Concierge train to meet daily challenges

SEREMBAN: The second Les Clefs d'Or Malaysia Junior Concierge Training saw more than 50 participants tackle the challenges of serving the needs of guests in hotels.

The three-day seminar, organised by the Society of Golden Keys Malaysia, was held in Royale Bintang Resort, here, with the support of the Tourism Ministry, local and international speakers from the industry.

Besides talks on airline ticketing, in-bound tours, self-grooming, motivation, and golfing, participants were given a group project to present on the last day of the training.

Society president K. Ragu said the concierge or frontline staff such as reception, guest service, doorman, bellman are ambassadors of tourism.

"They are the first people whom guests come in contact with when they first step into the hotel. Concierge are known to be problem solvers throughout a guest's stay.

"A topic we touched on was about airline and ticketing because nowadays air tickets are paperless. The concierge needs to update their knowledge and learn how to read e-tickets while understanding restrictions on discounted tickets.

"They will be able to assist guests on travel enquiries. This is to their advantage," said Ragu, who is the chief concierge of Prince Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur.

Ragu, who presented certificates and prizes to the participants of the winning group, said he hoped the second batch of participants would share the knowledge and skills learnt at the training with their peers.

Also present were Tourism Ministry promotion board communications division editor Ritzeryann Rashid, MST Golf tour operations manager Ching Ching Aung and First Impression Image Consultant Group, director Albert Lee.

The speakers were from Singapore Les Clefs d'Or Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.

Read more: Concierge train to meet daily challenges http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/4junn/Article#ixzz1QYGZxqRL

90 per cent of hackers of Government, private websites were locals

PUTRAJAYA: Ninety per cent of the hackers who attacked 200 goverment related and private websites since four days ago, were locals, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister

Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the police and the relevant agencis were now in the process of identified them. 

"We have come to know that most of the hackers were locals, not from, abroad," he told a press conference here today. 

He said this when asked to comment on the group calling itself 'Anonymous', which claimed to be based abroad and threatened the attack the government's official portal, www.malaysia.gov.my.

Maximus said as the head of the ministry which promoted safe use of the Internet and handled the infrastructure that dealt with cyber ecurity, he appealed to Malaysians to use the Internet profesionally for education and the development of the country. 

"Because you cannot go very far when you want to do criminal activities within cyberspace itself," he added.

Asked whether the Cabinet had made any decision to form a special task force to solve this problem, he said he could not confirm that yet. -- BERNAMA

Unpolished gem shines in Paroi

Runners in the boys’ Under-10 4x100m passing the baton.

SEREMBAN: Nanthakumaran Paanerselvam was the surprise package at the recent Seremban Schools Sports Council (MSSDS) Athletics Championships at the Paroi Stadium.

As a 12-year-old, the then SJKT Lobak school champion competed in the 2008 meet but returned home empty handed. 

Spotted a year later by his athletics teacher and MSSDS technical chairman R. Sathiyakumar at SMK St Paul (SPI), Nanthakumaran took up runs, throws and jumps.

The lad finally won his first high jump medal, a gold in the boys' Under-14 event at SPI's sports meet in 2010. 

At the school selection on March 3, he cleared 1.54m but then smashed the MSSDS meet record of 1.66m with a height of 1.71m on March 22, albeit after a heavy downpour. 

Silver medallist Mohd Asyraf Jamaluddin of SMK Pendeta Za'aba cleared 1.58m while bronze medallist Azreef Haeqal Zaiba of SMK Tamak Semarak Nilai leaped 1.54m.

Then during the Quatathlon's second event on March 28 in the searing afternoon heat, he erased his six-day-old record with a jump of 1.76m.

By accumulating a total of 2,141 points, he went on to win the Quatathlon with 18.66s in the 110m hurdles (463 points), 1.76m (593) in the high jump, 5.10m (402) in the long jump and 2min 30.9secs in the 800m (683). 

SMK Seri Ampangan's Mohd Azri Ismail Ahmad garnered 1,808 points for the silver while third placed Mohd Asyraff Hayqal Zainal of SMK Pendeta Za'ba scored 1,748 for third place.

Quatathlon is a combined event designed for Under-15 athletes for the first time in Malaysia by East Seremban (MSSDST) coach G.M.K. Kalaichelvan in 1998. 

As an alternate runner in the 4x400m heats, Nanthakumaran helped SPI qualify for the final.

The humble champion said: "My father passed away when I was just a year old. I dedicate my gold medals to my mother Malliga Krishnan. 

"Although stricken by diabetes and depending on my late father's pension, she instilled discipline and good values in me which have made me a champion athlete at the age of 15." 

His more illustrious SPI teammate Lingeasen Sathiamoorthi was crowned the Best Overall Secondary School Male Athlete with three gold medals and records in the boys' Under-15 200m in 23.2s (old record 24.5s), 400m in 51.6s (56.1s) and 800m in 2:03.1s (2:14.6s) as well as anchoring the relay team to the 4x400m (3:55.2s) gold. 

He also won silver in the 4x100m. 

SMK Pendeta Za'aba's Amy Afarina Aiza Mohd Fadzli was awarded the Best Overall Secondary School Female Athlete. 

The century sprinter grabbed the gold by clocking a new time of 13.7s to eclipse the 2008 mark of 13.8s. 

She also won the girls' Under-15 200m in 29.1s and 400m in 69.4s. 

A total of 36 meet records were rewritten and three equalled in the eight age-groups contested. 

SMK Bukit Mewah emerged the secondary school champions with a tally of 23-8-3 while the primary schools title went to SK Sikamat with 6-5-4.

source : nst

A main stop for birds to rest - Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson

A bird of prey circling above Tanjung Tuan. — Pictures by Low Mei May

WHAT are raptors? TheyRaptors are birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures and owls. They are found in all continents except Antarctica.

The migratory raptors that pass Tanjung Tuan originate from north Asia — Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, north-eastern China, the Korean peninsula and Japan. As autumn approaches in September, they will make the perilous journey south from their country of origin into Southeast Asia through the so-called East Asian Flyaway. 

From late January till March or April, they will once again make the return journey.

Last year, 71,000 raptors were counted in Tanjung Tuan over a 44-day period. 

Tanjung Tuan is the nearest landfall across the Straits of Malacca from Indonesia and is therefore important for the birds to rest or catch thermals before continuing on their journey north. 

Due to its importance to migratory birds, Tanjung Tuan has been designated by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.

The Malaysian Nature Society has been actively conserving Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve by promoting Raptor Watch Week yearly by organising guided walks in the forest and on the seashore as national eco-tourism events. 

Among the more regularly sighted raptors in Tanjung Tuan are the oriental honey buzzard, black Baza, Japanese sparrowhawk, Chinese goshawk and grey faced buzzard.

Top two places to visit in Negeri Sembilan

1.THE Sri Menanti Royal Museum located 50km from Seremban town is the official residence of the state ruler or Yang Di-Pertuan Besar as well as the site of the Sri Menanti Museum.

2.THE Adat Museum in Rembau features fascinating array of cultural artifacts such as handcrafted antiques, community heirlooms and headgear.

Honda fund interviews for 100 youths

SEREMBAN: One hundred youths from Negri Sembilan have taken part in the Honda Dream Fund's selection interviews.

Launched in 2007, the fund helps youths who are unable to further their studies because of financial difficulties. A nationwide tour is being held to select candidates. 

Youths aged between 17 and 24 from families with monthly household incomes of RM1,500 and below, and are academically qualified to study at local institutes of higher learning, are eligible

Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Yoichiro Ueno said the company would ensure that only deserving candidates would be selected. 

"The aim of this fund is to help the underprivileged and give them a fair chance to further their studies either in the academic or vocational fields," he said.

So far, the fund has helped 80 youths to further their studies. Some have already received their degrees and diplomas.

One of the interviewees, Afifi Mohamad Nor, 22, said he was hopeful that he would be selected as he wanted to become a chef.

"Corporate bodies normally give scholarships to those who excel in their studies, but Honda Malaysia focuses on the underprivileged. This gives people like me the chance to realise our dreams," he added.

source : nst

[picture] view from Terminal One #2

other pictures

credit to Mohd JazLan

NS trainees to learn sex education at camp

"The subject would enlighten about 100,000 trainees yearly on family life and positive relationship between gender such as mutual respect between male and female trainees."

SEREMBAN: Sex Education or Reproductive and Social Health Education has officially become a subject in the National Service Training Programme. 

The inclusion of the subject was officiated by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at the Sri Perkasa National Service Training Camp here today.

In her speech, Shahrizat said that the subject would enlighten about 100,000 trainees yearly on family life and positive relationship between gender such as mutual respect between male and female trainees. 

She said about 1,500 facilitators would be trained to teach the subject. 

Speaking to reporters later, she said the lessons would be imparted in an interactive form to avoid the trainees from becoming bored.

She said gender, family, reproductive health and violence issues would be covered in the well-being module. 

The module is developed by the National Population and Family Development Board, the Ministry of Health, the Federation Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia, All Women's Action Society Malaysia, the Women's Aid Organisation and the Pacific Outreach Society. 

"The trainees need guidance. If they are engaged in illicit sex, they will know implications and consequences," she said.

She hoped the initiative would help reduce unbecoming behaviours among young people, such as promiscuity, misuse of the Internet and unwed pregnancy. 

-- BERNAMA

Class of 1961 to host gala dinner [SMKKGV]

SEREMBAN: The Form Five students of SMK King George V in 1961 will celebrate their golden anniversary this year by having a gala dinner on June 16 at 7pm at the Sungei Ujong Club in Seremban.

The cost per person is RM50 for dinner and drinks.

Spouses are welcome.

For details, call Soo Weng Heng, Maggie or Joanne during office hours at 03-2148 0556 and Loo Chong Poh at 012-683 6191 or email James Sundram at jamessundram125@live.co.uk.

Workers clash overa woman

NILAI: More than 200 foreign workers from Vietnam and Bangladesh rioted and clashed outside their hostels at a textile factory in Taman Semarak here, yesterday, leaving 23 of them injured and three hospitalised.

The number of those involved could have exceeded 1,000 had the police not stopped a group of Bangladeshis who were on their way to the hostel, armed with metal rods and pieces of wood.

Quick action by 150 policemen and two teams from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) dispersed the workers and later gathered them into small groups to avoid further clashes.

Deputy state police chief Datuk Abd Manan Mohd Hassan said the incident happened when a Bangladeshi worker tried to get friendly with a Vietnamese woman while working the night shift on Monday.

"However, the woman did not entertain the Bangladeshi man and later complained to her boyfriend, a Vietnamese, who also worked in the factory. 

"Her boyfriend who was upset over the incident later brought several of his friends to beat up the Bangladeshi man, causing tension between the two groups."

The tension boiled over the following night about 9pm, when a small fight broke out at the textile factory in the Nilai Industrial Area, about 2km from the hostel.

The fight eventually spread to the hostel area with more than 200 workers getting involved. 

Tensions continued till about 5am yesterday when police and the FRU brought the situation under control.

Those injured received outpatient treatment, while two Vietnamese and a Bangladeshi were warded at the Seremban Hospital.

"The situation is under control and there is no cause for worry. 

"We will be meeting the employer soon to determine what actually triggered the incident and try to resolve it. 

"The factory will be temporarily closed and we are still searching the hostels for any weapons," he said, adding that no arrests were made.

There are 3,704 foreign workers at the hostel, of which 1,743 are Vietnamese and 1,409 Bangladeshis. The remainder come from several other countries and include Malaysians.

Yesterday's incident is the third such riot at the hostel, with the first one occurring on Jan 17, 2002, where about 500 Indonesians rioted and destroyed police vehicles after one of their friends was detained by police for drug abuse.

On Sept 22, 2003, a group of Indonesian and Vietnamese workers fought after an Indonesian was chased and hit by a drunken group of Vietnamese. 

Six Indonesian workers were injured in the incident.

Family keeps her going [victims of acid thrower]

Zuhaina Tengkis with her family

SEREMBAN: "Why did someone do such a horrific thing to me. I have never hurt or been enemies with anyone before this," cried Zuhaina Tengkis, 27, who was a victim of an acid attack in Mantin, near here, three months ago.

According to the victim's parents, Zuhaina had lost all hope to live after losing her eyesight in the attack.

"At times, I feel it is better for me to die than to trouble others. However, when I think of my husband and two children, I somehow manage to find the strength to continue.

"They are the ones who spur me on, though my world is in darkness now," she said when met at her home in Kampung Orang Asli Belihoi, Mantin, yesterday.

Present was state MCA chief Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam.

Recalling the incident, Zuhaina said she was riding pillion on a motorcycle with her relative and was on her way to Mantin town about 8pm on March 2.

"We were going to see a friend who wanted to buy us dinner in Mantin as she had just got her pay.

"About 9.30pm, when we reached Lapang Sasar Mantin, after dinner, a motorcycle, with two men, came up from behind and overtook us.

"The pillion rider turned around and said 'hi' and suddenly threw some liquid which he was carrying in a drink box at my face," she said.

Although she felt a burning sensation, there was nothing she could do, except continue the journey home.

Her husband, Nor Azman Jani, 30, said he was at home taking care of their two children, Issac Alexander Julius, 9 and Jemimah, 7.

"I was shocked when I heard my wife screaming and rushed to a neighbour's house to get help.

"We then rushed my wife to the Seremban Hospital and later had her transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital," he said, adding that his wife only returned home on May 27.

Meanwhile, Dr Yeow, who donated RM500 to the family, said he would do his best to get Zuhaina the kind of help she needed, if possible to restore her eyesight.

source : nst

RM100,000 settlement

SEREMBAN: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd yesterday agreed to pay RM100,000 in an out-of-court settlement to a boy who filed an accident claim three years ago.

Muhammad Aqif Hafifi Nafi, 14, who is studying at SMK Methodist Seremban, sought general and special damages against KTMB for an accident at the KTMB Seremban Station grounds about 2pm on June 6, 2008.

Aqif, who was then 11, was playing at the KTMB depot and had got on the roof of a parked commuter coach which was damaged. He was electrocuted and suffered 70 per cent burns.


source : nst

Er Yang wants gold for Selvam

NEGRI Sembilan's Khoo Er Yang will dedicate the gold medal to former national player and coach V. Selvam if he wins the men's singles title.

The top seed overcame a difficult first set before overcoming Selangor's Colin Wong 6-4, 6-1 to reach the semi-finals at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Er Yang, who is coached by Selvam, is the favourite in this event.

"I owe Selvam a lot. I've improved so much under him," said Er Yang yesterday.

"My goal is to win the singles title. I've been working hard since the start of the year for this tournament."

The Form Five student with SMK St Paul is one of the few dedicated junior players in the country and travels from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur daily to train under Selvam at the Jalan Duta Tennis Centre.

Er Yang will face Kuala Lumpur's fourth seed Wan Abdul Muiz, who beat Perlis' Akmal Hakim 6-4, 6-4, in today's semi-finals.

Selangor's third seed Juan Antonio Los Santos turned in a near-perfect performance to thrash Kelantan's Muhammad Hafiz 6-0, 6-0 and next plays Negri's second seed Mohd Faeez Said, who beat KL's Sean Yip 6-3, 7-5, for a place in the final.

Los Santos, who was once among the top 120 junior players in the world, is competing in only his second tournament since returning to tennis few weeks ago.

He caused a stir in last month's National Circuit third leg by reaching the singles final before losing to Si Yew Meng.

"It will be great if I can win a title in my only second tournament of the year," said Los Santos, who turns 18 on Friday.

SELECTED RESULTS -- Men's singles, q-finals: Khoo Er Yang (NS) bt Colin Wong (Sel) 6-4, 6-1; Wan Abdul Muiz (KL) bt Akmal Hakim (Per) 6-4, 6-4; Juan Antonio Los Santos (Sel) bt Muhammad Hafiz (Kel) 6-0, 6-0; Mohd Faeez Said (NS) bt Sean Yip (KL) 6-3, 7-5.

Women's singles, q-finals: Jawairiah Noordin (NS) bt Chan Ji Qi (Mel) 6-0, 6-0; R. Archnaah (Sel) bt Michelle Khoo (Pen) 6-3, 6-2; Ti Jia Wei (Pah) bt Nur Alialiyana Azman (Per) 6-0, 6-0; Alyssa Boey (Sel) bt Nor Fara Ain (NS) 6-0, 6-4. -- AJITPAL SINGH

13 students injured in van-lorry collision

SEREMBAN: A van driver and 13 students were injured when their vehicle was involved in an accident with a 10-tonne lorry along the Mantin-Lenggeng stretch, near here, yesterday.

The 13 Form Six students from a school in Port Dickson were on their way back to the seaside town after a two-day camping trip at Bukit Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, when the accident occurred about 2pm.

Police said the accident occurred when the 25-year-old van driver lost control of his vehicle.

"The van then hit a lorry parked on the opposite side.

"The students along with the van driver suffered injuries and were sent to Seremban Hospital. The lorry driver was unhurt," a police spokesman said.

Five students suffered serious injuries.

The lorry driver, R. Appavoo, 47, said he was on his way to Pantai, near here, from Nilai when the accident occurred.

Seremban deputy police chief Superintendent Mohd Yusoff Awang urged anyone with information to contact police.

source : nst

Maid held over 16kg ganja haul

NILAI: An international drug syndicate is targeting foreign maids, who are recruited as mules to smuggle drugs into the country.

The Customs Department revealed this following the arrest of a 36-year-old Filipino maid working in Bangkok, who was on her way to deliver 16kg of ganja at the Jalan Duta bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Department deputy director (narcotics) Liah Omar said acting on information following a surveillance operation, a team detained the woman who had just arrived from Changlun, Kedah, by bus at 4.50pm.

"The suspect was carrying 16 packs of ganja weighing about 16kg, worth RM40,000, hidden in a bag." -- Bernama

'Mantan' not accurate, says Rais

JELEBU: The use of the word mantan in Bahasa Malaysia to denote "former" or "ex" should be reviewed as it is not accurate, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said the word, which is widely used in Indonesia, means "erstwhile" or "unemployed".

Thus, he said, the word was not accurately used to denote former prime minister or former inspector-general of police.

"We have the tendency of using the word like mantan without checking its origin or root. Let us not adopt Indonesian words without knowing their meanings," he said at the opening the Ex-Policemen's Association of Malaysia here yesterday. -- Bernama

A hot, rising star

Lisa Surihani

LISA Surihani is acting silly these days. As co-host of Astro Ria's Mari Menari, alongside Awal Ashaari, Lisa is supposed to play the "dumb blonde".

That she is willing to accept the challenge is commendable for the law graduate from Help University College and Aberystwyth University in Wales, United Kingdom.

"Awal is the main host and I'm playing Vanna White so to speak," she explained almost apologetically. But after watching her "dance and host" simultaneously with the rest of the contestants for the show's promo, I assured her she was far from looking like a bimbo.

"You were endearing," I said to which she gracefully thanked me.

Indeed, since my last interview with her more than a year ago, Lisa hasn't changed much. She is still as grounded and eloquent. The only difference is that, Lisa is much more knowledgeable than before.

Lisa, who emerged Most Promising Actress at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival in 2008 for her role in I'm Not Single, and Best Actress two years later for Lagenda Budak Setan, spoke about her roles in movies with confidence and maturity.

When I told her that I didn't enjoy a certain movie that I had watched recently, Lisa defended the movie.

"I liked that the movie didn't try to scare you in your face like most local horror movies, although I feel that the actors could have done a better job," she justified.

Indeed, it was fun talking to the Most Popular Actress winner of Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2011 who often chooses her words carefully and wisely so as to not to offend anyone, especially those in the business.

Lisa, who was accompanied by her mother at the Mari Menari launch, is hosting the show for the second year running.

That, however, doesn't mean that movie offers have stopped coming her way, as has often happened to award winners. Next month for example, Lisa will be shooting a movie under the directorship of Datuk Yusof Haslam.

She will play the lead along with Syamsul Yusof, Shaheizy Sam and bombshell Neelofah. Titled Sam short for Saya Amat Mencintaimu, the movie, which is her 14th, is a psycho-thriller romance.

"There is a Wicker Park thing going on in the movie. (Wicker Park is a 2004 psychological drama/romantic mystery film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Josh Hartnett. The film is a remake of the 1996 French movie L''Appartement.) I have always wanted to work with Skop Production, so when Yusof himself made me the offer, I was truly honoured. It was awesome news.

"This will be my first involvement with Skop. Thankfully, time is also on my side so I can fully concentrate on the movie, as by then, Mari Menari would have ended. I also think that it is a good move by Skop Production to do a psycho-thriller since it had been churning out a lot of action movies and a horror flick," said Lisa, adding that Sam will be co-directed by Yusof and his other son, Syafiq.

"In the movie, I'm in love with someone and also feeling jealous of other people around me. Let's just say I play the victim. For experience sake, I'm also looking forward to acting with Syamsul," said Lisa who has collaborated with Farid Kamil and Shaheizy Sam in her past films. 

If you can't wait for that, Lisa's other movies will be screened soon.

One of them is Papa I Love You where she plays Elly.

This movie deals with father-daughter issues which Lisa finds hard to grasp at first.

"Since I had such a loving and wonderful relationship with my late father, I found it hard to play a character who has issues with her dad. But actor Zaidi Omar, who plays my dad, made it so easy for me. The tricky part was that as much as I hate my dad, I miss him so much.

"I had to project that more with my eyes and facial expression rather than with words. Zaidi helped me a lot in getting me to hate/love him. He was a splendid teacher."

Lisa's other flick is Sekali Lagi, scheduled to be screened on June 30.

This time, she plays a single mother whose husband left her after five years of marriage. 

"My husband left me on the day my father died and I discovered I was pregnant. He, however, comes back into my life five years later but he's not the same person," said Lisa of the sad romantic flick directed by Hashim Rejab.

Then there is Ombak Rindu where she acts with Aaron Aziz, Maya Karin and Bront Palare.

Here, she plays a successful diva who gets what she wants. 

"Mila, my character, is not a bad character although she can appear to be so. She is just obsessed with the guy she's in love with," said Lisa, who admitted to being nervous when she had do a romantic scene with Aaron.

So how did she overcome it? 

Thanks to Aaron's wife Diyana, who came onto the set, she managed to. Lisa felt much better after Diyana assured her that it was all right.

"I was so bothered by it because Aaron is someone's husband. But after meeting Diyana for the first time, we hit it off.

"That made me feel so much at ease. She is such a sister. When Aaron came back to join us after shooting his scene, he was surprised to see that we were still talking excitedly!"

But that was not all. Lisa said petai also helped make the bed scene not only comfortable but hilarious.

"We were at this house in this kampung and the owner showed me some petai, all fresh and green.

"A big petai fan, I couldn't resist it! But I had one too many that by the time Aaron and I got to shoot our bed scene, Aaron, who hated petai, had difficulty shooting with me because of the smell! 'You'd better go and burp far, far away. I cannot tahanlah!' he told me!"

Needless to say, petai broke the ice and Lisa had no hang-ups doing the romantic scene after that.

Source : NST

Elderly couple stabbed to death

SEREMBAN: An elderly couple was found murdered in an oil-palm plantation in Kampung Gebok, Mantin, near here, yesterday.

The blood-soaked bodies of Muthu Ramasamy, 65, and Rukumami Sengodan, 61, were found with their hands tied and lying on the ground beside their lorry. 

A police officer from the K9 unit looking for evidence at the crime scene in Kampung Gebok, Mantin, Negri Sembilan, yesterday.

Stab wounds were found on their necks, heads and abdomens.

The couple had gone to the plantation to check on their crop at 10am when they were believed to have been attacked by two men, armed with knives.

One of the couple's Indonesian workers, who lives in a shed nearby, claimed to have heard loud screams and saw the bodies of his employers slumped beside their lorry.

The worker, in his 60s, claimed he was also tied up and only managed to free himself after the suspects had escaped on a motorcycle with his handphone and the couple's valuables.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said a team of police officers arrived at the scene at 12.30pm after receiving a call from the village head.

"Initial investigations revealed the motive was robbery and the assailants were known to the victims." 

Saiful said the bodies were sent to Tuanku Jaafar Hospital for a post-mortem.

Source : New Straits Times

More than 450,000 Proton, Perodua owners yet to fix rear seat belts

SEREMBAN: Some 451,000 owners of Proton and Perodua cars have yet to fix rear seat belts for their vehicles, although they have less than six months to do so.

"We are not going to allow any extensions after this as we have given them three-year grace period," Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said after launching a Road Safety campaign here.

The rear seat belt requirement is compulsory for cars registered from Jan 1, 1995 onwards.

Although the Government had given Proton and Peroduo owners a grace period of three years from Jan 1, 2009 to have the rear safety belts fixed for free, only some 191,000 have taken up the offer.

Suret it was unfortunate they have yet to do so despite efforts by the Government to allow them to have it installed for free.

This is also despite repeated warnings that rear seat passengers caught not wearing a seat belt from Jan 1 next year will be slapped with a RM300 fine.

The Government had asked Proton and Perodua to install the seat belts for free before the law was enforced.

He said these car owners will have to get the rear seat belts fixed themselves if they did not take up the offer by Dec 31, and this could cost between RM50 and RM300 depending on the model.

Suret said studies have also shown that those wearing seat belts faced a 50% less risk of injuries or deaths in an accident against those who don't.

Source : The Star

All Tan wants is to see her seven kids

SEREMBAN: If there is one wish 71-year-old Tan Guet Cheng wants fulfilled, it is to meet her seven children she last saw 35 years ago.

The septuagenarian who lost her husband in a road accident at about the same time has been longing for her children ever since she was chased out of her matrimonial home in Mentakab by her superstitious mother-in-law for apparently “causing” the death of her son.

“I have been living alone most of my life, working in homes and restaurants. I hope my children will still want me although my mother-in-law had told them bad things about me,” she said at the state MCA office here.

Doting mum: Tan will be a happy woman if she can only see her children at least once.

Tan was living with her husband Chen Shen Choo, then 36, and their children when he was involved in the accident in Raub.

Chen was running his father's sundry shop and kopitiam when he was killed while transporting goods.

“My oldest child was 14 while the youngest was only three. My mother-in-law said that since I had brought bad luck to the family, I could no longer see my children and chased me out,” she said.

Tan, whose only relatives were her step-siblings, then left for Kuala Lumpur where she did odd jobs.

However, as fate would have it, a couple from here who were on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur met Tan and brought her back home after hearing her story.

Tan had been looking after her female employer until she died two years ago.

National MCA Wanita central committee member Julia Wong said Tan's male employer, who only wished to be known as “Uncle Cheng”, was worried about her well-being and asked Wong's help to look for her children.

“Uncle Cheng is already 74 and is worried about who would look after Tan if anything happens to him,” she said.

Wong said Tan had been keeping tabs on her in-laws and children through friends until several years ago but has since lost touch with them.

“She knows that her in-laws have passed away and her children have all moved from Mentakab.

“She has no clue where they are or what they are doing,” she said.

Tan said she would not be upset if her children didn't want her back after being influenced by her mother-in-law all these years.

“I only want to see them once. I'll be the happiest mother if they take me back but if they do not, I will just pray for their happiness.”

source : The Star

Singapore has world's highest proportion of millionaires

SINGAPORE: About 15.5% of the households in Singapore had more than US$1mil (RM3mil) of investable assets in 2010, the highest proportion in the world, a report said.

The latest global wealth report released by the Boston Consulting Groupshowed that the number of households with more than US$1mil assets, aside from properties occupied by the owners, grew by almost 33% from 2009, Xinhua news agency quoted local media report Thursday.

Switzerland came second with 9.9% of its households joining the millionaire club, followed by 8.9% for Qatar, 8.7% for Hong Kong and 8.5% for Kuwait.

The United States was ranked seventh at 4.5%, but has by far the largest number of millionaire households, about 5.2 million. In terms of the total number of such households, Japan was the second and China, the third.

For the world as a whole, the proportion of millionaire households was about 0.9%, but they owned about 39% of the world's wealth, up from 37% in 2009.

The Straits Times quoted an economist as saying that a number of factors contributed to the surge in the proportion of its millionaire households.

"Singaporeans saw their wealth surge because of the stronger Singapore dollar, sharp economic rebound and soaring asset prices, including property," said Chua Hak Bin, Bank of America Merrill Lyncheconomist.

"Openness to foreign talent and wealthy 'new' Singaporeans probably also expanded the number of millionaires." - Bernama

Source : The Star

Only 10% of rear seat belt used

SEREMBAN June 2 - Only 10% of car passengers wear rear seat belts since the regulations were introduced two years ago, said General Director of the Road Safety Department (JKJR), Datuk Suret Singh.

He said that this shows the public is not aware that without wearing the rear seat belt, their chances for serious injury or death of any one accident rose to 50%.

At the same time, he expressed regret that nearly half a million owners of National cars such as Proton and Perodua are no belts in their back of their car. - bernama

Venezuela bans smoking in public

CARACAS, Jun 2: As the UN urges governments to respect the rights of people to inhale clean air a new law that prohibits smoking in public and closed spaces has come into force in Venezuela.

Signs that remind smokers they will have to take their habit somewhere else have been posted on walls in restaurants, stores, supermarkets, buildings, and shopping centers, the Press TV correspondent in Karakas reported on Tuesday.

"We had many customers but because of the new anti-smoking law, there are very few," says a restaurant owner in Venezuela.

According to the World Health Organization, the tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people per year, and the death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.

"Another option is to use the elderly as a vulnerable group in order to push full implementation of the law," says Daniela Mendoza from the Figsocial Foundation.

Venezuela joins countries like Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy which have already taken measures to restrict the use of tobacco.

Although the anti-smoking law has been widely accepted by Venezuelans, some tobacco companies like Biggott have said that the government could have asked them to discuss the regulations to find an alternative solution. Owners of businesses as well are concerned about the high fines they might have to pay if they committed an infraction.

The UN Agency has asked governments of both rich and poor countries to declare all public indoor places smoke-free, by passing laws and actively enforcing measures to ensure that "everyone has a right to breathe clean air, free from tobacco smoke."

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11 claims received RM2, 000 President's Cup results

RM2 000 per person. That's the reward recieved by each President Cup player of the state after all 11 players taken in evidence to facilitate investigations into alleged match fixing involving the squad this season.

Source of Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) said it believed more than 15 people, including the management involved in the case after each pleaded recieve RM2 000 each, "However, we're still investigating this matter and did not rule out the possibility of it also occurs in the Super League based on complaints recieved" he said when contacted here yesterday. He said it also her side detected the mastermind who set the game to help the investigation into the bookie.

"we will investigate this matter, if the Super League players involved, they will be called to testify".

"it is normal procedure in any investigation conducted by the SPRM afte we opened the investigation papers on the alleged squad was set matches this season" he said. Sources said the investigation into the case is already 80 percent completed after the players, including taking evidence on the management of the team.

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'From Malaysia to the World Stage' sign of local product is recognized

Strategic place to be one important element of the business man to introduce the products.

The public's focus places and exhibition spaces would be the attraction to new business relationships to developed for business continuity.

"Negeri Sembilan's One District One Industry Showcase" was launched by the Chief Minister, Dato' Seri Utama Hj. Mohamad Hj. Hasan at AEON Jusco, Seremban 2. The program began on May 31 to June 5, 2011, this afternoon.

The Chief Minister has confidence in local product produced with structure, high quality and well presented, will be able to penetrate in and out of line with the slogan 'from Malaysia to the World Stage'.

The producers are urged to do more improvement the promotion, packaging and labeling of their products as they become an important  aspect of branding products to be known in the market.

Although all items are available in the market right now, but there's still plenty of spaces and opportunities for local products get the main points if the product really meets their needs.

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