MCA has a Pahang growth plan for Pahang, says Liow

MCA has a Pahang growth plan for Pahang, says Liow

MCA has a Pahang growth plan for Pahang, says Liow

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

01 December 2013| last updated at 12:12AM
By LAVANYA LINGAN | news@nst.com.my

GENTING HIGHLANDS: MCA is determined to recapture the seats it lost in Pahang in the 13th General Election.

Its deputy chief, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said to attract voters, party members should promote economic development in the state and not merely spout empty promises.

"We should work towards regaining the seats we lost in the last general election. We must  promote economic development, particularly in Kuantan.

"Members should be committed to making Kuantan the economic hub  of the east coast," he  told delegates at the Pahang MCA annual general meeting here yesterday.

Liow, who is also  Pahang MCA chief, said the party was  working towards improving the livelihood of people in the state.

One of the initiatives, he said, was to resolve issues related to estate and land.

"We are also looking at turning every Chinese village in the state into a modern, advanced community by 2020," Liow said.

On an unrelated matter, he condemned former Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman  for spewing racial slurs and causing disunity in the country.

"I notice that since the last general election, racial polarisation is becoming more serious. There are many extremists who are  planting seeds of hatred among the races."

He said it was unprofessional of Rashid as a former chief of EC to pass racist remarks.

"He should not have said that his intention when he was the EC chief was to enhance the Malay power. Such  statements are extreme and dangerous."

On that note, he lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to form a  National Unity Consultative Council as timely, saying that it would help address racial issues that had been plaguing the country lately.

"MCA is committed to joining the government in making sure that Malaysians continue to live in peace and harmony."

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (centre) presenting tokens of appreciation to veteran party members at the Pahang MCA annual general meeting in Genting Highlands yesterday. Pic by Izhari Ariffin

Muay Thai champ's big heart

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

KINABALU: JUMAT Lias Mansor showed his resilience when he survived the worst in a cage fight  as a professional mixed martial arts fighter,  but his trip to Tacloban in the Philippines made him weep at first sight.

The devastation left by Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda, as it was called in the Philippines, brought tears to his eyes even before he landed there on Nov 20.

"I do not think there are words that can describe the disaster that struck," said Jumat, who was at ground zero, Tanauan, one of the worst-hit areas.

His visit came less than a week after he became the One Fighting Championship Malaysian featherweight champion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 15.

Jumat, or better known as A.J. Pyro, defeated Melvin Yeoh for the title.

He pledged his winnings for the victims of the calamity, which struck early last month.

Medical volunteers called "Salamat Dok", who saw his pledge live on television, offered him the opportunity to travel on a special flight to Tacloban via Manila to view for himself the devastation.

The group got in touch with him through a Filipino-based media organisation that aired the championship.

"I was still injured, bruised and really tired. But, this was one offer I could not afford to pass," said the 39-year-old from Putatan, Sabah.

A quick nod from his wife and manager, Emily Barner, and mother, Nuriah Awang, and he was good to go, taking with him only a sleeping bag and clothes.

Volunteers at the site were assigned chores and since Jumat was not a a trained medic, his muscles came in handy when it came to carrying goods and performing other tasks.

Jumat also helped to look after a group of children, including those who had been orphaned or displaced.

Using his classroom experience -- he was a teacher in Sabah for several years before becoming a professional Muay Thai fighter -- he read to the children and conducted drawing lessons.

"It was a good feeling being able to help, but there is still a lot that needs to be done.

"Everywhere you look, there is something to be done.

"Everywhere you turn, there is something that could hit you and break your heart," he said, citing as an example the list of missing persons.

Jumat said there were many signages at camps, temporary shelters, and food and medical stations there with the names of missing people.

"That, to me, was like a nail in the heart."

He said another thing that made him quiver was the permeating "smell of death".

Truckloads of bodies could be seen moving in and out of Tanauan, about 20km from Tacloban, on the island of Leyte.

"I came back a few days ago and now, with every spoonful of food or drop of water that I put in my mouth, I think of the people who are suffering.

"It was really sad, but I did not allow myself to show my emotion because the victims had their hopes on us to help them."

Hope, according to Jumat, was the only thing that most of the victims could hold on to for now.

"The challenge is to keep that hope going."

Jumat Lias Mansor amid the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in Tanauan, the Philippines.

Jumat conducting a drawing class for children in Tanauan, where he volunteered to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Kazim yet to decide on offer

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

01 December 2013| last updated at 12:32AM
By Zarinah Zakariah and A. Azim Idris | news@nst.com.my

FAMOUS preacher and Pas member, Ustaz Mohammad Kazim Elias said he has not decided whether to accept or decline his appointment as an Umno supreme council member.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced the nine additional supreme council members, triggering a wave of surprise when Kazim was named in the list.

"I am honoured that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak thinks I can help bring a transformation concerning religious matters from within Umno. I wish to meet with the prime minister at his convenience before I decide on the offer."

Kazim, 41, who is a Pas member with a strong group of followers, said he needed the assurance that he would be able to carry out his preaching as usual and that he would be free to carry out religious duties without restrictions .

The others who were named were Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, Datuk Mohd Sharkar Samsudin, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim; Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, Professor Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah and Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the appointment of six new faces among the nine additional Umno supreme council members will allow the party to rejuvenate itself.

He said Najib's selection of the new members, especially among the younger generation of leaders, was part of the party's efforts to make greater transformation while generating fresh ideas.

"The intention in choosing candidates from diverse backgrounds, is aimed at rejuvenating Umno, bringing new approaches to reach the present generation, especially young people."

 

IGP warns writer over 'seditious' article

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

01 December 2013| last updated at 12:26AM

He was displeased with her article titled "One ideology, two reactions", published on the portal on Friday, in which she questioned the government's allegedly discriminatory treatment on the return of two Malaysian-born communist radicals.

They were the ashes of deceased Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng, who died in Bangkok, Thailand, and Siti Aishah Abdul Wahab, who had been influenced by Maoist ideology and was allegedly held as a slave in London for 30 years.

"She (Mariam Mokhtar) had better watch out or we will go after her. This (article) is highly seditious. Don't publish just to attract people to visit your website. That can also be an invitation for us to come and apprehend you," he said after the launch of the Security and Public Order Seminar here yesterday.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman officiated at the event.

Khalid was disappointed that the columnist could not differentiate between the degree of offence committed by Siti Aishah and Chin Peng.

"Even an uneducated person understands why the government allowed Siti Aishah to return home and not Chin Peng's ashes. It is not because one is a Malay and the other, a Chinese.

"Chin Peng was involved in an armed struggle, while Siti Aishah purely adopted a leftist ideology. Tell me how many people has she killed?"

Khalid said no action would be taken against Siti Aishah should she return to Malaysia on grounds that she was already 69 years old and that her offence was committed a long time ago.

Regarding Siti Aishah's citizenship, he said police were waiting for a report from the United Kingdom on whether she had given up her Malaysian citizenship during the 45 years she was in the European country.

The woman, who hails from Jelebu, Negri Sembilan, left the country in 1968 to pursue her studies in the United Kingdom.

She was later influenced by leftist ideology. Bernama

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says Chin Peng was involved in an armed struggle while Siti Aishah just adopted leftist ideology

141km fence at Sg Golok

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

01 December 2013| last updated at 12:14AM
By SHARIFAH MAHSINAH ABDULLAH | news@nst.com.my

KOTA BARU: THE Home Ministry hopes  the setting up of a 141km electric fence along Sungai Golok  will   prevent cross-border criminal activities, especially the smuggling of drugs and firearms.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the fence, of which 121km will be constructed along the river, with another 20km on land, should be completed three years from the date of the award of tender.

"In principle, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has agreed to implement the project. But we have to hold a discussion and obtain a decision from the ministries involved, including the finance ministry.

"Once a decision is reached, I will bring the proposal to Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, to get his consent before holding another briefing with Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob."

Speaking to reporters after launching the United Against Crime carnival at the Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjung here yesterday, Zahid said it was important to discuss the matter with the menteri besar as the project would involve state government's land.

"The government will also take into consideration that the border area is the locals' economic lifeline. Therefore, we need to get input from the state government."

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (third from right) watching a performance by bodybuilder Sazali Samad at the United Against Crime carnival at the Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjung, Kota Baru, yesterday. Pic by Fathil Asri

Beautiful mum on a mission

Posted: 30 Nov 2013 08:01 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: DOMESTIC violence will continue to happen as long as the victims are reluctant to seek justice for themselves, said Mrs Universe 2013 Carol Lee.

She said many women were embarrassed to come forward to report such cases, especially in the rural areas because of the stigma attached to domestic violence. They will rather sweep the problem under the carpet and pretend that all is well.

Lee, the first Asian to win the Mrs Universe crown, believes the abuse will stop only when victims become proactive about their welfare.

"Some women love their spouses too much and refuse to report domestic violence.

"They assume, over time, the abuse will stop.

"But the abuse will only stop when the victim takes the first step of finding a solution to end the abuse," said Lee, who is working on a nationwide campaign against domestic violence with All Women's Action Society (Awam).

The campaign is funded by KL Sogo.

The theme of the Mrs Universe 2013 pageant was "Stop Domestic Violence".

Its finals was held at The Westin Aruba Resort in Palm Beach, the Caribbean on Aug 11.

The news presenter and former talk show host beat 32 contestants to clinch the title.

She also won the subsidiary title, Mrs Popularity.

Lee said her involvement with the campaign started last October.

Besides preparing physically for the pageant, she had to know about domestic violence in Malaysia.

"At the finals, we had to participate in a forum on domestic violence and the top three finalists were chosen by how well they performed.

"When I first started with Awam, I was clueless what domestic violence was.

"Eventually, I learned about the many types of abuse and the Domestic Violence Act 2011.

"We embarked on a five-state tour to speak at meetings, forums and also to victims.

"The tour was where I learned the most about domestic violence."

On winning the Mrs Universe 2013 pageant, Lee said life now was not all about glitz and glamour.

Luckily for her, the pageant's schedule is not punishing as family life is always given top priority and her travels for her mission to tackle domestic violence are scheduled around dates that are suitable for her.

"My goal is to spread the word on domestic violence.

"It will stop after I crown my successor next year.

"My first love is working with children.

"However, domestic violence is an issue I am passionate about.

"The mindset of women in abusive relationships must change because every time they are abused, they tend to blame themselves and assume that the abuse took place because they had done something wrong."

Lee has her work cut out for her where domestic violence issues are concerned.

"There is a rise in domestic violence cases reported in Malaysia because of awareness and women knowing their rights.

"But the sad thing is women in rural areas are still behind in finding help and justice because of the stigma attached to domestic violence."

Lee, who turned 40 last week, said the Mrs Universe 2013 pageant was the last pageant she participated in.

"I participated in two beauty pageants in the past. The first was when I was in college and the other, in 1996, where I fared badly because I was not prepared."

In the 1996 Miss Chinese International held in Hong Kong and emceed by actress Dodo Cheng, Lee got the questions mixed up and regretted taking part in the competition.

The question she was asked was about whales and the answer she gave Cheng was on veils that were used by some ancient tribes in China.

"I didn't want to repeat that mistake at the Mrs Universe 2013 pageant.

"I worked hard to get everything right this time and it paid off."

Besides being a public speaker and emcee, Lee runs Starz Studio, a child development and learning centre.

Prior to becoming a newscaster and morning talk show host with RTM2, Lee was a model and kindergarten teacher.

She subsequently enrolled for a degree programme in management and marketing with a private college.

"I was the only student in my class who was in the late 20s. The others were a decade younger than me."

Her love for children also saw her setting up Starz Studio.

Apart from her emceeing work, Lee is working on a coffee-table book on an animal shelter for charity, working with the police to make Mont Kiara a safer place as she is its Joint Management Committee chairman of the condominium where she lives in.

She also conducts beauty pageants for girls and boys.

"In the pageants that I have organised, all the participants were winners and were crowned by their parents.

"Why discriminate against children and destroy their self-esteem and confidence?

"For me, as long as both the children and parents are happy, that's what matters most."

Lee said she spent as much time as possible with her husband and daughter.

"When I travel, he looks after our daughter.

"My husband is happiest being in the background and letting me take the spotlight.

"My family are my biggest supporters."

Lee with two Mrs Universe 2013 contestants.