nst online

Penang govt should not question RMAF base runway project

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:48:26 +0800

PENANG, Fri: The Penang government should not question the federal government's intention to extend the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) airbase's runway in Butterworth because the project is vital for the country's defence, State Federal Development director Nik Ali Mat Yunus said.

More seniors in Japan killed by relatives: Report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:04:28 +0800

TOKYO: At least 400 elderly people in Japan were murdered by relatives, died through their neglect or in joint suicides over the past decade, according to a report today in the rapidly-aging country.

Too early to start political talks with China: Taiwan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:12:20 +0800

TAIPEI: Taiwan believes it is still too early to start political talks with China, hoping to focus on economic exchanges for the time being, the island’s top China policy maker was quoted as saying today.

Top surgeon's Malaysian killer refused parole

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:23:42 +0800

MELBOURNE: One of two Malaysian men convicted of murdering renowned Sydney heart surgeon Victor Chang must remain behind bars for another year.

MCA appreciates concern shown by Najib: Heng

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:01:34 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA appreciates the concern shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in wanting to meet the leaders of the factions involved in the party's ongoing crisis, said Wanita MCA secretary-general Senator Heng Seai Kie.

Bukit Gasing residents can challenge KL mayor's order

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:07:40 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall and a developer today failed to prevent 108 Bukit Gasing residents from challenging a development order by the Kuala Lumpur mayor pertaining to a hillslope development project in the area.

3-4pc of Malaysian children not attending school: UNICEF

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:54:29 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: In a random survey, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has found that three to four per cent of Malaysian children are not attending school, despite reaching school-going age.

MACC accepts court's decision on interrogation time

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:18:12 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has accepted the decision of the High Court here that its interrogation sessions be conducted during office hours only.

Sg Golok breaches alert level, residents warned of floods

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:43:30 +0800

KOTA BARU, Fri: Riverine folk along Sungai Golok and those living in the surrounding low-lying areas have been reminded to prepare for floods as the water level of the river has breached the alert mark in Rantau Panjang.

DBKL focusing efforts on flash floods

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:07:51 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is focusing on Kampung Jinjang, Gombak, and areas near the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) this rainy season to avoid the occurrence of flash floods.

Football: Ferguson and Wenger back calls for video ref help

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:27:11 +0800

MANCHESTER Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger joined forces today to call for video technology to be used in football to avoid controversies like the one that has marred France’s qualification for the World Cup.

Bridge collapse report to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Dec 7

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:40:51 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The report on the collapse of the suspension bridge across Sungai Kampar, Perak, which caused the drowning of three pupils last month, will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on December 7.

France-Ireland replay 'fairest solution': Thierry Henry

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:51:44 +0800

France captain Thierry Henry said in a statement today that “the fairest solution” to the row surrounding his handball in the World Cup playoff against Ireland would be to replay the match.

Bridge tragedy: Victims' fathers file RM105m suit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:50 +0800

IPOH: The fathers of the three pupils who drowned in the Kuala Dipang bridge tragedy on October 26 have filed a RM105 million suit alleging negligence on the part of 10 parties.

Flood situation improves in Kedah

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:08:01 +0800

ALOR SETAR, Fri: The situation in several districts hit by floods in Kedah is improving with only 327 people from 79 families still at six relief centres, from 484 people yesterday.

Aussie pilot lands in shark waters, hailed a hero

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:16:05 +0800

SYDNEY, Fri: An Australian pin-up pilot forced to bring an emergency medical flight down in shark-infested waters was today hailed a hero for the daring landing from which all aboard escaped unharmed.

'Catastrophic' warnings as bushfires flare in Australia

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:28:43 +0800

SYDNEY, Fri: Australian firefighters battled dozens of bush blazes today as record-breaking hot weather sparked “catastrophic” warnings in two states, just months after the country’s worst ever wildfire disaster.

eBay completes Skype sale

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:32:58 +0800

WASHINGTON, Fri: Online auction giant eBay announced yesterday it had completed its sale of Skype to an investment group that includes the two founders of the Web communications company.

Santokh Singh in a coma

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:19:55 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: National football legend Santokh Singh has lapsed into a coma at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital after collapsing at his home on Monday.

PKA takes recommendations of PKFZ ad hoc committee

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:17 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR The Port Klang Authority (PKA) has agreed to implement the recommendations made by the Corporate Governance Ad Hoc Committee on the PKFZ project.

10 states record increasing dengue cases

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:34:07 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 720 dengue cases were recorded for the period from Nov 8 to 14 compared with 618 cases the previous week.

2 Latin American tourists plead not guilty for robbery

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:42 +0800

KLANG Two American Latin tourists were charged in the Sessions Court here with robbing a German diamond trader last month.

AP lays off 90 to reach cost-cutting target

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:27:07 +0800

WASHINGTON, Fri: The Associated Press said yesterday that 90 news department staffers were laid off this week in a move that helped the US news agency reach its cost-cutting target.

Najib offers formula to resolve crisis

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:17:32 +0800

KUANTAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he had proposed a formula to resolve the prolonged MCA crisis after meeting with the top leaders of the warring factions since yesterday.

Liow tells PM fresh party elections best solution

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:40 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai feels that holding fresh elections for all the top posts is the best way to solve the party's lingering internal crisis.

2009 GDP will be better than expected

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:14 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2009 real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to be better than the -3.0 per cent projected earlier, an economist said today.

5.5 sen/unit income distribution for ASN3: PNB

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:21:14 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) announced today a 5.5 sen per unit income distribution for the Amanah Saham Nasional 3 (ASN 3) for the financial year ended Nov 30, 2009.

Ong meets Najib

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:21:28 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak regarding developments in the party. The meeting took place yesterday morning.

MCA crisis: PM to step in

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:03:26 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will meet the warring factions in MCA in a bid to seek a solution to the party’s internal crisis.

Robbery victim dies after 2 days in coma

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:37:56 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: An influential figure in the building and construction industry died without regaining consciousness yesterday, two days after he jumped out of a window on the first floor of his home in a bid to escape armed robbers.

Developer to pay RM650,000 to home buyers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:50:19 +0800

BUTTERWORTH: A housing developer has been ordered to pay RM50,000 to each of 13 purchasers as compensation for late delivery of their Taman Menara Kuda Lari apartment units.

Swede loses bag to thief

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:54:35 +0800

KUCHING: A 23-year-old Swedish tourist had her bag snatched on Wednesday in Jalan Mathies. Fredrica Degerman Lofdahl and four others were walking back to their inn about 8pm when a man on a motorcycle grabbed her bag and sped off.

Cops seek info on hit-and-run

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:54:31 +0800

SETIU: The unidentified body of a woman, believed to be in her 70s, was found near a monsoon drain in Kampung Sungai Tarong yesterday morning.

A chance for youth to connect

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:53:18 +0800

PORT KLANG: The decks of the Fuji Maru literally thrummed with the youthful energy of 319 young people and national leaders from 11 countries.

Baby in dire need of help to stay alive

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:53:13 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: After 10 years of trying to conceive and four miscarriages later, Wan Suriyana Wan Aziz was finally blessed with her bundle of joy.

Fund gets RM12,000

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:49 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: Ivory Cares, the charitable arm of Ivory Properties Group (IPG) yesterday made a donation of RM12,000 to the Partners Against Poverty fund.

2 acquitted of drug trafficking

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:41 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: Two men jointly charged with trafficking in 27kg of cannabis were acquitted yesterday by the High Court without their defence being called.

6 nabbed over prostitution

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:32 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: Six Vietnamese women were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of prostitution in a raid at a hotel in Jalan Penang.

Growth rate up with strong FDI

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:27 +0800

JOHOR BARU: INVESTMENT in Johor is expected to reach greater heights next year following an anticipated increase in oil and gas investments of RM49 billion.

MCA crisis
'Choice of officials not based on loyalty'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:57:48 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat denied allegations that his selection of new presidential council members was based on loyalty. He said the new replacements were all Central Committee members who were assigned with the various tasks and portfolios.

New terror cells planning attacks

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:54:53 +0800

NEW terror cells are emerging and planning attacks in Indonesia after the death of Malaysian Noordin Mohammad Top.

Faulty air-con puts assembly on hold

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:47:19 +0800

ALOR STAR: The Kedah state legislative assembly sitting yesterday had to be postponed because the air-conditioning system of the assembly hall at Wisma Darulaman became faulty.

Head of state gets letter of appointment

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:42:30 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday presented the instrument of appointment to Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Abang Salahuddin Abang Barieng at the Istana Negara here.

Govt officers face music in a week

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:42:25 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Top government officials have been given one week to mete out punishment against their officers who did not follow procedures, leading to mismanagement of funds as highlighted by the 2008 Auditor-General's Report.

Flood warning in low-lying areas, river banks

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:42:21 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Meteorological Department has warned of the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas in Kelantan and Terengganu due to intermittent and occasionally heavy rain in category yellow forecast until Tuesday.

Cholera: Poor hygiene blamed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:42:03 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: The cholera outbreak in Kuala Terengganu had nothing to do with floods, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

Costly greens due to rains

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:41:48 +0800

JOHOR BARU: Vegetables are currently selling at a hefty price as the rainy season which began at the end of last month has caused to a shortage.

Court binds MACC to office hours

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:41:41 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission can only interrogate witnesses during office hours between 8.30am and 5.30pm, the High Court ruled yesterday.

All sectors given equal focus, says transport minister

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:40:19 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, who appeared on NSTLive yesterday, not only fielded questions on MCA in his capacity as the party's president but also those related to transport. Ong is transport minister.

Malaysia not looking to host Olympics, says PM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:37:58 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not bid to host the Olympics and its parallel Paralympic games any time soon.

'Halt hostile actions against Saudi Arabia'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:37:46 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wants an immediate halt to all hostile actions against Saudi Arabia.

MB: Crime worse in other states

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:46:56 +0800

JOHOR may have the image of being a crime-ridden state but this year, the reported cases made up only 12.3 per cent of the national total, much lower than in some other states.

Nik Aziz's son-in-law denies order to resign

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:45:14 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The chief executive officer of the Menteri Besar Kelantan Incorporated (PMBK), Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman, yesterday denied that Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had instructed him to resign.

I made a mistake, says MACC officer

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:48:17 +0800

IPOH: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer told the Sessions Court yesterday that one of the accused (now deceased) acted as a middleman, but later corrected himself saying it was a mistake.

20 years' jail for killing daughter

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:48:08 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: A labourer found guilty of causing the death of his 4-month-old daughter by throwing her on to a mattress was yesterday sentenced to 20 years' jail by the Sessions Court.

Iconic status bid to spur tourism

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:47:53 +0800

PAHANG has given iconic status to 10 places, including Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Fraser's Hill, the National Park and the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, in efforts to promote tourism, the state assembly was told yesterday.

Reps battle on study tour choices

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:47:45 +0800

VIETNAM, Indonesia or Singapore?

UPSR Results
Results show lack of thinking and problem-solving skills

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:07 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: While the overall UPSR results may be satisfactory, the same cannot be said of the thinking and problem solving skills of the pupils.

UPSR Results
Terengganu does it again

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:08 +0800

KUALA TERENGGANU: Te-rengganu has done it again. For nine consecutive years, the state has achieved the highest percentage of straight As in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination in the country.

UPSR Results
Tamil schools do well

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:02:16 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said 817 Tamil school pupils scored seven As in this year's Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination, reflecting the growing importance placed by parents on their children's education.

UPSR Results
School with 5 pupils excels

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:41 +0800

DUNGUN: Being in a class of only five pupils helped Mohd Fadhli Amin Khairuddin score As in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination.

UPSR Results
Better showing by rural pupils

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:54:46 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Overall results for the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah overall result are slightly better this year, with pupils in rural schools showing improvement.

UPSR Results
Beating the odds to succeed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:54:21 +0800

KUANTAN: Erwan Shahmi Sharafuddin Zakaria wants to cut up dead people when he grows up.

MCA crisis
Liow hails BN mediation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:44:19 +0800

PUTRAJAYA: Embattled MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong have welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's intention to "mediate" and resolve the current leadership crisis in MCA.

MCA crisis
Wing: Ong showing intolerance

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:28 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA's Youth central committee members are accusing party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat of "destroying the party step by step" through his actions.

MCA crisis
Those tears just political opera, says official

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:48 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA leaders embroiled in the party's leadership tussle should avoid manipulating the situation and involve the leaders of other BN components in the crisis, says party central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

At The Dewan Rakyat Yesterday
Data bill tabled for 2nd reading

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:55:19 +0800

THE Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill was tabled for second reading yesterday, bringing the country one step closer to comprehensive safeguards on personal data.

At The Dewan Rakyat Yesterday
'Our ties with China go beyond loan of pandas'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:50:12 +0800

THE atmosphere was electric in the closing hours of yesterday's sitting with the house voting by division for a section of the Supply Bill 2010.

At The Dewan Rakyat Yesterday
I have always been objective, says speaker

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:35:07 +0800

SPEAKER Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia yesterday maintained that he had always been objective when making decisions involving motions from the opposition.

Mukhriz: Link up globally

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:46:39 +0800

GEORGE TOWN: A paradigm shift is vital among young entrepreneurs in the country to explore new niche areas.

No bickering in Kedah Umno, says party official

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:50:10 +0800

ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno are rallying behind its liaison committee chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who said that allegations of "camps" and disunity among its 15 divisions due to bickering were only an outside perception.

2 more cops held for drug abuse

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:58 +0800

KOTA BARU: Two more policemen were detained on Tuesday on suspicion of abusing drugs, bringing the number arrested to seven.

Doctors cleared of negligence

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:40 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court yesterday ruled that the doctors who performed abdominal liposuction on Nik Rosemawati Nik Mohammed five years ago were not responsible for her death.

325 exhibitors to take part

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:34 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries have so far confirmed participation in next month's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima '09).

Mew Choo back at happy hunting ground

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:58 +0800

WONG Mew Choo's only success in the Super Series was in the 2007 China Open and she saved her best for the same event again when she toppled World No 1 Wang Yihan of China to reach the quarter-finals in Shanghai yesterday.

BAM to discuss with Chong Wei, Misbun

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:32:06 +0800

AS far as the BA of Malaysia (BAM) is concerned, Lee Chong Wei is still part of Malaysia's squad for the Laos Sea Games but a decision to allow the player to skip the event has not been ruled out.

Angelene makes her tournament debut

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:33:19 +0800

TELEVISION talk show host Angelene Chong, who pretends she is Serena Williams whenever she plays tennis, is poised to make her debut in the CEO and Celebrity Charity Tennis.

Hawks soar to the top after beating Heat

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:50:37 +0800

ATLANTA: The Atlanta Hawks reclaimed a share of the lead in the NBA standings with a 105-90 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

Jayawardenes break world record

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:50:56 +0800

AHMEDABAD: Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene broke a 72-year-old world record yesterday as India conceded a massive first-innings lead in the First Test.

Gleeson takes early lead with a 67

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:51:23 +0800

SIEM REAP: Australia's David Gleeson broke away from a bunched leaderboard to take the first round lead at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open yesterday.

Milo rewards successful schools

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:47:48 +0800

THREE Selangor schools have benefited from the Milo Play More, Learn More campaign with SK Taman Gembira in Klang yesterday receiving 120 hockey sticks.

Youngsters get chance to make big splash

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:48:33 +0800

THIS could be the Sea Games which draws significant progress, rather than a healthy medal haul for Malaysian swimming.

Adiq impresses in Melbourne

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:37:33 +0800

TEENAGER Adiq Husainie Othman notched another piece of personal history when he finished 10th in the final of the points race at Round Two of the UCI World Cup in Melbourne yesterday.

Azizul eyeing a spot on the podium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:38:10 +0800

WITH an explosive recovery from an unexpectedly bad start to his World Cup campaign in Manchester last month, Azizul Hasni Awang is now looking at getting it right in Round Two in Melbourne which begins for him today.

NPC to host 5km run

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:41:56 +0800

THE National Press Club (NPC) Media Run will be held on Sunday with runners enjoying the 5km route around the Tugu Negara in Taman Tasik Perdana.

China thrash Saudi

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:09 +0800

ON the very first day of the competition, China showed why they are the favourites to win Asia Under-16 men's basketball championship by thrashing Saudi Arabia 109-29 at Johor Baru City Council Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Nur Aiman to defend title

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:37 +0800

DEFENDING champion Muhd Nur Aiman, a national elite bowler, is among the big names competing in the RM80,000 CCM Selangor Super Classic, which starts today at the Ole Ole Superbowl, in Shah Alam.

Malaysia-Korea in s-finals

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:47 +0800

MALAYSIA will play South Korea in the semi-finals of the Under-18 Hockey Asia Cup in Yangon, Myanmar today.

Nicol cruises into second round in Doha

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:43:03 +0800

NICOL David cruised into the second round of the Qatar Classic in Doha yesterday to put her surprise exit in New York in her last tournament firmly behind her.

Zulmazran and Siti bow out

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:43:07 +0800

SITI Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman's dream of becoming the first Malaysian to win the QubicaAMF World Cup title was shattered when the 19-year-old was beaten 2-0 by England's Zara Giles in the semi-finals at the Malacca International Bowling Centre yesterday.

Too many passengers, too few prospects

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:47:12 +0800

COULD Malaysian athletics herald in a new dawn at the Laos Sea Games after spending years in the doldrums?

SPM CAP: Let them go for 12 subjects

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:34:29 +0800

THE education minister has said that from next year, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination candidates will be allowed to offer a maximum of 10 subjects.

CORRUPTION: Work harder on CPI ranking

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:34:06 +0800

MALAYSIA plunged to 56th place out of 180 countries surveyed in Transparency International's 2009 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), compared with its 47th position last year. This sharp fall is indeed very disturbing, especially now since we are moving towards becoming a high-income country.

FOOD SECURITY: Look to the sea for cattle feed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:33:00 +0800

I REFER to the report, "DPM: Poor countries need help with food production" (NST, Nov 18), where Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is in Rome for a UN conference on food security, was reported as saying that developed countries must help poor countries expand their food production as more than a billion people are affected by hunger.

EPF SCHEME: It's really quite misleading

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:33:13 +0800

DO you remember the announcement when the budget was unveiled last year that in order to assist Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members reduce the burden of housing-loan repayments, EPF would allow monthly withdrawal from members' Account 2?

ENTERTAINMENT: Short films worth a repeat viewing

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:33:29 +0800

I WISH to thank Astro for screening the 10 shortlisted short films in the Vellithirai Short Film Contest over the Vellithirai channel 202.

INSURANCE: Keep policy holders informed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:35:31 +0800

I BOUGHT a personal life insurance policy some years ago. The annual premium was paid in monthly instalments. This was done for a total period of 12 years, after which the accumulated and current bonus/dividends paid out by the insurance company was sufficient to offset the annual premium. The policy is then said to be on a self-sustaining mode. No more premium payment needs to come from the insured,

ERRANT HUSBANDS: Don't blame wives, blame the system

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:34:53 +0800

I INVITE the writer of the letter "Don't deprive children of their father's inputs" (NST, Nov 17) to sit for one day in the office of one of the women's organisations and listen to the pitiful tales of the women she accuses of not doing enough to get what they want.

FESTIVAL DAYS: Xmas won't be merry

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:35:20 +0800

THIS year will not be a Merry Christmas for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examiners marking the English papers. We will be having a coordination meeting from 8am to 4.30pm from Dec 26 to 28. This means the meeting starts the day after Christmas. Of course, we will not be able to be with our aged parents or "balik kampung" as we will have to travel back on Christmas Day.

COURT MATTERS: Move cautiously on disposal of cases

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:34:13 +0800

I REFER to the report, "Lawyers up in arms over fast-tracking of cases" (NST, Nov 18), and hope that the chief justice will give due consideration to the Penang Bar Committee's call for the refinement of the tracking system of cases.

CARREFOUR’S WAY: Future options on plastic bags

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:35:10 +0800

CARREFOUR must be commended for implementing a "no plastic bag" policy at three of its outlets for a start. I hope this policy will eventually be implemented at all its outlets.

EDITORIAL
Gilo adds to the gloom

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:48:24 +0800

JUST two days after his inauguration, US President Barack Obama appointed former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy and quickly sent him to the Middle East to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Obama won praise and rekindled hopes of peace in the Middle East with his speech at Cairo University in June. He also brought together Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks in New York in September. But Obama's high-sounding words and the extensive diplomatic efforts to revive peace negotiations have yet to achieve any results. In many respects, things have got worse, and there are signs of strained relations between Obama and Netanyahu, as suggested by the last-minute scheduling, minimal media exposure, the lack of warmth, the absence of photos, and the bland statement about their 100-minute closed-door meeting at the White House earlier this month.

ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR
Politics of self-interest puts MCA in jeopardy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:10:34 +0800

As the Malaysian Chinese Association plunges deeper into crisis, ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR wonders if its Greater Unity Plan has any hope of salvaging the party’s battered image

JOHN TEO
A long-standing political contest laid to rest

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:28 +0800

THE quiet passing of Datuk Abang Yusuf Puteh last week closed a tumultuous chapter in the early years of the long tenure of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

HARDEV KAUR
Maxis' return gives Bursa Malaysia new hope

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:49:13 +0800

SINCE Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced in July that the foreign shareholders, Saudi Telecom, in Malaysia's telecommunications giant were "very seriously" considering relisting Maxis on the local bourse, there has been a buzz among potential investors, both local and foreign.