Thursday, 28 February 2013

Evacuees in three flood-hit states rise to over 5,000

The number of flood evacuees in Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak increased to 5,167 as on Thursday morning.

A total of 2,637 people have been evacuated in Kelantan, up from 1,072 as at last night; while 2,346 have moved out of their homes in Terengganu (up from 2,334) and 184 are at relief centres in Perak (178 last night.)

The Kelantan government official portal reported that the evacuees in the state were being housed at 26 relief centres in seven districts.

It attributed the sudden rise in the number of evacuees to the Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang bursting its banks.

The Pasir Mas district has the most number of evacuees, at 1,832, many of them from villages located close to Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang.
Posted on 13:24 | Categories:

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Security forces waiting for right time to disarm Sulu group

The green light has been given to the security forces to move in at a chosen time to disarm the Sulu group if its leader Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram refuses to budge from Tanduo village.

Azzimudie, the younger brother of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, vowed in a Philippines radio interview yesterday to do or die in Tanduo, Sabah.

Sabah police chief Comm Datuk Hamza Taib said they were poised to move in.

“It is only a question of right timing for us to act,” he said after a two-hour briefing in Lahad Datu with security commandos, including the General Operations Force, army, maritime, navy and police.

A police helicopter has been dropping leaflets over the village to persuade the Sulu group to surrender peacefully.

Comm Hamza said police had so far arrested five men for investigations into possible links to the group.

“We are not sure (if Sunday's) shooting at Tanduo village had anything to do with dissent among the group,” he said, in denying reports that at least two people were shot dead.

With the stand-off entering its third week and reports of discontent emerging within the ranks of the 180-strong Sulu group as they run out of food supplies, Malaysian troops secured a 500m ring around the village, blocking off any possible land or sea escape.
Posted on 20:00 | Categories:

Government ready to help build houses for estate workers

Federal Government is ready to finance the construction of houses for estate workers if the owners are willing to allocate the land.

Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said there were about 52 estates that have more than 405 hectares in the country and the Government had arranged with Bank Simpanan Nasional to obtain maximum housing loans of RM60,000 for estate workers nearing retirement to buy houses.

He said the dependency on foreign labour would decrease if houses were built in the estates as more children of the employees would prefer to work in the estates as it was more convenient.

> Tamil Nesan reported that Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa had called off the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Chennai in July.

She said her government had written to the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) in Singapore seeking to bar the Sri Lankan team from participating in the games.

She cited the sentiments of the people in Tamil Nadu as the Sri Lankan government was repeatedly acting against ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka.
Posted on 10:00 | Categories:

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Move to increase pharmacies in rural areas

The Health Ministry is considering a move to offer incentives as a way of increasing the number of community pharmacies in rural areas.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this would encourage the private sector to open more community pharmacies in these areas.

“This is to combat the problem of insufficient number of community pharmacies, especially in rural areas,” said Liow in his speech during the launch of the 100th Cosway pharmacy store at Bandar Sri Daman-sara yesterday.

His speech was read out by the ministry's Pharmaceutical Services Division senior director Datuk Eisah A. Rahman.

Liow said statistics showed that there were only 1,834 community pharmacies in the country.

“The ministry views seriously the uneven distribution of community pharmacies, most of which are mushrooming in city areas,” he said.
Posted on 21:00 | Categories:

Police officer promotes 1Malaysia spirit through hobby

Huge and colourful kites from around the world were the main attraction at the world kite festival here, but flying alongside them and attracting equal attention from the crowd were locally-made kites attached with awareness messages.

Among them was a single line kite displaying the picture of a police officer chasing after Mat Rempit.

Police officer DSP Mohd Fadzil Ali said he took the opportunity to fly the Mat Rempit kite during the festival to promote awareness on the problem and also to advise the public against getting involved in such activities.

He was also spotted flying a kite bearing the 1Malaysia logo and another with the portrait of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It's only fair that I fly those two kites together, as it was Datuk Seri Najib who initiated the 1Malaysia programme. I want the kites to spread the message and spirit of unity and togetherness as espoused by him,” said DSP Mohd Fadzil when met on Saturday.

The kite enthusiast has even set up his own club called the Johpol Kite Club.

DSP Mohd Fadzil has also participated in other international kite events including in India, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and France.

Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar officiated the five-day festival held at Bukit Layang-layang in Pasir Gudang, which involved hundreds of participants from 36 countries starting Feb 20.
Posted on 17:30 | Categories:

Shop with confidence online with new rules

Online shoppers will be protected under new regulations that will require businesses to provide details of the people and company behind the deals, as well as the products and services being traded.

The new Consumer Protection Regulations (Online Commerce Transactions) 2012 to be enforced from July 1 will also require the merchants to provide their business or company registration number.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced this at a press conference here yesterday.

E-traders will also have to display their e-mail, phone number and business address as well as key features of the product or service offered, the full price (including delivery and other costs incurred), payment methods, terms and conditions and the estimated delivery time, the minister said.

“This segment is growing ... that is why the ministry is of the view that if regulations remain loose, more cheating will happen,” added Ismail Sabri, saying the new regulations were gazetted on Dec 21 last year.

He said more than 1.1 million Malaysians spent some RM1.8bil in various online transactions in 2010, and the value is expected to nearly triple to RM5bil by next year.

“Of the 1.1 million online shoppers, 67% are between 15 and 39 years.
Posted on 13:30 | Categories:

Timber! Kedah’s crying hills keep dying

Even as the issue of extensive logging activities in Pedu and Gunung Inas in Kedah remains very much in the news, yet another hill in the state has been found stripped of its forests.

An area covering 145ha about the size of 180 football fields at the Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve has been cleared of trees for timber.

The PAS-led state government reportedly approved logging in the area more than a month ago.

The concession is believed to have been awarded to high ranking officers in the Kedah Civil Service (KCS) and the land would be re-planted with rubber trees.

It is also learnt that the state government had approved a total of 780ha about the size of 963 football fields in the same area for the same purpose.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom, who visited the site over two days after being alerted by locals, was shocked by the rape of the hill.

The Kubang Pasu MP said excessive and indiscriminate logging had laid the land bare, polluting the water in Sungai Kechik, Sungai Badak and Sungai Wang Perah, which are used by locals.

Monday, 25 February 2013

Power outage and small fire trigger panic at 1 Utama shopping mall

A power blackout followed by a minor fire at the 1 Utama shopping mall here Sunday night caused some panic among shoppers, although no one was injured in the incidents.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Mohd Sani Harul said they received a report about a minor fire at 1 Utama around 9pm.

"We were told that the fire started at the children's playground equipment storage area on the fifth floor at the new wing of the shopping mall," he said when contacted late Sunday.

He said the fire was put out before firemen arrived at the scene, adding that no one was injured during the incident.

"The cause of the fire and losses are being investigated," he said.

According to an employee of 1 Utama, the blackout occurred around 8pm and the fire occurred an hour later at the fertiliser storage unit in the mall's upper floor.

TheStar

Three killed as express bus crashes into divider at Bukit Taga


Three passengers were killed when an express bus went out of control and hit the road divider near the Bukit Tagar Toll Plaza in Hulu Selangor, along the North-South Expressway, early Monday.

During the 3.10am accident, Mohd Zamri Rani, 42, from Kedah, Mohd Ainul Fauzi Mohd Aman, 25, from Simpang Renggam, Johor Baru and a yet to be identified woman, died at the scene.

Hulu Selangor police chief Supt Norel Azmi said the driver of the bus was believed to have lost control and hit the road divider.

"The express bus from Kuala Lumpur and heading north was believed to be speeding when the driver lost control. The impact saw the road divider cut through the bus frame," he said.

The bodies of the three victims were later sent to the Kuala Kubu Baru Hospital while the driver who was injured, was sent to the Sungai Buloh Hospital, for treatment.

Norel added that 13 other passengers in the bus were not injured.
 
Source : CLICK

Posted on 17:30 | Categories:

International card fraud syndicate busted in KL


 
Police have busted an international syndicate specialising in credit card and ATM card fraud that caused about RM1mil in losses.

The syndicate, masterminded by a Canadian man of Sri Lankan origin, has been active since August last year.

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation department director Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said 25 syndicate members were arrested in a series of raids from Wednesday to Saturday.

"The credit cards and ATM cards are of Canadian and American banks.

"We are still looking for the mastermind, whom we believe is still in Malaysia," he told a press conference Monday.

Comm Syed Ismail police were working closely with Interpol to cripple this syndicate once and for all.

TheStar

Posted on 13:40 | Categories:

Sunday, 24 February 2013

#Selangor not utilising road maintenance funds

Funds allocated to the Selangor Government for the maintenance of some 16,013km of roads in the state had not been utilised properly.

Citing the Auditor-General's report, Klang MCA Youth chief Datuk Ching Eu Boon said the Federal Government has been giving RM375.9mil annually for road maintenance but the state government failed to manage the money well.

He said the state government's failure to repair and ensure that the roads were in good condition had caused accidents, including fatalities in the Klang district.

“The Federal Government gives out the money through MARRIS (Malaysian Road Records Inventory System).

“At the end of 2011, the state had an extra RM162.46mil, which means it only spent slightly over RM200mil.At the end of 2012, there was a whopping RM319.85mil extra.

“This means that the state has about RM700mil including the sum disbursed this year by the Federal Government.
Posted on 11:00 | Categories:

Saturday, 23 February 2013

High Court disallows Sepang Municipal Council to remove AES cameras

The High Court ruled that the Sepang Municipal Council has no jurisdiction to issue notices to Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd to remove Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras and poles.

In making the decision, Justice Datuk Zaleha Yusuf allowed Beta Tegap to instal cameras at the North-South Expressway (NSE) and the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE).

She said the two highways came under the jurisdiction of the Federal government and not the state government.

On Dec 19 last year, the High Court allowed Beta Tegap's application for a judicial review to challenge the council's decision which was filed on Dec 12.

In the application, Beta Tegap claimed that the council, through a letter dated Nov 19, 2012, decided that the company had to seek permission in order to set up AES camera poles at Km301.7 of the NSE and Km6.6 of the SKVE, both in Dengkil, Sepang.

Justice Zaleha did not fix any cost as it involved public interest.

"My opinion (is) that (the) spot where those AES structures are located are within federal road and does not fall within the jurisdiction of the council.
Posted on 16:30 | Categories:

We won’t allow stand-off to harm nation’s security. @HishammuddinH2O

The Malaysian forces are in control in the stand-off with the group of armed Sulu patriots, near here, and will ensure that they do not do anything to jeopardise the nation's sovereignty and security.

Stating this, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein added: “If this cannot be accepted by the group, then we, who are in control, will make the necessary decision. I hope they don't push our authorities to that extent,” he said at Felda Sahabat 17, about 165km from here, yesterday.

He was asked how much more time Malaysia was willing to give before the almost two-week standoff is resolved. Hishammuddin said the utmost priority was to ensure that the military and police forces were in control of the situation.

“We have to do the right thing at the right time to save lives. But if we need to make a decision, we are on top of it,” he said.

Hishammuddin said Malaysia was keeping its options open, including giving room to any party to help resolve the drawn-out standoff without bloodshed with the group, who had claimed to be neither militants nor terrorists.

He added that if there was anyone who could help to rationalise with this group and work with them, the faster the situation could be resolved.
Posted on 11:00 | Categories:

Friday, 22 February 2013

Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail link

Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to build a high-speed rail link between the city state and Kuala lumpur.

The link will cut travelling time between the two destinations to just 90 minutes, from the hours it now takes by rail and road.

The two countries also agreed on a rapid transit system linking Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit system with Johor Baru.

Both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong described the speed-link project as a “game changer” .

“This project will change the way we do business, look at each other and interact,” said Najib.

“We hope to meet the 2020 deadline for the project,” he told a joint press conference after the annual leaders retreat here.

The two mass “people mover” projects are part of multi-billion ringgit business deals between the two countries.

Pushing for more dialysis clinics. @liowtionglai

The Health Ministry is pushing a new policy focusing on opening up more haemodialysis centres nationwide, as the country faces a rising number of patients with chronic renal disease.

Those suffering from end-stage renal disease had more than tripled in the past decade, with 26,159 patients undergoing treatment in 2011 compared to just 7,837 in 2001, minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

“We want to set up haemodialysis centres in health clinics that have the space to spare.

“However, we don't have enough money so the ministry will apply for extra funds from the Finance Ministry,” he told a press conference after receiving haemodialysis machines donated by Lembaga Tabung Haji.

As at 2011, Liow said there were 7,088 haemodialysis machines in public, private and NGO-run centres.

The Government has also approved 150 new haemodialysis machines that will be distributed to 69 government hospitals this year.

Liow declined to give specific figures on how many more machines were needed to best serve patients nationwide.
Posted on 17:30 | Categories:

INSIDEN LAHAD DATU - #ANUwar GELABAH??

Sumber : MyMassa

MyMassa ada melaporkan bahawa Tian Chua membuat pertemuan dengan Nur Misuari 4 bulan yang lepas untuk merancang sesuatu di bumi Sabah.

KLIK

Nampaknya apa yang dibocorkan oleh sumber dalaman PKR memang benar. Kini Askar Sulu mencari pemimpin pembangkang menjanjikan sesuatu kepada mereka. Perkara ini telah dilaporkan oleh agensi berita antarabangsa, Reuters.
Another Philippine military officer said the men were followers of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu - an island group off the southern Philippines - who had been invited to Sabah by a Malaysian opposition politician to discuss land issues.
Posted on 13:26 | Categories:

Cops quash cyber rumours about acid-splasher’s return

After a spate of acid-splashing incidents in 2011 and last year, recent talk in cyber space is that “The splasher is back”!

Of late, there has been a string of text messages and posts on social media websites regarding alleged acid-splashing incidents in various parts of the city and in Selangor.

The police said they would act if there were reports but, in the meantime, these posts had been brushed aside as being just a hoax.

The public has been warned that action can be taken against those who spread such news on the Net.

The information of several incidents happening around the Klang Valley allegedly came from the Bandar Tun Razak police station but city CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah has quashed the accusation.

“The warnings' are nothing more than hoaxes,” he said, advising the public to stay calm and report the matter to the police if such things had indeed occurred.

The online posts said an acid spasher had struck at, among the locations, the PKNS Complex in Shah Alam, near a shopping mall in USJ and in Damansara over the past two weeks.
Posted on 09:30 | Categories:

Thursday, 21 February 2013

IGP: Police in control of Lahad Datu situation

The situation in Lahad Datu, where a group of followers of the Sulu Sultanate are holed up in a village, is under control, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

He said the situation would be resolved as soon as possible.

"We are hoping for a peaceful outcome," he told pressmen after presenting awards to motorists here Wednesday.

Ismail dismissed allegations that the police had been soft towards the intruders.

"We want to avoid any bloodshed...we are in control of the situation.

"We expect it to be resolved soon," he said.
Posted on 21:30 | Categories:

Police award 50 motorists with cash and certificate for driving safely

Fifty motorists have each been awarded RM100 in cash and a certificate for exemplary driving etiquette, in conjunction with the police's Ops Selamat campaign early this month.

The drivers selected have not received any traffic summons in the last three years.

Project manager Cynthia Simon, in her 40s, said she was surprised when informed about the awards.

"I initially meant to go on a trip to Jakarta but cancelled it to receive the award," she said after receiving the award Wednesday.

She added that it was gratifying to be selected for safe driving.

Express bus driver Ang Leng Sun, 47, said he took traffic regulations very seriously.

"Being a bus driver, I hold the lives of hundreds of people in my hands daily.

"“It is a big responsibility and I want to do it to the best of my abilities," he said, adding that he was proud to receive an award from the police.

Selangor offers fresh RM9.65bil takeover bid to water firms

The Selangor state government on Wednesday made a fresh offer of RM9.65bil to take over all four water concession companies.

All liablities of the companies will also be absorbed by state investment arm Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB), which will act as the equity owner, said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

He said KDEB sent the offer letters to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holding (Splash) on Wednesday.

KDEB will also form a special purpose vehicle to manage the takeover, he said.

In 2009, the state government first made a bid of RM5.7bil but was rejected by all the players. A subsequent offer of RM9.2bil was made in 2011 but it was rejected by Puncak Niaga and Syabas.

"We are confident the (new) offer does not cause the companies to incur losses because the amount reflects a 12% annual return on equity, compared to the usual return of 6% for the water industry.

"Furthermore, all liabilities will also be taken over by KDEB through the special purpose vehicle," Khalid told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting.

Cops probing hacking of Info Department websites

Bukit Aman's cyber crime unit has started investigating the hacking of the Information Department's websites where a hoax report was posted about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's resignation.

Federal CyberSecurity and Multimedia Investigation Division director Asst Comm Mohd Kamaruddin Din said police would rope in the assistance of CyberSecurity Malaysia as well as the Internet provider in tracking the down the hacker.

The Information Department's director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, in refuting the hoax report, said it was posted on its e-Press and e-Akhbar websites by irresponsible hackers who intended to cause confusion among the public.

Ibrahim said the hoax announcement was displayed on the websites at 6am yesterday but was removed by the department two hours later upon its discovery.

“These two systems were hacked into and a message was inserted to announce that the Prime Minister had resigned.

“The statement took on the look' of an official message released by the department although it was not endorsed by the Government nor the department,” he said after lodging a police report on the matter at the Putrajaya police headquarters yesterday.
Posted on 09:30 | Categories:

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Malaysian security forces moving in on village

Malaysian forces are moving in as the armed Sulu group digs in around Kampung Tanduo at Felda Sahabat 17.

The last 24 hours has seen an increase in police, army and naval activities with a 20km radius around the village out of bounds.

Security forces have kept their distance of more than 500m from the armed group and stationed themselves near a kongsi (workers' quarters), and are keeping watch on the gunmen who at times walk out to a well just 300m from their location to fetch water.

The group in military fatigues headed by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, a brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, is believed to be occupying a house belonging to a farmer identified as Umrah and his wife who are suffering from gout.

The couple were the only ones who stayed behind while 14 families fled after the group landed on their shores on Feb 9.

Azzimudie has been communicating with handphone and has been in touch with the Philippine media.
Posted on 21:00 | Categories:

Prevention better than cure when it comes to non-communicable diseases

Pay extra heed to the importance of health screening before it is too late, employers and employees were told by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said early health screening was necessary as it could save lives and ensure a longer quality of life while increasing productivity.

Early screening, he said, was vital in detecting the risks of non- communicable diseases (NCD) such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease and would enable early prevention and treatment.

“Many Malaysians have yet to give due importance to health screening and assume they do not have the disease until it becomes chronic.

“At this stage, the effect and stress is not just on the worker and organisation but also on the family,” he said at the launch of the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) health screening programme here yesterday.

According to the Health Ministry's latest statistics, the number of Malaysians with diabetes last year stood at 2.6 million while 5.8 million had high blood pressure. Some 6.2 million had high cholesterol levels and 2.5 million people were obese, he said.
Posted on 17:00 | Categories:

Malaysia-Singapore RTS gets the green light

Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to go ahead with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Baru with the republic.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said both countries had a year to draft the plans on the preferred option for the RTS.

He added that under phase one, the alignment and station scheme options would be identified.

“Once this is decided, we can move to phase two,” Anifah said during a briefing on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's two-day working visit to Singapore which began yesterday.

It is learnt that among the options being considered is a bridge or an underground tunnel link.

Singapore had earlier announced that its Thomson mass rapid transit (MRT) line would be opened in stages from 2019.

The 30km line will run through the north-south corridor of the island republic, starting in Woodlands, the area closest to Johor Baru via the Causeway, and passing through industrial, residential and shopping districts before ending at Marina Bay.
Posted on 13:00 | Categories:

There is a need for better monitoring of online purchasing

There has to be a more secure and established mechanism to oversee the process of online purchasing as more people turn to e-shopping for their needs, said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) president Datuk Paul Selvaraj.

With the growing popularity of e-shopping and deal sites, he said the mechanism would need to be put in place to ensure the authenticity of these dealers.

“More and more deal sites are popping up. There must be a system to help customers know which sites can be trusted, such as a mark of validation,” he said.

Fomca, he assured consumers, would continue to survey e-purchasing trends.

“If needed, we will put forth a memorandum in order for the authorities to enforce stricter action against unscrupulous deal sites,” he said, adding that the need for better monitoring of e-shopping was a global issue.

It was recently reported that the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) had received over 400 complaints against some 10 deal sites between September and December last year, 61% of which were about the quality of purchased products.

This year, the centre, which is affiliated with Fomca, had received more than 100 complaints pertaining to deal sites.
Posted on 09:30 | Categories:

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Flashfloods wreak havoc on Daman­sara-Puchong Highway

One motorist felt her car was “floating”. Another person closed her shop for two hours to clean up the mess.

That was the outcome of a mere 30-minute flashflood, which hit two southbound sections of the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), caused by heavy rains and a backflow from monsoon drains feeding into the Klang River.

Shah Rizal Mohamed Fawzi, the head of communications of Litrak, the LDP concessionaire, said the flashfloods hit KM21.36 and 23.50 of the southbound-side of the LDP at 5.22pm yesterday.

It reached 0.8m in height at parts of KM21.36, causing several cars to stall.

“As soon as the downpour began, we deployed our Emergency Response Teams to monitor the affected areas and to help out in any emergency events,” said Shah Rizal.

The basement floors of IOI Mall Puchong, opposite the affected section, were flooded too.

Several shops at the entrance had to close briefly.

It was a frightening 20 minutes for motorist Dr Choong Bee Li who found her car “floating” in fast-rising floodwaters at Km21.36.
Posted on 21:00 | Categories:

Praying for quick end to Lahad Datu standoff

Farmers and oil palm smallholders are praying for a quick end to the standoff that is entering its second week between Malaysian security forces and an armed Sulu group.

They have been unable to enter the vicinity of Kampung Tanduo at Felda Sahabat 17, some 170km from this east coast town, to harvest their oil palm and other produce, such as water melons.

A farmer who tried to enter the tight security cordon surrounding the heavily armed gunmen was turned back by the police early yesterday.

This was because the police feared the food supplies he was carrying could fall into the hands of the gunmen.

The farmer, who wanted to be known only as Ghafur, said he was trying to get to his oil palm smallholding for his twice-a-month harvest.

He was bringing along food supplies to last him a week in his smallholding.

Police officials advised smallholders not to enter the cordoned off area around Kampung Tanduo, where the so-called Royal Sulu Sultanate Army had raised yellow flags with a lion insignia outside a surau.

Interviewed by the Philippines' media, group leader Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram said they were in possession of all kinds of weapons.
Posted on 17:00 | Categories:

Maid held for allegedly hurling baby onto floor

A 24-year-old Indonesian maid, who had just worked with a couple for a day, was arrested after she hurled the couple’s four-month-old son into the air several times and onto the floor.

The incident was discovered on Friday by the boy’s mother, Nina Suraya Sulaiman, 24, who watched a recording of a closed circuit camera at Bukit Setong­kol here.

She was having breakfast at a nearby restaurant at about 9am during the incident.

Nina Suraya said she witnessed the baby being allegedly hurled into the air and thrown on the floor by the maid.

She rushed home and took the baby to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA).

The maid was arrested on the same day after her husband lodged a police report.

Nina Suraya, said she took her son Mohamed Hareez Mohd Zamri back to the hospital at about 8.30pm on Sunday after noticing that the baby was not moving like he normally did, even when sleeping.

Three more warded due to red-tide infected fish

Three more people have been warded at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after consuming red-tide infected fish, bringing the number of victims to 49.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin said in a statement that two of the victims had consumed ikan basung or smelt fish from the Inanam market about 15 minutes’ drive from town while the other had bought the fish from Kampung Likas here.

Rosnah said investigations were being carried out to determine whether the fish were contaminated with the red algae bloom toxin.

On Friday, reports from the Kota Kinabalu health department showed that mussels consumed by the 46 warded victims since last week contained high levels of PSP toxin.

The mussels had more than 20,000 mouse units (MU) of toxin, she said, adding that a level of 4,000 MU is already considered high.

Most of the 46 earlier patients have been discharged while a man who was placed at the hospital’s intensive care unit is still in critical condition.

The red-tide phenomenon is expected to continue until June.
 

Posted on 09:30 | Categories:

Monday, 18 February 2013

Constant delays hamper organ transplants in Malaysia

More than 16,000 people remain on the waiting list for an organ transplant but fewer than 50 actual donors emerge each year.

The Health Ministry has attributed the low conversion rate to constant delays in harvesting available organs.

It is now targeting the organs and tissues of homicide and road accident victims as thousands of organs have gone to waste.

And it has told all government hospitals to abide by a “must-do list” to expedite the process.

The ministry's deputy director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said findings showed that some 55% of accident and homicide victims could have had their body parts harvested.

Suicides and accidents, he added, were often overlooked for harvesting since they involved police investigations and took a longer time to be completed, resulting in damage to the organs and tissues.

In the last decade, some 70,000 Malaysians perished in road accidents with the majority being in the 16 to 25 age group.

Among the organs and tissues that could be harvested were corneas, kidneys, lungs, heart valves, heart, liver, skin and bones.
Posted on 22:00 | Categories:

Search for student who fell off motorbike into river

Search and rescue personnel are scouring Sg Kelantan for a college student who fell into the river while trying to avoid a traffic jam on Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge.

Mara Polytech College student Mohd Arif Mohd Nurdin, 20, was riding his motorcycle on an alternative route crossing the river at around 5.30pm on Saturday to avoid a traffic congestion when a car coming from behind startled him.

The alternative route is a utility bridge used by construction staff working on the second Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge nearby.

Fellow student, Mohd Amir Fadzli, 20, who was riding another motorcycle behind Mohd Arif, said he tried to get passers-by to help save his friend.

“We were on our way to Tumpat for a photography assignment when a car coming from behind us startled Mohd Arif, causing him to fall off his motorcycle into the river.

“I could not do anything to save him because it happened very quickly. All I could do was get help from others in the area but he was swept away by strong currents,” he said.

TheStar

Posted on 18:00 | Categories:

Najib joins thousands at record ‘yee sang’ event

Thousands of Malaysians made history tossing a 999m-long yee sang along Jalan Bukit Bintang here yesterday.

The yee sang, a Chinese New Year delicacy, was prepared by 99 chefs and has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest of its kind in the country, beating last year's record an 880m spread by Mydin Wholesale Emporium.

The yee sang was laid out on several rows of joint tables.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, along with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, also took part in the event.

The CNY festival was organised by event planning company Human Voyage, and was also attended by 488 Chinese associations from all over the nation, including 282 temple committees.

The crowd was also entertained by drum performances, 333 lion dancers from various dance troupes and local artistes including Jaclyn Victor, Athena Beh and Shila Amzah.

The Prime Minister was presented a Chinese calligraphy piece which read Sheng (meaning “win” in Chinese) by calligraphy master Liew Choon Fatt.

Navy SEAL who killed Osama breaks silence

The Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden broke his silence Monday, recounting the night he shot the Al-Qaeda leader three times and the financial anxiety he now faces as an unemployed civilian.

The commando kept his identity secret in the Esquire magazine interview,  but revealed his role in the daring May 2011 raid for the first time, as well  as the worries he has for his family’s security.

“He looked confused. And way taller than I was expecting,” the SEAL said of  Osama.

When the commandos came upon Osama  in the dark on the third floor of  his hideout in the town of Abbottabad in Pakistan, the Al-Qaeda mastermind had  his hands on his youngest wife’s shoulders, “pushing her ahead” and there was  an AK-47 assault rifle nearby.

“I don’t know if she’s got a vest and she’s being pushed to martyr them  both. He’s got a gun within reach. He’s a threat. I need to get a head shot so  he won’t have a chance to clack himself off (blow himself up),” the commando  said.

“In that second, I shot him, two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The  second time as he’s going down. He crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed  and I hit him again, Bap! same place.

“He was dead. Not moving. His tongue was out.”    The Esquire article, which referred to the unnamed commando as “the  Shooter,” focused on the Navy SEAL’s plight as an anonymous hero without a  pension, health insurance or extra security for his family, with the title:

Posted on 09:51 | Categories:

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Voters will no longer use pencils to mark ballot papers during general election



For the first time in Malaysian electoral history, voters will be using ballpoint pens instead of pencils to mark the ballot papers.

Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said this was part of the initiative to improve the electoral process and remove unnecessary doubts.

“Critics had in the past claimed that pencil marks could be erased.

“Now that we will be using pen, no one can make such wild allegations any more,” he said.

Wan Ahmad said there would be 25,000 voting streams, each with two ballot boxes where pens would be provided.

The EC had bought about 50,000 extra pens in case some of them ran out of ink or became faulty.

Other measures taken to improve the electoral process include using indelible ink to prevent multiple voting, according media personnel postal voter status, allowing physically challenged individuals to be accompanied by a person trusted by them to cast their vote, doing away with objection on nomination day and disallowing candidates to pull out.

Sunday, 10 February 2013

Road Safety Department to ensure safer journeys for Chinese New Year

Road safety authorities have shifted into high gear to ensure motorists have a safe journey back to their hometowns for the coming Chinese New Year.

The Road Safety Department will be increasing the number of programmes promoting road safety from an average of once to five times a week during the festive season.

The programmes include distributing pamphlets on road safety to motorists and providing free helmets to motorcyclists in exchange for helmets deemed not up to standard.

Department programme and project implementation director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said that the pamphlets contained safety tips urging motorcyclists to put on their helmets and motorists to check their vehicle tyres before travelling.

“We will distribute them at toll plazas, highway rest areas and other places,” he said yesterday, adding that the number of pamphlets distributed would be tripled in view of the expected increase in traffic.

Mohd Rusdi said that the department would also give away 20 to 50 free helmets per event to motorcyclists who do not have proper ones.

Nevertheless, he said the department's theme for its safety campaign was to encourage road users to use public transport to return to their hometowns as it was safer than driving in heavy traffic.

Saturday, 9 February 2013

No leave for traffic policemen during Chinese New Year celebrations

Leave for traffic police personnel nationwide has been frozen as they will be deployed to 150 accident hotspots for Ops Selamat II during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Deputy Federal Traffic chief Asst Comm Mohd Fuad Abdul Latif said this year's traffic operations would focus on reducing the number of fatal accidents and crime prevention during the holiday period.

“All personnel have been instructed to be on high alert as we want to ensure the safety of motorists. Past operations called Ops Sikap have been successful, so we want it to continue,” he said yesterday.

ACP Mohd Fuad said traffic police would cooperate with other enforcement agencies like the Road Transport Department and Road Safety Department to reduce the number of fatal accidents during the operation, which will run until Feb 17.

Last year's Ops Selamat recorded a total of 17,937 accidents involving 243 fatal accidents.

In 2011, there were 19,606 accidents, including 289 fatal ones.

“Judging from the trend, we feel that our method is effective in reducing the number of accidents and fatalities. However, we will strive to improve,” he said.
 
Source : CLICK

Posted on 12:00 | Categories:

Friday, 8 February 2013

Help monitor price of controlled goods

Consumers shopping for their Chinese New Year goodies must be aware of attempts by unscrupulous traders to jack up the prices.

Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe reminded traders to comply with the scheme until Feb 17 and urged the public to help monitor the price of controlled goods.

“For the scheme to be effective, they must become the Government's eyes and ears.

“I'm satisfied traders here have adhered to the maximum price set,”

Under the scheme, traders must display prices of controlled items using pink price tags.

To contact the ministry, call  1800-886-800, SMS 15888 or email: e-aduan@kpdnkk.gov.my.
 

Posted on 20:00 | Categories:

SPP1M scheme good for those in private institutions

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the SPP1M scheme would be especially good for those studying in private institutions.

“Even if they have Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans, these (loans) are capped to a certain amount. So a top-up fund would be very helpful for students to pay for the rest of their course or other expenses.

“It would also reduce the burden for those studying in institutions overseas,” he said.

Sammie Goh, whose son is studying in Australia while his daughter is studying locally, said the scheme appeared to be very flexible.

“It really helps the rakyat and with the Government's support, I hope it will be easier to apply for the loans,” he said.

However, Amira Ali, who has four children, said she was not keen on it as she and her husband already had a house and car loan to pay for.
Posted on 15:00 | Categories:

Study finds genetic cause for common heart ailment

A genetic variation doubles the risk of developing calcium deposits in the heart, a common condition that, in severe cases, can narrow or block the aorta, according to a study published Wednesday.

The genetic variation, found in seven percent of the population, provides important clues about how to treat the disease, researchers said in the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"This is an important step forward in understanding the biology of the development of aortic stenosis," said senior author Wendy Post, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

She added that the latest findings could lead to the development of targeted medications to slow the progression of the disease, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breath, and can in some cases require surgery.

The gene in question is involved in the production of a type of cholesterol particle called lipoprotein (a), which circulates in the blood.

"Increased levels of lipoprotein (a) have been previously associated with aortic valve disease.

“However, prior studies could not differentiate whether it was simply a marker or a causal factor," said lead author Catherine Campbell, of Kaiser Permanente.
Posted on 10:00 | Categories:

Thursday, 7 February 2013

Estranged relatives bury four who were burnt to death

A family misunderstanding was put aside as kin of the four who were burnt to death made sure they were given a proper send-off.

Family members and friends who attended the funeral of S. Jayalatchumy and her three children, who perished together in a fire in Sungai Siput, said they were shocked by the tragedy.

Jayalatchumy's youngest brother Hari Rao, 34, said family members reclaimed the four bodies from the Sungai Siput hospital mortuary at 8pm on Tuesday and held a wake at his home in Kampung Baru Rimba Panjang, Sungai Siput until 2pm yesterday.

There was a large turnout close to 200 family members and friends paid their last respects.

Hari Rao said M. Rajan's story was one of rags-to-riches, as he was a factory operator who became a rubber tapper and finally an estate owner.

“My family has always been close to my sister and Rajan for the past 23 years but in the last two years, they have distanced themselves from us.
Posted on 20:30 | Categories:

Govt extends BR1M scheme deadline to March 15

The deadline for the public to submit the application form for the RM500 Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) scheme has been further extended to March 15.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said the form could be submitted at all Inland Revenue Board (IRB) offices and agencies handling the aid.

The forms had been distributed since last month to assist households earning below RM3,000 a month. He said so far about 7 million people had applied for the RM500 cash aid.

Ahmad Husni said successful applicants would be given vouchers which they could cash at all Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB and Maybank branches.

TheStar

Posted on 15:30 | Categories:

Robber jumps into the sea to evade cops





A 25-year-old man who robbed a grocery shopowner with an accomplice tried to evade arrest by jumping into the sea off Gurney Drive here.

He managed to keep the police at bay for about an hour before surrendering due to exhaustion.

The duo had earlier robbed the grocery shopowner in Tanjong Tokong and sped away on their motorcycle.

Policemen on patrol gave chase and cornered them after 3km,

The accomplice, 22, was arrested while the robber jumped into the sea at about 1pm yesterday.
Posted on 10:59 | Categories:

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Magnitude 8 quake strikes off Solomon Islands - USGS



A powerful earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude has struck east of the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake was a shallow 5.8 km (3.6 miles) deep and the epicentre was 347 km east of Kira Kira in the Solomon Islands.

A tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii.- TheStar
Posted on 11:11 | Categories:

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

11 Tips for Safe Online Shopping



Let's face it, there's every reason in the world to shop online. The bargains are there. The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure. Shipping is fast. Even returns are pretty easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more convenient for consumers.

But what about the bad guys who lay in wait? IID's Third Quarter eCrime Report for 2011 indicates that use of phishing attacks (where thieves attempt to swindle you out of your sign-in credentials and even credit card info by pretending to be a real website, or even an online bank) is down, as much as eight percent since the second quarter and 11 percent since the third quarter of last year. That's great news—except the same report says sites with malware (malicious code aimed at compromising your privacy) has increased by 89 percent since the second quarter.

Stay calm. While somewhat alarming, these stats should not keep you from shopping online. You simply need some common sense and practical advice. Follow these basic guidelines and you can shop online with confidence. Here are 11 tips for staying safe online, so you can start checking off items on that holiday shopping list.

Two missing teenage sisters found

                                                                   Foto The Star

Two teenage girls who were reported missing last Wednesday have been found.

Police found Chen Poh Choo, 15, and her sister Poh Fong, 13, at about 2pm in Taman Sentosa, living with a Nepali believed to be the boyfriend of one of the girls.

South Klang OCPD Asst Comm Mohamed Mat Yusop said the girls had been sent to hospital to receive medical attention.

“It is not known yet why the girls left their home.

“We have yet to investigate the foreigner. Let the police investigate and avoid listening to hearsay,” he said, adding that the girls had records of skipping school in the past.

The girls, who were present at the news conference, shook their head in refusal when ACP Mohamed asked if they wanted to go home.

Monday, 4 February 2013

Indian national nabbed at Penang airport for trying to smuggle in drugs worth RM227,500


An Indian national who tried to smuggle in drugs worth RM227,500 concealed in a blanket and 17 songkok has been nabbed.

Penang Customs director Datuk Zulkifli Yahya said ketamine drugs, weighing 6.5kg, were seized from the suspect, who was arrested at the Penang International Airport at 12.30pm on Feb 2 when he arrived from New Delhi.

The 44-year old has been detained for 14 days.

The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/2/4/nation/20130204115126&sec=nation
Posted on 15:21 | Categories:

Teen sisters fail to come home

Have you seen them ?

Two teenage sisters have been missing for more than four days and their anguished parents are worried that they may have been abducted.

Chen Poh Choo, 15, and her sister Poh Fong, 13, were last seen by their mother Lee Lay Ching at noon on Wednesday before they walked to school from their home in Pandamaran Jaya.

However, teachers later told the parents that the girls, in Form Two and Remove Class respectively, never made it to class.

“I was worried because they usually get home by 7pm. When my husband got home at about 8pm, we went searching around the school and also looked up their friends,” said housewife Lee, 35.

She said the girls usually walked to their school, SM Pandamaran Jaya, which is only 10 minutes away.

Lee and her husband Chen Fook Chai lodged a police report at 12.30am on Thursday after failing to locate the girls.

Friday, 1 February 2013

How to Sleep Better



How you feel during your waking hours hinges greatly on how well you sleep. Similarly, the cure for sleep difficulties can often be found in your daily routine. Your sleep schedule, bedtime habits, and day–to–day lifestyle choices can make an enormous difference to the quality of your nightly rest. The following tips will help you optimize your sleep so you can be productive, mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and full of energy all day long.


The secret to getting good sleep every night

Well-planned strategies are essential to deep, restorative sleep you can count on, night after night. By learning to avoid common enemies of sleep and trying out a variety of healthy sleep-promoting techniques, you can discover your personal prescription to a good night’s rest.
The key, or secret, is to experiment. What works for some might not work as well for others. It’s important to find the sleep strategies that work best for you.
Posted on 14:47 | Categories:

16,000 attend seminars on how to curb LGBT



About 16,000 parents and teachers have attended the Education Ministry’s seminars on how to curb lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) behaviour.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said 21 seminars had been held and the ministry would be conducting more.

About 1,000 participants from 156 schools in the North Seberang Prai and Central Seberang Prai districts attended yesterday’s seminar at Politeknik Seberang Prai yesterday.

Dr Mohd Puad said that not many people knew how to handle the LGBT issue.

“It is like a disease but it can be cured with early intervention,’’ he told a press conference after opening the seminar.
Posted on 09:51 | Categories: