THERESA COCK’C SATIRE

For Chinese, Chinese New Year celebration symbolises the beginning, in fate and life. When I watched Teresa Cock’s Chinese New Year video, I thought she was only joking that Horse Year 2014 is not a good year due to price hike, insulting Malaysia’s security, calling the shooting incident in Sabah as a competition, the people in Johor are allegedly in fear due to rising crime rates and that Malaysians are stupid due to lack of quality education. I thought it is all joke, but it becomes like a “Drunken Monkey” movie.

The joke became worse when it garnered public’s response and NGO’s ire, leading to police reports. Theresa Cock became anxious thus she too, lodged a police report. Why do we need to lodge a report over a joke? Theresa need to watch P.Ramlee’s “Labu dan Labi.”

I saw them demonstrating and stamping on Teresa Cock’s photo as well as smearing cock’s blood on the image of her—it is akin to “Labu dan Labi.” I became speechless, why should Theresa Cock get angry, it is merely a joke.

Theresa Cock explained that her provocation was merely a joke. It’s the same with “Labu dan Labi.” I thought again, if it is funny, it is funny. Why  is there a need to be serious?

So, when the public and NGOs made a joke by putting men’s genital (Big Cock) on her head, smearing the cock’s blood and stamped their foot on her image, offered thousands of Ringgit for reward to those who slap her, I think it is a joke too. It is funny.

If Theresa Cock said that her CNY video is a joke, the public and NGOS’ actions are jokes too. We did not see any “Cock” on head while lodging a police report? If there was, the female police would have run!

You just like to make racist jokes. When people retaliate with their jokes, you got angry. You are really good at pretending!

Ooops, I forgot, even Terersa Cock’s name is a joke…

Maybe Teresa Cock fails to understand, even the Chinese adage said, ‘Kill a cock to scare thousand monkeys’! So, sacrificing a cock and smearing cock’s blood on her head is a joke too, why should she be scared and lodged a police report.

When Teresa Cock lodged a police report, I rationally though, is lodging a police report a world-class joke? The question is, Teresa Cock does not trust the police? Another joke! You do not trust a police but you lodged a report to them…Isn’t that a joke?

Now only Teresa Cock understands the limitations of a joke. Just like a Malay adage, you only realised after you got hit. You cannot undo your action. To say Theresa Cock is stupid, she’s smart. A Member of Parliament. Maybe she is an MP for the Chinese only. Hence why she does not understand the nationalism spirit in Malaysia.

Do not be like Salman Rushdie who insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and wife. The clerics and Imam Khomeini issued a fatwa saying Salman Rushdie must be killed for insulting Islam and Muslims. Does Theresa Cock view this as a joke as well? Salman went in hiding for years due to fear of getting killed, does hiding for years is a joke too!

What is happening in our country? Everything is a joke. Religion, national security are being made fun of, should we continue with this joke? What kind of an MP who put her self interest above the national interest?

Anyway, sorry to say, I forgot, does a Chinese woman who is approaching her 50s is considered a joke? How does she satiate her desires? No wonder her name’s Cock, and no wonder people put a Big Cock on her head! Opps don’t be mad, it is only a joke.

Do not build the house at the beachside if one fears the waves. If you are afraid of resistance, do not simply make fun of everything. 

 

Source : kelateloni

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Malaysian couple charged in Sweden

The Malaysian couple in Sweden who were alleged to have hit their child has been charged in a Stockholm court.

Swedish media reports said that Azizul Raheem Awalludin and his wife Shalwati Nurshal were charged yesterday with assault and “gross violation of their children’s integrity”.

“In my judgment, the children’s information, given in a video testimony with the police, is credible,” Radio Sweden quoted district prosecutor Anna Arnell as saying.

“Along with other supportive evidence, like witnesses and items confiscated from the home, there is good support for the indictment,” Arnell added.

The report said that the offences allegedly took place in the family’s home in Spånga, a Stockholm suburb, between September 2012 and December 2013.

Shalwati and her husband were arrested on Dec 20 last year after one of their children told staff at his school that he had been hit.

The staff then reported the matter to the authorities.

Sweden has tough laws against corporal punishment with offenders liable to face imprisonment of up to six years if convicted on the charge of gross violation of a child’s integrity.

Meanwhile, English language news website The Local quoted Shalwati’s lawyer Kristofer Stahre as saying that his client was relieved that the prosecutor had finally brought charges, as she would now be able to prove her innocence.

“She has been waiting a long time for this; it’s been a tough time for her in jail but now she is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Stahre.

“It’s difficult to speculate what will happen but of course I hope my client will be freed. She hasn’t done any of the things of which she’s been accused of,” he added.

The news reports said that the trial is set to begin next Tuesday and that it was expected to last 10 days.

Stahre and Malaysian Embassy officials in the Swedish capital could not be reached for comment.

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MAHB share on uptrend despite KLIA2 delay

Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) share price was on an uptrend yesterday, reaching a high of RM8.26 before closing five sen up to RM8.20, despite the opening of KLIA2 being potentially delayed once again.

There were 1.57 million shares done.

KLIA2, the new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), has missed several deadlines for opening, with the last one scheduled for April 30 before being moved to May 2.

Analysts were mixed on the possible delay, following news that MAHB had yet to receive the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) for the terminal from main joint venture contractor UEMC-Bina Puri, which had been scheduled for Jan 31.

It has been found that 65% of the main terminal did not comply with fire and safety standards upon inspection by Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd, the Sepang Municipal Council and the Fire and Rescue Department in the last week of January. There were cracks in a sewerage pipe outside the terminal, and parts of the road and drainage were not fit for use. Their recommendation is essential for the issuance of the CCC.

“This is a big disappointment, given that management had briefed that everything was on track during the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2013 analyst briefing held on Jan 27, 2014 – just one week ago,” said Maybank Investment Bank Research analysts.

Although MAHB remains firm on the May 2 opening date, without the CCC, KLIA2 would not be able to commence the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT). “ORAT is an exhaustive and meticulous process and comparable projects of this scale have typically consumed three to six months, never less than three months. Based on this, we think a delay to the planned launch date looks imminent,” Maybank said.

Maybank has downgraded its call on MAHB to “sell” from “hold” previously, with a lower target price of RM7.03.

However, other analysts are convinced that a short-term delay would only represent a temporary setback to MAHB.

If KLIA2 is delayed by a quarter, then RHB Research estimates that revenue loss from rentals collected and lower passenger spending would come in at RM48mil, 1.6% of its estimated RM3bil topline, affecting only its 2014 earnings forecast.

Passenger traffic is expected to remain robust, as congestion at the LCCT is unlikely to deter holiday-makers from travelling, said Alliance Research’s Tan Kee Hoong.

“In addition, any shortfall vis-à-vis our aeronautical revenue forecasts due to a potentially slower passenger growth at LCCT, could easily be compensated by the higher profit-sharing contract charges from Malindo Air, which will continue to operate from the main terminal building until KLIA2 opens,” he added.

Both RHB and Alliance have maintained their “buy” calls on the company, with unchanged target prices of RM9.80 and RM10.37 respectively.

Bursa Securities, meanwhile, has approved the listing of and quotation of up to 124.05 million MAHB shares to be issued pursuant to its proposed private placement exercise.

The Star

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Slain cop was on m-cycle joyride

The Bukit Aman Special Branch personnel member who was found with two gunshot wounds to his head had borrowed his friend’s motorcycle to “blow off some steam” from work when he was murdered.

Sources revealed that L/Kpl T. Thivakar (pic) had borrowed his friend’s motorcycle when an assailant had caught up to him and shot him point-blank twice.

Police have since detained a 33-year-old lance-corporal to facilitate investigations into the brutal murder.

It is believed the suspect is with the same unit as the victim.

Acting City CID chief Asst Comm Khairi Ahrasa said the suspect was detained at about 11.30pm on Tuesday at the Travers police station some seven hours after the body was found.

“He is being held to assist in the investigations.

“The suspect has been remanded until Feb 9,” he said yesterday.

ACP Khairi urged the public not to speculate on the motive of the murder.

“The murder of our comrade has hit us hard but we will give an assurance that justice will be served with- out fear or favour,” he said.

At a separate event, City police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said police have seized the suspect’s pistol and several documents.

Asked about the motorcycle that was found near the victim, SDCP Mohmad said it belonged to the victim’s friend.

He declined to comment if it belonged to the lance-corporal who was arrested.

SDCP Mohmad added that the victim was not carrying a firearm during the incident.

It is learnt that a squad from the Kuala Lumpur Serious Crime (D9) unit went to the police quarters in Keramat Wangsa and seized the suspect’s blue jeans, a T-shirt and pair of sports shoes.

Police also seized 20 bullets, two bullet magazines and two mobile phones from the suspect.

Thivakars parents were to celebrate wedding anniversary


The Star

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Sumatra volcano ash blowing towards Malaysia

A thin layer of ash from a Sumatran volcano located 271km west of Pulau Pangkor is expected to arrive in parts of southwest peninsula Malaysia by this morning.

National Weather Forecast Centre director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said the affected areas could include coastal regions of Negri Sembilan, Malacca as well as Muar, Batu Pahat, Pontian and Kulaijaya in Johor.

“The amount of ash is not that much at the moment, probably a thin layer. It may be a bit hazy but it will be difficult to say how much,” he said when contacted.

He added that an advisory about the volcanic ash had been sent to the aviation industry.

The Meteorological Department in a statement on Monday had said that volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung, which erupted over the weekend and again on Monday, could be blown towards the southern states due to a northwesterly wind that is expected to persist until tomorrow.

“This condition may cause the volcanic ash to move towards the southern part of peninsular Malaysia, which may interfere with flight operations and reduce visibility,” the department said.

The peak of the volcano located in north Sumatra is 2,460m above sea level.

AFP reported 15 people were killed when Sinabung erupted over the weekend, shooting hot ash and rocks into the air. Authorities had evacuated about 30,000 people.

Sinabung, which had been sporadically erupting since September, is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia.

When contacted, an official from The Department of Civil Aviation said that flight operations throughout Malaysia were currently unaffected.

“The important thing for aircraft to be able to land is visibility, which remains good in all our airports.

“If there is a deterioration in visibility, we will put our standard operating procedures into effect to ensure smooth flight operations,” said the official.

The Jakarta Post reported that the Indonesian government had raised the status on another 19 volcanoes in the country to alert level, which is the second-highest category in the wake of the Sinabung eruption.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency issued the raised status on Monday for the 19 volcanoes, which are scattered across the archipelago, but had yet to call for the evacuation of residents nearby.

In Johor Baru, state Department of Environment (DOE) director Mokhtar Abdul Majid said they would be taking Air Pollutant Index (API) readings every hour to assess the air quality.

“All this depends on the direction and speed of the wind but we will issue updates accordingly,” he said.

“Currently, (as of 5.30pm yesterday) there is no need to worry as the API reading for the state is an average of 50,” he said.

Any API reading between 51 to 100 is considered as moderate, 100 to 200 as unhealthy, 200 to 300 as very unhealthy and 300 and above as hazardous.

Mokhtar said if the layer of ash hits districts here, it would be advisable for the elderly, children and those with respiratory diseases to refrain from heading outdoors.

The Star

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Man claims trial to abducting and raping 10-year-old

A labourer claimed trial at a magistrate’s court here after he was charged with abducting, raping and forcing a 10-year-old girl to perform oral sex on him twice.

Sia Tiong Yap, 29, only shook his head when asked if he admitted guilty to the four charges brought against him.

The first charge was under Section 376 (2) (e) of the Penal Code for committing statutory rape against the victim at a palm oil plantation at Bakri here at around 3pm on Jan 28.

The second charge was for abducting the victim at around 2pm on the same day along Lorong Jaafar, Jalan Mahmod in Bukit Pasir here with the intention of subjecting her to unnatural lust under Section 367 of the Penal Code.

The last two charges were under Section 377C of the Penal Code for committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

The first act was allegedly committed at around 2.30pm and the second at around 2.50pm on the same day.

The charges were read to Sia in Chinese and his only response was to plead for bail with the excuse that he had children to look after.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kartini Kasran however stressed that no bail would be offered.

Magistrate Suzana Mokhtar then set the next date for mention on Feb 20 pending medical reports and urged the victim to hire a lawyer to represent him.

It was previously reported in a newspaper that the victim was on her way to religious classes when she was abducted by the accused.

During the incident, Sia had allegedly raped her, forced her to perform oral sex and also slashed her abdomen.

A plantation worker witnessed the victim being abducted and managed to take down the car number plate and reported the matter to the police.

Police later tracked down and arrested the accused when he stopped at a petrol station later that day.

The victim was found in the passenger seat of the accused’s vehicle with blood stains on her clothes.

She was rushed to the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital for treatment.

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Water supply back to normal.

The Cheras Batu 11 water treatment plant which was temporarily closed after  ammonia pollution in Sungai Langat resumed full operation at 8.30am yesterday, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) said.

Its corporate communications and public affairs assistant general manager, Priscilla Alfred, said consumers in the Hulu Langat area could expect their water supply to return to normal.

She said the Bukit Tampoi treatment plant, which supplies water to Kuala Langat residents, remained closed as the water being channelled from Sungai Langat still contained a high level of ammonia.

"The acceptable level of ammonia in the water is 1.5ppm.

"Currently, it is fluctuating between 3ppm and 5ppm.

"The Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) is doing all it can to reduce the level of ammonia."

Sungai Langat, which is the water source for the Cheras Batu 11 and Bukit Tampoi treatment plants, had seen an alarming spike in ammonia levels, forcing their closure since Thursday.

This had caused water supply disruptions in 36 areas under the Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat districts.

However, disruptions were minimal as Syabas was able to divert water from other places to sustain supply in the affected areas.

"The overall demand for water during this festive period dropped, hence, we were able to manage the disruption quite effectively."

As at noon yesterday, ammonia levels at the Bukit Tampoi treatment plant still showed a high reading of 5ppm.

Luas director Mohd Khairi Selamat said there were signs of reduction in the ammonia level.

He said he was optimistic that the plant could resume operations today if no additional effects were found.

Residents in the affected areas had expressed relief the water disruption was not severe enough to affect their Chinese New Year plans.

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Ten major outlets offering price cuts

Ten major supermarkets and hypermarkets nationwide will reduce prices of 4,000 selected products by up to 70% to ease the burden of the rakyat due to the rising cost of living.

“Today, we are laun­ching a Price Reduction Campaign and 10 major companies with 955 outlets nationwide will participate,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said when launching the campaign at AEON Balakong here yesterday.

He said that discounts of between 15% and 70% would be offered on some 4,000 selected products for a period of six months.

“The price reductions are big and this will surely be felt and enjoyed by the rakyat,” he said, adding that the exercise is part of the Govern­ment’s effort to cushion the rising cost of living.

The companies participating in the campaign are AEON, AEON BIG, Econosave, Mydin, NSK, 99 Speed­mart, Sego Fresh Mart, Giant, KK Mart and Tesco.

Among the 4,000 on the reduced-priced list are fresh produce, frozen food, dried food, canned food, drinks, baby and children products and non-food items.

“As an open economy, Malaysia is surely exposed to external factors that are beyond our control.

“The issue of rising prices must be tackled by all quarters as it was be­­yond one’s control, including that of the Government,” he said.

Najib said mandarin oranges from China were costing more this Chi­nese New Year as poor weather in China had greatly reduced the supply of the item.

“From what I had gathered, similar oranges imported from Pakistan are being sold two ringgit cheaper than those from China.

“I am giving this as an example so that consumers will make informed decisions,” he added.

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Robbers hijack security van and flee with RM3.4mil

A security van carrying RM3.4mil was hijacked by a gang of robbers at a petrol station near Ijok, Batang Berjuntai, here.

It is believed that the van, manned by four guards, stopped at the station at about 9.50am yesterday to replenish money at the petrol station’s ATM when their vehicle was blocked by a Nissan van and two men on a motorcycle.

Sources said between four and six men alighted from the van and tied up the guards, enabling the motorcyclists to drive the security van away.

Kuala Selangor OCPD Supt Mohd Taib Ahmad said initial investigations revealed that the suspects drove the security van to an oil palm plantation at Bukit Badong.

“We believe the suspects forced all four security guards to get off the vehicle before unloading nine bags of money from the van and taking the guards’ pump guns. They were all wearing full-faced helmets.

“The gang then set the van ablaze before escaping with the loot in their van,” he said.

He added that two of the security guards were scalded by the fire and were sent to the Tanjung Karang Hospital for treatment.

They are in stable condition.

A Bukit Berjuntai Fire and Rescue Department source said they received the distress call at 9.58am and five firefighters were sent to the scene to contain the fire.

The firefighters managed to put out the fire by 10.47am.

TheStar

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Sulu invaders' 'white flag' came at gunpoint

A Sulu intruder held a stick with a white paper attached to it while two others flanking him pointed their guns at two police commandos at an oil palm estate in Kampung Tanduo, the High Court here heard.

Police VAT 69 commando Kpl Azman Ampong said he was not sure what the intruders were trying to signal with the A4-sized paper when they approached him and Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim.

Kpl Azman said this when replying to defence counsel Datuk N. Sivanathan on whether the armed men were trying to surrender, since they had brought a “white flag” and walked towards the security forces at that time.

“I am not sure what their intentions were because although one of the armed men had brought the stick with the white paper attached to it, two other men on his left and right sides were pointing their guns at us,” he said at the trial of 30 men involved in the Feb 12 incursion into Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu last year.

The encounter occurred before a breakout of shootings at about 10am on March 1, 2013.

The trial was held at a hall declared as a High Court room at the Kepayan Prison.

Testifying before High Court Judge Stephen Chung, Kpl Azman said he fully understood that a “white flag” was an indication of an enemy willing to surrender.

Asked whether they had received orders to attack the gunmen after the first gunshot was fired, he said they had not.

“When the shots were fired by the enemies, I informed my team leader DSP Anuar of the confrontation and he asked us to retreat,” said Kpl Azman, reiterating that they had been briefed earlier to exercise maximum restraint.

Kpl Azman said he and his partner decided to retaliate when they were shot at, adding that a call for assistance was made via walkie-talkie immediately after that.

Twenty-two of the 30 accused, including two Malaysians, are being jointly tried on a charge of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and being members of a terrorist group.

One of them faces two additional charges of recruiting members for a terrorist group and harbouring individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

Five of the accused are charged with being members of a terrorist group, while another, a Malaysian woman, is accused of harbouring individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

Two others are charged with attempting to harbour individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

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Philippines advises illegal Filipino workers in Malaysia to leave voluntarily

Philippine Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has advised illegal Filipino workers in Malaysia to seek assistance from its Overseas Labour Office and voluntarily leave the country, following the crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals, the Inquirer reported Monday.

She stressed that those with complete and authentic immigration documents should not panic.

"Our office in Malaysia is ready to assist those who may not only have documentation problems but also problems arising from their work," the news portal reported her saying.

She also reminded Filipinos employed legally to always carry their work permits or passports with a valid visa with them, in case of spot immigration checks.

Citing reports from the Philippine Embassy, Baldoz said Malaysian authorities had indicated that those leaving voluntarily would not be prosecuted but would only have to pay fines for overstaying.

Those arrested will undergo deportation proceedings and will be detained for the time being.

The Home Ministry launched the large-scale Ops 6P on Jan 21 to flush out illegal foreign workers.

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No more lame excuses

Motorists who commit serious offences during the 15-day Ops Selamat beginning today will not escape traffic summonses even if they apologise profusely or offer other cooked-up excuses.

Police and Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officers have been directed not to entertain appeals from errant motorists as the authorities attempt to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities which have reached worrying levels.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin said this was part of the “total enforcement” strategy to make the roads safer, especially during the festive period.

“Previously, we used to advocate and create awareness on the need for us to be extra careful on the road but these approaches were not effective in checking the high number of accidents and fatalities.

“We cannot allow motorists who endanger their lives as well as of other road users to escape by merely apologising or giving lame excuses,” he said after launching Ops Selamat at the Seremban R&R area on the North-South Expressway.

Also present were PLUS managing director Datuk Noorizah Abd Hamid, heads of several other enforcement agencies including JPJ and Road Safety Department and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research officials.

Serious offences include speeding, beating the traffic light, overtaking along double lines, driving on the emergency lane and jumping queue.

Bakri also advised those going on long holidays during the festive period to notify the police if they were leaving their homes unoccupied.

“They can either do so using the Rakan Cop line or inform us online through the PDRM portal,” he said adding that policemen would also be making more regular patrols during the period.

Earlier, Noorizah said the highway concessionaire would issue its travel time advisory on Monday so that motorists could better plan their journeys during the festive period.

She said the number of vehicles on PLUS highways was expected to increase from 1.2 million on a normal day to 1.5 million during the period.

“Since most Malaysians will start travelling between Jan 29 and 31 and return beginning Feb 1 and 9, we are confident that the advisory will help distribute traffic accordingly, thus allowing for smoother travel,” she said.v

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Over a thousand immigrants detained on first day of ops

 A total of 1,565 immigrants were detained for various immigration offences on the first day of the crackdown against illegals.

Among them were 695 Indonesians, 225 Bangladeshis and 157 Myanmars who were arrested along with nationals from other Asian countries and Nigeria.

The authorities checked on the status of 6,149 immigrants in 107 operations yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters at the Police Training Centre here.

He advised employers whose legitimate workers were arrested during the crackdown to come forward and produce their work permits to get them released.

His ministry launched a special three-month programme on Oct 21 last year to allow employers claiming to have been cheated by employment agents to register their illegal workers and apply for them to be legalised, or to sort out any documentation that was pending.

This was after the 6P Illegal Immigrant Comprehensive Settlement Programme, launched in June 2011, where about 1.3 million of the estimated two million foreigner workers were registered. But a large number did not come back for further processing.

The ongoing roundup of illegals which began at the stroke of midnight follows the crackdown last September, where some 17,180 foreigner s and 223 employers were detained.

Earlier during an operation at an oil palm estate in Sepang at about 2am, Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters that foreign workers without the required documentation would be deported within seven days of their arrest.

He said the Ops 6P Bersepadu would be carried o ut until all illegal foreign workers were flushed out of the country.

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Marketing personnel rescued his friends with his ability

BALIK PULAU: Marketing personnel Muhammad Nazirul Waziri thought he would drown when his struggling colleagues pushed his head into the water to stay afloat.

But his life-saving ability and experience as a member of the Civil Defence Department taught him to be alert and stay calm during the critical moment.

Muhammad Nazirul, 22, said he managed to pull three of his colleagues to safety and the body of P. Yogambigai, 24, to the shore.

 He said he immediately sprang into action upon learning that six of his colleagues were facing difficulties while swimming off the Pantai Kerachut coast in Teluk Bahang on Saturday.

B. Gopinathan, 22, was actually the first to jump into the water to help but he got into difficulties himself.

Muhammad Nazirul added that he then swam towards Gopinathan and Norhayati Nasrul as they were nearest to shore, and tried to help them while a third colleague Nurain Nabilah Mokhtar was a distance away.

“I tried to hold my breath and kept telling Gopinathan and Norhayati to stay calm. I told them that they were safe but they still struggled, and pushed my head under the water to stay afloat.

“Luckily, they managed to regain their composure and I managed to pull them ashore. I then went back to save Nurain and on my way to shore, I saw Yogambigai with her face down in the water and I knew something bad had happened,” he said when met at the site yesterday.

He added that he went back in again to retrieve Yogambigai’s body.

It was earlier reported that a team-building event organised by Prai-based Oriental Advertising turned tragic when five of the participants were swept away by strong waves.

The body of 23-year-old Ashwan-paljit Singh Charnjit Singh was found on Sunday several metres away from where he was swept away, some 24 hours after he went missing.

The site of the tragedy in Pantai Kerachut was a restricted zone to swimmers due to strong winds and unpredictable waves.

Muhammad Nazirul, who suffered cuts on the sole, was part of the search and rescue operation team looking for Ku Muhammad Ilyas Ku Abdul Halim, 19, who was feared drowned after going for a swim with four others.

Norhayati, 22, was discharged on Sunday night from the Penang Hospital while Nurain, 21, was still hospitalised in the intensive care unit.

Nurain’s mother, who declined to be named, said her daughter’s condition had improved since Saturday.

“Please pray for my daughter. The doctor had reduced the amount of sedative and she opened her eyes briefly when the doctor checked on her this morning. Her condition is stabilising but she is still drowsy and feverish,” she said at the hospital yesterday.

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Hagel praises Malaysia’s role in regional security

 The United States is increasing its bilateral military training exercises with Malaysia to strengthen regional defence capabilities.

Praising the country’s contribution towards regional security, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Malaysia was an important partner for the United States in South-East Asia.

“Malaysia has contributed much towards regional security and defence, either on its own or via collaboration with its Asean partners,” said Hagel, after his meeting with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the Pentagon in Washington on Saturday.

It was Hishammuddin’s first visit to the United States as Defence Minister.

The two men discussed a range of international security issues, including Afghanistan, North Korea, and the role of Asean in addressing regional security stability.

The secretary and the minister also talked about improving their defence relationship, including bilateral exercise and training opportunities and exploring defence trade cooperation.

Hishammuddin said bilateral military training and exercise would be increased to strengthen defence collaboration between the two countries, adding that it was important to build confidence in defence capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two defence leaders are expected to meet again during an informal US-Asean meeting in Hawaii in April.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin also held talks with Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, who is a senior member in the US military services committee.

Reed had, in 2002, voted against Resolution 114 to empower then President George Bush to attack Iraq.

Hishammuddin and Reed discussed regional security issues, as well as the impact of economic development on the stability of other nations.

The Star

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Sabah's interior cut off by flash floods

Flash floods hit five districts following two days of continuous downpour that cut off links at three major roads into Sabah’s interior.

The heavy rains also pushed water levels at the Babagon dam in Penampang to its maximum 130.5m, with sirens sounded to alert villagers to stay away from the overflowing river.

Incessant rain since Monday had caused flooding in Menggatal as well as the Penampang districts.

Floods were also reported in Kota Belud as well as in Tuaran district where a low-lying bridge was completely submerged by Sungai Tamparuli for several hours.

The rains also brought traffic heading into Sabah’s interior to a halt with landslides blocking the Penampang-Tambunan trunk road.

Sabah Public Works Department director Datuk John Anthony said landslips also occurred at four locations along the Menggatal-Kokol road.

A road collapse also cut off links between the Tamparuli and Kiulu districts, leaving about 40,000 people stranded.

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Number of evacuees increase in Kelantan

The number of flood victims in Kelantan, particularly in Rantau Panjang, rose to 1,423 Monday morning compared with 1,188 Sunday night.

According to the official portal of the state government, this was due to the continued increase of evacuees in Rantau Panjang to 1,224 compared with 979 Sunday night.

The evacuees, comprising 532 families, were from several villages in Rantau Panjang who were taken to eight relief centres.

In Tanah Merah, the number of evacuees dropped slightly to 199 compared with more than 200 people previously.

They comprised 54 families who were evacuated to five relief centres in Hulu Kusial, Jedok and Bukit Panau.

The water level at Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang was reported to remain at 10.42m, exceeding the danger level of nine metres.

This resulted in the Rantau Panjang duty-free zone being inundated. Light vehicles are advised to avoid the area for the moment.

Two alternative roads, namely Jalan Rantau Panjang to Panglima Bayu heading to Jeli and Jalan Tanah Merah to Kusial have been closed to light traffic temporarily.

In KUANTAN, the number of flood victims at the evacuation centres in Pahang dropped to 57 compared with 136 Sunday evening.

According to a spokesman of the Flood Operations Room at the Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters, the Lipis district still had 50 evacuees from 13 families from six villages at two relief centres.

He said that in Jerantut, seven victims from two families were still staying at the relief centre at the Kampung Paya Teh Community Hall. - Bernama

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