-general election meeting, Gerakan's acting national president Datuk Chang Ko Youn acknowledged that BN had been "overwhelmed" by national issues raised by the opposition.
 
This effect appeared to override the development and public service route which BN has been campaigning on.
 
The opposition had largely campaigned on a slew of national issues and scandals such as good governance, human rights, security, crime, transparency and corruption.
 
"If we start with the first step, second step, third step, I'm sure we can gain back some support if not all (at the next general election).
 
"I appeal to voters. We do not have revolutions here, we have democratic processes. You can't expect the government to do wonders, wave a wand and have change overnight," Chang told a press conference after his opening speech.
 
Drawing from his own campaign experience, Chang said he still managed to win 20% votes from the Chinese community in the Beruas constituency on the back of years of public service and networking.
 
"But that is completely inadequate. There are issues far bigger than services and development," said Chang, who was defeated in Beruas.
 
According to Chang, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had set the right direction for Malaysia with his transformation plans but voters might have felt like the pace and implementation was not up to par.
 
BN has taken some concrete steps to address the people's unhappiness on hot button issues like corruption, transparency
 
These measures include making the judiciary and the Malaysian Anti -Corruption Commission more independent and having an oversight mechanism for enforcement agencies.
 
Chang noted that the opposition could make all sorts of promises to the people as it was not the incumbent federal government, but added that some of these pledges may not be rooted in reality.
 
Another problem is BN's issue of credibility, especially amongst young and urban voters, Chang said.
 
"BN needs a new image and approach to capture the imagination and support of voters," he said.
 
Chang said BN will need to address the needs and desires of new voters which he said could reach 2.5 million at the next general election.
 
"If we do not get their support, we can expect our popular votes to go down," Chang said.
 
Nevertheless, the recent general election also saw an additional 2.4 million first-time voters, about 40% of which are believed to be young voters.
 
When asked, Chang conceded that BN's strategy to engage new voters may not have been correct.
 
"We were quite apprehensive, we sensed some doubts ... But we thought what we did was enough to convince them," he said.
 
Gerakan today held a "brainstorming session" with its national leadership and all its candidates contesting in the recent 13th general election.
 
The BN component party is seeking to examine the strengths and weaknesses of its party and BN during the hotly contested election campaign.

READ MORE HERE

 

Philippines plans to tap Israel for missile launchers

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 04:51 PM PDT

Amid rising tensions over territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, the government is planning to buy anti-aircraft guided missiles from Israel, reliable sources told the Manila Standard Friday.

(Manila Standard Today) - DND plans to  acquire anti-aircraft guided missiles, which will be positioned in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as part of the country's first-ever missile defense system. (photo : Rafael)

Amid rising tensions over territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, the government is planning to buy anti-aircraft guided missiles from Israel, reliable sources told the Manila Standard Friday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the surface-to-air missiles or multiple launch rocket systems were being offered by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Israel Military Industries Ltd., both based in Israel.

"SAMs and MLRS are mobile anti-aircraft weapons designed against jet fighters," the source said, adding that these had been suggested some time ago but had not been taken seriously because the defense establishment had no interest in investing at the time.

"Now, here comes the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and at last they've opened their eyes," the source added.

Another source said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was planning to go to Israel next week to forge an agreement with the prospective suppliers.

"If you have an agreement this would hasten the procurement process, say in three to six months you would already have the weapons. The agreement gives you the leeway to access all the information you want know about a particular weapon you want to procure," the source said.

Manila Standard tried to reach Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo and spokesman Peter Paul Galvez for confirmation, but both did not return calls or answer text messages.

In his first year in office, President Benigno Aquino III had released P75 billion to fund the upgrading of the military's capability through the procurement of ships and aircraft.

Gazmin then said they had some 138 big-ticket defense items that were being considered on a government-to-government procurement basis.

Part of this buildup was the recent procurement of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a rehabilitated US Coast Guard cutter introduced in the 1960s.

The refurbished cutter, procured for will be the country's most modern warship and is expected to arrive in July or August.

But Senator Gregorio Honasan seemed unimpressed with the extent of help offered by the United States, and called for a review of the US Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty, which he described as useless.

"We are not getting anything out of it. We have many international economic, military and security arrangements with other nations but why did they not say anything while the Scarborough Shoal standoff was heating up?" said the former Army colonel.

Because of this, Honasan said the country should abrogate all treaties that do nothing to help the country.

At the same time, however, he said a joint fishing agreement with Taiwan would be beneficial because it would afford protection to fishermen from both countries.

His remarks follow the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the Balintang Channel that soured relations between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Also on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Department said it welcomed the filing of a resolution in the US Senate in support of a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

"We understand that the resolution has yet to undergo the necessary congressional process before it is passed by the US Senate, nonetheless, we extend our appreciation on the mere fact that some US senators have deigned it necessary to express their views on a fundamental issue that affects the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," the department said in a statement.

"The Philippines especially appreciates the reaffirmation of the peaceful resolution of disputes, including through arbitration; its condemnation of the use of threat or use of force; its recognition of the significance of the role of ASEAN and of the code of conduct; and its support for the ongoing and deepening efforts of the US in the region relating to ensuring freedom of navigation, maintenance of peace and stability, and respect for universally recognized principles of international law." 

 

Fifth person surrenders in case of ‘les majeste’

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 04:21 PM PDT

(The Star) - The fifth individual, who allegedly insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has surrendered to police.

The woman went to the Dang Wangi police station at about 1pm with her lawyer to give her statement yesterday.

City CID chief Special Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said the woman was later released on bail. Police have previously recorded the statements of four others after a 32-year-old woman was detained for allegedly insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong via Facebook on June 6.

"We will complete the investigations and forward the papers to the A-G's Chambers for consideration," Ku said yesterday.

 

Leslie Lau: ‘We left Malaysian Insider because of disagreement over company direction’

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 04:17 PM PDT

(The Star) - Contrary to speculation, the majority of staff at news portal The Malaysian Insider did not walk out on Friday, said its former executive editor Leslie Lau on Saturday.

Lau took to Twitter earlier Saturday to explain that his plans, and that of his sister and managing editor Joan Lau, to leave the company had been planned for months, and Friday was their last day at work.

"Despite some speculation the majority of staff at @tm_insider (The Malaysian Insider) did not walk out yesterday. The current owners were given notice of our departure.

"Our reasons for leaving @tm_insider was because of disagreement over direction of company," he said.

Speculation was rife that the majority of The Malaysian Insider's editorial staff had left the company with Lau, who will join a brand new news portal, The Malay Mail Online, expected to begin operations on July 1.

Lau added that all the editors of the company had planned their departure, but "one decided to stay at the last moment".

"I wish him all the best. We wish people who have been recruited to take over at @tm_insider all the best just as I'm sure they wish us well," he said.

A check on the portal's website listed only five members of the editorial team, including its chief executive officer Jahabar Sadiq.

Lau also stressed that the move was a business decision, and no politics had been involved despite some wild speculation.

"We at http://themalaymailonline.com will strive to practice the same if not better journalism than we did at @tm_insider."

 

Flash mob fizzles out after arrests

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 04:10 PM PDT

(The Star) - A gathering of a "flash mob" near the Sogo shopping complex at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here was short-lived after 15 of them were arrested barely an hour after it began.

However, they were released six hours later.

Among those picked up during the incident at 2.50pm yesterday were Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia propaganda director Edy Noor Reduan and a 10-year-old boy.

Dang Wang OCPD Asst Comm Zainuddin Ahmad said that the participants were arrested for disrupting the peace.

"We had warned them to disperse but they refused to do so," he added. He criticised the participants for bringing children to the gathering.

Earlier, the flash mob consisting of members of SAMM and several NGOs gathered outside Sogo to urge people to join the June 22 rally to be held at Padang Merbok.

Edy Noor said that the participants only want to express the people's dissatisfaction over the 13th general election result.

"We have the right to protest. We do not want to cause trouble," he said before he was arrested.

Later, other participants went to the Dang Wangi police station to show support for the arrested group, who were held there.

Among those seen at the police station were student activist Adam Adli.

In a statement, Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang criticised the police for concentrating on arresting people who are carrying out a peaceful protest rather than fighting crime.

In Putrajaya, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said that the organisers of the Black 505 rallies would face action if they continued with their plan without seeking proper permits.

"We already have laws and will enforce those laws.

"We will look at the situation. If the need arises, we will take action," he said during the Putra Intelek International College convocation ceremony held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday.

It was reported that the Opposition would go ahead with its rally at Padang Merbok even if it did not get the go-ahead from Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli had said that Pakatan Rakyat had insisted on holding the rally at Padang Merbok despite DBKL wanting them to hold it in a stadium.

 

Police Officer Stabbed In Mosque Attack

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 03:55 PM PDT

(Yahoo News) - Four men including a police officer have been taken to hospital after being stabbed in a mosque in Birmingham.

The police constable was responding to reports that three men had been stabbed inside the mosque in the Ward End area of the city when he was attacked.

The four are being treated in hospital for their injuries. They are all said to be "stable".

A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called at 11pm on Saturday night to a mosque in Washwood Heath Road, Ward End, to reports of three men with stab wounds.

"Officers arrived at the incident and whilst the man was being detained, one police officer suffered a stab wound.

"The three people and the officer have been taken to hospital, all are currently described as stable."

Officers are investigating whether the attack was a hate crime.

"We don't know at the moment, it's very early stages in the inquiry," the spokeswoman said.

"We can't rule anything out at the moment."

Mohammed Shafiq, the leader of national Muslim organisation the Ramadhan Foundation, expressed "deep concern" over the stabbings.

He said: "Our immediate thoughts are with the victims injured and their families.

"It is too early to speculate on the circumstances of the stabbings but we must be clear there should be no place for this sort of violence in our country. There will obviously be people who will try to take advantage of this tragedy but we must not allow them to succeed."

A number of mosques have been targeted since the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby close to his barracks in Woolwich, south London, last month.

The killing also sparked a large increase in anti-Muslim incidents in the days that followed, according to the organisation Faith Matters, which works to reduce extremism.

In what were believed to be reprisal attacks, the Islamic Somali Community Centre in Muswell Hill, north London, was burnt to the ground while the Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre was also targeted by arsonists who threw petrol bombs.

Last week, Muslim groups called on authorities to take serious action against the wave of anti-Islamic attacks.

in London, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe responded by saying extra resources would be deployed to sites deemed to be "at greatest risk".

 

Father's Day: A sad truth for some

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 11:29 AM PDT

http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.nst.com.my/w1.nst.com.my/polopoly_fs/1.301331.1371346435!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_454/ximage.jpg.pagespeed.ic.OdFPxfdvMt.webp 

(NST) - "My children rarely call me, of course from time to time I would be the one calling them and never the other way round." 

Walking through the crowded street of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, one can hear sombre Malay songs being played on a violin by blind 55-year-old Nazrin Adnan.

Most passers-by choose to walk pass him, while some would stop to put money in the open violin case and others sit to watch as Nazrin pours his heart out playing his violin.

Perak born Nazrin started playing the keyboard on the streets of both Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Pinang until 1986 before switching to the violin in 2010 when he lost his keyboard.

"I do this not only because of interest, but also because there is nothing else I can do. It is something that I have to keep on doing to make ends meet."

"Every weekday I would start off busking near Masjid Jamek's light rail transit (LRT). Then at noon, I would come here (Sogo) till late in the evening. And on weekends, I will go to the pasar malam at the Shah Alam Stadium."

This Sunday is another day for Nazrin with no special meaning to him.

As others spend Father's Day with their families, giving out presents to their fathers or taking them out for dinner as appreciation, Nazrin would be in Shah Alam playing his violin among the crowded Sunday market.

His three children no longer wants him. No longer want him in their lives. Not even on Father's Day, he said with tears in his eyes.

"At the beginning of this year, my children decided that they do not need me anymore. They are all young adults, just starting their own lives, they no longer want me in their lives. What can I do about it?"

"Besides, I don't think that they even know it is Father's Day this Sunday, we never celebrated it. I would love to, but it looks like it is not the case."

"Never have there been any kind of celebration, any outings or even any presents for me." Nazrin added as his voice trembled.

With all the technology available nowadays, talking to loved ones is only just a phone call away. 

"My children rarely call me, of course from time to time I would be the one calling them and never the other way round."

Nazrin's youngest is 16-years-old while the eldest is 24, all just starting with their lives, too busy to even call him perhaps, much to his disappointment.

When asked what was the reason for his children to treat him this way, Nazrin replied that it could be because they could not accept it when he scolded or reprimanded them, even though in his defence it was for their own good.

"Like any other father, I care about my children. After all, which father wouldn't want the best for his kids? I only want the best for my children."

"I have forgiven my children for all their wrong doings, for everything they have ever done and I do not expect them to come apologise, but please just don't forget me." he said sadly.


 

In a golf club, a gamble fails as members revolt

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 11:25 AM PDT

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Kelab-Golf-Negara-Subang-300x202.jpg 

(TMI) - A controversial move by Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS) to lease and relocate its gaming machines outside the clubhouse has offered a peek into the billion-ringgit slot machine industry controlled by a clutch of businessmen closely connected to Barisan Nasional (BN).

Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Khas and other members of the management committee of the club for the year 2011-2012 were recently censured by club members for negligent and incompetent conduct and a breach of duty, according to documents sighted by The Malaysian Insider.

The Club Captain during that period was Dr Ronnie Yeo. He received a stronger rebuke for being a party to discussions on the relocation deal when he was employed by Waz Lian Recreation Sdn Bhd, the company owned by a tycoon who organised the massive show of support in Port Klang for Datuk Seri Najib Razak with 60,000 people turning up for the dinner.

A handful of Chinese tycoons own hundreds of licences issued by the Ministry of Finance to operate gaming machines. These machines are placed in private clubs around the city but are open to anyone who wants to try their luck. The tycoons with more licences are able to earn a profit of several million ringgit a month, some going as high as RM20 million a month, even after paying taxes to the government.

Because of the Finance Ministry's tight control of licences under the Lottery Act, some of the tycoons have been turning their attention to gaming machines operated by golf clubs and sports clubs around the country, offering the clubs a contract to lease and relocate the machines outside the clubs.

In return, these gaming operators are prepared to pay the clubs a guaranteed amount monthly. And most of the time the guaranteed monthly compensation is more than what the club would have earned had the slot machines remained in its premises and been played only by club members.

But the problem with such sweet deals is that they appear to breach the conditions of the gaming licence set by the Finance Ministry. These include the need to place the slot machines on club premises and make sure that only club members can play.

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/in-a-golf-club-a-gamble-fails-as-members-revolt/ 

Malaysians to have high-security driving licence from July 15

Posted: 15 Jun 2013 11:18 AM PDT

http://starstorage.blob.core.windows.net/archives/2013/6/15/nation/driving-licence-Hishammuddin-n22.jpg 

(The Star) - From July 15 onwards, Malaysians will have new high-security driving licences as part of the Transport Ministry's move to improve the durability and safety of the document.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will issue the new licences from that date at all its branches nationwide, while all post offices will follow suit beginning November.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the old licence was maintained since 1989 without any upgraded technology.

"The old driving licence can be easily damaged and forged. Security issues can be tackled with the new document," he said after launching the new document at the JPJ office here yesterday.

The new high-security driving licence are printed using thermal transfer technology and that the driver's information are protected by a layer of high security holograms.

It will be implemented for all private vehicles owners including car and motorcycle users for both probationary and competent driving licence categories.

It is not compulsory to change to the new licence as long as the old one has not expired.

Hishammuddin said the new licence will strengthen JPJ's database as the photographs of drivers can be uploaded into the system.

On the Automated Enforcement System (AES), Hishammuddin said the ministry will explain the status of the system during the coming Parliament session.

On the KLIA2, Hishammuddin said he will meet AirAsia officials next week to discuss matters including AirAsia's proposal to set up a Government-appointed independent body to determine the KLIA2's progress, completion date and estimated cost.

On the Kawan Mas express boat which sunk at Giam Bungan near Belaga on May 28, Hishammuddin hoped the Sarawak Rivers Board will look into resolving the monopoly of boat operators so that safety could be more stringent. 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

0 ulasan:

Catat Ulasan

 

Malaysia Today Online

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved