Floods fail to deter couple

Floods fail to deter couple
'Cult followers may be out for more hits'
A first for political party
Dr M praises Najib's policy speech
9pc of Sabahans unaware they're diabetic
Talks with Pas anytime soon

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 01:18AM

For Mohd Muslim Mohd Zaki, 20, and Sauba Osman, 18, having the latter's house in Kampung Telaga Mas inundated meant that their wedding feast could not be held there.

But the couple took things in their stride, refusing to cancel the event.

They left the groom's house in Kampung Pusu Sireh in Lubuk Setol, which was also flooded, by boat and were then given a lift in a fire engine to the house of one of Sauba's neighbours, who had agreed to host the reception.

"We never thought that both our houses would be flooded on our wedding day.

"However, we are glad that everything was okay although we did not know how to travel to the wedding ceremony at first," said Muslim, who is a Quran teacher in Klang.

The groom's father Mohd Zaki Ab Rani, 49, said he was glad the wedding ceremony proceeded as planned despite the floods.

"We thanked the Fire and Rescue Department for giving us a helping hand to send our group of about 30 people to the ceremony."

Mohd Muslim Mohd Zaki and Sauba Osman on the way to their wedding reception in Rantau Panjang yesterday. Pic by Akmal Johar

'Cult followers may be out for more hits'

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 01:16AM

By ZARINA ABDULLAH | news@nst.com.my

MARANG: HARUN Mat Saat, the leader of the Tuhan Harun sect, may be in police custody, but investigators fear that his hardcore followers will go all out to ensure that the group lives on.

Police believe that in keeping the group intact, the remaining followers of Tuhan Harun are out to assassinate several individuals on their case.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said investigations revealed that the cult members were not only responsible for planning and carrying out the assassination of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) enforcement director Ahmad Rafli Abdul Malek last month, but were also planning other hits.

"It is fortunate that we caught the leader and some of the followers, as they were planning to assassinate others. We have caught two of the 10 wanted followers. We are looking for eight more," he said yesterday in Wakaf Tapai, Marang, where he declared that the Federal Reserve Unit had been upgraded to Brigade class to improve efficiency and management of the Royal Malaysian Police.

A source told the New Straits Times that while Rafli was at the forefront in the probe into the sect, religious personnel in other states were also on the case, as well.

"The fear is that they could be targets, too. Tuhan Harun operates and has a significant number of followers in several states. Among its major bases are Selangor and Johor. Investigators are looking into obsessed followers who are loyal to their leader and willing to carry out orders."

Harun was arrested in Tangkak, Johor, last month, with a man believed to be one of his most trusted followers and his third wife. Another 13 followers were also picked up.

The source told NST that it was during a raid in the Klang Valley that police picked up an individual, believed to be one of the three men at Rafli's house, where he was shot dead. It is learnt that the murder weapon was found during the raid.

The source revealed that the trigger man in the shooting was among those on the police's wanted list and still at large. In the latest arrest of wanted members on Monday, police picked up two men, aged 29 and 37, in Semporna, Sabah.

Meanwhile, Khalid said under "Op Warta" that started on Sept 25, more than 3,000 traffic offenders settled their summonses, adding that their arrest warrants were cancelled as soon as they did so.

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says the Federal Reserve Unit has been upgraded to Brigade class to improve efficiency and management of the Royal Malaysian Police.Pic by Tg Syamim Tg Ismail

A first for political party

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 01:00AM

In his keynote address at the opening of the Umno general assembly, party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the KPI system for its state and division branches.

Political analyst Datuk Dr Mohamad Mustafa Ishak said Umno was the first political party in the country to introduce the KPI to measure its leaders' performances.

"I've never heard of it being introduced in a political party before. This shows that Umno is serious about being a performance-driven organisation. The party wants to ensure its leaders are trustworthy and accountable in serving the people."

Najib also said Wanita Umno was the backbone of the party.

Dr M praises Najib's policy speech

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 01:12AM

Dr Mahathir, who helmed Umno for 22 years, described Najib's speech as "substantive" and praised the large delegate turnout at the assembly.

He said Najib was "very vibrant" when the latter delivered his speech to more than 2,500 delegates.

"It (Najib's speech) was very substantive... And I hope he will achieve all the promises (for the party's success).

"It was also perceptible that this year's assembly attracted a large number of delegates. It is evident that interest in Umno has grown stronger," he said after attending the assembly.

Dr Mahathir, who is also former prime minister, touched on the implementation of the key performance indicators (KPI) at the party's state and divisional levels, as announced by Najib.

"He (Najib) must be clear on the interpretation of the KPIs, if not I'm afraid it won't reach its goals."

Under the KPI system, all Umno branches, divisions and state levels will be supervised and audited periodically to assess their respective performances and achievements, and serve as a "report card" for its leaders.

9pc of Sabahans unaware they're diabetic

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 12:46AM

The department's deputy director (public health), Dr Jamail Muhi, said it had data from 70,825 patients registered with government health clinics and hospitals.

"Besides those receiving treatment at private medical facilities, we estimate there are 200,000 who have yet to get screened.

"Most of the time, they only come to hospitals after developing complications, such as a gangrenous foot or vision loss," he said at the state-level World Diabetes Day, themed "Diabetes Education and Prevention", here yesterday.

Dr Jamail said the government spent between RM300 and RM400 per patient each month.

"It covers treatment and medication for hypertension, heart problems and other non-communicable diseases."

Present was assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah.

Talks with Pas anytime soon

Posted: 05 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

06 December 2013| last updated at 01:05AM

Reiterating that Umno was always prepared to discuss matters concerning Malay unity, he invited Pas to propose a date and location after the Umno annual general assembly.

"We are always open and honest on the matter. I suggest Pas put in writing particulars such as the main issue they wish to discuss at the meeting, who should attend, where and when we should have the session. We will look into the proposal. We are ready to have the meeting anytime soon after this Umno assembly," he said after the opening of the 2013 Umno annual general assembly by president Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Muhyiddin commended the proposed muzakarah as it is a good platform for Umno and Pas to identify issues that both parties share common understanding of and to iron out issues which split both parties. He was responding to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement recently that Pas was willing to have a muzakarah with Umno to discuss matters concerning Islam and the interest of the rakyat.