'Measures taken by govt are for country's future'

'Measures taken by govt are for country's future'

'Measures taken by govt are for country's future'

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:51PM

 MEASURES taken by the government, including subsidy rationalisation, are to avoid burdening the country's future generations with economic problems, International Trade and  Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday.

The people, he said, should understand the reason why such measures had to be taken, which was to avoid the country from facing bigger problems in future.

"It is not true that the government is burdening the people. We (government) have to make decisions which are not popular. If we want to live comfortably, we have to do it in stages. The government will find ways to help the people," he said after opening a programme for entrepreneurs here in Kelantan.

Mustapa said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, would not just sit back and watch the people living in hardship but would come up with a formula to make life better for them.

Earlier, when met after presenting the keys to a new house to Wan Mohd Hamdan Wan Zain in Kampung Batang Merbau, Tanah Merah, near here, Mustapa said that programmes would be carried out to give an explanation to the people on current issues, including the electricity subsidy gradualisation and the toll issue.

Wan Mohd Hamdan lost his house in a fire on Oct 12, following which a new house was built for him by the state Fire and Rescue Department under the National Blue Ocean Strategy. Bernama

Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed handing over a replica of house key to Wan Mohd Hamdan Wan Zain (second from left) in Kampung Batang Merbau, Tanah Merah, Kelantan, yesterday. Bernama pic

Fire Dept calendar hunks sets Internet ablaze'

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:39PM
By ARMAN AHMAD | nsunt@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: A HOT new calendar featuring buff and fit firemen is setting the Internet ablaze.

The Fire and Rescue Department's 2014 calendar, which showcases firemen from the department, has gone viral on social media, with people sharing their photos on Facebook and Twitter.

The calendar was produced by the department recently to be distributed to its stations nationwide.

It depicts the men in a variety of poses with their equipment. Mr January, Sahamsol Miswan Sutarnois, for example, is seen holding a chainsaw. Mr February, Ahmad Johari Mohd Isa, is in a wetsuit, ready to launch into a rescue dive.

Mr April, Haniff Abdul Aziz, is seen checking out a gas leak while Mr May, Roslee Sujud, is photographed flexing his muscles while handling a rotary saw. Mr July, Ahmad Nazri Ab Rahman, on the other hand, is shown carrying two large hoses.

All the men are bodybuilders.

Assistant Fire Superintendent Nor Azlinda Mohamad Ajlan told the New Sunday Times that the theme for the 2014 calendar was "Mr Wonderful".

"We wanted to portray our firemen as being physically fit and athletic."

Nor Azlinda said the calendar was the brainchild of Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.

"Fire Superintendent Norizan Saad, attached with the corporate communications department, made the initial selection for those to appear on the calendar and then the director-general made the final selection."

She said the police and army were often more visible, compared with firemen, thus, the calendar could help turn the spotlight on them.

Fire Superintendent Hamizal Ainuddin of the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department said the calendars were something "out of the box".

"It's new and interesting and I think it's a good idea."

Judging from the response online, the calendar has been a fiery success.

Aisha Rahman gave it the thumbs-up on Facebook, saying it would encourage youth to join the Fire and Rescue Department.

"The firemen look really glamorous."

Twitter user Anim Idris said "Hensem2 abang bomba" (The firemen are handsome).

But while many were clamouring for the calendar, Nor Azlinda said they were not for sale.

"The calendars are for internal circulation," she said, adding copies were sent to all cabinet ministers, as well as the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

Mr January, Sahamsol Miswan Sutarnois, demonstrating his skills with heavy machinery.

Doing chores saved victim's life

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:50PM
By Olivia Miwil | olivia@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: SHE cooked and washed their clothes, hoping that her acts of kindness could bring out the compassion in her captors,  the same ones believed to have killed her partner she was vacationing with.

An-Wei Chang, the Taiwanese tourist who was kidnapped from Pulau Pom Pom off Sabah last month, soldiered on for 35 days, sleeping near bushes under the watchful eyes of her captors and praying hard for her ordeal to end.

"Although I was very tired, I did those chores hoping that could somehow guarantee my safety.

"I just want to say I deeply appreciate the Philippine military for giving me such a big help and assistance to rescue me.

"Thank you very much," Chang told the local media yesterday, a day after she was rescued by Philippines Marines at a village near Talipao, a town on the remote island of Jolo.

Chang was then immediately taken to the nearest military hospital for a medical check-up in the town.

She returned to Taiwan early yesterday afternoon, where local media showed the 58-year-old woman in a loose T-shirt with sunglasses on, walking to a minibus parked at an airport near Taipei and waving briefly, showing the thumbs-up sign to the press corp.

It is understood that she was later taken to a hospital in Taipei for a medical check-up.

Chang had been waking up to different remote locations her kidnappers were holding her captive, while her brother, Richard, and a Taiwanese legislator were busy negotiating a ransom, and buying time for the Malaysian and Philippines security forces team to identify her whereabouts.

They were hinged on the belief that the kidnappers would not harm her as they were were trained to fight soldiers, not unarmed women. They had also not received the ransom that they were after.

Local reports said Chang had somehow, at one point, managed to contact Richard.

They also suggested that Chang's family allegedly paid her kidnappers some RM900,000 to secure her release.

Philippine authorities were quoted saying that the identities of Chang's kidnappers were unknown, though Abu Sayyaf gunmen who were known to carry out kidnappings, operated in the area.

It was reported that Richard had also asked a friend in the Philippines to look for his sister.

It was Nov 15 when Chang and her partner, Hsu Li-min, who were holidaying on the island, were attacked by the armed gunmen.

They killed him and took her with them, first to Mataking island and then to Jolo.

Hsu's body had been cremated in Malaysia and his ashes were brought back to Taiwan last month.

East Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said he was thankful for Chang's rescue.

"I congratulate the security forces of the Philippines for successfully rescuing the woman," he said, adding that Malaysian security forces would strive to prevent a recurrence and ensure the safety of ESSZone. "We also hope that tourist resort operators in the area will extend their full cooperation to the security forces."

Taiwanese national An-Wei Chang being comforted by a Philippine marine officer after being released by her kidnappers in Talipao township, Jolo, southern Philippines, on Friday.

Protect your mobile devices

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:30PM

 THE 2013 Symantec Internet Security Threat Report revealed that last year, mobile "malware" families (malicious software that can threaten or compromise the info on your mobile device) has increased by 58 per cent. Also, 61 per cent of malicious sites are actually legitimate websites that have been compromised and infected with malicious codes.

The latest Norton 360 Multi- Device from Norton by Symantec addresses many if not all of the cyber security threats faced by mobile device users. It is designed for compatibility with the new features of Windows 8.1.

The product protects up to five different devices -- PCs, Mac, iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones or tablets -- in a single licence without impacting speed and performance. Its comprehensive security features includes Sonar Behavioural Protection, Internet Protection System, Parental Control, Locate Missing Phones/Tablets and Norton Identity Safe.

Sonar detects the signs that a file is dangerous to proactively protect users from never-before-seen threats. It helps with the removal and clean up of malware attempts by saving the evidence of the attack for later use by Norton's repair technologies.

The Internet Protection System actively protects devices from online threats by scouring websites and social networking sites for suspicious links and content to identify the latest social networking scams.

For those with children, the Parental Control feature helps them protect children from online dangers by giving them direct access to Norton Family. Norton Family is a web-based service that helps connect parents to their children's online lives and start a dialogue about appropriate online habits.

For those who have the habit of misplacing their devices, the Norton 360 Multi-Device introduces the Scream Alarm feature which alerts the location of a misplaced mobile device. To locate stolen device, it has the Remote Locate feature to pinpoint the device on a map.

Norton Identity Safe remembers, secures and automatically enters your usernames and passwords for you, so they can't stolen. It has an enhanced password management tool to help manage passwords even more securely and conveniently.

The latest Norton 360 Multi-Device from Norton by Symantec.

Dr Chua prays MCA will rise out of doldrums

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:44PM

FORMER MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday said he hoped the new party leadership, especially its new president, could pull the party out of the doldrums to face the next general election.

"The past two elections were challenging and Barisan Nasional, including MCA, performed poorly. So, the word 'watershed' to describe this year's party election is apt and accurate," he said during the party's 60th Annual General Meeting here.

On whether the new leadership could regain the support of the Chinese community, he said: "It's not just a matter of whether they can win the support of the Chinese.

"It's about the people's support for the ruling government.

"Like it or not, MCA is part of the government and the party is involved in policy-making. So, if the policies are not accepted by the public, then MCA, too, will be affected."

Dr Chua said his only wish was for MCA to become stronger and its members to close ranks and unite.

"As a party man, I pray for MCA to rise again. I don't plan to blame anyone and I want everybody to move forward.

"As someone who has led the party for four years, I hope all leaders will unite after the election.

"They must work hard and show that they not only love MCA but BN as well."

In his presidential address earlier, Dr Chua said the outcome of the election resulted in a two-race political system, with Malays in power at the state and Federal levels and the Chinese political strength represented by the opposition.

"Even with MCA accepting government positions at the state level, the party's representation does not reflect the racial composition of the community. This is because of the rejection by Chinese voters."

He said with this new political landscape, BN must not only be seen to be fair but devise policies that are inclusive and not interpreted as punishing the Chinese.

He hoped that all MCA members and the new central committee remained united after the party polls and steered clear of any "witch-hunts" or else the promise of transformation would be reduced to lip service.

"There is a lot of work to be done in reuniting, reorganising and restructuring the party in line with the transformation process to prepare for the next general election," Dr Chua said, thanking party members for their support during his 28 years in the party.

"After the party election, I am still a central delegate and I will play my role as a central delegate."

On affirmative action, Dr Chua said the new measures to strengthen the economic position of Bumiputeras, as well as financial and commercial sectors, should be target-oriented.

He said it made sense as Bumiputeras formed the bulk of the low-income group.

MCA delegates at the annual general meeting at Wisma MCA yesterday.

Disaster fund gets RM95,000

Posted: 21 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

22 December 2013| last updated at 11:32PM

Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima and Tabung Bencana Taufan Haiyan Media Prima-NSTP received RM95,000 yesterday when two groups handed over donations in aid of victims of the disasters.

Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (YPPB) donated RM45,000, 3,000 new school bags as well as stationery at Anjung Riong in Balai Berita here.

Its associate director of communications, Azrul Izwan Amir Nazrullah, said the foundation hoped that the donation would help to lessen the burden of the flood victims who were mostly in the states on the east coast.

"Many are making preparations for the start of next year's school term and we hope that these back-to-school items would help cheer up the kids."

Azrul added that the donation was the foundation's biggest contribution so far and that it hoped to continue helping the needy as part of its corporate social responsibility.

On hand to receive the donation was Media Prima Bhd's Corporate Social Responsibility group adviser Datuk Ahmad A. Talib.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Development Bank (BPMB) donated RM50,000 to the Tabung Bencana Taufan Haiyan Media Prima-NSTP to help ease the suffering of the victims of the disaster.

"This is part of our corporate social responsibility. Every year, we will play a role in preserving the environment and assisting in natural disasters," said Lukman Ismail, BPMB group support services, senior vice-president 1, after handing a mock cheque for the amount to the fund.

Lukman also said BPMB planned to mobilise a volunteer team to assist flood victims in Kuantan soon.

Datuk Ahmad A. Talib (left) receiving a cheque from Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera associate director of communications Azrul Izwan Amir Nazrullah (centre) at Balai Berita in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Salhani Ibrahim


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