Exclusive Politics: GE Polls date rolls on most minds

PUTRAJAYA: September has now emerged as a likely month for the coming general election with many arguments put up against the earlier speculation of June.

One contention is that several issues will need some time to be resolved. Then, there are the travel plans of the Prime Minister which seems to rule out the June polls.

It is understood that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to visit the United States in the second week of May, where he is expected to meet officials of the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council in New York.

The council was set up to enable the country to make a quantum leap from a middle-income nation to a high-income one.

According to sources, Najib is likely to spend five days in the United States, after which he may take a short break with his family.

“We do not know whether this is a red herring to the press as preparations for the polls are already in full steam,” one Barisan Nasional official said when told of the latest speculated election date.

On Saturday, Najib hinted that the 13th general election was around the corner, saying he sensed that the people's confidence in the Government had increased and that “rasa rasa bunyi dah dekat (it feels like the polls are imminent)”.

“During my travels around the country in the past one or two days, I could see that the confidence of the people has grown. I can feel it ... In politics, we must feel and I feel it (the general election) is near,” he added.

June is regarded as the next window period for the Prime Minister to hold the polls but there are still issues needing closure.

With April just days away, Barisan Nasional component parties are still busy resolving seat swapping issues and the list of candidates has yet to be finalised.

Najib is also making a two-day visit to China from March 31 where he will attend the launch of the Qizhou Industrial Park in Nanning with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.

If the Prime Minister does not hold the polls by June, they will have to be held after July when the fasting month will begin.

“The whole of August will be taken up by the Hari Raya celebrations and the run-up to National Day,” an analyst said, adding that Najib could take advantage of feel-good factors such as the holiday mood and the Merdeka anniversary spirit of patriotism.

If September was picked, another analyst said, it would have to be the first week of the month.

“It cannot be late September as the haj season would have begun, ending only in October.Then, there is the Parliament meeting from Sept 24 until Nov 27, where the Budget needs to be tabled. Once it is tabled, it has to be approved by the Dewan Negara, which means it (the Budget session) will drag on until next year,” he said.

“The Dewan Rakyat is unlikely to be dissolved once the Budget has been tabled. It has to go all the way with the two Houses adopting it.”

Selangor Menteri Besar: Former exco Hasan Ali gave contracts without tenders

SHAH ALAM: Former executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali awarded contracts without going through a proper tender process, the state assembly was told.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, in his winding-up speech, said there was evidence to show Dr Hasan had a hand in awarding contracts to companies without tenders.

"It seems that he suggested that contracts be given to a particular company," Khalid said adding that he would meet the contractors to get to the bottom of things.

Khalid said the RM300,000 on office renovations by Dr Hasan was the highest all the excos. However, he urged all parties not play up the issue as the renovation met guidelines.

"We do not have to waste time discussing this matter. I think Gombak Setia's (Dr Hasan) office renovation met the current financial guidelines," he said.

Last Friday, Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali claimed that Dr Hasan spent over RM300,000 to renovate his office when he was the exco in charge of Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs, Infrastructure and Public Amenities.

RON95 petrol subsidy up 10sen in March; pump price remains at RM1.90

PUTRAJAYA: Global rise in oil prices has pushed up the subsidy for RON95 petrol by 10sen to RM1.03 per litre in March, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Tuesday.

The pump price of RON95 will remain at RM1.90 per litre.

"Since the world price of petroleum has increased, the government had to increase the subsidy to ensure the people are not burdened by its side effects," he said here Tuesday.

The last time the RON95 price was reviewed was in December when the pump price was raised from RM1.85 per litre to RM1.90.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak promised in late February that the price of RON95, widely used by motorists, would be maintained for the near future despite soaring global oil prices.

Malaysia among best 18 places to retire

 

NEW YORK: Malaysia has been listed as one of the 18 best places for Americans to retire overseas, based on the criteria of affordability and quality of life, for senior citizens.

The list of 18 countries was compiled by Kathleen Peddicord, the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.

Peddicord, who has been covering the subject for more than 25 years, reports on current opportunities for living, retiring and investing overseas in her newsletter which is available in a digital format.

Her book 'How To Retire Overseas - Everything You Need to Know To Live Well Abroad for Less' was recently released by Penguin Books.

Besides Malaysia, two other Asean countries were also listed as retirement destinations, namely Thailand (16th) and Vietnam (17th) in Peddicord's list.  According to Peddicord, Malaysia is the "easiest country to navigate in this part of the world (Southeast Asia)" after Thailand and also described Kuala Lumpur as a city of contrasts.

The shining stainless steel Petronas Towers, two of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, anchor a startlingly beautiful skyline that is truly unique to the city, and the references to modern, air-conditioned malls that sell everything from beautifully handcrafted batik clothing to genuine Rolex watches and Tiffany jewellery.

"In the shadows of these ultra-modern buildings, the ancient Malay village of Kampung Baru still thrives, with free-roaming roosters and a slow pace of life generally found in rural villages," she said. "Less than a 20-minute walk from the city centre, you can find yourself conversing with monkeys in the city-jungle surrounding one of the highest telecommunications towers in the world.

"A walk of less than 30 minutes leads you to Chinatown and Little India, where merchants offer their wares, foods and culture in a happy neighbourhood that showcases the amazing diversity of the city," said the author. But Kuala Lumpur's charm is also fleshed out in semi-anecdotal references.

"Unlike some places in Asia, foreigners are genuinely welcomed in Kuala Lumpur. Language isn't a problem, as almost everyone speaks adequate English. Immigration is easy, and it is possible to stay for an extended period with a simple tourist visa," she said.

Minister: Not enough culture & arts subjects in schools

KUALA LUMPUR: The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry wants subjects on culture and arts appreciation to be taught in schools.

"Our education system doesn't teach children to love the arts. From my experience, encouragement to love the arts is non-existent. "As such, the spread of arts in the country is just by coincidence.

"We need to have a system that encourages fashion design, creative writing and others that can be developed," said minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim after opening the World Textile Symposium.

He said the matter had been proposed to the Education Ministry which plans to implement it next year. Bodies such as the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara) and Craft Skills Institute will seek ways and means to reactivate arts education with internal or external help.

"In China for example, there are schools of arts that teach students to compete and love the arts until they can become a source of income," he said.

Asked whether the proposal would be implemented in primary or secondary schools, he said there were many aspects that should be discussed before it is implemented.

The ministry will ask the Malaysian Handicraft Corporation to carry out research and development on fashion trends of the young and middle generation to develop the country's textile industry. It will also provide additional allocation for carrying out research on creating awareness to love national heritage among the people.

Home Ministry: Tighter visa rules for foreigners seeking to study in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners seeking to study in Malaysia must soon apply for their study visas before entering the country.

As such, the Home Ministry would stop giving out Journey Performed Visa to foreigners who later applied to change their social visit passes to study visas.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusof said that this was a move to curb crimes by foreigners claiming to be students from institutions of higher learning in the country.

“They will only be allowed to enter the country after their study visa has been approved,” he told Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) during Question Time in parliament.

Ismail had asked what steps the ministry had taken to ensure student visas for foreign students were not abused to carry out crime activities.

Abu Seman said that a foreign student from high-risk countries would also need to produce a certificate of no objection' similar to those that had been imposed on students coming from African countries.

“These are among the steps taken to reduce the rising number of cases involving foreign students. We will continue to monitor with other relevant agencies to ensure that they are not abusing their student visas,” he said.

According to the Immigration Department, in 2009, 54 people were detained for abusing their study passes, said Abu Seman. African nationals topped the list with 24 - 11 from Algeria, six from Nigeria, two from Botswana, two from Libya, one from Lesotho, Kenya and South Africa.

In 2010, 23 people were arrested, including four Nigerians, and one each from Sudan, Yemen and Zimbabwe, he added.

Former Information Minister might join Pakatan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Information Minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has not ruled out joining Pakatan Rakyat and contesting as the coalition's candidate in the next election.

The deputy president of non-governmental organisation Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) said he wanted to return to active politics and continue the struggle of past Umno leaders.

The three-term Kulim-Bandar Baru MP resigned from Umno on March 19 after 56 years with the party. He had been under fire over claims of vote-buying in his former constituency in the 2008 general election.

Asked whether he would accept any invitation, including from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to join the Pakatan coalition, he said: “Many have persuaded me to join (the Opposition) but I try not to make a decision based on persuasion.

“I am with Amanah. I have yet to decide on other matters. “If they (Pakatan leaders) are persuasive enough, I may take up the offer,” he said at his office here yesterday.

The former Umno supreme council member said the party had deviated from the aims and intentions that were charted by the founding fathers of Umno and the country.

“The Umno of yesteryear stood for the basic rights of citizens, which included freedom of speech and expression, freedom of political association and freedom of assembly, among others.

“I want to bring back those noble causes,” he added.

LNS RESEARCH: Chocolate lovers tend to weigh less

SAN DIEGO: People who ate chocolate a few times a week or more weighed less than those who rarely indulged, according to a US study involving a thousand people.

Researchers said the findings, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, did not prove that adding a candy bar to your daily diet would help shed pounds. Nor did the cumulative amount of chocolate consumed have an impact.

But the researchers, led by Beatrice Golomb, from the University of California San Diego, said it was possible that antioxidants in chocolate could be behind health benefits including lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as decreased body weight.

“People have just assumed that because it comes with calories and it's typically eaten as a sweet, therefore it would inherently have been one way - bad,” said Golomb.

She and her colleagues used data from a study on cholesterol-lowering drugs that surveyed 1,000 healthy adults on typical eating habits, including how often they ate chocolate.

The participants, who ranged in age from 20 to 85 years, ate chocolate an average of twice a week and had an average body mass index, or BMI, of 28, which is considered overweight but not obese.

The researchers found that people who ate chocolate with greater frequency tended to eat more calories overall, including more saturated fat, than those who went light on the candy. But even so, chocolate lovers tended to have a lower body weight.

That was still the case after researchers accounted for age and gender, as well as how much they exercised.

The effect worked out to a difference of 2.3-3.2kg between people who ate five servings of chocolate a week compared with those who did not eat any, Golomb said.

However, it was only how often they ate chocolate, rather than the cumulative amount, that was linked to their weight.

Past studies have tied chocolate to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and better insulin sensitivity, possibly because of antioxidants or other chemicals in cocoa.

DS Anwar Ibrahim: World Bank has records to show Tun Dr Mahathir asked for funds



Malaysia, GEORGE TOWN: Opposition Leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will not swear on the Quran that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had asked for funds from the World Bank in 1999.

He said the World Bank had records to confirm the approval of an application by the Malaysian Government that year.

“I have also issued a statement on the report by the World Bank. These are facts and the World Bank had approved the application by Malaysia. What is there to swear about?” he asked.

Dr Mahathir had, on Saturday, challenged Anwar to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he had written a letter to the World Bank asking for funds.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliment for Permatang Pauh had said that he was willing to swear in a mosque that he did not write such a letter.

The former Finance Minister also said the World Bank's annual report showed the kind of loans given to Malaysia from 1999 and subsequently.

“How am I supposed to find the letter sent by the Government to the World Bank? This is a trick. If I keep such a letter, then it will come under the OSA (Official Secrets Act),” he told reporters during a break at the Penang Muslim Congregation Convention which is attended by tens of thousands of people at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel here on Sunday.

Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de-facto leader said he came to know about the country's request for funds in 1999 during his consultancy work for the World Bank in 2005.

 

EXTRA LATEST NEWS

1. NFC's alleged land purchase raises more questions

A visit by NGO Jingga 13 at two plots of land in Putrajaya allegedly purchased by the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) today has raised more questions after the group discovered the land titles have not been transferred. Jingga 13 chief coordinator Fariz Musa says money has been transferred yet the company has not gained possession of the two plots of land in Putrajaya.


2. DAP tells Mindef to justify RM9b navy vessel cost

Democratic Action Party (DAP) wants the defence minister to explain why the cost of the six naval patrol vessels has ballooned from the budgeted RM6 billion in February to RM9 billion. DAP leader Tony Pua asks the defence minister why we need six vessels when the US only has two, and overspending RM3 bil along the way.


3. 5000 march to Umno HQ for academic freedom

About 5000 protestors, mostly local students, marched to Umno's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today in a lively protest demanding greater academic freedom. They objected to the current system saying that the current system in the country is full of corruption and is not relevant anymore. The lively student protest marching from Masjid Jamek to PWTC also says that the UUCA has ‘killed student activism’.

FIND OUT NOW: Job search tips for fresh grads

Making the transition from an undergraduate to a full-time member of the workforce can be a difficult time for many graduates.

Many graduates will be accepting responsibilities for their own lives and their own financial support for the very first time.

Many graduates are advised to simply apply for and accept any job that comes to their attention. Unfortunately, far too many new graduates are guided by this advice and settle for jobs in which they are undervalued and under-challenged.

But you don’t have to settle. You can find a challenging job in which you will be valued and in which you can thrive.

Here are some top tips to help you make the right decisions:

1. Know your skills, abilities and strengths. This applies to both “hard” skills, and “soft” skills that allow you to interact well with others.

2. Know what you want to do. Focus on jobs that will allow you to do what you love. Remember that smart organisations hire for passion and train for skill.

3. Know the kind of environment in which you can thrive. If you know that tight, regimented routines with someone looking over your shoulder every minute do not work for you, look for environments that value and reward innovation and creativity.

4. Create a powerful professional pitch. Develop your own brief statement of who you are, what you can do, what you are passionate about, and why someone should hire you.

5. Dress for success. Whenever you are interacting with a potential employer, dress for the role you are seeking. “Be” the part and help the employer “see” you in the position.

6. Be yourself. Pretending to be someone you are not will lead to problems in time. Of course you should put your best foot forward, but be genuine.

7. Never give false or misleading information. Lying on an application form, in an interview or otherwise giving false or misleading information about your education, skills or experience will set you on a road to disaster.

8. Learn how to interview. Learn the etiquette and the expectations of interviews. Anticipate difficult questions and prepare appropriate answers.

9. Stand out from the pack. You may be applying for a job with hundreds of other applicants. You need to be memorable in the right ways.

10. Believe there are great jobs out there and that you can get one. Attitude is everything. Confidence is important. Plan to get the job of your dreams.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says.....

1. 1Malaysia is a philosophy, not a mere slogan

SERI KEMBANGAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday that 1Malaysia is a philosophy and not a mere slogan, stressing that it can transform the mindset of Malaysians towards building the country into a highly-developed nation by 2020.

He said that if Malaysians understood what was needed to hold the country together, they would realise the importance of giving continuous support to the government which had long and proven experience in building the nation.

"I believe we can achieve prosperity and become a strong country if all Malaysians embrace the notion of the 1Malaysia philosophy," he said in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia's (Hua Zong) new building, here.

The RM55mil project, expected to be completed in two years, comprises a Chinese museum, library, reading room, information and research rooms, meeting rooms, a conference hall and a multi-purpose banquet hall.

The prime minister also announced RM5mil in government contribution for the project, of which RM2.5mil will be made available next year and the balance in 2013.

The prime minister also said that the government had agreed, in principle, to Hua Zong's request that tax exemption benefits be extended to those who had donated funds to the project.

Najib also said Malaysia was facing a long journey and that "to reach our next destination, we need to have long-term policies that can benefit people from all walks of life."

"We cannot have short-term policies; we cannot promise the sun, moon and the galaxy.

"It is the responsibility of the government to stay on course and to continue helping the people. As one nation, 1Malaysia, it gives us the strength to overcome future challenges," he said.

The prime minister said the government's long-term policies had been proven to be effective in helping Malaysia face the economic crises of 1997 and 2009.

"The journey has been very challenging and filled with obstacles but each time we face a major crisis, we manage to overcome it because we have confidence in the way the government tackles it.

"This is also due to the people supporting the policies of the government which have brought about stability and prosperity in the country," he said.

2. Official news must be put out quickly to curb spread of false news

KUALA LUMPUR: Official government news and information must be disseminated in real time speed to curb the spread of false news, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said with today's technology, the public is able to receive news and information "in the blink of an eye".

"If the government is not able to disseminate information quick enough, the people have many other sources of getting their information," said Najib, at the launch of the government's first internet protocol TV "1Malaysia TV" here on Sunday.

"Sometimes, this information is mixed with false news and slander. We (the government) have no choice but to ensure that we deliver accurate news at quick speed, and if possible, at real time speed."

1Malaysia TV is an internet and mobile tv and can be accessed using Apple, Blackberry and Android smartphones and tablets.

The tv offers 11 channels including RTM1, RTM2, TV3 and CCTV News, and is targeted at viewers aged between 18 and 25.

Sistem Semakan Penempatan Pelatih PLKN

 

Latest news for all Malaysians aged 17!!

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You all can also check all the other details of your National Service Camp 2011 including the camp address and which batch are you in!!

To do all this you just have to go to the website below:

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You can also check your status by sending a SMS:
PLKN kem < your IC no. > send to 15888

ALL THIS LATEST UPDATES IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

LATEST NEWS STATION

 

Sistem Analisis Peperiksaan Sekolah (SAPS)

Do you know that you can now check your Peperiksaan Percubaan SPM 2011 results and other results online??
If you are interested in knowing it before others, log on to this website..

http://saps.moe.gov.my/ibubapa2/index.php

The website above is created actually for parents to check their children results online as it makes it easier for them rather than going to the school. This year is the first year this system has been introduced. The system will be used nationwide from next year onwards. This system, called Sistem Analisis Peperiksaan Sekolah (SAPS) is an official system under the Education Ministry of Malaysia.

Keep visiting Latest News Station to get the latest news and updates on SPM 2011 specially for all Malaysian students...

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KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

NS volunteer brigade to be launched in February

 

GEORGE TOWN: The National Service (NS) Training Programme Volunteer Brigade, aimed at carrying out voluntary work, is expected to be launched in February next year.

NS Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said the volunteer brigade, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently, was currently in the discussion stage.

"We have discussed with the defence ministry, and if all works out well, the brigade would be launched in February next year," he told reporters after visiting the White Resort NS training programme camp in Balik Pulau here Wednesday.

He said the brigade's function was to assist in times of natural disaster, such as flood, landslide or fire.

Last Friday, when launching the Kami Anak 1Malaysia assembly at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium, Najib announced that the Government would be setting up the volunteer brigade which would involve 500,000 former NS trainees.

Abdul Hadi said the volunteer brigade would be based at 81 camps nationwide. He said, since it was implemented in 2004, the NS training programme had trained more than 580,000.

The latest batch, the 2011 Group 3, would comprise 18,000 trainees nationwide.

First report on education system review by year-end

PUTRAJAYA: The first report on the review process of Malaysia's existing education system is expected to be ready by year-end, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the report will be submitted to the Cabinet, which will study and endorse a special team to look into the whole process, including implementation of the country's education policies.

"We will look at what we have been doing so far in terms of implementing our education policies and what needs to be done looking forward for the next 10 to 20 years. But this will take time," Muhyiddin said.

He was speaking at a press conference after the 23rd Implementation Council Meeting and 14th MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel, here Wednesday. Both meetings were chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Education was among the focus areas under the Digital Transformation Programme or called Digital Malaysia, which will be led by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).

Among the initiatives of the Digital Malaysia is to inject greater creativity and promote thinking skills throughout the education system.

Civil servant nabbed for selling fireworks illegally

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have confiscated about RM250,000 worth of fireworks in a raid at a flat near Taman Sri Bahtera here.

Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Mohan Singh said they were alerted on the illegal sales of firework and swung into action.

Police raided the flat at 10pm Tuesday. The fireworks were found hidden in one of the rooms in the apartment. He said they apprehended a civil servant, in his 30's, in connection with the case.

Police are investigating the suspect for possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances.

No Parliament session on Deepavali eve

KUALA LUMPUR: Parliament will not convene this October 25 due to the Deepavali celebrations, says Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, as leader of the House, had requested that there is no session this coming Tuesday, the eve of Deepavali.

He added all answers for the oral questions for that day would be replied in written form.

Proton’s electric cars to hit the roads in 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd is looking to commercialise its electric vehicles in 2013.

The vehicles, which are now in the test fleet stage, will be brought to the commercial front to cater to an increasing demand for full electric cars, Proton Holdings director Datuk Zainuddin Che Din said.

“Currently, we have already delivered three Proton Saga EV and five units of the Proton Exora Range Extender EV to the Government for the test fleet.

“In the process of commercialising the vehicle, we are looking to provide at least 200 Range Extenders and 150 Proton Saga EV’s to the Government by the end of next year,” he said here yesterday.

He said the cars would be competitively priced once commercialised.

The Proton Saga EV is expected to be sold at RM70,000 and the Proton Exora Range Extender at about RM100,000.

“The price will be cheaper and competitive for a full electric car in the country,” said Zainuddin, who is also the project director of Proton’s Green Tech Department.

He said that to accommodate the needs of the electric cars once commercialised, Proton and the Government were working on a mechanism to build infrastructure to place charging centres.

“The charging stations will be placed initially in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and certain prime locations in Kuala Lumpur.

Textile shops enjoying brisk business as Deepavali festival draws near

A Carnival mood has set in as shoppers flood Klang’s Little India to buy clothes, jewellery, accessories, cookies and even fireworks for the Deepavali festival.

Several main streets such as Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Dato Hamzah and Jalan Tengku Diauddin are best known for textile shops.

This area has established a reputation as the shopping paradise among the Indian community. People come from as far as Penang and Johor and the area also attracts customers from Singapore.

While most of the traders have come to terms with the stiff competition especially with the price war that is going on among them, some have adopted new strategies to promote their goods. At least, two outlets have gone bold by introducing fixed prices for their items.