warning to taxi drivers
Starting next year, taxi drivers who fail to issue receipts to passengers will face stern action by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board - including withdrawing of their permits. "There have been so many complaints about taxi drivers charging fares as they please," says CVLB chairman Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.“Taxi drivers often had a negative image, especially among foreign tourists,” she added.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Iran says IAEA resolution jeopardises nuclear talks
VIENNA (Reuters) - A U.N. nuclear watchdog resolution passed against Iran on Friday will jeopardise talks between Tehran and six world powers on its atomic programme and harm its cooperation with the agency, an Iranian official said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency's governing body approved the measures sponsored by the powers to censure Tehran for developing a uranium enrichment site in secret and they demanded it freeze the project immediately.
"Adoption of this resolution is not only unhelpful in improving the current situation, but it will jeopardise the conducive environment vitally needed for success in the process of Geneva and Vienna negotiations expected to lead to a common understanding," Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh said.
In a statement, he said the resolution, adopted by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions, was a "hasty and undue" step imposed by a small number of IAEA board members.
"This resolution will of course damage the existing environment of cooperation with the IAEA," Soltanieh later told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting.
He said Iran would end its "voluntary gestures" of cooperation to the IAEA, but did not specify details. - (Reporting by Sylvia Westall)
The International Atomic Energy Agency's governing body approved the measures sponsored by the powers to censure Tehran for developing a uranium enrichment site in secret and they demanded it freeze the project immediately.
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Iran's International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA ambassador Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh attends a board of governors meeting in Vienna's U.N. headquarters November 27, 2009. (REUTERS/Herwig Prammer) |
In a statement, he said the resolution, adopted by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions, was a "hasty and undue" step imposed by a small number of IAEA board members.
"This resolution will of course damage the existing environment of cooperation with the IAEA," Soltanieh later told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting.
He said Iran would end its "voluntary gestures" of cooperation to the IAEA, but did not specify details. - (Reporting by Sylvia Westall)
Mum, attacked by hornets, discharged from hospital
KUCHING,27 Nov 2009: After being hospitalised being for 52 days, Tan Wan Chew has finally recovered from a hornet attack that had killed her three children early last month.
The 29-year-old mother was discharged from the Sarawak General Hospital here four days ago.
Tan and her husband Chen Tian Poh are now staying with his parents at their house in Capital Garden here and do not plan to go back to their own home at Sungai Moyan flats in Batu Kawa.
Tan fell into coma and was fighting for her life in the hospital’s intensive care unit for about three weeks.
’’Though the wounds from the hornet’s stings are gradually healing, I am still suffering from a terrible itch of the skin,’’ she told reporters after returning to Sungai Moyan flats to thank neighbour Frankie Then.
Then was the first person to come to their aid and rushed Tan, her children and brother to the hospital after the hornet attack.
Recalling the incident, she said they were attacked by a swarm of hornets minutes after they had arrived for leisure time near a pond.
She shouted and asked her children - Chen Sze Ting, eight, Tze Ying, six and Chun Jie, three - and brother Lan Chia, 11, to run to safety.
Tan was in tears speaking about the loss of her children.
’’I am having sleepless nights thinking about my children. I wonder if I could have done more to save them,’’ she said in between sobs.
Tan said she had dreamt about her children, who told her to be strong.
“I will be strong and carry on with my life. I wish to have more children,’’ she added.
Tan thanked well wishers, many unknown to her family, who had donated money and given great encouragement to her.
The 29-year-old mother was discharged from the Sarawak General Hospital here four days ago.
Tan and her husband Chen Tian Poh are now staying with his parents at their house in Capital Garden here and do not plan to go back to their own home at Sungai Moyan flats in Batu Kawa.
Tan fell into coma and was fighting for her life in the hospital’s intensive care unit for about three weeks.
’’Though the wounds from the hornet’s stings are gradually healing, I am still suffering from a terrible itch of the skin,’’ she told reporters after returning to Sungai Moyan flats to thank neighbour Frankie Then.
Then was the first person to come to their aid and rushed Tan, her children and brother to the hospital after the hornet attack.
Recalling the incident, she said they were attacked by a swarm of hornets minutes after they had arrived for leisure time near a pond.
She shouted and asked her children - Chen Sze Ting, eight, Tze Ying, six and Chun Jie, three - and brother Lan Chia, 11, to run to safety.
Tan was in tears speaking about the loss of her children.
’’I am having sleepless nights thinking about my children. I wonder if I could have done more to save them,’’ she said in between sobs.
Tan said she had dreamt about her children, who told her to be strong.
“I will be strong and carry on with my life. I wish to have more children,’’ she added.
Tan thanked well wishers, many unknown to her family, who had donated money and given great encouragement to her.
3 dead and four missing after boat capsizes off Sabah (Update)
KOTA KINABALU, 27 Nov 2009: Three people are dead and four still missing when a small wooden boat with 20 passengers and crew capsized in bad weather off Pulau Banggi in Sabah's northern Kudat peninsular.
The bodies of two woman - a 72-year-old woman and an unidentified woman, were recovered while the search continues for the four missing passengers.
Thirteen others managed to remain afloat until passing fishermen rescued them and took them to Pulau Banggi after the boat capsized in waters between Kudat mainland and Kerakit town on the island at about 5.40pm Thursday.
Kudat district police Deputy Supt Dawi Ossen, when confirming the recovery of three bodies including two in the Meruntung area near Pitas peninsular, said that the search for the missing four would continue.
According to details given by survivors to police in Kerakit, the cargo boat (similar to a trawler and locally known as boat kampung) was carrying cement and bricks and 20 people on board, including crewmembers.
At the moment, Air Force Nuri helicopters, police fixed wings and patrol boats from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and marine police are combing the northern sea in search of the four missing persons.
Dawi said police were still trying to identify victims whose bodies were taken to Banggi island while most of the survivors were also still at the island.
"Our main focus is rescue," he said without wanting to go into details of whether the boat was overloaded.
He said the boat left Kudat at about 4.30pm and was hit by strong currents and bad weather an hour later about two nautical miles from the island.
"Survivors told us that they hung on to timber pieces to stay afloat before they were picked up by passing boats later in the evening," he added.
He said a rescue operations was immediately launched when the police were alerted but bad weather and nightfall had made it difficult for any progress in the search.
Local villagers from the island routinely use such kampung boats between the island and the mainland Kudat where they work and also obtain most of their daily supplies including cooking gas.
Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, who is Deputy Transport Minister said that the victims were rushing back to the island for the Hari Raya celebration.
"The waters of Pulau Banggi is quite treacherous especially in the evenings and the current bad weather weather conditions," he said, adding that the would assist the victims.
The bodies of two woman - a 72-year-old woman and an unidentified woman, were recovered while the search continues for the four missing passengers.
Thirteen others managed to remain afloat until passing fishermen rescued them and took them to Pulau Banggi after the boat capsized in waters between Kudat mainland and Kerakit town on the island at about 5.40pm Thursday.
Kudat district police Deputy Supt Dawi Ossen, when confirming the recovery of three bodies including two in the Meruntung area near Pitas peninsular, said that the search for the missing four would continue.
According to details given by survivors to police in Kerakit, the cargo boat (similar to a trawler and locally known as boat kampung) was carrying cement and bricks and 20 people on board, including crewmembers.
At the moment, Air Force Nuri helicopters, police fixed wings and patrol boats from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and marine police are combing the northern sea in search of the four missing persons.
Dawi said police were still trying to identify victims whose bodies were taken to Banggi island while most of the survivors were also still at the island.
"Our main focus is rescue," he said without wanting to go into details of whether the boat was overloaded.
He said the boat left Kudat at about 4.30pm and was hit by strong currents and bad weather an hour later about two nautical miles from the island.
"Survivors told us that they hung on to timber pieces to stay afloat before they were picked up by passing boats later in the evening," he added.
He said a rescue operations was immediately launched when the police were alerted but bad weather and nightfall had made it difficult for any progress in the search.
Local villagers from the island routinely use such kampung boats between the island and the mainland Kudat where they work and also obtain most of their daily supplies including cooking gas.
Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, who is Deputy Transport Minister said that the victims were rushing back to the island for the Hari Raya celebration.
"The waters of Pulau Banggi is quite treacherous especially in the evenings and the current bad weather weather conditions," he said, adding that the would assist the victims.
No man is an island today
CHOGM: No man is an island today, says PM
PORT OF SPAIN,2 Nov 2009: No man or business is an island in today’s interconnected and globalised world, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.The Prime Minister pointed out that governments and private sectors could no longer operate businesses in the usual mode but should collaborate to tackle the challenges posed by environmental degradation.
Najib, who was speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum here on Thursday, noted that the private sector had the technologies as well as the abilities to develop products and services that addressed global challenges.
Governments, meanwhile, should ensure that countries’ economic growth strategies were environmentally sustainable.
“We should bequeath to our future generations a world that is environmentally sound,” he added.
Najib cited, as an example, Malaysia’s own Green Technology policy that covered energy, environment, economy and social policies.
“The policy is to ensure all Malaysians enjoy an improved quality of life, by ensuring the objectives of national development policies continue to be balanced with environmental consideration.”
Najib, who is in the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) conference, was invited by the Commonwealth Business Council to share his thoughts on “New Approaches to Sustainable Development: The Way Forward” at the forum.
He also stressed that efforts to address climate change should be consistent with keeping global trade and investment open and free without raising new barriers to trade and investment.
He said the Commonwealth countries represented an important component in Malaysia’s global trade, amounting to RM159.6bil or 22.7% of the country’s total trade in the first nine months of this year.
Malaysian companies were in almost all 53 member countries and this provided an opportunity for business collaboration, he added.
The Prime Minister later attended a dinner hosted by Sunway Construction (Caribbean), a subsidiary of the Sunway Group which is developing its first project in the Port of Spain - a 23-storey building for the republic’s Legal Ministry.
Situation in flood-hit Terengganu continues to improve
KUALA TERENGGANU,27 Nov 2009: The situation in flood-hit areas in Terengganu continued to improve Friday, with all the 346 evacuees in the Dungun district returning to their homes this afternoon, leaving only 345 evacuees at relief centres in the Kuala Terengganu and Marang districts.
A spokesman of the Terengganu National Security Council said 331 of the evacuees were from Kuala Terengganu and 14 from Marang.
Most of the evacuees were expected to return to their homes Saturday, now that the weather was fine and all major rivers were back to their normal levels. Muslims at the relief centres celebrated Aidiladha Friday on a moderate scale. - Bernama
A spokesman of the Terengganu National Security Council said 331 of the evacuees were from Kuala Terengganu and 14 from Marang.
Most of the evacuees were expected to return to their homes Saturday, now that the weather was fine and all major rivers were back to their normal levels. Muslims at the relief centres celebrated Aidiladha Friday on a moderate scale. - Bernama
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 nov 2009 : If you have been issued local government summonses for illegal parking, not displaying a valid parking ticket, open burning or not having a dog licence, can you just throw them away?
Yes, you may be able to get away with it, going by a recent High Court ruling in a landmark case which stated that local councils did not have the right to prosecute anyone as such a prosecution would contravene the Federal Constitution.
What is common hearsay — that tickets issued by local councils have no legal bite — has been proven in a case in the sleepy hollow of Lanchang, Pahang.
Mini-market owner Subramaniam Gopal, 50, defied the orders of the Lanchang Temerloh Municipal Council to move his fish and vegetable business to the new council market and was taken to court on four charges of operating his business — the GSM Mini Market — on Jalan Besar Lanchang, without a valid licence.
Temerloh High Court Judicial Commissioner Akhtar Tahir overturned a magistrate court’s ruling and said that if anyone was going to prosecute Subramaniam, it should be the Attorney-General. Judge Akhtar then ordered that Subramaniam be given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Does this mean that members of the public can throw away summonses and not fear legal reprisal?
“Considering that the High Court declared Section 120 of the LGA unconstitutional, it would appear that there is no power to prosecute,” said lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
Lawyer Derek Fernandez, however, said it is better not to ignore the summons because a warrant of arrest could be issued against the offender if he is not in court when his case is called.
Father of two David J said he had often heard that one need not pay local council summons, unlike traffic police summons, and had not paid for many of them.
Yes, you may be able to get away with it, going by a recent High Court ruling in a landmark case which stated that local councils did not have the right to prosecute anyone as such a prosecution would contravene the Federal Constitution.
What is common hearsay — that tickets issued by local councils have no legal bite — has been proven in a case in the sleepy hollow of Lanchang, Pahang.
Mini-market owner Subramaniam Gopal, 50, defied the orders of the Lanchang Temerloh Municipal Council to move his fish and vegetable business to the new council market and was taken to court on four charges of operating his business — the GSM Mini Market — on Jalan Besar Lanchang, without a valid licence.
Temerloh High Court Judicial Commissioner Akhtar Tahir overturned a magistrate court’s ruling and said that if anyone was going to prosecute Subramaniam, it should be the Attorney-General. Judge Akhtar then ordered that Subramaniam be given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Does this mean that members of the public can throw away summonses and not fear legal reprisal?
“Considering that the High Court declared Section 120 of the LGA unconstitutional, it would appear that there is no power to prosecute,” said lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
Lawyer Derek Fernandez, however, said it is better not to ignore the summons because a warrant of arrest could be issued against the offender if he is not in court when his case is called.
Father of two David J said he had often heard that one need not pay local council summons, unlike traffic police summons, and had not paid for many of them.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
10 states see increase in number of dengue cases
PUTRAJAYA, 20 Nov 2009 : A total of 720 dengue cases were recorded between Nov 8 and Nov 14 compared with 618 cases the previous week.
The 10 states which experienced an increase were Negri Sembilan, Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Malacca, Perak, Selangor, Johor, Pahang, Penang, Sarawak and Sabah.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the rise could be due to the current rainy season.
“No deaths were reported last week and the death toll remains at 75,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Ismail said 12 “hotspots” were being monitored nationwide, with an additional four new ones detected in Taman Puchong Utama 6 and Taman Sri Gombak in Selangor, as well as Taman Rinting in Johor and Merbau Est in Sarawak.
The number of Chikungunya case also rose to 277 compared with only 202 the previous week.
No deaths by Chikungunya have been reported so far. — Bernama
The 10 states which experienced an increase were Negri Sembilan, Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Malacca, Perak, Selangor, Johor, Pahang, Penang, Sarawak and Sabah.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the rise could be due to the current rainy season.
“No deaths were reported last week and the death toll remains at 75,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Ismail said 12 “hotspots” were being monitored nationwide, with an additional four new ones detected in Taman Puchong Utama 6 and Taman Sri Gombak in Selangor, as well as Taman Rinting in Johor and Merbau Est in Sarawak.
The number of Chikungunya case also rose to 277 compared with only 202 the previous week.
No deaths by Chikungunya have been reported so far. — Bernama
Thursday, November 19, 2009
UPSR: More score As in Maths and Science
PUTRAJAYA,19 Nov 2009: The number of pupils obtaining As in Mathematics and Science has increased in the UPSR 2009, says Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom.
As for the aptitude test held for first time for Year Six pupils, he said, it was found that the pupils have better thinking skills than solving problems and making decisions
As for the aptitude test held for first time for Year Six pupils, he said, it was found that the pupils have better thinking skills than solving problems and making decisions
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Landslide behind Cheras Awana Flat
CHERAS, 18 Nov 2009: A landslide behind the Cheras Awana flats on Wednesday afternoon flattened several vehicles and forced the evacuation of 10 families.
Three cars and a motorcycle were destroyed in the 2.30pm incident that occurred after a downpour. There were no casualties but losses were estimated at RM70,000.
Residents said that prior to the incident, a contractor hired by the Kajang Municipal Council was building a retention wall along the 7m-high slope.
Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Sakaruddin Che Mood issued the evacuation order upon visiting the site. Five families were moved to the Cheras Permai community hall while the remaining families stayed the night with relatives.
Kajang municipal councillor Ng Thien Chee said the contractor would be instructed to compensate the victims. He said the council’s engineering department would investigate if work was carried out according to specifications but declined to say whether the slope was deemed unstable.
Flat owner B. Ravindran, 42, said both his Wira and Kancil were crushed in the mishap.
“My family and I are without cars now and it is going to be difficult to move around. My wife used the smaller car to send our kids to school,” he added.
Another resident P. Ananthakumar, 28, said there were two previous soil erosion incidents within the year.
Three cars and a motorcycle were destroyed in the 2.30pm incident that occurred after a downpour. There were no casualties but losses were estimated at RM70,000.
Residents said that prior to the incident, a contractor hired by the Kajang Municipal Council was building a retention wall along the 7m-high slope.
Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Sakaruddin Che Mood issued the evacuation order upon visiting the site. Five families were moved to the Cheras Permai community hall while the remaining families stayed the night with relatives.
Kajang municipal councillor Ng Thien Chee said the contractor would be instructed to compensate the victims. He said the council’s engineering department would investigate if work was carried out according to specifications but declined to say whether the slope was deemed unstable.
Flat owner B. Ravindran, 42, said both his Wira and Kancil were crushed in the mishap.
“My family and I are without cars now and it is going to be difficult to move around. My wife used the smaller car to send our kids to school,” he added.
Another resident P. Ananthakumar, 28, said there were two previous soil erosion incidents within the year.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Floods in Perak still bad, 1,116 evacuated
IPOH: The flood situation in Perak is still bad and the number of people evacuated in the Kerian district rose to 1,166 Tuesday morning up from 545 on Monday.
District police chief Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan said all the new flood victims were moved beginning at midnight till 8am Tuesday.
He said all of them were housed in six schools and a surau (Muslim shrine).
Fauzi said the victims were evacuated from 11 areas: Kampung Changkat Lobak, Kampung Selekoh, Kampung Beriah, Kampung Simpang Empat, Kampung Simpang Lima, Kampung Matang Tengah, Kampung Sungai Semambu, Kampung Matang Pasir, Ladang Sungai Bogak, Ladang Sungai Kerian and Kampung Yau Shin.
He said the continuous heavy rain over six days and water overflow from the Bukit Merah dam caused the areas to be inundated with water up to about one metre.
He said Jalan Bagan Serai-Selama at KM10 till KM17 was still closed to all traffic.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Selama improved when water receded and 72 people from two villages were allowed to go home. -- Bernama
District police chief Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan said all the new flood victims were moved beginning at midnight till 8am Tuesday.
He said all of them were housed in six schools and a surau (Muslim shrine).
Fauzi said the victims were evacuated from 11 areas: Kampung Changkat Lobak, Kampung Selekoh, Kampung Beriah, Kampung Simpang Empat, Kampung Simpang Lima, Kampung Matang Tengah, Kampung Sungai Semambu, Kampung Matang Pasir, Ladang Sungai Bogak, Ladang Sungai Kerian and Kampung Yau Shin.
He said the continuous heavy rain over six days and water overflow from the Bukit Merah dam caused the areas to be inundated with water up to about one metre.
He said Jalan Bagan Serai-Selama at KM10 till KM17 was still closed to all traffic.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Selama improved when water receded and 72 people from two villages were allowed to go home. -- Bernama
Monday, November 16, 2009
More evacuations in Kedah and Perak, one died from cholera in T’ganu
ALOR SETAR, 16 Nov 2009 : Floods in Kedah and Perak continue to worsen while in Terengganu, 138 cases of suspected cholera have been detected, resulting in one death.
In Kedah, the floods entered its second week with 220 more people being evacuated to relief centres.
There were 1,285 people in relief centres yesterday, compared to 1,065 people on Saturday night.
A flood operations centre spokesman said Pokok Sena district re-opened its centre that was closed last week after 342 people from three villages were hit by floods.
However, the number of evacuees in Kubang Pasu dropped to 494 people compared to 711 on Saturday.
Special delivery: Pendang Wanita Umno chief Suraya Yaakob (second from right) and Civil Defence Department (JPA) personnel delivering food aid to villagers who were cut off after being hit by floods in Kampung Alor Berala in Pendang yesterday.
As at noon yesterday, the water level at Sungai Pantai Johor was still 0.3m above the 2.3m danger level.
In Perak, a total of 450 people in Kerian have been evacuated to three relief centres yesterday.
Kerian district police chief Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan said the evacuees, from 116 families, were from Kampung Changkat Lobak, Kampung Selekoh, Kampung Beriah, Parit Simpang Empat, Parit Simpang Lima and Kampung Matang Tengah.
They were evacuated when water from the Bukit Merah dam overflowed.
Supt Mat Fauzi said Jalan Alor Pongsu-Selama at KM13 to KM17 was still closed to all traffic.
Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the ministry has recorded one death from cholera in Terengganu which was hit by flood last week.
She said so far 138 suspected cases have been detected, with 35 cases found positive while another 50 negative.
The test results for the rest, she said, were still pending.
“We are taking all the necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading to others states, including by isolating all the suspected patients in quarantine wards,” she said.
Rosnah added that there have been no report of similar cases in other states.
In Kedah, the floods entered its second week with 220 more people being evacuated to relief centres.
There were 1,285 people in relief centres yesterday, compared to 1,065 people on Saturday night.
A flood operations centre spokesman said Pokok Sena district re-opened its centre that was closed last week after 342 people from three villages were hit by floods.
However, the number of evacuees in Kubang Pasu dropped to 494 people compared to 711 on Saturday.
As at noon yesterday, the water level at Sungai Pantai Johor was still 0.3m above the 2.3m danger level.
In Perak, a total of 450 people in Kerian have been evacuated to three relief centres yesterday.
Kerian district police chief Supt Mat Fauzi Nayan said the evacuees, from 116 families, were from Kampung Changkat Lobak, Kampung Selekoh, Kampung Beriah, Parit Simpang Empat, Parit Simpang Lima and Kampung Matang Tengah.
They were evacuated when water from the Bukit Merah dam overflowed.
Supt Mat Fauzi said Jalan Alor Pongsu-Selama at KM13 to KM17 was still closed to all traffic.
Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said the ministry has recorded one death from cholera in Terengganu which was hit by flood last week.
She said so far 138 suspected cases have been detected, with 35 cases found positive while another 50 negative.
The test results for the rest, she said, were still pending.
“We are taking all the necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading to others states, including by isolating all the suspected patients in quarantine wards,” she said.
Rosnah added that there have been no report of similar cases in other states.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Study to solve flood woes in Kedah
ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Drainage and Irrigation Department has appointed a consultant for a flood mitigation study in the state, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
He said the study would be to find ways to reduce floods in the long term.
He also said the Government was ready to face a second wave of floods as heavy rains are expected in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang beginning Sunday until next Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hitching a ride as he tours flood-hit areas in Alor Setar in Kedah. One of his stops was SK Gunung where flood evacuees were being temporarily housed. Muhyiddin later announced a DID study to overcome flood woes in Kedah.
“Although we hope the second wave will not happen, we have made preparations including logistics, safety, relief centre locations and evacuation procedures,” Muhyiddin said after visiting a flood evacuation centre at SK Gunung here yesterday.
A total of 596 people are staying at the centre. Until noon yesterday, 882 people were still staying in three evacuation centres in the Kota Setar district.
Muhyiddin, together with Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Deputy Agriculture Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, rode on motorcycles to have a closer look at the flood-hit villages.
They were taken through Kampung Alor Gunung, Kampung Gunung Keriang and Kampung Alor Senjaya.
He said the study would be to find ways to reduce floods in the long term.
He also said the Government was ready to face a second wave of floods as heavy rains are expected in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang beginning Sunday until next Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hitching a ride as he tours flood-hit areas in Alor Setar in Kedah. One of his stops was SK Gunung where flood evacuees were being temporarily housed. Muhyiddin later announced a DID study to overcome flood woes in Kedah.
“Although we hope the second wave will not happen, we have made preparations including logistics, safety, relief centre locations and evacuation procedures,” Muhyiddin said after visiting a flood evacuation centre at SK Gunung here yesterday.
A total of 596 people are staying at the centre. Until noon yesterday, 882 people were still staying in three evacuation centres in the Kota Setar district.
Muhyiddin, together with Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Deputy Agriculture Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, rode on motorcycles to have a closer look at the flood-hit villages.
They were taken through Kampung Alor Gunung, Kampung Gunung Keriang and Kampung Alor Senjaya.
US moves to seize four mosques linked to Iran
NEW YORK, 13 Nov 2009: Federal prosecutors took steps Thursday to seize four US mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a non-profit Muslim organisation long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government.
In what could prove to be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in US history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court against the Alavi Foundation, seeking the forfeiture of more than US$500mil (RM1.7bil) in assets.
The assets include bank accounts; Islamic centres consisting of schools and mosques in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston; more than 100 acres (40ha) in Virginia; and a 36-story glass office tower in New York.
Confiscating the properties would be a sharp blow against Iran, which has been accused by the US government of bankrolling terrorism and trying to build a nuclear bomb.
A telephone call and e-mail to Iran’s UN Mission seeking comment were not immediately answered. Nor was a call to the Alavi Foundation.
It is extremely rare for US law enforcement authorities to seize a house of worship, a step fraught with questions about the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The action against the Shiite Muslim mosques is sure to inflame relations between the US government and American Muslims, many of whom are fearful of a backlash after last week’s Fort Hood shooting rampage, blamed on a Muslim American major.
The mosques and the skyscraper will remain open while the forfeiture case works its way through court in what could be a long process. What will happen to them if the government ultimately prevails is unclear, but the government typically sells properties it has seized through forfeiture, and the proceeds are sometimes distributed to crime victims.
Prosecutors said the Alavi Foundation managed the office tower on behalf of the Iranian government and, working with a front company known as Assa Corp, illegally funneled millions in rental income to Iran’s state-owned Bank Melli.
Bank Melli has been accused by a US Treasury official of providing support for Iran’s nuclear programme, and it is illegal in the United States to do business with the bank.
In what could prove to be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in US history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court against the Alavi Foundation, seeking the forfeiture of more than US$500mil (RM1.7bil) in assets.
The assets include bank accounts; Islamic centres consisting of schools and mosques in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston; more than 100 acres (40ha) in Virginia; and a 36-story glass office tower in New York.
Confiscating the properties would be a sharp blow against Iran, which has been accused by the US government of bankrolling terrorism and trying to build a nuclear bomb.
A telephone call and e-mail to Iran’s UN Mission seeking comment were not immediately answered. Nor was a call to the Alavi Foundation.
It is extremely rare for US law enforcement authorities to seize a house of worship, a step fraught with questions about the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The action against the Shiite Muslim mosques is sure to inflame relations between the US government and American Muslims, many of whom are fearful of a backlash after last week’s Fort Hood shooting rampage, blamed on a Muslim American major.
The mosques and the skyscraper will remain open while the forfeiture case works its way through court in what could be a long process. What will happen to them if the government ultimately prevails is unclear, but the government typically sells properties it has seized through forfeiture, and the proceeds are sometimes distributed to crime victims.
Prosecutors said the Alavi Foundation managed the office tower on behalf of the Iranian government and, working with a front company known as Assa Corp, illegally funneled millions in rental income to Iran’s state-owned Bank Melli.
Bank Melli has been accused by a US Treasury official of providing support for Iran’s nuclear programme, and it is illegal in the United States to do business with the bank.
Nik Aziz cancels haj following negative reports
KOTA BARU, 13 November 2009: Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has decided to cancel his haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca on Nov 18 following negative media coverage because a sponsor was paying RM65,000 for it.
The PAS spiritual adviser, who according to some reports was being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the sponsorship, told this to hundreds of his followers who had gathered at a street here on Friday for his weekly kuliah (lecture).
He said those who had slandered him would be answerable to God.
Earlier this week, he said it was all right to accept sponsorships from individuals to perform the haj, saying that this was not an act of corruption.
The PAS spiritual adviser, who according to some reports was being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the sponsorship, told this to hundreds of his followers who had gathered at a street here on Friday for his weekly kuliah (lecture).
He said those who had slandered him would be answerable to God.
Earlier this week, he said it was all right to accept sponsorships from individuals to perform the haj, saying that this was not an act of corruption.
Woman was actually sleeping with the enemy
A WOMAN who fell asleep in the living room while waiting for her husband to return from work, was shocked to discover an intruder lying beside her.
She only realised that the man was not her husband when she saw a knife in his hand.
Harian Metro reported that the woman - a clerk in her 30s - wanted to scream but the intruder cupped her mouth and threatened to harm her.
Her two children, who were awakened by the noise at about 2.45am on Wednesday, started screaming. This prompted the man to run away from the Sri Tioman flats in Kuala Lumpur.
A source quoted in the news report said the woman had initially attempted to chat with the man because she thought he was her husband.
“But the man merely kept quiet. So she sensed something was not right and was shocked when she saw the knife,” the source said.
A report was lodged at the Wangsa Maju police station. However, nothing was stolen from her home.
She only realised that the man was not her husband when she saw a knife in his hand.
Harian Metro reported that the woman - a clerk in her 30s - wanted to scream but the intruder cupped her mouth and threatened to harm her.
Her two children, who were awakened by the noise at about 2.45am on Wednesday, started screaming. This prompted the man to run away from the Sri Tioman flats in Kuala Lumpur.
A source quoted in the news report said the woman had initially attempted to chat with the man because she thought he was her husband.
“But the man merely kept quiet. So she sensed something was not right and was shocked when she saw the knife,” the source said.
A report was lodged at the Wangsa Maju police station. However, nothing was stolen from her home.
Monday, November 9, 2009
A disaster waiting to happen
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Vov 2009: Residents of a neighbourhood in Batu Caves may be living on the brink of a disaster. Their apartment block is perched on a slope that is gradually being washed away following the endless recent downpours.
Hill of danger: A block of flats standing precariously near a rockfall area at Taman Jasa Perwira.The residents on both sides are living in fear. — ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN / The Star
The 18-floor medium-cost homes called Lakeview Apartment in Taman Jasa Perwira is right next to Taman Jasa Utama, where mud and soil flowed into a number of houses on Saturday evening following a landslip.
When The Star visited the area yesterday, the embankment below Block A of the Taman Jasa Perwira apartments was clearly being affected by erosion.
Resident Ahmad Jefry, 31, said he had related the problem to the developer last month and was told that the situation would be fixed.
For now, the cooperative officer is not particularly perturbed because his unit is located slightly further away from the slope.
He estimated that about 30 units in Block A were already occupied by residents, adding that he planned to move into his newly-bought apartment there soon.
“I am not particularly worried,” he said.
Other residents were somewhat anxious about the situation but some were still blissfully unaware of the erosion although their parking lot sits right atop the slope.
They said that they had not noticed the erosion before.
Now, though, they were getting worried.
Workers looking down a hill at houses below which were affected by the landslip on Saturday night.
Construction work on another apartment block is currently ongoing, which led to questions on why the project was allowed to continue under such circumstances.
“Wasn’t there supposed to be a freeze on all hillside development after the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy last year?” asked civil engineer Manivelu M. Tanapal, 45.
Manivelu, who has been living there for five years, claimed that two other blocks had been approved although construction had not begun.
He also said the developer should ensure the safety of the neighbouring areas as well.
“Although they sent workers to clean up the soil, they should have ensured the safety of the neighbouring areas when they started construction,” he said, referring to Taman Jasa Utama.
These residents live a stone’s throw away from Taman Jasa Utama where homeowners were affected by Saturday’s landslip.
Another resident, Mohd Yusof Hussain, 52, said that there had never been any landslips during the 20 years he lived there.
“We were lucky no lives were lost that evening,” he said.
The 18-floor medium-cost homes called Lakeview Apartment in Taman Jasa Perwira is right next to Taman Jasa Utama, where mud and soil flowed into a number of houses on Saturday evening following a landslip.
When The Star visited the area yesterday, the embankment below Block A of the Taman Jasa Perwira apartments was clearly being affected by erosion.
Resident Ahmad Jefry, 31, said he had related the problem to the developer last month and was told that the situation would be fixed.
For now, the cooperative officer is not particularly perturbed because his unit is located slightly further away from the slope.
He estimated that about 30 units in Block A were already occupied by residents, adding that he planned to move into his newly-bought apartment there soon.
“I am not particularly worried,” he said.
Other residents were somewhat anxious about the situation but some were still blissfully unaware of the erosion although their parking lot sits right atop the slope.
They said that they had not noticed the erosion before.
Now, though, they were getting worried.
Workers looking down a hill at houses below which were affected by the landslip on Saturday night.
Construction work on another apartment block is currently ongoing, which led to questions on why the project was allowed to continue under such circumstances.
“Wasn’t there supposed to be a freeze on all hillside development after the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy last year?” asked civil engineer Manivelu M. Tanapal, 45.
Manivelu, who has been living there for five years, claimed that two other blocks had been approved although construction had not begun.
“Although they sent workers to clean up the soil, they should have ensured the safety of the neighbouring areas when they started construction,” he said, referring to Taman Jasa Utama.
These residents live a stone’s throw away from Taman Jasa Utama where homeowners were affected by Saturday’s landslip.
A group of dwellers from Taman Jasa Utama is planning to set up an action committee to ensure a collective voice in highlighting their plight to the authorities.
Resident Mohd Kamarulfahim Abu Hassan, 35, said that 14 households living on the affected road had agreed to the idea as they feared for their safety.
“We have not discussed what action we will take but we are planning to form the committee,” said the civil servant.
“We were lucky no lives were lost that evening,” he said.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Flash floods hit Kuala Terengganu
KUALA TERENGGANU, 6 Nov 2009:
Floods struck Terengganu early Friday morning, forcing the evacuation of people in three districts.
In Hulu Terengganu, 19 residents of Kampung Pelandang, Tersat, were moved at 9.30am after water from Sungai Tersat suddenly rose 3m and overflowed into the village after two days of heavy rain.
Hulu Terengganu police district chief, DSP Tengku Hamzah Tengku Abdullah said that all the residents, from three families, were moved to the service centre of the Kampung Pelandang Village Development and Security Committee.
He said KM17 of the Jalan Kuala Berang-Kuala Ping road and KM13 of the Jalan Kampung Kepah road were closed to light vehicles due to flooding.
Also shut off was the village road from Kampung Pengkalan Ajal to Kampung Menerong due to water rising up to the bridge there at 9.45am.
Other village roads closed to light vehicles were the road from Kampung Matang to Kampung Nibong and from Kampung Jak to Kampung Tanggol.
In Dungun, a spokesman from the Dungun police district headquarters’ operations room said two families from Kampung Paya Balai Besar were moved to SK Balai Besar at 10am.
In Besut, 374 residents from 115 families from several villages were being moved.
In Kampung Keruak, 100 flood victims from 27 families were moved to Masjid Keruak, in Kampung Belaoh, and 36 people from 12 families were moved to the surau (Muslim shrine) at the village there.
In Kampung La, 204 people from 65 families were moved to the mosque of the village. In Kampung Pok Sik, 30 people from 10 families were moved to the village surau and four from one family in Kampung Bukit Payung were moved to SK Seri Payung.
Three roads in Besut were closed to all traffic: The Batu 13 Jalan Jertih-Keruak was under 0.5m of water; Jalan Jerteh-Keruak to Kampung La was under 1m of water; and Jalan Gertak-Jerbong at Pasir Akar was under 1.3m of water.
According to the spokesman of the Besut floods operations room, the water level reading of Sungai Besut at the Keruak Bridge at 11.20am was 36.77m, passing the 35m danger level while that river’s reading at Kampung La was 21.22m, breeching the danger water level of 19.20m.
A spokesman for the Terengganu Drainage and Irrigation Department’s floods operation room said besides Sungai Besut several rivers also charted readings above danger levels.
The reading at Sungai Setiu was 8.95m, passing the danger level of 8.5m at 11am. Sungai Nerus at Kampung Langkap was at 22.6m, above the danger level of 21.5m.
The spokesman said current information of water levels of several tributaries in the districts of Marang, Dungun and Kemaman were not available.
In Hulu Terengganu, 19 residents of Kampung Pelandang, Tersat, were moved at 9.30am after water from Sungai Tersat suddenly rose 3m and overflowed into the village after two days of heavy rain.
Hulu Terengganu police district chief, DSP Tengku Hamzah Tengku Abdullah said that all the residents, from three families, were moved to the service centre of the Kampung Pelandang Village Development and Security Committee.
He said KM17 of the Jalan Kuala Berang-Kuala Ping road and KM13 of the Jalan Kampung Kepah road were closed to light vehicles due to flooding.
Also shut off was the village road from Kampung Pengkalan Ajal to Kampung Menerong due to water rising up to the bridge there at 9.45am.
Other village roads closed to light vehicles were the road from Kampung Matang to Kampung Nibong and from Kampung Jak to Kampung Tanggol.
In Dungun, a spokesman from the Dungun police district headquarters’ operations room said two families from Kampung Paya Balai Besar were moved to SK Balai Besar at 10am.
In Besut, 374 residents from 115 families from several villages were being moved.
In Kampung Keruak, 100 flood victims from 27 families were moved to Masjid Keruak, in Kampung Belaoh, and 36 people from 12 families were moved to the surau (Muslim shrine) at the village there.
In Kampung La, 204 people from 65 families were moved to the mosque of the village. In Kampung Pok Sik, 30 people from 10 families were moved to the village surau and four from one family in Kampung Bukit Payung were moved to SK Seri Payung.
Three roads in Besut were closed to all traffic: The Batu 13 Jalan Jertih-Keruak was under 0.5m of water; Jalan Jerteh-Keruak to Kampung La was under 1m of water; and Jalan Gertak-Jerbong at Pasir Akar was under 1.3m of water.
According to the spokesman of the Besut floods operations room, the water level reading of Sungai Besut at the Keruak Bridge at 11.20am was 36.77m, passing the 35m danger level while that river’s reading at Kampung La was 21.22m, breeching the danger water level of 19.20m.
A spokesman for the Terengganu Drainage and Irrigation Department’s floods operation room said besides Sungai Besut several rivers also charted readings above danger levels.
The reading at Sungai Setiu was 8.95m, passing the danger level of 8.5m at 11am. Sungai Nerus at Kampung Langkap was at 22.6m, above the danger level of 21.5m.
The spokesman said current information of water levels of several tributaries in the districts of Marang, Dungun and Kemaman were not available.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Danger still lurks at landslide site
5 Nov 2009 : LOOSE soil on the top of the hill where a landslide occurred on Tuesday at Selayang Heights has yet to be cleared, posing a danger should there be another major downpour.
Two Selayang municipal (MPS) councillors A. Gunarajah and Gopalan Krishnan who visited the site yesterday said there was an urgent need to clear the debris not only at the foot of the slope but also at the top of the hill.
“It is dangerous as all you need is another downpour and another landslide might occur,” said Gunarajah.
The inevitable: Loose soil on top of the hill is yet to be cleared.
MPS assistant enforcement officer Paramasivam Chelliah said the area was prone to landslides the past few years due to developments taking shape on top of the hill.
He said during an inspection carried out by the council yesterday they found that the drainage at the top of the hill had given way which could have been one of the causes of the landslide.
“When the drain gave way, water seeped into the soil and probably contributed to the landslide. There is a need for the relevant authorities such as the Public Works Department and Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) to monitor the hillslopes closely especially during the wet season,” said Paramasivam.
Meanwhile, Selayang Heights Landslide Ground Commander ASP Mohd Asri Md Akhir said the affected stretch of the Km13 of the Kuala Lumpur-Rawang road was opened to traffic on Tuesday night.
Excavators were still clearing the debris at the foot of the hill.
Selayang MP William Leong who visited the site said he was upset with the development taking place at the hillslope and called for the state government to take action against the landowners.
The landslide that happened at 2.45am on Tuesday at Selayang Heights blocked the road KM 13 Jalan KL-Rawang.
Two Selayang municipal (MPS) councillors A. Gunarajah and Gopalan Krishnan who visited the site yesterday said there was an urgent need to clear the debris not only at the foot of the slope but also at the top of the hill.
“It is dangerous as all you need is another downpour and another landslide might occur,” said Gunarajah.
The inevitable: Loose soil on top of the hill is yet to be cleared.
He said during an inspection carried out by the council yesterday they found that the drainage at the top of the hill had given way which could have been one of the causes of the landslide.
“When the drain gave way, water seeped into the soil and probably contributed to the landslide. There is a need for the relevant authorities such as the Public Works Department and Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) to monitor the hillslopes closely especially during the wet season,” said Paramasivam.
Ongoing works: The stretch which was affected by the landslide at KM13 of Jalan Ipoh near Templer’s Park was opened to motorists from 11pm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Selayang Heights Landslide Ground Commander ASP Mohd Asri Md Akhir said the affected stretch of the Km13 of the Kuala Lumpur-Rawang road was opened to traffic on Tuesday night.
Excavators were still clearing the debris at the foot of the hill.
Selayang MP William Leong who visited the site said he was upset with the development taking place at the hillslope and called for the state government to take action against the landowners.
The landslide that happened at 2.45am on Tuesday at Selayang Heights blocked the road KM 13 Jalan KL-Rawang.
Girl, 11, gives birth on wedding day
AN 11-year-old Bulgarian girl gave birth to a baby girl on the day she got married to her teenage boyfriend.
She was still wearing her flowing white dress and tiara when she arrived at the hospital and gave birth to 2.49kg Violeta last week.
After spending the night with her newborn, Kordeza changed back into her wedding dress to finish the ceremony.
“I used to play with my toys but now she is my new toy. She is so beautiful, I love her. Violeta is the child and I must grow up. I am not going back to school – I am a mother now,” Kordeza said.
Her husband is 19-year-old Jeliazko Dimitrov.
She was still wearing her flowing white dress and tiara when she arrived at the hospital and gave birth to 2.49kg Violeta last week.
After spending the night with her newborn, Kordeza changed back into her wedding dress to finish the ceremony.
“I used to play with my toys but now she is my new toy. She is so beautiful, I love her. Violeta is the child and I must grow up. I am not going back to school – I am a mother now,” Kordeza said.
Her husband is 19-year-old Jeliazko Dimitrov.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Storm kills 42 in Vietnam, several missing
Rain and wind from the storm delayed coffee harvesting in parts of the Central Highlands coffee belt, but residents there said on Tuesday things were returning to normal.
The storm destroyed 154 houses, damaged 2,500 others and inundated about 1,800 hectares (4,450 acres) of crop land, the Vietnam News said.
State television said 42 people were confirmed dead.
A report from the government's flood prevention office said eight people were missing by the end of Tuesday, but the Vietnam News on Wednesday morning put the number at 21.
Photos from the south-central provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh showed floodwaters rising to near the top of house doors. One showed people hoisting an elderly woman out of her home through an opening in the roof tiles.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
An Indonesian maid Issue
Six years for maid who tried to poison employer
KUANTAN, 3 Nov 2009 : An Indonesian maid was sentenced to six years’ jail by the Sessions Court here yesterday for attempting to murder her employer about a year ago.
Nurhayati Ahmad, 22, from Lombok, Indonesia, pleaded guilty to the offence by poisoning Jaharah Daud, 77, at 6 Lorong I/M 5/14, Bandar Indera Mahkota, here, at about 1.30pm on July 16, 2008.
Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali ordered Nurhayati to serve the sentence from the date of her arrest on July 16, 2008.
According to the facts of the case, Jaharah had drank coffee prepared by Nurhayati and complained that the drink tasted bitter.
It also had a certain smell and turned grey.
Her daughter, suspecting something amiss, then checked a vegetable soup dish prepared by the maid and found that it had the same odour.
Suspecting that the drink and soup had been mixed with poison, she lodged a police report.
The police then went to the house and found two bottles containing poison, one on a sink and the other in a cupboard in the kitchen.
Jaharah was later sent to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan for treatment.
She was placed under observation pending a chemist’s report which confirmed that she had been poisoned.
In mitigation, defence counsel Mohd Fadly Hashim said Nurhayati was an orphan and had to support eight siblings.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat prosecuted. — Bernama
KUANTAN, 3 Nov 2009 : An Indonesian maid was sentenced to six years’ jail by the Sessions Court here yesterday for attempting to murder her employer about a year ago.
Nurhayati Ahmad, 22, from Lombok, Indonesia, pleaded guilty to the offence by poisoning Jaharah Daud, 77, at 6 Lorong I/M 5/14, Bandar Indera Mahkota, here, at about 1.30pm on July 16, 2008.
Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali ordered Nurhayati to serve the sentence from the date of her arrest on July 16, 2008.
According to the facts of the case, Jaharah had drank coffee prepared by Nurhayati and complained that the drink tasted bitter.
It also had a certain smell and turned grey.
Her daughter, suspecting something amiss, then checked a vegetable soup dish prepared by the maid and found that it had the same odour.
Suspecting that the drink and soup had been mixed with poison, she lodged a police report.
The police then went to the house and found two bottles containing poison, one on a sink and the other in a cupboard in the kitchen.
Jaharah was later sent to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan for treatment.
She was placed under observation pending a chemist’s report which confirmed that she had been poisoned.
In mitigation, defence counsel Mohd Fadly Hashim said Nurhayati was an orphan and had to support eight siblings.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat prosecuted. — Bernama
Landslide near Templer's Park
RAWANG, 3 Nov 2009 : Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes if they are heading to Rawang from Kuala Lumpur following a landslide which occurred early Tuesday morning near Templer's Park.
Officials have advised that they use the Middle Ring Road 2 and PLUS Highway to avoid the landslide area at Km13 of Jalan Ipoh.
No casualties have been reported in the 2.45am incident.
Clean up work is currently being carried out by the Selayang Municipal Council, Fire and Rescue Department and 991 personnel.
Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor who visited the site, told reporters that the road which caters to 80,000 vehicles daily, would hopefully be re-opened by 7am on Wednesday.
He said he would get the relevant department to check on the area as there was development taking place at the top of the slope.
“We need to check whether this is one of the contributing factors,” he said.
He added it was the developer’s responsibility to ensure that the slope was safe while work was being carried out.
Officials have advised that they use the Middle Ring Road 2 and PLUS Highway to avoid the landslide area at Km13 of Jalan Ipoh.
No casualties have been reported in the 2.45am incident.
Clean up work is currently being carried out by the Selayang Municipal Council, Fire and Rescue Department and 991 personnel.
Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor who visited the site, told reporters that the road which caters to 80,000 vehicles daily, would hopefully be re-opened by 7am on Wednesday.
He said he would get the relevant department to check on the area as there was development taking place at the top of the slope.
“We need to check whether this is one of the contributing factors,” he said.
He added it was the developer’s responsibility to ensure that the slope was safe while work was being carried out.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Vietnam evacuates coastal areas as storm nears
HANOI, 2 Nov 2009 Vietnam (AP)
Vietnam evacuated coastal areas Monday as tropical storm Mirinae approached after battering the Philippines, where it left 20 people dead.
Mirinae weakened as it headed over the South China Sea and was downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm. It was expected to strike Vietnam's central coast sometime Monday afternoon.
Vietnamese authorities evacuated 20,000 people from coastal provinces, far fewer than they moved in advance of Typhoon Ketsana, which slammed Vietnam in September, killing 160 people.
Some 7,600 residents, mostly the elderly and children, have been evacuated from their homes in coastal villages in Khanh Hoa province, said local disaster official Phan Hoang Duong.
In the provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh, north of Khanh Hoa, more than 11,000 people have been evacuated, disaster officials there said. Light rain was reported in the area Monday morning.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines are still recovering from Ketsana, which brought the Philippine capital, Manila, its worst flooding in 40 years. Ketsana and two later storms killed more than 900 in the Philippines. Some 87,000 people who fled the storms were still living in temporary shelters when Mirinae struck.
The latest typhoon left 20 dead, mostly from drowning, in six provinces. Four people were missing, disaster response officials said.
The storm did not keep the largely Roman Catholic country from paying respects to the dead on All Saints Day on Sunday. Huge crowds jammed cemeteries, with some people visiting still-flooded ones by boat.
In Rizal province, just east of Manila, villagers carrying flowers and candles paddled canoes into a rural cemetery that resembled a lake. Joel Librilla thrust his hands into the waist-high waters to feel the letters on submerged tombstones in a search for his mother's grave.
"We don't know where to light our candles," Librilla told the Associated Press Television News. "But my mother should know that this is for her."
Forecasters said they were watching a low pressure area 379 miles (610 kilometers) off the country's eastern coast over the Pacific, but it was too early to tell if it will develop into yet another storm.
Vietnam evacuated coastal areas Monday as tropical storm Mirinae approached after battering the Philippines, where it left 20 people dead.
Mirinae weakened as it headed over the South China Sea and was downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm. It was expected to strike Vietnam's central coast sometime Monday afternoon.
Vietnamese authorities evacuated 20,000 people from coastal provinces, far fewer than they moved in advance of Typhoon Ketsana, which slammed Vietnam in September, killing 160 people.
Some 7,600 residents, mostly the elderly and children, have been evacuated from their homes in coastal villages in Khanh Hoa province, said local disaster official Phan Hoang Duong.
In the provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh, north of Khanh Hoa, more than 11,000 people have been evacuated, disaster officials there said. Light rain was reported in the area Monday morning.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines are still recovering from Ketsana, which brought the Philippine capital, Manila, its worst flooding in 40 years. Ketsana and two later storms killed more than 900 in the Philippines. Some 87,000 people who fled the storms were still living in temporary shelters when Mirinae struck.
The latest typhoon left 20 dead, mostly from drowning, in six provinces. Four people were missing, disaster response officials said.
The storm did not keep the largely Roman Catholic country from paying respects to the dead on All Saints Day on Sunday. Huge crowds jammed cemeteries, with some people visiting still-flooded ones by boat.
In Rizal province, just east of Manila, villagers carrying flowers and candles paddled canoes into a rural cemetery that resembled a lake. Joel Librilla thrust his hands into the waist-high waters to feel the letters on submerged tombstones in a search for his mother's grave.
"We don't know where to light our candles," Librilla told the Associated Press Television News. "But my mother should know that this is for her."
Forecasters said they were watching a low pressure area 379 miles (610 kilometers) off the country's eastern coast over the Pacific, but it was too early to tell if it will develop into yet another storm.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Uniten’s solar car shines at world race challenge
ADELAIDE, Nov 1, 2009: Universiti Tenaga Nasional’s (Uniten) Solar Ranger came in 23rd in the World Solar Challenge 2009.
Solar Ranger successfully finished the race at Victoria Square here at 11.40am yesterday.
The Uniten solar car had earlier faced technical problems before the race began while going from Sydney to Darwin last week.
Merdeka 2, the other Malaysian solar-powered car from Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing, also took part but was not able to beat the deadline.
Great race: The Uniten team members and Malaysians posing with Solar Ranger which came in 23rd in the World Solar Challenge 2009 in Adelaide Saturday. — Bernama
The race was won by Tokai Challenger from Japan’s Tokai University.
The car clocked 29 hours and 49 minutes over four days for the 3,021km race across the Australian Outback from Darwin to Adelaide.
Dutch team Solar Nuon with their car Nuna5 took the second spot while the United States’ University of Michigan’s car romped to third place with their Infinium in the race that began on Oct 25.
To qualify as participants in the race, all 32 of the solar-powered cars from 15 countries had to reach Victoria Square before noon on Saturday, the seventh day of the race.
The last car to cross the finishing line was Apogee from Stanford University at 2.07pm. — Bernama
Solar Ranger successfully finished the race at Victoria Square here at 11.40am yesterday.
The Uniten solar car had earlier faced technical problems before the race began while going from Sydney to Darwin last week.
Great race: The Uniten team members and Malaysians posing with Solar Ranger which came in 23rd in the World Solar Challenge 2009 in Adelaide Saturday. — Bernama
The race was won by Tokai Challenger from Japan’s Tokai University.
The car clocked 29 hours and 49 minutes over four days for the 3,021km race across the Australian Outback from Darwin to Adelaide.
Dutch team Solar Nuon with their car Nuna5 took the second spot while the United States’ University of Michigan’s car romped to third place with their Infinium in the race that began on Oct 25.
To qualify as participants in the race, all 32 of the solar-powered cars from 15 countries had to reach Victoria Square before noon on Saturday, the seventh day of the race.
The last car to cross the finishing line was Apogee from Stanford University at 2.07pm. — Bernama
Kelantan Cityliner bus drivers' boycott strands thousands
KOTA BARU,Nov 1 2009: Thousands of passengers, planning to return to the city after spending their weekend with loved ones in Kelantan, were stranded at the bus terminal when 110 Cityliner bus drivers in Kelantan stayed a boycott from 6.00am to 12.15pm Sunday.
The drivers' representative Zulkifli Ismail alleged that the boycott was due to the management's deduction of RM100 from their salaries for no apparent reason and failure of the management to furnish them with their salary slips since July.
"We demand to know the reason for the deduction and the action of the management," he said here Sunday.
“As it is we are paid very low salaries and now they deduct RM100," he said.
Bernama was informed that the drivers were paid RM300 by the management before Hari Raya Aidilfitri but did not state whether it was an "incentive" or a loan.
Zulkifli said the deduction could have been the management's decision to deduct the money paid earlier.
Meanwhile, assistant manager of Kelantan Cityliner, Hadli Hussin said the drivers were urged to wait until Nov 4, for clarification from the head office in Kuala Lumpur.
"All official correspondence is handled by the head quarters in Kuala Lumpur and the management has promised to send the pay slips by Nov 4," he said. - Bernama
The drivers' representative Zulkifli Ismail alleged that the boycott was due to the management's deduction of RM100 from their salaries for no apparent reason and failure of the management to furnish them with their salary slips since July.
"We demand to know the reason for the deduction and the action of the management," he said here Sunday.
“As it is we are paid very low salaries and now they deduct RM100," he said.
Bernama was informed that the drivers were paid RM300 by the management before Hari Raya Aidilfitri but did not state whether it was an "incentive" or a loan.
Zulkifli said the deduction could have been the management's decision to deduct the money paid earlier.
Meanwhile, assistant manager of Kelantan Cityliner, Hadli Hussin said the drivers were urged to wait until Nov 4, for clarification from the head office in Kuala Lumpur.
"All official correspondence is handled by the head quarters in Kuala Lumpur and the management has promised to send the pay slips by Nov 4," he said. - Bernama
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Selangor MB recommends Port Klang rep quits
Published: Thursday October 29, 2009 MYT 1:40:00 PM
Updated: Thursday October 29, 2009 MYT 2:54:01 PM
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has recommended to the PKR supreme council that Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah resign from his seat for non-performance.
In a statement on Thursday, Khalid said he would be sending a delegation to “reiterate the matter to the assemblyman personally.”
“The state government is aware of the mounting complaints from the people of Port Klang over the non-performance of assemblyman Badrul Hisham.
“Since he was issued a showcause letter dated Aug 20, he has made no effort to improve his work.
“Despite stating his willingness to meet state and party leaders, he continues to be evasive in meeting them. He has also refused to answer calls or SMSes and has not re-opened his service centre for the people in Port Klang,” Khalid said in his statement.
“The state government cannot tolerate incompetent and irresponsible leaders as they will seriously undermine its efforts to improve the rakyat’s (people’s) economic and social lives,” he added.
Earlier this month, Badrul Hisham’s appearance at Klang Umno chief Datuk Mazlynoor Abd Latif’s Hari Raya open house raised question about his party loyalty.
Later Thursday, Khalid told reporters that having issued its statement, the state government would now “wait and see.”
“If Badrul Hisham still wants to serve the people, he will be given a chance to do so; if he does not, it’s better that he leaves regardless which party he belongs to.
“Since he promised the people, in his campaign during the 12th general election in March last year, that he would serve them, he should keep his promise,” he said.
When asked what would happen if Badrul Hisham decides to quit PKR to become an independent, Khalid said, “He can become an Umno member or an MCA member if he likes, but as an elected representative, he must serve the people.”
If Badrul Hisham refuses to quit his Port Klang seat, Khalid said the state government would study its next course of action.
Updated: Thursday October 29, 2009 MYT 2:54:01 PM
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has recommended to the PKR supreme council that Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah resign from his seat for non-performance.
In a statement on Thursday, Khalid said he would be sending a delegation to “reiterate the matter to the assemblyman personally.”
“The state government is aware of the mounting complaints from the people of Port Klang over the non-performance of assemblyman Badrul Hisham.
“Since he was issued a showcause letter dated Aug 20, he has made no effort to improve his work.
“Despite stating his willingness to meet state and party leaders, he continues to be evasive in meeting them. He has also refused to answer calls or SMSes and has not re-opened his service centre for the people in Port Klang,” Khalid said in his statement.
“The state government cannot tolerate incompetent and irresponsible leaders as they will seriously undermine its efforts to improve the rakyat’s (people’s) economic and social lives,” he added.
Earlier this month, Badrul Hisham’s appearance at Klang Umno chief Datuk Mazlynoor Abd Latif’s Hari Raya open house raised question about his party loyalty.
Later Thursday, Khalid told reporters that having issued its statement, the state government would now “wait and see.”
“If Badrul Hisham still wants to serve the people, he will be given a chance to do so; if he does not, it’s better that he leaves regardless which party he belongs to.
“Since he promised the people, in his campaign during the 12th general election in March last year, that he would serve them, he should keep his promise,” he said.
When asked what would happen if Badrul Hisham decides to quit PKR to become an independent, Khalid said, “He can become an Umno member or an MCA member if he likes, but as an elected representative, he must serve the people.”
If Badrul Hisham refuses to quit his Port Klang seat, Khalid said the state government would study its next course of action.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Three Chinese airline reported surge in profits Wed
News published on 28 Oct 2009
BEIJING: China's three main state-owned airlines said Wednesday third-quarter profits surged as an economic recovery helped to boost travel.
China Southern Airlines Ltd., the country's biggest carrier by passenger numbers, said profit for the quarter ending Sept. 30 was 284 million yuan ($41.6 million), or 0.04 yuan (0.5 U.S. cents) per share.
That compared with a loss of 830 million yuan for the same period of 2008, when Chinese carriers were hit by record-high fuel prices and a decline in travel amid the global economic crisis.
Results last year also were hurt by wrong-way bets on fuel price contracts.
China Southern and rivals Air China Ltd. and China Eastern Airlines Ltd. all reported that third-quarter revenue rose and costs fell as fuel prices eased.
Travel was boosted by a rebound in China's economic growth, which accelerated to 8.9 percent in the third quarter over a year earlier.
Air China said quarterly profit jumped to 884 million yuan ($129 million), or 0.40 yuan (5.8 U.S. cents) per share, rebounding from a 1.94 billion yuan loss in the same period last year.
China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai reported quarterly profit of 23 million yuan ($3.3 million), or 0.003 yuan (0.04 U.S. cents) per share.
That was an improvement over China Eastern's record-setting 2.33 billion yuan loss in the same period of 2008.
China Southern, based in the southern business center of Guangzhou, said its costs fell 9.7 percent, while Beijing-based Air China reported a 10.6 percent fall in costs. - AP
BEIJING: China's three main state-owned airlines said Wednesday third-quarter profits surged as an economic recovery helped to boost travel.
China Southern Airlines Ltd., the country's biggest carrier by passenger numbers, said profit for the quarter ending Sept. 30 was 284 million yuan ($41.6 million), or 0.04 yuan (0.5 U.S. cents) per share.
That compared with a loss of 830 million yuan for the same period of 2008, when Chinese carriers were hit by record-high fuel prices and a decline in travel amid the global economic crisis.
Results last year also were hurt by wrong-way bets on fuel price contracts.
China Southern and rivals Air China Ltd. and China Eastern Airlines Ltd. all reported that third-quarter revenue rose and costs fell as fuel prices eased.
Travel was boosted by a rebound in China's economic growth, which accelerated to 8.9 percent in the third quarter over a year earlier.
Air China said quarterly profit jumped to 884 million yuan ($129 million), or 0.40 yuan (5.8 U.S. cents) per share, rebounding from a 1.94 billion yuan loss in the same period last year.
China Eastern Airlines in Shanghai reported quarterly profit of 23 million yuan ($3.3 million), or 0.003 yuan (0.04 U.S. cents) per share.
That was an improvement over China Eastern's record-setting 2.33 billion yuan loss in the same period of 2008.
China Southern, based in the southern business center of Guangzhou, said its costs fell 9.7 percent, while Beijing-based Air China reported a 10.6 percent fall in costs. - AP
Baby born on plane
Baby born on plane named after AirAsia
SEPANG, Malaysia 28 Oct 2009: The baby boy, who created national headlines when he was born on an AirAsia plane, has been named Asia Liew Ya Hang.
His mother Liew Siaw Hsia said the Chinese name ‘Ya Hang’ means ‘AirAsia’ in Mandarin.
“It’s the best name I can give my son who was the first baby born on the airline’s plane,” she said in a statement yesterday.
The mother and baby are currently at the Putrajaya Hospital.
Asia Liew Ya Hang was safely delivered on board Flight AK 6506 on Oct 21 when the aircraft was about 800m in the air.
The flight from Penang to Kuching was diverted to the low-cost carrier terminal here when Liew went into premature labour.
The airline has presented Liew and the baby free flight tickets for life to celebrate the birth.
Bébé né dans l'avion le nom de AirAsia
SEPANG, Malaisie le 28 octobre 2009: Le petit garçon, qui a créé les manchettes nationales quand il est né sur un plan AirAsia, a été nommée en Asie Liew Ya Hang.
Sa mère Liew Siaw Hsia dit le nom chinois signifie 'Ya Hang' AirAsia »en mandarin.
"C'est le meilleur nom que je peux donner mon fils qui était le premier bébé né dans l'avion de la compagnie, dit-elle dans un communiqué hier.
La mère et le bébé sont actuellement à l'hôpital de Putrajaya.
Asie Liew Ya Hang a été livré en toute sécurité à bord du vol 6506 AK le Oct 21, où l'aéronef était à environ 800 mètres dans les airs.
Le vol de Penang à Kuching a été dérouté vers le terminal de transporteurs à bas prix ici quand Liew est entrée en travail prématuré.
La compagnie aérienne a présenté Liew et le bébé billets d'avion gratuit à vie pour célébrer la naissance.
SEPANG, Malaysia 28 Oct 2009: The baby boy, who created national headlines when he was born on an AirAsia plane, has been named Asia Liew Ya Hang.
His mother Liew Siaw Hsia said the Chinese name ‘Ya Hang’ means ‘AirAsia’ in Mandarin.
“It’s the best name I can give my son who was the first baby born on the airline’s plane,” she said in a statement yesterday.
The mother and baby are currently at the Putrajaya Hospital.
Asia Liew Ya Hang was safely delivered on board Flight AK 6506 on Oct 21 when the aircraft was about 800m in the air.
The flight from Penang to Kuching was diverted to the low-cost carrier terminal here when Liew went into premature labour.
The airline has presented Liew and the baby free flight tickets for life to celebrate the birth.
Bébé né dans l'avion le nom de AirAsia
SEPANG, Malaisie le 28 octobre 2009: Le petit garçon, qui a créé les manchettes nationales quand il est né sur un plan AirAsia, a été nommée en Asie Liew Ya Hang.
Sa mère Liew Siaw Hsia dit le nom chinois signifie 'Ya Hang' AirAsia »en mandarin.
"C'est le meilleur nom que je peux donner mon fils qui était le premier bébé né dans l'avion de la compagnie, dit-elle dans un communiqué hier.
La mère et le bébé sont actuellement à l'hôpital de Putrajaya.
Asie Liew Ya Hang a été livré en toute sécurité à bord du vol 6506 AK le Oct 21, où l'aéronef était à environ 800 mètres dans les airs.
Le vol de Penang à Kuching a été dérouté vers le terminal de transporteurs à bas prix ici quand Liew est entrée en travail prématuré.
La compagnie aérienne a présenté Liew et le bébé billets d'avion gratuit à vie pour célébrer la naissance.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
No PAS EGM, only special meeting
No PAS EGM, only special meeting: VP Salahuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 ot 2009 : PAS will not call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as proposed by its spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, but will instead convene a special meeting to discuss issues related to the party, vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said.He told Bernama Sunday that the issue of PAS calling for an EGM no longer arose as Nik Aziz himself had suggested that the forum be changed into a special meeting.
Salahuddin said that Nik Aziz conveyed the matter to him at their meeting at the latter's residence in Kota Baru on Saturday.
"It does not arise anymore. I met the Tok Guru yesterday and listen to his views on the party. The central PAS will convene a special meeting soon; Nik Aziz told me about this in our meeting yesterday," he said.
Last Friday, in his blog www.blogtokguru.com, Nik Aziz called for a special "muktamar" to rid the party of "two or three problematic leaders".
He mentioned three leaders in his blog, namely deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali. - Bernama
News : Accident at Kuala Terengganu
Five family members killed, three injured in accident
KUALA TERENGGANU 24 Oct 2009 : Five members of a family were killed and three others were seriously injured when the car they were travelling in burst into flames in a road crash at KM 123, Jalan Jerangau Jabor, near Padang Kubu Kemaman.
Those killed on Friday are the driver of the Proton Iswara Aeroback car, Baharuddin Taib, 45, his wife Maimun Ibrahim, 40, their two-year-old son, Mohd Nor Firdaus, and Baharuddin's mother, Esah Salleh, in her 80s.
There were trapped in the car and their charred remains were removed from the wreckage by firemen
However, passersby managed to pull out Esah's body before the car was engulfed in flames.
Kemaman deputy police chief DSP Abdul Marlik Hakim said the couple's 12-year-old son, Aidil Sahidan, who was seriously injured, was rushed to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital(HTAA) in Kuantan, but died at 3pm Saturday.
The couple's three other children were seriously injured and admitted to HTAA and the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital here. They are Aishah Nabilah, 10; Ekmal Rizal, 8; and Aishah Natasya, 4.
Abdul Marlik said family members had claimed the bodies, which were sent to the Kemaman Hospital, for burial at Kampung Kesum, Manir Saturday.
He said the accident, which occurred at about 7.30pm, involved three cars a Proton Saga, a Proton Iswara Aeroback and a Proton Gen2 all heading towards Kuala Terengganu.
"The accident happened when the car driven by Baharuddin rammed into a Proton Saga causing the car, with eight people inside, to turn turtle before a Proton Gen2 car crashed into it and then burst into flames," he said when contacted here Saturday.
He said passersby rushed to the scene and managed to pull out Esah and her four grandchildren who were seated with her in the rear passenger seat, but were prevented from helping Baharuddin, Maimun and their youngest son by the fire.
Abdul Marlik said the family members were from Kampung Kesum and were believed to be on their way to Baharuddin's brother's house in Cheneh for a wedding ceremony, which was scheduled for Saturday.
The driver of the Proton Gen2, Mohd Khairul Ikhwan, 18, a student in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Mohd Khairul Ikhwan, 18, was slightly injured and sought treatment at a private hospital here.
He was returning to his parent's home in Bukit Payong, while the driver and passengers in the other car were not injured. - Bernama
News : Facts you need to know about Influenza A (H1N1)
Influenza A (H1N1) FAQ
Foreign tourists wearing protective masks stand in the main Zocalo plaza in downtown Mexico City, Monday. (AP Photo/Enric Marti) It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. It regularly causes high flu outbreaks in pigs but with low death rates. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
How does it spread?
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