3 die as bus slams into railing

3 die as bus slams into railing

3 die as bus slams into railing

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:34AM

It is believed that in the 2pm incident, the bus driver had lost control of the vehicle, causing it to ram into the railing and land on its side.

The bus was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Johor with 19 people on board, including five Indonesians and one Filipino.

The deceased were identified as Mohd Sofwanul Hakim Mohd Zaidi, 21, his cousin, Mohd Amirul Asyraff Yaakub, 23, and Mohammad Zikri Othman, 10.

Ruby Santos, 28, a Filipino, said she was stunned when the other passengers screamed as the bus shook violently before overturning on the left side of the highway.

"I was thrown out of the bus through the front windshield, injuring my leg."

Amil Ibrahim, 41, said he was driving alone on a business trip to Yong Peng from Kuala Lumpur when he saw the bus lying on its side.

He said he helped a few passengers and cleaned the injuries of some victims.

Seven passengers suffered serious injuries and were sent to Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar for treatment, while the remaining eight passengers and the driver, who escaped with minor injuries, were taken to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital here.

Batu Pahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Din Ahmad said the cause of the accident was being investigated.

In another accident, a motorcyclist and his pillion rider were killed after they collided with a car at Km89.1 (northbound) of the highway.

The victims were Mohd Lokmanul Hakim, 17, and Faik Muzaffar, 15, who was the grandnephew of Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi.

The victims died at the scene in the 3.15pm incident.

Aziz said the victims were on their way to Segamat when they fell from the motorcycle after colliding with a car that had stopped in the emergency lane to change a flat tire.

"Before they could get up, another car behind them crashed into them, causing serious injuries."

It is understood that the victims were on their way home from Johor Baru after watching a football match between Johor Darul Takzim and Perak.

Passengers waiting near the overturned bus at Km107.2 (southbound) of the North-South Expressway, near Batu Pahat yesterday.

Prison products rake in RM20 million in sales

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:29AM
By AZMI ABDUL MALEK AND LAVANYA LINGAN | news@nst.com.my

 KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department raked in more than RM20.2 million through the sales of products produced by inmates last year, exceeding their target of RM20 million.

Among the highly sought items were tailored products, ferrocement, as well as timber and metal-based products, which were made by prisoners nationwide.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar said with last year's success, the department recorded an increase in sales for three consecutive years -- RM12.6m in 2011 and RM17.2m in 2012.

He said the Kajang Prison raked in the highest profit with RM2.6 million in sales, exceeding their RM2.5 million target for last year, besides recording an increase in sales for three consecutive years as well.

"The products marketed by the department were chosen because we offer good quality with prices lower than similar items sold by others. Our regular customers include the public, corporate companies, non-government organisations as well as government departments and prison staff.

"We expect to make more sales this year, and I am positive we can reach our target of RM25 million," he told the New Straits Times recently.

He said the ferrocement they produced also has better quality and were more durable, while timber products and repaired second-hand furniture attracted many customers due to the affordable prices.

The items were sold through the prison's direct-selling galleries, exhibitions and promotions on the department's website.

Zulkifli said proceeds from the sales would be shared with the inmates involved in the production work through the Prison Trust Fund (Tabung Amanah Penjara).

"The inmates will receive their portion of the profits according to incentive rates. They are given incentive allowances according to their skill levels and they can save it and use it after their release.

"A part of the allowance can also be channelled to support their children and family members outside."

He said about 12,000 convicts were involved in the programme, which was aimed at helping inmates rebuild their way of life.

The department is also cooperating with the Human Resources Ministry, where inmates can obtain skill certificates in designated programmes under the National Dual Training System.

Zulkifli said there were 35 prisons, four correctional facilities, three Henry Gurney schools and five community rehabilitation centres under the department.

"Up to Jan 1, 42,714 inmates were placed in these facilities and 365 people were paroled."

Zulkifli said the inmates would undergo four phases of correctional activities under the department's human development programme. They were discipline developing, character strengthening, vocational training and community assimilation.

"Activities such as motivational talks, spiritual classes, academic courses, vocational courses, counseling, recreational activities and sports are lined up throughout the four phases. The inmates' participation and progress would be recorded.

"The department has daily and weekly religious activities for Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu inmates. These classes are conducted by the department's religious officers and speakers who are invited for specific classes." Additional reporting by Hariz Mohd

An officer showing a songket produced by inmates at the Kajang Prison Department's gallery.

Japan bars Anwar

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:43AM

Anwar, who was stopped at Narita International Airport, said Japanese Immigration authorities had told him to either take "the first flight back home or face deportation".

"When I asked why I was not allowed to enter, they told me that it was because of my previous conviction in 1999.

"I told them this could not be a valid reason on account of the fact that I had entered Tokyo without hindrance on three previous occasions, in 2006, 2009 and 2012," he said in a statement yesterday.

The authorities told him that they had to take the action "because of a latest report" filed last year.

"I then had no choice but to take the next flight home at 10.45am," Anwar said, adding that he had gone to Tokyo on an invitation to present a paper for the Nippon Foundation.

He claimed as a routine pre-travel procedure, his office had made inquiries with the Japanese embassy here last week and was informed that there would be no issues impeding his entry into the country.

"I protest in the strongest terms this unwarranted action of the Japanese government in refusing me entry and denying my legitimate rights to travel freely without let or hindrance.

"It is indeed inconceivable for one of the world's leading democracies to take this unprecedented action under such tenuous grounds."

Anwar demanded an explanation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on the "latest report" that had purportedly led to his being forcibly evicted from Japan.

'Respect religious sensitivities'

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:48AM

He said the National Fatwa Council decree in 1986 had stated that several words, including "Allah", were the exclusive rights of Muslims and this should be respected by the non-Muslims.

"In the context of our multiracial society, religious sensitivity, in particular Islam as the official religion of the Federation must be observed.

"Confusion and controversy can be averted if all parties abide by the law and judicial decisions," he said at an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his 86th birthday at Istana Anak Bukit here yesterday.

His speech was read out by the Sultan of Kedah Council of Regency chairman Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said mutual respect for religion and race among the people, which had been the pillar of peace and stability of the country, should be upheld.

"Without stability, the state and country would be in chaos and enemies from within will seize the opportunity to pursue their agenda."

He also advised Muslims to reject other beliefs, such as Shia, to preserve the interest of the ummah.

This was to avoid civil wars among Muslims like those taking place in other Muslim countries, such as Iraq and Syria, he added.

Tuanku Abdul Halim praised the state government for carrying out physical and spiritual development under the leadership of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

"I believe the state government's efforts to diversify economic synergy will bring prosperity for the people."

During the ceremony, Mukhriz was conferred the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati (SPMK), which carries the "Datuk Seri" title.

Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah received the Darjah Seri Setia Di Raja Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati (SSDK), which also carries the "Datuk Seri" title.

The highest state award -- Darjah Seri Setia Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Yang Amat Dihormati (SHMS) -- was conferred on Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

It carries the "Datuk Seri Diraja" title.

Sultan of Kedah Council of Regency chairman Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah (left) conferring the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati award on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Star yesterday. Pic by Lim Poh Chin

'RTCs play key role'

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:33AM
By SULAIMAN JAAFAR AND JASPAL SINGH | news@nst.com.my

KOTA BARU: THE prices of goods at local markets are  reasonable, unlike the exaggeration     portrayed on social media.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said his visits to markets at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Gopeng, Ipoh, on Saturday and the RTC in Tunjong here yesterday showed that the situation was not as bad as it had been made out to be.

"Certain quarters are trying to make it seem like the country's economy is in trouble, with prices of goods rocketing and the people having trouble coping. It is true that some prices of goods have increased, but some have also gone down."

He said the government was taking steps to manage the increase in prices of some goods, adding that the RTCs played an important role in ensuring that prices of daily essentials were kept low.

Shafie said the Tunjong RTC had a turnover of RM215 million last year, while the Gopeng RTC had RM139 million.

In Batu Kurau, Shafie's deputy, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, yesterday said the ministry had identified 100,000ha of unused land that could be redeveloped with agricultural projects.

He said agencies under the ministry had been tasked to conduct a study on the proposal.

"We hope to develop the areas to provide villagers the opportunity to increase their income through agricultural activities, including livestock farming and aquaculture," he said after meeting fish and lobster farmers at Kampung Kelian Gunung Ijok here.

He said the land would be developed only after getting permission from the land owners, adding that the ministry was prepared to provide funding for the redevelopment.

Tajuddin said the ministry also planned to develop the Selama district here as the country's major producer of lobsters.

About 60ha of land in the district is used to produce freshwater fish and lobsters, involving 194 farmers.

The ministry is planning to expand the aquaculture activities to 600ha.

Would-be aquaculture farmers can obtain a start-up capital of up to RM100,000 from Tekun Nasional and RM50,000 from Agrobank.

"The loan can be raised to RM300,000 without putting up collateral," said Tajuddin.

Interpol to help find RM5.2m ring

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

20 January 2014| last updated at 12:28AM

They believe the suspects, thought to be foreigners, have yet to flee the country, and are monitoring border entry and exit points.

City Criminal Investigation Department deputy chief Assistant Commissioner Khairi Ahrasa said police were gathering information to identify the suspects.

"We are working with Interpol and the Immigration Department. We believe that the suspects are still in the country. All border entry and exit points are being monitored," he said yesterday, adding that police had widened the hunt to other parts of the city by conducting spot checks on hotels and setting up roadblocks.

The girl, believed to be between 8 and 10, accompanied by three women, had walked into the boutique in the Bukit Bintang shopping district. In the 3.40pm incident, the women, one of whom appeared pregnant, kept the salesgirls busy, while the girl, who had obtained the keys to the showcase display, stole the ring. An accomplice is believed to have scouted the boutique earlier.