M'sian robbed in Nottingham

M'sian robbed in Nottingham

M'sian robbed in Nottingham

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:06AM
By ADIB POVERA | news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: HE was stabbed 14 times but Ahmad Izat Ahmad Mazni  survived to relate his ordeal.

The 23-year-old Malaysian student who is pursuing a bachelor degree in industrial economics at the Nottingham University, was on his way to  his friend's house in Dunkirk,  not far from his hostel at the university's Jubilee Campus, when he was attacked by three  boys on Sunday.

Nottingham (United Kingdom) Umno Club president Nik Zakirah Farhanis Zakimi, who was told about the 6.50pm incident, said Izat sustained deep bruises and was stabbed 14 times with a pocket knife during the robbery.

 Nik Zakirah said Izat was confronted by three assailants, believed to be between 10  and 14 years old, at a small lane between Wollaton Drive Hall and Hillside.

"They grabbed Izat's wallet and handphone  after stabbing  him with a pocket knife twice before they ran away,"  she aid.

 Izat gave chase and managed to grab the youngest member of the group.

One of the boys stabbed him again with the knife while the other  punched  him.
 
   Izat managed to wrest back his wallet and handphone, but lost  his  watch  to the boys who  escaped by climbing over the fence of a nearby house.

A passer-by, who saw his trousers drenched in blood, sent him to  Queen's Medical Centre Hospital.

Nik Zakirah said doctors found 14 stab wounds on Izat's body. He  received more than 10 stitches on his chest,  abdomen and  thighs.

"The police  recorded his statement and kept his handphone to trace the fingerprints to find   the suspects," she said.

 Izat was recovering  at his friend's house in Dunkirk.

Nik Zakirah said the Nottingham Umno club had organised a thanksgiving prayer and raised funds for Izat.

Ahmad Izat Ahmad Mazni (left), was stabbed 14 times during a robbery in Nottingham.

Domestic Trade Ministry's new sec-gen

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:04AM

  Alias, 55, would take over from Datuk Saripuddin Kassim,  the new secretary-general of the Human Resource Ministry.

Alias, who holds a Masters in Strategic Studies and Defence and a Master of Arts degree from Universiti Malaya, joined the civil service as an administrative and diplomatic service officer on Jan 9, 1984.

Ali said Immigration deputy director-general (management) Aloyah Mamat   takes over from Alias on the same date.

Aloyah, 57, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia, joined the civil service as an administrative and diplomatic service officer on Aug 1, 1989.

Saripuddin takes over from Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman, who had been appointed deputy director-general (operations) of the Public Service Department on Jan 13.

Ali said the appointments were made based on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and credibility of these senior officers.

"I'm sure they will serve with full integrity and professionalism  in making a success of the nation's vision, aspiration and agenda for transformation towards providing the best service to the people."  Bernama

Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad (left) and Datuk Saripuddin Kassim have been given new portfolios

Chinese community's support vital, says PM

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:35AM

In his Chinese New Year greetings posted on his blog yesterday, Najib emphasised on the importance of upholding unity and racial harmony.

"I believe we should all listen to the voice of reason. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to act sensibly and listen to each other's views."

He called on Malaysians to respect the rule of law and be sensitive towards the beliefs of other races.

He expressed his hope that the new year would bring peace, health and prosperity for all.

"It is imperative at times like this (for us) to reflect on the year that has just passed and count the blessing bestowed upon us.

"Despite the transformation advances we have made, we still have a long way to go and there is much work to do, and we need the support of all people, especially the Chinese community, known for their entrepreneurial skills," he wrote on his www.1malaysia.com.my blog.

He added that efforts to improve the people's livelihood and to ease the people's burden would go asunder without the support of the Chinese community.

"There are, for example, programmes like BR1M (1Malaysia People's Aid), KR1M (Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia), Op Harga (operations against traders who increase the prices of goods) and many others to ease the pinch of global inflationary forces.

"Together, we must remain resilient in the face of economic challenges to sustain stability and progress for our future generation."

He expressed his appreciation to the nation-building role played by Chinese Malaysians since independence.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his Chinese New Year greetings, said he believed that the Tionghua community, like other races in Malaysia, would want the country to continue to progress and achieve the 2020 Vision for a developed nation status.

"Therefore, it is pertinent for all races to strive to maintain unity and harmony we have been enjoying all along and work hard together to build the 1Malaysia vision based on trust and rid ourselves of suspicions about each other."

"It has been proven that there is no restriction on the races in Malaysia, including the Tionghua community, to practise their beliefs.

"I believe that racial tolerance, which been the thrust for peace in the country, will remain, provided each race continues to understand, respect and help each other."

MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said Malaysians must continue working together and stand against extremist and racial elements to enjoy peace and stability.

He said this in his 2014 Chinese New Year message for the Lunar Year of the Horse that will be celebrated tomorrow and Saturday.

The country's political environment had undergone changes affecting multi-cultural and multi-ethnic relations, he said.

Liow said the national spirit was being eroded and these racial, cultural and religious differences were now testing the ingrained harmonious ethnic relations.

"Now, more than ever, we must go beyond tolerance and embrace acceptance and understanding."

He said MCA would continue to strive to uplift the Chinese by addressing issues like education, economic enhancement, national harmony and welfare.

He said Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and cabinet members were scheduled to attend MCA's Chinese New Year open house at the party's headquarters here tomorrow.

Shing Ann Lion Dance Association member Tan Chin Yang, 21, getting ready for a performance to celebrate Chinese New Year in Kota Baru yesterday. Pic by Syamsi Suhaimi

'KLIA control centre ready by 2017'

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:19AM

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said tender bidding for the centre, which will replace the 20-year-old air traffic control system in Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, would begin by the end of next month.

He said the building of the centre, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when tabling Budget 2014 last year, involved RM700 million. The aviation control centre, he said, would take at least three years to complete, as the process was highly sophisticated.

Hishammuddin said this after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between all major national airline carriers on "Strategic Plans for the Development of the National Civil Aviation Sector for the Year 2014 and Beyond".

The MoU was signed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, Malaysia Airlines System CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Air Asia Bhd and Air Asia X Bhd CEO Aireen Omar, Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd CEO Chandran Rama Muthy, Berjaya Air Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Eddy Leong Chin Tung, Senai Airport Terminal Deputy CEO Safuan Basir and Transmile Air Services Sdn Bhd CEO Mohamad Najib Ishak.

Hishammuddin said the agreement, made after the first-ever round-table meeting between the industry's big players, involved strategic cooperation in the sector for the benefit of all stakeholders.

"We need a consensus among stakeholders to see a win-win situation, not only for the industry's benefit, but for national benefit, as well."

Present were Transport Ministry adviser Datuk Seri M. Kayveas and Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

On the bidding for the centre's procurement process, Azharuddin said: "We are aiming to announce tenders for open bidding between the end of next month and early March."

Some Klang Valley govt clinics to open till 10pm

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:19AM
By AZURA ABAS | news@nst.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: THE operation hours of several government  health clinics will be extended to expedite the treatment for patients  with dengue fever.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the selected clinics were in the Klang Valley (Selangor and Kuala Lumpur).

He said the influx of patients visiting the emergency department with complaints of fever had strained operations at government hospitals.

"The state Health Department directors are identifying the clinics that will extend their operation hours, especially those that are in close proximity to dengue hot spots and (overcrowded) public hospitals," he said after chairing the ministry's post-cabinet meeting yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said the number of clinics that would be open past the normal 5pm closing time until 10pm would be known in 10 days.

"We need time to sort out several matters first, including having enough manpower to be on duty."

There are some 50 government clinics in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and here.

Dr Subramaniam expressed concern over the rising number of dengue cases in the first four weeks of the year.

"Dengue is a big issue for us. The number of cases recorded in the first four weeks of the year rose by 251 per cent, or 7,370 cases, from 2,098 cases in the same period last year. In the fourth week of the year, we recorded 2,229 cases, compared with 2,156 the week before."

He said the number of fatalities related to dengue had increased to nine cases in the first four weeks of the year, compared with five in the same period last year.

The ministry's inspection revealed that the rate of breeding of the Aedes mosquito was high in certain states, including Penang, which recorded a rate of 3.8 per cent, followed by Sarawak (3.7 per cent), Perlis (2.6 per cent), Malacca (2.2 per cent), Negri Sembilan (2.1 per cent), Selangor (1.7 per cent), Sabah (1.6 per cent) and Kuala Lumpur and here (1.5 per cent).

The ministry will expand its biological control approach in the fight against the mosquito by spraying Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Bti has been used in the Petaling district and its use will be expanded to other areas in the Klang Valley, including Hulu Langat, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Lumpur and here.

Two DAP reps urged to resign their posts

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:00 AM PST

30 January 2014| last updated at 12:12AM

The call came from former Teratai state assemblywoman Janice Lee Ying Ha, who held a joint press conference with former DAP Serdang Baru member Yap Kon Ming to press for the resignation of the two DAP representatives.

Lee said Lim and Tiew should resign following their involvement in a dispute over the appointment of a legal firm by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to handle litigation works for a debt case.

"The matter took place in 2010, when Tiew was a councillor with MBPJ. She chaired a legislative committee to appoint the legal firm.

"Although Lim, through his legal firm, lost the tender, he was still awarded the contract for RM55,000, even though it was initially offered to another legal firm for RM15,000," she said.

Lee also alleged that the contract awarded to the firm ran by Lim exceeded MBPJ's ceiling price of RM40,000 pertaining to award of contracts.

"The matter has been investigated and recorded in the MBPJ Special Audit Report."

The expose over the dispute compelled Yap to lodged a complaint with the Selangor Menteri Besar's office, the Selangor state assembly speaker's office and the Selangor state secretary' office.

Lee also claimed the DAP disciplinary committee had not taken action against Tiew and Lim.

"On Monday, Lim lost his defamation suit, which he had filed against Yap over this matter. This is proof that the complaint lodged by Yap is true and reasonable.

"Lim and Tiew should comply with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) standards and resign from their posts.

"They should emulate former MIC treasurer Datuk R. Ramanan, who had resigned from his post following a High Court decision found him guilty of fraud."

Lee also urged DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai to take action against Tiew and Lim if they refused to step down.

Former Teratai assemblywoman Janice Lee Ying Ha is calling for the resignation of Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (left) and current Teratai state assemblywoman Tiew Wey Keng (right) for allegedly manipulating a tender bid.