3 Feb 2012 by Tan Pek Wan

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WORLD

Football violence At least 74 people were killed and hundreds injured when rival fans clashed after a football match in Port Said, Egypt — AFPpic

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PETALING JAYA

What next, Zaid? Kita chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim will see the end of his political road with the party’s impending disbandment, say politicians and observers By ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI and HAMZAH NAZARI mmnews@mmail.com.my

THE dissolution of Parti Keadilan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) has sounded the death knell for Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s political career. This is the opinion of political observers and politicians who spoke to The Malay Mail yesterday and attributed Zaid’s impatience and shoot-from-thehip character as a political disadvantage. The lawyer-turned-politician had announced yesterday via the party’s website that Kita would be dissolved through an extraordinary general meeting and reasoned it was necessary to “remove any and all doubts that we indeed do support the opposition”. It cited lack of funding and support among reasons for its dissolution. While Kita is perceived as a one-man show, some disgruntled party members are against its dissolution (see page 2). Zaid had left PKR to form and become Kita’s president after condemning Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership. However, the former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department recently apologised to the PKR de facto leader for his “malicious attacks” before the sodomy trial verdict. Umno Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said Zaid should reconsider his political career.

“Pity the guy, he chose the wrong profession. He has no stomach for politics. When I heard the news, I was absolutely disappointed. So many mistakes have made him a spent force.” He suggested Zaid should return to his law practice. “He could go back to law or the corporate world. With due respect, I do not think he is made for politics. “He left Umno to join PKR to provide a new platform and then left PKR to form Kita for the same reason. He never really started his political career.” Abdul Rahman also rubbished rumours that Zaid would return to PKR. “As long as (PKR deputy president) Azmin Ali is around, he won’t go back to PKR. There’s too much bad blood there and I don’t think Anwar Ibrahim would allow it.” Zaid was appointed de facto law minister in Tun Abdullah Badawi’s Cabinet after the 2008 general election, tasked to oversee the country’s judicial reform. He resigned from government, a few months later, following the arrests of DAP’s Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoong Cheng under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Meanwhile, both PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Fuziah Salleh, remained coy over the disbanding of the year-old party, stressing only the public could judge Zaid’s political credibility.

Said Nurul Izzah: “It is best that he is judged by the people. I don’t like to dwell on the past and I have not seen him since the end of 2010. Will PKR accept him? We will cross the bridge once we get there.” Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said Kita’s end was a surprise, while pointing out that Zaid was synonymous with abrupt decisions. “He has made sudden moves before, such as leaving PKR to form Kita and these changes are quite abrupt. However, everybody is at liberty to determine his destiny. “Politicians need not reveal all to the public. I am not sure he will stay in politics.” Ong Kian Ming, a political analyst and lecturer at UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, was more scathing, saying Zaid’s reputation and credibility “were near zero”. “I see Zaid’s political career as a comedy of errors. As a politician, what does he hope to be now? Does he hope to return to PKR and contest for a seat to become politically relevant? That is wishful thinking. “Yes, most definitely he is a spent force. His credibility is very close to zero. He would lose his deposit if he decides to stand for any of the urban seats.” Zaid did not answer or return our calls and text messages yesterday.  ZAID’S STATEMENT ON PG 2

GOMBAK

Shaved and shivering P. DASHVINDHERAN in tears while having his head shaved as an act of penance in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival on Tuesday. The 11-month-old from Subang Jaya was among hundreds who had their heads shaved at Batu Caves yesterday. — Pic: RAZAK GHAZALI

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FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL EDITORIAL Tel: 03-74951288 | Fax: 03-74951229 | E-mail: mmnews@mmail.com.my THE MALAY MAIL IS PUBLISHED BY: Malay Mail Sdn Bhd, Lot 2A, Jalan 13/2, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR

PENGKALAN HULU

‘Don’t be duped by mosque incidents’

Sports complex needs makeover

Grandma remanded to help in police probe

Logger caught for exceeding quota

Deputy inspector-general of police urges public not to be duped by quarters intent on creating racial tension

Residents want 30-year-old Bangsar Sports Complex upgraded, says Bangsar Baru RA chairman

Woman suspected of suffocating granddaughter undergoes surgery to reattach finger and is remanded for seven days

Logs worth RM270,000 seized from concessionaire suspected of encroaching forest reserve at Betong-Thai border

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PETALING JAYA

‘Guilty by association’ Shahrizat must quit posts in party and govt, says Megat Najmuddin By TERENCE FERNANDEZ and ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI mmnews@mmail.com.my

EMBATTLED Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil must resign from all posts in the party and government. While he sympathised with her, Umno disciplinary committee deputy chief Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas (pic) said he agreed with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz’s statement that “tainted” leaders must leave for the betterment of the party. “Unfortunately, she is guilty by association. That’s the way it is in politics, especially when the person is your husband. How many husbands tell their wives everything?,” he said. “She is an old friend of

mine but I tend to agree with Rafidah. I think she should resign. “(This is) not to say that she is guilty of anything.” Megat Najmuddin spoke to The Malay Mail, which frontpaged Rafidah’s remarks yesterday. In a thinly-veiled reference to her successor, the former Wanita Umno chief had said: “If your toe has gangrene, you don’t chop off the whole leg, you just amputate the toe!” However, Megat Najmuddin said a resignation would not spell out Shahrizat’s guilt in the controversy. He explained it would be hard for Shahrizat to fulfill her duties as the women, family and community development minister if she continued to be plagued by allegations against the National Feedlot

Corporation (NFC). “Poor thing, but that’s the way it is. That is politics because, otherwise, people will associate you with the socalled and perceived wrongdoings of NFC,” he said. “She is innocent because she has got nothing to do with the approval of the project and the funding. All was done by different ministries. I think he (Shahrizat’s husband, NFC executive chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail) was also the victim of circumstances.” Shahrizat has been facing calls for her resignation over the cow-gate controversy, causing her to take a threeweek leave from her ministerial duties last month. She is due back from leave today although sources say she will be asked to extend her leave.

NFC was established as a High-Impact Project under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, to be at the forefront of Malaysia’s cattle production and halal beef products. The couple’s three children — Wan Shahinur Izmir, 31, Wan Shahinur Izran, 27, and Wan Izzana Fatimah, 25, — have been on the board since 2007. The corporation, which runs a 2,023.4ha site in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, received a RM250 million soft loan from the government at an interest rate of two per cent, and a RM13 million grant, half of which had been disbursed to it. Shahrizat is also facing allegations of misappropriation of funds after PKR revealed public funds were allegedly used to purchase two luxury condominiums

Dissolution necessary to remove any doubt discourse has failed. I have not succeeded in bringing in enough members who are interested in democratic ideals, good governance and accountability amongst public officials. I have also not been able to raise sufficient funds to manage the party’s activities, and friends who had promised to help have since decided otherwise. The media’s deep interest in the petty issues that affect the party is also indicative of the difficulties that we will continue to face. There are enough people out there who are just interested in criticising my leadership of Kita, and who manufacture stories to ridicule me.

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NATIONAL

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for RM13.8 million at One 41 Menerung in Bangsar. Don’t push “That (the allegations) is it, Torre not criminal. s Misuse of a 46 loan is a civil matter. You breach the agreement, then it is a civil matter. It is not as if he (Mohd Salleh) cheated the government out of the money because the money was already given to him to control,” he said. HOCKEY I CHAMPIONS

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Fan cuffs himself to posts at Everton

Yu-na is Asia’s sexiest

SOUTH KOREA’S figure skating champion Kim Yu-na (right) has been named Asia’s sexiest sportswoman. Also known as the ever-elegant “Ice Queen,” Yu-na took the spotlight after her recent Winter Olympics win. Donning a sparkly royal blue number, she showed off her svelte figure in a world record-setting performance. It’s easy to see why she was an instant media darling. Brilliant athleticism aside, her infectious smile won the world over in a heartbeat. Born on Sept 5, 1990, Kim began skating at the age of 7. In August 2010, Forbes magazine listed her as one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, with annual earnings of US$9.7 million (RM30m). Kim was rated one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2010 by TIME Magazine. In second spot is India’s chess grandmaster, Tania Sachdev, followed by China’s volleyball player Xue Chen.

Play was delayed in Everton’s English Premier League match against Manchester City at Goodison Park this morning after a spectator invaded the pitch and handcuffed himself to a goalpost. The man emerged from the crowd with just under five minutes remaining until half-time and shackled himself to the frame of City keeper Joe Hart’s goal. After a hold-up which resulted in five minutes of first-half stoppage time, he was released and led away by police. Everton confirmed on their official website, evertonfc.com: “Bolt-cutters were used to remove the offender, who was roundly booed as he was escorted from the ground. “It transpired that the supporter is a known professional protester, allegedly protesting about an airline’s recruitment policy. He was arrested by Merseyside Police, who are now dealing with the matter.” Everton went on to win the game 1-0 with a deflected strike from Darron Gibson. — DM

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RM1.00 2, 2012

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SEOUL I ICE SKATING

The death knell may soon sound The Spaniard came up blank for Chelsea’s Fernando Torres. again yesterday morning Swansea City. Manager against Andre Villas-Boas may now be forced to pull the plug on his striker. 

TESTDRIVE

REVUP

FIRSTGEAR

THURSDAY FEBRUARY

Spiritual journey Hindu devotees practise

‘Naamdaan’, a type of meditation,

in a rally by spirtual guru

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- AFPpic

KUALA LUMPUR

Moo-ve out!

Iron Lady Tan Sri Raﬁ dah Aziz implores tainted leaders to quit, stops short of naming anyone but makes thinly-disguised references to her Wanita Umno successor By TERENCE FERNANDEZ AND AZRIL ANNUAR mmnews@mmail.com.my

3

PETALING JAYA

Politicians ‘no’ to limiti ng

supporters on nominatio n day

ing nomination day was By ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI and unique to a show of AZRIL ANNUAR solidarity for their canMalaysia and part of the political party should be country’s didate. mmnews@mmail.com allowed to day processions .my culture. show their support. were important to “During nomination day, He said the EC must be raise the party’s spirit. it is norDAP deputy election director more rea- mal for political Ansonable and allow at parties to show thony “There was no problem POLITICIANS from both least 30 sup- their solidarity Loke said barring public before sides of the with their supportporters at the nomination in- this and the police divide have unanimously volvement on nomination have been able centre. ers. Also, if EC wants rejected day was to handle problems “It is the Malaysian way to limit it to against the Election Commission’s during nominaof doing 10, then I cannot the Federal Constitution. (EC) call things. We like to gather ask my family to tion day previously. So, to allow only 10 supporters “This is about the freedom support- come with we do not at nomime. I ers on the first day, so of agree with the proposal,” nation centres, citing impracticality the support- own supporters cannot bring my movement, and it is up he said. to respecers can see who our or invite members tive PKR de facto leader in enforcing the rule. candidate is from the political parties and candidates Datuk Seri component parties,” and we also want to Anwar Ibrahim told On Tuesday, EC chairman he to decide. I think see who will said. reporters at Tan Sri the EC should the party’s be contesting against us. Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof Chinese New Year do in not limit the number of So if they said it “It is not practical unless people be- Wangsa Maju want to limit to 10, then the necessary to ensure nomination was canearlier the EC must cause the authorities it is too didate does have always first consult day not have to go to the small,” he said. remained calm. and gauge public sentimanaged to control the nomination centre and big crowds ments before “I feel it should allow appoint an in previous He said the practice making a decision. a larger agent to register elections and by-elecof having a number of supporters, for him. If you tions,” “Where in the world do parade accompanying probably 50, are going he said. you have the nominee to allow mobilisation but it must be more than that rule? Their role should be abolished of “The EC also has no 30. How- supporters is to ensure to ensure a power before nomination day, ever, if research proves peaceful atmosphere. limit a person from marching to that election is fair and clean. Their it is better, then why not allow them to show and role is to clean then maybe, but I would Umno information chief this is against basic rights the electoral roll like to support during Datuk under the and avoid the nomination?” hear the EC’s explanation.” Ahmad Maslan told The cheating. Federal Constitution.” Malay Mail MIC Youth chief T. Mohan MCA vice-president Gan “The EC must make sure that holding a huge procession said PAS election director Hatta Ping Sieu the gathering there is durRamli access to the media. of supporters was a said the parade of supporters said the party would They must stop was non-issue and supporters not agree to bribery and not all from any the EC’s these petty proproposal as nomination cedural issues.”

FLASHBACK: Our front page yesterday

PETALING JAYA

FULL STATEMENT BY DATUK ZAID IBRAHIM

AN Extraordinary General Meeting will be held soon to dissolve (Kita). This is necessary to remove any and all doubts that we indeed do support the Opposition, especially in light of some of our members in Kedah and Penang being openly critical of the Pakatan Rakyat. They have been doing this on a regular basis, making it clear that they are not interested in real issues affecting the country and merely want to embarass and ridicule the Opposition. My idea to set up a political party that supports moderate and progressive ideas and brings civility and decorum to the political

SQUASH

Now for the ﬁnish Nicol Ann David thrashed her semifinal opponent to set up a final date in the Cleveland Classic against her conqueror last year

The Malays have a proverb, jika sesat di penghujung jalan, kembalilah ka pangkal jalan. Essentially, it translates to: if you get lost along the way, go back to the beginning. I realise now that forming Kita was a mistake. I had hoped to provide alternative ideas in politics and to bring a wider diversity of talent to the Opposition’s leadership. That has not happened. I have made many mistakes in my life but I am not disheartened. I remain convinced that change will come for the betterment of this country and I will do my part, again and again, to help achieve that. I will not

waiver in my deep-seated belief that serving the public is good, and that we can carry out this service with honour and dignity. To the genuine members of the party who are obviously unhappy with this decision, I seek your forgiveness. I appreciate your support and I hope you will accept this decision, for it is for the greater good of the Opposition. The survival of democracy depends on the viability of the Opposition. If it is destroyed — as the Barisan Nasional is bent on doing — then there can be no democracy, no freedom and no moderate policies ever again.

‘Party leaders do not support Zaid’s move’ FORMER Kita central executive committee member Muhammad Firdaus Christopher said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim does have the support to dissolve the party. Muhamad Firdaus said state party leaders were against the unilateral decision made by the party president. “Zaid can say what he wants but the decision doesn’t come from him. He’s making a personal decision a party decision. I understand that other state leaders do not agree with the move,” he told The Malay Mail. Five state leaders will be holding press conferences today to voice their dissatisfaction over Zaid’s leadership. Muhamad Firdaus said the

main reason why Zaid wanted to disband the party was because the party members no longer had faith in the leader. “He has lost control of the members and leaders and people are frustrated with him. This did not happen overnight because whenever he made a statement, there was no consensus or meeting,” he said. “You must lead by example. But when you do this and that, including criticising leaders within your own party, then people begin to not believe in you. We started with the intention to be issue-based and neutral but then he began to be inclined to Barisan Nasional and now Pakatan Rakyat.”

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL It does not mean they will win if they have a bigger number of supporters during nomination Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof ELECTION COMMISSION chairman

PUTRAJAYA

PETALING JAYA

EC stands by proposal Abdul Aziz says large gathering will lead to unnecessary costs By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani asrul@mmail.com.my

ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof is standing by the proposed cap on the number of supporters accompanying political candidates on nomination day. He told The Malay Mail yesterday that although it was still a proposal yet to be forwarded to the Parliamentary Select Committee for Electoral Reform (PSC), he was adamant the idea was the right way to go despite near-overwhelming opposition from both sides of the political divide. “It is only a proposal and we are to yet discuss it in the PSC. The figure I gave was just an example. Nothing is concrete,” he said. “We don’t want to see political parties bringing 10,000 to 15,000 supporters on nomination day. It will not bring any benefit.” Abdul Aziz said Malaysia was the only country in the world having the practice of mobilising supporters on

nomination day. “Each political party has its representative in the PSC and they can decide on the matter. I feel this is not good for the country as Malaysia is the only country having this,” he said. “It does not mean they will win if they have a bigger number of supporters during nomination. I just want Malaysia to follow other countries where nomination is done peacefully. Some other countries even conduct their nomination process online.” He said the huge gathering of supporters would lead to unnecessary costs. “My plan actually is just to have the candidate and a seconder, and one supporter to go to the returning officer and register. We don’t want to waste money and energy,” he said. “In the end, the PSC must discuss and decide. I can only propose.” On Tuesday, Abdul Aziz said the EC would only allow 10 supporters and representatives at nomination centres. He said the practice of

having a parade accompanying the nominee should be abolished to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. Yesterday, The Malay Mail reported that a number of politicians from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat had rejected the proposal, citing impracticality in enforcing the rule. They pointed out the mobilisation of supporters was important as it showed

ABDUL AZIZ: ‘It does not mean if they have bigger number of supporters during nomination, they will win’

solidarity to the candidates and that the procession was already part of Malaysian culture, while others argued curbing supporters’ movement was against fundamental rights enshrined under the Federal Constitution.

GEORGE TOWN

IT is the Election Commission’s (EC) responsibility to conduct local government elections, says Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. He reiterated this in response to a recent statement by the commission’s chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, who had said Penang and Selangor could hold local elections should they want to, but without the EC’s involvement. “If we do this, we will be going against the law because the Elections Act is still being enforced. This falls under federal law and we must comply and uphold this. “We must practise what we preach, so we must comply. Let’s not break the law.

THE Court of Appeal has granted Teoh Beng Hock’s family leave to appeal against the Shah Alam High Court decision last December rejecting a judicial revision of the open verdict arrived at by the inquest into the DAP political aide’s death. “The decision is unanimous; we allow the application for leave to appeal. There is a point of law that can be pursued further,” said Justice Datuk Sulaiman Daud, who led the three-member bench. The application for leave yesterday was to determine a “guide” for magistrates acting as coroners in an inquest following conflicting past precedents. The panel came to the decision after the family’s lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo, made submissions on two case laws where he cited the Public Prosecutor vs Shanmugam & Ors (2002) and Loh Kah Keng (1990). Gobind cited the decision in the Shanmugam matter, where the judge had ruled that “in spite of that clear enunciation a magistrate is not bound by the usual procedure ... a magistrate which conducts an inquiry must confine himself to the evidence made available to him”. However, in Loh’s matter, the presiding judge had said

that “(...) in whatever form or manner elicited and whether admissible or not, which could assist her in establishing the cause of death of the deceased, she was perfectly entitled to know and take cognisance of it. “The inquiry is to be held by examining witnesses on oath and the magistrate may admit any evidence which she thinks fit, especially hearsay evidence,” the judge had said. Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abbas, who represented the Attorney-General’s Chambers, however, argued that there were no contradictions in the judgments. “Hearsay evidence can be heard by the court but the inference drawn from hearsay is the question,” he said. Shah Alam High Court Judge Datuk Abd Rahim Uda, upon dismissing the revision application to set aside the open verdict into Beng Hock’s death, had said while there were suspicious grounds that could lead to a conclusion, based on the law, suspicion alone was not enough. According to Abd Rahim, there was insufficient evidence or facts for the coroner to say that Beng Hock’s death was due to suicide. — Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR

Guan Eng: Local elections under EC’s purview By LLEW-ANN PHANG llewann@mmail.com.my

Beng Hock’s family gets leave to appeal

We don’t want to jeopardise the legality of the councillors or decisions of local councils,” Lim told a press conference at the state administrative complex in Komtar, yesterday. When told about alternative ways in which councillors could be elected, at non-governmental organisation or Rukun Tetangga levels and then appointed to Penang City Council or Seberang Perai Municipal Council posts, he said: “Let’s not take these things lightly. We want to hold proper elections.” He said the state had sought constitutional lawyers’ help and advice, and was making an application seeking a declaration for the EC to conduct local elections. “We do not want the legality of decisions made by councils and councillors

questioned. These are some of the realities we have to face. “If we were the federal government, we could amend the law, but we are governed by the federal law, and so we have engaged lawyers for this purpose. “(Former prime minister) Tunku Abdul Rahman had said once peace is restored, local government elections (which ceased to be practised in the 1960s) will be restored and it is our hope this will come to pass.” The Penang government has instructed the state legal adviser to issue a gazette notification exempting local authorities there from Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976 as a precursor to seeking a court declaration to compel the EC to conduct local elections. “This is something that

will take time but it is in the process of being done,” said Lim. Citing a previous letter to the EC, he said the commission replied it was impossible to hold local elections in adherence to the same provision, resulting in the Local Government Elections Act to be of no force and effect. “Clearly, the Local Government Elections Act authorises the EC to conduct elections for local authorities in Malaysia. “It is, therefore, perplexing that the EC chairman continues to refuse to conduct local government elections in Penang as it is the only legal authority empowered to carry out the elections. “The state has no choice but to seek a court declaration compelling the EC to obey and abide by the state’s directives.”

Gerakan against ‘no tax, no vote’ proposal GERAKAN is against a proposal by the Election Commission (EC) to disallow non tax-paying Malaysians living overseas to vote in elections, said its deputy president, Datuk Chang Ko Youn. He said such a move “would stifle democracy” and discourage Malaysians living abroad from participating in the electoral process as well as from returning home. “The Federal Constitution provides that every Malaysian who has attained 21 years of age is eligible to become a voter and, thus, it is very unfair to discriminate Malaysians on their right to vote based on their taxpaying status,” he said in a statement. He added all Malaysians living abroad should be allowed to vote regardless of whether they pay tax or

not as by allowing overseas Malaysians to participate in the election would ensure that they continue “to be attached and involved in the affairs of the state”. In the same statement, Chang also said he disagreed with the need for any “litmus test” to be imposed on Malaysians living abroad to prove their attachment to the nation before being allowed to vote. Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said the EC proposal is a major step backwards for the nation’s democracy. “Even though the proposal is limited to overseas Malaysians for now, it nevertheless reflects the EC’s attitude towards voting — that it is a privilege, not a right,” said its Central Leadership Council member, Elizabeth Wong. — Bernama

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friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL This action must stop as it does not achieve anything, but will only create disunity among the public Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar Deputy-Inspector General of Police

BRIEFS

SUNGAI BULOH

‘Don’t fall for mosque incidents’ Deputy IGP advises public not to be duped by provocative action of mischief-makers By AIZAT SHARIF meena@mmail.com.my

DON’T be duped by the provocative acts of those behind the dumping of pig body parts at two mosques in Rawang and Sentul over the last two days, says Deputy-Inspector General of Police, Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar. “We urge the public to not be easily duped by quarters intent on creating racial tension. Two investigation

papers have been opened, and we are investigating to identify the responsible person and the motive behind the incident.” On Monday, a roasted pig head was placed at the entrance of a staircase leading to the Nur Iman mosque in Batu 18, Jalan Ipoh, Rawang. It was discovered by a mosque committee member when he went there at 5.15am for dawn prayers. Yesterday morning, body parts of a pig, including its head and legs, were found at the compound of the

Masjid Al-Hidayah in Sentul by a committee member as he was about to open the front gate of the mosque for dawn prayers. Khalid said this kind of incident may extend to other places of worship like churches or temples. “This action must stop as it does not achieve anything, but will only create disunity among the public.” He said there was no need for a special task force to investigate both cases. “We are still capable of investigating the incidents and

Same culprits may be behind second case, say police

By G. PRAKASh prakash@mmail.com.my

POLICE are not ruling out the possibility the two cases of pig dumping at mosques could involve the same perpetrators. Sentul police chief ACP Zakaria Pagan said their timing had made it plausible for the same culprits to be responsible, and called on the public to remain calm and not be affected by such actions. “Their intentions are clear, that is, to create tension and discord between the races. Don’t allow this to happen.” Zakaria said the perpetrators’ motive was merely to

create tension. “We are now analysing the facts of both cases to establish if they are caused by the same culprits.” He said the incident at the Masjid Al-Hidayah in Sentul unfolded about 7.30am yesterday when a mosque committee member stumbled upon a plastic bag containing body parts of a pig such as its head, skin, legs and ears. “One of the mosque committee members found the plastic bag outside the entrance of the mosque while doing some chores.” The mosque’s bilal, Mohamad Kofli Shafie, 48, confirmed coming across the bag the night before. “I saw the plastic bag last

SAME CULPRITS? Forensics personnel gathering evidence at the Sentul mosque — Pic: Hadzme Mohd Jaafar

night, but I just pushed it to the side, and had no idea what was inside.” Mohamad said he only heard it contained pig body parts after a mosque committee member called him several hours later yesterday morning. “I have no idea who would do such a thing, especially at a mosque, where it is a place of worship. I hope police will be able to arrest the culprits soon.” On Monday, a roasted pig head was placed outside the Nur Iman mosque in Rawang.

I think there is no need for that (a task force) for now.” Khalid has also advised caretakers of religious premises to install CCTVs or hire security guards to monitor suspicious movements or activities. “Preventive measures by committee members of places of worship like employing security guards are good and advisable, and we don’t have any problem with that.” On Selangor government’s RM10,000 reward to any-

one with information leading to the capture of the culprits responsible for first pig dumping case in Rawang, Khalid has lauded the move, but said the public’s cooperation and information were more important. “We urge members of the public who have information on these incidents to come forward.” Deputy Finance Minister Donald Lim Siang Chai has also offered a RM10,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the capture of those responsible.

Fireworks in KL court bombs KUALA LUMPUR: Police confirmed that the explosives found on Jan 9 at the vicinity of the KL court complex in Jalan Duta were made from materials used for making firecrackers. Deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said this was confirmed by the analysis performed by the Chemistry Department. “True, they used a timing device, but from information gathered, the chemical used to ignite the cylinder which contained ball bearings was used in making firecrackers,” he said yesterday. On the RM10,000 reward offered by the police for information leading to the arrest of the person/s responsible for the blasts, Khalid said no one had come forward and that the offer was still on. — Bernama

SUNGAI BULOH

‘Ops Sikap’ a success

THIS year’s 25th Ops Sikap has been hailed a success as it has achieved an overall decrease in the number of accidents and fatalities. Statistics show road accidents were reduced by 1.4 per cent, fatal accidents by 15.3 per cent and this has led to the decline of fatalities of about 15.6 per cent compared to the same period during the Chinese New Year Ops Sikap last year. Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar, said besides the “Safe Driving” advocacy awarded by police to road users, police had also implemented on-the-spot summons to dangerous and errant road users who flouted road rules. “This was not a threat but a reminder to every road user to be careful and courteous when on the road. The implementation of the on-the-spot summons was hoped to reduce accidents,” he said during the 25th Ops Sikap Courteous Driver Awards at Sungai Buloh R&R on the North-South

PROUD MOMENT: Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff (left) receiving the award from Khalid (right) for the state contingent’s success in reducing accidents during the 25th ‘Ops Sikap’. Looking on is Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid — Pic: Razak Ghazali

Expressway yesterday. The latest Ops Sikap recorded 17,054 accidents compared to 17,288 last year. From the number, 155 fatal accidents were recorded, which was 28 cases less than last year’s 183. “Fatalities have also decreased with a recorded 168 deaths compared to 199 deaths last year. I believe the number can be further reduced when integrated operations are conducted, not just by police but together with other agencies such as the Road Transport Department and the Malaysian Highway Authority, among others,” said Khalid, adding that police will try to implement new and better methods to reduce accidents in the next Ops Sikap.

Two quizzed over IGP’s death rumour SUNGAI BULOH: Two men have been questioned for allegedly spreading rumours that InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar had died in London. DeputyInspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said both men, in their 30s, were picked up in Penang and Ipoh, Perak separately on Wednesday. It was reported that text messages were circulated on Monday alleging that Ismail had suffered a heart attack shortly after arriving at Heathrow International Airport in London where he had been invited by the London Metropolitan Police to observe their security measures ahead of the Olympic Games in June.

Trio sought for boat capsize SUNGAI BULOH: Three foreigners, believed to be part of a human trafficking syndicate, are being sought by police for transporting 25 Afghan and Iranian illegal immigrants off Kuala Sedili in Johor early Wednesday. The boat they were on was heading towards Batam, Indonesia when it capsized in choppy waters at about 6.30am. Eight were confirmed drowned while 12 others have been rescued. The immigrants, aged between 20 and 30, were believed to be trying to sneak into Australia. Deputy-Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said police believe the trio to be Thais, the boat crew that had coordinated the smuggling activity. “They were on board when the incident occured and we believe they survived and had gone into hiding somewhere in Kuala Sedili town,” said Khalid.

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

A-LEVEL

LLB(Hons)

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FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL In issuing the licence, it means AELB is prepared to disregard safety issues and gamble with the safety of the Kuantan public Fuziah Salleh Kuantan MP

KUALA LUMPUR

Sports complex in shambles Old gym equipment needs replacing, defective facilities should be upgraded By RAM ANAND ramanand@mmail.com.my

THE Bangsar Sports Complex is located right in the heart of Bangsar Baru or the “new” Bangsar. Yet, nothing about the complex bears any resemblance to anything “new”. The 30-year-old sports complex, which serves some 1,600 households in Bangsar Baru and other visitors, needs a “complete upgrade”, residents said. Gym-goers said the facilities left a lot to be desired and needed a complete makeover as its old iron bars and few weightlifting equipment barely serves 10 people at any given time. “There are only a few basic equipment. A lot of the main fitness equipments are missing,” said Azari Ahmad, who has frequented community gyms for the past 16 years. He added the Bangsar Baru gym doesn’t cater to women either. “If a woman is brave

enough, maybe she would enter. But there are no separate sections. Mostly, it’s only guys here,” he said. Bangsar Baru Residents Association chairman Datuk George Joseph said it was high time City Hall upgraded the sport complex. “It’s not a question of replacing this or that. The place is in need of a complete upgrade, especially the gym. Some of the equipment here is as old at this complex and could be dangerous. “Both the gym and the futsal court at the complex are frequented due to their cheap rates, with the gym having a cover charge of only RM2 per entry,” he said. But like the gym, the futsal court’s fencing had been left to age, with gaping holes making it easy for balls to roll out of the field area. “These are not things you build as a one-off thing. They need constant maintenance. The question is, where is the maintenance?” Another area of concern, Joseph said, was a pavilion located at the side of the

PETALING JAYA

Lip Eng hits back at mayor over budget row By Ikram Ismail ikram.ismail@mmail.com.my

BUM EQUIPMENT: Azari bemoans the lack of basic facilities at the gym — Pic: Ashraf Shamsul Azlan

complex building. “This pavilion serves no purpose. People bring their girlfriends here at night and some even drink. It’s all used for immoral activities,” he said. Even the children’s playground neighbouring the complex has not been spared and is sometimes used by

irresponsible parties as a drinking spot. When The Malay Mail visited the playground one afternoon, a group of individuals with beer cans were seen drinking at the open space. For Joseph, upgrading the complex was something the authorities needed to prioritise.

“I was previously told City Hall had to wait until its next budget to revamp this place,” he said. In December, City Hall had revealed nine per cent of their RM2.3 billion 2012 budget would be used for maintenance of parks, open spaces and recreational facilities in the city.

KUALA LUMPUR

Deputy foreign minister denies ‘easy’ visa claims CLAIMS that Nigerians could get Malaysian visas as easily as buying a pack of cigarette from a 7-Eleven store are “widely exaggerated”, says Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay. “I don’t think it is that easy for our Immigration and embassy to let people into Malaysia. Definitely not as easy as getting cigarettes at 7-Eleven,” he said Kohilan said most Nigerians entered the country us-

ing student visas. He was commenting on a blog posting by Syed Akbar Ali who wrote about “an email from a Nigerian” in response to a recent blogpost urging the government to “curb the African menace in Malaysia”. Last December, Syed Akhbar published an article written by Norman Fernandez. “Africans in Malaysia have moved from being a nui-

sance to a menace and now are fast becoming a threat to national security,” Fernandez said in his article. “With their loutish and boorish behaviour, they are not only a nuisance but also a disturbance in many neighbourhoods. They have become a menace.” The writer criticised Nigerians in particular. Responding to the hardhitting article in the blog, one Kennedy W., who

claimed to be a Nigerian, wrote an email to the blogger. The email, published in OutSyed The Box, noted that while there were some bad apples among Nigerians in Malaysia, a majority of them were here to study, work or do business. The writer noted if there were many Nigerians causing problems in Malaysia, it was because the authorities had failed in their duties.

His most biting criticism was aimed at the Malaysian embassy in Nigeria. Obtaining a Malaysian visa, he wrote, “is like going to 7-Eleven to buy cigarettes. Instead of the normal price of 1,000 Naira, you need to pay 10 or 20,000 Naira, as long as you can afford that you have a visa to Malaysia without a proper interview, it doesn’t matter what you are going to do in Malaysia”. — The Mole

SEGAMBUT MP Lim Lip Eng (pic) has denied claims he did not show up at a public seminar organised by City Hall in mid-December to discuss details of expenditure for City Hall’s 2012 budget. He was responding to a claim by KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail after Lim alleged City Hall had denied Kuala Lumpur MPs full details of how the council’s RM2.3 billion budget was going to be spent. Ahmad Fuad had claimed on Wednesday Lim should not make demands now as he had been given a chance to have his say but did not show up at the forum. Lim hit back at the mayor, saying he was present at the seminar. “I was there in the afternoon until the seminar ended and the mayor should acknowledge my presence,” he said. Ahmad Fuad had, in The Malay Mail report yesterday, claimed the only MPs who attended the function was Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Batu MP Tian Chua. Lim said he could not recall which other MPs attended the seminar. “I am just asking for basic treatment. The same type of treatment City Hall owes to other city folk. “City Hall can ensure there is transparency by uploading the detailed budget on its website for public scrutiny.”

KUANTAN

Lynas licence decision to face legal challenge THE Stop Lynas Coalition (SLC) will file a judicial review challenging the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) decision on Wednesday to grant a temporary licence to the Australian rare earths plant in

Gebeng, Kuantan. Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh said SLC would instruct its lawyers to file a civil suit for judicial review soon. “I am not surprised with AELB’s decision although the International Trade and

Industry Minister had said yesterday a decision would be made in the coming days. “I could see it coming, especially after reading (AELB’s director-general) Datuk Raja Abdul Aziz Raja

Adnan’s responses lately,” she said. Asked for her response on The New York Times article three days ago reporting on safety and health concerns following the withdrawal of a Dutch multinational from

the project, Fuziah said AELB may have listed the requirements to be fulfilled by Lynas. “In issuing the licence, it means AELB is prepared to disregard safety issues and gamble with the safety of

the Kuantan public,” she added. AELB announced it had granted a temporary operational licence (TOL) to Lynas to operate its multi-million plant in Gebeng, Kuantan. — Malaysiakini

THE MALAY MAIL

friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

NATIONAL Nothing happened to me. I am thankful to be home Tan Sri Ismail Omar THE inspector-general of police

KUALA LUMPUR

Granny has severed finger reattached Woman in stable condition, remanded to assist probe into 10-year-old’s death By G. PRAKASH prakash@mmail.com.my

A 57-YEAR-OLD woman suspected of having suffocated her granddaughter on Wednesday has undergone surgery to reattach a finger. The finger, found on a chopping board, was reattached by doctors at University Malaya Medical Centre,

yesterday morning. Serdang police chief Supt Abdul Razak Eliaz said the woman was reported to be in stable condition. “She has been transferred to the orthopaedic ward of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where she is under close observation,” he said. Police have increased security around her for fear that she might attempt to injure

herself again. Abdul Razak said police had obtained an order to remand the woman for further investigations for seven days. In the incident, a 10-yearold girl was found smothered to death with a pillow in her house in a condominum block in Puchong here. Following this, a woman was reported to have tried to jump from the eighth floor unit.

It was reported that the woman had contacted her son to tell him she had taken the life of his child and was planning to take her own, too. Abdul Razak said police arrived in time to stop the woman from falling. He said initial police investigations found that the girl had been dead about 12 hours before her body was discovered.

It was learnt that the woman had been suffering from a psychiatric disorder and had stopped seeking treatment. It was also reported that the girl’s parents had been quarrelling frequently over financial problems. The girl’s 31-year-old father said the cremation ceremony would take place at the Kwan Tung Cemetery, here, this morning.

SEPANG

A cheerful IGP returns from London ‘thankful to be home’ THE inspector-general of police returned yesterday after a five-day visit to London, quashing rumours of his death in the British capital. A cheerful Tan Sri Ismail

Omar exchanged greetings and shook hands with reporters who waited for him at the VIP Lounge of the KL International Airport. “Nothing happened to me. I

am thankful to be home,” he said. Ismail was greeted by Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar and senior police officers.

The Royal Malaysian Police issued a statement on Monday dismissing rumours that Ismail had died in London after dissemination of such a message on the Facebook social

utility and via SMS. Ismail said he hoped there would be no more attempts to slander him because they benefitted no one. — Bernama

Businessman charged A BUSINESSMAN pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here yesterday to corruptly offering RM1,000 to an officer of the Selangor Forestry Department two years ago. Lim Kay Hong, 40, is alleged to have offered the money to assistant director (Operations and Enforcement) Mohd Yussainy Md Yusof as gratification for action not be taken against the PKC Timber Trading sawmill for allegedly violating its licence regulations under the Wood-Based Industries Enactment 1986. He is charged with committing the offence at Restoran Hatija Maju in Jalan Diplomatik, Putrajaya, on May 24, 2010. The charge, under Section 17(b) of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, carries jail term of up to 20 years and fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. — Bernama

● friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL If the concessionaire is found guilty, the permit will be immediately revoked Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir Perak menteri besar

GERIK

PENGKALAN HULU (perak)

Illegal logging on Betong-Thai border Concessionaire violates 70ha allocation, logs worth RM270,000 seized By REENA RAJ mmnews@mmail.com.my

A LOGGING concessionaire will be taken to task for encroaching a forest reserve at the Malaysian border checkpoint. Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the company was permitted to log up to 70ha at the Sama Gagah forest reserve but had instead encroached into another 62ha. “A total of 708 logs worth RM270,000 were seized,” he told reporters after checking the concessionaire’s storage area at Matau state land in Pengkalan Hulu 1km away from the Thai border. Zambry said the logging permit has been suspended, with the case pending investigation under the National Forestry Act 1948. “If the concessionaire is found guilty, the permit will be immediately revoked,”

SEIZED: Zambry (left) checking the illegal timber at the Sama Gagah forest reserve

he said. Zambry, who refused to elaborate, however, said the concessionaire had other logging projects in Perak. He said the state govern-

ment found it difficult to detect logging activities in sprawling Perak. He said this prompted the setting up of a yearly allocation meant for satellite

surveillance. Zambry was on a two-day working trip with members of the media to Royal Belum and Pengkalan Hulu. Organisers of the trip, or-

ganised to check environmental matters and curb illegal logging activities, also hoped to help generate sustainable tourism activities in Perak.

PENGKALAN HULU

PUTRAJAYA

RM200,000 to upgrade village roads

Action against attempts to revive Al-Arqam

ANG POW cheer: Children of the Siamese community wave ang pows they received from Zambry

PERAK Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir announced a RM200,000 allocation to upgrade roads in the jungle leading to Kampung Pong in Pengkalan Hulu. The visit was Zambry’s first since becoming chief minister.

The village, deep in a jungle, is home to a 200-yearold Siamese settlement. Upon Zambry’s arrival, the villagers, in keeping with tradition, raised their hands together in greeting Selamat Datang instead of Sawadeekap to show the mixed culture of the villagers.

Village head Ai Chuan, 57, said he belonged the ninth generation living in the village, 10km from the main road. “The shabby path is the only access in and out of our village. Upgrading the roads will make it easier and safer for travel,” Ai Chuan said.

THE government will take legal action against any quarter trying to revive the banned Al-Arqam movement or spread religious teachings that contradict Islam. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the Malaysia Islamic Development Department and the respective state Islamic religious councils would continue to monitor such activities, and those of the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) whose programme was recently foiled by the Perak religious authority. The programme, aimed at tackling sex issues in society by linking it to the Prophet, drew condemnation from various quarters. Jamil Khir said attempts to revive teachings that were unIslamic would be exposed, signal to groups involved in deviant teachings. “If they (OWC) don’t do it

anymore, we cannot accuse them. But what we are seeing is that the setting up of OWC is an attempt the to revive the Al-Arqam movement,” he said. Earlier, Jamil Khir launched the Baitulmal Zakat (tithe) Aid Scheme Application Process Guidebook produced by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), which details how an application is handled by the MAIWP Baitulmal. He hoped the guidebook, to be distributed to Muslims soon, could help correct negative public perception of the zakat application procedures implemented by MAIWP Baitulmal. He said MAIWP would develop a data information system containing detailed information on each zakat aid applicant to avoid anomalies and ensure that only those eligible would receive zakat. — Bernama

Royal Belum park permits available in 24 hours THE Perak government has reduced to 24 hours the period for tourists to obtain permits to enter the Royal Belum State Park in efforts to popularise the rainforest haven for flora and fauna, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. Previously, foreign tourists had their applications approved in seven days and local tourists, three days, he said after a tour of Pos Kenarong in the park on Wednesday as part of a twoday working visit to Hulu Perak district ending yesterday. The new rule came into effect on Jan 1. The Perak State Executive Council also held its meeting in Pulau Banding here, the first of its meetings this year to be held outside Ipoh. Zambry said the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is implementing the Royal Belum Integrated Development Plan to make the park world-famous. “We hope this massive plan will elevate Royal Belum to a major destination for international tourists,” he said. He advised NCIA to diversify the attractions in the park by cultivating herbs or wild orchids on the islands and open a wildlife breeding centre. “Visitors would want to see things unique to this place. They will also be able to spend the day at the park,” he said. Zambry also said the state government would organise the International Drum Festival at the park from Feb 21 to 26. “The event will pool drummers from 10 countries. On Feb 21, they will stage a series of performances throughout Perak, the highlight of which will be at Royal Belum,” he said. The menteri besar said a suitable site for the festival was being identified at the park to allow visitors to enjoy the event. Zambry also warned that the state government would not allow any form of encroachment, including land clearing or illegal logging at the park. — Bernama

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FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

friday 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL Most kavadi-bearers fast for 30 days in preparation of the event Mohan Raju Sabah Hindu Sangam spokesman

GEORGE TOWN

KUALA LUMPUR

Najib invited to ‘light up’ hopes Shuttle bus Organisers of lantern event in heritage area likely to be disappointed A GROUP of artists will be inviting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to a street festival where he is expected to light lanterns with the people and pray for the preservation of old buildings along Jalan Sultan. Petaling Street Community Art Project deputy director Chong Keat Ann said on Wednesday the invitation would be sent by post and also to Najib’s recently-launched ‘Ah Jib Gor’ Chinese Facebook page. The festival will be held on Sunday between 8pm and midnight to symbolically light up the hopes of businessmen and residents in the area, whom the organisers say are heart-broken because they may be celebrating their last Chinese New Year before making way for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project, reports MalaysiaKini. The event will be celebrated with lanterns placed along a 200m stretch covering Jalan

By LLEW-ANN PHANG llewann@mmail.com.my

jalan sultan: Lanterns along a 200m stretch coming up

Sultan and the adjoining Jalan Hang Jebat, from Lok Ann Hotel just outside Petaling Street’s gateway to the Gospel Hall Church. According to a statement, the idea was inspired by the Chinese tradition of hanging lanterns laden with riddles to be solved on the 15th day of Chinese New Year.

In addition, the event is slated to feature art installations, calligraphy, music and dance performances. Thus far, 15 groups and individuals have signed up to take part in the show. The move follows a historical tour around the Jalan Sultan and Jalan Bukit Bintang areas earlier yesterday, and an arts festival organised

by the group to protest against the MRT project on Sept 16 last year. However, they are set to be disappointed. Contacted by The Malay Mail, Najib’s press secretary, Datuk Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad, said he would not be attending. “PM has a programme that night,” he said in a text message.

GEORGE TOWN

Penang plans R&D incubator IN line with the state’s vision to become an intelligent and international city, Penang will be opening requests for proposals (RFP) for a research and innovation incubator. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday the RFP forms for the project at a former 2.4-acre fisherman’s

wharf would be made available on Feb 14. “Penang is already a hub for high-technology manufacturing and design with an ecosystem of high precision tools and manufacturing,” he said. “The proposed R&D incubator will build on our strong foundation in science and technology and

spearhead Penang’s role in the global trend of increasingly rapid growth of scientific discoveries and technological innovations.” While admitting the effort may not be “too successful”, Lim said the purpose of establishing it was also to allow industries to know there was such a centre in Penang.

“We do hope to attract investors strictly dealing with research and we are open to ideas,” he said. “If this takes off, we can play home to research that is groundbreaking, further putting Penang on the international map, and become a catalyst for other research and development works.”

KUCHING

Younger brother of Sarawak CM dies DATUK IBRAHIM MAHMUD, the younger brother of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, died of a stroke yester-

services for Thaipusam

day. He was 69. A spokesman for the family said Ibrahim died at the Kuching Specialist Hospital at 7am.

Ibrahim was a director of Kristal Harta Sdn Bhd and executive director of Sarawak Pulp Industries Sdn Bhd, and had served in the Royal

Malaysian Police. He was buried at the Demak Jaya Muslim cemetery in Jalan Bako here after the Zohor prayers. — Bernama

IN conjunction with the Thaipusam celebrations, public transportation operator RapidPenang will be providing shuttle services for those attending the Jalan Utama/Jalan Waterfall procession on Monday and Tuesday. In a statement yesterday, it said 12 buses would ply the route between the Weld Quay bus terminal, just outside the ferry terminal, and Tanjung Medical Centre in Jalan Burma, via Jalan Kelawai. “This shuttle service will operate from 3pm to midnight on Monday, and between 5pm and midnight on Tuesday at a frequency of every 10 minutes, subject to traffic conditions,” it said. “However, the services will be extended should there be a demand from the public.” RapidPenang said it was committed to providing a safe, convenient and economical travel solution

for the crowd, expected to reach 100,000. The route will pass through Lebuh Light, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Jalan Larut, Jalan Burma, Jalan Pangkor, Jalan Kelawai, Jalan Bagan Jermal and Jalan Burma before heading back to Jalan Pangkor, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Lebuh Light and back to Weld Quay. Fares are priced at RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. The special service is in addition to the two normal bus services plying the route daily. “RapidPenang’s Intelligent Commuter Information System will also be operational roundthe-clock over the two days, and commuters are advised to contact 04-2381313 for any information on buses and for arrival times,” the statement added “Commuters are also encouraged to visit RapidPenang’s website on www. rapidpg.com.my, www.facebook.com/rapidpgfans and www.twitter.com/ rapidpg.”

KOTA KINABALU

Festival to be observed in KK and Tawau HINDUS in Sabah will join others in the country in observing Thaipusam on Tuesday with the festival of thanksgiving and paying penance held mainly in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. Sabah Hindu Sangam spokesman Mohan Raju said the main venue for the festival is the Sri Subramaniam Temple at Km22 of Penampang-Papar Road in Lok Kawi. “Devotees and their family members and friends will converge at the seafront at Meruntum Bay opposite the Lok Kawi camp as early as 5am to prepare themselves for the elaborate feat of paying homage to Lord Murugan,”

he said. “In a trance, the kavadibearers will march from the seafront to the temple barefoot, accompanied by their family members and friends.” Mohan said most for the kavadi-bearers would be fulfilling vows they had made to Lord Murugan for having blessed them with good health and fortune. “Most of them fast for 30 days before carrying the kavadi,” he said. He said Thaipusam was celebrated by Hindus around the world on the full moon day in the month of ‘Thai’ in the Tamil calendar, which usually falls in January or February. — Bernama

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012 ●

NEWS

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KUALA LUMPUR

TAKE NOTE

Dog-gone it, what a rotten job! It’s our responsibility, admits Alam Flora after leaving carcass to putrefy in residential area THERE are only so many days one can bear the stench of rotting flesh. But residents of Jalan Manisan 3, of Taman Bukit Indah, were forced to endure just that after the body of a dog was left to rot in the sun for days. One resident, N. SAMY, 70, explains he noticed the body of a rather large dog lying at the road shoulder early this month. He dismissed it at first as he assumed the carcass would be removed by Alam Flora. Unfortunately, that did not happen as he claims the dog ended up lying there for two to three days. “Worst still, the carcass began to bloat and decompose. Soon the stench became unbearable and you could even smell it from down the street,” he laments. The stench was so bad, even the security guards patrolling the neighbourhood found it hard to work. “One of the guards came up to me saying it was difficult for him and his colleagues to patrol our street as the smell and sight of the decomposing dog was nauseating,” SAMY says. He further claims one of the other residents had once tried asking some Alam Flora workers to remove the carcass but was allegedly told they could

not do so. SAMY says he now feels helpless as he does not know which authority to contact for help. If not Alam Flora, then SAMY wants to know who is in charge of removing the carcass of dead animals from residential areas. “I would not wish to pass the buck of carrying out such a repulsive task to Alam Flora if indeed the matter does not fall under their jurisdiction. But then who do we call in future?” He fervently hopes the relevant authority does something about the dead dog as soon as possible before things turn too “ugly” to handle. When initially contacted, an Alam Flora Sdn Bhd operations spokesman tells Hotline the removal of carcasses do not fall under their jurisdiction. Instead, he says it falls under the responsibility of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (PPSPPA). Checks by the Hotline a few days later found the dog removed, although residents say they are unsure who eventually removed it. KUALA LUMPUR Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, however, states that the collection

3) City Hall will soon prepare a detailed traffic report on Jalan Taman Ibu Kota, as the area is prone to flash floods and traffic congestion.

ONLINECOMMENTS

Dec 20 Ups and downs of a boom gate

IN A democracy, everyone’s views counts — Imantulen

NAUSEATING: The carcass left to decompose along Jalan Manisan 3

of carcasses does indeed fall under the jurisdiction of Alam Flora. “We pay Alam Flora to do the job,” he says. A spokesman for the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation concurs with the mayor’s statement. “It is the responsibility of the concession company, Alam Flora, enforced by the corporation,” he tells Hotline. The spokesman further claims that according to Alam

Flora’s key performance indicator, animal carcasses should be removed and the area should be cleaned and disinfected. “The role of the corporation is to ensure that solid waste management services and public cleaning is done efficiently and in an integrated manner.” ALAM FLORA SDN BHD chief executive officer Mohd Zain Hassan acknowledges that the removal of animal carcasses weighing less than

20kg does fall under his company’s jurisdiction. “The removal of carcasses weighing more than that, such as those of cows, fall under the jurisdiction of PPSPPA,” he says. Mohd Zain says he is unsure why his staff had previously said otherwise but promises to look into the matter. “We will hold an internal briefing to inform staff about this and we will make sure this does not happen again,” he says.

No more trouble accessing MyGov portal cides it would be easier to register his business as an individual instead. “So, on Jan 2, I tried to log into the portal for this purpose, but this time, I could not even access the portal’s contents because it claimed that my password was incorrect. “When I clicked on ‘forgot password’, I only received an email from administration the next day advising me to contact the portal’s hotline for assistance. Upon calling the hotline, NAZRUL says the portal staff issued him a new password without asking for his full name or identity card number. While grateful for the help,

1) Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) will install 50 closedcircuit television cameras at crime hotspots in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Taman Putra Perdana, Serdang, Bandar Bukit Puchong 2, Sungai Merab, Taman Mas, Dengkil, Kota Warisan and Bagan Lalang. 2) THE Petaling Jaya City Council will hire 98 new cleaning services contractors to monitor 77 zones in Petaling Jaya.

KUALA LUMPUR

ALL NAZRUL HIZAM NASHRUDIN wanted was to register his joint business through the myGovernment portal. However, what he thought was to be a simple process turned out to be a major hassle. “I am a new myGov portal user. I wanted to use the system to register my business in the portal’s E-Lodgement but failed to do so,” he explains. He says on Dec 23, he could not manage to register the business, which he jointly owns with a friend, as the authorisation email was only sent to him instead of to both partners. After a week, NAZRUL de-

he says he became skeptical about the portal’s level of security. “I was given the new password just by providing my user ID and a description of my problem.” Worst still, he exclaims he was still unable to log onto the portal, even with the new password. This time, his calls to the hotline on Jan 4 went unanswered. NAZRUL wants an explanation from the portal’s administrators. MALAYSIAN Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu)

director-general Datuk Mohamad Zabidi Zainal assures they have rectified the problem faced by NAZRUL on Jan 6 and that the latter was able to successfully enter the portal by Jan 8. Mohamad Zabidi states: “We have contacted the customer via telephone and we even received an email from him on Jan 9 verifying the problem had been corrected.” He explains the portal had been scheduled for a service transfer on Dec 23, and only resumed operating on Dec 27 at a new location. Unfortunately, the transfer affected email services until early January this year. As for the issuing of new

passwords, the spokesman clarifies that staff need not first verify a customer’s name and IC number. “This is because only referred users would be able to change their passwords while a temporary password is given.” On the issue of NAZRUL’s unanswered calls, which was placed between 4.08am to 4.21am on Jan 4, he clarifies that their call centre had yet to begin operating round-theclock. He says its 24-hour operating hours only commenced on Jan 6. When contacted, NAZRUL confirms he is now able to enter the portal.

PLEASE let Jason Lim be. He is also a full-paying resident, so give him time of day by letting him contribute. He must have valid reasons for complaining. It is true that the security system was just a facade. — RoboKop IF Jason Lim is the true protector of the rule of law, he should have approached the authority to ensure zero crime rate, rather than approach all the RA committee to stop all security initiatives. If he can do that, I am sure LPRA will gladly do so, as who wants to be bogged down with all these unnecessary security workload? — Anonymous

Dec 23 Council tows first-time offender’s car AN offence is an offence. It doesn’t matter if he or she is a first-timer or habitual offender, they shall be punished accordingly. I hate those people who park illegally or wait along the side of the road. They are blocking traffic. — Anonymous JOHN, you are really a mockery to the enforcement system. It does not matter whether you are first-time or repeat offender. It starts from the first-time. Once you break the law and get away with it, you will continue to break it. — Anti Illegal Parking

HE violated traffic law and is still trying to swing his way out. Next time, he will give other excuses for parking illegally such as going to the bank and others. These people will continue to do it until they get “caught”. — abugaga PLEASE don’t repeat the same mistake. It’s a costly mistake no doubt but a valuable lesson for the rest of your driving years. — Annon

friday 3 february 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

opinion

KUALA LUMPUR

COMBATING EXTREMISM

A plea for moderates WRITERS’ BLOC with ... Ramon Navaratnam

Malaysians can be proud that our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been widely and persistently promoting the wise philosophy of “moderation” at home and abroad. However we have to seriously practise what we preach in order to be taken seriously. The International Conference of the Moderates held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 19 was impressive as it was the beginning of a long international struggle to spread the peaceful philosophy of moderation. This approach is essential to fight the growing extremist ideologies and practices that we see not only abroad but even at home here in Malaysia. We have therefore to act

KUALA LUMPUR

resolutely as a matter of priority, to combat the scourge of extremism in our very midst, from all quarters. From all accounts the international conference was quite a success. Generally speaking, participants felt fulfilled. You can never get unanimous agreement at any conference. Despite the broad consensus that the conference was useful and has considerable potential for good, there were several concerns raised. Indeed many of the 50 speakers and 350 delegates from 70 countries raised serious doubts openly and more did so privately, over the future viability and prospects of the proposed "Global Movement of Moderates". However it is important to recognise from the outset, that moderation should not only be aimed

at combating extremism and terrorism in the field of religious understanding and tolerance. To be pertinent the Movement has to fight extremism that is practised across the board in the social, economic, ethnic and cultural fields. It is extremism to discriminate people on the basis of religion, race, colour, gender and income levels. Discrimination leads to alienation and marginalisation. This in turn breeds anger, resentment, hatred, extremism and even terrorism. Malaysia and other countries that are committed to moderation and the rejection of extremism can make major contributions to enhance policies and practices of moderation in all these spheres of human endeavour only if we can show that we practise what we preach. Yes, Malaysians have

much to be proud about our record of relative moderation. However, we must recognise that we have also a lot more to do and achieve if our clarion call for moderation is to be credible and taken seriously. Hence, to be realistic and relevant, we have to resolve to do more to put our own house in order. Our own policies and practices need to be reviewed, revised and even "transformed" at a faster pace. Thus the serious problems of polarisation have to be addressed much more strenuously. For instance national unity has been eroded by some narrow sectarian policies and practices that cause much dissension. Religious and racial harmony can also be considerably improved if the constitutional provisions are implemented with

more fairness and moderation . Unbalanced and implementation that is not even handed will be noticed with frustration that can grow and encourage extremism. We need to practice moderation in real terms and in real time. Some proposals for immediate adoption are as follows: ● Our government has to come down hard on extremist pronouncements and actions like kicking cow heads and throwing pig heads at sacred places of worship ● Our politicians who make seditious remarks should be immediately pulled up and charged for causing public discord and not be allowed to get away with their extremist views. ● All government policies and the implementation programmes must be thoroughly scrutinised

for elements of extremist practices that violate the spirit of the constitution. All Malaysians must be seen and feel that they are treated equally on the basis of their basic needs and their human rights, rather than mainly racial and religious considerations. ● Anyone, especially political leaders found guilty of promoting and practicing extremist conduct has to be pulled up and made accountable. Unless we can show the world that we mean what we say in our own country, and do what we say, it would be extremely difficult, despite the best intentions of our prime minister and the government, for Malaysia to continue to lead in the Global Movement of Moderates.

California Institute of Social Business. The concept is also gaining a foothold in Malaysia. University Technology Malaysia (UTM) has established an Institute of Social Business Innovation (ISBI) and several local consultancies are reported to be establishing Social Business practices. Malaysia are also beginning to benefit from Social Business. A Procter & Gamble plant in Kuantan makes raw materials for Tide, Dawn and other P&G consumables. Such production consumes large amounts of energy. Thanks to tools that enabled the collaborative brainstorming which is a hallmark of Social Business, the P&G plant was rapidly able to leverage biomass incentives from the Malaysian government to incorporate palm residue in its energy production. But the road to Social Business faces challenges. The biggest involves change management. How

do you ensure greater collaboration and cooperation in organisations that are traditionally hierarchical and frequently silo-based? How do you integrate, for example, structured (eg, name, address, etc. fields) corporate data with the vast amount of unstructured (eg, video) customer data? But every business transformation begins in a fog of uncertainties. No one, for example, knew what impact the Internet would have on business when it emerged about 20 years ago. Inevitably, however, Social Business will play a major role in the emerging Social Economy. At a minimum, companies need to start laying the groundwork now.

The writer is Chairman of Asli Center of Public Policy Studies. Feedback: mmnews@mmail.com.my

SOCIAL BUSINESS

Moving beyond social media The Social Network By Radzi Latif

Many Malaysian executives frown when social media is discussed. It’s easy to understand why. Any blogger can say anything about companies, without the checks-andbalances of traditional journalism. Any employee can use Twitter, presenting confidentiality risks. Employees spend more time on Facebook than on their work. Youtube seems to be more about piano-playing cats than it does about business. It’s even harder to see where social media fits within the organisation. Yes, social media does present challenges, just as every disruptive communication does. More than 100 years ago, the introduction of the telephone was criticised because men could call women directly and customers could bother

companies during working hours. Yes, social media offers challenges, but it also offers payoffs: the ROI from Facebook advertisements is three times greater than traditional media. As a result, companies worldwide are responding to the challenges with such steps as implementing social media policies, integrating social media with traditional media promotion, and leveraging social media for branding. But social media is just one of several trends today that are changing business as much as the telephone did a century ago. Another is “Big Data,” involving the collection and analysis of a tremendous amount of data involving customers, supply chains and business conditions; then there is the consumerisation of IT, best symbolised by the communications and computing power of smartphones. Finally, the one with the largest global implication

— the emergence of the Social Economy. Symbolised by the “Facebook Nation” an estimated one billion members by August, the Social Economy represents a near real-time, interconnected worldwide network based on information sharing, consumer empowerment and mutually beneficial relationships. Because of these trends, Malaysian executives need to raise their sights. Social Business has been defined as an "organisation with the strategies, technologies and processes to systematically engage its ecosystem (employees, customers, partners and suppliers) to maximise cocreated value". The issue of maximising co-created value must be underscored. Social Business is not just about value to the company through sales and profits, but also economic, experiential and emotional value to the customer. This means that Social

Business involves every aspect of the company, including human resources, strategic planning, manufacturing, logistics, customer service and sales. While tools such as Facebook and Twitter are key enablers, it is important to remember that Social Business is not about the technologies involved. The emerging importance of Social Business is recognised by major organisations. IBM has placed the issue on par with its "Smarter Planet" and other strategic initiatives. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Deloitte Consulting are establishing a Social Business "Innovation Hub". McKinsey & Co has studied Social Business at about 3,000 organisations worldwide. Research consultancy estimates that the Social Business market will grow 61 per cent annually, reaching US$6.4 billion (RM19.4b) by 2016. California State University has established the

Datuk Mohd Radzi Abd Latif is advisor to the Malaysian Social Media Foundation and was an advisor to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and present premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Feedback: mmnews@mmail. com.my

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIday 3 FEBRUARY 2012

opinion

WASHINGTON

THE BLACK FaCTOR

Racism on US campaign trail By Jeffrey Goldberg

HERE are some things you could learn about black Americans from the recent statements and insinuations of Republican presidential candidates, Republican congressmen and Republicanfriendly radio personalities: Black people have lost the desire to perform a day's work. Black people rely on food stamps provided to them by white taxpayers. Black people, including Barack and Michelle Obama, believe that the United States owes them something because they are black. Black children should work as janitors in their high schools as a way to keep them from becoming pimps. And the pathologies afflicting black Americans are caused partly by the Democratic Party, which has created in them a dependency on government not dissimilar to the forced dependency of slaves on their owners. Judging by these claims, all of which have actually been put forward recently, here is a modest prediction: This presidential election will be one of the most racesoaked in recent history. london

It is already more racesoaked than the 2008 election, which, of course, marked the first time that a black man became a majorparty candidate. I don't know why this is. Perhaps because Sen. John McCain, the Republican contender in 2008, generally and admirably refused to race-bait. But the Republican candidates in today's contest aren't so meticulous about avoiding the temptation to dog-whistle their way to the nomination. Dog-whistling — the use of coded, ambiguous language to appeal to the prejudices of certain subsets of voters — is one of the darkest political arts. In this race, Newt Gingrich is streets ahead of his nearest competitor in its use. In addition to his comments about black children working as janitors, he has repeatedly referred to Obama as the country's "food-stamp president." Food stamps have been fixed in the minds of many white voters as a government subsidy misused by blacks at least since 1976, when Ronald Reagan complained of "strapping young bucks" who used public assistance to buy "T-bone steaks." (It is distressing to remember, in light of Reagan's subse-

quent beatification, that he was to racial dog-whistling what Pat Buchanan has been to Jew-baiting; it was Reagan who also introduced the "welfare queen" into public discourse.) The genius of dog-whistling is its deniability. It would be difficult for a figure such as Rush Limbaugh to run for public office, given his record of fairly straightforward race-baiting. (Limbaugh, who in the words of Harvard Law School's Randall Kennedy is an "excellent entrepreneur of racial resentment," has been on a tear lately. He has accused Obama — who he says "talks honky" around white people — and the first lady of abusing public funds as payback for the ill-treatment afforded their ancestors.) But "food-stamp president" is just indirect enough that Gingrich is protected from detrimental blowback, at least during the largely white Republican primaries. Kennedy, who studies the role of race in national elections, told me last week of a rule he uses to measure whether a candidate's appeal to prejudice will succeed: If it takes more than two sentences for a critic to explain why a dog-whistle is a dog-whistle, the whistler

wins. Gingrich seems to understand this, and so, despite criticism from blacks, has made the term "food-stamp president" a staple of his stump speeches. Kennedy offers the theory that this campaign's dogwhistling may be prompted by a realisation by rightleaning provocateurs that voters have become inured to charges of racism. I suspect another phenomenon has hastened this realisation: A handful of black Republicans have abetted dog-whistling by making their own bombastic statements about the degraded moral health of the black community, the putative foreignness of the Obamas and the Democratic Party's plantation-like qualities. The former presidential candidate Herman Cain, who last week endorsed Gingrich, told me in an interview last year that Obama was more "international" than American. He also said that, unlike Obama, he rejects the label "African-American" because he feels "more of an affinity for America than I do for Africa." Rep. Allen West of Florida, one of two black Republican House members, recently called the Democratic Party a "21st-century plantation"

and compared himself to Harriet Tubman. In August, he said, "Today in the black community, we see individuals who are either wedded to a subsistence check or an employment check. Democrat physical enslavement has now become liberal economic enslavement, which is just as horrible." How far in intent is West's message from this one, recently delivered by Rick Santorum in Sioux City, Iowa: "I don't want to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money; I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money." (Santorum later denied that he said the word "black," arguing that what he actually said was "blah." The denial is not credible.) The writer Gary Younge has noted that in Woodbury County, which includes Sioux City, nine times more whites use food stamps than blacks do. But it doesn't matter: Santorum wasn't driven from the race for making such a blatant appeal to white resentment — instead, he won the Iowa caucus. Recently, I watched an educational children's video produced by a company part-owned by Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and presidential

candidate (and current Fox News host). The video series, called "Learn Our History," is meant as a corrective to a left-wing interpretation of the American story. In one episode, a group of children are transported to Washington, in the late 1970s, a time when, we are told, "people are out of work and some of their morals are just gone." The group, walking down a cartoon version of a street from 'The Wire', is confronted by a black mugger in a tank-top emblazoned with the word 'Disco'. (Yes, 'Disco'.) The mugger says to the time-travelers, "Gimme yo money!" I asked Huckabee why the video advanced this particular stereotype. We had been speaking about the rationale for the video series, and he had just finished telling me that the project was meant to encourage moral leadership. Then he told me he had nothing to do with writing the show's scripts, but it was his impression that the mugger wasn't meant to be black. In any case, we were talking about a cartoon, he said, and cartoons traffic in "caricature." This is something cartoons share with many of today's leading Republicans. — Bloomberg News

"I am a big supporter and friend of Nicolas Sarkozy and I wish him well," he said. "Every now and again he says something I don't agree with. Today when he said Britain is short of industry, we actually have a larger industrial sector than France." Relations have been stormy between the two in recent months. In December when Cameron criticised the eurozone's efforts to tackle its debt crisis, Sarkozy reportedly snapped that — as Britain is not part of the single currency — Cameron should shut up. Cameron's problem is that what offends in Europe plays well at home, and vice-versa. His self-proclaimed use of Britain's "veto" in December to stay out of the fiscal pact

delighted the anti-European wing of his party, which he needs to keep the Conservatives at the head of a coalition government. They now fear he is backing down. Iain Duncan Smith, a senior cabinet minister and former leader of the Conservative party known as a strong "Eurosceptic", issued a veiled threat at the weekend when he said he trusted Cameron to uphold his veto pledge. Cameron may face more sniping from Eurosceptics when he gives a statement to parliament on Tuesday. Opposition Labour, Ed Miliband, said the latest summit proved Cameron had lost the opportunity to defend Britain's interests in negotiations when he walked out of talks on the new treaty. — AFP

prime minister gets mixed results in brussels

Cameron in Europe balancing act By Danny Kemp

A month after he became the lonely man of Europe, British Prime Minister David Cameron's efforts to win friends and influence people met with mixed results at the summit in Brussels. He won a new ally when the Czech Republic joined Britain on the outside of a fiscal treaty signed by the rest of the European Union, but found himself in a spat with an old ally — French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Cameron is also on a political tightrope between the EU, Britain's biggest export market, and his own party which wants him to

be tough stance against the bloc or leave it altogether. So, it was not the firebrand Cameron of December on show Monday, but a more subdued figure keen to appease other leaders — receiving a kiss on the cheek from German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his pains. He kept up his rhetoric about ensuring that Britain's interests are not hurt by the new treaty. "We will be watching like a hawk," he said, reiterating calls for eurozone countries to recapitalise their banks, deal with Greece's debt drama and establish a financial "firewall". Cameron also insisted that he had kept Britain out of a treaty it did not need or want. He received vindication for

his stance when the Czechs decided that they too could not endorse the fiscal pact. But he had already backed down on a threat made in December to veto the use of EU institutions by other countries that join the pact. He had also softened his language from the previous week, when he launched a stinging attack on his EU partners, slammed the eurozone as uncompetitive and branded as "madness" a planned transaction tax. Cameron had also picked a fight over the European Court of Human Rights last week, saying it needed urgent reform to stop it overriding the decisions of democratic member nations. Tensions rose to the surface again when Cameron and

Sarkozy took digs at each others' countries. First, Sarkozy said, in a speech on Sunday, that Britain had "no industry" left. That prompted Cameron to say that the French president's "mad" plans for a financial transactions tax would drive French banks over to Britain. "In the spirit of this healthy competition with France, if France goes for a financial transactions tax then the door will be open and we'll be able to welcome many more French banks, businesses and others to the UK," Cameron said, but asked if he would be backing the French president's re-election this year — as Merkel's party said she would — Cameron tried to play it down lightheartedly.

FRIDAY 3 february 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

opinion

MICHIGAN | OF HARDCOVER BOOKS AND E-TEXTS

Apple bites into core of school textbook By Byron Brown

WHEN students in my online course in intermediate microeconomic theory head for the bookstores they will feel the pain of the marketplace. The required text for the course, Jeffrey Perloff's sixth edition of Microeconomics, will lighten their wallets by a hefty RM626 retail. Or RM448 from Amazon. The book is a 20-chapter behemoth that tips the scales at over three pounds, more than the weight of two iPads. The best deal for the students is to buy a used copy in a local bookstore and resell it at the end of the course. That option will end up costing a student about RM152 — one-fourth of the publisher's suggested retail price. It's the choice of about 75 per cent of my students. Why didn't most of the students choose the electronic version of the text? When publishers began producing e-texts they sold them for about one-half the suggested retail price of a new paper version. But students have shown a stiff resistance to buying them, mostly because they are 65-plus per cent more expensive (RM252 versus about RM152 for the Perloff book) than the used paper option. Current e-texts are also a markedly inferior product. They are static PDF knockoffs of vertically oriented print pages. That means they don't display well on most computer screens, and they resist printing an easyto-read copy by inexplicably downsizing the fonts for home printing. Put this together with the 180-day licensing period and it's no surprise that fewer than 15 per cent of students choose e-texts. (About half the students in my intermediate microeconomics course are or will become economics majors. The ma-

editorial

terial in the text needs to be available for reference in future courses in the major, and possibly in graduate school.) So far the mainstream publishing companies have shown an inability or unwillingness to produce electronic versions of K-2 or university-level textbooks that break the link with a corresponding print mode. That might be an understandable concession to navigating the book in a classroom for students operating with different versions, but it has had the important side effect of retarding the production of stand-alone texts that would exist only in digital form, and with no paper counterpart whatsoever. E-texts that started as a way to kill, or at least maim, the market in used paper texts actually retarded the development of new digital texts with innovative features such as audio, video and animated content under the control of the reader. Over the past five years I have sat in my office many times with publishers' sales reps who completely understood that their clay-footed bosses were wedded to the mentality of print. It is not an uncommon story in economics to find industries with monopoly or oligopoly power using that power to slow or prevent innovation. In most cases the innovation is only delayed.

Students and parents who are outraged by the high prices of textbooks should be cheering monopolybreaking innovations in this hidebound market. Apple recently introduced new software and marketing platforms that should, within a few years, totally reshape the old ways of producing and distributing learning content. The software is called iBooks Author, and the marketing plan consists of an iBooks Store to sell e-texts for the iPad and a new version of iTunes U for delivering content directly to students. I have created a large body of content for my students on my own, but viewing videos and other media in traditional course management systems means following internal links that open videos in separate windows, interrupting the smooth flow of logic and making efficient navigation impossible. We see the possible alternatives to this every time we see an iPod commercial or view news content on an iPad. We know that current paper and electronic texts are static. All of this is about to change. Consider first the software part of Apple's package, because this is where a revolution would probably take place. What is lacking in traditional e-texts is the seamless integration of text and

other media — both video and audio — and the flow and manipulation of content that the iPad and its imitators provide. But that's only part of it. The old iPad apps, as well as the newsreaders we saw in the commercials, depended on a staff of professionals who produce the digital copy that consumers eventually download. The revolution is that ordinary users — on the order of folks who can create a PowerPoint slide deck — can now produce copy that will run on the iPad. This is revolutionary. It will unleash the creative powers of thousands of authors and artists, to say nothing of us mere mortals. Just as important, it will spawn imitators. Expect to see a Google app that will allow users to create content for Android devices. IBooks Author allows the creation of smoothly flowing iPad "pages" of content in a mashup of text, videos, illustrations and animations that can be manipulated by the students to suit their learning needs. The software is free to everyone. Teachers can use it to produce their own content for students, customised to course objectives, but allowing the pedagogy to exploit the free-flowing navigation of an iPad. In a demonstration at Apple's news conference, we saw that an author could drag and drop an ex-

What is lacking in traditional e-texts is the seamless integration of text and other media — both video and audio — and the flow and manipulation of content that the iPad and its imitators provide

isting Word file into iBooks Author for distribution on the iPad. These new texts — a term that undervalues their potential importance — can be the basis for a new art form. The crime novel of the future will include not only text but also videos and interactive illustrations. With iBooks Author, Apple is hoping to do what TechSmith and Camtasia Studio did for the production of videos for instruction: Put easy-to-use but powerful creative tools in the hands of ordinary people. Camtasia Studio, by putting the tools for video creation and editing in to the hands of anyone with a computer, is now the world leader in screen-capture software. We'll see if Apple can do the

same for digital books. What are the barriers to the best-case scenario playing out for Apple? Foremost, of course, is that the plan for schools and colleges would require a near universal ownership of iPads. Colleges have achieved universal computer ownership for students, but in most cases there is no requirement for a specific brand. Why would the major publishing companies agree to collaborate with Apple? Why would they consent to a maximum price per copy of RM45 for K-12 texts and give Apple 30 per cent of the gross? I suspect that when Apple came to them they knew the jig was up. On the bright side, textbook authors not affiliated with the mainstream publishing companies may see the remaining 70 per cent payout from publishing in the iBook Store as a handsome payoff. It is true that the publishing companies can provide marketing advantages in textbook markets, but these should be valued conservatively. A principal benefit from the iBook Store is that it is a very efficient way for prospective buyers to scan the offerings of not just one publisher, but of many. What I would like to see is a vast increase in the quantity and diversity of instructional content in all fields. The traditional publishing companies will be hard pressed in such an opencontent world to maintain their current pricing models, and they will also be forced to compete with innovative authors who now will have drastically reduced entry barriers into the market for learning materials. Easy entry into a market sounds the death knell of monopoly, as any student of intermediate microeconomics can tell you. Byron W. Brown is a professor of economics at Michigan State University. His position includes university-wide duties helping faculty use instructional technology effectively

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KUALA LUMPUR

BUS OPERATIONS

Stakeholders should team up to transform public transport MEMBERS of the Association for the Improvement of Mass (Transit) noted with interest the announcement of an MoU between the Malacca Omnibus Operators' Association and the Chief Minister of Malacca, to have the state government take over bus operations in the state. This will come about with the state government and the bus operators creating a consortium to take over bus assets, replace outdated buses, and increase the number of bus routes. The agreement and the consortium concept does have both advantages and disadvantages, but at least it is a positive step forward for public transport, will increase confidence, and will (hopefully) lead to improvements in the way we look at public transport. Considering that Malaysia is facing a public transport crisis, knowing that service shutdowns will not reach Malacca is definitely good news. Malacca is the first state that has not only taken a proactive approach to deal with the public transport crisis, but has also upheld a commitment which they made last year to get inSEREMBAN

volved in public transport. The question that must be asked is whether the consortium approach is the best solution for public transport — not just to prevent a crisis from happening, but also to transform the public transport industry. One concern that Transit has is that the consortium approach does not bring together the four stakeholder groups. Only the bus operators and local government are involved in the consortium, leaving out the Malaysian government and most importantly, the public transport users. A good example would be the 10 new buses from Scomi, purchased for the Panorama bus service. While it is good to have new buses, we notice that they have three steps inside. These buses are not wheelchair accessible, and climbing up and down would be a challenge for elderly and less able-bodied public transport users. If public transport users had a voice at the table, perhaps they would have suggested that Panorama buy wheelchair-accessible, flatfloor buses, similar to the ones recently purchased by Prasarana for the RapidKL

services — buses manufactured by SKS bus — which are operating on feeder bus routes in Petaling Jaya. And if the Malaysian government had a voice at the table, with representatives from Prasarana and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), they could have found a way to buy wheelchair-accessible, flatfloor buses for Malacca — an extension on the Prasarana order, for example. Transit believes the best solution for public transport is not necessarily to have the government take over public transport operations and assets from private companies. We would prefer to see the government take an active role in the planning, organising, and managing public transport routes, instead of trying to operate a public transport service. Instead of Panorama as the brand name for a consortium of bus operators (which is the current plan), it would be better to have Panorama as the brand name for a Malacca Public Transport Authority, bringing together the state government, bus operators, the Malaysian government (through liaisons from

SPAD and Prasarana) and most importantly, the public transport users. This solution will bring together the accountability and responsibility of the chief minister and state government, the operating experience of the bus operators, the asset management skills (and hopefully some funding) from Prasarana, the regulatory and transport planning knowledge of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), and the participation of the public transport users — because without the long-term support of the public transport users, the public transport industry will never be successful. With this new consortium, the Malacca government and bus operators would have come together and taken one small step forward to make public transport stable. However if all four stakeholder groups come together, they can take one giant leap forward, to transform public transport and set an example to all Malaysians.

MOAZ YUSUF AHMAD for TRANSIT

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

LAST Sunday on the eve of Chinese new year, my neighbour handed my wife some cookies and oranges over the fence that we share as neighbours. He has been doing that kind festive gesture for years. We have shared and enjoyed each other’s company and my wish is we will do so forever. Good neighbours are hard to come by, so treasure and cherish them when you have them. They say, “Good neighbours bad for crime” and I have always appreciated neighbours who embark on programmes that can mitigate crime and promote a safe environment in a neighbourhood. We must be seen working together as neighbours. Sad-

THE STATE OF SCHOOL CANTEENS

Poor meals make low quality students WHEN a student walks into school, all we want to see is a clean surrounding, great teachers, good classrooms, clean toilets and delicious canteen food. What is the point of having the school compound kept clean when stepping into the canteen is like stepping into a dumpster? A school canteen should be kept clean and hygienic. In most canteens, everything from tables to pans are in a horrible state. Houseflies roam freely, cockroaches crawl under every table while clogged sinks and smelly drains are a common sight in most schools. There should be enough food for all. There are cases when after one batch of students returns to classrooms after recess, there is no food left for the second and third batch. There were several times when I had to rely on my “never failing mum’s food” in the tupperware. Another important component is the food quality. I wonder if there are standards for canteen operators to abide to. The standard of food that we have in my school is a miserable half scoop of rice, with three anchoSEREMBAN

Appreciate those we have next door

feedback@mmail.com.my

vies and a miserly egg. We pay about RM2 per plate for this nasi lemak while mee goreng with no fillings like fish cake or egg or bean sprouts are sold for RM2. Chicken rice served with a pitiful piece of chicken is sold at RM3 per plate. Are these things so pricey or are school canteens making big profits? Instead of serving only Malay cuisine, why not add Indian and Chinese dishes as well? We are a Malaysian society used to roti canai, mee soup, keow teow, and vadai. I can’t understand why we should be bombarded only with nasi lemak everyday. I urge the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health officials to visit every school and make spot checks on school canteens. A school canteen is an important ingredient of a great student. If the food sold in canteens is of poor quality, students would not be able to concentrate on their studies and the education system would end up with low quality students.

R. MEYSHNA NAIR kuala lumpur

MONTH OF WEIGHTY WOES

When fat Flab-ruary comes around

sharing and caring: Nothing like good neighbours to look out for each other

ly, some do not even know who their neighbours are. Neighbours can make your life useful, interesting, and less worrisome. Let’s work and cooperate

with our neighbours in matters that ails or trouble the neighbourhood. The National Unity Department should emulate the “Good Neighbour” pro-

grammes initiated by South Korea and Japan to establish closeness among neighbours. BULBIR SINGH seremban

I would like to share with you a recent research that showed February as the month when most people are likely to feel fat. I continually experience breaking healthy living New Year resolutions and reach for that forbidden chocolate bar — for some strange reason in February. The study coincidentally showed what I have always felt in February as it is usually the time when I feel unhappiest about my weight and lifestyle,

mainly because of the failure to shift those extra post-Christmas pounds. I had made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and to eat better. It’s not happening. I am depressed about not keeping the pledges and hope those in the same boat as I will take a second chance and make Feb 1 the new Jan 1. I did.

JOYCE J.J. seremban

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

Business

TOKYO

SYDNEY

SAN FRANCISCO

PARIS

Glitch hits Japan bourse

Aussie is second wealthiest woman

Firm grip on Facebook IPO

Google fined by French court

Trading in 241 counters, including blue-chips Sony and Hitachi affected in morning session, Hokkaido exchange also impacted

Gina Rinehart ‘Pilbara Princess’ rises up in Forbes list after amassing fortune from mining and media investments, retains No 1 rank in Asia

Silicon Valley’s largest ever initial public offering reveals ownership structure and bylaws go against US corporate governance rules protecting shareholders

US firm found guilty of abusing the dominant position of its Google Maps application and ordered to pay damages to French mapper

 PAGE22

 PAGE23

KUALA LUMPUR

Aircel loses 2G licence Maxis subsidiary among those affected by Indian court scrapping 122 awards BY Andrea Mathew andrea@mmail.com.my

IT STILL isn’t clear just how Maxis Bhd will be affected by its subdiary Aircel Ltd potentially losing its 2G licence after an Indian court ruling yesterday Given that the court has also instructed that fresh bids be called, chances are Aircel and other affected Indian telcos could appeal the ruling. In the meantime, it is expected to be business as usual at Aircel as such appeals could take some time to be heard — unless the Indian government follows through

promptly with the fresh bids. AFP reported that the Indian Supreme Court had scrapped 122 telecom licences awarded in a 2008 sale that has become a major corruption scandal rocking the government there. Justice G. S. Singhvi told the court in New Delhi: “Licences after January 2008 are quashed. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will make fresh allocations by auction.” Mis-selling of the secondgeneration (2G) mobile licences was estimated by the country’s public auditor to have cost the treasury up to US$40 billion (RM120.6 billion) in lost revenue.

The minister in charge of the sale, A. Raja, is currently on trial accused of fraud and cheating, one of several corruption cases to have buffeted the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Raja, a member of the DMK, a regional party in the Congress party-led national coalition, is suspected of rigging rules over the sale of the licences to favour some firms in return for kickbacks. Aircel, which was linked to a 2G spectrum scam last year, was sold to Maxis in 2006 for US$800 million. Maxis could not be contacted for comment at press time. Following a probe in October last year by India’s Cen-

tral Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Maxis owner Tan Sri T. Ananda Krishnan and Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ralph Marshal had given their statements. The probe was further flamed by Aircel founder C. Sivasankaran, who gave a statement to the CBI in June claiming he was coerced to sell out to Maxis. Also to note, Aircel, which was denied a pan-India telecom licence earlier, was able to enter all circles after the Maxis takeover, Sivasankaran alleged. The CBI has also probed Astro’s US$160 million investment in Sun Direct TV (P) Ltd.

Interest rate hike still possible, says OSK OSK Investment Bank Bhd says that although Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has the room to cut the overnight policy rate (OPR), it is more likely that a rate hike of 25 basis points to 3.25%, sometime in the second half of the year can be expected, as inflationary pressures build up. “BNM has the room to cut the OPR should the need arises. But given the balance of risks, we expect BNM to hold the OPR steady at 3%, for at least the first half of 2012.” In a research note issued yesterday, OSK Investment also said it believed the central bank would cut the OPR, only if the global environment were to deteriorate significantly.

On Tuesday, BNM decided to maintain the OPR, at 3%. OSK Investment said more likely than not, risk could be bias to a rate hike instead as inflationary pressures could build up, as a result of healthy private and public consumption spending. It said inflation looks unlikely to pose a threat to the economy. OSK Investment expects favorable base effects and slower global growth to reduce inflation this year, which is expected to average 2.7%. “However, inflation can still rear its ugly head with the “risks to inflation”, coming from supply disruptions that would result in higher food and commodity prices.” — Bernama

MARKETREPORT

KUALA LUMPUR

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Malaysians can buy Facebook shares only after US listing MALAYSIANS eager for a slice of Facebook Inc’s US$100 billion (RM302 billion) initial public offering (IPO) will be able to purchase shares only after the company is listed on the American exchange. As the IPO is open to applicants with an American address, Malaysians are excluded from the bidding process — unless they have recourse to individuals in the US. Explaining this hurdle, an OSK Holdings Bhd e-broking unit spokesperson said there will be no problems for Malaysian investors interested to buy Facebook or any shares on American bourses once the listing is done. “OSK will be able to facilitate the purchase of Facebook

shares after the IPO. Interested customers can purchase shares via OSK’s online trading portal, OSK 188. “All they need to do is to open up a trading account online and they will then have access to the NYSE, Nasdaq or Amex through OSK188. com and can then proceed to purchase the share that is being offered in each of the exchange. “If the transaction is confirmed, the share will be owned by the customer. A contract note will be issued to the customer for that share transaction. This is all done online through OSK188.” In its filing on Wednesday, Facebook says it is seeking to raise US$5 billion, but analysts estimate it could

10 MOST ACTIVE STOCKS FRIday FEB 2, 2012 STOCK DBE

VOLUME

CLSG (sen)

+/– (sen)

11.5

- 1

72,805,100

61,784,900

HIBISCS-WA

53,131,400

+ 11.5

PCHEM-CH

50,512,600

6.5

+ 4

DRBHCOM-CG

50,165,800

COASTAL-CA

46,020,400

- 1.5

NICORP

45,787,500

+ 1.5

41,605,800

7.5

+ 4

39,605,100

UNCH

36,606,000

- 4

TEBRAU

PCHEM-CE

KARYON-WA TMS

+ 7

+ 5.5

KL MARKET SUMMARY FRIday FEB 2, 2012 INDICES

GLOBAL APPEAL: Many also access their Facebook accounts via smartphones

tap investors for US$10 billion — which would be the fourth-largest in US history after Visa Inc, General Motors, and AT&T Wireless. That would value the com-

pany at $100 billion, dwarfing storied tech giants such as Hewlett Packard Co. Facebook says it has 845 million active monthly users. — By Andrea Mathew

CHANGE

FBMEMAS:

FBM-KLCI

INDUSTRIAL:

CONSUMER PRODUCT:

10,714.01

(+126.81)

1,537.09

(+ 15.80)

2,846.74

(+ 39.92)

491.74

(+ 3.49)

CONSTRUCTION:

266.33

(+ 6.86)

TRADING SERVICES:

196.81

(+ 2.12)

13,456.31

(+103.64)

1,043.98

(+ 14.15)

4,517.49

(+ 20.90)

18.11

+ 0.15)

FINANCE:

PROPERTIES: FBMACE TECHNOLOGY:

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

BUSINESS There are no regulatory hurdles in front of us now. So now, the hurdles are really within our control to deliver the plant NICHOLAS CURTIS LYNAS CORP EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

GENERAL LINE 03-7495 1288 | BUSINESS DESK 03-7495 1015 / 1017 CLASSIFIEDS 03-7495 1273 / 1282 | CIRCULATION Tel: 03-7495 1068 Fax: 03-7495 1226

ADVERTISING SALES Tel: 03-74951273 (CLASSIFIEDS)

Tel: 03-74951262 (DISPLAY)

Fax: 03-74951228

E-mail: ad@mmail.com.my

EXCHANGERATES SEPANG

AirAsia X remains bullish No change in long-haul budget airline’s frequencies despite Aussie lawsuit THE recent lawsuit against AirAsia X in Australia will not affect the sales performance of the the low-cost carrier in the country, says AirAsia Group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. He said the lawsuit was a minor technical problem and would not result in any changes in the longhaul budget airline’s frequencies to Australia. AirAsia X currently flies to Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Earlier last month, a consumer watchdog in Australia sued the budget carrier for allegedly failing to disclose the full price of fares for flights from Australia. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took legal action against the airline the same day its executives were launching the fares for the Sydney-Kuala Lumpur route with one-way fare from as low as A$99 (RM319). “The issue concerns only four routes from hundreds of AirAsia’s and AirAsia X’s routes. Thus, it’s a small issue. “The AirAsia X management has corrected it,” he told reporters after welcoming the arrival of AirAsia’s 100th Airbus A320

THURSDAY FEB 2, 2012 FOREIGN CURRENCY

SELLING

BUYING

TT/OD

BUYING OD

1 US DOLLAR

3.0555

3.0005

2.9905

1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR

3.2840

3.2020

3.1860

1 BRUNEI DOLLAR

2.4520

2.3990

2.3910

1 EURO

4.0230

3.9540

3.9340

1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR

2.5660

2.4750

2.4590

1 PAPUA N GUINEA KINA

1.6170

1.3190

1.3030

1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR

2.4515

2.3990

2.3910

1 STERLING POUND

4.8340

4.7610

4.7410

100 ARAB EMIRATES DIRHAM

84.5400

80.3400

80.1400

100 BANGLADESH TAKA

3.6950

3.5050

3.3050

100 HONGKONG DOLLAR

40.0500

38.0500

37.8500

100 INDIAN RUPEE

6.3230

6.0100

5.8100

100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH

0.0346

0.0328

0.0278

100 JAPANESE YEN

4.0190

3.9330

3.9230

100 PAKISTAN RUPEE

3.4500

3.2400

3.0400

100 PHILIPPINE PESO

7.2300

6.8700

6.6700

100 SAUDI RIYAL

82.8400

78.6400

78.4400

100 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND

41.1200

37.9100

37.7100

100 SRI LANKA RUPEE

2.7700

2.5500

2.3500

100 THAI BAHT

10.6000

9.0000

8.6000

Source: Malayan Banking Bhd/Bernama

BRIEF AUSPICIOUS: AirAsia ﬂight crew ﬂank (from left) Azran, director Datuk Fam Lee Ee, deputy group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar, Fernandes, and regional commercial head Kathleen Tan after the eye-dotting ceremony to bring AirAsia’s 100th Airbus A320 to life

at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal yesterday. He said (AirAsia X chief executive officer) Azran Osman-Rani has already eyed possibilities for AirAsia going to Adelaide. Meanwhile, Fernandes said, the Comprehensive Collaboration Framework between Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS), AirAsia and AirAsia X last year would produce significant results in the next

six months. “The share-swap deal, which included a collaboration agreement to explore opportunities on a broad range of areas between the entities, is special to AirAsia group. “In the next six months, things will change significantly. MAS and AirAsia will jointly make Malaysia a powerhouse in the Asian aviation industry.” The carrier will take de-

livery of 275 Airbus A320 aircraft, worth US$25 billion, over the next 14 years as part of its fleet expansion exercise, said Fernandes. He said 200 aircraft would comprise the A320neo model while the A320 would account for the remaining 75 aircraft and they would complement AirAsia’s existing fleet of 100 aircraft. — Bernama

SYDNEY

Lynas shares rise in Aussie trading SHARES in Australia’s Lynas Corp jumped 19% yesterday after Malaysian authorities approved a temporary operating licence for its US$200 million (RM603.8 million) rare earths processing plant. Winning the licence eased uncertainty for Lynas after speculation the licence could have been held up or rejected in the face of opposition from political parties and local residents ahead of national elections expected within months. “There are no regulatory hurdles in front of us now. So now, the hurdles are really within our control to deliver the plant,” Lynas executive chairman Nicholas Curtis said.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

Analysts said the clearance was good news, and they expect the company will be able to meet its new target for starting up the plant, which is 91% complete, in the second quarter, with first cash flow from rare earths products two months later. Curtis said earlier this week that the remaining construction involves piping and electrical work, which is slower than earlier phases of construction. Lynas said the temporary licence will run for two years and a permanent operating licence may be issued within that time if it complies with all licence requirements. Lynas still has to submit a detailed plan for a perma-

nent disposal facility for residue from the plant within 10 months and pay US$50 million to the Malaysian government as a financial guarantee. The Malaysian plant will process rare earths mined in Australia at Lynas’ Mount Weld project. The operation is key to offsetting China’s dominance of the supply of rare earth metals, crucial in a range of products from smartphones to wind turbines. Japan is counting on Lynas to supply 8,500 tonnes a year of rare earths by early 2013 to curb its reliance on China, under a deal involving trading house Sojitz Corp and state-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp.

Malaysian residents and local politicians have expressed concerns that radioactive residue from the the Lynas plant’s operations could contaminate the environment. Protests last year led to an investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Lynas received a favourable report but was told to provide the long-term waste management and safety plan. Lynas says that its plant is safe and is not comparable to a rare-earths plant in Malaysia that was shut by a unit of Mitsubishi Chemicals in 1992, after residents there blamed the plant for birth defects and a high rate of leukaemia cases. — Reuters

Cypark gets NS landfill project KUALA LUMPUR: Cypark Resources Bhd has received an approval-inprinciple letter from the government for the proposed build, operate and transfer (BOT) development of a new sanitary landfill in Negeri Sembilan. The firm had earlier submitted the BOT proposal to the government for a concession period of 25

years. The project, which will treat and dispose municipal solid waste (MSW) received from many parts of Negeri Sembilan, is expected to commence this year and completed in a few phases over a period of two years. The estimated ﬂow of MSW into the project is above 1,000 tonnes per day. — Bernama

LOS ANGELES

Honda loses hybrid mileage case in US AN AMERICAN woman has won a small-claims suit against Honda after accusing the Japanese automaker of misleading her about its Civic Hybrid’s fuel mileage. A Los Angeles County court sided with Civic owner Heather Peters, who said she was awarded US$9,867 -- close to the US$10,000 maximum -- over Honda’s claim that the hybrid could achieve as much as 50 miles per gallon. “It is a victory for Civic Hybrid owners and consumers everywhere,” Peters said. “Sometimes big justice comes in small packages.” The award was far greater than what Peters would have received had she joined a class-action lawsuit against the auto manufacturer. Peters sued the automaker after learning that the class-

action lawsuit settlement would pay trial lawyers US$8.5 million, while individual Civic owners would receive just US$100 and rebate coupons for the purchase of a new car. Honda -- which could not immediately be reached for comment -- has the right to appeal Wednesday’s decision. Peters argued that while Honda advertised that the car would get around 50 miles per gallon, “the car never got more than 41 or 42 even on its very best day,” and that the fuel economy dropped below 30 after a software update. Honda has acknowledged that the battery on 20062008 Civic hybrids “may deteriorate and eventually fail” earlier than expected, forcing the car to rely more on its gas engine and lowering fuel economy. — AFP

FRIday 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

Business The biggest issue is top management ... There needs to be a vision for the products, for innovation a former Sony executive Commenting on Kazuo Hirai’s appointment

SHANGHAI

TOKYO

Glitch hits Tokyo bourse Hokkaido exchange also impacted, with all trading suspended in morning THE Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) was forced to suspend trading in the shares of 241 companies including bluechips Sony and Hitachi for the whole of the morning session yesterday due to a computer glitch. In the latest embarrassing system error to hit Asia’s largest bourse by market capitalisation, the TSE suspended dealing in the affected shares — Konica Minolta and Mitsubishi Electric also among them — from its opening. Trading resumed when the afternoon session started. “The bourse is examining the cause of the system trouble, and we still don’t know what led to the failure,” an exchange spokeswoman said. The computer glitch caused the failure of a server used to distribute stock data to

investors, she said. The Sapporo Securities Exchange, a regional bourse in northern Hokkaido, was also forced to stop trading as it is on the same system and all its 74 stocks were affected, a bourse official said. It is the first major system trouble since the TSE

installed a new high-speed trading platform, “Arrowhead”, in January 2010. In November 2005 the Tokyo bourse was forced to suspend trading in all its shares for the first time ever because of a software problem. The exchange was hit by a

TWIDDLING THUMBS: Brokers at the Japanese exchange were forced to wait for trading to resume — APFpic

number of computer system issues in the following years, raising concerns about the quality of its infrastructure. — AFP

SYDNEY

Aussie is world’s second wealthiest woman AUSTRALIAN Gina Rinehart (pic) could soon become the world’s wealthiest woman after amassing an US$18 billion (RM54.4 billion) fortune from mining and media investments, Forbes magazine says in its latest list of the wealthiest people in Australia. The 57-year old widow saw her fortune almost double after a deal signed last month that will see South Korean steel giant Posco take a 15% stake in her Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara iron belt. The deal valued the project at US$10 billion, boosting Rinehart’s fortune dramatically.

In the next few years, Rinehart also has plans to expand her iron ore operations and develop two coal collieries. If commodity prices hold up, Rinehart could challenge Christie Walton, worth US$24.5 billion as the world’s richest woman, Forbes said. Christie Walton is the widow of John Walton, one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of retail chain WalMart Stores. For now, Rinehart will have to be content with being the Asia-Pacific region’s wealthiest woman, based on Forbes’ tally. Rinehart is the daughter of Lang Hancock, an Australian

prospector credited with discovering giant deposits of iron ore in the 1950s that now make up Australia’s largest export base. Known as the “Pilbara Princess”, Rinehart is also building stakes in some of Australia’s largest media companies, drawing comparisons to another famously powerful Australian, Rupert Murdoch, head of News Corp and now a US citizen. Rinehart this week became the largest shareholder in Fairfax Media by more than tripling her stake in the newspaper, digital and radio broadcasting company. She already owns 10% of rival Ten Network Holdings.

Rinehart, who avoids media interviews, has been battling to keep details of a family legal battle out of the public eye. Three of her children are trying to oust her as trustee of a multi-billion-dollar family trust, set up by her father before he died. — Reuters

China reveals IPO application list CHINA’s securities regulator has for the first time published a full list of Chinese companies that have applied for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Shanghai or Shenzhen markets, in a move aimed at boosting transparency of the system. The list, published late on Wednesday, included more than 500 companies, such as state-owned giant China Postal Express & Logistics Co, TPG-backed China Grand Auto and more than a dozen city commercial banks. However, it was still unclear when many of these deals would hit the market. After submitting an IPO application, companies typically need to wait for about six months before obtaining

the regulatory nod for a listing, but the process could be as long as two years, depending on the quality of application, analysts say. The list showed that 295 companies have applied to list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange or Shenzhen’s small and medium enterprise board (SME board), while another 220 firms are seeking floatations on Shenzhen’s Nasdaq-style ChiNext board. More than 250 Chinese companies raised US$41.5 billion via initial public offerings on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges in 2011, down 41% from 2010. Many analysts expect the total size of the fundraising to remain roughly the same in 2012. — Reuters

TOKYO

Big challenges for new Sony chief THE incoming chief of Japan’s Sony Corp, the Sony veteran who revived its PlayStation gaming business, was named late Wednesday as the company’s new chief executive. He will replace Howard Stringer on April 1. There is unlikely to be a honeymoon period for Kazuo Hirai, who is under immediate pressure to sort out Sony’s ailing TV business after it fell behind South Korean rivals such as Samsung Electronics in a market where prices are tumbling. Above all, Hirai will be leading a drive at Sony, whose products range from PlayStation games consoles to The Smurfs movie, to recapture the innovative flair that made it king of global consumer electronics three decades ago.

In the 1980s, Sony dreamt up the Walkman personal music-player and then in the 1990s the hugely successful PlayStation, but it has since ceded ground to Apple Inc and Samsung as consumers snap up their iPhones, iPods and Galaxy gadgets. There are some doubts that 51-year-old Hirai can rekindle innovation at Sony. “The biggest issue is top management ... There needs to be a vision for the products, for innovation,” said a former Sony executive who felt that a new management mindset was needed. Welsh-born Stringer, a former journalist who ran US broadcaster CBS, had been brought in earlier as a rare foreign chief executive officer in Japan to shake things up. — Reuters

MEXICO CITY

Slim retains control of Mexican telco market as rivals falter MEXICAN regulators have blocked broadcaster Televisa’s US$1.6 billion bid for a 50% stake of cellphone company Iusacell, cementing tycoon Carlos Slim’s dominance of Mexico’s mobile market. Televisa and Iusacell had hoped to combine forces to

challenge Slim in the cellphone market, which has made him one of the world’s richest men. The 72-year-old Slim’s control of roughly 80% of Mexico’s cell and fixed-line phones has sparked criticism of monopolistic practices and

claims that his companies abuse their power. But Televisa and Iusacell said on Wednesday their tie-up had been rejected by Mexico’s competition watchdog, which has yet to publicly announce its decision or the reasons behind it.

The two companies are themselves owned by two of Mexico’s richest men, who have a near duopoly in the television market, and critics said the deal could boost competition for phone services at the expense of broadcasting.

Emilio Azcarraga’s Televisa is the world’s biggest producer of Spanish-language television content and fellow mogul Ricardo Salinas owns Mexico’s second broadcaster, TV Azteca, as well as Iusacell. Iusacell vowed to chal-

lenge the decision, which it said did nothing to improve competition in Latin America’s second-biggest economy. Televisa, which said it had already invested the US$1.6 billion in Iusacell, hinted it would do the same. — Reuters

THE MALAY MAIL

friday 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

Business For all investors, gold is an insurance against a breakdown in the international financial system Greg Robinson Chief executive, Newcrest Mining

NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO

Firm grip on Facebook IPO Its ownership structure and bylaws go against US corporate governance rules FACEBOOK Inc has unveiled what is expected to be Silicon Valley’s largest ever initial public offering (IPO), but made it clear to outside investors that they will have little voice in its running, as founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg will continue to exercise almost complete control. The Harvard dropout, who launched what would become the social networking phenomenon out of his dorm room, will own 56.9% of the voting shares that is expected to be worth up to US$100 billion (RM302.2 billion) when it goes public. He will have economic control of about 28% of the shares, ranking him among the richest people in the world. The 27-year-old’s ownership position means that Facebook, which is aiming to raise at least US$5 billion and as much as US$10 billion, will not need to appoint a majority of independent directors or set up board committees to oversee compensation and other matters. Zuckerberg struck deals with several Facebook investors that granted him voting rights over their shares in

HIGHLY VALUED: Facebook paid RM93 million to its top lieutenant Sandberg, who was featured at the Digital, Life, Design Conference in Munich on Jan 24

all or most situations. Those included Yuri Milner’s DST Global, venture capital firm The Founders Fund, and entities affiliated with Technology Crossover Ventures, the IPO filing shows. The company’s ownership structure and bylaws go against shareholder-friendly corporate governance practices put in place in the US after years of investor activism. The prospectus shows that Facebook, which says it has 845 million monthly active

users, generated US$3.71 billion in revenue and made US$1 billion in net profit last year, up 65% from the US$606 million in 2010. Zuckerberg’s 533.8 million shares are worth almost US$16 billion, based on the per-share value the company assigned to its restricted stock units on Dec 31. As a result, Zuckerberg, following the example set by Apple founder Steve Jobs, agreed to decrease his compensation from US$1.48 mil-

lion last year to US$1 effective Jan 1, 2013. By comparison, Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer and Zuckerberg’s top lieutenant, earned US$30.8 million in total compensation last year. The prospectus underscored how 85% of Facebook’s 2011 revenue was derived from advertising. Last year, socialgaming company Zynga, creator of Farmville, accounted for 12% of Facebook’s revenue. — Reuters

PARIS

Google fined by French court A FRENCH commercial court has found Google guilty of abusing the dominant position of its Google Maps application and ordered it to pay a fine and damages to a French mapping company. In a ruling on Tuesday, the Paris court upheld an unfair competition complaint lodged by Bottin Cartographes against

Google France and its parent company Google Inc for providing free web mapping services to some businesses. The court ordered Google to pay €500,000 (RM2 million) in damages and interest to the plaintiff and a €15,000 fine. The French company provides the same services for a fee and claimed the Google

strategy was aimed at undercutting competitors by temporarily swallowing the full cost until it gains control of the market. “This is the end of a twoyear battle, a decision without precedent,” said the lawyer for Bottin Cartographes, Jean-David Scemmama. A Google France spokesman

said the company was studying the ruling and considering its options. “We remain convinced that a free high-quality mapping tool is beneficial for both Internet users and websites. There remains competition in this sector for us, both in France and internationally,” the spokesman said. — AFP

MELBOURNE

Bullish outlook for gold THE world’s No 3 gold producer, Newcrest Mining, expects gold to trade as high as US$2,500 an ounce and retain its safe harbour status for as long as the world’s financial system remains in crisis mode. Newcrest chief executive

Greg Robinson yesterday said gold will remain a hedge against a global financial breakdown, citing risks such as a devaluation of the US dollar, European economies in dire shape and persistent political tensions throughout the globe.

He pegged bullion to trade between US$1,500 and US$2,500 an ounce over the next five years. “For all investors, gold is an insurance against a breakdown in the international financial system.” Gold is now trading around US$1,747 an ounce, near

two-month highs, following a surge in January amid concerns about the eurozone debt crisis. Robinson’s view was in line with US Gold Corp’s outlook, but an analyst said US$2,500 may be too bullish. — Reuters

Patent claims tarnish listing process FACEBOOK is coming under the same fierce attacks being waged against other big technology companies: patent lawsuits. Last year, Facebook was named as a defendant in 22 lawsuits accusing it of patent infringement, double the number from 2010, according to a Reuters analysis of court documents on legal database Westlaw, a Thomson Reuters unit. Among the lawsuits is one alleging Facebook violated a patent that covers the core ability to transmit messages to large networks of users. Facebook said in a court filing earlier this month that it will seek to dismiss that lawsuit. Previously, the bulk of legal challenges brought by patent holders against tech companies has focused on markets like smartphones, with defendants including Apple and Microsoft. The attacks against Facebook signal that social media has become a new front in the Silicon Valley patent wars. The company’s adversaries include a former lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis, one of the biggest US law firms, whose new firm filed the lawsuit over how Facebook transmits messages. Before 2010, online game developer Zynga, Web discount deals operator Groupon and professional social network operator LinkedIn had not faced a single patent lawsuit, Westlaw data show. Last year, the year those three companies went public, the lawsuits mounted. Facebook faces more patent cases than any of those other companies. The IPO climate raises the stakes for companies to demonstrate solid returns and low risks. As companies undertake an IPO, the heightened level of scrutiny from Wall Street makes aggregators think they can more easily wrest a quick settlement from companies, said Colleen Chien, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law in Silicon Valley. Companies are most vulnerable to patent challenges when they file their intention to go public with a form S1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, said Ron Laurie, a specialist in IP and investment banking. “You just knew when you filed the S1, the letters would

start rolling in,” said Laurie, co-founder of Inflexion Point Strategy. The vast majority of the lawsuits against Internet companies were not filed by business competitors, but rather by aggregators who amass patent portfolios and attempt to wring licenses out of existing companies. The threat of litigation often compels companies to pay licensing fees to use patented technology. Some of the most wellknown aggregators are involved in the lawsuits: another company suing Facebook obtained its patents from Intellectual Ventures, the entity co-founded by former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold. Overall, patent litigation involving tech companies has exploded over the past two years. Smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Microsoft are engaged in a fierce legal war against fellow competitors like Motorola Mobility, all the while fielding lawsuits from aggregators. Some patent holders are derided as “patent trolls” by critics, a term the holders say unfairly paints them as villains for helping inventors make money. Apple was sued over patents 76 times in 2011, up from 56 in 2010, according to the data available on Westlaw. Microsoft, meanwhile, faced more than double the number of patent lawsuits in 2011. While Internet companies face relatively smaller numbers of patent lawsuits, the rate of increase for fast-growing sites has been steep. Zynga faced nine patent lawsuits in 2011 compared to two the year before. Groupon was sued 10 times in 2011, up from three in 2010, and LinkedIn faced 10 patent suits in 2011, up from five the year before. Microblogging website Twitter was sued in five patent cases in 2011, up from just one case in 2010, according to court filings on Westlaw’s database. Stock investors have eagerly been awaiting a Twitter IPO, but the company has repeatedly said that it is in no hurry to go public. — Reuters

LIFESTYLE&LIFESTYLE

WEEKENDWATCH

Thrills, spills and chills of white wat

Our Lifestyle writer Chetz Yusof checks out this extreme splash sport at the Selangor River in Kuala Kubu Baru and elsewhere in the co MORE and more adventurous Malaysians are indulging in extreme sports in recent years, particularly bungee jumping, paragliding, skydiving, windsurfing and, yes, white water rafting! Our country is blessed with many fantastic rivers suitable for white water rafting, and whether a family or a group of buddies undertake this challenge as a thrilling outdoor adventure or a company organising it for their employees as a teambuilding exercise, the successful completion of such a trip would inevitably result in closer bonding among the participants, in this case, the rafters. In this country, one

of the most popular spots for white water rafting is the Selangor River in Kuala Kubu Baru (but more on this later). White water rafting is certainly an extreme splash sport for it can be perilious while navigating a fast-moving river and avoiding crashing into the rocks and plantlife along the way. But by taking all the proper precautions (including suiting up in life-jackets and crash helmets), even rafters as young as seven years old can experience the thrills, spills and chills and emerge more self-confident. Of course, there are different gradings on any body of white water, and those tackling this sport for the first time

should humbly leave the more difficult river routes to the professionals and those more experienced. There are six grades of difficulty in white water rafting — grade 1 indicates a river with very small rough areas and might require slight manoeuvring, while grade 6 is considered to be so dangerous that you might end up with serious injury or even death. Naturally, there are many different types of rafts, but for recreational rafting the most commonly-used model is an inflatable boat made of very durable, multi-layered rubberised fabrics with several independent air chambers. The length of the rafts range from 3.5 metres (about 11 feet) to 6m (20 ft), and the width varies from 1.8m (six ft) t o

2.5m (eight ft). Paddles are used to propel and guide the raft and depending on the raft size, there are paddles to accomodate from four to 12 passengers. Now, back to the Selangor River in Kuala Kubu Baru where its river rapids has been graded from 2 (some rough water, maybe some rocks and might require some manoeuvring) to grade 4 (medium waves and you might encounter rocks, also considerable drops

where sharp manoeuvres may be needed). Kuala Kubu Baru, the district capital of Hulu Selangor, is a popular weekend getaway for city folks and about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. And depending on the water levels and number of rafting groups at a particular period of time, rafting on the Selangor River takes from three to four hours. Another great place for white water rafting is the Kampar River in Gopeng, Perak which is about two hours’ drive from KL. There, the river rapids range from grades 1 to 3 (for the latter grade, you might encounter small waves, a small drop, but no considerable danger), so anyone who’s physically fit and those who crave mild adventure will definitely enjoy their rafting excursion at this spot. If you’re looking for some-

thing more difficult, check out the Singoh River at the Belum Forest Reserve in Gerik, Perak (about five hours’ drive from KL) with the rapids ranging from grades 3 to 6. Clearly, this spot is more suitable for those with lots of physical strength, endurance and rafting skills. Across the South China Sea, on the island of Borneo, there are two splendid spots for white water rafting in Sabah: the Padas River and Kiulu River which are, respectively, three hours journey and 90-minutes trip from the state capital of Kota Kinabalu. Padas River, in the interiors of the district of Tenom, is only accessible by train, and the journey on the oldest train in Borneo is certainly an unforgettable experience. Padas River offers seven tough rapids which are graded 3 and 4, and the rapids have even garnered amusing nicknames, specifically, Merry-Go-Round Rapid, Break Point Rapid, Scooby Doo Rapid, Cobra Rapid, Curve Rapid, Lambada Rapid and Head Hunter

Ra W da er pl to M in th Bo tin br Ki in an ta gr it’ W te gr be co ice sp dr C ra riv m yo Na

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

Oodles of noodles

Young artist at work

Viva Palestina

Where to grab that perfect bowl of assam laksa in KL

Exhibition showcasing yourthful spirit through art pieces

Catch the Malaysian Palestine Film Festival at GSC Pavillion this weekend

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ter rafting

ountry

apid. While manoeuvring the Paas rapids, you will get closr looks at Sabah’s amazing lethora of flora and fauna oo. Moving on to Kiulu River, n Tamparuli district, it is he longest rafting river in orneo, at 15km long. Getng there will afford you reathtaking views of Mount inabalu (tallest mountain n the Malay Archipelago, nd a Unesco World Heriage Site). Kiulu rapids are raded 1 and 2 which means ’s safe enough for children. When it comes to white waer rafting, take note that the rading of the rapids might e changed due to weather onditions and as such, noves to this extreme splash port should go during the ry seasons. Check with white water afting operators on which ver trips in the country is most suitable for you and our family or buddies. aturally, it is advisable for first-timers to begin rafting on rivers with modest inten-

sity before gradually moving up to those which are more risky. Don’t worry if you’re totally inexperienced as the operators have professional handlers to provide safety briefings and instructions before embarking. When it comes to the fee, prices range from RM150 to RM250 per person for a day trip, depending on the river or location. Most white water rafting operators also require a mininum number of people to go for each ride, so confirm this beforehand. While rafting gear are provided by the operators, do wear strap sandals or shoes, and bring a set of extra clothing, towel, sunblock lotion and insect repellent. For more information about white water rafting or other outdoor adventures, log on to www.oxbold.com and www.riverbug.asia. SCENIC: (from top to bottom) The Padas rapids in Sabah offers not only an amazing trip upstream via an old train ride but also a chance to get close to the ﬂora and fauna along the rapids

THE MALAY MAIL

Climb yourself to the top this weekend Time to step out of the mall, put on your climbing shoes and head to the top. Rock climbing is a must-do for every outdoor junkie and a must-try for those who are curious. Sophia Halim guides you to three places.

Shah Alam Extreme Park, Section 13 THIS scenic outdoor park features three freestanding climbing boulders and two poded freestanding climbing walls. This is the perfect place to start for new rock climbers with beginner and advance walls. You can ei-

ther rent equipment at a reasonable price or bring your own. Here you can meet and watch friendly professional climbers who also are more than willing to help you all the way up. Entrance to the park is always free.

Putrajaya Challenge Park, Precint 5, Putrajaya ALSO known as Taman Cabaran in Putrajaya, Precinct 5, this park contains some of the best extreme park facilities in Asia. One of the main attractions of this park is the Indoor Rock

Wall Climbing Complex. This park features walls that range from moderate to very difficult, as well a bouldering blocks for beginners. Entrance to the park is RM6 per person.

Batu Caves FOR the more advanced and adventurous, challenge yourself to Batu Caves You can rock climb at 4 spots of the limestone hill that also hosts the famous Batu caves temple. Batu Caves offers a total of 170 routes spread out over 8 major crags (steep rugged

cliffs). The walls are made of limestone and granite offering a good variety of slabs, overhangs and stalactite climbs. Entrance into Batu Caves is RM1 per person. Climbing the walls is free of charge unless you want to take courses.

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feedback@mmail.com.my

Faster Leaner

5 Series

Twinturbo Technology For The Executive

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FIRSTGEAR

REVUP

TESTDRIVE

BMW concept car unveiled

Evolution of the Elantra

Citroen's segment winner

BMW announces sterling 2011 sales results with the unveiling of BMW's i range of electric vehicles

You can buy this car in Malaysia in the next few weeks... meanwhile, here inside, is a little history

Quiet and quick, this is Citroen's winning hot hatch on sale now at Brooklands

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THE MALAY MAIL

FIRSTGEAR

The BMW 520i returns with added power BY Kon Wai Luen

BMW Group Malaysia started the New Year with a revamp of its 5 Series range with new four-cylinder engines introduced to the line-up replacing the company’s hallmark straight six-pots. The diesel-powered 520d has received some minor updates, but the biggest talking point is undoubtedly the 520i’s return to the line-up since its discontinuation with the E60. It replaces the 523i, and is pleasingly priced a full RM25k cheaper. From the 2.5-litre straight six that powered the 523i, the new 520i is 20 horses down, but that is about the only deficit you will need to live with. Torque is up 20Nm, and available over a wider range of

revs, and when paired to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the result is a lower top speed of 226 km/h, which is still a lot faster than you would normally go, and a century sprint time that’s half a second faster. The most useful improvement comes in the area of fuel consumption, which went down from 8.0 to 6.4 litres per 100km. While these are figures obtained under standard testing procedures, it still points to a remarkable 18% reduction in your fuel bills. These kinds of sums add up over the long run, especially when you factor in savings in road tax from 2.5 to 2.0-litre engine displacement. While the bulk of those savings can be attributed to overall reduction in engine displacement and turbocharging, auxiliary measures

courtesy of BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme played their part as well. Items under this umbrella include electric power steering, Brake Energy Regeneration, and Auto Start/Stop. Further helping the driver to save fuel is the ‘Eco Pro’ mode accessed from the Driving Experience Control switch. The Driving Experience Control switch replaces the previous Dynamic Driving Control switch, and while they look exactly the same, BMW has made some adjustments. Apart from the abovementioned ‘Eco Pro’ mode, drivers can also choose from ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, and ‘Sport+’, with the car’s electronics then altering its throttle, transmission, steering, and suspension settings accordingly. We tested the 520i in Spain last year, and although our

test cars were touring/wagon variants, they gave useful indicators on what to expect with our cars here. Your first question will undoubtedly be whether the 2.0-litre engine is good enough to drive a car as big as the 5 Series, and the answer is yes. In fact, it felt sprightlier than the 2.5-litre 523i, although the six-cylinder motor makes far more pleasant noises. There was also notable improvement in terms of vehicle dynamics. What was particularly impressive is how our test car gave us a near magic carpet ride on the Spanish cobblestone surfaces while still showing no compromises to the sweet handling that has been the 5 Series’ hallmark. Quite simply, our test cars in Spain had a ride quality that

was far superior to the older six-cylinder units that we’ve tested here. With the 520i, BMW now has a strong en trant in the midsized luxury segment. Now with four-cylinder power and a more attractive price tag, the 5 Series looks to tap into the prevailing buyer tastes in our market preferring small engine capacities but not compromising on luxuries.

PICTURES BY BMW

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Inline-4 DOHC 16V Turbocharged

Power 184hp @ 5,000 - 6,250rpm Torque 270Nm @ 1,250 - 4,500rpm Capacity 1997cc Transmission 8-speed auto, RWD Top Speed 226 km/h ACCELERATION 8.0 seconds Price RM358,800 without insurance

REVIEW

The N20: BMW's turbocharged four explained Compared to rivals MercedesBenz and Audi, BMW was rather late to join in the downsized forced induction party. Insufferably proud of its silky smooth six-pot engines, Munich found itself backed to a corner as Europe tightened its leash on the tail pipes. The result is that small turbocharged engines are the only way forward in order to simultaneously meet emission regulations and still deliver levels of power that customers have grown accustomed to.

The new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot, codenamed N20 by the hacks at Munich, steps in to fill the shoes of the multiple award-winning N52 six-cylinder engines which were available in 2.5 and 3.0-litre guises. Based on the 3.0-litre N55 six-cylinder that powers the 535i and many other BMWs, the N20 is a highly advanced powertrain featuring twinscroll turbocharging, Valvetronic, and Double VANOS. In fact, the new engine quickly picked up where its

predecessor left off, being named in Ward’s list 10 Best Engines in only its first year of existence. BMW typically offers its engines in varying states of tune as a shortcut way to give increased variety to its model range. While we can no doubt expect more variations to come eventually, the N20 is now available in only two settings — 184hp and 245hp. Compared to the equivalent six-cylinder motors they replaced, the new engines offer 8 to 12 per cent improvement

POWER-PACKED N20: Highlyadvanced powertrain featuring twin-scroll turbocharging, Valvetronic and Double VANOS

in torque, spread over a wider window of revs, and nearly 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. Although BMW has begun introducing the engine to its international line-up since mid-2011, the two new 5 Series variants here represent the engine’s official debut in the Malaysian market, and we can expect to see it mak-

ing its way to the 3 Series and perhaps the X1 and Z4. Munich may have been late

to the turbo party, but with the N20, it arrives fashionably so. — By Kon Wai Luen

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FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

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III

FIRSTGEAR

BMW 528i M Sport: For the demanding driver BY Kon Wai Luen

While the 520i is likely to make up the bulk of 5 Series sales this year, the 528i, kitted in M Sport trim as standard, will serve the needs of buyers with more demanding tastes. Here, the same 2.0-litre engine from the 520i replaces the previous 3.0-litre inline-six mill, but tuned to higher outputs of 245hp and 350Nm — easily class-leading figures amongst the competition. Certainly, its performance figures are nothing to be scoffed at, not when it demolishes the century sprint in 6.3

seconds — highly impressive when you consider that the RM200k dearer 535i does it in 6.1 seconds. By the way, this figure also represents a 0.4-second improvement from the previous six-cylinder 528i. The ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission is onceagain standard in the 528i, and it comes along with the same raft of EfficientDynamics fuel-saving goodies like the 520i. As a result, the 528i’s fuel consumption is pretty close to its smaller sibling — 6.8 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, down from 8.0 litres per 100km of the predecessor, which was also the same

figure quoted by BMW for the old 523i. Like the 520i, our 528i test car in Spain was a Touring unit, and adding further differentiation to our local-spec 528i is that it was running on standard suspension, so our ultimate evaluation of its ride and handling attributes will have to wait until BMW Group Malaysia sends us a test car with the stiffer M Sport setup. It would be interesting to see how much of the accomplished ride that we experienced in Spain was sacrificed in the name of handling. What would not require a second evaluation, however, is the engine. Where the 520i Touring felt just about right

in terms of power to weight, the 528i was properly quick, feeling completely effortless in overtaking and giving us almost lag free delivery of power. We would expect then, our local-spec 528i with a lighter sedan body to be no slower and most definitely no slouch. Aside from the substantial hike in power and trim goodies of the M Sport package, the 528i’s kit count is almost on par with the 520i’s. Items that a 520i owner would look to in the 528i with envy are restricted to transmission paddle shifts, headsup display, and possibly the aluminium dashboard trim — items of consequence only for

BMW sales performance up in 2011 It was a great 2011 for BMW Group Malaysia with a total of 5,604 BMW, MINI and Motorrad vehicles delivered throughout the year, surpassing its performance in the previous year by 24% and making Malaysia one of the fastest growing markets throughout the entire BMW Group network.

This was announced at the showcase of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Car at The Pavilion, Bukit Bintang held from the 18th to the 22nd of January 2012. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Car is the physical manifestation of the BMW Group’s vision of developing a sustainable, con-

temporary sports car with an innovative plug-in hybrid concept combined with a modified electric drive system to deliver the performance of a sports car while retaining the fuel consumption and emission levels of a ‘green’ car. Featuring a 3-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 2 electric motors, the supercar is able

to generate a power output of 262 kW/ 356 hp, an astounding 800 Nm of Torque and boasts a 0-100km/h performance of a mere 4.8 seconds whilst only consuming an average of just 3.76 liters per 100km and only emitting 99g per km of CO2. The sports car is the precursor to the BMW Group’s revolutionary BMW

PICTURES BY BMW

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Inline-4 DOHC 16V Turbocharged

Power 245hp @ 5,000 - 6,500rpm Torque 350Nm @ 1,250 - 4,800rpm Capacity 1997cc Transmission 8-speed auto, RWD Top Speed 250 km/h ACCELERATION 6.3 seconds Price RM409,800 without Insurance

the most discerning of buyers. While the 520i is undoubtedly the value pick between the two new 5 Series variants, the new 528i becomes a compelling option when you consider how much cheaper it

is compared to the predecessor while still being identically equipped. The big question for the buyer becomes how the M Sport package affects its overall ride and handling quality.

ABOVE: Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry with Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia at The Pavillion; FAR LEFT: BMW EfficientDynamics Concept Car

i range of electric vehicles which are slated for introduction by the year 2013. Advanced diesel engines are able to consume up to 30 percent less fuel whilst at the same time, provide 20 percent more horsepower and up to 70 percent better acceleration. The engines are also reputed to emit 25 percent less

carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to their petrol counterparts. At the current moment, the technology is also one of the more immediate solutions to tackling the issue of rising cost of fuel. Further information about the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is available at www.bmw.com. my. — By DANIEL FERNANDEZ

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THE MALAY MAIL

REVUP

The evolution of the Hyundai Elantra We have seen Hyundai cars on Malaysia roads for more than two decades already. Early Hyundai models to enter the market were simple vehicles like the Sonata, Pony and Elantra and they shared engineering technology with Mitsubishi. One of the more popular Hyundai cars has been the Elantra. This mid-sized family sedan has seen a few generations on sale with success. In a few weeks time the Elantra nameplate in Malaysia will take a huge leap forward when the latest Elantra is launched this February. Hyundai Sime Darby will launch the all new Elantra which has already taken the global market by storm. Winning a string of North American and European awards in design, fuel efficiency, quality, drive, dynamics and even space, this Elantra will be a sure winner in the

Malaysian market. Meanwhile, let us give you some historical background on the Elantra. The first generation Hyundai Elantra was introduced in 1990. It was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6L (1596 cc) Straight-4 engine. This engine was capable of producing 113 horsepower at 6,000rpm. Average fuel consumption for a city drive was recorded at 10.7L/100km. In 1995, the Elantra evolved in its design, from a squarish look to a sleeker and curvier front and back. The second-generation Elantra came in two forms; the sedan and the station wagon. In Korea, the sedan was called the Hyundai Avante while the station wagon was called the Avante Touring. In Malaysia, only the Hyundai Elantra sedan was made available. The Elantra was sold with a 1.6L Beta DOHC engine pro-

IN MOTION: (From top) The first Hyundai Elantra in 1990, the 1995 and 2000 variant; MAIN PIX: The new Elantra continues the Elantra legacy of offering class-leading performance

NEW SENSATION: The latest Elantra (right) will be launched in Malaysia this February

ducing 116 horsepower and the 1.8L Beta DOHC I4 engine producing 128 horsepower. In 2000, the third-generation Elantra was launched with a refreshed look. It came with standard front and frontside airbags, air conditioning, power locks, power windows, and power steering. There were 1.6L, 1.8L and 2.0L petrol engines. A redesigned HD Elantra sedan debuted at the 2006 New York Auto Show makes it the fourth generation Elantra. In North America, the Elantra also offered the most interior room in its class. The engine lineup includes 1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Beta II petrol inline four engines, and a 1.6L turbi diesel inline-four. Only the 2.0L engine is offered in North America.

The Avante LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by an internal combustion engine built to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel All engines feature improved fuel economy over previous versions. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard and a four-speed auto is optional. Hyundai began producing the Avante ‘LPI Hybrid’ and it was launched in the South Korean domestic market in July 2009. The Avante LPI (Liquefied Petroleum Injected) is the world’s first hybrid electric

CONSISTENT PERFORMER: The Elantra 2011’s sophisticated styling has been impressively upgraded for the latest Elantra

vehicle to be powered by an internal combustion engine built to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a fuel. The Hyundai Avante LPI is a mild hybrid and the first hybrid to adopt advanced lithium polymer (Li–Poly) batteries. The birth of the fifth-generation MD Elantra in 2010 took the world by storm with its great looks and smart features. The MD Elantra’s styling, power output, fuelefficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded. Projecting a sportier and

even more progressive image than its predecessor, the allnew compact sedan Elantra will continue its successful tradition of offering classleading performance and fuel efficiency, thanks to its cutting-edge technology and powertrain. Having its roots in Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy that aims to reflect sophistication and dynamic lines into the shape of vehicles, Hyundai applied a specific design concept called “Wind Craft” to the new Elantra, evoking a piece of sculp-

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012 ●

CLUTCH

REVUP In 2000, the third-generation Elantra codenamed XD was launched with a refreshed look. It came with standard front and front-side airbags, air conditioning, power locks, power windows, and power steering

Hyundai Veloster will be in Malaysia soon The all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access. It is powered by a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that is mated to either Hyundai’s first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The Veloster is also one of four Hyundai vehicles that achieve 40 mpg on the highway, along with the Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid. The Veloster earned the title of ‘Best Economy Car’ in Bloomberg’s recent Best Drives of 2011. The Veloster also drew praise from the editors of Bloomberg for “amenities like touch-screen navigation, automatic everything, Bluetooth and a rear-view camera.” “Hyundai has four models which hit the 40 mpg mark, only one a hybrid. That’s progress for the people,” said Jason Harper, Bloomberg’s auto critic. “Most of us want a nice-driving, good-looking automobile that won’t sledgehammer us into debt. Hyundai has gotten in the habit of over-delivering

REVOLUTION IN DESIGN: (Top) The Elantra in 2000; The fluid styling of the Elantra in 2010 (right) took the world by storm; The 2012 Elantra (below) interior styling is based on Hyundai’s philosophy that aims to reflect sophistication into its vehicles

ture literally crafted from by wind. With its lower roofline and low rear deck lid, the new Elantra produces a slicker and sportier profile with a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.28, reducing wind resistance and improving fuel economy. A kicked-up bootlid and carefully sculpted rear lamps allow smoother airflow. The all new MD Elantra comes with a choice of two all-new and remarkably advanced petrol engines, Nu 1.8-liter MPI and Gamma 1.6-liter MPI D-CVVT. Both are mated to six-speed auto/manual transmissions, which deliver impressively

more horsepower while consuming less fuel and producing lower emissions than the powertrains they replace. Hyundai began developing the new Elantra in 2008 under the codename MD. The project took 33 months and 300 billion won (US$277 million based on today’s currency exchange rates) to go from concept to customer. Hyundai Motor launched the new Elantra in Korea, selling nearly 77,000 units in 2010. The new compact sedan will

make its way to the overseas market starting the first half of this year. From the year 2012, Hyundai expects to sell 400,000 units annually in overseas. The Elantra has already reached cumulative sales of six million units worldwide and when it arrives in Malaysia in a few weeks it will be a class winner for sure. Read our complete test drive review of the all new Elantra in the next issue of Clutch on the 17th of February 2012.

EDITORIAL NOTE

The birth of the fifth-generation MD Elantra in 2010 took the world by storm with its great looks and smart features. The MD Elantra’s styling, power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded

by Daniel Fernandez

Consultant Motoring Editor

Most of us want a nice-driving, goodlooking automobile that won’t sledgehammer us into debt. Hyundai has gotten in the habit of overdelivering very good cars at underwhelming prices. The Veloster is the most out-and-out fun JASON HARPER AUTO CRITIC, BLOOMBERG

very good cars at underwhelming prices. The Veloster is the most out-and-out fun.” Look out for its introduction here in Malaysia in the coming months. For more information visit a Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors showroom today.

ADVERTISING SALES

A motoring pullout is a common feature with most newspapers… but Clutch will be different. How different? Well just like the rest of the all new The Malay Mail, Clutch will be informative and true to its editorial integrity. Clutch will be a bi-monthly (every other Friday of the month) motoring pullout that will give straight-to-the-point car reviews and relevant motoring information for the Malaysian car enthusiast in a

Joel Miranda

Jenilyn Alexia

simple language. We will not confuse you or ‘smoke screen’ you with technical terms and instead offer our views on each and every test drive. In this first issue, we at Clutch hope that the car reviews presented will be

General Manager

Executive

able to move you to personally take a test drive of the cars reviewed at the nearest showrooms and see for yourself what we experience in each and every test drive. Your feedback is needed for us to improve in every area.

012-2337394 joel.miranda@redberry.com.my

016-3620331 jenilyn@mmail.com.my

Email us at clutcheditorial@gmail.com.

Please watch out for our next issue on the 24th of February 2012.

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012 •

VII

VIII CLUTCH

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

TESTDRIVE Citroen C4 1.6 THP EGS

Awards to recognise environmentally-friendlier car marques

Citroen brings a segment winner BY DANIEL FERNANDEZ

Citroen have been relatively quiet in Malaysia in recent years, but all that is set to change for the better with the arrival of the latest C4. This is Citroen’s pride and joy and a European hot seller. Arriving in Citroen showrooms at a selling of just RM125,000, the C4 is packed with all and every feature possible to give it an edge over its competitors. In the looks department, this C4 is handsome and somewhat exotic in its design. It’s a high wide hatchback with great detailing all around the car. Wide and large 17-inch alloys are tasty and assist in the overall stance. The cabin shows of high use of quality materials and also fitment which no other French offering can compete. Textured plastics and metallic trim fill the cabin space and the driver gets a centric position. The meter cluster offers mood lighting and is very clear in delivering information. Seats are segment best and even rear passengers get decent comfort. Brooklands have also added

more passive features into the C4, like blind spot monitoring (its uses four ultrasonic sensors at each corner of the car) central locking with plip & electronic, child safety locks, electric sequential and antipinch front & rear windows, automatic illumination of the hazard warning lights, front and rear parking sensors with parking space “gap” measurement system and a fuel filler flap with automatic opening (no messing of hands when fuelling up). All this for a mere RM125,000. Yes, the price puts this C4 right next to the VW Golf TSI which is the current segment leader. So does it fare with us behind the wheel? The drive is what set this C4 in a new segment. No longer is Citroen using a supplied gearbox. They have opted for a better and more efficient gearbox, the EGS 6-speed which is internally engineered. Even with a curb weight of

1,420kg the 1.6-litre engine propels this car to 100km/h in just 9.6 seconds. A top speed of 212km/h is easily reached on the open highway. On a city drive, the ride is well cushioned and very comfortable. Ruts and dips on our unmaintained roads are easily absorbed. Find a highway off-ramp and take the C4 fast around it and it will ride it with ease with no flinching. The handling is spot-on and steering feel weighted. There is an almost Germanic feel to this French hot hatch and this is what consumers want today. It sell for just RM125,000 with a 3-year 100,000 km warranty and 6-airbags are included with the added benefit of being fully imported. There

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 4-cylinder/16v Power 155bhp @ 5800rpm Torque 240Nm @ 1400rpm Capacity 1598cc Transmission 6-speed EGS semi-auto

Top Speed 212km/h ACCELERATION 9.6 seconds Price RM125,990.00

is no better buy for this price and with a full range of safety and comfort features included, you need to test drive the C4 at their Federal Highway showroom before looking at another French option which offers less value, safety features and dynamics.

First introduced by Asian Auto four years ago, this Fuel Efficiency Awards is a first in the Malaysian automotive industry and is the only automotive award that encourages car manufacturers to offer better quality vehicles with the latest engineering and technologies that promote fuel efficiency in particular. The Awards ceremony which was held at Saujana Hotel, reiterates the Government’s efforts in encouraging the introduction of fuel efficient and environmental friendly technologies, and stands out against the backdrop of the Mother Earth’s wailing red siren. Attending the Awards night were about 100 representatives from 30 car companies who were vying for the 54 awards on offer in 18 categories. Also in attendance were the senior management of AmBank Group, sponsors Bosch and Sapporo. Datuk Mohamed Azmi Mahmood, Managing Director, Retail Banking, AmBank (M) Berhad and Datuk Mahdi Murad, Chief Executive Officer, AmIslamic Bank Berhad presented the Awards to the winners. Chief Editor of Asian Auto, Daniel Fernandez in thanking and welcoming guests, said, “Every legitimate car sold in Malaysia was included in the audit this year. The results from the review were surprising; petrol engines are starting to creep up to hybrid cars in terms of fuel efficiency. “Some car brands are ambitious enough to even bring in diesel variants to allow Malaysians an option. However, there is still the unresolved diesel quality issue to address. “Through this Awards, we hope to create a platform to spur car companies to bring in the latest models to offer Malaysians better options for their next car purchase. As the benchmark for the most up-to-

INSPIRED: This is the 4th year that this awards event has been running and it is the only event of its kind in the region

date car price list in the country and monthly provider of the most complete Malaysian motoring information, we believe Malaysians should enjoy better technologies and the latest models of vehicles as well,” Fernandez said. Asian Auto-AmBank Fuel Efficiency Awards 2011 LIST OF WINNERS Compact City Cars Suzuki Alto 5.0L/100km Compact PREMIUM Cars Audi A1 TFSI 5.6L/100km SMALL FAMILY Cars Proton Saga 1.3 Manual 6.0L/100km SMALL PREMIUM FAMILY Cars VW Polo TSI 5.7L/100km LUXURY FAMILY Cars Toyota Altis 1.8L 7-Speed 5.5L/100km PREMIUM FAMILY Cars VW Passat Sedan 1.8 TSI 7.0L/100km EXECUTIVE Cars Mercedes C-Class 200 CGI 7.2L/100km PREMIUM EXECUTIVE Cars BMW 520 Diesel 5.2L/100km SUPER SALOONS Jaguar XJL Diesel 5.2L/100km PERFORMANCE COUPE CARS Volkswagen Scirrocco TFSi 6.3L/100km PERFORMANCE HOT HATCH Mini Cooper S JCW 6.9L/100km PICK-UP TRUCKS Isuzu D-Max Hi-DEF 2.5 4x4 Manual 7.6L/100km COMPACT MPVs Honda Freed 1.5L 6.1L/100km LUXURY MPVs Ford S-Max Ecoboost 2L 8.1L/100km COMPACT SUVs Range Rover Evoque 2.2L Diesel 5.7L/100km LUXURY SUVs Lexus RX Hybrid 6.3L/100km PREMIUM SUVs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT 2.5L Diesel 6.7L/100km HYBRIDS Lexus CT200hl 3.8L/100km

3 FEBRUARY 2012

LIFESTYLE&ENTERTAIMENT

THE MALAY MAIL

EATINGOUT

Digging for the perfect bowl Our Lifestyle reporter Chetz Yusof goes on a hunt for oodles of assam laksa noodles I LOVE assam laksa. When it comes to food, nothing excites me more than discovering a new stall or a restaurant that serves this dish. For a bit of trivia, the “humble” assam laksa was listed at No. 7 on the World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods compiled by CNN Go last year. I take my assam laksa seriously. A mouth-watering assam laksa should have just the right amount of sweetness, a pinch of saltiness and enough sting in the sourness. The prawn paste that accompanies the assam laksa must be thick and I like the fish pieces to be chunky. After dining on this dish in at least 10 places in the Klang Valley, from a pasar malam stall in Bangsar to various restaurants, it is my sad duty to report that it’s very hard to find one that serves a consistently delicious assam laksa. This can be very frustrating, especially when I thought I’ve found “my assam laksa spot”. Such hopes are dashed because a second visit usually results in disappointment when the previous delicious bowl of assam laksa now tastes like it was put together by someone who woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Still, in my quest for good assam laksa, these are three places where I go to whenever I feel like having my version of what is soul

My �irst choice would be SBread on the lower ground food court between Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a small shop in-between Rak Thai restaurant and Pulau Ketam Yong Tau Foo

food – Malaysian style. My first choice would be SBread on the lower ground food court between Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a small shop in-between Rak Thai restaurant and Pulau Ketam Yong Tau Foo. The shop is not obvious if you’re walking along the main aisle of the food court. Although the name gives you an idea that it serves food that is related to bread, besides its popular Bamboo Charcoal Bread, their assam laksa is exceptional and the taste and portions have been consistent. Once a bowl of steamy Penang assam laksa is in front of you, you can breathe in the heavenly fragrance of daun kessom leaves mixed with a distinctive smell of lime. It is also generously topped with fresh pineapple, mint leaves, thinly-cut bunga kantan, and a half-slice of

kembong fish accompanied with a spoonful of thick brown prawn paste. Just mixing these with the hot soup gives you that mouthwatering pleasure. Taking the first mouthful gives you a high where you find yourself with eyes closed, wanting that pleasurable taste to last a few seconds longer. If I don’t feel like hunting for parking at Mid Valley for a nice assam laksa, I’d head on to House & Co cafe on the second floor of Bangsar Shopping Centre in Jalan Maarof, Kuala Lumpur. From the outside, this shop doesn’t look like a restaurant. Instead it looks like a place that only sells furniture and home decorations (like IKEA in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya). If you’re a big eater, House & Co is perfect for you as their food portions will definitely satisfy your hunger. Their asam laksa is served in a huge bowl that appears quite bottomless. Like SBread’s assam laksa, this one is also topped with fresh mint leaves, bunga kantan and pineapple plus thin-sliced cucumber. However, the half-slice of fish is slightly hidden in the thick but tasty laksa soup. Their assam laksa also gives a pleasureable mixed aroma of daun kessom, bunga kantan and sourly lime, but not as strong as SBread’s assam laksa.

STICKHOUSE GELATOS: To add more ‘kick’ to your gelato, customers can pick their favourite ﬂavour or sorbet and coat it with dark milk or white chocolate and then sprinkling it with hazelnut, almond or pistacho grains

‘Hand-crafted’ gelato ice cream from Italy GELATOS, a tantalising ‘hand-crafted’ ice cream from Italy, is now available here at the Stickhouse outlets at Citta Mall in Ara Damansara and the RINK in Sunway Pyramid, both in Petaling Jaya. This product is touted as unique because of the way it is made. While most ice cream manufacturers churn their product by ‘whipping’ their ingredients into a froth or foam and ‘adding air’ to increase the volume, gelatos are produced through a slower churning method so that it retains more of the

original flavours of the ingredients used without adding air, resulting in denser and creamier texture. Stickhouse gelatos are made with only 100% natural and genuine ingredients, including inulin (vegetable fibre which increases the absorption of calcium, aids digestion and reduces cholesterol) and fructose (natural sweetener mostly found in honey, fruits, some vegetables and other plants and provides sweetness without harming the body). To add more ‘kick’ to your gelato, customers can

pick their favourite flavour or sorbet and coat it with choices of crunchy dark milk or white chocolate and then sprinkling it with hazelnut, almond or pistachio grains. Stickhouse outlets also offer flavours suitable for those who are lactose, sugar or gluten intolerant. According to the company, the gelatos are made fresh daily with handpicked fruits from the market, and each bite will give you pure pleasure and goodness without the guilt.

Garrett Popcorn popular at KLCC SINCE Garrett Popcorn & Candylicious auspiciously opened shop at the newly-refurbished Concourse level of Suria KLCC on 11/11/11, it has become a popular haunt for popcorn enthusiasts. This Chicago snack parlour franchise is famous for their signature nutty caramel popcorn specially laced with cashews, almonds or pecans with a ‘CaramelCrisp’ base. There are also buttery or cheesecorn variants. Garrett Popcorn are available in small, medium and

large sizes, also in 1-gallon and 2-gallon tins. Prices start at RM9 for a small bag enough for two people.

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

LIFESTYLE&ENTERTAIMENT

THEARTS

Fighting spirit of young artists

INBRIEF

The Young Art Exhibition showcases youthful spirits through paintings BY Sophia Halim sophia@mmail.com.my

NINETEEN budding local artists from all over Malaysia are now basking in wider exposure at the 2nd Young Art Exhibition at the R A Fine Arts The Gallery in Kuala Lumpur until Feb 12. On display and sale at the gallery at Solaris Dutamas in Jalan Duta are 31 paintings by the artists who are in their 20s and 30s. “The first time we staged the Young Art Exhibition was in 2008 at our previous premise in Jalan Ampang,” said Perak-born Raja Ahmad Aminullah who founded R A Fine Arts Sdn Bhd in 2007. “My gallery has been actively promoting budding local artists for five years now, and the group exhibitions are for the artists to have their artworks appreciated by wider audiences.” Featured in the 2nd Young Art Exhibition, which began on Dec 25, are Ahmad Farihan Mawardi, Ahmad Syakhir, Akhmal Asyraf, Aman Hakim, Amir Firdaus Ahmad Tamizi, Annisa Abdullah, Faiz Yunus, Fathullah, Hafidz Syabri, Illa Idris, Intan Rafizah Abu Bakar, Mohd Khairudin Zainudin, Mohd Khairul Izham, Mohd Shahrizan, Nasrim Fahmi, Raiha Shahanaz, Siti Nur Balqis Abdul Halim, Siti Sophia and Syahrul Nizam Ahmad Zaini. “Our young artists have a lot to express through this visual art and many of them have the potential to succeed in this career on a full-time basis,” said Raja Ahmad who also acts as exhibition curator. “Artists today are willing to be more experimental, to take risks, are uninhibited and not worried about breaking the rules, and this reflects the fighting spirit of

their youth.” One of the artists, Intan Rafizah Abu Bakar, 31, from Bentong, Pahang, graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) faculty of Art & Design in 2003 with a major in drawing. “I have been dabbling in art since I was 13 as I like to paint what I ‘catch’ and feel from what I see and feel around me,” she said. “In art, there is always something to explore, something new to think about, and art makes me feel young and I cannot imagine doing anything else.” In the case of 35-yearold Syahrul Nizam Ahmad Zaini, he had long been inspired by the country’s foremost cartoonist Datuk Lat. “I am an avid fan of comicbooks and began doodling and sketching cartoons and human figures since childhood,” said Syahrul Nizam, who majored in painting also at UiTM’s Art & Design faculty. “I thought I knew everything but studying at UiTM opened my eyes to different techniques of expression and I learnt new concepts.” Syahrul, who goes by the pen name of Cha’un, said his artworks focuses on human attitude towards the natural environment. “Nature is a reflection of us and how you respect nature reflects how you respect others,” he mused. Mohd Shahrizan, 27, from Kuantan, Pahang, credited his mother for his pursuing art as a profession. “I have been an art enthusiast since childhood and when my mother noticed this, she encouraged me to draw and paint,” he said. “I once visited famous artist Yusof Ghani at his home and he gave me good advice on the need to find something in my style and make people love it.”

Romantic Hollywood at the MPO Fall in love all over again with tunes from Out of Africa, Gone with the Wind, Dr Zhivago and Laura at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra this weekend. Experience all the romantic fervour Hollywood scores have to offer. Show times are Feb 4th, 8.30pm and Feb 5th, 3pm and is conducted by Richard Kaufman.

Beautiful Mind @ Core Design Gallery REFLECTIONS: (clockwise from top left) Mohd Shahrizan is pursuing art as a profession. His work in Royal to the Game (2011). My Reverie Dwelling by Siti Nur Balqish and another by Moh Sharizan called When the Darkness Come to Light.

Shahrizan has a preference for charcoal, acrylic paint and smoke, and his two paintings on display at the exhibition depicts how adults and children are not much different in their habits. “In our childhood we like to play cards like poker and as adults we also gamble on being lucky too,” he quipped.

One of the younger artists, 23-year-old Siti Nur Balqis Abdul Halim, is a fine arts student at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang with one more semester until graduation. “I have been doing art since childhood and I love to explore different styles, mediums and ideas,” she said, adding that she has already exhibited her works at sev-

eral art galleries around the country. “My family became very supportive of my chosen career after I began receiving commissions to do portraits.” * R A Fine Arts The Gallery at A4-1-3A, Block A4 in Solaris Dutamas, is open from 11am to 7pm on Monday to Saturday. Admission is free.

KL Metropolitan University Fashion Show Party

Get to know our young artists Bakat Muda Sezaman (The Young Contemporaries) is a competition and exhibition of artwork organized by the National Visual Art Gallery that gives young local artists the opportunity to present their work to the public. Through the competition,

selected works from the young artists are judged by a panel of professional judges by category to win the competition’s major award (last year the major award was RM20,000). Bakat Muda Sezaman has been a platform for the development of Malaysian art,

recognizing new talent and giving support for young artists to present their art at the same level as international artists. Since its introduction 37 years ago, the competition has never failed to stir up the local art community, with plenty of debate surrounding the

A continuation of a previous exhibition called ‘Beautiful People’, ‘Beautiful Mind’ explores the various forms of beauty through paintings by upcoming artists like Hafidz Shabri, Raja Lope, Syam Asmawi, Haafiz Shahimi, Jamil Zakaria, and Ali Sabran. It starts on Feb 5 and ends Mar 4 at the Core Design Gallery at 87, Jalan SS15/2A Subang Jaya, Selangor.

artists and winner. The Bakat Muda Sezaman catalogues from 1974 to 2011, feature the artists and their works of the annual exhibition/competition. The 22 catalogues are available at the National Visual Arts Gallery Shop at RM75.

Calling all fashion lovers. The KL Metropolitan University Faculty of Art & Design’s fashion show which is on tomorrow includes live DJs and a party. Admission is free so bring along your friends. Starts 7pm at The Stage@Publika Square, Solaris Dutamas, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur.

friDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

LIFESTYLE&ENTERTAINMENT

THE MALAY MAIL

SHOWBIZ Happenings

Poova at No Black Tie Poova the vocal powerhouse also known for her enigmatic performances and unassuming personality will be rocking at No Black Tie tonight. This talented diva displays a unique blend of funk, soul, R&B and rock in her performance. No Black Tie 17 Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, Off Jalan Raja Chulan, KL Feb 3, 2012 10:30 pm 03 2142 3737

Rachel Claudio’s ‘Claudiography’

On a music mission

Dynamic trio push to preserve Soliano legacy By Errol de Cruz errol@mmail.com.my

IT’S been five generations in the making but thanks to a young, dynamic, talented trio, music legend Alfonso Soliano’s dream of establishing a Soliano family music centre has finally come true. It’s called Solianos Sound Solutions and the three behind the facility are Wynton Jose Soliano (music, event and media management), Jared Cheow (public relations and event management) and Ashwin Gobinath (production and sound engineering). Located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the centre offers recording services, album production, voice-over production, fully equipped rehearsal and recording studios, composition arrangement services, music classes, artiste and

band management, supply of musicians, instruments and sound systems, concert consultation and management. “Our main focus is to satisfy current market demands with a quality that supercedes expectations,” Wynton, son of flugelhorn player Coni, said. “To take that further, we plan to use music to interact with consumer brands and create music that inspires and motivates listeners everywhere,” Soliano added. The Solianos Sound Solutions history dates back to the era of their forefathers, the most significant being Concordio, Alfonso and Tony Soliano whose names were always tied to good sounds and great music since the early 1950s. Labeled as Malaysia’s first family of jazz and vocal harmony, the Solianos have never failed to leave a lasting impression. While Wynton’s generation

is making its name now, it is the one before them that keep hitting the headlines even now, what with groups led by Isabella, Irene, Tristano, Rizal, Coni, Rachel and Daniel performing all over the country. Last year, the Solianos launched their first album in memory of the late Alfonso, entitled Pusaka: Remembering Alfonso Soliano, covering such classics as Getaran Jiwa, Tudung Periuk, Widuri, Gadis Idamanku and Tanah Pusaka, all given new vibrant arrangements by saxophonist Salvador Guerzo (who passed away after a heart attack on Monday morning) and the tear-jerker Airmata Berderai. Soliano Sound Solutions is also a dream-come-true for the late Guerzo who ensured that the centre would also be a music school run by the Solianos. Five years ago, he had promised he would play a piv-

clockwise, top left: Jared Cheow, Wynton Soliano and Ashwin Gobinath; Coni Soliano on trumpet; the family band in the SSS rehearsal studio

Deer Society otal role in making it happen and he did. Now, this aspect of Soliano Sound Solutions is being run by flugelhorn and trumpet player Coni, who teaches music reading, arranging and composing. The other siblings teaching here are Valentino (bass guitar), Tristano (keyboards, guitar and vocals), Rizal (drums), Isabella and Irene (both vocals). A replacement is being sought for Guerzo, who would have handled saxophone duties. Also on the teaching schedule are Wynton (saxophone and beginner’s guitar), Jared and Ashwin (both drums). All said and done, the trio is all set to make Solianos Sound Solutions a one-stop music centre that will ensure the Soliano name lives on. The centre is located at 135A Jln Aminuddin Baki, Tmn Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. For more, call (03) 7732 9409.

Blistering vocals with engaging lyrics from Dulcinea By Maznah Yusof maznah@mmail.com.my

EPIC CONFLICT: The second album by Dulcinea portrays a journey of discovery through music

In The Shadow Of The Sun is Dulcinea’s sophomore album, following 2008’s The Politics Of Fear. Dulcinea, the band formed in 2006 by Mathew Thomas, Jason Ng and Rashid Said is named after a character in Miguel De Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote, a representation of what it means to be alive and all the joy and suffering that goes with a life conscious-

ly and fully lived. As their goal is to communicate, express and heal through music, the lyrics, tunes and artwork for their second album deal with a person facing and overcoming various traumatic experiences in life through the pursuit of artistic endeavors and the channeling of those energies into positive experiences. It showcases the epic conflict between worlds of beauty and the darkest of demons. In The Shadow Of The Sun has a more organic guitar ori-

The Paris-based Australian singer, songwriter, producer and pianist will perform soul/hip hop tunes from her upcoming EP ‘Claudiography’. No Black Tie 17, Jalan Mesui, Off Jalan Nagasari, Off Jalan Raja Chulan, KL Feb 4, 2012 10:30 pm 03 2142 3737

ented sound that mixes both alternative rock music with tendencies to go off on experimental tangents compared to their previous album. Dulcinea embarks on a journey towards discovering the darker realms of the subconscious through some blistering hard rock, engaging lyrics, odd time signatures, ambient soundscapes and emotive musicianship. The album is available at http://sonicblastmedia.com/ and can also be downloaded at http://dulcinearocks.bandcamp. com/

Check out the chaos at a typical Deer Society party this Saturday and enjoy the nu disco, indie dance and other alternative tunes. Daikanyama 42 Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur Feb 4, 2012 03 2141 0323

Parah Parah is a thought-provoking tale of self discovery in multi-cultural Malaysia inspired by Yasmin Ahmad’s film ‘Talentime’ and Abdullah Hussain’s controversial novel ‘Interlok’. KLPac Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, Off Jalan Ipoh, KL. Wed Feb 1, 2012 till Feb 6, 2012 Feb 1-6, 8.30pm Feb 4-5, 3pm

Comedy Court presides at PJLA

Head for PJ Live Arts at Jaya 1, Section 13, Petaling Jaya, for Comedy Court’s latest show Not Guilty which runs until Monday, Feb 6. Starring Allan Perera and Indi Nadarajah, this it focuses on Who Wants To Be A Billionaire with questions based on Malaysian scandals and corruption cases. Then, you have lawyers Loga and Singam who agree to disagree on a high profile sodomy case, views on gay lesbian transgender and same sex marriages. The duo take on the Obedient Wives Cub or (OWC) and tackle the many training methods to make a wife “better” then a first

class prostitute. The show will also feature their latest music videos, essentially parodies based on some rather “controversial” events. Call 017 228 9849.

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

LIFESTYLE&ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT movie previewS

horoscope

A humanitarian showcase Free entry to films portraying plight of the Palestinians, at GSC Pavilion KL this weekend By Sophia Halim sophia@mmail.com.my

THE inaugural Kuala Lumpur Palestine Film Festival (KLPFF) will be launched tomorrow by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Pavilion KL. The launch will also see outspoken former Brit-

ish MP George Galloway making a special guest appearance. Galloway is the founder of Viva Palestina which led five international humanitarian land convoys to the Gaza strip in Egypt. The KLPFF is showcasing films displaying many of the humanitarian issues besetting Palestine while doubling up as a Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) fund -raising initiative for the Viva

Palestina 6 Life Line to Gaza scheduled for mid-2012. Since 2009, VPM has been advocating justice and selfdetermination for Palestine. VPM has transferred RM1 million worth of funds to finance various medical, educational, micro-financing and women's projects in Gaza. The films are 2009 Golden Globe winner for Best Foreign Language Film, Waltz with

Basheer (2008), the second runner-up at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival, Budrus (2010), also Inshallah Beijing! (2009), Tears of Gaza (2010) and Abu Jamil Street (2010). Two short documentaries, Bethlehem: Hidden from View and Homefront, will also be screened. Entry is free of charge during the long holiday weekend of Feb 4 to 6.

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 19

Nobody cares about your problems, they're too busy sorting out their own issues. Other people have their own lives to lead, no matter how strongly bound together you happen to be. If a partner's occupied with their own concerns, you will find someone else who will support you, so stop worrying.

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 18

Have you been paying enough attention lately to the people who you care about? Could you be taking those who have supported you and who have taught you some valuable things about yourself, for granted? If the answer is yes, you will also know that it is time for you to change all this.

PISCES

FEB 19 - MARCH 20

You can bring something different to an environment dominated by practical people. Someone will resent your involvement but don't let them intimidate you. A joint project needs a creative touch and that's your forte. Dress elegantly for a drinks party or after-work gathering this evening.

ARIES

MARCH 21 - APRIL 19

You are becoming increasingly suspicious about a certain person's comments and statements. They're sounding more like a diluted and imaginative version of the truth. If they think they can pull the wool over your eyes, they are about to be surprised. You can see through their lies.

TAURUS

Budrus (2009)

Inshallah Beijing! (2008)

Abu Jamil Street (2010)

Homefront (2010)

A local community leader organises a non-violent protest that not only unites the various Palestinian political factions but also Israelis and Palestinians. Struggling together is his 15-yearold daughter who heads the women's contingent who brave the frontlines. The team unleashes an inspiring but little-known movement in occupied territories that continues to gain ground.

Meet the 2008 Palestinian Olympic team — poorly trained, ill-equipped and competing for a country that doesn't exist yet. The unlikely team scrambles enough money to get to the Beijing Olympics, leaving Palestine for the first time. How will they fare when the games begin? See how this underdog team trained under the fire of Israeli occupation.

Four Palestinian tunnel diggers laugh and joke as they burrow under the Gaza strip, braving Israel's deafening bombings and tunnels on the brink of collapse. This oneof-a-kind documentary somehow brings a smile viewers who witness the daily struggles to survive in Palestine. Get your pack of Kleenex on standby.

This is a series of four video portraits that profile Palestinians fighting Israeli settlers' takeover of their homes as well as Israeli solidarity activists who are standing with the Palestinians in their struggles. Also witness the frustration of an Arab teenager as his family is thrown out of their home to make way for Jewish settlers.

TRACE SPORTS HD HyppTV Ch 171 7:20 pm Series: Up Close With – Blanka Vlasic

MAX Astro Ch 412 10:10 pm Mortal Kombat

TV PICKS

WARNER TV HyppTV Ch 162 8:00 pm Double Happy Hour Friends (pictured above), The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are among the most successful comedies ever to hit network TV, and you can now watch them again back-to-back every night from 8pm.

CBEEBIES HyppTV Ch 130 11:30 am Mister Maker Ep. 9 - This is an imaginative arts and crafts show for pre-schoolers which teaches and entertains in fun and imaginative ways.

Discover the greatest sports champions like you’ve never seen them before. Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic is a two-time world champion, European champion and silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics. We travel with her to Split, the town where she was born. She tells us about her journey to success and also takes us to her favourite places.

Kajal is a beautiful and talented young woman who loves songs and dances and attends various shows. At one of the shows, she meets Ravi, a popular singer and both are head over heels in love with each other and they soon get married. Her married life goes overboard when Ravi's scheming cousin and uncle has him killed. But destiny has other plans for Kajal when she moves to another city.

FOX Movies Premium Astro Ch 413 9:30 pm Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Sent to live with Dave's younger nephew Toby, the three singing chipmunks head back to school for an education. Catch this sequel to the smashing Alvin and The Chipmunks.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Hard work gets results; putting jobs you aren't keen on off for another day won't get you anywhere. You might wish you could go back to sleep and pick up where you left off in a pleasant enough dream but the reality is that people are relying on you and you can't let them down.

CANCER

JUNE 21 - JULY 22

Banish all negative thoughts from your mind; you are doing well so don't tell yourself anything different. Consider how you have managed to overcome problems that have been troubling you in the past and let this give you confidence to manage what's ahead. Also, trust your instincts.

LEO

JULY 23 - AUG 22

The biggest mistake you can make is to worry about what other people might think. If you care too much about their opinions, you won't have room to make decisions for yourself or to be the person you want to be. Ignore what others might say and strive towards your success goal.

Revolving on an ancient tournament which takes place on a distant island, in which the best warriors of the netherworld fight against the best warriors from Earth. With the bad guys chalking up nine out of 10 notches on their belts, the future of Earth certainly looks bleak. It's up to a trio of Earth's best to save the day, and the planet.

B4U Astro Ch 133 9:00 pm Deewana

APRIL 20 - MAY 20

Don't be too quick to go along with the crowd just to please everyone. If you aren't keen on what is being planned, suggest they continue without you. When holidays are discussed, choose quiet and restful locations rather than popular family resorts. You need some peace to feed your soul.

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEPT 22

The chance of a better job could come your way when you least expect it. Consider how this might affect your personal life before you make a commitment. If extra work means extra time away from your loved ones, close relationships could crumble while you enjoy career success.

LIBRA

HBO Asia Astro Ch 411 10:00 pm 2 Fast 2 Furious The pimped-up rides and death-defying street races are back in this sequel to the box-office hit The Fast And The Furious. Ex-cop Brian O'Conner has been stripped of his badge due to his unconventional undercover tactics in Los Angeles. In an effort to erase his criminal record, his new mission is to bring down Carter Verone, a powerful drug lord in Miami.

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

You've always been creative and it will pay to give free rein to your imagination. Imagine your thoughts being like clouds that are unconfined to any definite shape or border. Then they will be free to find your heart and decisions can be made with logic and sensitivity.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21

Take the rare opportunity to use a special talent, even if this means a last minute change of plans. Someone could do with your help or expertise. You could probably do with some time alone but when people who have always been there for you need you, put them first.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 22 - DEC 21

Being called into work when you had planned to spend the day with your family or friends isn't going to make you very popular. However, your loved ones will soon change their tune when they hear of the changes in your financial status and you can look forward due to your diligence to duty!

friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world

KABUL

LONDON

WASHINGTON

Pakistan: No hidden agenda on Taliban

Church faces rebellion from clergy

Smithsonian honour for ‘Dirty Harry’

Pakistan rejects accusations it was supporting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, Taliban denies plans for peace talks with the govt

The Church of England is facing a rebellion from its clergy over a ban on gay civil partnership ceremonies on its premises.

Institution salutes Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood at inauguration of a new theatre in Washington

 PAGE32

 PAGE35

SYDNEY

PORT SAID (Egypt)

74 dead in Egypt football violence State television says around 1,000 people were also injured in the incident At least 74 people were killed and hundreds injured when rival fans clashed on Wednesday after a football match here, highlighting a security vacuum in postrevolution Egypt. In one of the deadliest incidents in the sport’s history, violence erupted as soon as the referee blew the final whistle in a match which saw home team Al-Masri beat Cairo’s Al-Ahly 3-1. Al-Masri fans flooded the pitch, throwing rocks, bottles and fireworks at AlAhly supporters, sparking chaos and panic as Al-Ahly players and fans ran in all directions trying to flee, witnesses said. Photos of bleeding players circulated on the internet. Gunfire was also reported on the main road leading to Port Said from Cairo, and troops were deployed to prevent further clashes. “The death toll has now reached 74, including one policeman, in the unrest after the match between Al-Ahly and Al-Masri,” the

RUNNING FOR COVER: Fans of Al-Masry team run after players of the Al-Ahly team during clashes that erupted after the football match between the two teams in Port Said, Egypt on Wednesday — AFPpic

health ministry said in a statement. “Most of the people were killed in the crush,” Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim added, while medics said some of the deaths were the result of stab wounds. State television said

around 1,000 people were injured in the violence but the interior ministry put the number at 248. The ruling military announced three days of national mourning, while the Port Said security chief was summoned to Cairo over the events.

The clashes in the northern city — blamed by the Muslim Brotherhood on supporters of fallen president Hosni Mubarak — came as the country struggles with a wave of incidents linked to poor security. Shops in Port Said, which sits at the entrance to the

Suez Canal, shut their doors as private cars helped to shuttle the injured across the city to hospitals. Politicians, fans and players took to social media to express their fury over the violence which caps a year of political upheaval and unrest after the uprising that unseated Mubarak. “There are dead people lying on the ground! There are dead people in the changing room,” Al-Ahly striker Emad Meteab told the team’s satellite channel. “I won’t play football anymore until these people get justice,” a furious Meteab said. State television showed footage of riot police standing rigidly in rows, as pandemonium erupted around them. In Geneva, Fifa President Sepp Blatter said he was “very shocked and saddened to learn this evening that a large number of football supporters have died or been injured.” — AFP

PORT MORESBY

Hundreds rescued as PNG ferry sinks More than 200 people were plucked from waters off Papua New Guinea yesterday after a ferry sank but many others remained missing, with rescuers scouring the area for further survivors. Operator Star Ships said it lost contact with the MV Rabaul Queen at about 6am yesterday (10am in Malaysia) while it was travelling between Kimbe and Lae in the east of the Pacific na-

tion, blaming “bad weather” for the disaster. The PNG National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) said it was first alerted by a distress signal early Thursday and confirmed that “the vessel has sunk and passengers are in the waters awaiting rescue”. Rescue co-ordinator Captain Nurur Rahman said more than 300 people were on board the vessel but it was too early to say why the

ferry went down, refusing to speculate on whether the ship was overloaded. “Our priority at the moment is to save lives, but it is an unusual occurrence,” he said. “We’ve had a few cargo ship mishaps before, but never a ferry.” He said weather conditions were manageable, helping the rescue operation. “There are strong winds, but that’s normal. The ship

has completely sunk — you can’t see anything,” he added. Australia’s Maritime Safety Authority said the Rabaul Queen went down about nine nautical miles (16km) off the coast and it was helping coordinate the rescue, with 219 people saved so far. “As at 4:30pm (1.30pm in Malaysia), there are eight merchant vessels on scene, five of which have recovered survivors,” it said.

“There are reported to be 219 survivors on these five vessels.” An Australian search and rescue aircraft with life raft-dropping capabilities was also assisting, as well as three local helicopters, AMSA added. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier described it as a “major tragedy” that had likely claimed a large number of lives. — AFP

Outcry after 12-year-old strip-searched The mother of a 12-year-old girl strip-searched by police during a drug raid said yesterday she was outraged in a case that has sparked a public outcry and calls for a review of the law. The girl was strip-searched twice in the Tasmanian state capital Hobart last week and her mother, Kristy Gobbey, said her child felt humiliated. “She was strip-searched and embarrassed; she was treated like a criminal when she shouldn’t have been. She feels completely humiliated basically,” Gobbey told ABC television. “We’re not anti-police or anything like that, (my daughter) was even going to be one,” she added. “She was asking me last week, ‘mum can I be one’, and ‘I said it’s up to you’, but now, no.” The home raided by police was reportedly owned by the 12-year-old’s grandmother who is due to be released from Hobart’s Risdon Prison this week after serving a drug-related sentence. Her mother, who is planning to lodge complaints with the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal and the state Ombudsman, has also spent time in jail on drug charges, ABC said. She told local media her daughter was forced to squat naked and was reduced to tears, although police deny this and a police review found the two female officers who strip-searched the girl acted lawfully and appropriately. Tasmania’s Sexual Assault Support Service and the Australian Lawyers Alliance called the practice unacceptable while the state’s Commissioner for Children Aileen Ashford demanded an urgent review. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

world We have a much better understanding of what needs to be done to reach a consensus. I think it was a pretty good session Vitaly Churkin Russia’s envoy to UN

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Romney fumbles after big win Sharp criticism over non-concern for very poor Americans venture capital boss who lives off his investments, told CNN. “I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 per cent of Americans who right now are struggling.” The remarks came as the race for the right to take on Democratic President Barack Obama in November widened into more states, and were quickly seized on by his opponents. The Democratic National Committee issued a message that said the remarks by the former Massachusetts governor were his latest dig at the poor and a “shallow attempt to show concern for the middle class.” Gingrich, who lost to Romney by more than 14 percentage points in Florida, seized his chance to get back at his rival.

“I am fed up with politicians in either party dividing Americans against each other. I am running to be president of all the American people and I am concerned about all of the American people,” he said. Romney has previously been criticised for failing to connect with ordinary voters who are struggling to make ends meet as unemployment lurks around 8.6 per cent and the US economy gropes its way out of the recession. His latest gaffe comes amid a fierce debate in the United States about widening income disparities ahead of the election. Romney swiftly tried to explain his remarks, telling reporters travelling with him on his plane that they should consider everything he said, rather than just part of the sentence.

Another gaffe: Romney speaks at his primary night victory party — AFPpic

“Of course I’m concerned about all Americans — poor, wealthy, middle class, but the focus of my effort will be on middle income families who I think have been most hurt by the Obama

economy,” he said later. Nevada holds its caucus vote on Saturday, along with a similar caucus in Maine, while five other US states will hold votes in the coming month. — AFP

DAMASCUS

59 dead as Syria violence surges Fresh bloodshed swept Syria as the West and Arab League kept up their push for quick UN action to stop the regime’s “killing machine”, but holdout Russia vowed to veto any “unacceptable” proposal. Wrangling at the United Nations late yesterday came as fierce clashes across Syria killed 59 people, mostly civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. In New York, Britain’s envoy said some progress had been made in talks to

persuade Russia to back a tough UN Security Council resolution condemning the violence. “We have made some progress today,” Britain’s UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told reporters after a threehour meeting of council members. Russia’s envoy Vitaly Churkin said: “We have a much better understanding of what needs to be done to reach a consensus ... I think it was a pretty good session.” US Secretary of State Hil-

lary Clinton (pic) said Security Council members had to decide whether to side with the Syrian people or a “brutal dictatorial regime”. “Every member of the council has to make a decision: Whose side are you on?” she asked reporters in response to a question about Russian opposition to an Arab- and Western-backed resolution condemning President Bashar al-Assad. Earlier yesterday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov appeared

to snuff hopes of a quick vote. “Attempts are being made to find a text that is acceptable to all sides and would help find a political solution for the situation in Syria. Therefore there is going to be no vote in the next days,” he told Interfax news agency. But French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said in Paris that Russia had a “less negative” attitude towards the resolution and said a vote could take place “perhaps” next week. — AFP

WASHINGTON

US group files suit demanding drone strike information The leading US civil liberties group yesterday filed a lawsuit seeking the release of documents authorising targeted drone strikes, such as the September attack that killed US-born Al-Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaqi in Yemen. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the case in a New York court demanding that the government release “basic — and accu-

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ZAMBOANGA

RENO (Nevada)

Republican White House front-runner Mitt Romney stumbled yesterday after his big win in Florida, saying he was not concerned about “very poor” Americans — a gaffe that earned sharp criticism. Having soundly defeated former House speaker Newt Gingrich in the Sunshine State’s primary, multi-millionaire Romney headed to the western battleground of Nevada, but his controversial comments threatened to slow his momentum. “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it,” said Romney, a wealthy businessman who last week acknowledged earning US$20 million (RM60 million) in 2010. “I’m not concerned about the very rich, they’re doing just fine,” Romney, a former

rate — information about the government’s targeted killing programme.” The US government’s “deliberate and premeditated killing of American terrorism suspects raises profound questions that ought to be the subject of public debate,” the ACLU said in a statement. The group’s Freedom of Information Act lawsuit overlaps with a suit filed by The

New York Times seeking the legal memos on which the targeted killing programme is based. In addition to the legal memos, the ACLU also wants “the government’s evidentiary basis for strikes that killed three Americans in Yemen in the fall of 2011. “We’re also seeking information about the process by which the administration

adds Americans to secret government ‘kill lists.’” At least three US citizens have been killed by drone strikes unilaterally authorized by the executive branch, the ACLU said. Anwar al-Awlaqi, the first US citizen to be put on a US list of militants targeted for assassination, was killed in an air strike in Yemen. US officials accused him of

being a leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and linked him to two 2009 incidents: A US army major charged with shooting dead 13 people in Fort Hood, Texas, and a Nigerian student accused of trying to blow up a US airliner. Neither the Justice Department nor the Pentagon had any immediate reaction. — AFP

Search continues for kidnapped Europeans Philippine authorities said yesterday they had failed to find two European birdwatchers in the crucial few hours after their abduction and warned Islamic militants may be holding them. Hundreds of Marines had joined the search for Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, 52, who were seized by armed men on a tiny island in the lawless south of the country on Wednesday, they said. “There is a massive search and rescue operation right now to find the kidnappers and their captives,” regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said. “Though as of the moment we have not pinpointed their exact location.” Ivan Sarenas, a Filipino guide for the two wildlife enthusiasts, was also kidnapped, but managed to jump off a boat that was taking the abducted men away from the remote island and swam to safety, police said. Another local guide had also escaped earlier and reported the crime to local authorities. Cabangbang said it remained unclear who abducted the men, but noted previous high profile abductions in the south were carried out by the Al Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf group. “We cannot rule out the possibility that the Abu Sayyaf is involved,” he said. “However, I must stress there are other armed groups, including pirates, who also operate in these waters.” A rotating force of 600 US troops have been stationed in the southern region of Mindanao for a decade, helping to train local soldiers how to combat the Abu Sayyaf and other Islamic militants. But the militants have remained a threat, funding their activities partly by kidnappings of foreigners as well as locals and extorting money for their release. Wednesday’s abductions lifted the number of foreigners kidnapped in the southern Philippines since the beginning of last year to at least 12. — AFP

friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world She has been maltreated and humiliated for six months and is being subjected to sleep deprivation to try and break her. Yulia Tymoshenko daughter of former Ukranian PM Yulia Tymoshenko

BRIEFS

Amnesty urges release of activist SEOUL: Rights group Amnesty International yesterday urged the release of a South Korean activist accused of helping the “enemy” by re-tweeting messages from North Korea’s official Twitter account. Park Jeong-Geun, a Socialist Party activist, was arrested, last month, for re-tweeting messages such as “Long Live General Kim Jong-Il”. The 24-year-old says his re-tweets were meant to ridicule North Korea’s leaders rather than support them. He has been in custody since January 11 and could face up to seven years jail under the strict National Security Law (NSL). — AFP

Kabila’s camp wins majority KINSHASA: President Joseph Kabila’s (pic) ruling PPRD party and its allies won a parliamentary majority in November elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to official results released yesterday. The camp of the PPRD and its allied parties captured an aboslute majority of about 260 seats on the 500-seat National Assembly while the opposition won about 110 seats, according to figures released by the electoral commission. The rest are held by a number of very small parties who are not in official alliance with either camp. About 100 parties will be represented in the new parliament, many with just one or two seats. — AFP

Missionary couple found dead MONTERREY (Mexico): A missionary couple from the United States was found dead in their home near the violence-wracked north Mexican city of Monterrey, the US embassy and a Mexican official said yesterday. The US embassy in Mexico City identified the couple as John and Wanda Casias, and said they was providing consular assistance to their next of kin. The couple were from Colorado and had lived in Santiago, some 35km outside Monterrey, according to Jorge Domene, security spokesman for Nuevo Leon state. — AFP

KABUL

No hidden agenda, says Pakistan Foreign minister rejects accusations Islamabad is secretly supporting Taliban insurgents Pakistan yesterday rejected accusations that it was secretly supporting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, while the Taliban denied plans for peace talks with the Afghan government in Saudi Arabia. The statements came as a leaked Nato report charged that Pakistan’s security services were backing the Taliban militia, who consider victory inevitable once Western combat troops leave in 2014. The leak was spectacularly bad timing for Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who was in Kabul for the first time since taking office last year in a bid to thaw frosty ties between the two neighbours. “We have no hidden agenda in Afghanistan,” Khar told reporters after meeting President Hamid Karzai. “These claims have been made many, many times. Pakistan stands behind any initiative that the Afghan government takes for peace.” “Pakistan and Afghanistan need to look forward to a relationship based on

trust,” she said. The Taliban chose the same day to deny that they would soon hold talks with Karzai’s government in Saudi Arabia to end the decade-long war since they were toppled by a US-led invasion in 2001. “There is no truth in these published reports saying that the delegation of the Islamic Emirate would meet with representatives of the Karzai government in Saudi Arabia in the near future,” the Taliban said on their website. Afghan officials had suggested that talks in Saudi Arabia would be in addition to contacts in Qatar between the Taliban and the United States. But it was never clear whether the Taliban, who have resisted talks with the Afghan government, or the Saudis, who have conditioned involvement on the Taliban renouncing Al-Qaeda, would come on board. Taliban negotiators have begun preliminary discussions with the United States in Qatar on plans for peace

talks aimed at ending the war. But they said in their statement that they had not yet “reached the negotiation phase with the US and its allies”. “Before there are negotiations there should be a trustbuilding phase, which has not begun,” the statement said. One of the Taliban’s demands is for the United States to free five of its leaders from detention in the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The leaked Nato report — seen by The Times newspaper and the BBC — was compiled from information gleaned from insurgent detainees and was given to Nato commanders in Afghanistan last month. The “State of the Taliban” document claims that Islamabad, via Pakistan’s ISI intelligence agency, is “intimately involved” with the insurgency and that the Taliban assume victory is inevitable once Western troops leave

WASHINGTON

Hina Rabbani Khar: Pakistan and Afghanistan need to look forward to a relationship based on trust — AFPpic

in 2014. The Times quoted the report as saying the Taliban’s “strength, motivation, funding and tactical proficiency remains intact”, despite setbacks in 2011. Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu downplayed the

impact of the leaked report on the eve of a two-day meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels. She said it was “basically a summary” of statements made by Taliban detainees during interrogations. — AFP

MADRID

Prison torturing mum, says daughter Spain’s Socialists eye woman leader The daughter of Ukraine’s jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko said her mother is being abused in prison and pleaded with lawmakers to pressure Kiev to release her. Tymoshenko has been “illegally imprisoned, maltreated and humiliated for six months” in prison, and is being subject to “sleep deprivation and intimidation to try and break her,” Eugenia Tymoshenko told lawmakers at a hearing of the European Affairs subcommittee of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Yulia Tymoshenko is serving a seven-year jail sentence after a court convicted her of abuse of power, which she claimed was a political prosecution by her rival Viktor Yanukovych, who is now the president. Her daughter, in an impassioned address to the lawmakers, urged the US government to pressure

Pleading for help: Eugenia (left), daughter of former Ukrainian premier Yulia Tymoshenko (right), claims her mother is being abused in prison — AFPpic

Yanukovych to free the former leader. Jailed in August prior to her October trial, Tymoshenko has claimed that her health has deteriorated. Her daughter said yesterday her mother “could have died” recently after she fell unconscious in her cell due to a “mysterious loss of blood pressure.” The former prime minister’s cellmate attempted to revive her for twenty minutes, before a doctor came,

she said. Her case has sent Ukraine’s relationship with the European Union to a new low, and a top US lawmaker warned yesterday that relations with the West were at risk over the imprisonment. “It would be difficult if not impossible for Ukraine to deepen relations with the West while Ms Tymoshenko remains behind bars,” said US Senator Jeanne Shaheen at the hearing. — AFP

Spain’s Socialists, struggling to regroup after a crushing November electoral defeat, are considering a female leader for the first time in their history. They meet this weekend to decide between ebullient 40-year-old ex-defence minister Carme Chacon and her rival, the wily, highly experienced former deputy premier, 60-yearold Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba. If Chacon emerges victorious from the party congress being held from today to Sunday in the Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain, she will be the first woman to lead one of Spain’s two main parties. “It is a very open congress. It is really 50-50 because the two candidates have their arguments. Their speeches to the con-

gress will be very important,” said Anton Losada, political science professor at Santiago de Compostela University. Attended by 972 delegates from the 17 regions of Spain as well as from the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in north Africa, the congress is to choose a successor to former prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Saturday. The aim is to turn the party around after its Nov 20 election loss to the conservative Popular Party. After conceding an outright parliamentary majority to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party, the Socialists aim to adopt a programme that gives “an answer to the questions of our society in these times of crisis,” party secretary Marcelino Iglesias said. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world We’re introducing a new principle into our welfare system: that an able-bodied family that can work should not get more in benefits than the average family gets from work David Cameron British Prime Minister

SEOUL

LONDON

Church faces clergy rebellion

S. Korea’s ruling party changes name — again

100 priests protest over a ban on gay civil partnership ceremonies

South Korea’s conservative ruling party changed its name yesterday to try to shore up sagging support in a key election year, but sceptics called it a cosmetic measure which would fail to impress voters. The Grand National Party (GNP) announced it has chosen Saenuri (New World) as its new title from some 10,000 suggestions made on the Internet. “We will be reborn as an entirely new party. I believe that people will trust us again if we continue our reform efforts with firm determination,” said interim party chief Park GeunHye, its likely presidential candidate. The party now holds 166 of the 299 parliamentary seats along with the presidency. But it anticipates a struggle in the April general election and the presidential poll in December amid a sharp slide in voter confidence. In a shock result, it lost the Seoul mayoralty, last October, to an opposition-backed leftleaning candidate. It is now trying to shed its image as a party for the rich and move leftward. A major bribery scandal involving the election of a party chief in 2008 dealt the embattled conservatives a further blow. Surveys show the party’s popularity waning because of growing discontent over social and economic inequality, and as economic growth slows. The left-leaning opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) has an approval rating of 39.7 per cent against 29.1 per cent for the GNP, according to a survey by the Realmeter agency in late January. Many are sceptical about whether the former GNP’s new name will pay off. South Korean political parties have made a habit of renaming themselves in election years as they merge or split to win more votes. The DUP — which also faces allegations of vote-buying at a party election — chose its current name, last month, after joining with major union leaders and other left-leaning groups. It was the third name change in eight years. Lee Junhan, professor of politics at Incheon University, said the frequent name changes were a relic of decades of military-backed regimes, when opponents were jailed or barred from politics. The nation achieved democracy in 1987. — AFP

The Church of England faced a rebellion from its clergy yesterday over a ban on gay civil partnership ceremonies on its premises. Nearly 100 clergy from the London diocese, which has 470 stipendiary priests, signed a letter to The Times newspaper urging that priests be allowed to follow their individual conscience on whether to hold civil partnership ceremonies in their churches. The Church of England said in December it would not permit gay civil partnership ceremonies on its premises without the express permis-

sion of its general assembly. New laws allowing same sex “weddings” in places of worship in England and Wales came into force that month, though no religious group is obliged to host them. Civil partnerships for samesex couples were introduced in Britain in December 2005, giving them similar rights to married heterosexual couples. However, the partnerships cannot legally be referred to as marriages. The Times said the letter illustrated the growing anger running through mainstream Anglicanism on the issue

and the scale of the protest would likely be mirrored in many of the church’s 44 dioceses, creating tension between ordinary priests and the church leadership. “We, the undersigned, believe that on the issue of holding civil partnership ceremonies in Church of England churches, incumbents/ priests in charge should be accorded the same rights as they enjoy at present in the matter of officiating at the marriage of divorced couples in church,” the letter read. “Namely, that this should be a matter for the individual conscience of the incum-

bent/priest in charge.” The Church of England is to review its approach to samesex relationships, this year, to clarify its position on an issue which has threatened to tear the worldwide Anglican communion apart. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the Church of England leader and the Anglican communion’s spiritual head, has struggled to maintain unity amid disagreements over the consecration of female bishops in Britain, and of openly gay bishops in the United States. Brian Leathard of St Luke’s in Chelsea, west London,

was among those who put their names to the letter. “Our motivation in sending this letter is pastoral,” he told The Times. “For those of us at the front line, there is no sense of hiding behind a blanket ban on holding civil partnership ceremonies in Church of England churches. “More and more people are coming to us, and feel that we are turning them away without actually being able to hear their story. They have a genuine desire for the Church’s fullest ministry, for us to bless their loving relationships.” — AFP

SHANGHAI

LONDON

Eight detained in river pollution case

British MPs vote for welfare benefits cap

China has detained another company official, bringing the total to eight, over a massive river pollution case in the country’s south, the government and state media said yesterday. Industrial waste — including toxic cadmium — polluted up to a 300km section of the Longjiang River in the Guangxi region and threatened drinking water supplies for millions of people. Police have detained eight executives from two firms, Jinhe Mining Co. and Jinchengjiang Hongquan Lithopone Materials Factory, according to a statement from Hechi city, where the pollution originated. Authorities were seeking another four people who had fled, the Shanghai Daily newspaper quoted Hechi Mayor He Xinxing as saying. The government said this week that seven people had been taken into custody. A Hechi city spokeswoman did not answer phone calls yesterday. Jinhe Mining was involved in processing cadmium, a carcinogen which can seriously damage the kidneys, bones and respiratory system. Jinchengjiang Hongquan was producing the metal indium, outside its business scope, and dumping waste directly into the ground, reports said. Indium can cause lung and other organ damage. Guangxi claims to have

Cleaning up: Chinese firefighters pouring polyaluminium chloride into a pool to dilute the cadmium-polluted water in the Longjiang River at the Nuomitan power station in Liuzhou, southwest China’s Guangxi province —AFPpic

brought the pollution, which was first discovered on Jan 15, under control amid criticism from state media and environmental groups for poor industry supervision. In Liuzhou city, downstream from the original spill, the local government said cadmium levels in the river remained at 2.6 times the recommended limit on Thursday morning. Readings for the heavy metal spiked to 80 times the government limit immediately after the incident, but have fallen after authorities dumped chemical neutralisers and opened sluice gates to increase water flow. Guangxi has launched a re-

gion-wide probe of industry, so far inspecting 145 companies and shutting down 11, state media said. Environmental authorities have also ordered 90 waste disposal sites closed. Many waterways in China have become heavily contaminated with toxic waste from factories and farms, pollution blamed on three decades of rapid economic growth and lax enforcement of environmental protection laws. Activists say officials in China often turn a blind eye to industrial pollution or even collude with companies, as they seek to boost local economic development. — AFP

British lawmakers voted on Wednesday night to impose a cap on welfare benefits, setting them at the same level as the average household income. Media reports yesterday said members of parliament’s lower House of Commons voted to reinstate plans for the cap after the upper House of Lords tried to force through amendments, watering down the proposals. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government is behind the cap on state handouts, set at £26,000 (RM123,000) a year so that no-one can earn more on benefits than the average wage earned by working households after tax. “The cap is right and the cap is fair,” Prime Minister David Cameron (pic), told lawmakers before the votes. “We’re introducing a new principle into our welfare system: that an able-bodied family that can work should not get more in benefits than the average family gets from work.” In nearly seven hours of debate, the government won seven votes on amendments the Lords had tried to put in, with large majorities. Employment Minister Chris Grayling told MPs: “We have to change the nature of our welfare state. “We have got to move away from the world which existed under the previous government, where children grew up

generation after generation in houses where no one worked, entire communities had people who had no experience of work in their family, who knew nothing about how to improve their lot in life.” The opposition Labour Party supports the idea of a cap in principle, but argue that there should be local caps to take into account the cost of living in cities such as London, rather than one national cap. It is estimated that 67,000 households will have to move or find a job to make up the difference in their incomes when the cap takes force in a year’s time. The Welfare Reform Bill will now go back to the Lords, where the government will cite “financial privilege”, meaning peers cannot block the measures because they affect tax and spending decisions. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

world The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a male cocker spaniel. It’s from a litter known to the couple through a family connection St James’s Palace through a spokeswoman

OTTAWA

WASHINGTON

Smithsonian salutes Hollywood legend Eastwood Actor, director recognised for decades of captivating audiences The Smithsonian Institution yesterday saluted Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood at the inauguration of a new theatre in Washington dedicated to the history of American film. Eastwood, 81, was honoured with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in recognition of “six decades of captivating national and international audiences through his work as an award-winning actor and director,” the museum said. The 271-seat Warner Brothers Theatre, named for the studio that donated US$5 million (RM15 million) towards it, offers

CELEBRATED: Eastwood’s six decades of work as an awardwinning actor and director — AFPpic

exhibitions of Hollywoodrelated objects as well as screenings, many of them free to the public. First to go on display will be costumes worn by Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman, Harry Potter’s robe, and such Warner-related objects such as movie mogul Jack Warner’s silver telephone and Bugs Bunny cartoon drawings. Screenings begin today with a three-day festival dedicated to Bogart that opens with Casablanca.

Highlights of Eastwood’s work, including cowboy Westerns Unforgiven, Pale

Rider and The Outlaw Josey Wales, will be presented in June. — AFP

Canadian senator: Let them hang A Canadian senator whose daughter was murdered provoked a backlash during Quebec’s suicide prevention week yesterday by suggesting that convicted killers be given a rope to hang themselves in prison. The worst criminals should “have the right to a rope in his (or her) cell and make a decision about his or her life,” Conservative Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu told reporters when asked about his views on the death penalty. He also suggested reintroducing the death penalty in cases where a criminal’s rehabilitation is impossible. “As a society, I think that is something we should discuss,” he said. Boisvenu, who became a victims’ rights advocate after his daughter was murdered in 2002, later issued

a statement retracting his strong comments. But the opposition New Democratic Party jumped on it to suggest that Canada’s ruling Conservatives secretly planned to bring back the death penalty, which was abolished in Canada in 1976. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: “We all understand that Senator Boisvenu and his family have suffered horribly in the past and, obviously, I think that we understand his emotions in that regard. “But this government is focused on making sure that we protect victims in the future.” Boisvenu’s 27-year-old daughter was kidnapped, raped and murdered in the summer of 2002. She was out celebrating a job promotion when she disappeared. — AFP

LONDON

WASHINGTON

Puppy while hubby’s away

How the brain hears words

Prince William’s wife Kate will not be on her own during her husband’s tour of duty in the Falkland Islands: The couple have a new puppy, St James’s Palace said on Wednesday, according to media reports yesterday. William, second in line to the throne, is due to begin a routine six-week posting in the South Atlantic archipelago, this month, leaving Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, back home in Britain. It is thought their new pet will live at their home near the RAF Valley base on Anglesey, northwest Wales, where William, 29, has been working as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot for more than a year. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a male cocker spaniel,” a St James’s Palace spokeswoman said. “It’s from a litter known to the couple through a family connection. It’s a few months old.” The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the dog’s father is a pet that belongs to the duchess’s mother Carole Middleton.

US scientists said yesterday they have found a way to decode how the brain hears words, in what researchers described as a major step toward one day helping people communicate after paralysis or stroke. By placing electrodes on the brains of research subjects and then having them listen to conversations, scientists were able to analyse the sound frequencies registered and figure out which words they were hearing. “We were focused on how the brain processes the sounds of speech,” researcher Brian Pasley of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California Berkeley said. “Most of the information in speech is from one to 8,000 hertz. Essentially the brain analyses those different sound frequencies in somewhat separate locations.” By tracking how and where the brain registered sounds in the temporal lobe — the centre of the auditory system — scien-

Britain has around 1,000 military personnel on the Falklands to ensure their security following the April 1982 invasion by Argentina. Britain has held the islands since 1833 but Buenos Aires insists they are occupied Argentinian territory. Tensions between Britain and Argentina are high as the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War approaches. Argentina has reacted with fury to William’s deployment, saying he would be visiting the area “in a conqueror’s uniform”. Overseas deployments are

New royal pet: While hubby Williams will be on tour of duty in the Falklands, Kate has adopted a male cocker spaniel to keep her company — AFPpic

a routine part of the duke’s position with the RAF. RAF rules mean that Kate is not be able to join her husband on the posting. William has been putting in plenty of hours of flying time in recent months as he bids to win promotion and become a captain. The experience he will gain in the Falklands will count towards his goal. — AFP

tists were able to map out the words and then recreate them as heard by the brain. “When a particular brain site is being activated, we know that roughly corresponds to some sound frequency that the patient is actually listening to,” Pasley said. “So, we could map that out to an extent that would allow us to use that brain activity to resynthesise the sound from the frequencies we were guessing.” One word the researchers mapped was ‘structure.’ The high-frequency ‘s’ sound showed up as a certain pattern in the brain, while the lower harmonics of the ‘u’ sound appeared as a different pattern. “There is to some extent a correspondence between these features of sound and the brain activity that they cause,” and putting together the physical registry in the brain helped rebuild the words, Pasley explained. The work builds on previous research in ferrets, in which scientists read to

the animals and recorded their brain activity. They were able to decode which words the creatures heard even though the ferrets themselves didn’t understand the words. The next step for researchers is to figure out just how similar the process of hearing sounds may be to the process of imagining words and sounds. That information could one day help scientists determine what people want to say when they cannot physically speak. Some previous research has suggested there may be similarities, but much more work needs to be done, Pasley said. “This is huge for patients who have damage to their speech mechanisms because of a stroke or Lou Gehrig’s disease and can’t speak,” co-author Robert Knight, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and neuroscience, said in a statement. “If you could eventually reconstruct imagined conversations from brain activity, thousands of people could benefit.” — AFP

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

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friday 3 february 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS I thought Theiviya was not considered good enough and that’s why they didn’t invite S. Selvarajoo Theiviya’s coach/Father

PETALING JAYA I TENNIS I MALAYSIAN OPEN

Theiviya: What invitation? Her coach-father reckons LTAM should get matters in order BY VIJHAY VICK vijhayvick@mmail.com.my

A CAN of worms has been opened. S. Theiviya, who took last year’s qualifiers wildcard, has denied being invited to participate in the trials for this year’s WTA Malaysian Open wildcard entry. National coach Deen Heshaam said on Thursday while Jawa-

riah Noordin accepted the invite, Thieviya did not respond. However, he said the correspondence was from the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM). This left Theiviya and her fathercum-coach S. Selvarajoo puzzled. “There was nothing. LTAM did not send us an invite – be it via email or text message,” said Selvarajoo. “I thought Theiviya was not considered good enough and that’s why they didn’t invite. But

don’t say we didn’t respond.” Last year, Theiviya was Malaysia’s only representative. Selvarajoo is disappointed with the way the matter is being conducted, pointing out Theiviya won two gold medals at last year’s Malaysian Games. However, she did not win the singles title. “Also, her name is not even in the main draw of the national circuit first leg. If they don’t want her around, they should just say it,” he added.

FIXTURES

HOCKEY I Junior League

(all matches at 5pm unless stated)

A blow for UniKL UNIKL’s preparations against against Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) took a knock because of a freak incident during training. During a shooting drill, defender Ahmad Amirul Alias was hit on his left hand, cracking a knuckle. “It’s a setback as we’re already without another first choice defender, Shazrul Imran Nazli, who got injured while playing against Korea for the Project 2013 team,” UniKL manager Amir Azhar Ibrahim said. “It will take at least two weeks for Amirul to begin serious training. I hope the replacements can fit into the team without a problem.” Amir said their next match was crucial. He regards the sports school boys as among the big three in the league — along Thunderbolt and UniKL. “We cannot take this game lightly. We want to win both titles this year… the league and overall,” he added.

Today Division 1 MBPJ v Anderson (Bukit Jalil) TBSS v BJSS Jr (Seremban) BJSS v USM-MSSPP Jr (6pm, MOE turf) Division 2 Group A PHK-MSSM v KHA Jr (8pm, MOE turf) Sapura v Politeknik- KPT (7pm, Pantai) Nur Insafi v MSSPP-USM Jr (Sg Petani) KHA-MSNK v PHNS (Alor Setar) Group B SMK Padang Midin v Yayasan Pahang (Terengganu) Tunas Pahang v Olak (Kuantan) TOMORROW Division 1 BJSS Junior v USM-MSSPP Jr (MOE turf) MBPJ v SSTMI (7pm, Bukit Jalil) BJSS v UNIKL (8pm, MOE turf) Division 2 Group A PHNS v Anderson Jr (Ipoh) Sapura v KHA Jr (Pantai) KHA-MSNK v MSSPP-USM Jr (Alor Setar) Group B Yayasan Pahang v Olak (Kuantan) MHS v KLSS (Melaka) SMKDT v Tunas Pahang (Seremban)

IT’S IN: UniKL celebrate a goal against MBPJ last month — Pic: Shahir Omar

“It’s good that we can afford another day of practice and work out the defence as we only play on Saturday (today).” UniKL are in second place, trailing last year’s overall win-

ners Thunderbolt. However, the university side have played one game less. Amir was happy with the team’s performance so far but warned them against complacency.

KUALA LUMPUR I BASKETBALL I Asean Basketball League

The bubble bursts for Dragons BANGKOK COBRAS (2-2) ended Westports Dragons’ (3-1) winning streak with a 70-73 victory at Maba Stadium on Wednesday night . Brian Williams fouled out in the fourth quarter and Tiras Wade was ejected as the Cobras came back to beat the Dragons. Wade had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists in the game. Williams had 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. He was a candidate for Man-of-the

Theiviya took a short break to concentrate on her SPM. Now, she vows to concentrate on tennis for the next three years at the very least. “In these three years I hope to get to the top of my game. Then maybe I’ll study part-time as well,” said Theiviya. Theiviya has been training with Selangor the last two months and will compete in the national circuit and an ITF1000 tournament in India in March.

Match until he fouled out after two consecutive fouls. In the first quarter, the Dragons built a quick 7-0 lead but the Cobras fired back and went on a 16-2 run to lead 9-16 mainly due to Michael Earl’s hustle plays. He scored eight points. A layup by Brian Williams made the score 11-18 at the end of the first. In the second, the Dragons pulled within two four times but weren’t able to take back the lead. Marvin Cruz of the Cobras

made sure his team kept their lead as he scored nine points this quarter. At the half, Wade and Williams were the leading scorers for the Dragons with nine points each. Marvin Cruz led the Cobras with 14 points. Earl had 10 points for the Cobras. Their other American import, Gentry Lewis, only had three points due to 1/7 shooting from the floor. He also got into a scuffle with some of the Dragons’ players at the end of the half.

STANDINGS Division 1 Thunderbolts UniKL Anderson BJSS USM JR MBPJ SSTMI TBSS BJSS Jr

Division 2 Group A

Sapura Poli KPT KHA Juniors Nur Insafi PHK/MSS Kel Anderson Jr MSSPP-USM Jr KHA-MSNK PHNS

P 4 3 3 3 2 4 3 4 4

W 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0

D 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 0 1 0 3 2 4 4

F 27 14 15 11 7 12 6 5 3

A Pts 3 12 1 9 7 7 8 6 6 4 12 3 16 3 23 0 24 0

P 4 5 3 3 2 4 4 3 2

W 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

D 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0

L 0 1 0 1 1 3 3 2 2

F 28 16 3 4 3 8 5 3 0

A Pts 1 12 4 12 2 5 4 4 8 3 10 3 18 3 6 1 17 0

P 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 2

W 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 2

F 4 6 11 4 5 6 6 2

A 4 4 6 4 5 8 6 7

Group B SMKDMT OLAK — PKT KLSS MSN MELAKA MPBP-PHJ-MSSJ MS Pahang SMKPM Tunas Pahang

Pts 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 0

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

LOCAL

SPORTS Safee is well aware of the situation and the consequences and he has made his choice DATUK HAMIDIN aMIN FAM VICE-PRESIDENT

JAKARTA

KELANA JAYA i FOOTBALL

FAM: It’s his choice Safee can still play at Pelita Jaya-affiliated clubs if ISL is suspended by Fifa By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my

SAFEE SALI is well aware of the consequences but the FA of Malaysia (FAM) have no choice but to respect the national poacher’s decision to stay in the Indonesian Super League (ISL). FAM vice-president Datuk Hamidin Amin, who is fully aware of the differences between the Indonesian FA (PSSI) and ISL, said Safee was a professional player and had exercised his right to play for the club of his choice. Tension between PSSI officials and clubs playing in the breakaway ISL heightened late last year, forcing Fifa to issue a letter to PSSI demanding the national body get their house in order or those involved in their league would be banned. The ban would apply to all players and officials from the ISL would see them not being able to participate in international tournaments. Fifa only recognises one governing body and one league in all countries. “We have spoken to Safee. In fact, Datuk Azzudin Ahmad (FAM secretary general) and I have personally met

THE FA of Indonesia (PSSI) have warned their Malaysian counterparts about national striker Safee Sali’s status when playing for the national team. Safee extended his contract with Pelita Jaya FC from the Indonesian Super League (ISL), which currently faces Fifa’s wrath. An Indonesian online portal, Republika.co.id, in its featured story titled, “Safee dan Malaysia terancam Sanksi Fifa” (Safee and Malaysia in danger of Fifa sanction), quoted a PSSI official as saying that the governing body for football in Indonesia should not be deemed as interfering in FAM’s affairs. “In line with a directive by Fifa, players and clubs play-

ing in the illegal ISL will be barred from playing in any Fifa competition,” said PSSI’s disciplinary committee chief, Agus Saptono. Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary general Datuk Alex Soosay, had in their letters to PSSI clearly stated: “Players playing in the ISL will not be allowed to play for their national teams.” Fifa had earlier requested a list of players involved in the ISL from PSSI and Safee’s name was among them. “So, if Fifa come to know that Safee played for the national team, there is a possibility of a sanction,” said Agus. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR him on numerous occasions to explain the whole situation to him and the possibility of ISL being slapped with a ban,” explained Hamidin. “Safee is well aware of the situation and the consequences and he has made his choice. As a professional player, he is entitled to chart his own future and we have no say. “Let’s put it this way ... we can only advise him.” Hamidin, who is also the FA of Selangor secretary and was involved in Safee’s

KUALA TERENGGANU

transfer to Pelita Jaya from Selangor last year, admitted it would be a big loss if the national team were unable to use the striker. “I hope the issues will be resolved soon. I’ll continue to communicate with Safee and we’ll see how it goes.” Earlier on Wednesday, Safee announced he was signing a two-year contract with the Karawang-based club valued at more than RM2 million. This includes a house, car and personal driver. Other incentives in-

SAVING GRACE: If the ban on the ISL applies, Safee can at least go on loan to Pelita Jaya-affiliated sides Brisbane Roar, CS Vise or SAD Uruguay — FILEpic

clude taxes and flight tickets back to Malaysia to be borne by the club. Safee could also enjoy stints with Australia’s Brisbane Roar, Belgium’s CS Vise and SAD Uruguay. All three are owned by subsidiary club Pelita Jaya Cronus. Pelita Jaya are placed seventh in the ISL, with Safee notching six goals so far.

KUANTAN

Said: Sacking of coaches, players common SACKING players or coaches is common in the football industry, said Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said. He said the expected termination of T-Team’s imported striker Zacharia Simukonda would be made according to the terms and conditions stipulated in his contract. “When he does not play well, we have to release him from the team. There’s no such thing as to whether such action is proper or not,” he said. Ahmad said every team, including T-Team, hope for the best when they sign foreign players.

A grim reminder from Indonesia

According to him, he had already informed T-Team’s management to look for better foreign players instead of relying on agents. “We should not depend on video clips since we don’t know when the video was taken. We should not import players who are injured or not fully fit because the team will suffer,” he said. T-Team will be looking at several new players over the next two days to replace Simukonda, who failed to live up to expectations. The FA of Malaysia has set Feb 13 as the deadline to register foreign players — Bernama

Stay away, warns Sultan Ahmad Shah THE FA of Malaysia president Sultan Ahmad Shah warned players to stay away from football if they intended to fix matches. He said wages of players in Malaysia are not low. “Bribery should not be happening here because teams are paying the players well. So, I don’t understand why the disease (football bribery) is still rife,” he told reporters. Sultan Ahmad Shah also welcomed FAM deputypresident Tengku Abdullah Shah’s proposal to ban teams whose players or officials are involved in bribery from competing in FAM-organised competi-

tions. He also urged players to stay away from bribery because it is detrimental to, not only the game, but also to the teams, fans, their families and the nation. Sultan Ahmad welcomed the 3E concept. FAM formed a special task force to combat football bribery through education, engagement and enforcement, as announced by Tengku Abdullah on Tuesday. “It’s a sin to be involved in matchfixing and FAM won’t hesitate to take severe action against anyone who taints the image of football in the country,” he said. — Bernama

The Inter-KL connection THERE is talk that Italian giants Inter Milan are set to join Manchester United and Barcelona in Kuala Lumpur as part of their pre-season Asian tour. While that is being sorted out, the KL Football Association (KLFA) are ready to host a former Inter player — Loic Lumbilla-Kandja (pic). The French striker of Congolese ethnicity is expected to arrive in KL over the weekend, where he is expected to become the second foreign talent in the Super League. Kelantan have agreed to let Lebanese striker Zakaria Charara and Ghanaian defender Emmanuel Okine go to KL. However, KL are only interested in Charara to partner Kandja or local hitman Stanley Bernard Samuel up front. KL have only scored two goals in five matches and remain bottom of the standings. The FA of Malaysia (FAM) competitions committee made a surprise decision recently to extend the registration date for foreign players to Feb 13. “Kelantan FA offered both Charara and Okine to us but since we’ve secured Kandja, we will only hire Charara for now,” said KL team manager Rusli Baba. “KL are in dire need of support and we hope a big

name like Kandja will do us some good, both in getting the goals and getting the support.” “If he is impressive, we hope to see him in action against Johor FC (on Feb 11),” he added. Kandja, who turns 25 on May 12, started his career with Paris FC before joining Inter Milan’s youth side in 2007. He then made several appearances for the senior team in their pre-season friendly matches before playing on loan for Swiss club Locarno the following year. He then featured for German side VfL Wolfsburg II in 2009 and then represented UAE team Al Quwat Al Musalaha last season. He scored 17 goals out of 14 appearances for the Middle Eastern club.

FRIday 3 february 2012

WORLD

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS We want to spare Djokovic to help him remain the world’s No 1 player and win gold at the Olympic Games in London Bogdan Obradovic Serbia captain

Rio de Janeiro | FOOTBALL

LOS ANGELES | Boxing

Greatest cornerman dies at 90 Famed boxing trainer Dundee guided Ali, Leonard, Foreman FAMED boxing trainer Angelo Dundee, who helped guide the careers of legendary fighters Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, died at age 90 yesterday in Florida. Dundee was considered one of the greatest trainers in the history of boxing, known as a master motivator as a cornerman during some of the biggest fights the sport has ever seen. Dundee’s work spanned six decades and he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994, cementing his legacy as an invaluable asset to some of the most decorated boxers of all time. “Angelo died surrounded by family and friends,” his family said in a statement. “He was very happy that he got to celebrate Ali’s birthday earlier this year and also that he got to go to the (Hall of Fame). “He still had much to do, but led a full and extraordi-

nary life.” Dundee, noted for his knack for motivating and challenging the best of boxers, passed away at his home in Tampa, Florida. While working with Ali for the majority of the boxing great’s career, Dundee trained 15 world champions in total, including Leonard and George Foreman. One of the more indelible memories of Dundee’s career came in 1981 when he loudly exhorted Leonard in the late stages of a world championship unification fight against Thomas Hearns. After famously telling the fighter, “You’re blowing it, son,” Leonard came back out to register a thrilling knockout after having been dominated in preceding rounds. “He saved Ray Leonard in the Hearns fight. He saved Ali (against Joe Frazier) in Manila,” longstanding boxing promoter Bob Arum

BELGRADE | TENNIS

ROME | CYCLING

Djokovic to miss Swede clash

Pre-Tour teaser for Evans, Contador

AUSTRALIAN OPEN champion Novak Djokovic will not play in Serbia’s Davis Cup match against Sweden this month. Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic said he decided to let the top-ranked Djokovic rest after he beat Rafael Nadal in a grueling fiveset final in Melbourne. Obradovic said: “We want to spare Djokovic to help him remain the world’s No 1 player and win gold at the Olympic Games in London. I had difficultly to persuade Djokovic not to play against Sweden, but think we can beat them even without him.” Serbia beat Sweden 4-1 in an away match last season. Bogdanovic said the ninth-ranked Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki will lead Serbia in the Feb 10-12 match in the Serbian city of Nis. — Agencies

TOUR DE FRANCE champion Cadel Evans (pic) has been handed a potential duel with former three-time champion Alberto Contador when the pair line up for the Tirreno-Adriatico race in March. Evans (BMC) won the Italian stage race known as the “Race of the Two Seas’’ last year, and with Contador also set to compete — if he is cleared by a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing — the pair could cross swords on stages four and five. Contador (Saxo Bank) is still awaiting a decision from the CAS, due for Feb 6, following a positive test for the banned substance clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France. Stage four will lead the peloton through the central Appenine mountains, over 252 km from Amelia to Chieti, and is capped by a formidable finale. The climb over the Passo Lanciano mountain pass is followed by a tricky closing 25km climb. All eyes will

said, having worked with Dundee countless times over the years. “To motivate (a fighter) takes a special skill and there aren’t many people that can do it. In the (more than 45 years) I’ve been in

be on Evans and Contador, as well as Italian aces Vicenzo Nibali and Michele Scarponi, but the biggest slice of action could come the next day on the 196 km ride from Martinsicuro to Prati di Tivo. It features a series of small climbs before the Piano Roseto (20.8 km at an average of 4.7) and the 14.5 km (at an average of 7) climb to the mountain finish. If those stages are inconclusive, a 9.3 km time trial around San Benedetto del Tronto on the final day should decide whether Evans keeps his title. With a 16.9 km time trial opening the race on March 7, sprinters, such as British world champion Mark Cavendish (Sky), will get a chance for glory on stage two’s 230km run from San Vincenzo to Indicatore. The finale of stage three, meanwhile, could tempt one-day classics king Philippe Gilbert of Belgium (BMC). — Reuters

boxing, he is the greatest cornerman by far of anyone that I’ve ever witnessed.” “Ali was this unbelievable figure, and a guy who symbolised an entire era of American culture and was idolised around the world,”

FLASHBACK: Dundee (right) with Ali in 1959

Arum added. “And through all those times, the person at his side was Dundee. For that, he will always be remembered.” — Reuters

World Cup hit by more strikes CONSTRUCTION workers’ strikes at Brazil’s World Cup venues continue to plague preparations for the 2014 showpiece with the northeastern city of Salvador hit yesterday by a stoppage in demand of improved wages. The Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador is also short-listed as a venue for the Confederations Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal held a year before the finals, and needs to be ready in good time for the June 2013 tournament. FIFA general-secretary Jerome Valcke praised Salvador on their preparations only two weeks ago on a tour of Brazil, but workers are unhappy with deals made between venue cities and the consortiums building or refurbishing World Cup stadiums. The Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro venues were all hit by strikes earlier in their preparations. In Recife, another World Cup host city in the state of Pernambuco, workers have been on strike for a week despite the building consortium’s claims that wages are up to date as agreed by both parties and that annual pay negotiations are not due until August. — Reuters

PARIS | Athletics

Six-month ban for doping duo SOUTH KOREAN sprinter Lim Hee-Nam and Portugal’s European 5,000m bronze medallist Sara Moreira received six-month bans from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Wednesday for doping. Both athletes tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine at last year’s world championships in Daegu, South Korea. Lim’s suspension runs until April 10, while Moreira’s will expire on March 7. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

friday 3 february 2012

WORLD

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS Lewis (Hamilton) is a coward. I do not want to be friends with someone like that Adrian Sutil Former Force India driver

BRIEFS

Spot-fixer released from jail LONDON: Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Aamer was released yesterday from a British jail after serving half of a six-month sentence for his part in a spot-fixing scam. The 19-year-old was freed from Portland Prison in Dorset, south-west England. Aamer, then a rising star of world cricket, was one of three Pakistan players jailed by a judge in London in November over their roles in a plan to bowl deliberate no-balls during a Test against England at Lord’s in August 2010. However, he cannot immediately return to cricket as he is serving a five-year ban from the sport imposed by the International Cricket Council for his role in the scandal. -- AFP

Stoner makes comeback SEPANG: MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner shrugged off an ailing back to post the fastest time yesterday in pre-season tests on the sport’s new 1,000cc bikes at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit. The Australian Honda rider, who won the championship in 2007 and again last year, had been sidelined on day one Tuesday after pulling a back muscle. But he bounced back to outpace his Yamaha rivals and led to faster lap times. Stoner, who won 10 races last season, hit the top of the timesheet in late practice runs, logging 2 min 00.895 seconds, while his Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa of Spain was fourth with a time of 2:01.508. — AFP

Zhang urges ‘hijab’ ban lift KUALA LUMPUR: Asia’s football chief on Tuesday urged the game’s top law-making body to lift a controversial ban on headscarves, saying new designs can prevent neck injuries to Muslim women players. Asian Football Confederation acting president Zhang Jilong (pic) called upon the International Football Association Board to review the ruling. FIFA banned the hijab, or headscarf, in 2007 and has extended the safety rule to include neck warmers. “I have personally seen the new designs with a velcro joined at the neck which releases if the headscarf is pulled, ensuring the player’s safety,” Zhang said. — AFP

NEW DELHI I CRICKET

‘Pathan’s the missing link’ Time to include all-rounder in Indian team to stop the rut, says Gavaskar FORMER India captain Sunil Gavaskar said the Indian team management must think of including allrounder Irfan Pathan in the team as he may come handy with the bat as well as on the field. After the 0-4 drubbing in the Test series, the induction of the limited overs specialists didn’t bring about any change in the script as neither the batsmen nor the bowlers could create any sort of impact and India lost the first Twenty20 International by 31 runs against Australia at Sydney on Wednesday. “It is important to look at the all-round options. Twenty20 is harsh on the bowlers. So it is always an advantage if you have bowlers, who can come in handy with the bat and also are good fielders. “Hence, India must think of including Irfan Pathan as he can not only come in handy as an all-rounder

but the fact that he is a left hander, may also prove good for India,” Gavaskar told the Press Trust of India. The former cricketer also said captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who topscored for India with an unbeaten 48 in the first T20I, must lead from the front. “Dhoni today was so good, he must look to come up the order and as a skipper show the way. It always helps.” Gavaskar also pressed for the inclusion of another specialist spinner into the side as he felt that they can slow things down. “I think the spinners looked better. In this format, the ball comes on to the bat easily. So India must think of including another specialist spinner into the team. We could see that (David) Hussey bowled well and slowed things down.” Stating that it was not the end of the road for the opening pair in Virender Sehwag

ALL-Rounder: Pathan is regarded to be valuable for India’s Twenty20 series — AFPpic

and Gautam Gambhir, the 62-year-old former skipper said: “They (Sehwag-Gambhir) are going through the horrors at the moment. But

this is not an end to their partnership. They still have a lot to contribute. “This (opening slot) is one position in cricket that is

hard to find and we must give them some more time. Yes, they have not scored runs off late but in the past they did well.” — Agencies

WOKING I Formula 1

LAS VEGAS I BOXING

Hamilton swerves around ‘coward’ claim

Mayweather to fight Cotto

MCLAREN’S Lewis Hamilton (pic) obeyed team orders and swerved around the wreckage of a once firm Formula 1 friendship after being accused of cowardice by former Grand Prix rival Adrian Sutil yesterday. McLaren effectively put a gag on the 2008 world champion after newspapers in Germany and Britain reported Sutil, 29, had branded Hamilton a “coward” for failing to back him in a trial that ended on Tuesday. The German was given a suspended 18-month sentence and fined US$261,800 for a brawl in a Shanghai nightclub last April. Hamilton, who had won the Chinese Grand Prix, also attended the nightclub. A Munich court found the former Force India driver guilty of injuring Eric Lux, chief executive of Renault F1 team owners Genii Capital, with a champagne glass in an altercation between the two. The court had wanted to hear from Hamilton but the

McLaren driver was excused due to team commitments ahead of yesterday’s launch of their new car at the Woking factory in southern England. “Lewis is a coward. I do not want to be friends with someone like that,” Sutil, who had previously counted on Hamilton as one of his closest friends in the paddock after being teammates in the junior Formula Three Euro series, told the Bild. Asked about the comments, Hamilton was prevented from replying by a team spokesman who intervened. “We’ve been told that Lewis shouldn’t talk about the case because it might go under appeal,” he said. The Renault team has since been renamed Lotus while Force India have already announced Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg as teammate to Britain’s Paul di Resta, who is managed by Hamilton’s father Anthony. The season starts in Australia on March 18. — Reuters

Floyd Mayweather Jr will challenge Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title on May 5, less than a month before the American is due to report to jail. Mayweather had requested that his three-month prison sentence for domestic battery be postponed until June so that he could compete in one more bout, an appeal that was granted by a Las Vegas judge earlier. That bout was widely expected to be a long-awaited mega-showdown with Filipino Manny Pacquiao to decide the mythical title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter but the fighters’ promoters could not agree on the date. Instead, Mayweather will step up in class from his customary welterweight and take on three-division world champion Cotto at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. — Reuters

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 februARY 2012

WORLD

SPORTS There will be fire and brimstone but I like to think we can bring a bit of that as well GRAHAM ROWNTREE SCOTLAND FORWARDS COACH

FIXTURES Tomorrow France v Italy Scotland v England

LONDON | RUGBY | SIX NATIONS

Stage set for France v Wales finale

Sunday Ireland v Wales Feb. 11 Italy v England France v Ireland Feb. 12 Wales v Scotland Feb. 25 England v Wales Ireland v Italy

But the French are bookmakers’ favourite FOUR different champions in as many years underlines the difficulty of predicting a winner in this season’s Six Nations championship starting tomorrow. “I’m not a regular reader of the odds but I imagine they’re tight because it’s as tight a championship as there’s ever been,” Ireland coach Declan Kidney said at the official Six Nations launch last week. “The championship could be decided by points’ difference. Each match is like a Cup final in its own right.” The tournament’s format, in which teams hold home advantage for three of their five games on alternate years, is as useful a starting point as any in seeking a potential champion with early indications pointing to a FranceWales finale in Cardiff on March 17. France, who ran New Zealand desperately close in last October’s World Cup final, are the bookmakers’ favourites with home matches against Italy, Ireland and champions England. They travel to Cardiff for the final day of the championship to meet a Welsh side who will have played Scotland and Italy at home after an intimidating opening fixture against Ireland in Dublin this Sunday. Even by their own volatile standards, France had a spectacularly erratic 2011. They lost to Italy for the first time in the Six Nations championship and were beaten by Tonga at the World Cup before rallying to eliminate England and hold the All Blacks to a one-point winning margin at Eden Park.

Philippe Saint-Andre, who has succeeded Marc Lievremont as coach, has pledged to bring consistency to the national team and the squad for Saturday’s match against Italy contains 12 players from the World Cup final. Francois Trinh-Duc, who threatened to win the final on his own after coming on as a replacement, is back at flyhalf while the depth of talent available to Saint-Andre is revealed by the relegation to the bench of number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, who was outstanding at Eden Park. Wales illuminated the World Cup with some wonderful attacking rugby but fallible goal kicking, usually a strength, cost them dearly when they lost their group match against South Africa, the semifinal against France and finally the third place playoff with Australia. Losing again to the Wallabies at the Millennium Stadium in December further dampened the early World Cup euphoria and the inevitable rash of injuries during a demanding domestic season has hit Wales harder than the other Six Nations contenders. Coach Warren Gatland has remained upbeat, predicting a golden future for Welsh rugby with a wealth of young talent to call on. “I think we have some real quality, some real talent,” he said. “I think we have a special group of talented young players, I think the next few years are potentially very exciting for Welsh rugby.” Gatland has delayed naming a side until today in the hope that flyhalf Rhys Priestland,

TOM WOOD: Suffering from toe injury

Francois Trinh-Duc (right): Back as flyhalf

a revelation in New Zealand, and blindside flanker Dan Lydiate have recovered from knee and ankle injuries respectively. Ireland, whose win over Australia in the group stages altered the shape of the World Cup, will take to the field without their captain and leading player Brian O’Driscoll who will miss the championship with a shoulder injury. They will still field a battlehardened side based on their three leading clubs Leinster, Munster and Ulster who have all reached the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup. Tomorrow’s other match is potentially the most explosive of the opening weekend, featuring rugby union’s oldest international rivals England and Scotland at Murrayfield. After imploding on and off the field in New Zealand, England now have a caretaker manager in Stuart Lancaster and a new captain in Chris Robshaw at the head of a team who have not won in Edinburgh since 2004. England have advertised for a head coach to replace Martin Johnson and Lancaster will be applying for a job he holds on an interim basis two games into his team’s title defence. Robshaw, who has played just once for his country, owes his elevation to a toe injury to the first-choice Tom Wood and he has been appointed for two games only. With talk of Scottish devolution in the air and coach Andy Robinson further stoking the fires by accusing England of arrogance at the World Cup, the visitors could hardly have a more daunting championship opener despite Scotland’s indifferent form in recent years. “They always save a passion for us,” said forwards coach Graham Rowntree, the only survivor of the World Cup coaching team. “There will be fire and brimstone but I like to think we can bring a bit of that as well.” — Reuters

Feb. 26 Scotland v France March 10 Wales v Italy Ireland v Scotland

STILL BLANK: Chelsea’s Fernando Torres (right) plays a pass in front of Swansea City’s Steven Caulker at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea — AFPpic

March 11 France v England March 17 Italy v Scotland Wales v France England v Ireland

LAST YEAR’S Standings England France Ireland Wales Scotland Italy

P W D 5 4 0 5 3 0 5 3 0 5 3 0 5 1 0 5 1 0

L F A Pts 11 32 81 8 21 17 91 6 2 93 81 6 2 95 89 6 4 82 109 2 4 70 138 2

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012

WORLD

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS It was a huge lift for us to score then and the win means everything. We have a chance now to go all the way GATTA DEMBELE MAIL STRIKER

Fixtures QUARTERFINALS

LIBREVILLE/ FOOTBALL/ African Nations Cup

Three-cornered fight

Tomorrow

Zambia vs Sudan at Bata (11.0pm) Sunday

Ivory Coast vs Equatorial Guinea

Ivory Coast, Ghana on course with Gabon a threat ZAMBIA, Ivory Coast, Gabon and Ghana appear the likely winners of the 2012 Cup of Nations quarterfinals across central Africa this weekend. The football feast begins tomorrow with two fixtures in Equatorial Guinea — Zambia and Sudan in mainland port city Bata followed by the cohosts and Ivory Coast in island capital Malabo. Gabon stages both Sunday showdowns with the co-hosts playing Mali in coastal capital Libreville before Ghana tackle Tunisia in south-eastern city Franceville. Ghana have won the biennial African football showpiece four times and Ivory Coast, Sudan and Tunisia once, Zambia and Mali were runners-up, Gabon reached the last eight once before and Equatorial Guinea never. While title co-favourites Ivory Coast and Ghana are still on course for the February 12 final, Morocco and Senegal

failed to match expectations that they would go far and were the biggest first-round casualties. Equatorial Guinea provided the biggest surprise, defeating Libya and Senegal to secure a knockout place despite changing coaches less than three weeks before the tournament began, and lacking any bigname footballers. Few pundits or bookmakers gave Sudan much chance either, but the Jediane Falcons have shown gradual improvement with a narrow loss to Ivory Coast followed by a draw with Angola and a victory over Burkina Faso. Gabon, whose only previous last-eight appearance came 16 years ago, are revelling in the fanatical support of the central African nation, led by President Ali Bongo and the First Lady. Host nations have won two of the last four Cup of Nations tournaments and another fin-

ished third so Gabon going all the way and lifting the trophy is not beyond the bounds of possibility. However, Ivory Coast and Ghana have done nothing to suggest they cannot deliver a rematch of the 1992 final with the Elephants winning all three group games and the Black Stars two before drawing with Guinea. Ivorian coach Francois Zahoui has proved the ultimate pragmatist as he seeks to banish memories of recent Cup of Nations failures — stressing that victory is all that matters and if it comes from a last-minute goal, so be it. Zahoui does things his way, including playing two practice matches against the Equatoguinean club champions during the tournament and fielding a virtual ‘B’ side in a comfortable win over Angola. Having scored just once against outclassed Botswana, Ghana were far too good for

(2.0am)

Gabon vs Mali (11.0pm) Monday

Ghana v Tunisia (2.0am)

SEMIFINALS Wednesday

Zambia or Sudan vs Ghana or Tunisia (11.0pm) Thursday

Gabon or Mali vs Ivory Coast or Eq Guinea (2.0am) Sunday

Third place playoff (2.0am)

Monday

Final (2.0am)

HEADS, I WIN: Ghana’s goalkeeper Daniel Agyei (left) concentrates as striker Andre Ayew (2nd right) tries to head the ball away from Guinea’s Sadio Diallo (3rd right) yesterday morning

Mali only to concede a soft goal against Guinea and had to settle for a draw that still left them top of the table. Zambia want to raise the trophy in honour of the 1993

national squad, most of which was killed in a plane crash off the Gabonese coast, and superstitious French coach Herve Renard wears the same white shirt on match-days. — AFP

LIBREVILLE

FRANCEVILLE

Barcelona star winner for Mali

Ghana qualify, Guinea out after draw

MIDFIELDER Seydou Keita (pic) scored 15 minutes from time as Mali came from behind to beat Botswana 2-1 and reach the quarterfinals yesterday morning. Mali finished second in Group D, behind Ghana, and set up a meeting on Sunday with co-hosts Gabon in Libreville. Mali proved unconvincing in the match, watched by a 5,000 crowd, but Guinea’s failure to beat Ghana in the other group game in Franceville ensured their progress. Botswana scored first against the run of play with a sweeping move out of midfield, started and finished by Mogakolodi Ngele in the 51st minute. He played a pass out wide and delayed his run into Mali’s penalty box to arrive at the right moment and sweep the return ball home. But Mali’s pressure paid off six minutes later with Abdou Traore turning the defence before providing a cross that Modibo Maiga forcefully headed goal ward. Botswana goalkeeper Modiri Marumo could only parry it right to Garra Dembele who ham-

mered home from close range. “It was a huge lift for us to score then and the win means everything. We have a chance now to go all the way,” Dembele told reporters. Keita’s goal was set up by his persistence on the edge of the penalty area as he probed an opening and then a return pass from Cheick Tidiane Diabate to perfectly place the ball into the roof of the net. Ngele might have put Botswana level soon after but was selfish in going for a longrange shot instead of passing but Botswana pressed and ensured an anxious final few minutes for Mali. They then had to wait for a full five minutes until Guinea’s failure to beat Ghana was confirmed. The Mali players stood anxiously waiting, watching pictures on the big screen before erupting in celebration. “I was full of anguish at the end of the game having to wait. There is always this uncertainty, so I preferred to go back to the change room and wait patiently for the a outcome,” said Mali coach Alain Giresse, who was in a similar

situation at the last Nations Cup two years when in charge of Gabon. Botswana depart after three successive losses but the experience for the debutants had proved invaluable, said midfielder Mogogi Gabonamon. “We had a chance to compete in a tournament we never even dreamed of going to. That will be our history for the rest of our lives.” — Reuters

GHANA reached the quarterfinals with a 1-1 draw against Guinea on Wednesday, a result which eliminated their opponents. Emmanuel Agyemang Badu gave Ghana the lead with one of the best goals of the tournament, flicking the ball up and volleying home from just outside the area on 28 minutes. Guinea, who had Mamadou Dioulde Bah sent off in the second half, levelled just before halftime when Abdoul Razzagui Camara’s cross was misjudged by goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and landed in the net. Ghana, co-favourites alongside Ivory Coast, topped Group D with seven points while Guinea finished third with four. Mali finished second with a 2-1 win over Botswana. Guinea had an early penalty appeal turned down when Pascal Feindouno appeared to be tripped by Kwarasey but the referee judged that no contact was made by the goalkeeper’s outstretched arms.

They also had an Ibrahima Traore goal disallowed for offside in a lively opening. Ghana broke the deadlock when a corner was rolled to Agyemang Badu on the edge of the area and the Udinese player, who won the world under-20 championship with Ghana in 2009, flicked the ball up with this left foot, then rifled a dipping volley into the far corner with this right. The Black Stars nearly had a second when some poor defending allowed the ball to fall to Samuel Inkoom but he chipped wide when he should have scored. Instead, Guinea levelled in first half stoppage time with a fortuitous effort. Camara sent what appeared to be an intended cross over from the left but the ball flew over a bemused Kwarasey and into the net. Guinea continued to have the better of the game after the break but lost momentum when Dioulde Bah was sent off in the 70th minute, receiving a second yellow card for a high tackle. — Reuters

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS Botswana 1 Mali 2 Ghana 1 Guinea 1 Gabon 1 Tunisia 0 Niger 0 Morocco 1

FINAL STANDINGS Group A

ZAMBIA EQ GUINEA Libya Senegal

P W D L 3 2 1 0 3 2 0 1 3 1 1 1 3 0 0 3

F 5 3 4 3

A 3 2 4 6

Pts 7 6 4 0

F 5 4 4 2

A 0 4 5 6

Pts 9 4 4 0

F 6 4 4 1

A 2 3 5 5

Pts 9 6 3 0

F 4 3 7 2

A 1 3 3 9

Pts 7 6 4 0

Group b

P W D L IVORY COAST 3 3 0 0 SUDAN 3 1 1 1 Angola 3 1 1 1 Burkina Faso 3 0 0 3 Group C

GABON TUNISIA Morocco Niger

P W D 3 3 0 3 2 0 3 1 0 3 0 0

L 0 1 2 3

Group D

GHANA MALI Guinea Botswana

P W D 3 2 1 3 2 0 3 1 1 3 0 0

L 0 1 1 3

TOPSCORERS (Group stage) 3-Manucho (Angola), PierreEmerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Houcine Kharja (Morocco) 2-Abdoul Razzagui Camara, Sadio Diallo (both Guinea), Ahmed Bashir, Mudather Tayeb (both Sudan), Youssef Msakni (Tunisia), Chris Katongo, Emmanuel Mayuka (both Zambia)

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012 ●

WORLD

SPORTS Lately, even in victory, we have not had the right level of meanness required to win the championship Massimiliano Allegri AC Milan coach

BRIEFS

MADRID | COPA DEL REY

Valencia snatch crucial point

Cuenca extends contract with Barca MADRID: Spanish youngster Isaac Cuenca has extended his contract with Barcelona until June 30, 2015, the European champions announced on their website on Wednesday. “Cuenca extended his contract until June 30, 2015,” the Catalan club said. A product of Barcelona’s fabled youth academy, Cuenca spent last year on loan at third-division side Sabadell. The 20year-old winger made his first-team debut for the defending Spanish champions against Granada in October, and recorded his first senior goal for the club four days later in a 5-0 win against Real Mallorca. Cuenca has made 13 appearances for Barcelona this season, tallying four goals in the process. — AFP

Messi misses penalty as Barcelona suffer third successive draw LIONEL MESSI had a penalty saved early in the second-half as Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at Valencia in a hardfought Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg yesterday. Valencia snatched a 27thminute lead at their Mestalla stadium when Jeremy Mathieu found space down the left wing and Jonas clipped the Frenchman’s low cross high into the net past goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto. Pinto was lucky to be still on the pitch after television replays showed he handled the ball outside his area in the 18th minute but the referee waved play on. Barca captain Carles Puyol equalised 10 minutes before the break when he met a deep Cesc Fabregas corner and nodded past Diego Alves, who had come out to collect the ball but watched it sail over his head. Alves, who has an impressive record saving spot kicks, made amends 11 minutes into the second-half when he flung himself to his left and parried away Messi’s penalty, awarded after

Family-guys sit out for Bayern

GREAT MISS: Messi taking the penalty that was saved by keeper Alves

Miguel felled Thiago Alcantara in the area. Barca substitute Daniel Alves smashed a shot against the post after a brilliant one-two with Messi around 15 minutes from time but neither side were able to find another goal ahead of next week’s second-leg at the Nou Camp. It was Barca’s third successive draw, coming after they were

held to a 0-0 stalemate at Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, and last week’s 2-2 Cup quarterfinal draw at home to holders Real Madrid that sent Pep Guardiola’s side through 4-3 on aggregate. Guardiola, who was without the injured Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Pedro and opted to rest playmaker Xavi, told a news conference it was the best

performance against Valencia he had seen from his players since he became coach in 2008. “It was a great result but the tie is not decided and now we need to win the return leg and see if we can make the final,’’ Guardiola said. The eventual winners will play 23-times Cup winners Athletic Bilbao or third-tier Mirandes in

the final. Mirandes, only the second team from Spain’s Segunda B to reach the last four of the Cup in its present format, gave themselves hope of pulling off another upset with a late goal in Wednesday’s first-leg at their tiny stadium in Miranda de Ebro as a Fernando Llorente double gave Bilbao a narrow 2-1 success. — Reuters

MILAN | AERIE A

Milan’s loss a blessing in disguise, says Allegri AC MILAN coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that his side’s 2-0 defeat by Lazio at San Siro yesterday could prove to be a blessing in disguise. The Rossoneri missed the opportunity to go top of Serie A after being undone by late goals from Hernanes and Tommaso Rocchi. However, despite the setback, Allegri is remaining calm, believing that his players just need to learn how to win ugly. “We just played a bad game against a team that has given us very little,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “The championship is still long, however, with so many games remaining. “This defeat will surely do us good. Lately, even in victory, we have not had the right level of meanness required to win the championship. “We have lost two games against Inter and Lazio in pretty much the same manner, with our own mistakes.” Meanwhile, Lazio boss Edy

fixtures

BERLIN: Bayern Munich stars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery missed training yesterday with Robben expected to become a father again, while Ribery is nursing a sore back. Having scored Bayern’s second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 German league win over Wolfsburg, Robben left training early to go to a Munich clinic after his wife Bernadette went into labour. The couple are expecting their third child. With temperatures in Munich well below freezing, Ribery was also absent from the training pitch and worked out indoors as he continues to suffer from a sore back. Bundesliga leaders Bayern face Hamburg will on Sunday. — AFP

Usami to return after loan option ends

Serie A Tomorrow Cesena v Catania Sunday Genoa v Lazio Chievo Verona v Parma Fiorentina v Udinese Juventus v Siena Lecce v Bologna Novara v Cagliari Palermo v Atalanta AC Milan v Napoli Fiorentina v Udinese Juventus v Siena Lecce v Bologna Novara v Cagliari Palermo v Atalanta AC Milan v Napoli

La Liga SANDWICHED: Lazio’s midfielder Anderson Hernanes (centre) fights for the ball with AC Milan’s defender Antonio Nocerino (left) and AC Milan’s forward Robinho

Reja was full of praise for the way in which his side coped without striker Miroslav Klose, who was ruled out through injury. “We played a good game and gave away little in defence,” he enthused. “I am very

pleased with the boys who showed great determination in an emergency situation. “Senad Lulic and Alvaro Gonzalez both have given us so much tonight, both in attack and in defence. They played a perfect game, also doubling

up well in midfield. Milan will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host Napoli at San Siro on Monday, while Lazio will be looking to maintain their momentum at the Luigi Ferraris against Genoa. — Agencies

TOMORROW Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol Levante v Racing Santander Mallorca v Real Betis Getafe v Real Madrid Barcelona v Real Sociedad SUNDAY Sporting Gijon v Osasuna Granada v Málaga Sevilla FC v Villarreal Real Zaragoza v Rayo Vallecano Atlético Madrid v Valencia

MUNICH: Bayern Munich have decided not to extend the stay of Gamba Osaka loanee Takashi Usami (pic) at the Allianz Arena, according to Sports Hochi. The Bavarians are reportedly reluctant to meet Gamba’s requested €2 million (RM3.9m) release clause, and are said to have informed the Japanese club that the player will return to his homeland in July. Since moving to Munich last summer, the 19-yearold attacker has played a combined 50 minutes over three appearances for Bayern. He has spent the majority of the season with the reserves in the Regionalliga Sud (fourth tier), where he has found the net six times in 14 games. — Agencies

friday 3 february 2012

WORLD

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS We feel we have dropped two points because we had chances to win the game ARSENE WENGER Arsenal manager

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS Aston Villa 2 QPR 2 Blackburn 0 Newcastle 2 Bolton 0 Arsenal 0 Fulham 1 West Brom 1 Sunderland 3 Norwich 0

STANDINGS primera league Man City Man Utd Tottenham Chelsea Newcastle Liverpool Arsenal Sunderland Stoke Everton Norwich Aston Villa Fulham Swansea West Brom QPR Bolton Blackburn Wolves Wigan

P W D L F A Pts 23 17 3 3 60 19 54 23 17 3 3 56 21 54 23 15 4 4 44 25 49 23 12 6 5 41 26 42 23 11 6 6 34 30 39 23 10 8 5 28 21 38 23 11 4 8 39 33 37 23 8 6 9 32 24 30 23 8 6 9 23 35 30 23 8 5 10 23 26 29 23 7 8 8 32 39 29 23 6 10 7 28 31 28 23 6 9 8 29 32 27 23 6 9 8 24 28 27 23 7 5 11 23 32 26 23 5 6 12 24 39 21 23 6 2 15 28 47 20 23 4 6 13 33 47 18 23 4 6 13 25 43 18 23 3 6 14 20 48 15

fixtures Tomorrow Arsenal v Blackburn Norwich v Bolton QPR v Wolves Stoke v Sunderland West Brom v Swansea Wigan v Everton Man City v Fulham SUNday Newcastle United v Aston Villa Chelsea v Man Utd MONday Liverpool v Tottenham

london Aston Villa

LONDON

Wenger: Every match is a Cup final now

our form game by game. For ARSENE WENGER has adus, every game in the chammitted Arsenal paid the pionship now is a cup final. price for failing to take their “People ask about difficult chances as they lost more spells, but we had more difground in the race for the ficult periods even when we Champions League. won championships — we Robin van Persie hit the ARSENAL have made predid not win for six games. woodwork twice at the Ree“It’s part of football. When liminary moves to sign midbok and the Gunners have you have lost three games fielder Claudio Yacob (pic) slipped to seventh in the like we did, and then you from Argentina’s Racing Premier League. don’t lose the fourth game, Club, and could snap up the Wenger insists they can player on a free transfer in it’s always not too bad.” still finish in the top four Wenger claimed he did not the summer. and says every game is a An enquiry over the playknow if Jack Wilshere would “cup final” for his side. play again this season, after er’s availability was made “We feel we have dropped OUT OF MY WAY: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal breaks past the club admitted that he at the end of last week, with two points because we had Gretar Steinsson of Bolton at the Reebok Stadium yesterday morning has suffered a second stress Gunners manager Arsene chances to win the game,” — GETTYpic Wenger thought to be in the injury to his ankle. said the Arsenal boss. “But Arsenal Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Arsenal Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers “I don’t know really,” he market for an inexpensive we produced a decent game had to come out. end, we took a gamble play- have against a difficult opponent ing with four strikers and “But I am still confident of said. “I can talk and talk, option to help in the middle who gives you the ball, nearly got caught in the last a top-four finish. There is a but I don’t know any more of the park. Yacob, 24, is out of conmarks tight and waits for five minutes. long way to go. I’m confi- than you.” Owen Coyle was delighted tract in June and his Buenos their chance. “I feel what was missing dent we can come back. We would be willing Bolton’s revival Aires clubBolton “We were unlucky as well was to take our chances have Arsenal come through a diffi- to maintain Arsenal AstonBolton Villa Wanderers Blackburn Rovers Wanderers Aston Villa Aston VillaBlackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Arsenal Blackburn Rovers Arsenal Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Fulham Liverpool Chelseaearly in the Everton game andFulham Liverpool their high-earning and they Chelsea have inchedEverton two to offload — we hit the bar, hit the that cult period. post, — as well as missing would have changed the “We are confident, but I points clear of the drop captain in an attempt to trim down the wage bill. — DM some great chances. In the whole game. They would believe we have to produce zone. — Daily Mirror By Vijhay Vick (vijhayvick@mmail.com.my)

Aston Villa Wanderers Blackburn Rovers Bolton

EvertonLiverpool

Is this guy Arsenal’s next midfield star?

Gunner’s target is top four for a place in Champions League

MATCH-UPS

Arsenal Blackburn Rovers

ChelseaFulham

Everton

LONDON | football | english premier league

Fulham

Bolton Wanderers

Liverpool

Manchester City

Manchester Unit ed

Queen s Park Rangers

Stoke City

Chelsea Norwich City

Chelsea Everton Newcastle United

Chelsea Fulham

Everton

Chelsea Fulham Everton Liverpool Fulham Liverpool Fulham Liverpool Manchester City Manchester Unit ed Newcastle UnitedArsenal Norwich City Aston Villa

Everton Liverpool

Manches ter Manches ter Norwich Unit ed City Newcastle United Norwich City Manchester City Manches ter Uni t ed ter Uni Newcastle Uni tedCity Norwich City ManchesterUni City Manches Newcastle United Manchester City Manchester Unit ed Newcastle ted Norwich Cityt ed Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Chelsea Swansea Sunderland Swansea

9pm, Emirates Stadium

11pm, Carrow Road

11pm, Loftus Road Stadium

11pm, Britannia Stadium

11pm, The Hawthorns

Just when some expected Arsenal to push into the top four, they decide to surprise us all with three consecutive losses and a draw. They find themselves seventh and may soon be ‘just another mediocre’ side.

Bolton have found themselves with a win over Liverpool and holding Arsenal to a draw in as many matches. This should boost their confidence and spur them away from the relegation battle. But Norwich are no pushovers, holding their own against their opponents.

Arsenal

Aston Villa

Blackburn Rovers

Everton

Fulham

Bolton Wanderers

Mark Hughes now has enough fire power to take on half the league. Defence was never a problem as they kept it tight more often than not. Their new signings should push them higher up the table. Wolves appear destined to end their top flight participation.

Everton

Wolverhampton Martin O’neil has certainly revived Sunderland. After holding Chelsea toWanderers a draw,Swansea Swansea Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic Wanderers s Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Sunderland Swansea Arsenal Aston Villa Blac kburn Rovers Bolton Stoke City Queen Sunde rland Swansea Swansea Manches City Manchester Unit ed Struggling earlier on, they have won four of their shouldn’t have a problem with Westter Brom, last five games and find themselves is 8th place. right? Not in football. These two teams are just Stoke, who are on same points as the Black separated by one point. Swansea have played Cats, are not on good form. better against bigger teams but slacked against the likes of Sunderland, etc.

Wolverhampton Arsenal Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City Queen s Parkrland Rangers ArsenalCity Arsenal Tottenham Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City Wanderers Sunde ter City United ManchesterNorwich Unit ed City Newcastle United Norwich anchester Unit ed Manches Newcastle

morrow

Stoke City

Prediction To Chelsea They have played exciting matches before but Chelsea Everton Fulham Chelsea Arsenal Everton Aston Villa not thisStoke time. Home win. Sunde Queen s Park Rangers City rland Sunderland

Swansea

vs 11pm, DW Stadium

Liverpool ow Tomorr

ow Tomorr

vs Manchester City

Manchester Unit ed

1.30am, Etihad Stadium

Newcastle United

Norwich City

ow Tomorr

9.30pm, Sports Direct Arena

12am, Stamford Bridge

4am, Anfield

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The Latics are just doomed for relegation as they have shown no hope. Everton will be keen to build up on that win over league leaders City. Queen s Park Rangers The Blues have done well in the January transfer market and that could kickstart their season.

Aston Villa Crunch period for Mancini’s boy as they look The Magpies are back from their slump. If they to regain the form that took them to the league can continue with their winning ways, it wouldn’t summit. Midweek’s loss to Everton, after former be a surprise if they deprive Chelsea, Arsenal Stoke City Sunderland United reserve Darren Gibson scoredSwansea a screamand Liverpool a Champions League qualificaer, has given the league some excitement as we tion spot. But Villa are unbeaten in five away have a close battle. games. morrow morrow o o T T Prediction Prediction Sunday Despite City’s imminent fall, Fulham don’t Prediction It will be a surprise if the Latics get anything Chelsea Everton Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Manches Swansea Manches Queen s Park Rangers Sunderland ter City ter Uni t ed City Newcastle United Norwich City Manchester City Stoke City Newcastle UniRangers ted Swansea Norwich Queen s Park Stoke City Wolverhampton unbeatenSwansea run will end. out of this. Manchester United Queenlook s Park capable. Rangers Stoke City Sunderland SundeVillan’s rland Swansea Tottenham Hotspur

ow Tomorr

Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Prediction Prediction Prediction Prediction Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Tottenham Hotspur BromwichWanderers Albion Wigan Athletic Wanderers Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan AthleticWigan Wanderers Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur West BWanderers romwich Albion AthleticWest Fulham Liverpool Arsenal Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic Arsenal Astonto Villa BlacRovers kburn Rovers Fulham Bolton Wanderers Blac kburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Arsenal Aston Villa Blac kburn Bolton Wanderers Bolton will run out of ammo but will get a point. new signings dictate the game. Stoke may not be able handle this. They will cancel each other out. Chelsea Everton Liverpool Chelsea Everton Fulham QPR’s Liverpool will Chelsea Everton Fulham Liverpool Swansea Queen s Park Rangers

West Bromwich Albion

Wigan Athletic

Wanderers

If this match was at the beginning of the month, it would have sealed Andre Villas Boas fate but not now. MU are gearing into the favourite period of the season — the crunch time. It is now that they get wins out of nowhere.

Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham are keen toNorwich get back to their ways City after a brief inconsistent period. Liverpool have been largely disappointing, except for their FA Cup win of MU. Andy Carroll still looks like the most expensive immovable object in football but Luis Suarez will be back. y Tuesda y Prediction Sunda Would love to see Spurs win but a draw looks Prediction Fulham Liverpool Manches Manches Unit ed Newcastle Newcastle United Norwich City Manches ter Cityter City ter Unitter Norwich s on Parkyour Rangers Stoke City United Sunde rland City on theSwansea cards MU will beQueen rightManches tailed City, if not above! Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Chelsea Manchester Fulham Chelsea Everton CityEverton ManchesterFulham Unit ed

Liverpool Liverpool Newcastle United

Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Tottenham Hotspur BromwichWest Albion Wigan Athletic Wigan AthleticWanderers TottenhamWest Hotspur Bromwich Albion Wanderers Wolverhampton Manchester City Newcastle Uni ted Norwich West City Bromwich Albion Tottenham Hotspur Wigan Athletic Wanderers Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic Wigan Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City rlandAlbion Swansea Hotspur Bromwich AthleticWanderers Wanderers Manchester Unit edQueenQueen s Park Rangers Queen s Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Swansea Stoke City Sunderland Tottenham Swansea West Sunde s Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Swansea

Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion

THE MALAY MAIL

FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2012 ●

WORLD

SPORTS Cisse was bright and brings power and pace and a good ﬁnish. That is something we haven’t had in the squad before and will beneﬁt to us. He is going to be vital MARK HUGHES QPR MANAGER

BRIEFS

MANCHESTER | FOOTBALL | ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Trouble between the posts Lindegaard scan deepens United keeper crisis ANDERS LINDEGAARD (pic) has been ruled out for four weeks, leaving Manchester United to rely on calamity keeper David De Gea for their crunch period. Lindegaard had a scan yesterday on the ankle he injured on Monday, which revealed the United No 1 has suffered ligament damage. The Denmark international is definitely out of United’s games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Norwich — and is struggling to be ready for Tottenham on March 4. With Lindegaard out, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to turn to De Gea for United’s

crucial next phase in the title race. De Gea also suffered a knock in Monday’s training session, but his problem is much less serious and he could be back to play at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The young Spaniard was at fault for both Liverpool goals on Saturday and Fergie cannot take him out of the firing line, like he did after his horror show in United’s home defeat to Blackburn on New Year’s Eve. United’s only other options are the inexperienced Ben Amos, who made his Premier League debut against Stoke

yesterday, and outcast Tomasz Kuszczak, who will be shown the door in the summer when his contract expires. Although Amos is the same age as De Gea at 21, his appearance in the 2-0 win over the Potters was only his seventh in his five seasons at Old Trafford. Amos hopes he has shown Ferguson he is ready for more league action after being restricted to just three games in the Carling Cup this season. “I have been waiting a long time for an opportunity this season and thankfully it came,” he said. — Daily Mirror

LONDON

Cisse back with a bang — but not a win

Carroll will roll on after ending goal drought

squad before and will benefit to us. He is going to be vital. “You ideally want new signings to have an under-

standing of the Premier League and the intensity they will face — particularly coming in January. “He understands that clearly, which is why he was able to make the impact he did.” Hughes also gave debuts to Nedum Onuoha and Taye Taiwo a day after he bought Cisse and Bobby Zamora in a bid to score the goals to haul Rangers back up the table. Owner Tan Sri Tony Fernandes’ backing for new manager Hughes in the transfer market paid off after just 12 minutes when Cisse curled in a beauty. QPR doubled their advantage when hapless Villa defender Stephen Warnock headed Taiwo’s cross past his own keeper Shay Given in the 29th minute. — DM

LONDON

Hamann: Title failure would destroy City IS THE strain of trying to keep ahead of a certain 70year-old in the title race beginning to tell on Roberto Mancini? Although Mancini is 23 years Sir Alex Ferguson’s junior, he was the one looking his age on Tuesday after the latest twist in the battle for the Premier League. The Manchester City boss wore a haunted expression in contrast to OAP Fergie,

who appears to be the one relishing the intense pressure of it all. Mancini’s candid admission that he had underestimated Everton leaves a question mark over how he is handling the pressure of going head-to-head with Ferguson. His confession that he had not prepared his players properly to face his bogey side, who had won seven

of their previous nine meetings, almost defies belief. It could just have been a ploy to take the spotlight off his players and make himself the story — one of Jose Mourinho’s favourite tricks. What can’t be denied is that the heat has been turned up on Mancini and former City midfielder Didi Hamann claims the club will be knocked back if they don’t win the league. — DM

LONDON: Wolves captain Roger Johnson has leapt to the defence of under-ﬁre boss Mick McCarthy. McCarthy is battling to save his job after Wolves’ humiliating home defeat to Liverpool which has left them entrenched in the relegation zone. But centrehalf Johnson insists it is the players who should take the blame for their poor run and urged owner Steve Morgan to stick with McCarthy as they prepare for a relegation show-

down at QPR. Johnson said: “We’ve let ourselves down — the players on the pitch are the ones who let the staff and the fans down. “Changing the manager isn’t going to change what the players do on the pitch. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s like in football. “The manager’s head’s on the chopping block. It’s unfortunate. For me and all the lads, the manager needs to stay. We respect the manager massively. — DM

Krul to be kind

LONDON

DJIBRIL CISSE (pic) took just 12 minutes to prove Mark Hughes right — and earn a glowing tribute from his new manager. Cisse had only been signed the previous night from Lazio but went straight into the starting line-up at Villa Park. And almost three years after his last Premier League goal for Sunderland, Cisse fired Rangers into the lead. A delighted Hughes said: “I thought his goal was excellent. Everyone understands why I wanted to bring him to the club. We are delighted with the business we have done. “Cisse was bright and brings power and pace and a good finish. That is something we haven’t had in the

Wolves skipper pleads: Have mercy on Mick

LONDON: It was Krul by name and Krul by nature as Newcastle’s big Dutch keeper grabbed a sneaky win and left David Dunn and Blackburn in despair. Dunn should have celebrated his new contract with his beloved Rovers when he was handed a penalty chance right on half-time, but Tim Krul made a superb save. Alan Pardew’s men came away with their third win over Blackburn this season, but this was the most fortunate as they profited from a cruel mistake and then survived several scares

round Krul’s goal. The Geordies are now up to ﬁfth but Pardew admitted: “We had a bit of fortune in the game and sometimes it can make a difference. “Tim’s whole body language and demeanour on the pitch suggested conﬁdence. It’s no surprise he saved the penalty. He punched, he came out and really took the pressure off too. “It’s incredible to be where we are, but we are also safe which is important to us. Now we can go and let our hair down and see what we can do.” — DM

Spurs still want Rodallega LONDON: Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega is wanted by Tottenham and Fulham at the end of the season. The Colombian was close to agreeing moves with both London clubs this week, with loan switches still being discussed right up to Tuesday night’s deadline. But the proposals came too late, and left Wigan boss Roberto Martinez with no time to ﬁnd a replacement. Wigan knows Rodallega will leave as a free agent,

but turned down a £4 million bid for him from QPR because they did not want to sell to a survivalﬁght rival. Both Spurs and Fulham intend to re-ignite their interest in Rodallega when he becomes a free agent in the summer. However, the 25-year-old, who is looking for a lucrative £60,000-aweek contract, is clear to speak to foreign clubs and sign a precontract between now and the end of the season. — DM

Saha: I’ve joined Britain’s most exciting team FITTINGLY, it was exactly one year on. Frustratingly, it has happened all too infrequently. But Andy Carroll (pic) gave a rare glimpse of why Liverpool paid £35 million (RM167.2m) on deadline day last January to make him the most expensive English striker ever. Sadly for Liverpool, his pay-back has been pretty disappointing, his opener at Wolves on Tuesday night was just his fifth Premier League goal since leaving Newcastle. That is a jaw-dropping £7m-a-goal and is the reason why Carroll has an awful lot of work to do to justify his price tag, expectation and get his career back on track for club and country. — DM

LONDON: Louis Saha clocked on for Tottenham’s antiques roadshow claiming: “I’m joining the most dynamic and exciting team in the country.” Deadline-day signing Saha could make his Spurs debut at Liverpool on Monday night after his surprise switch from Everton on an 18-month contract. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp rarely fails to let a transfer window pass without creating

shock waves - but this time his impact was more about age than expense, 33-year-old Saha joining on a free transfer along with New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen, 34, from Blackburn. Rovers tore up Nelsen’s contract, making him a free agent, so Redknapp could complete the deal beyond Tuesday’s 11pm deadline, and Spurs were conﬁdent of ﬁnalising the paperwork last night. — DM

Black Cats devour Canaries LONDON: Fraizer Campbell is showing why Martin O’Neill was right to save his transfer cash in January. The 24-year-old has only played a game and a half since his comeback from injury, but his explosive impact up front has been as sparkling as any multi-million-pound new signing. Campbell’s presence has added verve and panache to Sunderland who last night demol-

ished Norwich to climb to eighth. And to think there were genuine relegation fears when O’Neill took over just under two months ago! This was Sunderland’s sixth win in nine league games under O’Neill. They are unbeaten at home under the Ulsterman, after taking just 11 points in 16 games at home in 2011 under former boss Steve Bruce. — DM

RUGBY

FOOTBALL

It will be France v Wales

Gunners chasing shadows

France, who ran the All-Blacks desperately close in last October’s World Cup final, are the favourites

After succumbing to a dreadful draw yesterday, Arsene Wenger expects team to play like they’re in the final DECLAN KIDNEY

ARSENE WENGER

 PAGE43

 PAGE46

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2012

BOXING I PASSING OF ANGELO DUNDEE: Was famed for Muhammad Ali’s stature in the boxing world — AFPpic

40

LONDON l FOOTBALL

OHIO

Toxic Terry

Nicol exacts sweet revenge

There are fears over captain’s impact in England dressing room FA CHIEFS could still order Fabio Capello not to select John Terry (pic) for Euro 2012 after the Chelsea and England captain’s alleged racist abuse trial was set for the week following the tournament. Terry’s lawyers entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at Westminster Magistrates Court and the case was adjourned for trial on July 9. England boss Capello, who

got the agreement of FA chairman David Bernstein for Terry to skipper the side against Sweden in November, less than a month after the alleged verbal assault on QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, has insisted he will stick to his opinion the 31-year-old is innocent until proven otherwise. While it is likely that line will hold, senior FA figures are known to be concerned about the potential ramifications of England being led into the tournament by a player whose international future will be determined by the outcome of the trial.

Wembley chiefs will not make any definitive ruling at this stage, allowing time for ongoing assessment, discussions and conversations about the policy that may be adopted. And one possible outcome could see Capello informed that he must either change his captain or even not select Terry for the squad. Capello is reluctant to take that position, having previously let it be known he would not want to omit a player on grounds of the potential outcome of legal proceedings and then see him cleared of any charges. — Daily Mirror

ROME

Italian Stallion is hottest

SIX-TIME world champion Nicol Ann David (pic) won her first Cleveland Classic title when she defeated world No 4, Laura Massaro, in four sets at the Cleveland Racquet Club yesterday morning. Nicol, 28, was, however. shocked with Massaro’s neat game and lost the first set 11-7 before taking the next three sets to avenge her de-

feat to Massaro in last year’s final. The Malaysian squash queen and world No 1, took the next three sets 12-10, 11-7, 11-8. Nicol booked her berth in the final by beating Ireland’s Madeline Perry 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 while Massaro defeated Amanda Sobhy from the host country, United States, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6. — Bernama

ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO (pic) seems to be, hands down, the hot favourite. The Juventus man is already considered the hottest footballer on the planet, though supporters of England’s David Beckham may beg to differ. However, Del Piero’s gentlemanly conduct, on and off the pitch, together with his dashing looks, gives him the top spot in the list. The top 10: 1. Alessandro del Piero (Football — Italy) 2. Georges St Pierre (Mixed

Martial Arts — Canada) 3. David Beckham (Football — England) 4. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Wrestling — USA) 5. Francesco Totti (Football — Italy) 6. Matt Hughes (Mixed Martial Arts — USA) 7. Jonny Wilkinson (Rugby — England) 8. Rafael Nadal (Tennis — Tennis) 9. Iker Casillas (Football — Spain) 10. Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 — England)

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