Thursday 4 august, 2011
SPORTS
PP423/01/2012(029578)
10-year itch
WORLD
Many moons ago
After more than a decade, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard still looks forward to yet more EPL pressure
... astronomers believe Earth had two lunar satellites
100,000 copies daily
>> pg30
The Malay Mail
FREE
@malaymail
40 sen for delivery per copy
http://www.mmail.com.my
It’s RM500, PETALING JAYA
not a sen less Agents making illegals pay well beyond the RM35 official registration fee to go legit
IT costs a minimum of RM500 to legalise an illegal immigrant, not RM35.
>> pg12
LOCAL
Tainted trade Illegal scrap metal dealers give industry a bad name
>> pg4
MM Q&A
A more civilian LIMA 11 HW Lima Sdn Bhd managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab on giving commercial ship-building, aviation bigger space in Langkawi show >> pg5 HOTLINE
No barrier order City Hall tells 15 RAs to remove security bars pending approval >> pg8
Selamat Datang ... We got you!
By ANDREW SAGAYAM andrew@mmail.com.my
It was reported there were 336 appointed agents to register the illegals. First posing as an illegal immigrant and later as a local restaurant owner, this writer spoke to three agents and discovered that while each illegal was charged RM500 for the “registration and a temporary work permit” package, emYesterday, deputy secretary- ployers were charged different amounts for their general (immigraworkers to work in tion and policy) different sectors. Datuk Alwi IbraUnder the prohim stressed in gramme, after being a local daily that legalised, foreignagents could only What it means: ers can either reimpose an RM35 ● For the illegals turn to their home administrative charge on illegal ● For the employers country or secure a job here. To obtain foreign workers ● What the Home work, they need an to register them Ministry says employer. Once emunder the 6P programme, adding ● More on pg3 ployed, they need a work permit. if registration was It was reported the done at any Immigration offices nationwide, it programme would end on Dec 31, starting with a two-week would be free of charge. However, a day-long under- registration process, followed cover probe by The Malay Mail by the legalisation and amnesty yesterday revealed the ministry- process which could run for appointed agents were charging three months, and monitoring at least RM500 for any illegal for a week. Enforcement and deportation immigrant wanting to register for work under the amnesty pro- will be continuous throughout gramme that began on Monday. the programme.
This revelation of the “actual fee” charged by agents appointed by the Home Ministry to register illegal foreign workers contradicts a ministry directive that only RM35 is imposed as administrative charge and “not a sen more”.
MAIL probe
Salted syabu and ‘ice’ tiger head DRUG mules are on a high in smuggling tricks as the alert KL International Airport police discovered recently. On Tuesday, an Iranian tried to pass
off a tiger head figurine as a gift but it turned out to be made of RM2 million worth of methamphetamine powder. A day earlier, a Nigerian declared he
was bringing in salted fish which was later found to have RM50,000 worth of the drug, also known as syabu or ice, stashed inside.
>> Stories on pg2
2
news
A total of 153 compounds were issued since July 1, after a maximum fine of RM500 for littering in Kuantan, Pahang — Kuantan Municipal Council Public Relations Officer Haslinda Hassan
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
SHAH ALAM
Selamat Datang ... We got you!
Creative roar ends at airport police checkpoint EVERY once in a while a smuggler, whose level of craftsmanship has to be admired, surfaces. The latest was an Iranian man, who on Tuesday, attempted to roar past the KL International Airport police check with an 8.4kg tiger’s head — cast in designer drug syabu (methamphetamine), worth more than RM2 milllion on the streets. It was one of the most stunning finds — a cache of syabu, also known as “ice” sculpted into the size and shape of a tiger’s head. Police estimated the syabu within the artificial tiger’s head could
SHAH ALAM
Computers for cops
By AIZAT SHARIF aizat@mmail.com.my
churn out 33,000 tubes of the drug. Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said it could have taken more than a month to sculpt the tiger’s head with syabu to realistic detail. But for all the strength and cunning of the great jungle cat, the Iranian, aged, 26, ended up meekly on the wrong side of the law when officers suspected something amiss on opening a gift box with a tiger’s
head inside. On rubbing the sculpture, the head of the tiger partially disintergrating into powder. Close examination of the powder revealed it was syabu. Even Tun Hisan, who might have seen all kinds of contraband smuggling, was surprised by this creative method of smugglers. He said this could be an indication of the fresh wave of new ideas for smuggling drugs. In the Tuesday incident, the man arrived on a transit flight from Dubai.
On reaching the arrival hall, his suspicious behaviour attracted the attention of police who approached him. “He was carrying the gift box. On opening it we found a replica of a tiger's head inside,” said Tun Hisan. When the officers touched and rubbed the tiger's head, it began to disintegrate into powder. Police immediately suspected the powder to be drugs. “He was arrested. Initial investigations found he was a drug mule for an international syndicate."
Buka Puasa/Imsak Times
SELANGOR police got a moral boost yesterday for their untiring effort against crime, receiving 25 netbooks and 25 printers from Masterskill Education Group to assist in their daily administration and investigative work. Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah expressed appreciation for the gift saying the equipment will assist police in their daily work. Tun Hisan said within Selangor itself, more than 500 investigative officers conduct investigative work everyday and the netbooks and printers could help improve their work efficiency. The computer equipment was handed over by Masterskills Education Group chairman Datuk Seri Tunku Kamel Tunku Rijaludin.
SEIZED: Tun Hisan (middle) shows the sculpture of the tiger head meshed from syabu and pieces of salted fish (left) stuffed also with the drugs — Pic: ARIF KARTONO
Ramadan 4, 1432H
IMSAK MAGHRIB (TODAY) (TOMORROW)
WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya
7:29pm
5:42am
SELANGOR Zone I: Daerah Gombak, Petaling/Shah Alam, Hulu Selangor, Hulu Langat and Sepang Zone II: Daerah Klang, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor, and Sabak Bernam
7:29pm
5:42am
7:31pm
5:44am
Salted fish stuffed with drugs
DRIED FISH: An assortment of dried fish that was stuffed with drugs
THE MALAY MAIL IS PUBLISHED BY Malay Mail Sdn Bhd, Lot 2A, Jalan 13/2, 46200, Petaling Jaya
IF the Iranian displayed creativity in attempting to smuggle drugs into the country, a Nigerian arrested a day before exhibited sheer silliness. The suspect, aged 31, aroused the suspicion of KL International Airport police when he proudly told officers he was carrying salted fish in his suitcase. That was a dead giveaway as officers pondered why a tourist arriving from Doha would be bringing in salted fish — when there was an abundant supply of various species
of dried fish here. On checking, they found 15 packets of syabu neatly compressed in plastic and stashed in fifteen pieces of salted fish. Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said their suspicions were triggered by stench of the fish itself as they also wondered why the man came from as from Nigeria with salted fish. “Why would anyone want to bring in salted fish into Malaysia. We have tonnes of them here? When police officers
EDITORIAL Tel : 03-74951288 Fax : 03-74951229 Email : mmnews@mmail.com.my
checked, they found 15 packets of syabu stashed inside,” said Tun Hisan. Within each fish was stuffed a drug pack. The total weight of drugs seized was one kilogramme with an estimated street value of RM50,000. “The suspect was then arrested. Initial investigations found him to be a drug mule of an international drug syndicate. The drugs were for the local market,” said Tun Hisan. The suspect have been remanded for seven days until Monday. The case is being inves-
ADVERTISING SALES Tel : 03-74951273 (Classifieds) / 03-74951262 (Display) Fax : 03-74951228 Email : ad@mmail.com.my
tigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, which carries the death penalty upon conviction. Recently, there have been many tactics used by Nigerian drug mules. In February, a man, 28, was arrested after police found 4kg of syabu (methamphetamine) worth RM350,000 in 10 car engine pistons inside his suitcase. Other tactics included using tapioca to hide syabu. Drugs were also hidden beneath altered frames of suitcases.
News Alert CELCOM subscribers! Be the first to get The Malay Mail's news updates via SMS! You will get a minimum of five SMSes daily by following these simple steps: Weekly subscription: Type ON<space>MMAILW and send to 23999 Monthly subscription: Type ON<space>MMAIL and send to 23999 ● Weekly: RM1.50, Monthly: RM5.00
Weather Update PLANNING a day out? Don't get caught out. Keeping up-to-date with the latest weather conditions is vital. Subscribe to receive the daily weather forecast for Klang Valley areas direct to your mobile phone via SMS! All you need to do is just type: ON<space>MM<space>WEATHER and send to 33333 Sample: ON MM WEATHER ● RM0.50/SMS. Normal telco charges apply.
TO CONTACT US: Newsdesk : 03-74951015 & 03-74951017 CLASSIFIEDS : 03-74951273/03-74951282 General line : 03-74951288 CIRCULATION : 03-74951068 Fax : 03-74951226
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
news
Malaysia's population stood at 28.3 million at the end of 2010 compared with 23.3 million in 2000 — 2010 Population and Housing Census final report
3
PETALING JAYA
Turning a blind eye Sports officials absolve themselves of blame for cracker mishap THE incident at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last Thursday where a Malaysian football supporter was hit in his right eye by fragments of fireworks, should not have happened if adequate security measures were in place. While Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek believed security at the stadium has progressed, he felt there were still room for improvement. He felt while fans shared responsibility for the incident, it was left to the police to ensure public safety. Only then would the public be confident of their
'Report the agents' HOME Ministry secretarygeneral Tan Sri Mahmood Adam advise illegal immigrants, charged RM35 by agents, to take up the matter with the Immigration Department for action. "If the illegal workers are not happy with the charges imposed by these agents, they should report it to Immigration immediately. "If they feel they are being overcharged, the workers should lodge a complaint by providing full details of the agent and their location so that the department can inspect," he said, without commenting further. In June, Mahmood encouraged illegal immigrants to register for legalisation under the government's 6P programme, with the promise no action would be taken against them. He said if they wished to stay to work after the registration period, the ministry would find a suitable sector for them. The exercise, which was supposed to have kicked off earlier, was postponed until Aug 1 to make way for the implementation of the biometric registration of legal foreign workers from July 13 to 31.
By VIJHAY VICK vijhayvick@mmail.com.my
safety during sporting events. "The police should buck up," Ahmad Shabery told The Malay Mail. He said local police should follow measures taken by Indonesia’s security network when they hosted Malaysia for the Asean Cup final second-leg last year. "They (Indonesia) had the police force present not only on the field, but also at every tier with the fans. When bottles were thrown onto the playing field, the perpetrators were caught
immediately." Ahmad Shabery agreed more police personnel should have been present. As an alternative, he suggested stadiums be installed with close-circuit television cameras. "This is another way of solving the problem." He also wants to meet the police to discuss improved security measures for future sporting events. Meanwhile, it was learnt the private security firm hired for the game, Mutiara Security Services, was only responsible to secure the VIP area and the media box. This was clarified by a Mutiara Security Services spokesman.
As for the Merdeka Stadium Board (MSB), its chairman Wan Nor Azinah Zaniby Wan Hashim denied responsibility for the incident to 29-year-old Ahmad Jazimin Jalaluddin. She said MSB was only involved in facilitating the rental of stadiums and providing the necessary facilities requested by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). She said it was FAM's responsibility to ensure order at the stadium during functions. "Those who rent the stadium, be it for any event, should be responsible for the overall safety,"
FLASHBACK: Our report yesterday
said Wan Nor Azinah. "They should check each and every fan entering the stadium. It is an arduous task, not doubt, but it must be done to ensure all are safe." She felt fan behaviour went haywire due to lax of crowd control in the stadium. She said spectators played a role in the incident, too. "They (fans) should behave and know what is right from wrong. They shouldn’t be bringing any dangerous items into the stadium." FAM, too, blame fans for the incident and not the police. Its secretary-general Datuk
PETALING JAYA
They render 'first-class' service
By ANDREW SAGAYAM andrew@mmail.com.my
POSING as an illegal immigrant and as a restaurant owner, I discovered agents were helpful in their customer service. They were more than willing to help when approached at their counters outside office units near the Immigration Department in Pusat Bandar Damansara. As an "Indian national" in the first encounter, I approached an agent from Perintis Maju. He was suspicious of me at first, but after speaking to him in broken Bahasa Malaysia, he became accommodating. "What job are you looking for?" he asked me in Malay. I answered that I used to work in a restaurant and lost my documents. He was sympathetic and said, "No problem, I will help you." He then ushered me to a table nearby and told me to wait. Through the crowded area, he wriggled his way back to his counter with an application form. Despite being visibly irritated by foreigners "blocking" his path, he calmly took a seat
PATIENCE: Foreign workers waiting outside the Immigration office for documentation
at my table and gave me the form. "If you don't know how to fill this form, I can help you," he said, giving me his handphone number. "Call me anytime, I will help you," he repeated, before politely excusing himself. Later in the afternoon, I approached an agent who sat alone behind a table close to where I met my first agent. I asked her for a form. She said she had run out of them and told me to come back in an hour. I returned an hour later when she spotted me through the
Temporary permit for six months ONE agent claimed that "once their thumbprints are registered (under the biometric system) for the Immigration Department's database, the department will issue them a card-like temporary work permit which is similar to a temporary identity card." The temporary permit would be valid up to six months from the date applied. Once expired, the now-legal workers have to cough
up another RM500 for renewal, the agent claimed. "Before they receive the temporary permit, which can be obtained within a day or two depending on the number of applicants, they can use the payment receipt and refer the name of the agent they have dealt with, when checked by enforcement officers, as proof of their identification," another agent said.
crowd. She waved me a form. "There are so many who want to apply. If you don't understand how to fill the form, wait and I will help you in a while," she said. She then asked the foreign workers who were queuing before me to wait while she attended to me. Running through the form fluidly, she told me to call the number of her company on the form if I needed further help. "You just call the office number if you still don't understand and someone will help you," she assured. Around 7pm, I role-played
as a restaurant owner and approached another woman agent. I asked if there were any more forms as I was looking to re-register my foreign workers. Seeing that it was nearing buka puasa time, I expected her to tell me to come back later but she cheerfully told me to wait. "Come follow me, sir," she said and ushered me into an office where her colleagues greeted me with smiles. The agent asked me to have a seat while she took a form from her colleague before leading me out of the office.
Open choice of jobs AGENTS said five sectors of illegal workers could apply for jobs they wanted, provided they paid more. "To work in agriculture or as a maid, it costs RM2,000 to apply. Factories and labour jobs cost RM3,000 while the service sector such as hotels or restau-
rants, RM4,000 is required," one of them claimed. When asked about the reported RM35 fee, the agents claimed it was either RM500, "or nothing at all". We also observed that the agents were rendering firstclass 'customer service'.
Azzuddin Ahmad felt spectators must be better educated. "It is almost impossible to prevent spectators from bringing along prohibited items. They will still somehow figure a way to smuggle things in. "The only way to stop all unwanted incidents is to educate the public," he said. FAM ticketing and gates committee chairman Datuk S. Sivasundram sang the same tune saying security measures that night were good enough. "The police and Rela did their jobs well in checking fans," he said.
Haphazard exercise
BESIDES illegal foreign workers being duped into paying exorbitant fees to agents appointed to register them under the biometric system, many other issues surfaced about the Government's 6P programme that kick-started on Monday. It was reported that on the first day of registration, the Immigration Department was laid low when several of their biometric machines failed to function as well as those of appointed agents at Pusat Bandar Damansara. The machines were unable to access the National Foreigners Enforcement and Registration System (NERS) due to incorrect passwords and incompatible software, hundreds of both legal and illegal foreign workers were turned away. The system's instability caused agents to worry about not being able to recover the cost of renting the machines (RM275 per unit) and other expenses. There is also confusion among stakeholders, with the absence of clear guidelines by the Home Ministry on the amnesty programme. There were also calls for the Government to stop registering illegals before registration of legal foreigners. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek reportedly said he received complaints from employers, especially those in the factory business. They complained of their legal foreign workers running off in the past few weeks to become illegals. By re-registering themselves they felt they could find new jobs with better pay.
4
news
Mother bashes baby in bus A BOSTON mother was overnight ordered to stay away from her infant son after she was arrested for allegedly punching him in the mouth in front of horrified passengers on a public bus, the Herald Sun reports. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police said Erica Ryan, 25, hit her son hard enough to make his mouth bleed on a bus yesterday. According to police, when some passengers expressed concern for the baby, Ryan told them to mind their own business. Police said when questioned by responding officers, Ryan said: "I was trying to feed my baby on the crowded bus, then my hand slipped and I hit him in the mouth." The report said when police arrived at the scene they found Ryan holding her son, screaming at passengers surrounding her, saying, "No one is going to take away my baby!" The little boy was taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment and is now in the custody of another family member living in Boston.
Cheap rides on Aussie fast trains
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was discharged from Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday after successfully undergoing surgery on his left knee on Monday — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR
Another hard knock Latest seizure of stolen items further dents scrap metal operators’ repute
THE scrap metal industry — long associated with illegal activities — suffered another setback last week when Selangor police seized 226 stolen scraps ranging from metal, cable, steel and copper pieces from a yard in Bukit Puchong. The metal parts were stolen from 13 "hot spots" in Selangor, mostly from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and telecommunications substations. In an immediate response to the disclosure of seizure by police, Malaysian Indian Metal Traders and Recyclers Association (MIMTA) president Datuk P Krishnamurthy told The Malay Mail the raid has been a big blow to their sector as genuine players are suffering due to activities of these unlicensed operators. "Because of these illegal scrap metal operators, people are
BRICKFIELDS
A TICKET on a high-speed train to Melbourne or Brisbane would cost between A$75 and A$197 (RM240 and RM630) for a journey taking about three hours, a major Federal government-commissioned study has found. And travelling between Newcastle and Sydney could take just 40 minutes, for a ticket price as low as A$16.50, the study also shows, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The Federal Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, will today honour an election commitment and release the first stage of a A$20 million study into building an east coast high-speed rail network.
By THASHA JAYAMANOGARAN thasha@mmail.com.my
calling genuine ones conmen, too. The public no longer views this industry as a safe business," said Krishnamurthy. MIMTA is calling all licensed scrap metal operators to register with their association so they can be better protected. So far, there are only 480 licensed operators registered with them. "In our association, we have guidelines and law books to assist scrap metal operators so they know how to differentiate between legitimate goods and stolen items," said Krishnamurthy, adding that the association always advises members never to buy stolen goods. MIMTA also advised scrap metal operators not to entertain walk-in customers as most
would have stolen the metal parts and would be trying to dispose of them fast. If an operator still wanted to buy such goods, he said they should seek documentation to prove the items were not stolen. During last week's raid, police arrested two locals and three Indian nationals aged 30 to 40. Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said initial investigations revealed the suspects could be linked to other cases in Johor Bahru. "The case has now been transferred to Johor as we believe they are linked to a few cases there as well. "We are taking this matter very seriously and I urge all scrap metal operators to fol-
13 hot spots Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the following areas are where scrap metal theft is rampant: • Section 13, Shah Alam • Section 30, Shah Alam • Bandar Bukit Puchong • Putra Heights, Puchong • Sunway Mosque, Bandar Sunway • NSE KM458, Sungai Buloh low the rules. If they fail to do so, we may not hesitate to shut down their premises for good." Until July this year, police have issued 261 summonses to scrap metal premises for violating the rules and regulations.
• NKVE KM19 • Bukit Perdana, Rawang • Bukit Sentosa, Hulu Selangor • Kuang, Sungai Buloh • Kerling, Hulu Selangor • Gombak • Saujana Utama, Kuala Selangor This period also saw a total of 44 operators arrested— 37 had been charged in court and seven are still under investigation. Currently, there are 820 licensed and unlicensed scrap metal premises in Selangor.
Lorry snatchers busted POLICE have busted a lorry theft syndicate with the arrest of three men, caught trying to steal a three-tonne lorry from an open car park at Jalan Thambi Pillay. Last Saturday, a 33-year-old firm manager saw two men attempting to steal his parked red lorry, said Brickfields district police chief ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid (pic). "The incident happened around midnight when the
Apple fined for tracking iPhone users SOUTH KOREA's communications regulator fined Apple's local operation W3 million (RM8,398) for what it says is the illegal collection of iPhone user location information. The Korea Communications Commission announced yesterday in a statement it has ordered Apple Korea to pay the fine for violating the country's location information laws. Apple Inc has faced various complaints and criticisms since revelations in the US in April that iPhones were storing the locations of nearby cellphone towers and Wi-Fi hot spots for up to a year. Such data can be used to create a rough map of the device owner's movements. South Korean media reported that the fine was the first to be imposed on Apple over the location information issue.
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
By AIZAT SHARIF aizat@mmail.com.my
owner was about to go home. He noticed three men acting suspiciously and when he observed them from afar, he found two suspects trying to break the lorry's door lock.” The victim immediately alerted the police and when approached, the suspects tried to get away in a car driven by another suspect. All three were arrested.
“The suspects were aged between 22 and 31. Checks showed the oldest one had fou r pre v i ou s c r i m i n a l records involving vehicle theft and possession of stolen items, including two cases in Johor,” said Wan Abdul Bari. The 28-year-old suspect also had a criminal record for car theft in Johor while the youngest was a first-time offender. Police further seized several
car-theft tools like screwdrivers, master keys and a long 61cm ruler which was used to open the lorry door lock. “We believe the trio were involved in at least four other cases in Brickfields. "They are quite professional and only targetted three-tonne lorries.” The suspects have been remanded until today pending further investigation under Section 379A of the Penal Code for vehicle theft.
Cops smash Proton car theft gang AFTER nabbing two male suspects last Thursday, police have managed to arrest another man in connection with a Proton car theft syndicate. The 45-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday when police raided his house at Bandar Baru Sentul. Brickfields district police chief, ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the police also recovered back three stolen cars — two Proton Wira Aeroback and a Kia Karnival — at the same time. “With the discovery of the stolen cars, we man-
aged to recover a total of eight cars — four Wira Aeroback, a Kia Carnival, a Proton Satria, a Proton Waja and a Proton Wira sedan. "Five of these were recovered when we arrested the previous two suspects last Thursday.” All the cars, except for the Kia Carnival stolen in Kota Baru, Kelantan, were stolen in Brickfields and Sentul. “The vehicles also had been installed with fake number plates. "Police believe the syndicate had also been producing phony vehicle docu-
ments and road tax,” said Wan Abdul Bari. The suspects have been remanded until Saturday. Police are tracing another accomplice, identified only as 'Rambo', who is believed to the group's mastermind. Police believe the group had been involved in 20 cases of vehicle theft and vehicle burglary over the past one year. The trio is currently at the Brickfields district police headquarters lockup to facilitate investigations under Section 379A of Penal Code for vehicle theft.
SEIZED: The syndicate's fake car registration documents and road tax — Pic: KHAIRULL AZRY BIDIN
Mandarin-literate Malaysians aged 40 and below have an opportunity for vocational training at six Taiwan universities — MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
news
5
Taking to the skies LIMA promises a bigger, better and more exciting show this year
THE Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition began in 1991 as the brainchild of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Since 2005, this biennial event has been organised by HW LIMA Sdn Bhd. With the next exhibition slated for Dec 6 to 10, the organiser's managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab shares with The Malay Mail writer ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI what participants and visitors can look forward to later this year.
Q
What is LIMA’s new approach for this year’s exhibition and how will it be different from previous installments? From 1991 to 2009, LIMA had evolved into more of a defence platform. The current overall market potential in the region shows a strong commercial sector for the maritime and aerospace industries. Certainly, we do not want to miss out on that. We are trying to revive what was initially intended for LIMA 2009. That being our focus this year, we have included three new segments: commercial aviation, commercial shipbuilding plus maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, which will be introduced for the first time at LIMA 2011. Already there are signs that this is being received very well. About 20 per cent of our current exhibitors are from the commercial sector. I think we can get 30 per cent of our existing customers and new customers to participate in the commercial sector exhibits. In the end, we are looking to have a 60:40 ratio between commercial and defence participation in our exhibition. This is our longterm target. When we can achieve that will depend on how hard we work.
A
Q
Will the introduction of these commercial aviation, shipbuilding and MRO services sector participation boost LIMA 2011? Definitely. For LIMA 2011, I think we now have attracted up to 23 per cent new-to-market companies. Out of that figure, 20 per
A
cent are from the commercial sector. Of course, we cannot sustain this high rate of participation unless we can prove to these companies we can bring their customers to LIMA. So, we have worked with Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and the DCA (Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia) to bring more commercial customers to LIMA. We are very happy the Transport Minister (Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha) has also invited 108 commercial airlines within Asean to come to LIMA. This is certainly very good news for us and our exhibitors.
Q
Will there be an increase in the number of participants this year compared to 2009? In 2009, we had 25 country exhibitors participating. As of now, we have 33 countries already. In 2009, we had 325 companies while this year we have 368 companies registered as at earlier this month. Once the European companies come back from their summer holidays, we will see this figure increase further. We are targeting to have about 500 companies. We will also see an increase in country pavilions from nine in 2009 to 13 this year. The new additions include Turkey, our biggest country pavilion, Portugal and Slovakia.
A
Q
How many aircraft and vessels are going to participate in Lima 2011? In 2009, we had 99 ships. I don't know if we can achieve these figures again. We are targeting about 90 vessels. Agencies, including those of our government, have decreased their participation numbers due to operational requirements.
A
Is LIMA aiming to draw a higher number of visitors compared to the 71,000 in 2009?
Q
We are expecting about the same number of visitors. Maybe there could be a slight increase, but we are looking forward to commercial visitors, especially with the new commercial segments.
A
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani asrul@mmail.com.my
Do you think LIMA 2011 will be an important platform to promote local aerospace and maritime products and services?
to our customers, visitors and in the end, our industry.
Of course. We have put in place several programmes to help our local industries. First, we are inviting consultants from the aerospace and maritime industries to talk to our local companies about Asean growth potentials and how to penetrate this market. Together with Matrade (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), we have a B2B (business-tobusiness) programme to act
As far as entry is concerned, we are already generous. It will only cost RM10 each to enter the exhibition areas, but we will probably try looking into family packages and so on.
Q
A
Q
Will there be any special packages for visitors?
A
Q
How will LIMA compete with other regional aerospace exhibitions, especially the Singapore Airshow?
A
I think there is enough space for all of us to
MAIL Q&A manufacturers interested in bidding for our (Royal Malaysian Air Force or RMAF) MRCA (multi-role combat aircraft) programme. We have the Eurofighter Typoon, Rafale from Dassault, and Boeing F-18 Super Hornet coming. All these aircraft will come for static displays and also fly at certain times during the exhibition. For the public, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to see the different types of aircraft in the same sector. Our transporter Airbus A400M, coming in 2012, will also be at LIMA 2011. We will also have our 1Malaysia aerobatic team
People should come to LIMA this year because there will be a lot more aircraft and ships on display. The array of aircraft and ships we are going to see this year will be different from any other LIMA
live together. Singapore's show is organised during even years and ours are held during odd years. If you look at Europe, there is the Farnborough Airshow (England) one year and the Le Bourget Air Show (France) the next. But of course, Europe is a very big market. What people do not realise is that after coming to LIMA, companies might find other clients at exhibitions in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand — but they are very localised. That is why I think most of our exhibitors always come back year-on-year, because we represent more or less the Asean or Asian market. In 2009, we invited defence delegations from 60 countries and we hope to surpass that figure this year.
Q
What will be LIMA 2011’s main attractions? We are very excited for this year's programme, we have almost all the plane
A
At the last LIMA, we had RM5.4 billion worth of business conducted. With the addition of the commercial sector, I think we will be able to surpass that amount this year. I would not like to speak on the behalf of the Defence Ministry on the contracts to be signed, but I believe the value of those contracts will most probably be significantly more.
Q
How much has the government poured into LIMA 2011? This is public and private venture. So it is on a cost-sharing basis between the government and us. Yes, it is overall a bigger budget but the investment the government makes every year has remained at a plateau since 1999. It is indeed a testament to how well LIMA has continued to grow despite government investments remaining the same.
A
performing, through a public and private arrangement between the RMAF and a local company. We are using a single-seat turboprop aircraft extra 330L and using pilots from RMAF to form what is now known to be the 1Malaysia aerobatic team. We are still waiting for an answer from the Russian Knights aerobatic team. Most of the aerobatic teams in the world are from the northern hemisphere, the famous ones normally hibernate during the winter months when LIMA is held. That is when they start training new pilots and produce a different team. So, it has been quite an exercise to get overseas aerobatic teams to come to LIMA simply because it is their off-season then. Malaysia’s second submarine, KD Tun Abdul Razak, will be coming too. So, it is a fantastic opportunity for the public to come and see something we cannot see any other day.
Why should people come to LIMA 2011?
Fundamentally, people should come to LIMA this year because there will be a lot more aircraft and ships on display. The array of aircraft and ships we are going to see this year will be different from any other LIMA. When I say array, I mean they will be both from the defence and commercial sectors. We have five of the leading combat aircraft manufacturers and assets coming to LIMA. Four of the leading helicopter manufacturers in the world are coming to show off their assets. We also have Gulfstream and quite a number of business jets being displayed. So, I think there will be a lot more activities and a lot more things to see, a lot more aerial displays including our aerobatic team. We want people to come cheer our aerobatic team and see how well they perform. Lastly, it is going to be an educational LIMA with lots of programmes and talks to get people excited about possible careers in maritime and aerospace. There will be a lot of things happening at LIMA this year.
A
HW LIMA Sdn Bhd, Ahmad Dzuhri Abd Wahab
Will there be any deals signed at LIMA 2011?
A
Q
— Managing Director of
as a forum where meetings are arranged based on a company's profile. Interested Malaysian companies just have to register with us and Matrade will match them with potential clients. Over two days, they can have six to seven meetings with potential clients and that would be a big boost for our companies. We also look to LIMA helping our government's aspiration for Malaysia to be a maritime and aerospace hub. Apart from leveraging LIMA as a better business platform, we are also helping to catalyse interest among school-leavers and students in both the aeronautical and maritime industries. We have worked with some of the exhibitors, especially our air force and navy, to give talks and programmes during the last two days which we are calling ‘career days’. This is being implemented for the first time in the hope that it would give more value
Q
6
news
About five per cent of the population or 1.4 million people are infected with Hepatitis B and two per cent with Hepatitis C — Kuala Lumpur Hospital director Dr Zaininah Mohd Zin
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 August, 2011
SHAH ALAM
From children to children
Students show generous spirit to the underprivileged
SPECIAL MOMENTS: One can only imagine the joy these children expressed at the buka puasa function at the Grand BlueWave Hotel in Shah Alam
THE holy month of Ramadan doesn't just teach us to be patient and to refrain from sinful thoughts or any form of wrongdoing — it also encourages the spirit of generosity. Embracing the latter spirit, some 65 students from the Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Wal-Qiraat school in Shah Alam, led by their principal Mohd Bokhari Shariff, presented donations to 88 orphans from the Yayasan Kebajikan dan Perkhidmatan Perubatan Malaysia. The donation was accepted by the Rawang orphanage's president Che Nordin Musa at a buka puasa treat organised by Grand BlueWave Hotel in Shah Alam. The generous students also recited prayers at the event. After their meals and prayers, the orphans were also each presented with 'duit Raya' by hotel manager Mohd Ghazali Sayed Ibrahim.
A time to reflect THE month of Ramadan is not just about enjoying food after a day of fasting. It is also the month where Muslims get closer to God and learn more about Islam as shown here by two men reading the Quran at the Kampung Baru Mosque. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days, in which Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and intimacy with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. — Pic: SAMSUL SAID
Six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists charged in the Penang Sessions Court yesterday for their association with an illegal society — Bernama
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
Kuala Lumpur
Real estate blues Consumers feel Malaysian properties are too expensive
THE new perspective added to HomeGuru's Second Property Sentiment Survey, incorporating the insights of first-time and multiple home buyers, has found that consumers are now less optimistic towards affording property. Run by HomeGuru operator the PropertyGuru Group, its chief executive officer Steve Melhuish said 73 per cent of respondents felt property in all categories in Malaysia is expensive — compared with 66 per cent in the first quarterly survey In fact, 86 per cent of respondents feel property prices will continue to rise in the next six months, up from 78 per cent previously. Melhuish said respondents felt bungalows were the most expensive. Although about a third of respondents said the prices for apartments or condominiums, townhouses and SOHO (small office home offices) were reasonable, the rest of the respondents — having monthly household income between RM3,000 and RM10,000 — still characterised apartments or condominiums as expensive. In the commercial property area, only 22 per cent of respondents felt commercial property was reasonable, compared with 29 per cent earlier. Despite the sentiments towards pricing, 72 per cent of respondents still feel property transactions will increase in the next six months, compared to the 61 per cent earlier, Melhuish said. “This indicates there is strong confidence in the Malaysian property market. In fact, the percentage of respondents adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach decreased from 60 per cent previously to only 43 per cent this
time round." As Malaysia’s property expert, HomeGuru sees the quarterly survey as a way to capture trends and help property agents, developers and Malaysian buyers make efficient and informed decisions regarding property purchases. With regard to first-time home buyers, 43 per cent of respondents are not sure whether the "My First Home" scheme will aid in their property purchase, whereas 24 per cent believe it will. Melhuish added: “There is a strong feeling among the 33 per cent of respondents who were not interested in the scheme that they would not quality for the scheme or were unable to purchase the property in their preferred location.” Another interesting finding from the survey revealed that one-third of respondents are willing to consider purchasing properties after the results of the general election.
Considering the overall sentiment towards property prices at the moment, it’s no surprise that the most important factor affecting purchase decision is price. Melhuish said: "Thirty-eight per cent of respondents would buy a property based on how deep they would
reach into their pockets," When it comes to type of properties, the survey found apartments or condominiums turned out to be the most popular choice at 25 per cent, followed by terrace or link houses at 24 per cent. Melhuish believes there is also a small but rising trend of investors looking at purchasing properties outside Malaysia. Out of the over 2,182 respondents surveyed from across the country, 26 per cent would consider making investments in foreign properties. Guided by HomeGuru’s own research team and independent research consultants the survey was conducted from June 20 to July 17. HomeGuru is a joint venture between PropertyGuru Group and RedBerry Malaysia. Launched in January, HomeGuru has over 240,000 users viewing over one million pages monthly and is the 117th largest Malaysian website according to Alexa.com. HomeGuru next sentiment survey is scheduled to be released in October.
Fairview marks world school standing
WORLD CLASS: Ahmad Fuad (second from left) sliding the master key replica into the slot signifying a new era of education at Fairview International School
Red Cross for the Japanese Relief Fund got RM100,000, RM5,000 went to Ryan’s Well
Foundation, a charity started by a 10-year-old in the US to supply water pumps to vil-
7
Malaysian wins Microsoft Word 2010 WHO would have thought mastering a simple word processor like Microsoft Word 2010 can actually win you lucrative prizes? A Malaysian student, Clement Ng Chwin Chiat, did just that by beating 228,000 participants from 57 countries who competed to demonstrate their mastery of the Microsoft Office products. He won a US$5,000 (RM14,825) scholarship in the 2011 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office in San Diego, California, on Tuesday. Champions for other categories included Chen Xing of China in Microsoft Excel 2010, Japanese Mizuki Terao (Microsoft Word 2007), Briton Rebecca Rickwood (Microsoft Excel 2007) and Taiwanese Liao Yu-Xuan (Microsoft PowerPoint 2007). Next year, the organiser, Certiport, a leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and programme management services, will host the 2012 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office in Las Vegas.
Fly the flag, win an iPAD2 SUBANG JAYA folk, fancy an iPAD2 or a Nikon D3100 DSLR camera? Easy. Just fly the Jalur Gemilang at your house or business premises until Sept 16. Subang Jaya Municipal Council senior assistant director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said residents can choose to fly either the 2ft by 4ft size flag or a 2ft by 6ft size bunting. "After hoisting the flag, register with us by sending an SMS," he added. Residents can type JOMKIBAR <space> NAME <*> ADDRESS and send the SMS to 39111 or they can surf the MPSJ website at MSPJ www.mpsj. gov.my for further details. Registration is open until Aug 31.
Kuala Lumpur
THE Fairview International School, having been recently awarded the International Baccalaureate (IB) 'World School' status and becoming the only one in Malaysia to have all the three IB programmes, celebrated this honour with KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail recently. He also launched a First Day Cover set with designer stamps with an artist impression of Fairview KL, due to be completed next year. The evening also saw the presentation of three cheques to various organisations that Fairview KL contributed to as part of its community and service programme. The
news
lages in Africa and RM10,000 to Global Mission Society for their work with orphans, aban-
doned children, abused women and the underprivileged. Besides the 1,000-odd parents and students, the evening also saw the presence of ambassadors, representatives of high commissions and invited guests . Fairview has been providing British education here for the past 32 years and the flagship school in KL has about 1,200 students from more than 50 nations. With three other campuses operating in Penang, Subang Jaya and Johor, Fairview has 15 schools in the pipeline aimed at bringing international quality education to the Asian region and beyond.
Ryanair, minister in war of words A ROW has erupted between Irish Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and Ryanair over the €3 (RM12.80) travel tax. The minister said he will wait until he gets solid commitments from airlines on how they will increase capacity in return for the scrapping of the tax. But Ryanair has accused Varadkar of underplaying its plans to increase traffic numbers, the Irish Independent reports. "I could not agree to foregoing significant revenues in taxes without a solid commitment from the airlines on the restoration of key in-bound routes," Varadkar said in a statement.
8
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
hotline@mmail.com.my
tel:03-7495 1000/1001/1002 tel:019-261 4948 (after 9pm)
your right to be heard ● ● ● ●
Complainants have to submit their personal particulars and provide a detailed account of their complaint. Complainants have to first file their complaints with the respective parties before contacting Hotline. Complaints referred by Hotline to the relevant parties would be published if there is no response in seven days. After a complaint has been resolved, the complainant cannot demand non-publication of the matter.
By FAIZAL NOR IZHAM and CECILIA VICTOR
Barriers must go RAs told to comply until City Hall approval obtained
CITY HALL has ordered 15 residents' associations (RAs) in Kuala Lumpur to dismantle all obstructions blocking entrances into their neighbourhoods until approval is obtained. The order was issued yesterday during a meeting between City Hall officials and representatives from the 15 RAs at the City Hall headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut. During the meeting, City Hall's Urban Transport Department deputy director, Abdul Hamid Surip, said City Hall is expected to take up to four weeks to approve applications on security measures submitted by the guarded communities. The communities whose applications are successful will then be allowed to reinstate the barriers. Abdul Hamid advised the RAs to abide by the order to avoid further conflict with residents who oppose the obstructions. All the barriers are to be removed immediately and City Hall will dismantle any found to be remaining. Abdul Hamid said that under Section 46 (1) (d) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, obstructions are forbidden to be set up in public areas without proper authorisation. "City Hall is fully supportive of what the RAs are trying to do. However, we want to ensure it is done properly under our new set of guidelines." To achieve this, each RA was requested to fill in City Hall's official application form to implement new neighbourhood security schemes. An 80 per cent vote of approval from residents is neces-
sary for each request to be processed. "The guidelines will offer a consistent set of criteria for the implementation of guardhouses, boomgates and security guards," Abdul Hamid said. In addition to representatives from the 15 RAs, those present at the meeting included police and Fire and Rescue Department representatives, who voiced their support of the proposed security measures. City Hall will organise similar meetings for the second and third batches of RAs after Hari Raya, Abdul Hamid said. "This process will have to be done in stages since there are so many (applicants). "We will inspect their neighbourhoods and discuss the guidelines with each RA individually. The sooner the applications are done, the sooner they will be processed." Yesterday, Hotline reported 97 guarded communities have been identified in Kuala Lumpur, of which 30 have City Hall approval On July 19, Hotline highlighted the concerns of a Taman Desa Phase One resident who was unhappy that four of the six entrances into the residential area were blocked. The resident said this not only posed inconvenience to the residents but may possibly be a hindrance in case of emergencies. This was refuted by the Phase One RA committee, who said the security measures were put up to curb crime. City Hall responded by saying it only accorded the RA approval for guardhouses for three access roads.
RAs AT THE MEETING WITH CITY HALL IN all, 67 guarded communities in KL are expected to hold meetings with City Hall. Among those present yesterday were representatives from the RAs of: • Taman Desa Phase One • Taman Sri Petaling • Taman Bangsar • Taman Batu Permai • Taman Kepong Baru • Taman Sejahtera • Lake Fields, Sungai Besi • Taman Tun Dr Ismail • Bukit Bandaraya • Taman Bukit Indah
IN DISCUSSION: Representatives from the residents' associations during their meeting with Abdul Hamid (right) yesterday— Pic: SHARUL HAFIZ ZAM
RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS TAKE CASE TO CITY HALL EACH RA is requested to fill in City Hall's official application form to implement new neighbourhood security schemes. An 80 per cent vote of approval from
residents is also necessary for each request to be processed. Our guidelines will offer a consistent set of criteria for the implementation of guardhouses, boomgates and security guards. We advise RAs to abide by the order to avoid further conflict with residents who oppose the obstructions. — ABDUL HAMID SURIP, City Hall Urban Transport Department deputy director
WE want City Hall to observe the situation in each neighbourhood individually and not just purely abide by the rules and regulations. According to recent newspaper reports, six cases of crime were reported to have occurred in the Taman Desa area within the past three weeks. Prior to this, Phase One RA's security measures have been strict and efficiently-
organised, resulting in zero instances of crime in the past six months. We also hope City Hall will take the necessary steps to ensure the guidelines will be localised to each individual neighbourhood.
THE government must recognise local initiatives to ensure neighbourhood safety and should play a role themselves. It would be ideal if City Hall allows our security measures to continue and monitor our activities so they can see this for themselves. We wish to highlight that the
new set of City Hall guidelines were created without any prior dialogue with the RAs. Furthermore, how can we be sure if the complaints against these measures are even from residents? They could be from anyone.
— M. GUNASEKAR, Taman Desa Phase One RA committee member
— PHILIP PHANG, Taman Desa Rukun Tetangga secretary
Not able to apply for new ATM card S. THIAGARAJU, of Nilai, Negri Sembilan, is upset his application for an ATM card was denied by CIMB Bank for allegedly cancelling it more than 20 times. The 43-year-old, who has been a customer of CIMB for several years, says he had lost his card only five times before this. "In 2008, I was robbed and lost my card," he says. When he
went to a CIMB branch to apply for a new one, the staff told him the system did not allow him to do so. When he tried to apply for a new ATM card at their branch in Jalan Raja Chulan last week, he learned that, according to the bank's records, he had "cancelled" his card more than 20 times. When he denied this, the staff
told him there may have been a problem in the system when the bank merger took place. "Till now, I still have no idea why I am denied a new ATM card," he tells Hotline. "It is troublesome for me to queue up to withdraw money using my CIMB passbook every month. Now they tell me I am barred from having a new card as
I have apparently cancelled it so many times, which is not true." ● CIMB Investment Bank Berhad's Group Marketing and Communications spokesman Audra Ooi says THIAGARAJU’s application was unsuccessful because of various reasons. "We have been communicating with him and have resolved
the matter amicably with him.” Ooi says arrangements have been made for THIAGARAJU to use his ATM card. When contacted, THIAGARAJU confirms he was contacted by CIMB two weeks ago and was told his card was experiencing some problems but they were unsure why. He says despite not being
blacklisted, the system does not allow him to create a new card under his name. "So they offered to link my original account to a CIMB Islamic card that I'm also using." As a result, he says he can now withdraw cash through his CIMB Islamic card. "I am pleased with the outcome," says THIAGARAJU.
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
9
ing tables and chairs on ● The Petaling Jaya City Council allows the public to sidewalks are liable to a TAKE NOTE fish in five lakes — Taman maximum fine of RM500. ● The Subang Jaya Municipal Council is to Sri Aman, Taman Jaya, Taman Bandaran in ask for police help to divert the flow of Kelana Jaya, PJS 10/24, and Kelana Jaya traffic in the heavily-congested Persiaran community lake. ● Eateries that cause obstruction by placKewajipan.
Unhappy over added interest CARINA WONG has been in a state of confusion over additional interest rate charged on her HSBC Flexi Home loan account. Her frustration began when she received an advice from the bank in June stating her
monthly instalment would be revised upwards from July 20 due to another increase in the Base Lending Rate (BLR). Her attempts to get a clarification on the increase have drawn a blank and she hopes the bank would stop charging
the new rate until she gets an explanation. ● A HSBC Malaysia Berhad spokesman says the bank has contacted WONG and resolved the matter on July 22.
WONG confirms a customer service staff informed her the bank has reversed the interest rate. “I was told the additional interest rate would not show in my bank statement from next month.”
Online comments www.mmail.com.my Demolished! (Aug 3) ● BRAVO! Is this case settled or does the owner still have to face the music? You can't just let him get away like that. — Abugaga Tenancy dispute (Aug 1) ● PROPERTY agents and brokers say nice things when they haven't collected the rental. Once they receive the money, some tenants realise the home they rented has either been sold to another party or they were duped into signing an agreement so the owner can say the house has a tenant and it would be easy for them to sell it to another party. There's no law to protect the rights of tenants or their personal belongings. Pity those tenants who become victims of these unprofessional property agents. — Anti_Agent 700 Road signs to nowhere (Aug 1) ● WHEN we do not pay the taxes and assessment, they come knocking with notices but when the street signs are all messed up with Ah Long signs, no one does anything. I called the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) once and told them that since my tax money is paying for those road signs, it is mine and the Ah Long have violated my property. They agreed but removed only one sign. Can't they just call the Ah Long’s number or send them a summons? Worse is the one-way street sign on which Ah Long stickers cover both ends of the arrow. How are we to know which way is the one-way? — Raymond
TWO BETTER THAN ONE: Motorcycles parked in space reserved for the disabled despite two warning signs — Pix: Muhammad Azrol
Sign of inconsideration PJ council conducting more ops on bikes depriving disabled of parking space and cars ignoring 'towing zone' in PJ New Town
IS this what we call Malaysian behaviour? Aren't Malaysians supposed to be a considerate bunch of people? S. NEELA asks these questions after spotting motorists at Petaling Jaya New Town blatantly disregarding multiple signs informing them the parking bays are designated for the disabled. NEELA, who alerted Hotline, says cars are also parked in areas prohibited by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Some drivers even ignore signs warning that offending cars will be towed away. "How irresponsible can these road users be? The signs are clearly there for all to see. Worse still, there are not one but sometimes at least two signs, right next to each other, and yet people choose to ignore them,” NEELA tells Hotline.
the council to take more stringent measures against those who park indiscriminately.
NO PARKING SPOT: Motorists taking a chance
The Hotline Roving Team, which visited the area, saw motorcycles occupying parking space reserved for the disabled, and cars parked right next to signs saying they will be towed away. Says NEELA: “The council must be wasting taxpayer’s money by putting up the
same signs so close to each other, because even this does not seem to be working. "At times, I have noticed council officers issuing summonses to offenders but they keep on returning.'' NEELA questions the need to place similar signs so close to each other. She also wants
● A SPOKESMAN for the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) says it is carrying out more frequent operations to issue summonses to offending road users and to tow away vehicles that ignore the towing zone signs. “Issuing fines of RM300 on the spot and towing away vehicles will be done on a more regular basis," he says. On the need for similar signs put up close to each other, the spokesman says: "Since one sign is not good enough, we have put up another in the hope the public will take it seriously." Despite that, he says, it is disappointing that many still turn a blind eye to the signs.
Accused of tampering with electrical meter (July 27) ● IT is normal for TNB to give such excuses when they have slapped you with an overcharged bill. Another normal statement their customer service will give you is "We have undercharged you in last month’s bill and that is why your bill is a bit higher this month". All I can say is the technician is lazy as he never comes on a monthly basis to check your meter. That's why sometimes you'll receive an estimated bill and then the next month you'll receive the actual usage bill, and you, as a user, will end up paying extra due to the different charges. I'm sick and tired of having to deal with this every month. If only Malaysia has another power company supplying electricity, then we could have made a better choice rather than having to use TNB. — JustanotherTNBvictim A car park ‘too far’ (July 27) ● THAT is very near! — Adzwan Sidewalk hazard (July 27) ● THIS is Malaysia for you. So many issues never change, because nasty and selfish people still treat Malaysia as a cowboy country and they can do anything they see fit. Yes, pay the fine. They will be all right, till they get caught. But nothing is really solved long term. A fine is not a solution. It only contributes to enriching the authorities' coffers. Shut down or seal restaurants for a week to a month. Include dirty and unhygienic restaurants. As if they don't know about health issues and what is required to operate a good restaurant. Any restaurant running foul of the law should be temporarily shut down as the maximum punishment, and then taken to court as a punitive measure to get it into their thick and stubborn skulls that high standards and ethical practices in the food business are required anywhere in a civilised world. No second chance as it does not work. Malaysia seems to learn lessons the hard way or only until something fatal happens first. Only then would affirmative action be seen. City Hall, if your officers patrol the streets everyday, they can easily spot establishments running foul of local regulations. Take affirmative action as soon as possible. There is no need to wait. The way City Hall has been operating for decades is lame and in need of a thorough overhaul! When flouting of regulations is on the rise, the authorities should step up enforcement, not giving excuses like insufficent manpower, complicated procedures, no budget, no this, no that. — Anonymous ● IT is the same story day in and day out with City Hall. When someone highlights an issue, then action is taken. After that, it is back to normal and action will not be taken unless another complaint is highlighted. Enforcement is bad! — Loneoku S
10
letters&opinions
● Mail: Letters To The Editor, Malay Mail Sdn Bhd, Lot 2A, Jalan 13/2, 46200, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
● Email: mmnews@mmail.com.my Fax: 03-7495 1229
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
● Opinions may be in the form of Letters to the Editor or comments posted in relation to all news. ● Letters to the Editor must carry your name, address and contact number. A pseudonym may be included.
PJ: For The Record: Mad about football, or just mad? (Aug 3)
Victory in defeat
THE FIFA World Cup. The dream of every nation. The dream of every Malaysian. Datuk K. Rajagobal led his team onto the pitch in front of a sell-out crowd of over 85,000 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Such days have become a rare occurrence since the glory days of R. Arumugam, Soh Chin Aun and Mokhtar Dahari, but this day was special to all Malaysians. Malaysians of all faces, ages, races, cultures and religions donning both the "black and yellow" and "blue and red" jerseys set the emphatic atmosphere at our national stadium. With no barriers, we were all united, arm in arm and heart to heart as 1Malaysian. The whole nation was woven together throughout the 90 minutes. This togetherness is the biggest prize no cup or trophy can ever offer. What result Rajagobal’s team could not achieve on the pitch was immediately displayed by the masses of Malaysians bearing the national flags in the spirit of togetherness at the 'mamak'
IN every game, someone has to lose and someone has to win. This is what football is all about. Yes, we lost the game and Singapore moved on to the next stage. And that meant our exit from the Asian Zone World Cup finals. For me, this is really no big deal. We learn to accept defeat in humility. Do not be bad losers and seek excuses. We should be a mature nation after 54 years of Merdeka.
And now, what? Let's move on to the next level and support our team for the 2015 Asian Cup. We are also eligible for the SEA Games in Indonesia, and next year's London Olympics. So don't lose heart just yet. The games aside, it was a great national event. A historic moment at that to be able to get more or less 90,000 fans to cheer for the country. At this moment, I think this is good enough.
Bulbir Singh
Supporters can inspire players 1MALAYSIA: Cheering as one for the Tigers against Singapore — Pic: RAZAK GHAZALI
shops, roadside stalls and in front almost every television set in the country. The event itself I could compare only to the declaration of independence by our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj. All the radio deejays must be applauded for their
continuous breath-taking announcements. The print media and the television stations all added colour to our nation's fabric called 1Malaysia. We may have lost the game. We may not have qualified for the World Cup but we have gelled as one, played as
one, roared as one, euphorically cheered as one. Our Malaysian tigers should walk with their heads held high despite the outcome because, at the end of the day, we Malaysians were truly the outright winners.
Vimesshen Nair
PJ: Land grab scam: Mastermind unmasked (July 29)
Bring the culprits to book
THE revelation that fraudsters are on the prowl with fake documents to steal and grab land belonging to genuine owners is a serious matter and all the authorities concerned, including the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), must form teams to investigate and catch the criminals involved and bring them to justice. There is no time to waste. It is possible this cheating matter could have spread to the land offices throughout Malaysia. Unless this is checked immediately, many genuine land and property owners will lose out. We are grateful to Nazrul Shukri Ali, the assistant director of the Selangor Land and Mines Office, for revealing the truth. Among his revelations was that the thumbprint scan-
Still more to play for
Faked MyKads possible
THE National Registration Department (NRD) has dismissed claims MyKads can be faked for criminal use. Can the NRD and the Home Ministry explain why are there so many cases of foreigners being arrested by the police for possession of MyKads? These so-called forgery masterminds have worked hard to fake all kinds of documents, including
credits cards and currency notes. It is safe to say it should come as no surprise if they can fake our MyKads and passports as well.
ners linked to other government agencies, including the National Registration Department (NRD), are not working. What is more surprising is the statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Minister that there was nothing wrong with the current system employed in all land offices nationwide. He appears to think, without proper investigation, the systems are all in order. Is he saying he is right and the others are wrong? A minister must accept criticism and find out the truth. We now look forward to all the authorities concerned to take this matter seriously and put a stop to the fraudsters, who include professionals as well.
WHILE there is a possibility for scammers to forge documents, with fake identity cards (IC) and all, the details in The Malay Mail article, which indicates a bank account was opened in the same bank branch, remain intriguing. As far as I know, banks maintain some kind of systems that verify a person's identity card and, as such, while opening an account is easy, the verification processes should have ensured the fake IC can be detected. If this is true, then this would represent control failure on the part of the bank.
Anandh
Glorious
Shaktiman
Intriguing details
IT IS unfortunate some Malaysian fans acted poorly. Maybe they were thinking that by throwing firecrackers into the stadium, they would sink Singapore's morale. The problem is the Malaysian players were not in their element, the game was slow and draggy. Singapore, too, has much to learn about playing football rather than acting
like damsels in distress all the time. Thank God for our goalkeeper, who was able to pull off quite a number of saves. Actually, in any game, the fans are at the centre of attention, not the players. If the supporters or fans play their part correctly, then they will inspire the players to do the same.
Hit Me Baby
THE MALAY MAIL-DUTCH LADY HAMPER FOR CHARITY
THE best opinion of the week as decided by the editor will win a hamper from Dutch Lady Malaysia for charitable institutions. Readers are encouraged to nominate charities deserving of this gesture. The Malay Mail will deliver the winning hamper.
PJ: Spirit of Ramadan (Aug 3)
Interesting month THIS year, it is interesting to note that 1 Ramadan, 1432 Hijrah, in the Muslim calendar is Aug 1 in the Gregorian or Christian calendar. In previous years, the dates of the fasting month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar do not coincide with any one months in the Christian calendar. This year, both Ramadan and August shared the same dates meaning that if the current date is Aug 4, than it is also Ramadan 4. Fascinating. For some, it may not be a big deal but to Muslim children, it is such a big deal because being children, they would want to know the number of days they had fasted.
Since they are already familiar with the Gregorian calendar, it would make them easier to count the days. The same thing occurred in 2008 where the first day of Ramadan, 1429 Hijrah, fell on the first day of September. The next one would be where 1 Ramadan, 1446 Hijrah, falls on March 1, 2025 — 14 years from now. Hopefully, all of us will be around to observe the Holy month then. To my fellow Muslims, Selamat Berpuasa. A gentle reminder though: Spend wisely and be moderate in all our undertakings.
Mohd Faizal Abdullah
ThursDay 4 August, 2011
the malay mail
11
12
world
UK police make record RM1.4b cocaine haul Police have seized Britain's largest ever cocaine haul, worth up to £300 million (RM1.4bil), from a luxury yacht which had sailed from the Caribbean, officials said yesterday. The 1.2-tonne stash was found hidden under the bathing deck of the pleasure cruiser docked in the port of Southampton in southeast England, Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and UK Border Agency (UKBA) said. Police believe the drugs were loaded onto the boat in Venezuela. In dawn raids on Tuesday, Dutch police, acting on intelligence from British and French authorities, arrested six men suspected to be involved in an international drugs ring responsible for the shipment. Officials said it was the largest haul of Class A drugs ever found in Britain. — AFP
Syrian forces occupy central Hama Syrian tanks occupied the main square in central Hama yesterday after heavy shelling of the city, residents said, taking control of the site of some of the largest protests against President Bashar al-Assad. Human rights campaigners say more than 90 people have been killed in Hama since Assad unleashed a military assault on Sunday to regain control of the city. At the United Nations, the Security Council condemned human rights violations and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities — its first substantive action on the five-month-old uprising. It urged all sides to act with restraint, reflecting divisions among world powers on how to deal with the crisis. — Reuters
Cyber spying effort revealed, China suspected The United States, United Nations, defence contractors and the International Olympic Committee were targets of a massive global cyber spying campaign, a computer security firm said yesterday, with China seen as the likely culprit. California-based McAfee said in a report it had identified 72 victims in 14 countries of a sophisticated hacking effort dubbed "Operation Shady RAT," which it traced back to at least 2006. McAfee vice-president for threat research Dmitri Alperovitch described it as a "five-year targeted operation by one specific actor". The "compromised parties" included the governments of Canada, India, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam. Cybersecurity expert James Lewis said the evidence may not be "conclusive in a legal sense," but suspicion points towards China. — AFP
Syria would be a better place without President Assad — White House spokesman Jay Carney DUBAI
PARIS
Two moons theory
Lunar mountains may be result of slow-motion crash EARTH may once have had two moons — the one that we see at night today and a smaller companion, according to a new theory. It is believed a slow-motion collision between the two may have created the mountainous highlands on the moon's far side, as debris from the second, smaller moon piled up, the Daily Mail reports. Different theories have been put forward to explain why the side facing the Earth and
the side facing away have strikingly different topographies. Where the near side is low and flat, the far side is high and mountainous with a thicker crust. One leading idea is that gravitational tidal forces reshaped the moon's crust and made it lopsided but the new theory builds on the "giant impact" model that explains the moon's creation. Many experts believe a
HIV epidemic emerging in Middle East
BIG HIT: A simulation of what the four stages of a collision between the Moon and the 'mini-moon' might have looked like
Mars-sized object collided with the Earth early in the solar system's history, ejecting debris that was later drawn together by gravity to form the moon. The "second" moon is also thought to have been generated by the giant impact. This mini-moon, about a third the diameter of the one we see today, could have been suspended between the gravitational pulls of the Moon and Earth for tens of mil-
lions of years, they calculated. Eventually, however, it would have lost its moorings and crashed into the Moon, which was covered at that point by a magma ocean topped by a crystallised crust. The theory, which appears in today's issue of Nature, claims the two moons collided relatively slowly, about two-tothree kilometres per second, with the impact leaving a rim of mountains we now see on the far side of the moon.
WASHINGTON
Facebook founder's sister leaves to start own firm Randi Zuckerberg (pic), the sister of Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg and the director of marketing for the social network, is leaving to start her own company, Facebook said yesterday. "We can confirm Randi has decided to leave Facebook to start her own company," a Facebook spokesman said. "We are all grateful for her
important service." Technology blog All Things Digital said Zuckerberg was leaving to start a "new media firm to help companies become more social" called "RtoZ Media". In her resignation letter, obtained by All Things Digital, she said she has spent the past six years at Facebook "innovating and pushing the media
WASHINGTON
US borrowing tops 100 per cent of GDP
THE debt of the United States shot up US$238 billion (RM706bil) to reach 100 per cent of gross domestic project after the government's debt ceiling was lifted, Treasury figures showed yesterday. Treasury borrowing jumped on Tuesday, the data showed, immediately after President Barack Obama signed into law an increase in the debt ceiling as the country's spending commitments reached a breaking point and it threatened to default on its debt. The new borrowing took
total public debt to US$14.58 trillion, over end-2010 GDP of US$14.53 trillion, and putting it in a league with highly indebted countries like Italy and Belgium. Public debt subject to the official debt limit, a slightly tighter definition, was US$14.53 trillion as of the end of Tuesday, rising from the previous official cap of US$14.29 trillion a day earlier. Treasury had used extraordinary measures to hold under the US$14.29 trillion cap since reaching it on May 16, while
The Malay Mail Thursday • 4 AUGUST, 2011
politicians battled over it and over addressing the country's bloating deficit. The official limit was hiked US$400 billion on Tuesday and will be increased in stages over the next 18 months. The last time US debt topped the size of its annual economy was in 1947 just after World War II. By 1981 it had fallen to 32.5 per cent. R at ings agencies have warned the country to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio quickly or facing losing its coveted AAA debt rating. — AFP
industry forward by introducing new concepts. "We have made incredible progress, but there is still much to be done and other ways I can affect change," she continued. "Now is the perfect time for me to move outside of Facebook to build a company focused on the exciting trends underway in the media industry." — AFP
The AIDS virus is spreading like an epidemic in some Middle E ast and Nor th African countries because of homosexual encounters between men, a study warned yesterday. "This systematic review and data synthesis indicate that HIV epidemics appear to be emerging among MSM (men who have sex with men) in at least a few MENA countries," said a study published in PLoS Medicine. The study, titled "Are HIV Epidemics among Men Who Have Sex with Men Emerging in the Middle East and North Africa?", warned the levels "could already be in a concentrated state among several MSM groups". It showed the rates of HIV infection among MSM in some countries have exceeded the five per cent threshold which defines concentrated epidemics, namely in Egypt, Sudan and Tunisia. The study put the rates of HIV infection among MSM in Egypt's main cities of Cairo and Alexandria at 5.7 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively, while the rate among receptive MSM in Sudan's capital reached 9.3 per cent. Tunisia's total rate was put at 4.9 per cent, ranging between 0.8 and 6.3 per cent in three regions. "There is an urgent need to expand HIV surveillance and access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services," the study said. — AFP
BANGKOK
Thaksin demands a 'clean' Cabinet
OUSTED prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pic) has indicated he is prepared to bring in political outsiders to form a squeaky-clean Cabinet with an internationally accepted image, the Bangkok Post reports. But his efforts may be thwarted by the powerful lobbying force of Pheu Thai MPs from the Northeast who want their importance in the election victory to be rewarded with a larger quota of cabinet seats. Intense lobbying has been noted within the party all week. Thaksin has let it be known
he wants the first Yingluck Cabinet to look good. A party source said he has been trying to recruit respected figures from outside the political arena despite the pressure from party factions demanding recognition in the form of ministerial seats.
From now on, I will stick to the theory — Richard Handl, who was arrested by Swedish police after trying to split atoms in his kitchen
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
world
Stop wearing bunny suit, Idaho man told
WASHINGTON
US charges 72 in global child porn probe
U S o f f i c i a l s y e s t e r d ay announced charges against 72 people in a global child pornography probe which focused on an online bulletin board that catered to paedophiles. The investigation launched in 2009 has led to arrests in the US and 13 other countries of participants in Dreamboard, where members traded graphic images and videos of adults
molesting children age 12 and under, often violently, the Justice Department said. "Dreamboard's creators and members lived all over the world but they allegedly were united by a disturbing belief that the sexual abuse of children is proper conduct that should not be criminalised," Attorney General Eric Holder said.
The ongoing probe has led to the arrest of 52 people in the US and 13 other countries — Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Qatar, Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland. Thirteen of the 52 individuals arrested have pleaded guilty, and 20 of the 72 individuals charged "remain at
large and are known only by their online identities," a Justice Department statement said. Operation Delego "represents the largest prosecution to date in the United States of individuals who participated in an online bulletin board conceived and operated for the sole purpose of promoting child sexual abuse, disseminat-
ing child pornography and evading law enforcement," it said. "As alleged in court documents, Dreamboard was a self-described global 'community' of paedophiles dedicated to the relentless victimisation and exploitation of children 12 and under," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer. — AFP
SYDNEY
10 hours of terror Teen saved after cops remove bomb strapped to neck
DANGER AVERTED: A member of the bomb squad at the scene
AN Australian teenager who had a suspected bomb strapped around her neck for 10 hours until technical experts were able to remove it was released from hospital today, reports said. Madeleine Pulver, 18, a schoolgirl said to be a member of one of Sydney's wealthiest families, called police herself after a man wearing a balaclava entered the family home in the exclusive suburb of Mosman yesterday. It took bomb disposal
LONDON
Thailand, Philippines on likely terrorist hit list Somalia is most at risk from terrorist attack, followed by Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan and the new nation of South Sudan, according to a ranking by global analysts Maplecroft. The consultancy's latest Terrorism Risk Index also assesses threats to be rising in Yemen, Iran, Uganda, Libya, Egypt and Nigeria. A Maplecroft statement said increased dangers seen in Yemen and Uganda were caused by al Qaeda-associated violence, those in Iran stemmed from attacks by Sunni Muslim rebel group Jundollah and those in Egypt and Libya originated in terrorist and criminal attempts to exploit Arab Spring political unrest. The UK-based company's index rates 198 countries on the number, frequency and intensity of terrorism attacks, plus the likelihood of mass casualties occurring. While based on historical data, it is intended as a forward-looking assessment. The only Western European country seen at high risk was Greece, assessed at 27, down from 24, due to violent left-wing groups. The next most at risk was Britain, rated at 38, up from 46, while France was at 45,
Herald quoted him as saying. Reports said that police sought advice from British military experts, nearby properties were evacuated and streets cordoned off during the operation. Murdoch declined to say if the incident had been an extortion attempt, but said: "We haven't made any contact with who's responsible but hopefully that doesn't remain the position too much longer. We want to get our hands on who has done this. — AFP
experts 10 hours to free the girl from the "very elaborate, sophisticated" device, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) quoted Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch as saying. Two police negotiators had stayed with her throughout the "very, very difficult" ordeal, he said, but she had not been allowed to speak to her parents for operational reasons. She had done "a great job keeping her emotions in check", the Sydney Morning
TOP 20 TERRORISM RISK INDEX 1. Somalia 2. Pakistan 3.Iraq 4.Afghanistan 5. South Sudan 6. Yemen 7. Palestinian Territories 8. DR Congo 9. Central African Republic 10. Colombia 11.Algeria 12. Thailand 13. Philippines 14. Russia 15. Sudan 16. Iran 17. Burundi 18. India 19. Nigeria 20. Israel barely changed from 44. It defines terrorism as the calculated and purposeful use of violence employed to influence the attitudes and behavior of people and governments. — AFP
SAFE: Pulver called the police herself
Energy per 100g: 545Kcal Oil-based food is low in moisture, so is not hospitable to bacteria. Packages are easy to transport and have long shelf life
Energy per 100g: 380Kcal
Energy per 100g: 446Kcal
Compressed food bars: Baked wheat flour, vegetable fat, sugars, soya protein and malt extract. Eaten as bar or crumbled into water and eaten as porridge
Sources: World Food Programme, Nutriset
Police in Idaho Falls have told a man to stop wearing a bunny suit in public after people complained he has been frightening children. Residents in the northwestern city of 54,000 people also reported William Falkingham, 34, occasionally wears a tutu with the bunny suit, police said in a statement on yesterday. Police warned Falkingham after a woman said she saw him dressed in the costume, peeking at her young son from behind a tree and pointing his finger like a gun. While a police report said other residents were "greatly disturbed" by his activities, one neighbour defended Falkingham as eccentric but otherwise harmless. "He's got a strange lifestyle at home but we all do weird things at home," the neighbour, Deborah Caulson, said. — Reuters
'HIV murderer' in Canada gets life in prison
The World Food Programme is airlifting Plumpy’Sup – a peanut butterbased emergency food – to relieve the famine in Somalia. So far, six flights have delivered 74 tonnes, enough to feed 28,000 children for one month Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSFs): Peanut paste, vegetable fat, soy protein, whey, maltodextrines, sugar, cocoa, micronutrients. Eaten directly out of sachet
Fortified Blended Foods (FBFs): Cereals mixed with soya, beans, pulses, oil seeds and dried skimmed milk. Fortified with vitamins and minerals. Mixed with water and cooked like porridge
13
Energy High Energy per 100g: Biscuits (HEBs): 450Kcal Wheat biscuits containing high protein cereals, vegetable fat, corn syrup and skimmed milk powder © GRAPHIC NEWS
A Canadian man convicted of murder in 2009 for knowingly transmitting HIV to women was sentenced to life in prison yesterday and may not be eligible for parole due to the risk he could commit the same crime. Johnson Aziga, a 50-something man of Ugandan descent, was found guilty in April 2009 of two counts of premeditated murder and 10 counts of aggravated sexual assault for spreading the AIDS virus to his lovers. A life sentence in Canada often carries with it the possibility of parole after 25 years behind bars, but an Ontario court designated Aziga a "dangerous criminal," meaning a commission will decide whether parole can be granted. Aziga -- who learned of his condition in 1996 -- had unprotected sex with 11 women, none of whom were told of his HIV-positive status. — AFP
India, EU free trade talks at 'advanced' stage Negotiations on a free-trade pact between India and its biggest trading partner, the European Union, have reached an "advanced and delicate stage," a minister said yesterday. Thirteen rounds of talks have been held since India and the 27-member EU started discussing the comprehensive market-opening pact in June 2007 to boost bilateral commerce. "Negotiations are at an advanced and delicate stage," junior commerce minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told parliament. The two sides originally hoped to conclude a wide-ranging deal by 2010 that could boost boost bilateral trade to US$237 billion (RM703bil) annually by 2015 from around US$92 billion currently. — AFP
14
world
'Glee' star has no plans to slow down LEA MICHELE will soon be leaving the hit show Glee after her character graduates at the end of this season. However, the 24-year-old says she has no intention of slowing down. "I don't stop. It's my nature," Lea told Harper's Bazaar in an interview for their September issue (pic). "People have to
tell me to slow down. I plan on playing every role on Broadway. I want to do movies, make music. Glee is only the beginning." Lea said talks of her unconventional looks have plagued her since the beginning of her showbiz career. "I'm five-foot-three. I don't look like a lot of other people. I look like I'm 12," she told the mag. "How many managers told me, 'Get a nose job. You're not pretty enough'? But I proved them wrong."
'Spiderman' stars in hot hotel hookup JUST three days after promoting their movie The Amazing SpiderMan at Comic Con in San Diego, Andrew Garfield, 27, and Emma Stone, 22, (pic) cozied up in a corner banquette at a West Hollywood hotel bar recently, reports Us Weekly. The duo, who've been dating since late June, got to the bar at 10.50pm, shared drinks and snacks and had an animated conversation. So, who grabbed the bill? Garfield told the waiter, "Put it on my room," and he and Stone headed for the elevator.
Anti-kidnap training course for Kate BRITISH paper The Sun claims the Duchess of Cambridge, 29, has undergone secret special forces training to deal with potential kidnap threats. "The Palace wants to ensure Kate's new status doesn't make her vulnerable to attack," a source is quoted as saying. "She has been well trained in what to do should the unthinkable happen." During Kate's "very tough" training, she's brushed up on survival skills, such as how to react when attacked and how to forge a dialogue with a kidnapper during a hostage situation.
I have a hard time with portion control, so I have 1,200 calorie meals delivered. But I also work out, so basically I'm starving. It sucks. I drink a lot of water — Jessica Alba, US actress NEW YORK
'Playboy' heiress' husband fined The son-in-law of Playboy's f am e d fou n d e r Hu g h Hefner agreed to pay nearly US$169,000 (RM501,000) to settle charges of illegally profiting from insider trading in Playboy stock, US officials said yesterday. William Marovitz, the husband of Hefner's daughter and former Playboy chief executive Christie Hefner, carried out the illegal trades between 2004 and 2009, the US Securities and Exchange Commission alleged in a lawsuit. Marovitz made the trades despite both his wife and Playboy's lawyer warning him not to trade in the company's
INSIDER TRADING: Marovitz and Christie
shares, the SEC said. The SEC accused Marovitz of earning about US$101,000 by buying and selling stock before the release of major
news about Playboy, which is best known for its flagship magazine featuring erotic photographs of naked female models. — AFP
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
PARIS
Heat-seeking vampire bats home in on veins
Scientists have found the genetic pathway that enables vampire bats to sink their razor-edged teeth into "hot spots" likely to yield a quick and copious liquid meal, reports a study released yesterday. The protein encoded by the gene, known as TRVP1, allows the blood-thirsty beasts to detect tiny pulses of warmth emitted by a prospective victim's exposed veins, the researchers said. In most mammals, the equivalent gene acts like an alarm by triggering pain, prompting an animal to recoil
from heat above a certain threshold, often 43°C. But for vampire bats it works as a homing device, turning the night-flying mammal into a heat-seeking missile with fangs. Within a range of about 20cm, anything above 30°C shows up on its infrared radar as a potential meal. "The bat can distinguish areas of skin where a vein is closest to the surface," explained David Julius, a scientist at the University of California at San Francisco and lead researcher for the study, published in Nature. — AFP
LOS ANGELES
Oscar for Oprah
Hepburn, Peck, Newman among previous humanitarian award winners AMERICAN talk show queen Oprah Winfrey is to be honoured with an Oscars statuette later this year for her outstanding humanitarian work, Academy Awards officials said yesterday. The 57-year-old television megastar, nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar 25 years ago for her work in The Color Purple, is to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at a dinner in November, officials said. The award has been given out intermittently by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1956.
Previous recipients include Bob Hope, Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Jerry Lewis. The Academy said that since her Oscar nomination in 1986, Winfrey had become "one of the most influential figures in entertainment and philanthropy". "She has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, both in the United States and around the globe," it said in a statement.
Winfrey is one of the richest women in the United States, with Forbes magazine estimating her net worth at US$2.4 billion (RM7.1bil) last year. In May, she pulled the curtain down on her wildly popular talk show, seen by an estimated 40 million Americans each week, after 25 years on the air. Winfrey will be honoured at the Governors Awards dinner on Nov 12, along with veteran actor James Earl Jones and make-up artist Dick Smith, who will each receive Honorary Awards for their contributions to the industry. — AFP
RECOGNITION: Oprah to receive the statuette at the Governors Awards dinner in November — AFPpic
LONDON
McCartney's ex accuses 'Mirror' of hacking THE ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney claimed yesterday a journalist at Britain's Mirror Group newspapers admitted hacking into her phone, dragging another tabloid into the long-running scandal. Heather Mills (pic) told the BBC's Newsnight programme the journalist made the admission in 2001 when he confronted her
about an argument she had had with McCartney, who was then her boyfriend. Mills said the journalist rang her and "started quoting verbatim the messages from my machine". "You've obviously hacked my phone and if you do anything with this story — because they were obviously very private conversations about issues we
were having as a couple — and I said, then I'll go to the police," she challenged him. She said the journalist responded saying: "OK, OK, yeah we did hear it on your voice messages, I won't run it." Rupert Murdoch shut down his News of the World tabloid last month after it was revealed private investigators working
for the Sunday paper had hacked into the voicemail of a missing 13-year-old girl who was later found dead. Former journalists at the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror have already claimed phone hacking was widespread at their papers too, although Trinity Mirror has insisted its staff act within the law. — AFP
lifestyle 15
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 august, 2011
It’s war on terror in Toontown! After the resounding success of Octopus featuring Malik Taufiq and Will Quah end last year, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) proudly brings you another play by American playwright Steve Yockey. CARTOON premiered in 2006 with Out of Hand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and will play outside the US for the first time. Set in the ubiquitous Toontown, chaos ensues after mischievous urchin Trouble steals the oversized yellow sledgehammer that bratty, Hitler-esque Esther commands her toonizens with. Theme songs come to a
halt as paranoia and violence follow a zany goose chase, while a band of mismatched cartoon stereotypes find themselves increasingly stuck in an existential rut — will there ever be a way out? Played through a series of TV episodes, CARTOON is a farcical response to the rapid coalescence of media, politics and consumer giants – an in-your-face satire of a forthcoming totalitarian world, if you like. Directed by Kelvin Wong, CARTOON will feature a young and eclectic cast, including Grace Ng, Alexis Wong, Lorna Hoong and Jabar Laura (dancers at the
National Arts Academy, ASWARA) as well as relative newcomers Amanda Ang and Matthew Ong. Prolific indie singer-songwriter Rashdan Harith will also make a cameo appearance as the Puppet Master. CARTOON is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. New York Cityand is recommended for mature audiences only. Shows are from Aug 18 to 27 at Pentas 2. Tickets are priced at RM38 for adults and RM25 for students, the disabled and TAS Card members. For more information, visit http://klpac.org or check the production out on Facebook.
The darker side of us A Darker Shade of Red is about the secrets we keep from ourselves, the lengths we go to on a 'maybe' and that strange moment in love when violence seems perfectly reasonable. It contains six original stories, of which five are written by talented young Malaysians. This play examines the nature of the human heart through various lenses. A saloon in a post-apocalyptic Western. A cramped confessional in a dusty abbey. A future where there is life in the darkness of space. The locked confines of a man’s past. The performance styles in the six stories utilise various theatrical styles across multiple genres, from a sci-fi monologue to a full ensemble performance in a post-apocalyptic Western frontier. A Darker Shade of Red isn’t always melanchol-
ic despite its weighty subject matter. Even in the grim setting of a psychiatrist’s consultation room, a touch of dry wit punctuates the tragicomic moments that resonate all too easily with everyday life. Firmly at the helm of this production is director Marvin Wong. At 21, Marvin has consistently been involved in various productions, most notably Ten, Christmas Carol, The Illusion and A Light in KL City. A Darker Shade of Red is also the debut performance for five of the nine cast members. Being new in the scene is no barrier to the cast, who each have two roles and are tackling mature subjects that will put the acting chops of any performer to the test. Visit www.klpac.org for the latest happenings.
One magnetising night The Actors Studio and Soundscape Records present Knob It!, a showcase of the best kept secrets in Malaysia’s independent music scene. Featuring three solo acts and two bands, Knob It! will tantalise the senses of any fan of the electronic genre with pulse-pounding
beats, catchy riffs and trance-setting melodies that linger after the night is over. Be it a one-man band, a trio or more, turntables and synthesizers share the stage with acoustic guitars and trumpets in an unlikely fusion at Knob It! Carefully arranged tunes clash with improvisational, spur-of-themoment electronica that transcends lyrics and languages. Knob It! will be held on Saturday 6 at The Actors Studio@Lot 10, 8.30pm onwards. For details, visit http://www. soundscaperecords.com. Entry is by donation of RM15 and above.
x
news 16 lifestyle
Going ape over Caesar esar
By ANU VENUGOPAL anu@mmail.com.my THERE is a huge possibility that as you head back home after watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes, you will be expecting a bunch of primates on the rooftop of the mall. With the help of good visual effects and an interesting plot, director Rupert Wyatt is likely to create an impact on all fans of Planet of the Apes in this contemporary view of the classic science fiction film. Unlike the original Planet of the Apes where humanoid apes rule the planet, this film is set in present-day San Francisco. It is a reality-based cautionary tale, where science fiction and science fact blend and where man’s experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. Will Rodman (James Franco) is a scientist working within a large pharmaceutical corporation Gen-Sys, conducting genetic research to develop a benign virus that restores damaged human brain tissue. He is committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease that afflicts his father, Charles (John Lithgow). When the study is suddenly terminated, Will finds himself responsible for a newborn infant male chimpanzee — Freida Pinto and James Franco
ENDEARING TO WATCH: Caesar is played by Andy Serkis through motion capture
the offspring of his most promising test subject. That young chimp, who becomes the protagonist in the film, is named Caesar. The first
intelligent ape, he is betrayed by humans and rises up to lead his species in a race to freedom and the ultimate showdown with Man.
Much of the strength in the film lies in Caesar’s personality. His exposure to the ALZ-112 potion has rendered him intelligent as he behaves unusually for an ape of any age. His climbing skills are second to none and it is a pleasure to see him swing from the kitchen to his room in the attic effortlessly. Just like human beings, Caesar feels protective of his family, compromising of Will and Charles and later on with Caroline (Freida Pinto), his vet and Will’s girlfriend. While occasionally the CGI effects are not very convincing, Caesar (played by Andy Serkis through motion capture) shines. The human characters in the film are credible in their actions, starting with Franco (127 Hours, Eat Pray Love) who plays the part of both desperate son and selfappointed father with strong emotions. Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) looks stunning throughout the film and plays the supporting role of girlfriend and surrogate mother to
Caesar well while Lithgow (3rd Rock From The Sun) as Charles manages to carve his character as a buffer between Will, Caesar and modern research. Rise of the Planet of the Apes explores the issue of going too far to come up with solutions for humanity’s problems through scientific research. Through the eyes and efforts of Will, the question posed silently throughout the movie is, how far do you take it before you end up messing with nature? The original 1968 Planet of the Apes tells the story of an astronaut crew who crashland on a strange planet in the distant future. Although initially appearing desolate,
the surviving crew members stumble upon a society on the planet where apes have evolved into creatures with human-like intelligence and speech. The film was remade
QUESTIONING MANKIND: The reality-based cautionary tale is set in presen
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
17
Legendary boredom ANIMALS, kung fu, laugh-outloud moments, and a stupid but oh-so-cute protagonist in a 3D animation. To most, this would almost certainly make one’s mind trail off into Kung Fu Panda. Kung Fu Panda, and its sequel are paragons of how a 3D animation about animal martial artists should be like. It was a fun fest packed with action sequences, stupidly funny moments, and a visual spectacle rolled into one. Then there were the distinct characters, especially Po that proved to be heartwarming and memorable. Of course, with a protracted production period of over five years coupled with billions of dollars worth of investment, Kung Fu Panda had the kind of leverage it needed to be good — if not great. The same can’t be said for China’s own iteration of the same concept. Legend of a Rabbit is Kung Fu Panda on a smaller budget and a swifter production time frame. It’s also in Cantonese. But most prominently, it’s also exceedingly worse than its
in 2001 and received mixed reviews. * Rise of the Planet of the Apes is screening in cinemas today.
nt-day San Francisco
DECENT ANIMATION: Legend of a Rabbit was created on a tight budget
Hollywood counterpart in every single conceivable manner. The story is about as cliché as a kissing scene in a romance flick. Revolving around an obese rabbit chef named Tu, this infuriatingly annoying protagonist gets unwittingly sent on a quest by a dying martial arts master to deliver a tablet to his daughter. To aid the idiot, the Sifu somehow transfers all his
kung fu into Tu. Thus begins the rabbit’s journey into the world of martial arts. There are some parts of the plot left out, but in all honesty you don’t need to know the rest. The story is by far unimaginative, and given how easily Tu obtains his powers, it makes his development through the 90-minute story far less relatable and engaging. Although one part comedy flick, there’s hardly anything worthy of a chuckle throughout this boring episode. Certain characters that were overtly in existence solely for laughter’s sake, barely evoked the barest of laughs. There’s even a certain sequence that tries so hard to be funny but instead only succeeds in being an excellent waste of time. It was around that time when the boredom really started kicking in.
Winter came a calling WINTER'S Bone is one of those films that would just grab your attention from the word go. It immediately captures your interest and the moment it gets its grip on you, even blinking is not an option. Well, that might sound like an exaggeration, but really, the film is so unconventional in its storytelling style that you would have all your focus on every detail. It is a triumph indeed and as the story progresses, the entire experience is somewhat profound. The story and how it is told is so real, that you could imagine it taking place at your own backyard. There are parts where the scenes are so gritty and realistic, the audience just gets suck into believing the whole thing. Jennifer Lawrence plays Ree, whose home is in danger
of being confiscated by the authority after her drug-dealing father skips bail and disappears without a trail. Ree then goes on a series of manhunt on her own by confronting friends and family, who are hiding the truth from her. However, as she tracks her father, time is running out for her to keep her family together. The plot is a series of events that are linked together through over-the-top performance by Lawrence. Her portrayal as a mountain folk is utterly convincing. Based on a book by Daniel Woodrell of the same title, the movie is an absorbing piece of work that also examines social issues. Director Debra Granik did a good job in capturing each of the pivotal moments in the
book with an easy transition between scenes. Her compact and 'yer free-flowing' storytelling style has managed to even transform an ordinary article into a thriller. Moving away from the traditional and cliche way of storytelling, Winter's Bone offers quite an impressive take on realism. There are heartfelt moments, with fear and anguish that will leave you pondering for a while. However, the ultimate climax that comes at the end is the one that brings everything to a halt. Winter's Bone is a breakthrough that deserves to be commended and watched by everyone, especially one who is looking for a way out of the usual traditional style of movie-making. —
By LOONG WAI TING
The animation, in itself, is pretty decent, especially when examining the characters' minute details such as the hair/ fur. However, the rendering can’t escape its inferiority complex juxtaposed to Kung Fu Panda. The ground, in particular, seems to lack the texture and level of detail of the characters. The fight scenes, too, feel lazily depicted and lack the visceral immersion that Kung Fu Panda executes so much better. Where the Hollywood animation succeeds in making your jaw drop at the optimally fast-paced combat, China’s version just feels bad. Yes, Legend of a Rabbit was created on a tighter budget, so one can forgive certain shortcomings. However, when the comedy is next to nonexistent and the plot is just plain mediocre, you would hope the special effects and action sequences
would offer release from nearperpetual boredom. It doesn’t. Another important thing to note is that, the level of detail is the only positive aspect that can be attributed to the characters. Besides that, every single talking animal humanoid is either unmemorable or just plain irritating. Tu, for instance, is exemplary of the kind of protagonist you’d want to shove a carrot up his… never mind. From the very moment Tu was introduced, what with his moronic sing-along while he cooks all the way to his eye-rolling stupidity, he became instantaneously unlikable. Conclusion? Don’t watch this unless you’ve exhausted every other movie currently showing and cannot live without gluing your eyes to a silver screen watching animation boredom. This is not for those with good taste, period. — By JEREMY TAN
GOOD JOB: Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal as a mountain folk is utterly convincing
18 lifestyle
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
Celebs extend love to orphans
By CHE'AZ cheaz@mmail.com.my
the media partners and the children has long been on the company's agenda. "We are truly blessed to be able to organise this event tonight. We'd also like to take the opportunity to introduce our new talents who have recently joined us," said Syarizan. Zizan, who was accompanied by his wife, looked happy and comfortable entertaining the children. "This is one of those days that we all could get together. We do not have to talk about anything serious... just chit chatting and sharing some updates. I
RAMADAN is here again and the charity mode is on. The entertainment fraternity will always have something to offer and contribute to the betterment of society during the holy month. Aquila Emas Sdn Bhd, a professional artiste management agency, as well as a talent marketing and development consultancy, has decided to join hands with Federal Hotels International Kuala Lumpur and organise a buka puasa event recently with celebrated media partners and over 80 children from Rumah Titian Kaseh. The night was also attended by Aquila Emas' talents, including Zizan Nin, Tony Eusoff, Zed Zaidi, Amar Delon, Juliana Ibrahim, Adrea Abdullah, Rizal Ayub, and many more. Aquila Emas managing director Syarizan Md Isa said the idea of celebrating
FESTIVE SHARE: Guests
STAR POWER: The talents from Aquila Emas embracing the spirit of sharing —Pix: ASHRAF SHAMSUL AZLAN
Sing your heart out for 'Glee' NO RESTRICTIONS: Fans having a light moment with Tony Eusoff
truly embrace the spirit that Aquila Emas tries to share in this event and I am looking forward to more of this in
t ing for the breaking of fas
prepar
BIG SPREAD: Good traditional food was abundant during the buka puasa event
the future," said Zizan. Tony, who looked handsome in his pink baju Melayu, said he is blessed to Melayu be a part of the community and embrace the spirit of the holy month although he is not a Muslim. "I've been in this industry for quite a while, and most of the time people would mistake me for a Muslim. I totally have no problem with it. I look at it as a plus point. I get to be accepted easily. I am fortunate enough to be part of all this," said Tony. The guests that night were also entertained by interesting performances from Aquila Emas' talents. The children were given the green light to move freely across the dinner hall and approach their favourite artistes with no restrictions. "This year's Ramadan is a meaningful one to Aquila Emas. After seven years of operation, our focus is solely to be an artiste management company that also develops its talents. "Aquila Emas has also been getting the opportunity to produce several television programmes. The shooting of these new programmes will start after Hari Raya," Syarizan said.
GLEE, the multi-generational phenomenon that has created millions of Gleeks around the world, will be creating a whole new theatrical experience in our cinemas this month with the arrival of GLEE The 3D Concert Movie! To be released in all 25 major cinemas nationwide in digital 3D only, all Gleeks in town can anticipate to be blown away by this 3D movie as they experience the explosive sensation of the Glee live concert within the comfortable setting of the cinemas. In conjunction with the special preview of the movie on Aug 16, Twentieth Century Fox and YUBERACTIVE are powering the ‘‘I Want to Share My Glee” online contest from now till Aug 15, for all Gleeks and movie enthusiasts in town to
win tickets to watch the special preview and exclusive movie premiums! To participate, all one has to do is to watch the official trailers to draw some inspiration records and submits a one- to two-minute video of
him/her doing a rendition of the selected songs in the GLEE The 3D Concert Movie Soundtrack, including Don’t Stop Believing, Halo / Walking on Sunshine, and True Colours, just to name a few. Winners will be chosen based on their creativity and how entertaining their renditions are, and they will stand the chance to win special preview tickets, Glee IMac mugs, Glee Nikki pens and the movie soundtracks courtesy of Sony Music. The online contest is organised by Twentieth Century Fox, powered by YUBERACTIVE, one of Malaysia’s most action-packed online youth platforms, and supported by Sony Music. For more information, visit www.yuberactive.com or join www.facebook.com/YUBERACTIVE for instant updates and assistance.
lifestyle 19
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
A food fest like no other
REJOICE: Ramadan ushers in a myriad appetite
of local food to whet the
to make the breaking of fast a stomach-filling, appetitequenching one. What makes this monthlong buffet all the more enticing would be the local delicacies by none other than Chef Datuk Ismail. His signature dishes, each hailing from different States, like the Gulai Lemak Daging Salai Negeri Sembilan, are certified scrumptious. Well, perhaps the aforementioned dish for instance, might not satisfy the most finicky of connoisseurs in terms of spiciness and such, but for the rest of us it’ll be a definite treat. Other signature dishes offered are the Ayam Percik Kelantan and Bee Hoon Sup Utara. There’s also over 90 Utara authentic dishes, like the Ikan Bakar Pak Raja, Daging Masak Kawah, good old beef and Kawah chicken satay, and a whole barbequed lamb to yourself. Salivating yet? No? There’ll also be kampung delicacies from Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak served on
themed hawker stalls for a more homely, balik kampung vibe. And for the sweet tooth, there’ll be traditional offerings like Abok-Abok, Puteri Mandi, Putu Piring and Lompat Tikam, so now’s your cue to drool a little. The Ramadhan Buka Puasa Buffet is priced at RM89 for adults and RM45 for the little ones. If you find this a tad pricey, you can enjoy a 50 per cent discount off the normal buffet price until tomorrow, and also from Aug 26 to 29. You can also enjoy a 20 per cent discount off the normal buffet price from Aug 6 to 25. As Chef Ismail himself said as he openly cooked his Gulai Lemak Daging Salai during the preview buffet recently, “When you kacau (stir), you kacau with love,” indicating the way he cooked his meat. Well, assuming that all his food were cooked with that level of tender loving care, you probably won’t go wrong trying out this Ramadan buffet.
Ramadan buffet promotion with Dee
YUMMY: Expect a daily menu with more than 150 dishes
QUALITY HOTEL CITY CENTRE will be presenting a lavish spread of traditional Malay delights with selections of Chinese, Indian and Western dishes throughout Ramadan for its Berbuka Puasa Buffet. Daily menu with more than 150 items will be served on a rotation basis, plus bazaar set-up stalls. Among the items that will certainly tempt your palate will be Daging Salai Masak Lemak Cili Padi, Ketam Goreng Berlada, Gulai Kawah, Ikan Pari Assam Pedas, Sambal
Berempah with choice of beef, lamb and chicken; Laksa Kedah, Mee Rebus, Otak-Otak, and Yong Tau Fu. To complete the buka puasa package, the club also provides prayer facilities for Muslim patrons and ample free parking space. The buffet will be priced at RM60 per adult and RM40 per children for club members, and RM65 per adult and RM45 per children for non-members. Wait no longer! Enjoy a hearty buka puasa meal with families, friends or business associates accompanied by a five-piece ghazal ensemble at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort today.
Simply put, his Daging Salai was really, really good. But for those who appreciate a strictly less local cuisine, the Ramadan spirit extends to Corus Hotel’s other restaurants as well. The Ming Palace offers a oriental buka puasa with their self titled ‘Best Value Dim Sum and Cantonese Set Cuisine’. It’s a six-set menu catering to either 2-3, 4-7, or 8-10 persons, with each menu comprising three to four types of Dim Sum appetisers preceding a sixcourse Cantonese cuisine. And for Japanese food en-
SUDOKU
thusiats, for RM65 and RM45 for grown ups and children respectively, your family can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring over 60 Japanese dishes. There’ll be the Japanese standard fare ready for the salivating palate to savour, from sushi to sashimi to teppanyaki. So for all those fasting, head on over to Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur and treat your stomach to the buffet. For the non-Muslims, they’d probably be fighting a losing battle against gluttony amidst all that good food.
SUDOKU
Tempoyak Daun Kayu, Dim Sum, and much more. Berbuka Puasa Buffet is on daily from 7pm till 10pm at Dewan Raja Laut, priced at RM62 per adult and RM48 per child (four to 12). There are many lucky draw prizes to be won and local comedian Dee will make his nightly appearances to entertain diners with endless, witty anecdotes. For further enquiries, contact 03–2614 8023 / 8017 or email fnb@quality. com.my.
Old 'kampung' favourite THE Saddle Coffeehouse in Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort is set to cook up a storm this Ramadan and bring the delicious kampung flavours back. The menu will be rotated daily, promising more than 100 traditional Malay dishes comprising appetizers, soups, main dishes, drinks and desserts that will satisfy any palate. For the main course, try out the Daging Masak Hitam Manis, Kupang Masak Lemak, Kari Kambing India, Ayam Percik, Udang Goreng Kunyit, and many more! There are also 10 show stations along the poolside, offering Sup Mamak
CELEBRITY COOK: Chef Datuk Ismail's signature dishes are certified scrumptious —Pix: ASHRAF SHAMSUL AZLAN
HOW TO PLAY INDULGE: There will be ample dishes to satisfy any palate
Sudoku X is a simple variation of Sudoku with the only difference being the squares in white (which make up the numeral X) need to tally from 1 to 9 along with the remaining coloured squares.
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION
By JEREMY TAN lifestyle@mmail.com.my
FOR local food lovers, the majority will find this period a metaphorical daytime famine, but when the sun’s about to set, everyone can rejoice in the food galore the month of Ramadan brings. Ramadan ushers in the season of joyous dinners and a myriad of local food to whet the palate. As the season dictates, Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur now brings a delectable Ramadhan Buka Puasa Buffet
20
the malay mail
Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
ThursDay 4 August, 2011
the malay mail
21
22
PROPERTY / MOTORING / HEALTH / HOME / OTHERS
the malay mail
Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
Readers can also look out for classified ads ONLINE as early as 9.00a.m at www.mmail.com.my
M22
Houses wanted
GOOD PRICES OFFERED for land / houses and Apt in Shah Alam, PJ & KL. Quick sale. Owners TEL / SMS 019-228 6666
M130
Car for sale
ASX. MIT TRITON. PAJERO Sport, Lancer & Grandis. Trade in accepted . Call: 012-977 6961 HARUN
M130
Car for sale
PROMO RAYA. Alza, Viva, Ready stock. Discount RM2,500. Loan 100%. Instant approved. Call: FAZLI 017-336 6675
M33
M135
M321
Vehicles for hire
Fashion/health & beauty
EURO RENT (KKKP4225) New fleet of Proton cars, MPV & vans. Long/ short term rentals. Corporate/ expats. Credit card accepted. Call Fabian: 037877 1834/5, 012-238 1769. www.euro-rentacar.com.my
BLUE ROSE AROMAS 24A, Lrg Ara Kiri 2, Lucky Gdn Bangsar.Therapist local Indian g i r l s . P r i v a t e & c o s y. 1 1 a m 11pm. Ms Meera 0320945542/ 016-2056003
Fashion/health & beauty
SAUNA D’ HOME BEAUTY and Health care. Agent required. 019-735 5295 www.saunaku. com 2011 Great Promotion! TRAD MASSAGE, RM50, SS21/12, PJ. Newly open. Call: 03-7873 0971. Gina/ Rina/Apple/ Rozie.
M138
Apartments to let
M321
M392
Home repairs/maintenance
REPAIR ON THE SPOT., Air cond, fridge, water heater, & w/machine. 24hrs & 7 days operation. Call: Syed 017-388 3154
M393
Home furniture/furnishing
Financing/insurance service BRAND NEW. All models. ( Vios, Altis, Camry, Prius, Avanza, Inova, Rush, Hilux, & Hiace Van) Full & Islamic loan, Int rate at 2. ++%, Special discount + free acc . @ email: shaharudin.toyota@gmail.com KL SENTRAL. SAUSANA SENTRAL Loft. Fully furnished, high flr 1+1rm. 811sq.ft. Full facilities. RM 3650/-per month. Call owner 012-554 5396 or ktan2202@gmail.com
M35
Properties for sale AUSTRALIAN properties in Tasmania. Fantastic selection of reasonably priced homes in Tasmania, which has the cleanest air in the world. Also have large bakery for anyone interested in emigrating to Australia. Contact Freddie Forstner +61409886698. E-mail magyar@trump.net.au
DANAU MURNI CONDO, Tmn Desa, Klang Lama 720SQFT 3R+2B. Guarded With Swimming Pool. RM220K (neg). 017 208 2422/ 010 363 4984 (E)(3)1209
In Semua House â “ going lock stock barrel Selling apparels, cushion covers and decoration item. Ground floor shop nicely set up and decorated. Sale RM80k or nearest offer. Contact 019-281 6216/ 012-234 8151
M130
Car for sale
RAYA PROMO. ‘0’ d/p.for Grad scheme & Gov staff. Islamic loan.High trade in. Free Smart tag,TN Go, Steering Lock&Tinted Voucher.Discount ,depend models. Nazim 012548 1686. Pls visit: www. wanrosnah.com/protonpj.htm
CUSTOMIZE HAIRPIECE / Toupee / Wig - RM1,700 only. More info : www. hairsetup.com Call: 0193118916 , 03- 9274 7857 CAR LOAN Refinancing,Buy Used car / New car Blacklisted name are qualified to apply. Aerowatts Auto S/B(678070-M) Tel:03-6185 8982 012-308 3528,019-314 3601
GOOD NEWS !!! Great promotion. Immediate stock , Fast approval. High trade in. Low d/ payment. Free body kit & sport rim for Forte. All new Sorento ready stock. Sportage, Citra RS, Rondo, Picanto, Pregio. Call: 03-4256 5556 Ampang
ALL CARS MPV & Luxury car for hire. Suitable for VIP & weeding ceremony. Pawn (pajak) accepted. 017932 4646/ 013-671 6565
Home electrical appliances
Fashion/health & beauty VOLVO S80 2.0 L Automatic Silver colour. Lady owner, tip top condition. Accident free. Very low millage, four new michilin tyres. New lather seat. Sell by owner. RM38,800. Pls call Raymond 012-336 6819
GOLDEN MERMAID. Out call Relaxation massage by Male & Female masseurs. Call: 012-907 5995 / 03-2021 7637
HYUNDAI PROMOTION !!! Sonata/ Tucson/ Santa Fe/ Starex/ i30/ Accent/ i10. Special discount! Super high trade in (any car). Low d/p & interest. Easy loan approval. Mystery gifts. Beautiful plate no. Fast delivery. Excellent customer service. Head office: 012-381 0737
MITSUBISHI ALL new models. Fast loan & fast delivery, (Call to believed), Grandis, Pajero, Lancer, ASX, Sport back. Good trade in, Attractive promotion, good deal in town. All models stock available. 24 hrs in call. Oscar Tan 012-388 5897
0 AARON MASSAGE Services (1606620-V) by Female. Outcall only. Private & cosy. +6012-393 0136
INDIAN AROMA TRADITIONAL Massage by local Indian girl. Relaxing for male & Female. 1pm -11pm. Appointment Revathy. Out call; 016-6468 493 (NEW) HICOM, High discount, high trade in, cheapest in town. Call: 016248 8363 / 012-676 3609.
A FULL GLAMOUR Massage (001711965-V) by female. 234,Tmn Maluri, 55100 KL. Call: Stella 017-2555 844
NISSAN ALL NEW Models Promotion. Full loan. Debit cash RM3k - 10K. 100% ready stock with impuls earo kit. Leader seats, tinted. Guarantee 1 week delivery. High trade in. 24 hrs approval. Door to door service. Call: Junson 016-6666 132
LOCAL INDIAN girls massage. P & C. Shalini 016-224 2495 Sharon 011-162 61730
YANTRA WORLD brng excelnt 3 days Weight GAIN (+20kg ) Program now at RM789, Can pay by instlmnt. Original Price RM3899. Fast, Easy & Herbal.$ bec guarntd. Call Rubini 010261 7817, 012-630 1672
A/C, ASTRO, Install/remove &repair, TV, TV8, wiring, tel, w/ heater, plumbing, w/ machine, fridge.Call: 017-345 6618 Ah Seng
(NEW) INOKOM & HINO Special promotion, free body. Call:0123211 453/ 012-3225334
AA MASSAGE: By young female. Rest and relax. Just call: 017-296 3930/ 017-296 3068
KITCHEN APPLIANCES Shop. Raya sale up to 50%!!! For HOOD + HOB (3 burners)= RM1988 + FOC Microwave Oven, Limited Unit Only! 016-718 9901 (Diana)
NAMASTE!!! Need a relaxing massage ? Interested just call : SIMI 014-6311 228 (Indoor only) K.Lumpur
A DAILY, WEEKLY, MTLY. RM50-RM300. All types of cars. MPV, Van & 4 x 4. Call: ARI 016683 2111 / BEN 016-901 2276
ALL MODELS CAR Van & MPV, Toyota Alphard, Wish, BMW, Naza Ria, Kia Spectra, Vios, Waja & Perdana V6 etc. Reasonable price. Free delivery. Tel: 019-599 9973 / 012-2532 566 Roadster Travel (KPL/LN 3540)
AAAAA QUEENS SPA Male and female masseurs, out call service available. Private & Cosy. Call: 03-9057 1336/ 016-646 9891 www.klqueensland.com AROMA ASIAN Massage. For outdoor only. With Promotion price. Interested please Call Julie: 016-293 1051
AROMA MASSAGE RM39 at Serdang, Judy, Alice, Jenny, Ari, Mira,Jean. 012-678 0220/ 012-3281 449 Batavia /Darlina Beauty House.
OUTCALL TRADITIONAL MASSAGE, pre / post natal,body Scrub for men / women by experienced masseur. Call: Mira 013-336 3160 OUTDOOR.GENUINE 4 BETTER. Traditional / Aroma / Holistic massage. Pre-Postnatal Pkg. www. malayprepostnatal.webs.com. 012-907 3796 KAK SITI, Klang.
PRESENT THIS Ad to ENJOY FACIAL promotion RM 68 / nrm RM 368 or a FREE eye care treatment. Call 038063 8153. No. 53-G Jalan Puteri 1/4, Bandar Puteri. Make your dream come true.
WELLTAX GLASS & aluminium works. Windows & grilles direct from factory! - sliding casement - main gate - repair door - all aluminium works. Inquiry call Mr. Ling (M) 019227 0528 (M) 019-202 8855 (T) 03-8962 2189 (F) 03-8962 3189
M303
Computer SPECIALIST IN notebook / pc repairs. Best price & services. On-site repairs & free troubleshooting. Call 016-380 1984 Teh
M430
KEMENTERIAN KEWANGAN MOF Registration, Bumi status. Call: 03-40434000 / 019-3840000. www. Ready Companies.com
Photography MORE THEN 15 Millions latest Malaysian emails for your promotions products - business. (Mixed: 11,32,161 million, Yahoo: 142,611, TMnet: 129,204, Hotmail: 80,038, Gmail: 15,931, Streamyx: 7,650). Free “Emails collector system” RM250 (Nego) Call: 013-278 8841 Aida
M300
Education MQA APPROVED DIP.in accountancy (ACCT) & Mgt (FT / PT) RM 400 p/m - PTPTN & EPF claimable. Call: 0360925254 / www.asa.edu. my / SMS: 012- 656 1160.
PAINTING,PLUMBING, tiles installer, toilet blockage, roof Leaking,carpentry works, masonry, Water proofing,Plaster ceiling, electrical wiring works. Water heater & A/ condition installer. Low price offer. En Hadi 016-2522 388
UNLEASH THE MUSIC INSIDE YOU. Classes for-guitars, drums, saxophones, keyboards, Piano, violin.Call 03- 7873 6388.
M414
M390
CENTURY ROLLER SHUTTER specialist. Installation, service & repairing all kind of door roller shutter. Call Lee 012-649 9238
PROVEN & TESTED: Over 9,215 people won 4D in a week! Last 2 days for those who want to take the 1 hour 4D Training Prediction Course, to win this week coaching by the Professional Author and Physics Maths Expert at our Training Center at Pusat Kajian Fizik Sains, Sunway. Call: 019329 4728 Mr. Yap or 012-239 2775 Mr. Goh to book now. Get this new 4D Formula book title: Rahsia Menang Lottery 4D Akhirnya Terbongkar. Click to see www.SureKena.com
ADULT STEM Cells, the miraculous answer to wellness, longevity and financial freedom. Call: 012-298 6207
Home services/renovations
Lose Body Fats Win Cash! Interested sms 012-9955811with Name / Weight / Height. Register at www.mwscentre.com
Education
Business opportunities
VIDEO to DVD Conversion. Video filming & Photography Svs. 03-4041 6850 / 6277 4991 / HP 012-235 5190. w w w. s h e e l v i s i o n . c o m
M135
NISSAN all models, MERDEKA RAYA PROMO, Brokers welcome, the cheapers deal, Livina, Teanna, Sylphy, Immediate stock, Nationwide delivery, Fast loan approval, Free aerokit. RM28 per day monthly installment, Call: 019 2055679 Hafiz 012 665 3746 Khoo
TRADITIONAL MASSAGE Newly Opened in Damansara .Call Sandra,Nancy, or Fifi, Cindy.Tel: 012-258 1334 ( Just Relax Massage Centre ) YANTRA SLIMMING World brgs excelnt 3 days weight loss (-10kg) Program now at lowest price @ RM799 Can pay by instmnt. Original price RM3889. Fast & Easy, Herbal & Natural. No side effects. $ bec guarantee. Call Rubini 0102617817,0126301672.
M133
Commercial vehicles for sale
SPECIALIST IN REPAIR cushion sofa, curtains, car seat & new sofa, in Jalan Kuchai Lama. Tel: 012313 0778 / 03- 7981 1898
M394
M321
Vehicles for hire
‘0’ DEPOSIT ALL PROTON Models, no license can buy, Less doc can help. 100% loan for gov. & private staff, int from 3.0%, loan fast approval, high trade in. Meet at your place. Free smart tag, touch n go, full fuel, steering lock, tinted. Open everyday.Mr Lim 012-214 0207
FREE 1 HOUR Massage for every 2 hrs booking. By certified massage therapies. For female/ couples. Call: 019-254 0114 Mike
TRADITIONAL MASSAGE in Cheras & Balakong. Call Sonia,Hanisha, Julia, Mira & Rosa. 0123676 780. 012-258 1334
M300
MQA/ JPA recognised MBA programme.Credit transfer and exemptions acceptable.P/T weekends.EPF withdrawable. Shree 0126561160
OWN A COMPUTER, put it to work, Part/ full time income RM1000 - RM8000 . Training provided. SMS 012-4444 033
M434
Business Services MUSLIM COMPANY Secretary New & Shelf Co. ROC, MOF Bumi Kem. Kewangan Call: 03-40410000 / 0162860000
WE HAVE more than 1 Million Malaysia Updated Email & Phone List to Boost Up Your Business.10,000 Email List for RM200 & 1,000 Phone List for RM200. This Month Promotion: Free Email Blasting Marketing Software + Training. Call Mr Goh :012-2392775 or Mr Yap :012-2168427
OTHERS / JOBS / LEGAL / NOTICES
Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011 M110
M372
Tour & travel
AFFORDABLE RENTAL Rates for cars, Van & we do Inbound Tours as your convenience Call: 03-5882 9445 / 0126799987 / 013- 384 1299
Articles wanted
TOMAZSHOES! Leather Shoes! RM69 - RM89! High Quality and Comfortable! Come to USJ9 Mall, Puchong 017-707 8383
M515
M515
Jobs
Jobs
OFFICE BOY. Requirements. Must have driving license. Independent, can finished job under minimum supervision. Responsibility and efficiency. Enjoy 14 days annual leave & medical claim benefits. Malaysia Basketball Association Wisma Maba, 12 Floor, No.6, Jalan Hang Jebat, 50150 Kuala Lumpur. Please email resume to simzero23@yahoo.com. For enquiry, please contact Mr.Sim Leong Kun 016-26 32155
M372 M398
Articles wanted
Services ACCOUNTS, AUDIT ,TAX, Secretarial, MOF & Register co..Door steps service. Lembah Klang.03-5511 5922 / 03-4107 8457 Sainy. Visit www.mhmfirm.com BUY / SELL / PAWN Note book, hand phone new/ old 70% digital camera.0342517755 / 012-3388688 Peter. 208 Plaza Ampang City, KL BUY NEW TONER or ink cartridge. HP, Samsung, Canon, Fuji Xerox, Brother, Oki, Lexmark. Call: 017-674 6308 INTERIOR & ARCHITECTURAL Design Consultancy Tel: (603) 3325 9166 Fax: (603) 3325 9366 Hp: (6012) 321 2096 www.lazern.com
We want to buy huge volume used medical X-ray films. Pay top price @ USD$1500 or more per MT without paper. If available, please email xraymalaysia@hotmail.com for more discussions. Thanks
M280
Friendship ARE YOU Single/unattached.. ready to commit? Seeking the right one can be tough! Let Cupid’s help..03-2142 1118/ 6118/ 016-650 1118 w w w. c u p i d s t o u c h . c o m . m y
OPEN MINDED GUY IN town looking for friendship. Into movies and yoga, Looking for female companionship. Mike : 010-279 9787
ONLINE EDUCATION BUSINESS. We are looking for business partners to expand our market share. The only e-learning portal endorsed by the Ministry of Education. Huge market potential (Std 1 to Form 5). Pioneer & leader in e-learning. Low start-up capital. High income return. SMS your particulars <NAME> SPACE <AGE> SPACE <OCCUPATION> SPACE <AREA> to 012-3776739
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
the malay mail M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
23
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
RECOVERY OFFICERS Supervisors/ Managers/ Clerical needed. Attractive basic salary, commission and performance bonus provided. Loc: near the Pudu LRT station. (walking distance) Call: 03-9195 5551 @ 5552 or E-mail gtr@galatrack.com Retiree with 42 years’ experience as a Secretary seeks full-time employment in KL. Interested parties, please email to suitching.liew@yahoo.com SALES CO-ORDINATOR. A 25 years well established Co with proven track records & ISO recognition at Bandar Puchong Jaya required min SPM/higher. Working exp in clerical liaise with customer & service dept. Computer literate Chinese dialect preferably Offer Basic+Bonus+Medical Ins+Alt Saturday Off. Contact WAI KING 0358826882/0122329801 or send resume to wkg@corida. com.my /fax 0358826881 SALES EXECUTIVE. Age 18 & above. Basic salary RM 800 + commission + bonus with/ without experience. Professional training provided. Own transport preferable. Vacancies are available at these locations: - Kelana Jaya, Shah Alam, Tmn Segar & Low Yat Plaza. Contact Cik Eyra (T) 2142 9405 (HP) 019-221 1559
M515
Jobs CAR PARK CASHIER , full time, with OT claim & allowance, any ages, experience, training provided, computer literate. Retirees & School leavers encourage. Ms Abby 03-7983 8802 Centre Associates Wanted. Mail Boxes Etc. Damansara Heights. Please email your resume to mbe_damansara@ mbe.com.my or call 03-20939020 for interview. For more info about us, visit www.mbe.com.my CLIENT SERVICING COLLECTION Exec wt 1yr experience (Bt 11 Cheras) Basic + attractive comm. Call Ms.Chin: 03-2333 9228 / 016-271 9996 CREDIT RECOVERY OFFICERS wanted at Klana Jaya. School leavers or fresh graduate or retires encourage to apply. Interested call: 016-207 0228 Lee, 012-296 0625 John
REAL ESTATE in Kota Damansara requires Negotiator. With / without experience. Male/Female. Any race. Contact 03-6142 7823 / 012-366 2000 or send your resume and application to edwin@i-smarte.com
REAL ESTATE Negotiators successful Real Estate Negotiator earns high income and an exciting Career! You could be one of them if you meet the following requirements:- 1) Minimum SPM qualification. 2) Ages 24 to 30. 4) Friendly personality with good spoken English. 5) Friendly personality with good spoken English. 5) Minimum 2 years working experience. 6) Have own transport. Successful candidates will have a minimum allowances of RM1200 plus attractive commission call Ms. Chin @ 03-2093 7777 for pre-selection or interview
SECURITY OPERATIONS Executive with experience needed at high rise building Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur for night shift. Salary RM 2200.00. Contact Chandran. 012-376 0640,032282 7055 & 2282 7044 STORE CLERK WANTED for furniture company in Ampang. Male preferred. Call for interview 03-7955 4188 / 012-658 8211 STORE LABOURERS urgently required by a Shah Alam company.Age below 30 years old. 5 days week work. Salary below RM800.00 + Allowance.Contact 03-51911069 (NJ/Badrul) TEACHERS / NURSES Required For Sales Job, Excellent Spoken English, Willing to work on weekends/ Public Holidays, Earn 3k7k Monthly, Retireeâ ™s Can also apply Interested candidates please Send Cv to saim_au@yahoo.com”
DENTAL NURSE In Kuala Lumpur. Age 20 - 35 yrs. with/ without experience. SPM & above. Contact 03-2698 9530
M370
Articles for sale
ANTIQUE PREUSED items for sales at 1-059 First Floor, Millennium Square, Jln 14/1 Petaling Jaya. 037956 7753/ 017-287 3789
DRIVERS FOR SCHOOL bus needed urgently. Based in KL (Retires welcomed) Call: 034044 8081 / 012-234 8081 FEMALE GUARDS with Min SRP/ PMR qualification, who can speak Malay and English, age between 20 - 55 years required immediately at Electronics Company Located at Senawang Industrial Area, Seremban. Salary RM900.00 for 26 days (9 hrs) job/ SOCSO & EPF. Please contact Mr Suresh at 012-259 1815 or 06-761 4673/ 06-761 6673
03-7495 1273
GENERAL CLERK Male/ Female. W/without experience. 5 days working. Batu 11 Jalan Cheras. Call:039076 4670/ 012-6516 773 GENERAL CLERK required urgently by trading company in Kepong. Female preferred. Call 03-62520150 or email to hr@mexxen.com.my MAMYPOKO/ HUGGIES/ MAMAN, Korea/ USA/ Europe. Direct from factory! Packing 80 pcs. From RM28 SMS: 019-775 1999 Ms Lim
LEGAL FIRM in Damansara Utama requires chambering student / clerks. Contact 03-7726 9760
017-7078383
03-7495 1273
24
LEGAL / NOTICES
the malay mail
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011 M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
M580
Notices/legal/proclaim
03-7495 1273
The Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) have selected 21 exponents for the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia from Nov 11 to 25 — Bernama
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
BANGSAR: DUATHLON SHAHROM
M U LT I - S P O RT a t h l e t e Shahrom Abdullah hopes to emulate his 2004 performance in the Powerman World Championship in Zolfingen in Switzerland on Sept 4. That year, he reached the finish line in 14th position out of 50 contestants after
PENANG: ATHLETICS
TOGETHER AGAIN: Yuvaaraaj is looking forward to pick up where he left off with Thambu Krishnan
25
Shahrom looks to repeat history By KAMARUZAMAN AHMAD kamaruzaman@mmail.com.my
five-months of training-cumcompeting in Europe. It was his best achievement. However, this time he will only leave for Europe on Aug 13 to acclimatise himself and compete in the Powerman
Weyer in Austria on Aug 21. "I hope to repeat my 2004 performance. I am a regular entry in the World Championship, and familiar with the routes." Shahrom suffered a slight
back injury after falling while competing in a Kuala Lumpur cycling race in March. Since then, he has made tremendous recovery and underlined it with a podium finish at the Bali International in June. "I am lucky to have made a quick recovery and was
delighted to finish first in the 30-34 age group and top 10 overall." He is looking forward to the World Championship as he has been competing in it since 2003. He gave it a miss last year. He will return to Malaysia on Sept 9.
KELANA JAYA: FOOTBALL
Yuvaraaj welcomes reunion with coach NATIONAL 400m runner P. Yuvaraaj is glad to be back under the guidance of former coach S. Thambu Krishnan in Penang. The 22-year-old was forced to split from Thambu Krishnan when he was required to undergo a training stint in Jamaica last year. Since returning in October, Yuvaaraaj was placed under K. Jayabalan at the National Sports Council track. The athlete returned to Penang last month to continue his studies in Information Te c h n o l o g y (IT) at Polyte chnic Seberang Prai.
sports
By VIJHAY VICK vijhayvick@mmail.com.my
"It's really good to train with him again. I'm used to his methods and know what he expects," said Yuvaraaj. The Kedah lad has not had the best of times thus far in 2011 but hopes that being back in familiar surroundings can help him improve. The Malaysian GP in April was his best outing. He clocked 47.37s. Recently, he clocked 48.10s at the Malaysia Closed Championship last month and 48.15s at the Asian Track & Field in Kobe, also last month. "It was disappointing. I should be improving on my personal best. Maybe it was because I was busy completing my IT practical," he added. The athlete also attributes missing the Taiwan Open, Thailand Open and Singapore Open to studies. Yuvaraaj's personal best of 47.31s was recorded at t he Kedah Open last year. He is hoping to have a good outing at the upcoming World University Games in China. "I want to run below 47.0s," insisted Yuvaraaj. He also hopes to gain qualification for the Indonesia Sea Games in November. The qualification mark for t he 400m has been set at 47.33s
Starting over
Malaysia focused on Asia Cup despite hiccups IT is back to the drawing board for national coach Datuk K. Rajagobal. As many continue to question the wisdom of the former international, Rajagobal is in the midst of formulating a working remedy ahead of his ultimate goal — the 2015 Asia Cup. The national team were booted out from the pre-World Cup tournament after losing to Singapore 6-4 in aggregate and now suffer a minor hiccup as their plan to play Oman on Aug 10 has been called off. "Oman decided to call off the match and it's quite difficult for us to find a replacement. We may not have qualified (preWorld Cup) but our programme remains unchanged," said Rajagobal. Instead, the team will now play a friendly match against Selangor at the Shah Alam Stadium on Aug 6 (kick-off 10pm). "We need to move forward. Since Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have made it to the next round, I'm hoping they will be interested to play some friendly matches against us. It will be a win-win situation for both parties." Meanwhile, the FA of Malaysia (FAM)
By HARESH DEOL haresh@mmail.com.my
have denied any conspiracy against Perak after five of its players were slapped with a seven-match ban and RM4,000 fine each. The players — Azmeer Yusof, Syazwan Roslan, Shahr ulnizam Mustafa, Akmal Rizal Rakhli and Nasril Nourdin — had apparently disputed referee Mohd Sabri Mat Lazim's decision of awarding a free-kick in the dying minutes of the match against Sabah at the TLDM Stadium in Lumut on May 19. The players have since appealed to FAM. FAM, however, stressed "all actions taken are based on the rules and regulations" and that "no party can make any decision without adhering to the stipulated rules". "The secretariat is in the process of summarising the appeal before handing it to the appeals committee for further action," the statement added.
LOOKING AHEAD: Rajagobal wants to put the past behind and concentrate fully on conquering the continent in 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: HOCKEY
Visa woes for duo
NATIONAL hockey players Shukri Mutalib and Faisal Saari are scheduled to return today as the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) decided against securing sports visas for them to play in the ongoing Australian Hockey League (AHL). The duo, who were supposed to play for Adelaidebased Southern Hotshots, were queried by Immigration officers in Australia for entering the country on July 29 with a tourist visa. A quick check with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship reveals a sports visa is "designed for sports people
to improve the quality of sports in Australia through participation in high-level competition and training with Australian residents". The sports visa allows one to "stay and work or undertake activities in the nominated position in Australia with a maximum stay of two years". Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) general manager Maninderjit Singh clarified there was no need for the players to secure a work permit and saw it time consuming for them to apply for a sports visa. The AHL finals week is from Aug 6-13 in Sydney.
"It takes about two weeks to get a sports visa and by then the league will be over. It's best for them to return and join the national team for the Japan test matches which start on Sunday," said Maninderjit. Maninderjit added the tickets and visas were the responsibility of the Australian club. "But it's baffling as our players had no issues when they played in the league in May. Perhaps the immigration officers there were suspicious as the players returned to Australia this time around." National Sports Council (NSC) hockey liaison officer
Nurazlan Shah Adam clarified they were only tasked with providing the daily allowances of US$35 (RM104) per day for each of the players. "We paid them for their earlier stint which was about 31 days. We will now hold payment with this latest turn of events," Nurazlan added. Japan will play four test matches against the national team while the other match will be played against the Project 2013 squad. The test matches will be a good avenue for national coach Tai Beng Hai to gauge his players as the team gear up for the Asian Champions Trophy in China next month.
26
sports
It took me five years to break into the top 20 but I'm really happy I never gave up — China's woman tennis player Peng Shuai
Rory's ready
AKRON: GOLF
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR: GOLF We're in: Gulbis (left) and Creamer
McIlroy makes U-turn and considers rejoining PGA Tour US OPEN champion Rory McIlroy is considering rejoin the PGA Tour, just nine months after opting not to take up his card for the 2011 season on the US circuit. Homesickness had been the main reason for his decision to focus on the European Tour at the end of last year but he has since changed his mind, mainly due to the poor weather at last month's British Open. "I spoke to a couple of the guys from the PGA Tour today about it, and I'm leaning towards taking my card up again definitely," world No 5 McIlroy said on the eve of this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. "I feel as if I play my best golf over here. I'm very comfortable in this country. I'm going to look at a few houses down in Florida after the PGA (Championship)." Asked what had prompted him to reverse his PGA Tour decision, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman replied with a smile: "Probably the (British) Open ... the weather." After widespread laughter had died down in the interview room, McIlroy added: "I just thought about it. I feel as if my game really suits playing courses over here. "I love Quail Hollow, Memorial, Akron. "You play the Match Play, Honda, Doral, Masters. You have your favourite events, and most of my favourite events seem to be on this side
EYE ON THE PRIZE: McIlroy hits his second shot on the first hole during a practice round — AFP
of the pond. "And my game suits it over here. I'd like to give it a go again and obviously last more than one year and really see how it goes." McIlroy, who won his first Major title by a staggering eight shots at the US Open in June, clinched his maiden PGA Tour title in his rookie season last year at the Quail Hollow Championship. However he ended his 2010 campaign by deciding he no longer wanted to play the mandatory number of tournaments required to retain his tour card in the US. "Sometimes you feel as though you have to be in America just to play the mandatory 15 and, at the start of this year, that was something I really wanted to do," McIlroy said. "I did that, but I also realised it wasn't for me but then it doesn't mean to say that I don't want to play full time in the States again." Helped by his astonishing performance during the US Open at Congressional, McIlroy has become one of the biggest drawcards on the PGA Tour and is widely regarded as a future world No 1. While flattered to be showered in praise by his peers, McIlroy accepts he has a long way to go with regard to tournament wins before he can be mentioned in the same bracket as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. — Reuters
MADRID: MOTORSPORT/ FORMULA 1
Hamilton keeps Ferrari door open
MCLAREN'S Lewis Hamilton refused to rule out a future move to Ferrari, saying in an interview published yesterday that he had no plans to join the team "but you never know what could happen in the future". Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has said the team could look to sign the 26-year-old Briton, who won the world title in 2008, despite already having Spain's Fernando Alonso locked into a long-term deal. Hamilton and Alonso had a troubled relationship at McLaren in 2007, with the
pair bickering openly over who was the British team's number one driver. Asked by Spanish sports daily AS if he would like to drive for Ferrari one day, Hamilton said: "At the moment I don't have any plans to do so, it is not something I desire or feel that I have to do. "But we are talking about a fantastic team and you never know what could happen in the future," he added. Hamilton said said he had learned how to become a better driver during his time with double world champion
Alonso at McLaren. "Alonso is a very, very fast pilot, incredibly fast, with extraordinary talent and incredible speed. You know that he will always give his best," he said. "I learned a lot with him as a pilot, I improved my driving thanks to having him as a companion." Alonso is signed until the end of 2016 while teammate Felipe Massa's deal runs until the end of 2012. Hamilton has spent his entire career with McLaren after being signed to its development programme as a teenager. — AFP
HAMILTON: No plans to leave McLaren — AFPpic
Creamer, Gulbis confirm participation TOP American women golfers Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis have confirmed their participation in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011. To be held from Oct 13-16 at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC), the American stars will compete alongside a star-studded line-up for the US$1.9 million (RM5.6m) prize purse. Creamer, who turned professional in 2005 at the age of 18, is currently No 9 in the world and No 2 in the US. She has an impressive nine LPGA victories to her name. Creamer, 25, did not compete during last year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia after a thumb injury forced her to withdraw from the tourna-
ment. This later led her to take a five-month layoff from the game. Fellow American, Gulbis, will be hoping to better her success in last year’s event where she finished joint 12th. Datuk Wahab Maskan, chief operating officer of Sime Darby Berhad and managing director of Sime Darby Property said: "We are delighted that Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis have confirmed their participation in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 which we hope will once again showcase the battle of the world’s top ladies golfers on our very own turf at KLGCC and we look forward to hosting another fantastic tournament in October."
NEW YORK: TENNIS
Federer at peace with age and ranking ROGER FEDERER is relaxed about turning 30 on Tuesday, having slid to third in the world rankings and the chance that this will be the first year since 2002 in which he does not win a Grand Slam title. The 16-time Grand Slam singles champion told reporters on a teleconference this morning that he still has the competitive fire to challenge Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for tennis supremacy. "The fire has always been there clearly," Federer said. "I've always enjoyed my matches with both guys, particularly the rivalry with Rafa has been very special. I have massive fire and power to play
against those guys." Federer has accepted the fact that Nadal and Djokovic, together the winners of the past six Grand Slam singles titles, have passed him in the rankings. "I'm at peace with myself because of it. There's nothing else I can do," Federer said. "No 3 is a good ranking. It's not a number I don't know. I'm at peace with that." Federer, whose most recent Grand Slam crown came in last year's Australian Open, lost to Nadal in June's French Open final after dispatching Djokovic in a semifinal, snapping the Serbian star's 41-match unbeaten start to the season. — AFP
thursday 4 august, 2011
the malay mail
27
28
sports
I want to carry on playing football for as long as possible -- AC Milan's Alessandro Nesta
MALMO: FOOTBALL
Rangers blown away
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
MADRID: FOOTBALL/ PRIMERA LIGA
Gago good for Inter
Nine-man Scottish champs crash out of Champions League
NINE man Rangers crashed out of the Champions League at the first hurdle following a fiery 1-1 draw away to Malmo which also saw the home side end with 10 players this morning. The Ibrox side, trailing 1-0 from the first-leg, were reduced to ten men in the 18th minute when Steven Whittaker saw red for an off-the-ball incident. However, the 10 men levelled the game on aggregate in the 24th minute through Nikica Jelavic's superb volley. Madjid B ougherra was ordered off in the 66th minute for elbowing Dardan Rexhepi in the head before Malmo's Ricardinho joined him for an early bath for a second bookable offence. Rangers, with only one win in their past 22 European matches, were only 10 minutes away from extra time when Jiloan Hamad got a vital equaliser with a 20 yard volley to put the Swedes into the next round. Ally McCoist's side will now join rivals Celtic in the final qualifying round for the Europa League group stages. The Rangers manager felt his side had been the masters of their own demise. "Obviously the result is a blow because we are out the competition but I thought for the majority of the game when we were down to ten and nine men the fact we keep ourselves in it was very pleasing," said McCoist, who stepped up from assistant manager to manager this season after the retirement of Walter Smith. "But I don't think there is any doubt about it that indis-
OUT YOU GO: Referee Vladislav Bezborodov shows a red card to Steven Whittaker (second from right) — AFPpic
cipline probably cost us the tie, certainly tonight." Despite receiving clearance to play from Uefa a hamstring injury ruled out Rangers' new signing Dorin Goian and it was Sasa Papac that partnered Bougherra in the centre of defence while Ricardinho returned for the home side. A moment of madness saw Rangers reduced to 10-men when Whittaker was shown a
straight red. The Scotland international, whose mistake led to Malmo's goal at Ibrox last week, reacted angrily to a challenge from Jimmy Durmaz and threw the ball off the Malmo player's back earning his marching orders from referee. However, the set back seemed to spur Rangers into action and Jelavic levelled on aggregate. Maurice Edu swung a ball to
the back post from the right wing and the Croatian met the ball sweetly to send a volley across Dusan Melicharek and into the far corner of the net. The first-half ended on a nasty note when Lee McCulloch picked up a booking for a nasty tackle on Durmaz, who kicked out at the Rangers midfielder from the ground but escaped any punishment much to the anger of the Scottish side's
management team. Malmo began to pile the pressure on after the break as they tried to take advantage of their extra man as Rangers started to lose their discipline. Steven Naismith picked up a yellow for a trip on Durmaz before the Scottish champions' task became even tougher as they lost another player to a moment of stupidity. Algerian defender Bougherra was shown a straight red when he appeared to elbow Rexhepi on the back of the head when the two players went up for a high ball. There was more red card drama seven minutes later when Malmo's Ricardinho, who was booked in the first half, received a second yellow for a challenge on Jelavic. Jelavic then missed a golden chance when he sliced his shot wide with the goal gaping after being played clean through by Naismith. McGregor made a great save from Pontus Jansson's header but he could do nothing to stop Hamad scoring the equaliser in the 80th minute. Daniel Larsson chested the ball into the Swedish international's path and he took a touch before lashing a halfvolley into the top right-hand corner. Naismith volleyed over with almost the last kick of the ball as Rangers' misery was completed. — AFP
GAGO
FERNANDO GAGO'S agent believes the Real Madrid midfielder would be a good signing for Inter Milan. The 25-year-old midfielder is no longer part of coach Jose Mourinho's plans at the Bernabeu and is looking for a way out. Gago was linked with a move back to Boca Juniors, but the transfer market in Argentina will close on Friday, leaving him with little time to complete a return to South America before the deadline. But Picotti feels something could still happen in Europe. "Gago is a top player and I think he could do well at Inter," Picotti is quoted as saying by Tuttomercatoweb. com. "It would be like home for him seeing that there are many Argentines there. "We have to see what happens with Inter, but we are talking about a club at the top of the list. "Gago would like to play there." The Argentina international moved to the Bernabeu in 2006 for £17.8 million (€20.4m), but despite enjoying a promising start to life at the club, a string of injuries over the past two seasons have restricted him to a peripheral role. — Agencies
TOKYO: FOOTBALL
Japan flower power earns World Cup bonus hikes JAPAN'S all-conquering women's football team will receive cash bonuses of 6.5 million yen (RM250,000) per player for their astonishing World Cup victory last month, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said yesterday. The JFA raised the bonus by five million yen after they defied odds to win the tour-
nament in Germany, beating the hosts before knocking out Sweden and overcoming the mighty United States on penalties in a nail-biting Frankfurt final. "We think the figure is commensurate," said JFA vice president Kozo Tashima, adding that coach Norio Sakai had been given an added 4 million yen bonus.
Japan's "Nadashiko", named after a frilly pink carnation symbolising grace and stoicism, are also to receive the rare People's Honour Award. The government said this week Sasaki's players would become the first team to win the prestigious award for giving Japan a ray of hope after the deadly tsunami in March. — Reuters
PRIDE OF JAPAN: Skipper Homare Sawa (left) with her teammates — GETTYpic
sports
He is a good player, there is no doubt. He will be like a Kaka, a Messi...of that there is no doubt — Pele on Neymar
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
29
Presstalk
I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN: Roma owner Thomas DiBenedetto (in suit) greeting Enrique during the AS Roma team presentation last month — GETTYpic
MUNDO DEPORTIVO
Cesc 'received secret texts' BARCELONA president Sandro Rossell has reportedly sent Cesc Fabregas a text message telling him to "keep calm" at Arsenal as negotiations continue. Fabregas has apparently received assurance from Rossell that negotiations are progressing, and to keep believing that a deal will materialise. The Barca chief is reported to have sympathised with the 24-year-old’s plight, and thanked him for his kind words about the club through SMS after a deal was not concluded on Monday. Barcelona's director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta, has moved to end the relentless line of soundbites concerning the Gunners playmaker, and declared: “We won't comment on the Fabregas negotiations. There will be time for that in the future.”
DAILY STAR
'I am no magician'
ROME: FOOTBALL/ SERIE A
Turin giants still want Vidic
Roma boss warns fans he is 'not Harry Potter', needs more new players
NEWLY-HIRED Roma manager Luis Enrique refused to set any targets for the Serie A outfit as he feels they have room for improvement to be ready to compete for top honours. Roma have already secured the services of players such as Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but Luis Enrique insisted that Roma are not done in the transfer market just yet. "I'm not Harry Potter, I
don't have a crystal ball, I don't know what this Roma team can achieve. We're working on building a new team. I don't know how many players we need but we are missing a few," Luis Enrique told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't want to go into the specifics of what is required, I discuss that in private with sporting director Walter Sabatini. However, I'm optimistic based on what I've seen in training and I'm
pleased with the attitude shown by the players." Roma kick off their campaign with an away match against Bologna on Aug 28. Me a n w h i l e , d e f e n d e r Nicolas Burdisso said there are no regrets at the club following the departures of Mirko Vucinic to Juventus and Jeremy Menez to Paris Saint-Germain. The sale of the two players will net Roma over €20m (RM85m) in revenue, but the loss on the pitch is not seen as
ROME: FOOTBALL/ SERIE A
Chievo accept fine, Atalanta face points deduction
SERIE A team Chievo were fined €80,000 this morning for their role in betting scandal that has blighted Italian football all summer. Chievo took a plea bargain but newly-promoted Atalanta face a seven-point penalty for their part in the affair if found guilty. That was the recommendation by federal prosecutor Stefano Palazzi at the Disciplinary Commission trial in Rome. Eight people, including Vittorio Micolucci, a defender with Serie B side Ascoli, struck a deal
with prosecutors and received reduced sanctions. There are 18 teams, including two amateur sides, and 26 people including players, former players, presidents and directors in the dock. Chievo and Atalanta are the only two teams from the Italian top flight. The scandal came to light at the end of last season following the revelation of an investigation by the Prosecutor of Cremona that started last November . Chievo were fined over the
behaviour of Stefano Bettarini, who was registered on their books as a player in a publicity stunt — he never actually played for the club. Bettarini had retired from football in 2005 and had not played since, instead forging a career in television, but joined Chievo in October last year as a player but apparently to act as a consultant. He was charged with trying to manipulate matches to fix bets and was banned for 14 months. — AFP
costly by Burdisso. He believes Roma can still enjoy a good season on the back of new arrivals such as Bojan. " O f c ou r s e t h e s e a re important departures, but now is not the time to regret things. These choices must be respected," said Burdisso. "Maybe they were not able to express themselves, but I want to wish them the best of luck. Good players have left the club, but the new
ones have a will to display their quality. "It will be a great year and we have plenty to look forward to." Stekelenburg is set to become Roma's first choice goalkeeper as Luis Enrique looks to put his stamp on his recently inherited side. The Dutchman, who has 40 international caps to his name, will join his second club, after making 282 appearances for Ajax over the last nine years.
BERLIN: FOOTBALL/ BUNDESLIGA
'Robbery' hope to be fit for season start B AY E R N M U N I C H revealed this morning that star duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben hope to be fit for Sunday's Bundesliga season-opener against Borussia Moenchengladbach. Rib er y had sp ent f ive days in plaster after suffering an ankle injury in training but, on what was a day off for the majority of the Bayern squad, t h e 2 8 - ye ar- ol d Fre n ch international was to b e found hard at work at the clu b ' s S a e b e n e r St r a ss e
training ground. "I'm totally knackered, but I'm feeling good and there's no pain," he told the club's official website. Robben was also on the training ground, and said he hopes to "be back traini ng w it h t he te am t h is morning." "I'm relie ved ac tually, because it could all have been a lot worse," Robben, 27, said, before adding that he was "optimistic" about his chances of featuring against Gladbach. — AFP
VIDIC JUVENTUS have renewed their efforts to sign Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic. The Italian side have heard that Sir Alex Ferguson could axe either Vidic or Rio Ferdinand in favour of new signing Phil Jones. The 19-year-old defender, who cost £6.5m (RM31.6m) from Blackburn, looks set to have a bright future at Old Trafford. Juventus approached United last month about the possibility of signing Vidic but they were cut short when Vidic ruled out any possible move.
LA GAZZETTA DEL SPORT
Inter cool on Tevez CARLOS TEVEZ is the hottest commodity on the transfer market right now, but Inter Milan have distanced themselves from any speculation involving the Manchester City hotshot. A few weeks ago, Argentine Tevez met with Marco Branca on a beach in Sardinia but the Nerazzurri's head of technical staff claims the meeting was not planned. After a Press conference to present new signing Jonathan, Branca explained: "There was only one meeting, completely by chance and very pleasant. It happened on a beach, but I've already been back for a while and it won't be followed up."
30
sports
PRESSTALK DAILY MIRROR
Shock swap on the cards
Ankle scan just showed some inflammation. Hopefully will settle down in a few days — Arsenal's Jack Wilshire
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
LONDON: FOOTBALL/ PREMIER LEAGUE
Soulfully Frank
Lampard battles on with his love for the Blues
LENNON MANCHESTER CITY are trying to sign Tottenham’s England flier Aaron Lennon in a sensational swap deal involving Emmanuel Adebayor. City chief Roberto Mancini wants a wide man and is interested in little speedster Lennon with Harry Redknapp may be willing to do business if he can get striker Adebayor out of the deal. High-level talks between City and Spurs have begun and one of the biggest but hardest exchanges of the summer could see both move in the next few days. Redknapp wants former Gunner Adebayor but faces the problem of getting the Togo international to join within his pay ceiling.
DAILY MIRROR
Reds win battle to sign Enrique NEWCASTLE have conceded defeat in their attempts to keep Jose Enrique, paving the way for a £5m (RM24m) move to Liverpool to be completed this week. The two clubs have been in a summer-long negotiation over the Spanish leftback after he refused to sign a new deal with the Magpies. Enrique was fined two weeks' wages after criticising his northeast team's lack of ambition, persuading Reds boss Kenny Dalglish to step up his bid to land the defender. Newcastle know they could lose the player on a free transfer if he enters the final season of his current deal without signing an extension, and now they have accepted the need to cash in.
WITH a decade of service for Chelsea already under his belt, Frank Lampard is showing no signs of letting up. Now, with a new manager as well as a hunger to win trophies this season, the midfielder is looking forward to a fresh start and a new chapter. Lampard, who signed for the Blues in 2001, described the "freshness" he feels among the squad following the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas as manager. He told his club's official magazine, Chelsea: "It's been good. Training has been great and the lads have had a little spring in their step, even from the first week back. "Adapting to a new manager sometimes has its difficulties, but this time there is continuity from his period here before. It's nice to see him more out of his shell now because he was behind the scenes a lot in his role last time around. "You could see then he was attentive to detail and knew the game, but he's obviously gone away and done his thing personally. Those of us who worked with him before and know about him are pleased to work with him again." Villas-Boas has shown
SPURS and Arsenal were last night linked with Lazio's £15m (RM73m) rated striker Mauro Zarate. The Argentine's agent, Beppe Bozzo, claimed he had flown to England to speak to both north London sides. Former Birmingham frontman Zarate, 24, has fallen out with Lazio coach Edy Reja after he was left out of the side for last week's friendly with Villarreal. Harry Redknapp has not hidden his interest in beefing up his attacking armoury while Nicklas Bendtner is on the Arsenal exit list and Marouanne Chamakh's future at the Emirates is uncertain.
injury and, of course, I want to win things," he said. "I come back with that attitude every year. Once you've had a month off, you start getting hungry to return and win things for your club. When you get older you do understand that the end will come, so I'm just trying to enjoy it and prolong it. "I will try to stay playing and being able to contribute in a positive way to the club for as long as I possibly can. I feel fresh and after missing preseason with injury last year, it's nice to come back without those worries and to feel fresh from the start. I'm enjoying the thought of getting really fit and to get up and running really quickly." Asked if it is galling to see others celebrating trophies he began the season pursuing, Lampard said: "I think it does motivate us. We've had a great six or seven years in which we've won a lot of trophies and it's not possible to win every year — no team does that. "So, although it's a disappointment, you have to put it into perspective. But, at the same time, that is a great motivation because, once you
do win, you start getting a bit greedy and hungry for more." L ampard also admitted the boy in him still surfaces before each and every knock on the changing room door from the referee. "I think there's a lovely mix at this level. I love playing, I love the sport and the basics of going out to play football. But I also love the stuff that comes with it at the top. I'd still enjoy playing if it were at Sunday League level, but I like the cut-throat mentality at this level, where you have to keep on top of your game no matter what because, if you drop, you're out of it. "That's what drives me on, I like being at the top. You should always be self-driven, regardless. But the competition of playing at a club like this means that you know, year in, year out, things will move on — players will come in or move up from the youth team and you have to stay on top of your game." ● EXCLUSIVE from Chelsea magazine which goes on sale today.
FIT AS A FIDDLE: Lampard is feeling upbeat about the coming season
'Bulldozer' Romeu poised to sign for Chelsea MIDFIELDER Oriol Romeu went into action for Spain in the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia this morning finalising his move to Chelsea. The Blues are still to rubber stamp their deal for the talented Barcelona youngster, although AS reported the transfer is practically closed. Romeu, 19, was outstanding in Spain's 4-1 thumping of Costa Rica last Sunday and has been likened to
DAILY MIRROR
North Londoners eye Lazio hitman
already he has a keen eye for detail and pays great attention to various aspects that may help to bring the best out of his players. For Lampard, it is a modern philosophy that represents the direction the game has been taking in recent years — as football becomes more serious, so must the men steering the teams towards the trophies they target each year. "I think that's the way forward. A lot of new managers are coming in with that kind of mentality and the older style of management is slowly moving out of the game. Some of the older managers have shown they can bridge the gap, but it's nice to have a fresh set of ideas and the attention to detail is great because everyone knows exactly what they're doing, day in, day out. Players respect that," said Lampard. After injuries interrupted last season for him, Lampard also appeared upbeat about his own prospects for the new season. "I'm self-driven. I want to improve myself again, I want to have a good season, I want to have a full season without
ROMEU
a ''bulldozer'' the way he steamrolls opposition players in Spain's midfield. Chelsea on Tuesday flew a team out to Colombia to give Romeu his medical ahead of a £4.5m (RM22m) move from Barca. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Andre Vi l las-B o as believes he can land AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato for £30m. The Daily Mail reported that Villas-Boas wants to make Pato his first major
signing of the summer. Chelsea have been tracking the Brazil international since former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti took over in 2009 and Villas-Boas is also a keen admirer of Pato's talents. Pato is likely to cost in the region of £30m but VillasBoas is hoping that a player plus cash deal may tempt owner Roman Abramovich to loosen the purse strings. However, Pato said he was keen to stay at the Serie A champions until at
least 2014. "I have a contract with Milan until the summer of 2014 and I want to respect that. We'll have to wait and see what happens from there on," Pato told Corriere dello Sport. The 21-year-old joined Milan from Internacional in the summer of 2007 and played an important role in Milan's success of winning the league last season as he was his side's joint top scorer with 14 goals.
Barton's solace in Washington's words JOEY BARTON turned to quoting the first President of the United States on social networking site Twitter as he continued his outspoken attacks on Newcastle United's hierarchy. The midfielder's public comments about the way the north-east club has been run have proved too much for owner Mike Ashley and manager Alan Pardew, who now appear ready to let
the midfielder leave on a free transfer, even though he cost the Magpies £6m (RM29m). Barton, who has cited British 20th century writer George Orwell, went further back in history when he turned to the words of George Washington, the inaugural President of the United States. "Quote of the day: If the freedom of speech is taken
away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter — George Washington," he tweeted in another thinly-veiled attack. Barton also offered a song of the day, What Will You Do (When the Money Goes)? by indie rock band Milburn. But despite everything, the 28-year-old Barton said he might see out the final year of his Newcastle contract.
"Just because ur (sic) told to jump, it does not necessarily mean u have to. I may choose to stand perfectly still. It's my right... just a thought," he posted yesterday. Barton said on Tuesday he had been fined two weeks' wages and made to train alone, which he described as "predictable". That day he also quoted Orwell when he wrote: "In
times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." Despite his controversial past, Barton had been linked with several of Newcastle's Premier League rivals including Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton. B ar ton ' s age nt Wi l l i e McKay said there "won't be a problem finding Joey a home" should the player leave. — AFP
NICKNAME: The Reds FOUNDED: 1892 HOME: Anfield CAPACITY: 45,276 MANAGER: Kenny Dalglish THE SQUAD GOALKEEPERS Pepe Reina Brad Jones Alexander Doni DEFENDERS Glen Johnson Daniel Agger Fabio Aurelio Sotirios Kyrgiakos Danny Wilson Jamie Carragher Martin Kelly Martin Skrtel John Flanagan Daniel Ayala Emiliano Insua Philipp Degen MIDFIELDERS Raul Meireles Steven Gerrard Joe Cole Maxi Rodriguez Jordan Henderson Stewart Downing Lucas Leiva Charlie Adam Christian Poulsen Jonjo Shelvey Alberto Aquilani Jay Spearing Nabil El Zhar STRIKERS Luis Suarez Andy Carroll Daniel Pacheco Dirk Kuyt David N'Gog TRANSFER (Thus far) IN Stewart Downing (Liverpool, £20m), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland, £16m), Charlie Adam (£9m), Alexander Doni (Roma, free) OUT Paul Konchesky (Leicester, £1.5m), Stephen Darby (Rochdale, loan), Milan Jovanovic ( Anderlecht, free)
(Transfer window closes on Aug 31)
LAST SEASON'S POSITION Sixth PLAYERS TO WATCH Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt PREDICTION Highest they can go is fourth HONOURS First Division winners 1901, 1906, 1922, 1923, 1947, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990 Second Division winners 1894, 1896, 1905, 1962 FA Cup winners 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006 League Cup winners 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003 FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield winners (10 outright, 5 shared) 1964*, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2001, 2006 Uefa Champions League winners 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 Uefa Cup winners 1973, 1976, 2001 Uefa Super Cup winners 1977, 2001, 2005
sport
Serbian international winger Milan Jovanovic has left Liverpool for Anderlecht on a two-year deal — AFP
The Malay Mail Thursday 4 AUGUST, 2011
31
liverpool
football/ premier league focus
LIVERPOOL are hoping to have a better outing in the new season while Fulham will have a new boss in Martin Jol to chart their fortunes. Mailsport's MUSTAPHA KAMARUDDIN looks at these two two teams.
Anfield back pain Liverpool can go far with better defence
LIVERPOOL should not have much problems in getting goals. Manager Kenny Dalglish must be happy with the strikers who have been scoring goals in pre-season. And the best news for him must be the deadly form Uruguayan star Luis Suarez is enjoying now. The 24-year-old Suarez, who joined the Reds from Ajax in January, played a big role for Uruguay in their success of winning the Copa America for a record 15th time in Argentina recently. He was also named ''playerof-the-tournament''. Then there are Andy Carroll and the ever reliable Dirk Kuyt to rely on. The recent signings of midfielders Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing will also add more sting in attack as they are capable of assisting the strikers to execute their main task of getting goals. Of course, there is skipper Steven Gerrard. The problem with Liverpool is the porous defence as evident in pre-season and this is worrying not only
RED ARMY: (from left) Skrtel, Agger and Meireles will be gunning for glory with Dalglish's (above) new recruits, Carroll (below), Henderson, Doni, Downing and Adams — Getty photo
Dalglish but the fans. The Reds have shipped 15 goals in five games, conceding three times in each encounter against somewhat weaker opponents. Dalglish knows this depart-
ment must be improved if they want to win something in the new season. Veteran Jamie Carragher is still reliable but what will happen if he is injured. Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel seem too inconsistent and need to contribute more. This is also the case of Sotirios Kyrsiakos. Liverpool may have a good goalkeeper in Pepe Reina but even he do much if the men in front of him are not doing their jobs effectively. Dalglish needs to sign up a quality centreback while he has the chance in this transfer window to at least ease the problem.
BEST OF THE BEST: (from left) Kuyt, Gerrard and Suarez set for another great season — Getty photo
fulham
Jolly good for the Cottagers DUTCH tactician Martin Jol is back in England and this time he will be charting Fulham's fortunes. Now Fulham fans are looking forward to the new season to find out if Jol can steer the Cottagers to greater heights armed with his vast experience of handling teams like Ajax, Hamburg and London rivals Tottenham. It was with Spurs, whom he was the boss from 2004 to 2007, that Jol proved his mettle. This was especially so in the 2005-2006 season when Spurs finished a credible fifth in the Premier League. It could have been easily fourth and a place in the Champions League if not for the misfortune which struck where nearly half of the team were down with food poisoning after eating lasagna at their hotel on the eve of the crucial last match of the season against West Ham.
Jol, 55, will love to see Fulham earning good results as he has the players to do it. The defence, led by the influential Brede Hangeland, should be able to perform better under Jol. For the record, Spurs only conceded 38 league goals in the 2005-2006 season — the fewest conceded since 1971. Fulham have also several useful midfielders like Clint Dempsey, Damien Duff and veteran Danny Murphy to rely on in the attacking aspect. Strikers? "I’ve got Bobby Zamora, who, if he played for another team, you would be interested in him as a No 9," said Jol. "I’ve got Andy Johnson, I’ve got Dempsey playing on the left, but who can also play in the spine as well. And I’ve got Moussa Dembele. So I’ve got four players there in these two positions. There isn’t any club coming in for our players, so I’m happy with them."
NICKNAME: The Cottagers, The Whites, The Badgers FOUNDED: 1879 HOME: Craven Cottage CAPACITY: 25,700 MANAGER: Martin Jol TRANSFER (Thus far) IN Pajtim Kasami (Palermo, £4m), John Arne Riise (Roma, £2.4m), Dan Burn (Darlington, undisclosed), Csaba Somogyi (Rakospalotai, free), Marcel Gecov (Slovan Liberec, undisclosed)
GOALKEEPERS Mark Schwarzer Csaba Somogyi DEFENDERS Stephen Kelly Carlos Salcido Brede Hangeland Chris Baird John Arne Riise
OUT David Stockdale (Ipswich, loan), Jonathan Greening (Nottingham Forest, £670,000), Zoltan Gera (West Brom), Eddie Johnson (released), Diomansy Kamara (Eskisehirspor, free), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), John Paintsil (Leicester, free) (Transfer window closes on Aug 31)
LAST SEASON'S POSITION Eighth PLAYERS TO WATCH Clint Dempsey, Brede Hangeland
THE SQUAD Philippe Senderos Aaron Hughes Rafik Halliche MIDFIELDERS Steve Sidwell Danny Murphy Marcel Gecov Damien Duff Bjorn Helge Riise
PREDICTION The most mid-table finish. HONOURS SECOND DIVISION Winners 1949, 2001 Runners-up 1959 THIRD DIVISION Winners 1932, 1999 Runners-up 1971 FA CUP Runners-up 1975 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Runners-up 2010
Dickson Etuhu Clint Dempsey Simon Davies Pajtim Kasami STRIKERS Andrew Johnson Bobby Zamora Mousa Dembele
Regimental Rajagobal National football coach sets sights on 2015 Asia Cup as he recovers from Singapore Thursday 4 August, 2011 sling
Towering tribute
Sexy Darby party
>> pg25
Top Americans Paula Creamer (right) and Natalie Gulbis confirm participation in Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011
THE HAGUE: Football
LOCAL
Hockey boys coming home National players Shukri Mutalib and Faisal Saari will not play in Australian Hockey League as Malaysian Hockey Federation decides against securing sports visas for the duo
>> pg25 PRESSTALK
Keeper’s peers say goodbye in farewell game
MANCHESTER UNITED’S former Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar bade farewell to his adoring public this morning in the company of several star internationals in front of 53,000 Ajax fans. “I want to thank everyone in the stadium... thanks for your support down through the years,” van der Sar told the crowd at the Ajax Arena where he started his career in 1990. The towering 1.97m goalie selected a “Dream Team” made up notably of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Dirk Kuyt, Edgar Davids, Rio Ferdinand and Dennis Bergkamp, who played for an hour against Dutch giants Ajax. To a standing ovation from the crowd, Van der Sar left the pitch several minutes before the end of the game, which was won 2-1 by the “Dream Team” thanks to goals from Louis Saha and Bergkamp. “He is maybe the best goalkeeper that Manchester United ever had, but I say maybe because we also had Peter Schmeichel,” said United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Earlier in the evening, two teams for which van der Sar played — Ajax, with whom he won the Champions League in 1995, and the Dutch national side that were World Cup semifinalists in 1998 — played each other. Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Frank Rijkaard, Frank de Boer and his brother Ronald, represented Ajax while Bergkamp and Giovanni
van Bronckhorst were among the players representing the national side. “Ajax fans thank Edwin van der Sar,” a banner draped on the stands read. Van der Sar won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and Manchester United in 2008, four Premier League titles and four Dutch league titles. The 40-year-old also holds the Premier League record of 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal during the 2010-2011 season and a Dutch record for 130 caps. He started his career at Ajax (1990-1999) before moving on to Juventus (1999-2001), Fulham (2011-2005) and Manchester United (20052011), playing his last official match at Wembley on May 28 during the Champions League final loss to Barcelona. Meanwhile, Brazil legend Pele could be back playing for Santos at the Club World Cup as the team’s marketing executive Armeio Neto refused to rule out the intriguing scenario despite suggestions out of Brazil that it’s not going to happen. Folha de Sao Paulo reports the club’s ambition would be to see the former striker return to action in a potential final against Spanish giants Barcelona. “I don’t doubt anything,” Neto said. “It also depends on the coach. If Pele is a boost to the team then why not?” — Agencies
Lazio hitman in London
Spurs, Arsenal want attacking flair of Argentine Mauro Zarate this season
thank you: Edwin van der Sar bids farewell in the company of several star internationals in front of 53,000 Ajax fans — AFP photo
>> pg30
FOOTBALL
LONDON: FOOTBALL/ PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham’s Dutch courage
Torres sounds warning to rivals
CHELSEA’S Fernando Torres says the Blues are ready to go full-throttle this season. Andre Villas-Boas’ boys won all five of their preseason games to date, and the Spain international is pleased with the number of systems tested by the new boss. Torres told The Daily Star: “The manager has given minutes to everyone and everyone feels they are part of the team. That is important.” “When you have players with quality and players who can play in different positions, you are able to use
different formations. That is good because depending on the opposition and the scoreline, you have to change the system.” Torres struggled to find his form last season following his €57.2m move from Liverpool, but has praised the fitness of the squad ahead of the new season. “Our fitness is very good, we have won all the games we have played and it is only two weeks until the start of the season,” he said. “It is very good news as it is working very well.” – Agencies
>> pg26
Torres: Believes Chelsea are in excellent shape ahead of the new campaign — GETTY photo
Return of mastermind Martin Jol is just the boost the Cottagers need
>> pg31
FOOTBALL
Liverpool’s back pain
Manager Kenny Dalglish needs to plug team’s defence to avoid embarrassment in Premier League
Published by Malay Mail Sdn Bhd (239512V), Lot 2A, Jalan 13/2, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, and printed by The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad (4485-H), 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 KL
>> pg31