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Zambry denies he is 'mentri besar of the court'

IPOH, May 25 - Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today denied he was "the chief minister of the court" who did not have the support of the Perak people, as claimed by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Taking a swipe at the PAS spiritual leader's remark on Saturday, that menteris besar were holding the post due to the people's votes and not by way of court decisions, Zambry said Nik Aziz should instead reserve the remark for Perak PAS Deputy Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Zambry said it was Mohammad Nizar who initiated the court action to seek a declaration that he was the rightful menteri besar of Perak.

"I respect him (Nik Aziz) as a person and I hope he can correct some of his views," he told reporters after meeting two English Channel swimmers Zahra Masoumah Abdul Halim, 18, and brother Salman Ali Shariati, 12, at his office here today.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 11 ruled that Mohammad Nizar was the rightful menteri besar of Perak but this was overturned by a three-man bench of the Court of Appeal on Friday. The Court of Appeal declared Zambry to be the rightful menteri besar.

Zambry said it was unlikely that the state government would seek the consent of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, to convene an emergency session of the assembly as a way out of the state's political conundrum.

"We are guided by what has been decided by the court... let the law takes its course and we hope that things would go on as usual," he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the BN was open to the possibility of convening the session as an option to end the crisis.

Zambry also announced that the Perak government would contribute RM30,000 in cash to the English Channel attempt by the two swimmers in July.

The swimmers' father Abdul Halim Abdul Manaf, 49, a Universiti Teknologi Mara lecturer, predicted that the 38km swim across the chilly channel from Dover, England, to Calais, France, would take about 14 hours.- Bernama

News by TheMalaysianInsider..

Aminah claims she was offered top posts, RM80,000

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Independent candidate Aminah Abdullah claimed she had been offered the post of Penang Municipal Council president and RM80,000 in compensation if she would withdraw from the May 30 Penanti by-election.

If she did contest and won, she would have been given the Deputy Chief Minister 1 post, she claimed at a press conference at her makeshift election centre in Kubang Ulu here Monday morning.

Aminah said that two “top PKR leaders” had approached her at her home in Jelutong on May 13 to make the offers, which she alleged had come with the blessings of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Claiming she had as evidence, audio on CD and a video-clip on a handphone, Aminah, 56, said she would be lodging a report with the Election Commission on Tuesday at 11am.

Aminah later made a report at the Central Seberang Prai district police headquarters, saying she feared for her safety.

The Deputy Chief Minister 1 post and Penanti state seat were left vacant by Mohamed Fairus Khairudin earlier this year while he was under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corruption.

The MACC has since cleared him of any wrongdoing, but Fairus said he now wants to further his studies.

Arrayed against Aminah in the Penanti by-election are Penang PKR deputy chairman Mansor Othman, 59, and independents manufacturing manager Nai Khan Ari, 41, and businessman Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42.

“I have all the evidence on CD and will distribute this to the media soon to tell the people the truth about this man named Anwar Ibrahim,” Aminah said, accompanied by her husband Mohd Rofi and her eldest daughter Hernanie, 25.

She said her family members were witnesses to the meeting between her and the two PKR leaders, and they had recorded the full meeting which had lasted about three hours.

She said the same leaders also met her again twice after that, once more at her home and a third time at an office in Seberang Jaya, within a week.

“The offer was made as they claim that Dr Mansor is a weak and unpopular leader and might lose in the by-election,” she said.

Aminah, the former Penang PKR Wanita chief, first made the allegations last Saturday after filing her papers at the nomination centre.

PKR strategy director Tian Chua scoffed at her allegations, saying that PKR were the favourites to win the by-election.

He said the party would be initiating legal action against Aminah later Monday unless she retracted her statement and apologised for it.

He had previously urged her to also lodge a report with the MACC.

On Monday, Aminah said she would leave it to the Election Commission to take the matter up with the graft-busting agency.

News by TheStar..

PERAK Crisis

5:15pm Court of Appeal sets 9am, May 18, five days from now, to hear Nizar application to set aside stay of execution granted to Zambry on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Zambry had his application for a stay heard and granted within mere hours.

2:20pm Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin files his application to set aside the Court of Appeal’s stay of execution. Application filed at Court of Appeal registry. He is believed to have asked for a three-member panel. Hearing date not yet fixed.

2:15pm Pakatan’s panel of lawyers arrive at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya, to file an application to set aside the stay of execution granted by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

The stay was against the High Court ruling on Monday which declared Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the rightful mentri besar of Perak, and asking Barisan’s Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his executive councillors to vacate their offices.

12:45pm Perak Mentri Besar Dr Zambry, after chairing exco meeting at the state secretariat building, tells reporters that it is "business as usual."

He says investors need not worry about doing business in the state as government officers "will still be around" to perform their duties.

11:15am Lawyers on the way to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, to file application to set aside the stay of execution of the High Court order granted to Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir by the Court of Appeal, said Pakatan Rakyat's Nga Kor Ming.

9.15am Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir reported for work at the State Secretariat building in Ipoh. Will chair an exco meeting and hold a press conference at 12.30pm.

IPOH: It was a case of now you see it now you don’t as far as the two disputing “mentris besar” of Perak are concerned.

Before Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin could even warm his seat at the mentri besar’s office in the State Secretariat building yesterday, news flashed that his successor was back to being mentri besar — pending an appeal.

Ironically, both Nizar and Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir had called press conferences at the same time the news was released, with the former stationing himself at the mentri besar’s office and the latter at the Perak Umno headquarters here.

Dr Zambry, who had caught wind of Nizar’s press conference, even held off his meeting for 15 minutes until 2pm, hoping to be able to rebut what his opponent had to say.

At this point however, the political situation in Perak is so uncertain that statements from either party could either be overtaken by events, in contempt of court, sub judice or be used to start another series of legal action.

Nizar, who just the day before was celebrating his first success in three months when the Kuala Lumpur High Court declared that he was the legitimate mentri besar, suddenly found his joy short-lived.

Dr Zambry, who vacated his office on Monday evening, returned to “power” the moment a stay of execution was granted in his favour.

Meanwhile, civil servants in the State Secretariat are in limbo.

For 10 months, they answered to Nizar and in the last three months, to Dr Zambry. On Monday, Nizar became their chief again.

Barely 24 hours later, Dr Zambry returned. And Nizar may make yet another comeback if the Court of Appeal rules in his favour.

As a result, the yo-yo game between the two mentris besar have left them even more confused than ever over which man was supposed to run the government.

Pressmen covering the political impasse in Perak too have been having a hard time keeping up with the duo’s designations.

“Who is the former mentri besar now?” lamented one journalist.

On Monday, they rushed to cover the removal of Dr Zambry and his exco men’s belongings from the State Secretariat.

Yesterday, they again flocked to the building to witness Nizar and his team reporting to work at 7.30am.

When the court decision on the stay of execution was announced at 1.15pm, reporters thronged the State Secretariat for the third time, this time to witness Nizar clearing out from the building.

Today, the media will again be at the building to see Dr Zambry reporting back to work.

In this never ending game of tug-of-war between Barisan and Pakatan, no one has been spared, especially not the Perakians, and an air of uncertainty still hangs over the entire state.

On Monday, High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim had granted a declaratory relief to Nizar that he is still and was the mentri besar at all material times.

The court, which issued a declaratory relief that Dr Zambry had no right to occupy the office of Perak Mentri Besar, also ordered him to show cause and give information under what policy, power or authority he allegedly held office and exercised the responsibilities, functions and duties as mentri besar.

For more live coverage, click TheStar..

Declared Perak MB, Nizar to hold 2am Pakatan Exco meeting in Ipoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:

5:24pm: The High Court today declared Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate Menteri Besar of Perak and his bid to regain office will come sooner than expected after the same court denied the application of rival MB, Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, for a apply for a stay pending an appeal.

In his landmark ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim stated that a new Mentri Besar could not be appointed as the office had not been vacated. A mentri besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence, one in which Aziz noted that the Perak Legislative did not carry out.

Court said the fatal Barisan Nasional mistake was despite the majority of 31 against 28, the coalition failed to take a no-confidence vote against Nizar in the state assembly.

The Judge said once appointed as chief executive of the state, the Menteri Besar is only answerable to the state assembly.

The judge also said the job of the Ruler or head of state was only to appoint a Menteri Besar and if he refuses to resign, he cannot be sacked or his position vacated.
Justice Aziz said Nizar had gone to meet the sultan on Feb 4 to seek a dissolution of the house to go back to the people.

“It is not true that Nizar had asked the ruler to dissolve the House on grounds that he had lost confidence of the majority,” he said.

In the meantime, Nizar declined to meet the Press for the customary Press conference, preferring to leave the court to travel back to Ipoh to seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, to get the royal consent to dissolve the Perak Assembly and call for fresh state elections.

However, he has made a pit stop at Taman Melewar, in Gombak, where the Pas headquarters is situated, presumably he briefed senior Pas leaders on the court ruling.

Nizar is expected to attend a Pas ceramah tonight and explain the court ruling to supporters before leaving for Ipoh around midnight.

Nizar told NST Reporter Jaspal Singh that once he reaches Ipoh at whatever time, he will hold a Pakatan Rakyat Exco meeting, presumably with those who were State Exco members when Nizar held office.

"I have already indicated to the palace that I am seeking an audience with the Raja Muda to present a proposal to dissolve the state assembly," he said.

"It does not matter if I am not appointed as Menteri Besar as long as the right to choose are returned to the people," he added.

NST reporters in Ipoh also established that Nizar, as of now, does not have an appointment for an audience with the Sultan of Perak. Even if he soughts one today, he is likely to get the appointment confirmed only tomorrow morning.

On March 3, after the "democracy tree" assembly held by Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, Nizar had submitted a letter to the palace seeking that the Sultan dissolve the assembly can call for fresh state elections. However, Nizar did not get a response.

But with today's court ruling, that letter still stands. It is now a question of whether the palace may communicate a response to Nizar's letter and declare a royal ruling.

Zambry, on the other hand, has indicated through his aides that he will respect the court decision and will vacate his Menteri Besar office tonight. Zambry was not present at the court this afternoon.

His aides also indicate that the Exco members will also vacate their respective offices by tonight.

news & pic by NST Online

Battleground Ipoh: Nizar still seeks dissolution

5:10pm Former mentri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin tells reporters that Pakatan does not acknowledge R. Ganesan as the Perak Speaker nor does it recognise Thursday’s proceedings as legal.

He says Pakatan assemblymen stayed to listen to the Royal Address out of respect to the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah.

He says he is still going to seek an audience with the palace to obtain royal consent to dissolve the Perak State Legislative Assembly, and may seek legal recourse.

Nizar then leaves the state secretariat building in his own car.

5:00pm V. Sivakumar leaves the state secretariat building in the Speaker’s official car.

4:50pm “Barisan-friendly” independent assemblymen Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Jailu, who are facing corruption charges, leave together in a Mercedes Benz car driven by Jamaluddin. The two’s resignation from PKR earlier this year, together with Hee Yit Foong’s resignation from DAP, saw the state reverting to Barisan rule from Pakatan.

4:35pm Deputy Speaker Hee Yit Foong leaves the secretariat building in an official car with her bodyguards. The Jelapang assemblymen’s resignation from her party DAP earlier this year was what led to the political impasse that saw Barisan Nasional taking over the state government.

4:10pm Datuk R. Ganesan adjourns the sitting to a later, unspecified date. Some assemblymen start to leave, but Pakatan reps prepare for a press conference.

4:05pm Tian Chua of PKR arrested outside state secretariat building after refusing to leave area. There was a brief scuffle between him, his supporters and the police.

4:01pm The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, leaves the Assembly after meeting and receiving respects from each and every member of the Assembly, from both Barisan and Pakatan sides.

Former mentri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was seen accompanying His Royal Highness as the royal entourage departed. Assembly proceedings to resume shortly.

4:00pm V. Sivakumar’s official car re-enters state secretariat building with only the driver inside.

3:47pm “Ejected” Pakatan reps Chang Ming Kai and Chang Lih Kang still seen in Dewan during the royal address despite having been ordered out by “new” Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan earlier.

Royal address ends with the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, declaring open the first meeting of the second term of the 12th Assembly.

3:15pm Former mentri besar Mohammad Nizar asks the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, for a chance to speak. The Regent summons Nizar and Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to him, and the three exchange a few quiet words on the dais.

The two Pakatan men return to their fellow assemblymen still standing before the Ruler. All return to their seats after a quiet word from Nizar and Ngeh. The Raja Muda begins to deliver his royal address, which focuses on the economic stimulus packages.

3:12pm The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, delivers his address, focusing on the stimulus packages.

3:10pm Special Branch officers line up to form a barrier between as the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, enters the house.

3:00pm FRU personnel take up positions around the state secretariat building.

V. Sivakumar’s official car leave the building, without him in it. An unidentified woman is seen sitting in the backseat.

Inside the hall, amidst the chaos, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir tries to move a motion for prayers, in anticipation of the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, finally delivering the opening address he was scheduled to this morning.

2:55pm Under the watchful eye of Ipoh Deputy OCPD Ibrahim Abu Bakar and several plainclothes policemen stationed within the hall, Datuk R. Ganesan -- receiving boos from Pakatan reps -- attempts to resume proceedings.

He ejects Simpang Pulai rep Chang Ming Kai from the hall but the assemblyman defies his order. Teja rep Chang lih Kang was also ordered out.

2:54pm Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran is heading to the Ipoh High Court to file for a revision of the Magistrate's Court injunction barring the public from gathering within 500m of the state secretariat building.

2:50pm Police enter the Dewan again, with Pakatan reps shouting that they have no right to invade the Assembly.

In the midst of all the ruckus, V. Sivakumar is forcibly removed from the Speaker’s chair and Datuk R. Ganesan declares that the Assembly is adjourned. None of the Pakatan reps heed his call.

There are several policemen in the hall now. They lift and remove the Speaker’s chair from the hall. Ousted mentri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is heard raising his voice for the first time in today’s proceedings.

2:45pm Thirteen of the 64 people arrested this morning are released. The 13 were nabbed for going against the court order barring anyone without business in the Assembly from gathering within a 500m radius of the state secretariat building.

2:22pm It’s like your schooldays all over again -- a lone policeman enters the hall to restore order and both sides back off, only to resume shouting as soon as he leaves (Remember “Guru Besar datang, Guru Besar datang”?).

Chang Ming Kai heard shouting at “new” Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan, who is not an elected rep, “I am a state assemblyman, just who are you?”

The shouting and shoving match moves towards the Speaker’s chair.

2:15pm Barisan and Pakatan reps get into a shouting and shoving match around “new” Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan. Barisan reps try to pull their man away, but several Pakatan reps are shoving their way through, shouting “Bubar ADUN” (“Dissolve the Assembly”) and “You are not my Speaker!”

The State Secretary, ousted mentri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and the Barisan-appointed executive councillors are standing outside the fray.

2:05pm MIKE WRESTLING MATCH ON!! “New” Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan re-enters the hall to resume his place in anticipation of the opening address by the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah.

Another brief scuffle ensues as Pakatan reps try to get Ganesan to leave. DAP’s Thomas Su tries to grab the microphone from Ganesan, forcing Barisan reps form a protective ring around Ganesan, who is seated on the “Barisan side” of the hall.

Some shouting and pushing goes on as Pakatan reps try to shout down Ganesan.

2:00pm A small group of people have gathered outside the Federal Reserve Unit base in Ipoh where more than 30 of the 64 people arrested this morning are being kept.

Supporters are encouraging motorists to honk their horns as a show of protest against the arrests. It’s mighty noisy in “sleepy old” Ipoh town.

12:58pm “New” Speaker Datuk R. Ganesan attempts to reconvene the sitting, but is shouted out by Pakatan reps.

Exco Hamidah Osman proposes the House adjourns for another hour, to shouts of "Ular, ular!" (snake, snake) from Pakatan reps.

The motion is seconded and Ganesan announces that the House will adjourn for an hour. Again, nobody leaves the hall.

The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, has yet to deliver his opening address.

More News HERE..

News and pics : TheStar

Perak Assembly adjourned after chaotic & acrid meeting

IPOH, Thurs:

4:08pm: The Perak Assembly has adjourned after a tumultuous meeting that led to ugly shouting matches and the ejection of Speaker V. Sivakumar, who was carried out physically by policemen. Despite the difficult situation, Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah delivered his royal address but did not touch on the state's political flux nor the verbal brawls in the House.

The Regent instead focused on praising both the State and Federal Governments for ensuring growth and prosperity in Perak.

Earlier, commotion reigned at the Perak state assembly sitting after Sivakumar refused to start proceedings for as long as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, the six Barisan Nasional (BN) executive councillors and three Independent assemblymen were in the House.

Immediately after taking his seat at about 10am, Sivakumar ordered the 10 assemblymen to leave the hall on the basis that they had been suspended.

The commotion that ensued left the Regent waiting in the holding Royal Room, for the official opening of the assembly session. Zambry and the other nine assemblymen, however, ignored Sivakumar's order.
Former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammed Nizar Jamaluddin and his former Exco members remained seated at the seats allocated for the Menteri Besar and exco members, while Zambry and the new exco members were seated on the opposition side.

Zambry then stood and proposed a motion to sack Sivakumar as Speaker, with the 27 BN assemblymen and three Independents raising their hands in support. But Sivakumar rejected the motion and explained that Zambry could not table the motion as he had been suspended from the assembly.

This caused the assemblymen on both sides of the political divide to hurl insults at each other.

Zambry then proposed the motion again, supported by the BN and Independent assemblymen. In response, Sivakumar ordered the House sergeant-at-arms to remove the 10 assemblymen but Zambry said that Sivakumar had been expelled.

At 10.48am, Deputy Speaker Hee Yit Fong then took over to preside over the assembly sitting from the opposition seat.

Zambry then proposed that former Sungkai assemblyman Datuk R. Ganesan be appointed as the new Speaker and the BN assemblymen and Independents supported the motion.

The commotion continued with Sivakumar still occupying the speaker's chair. With both parties claiming theirs is the rightful speaker, the taunting and booing continue and at one point, they almost got physical.

Sivakumar's voice, however, could not be heard clearly as his microphone has been turned off. The new speaker, Datuk R. Ganesan adjourned the session for an hour with Sivakumar claiming it was null and void.

News and Pics : NST Online

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Boy reveals dark family secret

GEORGE TOWN: A 17-year-old boy kept a dark family secret all to himself for the past three years.

Back in 2006 when he was only 14, his father took him along to bury his younger sister, then 7, at a field near the Sunshine Farlim Hypermarket here.

Yesterday, the teenager led a police team to the open field about 1pm to recover human bone fragments and a skull, believed to be that of his sister.

State Criminal Investigation Department chief Wan Abdullah Tuanku Said said police received a tip-off earlier yesterday that in March 2006, the father had hit his daughter, after which no one ever saw the girl.

"Following investigations, we got hold of the teenager.
"During interrogation, the teenager told us he was with his father on the day the girl was buried," he said.

Wan Abdullah said the teenager then led police to the site where his sister was buried.

He said the forensic team was summoned to the site next to a Tenaga Nasional substation. Also present was state forensic pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh.

Police found the bone fragments and a skull buried about one metre deep.

Wan Abdullah said there was a crack in the skull.

He said a 40-year-old man has been detained to assist investigations into the case, as well as another where he is suspected of physically and sexually abusing another daughter, aged 12.

The man is believed to have three wives and 10 children.

Shocking news by NSTOnline..

1Malaysia steadily getting traction

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thurs:

THERE may have been some scepticism at home on the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but people outside the country appear to be attracted to it. This could be seen from the numerous questions on the concept posed to Najib during his two-day visit to Brunei which ended today.

“I was frequently asked by the people whom I met here about the concept. It appears that they have been following developments in Malaysia,” Najib said.

He was speaking at a breakfast meeting with about 250 members of the Malaysian community in Brunei at the Empire Hotel and Country Club here.

Bruneians saw the concept as most appropriate to galvanise the people, irrespective of race and religion, to work together for their common good.

“It (the 1Malaysia concept) is a way forward for us to enhance ethnic relations in Malaysia,” Najib said.
Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisammuddin Hussein, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Kohilan Pillay.

Najib hoped that Malaysians in Brunei would embrace the concept as a guide to foster closer ties and understanding with the local people.

He said Malaysia and Brunei had always enjoyed a reliable and cordial relationship at the leaders-to-leaders and government-to-government level and that it should be translated to the ground by the people of both countries.

He advised Malaysians who were either working or doing business here not to create any problem.

On his meeting with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman on Wednesday, he said it was conducted in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

“The meeting lasted longer than expected and this showed the good bilateral relations between both countries,” Najib said.

The meeting, which saw both leaders discussing a range of bilateral issues including the demarcation of the Malaysia-Brunei land and maritime border, was scheduled for only 30 minutes but it lasted more than an hour.

The demarcation of the Malaysia-Brunei border, which Najib hoped could be completed soon, is considered crucial as it involved a territorial dispute over Limbang in Sarawak and waters in the continental shelf which is rich in oil and gas reserves.

During the meeting, Najib invited Brunei to invest in the Sabah Devlopment Corridor, the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy and the Iskandar Development Region in Johor.

He said the investment opportunities in the the development initiatives were avenues for Malaysia and Brunei to strengthen economic ties.

Consistent with the desire of both countries to explore new areas of cooperation, Najib said he would be bringing a strong delegation to the annual consultation between Malaysia and Brunei here in early August.

Describing his brief visit here as very meaningful, the prime minister said it has paved the way for a lasting and fruitful relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Brunei was the second Asean country after Indonesia that Najib visited after his appointment as prime minister.

News by NSTOnline..

Man United beats Arsenal 1-0 in Champions League

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - John O'Shea gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, but the defending champion missed plenty of chances to win by a bigger margin.

The fullback scored in the 18th minute after Arsenal failed to clear a corner. United outplayed Arsenal for long spells and had chances of a far bigger victory, but was foiled by three good first-half saves by Manuel Almunia.

The Red Devils look certain to go to next week's second leg without center back Rio Ferdinand, who has a suspected broken rib after a late scramble in front of the United goal.

"He's gone to hospital and we will wait for the outcome of that," said United manager Alex Ferguson. "It doesn't look good at the moment."

The two teams meet again at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium next Tuesday. The winner will advance to the May 27 final in Rome to face either Barcelona or Chelsea, who drew 0-0 in Tuesday's first leg in Spain.

"We had chances and their goalkeeper made two or three fantastic saves," Ferguson said. "The more pleasing aspect is that, before the game I said (to the players) 'Try and win the game without conceding a goal.' We've done that.

"Our forward play was very good and that's given us a good chance."

Arsenal was without injured forward Robin van Persie and Russian star Andry Arshavin, who is not eligible to line up for the Gunners in the Champions League having played for Zenit St. Petersburg earlier in this season's competition. The result was that Arsene Wenger's men rarely created chances at Old Trafford but are fortunate they only have to make up a one-goal deficit at home.

Wenger believes that his team will play far better in the second leg.

"If you look at the clear-cut chances, they were on top," the Arsenal manager said. "The positive is that we are only 1-0 down that we take home, and I am convinced that you will see a different Arsenal team at the Emirates. I believe that we have a good chance to reverse the result.

"I believe that the tie is very open. (United) can have regrets because they didn't score a second goal. It's down to us to make sure they regret they didn't score a second goal."

United's pressure brought some early chances followed by a goal.

Wayne Rooney's looping header in the second minute was finger-tipped away by Almunia, and a well-worked move ended with O'Shea's cross to Carlos Tevez, whose close-range shot was well saved by the Gunners keeper. From the corner, Michael Carrick beat a defender on the left and his cross deflected off Alex Song to the unmarked O'Shea, who drove the ball into the roof of the net.

After the 0-0 draw between Barcelona and Chelsea, that makes fullback O'Shea, who has scored 13 other goals for United, the only player to score in the semifinals so far although he said United should have had more.

"Possibly with the chances we had. Their 'keeper has made a couple of great saves," the Irish international said. "On our first half display we could have been a couple more goals up.

"But we have the goal, we kept a clean sheet and we know we're capable of scoring an away goal at the Emirates. In the second game we need to improve on retaining possession. Overall we have to be happy."

The defending champions maintained the momentum, and the busy Almunia saved a close-range header from Cristiano Ronaldo as well as his follow up shot. Later, he raced off his line to dive at the feet of Tevez as United threatened more goals.

"Almunia had a big game in a big game," Wenger said. "His saves were excellent, top class in every sense. His reading of the game, his decision making, quality, sharpness. He was really top class tonight."

Although Arsenal had a spell of possession before halftime, the Gunners did little to worry United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, with defenders Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic firmly in control of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The pattern continued in the second half, with Ronaldo having a shot blocked. After Adebayor made a series of mistakes at the other end, the Arsenal fans began chanting the name of striker Eduardo da Silva.

Adebayor's response was a powerful shot that just cleared the crossbar, but Ronaldo then replied with a 25-meter drive that shook the Gunners bar.

Ferguson sent on Dimitar Berbatov for the busy Tevez, and Ryan Giggs stretched his record number of appearances for the club to 800 when he came on for Anderson. - AP

News by TheStar..

Please help find our baby

Tan Lay Khiaw (left) and her husband, Kee Bak Siang, with a picture of Hao Kit.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 1-year-old boy has gone missing from his home and his family suspects that he has fallen into the hands of a human trafficking syndicate.

The toddler, Kee Hao Kit, was believed to have been abducted by a worker in his father's coconut plantation in Sungai Air Tawar, Sabak Ber- nam, Selangor, 12 days ago.

To date, his family has not received any ransom demand for his release.

Hao Kit's parents, Kee Bak Siang and Tan Lay Khiaw, are worried that their only child may have been smuggled out of the country.

"Nobody has contacted me for a ransom. He is just a baby," said Kee, 33, adding that the family did not have enemies nor did he owe anyone money.
Hao Kit went missing on April 10, when his mother Tan, left their house to go to a nearby shop at 4pm. She left her son in the care of her nephew and niece, both aged 13.

As she was leaving the house, Tan saw three men at her back door who claimed they were waiting for her husband.

"One of them was our gardener, who started working for us five days earlier. He was from Sabah."

When Tan returned home half an hour later, her nephew and niece were playing in front of the house but the baby was nowhere to be found. The two teenagers did not know that the baby had disappeared.

Witnesses told the grieving parents that they saw the child with their gardener who was riding a motorcycle.

The gardener has since gone missing and his mobile phone number is no longer in service.

"I can't asleep at night. Hao Kit is still a baby and needs me to comfort and feed him," said Tan, a housewife.

They have lodged a police report and have sought the help of the media to highlight their baby's disappearance.

A woman contacted them recently, claiming she had seen Hao Kit in Taman Maluri, Cheras. Police checked out the tip-off but to no avail.

Yesterday, the couple sought the assistance of MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.

The couple urged those who had seen their son to contact them or a nearby police station. They can be contacted at 016-5963109 and the department at 03-21615678.

News and Pics By: NSTOnline

Najib doesn’t depend on me: Dr M

CYBERJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not acting as a consultant to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Najib Tun Razak.

He added Najib didn’t depend on him for advice, for example, on the appointment of Cabinet members, claiming that some of the ministers who had been appointed by Najib were corrupt.

Dr Mahathir declined to say who they were, but singled out Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Johari Baharom, whom he said should have not been appointed minister and deputy minister respectively.

“Nazri was nasty to me, so of course, I don’t like him.

”And Johari, he had this accusation against him that he had accepted RM5mil to release some people (from jail).

“Of course, he was cleared. But, some people feel that he should have not been made deputy minister,” the former premier told reporters after presenting a speech titled “The MSC and leadership in the information age” at the MSC Malaysia Leadership Talk Series here Wednesday.

Nazri had been a vocal critic of Dr Mahathir when the latter constantly made scathing attacks on his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he was prime minister.

Johari was Deputy Internal Security Minister when he was accused of accepting bribes to release a detainee in 2007.

Dr Mahathir also said he was only giving his personal opinion that the Barisan Nasional should contest if a by-election is called in Penanti, although Najib had indicated that the coalition should focus more on improving the economy.

“I give valid reasons. But, I’m only expressing my opinion. He (Najib) doesn’t have to follow me.

“I give my opinion, but they don’t consult me. I’m not a consultant on every issue,” he added.

However, Dr Mahathir said it didn’t mean that he was opposed to Najib, saying that the Umno president had the right to decide on Cabinet members and their deputies.

News by TheStar..

Proton unveils its first MPV

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd’s first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Exora, was unveiled to the public in a gala event here yesterday.

Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the 1.6-litre Exora has already received orders of 2,500 units, even before its launch.

The seven-seater - Proton’s most important model for the year - also marks the company’s entry into the MPV market, which is growing domestically and regionally.

It also represents the Proton management’s response to market needs and consumer demands.

The Exora’s interior is more spacious than other MPVs in its engine class. It also has separate air-conditioner blowers with ceiling mounted vents for the second and third row passengers.

Large doors allow for easy entry and exit, while the second and third row seats can be folded for a flat floor layout when carrying bulky items.

The vehicle has safety features like dual front airbags, pretensioner seatbelts and anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution.

The Exora, which is powered by a 1.6-litre CamPro CPS engine, was the result of an investment of RM450mil and 18 months of intense in-house research and development.

The MPV is available in four-speed automatic version, in trim levels of Mid-Line and Hi-Line.

The Mid-Line Exora costs RM69,998 and the Hi-Line variant, RM75,998 (prices quoted here are for metallic colours only)

News and Pics by TheStar..

Fairus: Clear my name or prepare for expose

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who quit as Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 and as Penanti assemblyman, has given PKR a two-week deadline to clear his name, saying he would otherwise expose a state government and party scandal.

In an exclusive interview with Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau, he said he had inside information related to the internal operation of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

“That is the reason why the party still does not take any action against me,” he said, adding that it was not convenient for him to elaborate at present and urged the press to be patient.

Mohammad Fairus has been quizzed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for his alleged involvement with illegal quarry activities in the state, and has come under fire by his own party for supposed under-performance.

“I am innocent. They know what I can do. So do not push me (from taking such step)!” he said, claiming that he had been framed by party insiders.

He told Nanyang Siang Pau that he was unhappy with his party for not standing behind him as it had done for Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong and former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam.

“The two of them were just state executive council (exco) members, while I am not only a state exco member but also state Deputy Chief Minister,” he said, denying criticism that he had been neglectful of his constituency and absent from many state government functions.

He claimed that it was all part of a well-crafted plot to frame him.

“I have done my constituency work properly and have the support of my voters. Those on the outside may not understand this because my work and services for the constituency have not been reported in newspapers,” he said.

He added that he would cooperate with the MACC to clear his name over the illegal quarrying issue.

News by TheStar..

Malaysian student killed in Melbourne crash

MELBOURNE, Tues:

A Malaysian student was killed on Saturday when a car in which she was travelling skidded and hit a tree in Apollo Bay, about 190km from here.
Sharon Chua Sook Teng, 35, a MBA student at the RMIT University here, died on the spot.

"It appears that a Toyota sedan lost control on the Great Ocean Road and hit a tree about 10km west of Apollo Bay just after 4.30pm," a police spokeswoman told Bernama.

Another woman, also a passenger in the car, was trapped for some time before being airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition," she said.

The driver, believed to be the husband of the injured woman, was taken to Apollo Bay Hospital and then transferred to the Geelong Hospital for treatment.

The couple, friends of Sharon, were holidaying here from Singapore. Their names have not been released.
Sharon brothers, Poi Hean and Poi Keong, and sister Jennifer flew in here this morning to claim the body.

Jennifer said the family was waiting for the body to be released by the coroner before being cremated and the ashes taken back to their home in Cheras.

News by NSTOnline..

P/S May her soul rest in peace.. Amen

Eli Wong agrees to stay as exco, rep

SHAH ALAM: Bukit Lanjan rep Elizabeth Wong has agreed to stay on as state executive councillor and assemblyman.

Wong, who had tendered her resignation after revealing photos of her emerged two months ago, was earlier Wednesday asked to stay on by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

In a statement later Wednesday, Wong said, "It is with the greatest humility that I accept the Selangor state’s offer to remain in office."

She also thanked the Sultan of Selangor for his guidance.

"I wish to thank mentri besar and the Selangor exco, my staff, my fellow assemblymen, fellow politicians from Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional, PKR leaders, the Women’s wing of PKR and the grassroots, and my legal team for their support and guidance," she added.

When she had tendered her resignation, Khalid had asked her to go on leave pending a decision.

Khalid told a press conference that asking Wong to resume her duties was the right thing to do, even though she had tendered in her resignation

“The state government believes this is an appropriate and fair decision after taking into consideration views from all quarters, public interest and the fact that police investigations have to date failed to reach a conclusion,” he said after chairing the weekly exco meeting.

Khalid was accompanied by almost all of his exco members, including senior exco Teresa Wong and Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, who is the state PAS commissioner, when making the announcement.

The mentri besar also added that Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had been briefed about the exco’s decision to retain Wong.

Khalid also thanked Sultan Sharafuddin for his stand in not interfering in political decisions and entrusting the state government to make a fair and just decision.

Khalid stressed that morality was of utmost importance to the state's Pakatan Rakyat government.

“We will ensure that this principle is strictly adhered to. Should there be any conclusive evidence of wrongdoings, the state government will not hesitate to initiate the necessary action,” he added.

However, said Khalid, the state government was also equally concerned in protecting the rights to privacy and would do its utmost to protect that right.

He reiterated that Wong was a victim and that even though it was an issue of morality, everyone was innocent until proven guilty.

Wong found herself in a quandary after some revealing pictures of her were sent to the media in early February.

She immediately tendered her resignation as exco member and elected representative citing that it was in the best interest of her party PKR.

Wong was granted long leave while the police conducted investigations and the exco debated on her status as exco member and assemblyman.

When asked if all the exco members had agreed unanimously to reject Wong’s resignation or if the decision to retain her was PKR’s, Khalid said what was discussed at the meeting would not be revealed.

He also stressed that it was the state government’s decision not to accept Wong’s resignation.

She went on leave on Feb 15 after some revealing pictures of her were posted on the Internet, and also tendered her resignation as exco member and assemblyman, saying that it was in the best interest of her party PKR and the state’s Pakatan Rakyat ruling coalition.

Other exco members temporarily took over Wong’s tourism, consumer affairs and environment portfolio. Khalid and senior exco Teresa Kok handled tourism, Ean Yong Hian Wah will oversaw consumer affairs while Rodziah Ismail and Dr Xavier Jayakumar handled environment.

Rodziah also stood in for Wong in carrying out the official duties as Bukit Lanjan assemblyman.

The revealing pictures of Wong were sent to selected media outlets by unknown parties.

She lodged a police report and in the course of their investigations, police obtained a warrant of arrest for one Hilmi Malek, a former boyfriend of the assemblyman.

Hilmi, 32, was issued a notice under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code to come forward and record a statement by March 19, but to date, there has been no word from him. He is believed to be residing in a neighbouring country.

Wong said the past two months have been more than an ordeal for her.

“I have been stripped bare publicly -- both figuratively and literally -- by force and against my will. My personal life has been violated and assaulted by none other than criminals.

“Even up to this evening, I continue to receive threats from unknown persons.

“This is not a scandal, as some have suggested, but a clear criminal act. This is no less a form of criminal intimidation, a form of political violence, and one which, if I chose to retreat into silence, would in turn indirectly affect women, especially women politicians,” she added.

Wong said she was “humbled by the encouragement and support shown by the media, my family and friends, non-governmental organisations, the tens of thousands of people who signed the petitions on my behalf and who wrote to me, and especially my constituents who stood by me in these trying times.”

“I also wish to thank the [olice for their professionalism in addressing the issue at hand and I look forward to them apprehending and charging the criminals soonest,” she said.

News by TheStar Online..

Bangkok turns into a war zone

BANGKOK: Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire into the air and threw tear gas to clear demonstrators blocking roads across the capital Monday in a major escalation of anti-government protests that have roiled this South-East Asian nation.

At least 74 people were reported injured in the clashes, most of them in a pre-dawn confrontation in which the demonstrators hurled at least one gasoline bomb and, according to the military, fired at the troops.

The protesters were stationed at half a dozen points in Bangkok, including the prime minister’s office where thousands remained encamped, defying a state of emergency that bans gatherings of more than five people.

The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying his four-month-old government came to power illegally.

Protesters commandeered public buses to block several key intersections, set tires on fire and sent two unmanned buses, one of them set on fire, hurtling toward lines of soldiers.

In one of several tense confrontations and cat-and-mouse chases around the city, a line of troops in full battle gear fired volleys of M-16 fire, most of it aimed above the heads of protesters and turned water cannons on the crowd near Victory Monument, a major traffic circle.

Protesters at an intersection near the monument set an empty bus on fire and, after weighing down the accelerator with a bag of water bottles, sent it surging toward advancing soldiers.

The bus swerved and then ricocheted off trees on the side of the road before coming to a halt, with no one injured.

City officials said the protesters have commandeered about 30 public buses and earlier forced military vehicles to halt, in one case climbing on top of two armoured personnel carriers, waving flags and shouting “Democracy.”

The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who want new elections and Abhisit’s ouster. They also accuse the country’s elite -- the military, judiciary and other unelected officials -- of undermining democracy by interfering in politics.

Parliament appointed Abhisit in December after a court ordered the removal of the previous pro-Thaksin government citing fraud in the 2007 elections. Thaksin supporters took to the streets in protest, and their numbers grew to 100,000 in Bangkok last week.

A mob of the red-shirted protesters smashed cars carrying Abhisit and his aides on Sunday. The secretary-general of Abhisit’s office, Niphon Promphan, was dragged from the car and beaten, suffering head injuries and broken ribs.

Abhisit appealed Monday to the demonstrators to return to their homes, saying the government was using “the softest measures possible” against them.

“All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It’s a step by step process to restore order and stop violence,” he said on nationwide television.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the “situation in Thailand is being brought back under control.”

“In the next few hours, several security measures will be established ... to secure major ports, international airports and infrastructure,” he said.

In contrast to a complete security breakdown over the weekend, where a 16-nation Asian summit was canceled after demonstrators stormed the venue, security forces began to take action.

Monday’s first clash began between 4am and 5am, as troops in full combat gear advanced to disperse the protesters, who were occupying a major junction, according to witnesses.

The soldiers fired hundreds of rounds from their M-16 automatic rifles, with Associated Press reporters saying most appeared to have been aimed over the heads of the protesters.

The reporters saw protesters throw at least one gasoline bomb which exploded behind the army line and tear gas floated across the eerie dawn scene.

At the nearby Century Park Hotel, foreign tourists were seen rushing into taxis and heading for Bangkok’s international airport. But others seemed unruffled.

“We’re from South Africa. We don’t scare easy,” said Estelle Jones, a tourist from Johannesburg.

France, Britain, Australia, the United States, South Korea and the Philippines were among countries that issued travel advisories Monday, urging citizens to avoid trips to Thailand and for those already in Bangkok to stay in their hotels and away from protests.

The US Embassy issued a warden message urging Americans “to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution anywhere in Bangkok.”

Dr Chatri Charoenchivakul of the Erawan Emergency Coordination Centre said at least 70 people were injured, most of them from tear gas, while two soldiers and two civilians suffered from gunshot wounds. Another four persons were injured in clashes near Victory Monument, he said.

Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the protesters also used tear gas as well as “weapons” to open fire on the soldiers.

Monday marked the beginning of the Thai New Year, normally the country’s most joyous holiday. The Bangkok municipal government cancelled all its festivities, but despite the rioting many Thais and foreign tourists began engaging in the ritualistic water throwing and general partying.

However, all major department stores, malls and jewellery shops in Chinatown shut their doors.

On Sunday night, ousted prime minister Thaksin, regarded by most of the protesters as their leader, called for a revolution and said he might return from exile to lead it.

Thaksin fled the country last year, before a court convicted him in absentia of violating a conflict of interest law.

“Now that they have tanks on the streets, it is time for the people to come out in revolution. And when it is necessary, I will come back to the country,” he said in a telephoned message to followers outside Abhisit’s office.

The message was broadcast over a video link projected on giant screens and relayed on supporters’ Internet sites. It was unclear where Thaksin was calling from, but the former leader has been spending much of his time in Dubai.

Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular in the impoverished countryside for his populist policies.

His opponents -- many in urban areas -- took to the streets last year to help bring down two pro-Thaksin governments, seizing Bangkok’s two airports in November for about a week. -- AP

News and Pics by TheStar..

Malam Kemuncak Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian

GENTING HIGHLANDS, 13 APRIL 2009: Juara Raja Lawak 2, Ahmad Nabil Ahmad atau lebih dikenali sebagai Nabil, telah dinobatkan sebagai Bintang Paling Popular pada Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2008 (ABPBH08) yang sebelum ini disandang oleh Raja SMS, Mawi.

Dengan kemenangan itu, Nail meraih hadiah barang kemas tajaan Rafflesia The Pearl Centre bernilai RM150,000, kereta Nissan Sylphy (2.0) tajaaan Edaran Tan Chong Motor berharga RM109,000, perabot Empire Classic Furniture bernilai RM30,000 serta pakej penginapan bernilai RM8,000 tajaan Hotel Palace of the Golden Horses, selain trofi.

Trofi Bintang Paling Popular 2008 itu disampaikan Ketua Pengarang Kumpulan New Straits Times Press (NSTP), Datuk Hishamuddin Aun yang diiringi Pengarang Kumpulan Berita Harian Sdn Bhd (BHSB), Datuk Manja Ismail, di majlis kemuncak ABPBH2008 di Arena of Stars, malam tadi.

Nabil, 26, meraih 127,524 undi sekaligus menewaskan nama-nama besar lain seperti Mawi, Dato' Siti Nurhaliza, Haji Aznil Haji Nawawi dan Meet Uncle Hussain. Dalam majlis itu juga Nabil turut meraih anugerah dalam 2 kategori lain iaitu Artis Komedi Lelaki Popular dan Artis Baru Lelaki Popular.

Majlis yang bertemakan Sentuhan Tenun itu turut disiarkan secara langsung melalui TV3 serta Hot FM. Anugerah Percapaian Sepanjang Hayat pula diberikan kepada Raja Pop, Jamal Abdillah berdasarkan sumbangan beliau memartabatkan industri muzik tanah air sepanjang pembabitannya dalam dunia seni selama 30 tahun.

Turut mencipta sejarah berulang pada malam tersebut ialah Dato' Siti yang mempertahankan gelarannya selama 12 tahun berturut-turut bagi kategori Penyanyi Wanita Popular sementara Aznil pula terus menjulang trofi Pengacara TV Lelaki Popular bagi 6 kali berturut-turut.

Kumpulan Rabbani juga mencipta kejayaan yang dijangkan apabila mengekalkan kemenangan mereka menerusi kategori Artis Nasyid Popular bagi 8 tahun berturut-turut.

Lebih 5,000 penonton hadir menyaksikan acara lebih 2 jam itu yang dihoskan pasangan pelakon dan pengacara sensasi, Sharifah Shahira dan Adlin Aman Ramlie. Penyanyi yang membuat persembahan ialah Stacy, Aizat, Siti Sarah, Ayu OIAM, Diddy Hirdy, Jeffrydin, L Ramlie, Jamal Abdillah, Dato Siti, Kristal, Farah Asyikin, Faizal Tahir, Anita Sarawak dan Hujan.

ABPBH08 anjuran Berita Harian yang memasuki edisi ke-22 itu terus bertahan sebagai antara majlis pengiktirafan paling berprestij dalam dunia hiburan tanah air kerana menggabungkan semua penggiat seni termasuk dalam bidang perfileman, muzik dan penyiaran.


SENARAI PENUH PEMENANG

*Bintang Paling Popular - Nabil

*Pelakon Filem Lelaki Popular - Que Haidar

*Pelakon Filem Wanita Popular - Maya Karin

*Pelakon TV Lelaki Popular - Rosyam Nor

*Pelakon TV Wanita Popular - Dynas

*Penyanyi Lelaki Popular - Mawi

*Penyanyi Wanita Popular - Dato' Siti Nurhaliza

*Artis Nasyid Popular - Rabbani

*Artis Berkumpulan/Duo Popular - Meet Uncle Hussain

*Artis Komedi Lelaki Popular - Nabil

*Artis Komedi Wanita Popular - Noorkhiriah

*Artis Baru Lelaki Popular - Nabil

*Artis Baru Wanita Popular - Stacy

*Pengacara TV Lelaki Popular - Aznil Hj Nawawi

* Pengacara TV Wanita Popular - Fara Fauzana

*Penyampai Radio Lelaki Popular - Faizal Ismail

*Penyampai Radio Wanita Popular - Fara Fauzana

*Anugerah Khas Pencapaian Sepanjang Hayat - Biduan Jamal Abdillah

Berita oleh Murai.com

Ex-Sabah Minister Mojuntin goes to jail

KOTA KINABALU: Former Berjaya minister minister Datuk Conrad Mojuntin began serving his six-month jail sentence on Monday, for threatening a businessman three years ago.

His application for leave to challenge the Jan 3 High Court decision to sentence him to six months’ imprisonment was not granted by the Court of Appeal that sat here Monday.

The Court directed the former state minister to serve his six-month prison term for criminal intidimation of a businessman.

Justices Datuk Tengku Baharudin Shah Tengku Mahmud, Datuk Md Raus Sharif and Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong heard the application. They also revoked his RM5,000 bail.

Conrad, 60, was sentenced to six months jail and fined RM2,000 in default of three months’ jail for criminally intimidating businessman Doughty Disimon, 30, outside the SJD Cafe and Sports in Donggonggon in Penampang near here at 3.30am on Oct 23, 2005.

The assault incident was linked to the shooting death of 19-year-old fishmonger Anthony Chang.

Conrad, who was state minister youth, culture and sports in the early 1980s, was represented by Zahir Shah with the prosecution headed by Manoj Kumar.

News by TheStar Online..

David Archuleta, the runner-up of last year’s American Idol made a surprise appearance at SMK Sri KDU in Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur

PETALING JAYA: The real world and cyberspace were caught up in the David Archuleta mania as the runner-up of last year’s American Idol made a surprise appearance at SMK Sri KDU in Kota Damansara.

“It was crazy as I did not realise how many kids would be there.

“I did not expect them to be that enthusiastic and have that much energy,” said Archuleta of the big crowd at the school yesterday.

He was mobbed by an equally huge crowd when he landed at KL International Airport on Wednesday.

The students of the school were rewarded with the special visit after having won the Hitz.fm “Bring Archuleta To Your School” campaign.

Students were required to answer questions and vote for their schools on the radio station’s website. The school garnered a whopping 65,700 votes.

“I voted for our school so many times. I just kept clicking the submit button (on the website) over and over again!” exclaimed Form 4 student Goh Lih Seng, who added that he enjoyed Archuleta’s music but was never a big fan. “Now I’m a huge fan!” he said.

The 18-year-old singer spent about an hour at the secondary school, posing for pictures with the top students before entering the hall where he was greeted with screams.

Meanwhile, the team from The Star’s youth platform R.AGE was hard at work at the school, keeping fans of the baby-faced singer updated with what was happening.

Using the social networking tool Twitter, which allows people to follow updates of fellow “Tweeple”, the R.AGE team was able to notify anyone with immediate updates and pictures on site, including replies by Archuleta from an interview conducted after the event.

Earlier, Archuleta told the crowd how much he loved Malaysia and what a surreal experience it was for him to be in Malaysia, all the way from Utah, United States.

He also talked to the students about how he got through high school with good grades.

“I wasn’t the smartest in my class but I took my time and worked at (my studies). The effort is what helped me out and got me the grades I wanted,” Archuleta said.

After the event, Archuleta held a press conference at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. He will perform a special showcase at Sunway Lagoon Amphitheatre at 3pm on Saturday.

* Log on to rage.com.my for more pictures and details on David Archuleta’s visit to SMK Sri KDU.

News and pic by: TheStar Online..

Najib names 28-member Cabinet

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a 28-member Cabinet with 25 ministries that saw eight ministers dropped and seven new faces appointed.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who won the Umno deputy presidency in last month’s party elections, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

Najib, who took his oath of office as the new prime minister on April 3, also retained the finance portfolio which he has held since Sept 19 last year following the portfolio swap between him and former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at that time.

Najib’s Cabinet is slightly smaller than his predecessor’s 32 ministers and 27 ministries.

Najib said that the new members of the administration were highly spirited and ready to serve.

Najib was at Istana Terengganu in Kuala Lumpur at about 10:57am where he had a 30-min audience with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan, before leaving for Putrajaya where he announced the new line-up at 3pm.

The premier had spent the last five days juggling names and positions to take into consideration the requests and views of various Barisan Nasional component parties.

The new ministers and deputy ministers will take their oath of office at Istana Negara at 9.30am Friday.

NEW CABINET LINE-UP:

Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy PM and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Ministers in Prime Minister’s Department
Unity and Performance Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Law and Parliament Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz
Religious Affairs Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum
Economic Planning Unit Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop

Deputies: Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, Datuk SK Devamany, Ahmad Maslan, Senator T. Murugiah

Finance
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Finance Minister II: Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadziah
Deputies: Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein

Education
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies: Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Puad Zarkashi

Transport
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Deputies: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Datuk Robert Lau

Home
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, Jelaing Mersat

Information, Culture, Arts and Communications
Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputies: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Heng Sai Kee

Energy, Green Tech & Water
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

Plantation Industries and Commodoties
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Rural and Regional Development
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
Deputies: Datuk Hassan Malek, Datuk Joseph Entulu

Higher Education
Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin
Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah

International Trade and Industry
Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputies: Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir, Datuk Jacob Dungau

Science, Tech and Innovation
Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Fadillah Yusof

Natural Resources and Environment
Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas
Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Tourism
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries
Datuk Noh Omar
Deputies: Johari Baharum, Rohani Abdul Karim

Defence
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latif

Works
Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Health
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin

Youth and Sports
Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputies: Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng

Human Resources
Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam
Deputy: Datuk Maznah Mazlan

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri
Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Housing and Local Government
Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Deputy: Lajim Ukin

Women, Family and Community Development
Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil
Deputy: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

Foreign Affairs
Datuk Anifah Aman
Deputies: Datuk Lee Chee Hong, Senator A. Kohilan

Federal Territories
Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin
Deputy: M. Saravanan

News by TheStar Online..