Jan 30, 2012

COMPLIMENTARY COPY From today until Feb 3, The Malay Mail will be available on a complimentary basis.

Get your copy from newstands and vendors. From Feb 6 onwards, the paper will be sold at a cover price of RM1

NATIONAL

OPINION

BUSINESS

SPORTS

Najib: Two ways to win mandate

New politics for brighter future

Maxis says no to Aircel sale

The Joker wins epic final

Prime Miniter Datuk Seri Najib Razak urges BN members to close ranks and work hard

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah shares political insights in maiden column

Group CEO Sandip Das denies rumours on sale of 74 per cent stake in its scandal-hit India venture

Novak Djokovic wins Australian Open in five-set final at 5hr 53min, longest in Grand Slam history

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WORLD

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On campaign trail Huge crowds greet Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she hits the campaign trail ahead of by-elections — AFPpic

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PETALING JAYA

‘UM was never good’ Vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon bares all on what ails the nation’s premier university following World Bank report on dropping standards; but says steps in place to address shortfalls

By TERENCE FERNANDEZ and ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI mmnews@mmail.com.my

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MONday 30 january 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

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

PETALING JAYA

PETALING JAYA

KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR

Please don’t go, Anwar tells Hadi

Arson attack fuelled by personal conflict

Get your degree first, varsity students told

Cabbies want coupon system revoked

Pakatan will not to let go of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who says he would not be contesting in the coming GE

Police believe the arson attack that damaged 26 motorcycles and a taxi at the Desa Mentari flats car park was fuelled by vengeance

Undergraduates should get a degree instead of politicking as it conflicts with original aim of being part of the nation’s human capital

Four Klang Valley taxi drivers associations want the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to revoke the taxi coupon system

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petaling jaya

We are back — bigger and better!

New look and compelling content to draw readers and benefit advertisers In the Nov 15, 2011 edition of this paper, its last as a free afternoon daily, we promised our readers, advertisers and business partners that The Malay Mail would be back in early 2012 with a new look, new content and renewed energy.

The team at The Malay Mail spent the next two and a half months working ceaselessly to produce a newspaper that would enable us to keep to that promise. We produced a 48 page mock-up of the new paper daily and tweaked and re-tweaked it until we were satisfied with the outcome. We hope you are as pleased with the final product as we are.

Opportunities in the current media landscape and technology trends prompted us to decide on a strategic change in our business model — from being a free afternoon daily to a

paid, morning, mainstream newspaper.

Based on market feedback and an analysis of the current competitive landscape, we concluded that there is a demand in the marketplace for a newspaper that will give its readers the news that matters to them. Readers want a newspaper that will spark debate. The new The Malay Mail will be that paper.

In delivering on this promise, we will publish indepth investigative reports on issues that impact our readers and Malaysians in general. We want our readers to rethink the news and to look at issues close to their heart from a different perspective.

We are also aware that many Malaysians today are turning to online news portals to access the news they need. We have forged content arrangement agreements with such online

news portals and blog aggregators and will publish selected stories from these sources in our newspaper in an effort to address our readers’ needs.

We concluded that there is a great demand for the type of content that The Malay Mail will be providing and that Malaysians will be willing to pay for it. Hence The Malay Mail will have a cover price of RM1. This will help us defray the cost of investing in additional editorial and operational resources in order to provide our readers a quality newspaper containing the news that they need.

We also decided that the new paid model would be more viable as a morning newspaper. This is primarily due to the fact that the benefits of an afternoon paper have been voided by technology trends and changing reading habits. Consumers today get late break-

ing news through alerts on their phones, other mobile devices such as tablets and computers. Hence we decided on the transition from afternoon to morning.

Another major change in the business model of The Malay Mail pertains to its geographical distribution.

It will no longer be just a Klang Valley newspaper.

We have entered into business partnerships with vendors associations to ensure all our readers from Perlis in the north to Johor in the south will be able to get a copy of The Malay Mail from today.

We will also have a strong online presence. We are launching our new website simultaneously with the print edition of the newspaper today. It has been revamped to make it easy to navigate and our readers will get a rich source of content via a simple click.

We will continuously tweet

alerts so our readers get an early indication of the important stories that will be carried in The Malay Mail the next day.

What does The Malay Mail offer its advertisers?

A senior advertising agency executive told us the other day that people purchase newspapers not to read the adverts but to read the stories that appear in the pages. Advertisers hope to be able to share the eyeballs of these readers by placing their adverts on the same pages. The Malay Mail aims to do just that.

Our goal is to provide our readers content that is so compelling that they will be riveted with the stories that appear in its pages and our advertisers will be able to share the eyeballs and in doing so, help address their marketing communications needs.

Established in 1896, The Malay Mail is one of the old-

est newspapers in the country and is a national institution in the Malaysian media industry. Today, we commence a new chapter in our continuing story. We invite our readers, advertisers and business partners to join us as we embark on this new and exciting journey. We trust you will enjoy it. We know we certainly will!

Phillip Karuppiah Chief Executive Officer phillip@redberry.com.my Twitter: @PhillKar

Rethinking the news, sparking debate and challenging norms WHEN we ceased print on Nov 15 last year, we also closed a chapter of The Malay Mail, as we knew it then.

As our last edition and the subsequent promotional campaigns indicated, “The Old Lady” has been through many changes throughout its 116-years. In the course of over a century, it has morphed from a national daily to a community one; an investigative newspaper to one that focused on tabloid gossip. At one time it was even a propaganda tool to the Japanese army during the occupation of Malaya.

And just as how it has survived those years and out-

lived many editorial boards and management teams — we are certain that it will outlive this one as well.

But far from being the victim of the whims of restless owners and fickle newsmen, The Malay Mail, this time around took its time to evolve into the paper that you are holding in your hands now.

That we took this long to return, having toyed with several relaunch dates — as early as October — is an indication that we as newsmen and media owners want to get the product right. Nothing is perfect, but we strive to come as close as possible to it.

Perfection aside, what we aim to deal with is perception.

We believe our readers demand neutral reporting from us, i.e. to tell the news as it is, without taking sides.

We aim to live up to this expectation and let you be the judge. We will offer both sides of the story, our own two-sen worth via opinions, editorials and analysis, as well as keeping true to the investigative nature of The Malay Mail which you know and love so well.

We hope our coterie of prolific guest columnists as well as familiar in-house ones, will help provide

some talking points for your kopitiam banter — in line with our new tagline of rethinking the news that aims to “spark the debate”, so to speak.

And by being a complete nationwide paper with all the offerings of the latest in local and world news, sports, business, lifestyle and entertainment; as well as community happenings and a public sounding board via the popular Hotline, we hope to be a one-stop centre for your news of the day.

With a good mix of young upstarts as well as veterans who are synonymous with the paper, the potential for The Malay Mail is endless, as

we bring together decades of experience and youthful energy to deliver all the news that matters.

Our tie-ups with some content providers have raised eyebrows but we realise that we cannot be everywhere all the time and our partners will complement the paper with their own brand of investigative journalism and commentary.

And as we embrace the tech-age with a new and improved website, The Malay Mail will bring itself to a whole new audience — especially those craving for intelligent, thought provoking journalism.

With that, enjoy this in-

augural edition of the newand-improved The Malay Mail. We are here to stay.

Terence Fernandez Managing Editor (News) terence@mmail.com.my Twitter: @TerenceFnandez

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

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NATIONAL Political parties think we are racist. If we were racist, we would not organise this event

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KUALA LUMPUR

Perkasa springs Chinese New Year surprise Ibrahim Ali says open house held to prove NGO’s non-racist stand

By IKRAM ISMAIL ikram.ismail@mmail.com.my

IT was meant as a gesture to prove it is not a racist group but Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia’s (Perkasa) first Chinese New Year open house left its hosts blushing and some guests perhaps taken aback due to a faux pax.

Instead of handing out ang pow in traditional red packets, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali and his senior exco members doled them out in white envelopes — a definite no-no. If they had done their homework, the organisers would have known that money placed in

white packets is only handed out during funerals.

Asked by reporters, Ibrahim said they were merely white envelopes and nothing bad was meant by the gesture.

“My deputy (Datuk Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar) had given his personal money of RM10,000 to be presented as ang pow to visitors, who include senior citizens and the Chinese media,” Ibrahim said at the event held at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru here yesterday.

At least 300 people from the Chinese community, mostly senior citizens, attended the event — the first such gathering organised by Perkasa since its inception

in 2009.

Ibrahim said this was to “prove to political parties, NGOs and the public that we struggle alongside all races to decrease poverty in Malaysia”.

“Political parties think we are racist. If we were racist, we would not organise this event,” he said.

“I’m pleasantly surprised by the support shown by the Chinese who attended our event. We organised this event with limited funds but we still managed to make it successful.”

Some of the guests ignored the oversight and were appreciative of the gesture.

Cheng Yew, 75, from an old folks home in Jalan Pudu,

said this was the first time he had attended a Chinese New Year open house organised by the Malays.

“I came here with my friend and we enjoyed the food and ang pow. Perkasa should organise this event every year,” he said.

For Kuchai Lama resident Chan Weng Choon, 50, it was a family affair when he came with his wife Wong Tim, 51, son Kar Heng, 13, and daughter Kah Yen. “I came here to see and bask in this unique celebration organised by the Malays, even though there was no dragon or lion dance,” he said.

He also expressed his wish for Perkasa to make the event an annual one.

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Ibrahim in a merry mood while giving out ‘ang pow’ at the open house — Pic: razak ghazali

PETALING JAYA

PETALING JAYA

Sugar subsidy to fatten cronies, says DAP

Anwar to Hadi: Please contest in polls

By ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI asrul@mmail.com.my

PETALING Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua has questioned the reason behind the government’s increase in sugar subsidy despite the slide in global market prices the last six months.

The DAP national publicity secretary was refuting Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement that the government had decided to continue subsidising sugar even though the commodity’s price had increased in the world market.

Ismail Sabri had said on Friday the government would increase sugar subsidy to maintain the cost level and help ease the public’s financial burden.

“World prices have increased but we have decided not to raise the price here.

This has nothing to do with the general election. This is about keeping costs down.

If sugar prices go up, it will have a domino effect on all food prices,” he reportedly said.

Sugar subsidy is set to rise from RM262.41 million last year to RM567 million this year to sustain the current price of RM2.30 per kilo.

Pua said the sugar price had consistently dropped from US$28.88 (RM87.82) per 100 pounds in August to US$23.42 last December, and the global sugar price traded on the Sugar, Free Market, Coffee Sugar and Cocoa Exchange had fallen by 20.5 per cent since July 2011.

The sugar price last increased by 20 sen in May 2011 to RM2.30 per kg, he said.

However, it has increased from RM1.45 since January 2010 when translated to a 58.6 per cent increase in sugar price within just 18 months as part of the government’s subsidy reduction exercise.

“What is extremely intriguing, however, is that global sugar prices over the past six months since the last price hike in May had, in fact, declined significantly, and not the purported skyrocket,” he said in a press statement.

Malaysia imports 99 per cent of its raw sugar demand and the market is controlled by two refineries — Malayan

Sugar Manufacturing Holdings (MSM Holdings) and Tradewinds Corporation Bhd. MSM Holdings is a 71 per cent subsidiary of Felda-related entities, and Tradewinds is 43 per cent controlled by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary, with another 20 per cent owned by Felda Global Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd. He said the government should have to subsidise less if sugar prices stayed at RM2.30 and questioned who was benefitting from the 170 per cent increase or RM198 million in subsidy.

“These companies import Malaysia’s raw sugar requirements ... the question then is whether the 170 per cent increase payable to MSM Holdings and Tradewinds, is, in fact, a thinly disguised attempt to fatten the profits of these two politically-connected companies,” he said.

“The minister must hence clarify why there is a need to increase subsidies when the global sugar price is falling while, at the same time, explain who the real beneficiaries from the extra RM198 million of supposed subsidy really are,” he said.

PAKATAN RAKYAT is not too eager to let go off PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who reportedly told a Malay language newspaper he would not be contesting in the coming general election.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said Abdul Hadi played a “critical role” in the coalition and had helped to bring it to where it is today.

Anwar, the Permatang Pauh MP, said Abdul Hadi was much needed in the team for the general election which, although not due until next year, was speculated to be only months away.

“I will meet him soon to discuss the matter and I will

urge him to stay,” he said when asked to comment on Abdul Hadi’s reported statement.

“His contribution, like other (veteran leaders), including DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, is much needed in the coming election,” he said.

Umno leaders had jumped to the conclusion that Abdul Hadi’s purported intention to step down indicated trouble in PAS following Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali’s sacking.

Harakahdaily yesterday reproduced a transcript of Abdul Hadi’s conversation with the daily to clarify its frontpage claim the PAS leader was pulling out of the next general election.

Abdul Hadi had told its reporter, when asked if he would contest: “I leave that to the party whether at the top or the bottom (whether they want me to).

“True, I have been an elected rep for a long time...” he told the daily, counting the decades he had been state assemblyman and MP. “And that’s why I made the offer — firstly, that if I did not contest any seat I could move freely around the country and, secondly, to contest only one (seat, whether parliament or state). That’s my hope on this matter.”

Asked whether it would be a parliament or state seat, he said: “That’s up to the party to assess.” —Malaysiakini

BUTTERWORTH

Minister dismisses claims govt will go bankrupt MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop yesterday dismissed claims the country will be bankrupt by 2019, saying it was the Opposition’s political game and an attempt to intimidate the people.

He said domestic spending was growing by the year.

“If the people have apprehensions about the govern-

ment, they would not spend.

But, the reverse is happening.

Domestic spending is going up annually. The people are not afraid to spend because they know that the country is progressive,” he told reporters at the Chinese New Year open house in Tasek Gelugor.

He was asked to comment on claims by various quarters, including the Opposi-

tion, that Malaysia will be bankrupt by 2019 and that people should vote for the Opposition instead of Barisan Nasional in the next polls.

Nor Mohamed, who is the Tasek Gelugor MP, said there was no issue of the country going bankrupt because since independence, the people had enjoyed an improving standard of living.

— Bernama

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monday 30 JANUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL UM and other universities can only become world class if they forgo race-based quotas Tan Sri Prof Ghauth Jasmon unIVERSITI MALAYA VICE-CHANCELLOR

PETALING JAYA

Universiti Malaya overrated, says VC Malaysia's oldest institution of learning only good in people's perception, admits Ghauth

By Terence Fernandez and Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani mmnews@mmail.com.my

Universiti Malaya (UM) is overrated. This is the damning verdict of none other than its vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon.

He said the country’s oldest institution of higher learning “has never been good”, explaining that UM’s reputation has always been the product of public perception. He feared continued emphasis on quota policies, the lack of research and large numbers of academic staff who failed their doctorates would further contribute to the decline. His comments were sparked by a World Bank 2011 report that cited some of these factors for UM's decline.

However, Ghauth has embarked on the road towards UM's “rehabilitation” during his last tenure as VC. The autonomy status awarded to UM last week, will also go a long way in addressing mediocrity which the university has been wallowing in all this while.

“If you ask me why UM was very good back then and what went right, I tell you it was nothing.

“It is difficult to compare

between now and then but definitely when you talk about research productivity, there was nothing except in 2007 when the number of publications began to rise,” he said in an interview with The Malay Mail before Thursday's announcement that UM was among five universities awarded autonomy.

He said UM had always been a step behind the National University of Singapore (NUS), where the latter began focusing on research publication in 1980.

“UM began only in 2007 which means NUS has been performing better than us since 1980. Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) began research publication in 1993 so the truth is UM was never good when you compare."

Gauth said the difference under the university’s first local vice-chancellor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, was that there were only two universities — UM and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

He said during Ungku Aziz's era (1968-1988), the university’s population was between 4,000 and 5,000, compared to 27,000 today.

“If we plot the performance of UM in the last 30 years, publications in the index journals were at the lowest

during the time of Ungku Aziz,” he said.

Ghauth said the country’s educational scenario has also changed and asserted UM not only has to compete with international but also local universities.

“People say that UM has produced a lot of leaders; even two prime ministers came from here; yes, but we were the only one then,” he

said, adding that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad graduated from the Singapore campus while Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi graduated from the Kuala Lumpur campus.

Ghauth said now that there were many universities, the competition and landscape had changed.

Last year, UM was able to breach the top 200 mark in London-based QS World

GHAUTH: I'm the only (Malaysian) vice-chancellor who talks about world rankings

University Rankings by being ranked at number 167.

However it was still behind NUS and NTU, ranked 28 and 58 respectively.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was the only other Malaysian university

that entered the world’s top 300 universities at 279.

Malaysian varsities also failed to make it into last year’s Times Higher Education (THE) World Ranking University Rankings of top 400 universities.

Gauth also took issue with counterparts and politicians for ignoring the importance of university rankings to boost the quality of varsities.

“I am the only vice chancellor who talks about world ranking.

"The rest find it sinful to talk about it,” he said, adding that the matter has been politicised.

“Sometimes it seems if we talk about ranking then it is not in the national interest.

That is the problem in this country.”

Gauth said the government must make a stand on the well-being of the country’s universities and education system.

“When I attended the 100th anniversary of Peking Tsinghua University, President Hu Jintao said he wanted Tsinghua to become the top university in the world.

“That was his directive. I don’t hear that here.”

Tomorrow: UM's road to recovery

'End the quota system for sake of education standards' Quota policies and halfbaked teaching staff will mark the doom of universities. The don of the country's oldest institution warns that local varsities must cease their quota policies to improve the standards of higher education and assure a thinking, all rounded workforce.

Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Tan Sri Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon said UM and other universities can only become world class if they forgo race-based quotas.

“If we want to be top again, we must bring in people regardless of race. We must bring in high quality professors into the system in all fields regardless of who they are.

“And in anywhere in the world you go, the top uni-

versities do that.

“When I came here, I realised the percentage of academics that are really performing is smaller than those who are not performing,” he said, responding to a 2011 World Bank report that found the standards of UM had fallen due to race-based quotas and political interference in the university's management.

The publication added the emphasis on Bahasa Malaysia in the education system had resulted in a downward spiral for UM compared to the National University of Singapore (NUS) which had continued with English as the language of instruction and research.

He added that discontinuing quota policies would allow local universities to

climb up in the world ranking of top universities.

“I have an opinion as to why there is such resistance for local universities to compete in world ranking but the answer to that is it involves politics, language, race and so on.

“I have been accused of being anti-Bahasa Melayu because they believe universities that go for ranking are not helpful to the Malay cause,” he said.

Ghauth said 200 academic staff had failed their doctorate when he became vicechancellor in 2008.

Ghauth said the university — at least under his watch — expects performance because UM has been “tolerating failures and must take a tough stance to prevent mediocrity”.

UM FACT BOX Universiti Malaya (UM) is a public research university established in 1962 and is the nation’s oldest.

University of Malaya was formed under the merger of King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College on Oct 8, 1949, under the charter of the Carr-Saunders Commission in Singapore.

In 1959, UM was divided into two autonomous campuses in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian and Singaporean governments passed a legislation in 1961 to make each campus a national university. The Kuala Lumpur campus retained the name of UM while the other campus became the National University of Singapore.

STUDENTS

Average entry requirements for an undergraduate course (over 5 years, 2002-2007): CGPA = 3.20 (out of max CGPA = 4.00)

Local students

Undergraduate: 14,229 Postgraduate: 8,195

International students

Undergraduate: 973 Postgraduate: 2,567 Percentage of undergraduates employed at point of convocation: 69.4% (2008 Tracer Study)

ACADEMIC STAFF Permanent: Contract: Malaysian:

International:

1,402 774 2,075 (81%) 486 (19%)

UM RESEARCH GRANTS

Special High Impact Research Grant:

RM80 million (2011)

Research University Annual (RU) Grant:

RM81 million (2011) MISCELLANEOUS

Records of publication and citations in Web of Science (2006 – Feb 14 2011): 9,053 QS World University Ranking:

207 (2010), 167 (2011)

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

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NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL This winnable candidate concept is about being accepted by all. Candidates must have the ‘oomph’, the wow factor to attract all voters, fence-sitters or otherwise Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed KELANTAN Umno liaison chief

KUALA LUMPUR

IPOH

PM: Work hard and stay united Najib stresses two points for BN to win full mandate of the people PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) is stressing two important points Barisan Nasional (BN) must adopt to be given the full mandate to administer the country.

The BN chairman said they must: ● Work hard according to the right strategies; and ● Carry out strategies in the name of unity and camaraderie among all the component parties.

“We must work diligently.

This applies not only to MCA, it applies to Umno, it applies to Gerakan, it applies to MIC and it applies to the whole nation,” he said at a Chinese New Year open house by Perak MCA here yesterday.

“There is a British or English

saying ... a house divided will fall. What we need is a unified MCA, unified MIC, unified Gerakan, unified Umno and unified BN.” Najib said BN would be able to face any challenge during the 13th general election, provided all its members worked together and remained united.

He said working hard for a party’s success was a prerequisite to earn the people’s trust towards the government of the day.

“What is important is we must have confidence in the government led by BN. We have a vision for the future.

Not only do we have a vision for the future, but we are also an effective government to ful-

fill the ambitions and dreams of the nation,” he said.

He said the BN government was not like the Opposition, who had turned promises as their main tool, without any concerns or efforts to fulfill them or otherwise.

“I don’t feel the agenda and vision brought about by the Opposition can be fulfilled because there are too many of such unrealistic promises and does not make sense. One thing that we must realise is that when they become the Opposition, their only tool is to make promises,” he said.

“They are only good in making promises but do not care whether such promises are fulfilled or not, but they will go on making promises reach-

ing the sun, moon and galaxy, because to them, it is their only important tool.”

Najib urged the people to be alert and not be fooled by the Opposition’s false impression and unrealistic promises.

He said the BN government was not one that made empty promises but played the role of a government that would remain relevant and effective to the people to ensure a reliable future.

He also urged Perak BN to continue working hard and support Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s efforts as the coalition’s state chairman to ensure it remained under them.

The Perak MCA open house was also attended by MCA

president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. — Bernama

KOTA BARU

Mustapa: Be strong to wrest back Kelantan KELANTAN Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has spelled out several key factors crucial to Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to win back Kelantan from PAS in the 13th general election.

Mustapa, who foresees the next general election to be the most intense in the country’s election history, said Kelantan Umno and BN must be strong to be able to enter the fray and emerge the winner.

“Alhamdulillah our leader, (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Razak is strong and so is his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; but that is not enough if

Kelantan Umno and BN are not strong,” he said.

Mustapa said candidate choice would be “extremely important” in winning back Kelantan after 22 years of PAS’s rule.

Mustapa said although it was not finalised yet, Kelantan Umno had come up with a list of “winnable candidates”.

“Previously, there might have been some miscalculations in several areas. Generally, the candidates were good but probably unsuitable to be fielded in certain areas and that was why we lost those seats,” he said.

He said Umno should be more

careful and field only those truly capable of winning.

“This winnable candidate concept is about being accepted by all. Candidates must have the ‘oomph’, the wow factor to attract all voters, fence-sitters or otherwise,” he said.

It was, therefore, crucial for Kelantan Umno to accept the party leadership’s decision on candidates choice and not resort to the chah keting practice, or back-stabbing, if they were not chosen because this would give advantage to the opponents.

Mustapa said those who aspired to become candidates

should assess their own capabilities and not try assert themselves as this might be counterproductive.

He said the “red wave” — a movement launched last year to galvanise party members and supporters to win Kelantan — had lifted the spirit of party members and leaders.

He also stressed that infighting, which had caused the people to distance themselves from Umno, should be stopped at once.

Mustapa said all Umno leaders should visit the grassroots not just when there were events involving the government or

party.

“The Wanita Umno’s ‘Jalinan Rakyat’ programme, where the members visit party divisions and villages, has been the neatest of machinery, with one member taking care of 10 families,” he said.

Information machinery should also be strengthened so that government policies can be accurately disseminated, he said.

“Information is important. If people are deprived of it, they cannot be blamed for having a skewered view towards us and becoming easily influenced by the Opposition’s propaganda,” he said. — Bernama

DPM praises role of former servicemen RETIRED policemen and soldiers are very much an important component of society in Malaysia’s quest to become a developed nation in 2020, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

“Even when you are referred to as former soldiers and former policemen, all of you are important in society,” he said when addressing a gathering of retired soldiers and policemen and their families from the Muar district here yesterday.

“Today, our country is known globally, and this is also due to your steadfastness and sacrifice. We have achieved many extraordinary successes over the last 54 years since independence, including the eradication of poverty.”

Muhyiddin said the government hoped the former soldiers and policemen would always stand by it to uphold the country’s sovereignty in the face of questions being raised over the Federal Constitution, the special privileges of the Malays and the institution of the monarchy.

“The (general) election may be held soon and we do not want the country to be administered by groups greedy for power who question many matters in the constitution,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is the Pagoh MP, said the government would never marginalise retired soldiers and policemen and added that they were also entitled to the benefits as the rest of society through the New Economic Model.

He also announced an aid of RM100,000 for the exservicemen’s association and RM30,000 for the ex-policemen’s association in the Muar district. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU

Act now to prevent sabotage in Umno, says Sabah speaker SABAH Umno deputy liaison chief Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak yesterday hailed the Umno Supreme Council’s decision to activate its disciplinary committee to monitor the activities of its members from now onwards to ensure they toe the party line until the general election.

Describing the move as appropriate and timely, he said it would deter Umno leaders or members from sabotaging

the party.

“The next GE is crucial for Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN). We’d better nip it (sabotage) in the bud before it gets out of control. It’s a wake-up call for Umno members to be always loyal to the party,” he said when opening a Puteri Umno IT programme as part of the preparations for the next general election at the 1Borneo Mall here.

Present was Puteri Umno head

Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Announcing the decision on Friday night, Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said it was better to start monitoring the election machinery early and take action to deal with any disciplinary matter now rather than after the general election.

Salleh, who is the state legislative assembly speaker, urged Puteri Umno members to make

optimum use of IT in disseminating political information to the electorate.

He said the rise of the Internet, YouTube and Twitter had brought a new dimension to the election campaign.

“Gone are the days where people are fully dependent on television and the print media for information, and use this information in their opinion-forming and decision-making processes,” he said.

“Social networking technologies have seemingly transformed politics and can influence government as well. That is why Puteri Umno members should be knowledgeable about IT and, if possible, be Internet-savvy.”

He said prevailing in the Internet war was vital for Umno and the BN to win the hearts and minds of the people.

“We don’t want to underestimate the strength of the Opposition in the Internet war before

or during the election. But we will not be caught off-guard this time around. We will certainly be going all-out to reverse this fate,” he said.

He referred to a quote of then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi following the 2008 general election: “We certainly lost the Internet war, the cyber-war. It was a serious misjudgment. We made the biggest mistake in thinking it was not important.” — Bernama

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THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL I can’t help you now because this area is still under PR. If you vote for us, we will sort this issue out immediately Datuk Shafie Abdullah prime minister’s political secretary

KOTA BARU

SUBANG JAYA

Hunger strike against abandoned election promises Kg Bunga Raya residents fed-up with party’s neglected pledge to relocate them

By THASHA JAYAMANOGARAN thasha@mmail.com.my

MORE than 400 Kampung Bunga Raya residents staged an eight-hour hunger strike yesterday to protest against the Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) failure to deliver on its election promises.

The residents claimed the opposition coalition had promised new houses for the 56 Indian families living in deplorable conditions in their zinc-and-plywood homes for the past 18 years.

Organisation of Concerned Alliance Malaysia (PPPM) vice-president R. Balachandran said the residents wanted PR to fulfill its pledge of relocating them to low-cost apartments in Jalan Pluto, U5 in Shah Alam.

“The six-storey low-cost apartment project started construction in 2004 but, until now, has yet to be completed. The residents have had enough and decided to conduct the hunger

strike until their needs are met,” he said.

Balachandran said the housing project had changed hands twice with a new developer taking over in 2009.

“According to the residents, PKR’s Subang MP, R. Sivarasa, initially told them if they voted for him, he would sort the matter out. Until now, the residents have been left in the dark,” he said.

“When contacted, he told the residents the matter had been handed over to another state assemblyman but still, nothing has materialised.”

Balachandran said that when the new developer took over the project, the residents were unhappy with the shoddy work and use of cheap building materials.

“The developer was supposed to complete the project by Deepavali in 2010 but they failed to meet the deadline. The residents are frustrated and want someone to listen to them,” he said.

The hunger strike started

SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS: The residents (above) protesting against the deplorable living conditions

at about 8am and ended when the prime minister’s political secretary, Datuk Shafie Abdullah, turned up at 4pm, promising to help resolve their problem.

Shafie said: “I can’t help you now because this area

is still under PR. If you vote for us, we will sort this issue out immediately.”

A resident, factory worker L. Athi, hoped their predicament would be resolved.

She said all she wanted was for her family to be able

to celebrate Deepavali in better living conditions.

“It is sad that every year, we have to wait for a proper home. Here, we are living in constant fear. Years ago, I was bitten by a snake,” said Athi.

PETALING JAYA

Dispute sparks Desa Mentari car park fire

By G. PRAKASH prakash@mmail.com.my

POLICE believe the arson attack that damaged 26 motorcycles and a taxi at the Desa Mentari flats car park early on Saturday morning was fuelled by vengeance.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed said investigations following the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect revealed the motive was revenge following a conflict between two individuals.

He said it was not a gang war as speculated but a dispute between the two supported by group of their friends.

“One of the two individuals decided to torch the parking lot because his rival regularly

spends time there,” he said.

“Our investigation also showed both men and their friends were residents of the flats and the surrounding areas. We have identified several of them.”

Checks revealed some were already on the police wanted list for similar incidents.

Police picked up the 20year-old suspect at his apartment unit in Desa Mentari several hours after the 4am incident.

Arjunaidi refuted claims Molotov cocktails were used in the attack.

“The forensic team found no signs of Molotov cocktails or bottles at the crime scene.

“We believe the group had poured petrol over the motorcycles before setting them on fire.”

MOTORCYCLE SKELETONS: Fire and Rescue Department personnel examining the carnage at Desa Mentari

The owner of the taxi damaged in the fire said he could only watch helplessly as the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

“I have no idea who could be behind these attacks,” said

M. Guru, 40, who has been living at Desa Mentari for the past five years.

Guru said without his taxi, his daily income would be affected.

“I have no idea how I am

going to work until my taxi is repaired.

“I hope the authorities will conduct regular patrols here as there have been many fights and vehicle thefts,” he said.

Businessman acquitted of causing hurt to Dr M THE High Court yesterday acquitted and discharged businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff on a charge of voluntarily causing hurt by spraying a dangerous substance at former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2006.

Justice Datuk Mariana Yahya made the decision after allowing an appeal by Nik Sapeia against the Jan 14, 2010, decision by the Kota Baru magistrate’s court in sentencing him to six months jail for the offence.

In her judgment, Mariana said magistrate Azman Mustafa had erred in facts and law when convicting Nik Sapeia.

“The appellant’s task is to raise doubts against the case and the appellant had created those doubts,” she said.

Nik Sapeia was seen in tears and hugged his panel of lawyers led by Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, family members and supporters at the public gallery in the court.

On Jan 14, 2010, Azman sentenced Nik Sapeia to six months jail after finding the businessman guilty of voluntarily causing hurt by spraying a dangerous substance at Dr Mahathir. — Bernama SELAYANG

Drug deal gone wrong cause of cabbie’s death THE murder of a taxi driver found slumped in the back seat of his cab near the Kuala Lumpur wet market last Monday was the result of a drug deal gone wrong.

KL CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah said initial investigations revealed the driver was involved in drug-related activities.

“We have yet to ascertain if the victim was murdered by a drug pusher or a drug addict,” said Ku. He said police believed the victim, aged between 30 and 40, could have been killed between midnight and 2am on Jan 21.

A passerby had noticed the parked cab near a rubbish disposal area at the wet market with the back doors open. The bloody body of the victim was discovered in the backseat with the throat slit.

THE MALAY MAIL

9

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

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MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL I am in my final year, so I won’t need books for my studies anymore. But the novels I got from this BB1M from the government will help me improve my English Farhana Zulkifli Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam student

KOTA BARU

KUALA LUMPUR

Aziz Bari flayed again Former don has gone too far in demand against Kedah MB, says PAS sec-gen

PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali has censured former International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari for demanding disciplinary action against Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak.

Abdul Aziz also stated that Azizan should leave PAS and join Barisan Nasional for endorsing the suspension of five Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN) students.

Mustafa told The Mole: “Abdul Aziz had taken this matter too far. “ He said he was confident Azizan, who is also chairman of the state-owned college, had reasons in endorsing the suspension in May. Mustafa was commenting on a statement by Abdul Aziz who said Azizan should be punished by Pakatan Rakyat for his stand in allowing the suspension when it contradicted Pakatan’s “Orange Book” policy on the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).

Mustafa refused further comments on the issue as

the suspension was before the courts following a legal suit filed by students.

A posting at website Perak Today stated that Azizan was willing to be sacked if found guilty in the issue.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Tian Chua said Azizan had not done anything wrong to be punished.

However, he said Abdul Aziz had the right to express his opinion but it did not mean Pakatan would have to agree with it.

Tian Chua said: “I think the menteri besar has reasons to support the college’s decision to suspend the five, but I would urge him (Azizan) to change the college’ views on the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).’’

Azizan had previously voiced support for the UUCA openly.

Student groups Solidarity Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) and Gerakan Menuntut Kebebasan Akademik (Bebas) protested against the Pasled Kedah state government

ON COLLISION COURSE: Mustafa (left) and Aziz Bari

for endorsing the suspension.

Both SMM and Bebas condemned Azizan for defending the college in suspending the five for demonstrating in protest against the use of their hostels as classrooms for other students.

Bebas student activist Safwan Anang claimed Pas leaders promised to help free the five suspended students.

PKR’s Bukit Selambau state assemblyman S. Manikumar said Abdul Aziz was not being fair when he made such harsh statements against the Kedah Mentri Besar.

Manikumar said as an intellectual and a recognised law professor, Aziz should have come up with a solution or an advice and not make public demands.

Manikumar, who is also a Kedah state executive council member, felt it unfair to condemn and demand Azizan to leave Pakatan Rakyat and join Barisan Nasional because of the suspension of the five KUIN students.

“Nobody is perfect. It is difficult for someone in that position to handle everything perfectly,” Manikumar said, in support of his state chief. — The Mole

KUALA LUMPUR

Encouraging redemption of book vouchers BOOKSTORE chain Kinokuniya Malaysia redeemed up to RM80,000 worth of 1Malaysia Book Vouchers (BB1M) daily since early this month.

Kinokuniya Book Stores (M) Sdn Bhd corporate manager Teresa Chong told Bernama the voucher recipients were free to redeem it for reading material of their choice other than academic books, such as novels, magazines and comics, as well as for stationery.

A random survey by the national news agency found most recipients who are matriculation, Form Six, college

or university students were more inclined towards buying academic reading material like mathematics and science books, besides non-fiction, novels and stationery.

Chong said their bookstores’ BB1M redemption counters opened daily from 11am to 8pm. Students were required to write their name and identity card numbers on the back of the voucher and produce documents to verify authenticity.

Popular Book Co (M) Sdn Bhd sales assistant Norshazlinda Abdullah, who is based

at its Jalan Petaling outlet, said many voucher recipients who came to the premises were university students.

“They usually came on a Friday or Saturday. But, at times, we had to reject vouchers as the names of recipients and identity card numbers did not tally. There were no official stamp from the school, university or college and the serial numbers were dubious.”

According to her, students claimed having bought their vouchers online.

The Higher Education Min-

istry recently said some recipients might have abused their BB1M by selling or auctioning it at a special price through the Internet.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam student Farhana Zulkifli, 23, said she used her voucher to buy two English novels and a bibliography worth RM150.

“I am in my final year, so I won’t need books for my studies anymore. But the novels I got from this BB1M from the government will help me improve my English,” she said.

— Bernama

Traditional and complementary medicine for patients THE Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here has begun a new chapter in its history by introducing traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) as an alternative treatment.

Its director, Datuk Dr Ghazali Hasni Md Hassan, said the hospital’s TCM unit was introduced on Dec 29 to assist stroke patients and mothers who had just delivered babies.

“The treatment is free and, at the moment, we are focusing on Malay traditional massage and Malay traditional medicine in caring for mothers. In future, the unit will provide acupuncture treatment,” he said after the official opening of the TCM unit and handing over of medical equipment to the hospital by its board of visitors.

Dr Ghazali said the unit only accepted referral cas-

es with patients bringing along their referral letters from their doctors.

“For post-delivery treatment, the services offered are rejuvenation massage (including breast massage) and midwifery which comprises massage, bertungku (stone massage) and bengkung (abdominal wrap).

“However, mothers who delivered their babies through Caesarean section are advised not to undergo the massage procedures,” he said.

He said the unit had six trained masseuses and masseurs. They operated daily except on weekends and public holidays.

“We have two masseuses and one masseur for each session and there are three massage rooms. Each patient is allocated one hour for the massage treatment,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR

Govt: Illegal houses of worship will not be simply demolished THE government assured illegal houses of worship that they will not simply be demolished to enable people of all faiths to carry out their religious activities.

Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said although many houses of worship were set up illegally, it was up to the owners to obtain legal status for the land.

“Whether the land is government or privately-owned, there must be discussions or negotiations first, then we ensure that they get a suitable site for relocation if they wish to,” he said after the handing-over of the approval letter for government reserve land as the site for the Arulmigu Sri Ramalingeswarar temple here yesterday.

“However, the process

will take a long time as it involves several procedures but the government is aware of the religious sensitivities in this country.”

The site of the temple, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, has been made reserve land under Section 62 of the National Land Code and under control of the federal land commissioner, and the site managed by the temple committee.

Raja Nong Chik said the purpose was to ensure the site was legal in terms of planning, was gazetted in accordance with the law and would remain as the site for a house of worship.

He hoped the government’s good deed would not be politicised by certain groups as it could affect stability and racial harmony.

— Bernama

BRIEFS

Committees told to distribute funds

Aid vouchers reach Sarawak’s interior KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional politicians and government staff are visiting the interiors of Sarawak to disburse the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) to eligible applicants.

It kicked off on Friday in Kapit with the first batch of 269 people receiving the one-off RM500 at the

Kapit Civic Centre. Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said recipients were mainly from the parliamentary constituencies of Kapit and Hulu Rajang, and live in and around Kapit town. A team, led by Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Jo, together with government officials,

travelled from Kapit to the upper Rajang area of Baleh on Saturday to disburse the BR1M vouchers.

Linggi said the figure was not final as some applications were still being processed. The disbursement was expected to continue until April. — Bernama

BENTONG: Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) should distribute funds from government and elected representatives to recipients in their areas of supervision, said Bentong Mp Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. He said this would enable

the bodies concerned, like youth associations, to conduct beneficial activities residents. “This is because these bodies are also responsible for the development and well-being of the residents,” he told a gathering of Felda Sertik youths here yesterday. Liow,

who is also the Health Minister, advised JKKK members, youth and local leaders to discuss plans on developing their respective villages. “Their role is important because progress of a village depended on them,” he said. — Bernama

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

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12

• MONday 30 january 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL Transformation is all about setting a task so big that it consumes you.

Olympic targets were what we implemented to derive Big Fast Results Datuk Seri Idris Jala PEMANDU CEO

KUALA LUMPUR

Getting big results, fast Pemandu to make sure the public revive their confidence in the government

By MEENA LAKSHANA meena@mmail.com.my

“BIG”, “fast” and “results” are the three words that encapsulate the government’s aim in achieving its reforms in the public services and economic sectors.

Big Fast Results (BFR) may be yet another abbreviation, but it is also a methodology employed by the government to ensure improvements in the public service, where processes are done quickly to meet the demands of the people.

Tasked with ensuring the methodology transcends across the civil service is the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu). So it is not surprising that the foundation of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) is based on this methodology.

The transformation programmes were identified following multiple public and media surveys on key areas that warranted immediate attention and developing industries which are more likely to spur economic growth and attract foreign investment.

Both the government and private sector drew out detailed programmes to ensure identified areas for national transformation — crime, corruption, cost of living, education, rural basic infrastructure, transportation and poverty eradication — were addressed efficiently with the methodology.

Pemandu shared insights of this methodology as well as the programmes’ outcomes with 50 delegates from 14 countries, including South Korea, Nigeria, Tanzania, Armenia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei and the Philippines, at a recent seminar.

HOW WE DO IT Pemandu CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala said key objectives of the transformation programmes were to ensure that the people get access to basic necessities and revive their confidence in the gov-

ernment.

He said solutions are developed through a series of labs involving the related ministries, government agencies, private sector and relevant stakeholders.

These are essentially robust sessions organised by Pemandu, comprising strong talents from the private sector and numerous experts within the civil service as well as government-linked companies.

The decision making individuals discussed, analysed, planned, debated, justified and quantified the budget needed for initiatives.

The Pemandu team then assimilated the different ministries and agencies to deliver the GTP, ETP and Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRI) within a given time- frame.

The plans are broken down to minuscule actionable areas, a method known as three feet planning, to identify key issues and processes required to materialise results.

Processes, agencies, deadlines, impacts and sources of funds are also identified.

In relation to the National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) under the GTP, lead ministers are held accountable for the successful implementation of the programme and targets achieved.

Ministerial Key Results Areas (MKRAs) were also drawn out to ensure performance of ministries on other non-NKRA activities. Weekly and monthly tracking reports were enforced to keep all actions on track.

For each KPI which did not meet its target, justification and the next course of action must be identified.

PROOF OF THE PUDDING In 2010, 92.3 per cent of the ministers’ Key Performance Indicators were achieved.

This is a 7.1 per cent improvement from 2009.

One example given during the seminar was exhibited by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin, who vowed to resign if he did not meet the targets to bring down the System Average Interruption Duration

nesia, Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania concluded that the labs will definitely be used towards implementing initiatives in their own countries.

However, they were concerned of the scale of programmes or targets and the significant task of ensuring that monetary sources are available for ideas generated in the labs.

MAKING IT WORK

GETTING RESULTS FAST: Idris Jala at the seminar at Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Index (SAIDI) for Sabah from 2,870 minutes to 700 minutes.

In addressing this target, additional generator sets, upgrading of electricity lines, building of transmission network and partial completion of the Gas-Fired Power Station Project were conducted.

As a result, these initiatives saw the ministry achieving a result of 678 minutes per customer.

The GTP Annual Report 2010, published to illustrate the government’s commitment to produce results and remain transparent, showed aspects of all programmes in terms of delivery, shortfalls and lessons learned.

Critical testimonies from the public, assessments by independent assessors such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and a panel of international experts were also published to reinforce transparency, including suggestions from these individuals.

ADDRESSING SHORTCOMINGS To help identify roadblocks,

NKRA Urban Public Transport and NKEA Klang Valley/Greater Kuala Lumpur director Ahmad Suhaili said weekly performance ratings using a traffic light system were implemented to ensure everyone was on the ball.

“The red signs means trouble and immediate action must be taken to move to the green zone,” he said.

This system applies for the entire work force implementing the GTP and ETP. As a culmination for this process, ministers will be reviewed by the prime minister every six months on their performance. The ministers will be provided with individually drafted letters with accolades, criticism and recommendations to improve their performance.

Pemandu monitors these targets on a weekly basis that will enable them to intervene and resolve roadblocks where required.

FEEDBACK Nigerian minister and deputy chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr

Shamsuddeen Usman OFR said he was impressed with the content and outcome of the Malaysian Transformation Programme and the commitment shown, especially by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“Because, for such an undertaking, you need the support of the highest political authority. With this singular arrangement, Malaysia seems to be achieving its ambition of becoming a first world country,” he said.

The Tanzanian President’s Office Planning Commission deputy executive secretary, Happiness Ngoti Mgalula, said Malaysia’s current practice of implementation was good as it was where most countries fell through with their plans.

“You can have great plans and programmes but at the end of the day, if it’s not implemented, there’s no benefit. The people want to see results on the ground not academic papers or plans,” she said.

Delegates from countries such as Thailand, Indo-

Idris Jala said: “Transformation is all about setting a task so big that it consumes you. Olympic targets were what we implemented to derive Big Fast Results.”

He said the KPIs set for the GTP and ETP were the anchors of the whole effort, where all recommendations and projects were channelled to contribute to the KPIs. “The measurement tools held each person involved accountable for their projects and all ideas thrown in were challenged to the point of no contest to ensure there are no loopholes in the activities,” he added.

Pemandu Programme Management Team head John Toh said the ultimate goal is to assist and drive performance as well as delivery to a point where inistries drive their own performance with similar planning and execution, “until they make us redundant.”

NKRA Corruption and NKEA Retail and Wholesale director Ravindran Devagunam indicated that the scoreboard is insufficient to drive such a big initiative.

“The ministers’ commitment and ownership of the programmes are essential to make it work,” he said.

NKRA Crime and Rural Basic Infrastructure director Eugene Teh said the methodology helps in the process of achieving results.

“It is what the people need most and there is a viable methodology behind the action,” he said.

GTP Communications director Alex Iskandar Liew said: “If you ask, they may do it but if you monitor, they will do it.”

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

13

14NEWS

 MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

NATIONAL We are still investigating the case following allegations the resort failed to comply with Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 regulations DATUK ABD RASID SAMSUDIN DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND NATIONAL PARKS (PERHILITAN) DIRECTOR-GENERAL

KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR

‘No’ to taxi coupon system Cabbie groups want it revoked as it is unfair to them

By FAIZAL NOR IZHAM faizal.nor@mmail.com.my

FOUR Klang Valley taxi drivers’ associations want the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to revoke the coupon system, saying they are not able to earn a proper living if the system continues.

Twenty taxi drivers gathered in Jalan Riong, Bangsar, yesterday to urge the authorities to end the system which, they say, was unfair to the drivers.

The associations, comprising 200 taxi drivers, said the coupon system only prioritised profits, as 10 per cent of the fare from one trip goes to the coupon operators.

Amran Jan, 48, representing the metered-taxi drivers

joint action group, said the “uneven system” was confusing Malaysians and tourists.

He said the operators rake in 10 per cent profit per coupon merely for printing the pick up and destination point on a piece of coupon.

“The system is presently being used in KLCC, Sunway Pyramid, KL Sentral and Bandar Tasik Selatan — Integrated Transport Terminal and hundreds of drivers are stationed at thess points daily,” said Amran.

“If a trip costs RM25, a total of RM2.50 goes to the operator and it is estimated that the operator makes a profit of at least RM25 per day from one driver. The operators make ‘free money’.

“The coupon prices vary, depending on the location.

From KL Sentral to LCCT,

the price is fixed at RM90, but from LCCT to KL Sentral, it is RM75,” said Amran.

“The driver who has been putting in the long hours can only earn between RM80 to RM100 per day.”

Zaki Bashir, 50, from Jalan Klang Lama, said he’s only been a taxi driver for three years but was already experiencing financial difficulties.

“Registration for the coupon service alone is a onetime payment of RM180 and we also have to pay a monthly fee of RM100.”

He said the two systems (coupon and metered cabs) will disrupt the taxi service, resulting in drivers being constantly victimised.

The taxi coupon system was initially introduced to overcome the problem of taxi drivers refusing to use

meters, resulting in passengers often being fleeced.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said the coupon system resulted in huge losses for taxi drivers.

“We hope to table this issue in Parliament soon,” she said.

“We also invite ministers to discuss the best solution so that all parties may benefit.”

When contacted, SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said SPAD was investigating the coupon system to establish whether it was beneficial to both taxi drivers and consumers.

“We will also establish whether it should continue or whether we should start to increase the fares. SPAD also welcomes any offers from the action group to meet and discuss the issue further.”

Rescued orangutan in safe hands

By ANDREW SAGAYAM andrew@mmail.com.my

EIGHT orangutan removed from A’Famosa Resort in Malacca in October after they were believed to have been kept in wretched conditions are still under the care of Zoo Negara and Malacca Zoo. Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abd Rasid Samsudin told The Malay Mail the eight orangutan were being looked after at both zoos until the department had completed its investigation into claims the primates were living in neglected conditions.

The eight, including an eight-month-old baby and a 20-year-old, which is the oldest, were tranquilised and transported in October. The first four were sent to Malacca Zoo, and the remaining to Zoo Negara in Ampang.

“The eight orangutan are in safe hands. They are healthy

and doing well. We are still investigating the case following allegations the resort failed to comply with Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 regulations.

“We will decide later if we are releasing them to the wild or keeping them in captivity,” Abd Rasid said.

In October, an operation to transfer the orangutan was conducted after the resort, which also manages an animal park, did not adhere to regulations on living conditions for the animals. This despite several notices and reminders that were sent to the resort the department.

It was reported that the orangutan living area was not built according to the department’s specifications.

Following the operation, the resort’s management said the orangutan were being temporarily removed as they were in the midst of constructing more conducive living quarters following requirements set by the department.

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 january 2012

NEWS

Complainants have to submit their personal particulars and provide a detailed account of their complaint

Complaints referred by Hotline to the relevant parties would be published if there is no response in seven days

Complainants have to first file their complaints with the respective parties before contacting Hotline

After a complaint has been resolved, the complainant cannot demand nonpublication of the matter

your right to be heard

TEL: 019-2614948 (after 9pm)

By T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

hotline@mmail.com.my

FYI

IPOH

Long-awaited cheer for CNY Hypermart provides loan set but purchased stock arrives on first day of lunar new year IT was a joyous Chinese New Year for KAM WAI YEE and her parents after all.

KAM initially contacted Hotline on Jan 16, worried her parents would face the Chinese New Year holidays without their favourite shows as the television set she ordered for them last year had yet to find its way to her parent’s house in Ipoh.

She said after her parents’ old television set gave way, she placed an order for a new one on Dec 25, at Courts Mammoth in Ipoh.

When she placed the order for a Plasma TV, KAM says, she was assured by the salesman that stock for the television would arrive on Jan 2.

“I needed a set as soon as possible as my parents enjoyed certain programmes and I did not want them to miss them. Satisfied with the salesman’s assurance, I bought it right away making full payment of RM1,500 on the spot,” she said.

“The salesman also asked me whether I needed them to deliver the set to my parent’s house, with an additional delivery charge of RM50. I declined as their house was just 10 minutes away from the store. I could easily have arranged for

15

someone to pick it up once it arrived.”

She said the salesman promised to follow up with her purchase.

However, despite the promise, she did not receive any call from Courts Mammoth.

Her brother also visited the store on Jan 4 to enquire about the television but, to their disappointment, was told the new stocks had yet to arrive.

She says the staff was unable to even provide a specific date as to when the new sets would arrive.

With Chinese New Year fast approaching, KAM says, her parents were pushing for the television.

“On Jan 6, I called them again and I was told I was not on their waiting list for the week. So, they asked me to call them the following week,” she says.

“I also sent them an email and called their customer service hotline to complain.

They promised to call back the same day but, obviously, that did not happen.”

Worse still, when she called the company back again the following week, on Jan 12, she was informed she was not even on the waiting list as she had not opted for the

1. If you come across vehicles obstructing traffic in Petaling Jaya, note the registration numbers and contact the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) at 03-79563544.

2. City Hall will make it a requirement to provide Wi-Fi services under its food and beverage business licence.

The move is expected to be enforced in April.

3. A new traffic management system has been implemented in SS16, Subang Jaya on Jan 15, aimed at reducing congestion along Jalan SS16/1 and preventing vehicles from making U-turns in Jalan SS16/2.

ONLINECOMMENTS

Jan 12 Shoes on wrong feet

delivery service.

“They also told me that when the new sets arrived, priority would be given to those who had opted for the delivery services. I wasn’t informed about this when I purchased the TV. Where are my rights as a consumer since I paid for the TV?” KAM asks.

She wants an explanation from Courts Mammoth.

A COURTS MAMMOTH spokesman states KAM was informed on the status of the television stock.

The spokesman explains, however, the stock did not arrive as planned because the brand faced a stock shortage nationwide.

The spokesman denies priority was given to customers who had opted for the delivery service and says: “We give the same priority to all orders and our warehouse is practising a ‘first in and out’ policy regardless of cash or credit payment or whether they pay the delivery charges or not.

“We will call KAM to apologise and will offer her a

TIMELY ENTERTAINMENT: Kam’s family enjoying the Chinese New Year programmes

loan set for temporary use for the Chinese New Year while waiting for new stocks to arrive.”

When contacted, KAM confirmed the loan TV arrived on Jan 18 but her parents received their brand new Plasma TV on the first day of Chinese New Year.

“This is like a Chinese New Year gift for us. Thank you The Malay Mail,” she says.

WHY did you purchase shoes if the size did not fit? In most cases, I assume you bought a promotional item hence it is not exchangeable or returnable. This happens in most retail outlets. Besides, according to the manager, it is stated on the receipt hence you can’t blame them for this. — AlphaBeta SORRY to hear your story but I’ve been buying my running gear from here and the staff have been helpful and honest in helping me with my selection. — Desmond WHAT a joker. Always try and don’t worry about offending the salesperson. It’s your money anyway!

— persona I HAVE never heard of feet that adjust to the size of shoes; maybe the other way around? Unless the feet grow or shoes shrink to fit the feet?

— Unbelievable

PETALING JAYA

Treacherous manhole covered at last MOTORISTS who frequently travel along Jalan Datuk Abu Bakar in Section 16 can breathe a sigh of relief as an exposed manhole that had drivers worried for almost two months has finally been covered.

The Malay Mail alerted the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to the exposed manhole following a phone call from motorcyclist AZIZUL ALI in November.

In our Dec 1 report, we stated that AZIZUL, 26, had a narrow escape on Nov 21, when he almost collided with a car trying to avoid the manhole.

The incident occurred

as he was heading to Section 14, Petaling Jaya, from Bangsar using the Sprint Highway.

“As I turned left into Jalan Datuk Abu Bakar, my motorcycle almost fell into the manhole as the cover was damaged.

I had to swerve onto the right lane to avoid it,” he said.

He says he nearly collided with a car on the same lane he had swerved into.

Fortunately, the driver, who had noticed the damaged manhole cover, had slowed down.

Relieved at having avoided what could have potentially been a fatal accident, AZIZUL ex-

pressed concern for the safety of other road users when he informed Hotline the manhole was just some 20m from the Sprint Highway junction.

When alerted, the Petaling Jaya City Council placed a cone at the manhole to warn other motorists.

Checks by The Malay Mail Hotline confirmed the missing manhole cover has been been properly replaced and the cone removed.

Safe again: The damaged cover replaced with a new one — Pic: Ashraf Shamsul Azlan

Jan 11 ‘Give me my daily bread’ IT makes business sense not to make a loss. Can’t you fellows see that. — Road Warrior Jan 10 ‘Uninvited guests’ ruin birthday beach trip OH my goodness! I better warn my siblings, friends, neighbours, relatives and colleagues. Thanks for highlighting this issue. — Angel TanWC

DOES she expect a sign warning urine odour on doors of toilets?

No, right? Because you would be expecting that on entering a toilet.

So, the same applies here. These are creatures that are habitual to that area. I suggest you complain to God. Since HE created these creatures. Gold Coast Morib Resort, it’s just a blatant waste of time. — Wan Malaysia

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F• MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

opinion Freedom to information and the right to disagree hot fuss By terence fernandez

HELLO everyone and thanks for flipping to my new column in the new Malay Mail.

After almost a decade of being referred to as “Mr Down2Earth” by everyone from my mother-in-law to random folk, it was time for me to seek another identity. This was done for two reasons – to close a chapter of a long and rewarding career in theSun. (As well as to comply with a cease and desist letter from my previous employers.)

This has prompted me to look ahead and open a new chapter with The Malay Mail. Hence I have de-

cided to name it “Hot Fuss”.

It may have been partly inspired by the excitement over the use of the name of my old column; but it also helps illustrate the themes of my future articles in The Malay Mail – sizzling issues that are making many Malaysians hot and bothered.

If anyone wants to claim copyright then they may have to probably take a number behind ex-bosses and American rock band The Killers, whose debut album is of the same title.

To those who are new to me, I'm one who believes that there are many ways to skin a cat. Hence, we can have a respectable discourse and take each other's opinions into advisement.

We can banter over emails

and perhaps a beer or tea, but differences in opinion must always be tempered with mutual respect where we can agree to disagree.

To those who have followed my writings over the last 10 years, you can expect the honest truth, although I may be faulted for pulling back my punches if the topic is particularly sensitive. It is not a cop out but I am merely being cautious that the message is not lost in the rhetoric. As I said earlier, there are many ways to skin a cat. If you want drama and theatrics, go to a Perkasa gathering.

But with a wider playing field and the parameters for good journalism expanded, thanks in part to the democratic reforms which the

prime minister is trying to promote and an organisation that is willing to take risks in espousing responsible journalism, I expect to be able to plunge the knife a little deeper.

Yes, words can be razor sharp but sometimes people must not only hear what they want to, but what they should hear.

Being deaf to reality is what ails many of us, especially those in officialdom. Decision makers, including those on the taxpayers' payroll are at times surrounded by “yes men” who sugar coat their feedback to a point where their political masters are out of touch with the ground and end up like a deer in the headlights when reality hits them between the eyes.

We hope – both me personally and the rest of us Mailers – to be the sounding board of the people and the go-between for the regular folk and those in power. Having a well-informed society also extends to members of society further up the food chain. Information is the new blue chip commodity.

Lack of it and misinformation could spell disaster for one's career, as well as those around him and the rest of us lower down the pecking order.

Thus, in positioning the new Malay Mail as occupying the vacuum for a middle ground, those who write for it, including our guest columnists such as Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah below, have committed to be true

to one cause – the public interest and the people's right to know. Irrespective of political affiliation, be it moderates or extremists, sexual preferences and educational levels, we believe that in this informed society of ours, everyone has the right to be heard. And the people should be given the regard that is due to them – that they can be trusted to make the right judgment and the right call for themselves, their children and their nation Terence believes Malaysians are more discerning than we give them credit for. He is the Managing Editor (News) of The Malay Mail.

Feedback: terence@mmail.com.my His Twitter handle is @TerenceFnandez

New politics for brighter future 2nd Sphere

By Saifuddin Abdullah

WE are now coming into the second month of 2012 – the year most political analysts calculate the 13th General Election (GE13) would be held.

A great deal has been discussed pertaining to GE13.

Some of the discussions are quite articulate and objective. However, there are some, and possibly the larger one, which are simply speculative, manipulative, and hence, not productive.

To me, after more than 50 years of independence; with a more educated population; the advent of technology; the experiences of 12 GEs and Parliament improving the election system; new realities that are fast changing the political landscape; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s commitment to a more progressive democracy through political transformation programmes; and left with only eight years to achieve the status of a developed nation, as stipulated by Vision 2020 — where one of its challenges is to become a mature democratic society, surely we need to put more effort in bringing our political conversations to a higher level.

To most people: the young,

professionals, the educated, business and civil societies – the non-partisans who form the majority come voting day, they want to see politics with more substance rather than more of the same.

As a rookie MP, in 2008, I wrote a book entitled New Politics. It was launched by Najib who was then deputy prime minister.

New politics has no specific definition. And I do not claim to be the one who coined the term. What is important is the realisation and commitment to pursue and establish a new political culture that is cleaner, healthier, mature and progressive.

New politics comprises four major components.

Firstly, political integrity.

It is intended to protect the supremacy of the Constitution and the constitutional monarchy, the democratic system, to enhance the role of Parliament, and to practise political integrity, i.e., with values, ethics, transparency, accountability and good governance.

Weaknesses and shortcomings, for example, money politics, corruption, defamation, sabotage, cronyism and nepotism, need to be rectified.

Political integrity is also about a struggle, a principle or an idealism that is combined with activism and intellectualism, based

on knowledge, wisdom and service.

Secondly, the practices of good governance are part of the new governance framework. But the new governance framework is wider than good governance.

Let me explain.

It refers to a framework of administration. There are three sectors or stakeholders in nation building — the state; business and civil society. What is needed is for all three sectors to participate as genuine partners in decision-making structures and processes in every spectrum of our life and at every level.

Thirdly, innovations in democracy. Many people, especially the young, are very cynical and sceptical towards politics. Fortunately, they still have faith in democracy. But, with a condition: Democracy is reformed!

In light of this, we should embark upon innovations in democracy. We should make our democracy more participatory and deliberative by establishing platforms so that more people can participate in making decisions. Examples are town hall meetings, grass root people assemblies, labs, students/youths parliaments and various forms of e-participation. As an MP, I organise a mini-parliament called Temerloh Parliament

Consultative Council.

Finally, we come to progressive political thoughts.

All of us aspire for a good society. A good society should be built on certain thrusts.

For example, faith in God, knowledge culture, civilisation building, moderateness, social justice, democratic participation and economic and environmental sustainability. But these are broad themes. They need to be discussed further.

New politics is not about starting from zero or trying to be a hero. Rather, it is about complementing and improving the many good institutions and traditions that we already have, but are in dire need of re-thinking and innovating due to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The above mentioned components and contents of new politics are not exhaustive.

We can improve on it. Who

FOR A BETTER FUTURE: The voting public wants to see politics with more substance rather than more of the same

knows, conversations on it may influence the outcome of GE13.

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is the Deputy Higher Education Minister and MP for Temerloh. Feedback: mmnews@mmail.com.my He can be followed on Twitter at @saifuddinabd

THE MALAY MAIL

17

monday 30 JANUARY 2012

opinion

WASHINGTON

DILEMMA FOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Liberal nuns shouldn't scare Vatican Church must face up to missionaries who dare to speak up

By Mary Johnson

THE Vatican recently finished an exhaustive, threeyear inquest, the kind it reserves for its gravest problems. The subject: "American apostolic women religious," commonly known as nuns.

Almost 400 religious institutions throughout the US were studied as part of this "apostolic visitation", and a final, confidential report on the nuns' activities was submitted to the Vatican last month.

Why investigate nuns? Because, Vatican officials said, they were concerned for the sisters' welfare. But as a former nun — left the convent in 1997 after 20 years as a sister in New York, Rome, Washington and Winnipeg, Canada — I know what the church leaders won't publicly admit: American nuns frighten them.

I should qualify that remark: Not all US nuns scare

MUMBAI

the Vatican. The Catholic hierarchy dotes on those who wear long habits with hanging rosaries, unquestioningly obedient nuns who staff Catholic institutions for less than it costs to employ laypeople.

But these conservative sisters, who are represented by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, make up less than a tenth of the some 50,000 nuns in the US. The majority align themselves with the more liberal Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

In 1965, when the Second Vatican Council issued a decree calling all nuns to renewal, most American sisters embarked on a demanding, often painful process of discernment and revitalisation. They tried on normal clothes, branched into new ministries and abandoned traditions that kept members childishly dependent on superiors.

Some sisters felt that renewal went too far; others thought it didn't go far

enough. The number of American nuns has shrunk by almost 75 per cent since 1965. But those who remain have learned to listen to their consciences, make decisions collectively and, more audaciously, speak their minds — even if it means opposing the Vatican.

To Rome, these liberal nuns are voices of dangerous dissent: Cardinal Franc Rode, who initiated the new investigation of American sisters, stated on Vatican radio two years ago that US nuns display a suspect "secular mentality" and "feminist spirit".

In 1976, at age 19, I joined Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, a traditional community of nuns. Liberal American sisters in polyester didn't appeal to me; Mother Teresa's mission to the poorest did. I didn't realise the community would observe every Vatican decree as though it came directly from God. I was told that the highest use of my intellect was its unquestioning surrender

in obedience; my superiors would always tell me what God asked of me. Eventually, I came to see that the Missionaries of Charity's anti-intellectualism and rigid separation from the world stunted our work and each sister's development.

Modern nuns' encouragement of individuals' gifts and responsibilities no longer seemed like egocentric selfishness — it seemed like oxygen.

Sometimes I think that if I had joined one of those modern communities, I might still be a nun.

Liberal American sisters are courageous women. Sister Jeannine Gramick, cofounder of New Ways Ministry, continues to advocate for gay rights despite official church efforts to silence her.

In 1979, Sister Theresa Kane, then president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, greeted Pope John Paul II with a call for dialogue about women's roles in the church, including priestly ordination, de-

spite the pontiff's insistence that the issue was closed.

In November 2009, the ethics committee at a Catholic hospital in Phoenix on which Sister Margaret McBride served was faced with the tragic choice of aborting an 11-week-old foetus or allowing both mother and unborn child to die. For agreeing with the committee's decision to terminate the pregnancy to save the mother, McBride was swiftly declared excommunicated.

(Two years later, she was reinstated to the church.)

Surveys show that on homosexuality, women's ordination and the McBride decision, the average US Catholic agrees more with American nuns than with the Vatican.

Sisters speak with a moral authority that the Vatican, tarnished especially by its betrayal of the victims of clerical sexual abuse, can no longer credibly claim.

What the Vatican can claim is power. This month, Father Federico Lombardi

confirmed that church leaders have received the report on US nuns but have yet to determine how they will respond. They may choose to do nothing, issue a simple exhortation or — as more typically happens in response to an apostolic visitation — deliver punitive prescriptions.

American sisters aren't a problem for the Catholic Church; they're an asset.

They're demonstrating new ways to be communities of conscience in the world.

With this report, the men of the Vatican can continue to use their power to intimidate anyone who appears threatening, or they can embrace the spirit of dialogue, respect and courage shown

by American nuns. I'd love to be pleasantly surprised.

Mary Johnson, a former sister with the Missionaries of Charity, is the author of An Unquenchable Thirst: Following Mother Teresa in Search of Love, Service and an Authentic Life.

DSC JAIPUR LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Of dissent, free speech and the Arab Spring

By Ruth David and Ketaki Gokhale

GOOGLE, which is opposing censorship around the world, is funding discussions about dissent as celebrities including Oprah Winfrey (pic) and MTV founder Tom Freston attend Asia's largest literary festival.

The five-day DSC Jaipur Literature Festival that ended on Saturday, in the Indian city known for its pink monuments and forts, has attracted some 100,000 people, organisers said, the most since it began.

Politicians, bankers, Bollywood actors and students have been discussing everything from music to gardening.

"The core theme of this festival is freedom of expression, which is also a core value of Google," said Paroma

Chowdhury, a spokeswoman for the company in the city of Gurgaon.

"We don't try to influence the choice of panellists, but we obviously indicated the kinds of themes we would like to support."

Google is sponsoring six sessions, including three on the theme of dissent and a panel on the Arab Spring. The company, owner of the world's most popular Web search engine, has led online protests against a US anti-piracy Bill.

Along with Facebook, Google is also fighting a lawsuit in India against a court ruling to remove content deemed offensive by the government. It filed a challenge in the Delhi High Court after a judge ordered top executives to be present at a trial on March 13.

The lower court warned that India might follow China's example of blocking websites that fail to comply

with government requests.

The festival's beginnings were in 2004 when author William Dalrymple tried reading his work in public.

He had an audience of 14 people, five of whom were Japanese tourists who had lost their way.

"While we have some of the most difficult and complex authors talking, we also have 'chick lit', people talking

about music, about sex, politics, history," Dalrymple said in an interview.

"We create a sort of carnival atmosphere in the evening with music, we put out streamers and bunting."

Indian-born author Salman Rushdie cancelled his visit to this year's event, saying intelligence sources had said paid assassins were on their way to Jaipur to "eliminate him".

He said a day later on his Twitter account that the police had lied to him.

"The idea of freedom of expression is severely under attack," said Sri Lankan-born poet Cheran during the earlier dissent discussion with Prasoon Joshi, the Indian head of McCann Worldgroup, and three other writers.

Winfrey focused on India's spiritual prowess, amid jabs

at the country's culture. She also talked about her book club and election prospects for President Barack Obama.

"I think the world forgot that we were in the brink of a depression in our country, and Obama helped the US avoid the economic downturn," Winfrey said.

"His next four years are going to be even more successful and it's a really good thing that he remains in office."

Clad in a green Indian kameez, or long shirt, with large earrings, the media mogul parried the moderator's questions for an hour, came with an army of handlers and didn't take any audience questions even as crowds jostled to listen to her.

This year's lineup also included Annie Proulx, the author of Brokeback Mountain, Ben Okri, Kiran Nagarkar, Lionel Shriver and Sri Lanka-born Michael Ondaatje.

— Bloomberg News

18

monday 30 january 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

opinion

TOKYO

|

A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES

World’s worst govt may be ready for change

By William Pesek

AMONG the many tantalising questions surrounding Myanmar’s flirtation with democracy is this: Might Kim Jong-un be enticed to try something similar in North Korea?

Taking stock of events in the Myanmar capital, Naypyidaw, the new leader of the world’s worst government might be having second thoughts about the viability of the Kim Dynasty. At least two million people starved during the 17-year reign of his father, Kim Jong-il, and North Korea’s economy is a disaster area.

Enter Myanmar, the runner-up to North Korea as Asia’s worst regime. In a few short months, President Thein Sein won an upgrade in ties with world powers, a visit from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, talk of scrapping sanctions and nibbles from companies including General Electric. He’s done it by releasing political prisoners and holding out the promise of a new path for a nation whose 62 million citizens earn an average of less than RM7 a day.

TEHeRAN

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Myanmar’s abrupt policy Uturn might not be just a model for change in Jong-un’s North Korea, but a catalyst.

First, a couple of to-be-sure qualifiers. Only time will tell if the military-backed government is pulling off an elaborate head-fake. For all the hopes that Thein Sein is Myanmar’s Mikhail Gorbachev, there’s every reason to — as Ronald Reagan was so fond of saying — trust, but verify. How quickly Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to re-enter government, prisoners are released and the news media can report there are among the litmus tests.

Pyongyang is a much bigger question mark. If the Soviet Union was “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma”, as Winston Churchill put it, Jong-un’s North Korea is a distant planet beyond the reach of our most probing telescopes.

There are some limits to the Myanmar-North Korea comparison. Myanmar, even in its darkest days, was never as surreal as North Korea. Consider reports that Pyongyang is doling out harsh terms in labour camps to those who didn’t mourn with conviction for Jong-il’s death last month.

Yet, it’s not naive to con-

UNTESTED LEADERS: Suu Kyi (left) and Jong-un

sider some of the forces at work.

One is how geopolitics is closing in on Asia’s despots in sudden and unpredictable ways. The Arab Spring squeezed North Korea’s finances more than is acknowledged. Moammar Gadhafi’s Libya was a steady customer for North Korea’s missiles.

Syria has long been a key market for the Hermit Kingdom, along with other nowembattled governments in the Middle East and North Africa. Add to that the signs of liberalisation by resourcerich Myanmar.

As Barack Obama’s White

House extends a hand, the administration anticipates a quick end to Myanmar’s military ties to North Korea.

That’s one more customer who won’t be stuffing Jongun’s pockets and giving him the wherewithal to placate a military leadership accustomed to living the high life and dedicated to preventing a North Korean Spring.

Then there’s China’s patronage. China has grown tired of supporting its unpredictable and thankless neighbour.

When the Kim family lobs missiles at South Korea and in the direction of Tokyo, China’s phones are the first

to ring. China has bigger worries on its plate — averting a financial overheating, for example — than taming Jongil’s ill-timed dramas.

North Korea is surely paying attention to China’s irritation with Myanmar as it cosies up to the US. The reproachment reached new highs this week when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a veteran Myanmar critic, visited Yangon, meeting with Suu Kyi, as did Clinton and billionaire financier George Soros recently. Such visits come three months after Myanmar suspended China’s construction of a RM11 billion dam, raising doubts about MyanmarChina ties.

How all this is playing in Pyongyang is hard to gauge.

Little is known about Jongun, who is thought to be about 28. We do know he attended school in Bern, Switzerland, during the 1990s, has a passion for the National Basketball Association and Michael Jordan and, according to North Korea’s infinitely creative propaganda machine, began driving at age three.

Yet, Jong-un has to know the economic ways of his father are getting less mileage.

Blackmailing the world for food and oil with provoca-

tions is a weak strategy in the long run. So is relying on piracy, currency counterfeiting and weapons sales. The net is tightening on North Korea’s ability to trade nuclear technology with Pakistan and Iran.

The resulting cash shortage may leave just one growth industry for Jong-un: diplomacy. Not the usual routine of hollow pledges and confrontation, but a real opening to the world. Choi Se Woong, a banker who fled the communist North after years of working for the regime, said that Jong-un will drop the barriers to international business for his creaking economy.

Really, where has isolating North Korea gotten the US? If decades of sanctions didn’t unseat Fidel Castro in Cuba, why do successive US leaders think the strategy will work someday in North Korea?

Although appeasement isn’t the answer, there is room for a different approach — one that attacks North Korea with capitalism rather than the threat of military hostilities.

Watching events unfold in Myanmar, Jong-un may just be having radical thoughts.

If he is, the world and North Korea would be a better place. — Bloomberg News

IRAN’S DANGEROUS NUCLEAR MIGHT

How Iran could trigger accidental Armageddon

By Jeffrey Goldberg

ONE of the arguments often made in favour of bombing Iran to cripple its nuclear programme is this: The mullahs in Teheran are madmen who believe it is their consecrated duty to destroy the perfidious Zionist entity (which is to say, Israel) and so are building nuclear weapons to launch at Tel Aviv at the first favourable moment.

It’s beyond a doubt that the Iranian regime would like to bring about the destruction editorial

of Israel. However, the mullahs are also cynics and men determined, more than anything, to maintain their hold on absolute power.

Which is why it’s unlikely that they would immediately use their new weapons against Israel. An outright attack on Israel — a country possessing as many as 200 nuclear weapons and sophisticated delivery systems — would lead to the obliteration of Teheran, the deaths of millions, and the destruction of Iran’s military and industrial capabilities.

The mullahs know this. But here’s the problem: It may not matter. The threat of a

deliberate nuclear attack pales in comparison with the chance that a nuclear-armed Iran could accidentally trigger a cataclysmic exchange with Israel.

The experts who study this depressing issue seem to agree that a Middle East in which Iran has four or five nuclear weapons would be dangerously unstable and prone to warp-speed escalation.

Here’s one possible scenario for the not-so-distant future: Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese proxy, launches a cross-border attack into Israel, or kills a sizeable number of Israeli civilians with

conventional rockets. Israel responds by invading southern Lebanon, and promises, as it has in the past, to destroy Hezbollah. Iran, coming to the defence of its proxy, warns Israel to cease hostilities, and leaves open the question of what it will do if Israel refuses to heed its demand.

Dennis Ross, who until recently served as President Barack Obama’s Iran point man on the National Security Council, notes Hezbollah’s political importance to Teheran. “The only place to which the Iranian government successfully exported the revolution is to Hezbol-

lah in Lebanon,” Ross told me. “If it looks as if the Israelis are going to destroy Hezbollah, you can see Iran threatening Israel, and they begin to change the readiness of their forces. This could set in motion a chain of events that would be like ‘Guns of August’ on steroids.”

Imagine that Israel detects a mobilisation of Iran’s rocket force or the sudden movement of mobile missile launchers. Does Israel assume the Iranians are bluffing, or that they are not?

And would Israel have time to figure this out? Or imagine the opposite: Might Iran,

which will have no secondstrike capability for many years — that is, no reserve of nuclear weapons to respond with in an exchange — feel compelled to attack Israel first, knowing that it has no second chance?

Ross argues that the Obama administration’s approach — the imposition of steadily more debilitating sanctions — may yet work. There’s a chance, albeit slim, that he may be right: New sanctions are just beginning to bite.

But opponents of military action make a mistake in arguing that a nuclear Iran is a containable problem. It is not. — Bloomberg News

MANAGEMENT

Editors

Yushaimi Yahaya

Terence Fernandez

Muzli Mohamad Zin

Frankie D'Cruz

Ahmad Najmuddin

Phillip Karuppiah

Joel Miranda

Joehari Abd Jabbar

Group Editorial Advisor yushem@mmail.com.my

Managing Editor | News terence@mmail.com.my

Managing Editor | Operations muzli@mmail.com.my

Editor-At-Large frankie@mmail.com.my

News Editor ahmadnajmuddin@mmail.com.my

Chief Executive Officer phillip@redberry.com.my

General Manager | Sales joel.miranda@redberry.com.my

General Manager | Distribution joehari@redberry.com.my

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monday 30 january 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

Letters Letters To The Editor must carry your name, address and contact number. A pseudonym may be included

FAX: 03-74951229

MAIL Letters To The Editor, Malay Mail Sdn Bhd, Lot 2A, Jalan 13/2, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

SUBANG JAYA

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feedback@mmail.com.my

SEREMBAN TRADERS RULE

freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Freedom to believe includes freedom not to believe I refer to the case of religious persecution in Indonesia involving a 30-yearold civil servant, Alexander Aan, who was arrested on charges of blasphemy for saying and believing in the non-existence of God. I am in complete solidarity with his cause and support calls for his immediate release from jail.

The whole imbroglio started when he posted “God does not exist” on his Facebook page. Because he exercised free expression and freedom to profess one’s religious beliefs, he was bashed up by a bunch of idiotic and fanatical hoodlums.

Alexander’s hardship is just beginning to unfold.

KUALA LUMPUR

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Now, he faces the grim prospect of losing his job or worse, even being jailed for up to five years; that is if he fails to repent and duly accept one of the six official state religions, duly recognised by Indonesian law.

The said religions are Islam, Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism.

Alexander was quoted by an online portal as saying he did not believe in God because of the number of crimes and disasters.

“If God indeed exists, why do bad things happens,” he was quoted as saying.

“There should only be good things if God is merciful.”

Alexander said he was born a Muslim but ceased

CHANGES IN FACEBOOK

religious activities in 2008.

He also declared he did not believe in angels, devils, heaven and hell as well as other "myths".

Further, he also told police investigators that “if God really exists and has absolute power, why didn't he prevent bad things from happening in this world?"

Alexander said, “He realised what he said and was prepared to lose his job to defend his beliefs.”

If Indonesia is truly what it proudly proclaims to the world as society of diversity and toleration, then logic and common sense will guide them to do the right thing is that is to release this man.

The right to believe or not SITIAWAN

|

to believe in a particular or multiple supreme beings — or the lack of it — can never be legislated by the state on behalf of its citizens.

This is a blatant violation of Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which expressly provides that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or beliefs, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and ex-

Wake up consumer bodies, do your job!

pression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Indonesia, as a signatory to the said universal document, and as a bona fide member of the United Nations is bound by the said stipulations of this international law and is expected to abide by its provisions regardless of its "conflict" to their internal constitution.

JOSE MARIO DOLOR DE VEGA SUBANG JAYA

HISTORICAL HERITAGE

Honouring Sambanthan the proper way

Bye, bye Facebook FACEBOOK'S Timeline — a new look for people's profile pages which exposes their entire history on the site — will soon become mandatory for all users. The "new look" has been voluntary up until now.

From now, users will simply be notified that they are being "updated" via an announcement at the top of their home page, which users click on to activate Timeline.

Timeline has been criticised for showing off pictures and posts that people might have wanted to forget.

This is a bad move by Facebook, This timeline thing is silly and too system intensive.

My netbook is only a year old but struggles to load Timeline pages on Facebook which is just ridiculous. It will definitely put me off using the site.

They should listen to their users who made the company, instead of just arrogantly doing what they think is "best".

Further, it is amazing that every business has to obey by the US’s Data Protection Act but Facebook can just bypass this with out any consequences.

If my Facebook changes to this timeline, then my timeline will come to an end because I will no longer be using Facebook.

I use it for personal and business purposes but not for long by the sounds of things.

ANN DEWIND KUALA LUMPUR

Tun V.T. Sambanthan was great leader and a figure who played a fundamental role in achieving our independence. To be precise, Independence for Malaya was earlier rejected without his presence as an Indian representative in London.

He was also responsible in developing Malaya together with Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Various and numerous developments were made during his ministerial period.

He held positions such Minister of Labour (19551957), Minister of Works (1957-1959), Minster of Post and Telecommunications (1959-1971) and Minister of National Unity (1972-1974) during his political era.

Many may not know that Sambanthan had also taken the responsibility to act as the Prime Minister of Malaysia for one day to carry out a crucial task when both the premier and deputy premier were out of country at that time.

There might be insufficient space to list down Sambantanthan’s entire contributions to our nation here but we must remember that he

a was rare politician who spent his personal money for the people. He did not even own a house till his last breath.

Sambanthan resided and spent most of his lifetime period in his Guilemard Road government house (now Jalan Ledang near Parliament House) during his political days from 1957-1979.

It was also the house where he lived till his last days. After his demise, the house had been left abandoned. There are rumours that the house is a "den" for drug addicts.

This is a very saddening as it was the residence of one of our founding fathers.

I would like to propose to Ministry of Information,

National Operation Council: (From left) Ibrahim Ismail, IGP Datuk Salleh Ismail, Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, Tun V.T. Sambanthan, Tun Dr Ismail Abd. Rahman & Tun Abdul Razak Hussein

Communications & Culture to refurbish this house and turn it into a memorial of Sambanthan as a mark of respect for his contributions to our nation.

The house can also double up as a centre for information on his life for our future generations.

VIGNESWARAN KANNAN SITIAWAN, PERAK

WITH price hikes being what they are today, I call on consumers’ associations to wake up to do what you are set up for. Many such associations I note aren't active. Where are they? Sleeping?

I noticed the Chinese new year did not see any reduction in prices though many consumer items were declared price control items.

Consumers were forced to buy at high prices. They had no choice.

This would not have occurred if State consumer bodies were alive and did what they were registered for as non-governmental organisations.

This truly saddens me as consumers are increasingly at the mercy of traders. If the enforcers, the consumers, and their associations, including the Federation of Malaysian Consumers’ Association (Fomca) had monitored the price hike this season, the unhealthy situation could have been checked.

But because no one did what needed to be done, I am told profiteering existed, as my family members discovered during the festive period.

I can’t help but note with amazement that most consumers’ associations are silent, passive and inactive.

What has come of them?

Some say they do not exist. Some can’t be located?

I tried to get to two, but failed.

All said, I must say that currently the only consumer body that stands up for the rights of consumers is the Penang association.

However, it is sad to note that Fomca has become irrelevant.

I noticed the Chinese new year did not see any reduction in prices though many consumer items were declared price control items BULBIR SINGH SEREMBAN

20

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

Business

KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR

BARCELONA

NEW YORK

Maybank seeks remittance growth

Perodua again most preferred brand

Spanair goes bust, passengers stranded

New low in Facebook IPO fees

Double-digit growth target set, backed by “Mega Remittance Promotion” contest till June 30, with top prize of RM50,000 cash on offer

With sales driven by new Myvi, automaker captures 30% total industry volume market share last year and also top ranking for six years in a row

Over 22,000 passengers left stranded after airline Spanair abruptly went bust, cancelling all its future flights with only half an hour’s notice

Investment banks willing to go as low as 1% on advisory fees in largest ever initial public offer from Silicon Valley, firm could file papers on Wednesday

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 PAGE23

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KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR

Maxis says ‘no’ to Aircel sale Stays put despite high profile resignations flaming exit rumours

By Andrea Mathew andrea@mmail.com.my

LOCAL telecommunications firm Maxis Bhd will not be selling its 74% stake in Indian telco, Aircel Ltd. Maxis group chief executive officer and Aircel director Sandip Das made this clear to The Malay Mail via a text message, responding with a flat “No” to clarify the air of speculation that has been clouding the controversial takeover and ongoing operational restructuring at Aircel.

Aircel last week saw its

chief marketing officer Rahul Saighal quitting, the third high-profile exit in the company within a month. Previous resignations were chief operating officer Gurdeep Singh and chief technology officer Malickarjun Rao. The high profile exits come even as speculation mounts that changes in top management were the first step towards a possible sale of the company by its Malaysian promoters.

Indian industry executives have speculated that Malaysia’s Maxis will axe its Indian operations after Aircel was linked to the 2G spectrum

scam.

Aircel was sold to Maxis in 2006 but in October last year, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a FIR (first information report) against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanidhi Maran in connection with the AircelMaxis deal.

Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri T. Ananda Krishnan and Ralph Marshal, the chief executive officer of Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd, who is also a Malaysian, have also each filed a FIR in relation to the CIB probe into the former minister in relation to Aircel.

RAUB

According to the CBI, after Aircel was sold to the Maxis Group, investments were made by the Malaysian company in the family business of Marans.

Reports show, Dayanidhi has been previously booked for offences including showing “undue favour” to Aircel.

The probe is further flamed

by Aircel founder C. Sivasankaran, who gave a statement to the CBI in June the same year. According to the statement, he was coerced by Dayanidhi — when he was the telecom minister (20042007) — to sell out to Maxis.

Maxis paid US$800 million

(RM2.4 billion) for the deal.

Also to note, Aircel, which was denied a pan-India telecom licence earlier, was able to enter all circles after the Maxis takeover, Sivasankaran alleged.

The CBI has also probed Astro’s US$160 million investment in Sun Direct TV (P) Ltd, the direct-to-home arm of the Sun TV group, owned by Kalanidhi, for a 20% stake.

Last year, Astro had raised its stake in Sun Direct to 35%. The CBI is trying to find out if there was a case of quid pro quo involved in the latter transaction.

KUALA LUMPUR

M’sia ‘value-for-money’ destination New healthcare milestone for Khazanah in Turkey

MALAYSIA has been listed as one of the eight “value-formoney” holiday destinations in the world by low-cost travel portal STA Travel United Kingdom, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She also said that a report of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) placed Malaysia on ninth position in terms of tourist arrivals.

The Lonely Planet information and tourism portal has named Malaysia as one of the 10 countries good to visit, she said when addressing a Chinese New Year gathering on Saturday night.

“The tourism industry has promoted Malaysia well in the eyes of the world. In fact, it is the fifth largest contributor to national revenue,” Dr Ng said.

The Raub MP said Pahang is blessed with an attractive natural environment and peaceful surroundings which make the

VIBRANT: Colourful celebrations like Chinese New Year help draw tourists — BERNAMApic

state a major tourist destination.

“Last year, up to September, Pahang recorded 9.3 million tourist arrivals, and Raub registered 91,868 arrivals.

“In Raub, we have the Raub Lake Gardens, the pleasant Fraser’s Hill, the popular Jarum

Waterfalls picnic spot and the Besu Rapids which attracts kayak and camping enthusiasts.”

Dr Ng said Pahang has been allocated RM40.27 million under the 10th Malaysia Plan for development projects statewide to promote tourism. — Bernama

THE acquisition of 75% stake in Turkish healthcare provider Acibadem Saglik Yatirimlari Holding A.S.(ASYH) by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and its subsidiary Integrated Healthcare Holdings Sdn Bhd (IHH) sees the government’s investment holding arm achieving another major milestone with a strategy that focuses on healthcare.

“Five or six years ago, we have identified healthcare as a very important sector that brings together several values,” managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said.

The defensive nature of healthcare combined with the growth attributes of the sector offers unique opportunities especially in this current uncertain global economy, he said.

Last Tuesday, IHH completed its purchase of 60% stake in ASYH from Mehmet Ali Aydinlar and family and Abraaj Capital, a leading private eq-

uity manager investing in the Middle East, Turkey, Asia and Africa.

With the transaction, Azman said the group was spreading its footprint in the key growth markets in healthcare in the world. “The Khazanah group, Acibadem, Abraaj as well as Mitsui have footprints and deep relationship in many countries.”

He said this included China which was a very regulated market but added that with changes happening, the group was very well placed.

He added the partnership which would bring together different parts of the world including Japan, Southeast Asia and India, would provide the group a platform to explore many other areas.

Khazanah also has a major stake in Apollo hospital, the leading healthcare provider in India. — Bernama

Positive boost for Bursa A HIGHER trend is expcted this wweek for Bursa Malaysia, along with other regional markets, boosted by positive news from the US and Europe.

Dealers said buying interest for assets in the emerging markets including Malaysia on renewed belief among investors that the US Federal Reserve would stand ready to support financial assets would lift up the market.

Dr Nazri Khan, Affin Investment Bank’s head of retail research, said: “We view the dovish statement from the US Federal Reserve (that interest rates would remain exceptionally low until at least late 2014) as a positive surprise for investors.

“We expect it would open the possibility of huge asset purchases to boost the global economy.”

He said the new resistance level for FBM KLCI would be 1,560 if the market could break the current resistance level of 1,530.

On the local front, Bank Negara Malaysia will announce the outcome of its monetary policy meeting tomorrow, probably a cut in the overnight policy rate to boost economic activity across the board.

An analyst said the local market would continue to be influenced by external events significantly despite local fundamentals remaining strong and speculative play ahead of the 13th general election.

He said interest in construction counters and governmentlinked companies might heighten with MRT Corporation announcing contracts for the My Rapid Transit project.

IJM and Ahmad Zaki were the early winners with contracts totalling RM1.7 billion, and more contracts were expected to be given out going forward with some media putting the total figure at about RM15 billion.

On a weekly basis, the FBM KLCI declined 1.76 points to 1,520.90. — Bernama

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

21

22

• MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

SPOTLIGHT The BrandLaureate recognition is another boost for Tune Hotels and we are on the right track towards becoming a truly global hotel brand Mark Lankester Tune Hotels group chief executive officer

KUALA LUMPUR

Maybank seeks remittance growth Double-digit target set for 2012 with cash campaign that will run until June 30 and covering 3,390 touchpoints

By Francis C. Nantha francisnantha@mmail.com.my

A DOUBLE-digit growth target has been set by Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) for its remittance business during the current financial year.

Remittance had grown into a significant business and customers were drawn by competitive pricing and convenience, said the bank’s head of cards, wealth and payments B. Ravintharan.

“Maybank is already a market leader in the remittance business and we have recorded a significant growth since we launched MME (Maybank

Money Express) service on Sept 16, 2010 with Cambodians being the largest users of this service,” he said in a statement.

To make the remittance service a more rewarding experience for customers, the bank has launched the “Mega Remittance Promotion” whereby customers who remit RM500 and above will stand a chance to win RM50,000.

The campaign will run until June 30.

The campaign has already seen the routine task of sending money home to his loved ones in the Philippines for Julio F. Fonte Jr walking away richer by RM50,000 when he received the grand prize in campaign’s earliest phase.

“Personally, I find the Maybank Money Express very convenient and an affordable way to send money home. I usually use the remittance service about twice monthly and my family members back home say it is very easy for them to collect the money as there is a Maybank branch nearby.”

The four phase campaign was launched, in conjunction with the MME service, on Sept 1 last year.

Other consolation winners include Dwikrisnawati from Indonesia and Gulzar Ahmad from Pakistan, who won RM1,000 each.

MME is available at all Maybank branches in Malaysia, as well as at strategic Maybank overseas offices

Critical illness adds cover to medical insurance

By Life Insurance Association of Malaysia liaminfo@liam.org.my

Critical illness (CI) insurance coverage provides you with a lump sum benefit (plus cash values or dividends, if any) upon diagnosis of any of the 36 dread diseases or specified illnesses as defined in your policy (you may refer to LIAM’s website at www.liam.org.my for the list of illnesses and their respective definitions).

What you may need to be aware here is that such diagnosis of the specified illnesses must be substantiated by certain medical tests/criteria in order to qualify as a valid claim.

This may be where disputes can arise, especially with regards to the definitions of the illnesses.

A typical example may be cancer. While cancer is stated as one of the specified illnesses covered under a CI insurance policy, the level of severity/malignancy or the stage of the cancer is important here.

There’s also some con-

fusion in relation to the Hospital and Surgical Insurance (HSI), which generally reimburses you for all the medical expenses incurred whilst you are hospitalised (with the exception of day surgeries).

This is very different from a CI policy, which pays you a lump sum upon diagnosis. Therefore, we cannot really say that they are redundant as one reimburses your cost outlay while the other replaces your potential loss of income as a result of a defined dread disease.

In fact, the HSI and CI policies are complementary to each other and you are advised to have both types of coverage in your portfolio.

The HSI policy can cover you for even non-critical illness related conditions, like appendicitis or early stage cancer treatments, for which you may not be able to claim from your CI policy.

On the other hand, the CI policy pays you (and not the hospital) a lump sum of money to be used for post-hospitalisation expenses, like continu-

ous medical care, or for which is not covered by your HSI policy, like the cost of purchasing an organ for organ-transplant.

Therefore, having one without the other is like having just a fork without a spoon.

A lot of people also ask if they still need to have own HSI and CI policies if already covered by the employer It’s advisable to have your own HSI and CI policies because your employer’s coverage is only applicable whilst you’re still under employment and when you resign or retire, you may end up without any coverage and it may even be too late to purchase one then.

So, it’s best to secure one while you’re still insurable, while in the pink of health!

• The above article is provided purely as an advisory. For specific details, please consult an insurance professional.

• For accompanying piece on HSI policy, please go to www.mmail.com.my/business/spotlight

and appointed MME agents.

There are about 3,390 collection touchpoints which include Bank Internasional Indonesia, Bank Muamalat Indonesia, Bank Rakyat Indonesia Syariah, Maybank Cambodia, Maybank Philippines Inc, Maybank Sin-

gapore, Maybank Brunei, Maybank Vietnam, DongA Money Transfer, SacombankSBR, Agribank, Vietinbank in Vietnam, Muslim Commercial Bank and Tameer Microfinance Bank in Pakistan, Axis Bank in India and Nepal Investment Bank Ltd.

LUCKY: Ravintharan (right) with (from left) Maybank’s Dexter Tan, Dwikrisnawati, Fonte Jr, Gulzar

KUALA LUMPUR

Perodua again most preferred brand NATIONAL car maker Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sendirian Bhd (Perodua) captured 30% total industry volume (TIV) market share last year totaling to 180,000 vehicles making it the most preferred automotive brand in Malaysia for six years in a row.

Sales were driven by strong demand for its new Myvi model, registering nearly 78,000 units last year, as well as strong demand for its Viva and Alza.

Perodua managing director, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said Perodua has set

a sales target of 188,000 this year, a 4% increase from last year on the back of aggressive promotions throughout the year.

Aminar added that Perodua is also doing well in terms of after sales as the company recorded its highest ever service intake of 1.67 million vehicles last year, translating into a market share of 51% of Perodua vehicles currently in operation.

He revealed that Perodua has doubled its exports to 8,000 vehicles last year from 4,000 vehicles in 2010.

“We aim to further boost our exports this year to 10,000 units by further increasing the export volume to the countries that we are currently in as well as exploring new markets.”

Under Perodua’s five-year road map, the company aims to quantum leap its exports to some 20,000 vehicles by 2015.

It currently exports to seven countries namely Singapore, Brunei, Mauritius, Fiji, Sri Lanka, the UK and Nepal. The Myvi model is sold in Indonesia under the Daihatsu Sirion badge.

KUALA LUMPUR

Tune Hotels wins APBF SME award VALUE hotel brand Tune Hotels Regional Services Sdn Bhd was awarded the most promising brand by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF) at the BrandLaureate, Small Medium Enterprises Best Brands Awards 2011 recently.

Tune Hotels group chief executive officer Mark Lankester said: “The BrandLaureate recognition is another boost for Tune Hotels and we are on the right track

towards becoming a truly global hotel brand.”

“We also attribute this achievement to all our loyal and new guests who have embraced the accommodation concept and model pioneered by Tune Hotels, making it a global phenomenon. When we first started in downtown Kuala Lumpur in 2007, we did not imagine that Tune Hotels would be such a successful brand that takes the world by storm.”

Tune Hotels has received over three million guests since the opening of its first hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

It currently operates 15 hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia, the UK and Thailand, with another 30 hotels scheduled for opening this year in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and the UK. The awards recognise brand excellence amongst small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

23

Business In terms of a comparison with the euro area, the UK does not have the uncertainty over a possible euro breakup to contend with Philip Shaw Investec Securities, UK

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Facebook IPO fees dive Practically unheard of 1% deal, firm could file on Wednesday keen to jump on the social media trend, and even a 1% fee would reap US$100 million in revenue for investment banks, sending a lead advisor to the coveted No. 1 spot on IPO league tables.

“There’s no other IPO like this,” said Lee Simmons, a tech specialist at Dun & Bradstreet.

“It’s kind of the 800-pound gorilla for the tech sector.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook plans to file IPO documents with US securities regulators as early as Wednesday, and is close to picking Morgan Stanley as the lead underwriter.

Facebook’s offering will be the largest ever IPO from Silicon Valley, as well as the largest global high-tech IPO since the dot-com bubble burst. The most recent US social-media IPO, Zynga Inc, raised just one-tenth of the proceeds Facebook is hoping for.

“Facebook is one of the most well-known brands around the globe,” said George Papaioannou, a business professor at

Hofstra University who has studied underwriting competition among investment banks.

“The underwriters will have to do very little convincing to investors, and that gives Facebook a huge negotiating advantage.”

The other edge of the IPO sword can cut just as sharply for hot tech stocks.

LinkedIn Corp, which raised US$353 million last May in an IPO priced at US$45 a share, watched the stock soar as high as US$122.70 on the first day of trading. LinkedIn shares have drifted down to the low US$70 range, but the price range to date indicates that the company could have raised another US$440 million to US$1 billion in extra money if the IPO were priced more aggressively.

A sharp fluctuation in price soon after Facebook’s IPO “would really embarrass Facebook and the underwriters,” given the recent history of social-media IPOs, said Papaioannou. — Reuters

THE initial public offering (IPO) for Facebook Inc is likely to set a new standard for how low investment banks are willing to go on advisory fees to win big business.

The world’s largest online social network is expected to tap public markets for US$10 billion (RM30.4 billion) in the coming months in an offering that will value the company at up to US$100 billion, according to sources familiar with the planned IPO. It will be one of the biggest US market debuts ever and a prized trophy for the investment bankers seeking to win lead advisory roles.

That has set up a fierce competition on Wall Street, particularly between the presumed front-runners Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc, which may offer their underwriting services for as little as 1% of gross proceeds, bankers and industry observers said.

That would be far less than the 7% fee that smaller deals typically fetch, or the 2% or

3% that large deals tend to command.

“The Facebook IPO will be iconic,” said James Montgomery, chief executive of San Francisco-based investment bank Montgomery & Co, which advises tech companies on mergers, acquisitions and private placements.

Facebook can easily negotiate a 1% fee for the entire group of investment banks that will peddle its shares, Montgomery said, “much to the chagrin of the underwriters.”

Such a low fee is practically unheard of for investment banking deals, apart from the offerings of bailed-out companies General Motors Co, American International Group Inc and Ally Financial Inc, which sold shares held by the US government in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

But Facebook has several advantages that will allow the company to haggle for a lower fee: it will be an easy sell as hoards of investors are

ATHENS

BARCELONA

Greece close to debt swap with creditors

Spanair goes bust, passengers left stranded at several airports

GREECE and its private creditors said on Saturday they were piecing together the final elements of a debt swap and expected to have a deal ready this week, essential for sealing a new bailout and avoiding an uncontrolled default.

After muddling through rounds of inconclusive talks, the negotiations are in their final phase — though it appeared unlikely that a preliminary deal would be secured in time for a European Union summit later today.

Greek bondholders said the two sides were finalising a deal along the lines of a proposal made by Jean-Claude Juncker, the chairman of eurozone finance ministers.

The comments suggest creditors had accepted Juncker’s demand for a coupon, or interest rate, of below 4% on new, longer-dated bonds that Athens will swap for existing debt. — Reuters

PASSENGERS were stranded at Spanish airports Saturday after airline Spanair abruptly went bust, cancelling all its future flights at half an hour’s notice.

“The company has decided to cease its operations as a measure of caution and safety,” Spanair said in a statement late Friday, citing a poor financial outlook.

Its last scheduled flight landed half an hour later at 10pm (2100 GMT), leaving rivals such as Iberia, Vueling and Easyjet to take passengers stranded by the airline, which runs flights within Spain and to Europe and Africa.

Spanish media said at least 22,000 passengers were affected over the weekend.

“They told me now I have to buy another ticket. I have no money. How can I?” one angry man told Spanish TV. The public works ministry said there were 647 Spanair flights cancelled between

UK woos Chinese cash BRITAIN is making huge efforts to attract investment from China to kickstart an economy teetering on the brink of recession — and it is playing its trump card of being outside the eurozone.

Finance minister George Osborne visited China this month and Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed Premier Wen Jiabao for talks in London in June, both repeating the message that Britain is “fully opened to foreign investments”.

In China, Osborne said he was keen to make London a leading international hub for the exchange of the yuan.

The attempts to lure Chinese investment show Britain is seeking to distance itself from the US and France, where some hostile voices question the intentions of China’s CIC sovereign fund.

The fund, lavishly stocked with US$410 billion dollars, is looking to invest in infrastructure projects in Europe and North America.

Britain hopes it will help finance the £30 billion (RM143.5 billion) worth of infrastructure projects that Cameron’s government launched last year in a bid to stimulate the struggling economy.

The efforts to gain China’s trust bore fruit this week when it was announced that the sovereign fund had acquired an 8.6% stake in water company Thames Water,

which supplies the needs of 14 million people in Britain.

Osborne hailed the investment, the value of which has not been divulged, as “a significant step by China” and “good news for both the British and Chinese economies”.

The Thames Water deal was the biggest Chinese investment of its type yet seen in Britain.

Previous Chinese forays had been limited to buying shares in blue-chip companies such as supermarket chain Tesco.

Most observers believe more deals are not far down the line. If, for example, the project to build a new airport in the Thames Estuary ever goes ahead, “expect plenty of Chinese money behind it”, the Daily Telegraph said.

While Britain trails behind countries like Germany in trade, it is gaining ground in direct investment. And its position firmly outside the troubled eurozone gives it a distinct advantage compared to many of its fellow members of the European Union.

“In terms of a comparison with the euro area, the UK does not have the uncertainty over a possible euro breakup to contend with,” Philip Shaw of Investec Securities said.

Few experts doubt though that propping up the British economy is not China’s longterm aim — Chinese eyes are fixed firmly on the US and Britain is a convenient springboard to achieve that aim. — AFP

BRIEFS

GROUNDED: Spanair planes on the tarmac of the El Prat International Airport in Barcelona after cancelling all its future flights with only half an hour’s notice — AFPpic

Saturday and Monday and on Saturday, about 170 passengers were stuck at an airport in Mali, a similar number in Gambia and others in Morocco.

The ministry did not have figures for the number of people stuck in its European destinations such as France and Germany. Spanair spokespeople were not available on Saturday to confirm the figures.

Spanair, which was founded

in 1986 and has about 2,000 staff, had tried to survive by a tie-up with Qatar Airways — which fell through.

The company’s chairman Ferran Soriano said: “When we learned this morning that the merger was not going to happen in time and that the Catalonia government was not going to contribute more funds, the most sensible and safe decision was to close down operations.” — AFP

Retail sales soar in China during break

Luxury tag for Indian apparel

BEIJING: China said retail sales surged 16.2% year on year to 470 billion yuan (RM225.7 billion) during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, as consumers splashed out on food, wine and clothes. Hundreds of millions of people journey across the country during the holiday to celebrate with their families and consumer spending typically soars during the period. The commerce ministry said sales of clothes, jewellery and food rose 18.7%, 16.4% and 16.2% respectively, according to a statement posted on its website Saturday, the last day of the holiday. The number of passenger trips on trains, planes, boats and buses was expected to reach 3.2 billion during the peak travel period from January 8 to February 16, up 9.1% from last year. — AFP

NEW DELHI: “Made in India” clothing is often seen as the product of sweatshop labour, but fashion designer Saloni Lodha, whose fans include film stars Naomi Watts and Emma Watson, wants to give it a luxury tag. “I have great faith in the made-in-India idea, and wanted to see an Indian, made-in-India brand in the world’s best stores,” she said while on a visit to Mumbai to source fabrics. British-based Lodha launched her label, Saloni, in 2007 and today, her flirty, feminine dresses are stocked at some of the world’s leading boutiques and worn by socialites and stars alike. A precocious success in a competitive, often cutthroat industry, the 30year-old designer has expanded her business to include jewellery and handbags, all the while trumpeting her brand’s Indian origins as a selling point. — AFP

24

 MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

LIFESTYLE

GADGETS&GIZMOS

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Lenovo helps you pick out just the right gift for this Valentine’s Day

Your favourite Hollywood couples enter splitsville after the cursed seven year itch

The 11th series of American Idol is back again, with more drama on and off screen

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This sequel to the critically acclaimed 2007 PSP puzzler.

Crush comes across like a crazy clash between the Mario games and Back to the Future films.

It’s all rendered in eyepopping 3D and centres around Danny, an unfor tunate character suffering chronic insomnia.

Mad scientist Dr Reuben tries to cure him with his C.R.U.S.H. device, an ingenious invention that allows Danny to explore the inner workings of his head and, quite literally, recover his marbles.

Bioware's third instalment of space opera gameplay takes action roleplay to a whole new level

Mass Effect 3

What we are playing..

Grand Theft Auto V: Relocated to the West Coast, this is going to be hot

allow him to unite then enlist two warring races.

The third-person, squadbased gameplay was immediately familiar, but also subtly improved.

Shepard’s increased mobility and new moves suggested a visit to the same augmentation clinics frequented by Deus Ex star Adam Jensen.

A brief stop at a handy workbench, meanwhile, showcases a new weapon mechanic that promises the variety of the franchise’s first game, but with none of the user unfriendliness.

Most intriguing of all, Mass Effect 3 allows up to four players to participate in bespoke combat missions that complement the

main campaign.

They’re optional, but at the same time any resources gained do contribute to your single player’s own war effort.

The Mass Effect series has always been as much about storytelling as shooting, though, and BioWare promise that the increased emphasis on the latter is not at the expense of the former.

In one early level, our hero discovers a scared child hiding in an air vent during the evacuation of a city being reduced to embers.

But choose to rescue him and he quickly scarpers, saying: “Everyone’s dying... you can’t help me.”

At the end of the level you

The Last Of Us: The Uncharted team bring their unrivalled storytelling to the survival horror genre. Be afraid.

The gameplay hinges on your ability to switch between 2D and 3D viewpoints with the press of a button.

It allows you to reach what appeared to be inaccessible areas of a level by giving you the option of traversing it in a completely new dimension.

It’s a simple and yet innovative mechanic that works well.

With plenty of intricately designed levels to conquer and a bundle of extras to be u n - locked along the way, Crush 3D will keep you scratching your head well into the new year. — The Daily Mirror

INTRIGUING: Mass Effect 3 now allows up to four players to participate in combat missions that complements the main theme of the game

run into him again, scrambling to safety on a departing dropship. As the dramatic score swells, the craft takes off... and is vaporised in mid-air seconds later by a nearby Reaper’s death ray.

Brace yourselves, then.

It’s going to be emotional.

— The Daily Mirror Ed's note: Mass Effect 3 will be available soon at The Software Boutique's website (www.tsb.com. my) on PS3 and Xbox 360 at a retail price of RM189.

The uber sexy PlayStation Vita

Check out these games The Malay Mail team is currently fixated on - with new weapons, vehicles and unrivalled storytelling BioShock Infinite: The biggest outing yet for the thinking man's action RPG

25

Ready for a quantum leap?

An epic finale THE first two instalments of BioWare’s space opera action roleplayer didn’t exactly lack scale and spectacle.

But its finale looks like it will take epic to a whole new level.

Having spent dozens of hours discovering first the existence and then the extent of series bad guys the Reapers, Mass Effect 3 allows players to finally finish the fight with them – on Earth.

Inevitably, this isn’t as straightforward as it sounds.

Given the enormity of the threat not just to mankind but all intelligent life, returning hero Commander Shepard must first tour the galaxy, recruiting races to fight by his side in the mother of all final acts.

And, as veterans of Mass Effect’s massive gameworld can testify, that means racking up air miles by the million.

As you’d expect, allies are accrued through a combination of delicate diplomacy and visceral combat.

One level that was played saw Shepard escorting a scientist who had developed a cure for a disease that would

THE MALAY MAIL

Tomb Raider: Lara Croft trades shiny Lycra for gritty realism.

Halo 4: Where next for the FPS that launched a thousand XBoxes? Mast Chief is dead... long live Master Chief?

MOBILE gaming is one of the fastest growing entertainment sectors around.

But as the soaraway success of Apple’s and Android’s app stores show, the big money is now all in small change.

So Sony’s decision to launch a premium handheld console appears bold to the point of recklessness.

Pick up a PlayStation Vita, however, and it’s immediately apparent where your money has been spent.

With processing power and graphical muscle just shy of its PlayStation 3 big brother, you’ll be drooling over the device within seconds of switching on its super sharp 5in screen.

And, despite its design bearing more than a passing resemblance to the old PlayStation Portable, the Vita is loaded with next-gen gaming features, including two touch-sensitive panels.

It remains to be seen how developers will use the panel on the back, but the possibilities are intriguing. The Vita’s front-and rear-facing cameras and smart approach to connectivity (it’s fast to find and interact not only with other Vitas, but also PS3s) are excellent.

But hardcore gamers will be most impressed with the dual thumbstick controls, which means you can authentically reproduce the home console FPS experience on the go.

We’ve spent our time on it engrossed in Uncharted: Golden Abyss and it compared favourably with the PS3 in almost every department.

With a super-strong launch title line-up, including FIFA, Wipeout 2048 and Touch My Katamari, the Vita could mark the moment that mobile entertainment got serious. — The Daily Mirror

THE MALAY MAIL

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GADGETS&GIZMOS

THE MALAY MAIL

showbiz I was able to do my job and never drank at work, but it was a daily thing leading me down a very, very destructive path Daniel Radcliffe ACTOR

The seven-year ditch

INBRIEF

Oprah Winfrey is considering Hawaii

When celebrity couples head towards splitsville in seven years or so It’s a phrase made famous by the Marilyn Monroe movie classic The Seven Year Itch.

After seven years together, the honeymoon is reckoned to be well and truly over for many marriages – as Seal and Heidi Klum’s recent alleged split has shown.

Like Marilyn’s iconic white dress, these 10 celebrity couples have all seen their relationships blown away seven years down the line.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher

They played out their entire relationship on Twitter. But now after seven years Demi, 49, and Ashton, 33, have hit the rocks after he cosied up to a busty blonde. What a twit.

Boris Becker and Barbara Feltus

Tennis champ Boris aced his love life when he married actress Barbara in 1993. But he ended up swapping the tennis court for the ­divorce court in 2000 when he fathered a child after a fumble in a broom cupboard at London’s Nobu restaurant.

Seal and Heidi Klum

Until news of their split last week, it was seen as one of ­the strongest marriages in showbiz.

But Brit singer Seal, 48, and German model Heidi, 38, who married in 2005, ­realised they were never going to survive the seven-year curse.

Eva Longoria and Tony Parker

After marrying 6ft 1in basketball star Tony, 29, 5ft Eva, 36, had a man she could really look up to. But in a plotline fit for her hit TV series Desperate Housewives, the couple divorced in 2010 after Tony sexted another woman.

Daniel Radcliffe too embarrassed to watch Harry Potter

Jason Statham and Kelly Brook

What attracted movie hardman Jason, 44, to busty Kelly, 32, in 1997, we wonder? It wasn’t enough for happy-everafter, they broke up in 2004.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Latino popstars Jennifer, 42, and Marc, 43, sang in harmony for years after marrying in 2004. They had twins together and recorded a duet. But last year they hit a bum note... and split.

Her Madgesty, 53, seemed to have found her Prince Charming in Guy, 43, after Sting and Trudie Styler ­introduced them in 1999. They had a son, Rocco, in 2000 and married in a Scottish castle later that year. But as soon as they hit the sevenyear mark , it was all over bar the division of the spoils.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston

They were married for five years, but together for seven, until Brad, 48, met Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith. They split in 2005 and Mr Pitt became one-half of Brangelina. We ­assume they’re no longer Friends.

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger

It’s safe to say this was one superstar couple whose split was far from amicable. Kim, 58, and Alec, 53, parted in 2000 after seven years of marriage — then continued to war. At least it lasted longer than nine weeks.

Zachary Quinto doesn’t watch television The Star Trek actor insists he’s too busy to make the time to view shows on a regular basis and he prefers to catch up with DVD box sets instead.

He told Empire magazine: “I don’t really watch TV – is that awful? I’m more of a box set guy. I just don’t have time to tune in every

week. However, I am obsessed with this new TV series Homeland. Like, really obsessed. It is amazing.”

Zachary (pic) believes he owes many of his personality traits to his Italian genes, but jokes his Irish heritage comes out in the kitchen.

He said “I think the Italian side comes out more strong-

ly. I’m kind of fiery and I really enjoy a long lunch with bottles of wine and friends.

“I’m maybe more Irish in the kitchen. Although I make an amazing egg sandwich and a fierce cranberry relish.”

Last year, the 34-year-old revealed he’s homosexual but insists he doesn’t want

The media mogul had previously joked that if her network OWN isn’t a success she will move to the island of Maui, Hawaii to become an organic farmer but pals of the star have revealed the idea isn’t too far-fetched.

A source told National Enquirer magazine: “It’s always been a dream of Oprah’s to operate a farm in Maui if her life were ever to slow down. She owns a home upcountry which sits on a lot of land and over the past six years she’s acquired even more land with good soil for farming. Oprah’s in for the long haul to make OWN a success. But if it doesn’t work out she’s ready to slap on the overalls and start a new life as a farmer in Hawaii.”

Oprah also reportedly had an access road built on to her property which will make it easier to deliver her organic produce to markets on the island. — BANG Showbiz

his sexuality to be a “big” issue.

“It was just the right time.

I can’t explain it any other way. But I don’t want it to be this big thing,” he added.

“I just have to do good acting work and that’s the contribution I can make.”

— BANG Showbiz

In a scene fit for the silver screen, ­Titanic star Kate, 36, married director Sam, 46, on the tropical island of Anguilla in 2003. But things went sour in 2010 after seven years. They filed for divorce and their marriage sank without a trace. — The Daily Mirror

Harry POTTER star Daniel Radcliffe never watches the hit films — because he’s too embarrassed to see himself on the screen. Daniel, 22, says he hates seeing himself on screen in the boy wizard role that made him a worldwide star and multi-millionaire. He said: “I’d cringe so hard my face would fall off.” The actor, who played J.K. Rowling’s hero from age 11, also admitted he started to drink too much while filming the final instalment. He said: “I was able to do my job and never drank at work, but it was a daily thing leading me down a very, very destructive path.” Daniel is currently dating Rosie ­Coker, a 22- year-old co-star he met on the set of the last Harry Potter film. Daniel will next appear in horror thriller The Woman In Black, which is due out this year. — The Daily Mirror

Hindi cinema’s greats to co-star again TWO of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, Shabana Azmi (pic) and Pankaj Kapur will again be sharing screen space in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, according to online Indian entertainment portal bollywoodhungama.com. This pairing was last seen in the 1981 film Ek Doctor Ki Maut. Shabana, a huge fan of Vishal’s work, is looking forward to working with him. She’s currently undergoing a looks-test for her role in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, a comedy also starring Imran Khan as Matru, Anushka Sharma as Bijlee and Pankaj Kapur as Mandola.

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

GADGETS&GIZMOS

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ENTERTAINMENT TV HIGHLIGHT

horoscope

Catch the Idol fever

CAPRICORN

The search is on for next singing superstar in this drama-packed series

By Chetz Yusof maznah@mmail.com.my

AMERICAN IDOL is back on 8TV (Astro Channel 708). Season 11 of the uber popular talent show will be aired every Fridays at 10pm and Saturdays at 10.30pm.

The full season consist of 40 absolutely fun and gripping episodes that will surely leave you hanging in your seats.

Superstar singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, rock legend Steven Tyler, and Grammy Awardwinning producer Randy Jackson returns to the judges’ panel along

with Emmy-nominated host Ryan Seacrest to begin their search for America’s next singing superstar.

“Having both Jennifer and Steven return to Idol in 2012 alongside Randy is such a positive reflection on what was a wonderful and hugely successful season last year and everyone is delighted,” said Simon Fuller, Creator and Executive Producer of American Idol.

American Idol recently received an incredible 10 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, the most nominations in the show’s history.

So who will be next to join household names like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood,

AQUARIUS

Myths and legends have long been regarded as fantastic stories that describe powerful gods,

mutant giants and fearsome monsters. But why do so many different cultures, separated by vast distances, tell the same stories? Is it possible that myths and legends were really eyewitness accounts of ancient astronauts descending to Earth? Ancient texts are filled with stories of gods interacting with humans,

PISCES

ON THE LOOKOUT: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson are back again judging the 11th season of American Idol

and the sweet and sour journeys of the chosen 11 finalists from across America in search of one dream.

offering wisdom, technology, and even impregnating women.

Could the demigods of mythology have been the offspring of alien and human unions? If so, could aliens have supplied the Missing Link that accelerated human evolution, advancing our civilization and making us who we are today?

TAURUS

Discovery Channel Astro Ch 551 2:03 pm Curiosity (Alien Invasion:are We Ready?)

GEMINI

Join Michelle Rodriguez as she brings together top scientists and military strategists to dramatize what would happen if and when aliens attack.

MAY 21 - JUN 20

Plans to travel overseas or a romance with foreign connections will bring exciting possibilities. This comes just in time to spice up a flagging relationship. Ask questions and learn what your lover desires most. Communication will help you stay connected.

JUN 21 - JUL 22

Don’t be afraid to complain if things aren’t working out for you and your partner. You shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to spend more time with them. Be willing to give others a chance to make alternative arrangements before you are granted their attention.

JUL 23 - AUG 22

You’ll be more than ready to see the end of obligations you took on jointly with a partner who has been less than reliable.

What use are they to you if all they do is boast about their past accomplishments yet fail to deliver on their promises? It’s time to pull out — now.

VIRGO

In Berga, American POW’s became just that, working and dying as slave laborers in one of Hitler’s secretive concentration camps. This is their story.

In December 2010, the popular tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheikh hit the headlines when four swimmers were brutally attacked and one killed in a spate of unprecedented shark attacks. What had turned the safe waters of the Red Sea into a real life horror story?

APR 20 - MAY 20

Professional advice will help you understand a complex situation. Something you’ve been struggling with will seem easier after expert help, and you’ll wish you’d sought it much sooner. It is also time to break free from restrictions or to end a difficult relationship.

CANCER

National Geographic Channel Astro Ch 552 4:13 pm Hitler’s G.I. Death Camp

Nat Geo Wild Astro Ch 550 7:00 am Deadly Jaws: Red Sea Jaws

MAR 21 - APR 19

Fear of making a fool of yourself will stifle your creativity and productivity. Trying too hard will be equally frustrating when exhaustion leads to careless mistakes. Take a break when you feel you need one and don’t be reluctant to accept help when it’s offered.

LEO

Follow the tumultuous lives of four of the world first greatest physicists: Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking.

FEB 19 - MARCH 20

That person who’s being so nice to you right now — are you worried that they might have a hidden agenda? If so, you should hold off placing the level of trust you were about to in them. Keep the rest of your plans under lock and key until you know exactly what this person wants from you.

ARIES Kris Allen and last season’s winner Scotty McCreery?

Don’s miss out on the interesting and remarkable auditions

TV PICKS Discovery Science Astro Ch 554 10:33 am Brilliant Minds (Secrets Of The Cosmos)

JAN 20 - FEB 18

A desire for action should not be ignored or suppressed. If you have no one to think of but yourself, go with an impulsive whim to try something new. If you are working with others, you may have to wait until you’re on your own before you can satisfy your desires.

Of powerful gods, mutant giants and fearsome monsters Ancient Aliens: Gods And Aliens HISTORY HD Astro Ch 575

DEC 22 - JAN 19

A partner’s cash is burning a hole in their pockets, and it’s up to them if they want to go on a shopping spree. The idea of crowds holds no appeal for you — nor does spending money.

So you’ll understand if others don’t join you in your more relaxing forms of entertainment.

AUG 23 - SEPT 22

There are a number of reasons why you hate change with such a heartfelt passion. A risk someone took in the past with disastrous consequences is uppermost in your mind. You don’t want to make the same mistake they did. Be especially cautious with money.

HBO Asia Astro Ch 411 12:00 pm The Green Hornet

MAX Astro Ch 412 7:50 pm Woke Up Dead

Seth Rogen and Jay Chou star in this action-packed adaptation of the comic book hero dedicated to protecting the lives and rights of the city’s citizens.

Drex Greene, a recent college grad, finds himself undergoing a transformation that begins when he wakes up at the bottom of a water-filled bathtub.

TVB Xing He Astro Ch 322 10:00 pm D.I.E This comedy series revolves around two policemen (pic) assigned to X-File type cases, but whose fumbling causes each other endless problems.

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

You thought recent upsets had been sorted out but they’re somehow still lingering at the back of your mind. Don’t let them stop you from moving on. It may be necessary to move to a new area or change jobs to escape a situation that’s causing you no end of problems.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21

Are you getting nervous about an upcoming event or date?

There’s no need to worry about your performance in the slightest — you will do just fine! And while you are wrapping things up on your latest venture, don’t forget to think about what you are going to tackle next.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 22 - DEC 21

Get together with friends or loved ones you’ve argued with and discuss ways you might improve relations with them. You may have to untangle a recent misunderstanding before you can decide on how to move forward together — but it’ll be difficult to accomplish this.

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MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world

DAMASCUS

LONDON

NAPLES (Florida)

PARIS

Arabs suspend Syria mission as deaths spike

UK police arrest Murdoch tabloid staff

Surging Romney aims for Gingrich deathblow

‘Dangerous Liaisons’ on stage

Arab League suspends observer mission in Syria as bloodshed in a crackdown on anti-regime protests spiked

Police arrest four current and former staff of Rupert Murdoch’s Sun tabloid and a policeman as part of phone-hacking probe

Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney is trying to kill off primary rival Newt Gingrich’s campaign

More than two decades after John Malkovich starred in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, the actor is revisiting the classic by directing a stage version

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CAIRO

DAWEI (Myanmar)

Suu Kyi keys up reform pledge ‘The Lady’ hits campaign trail as by-elections test regime’s commitment to changes HUGE crowds lined the streets to greet Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she hit the campaign trail yesterday ahead of by-elections seen as a key test of the regime’s commitment to reform.

Thousands flocked to hear the Nobel Peace Prize winner speak in the coastal district of Dawei, as she made her first political trip outside Yangon since declaring she would stand for office in the April 1 polls.

“If we move in the right direction our country will have many opportunities.

We are eager to seize them,” she told a jubilant crowd that filled the southern town soon after her arrival.

Suu Kyi’s decision to stand for a seat in parliament is the latest sign of dramatic change sweeping through the country formerly known as Burma after the end of nearly half a century of outright military rule.

A new government dominated by former generals came to power last year

following November 2010 elections that were marred by cheating and the absence of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

The regime has since surprised observers with a series of reforms, including dialogue with the opposition, welcoming the NLD back into the political mainstream and the release of hundreds of political prisoners.

Western nations are now considering easing sanctions, further raising hopes of an end to decades of isolation and poverty, but controversy surrounding the 2010 vote means the upcoming by-elections will be scrutinised by the international community.

The NLD is running for all 48 seats up for grabs in the polls and Suu Kyi is standing in a rural constituency near Yangon. Yesterday’s oneday visit was in support of the party’s candidate Aung Soe, who is standing in a local township.

“We have requested many times for Daw Suu to cam-

paign for our region ... She hasn’t been here for 23 years,” he said. Daw is a term of respect in Myanmar.

Traffic clogged the roads in Dawei as local people thronged to get a glimpse of the NLD leader, who spent much of the past two decades in detention.

Political journey: Suu Kyi greets supporters on her arrival in Myanmar’s southern city of Dawei yesterday — AFPpic

“You are our heart,” proclaimed banners held up in the crowds, with many people sporting NLD t-shirts and trying to give flowers

and gifts to the opposition campaigner.

Suu Kyi’s convoy was trailed by a large number of cars and motorbikes as she travelled out of Dawei town through a series of villages, where she was cheered by hundreds of enthusiastic locals and schoolchildren in uniform.

At Aung Soe’s constituency the 66-year-old Suu Kyi, known here as “The Lady”, was met by many more supporters, with crowds reminiscent of the night she was released from seven years of house arrest days after the 2010 election.

The April polls are to fill places vacated by those elected in 2010 who have since become ministers and deputy ministers in the government.

Although the seats available are not enough to threaten the resounding majority held by the armybacked ruling party, Suu Kyi’s participation will be a boost to the legislature’s credibility. — AFP

SYDNEY

PNG army officer charged with mutiny AN army officer who led a mutiny aimed at reinstating Papua New Guinea’s ousted prime minister appeared in court yesterday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Colonel Yaura Sasa, who led last week’s attempt to restore Sir Michael Somare to power, appeared in court in Port Moresby charged with mutiny, the ABC reported.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) police said earlier they had

arrested Sasa at a lodge in the capital and were holding him at a police station in Boroko district.

“He was arrested last night,” a police spokesman said by telephone. He gave no further details.

After the hearing, Sasa said he did not regret his actions, but said he wanted the situation to calm down, the ABC reported.

Sasa led the mutiny last Thursday in which a group

of soldiers captured and briefly held the armed forces chief, Brigadier General Francis Agwi. He was released later that day.

The mutiny followed a long-running power struggle between Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (pic), and Somare’s supporters, who say that Somare was ousted as prime minister last year illegally.

The Supreme Court backed Somare in a ruling last month

but the country’s parliament has supported O’Neill, who also has the support of the police and military.

Sasa said last week he had been appointed as commander of the PNG Defence Force by Somare. He repeated yesterday that he had been asked to carry out the attempted mutiny by Somare, the ABC reported.

Prime Minister O’Neill declared the mutiny over late on Thursday but a small

group of soldiers has been refusing to leave a barracks in Port Moresby, demanding a full pardon. — Reuters

Islamists look to build on polls success Egyptians headed to the polls yesterday for the election of the upper house of parliament, with Islamists looking to build on their triumph in the People’s Assembly.

Polling stations opened at 8am (2pm in Malaysia) with only a handful of voters in several stations, in sharp contrast to the long lines around the elections for the lower house of parliament.

The election for the Shura Council, an advisory body, takes place over two stages, after which members of both houses will choose a panel that will draft the country’s new constitution.

The elections are part of a roadmap for a transition to democratic rule laid out by the ruling military council that took power after a popular uprising ousted veteran president Hosni Mubarak last year.

The first phase of voting takes place over two days in 13 provinces, including the largest cities Cairo and Alexandria, and the second in the remaining 14.

Under the complex electoral system adopted after Mubarak’s ouster, two thirds of the Shura’s 180 elected members will be elected via a party-list system, while one third will be elected directly.

One third of the Shura Council will be nominated by the head of state.

Under the framework for a transfer to civilian rule, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has said the two chambers, once elected, should choose 100 members of a constitutional commission.

Most parties are pressing for the constitution to be completed ahead of presidential elections due before the end of June. — AFP

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NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world We hope that Iran will engage with us on the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme Herman Nackaerts IAEA chief inspector

BRIEFS

DAMASCUS

Arabs suspend Syria mission Bloodshed in crackdown on anti-regime protests spikes, with death toll topping 210 in four days

Finance veteran to be Taiwan PM TAIPEI: Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou has picked a former top financial regulator as his next premier, the state news agency and several other media reported over the weekend. The appointment of 62-year-old Sean Chen (pic), currently deputy premier, is likely to be made public tomorrow, the Central News Agency said, citing an unnamed senior member of Ma’s Kuomintang party. “I’m not in a position to confirm this,” said a spokesman for Ma’s office. “There may be some news on Tuesday.”

— AFP

First summit after Gaddafi death ADDIS ABABA: African Union leaders began meeting yesterday for their first summit since the death of the bloc’s founder Muammar Gaddafi, with intense lobbying for its new top officials overshadowing the run-up to the talks. The leaders will choose the next head of the AU Commission, the 54-nation bloc’s executive council, but South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s move to challenge incumbent Jean Ping has made the race tighter. South Africa said it was optimistic DlaminiZuma, former wife of President Jacob Zuma, can unseat Gabon’s Ping, who was first elected in 2008. — AFP

Bahrain detainees begin hunger strike DUBAI: Bahraini detainees and activists convicted for taking part in anti-government demonstrations last year were to begin a hunger strike protesting a new crackdown on demonstrators, a rights group said. The strike was announced as the Gulf kingdom’s interior minister called for punishment against those “attacking policemen” to be toughened to 15 years in prison.

“This evening, they will have their last meal before going on hunger strike,” the head of Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), Mohammed al-Maskati said. BYSHR said 14 activists and opposition leaders were to begin the strike “in solidarity with pro-democracy protests and in protest against the brutal crackdown”. — AFP

The Arab League suspended its controversial observer mission in Syria yesterday as the bloodshed in a crackdown on anti-regime protests spiked, with the death toll topping 210 in four days.

The announcement came as the opposition Syrian National Council said its leader would travel to New York to press the UN Security Council for protection from President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

SNC chief Burhan Ghaliun’s trip comes amid a new bid

by Arab and European states for UN action over the nearly 11-month-old deadly crackdown on dissent that has hit immediate opposition from staunch Syria ally Russia.

It also comes as Gulf states and Turkey called in Istanbul for global efforts to focus on

bringing the bloodshed to an “immediate end” and paving the way for the initiation of a political transition.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said “the decision to suspend the observer mission was taken after a series of consultations with Arab foreign ministers because of the upsurge of violence whose victims are innocent civilians.”

He said it also came “after the Syrian government chose the option of escalation, which increased the number of victims.”

The monitoring mission head, General Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, said on Friday that unrest had soared “in a significant way” since Tuesday, especially in the central cities of Homs

and Hama and in the northern Idlib region.

According to a tally taken from reports by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and official Syrian media, 212 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Tuesday.

That adds to the figure of more than 5,400 given by the United Nations last month since anti-regime protests erupted in mid-March.

The 165 League observers were deployed a month ago after Syria agreed to a League plan foreseeing a halt to the violence, prisoners freed, tanks withdrawn from built-up areas and free movement of observers and foreign media.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “Now is

the time for the international community to unite, including by agreeing a United Nations Security Council Resolution this week, to make clear to President Assad and his regime that the killing must stop.”

Undeterred, Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar said yesterday the authorities were determined to “cleanse” Syria and restore order.

“The security forces are determined to carry on the struggle to cleanse Syria of renegades and outlaws ... to restore safety and security,” state news agency SANA quoted him as saying at a ceremony in honour of fallen soldiers.

But Syria also said it was “surprised and regrets the

decision taken by Arabi to suspend the observer mission after having decided (last week) to extend it for a month,” state news agency SANA reported.

The SNC, meanwhile, has “decided to head to the Security Council today, led

by Burhan Ghaliun, to present the Syrian case ... and demand protection,” executive committee member Samir Neshar told an Istanbul news conference.

He spoke after Gulf states and Turkey called on Assad to accept an Arab League proposal for him to step down and turn over power to his deputy before formation of a unity government.

Syria has categorically rejected the proposal. — AFP

TEHERAN

PARIS

Iran hosts UN nuclear watchdog as tensions grow

Embattled Sarkozy seeks polls boost with TV speech

UNITED NATIONS atomic watchdog officials began a visit to Iran yesterday to discuss Teheran’s suspect nuclear drive, amid a backlash by furious Iranian lawmakers at a looming EU oil embargo.

The three-day International Atomic Energy Agency mission is to address evidence suggesting Iran’s activities include nuclear weapons research.

The visit was seen as a rare opportunity to maybe alleviate a building international showdown over Iran’s nuclear programme that has seen a ratcheting up of sanctions and talk of possible Israeli military action.

“We hope that Iran will engage with us on the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme,” Herman Nackaerts, the IAEA’s chief inspector leading the delegation, told reporters in Vienna as he left.

“We are looking forward to the start of a dialogue, a dialogue that is overdue.”

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani called the visit a “test” for the UN agency, according to the official IRIB state broadcaster website.

If the IAEA officials were

Protest: Iranian students holding photographs of assassinated nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan (centre) and his son (right) as they protest at the Imam Khomeni airport in Teheran during the arrival of the IAEA inspectors — AFPpic

“professional,” then “the path for cooperation will open up,” he said.

“But if they deviate and become a tool (of the West), then the Islamic republic will be forced to reflect and consider a new framework for cooperation,” Larijani added.

Iran, which maintains its programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes, is increasingly furious at Western measures aimed at making it halt uranium enrichment.

It has defiantly stepped up enrichment at a new bombproof bunker in Fordo near the Shi’ite holy city of Qom.

It has also reacted fiercely to new sanctions targeting its oil and finance sectors, notably the European Union’s announcement of a ban on all Iranian oil imports within the next five months.

But Iranian lawmakers yesterday delayed taking action on a proposed bill to immediately cut oil exports to Europe in retaliation for the EU embargo.

“No bill has been designed nor has it come to the parliament,” energy commission spokesman Emad Hosseini told Mehr news agency.

— AFP

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy (pic) took to the airwaves yesterday to unveil reforms aimed at lifting France out of the economic doldrums and boosting his credibility ahead of elections he is tipped to lose to a Socialist.

The hour-long television interview comes two weeks after France humiliatingly lost its top triple-A credit rating.

The downgrade by Standard and Poor’s added to already bleak economic figures for France — recession is looming and nearly three million people are out of work — and dealt a severe blow to Sarkozy’s hopes of hanging on to his job.

The right-wing leader was set to announce tax rises, including a hike of 1.6 percentage points in valueadded sales tax on goods and services, in the broadcast, officials said.

The German-inspired “social tax” aims to shift the burden of paying for social security from employers to consumers and help create more jobs while also making French firms more competitive.

The president was also ex-

pected to provide details of a controversial new “Robin Hood” tax on financial transactions he hopes will be adopted across the European Union despite vocal opposition from other EU leaders.

Sarkozy’s television appearance comes a week after the Socialists’ presidential candidate Francois Hollande launched his campaign with a blistering attack on “the world of finance”.

He later outlined his plans to reverse Sarkozy’s legacy, promising €20 billion (RM80 billion) in new spending by 2017, the creation of 60,000 new teaching jobs and 150,000 statesubsidised new jobs for young workers. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

NEWS

33

world Four to eight Taliban representatives travelled to Qatar from Pakistan to set up a political office for the exiled Afghan insurgent group The New York times, in a report

KHARTOUM

LONDON

UK police arrest Murdoch tabloid staff Move part of investigation into suspected payments by journalists to police officers British police arrested four current and former staff of Rupert Murdoch’s best-selling Sun tabloid plus a policeman on Saturday as part of an investigation into suspected payments by journalists to officers, police and the newspaper’s publisher said yesterday.

Police also searched the paper’s London offices at publisher News International, News Corp’s British arm, in a corruption probe linked to a continuing investigation into phone hacking at its now closed News of the World weekly tabloid.

News Corp’s Management and Standards Committee, set up in the wake of the phone hacking scandal, said Saturday’s operation was the result of information it had passed to police.

“News Corporation made a commitment last summer that

unacceptable news gathering practices by individuals in the past would not be repeated,” the committee said in a statement confirming the arrests of four “current and former employees” of the Sun. The committee is conducting a lawyer-led internal review of News International’s remaining titles, which also include The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as part of a drive to mend the reputational damage done by the phone hacking scandal.

The committee’s investigation into The Sun was “well advanced”, News International chief executive Tom Mockridge said in an email sent to staff.

“News International is confronting past mistakes and is making fundamental changes about how we operate which are essential for our business.

“Despite this very difficult news, we are determined that News International will emerge a stronger and more trusted organisation,” he added.

News International was providing legal support for the four arrested “colleagues”, Mockridge said.

The arrests included the Sun’s crime editor Mike Sullivan, its head of news Chris Pharo, and former deputy editor Fergus Shanahan, a source familiar with the situation said.

Also arrested was the paper’s former managing editor Graham Dudman, now a columnist and media writer, the source said.

Police said a 48-year-old man from north London and two other men from Essex, east of London, aged 48 and 56, were arrested at their homes.

The fourth man, aged 42, was

arrested after reporting to an east London police station.

A Sun reporter, who asked not to be named, said: “Everyone is a bit shocked, there is disbelief really. But there is a big difference between phone hacking and payments to the police.”

A 29-year-old policeman serving with the Met Police’s Territorial Policing Command, was arrested at the central London police station where he worked.

All five were being questioned on suspicion of corruption.

Police searched the arrested men’s homes as well as the Sun’s offices in Wapping, east London.

Thirteen people have now been arrested over allegations that journalists paid police in return for information.

— Reuters

Despite this very difficult news, we are determined that News International will emerge a stronger and more trusted organisation Tom Mockridge News International chief executive

WASHINGTON

Taliban, US negotiators meet in Qatar Taliban negotiators have begun meeting with US officials in Qatar, where they are discussing preliminary trust-building measures aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported yesterday.

Citing several former Tali-

ban officials, the newspaper said these measures included a possible prisoner transfer.

The Afghan government is expecting a delegation from the Qatar government to visit Kabul to explain its role in the talks, said High

Peace Council secretary Aminundin Muzaffari.

The former officials said that four to eight Taliban representatives had travelled to Qatar from Pakistan to set up a political office for the exiled Afghan insurgent group,

the report said.

The comments suggested that the Taliban, who have not publicly said they would engage in peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan, were gearing up for preliminary discussions, the paper said.

US officials would not deny that meetings had taken place, and the discussions seemed to have at least the tacit approval of Pakistan, which has thwarted previous efforts by the Taliban to engage in talks, The Times noted. — AFP

Sudan rebels capture Chinese workers Rebels in Sudan’s South Kordofan state have captured 29 Chinese workers after a battle with government forces, a spokesman for the insurgents said yesterday.

Nine members of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) were also being held, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), told AFP. “Yes, we have captured them,” he said. “I want to assure you right now they are in safe hands.”

He said the Chinese have not been kidnapped and none have been wounded.

They, along with the Sudanese, were captured on Saturday when the rebels destroyed a Sudanese military convoy between Rashad town and Al-Abbasiya in the northeast of the province, which has been at war since June.

Lodi said the Chinese were working mainly on road construction in the area.

They are being held in the Nuba mountains “until further notice” because of the security situation.

“Today is a little bit calm but we are expecting at any time SAF may launch an attack on us,” he said.

Spokesmen for Sudan’s army and the Chinese embassy could not be immediately reached for comment.

— AFP

TOKYO

UN’s helping hand for crippled Fukushima nuke plant The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog said the agency is considering opening a branch office in Fukushima to monitor efforts to contain the world’s worst atomic accident since Chernobyl, a report said.

The Japanese government has struggled with public trust over nuclear energy since the March 11 disaster and had asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to open an office, which will help share information on the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

“We have told the Japanese government that the IAEA stands ready to cooperate,” the agency’s chief Yukiya

Amano told Kyodo News yesterday in the Swiss resort of Davos, where the World Economic Forum is being held.

“While the headquarters in Vienna will continue to deal with issues related to the decontamination and disposal of spent nuclear fuels, we’ll be able to have close contact.”

A press officer for the IAEA in Tokyo, who is accompanying an ongoing mission to Japan, said no firm decision had yet been made, but that the government’s request was being given “careful consideration”.

The Nikkei newspaper independently reported from Davos the IAEA chief had stated his intention to

open a local office.

Fuji News Network also reported Amano, who is Japanese, was intending the office would be opened, saying it could “strengthen communications with people on the spot.”

Tokyo wants an international seal of approval for the energy-hungry country’s nuclear industry to bolster its faltering efforts at reassuring the public it is safe to resume atomic operations.

The vast majority of Japan’s 54 commercial nuclear reactors are offline because popular opposition has prevented them being restarted in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis. — AFP

Close look: Officials from the Tokyo Electric Power Co and Japanese journalists look out from bus windows as workers pass by in a van inside the grounds of the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station in Okuma — AFPpic

34

monday 30 january 2012

NEWS

THE MALAY MAIL

world Buses were laid on for us, we saw lists in advance of those who would go to the gathering Andrei Mandure factory WORKER who attended the Putin rally

BRIEFS

NAPLES

Romney aims for Gingrich deathblow He is seeking to win party nomination, hitting his rival over past ethics violations

Santorum cancels events TAMPA (Florida): Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum (pic) cancelled campaign events in Florida yesterday morning after his three-year-old daughter was admitted to a hospital in Philadelphia. Santorum, running behind Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich ahead of tomorrow’s presidential primary vote, intends to return to Florida and resume his campaign schedule as soon as possible, spokesman Hogan Gidley said. Isabella Santorum was admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

— Reuters

Indonesian storm toll rises to 14 JAKARTA: The death toll from heavy rains and strong winds in Indonesia has risen to 14, an official said yesterday, with the victims of a tropical cyclone crushed by falling trees. “In total, 14 people died, 60 people were injured,” National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. “The 14 killed were crushed by falling trees,” he added. More than 2,300 houses in 35 districts and cities across the central island of Java and resort destination of Bali were also damaged due to heavy rains in the last four days, Nugroho said. — AFP

Bangladesh prevents rival rallies DHAKA: Bangladesh police banned rallies planned in the capital city of Dhaka yesterday over fears of violent clashes between rival political activists.

The country’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies had called for a mass demonstration to demand that the government resign and call elections. But the ruling Awami League party also declared they would hold a rally in central Dhaka yesterday, leading to police banning the planned action. “Rival parties have announced programmes in Dhaka city on the same day, which could foment clashes and lead to acts of sabotage,” Dhaka police commissioner Benazir Ahmed said in a statement. — ­ AFP

With a Florida victory in his sights, Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney tried to kill off primary rival Newt Gingrich’s campaign yesterday unleashing a hard-hitting advert statewide.

Romney — leading handily in the polls — sought to sweep away the largest obstacle to him winning the party nomination, hitting Gingrich over past ethics violations and dramatically calling into question his integrity.

After a feisty debate performance on Thursday, Romney is in the ascendancy in Florida before tomorrow’s primary.

According to poll averages, the former governor of Massachusetts and multimillionaire venture capitalist leads in the sprawling Sunshine state with 39 per cent against 31 per cent for Gingrich, the former House of Representatives speaker.

Former Pennsylvania sena-

tor Rick Santorum and Texas congressman Ron Paul trail the field with 11 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

Time is running out for Gingrich to claw back some lost ground in a race that could prove pivotal in deciding who faces President Barack Obama in November.

If Gingrich loses in Florida his path to the nomination is far from clear. He did receive an endorsement yesterday from a former rival for the nomination, pizza magnate Herman Cain, US media reported.

But trying to seize on his rival’s precarious position, Romney’s ad uses television news footage from 1997 when Gingrich was reprimanded by a House ethics committee.

It shows only iconic news anchor Tom Brokaw reporting events: “Newt Gingrich, who came to power, after all, preaching a higher standard in American politics,

a man who brought down another speaker on ethics accusations, tonight he has on his own record the judgment of his peers, Democrat and Republican alike.

“By an overwhelming vote, they found him guilty of ethics violations; they charged him a very large financial penalty, and they raised — several of them — raised serious questions about his future effectiveness.”

Gingrich was accused of dozens of violations, including a claim of tax-exempt status for his college course.

A Romney campaign official refused to disclose the exact amount spent on the ad, but said “it’s running state-wide, it’s a heavy buy.

It’s a heavy buy.”

The Gingrich campaign described the ad as “another big lie” from Romney’s team.

“What the Romney campaign is hoping the American people don’t remember is that in 1999, the IRS

On a roll: Romney gives a thumbs up after speaking to supporters at the Eastern Shipyard in Panama City, Florida yesterday — AFPpic

cleared speaker Gingrich of the substance of the ethics committee investigation,” his campaign said.

The two men barnstormed Florida in the closing days of a bitter race for the biggest state yet in the Republican nominating contest.

Yesterday Romney sought to harden his conservative credentials by doling out a thumping to Obama in front of a Pensacola crowd peppered with military veterans, painting the president’s foreign policy as buckling to US enemies. — AFP

YEKATERINBURG

Thousands in show of support for Putin Thousands of supporters of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rallied yesterday to back his bid to return to the Kremlin, a week before what are likely to be far larger opposition protests to demand greater political choice.

Police said around 10,000 people gathered in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, with many brought on buses and trains from outlying towns in the Urals industrial belt to back Putin before the March 4 presidential vote.

Putin enjoys strong support in many Russian regions, but faces criticism from the urban middle class, especially in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Tens of thousands people from different parties and others, unaffiliated to any political organisation, are expected to take part in a protest march on Feb 4 to press “For fair elections” in Moscow.

Tens of thousands protested in Moscow and other cities in last month calling for a Dec 4 parliamentary election to

be re-run.

In Yekaterinburg, demonstrators holding placards with slogans such as “We are for a stable tomorrow”, swayed to pop music and enjoyed free food and drink.

“Buses were laid on for us at the factory, we saw lists in advance of those who would go to the rally,” said Andrei Mandure, a worker at a chemical plant in the town of Lesnoy, a closed facility during the Soviet era. Putin did not attend the rally.

— Reuters

Big backing: Putin’s supporters rally in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg yesterday — AFPpic

RIO DE JANEIRO

Death toll reaches 17 in Brazil buildings collapse The death toll from Brazil’s buildings collapse reached 17 yesterday after rescue workers found two more bodies under the rubble.

Eight of the dead have already been identified by family members, according to authorities, who also said

they did not expect to find more survivors three days on from the tragedy and the mission was shifting from rescue to a recovery and cleanup operation.

The number of missing now stood at 22. Rescue team had originally put the number

at 26, but later adjusted it downward.

The three office buildings — of 20, 10, and four stories — collapsed on Wednesday near Rio’s municipal theatre on the city’s Cinelandia square, a historic district bustling by day but nearly

deserted at night.

Local media have reported that the top stories of the tallest building were expanded in recent years, apparently without proper inspection or safety considerations. The building manager insists the construction was all done

with city permission.

But apparently permission is not required for inside remodeling and construction the same way as for exterior and structural changes, and some officials believe that may have been behind the structural failure. — AFP

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

NEWS

35

world The House I Live In with its examination of the long failed war on drugs is one of many documentaries that looks at a struggling America Eugene Jarecki director of the documentary winner, at the Sundance 2012

PARIS

‘Dangerous Liaisons’ on stage American actor John Malkovich revisits the classic French work after more than two decades More than two decades after John Malkovich starred in Dangerous Liaisons as the film’s arch seducer, the American actor is revisiting the classic French work, this time directing a stage version in Paris.

For Malkovich, the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos published in 1782 highlights the centuries-old struggle between men and women.

“I’m not saying war between men and women, but the struggle between them.

I don’t think that’s changed since the time of Choderlos de Laclos,” Malkovich said during a recent interview about the play at the Theatre de l’Atelier. “Deep emotions are often violent, and emotions, I think, are more or less the same,” he said in fluent French, having lived in France for several years before quitting the country over a tax dispute.

It is the struggle of the sexes that Malkovich has put at the heart of what he calls a timeless work.

The play is British playwright Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of the epistolary novel with a new French translation by Fanette Barraya.

The actors were picked at an audition of 300 young hopefuls for the roles of the main characters who are aged between 15 and 30.

Malkovich’s staging is stripped down with minimalist sets in contrast to the elaborate splendour of the Hollywood movie.

The cast wear 18th-century garb but communicate with each other via mobile phones. “It’s just a method,” said Malkovich.

As a director he says the key tension remains between the Vicomte of Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil,

who were first lovers and then rivals.

Malkovich, now 58, played the role of Valmont in the 1988 film by Stephen Frears, starring alongside Glenn Close as the Marquise.

“I haven’t seen the film in more than 20 years,” he said.

For Malkovich, it is impossible to compare theatre and cinema. The stage was his first passion before acting in about 70 films.

It’s “an ephemeral experience, alive and different each night,” he said of the allure of the theatre.

“In my view, Laclos’s intention was to express truths, ancient and deep truths, unforgettable and inevitable.”

Malkovich sees Valmont as already lost at the start of the play, when the vicomte is challenged to seduce the beautiful and seemingly unattainable Madame

Struggle of the sexes: (Left to right) Actors Lazare Herson-Macarel, Julie Moulier (performing as Marquise de Merteuil), Lola Naymark, Jina Djemba, Mabo Kouyate, Sophie Barjac, Yannick Landrein (as Vicomte de Valmont, Rosa Bursztejn and Pauline Moulene surround Malkovich (seated centre) during the photo call of his theatre play ‘Les liaisons dangereuses’ (Dangerous Liaisons) on Jan 5, at the Theatre de l’Atelier in Paris — AFPpic

de Tourvelle.

“He thinks he’s going to seduce Madame de Tourvelle for glory and to enhance his reputation as a seducer,

while he’s already in love with her,” Malkovich said “But he’s so stupid he doesn’t know it.”

“That’s what’s most in-

PARK CITY (Utah)

LONDON

Tops at Sundance 2012

Choice for that final decision

Beasts of the Southern Wild and The House I Live In won the top awards at the Sundance Film Festival yesterday, making them likely favourites for independent movie audiences in 2012.

Directed by Benh Zeitlin and set in impoverished Louisiana, Beasts of the Southern Wild picked up the jury prize for best drama with its tale of the bond between a father and a daughter.

The documentary winner, The House I Live In, was one of many documentaries that looked at a struggling America at Sundance 2012, with its examination of America’s long failed war on drugs and critiques of US drug policies, its court system, prisons and their impact on minorities.

“The war on drugs is a terrible scar on America,” said director Eugene Jarecki.

Special juries of industry professionals vote on winners, and those are considered the top prizes, but audiences also vote for their favourites.

The Surrogate, which stars Helen Hunt (pic), and John Hawkes and is about a man’s quest to lose his virginity

British pensioner Malcolm Brocklehurst loves Blackpool Football Club and his former profession of aircraft engineer, and he has no plans to abandon them in death.

So his final home will be a coffin shaped like a plane, painted bright orange and emblazoned with the Blackpool logo.

“I want a fun funeral. I don’t want people crying and that,” the 77-year-old said as he leaned happily on his casket, on show at London’s Royal Festival Hall as part of an event titled Death: A Festival for the Living.

The wings of his plywood coffin are removable, Brocklehurst points out, for easier access to his local crematorium, where he has asked that he be sent to the incinerator with the World War II cry: “Chocks away!”

It is the work of Crazy Coffins — an offshoot of a Nottingham-based traditional coffin and urn maker which took on a new identity in the 1990s when people began asking to customise their final resting places.

A commission for a pearlescent coffin for the late Brit-

while mostly confined to an iron lung, won the Audience Award for best drama.

The film, based on the real life poet and journalist Mark O’Brien, fetched one of the highest selling prices at the festival — a reported US$6 million (RM18.6 million).

“Love is a journey, that’s it,” said director Ben Lewin when accepting his trophy, quoting a line from the film.

The Audience Award for documentary was given to The Invisible War, about an epidemic of sexual assault in the US military. — Reuters

ish TV presenter Paula Yates, who died in 2000, helped make the firm famous, as did several appearances in the press.

“I don’t think there is anything we can’t make,” said David Crampton, the firm’s managing director.

“The customers are the designers: We just make what they ask. We say to people, ‘There’s a choice in that final decision’.”

Crampton’s firm has made coffins and urns in the shapes of Viking boats, cars — including a Rolls Royce Phantom with working wheels — skateboards and a kite.

Many of their creations are now six feet under, but others have been commissioned by people who are still alive and well but planning their own farewells in advance.

Several of these are on show at the event, including a shining casket shaped like a ballet shoe which belongs to Pat Cox, 70, a former nurse and amateur dancer.

“My grandfather was a pianist (who) had regular work at a ballet school, and one of my earliest memories is of sitting cross-legged by the

piano watching little feet in pink ballet shoes,” Cox said.

Jude Kelly, artistic director of the festival, says in her introduction that “most of us ordinary mortals find discussing (death) quite tricky”.

But the topic has come to the fore in books including Sarah Murray’s Making an Exit, a survey of death rituals around the world, and the festival itself also aims to break the silence.

A reluctance to talk about death is not only unhealthy but can lead to stress when families have to organise a funeral, said Andy Derriman,

teresting in the play, the fact that they don’t know their own feelings,” he said, then adds: “Like everyone.”

— AFP

Buy first, die later: A woman looking at a coffin in the design of a guitar — AFPpic

a Brighton funeral director.

“We’re a reserved nation,” said Derriman.

“No one really thinks about their own funeral until it’s too late.”

Crazy Coffins’ director John Gill said most customers are the families of people who have already died, but this often means coffin-making must be rushed — so the firm’s website urges that customers “Buy first, die later”.

— AFP

36

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

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HOCKEY

39

SPORTS Malaysia did relatively well and they can only get better. It was a good performance and I expect them to get better Paul Lissek FORMER MALAYSIAN COACH

PERTH

Malaysia struggle Down Under Australians not even using their London Olympics team MALAYSIA, as expected, lost 3-1 to Australia at the Perth Hockey Stadium, the first of their fourmatch series to prepare the Olympic qualifiers in Dublin in March.

However, it was not the top Australian team that Malaysia lost against as the hosts fielded players from their Australian A side, which comprise players who are not among the top 28 preparing for the London Olympics.

Only four players from the squad of 28 took to the field against Malaysia. They are Eddie Ockenden, Rob Hammond, Matthew Swann and keeper Nathan Burgers.

It was Ockenden who gave Australia the lead before Malaysia equalised through Izwan Firdaus (pic) before halftime.

Two goals by Tim Bates, in the 37th and 57th minutes, sealed the win for the Australians. The next match is today.

“Malaysia did relatively well and they can only get better. It was a good performance and I expect them to get better,” commented former Malaysian coach Paul Lissek who is now a consultant with the Australian squad.

“They created many goalscoring chances but failed to make them count. And although they had three penalty corners, they failed to make them count.”

While Malaysia are preparing against second-rung players in Australia, Ireland who are their biggest threats besides South Korea, played two matches against Britain and came off with draws (1-1 and 2-2) over the weekend.

Britain opened the scoring in the second minute when Barry Middleton tapped in at the back post from a by-line. Ireland drew level seven minutes later with a Timothy Cockram drag flick.

Britain took the lead again in the 41st minute with a Simon

Mantell goal from a penalty corner drag flick. Ireland piled on the pressure and were awarded a number of short corners but failed to take advantage. It was not until after the final hooter that they scored the equalising goal, once again from a Cockram drag flick.

Going by statistics, Malaysia have a fairly decent chance of making it to the Olympics for the first time since Sydney 2000.

South Korea, who won silver in 2000, have played in five Olympics while Malaysia have played in nine.

It is pertinent to note the last time Malaysia safely negotiated past an Olympic qualifier was in 1999 in Japan and it has been two consecutive failures since then, 2004 in Madrid and 2008 in Japan.

And the script was the same for the World Cup as Malaysia made the 1998 World Cup on merit, making it through from the qualifiers they hosted in 1997. While they played as hosts in the 2002 edition, Malaysia failed to make it to the 2006 Germany and 2010 New Delhi World Cups. — www. malaysianhockey.blogspot.com

KUALA LUMPUR

Beaten again, but BJSS Juniors improve

By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my

BUKIT JALIL SPORTS SCHOOL (BJSS) Junior coach S. Prakash was not entirely concerned even after his side went down to MBIAnderson yesterday.

The 4-2 defeat was BJSS Jrs’s third consecutive loss in the MiloMalaysian Junior Hockey League.

However, despite the loss the team showed improvement as they frustrated Anderson often. In their previous matches, they were given a hockey lesson by their senior side, SSTMI and Thunderbolts — losing 6-0, 5-1 and 9-0 respectively.

“They trusted their ability today. In previous matches they gave their opponents too much respect,” said Prakash.

“These boys are young, mostly Under-15. Physically, they’ll lose out to their opponents but what’s

NOT GOING ANYWHERE: BJSS Jr’s Ramdan Arifin (right) at full stretch to halt Anderson’s attack — Pic: Ashraf Shamsul Azlan

important is they learn from their defeats.”

Anderson’s first two goals were scored by Muhammad Husaini Husin and Muhammad Akmal Tajudddin in the 12th and 19th minutes.

BJSS Juniors pulled back a goal through a penalty corner in the 21st minute through Muhamad

Ramdan Arifin. They drew level when Divanishwaran Kanesan scored in the 56th minute.

However, their joy was shortlived as Mohamad Ashran Hamsani put Anderson back in the lead in the 58th minute. Akmal scored his second to put the tie beyond doubt with just six minutes left.

results Friday Division 1 MBI Anderson 8 TBSS 2 MBPJ 3 SSBJ 4 SSBJ Jr 0 Thunderbolt 9 Division 2 Group A KHA-MSNK 0 Politeknik KPT 2 Nur Insafi 0 KHA Jr 0 PHNS 0 Sapura 12 Anderson Jr 4 MSSPP-USM Jr 0 Group B Yayasan Pahang 1 KLSS 4 SATURday Division 1 USM-MSSPP 4 TBSS 3 UniKL 8 SSTMI 0 Division 2 Group A Politeknik KPT 2 Anderson Jr 1 Group B MPBP 2 SMK Padang Midin 1 Tunas Pahang 0 KLSS 4 SMKDMT 1 Olak-PKT 0 yesterday Division 1 SSBJ Jr 2 MBI Anderson 4 Thunderbolt 6 MBPJ 1 Division 2 Group A Sapura 6 PHK-MSSK 0 MSSPP-USM Jr 0 Politeknik KPT 9 Group B MHS 2 SMK Padang Midin 1 MPBP 1 Yayasan Pahang 2

STANDINGS Division 1

P Thunderbolts 4 UniKL 3 Anderson 3 BJSS 3 USM-MSSPP JR 2 SSTMI 3 MBPJ 3 TBSS 3 BJSS Jr 4

W D 4 0 3 0 2 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 3 4

F A Pts 27 3 12 14 1 9 15 7 7 11 8 6 7 6 4 6 16 3 1 12 0 5 16 0 3 24 0

Division 2 Group A

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

P 4 5 3 3 4 2 4 3 2

W D 4 0 4 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

L 0 1 0 1 3 1 3 2 2

F A Pts 28 1 12 15 4 12 3 2 5 4 4 4 8 10 3 3 8 3 5 18 3 3 6 1 0 17 0

P OLAK — PKT 3 MPBP-PHJ-MSSJ 3 KLSS 4 SMKPM 3 SMKDMT 2 MSN Melaka 2 MS Pahang 2 Tunas Pahang 3

W D 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0

L 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2

F 6 4 11 1 3 2 4 4

Group B A 4 3 6 6 4 3 6 8

Pts 6 6 6 3 3 3 3 3

40

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

football

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS If they (LionXII) win, they can’t participate in AFC club competitions and replacements are allowed Asian Football Confederation (AFC) spokesman

ALOR STAR

KUALA LUMPUR / AFC Cup

FAM shoot themselves in foot National body may have erred in including LionsXII in domestic competition

BY VIJHAY VICK vijhayvick@mmail.com.my

WAN JAMAK

Kedah sack both imports

SOMEBODY obviously did not do their homework.

This is the tricky situation — if a Malaysian team fail to win the Super League, Malaysia may find themselves unrepresented in the AFC Cup next year. However, if the FA

Cup winners are a Malaysian team they will take the long road as they will be involved in the play offs.

Effective this year, the LionsXII were invited to play in the M-League and in a reciprocal arrangement, Harimau Muda A will play in the S-League.

In the far-fetched scenario, what will happen if the LionsXII win the Super League?

Malaysia will not have automatic qualifiers, and will have to depend on the FA Cup champions to do well in the playoffs to get to the AFC Cup. Terengganu, T-Team and Kelantan are likely to rule the local scene. But what if the unthinkable happens?

What will happen, if say, the LionsXII win both the Super League and FA Cup? Then,

Malaysia are certainly done for.

“If they (LionXII) win, they can’t participate in AFC club competitions and replacements are allowed,” said an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) spokesman.

The same would also apply if Harimau Muda B were to emerge winners because they are part of the national set-up and not a

full-fledged club.

Malaysia are awarded one direct entry and one entry via playoffs into the AFC Cup. Kelantan, defending Super League champions, will represent Malaysia while Terengganu, who were supposed to play in a playoff, were also included as there was an extra slot. But in Terengganu’s case, it is an exception for this year.

PETALING JAYA KEDAH’S acting coach Mohd Nidzam Adzha and their foreign players have parted ways with the State’s senior side.

Nidzam, who stepped into suspended Wan Jamak Wan Hassan’s shoes, resigned with immediate effect following the team’s streak of poor results.

Wan Jamak was suspended for seven Super League matches by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for criticising the standard of refereeing after his team drew 1-1 against Perak in a Group A Malaysia Cup match on Sept 28.

Kedah have not won in five matches.

The last straw for Mohd Nidzam was when his charges went down 3-1 to Johor FC in their own backyard.

Mohd Nidzam made the decision because despite his sincere efforts to lift the spirit of the team, they have failed to show any improvement.

“I’m handing over the baton to assistant coach Radhi Mat Din and return to the President’s Cup squad to focus on building that team,” he said.

He urged the players not to point fingers at each other for the failure but remain focused, determined and take full responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Kedah FA (KFA) will conduct a post-mortem on the recent slump.

They sacked both their foreign players in the squad, Brazilians Daniel Soares Neves and Danilo Rafael Dos Santos Vivaldo.

Last night, about 1,000 fans gathered outside the Darulaman Stadium to show their displeasure against the team.

— Bernama

Hardi: Respect one another FELDA United midfielder Hardi Jaafar has been receiving brickbats since his altercation with Negri Sembilan import player Effa Owona at the Paroi Stadium on Jan 21.

Having played for the national Under-23 team in 2006 before graduating to the senior ranks two years later, Hardi is no stranger to hostile environments. However, the Ipoh-born Hardi lost his cool when Owona allegedly used foul language and spat at him, prompting a fight.

Hardi then threw another fit when the Negri fans started hurling abuse from the stands and threw a bottle that missed Felda goalkeeper Hamsani Ahmad as they were heading towards the dressing room.

Hardi’s conduct was recorded and found its way on YouTube while blogs continue to mock Felda United for their lack of sportsmanship.

Hardi reveals his side of the story to Mailsport “IT WAS a tensed match involving our team (Felda United) and Negri Sembilan. Typically, after every match I would shake the hands of every player. What happens during the 90 minutes stays on the pitch and I don’t hold grudges.

Sadly, that wasn’t the case for Owona. I was about to shake his hand but he said something really nasty. It

was not cool at all. I blew my top.

Perhaps I was a little emotional but I’m also only human. You would do the same if you were in my position.

Then we were further provoked by the fans. When he headed towards the dressing room, a fan threw a bottle that almost hit Hamsani. It was a heated affair and we were very angry.

We later learnt the person who threw the bottle is close to the Negri Sem-

bilan management. If true, we are disappointed with such conduct.

I’m tired of people constantly blaming us for the incident. My name has been smeared by many parties. I can live with that but it is unfair to the team.

Nevertheless, I have apologised to the Negri fans through my Facebook page. I also apologised on a Malay radio station days after the match.

Through you (Mailsport), I would like to offer my

apologies again.

I stress I bear no grudges against anybody, Owona included.

But I would like to remind all of our players – local or foreign – that there should be mutual respect between one another.

I have played with many big names, both with my previous clubs and national team. Some import players think too highly of themselves and they need a reality check.

I do not want to offend

HARDI: During his altercation with Negri fans

anyone and want to put this episode behind. I’m unsure if there will be disciplinary action against me by Felda United or FA of Malaysia.

Let this be a bitter lesson for us all. Enough of mocking Felda United. Let’s move forward.

We may be ‘foes’ on the pitch but once the final whistle is blown, we’re all friends.”

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

41

42

F

Cricket

MONday 30 january 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS He (Rory McIlroy) is not afraid to try shots and it’s a matter of time before he gains more knowledge Tiger Woods

NEW DELHI

Champs cracking up Dhoni might lose Test captaincy, Sehwag likely to replace him India’s 0-4 series loss in Australia, the second in a row overseas for the cricket team, has triggered a big debate in the cricket establishment, throwing up several ideas, some radical, many cosmetic.

An idea finding favour with the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) bosses is that M.S. Dhoni should be stripped of Test captaincy. The current front runner for the captain’s position is Virender Sehwag.

This doesn’t mean Dhoni would be stripped of all captaincy — he’s expected to remain captain for the limited-overs versions of

the game, ODI and T20.

For Test matches, though, his captaincy has been found wanting. Meanwhile, Sehwag has made plain that he hasn’t got his due (and has begun to view Dhoni as the reason for that) and the cricket bosses think that perhaps he should be given a chance. It’s another matter that Sehwag’s record as captain, either of India or of Delhi Daredevils, hasn’t been great.

While all the senior players, including V.V.S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid, have clarified that they won’t be retiring from cricket as yet, it doesn’t

mean that both or either will be selected to play Tests.

“I don’t think there is a need for any player in the team to retire,” the 33year-old Sehwag told the Press Trust of India. “They (seniors) will take their call on whether they’re needed, or when they think their time is up,” he added after India’s media manager G.S. Walia described as “baseless” a news agency report that Rahul Dravid, 39, would announce his retirement.

The whitewash at the hands of Australia on Saturday resulted in India dropping a rung to third

out of favour: Dhoni heavily criticised after losses — AFPpic

spot in the International Cricket Council Test (ICC) rankings, with Michael Clarke’s team breathing down their neck just a fraction of a point behind in the table.

India, who entered the series in second place on 118 ratings points, have fallen to 111 ratings points while fourth-ranked Australia have boosted their standing in the Championship table after gaining eight ratings points which puts them alongside their rivals, the ICC said. — Agencies

ABU DHABI | golf

ABU DHABI | Cricket

Rock rolls over the competition

England humbled as Pakistan clinch series

ROBERT ROCK held off the faltering challenges of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the rest of the field to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship yesterday.

It was the second career victory for Rock, a 34-yearold Englishman in his 10th year on the European Tour who also won last year’s Italian Open. Rock, who started the day tied for the lead with Woods at 11-under, hit his drive on the par-five 18th into a hazard but salvaged bogey to shoot 70 and finish 13 under, one shot ahead of McIlroy.

The win did not come without a scare, however, as Rock was immensely fortunate not to find the water at the last following a nervy tee-shot — but he made the most of that piece of good fortune to safely bogey the final hole and win by

UNEXPECTED VICTORY: Rock poses with the trophy after denying Woods and McIlroy on the final round — AFPpic

one shot.

“I can’t believe I’ve done it today — it’s such an amazing feeling,” Rock said. “I was just happy to be playing with Tiger Woods today, that was just a special honour in itself. I started really well — I kind of surprised myself — and then I thought, ‘Why not?’

“I was expecting some pressure (from the others) ... it’s an amazing tournament to win, I haven’t done well here in the past so I’m pretty surprised to have won.”

Woods had three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine and started the back nine with a bogey on the

par-five 10th. From there, Woods made nothing but pars, shooting even-par 72 to tie for third with Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn at 11 under.

McIlroy came second at 12-under after a final round of 69, while Woods (72) was among a number of names to tie for 11-under at the tournament’s conclusion.

It was Rock’s day, however, and always looked like it might be after he made a blistering start that included

two birdies in the opening three holes — a pace that Woods initially could not keep with. — Agencies LEADERBOARD

Rock

(-13) 275

McIlroy

(-12) 276

Bjorn

(-11) 277

McDowell

(-11) 277

Woods

(-11) 277

LEFT-ARM spinner Abdul Rehman (pic) took a career best 6-25 to help Pakistan humble England by 72 runs in the second Test on Saturday, to give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The 31-year-old twice took two wickets in successive overs to dent England’s chase after they were set a 145-run target on a weary fourth day Abu Dhabi Stadium pitch, bowling them out for 72 — their lowest against Pakistan in all Tests.

Rehman’s effort overshadowed Monty Panesar’s 6-62, in his first Test for 30 months, which finished Pakistan’s second innings at 214 in the morning.

This is England’s first series defeat after being unbeaten in their previous nine since

their loss to the West Indies in early 2009 — a sequence which saw them rise to world No 1 in the Test rankings last August.

Pakistan won the first Test in Dubai by 10 wickets.

The third Test will also be played in Dubai from Feb 3. — AFP

BRIEFS

Lotus name car after factory

Jamaica celebrates sprint double

All-female team to rally

LONDON: Kimi Raikkonen’s Lotus F1 team, formerly known as Renault, have decided to name this year’s car after their factory in central England. The E20 car, to be unveiled online on February 5 before the first pre-season test in Jerez, will

NEW YORK: Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown completed a Jamaican sprint double at the US Open indoor meet at Madison Square Garden yesterday. Powell, almost the forgotten man of Jamaican sprinting because of the achievements of Usain Bolt and

STOCKHOLM: An all-female Swedish team has announced plans to make a challenge in the male-dominated sport of rallying in a black-and-pink Mitsubishi Evo X. The Ramona Racing team, made up of driver Ramona Karlsson and co-driver Miriam

be the 20th that the Enstone facility has produced. Team boss Eric Boullier said in a statement on Saturday that the name recognised the contribution of the factory staff to performance on the track.

— Reuters

Yohan Blake, lunged at the line to win the 50 metre dash in 5.67 seconds, the fastest time in a decade for the rarely-run event. “It was a good time for my first race of the season,” said Powell. Powell’s training partner Nesta Carter was second in 5.67. — Agencies

Walfridsson, will compete in the Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC). Ramona Rallying will contest six of the eight rounds of the championship, with their first race taking place in Mexico from March 8-11. — Agencies

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2012

TENNIS

F

43

SPORTS She (Victoria Azarenka) did everything better than I did today MARIA SHARAPOVA

Azarenka: Generation next for women

MELBOURNE i AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Hail the Joker

NEWLY-CROWNED Australian Open champion and new world No 1 Victoria Azarenka believes women’s tennis is in for a fascinating 12 months as a new generation challenges the supremacy of the established stars.

Azarenka’s 6-3, 6-0 win over three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova was the 22-year-old’s first triumph at a major championship, and will also put her at the top of the next women’s rankings list released today.

The Belarusian was the fifth different women’s Grand Slam winner in a row, and the fourth firsttime champion in succession, following Li Na at Roland Garros, Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon and Samantha Stosur at the US Open.

“I think it’s a great thing for women’s tennis,” Azarenka said.

“With Petra we had amazing matches. But with Maria playing really well now, you know, Ser-

World No 1 retains title after six gruelling hours in longest-ever Grand Slam final DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic battled past Rafael Nadal in an epic, five-set Australian Open final which clocked in at 5hr 53min — the longest title match in Grand Slam history — yesterday.

Djokovic fought back from losing the first set to take a 2-1 lead, but he was then taken to a gripping fifth set by a resurgent Nadal before winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 for his third consecutive Major title.

Djokovic has now beaten the Spaniard in three consecutive Grand Slam finals and seven consecutive title matches overall.

It was a match of wildly swinging fortunes, which started before 8:00pm local time, but did not wind up until 1:40am this morning.

The Serb had cut a frustrated figure in the first set, slamming his racquet to the ground when he was broken for the first time and falling one set behind.

A rejuvenated Djokovic found his rhythm in the second set, levelling the match on his fourth set point and, starting to dictate, ran away with the third set, overpowering Nadal and breaking him to love to win it 6-2.

The 25-year-old, deposed from the top ranking by Djokovic after his defeat in last year’s Wimbledon final, dug deep in the fourth set, getting back into the contest through sheer force of will.

The Spanish left-hander saved three break points in the eighth game, producing a fist-pumping celebration when he levelled at 4-4.

But then to add to the

ena Williams is back, Kim Clijsters, I think it’s great for women’s tennis.”

While the changes are positive for the up-andcoming players, the Australian Open may have seen the beginning of the end for a number of Grand Slam winners.

Williams, 30, who is virtually a part-time player due to injuries and a lack of motivation, was soundly beaten in the fourth round by unheralded Russian Ekaterina Makarova.

Clijsters, 28, has already indicated this is her last year on the tour and she looked capable of defending her title after outplaying now-deposed world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, before she ran into Azarenka in the semifinals.

But there were promising signs for former French Open winner and ex-world No 1 Ana Ivanovic, who will return to the top 20 after reaching the fourth round, and for Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, who will rise to six. — AFP

Paes-Vesnina outclassed SERBIAN SENSATION: Djokovic holding aloft the trophy after an epic final against Nadal — AFPpic

mounting tension, action was suspended while the roof was closed and the court dried due to rain.

When play restarted the set went to a tie-break, with Nadal clinching the set at his first opportunity, as Djokovic went long and wide on the forehand.

In a dramatic fifth set, Nadal secured a crucial break in the sixth game. But with the Spaniard now suddenly looking the more likely winner, Djokovic battled back to break.

A stunning 31-shot rally at

the start of the ninth game left Djokovic on his back, and Nadal then fought off a break point to hold.

But Djokovic broke in the 11th game when Nadal netted with a backhand, and he saved a break point before serving out for the championship.

The Serb ripped off his shirt in celebration and marched to his players’ box flexing his muscles and then hugging his coach.

The match outstripped the 1988 US Open final between Mats Wilander and

Ivan Lendl, which lasted 4hr 54min, and also beat the Australian Open record of 5hr 14min set by Nadal and Fernando Verdasco.

“Rafa, you’re one of the best players ever.” said Djokovic at the trophy presentation.

“We made history tonight, and unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners.

But I wish you all the best for this season and I hope that we will have many more matches like this and many more finals.” — Agencies

A SECOND title eluded Leander Paes at the Australian Open as he and Elena Vesnina ended runners-up in the mixed doubles event after being outplayed by Horia Tecau and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the summit clash yesterday.

The fifth seeded IndoRussian pair lost 3-6, 7-5 (3-10) to the eighth seeded Romanian-American combination in one hour and 48 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.

Paes was chasing a rare feat of winning two Grand Slam titles in the same tournament for the second time in his career but fell at

the final hurdle.

In the 1999 Wimbledon, he had won both the men’s doubles (with Mahesh Bhupathi) and mixed doubles (Lisa Raymond) titles.

On Saturday, Paes had won the men’s doubles title with Czech Radek Stepanek after winning 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 against Bob and Mike Bryan of the US to complete a career Grand Slam.

It was Paes’ fourth Australian Open mixed doubles final, having won two and lost two. Overall, Paes has six mixed doubles titles with the French Open trophy missing from his Slam cabinet. — Agencies

BRIEFS

AFTER losing a tough Australian Open semifinal to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer heads to Europe with a full schedule on his plate for next month. Unlike Nadal, who plans to take the month off to heal a shoulder problem, the Swiss is going full throttle for three weeks of play. The world No 3 is due to play in the Da-

Nadal not swayed

Murray eyes No 1

Federer moves on vis Cup first round for Switzerland at home against the US, then headline at Rotterdam indoors before competing in Dubai late next month. “It’s not that bad. Don’t feel too sorry for me. I haven’t lost in five months or something,” he said after suffering his first defeat in an official match since September. — Agencies

ANDY MURRAY has ­targeted becoming world No 1 by the end of the year. The Scot claimed his ­narrow semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic at the ­Australian Open proves he has closed the gap on the current top-ranked player on the planet.

And, under the guidance of new coach Ivan Lendl, the British No 1

said he will now work on overtaking the Serb, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in the rankings while chasing his first Grand Slam. “I think it was important to lay down a marker to the other top three that I am ­improving and getting close to winning a Slam,” said the 24-year-old. — Agencies

RAFAEL NADAL isn’t convinced Novak Djokovic has any breathing problems going into their Australian Open final yesterday night.

During Djokovic’s five-set semifinal win over Murray on Friday, and to a lesser extent during his quarterfinal victory over David Ferrer, the Serbian player showed signs

of breathing difficulties, something he’s put down to allergies.

On Saturday, Nadal told a pre-final news conference that he, like Murray, had seen it all before. Nadal suggested that Djokovic tends to make incredible physical recoveries, even in the latter stages of big matches. — Agencies

44

monday 30 january 2012

FOotball

THE MALAY MAIL

sportS We started by attacking because to continue in this competition we had to win MOHAMED ABDALLA SUDAN COACH

FRANCEVILLE

BATA | african nations cup

Sudan seek rare win History is against Sudan, whose last win was way back in 1970 against Ghana THE ending of Sudan’s 36-year Africa Cup of Nations goal drought against Angola has left the Jediane Falcons still in with a shout of squeaking through to the quarterfinals.

Sudan confront already knocked out Burkina Faso lying in third place in Group B on one point, with Angola on three and qualified Ivory Coast on six points.

To grab the precious runner up spot the Sudanese must not only beat Burkina Faso but also pray that their rivals for second place Angola take nothing from their encounter in Malabo with Ivory Coast.

That will put both sides on four points with goal difference coming into the equation to determine who goes forward to a last eight clash with either Equatorial Guinea or Zambia.

On Thursday, Sudan ended their three and a half decade scoring drought in the 2-2 draw with the Angolans, with Mohamed Bashir twice levelling after Manucho had scored for the Black Antelopes at the start of each half.

That stalemate will have

given them a dose of confidence after their spirited opening 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba getting the decisive goal.

That narrow defeat was some feat for the only completely locally-sourced squad in the competition up against the footballing highrollers.

Sudan coach Mohamed Abdalla, who was 16 when Sudan lifted the title in Khartoum in 1970, commented after that game: “We started by attacking because to continue in this competition we had to win.

“We let in the first goal on a major defensive blunder, the second on a penalty but my players aren’t sufficently experienced.

“I’m happy that twice we were able to equalise. This game gives us huge motivation for our next one.”

He added: “I’m trying to minimize the small mistakes of our inexperienced defenders playing against highquality strikers. I think we are improving. To survive in this competition you have to win.”

History is against Sudan,

CELEBRATION: Sudan’s Mohamed Ahmed Bashir reels away after scoring against Angola — AFPpic

whose last win in the competition was way back in 1970 in the final against Ghana.

The second lowest ranked team in the 2012 competition were knocked out in the first round in 1972 and 1976 and again in their next appearance in 2008.

For Burkina Faso, honour is the only thing at stake after an error-strewn opening 2-1 loss to Angola and a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast.

This is their fifth first round exit since they finished fourth

14 years ago.

They go into today’s match with uncertainty surrounding the future of their coach Paulo Duarte, who has threatened to quit if the national football federation does not change its ways.

He is upset over the way the federation has handled a number of nationality claims, with Cameroon-born Herve Zengue missing the finals and Abdou Razak Traore who is here in Equatorial Guinea unable to play. — AFP

Gyan stunner helps sink spirited Mali SECOND half goals from Asamoah Gyan (pic) and Dede Ayew saw Ghana overcome a spirited struggle by Mali to win 2-0 yesterday morning in their second Group D game.

The World Cup quarterfinalists emphasised their status as one of the pretournament favourites with a strong finish as they slowly overwhelmed their west African rivals in hot and humid conditions in Franceville.

Gyan, who caused a big stir when he left Premier League Sunderland in September in a loan move, repaid the faith placed in him by Ghana by scoring an excellent, long-range free kick to open the scoring in the 63rd minute.

Injury concerns had made him doubtful before the tournament and again ahead of yesterday’s match in the Gabonese provincial town, but coach Goran Stevanovic risked playing him.

Gyan’s right-footed shot was driven wide of the diving Soumbeyla Diakite to keep up the high standard of goals at the tournament, being co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Leading scorers

MALABO

FRANCEVILLE

Coach rewarded with new contract

Guinea equal Cup goals record

EQUATORIAL GUINEA have rewarded coach Gilson Paulo for taking them to the quarterfinals by giving him a new one-year contract.

The 62-year-old Brazilian, initially hired by the co-hosts for two months on a caretaker basis after Frenchman Henri Michel quit at the start of the month, has surpassed expectations with wins over Libya and Senegal.

The government’s official website (www. guineaecuatorialpress. com) confirmed the contract extension on Saturday and also took

the unusual move of publishing his salary, which is US$15,000 (RM45,000) a month.

Equatorial Guinea, ranked 151st in the world and making their debut at the tournament, faced Zambia in their final Group A match this morning, having already made sure of their place in the last eight.

They face Cape Verde, Tunisia and Sierra Leone in their third-round World Cup qualifying group starting in June, although only the first two fixtures will be played during the next year. — Reuters

GUINEA equalled a 42-yearold record for the biggest winning margin in hammering Botswana 6-1 yesterday morning to revive their tournament hopes.

Sadio Diallo (pic) scored the first two followed by Abdoul Razzagui Camara and Ibrahim Traore, all before halftime, and two late efforts from Mamadou Dioulde Bah and substitute Naby Soumah.

The five-goal winning margin equals Ivory Coast’s 6-1 win over Ethiopia at the 1970 edition in Sudan and also provides Guinea with their first points of the tournament.

But Guinea might have set a new mark had Pascal Feindouno’s 55th minute effort that crossed the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar been awarded.

Ayew’s effort in the 76th minute was as good as he cut in from the right wing, turned his defender one way and then the other before squeezing a shot inside the upright.

Ghana had gradually taken control of the game after Mali produced the best effort of the first half - a freekick from youthful striker Cheick Tidiane Diabate that hit one post, ran across the goal-line, hit the opposite pole and bounced to safety.

Ghana played with a makeshift defence after the suspension of central defenders John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah but did not allow Mali any clear chance in open play. — Reuters

Dipsy Selolwane scored for Botswana from a twice-taken penalty but the Nations Cup debutants played the entire second half down to 10 men after Patrick Motsepe was sent off for a horror tackle.

Diallo scored the first two goals in almost similar fashion, powering home the ball from close range after a cross from the left.

In between his two efforts, Selolwane netted a penalty for Botswana after Guinea’s goalkeeper Naby Yattara had committed a panicky tackle on Jerome Ramatlhakwana.

But Selolwane only scored at the second attempt after Yattara had stopped the first but been correctly adjudged to have moved forward off his line before the ball was struck.

Camara’s goal, in only his second appearance, came from the left again but instead of passing square he hit the ball home from a tight angle to make it 3-1 in the 42nd minute.

Then Motsepe was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Feindouno and from the subsequent free-kick Traore scored off the upright.

— Reuters

3-

Kharja (Mar), Manucho (Ang)

2-

Aubameyang (Gab) Bashir (Sud), Mayuka (Zam), Msakni (Tun), Osman (Lba)

Standings

GROUP A EQ GUINEA Zambia Libya Senegal

P W D L F A Pts 2 2 2 2

2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2

3 1 4 3 2 3 2 4

6 4 1 0

GROUP B IVORY COAST 2 Angola 2 Sudan 2 Burkina Faso 2

2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2

3 0 4 3 2 3 1 4

6 4 1 0

GROUP C GABON TUNISIA Morocco Niger

2 2 2 2

2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

5 2 4 2 3 5 1 4

6 6 0 0

GROUP D Ghana Mali Botswana Guinea

1 1 1 1

1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1

3 3 0 0

(Teams in upper case have qualified for quarterfinals)

THE MALAY MAIL

monday 30 january 2012

football

45

SPORTS I feel good, I’m playing well and I am happy Kaka

STANDINGS primera liga

PW D L F A Pts Real Madrid 20 17 1 2 70 19 52 Barcelona 20 13 6 1 59 12 45 Valencia 19 10 5 4 29 20 35 Levante 19 9 4 6 25 22 31 Espanyol 20 9 4 7 22 21 31 A. Bilbao 20 7 8 5 30 25 29 Osasuna 19 6 9 4 22 31 27 A. Madrid 19 7 5 7 30 27 26 Sevilla 19 6 8 5 20 20 26 Malaga 19 7 4 8 22 28 25 Getafe 19 6 6 7 20 25 24 Real Betis 19 7 2 10 22 27 23 R. Vallecano 20 6 4 10 23 31 22 R. Mallorca 20 5 7 8 17 25 22 R. Sociedad 19 5 6 8 17 27 21 R. Santander 19 4 8 7 15 23 20 Villarreal 20 4 8 8 18 28 20 Grenade 19 5 4 10 12 26 19 S. Gijon 19 5 3 11 18 33 18 R. Zaragoza 20 2 6 12 15 36 12

results primera liga Real Madrid 3 Real Zaragoza 1 Rayo Vallecano 2 Athletic Bilba 3 Espanyol 1 Real Mallorca 0 Villarreal 2 Barcelona 3 Today’s fixtures Real Betis v Grenada Real Sociedad v Sporting Gijon Levante v Getafe Racing Santander v Valencia Malaga v Sevilla Tomorrow Osasuna v Atletico Madrid

results SERIE A Catania 1 Parma 1 Juventus 2 Udinese 1 Today’s fixtures Fiorentina v Siena Cesena v Atalanta Roma v Bologna Genoa v Napoli Chievo v Lazio Palermo v Novara Lecce v Inter Milan AC Milan v Cagliari

STANDINGS seriE a

Juventus AC Milan Udinese Inter Milan Lazio Roma Napoli Parma Chievo Palermo Genoa Cagliari Catania Fiorentina Bologna Atalanta Siena Cesena Lecce Novara

PW D L F A Pts 20 12 8 0 33 13 44 19 12 4 3 40 17 40 20 11 5 4 29 16 38 19 11 2 6 30 20 35 19 9 6 4 27 19 33 18 9 3 6 28 20 30 19 7 8 4 34 21 29 20 6 6 8 25 33 24 19 6 6 7 16 22 24 19 7 3 9 24 27 24 19 7 3 9 25 34 24 19 5 8 6 16 18 23 19 5 8 6 22 28 23 19 5 7 7 18 16 22 19 5 5 9 17 25 20 19 6 8 5 23 25 20 19 4 7 8 20 20 19 19 4 3 12 13 30 15 19 3 4 12 20 36 13 19 2 6 11 18 38 12

BRIEFS

Barcelona l Primera Liga

Barca on track, says Pep I want to fight for every point like we fought tonight, says Guardiola BARCELONA Pep Guardiola refused to criticise his team despite overseeing a 0-0 draw to lowly Primera Division side Villarreal yesterday.

The Blaugrana boss opted to praise his team for a hardworking display on the night and dismissed suggestions they were fatigued from their Copa del Rey victory over Real Madrid last week.

The champions picked up a sixth draw of the campaign against the Yellow Submarine, which means they now fall seven points behind Real Madrid at Primera Liga’s summit, but the 40-year-old insists he could not ask for more from his players.

“We played well and ran a lot. I want to fight for every point like we fought tonight,” said Guardiola after the match.

“We have been too attentive to the things they do well, we have lacked luck when putting the ball in the net but my assessment is that I am satisfied, especially after last week’s work.”

Guardiola also shrugged off suggestions Barcelona had paid the price for their two-legged Copa del Rey quarterfinal victory over Real Madrid in midweek, before praising Villarreal

for their courageous display.

“We have played an excellent game, but Villarreal are a team that have a lot of shots on goal and play very well if given space.

“Marco Ruben was fantastic and won all the second balls, while Joselu and Camunas found lots of space.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid survived an early scare against Zaragoza to come back and earn a comfortable 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday, with Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil all getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.

The 29-year-old Kaka has been in and out of the XI at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, triggering speculation over his future at the club, but after a fine goalscoring display against the Liga strugglers, he spoke of his satisfaction at being back in contention.

“I feel good, I’m playing well and I am happy,” he said. “The Bernabeu helps us a lot and we can create an impact.” — Agencies

Clinical win for Bayern MUNICH: Mario Gomez (pic) found the net in his 200th Bundesliga appearance as Bayern Munich earned a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg yesterday. The visitors were strong in defence and always had a chance to take at least a point, but the Germany international forward made the difference as he broke the deadlock on 60 minutes. Bayern got their second goal as Arjen Robben poked home Ivica Olic’s chip as it was set to cross the goal line in the closing seconds of the game.The result sees Bayern keep pace with Dortmund atop the table on 40 points. Wolfsburg are ninth now, with 23 points from 19 games.

— Agencies

PSG made to sweat

GUARDIOLA: Praised team for goaless draw against lowly Valencia — AFPpic

Turin

Porn offer for Buffon JUVENTUS keeper Gianluigi Buffon has been asked to enter the adult film business by a well-known porn star after the shot stopper’s Czech model wife praised her husband’s skills in the bedroom.

The 34-year-old Alena (pic) told Italian women’s magazine Verrisimo that her husband was “better in bed than Rocco Siffredi”, a famous porn star. Siffredi has responded to the comments in an interview with Tuttosport and is keen for the Italy No 1 to showcase his talents in the bedroom.

“Buffon may be even better

than me in bed, but I want to see him in front of the camera. Buffon is still a kid compared to me. I will make a suggestion: when he stops playing, he should come work for me. I need real men,” Siffredi said.

The comments come a week after Kevin-Prince Boateng’s girlfriend, Melissa Satta, claimed the reason for the player’s recent injury woes was because of the couple’s active sex life. Buffon is yet to comment on the offer as he focuses on helping Juve’s Scudetto bid. — Agencies

PARIS: Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain recorded a narrow 1-0 win to beat Alex Dupont’s Stade Brestois and end their unbeaten home record at Stade Francis-Le Ble yesterday. Milan Bisevac put les Parisiens ahead after just six minutes from a set-piece situation. Christophe Jallet’s inswinging corner was met first by the Serbian, who headed past Stade Brestois goalkeeper Steeve Elana. Kevin Gameiro and Nene proved to be profligate for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who hold their three point advantage at the top of the table. — Agencies

Milan pick Lopez, not Tevez MILAN: AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani admits defeat in race for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.

The San Siro outfit have seemingly pulled out of negotiations for the unsettled striker despite being close to an understanding with City regarding the transfer.

“We were close to an agreement with City,” Galliani told Milan Channel. Instead of Tevez, Milan signed Catania’s Maxi Lopez, whose move had been in limbo for over a month as he waited for the San Siro outfit to make a decision. — Agencies

46

NEWS

F

monday 30 january 2012

THE MALAY MAIL

SPORTS Maybe United were the better team, but at the end of the day it is all about scoring goals dirk kuyt liverpool striker

BRIEFS

LONDON

He’s not going anywhere

Four teams waiting on Leeds midfielder LONDON: Simon Grayson has admitted his hopes of hanging on to Robert Snodgrass depend on Leeds clinching a Premier League return.

Everton, West Brom, Wolves and Norwich will battle to sign the £5m-rated (RM25m) winger if the Elland Road outfit fail to win promotion.

Leeds boss Grayson said: “We’d like to keep our good players. The rest of the season will determine how easy that’ll be.”

Grayson wants Leicester’s Richie Wellens, 31, to replace Jonny Howson, sold to Norwich for £2m. — DM

3650/12

29.01.12

3440 8657 1443 0505 7214 0966 6034 7237

3516 0960 8310 5088 7495

6784 6228 9296 6534 5243

8029 9165 8436 3833 9149

RM6,258,311.27 3440 8657 3440 1443 8657 1443

8657 3440 1443 3440 1443 8657

Dirk Kuyt’s agent told striker still needed by Reds DIRK KUYT fired Liverpool to a dramatic victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford – after being told he will not be allowed to leave Anfield.

The Dutch striker was the subject of an enquiry from Fiorentina and Roma during the week after the Italian clubs were told that Kuyt was becoming disillusioned at playing a peripheral role under Kenny Dalglish.

His Dutch agent, Rob Jansen, travelled to Merseyside last weekend only to be told that the striker was going nowhere.

And he showed just why Kenny Dalglish wants to keep him by coming off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner to sink United and send Liverpol into the fifth round of the FA Cup. Kuyt said: “It was a great header to me by Andy Carroll and all that I needed to do was score. We have proved we can compete with the best.

“Maybe United were the better team, but at the end of the day it is all about scoring goals.”

Daniel Agger headed Liverpool ahead only for Ji-Sung Park to equalise before halftime. But Kuyt capitalised on Patrice Evra’s poor marking to win it for Kenny Dalglish’s side.

Evra was given a rough ride

by Liverpool fans who haven’t ­forgiven him over his accusations that he was racially abused by Luis Suarez when the team’s met at ­Anfield in October.

Suarez was handed an eightgame ban by the FA after they upheld Evra’s complaint.

And last night Liverpool officials were trying to identify a supporter who was caught on camera apparently making monkey gestures to the United fullback.

Both Dalglish and Sir Alex ­Ferguson were happy that the game was played in a good spirit – although the United boss could not resist having a dig at referee Mark Halsey.

Dalglish reacted angrily when he was asked whether his fans were wrong to jeer Evra.

“Are you winding me up?” said Dalglish. “Why would I be disappointed for Patrice Evra? I’ve been booed and I don’t see it as an issue.

“The fans are entitled to support their team and there was absolutely no problem.”

United felt that Kuyt’s winning strike may have been offside, but Ferguson said: “I haven’t seen it.

“You don’t always get decisions here anyway. We didn’t get anything from the referee. In a way it was well handled. It was a sensi-

there it goes: Liverpool’s Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt scores their winning goal against Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday night — AFPpic

ble performance from the referee and the players showed great respect to each other. There wasn’t a bad tackle in the game. It was played in a good spirit.”

Both clubs were anxious to promote good behaviour – both on and off the pitch.

And Ferguson has won himself some respect on ­Merseyside after it was revealed he made a donation to the Hillsborough Appeal when he visited ­Anfield in the aftermath of the tragedy that took the lives of 96 Liverpool fans back in 1996. Kenny Derbyshire, who was at Hillsborough and is now chairman of the Hillsborough

Justice Campaign, said: “It was a great gesture. The first I heard that Fergie had been to Anfield to pay his respects after the disaster was this week.

“I have always respected him for the job he has done for Man ­United – even though as a Liverpool fan I don’t like to admit it.

“I’ve now got even more respect for him after hearing what he did back in 1989.

“I think that all Liverpool fans will respect him that little bit more after hearing that he came to Anfield to offer his support at such a difficult time.”

— Daily Mirror

RM103,444.22

6 6 6 0 4 27337 90559

6 6 0 4 6 0 4 0 4 3 5 3 2 4 6

3 3 3 3

5 3 2 4 5 3 2 5 3 5

5 3 2 4 3 2 4 2 4 4

6 6 6 6

3 12 30 32 36 47

RM10,576,671.25 4 20 24 27 35 52

RM12,209,531.17 17 19 24 26 34 42

RM3,605,734.46

LONDON

LONDON

Man arrested over ‘racist’ gesture at Liverpool

Kaboul to stay with Spurs

BRITISH police said they arrested a man late Saturday in connection with an alleged racist gesture made at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium during the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United.

An image of a man apparently making a monkey gesture in the stands was widely distributed on social networking websites, and a number of complaints were made to police after the match which ended in a 2-1 win for Liverpool.

The game was the first between the fierce rivals since Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was given an eight-match ban after a Football Association inquiry found him guilty of racially abusing United captain Patrice Evra (pic).

A police spokeswoman said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that a 59-year-old man from North Wales has been arrested this evening following an alleged incident at the LFC vs MUFC match this afternoon.

“The man has been taken to a police station and will be questioned by officers.

“Merseyside Police would like to thank North Wales Police and Liverpool Football Club for their assistance with this matter.”

Before the match the stadium announcer warned supporters that racist behaviour would not be tolerated.

Evra, a French international defender who was born in Senegal, was loudly booed by Liverpool fans throughout the match.

Speaking before the arrest, match commander Chief Superintendent Jon Ward said: “I would like to thank the majority of fans for their behaviour and co-operation.

“We knew this would be a busy operation and most fans can be proud that they acted as ambassadors for their cities and their clubs.

“We can confirm that specialist officers are reviewing match foot-

age, as a result of a picture posted on Twitter.

“This matter is now under investigation by specialist hate crime detectives and we are working with Liverpool Football Club to identify the man in question.”

— AFP

YOUNES KABOUL is ready to sign a new four-year contract at Tottenham.

The central defender has excelled since he came back to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth two years ago. And his reward will be a lucrative new deal.

Kaboul joined Spurs from Auxerre in 2007 for £8million but had a torrid time. He was signed by Harry Redknapp for ­Portsmouth and went on to be part of Pompey’s FA Cup winning team.

Kaboul is now a key member of the Tottenham squad and Redknapp said of the Frenchman: “Younes has been magnificent for us, absolutely terrific.

“He is a tremendous player and that is why I signed him twice. — DM

THE MALAY MAIL

MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2012

FOOTBALL

47

SPORTS Sebastian Larsson has had a major impact. I think he was doing pretty well under Steve Bruce and I was delighted to inherit him MARTIN O’NEILL SUNDERLAND MANAGER

BRIEFS

LONDON I PREMIER LEAGUE

Samba: This is between me and Venky’s

Everton defender wanted by Real Mallorca LONDON: Everton defender Johnny Heitinga is wanted by Spanish side Real Mallorca. The Dutch defender has been a mainstay in David Moyes’ side this season and is under contract until 2014. But according to reports in Spain, the La Liga side have already enquired about his services. The 28-year-old spent two seasons at Atletico Madrid before joining Everton for £6m back in 2009. Mallorca boss Joaquin Caparros now hopes to tempt him back to Spain. — Daily Mirror

Defender reckons he has been over-priced WANTAWAY defender Chris Samba has claimed Blackburn Rovers owners Venky’s “don’t understand” English football.

Samba requested a transfer earlier this month, claiming he had “given 100 per cent” to the club for five years and that “now is the right time for me to pursue a new challenge”.

A move has so far failed to materialise, despite an offer from QPR and reported interest from Tottenham, and Samba has called on Venky’s to grant him his desired move.

He said: “I signed a new deal last January because

Venky’s told me they had big plans. Names like Ronaldinho were mentioned and they promised there was going to be a lot of investment in the team. It hasn’t happened.

“They don’t understand football in this country and they don’t realise how much I’ve given to Blackburn and that they have broken promises they have made. I stayed because I believed them but they weren’t honest with me and now I know I made the wrong decision.

“I share the frustration of the fans who must have believed the owners too.”

The giant Congo international also claims the fee being sought for his services, a reported £15million (RM75m), is unreasonable.

“I’m not a £15million player,” he said. “Blackburn only signed me for £400,000 from Hertha Berlin and if they get £7million now then that’s very good business.

“I’ve got nothing against the manager (Steve Kean).

It’s not like he’s been given £100million to spend, he’s trying to do the best he can with what he has.

“This is between me and the owners. It’s personal.”

— Daily Mirror

Stoke fail with bid to moor Phillips

SAMBA: Has nothing against his manager — GETTYpic

LONDON

LONDON

Swede dreams are made of Larsson

QPR boss calls for handshakes to be ditched altogether

NOT for the first time Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is delighted to hail a Swede by the name of Larsson as the catalyst for one of his success stories.

Eleven seasons ago O’Neill turned to Henrik Larsson to spearhead his Celtic revival and now the Irishman feels that Sebastian Larsson is the inspiration behind his Sunderland transformation.

The Swedish schemer has been the talisman for O’Neill’s great start at the Stadium of Light that has produced six wins and a draw in nine games.

O’Neill said: “Sebastian Larsson has had a major impact. I think he was doing pretty well under Steve Bruce and I was delighted to inherit him. His contribution to the team since I came has been tremendous and there is no doubt he is a key figure in helping us win so many games.

“He works tirelessly for you.

He has a great delivery. Seb can come up trumps with free kicks — which he has done.

“They have been life-saving for us.”

O’Neill also revealed that the Swede’s determination to play in the New Year’s Day win over Manchester City, when clearly ill, marked him out as

a very special competitor.

O’Neill added: “I couldn’t ask for any more from him.

He played a match when he could hardly stand up the day before. That is genuine.

“He was so bad that he could not play the next game against Wigan but he played against Manchester City on New Year’s Day and played his part in the winning goal.

Most players — and I don’t care how courageous they are — wouldn’t have played in the game. Those things you remember.”

Larsson has no regrets about making his difficult decision to leave Arsenal after watching two FA Cup Finals from the stands.

And, as he prepared to take on local rivals Middlesbrough in today’s FA Cup showdown, he believes that, under O’Neill, Sunderland can give him an FA Cup winners medal to go with the Carling Cup success he enjoyed at Birmingham last term.

Larsson said: “When I went on loan to Birmingham, I didn’t want to go back to Arsenal and be a bit-part player, only involved every now and then. I was never involved in an FA Cup Final with Arsenal.” — Daily Mirror

QPR boss Mark Hughes (pic) has called on the football authorities to ditch the pre-match handshake ritual.

QPR, Chelsea and the FA collectively decided to abandon it at Loftus Road on Saturday. And Hughes said: “Why give handshakes if they’re not done with integrity. I have a history with handshakes myself. If they are not right, why do them at all? They’re an irritation.”

The decision was taken to avoid inflaming the controversial return of Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who appears in court in three days time charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand following the league clash between the two clubs back in October.

QPR players met on Friday night and decided to support Ferdinand by refusing to shake hands with Terry. And that sparked the collective decision to abandon the pre-match pleasantries.

Hughes continued: “I don’t know who dreamed it up, or why people think

it’s vitally important that people do this. Why not do it like in the good old days when you just went out and played football without this nonsense?”

Hughes also praised Ferdinand for the way he handled a potentially explosive situation yesterday.

“I thought he has conducted himself really well, not only this week but

for a number of weeks.

“It was a difficult situation for him because the focus was all on him, which is understandable given what had happened to him before the game.

“For him to come through that gave him great credit. He put in a tremendous performance. If I’d had any doubts, I would not have picked him. But that never came into my mind.” — Daily Mirror

LONDON: Stoke have failed in a bid to land Blackpool striker Matt Phillips. Potters boss Tony Pulis moved for the 20-year-old after an impressive return to form. But Tangerines chief Ian Holloway needs him as he chases return to the Premier League. — Daily Mirror

Kranjcar considering Nice loan LONDON: Niko Kranjcar (pic) will be offered a move to France to get him in shape for Euro 2012. Harry Redknapp insists he does not want to sell Kranjcar — as QPR have shown interest — but Ligue 1 side Nice want to sign the Spurs midfielder on loan for the rest of the season. And the option is a tempting one for Kranjcar, 27, who has made just seven starts this season. — Daily Mirror

QPR park Moses move until summer LONDON: Queen’s Park Rangers have put their proposed move for Victor Moses on hold until the summer. New Rangers boss Mark Hughes is a big fan of the Wigan flyer, signed from Palace in 2010 for £2.5million (RM12.5m).

Moses, 21, is yet to agree a new contract at Wigan and plans to consider his options this summer.

QPR nearly tabled a January bid but are now set to firm up their initial interest at the end of the season. — Daily Mirror

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP

FOOTBALL

Sudan on hunt

Happy Evra after

They have not won the continental title since beating Ghana in the 1970 final

Transfer target Kuyt capitalises on MU defender’s blunder to take Reds into FA Cup Round 5

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 PAGE46

MONDAY JANUARY 30, 2012

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FOOTBALL I CHRIS SAMBA: Problem is between me and the owners

Waiting in the shadows

LONDON I FA CUP

Easy draw for Reds, Spurs LIVERPOOL’S sights are set firmly on a second route to Wembley after being drawn at home to Championship (first division) Brighton in the fifth round of the FA Cup yesterday.

Kenny Dalglish’s side, who are already through to the League Cup final in which they face Cardiff City, beat Manchester United 2-1 on Saturday in the fourth round and will be fancied to get past Gus Poyet’s Brighton side.

Brighton, who reached the final in 1983 before falling on hard times, knocked out Premier League Newcastle United in the biggest upset of the fourth round.

Chelsea will host Birmingham City while Arsenal travel to either Middlesbrough or Sunderland.

Crawley Town, who are enjoying their first season in the Football League, fly the flag for League Two (fourth division) with a plum tie against last year’s runners-up Stoke City.

Another David versus Goliath clash on the weekend of Feb 18-19 is Stevenage’s home tie with Premier League title contenders Tottenham Hotspur.

— Reuters

Mourinho likely to move in if Mancini fails to win title

DRAW Liverpool v Brighton Everton v Blackpool/Sheff Wed Chelsea v Birmingham City Crawley Town v Stoke City Stevenage v Spurs Norwich City v Leicester City S’land/Boro v Arsenal/Villa Millwall/Southampton v Bolton

JOSE MOURINHO

LONDON: Jose Mourinho will decide on his Real Madrid career in the summer.

His potential availability will lead to speculation about a potential move to Manchester City where Roberto Mancini is under pressure to land the title or face the boot.

Mourinho is City’s number one choice to replace Mancini if they make a change. The vacancy at the Etihad Stadium could yet convince the former Chelsea manager to make an unexpected and early return to English football.

Doubts over Mourinho’s future at the Spanish giants have emerged following clashes with players and fans, plus claims that the Real hierarchy are question-

ing him and his tactics.

Mourinho is fuming at being undermined and by suggestions it is coming from inside his own camp.

His side lead La Liga from arch-rivals Barcelona and are in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Mourinho is be-

ginning to warm to the idea of taking over at City.

Previously he ruled out taking the job, seemingly waiting in the wings to land the Manchester United vacancy from Sir Alex Ferguson when he decides to retire.

But that stance has changed with Ferguson showing no signs of wishing to stand down just yet.

— Daily Mirror

ROBERTO MANCINI

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