122 objects seen at sea

122 objects seen at sea

122 objects seen at sea

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:03 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: THE authorities announced yesterday that they have received new satellite images of 122 objects floating in the southern Indian Ocean, in what could be the single biggest lead so far in the multinational hunt for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the images, captured via satellite on Sunday by France's Airbus Defence and Space, was handed over to Malaysia on Tuesday.

It showed objects ranging between 1m and 23m in length.

"Some of the objects appeared to be bright, possibly solid materials," he said at the press conference here.

The objects were spotted approximately 2,557km from Perth, Australia, near the area where authorities believed MH370, missing since March 8, might have crashed.

The images were the fourth satellite recordings of possible debris from the jet in the same area, following the release of other images by Australian, Chinese and French satellites. Hishammuddin said the images had been forwarded to the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre in Perth.

"It must be emphasised that we cannot tell whether the objects are from MH370. It is now imperative that we link the debris to MH370. This will enable us to further reduce the search area and locate more debris from the plane."

He said the objects, which were close to the debris spotted by the Chinese and Australian satellites, were still the most credible lead in the search, which has now entered its 20th day. He said search operations in southern Indian Ocean had been divided into two sectors, east and west, with six aircraft deployed to each sector.

In the east sector, searches would be conducted by an Australian P-3 Orion, three Australian civilian aircraft, a Chinese Ilyushin IL-76 and a New Zealand P-3 Orion.

In the west sector, searches would be conducted by a United States P-8 Poseidon, a South Korean P-3 Orion, a Japanese P-3 Orion, two Australian P-3 Orions and a civilian aircraft. Two ships will also join the search operations.

Yesterday, Australia's HMAS Success, which was redeployed to the south of the search area due to bad weather, returned to support operations in the west sector.

The Chinese ship, Xue Long, was also deployed to the east sector. A Japanese Coastguard Gulfstream aircraft left Subang airport yesterday morning for Perth.

"I would like to convey our appreciation to the Australian authorities, and in particular, to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for making such an extraordinary contribution to the search operation."

He said an international working group had been set up to analyse satellite data from the United Kingdom's Inmarsat, to narrow the search area further and if possible, more accurately to determine the final position of MH370.

The agencies involved included Inmarsat, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the US' National Transport and Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and the Malaysian authorities.

"We are also looking ahead, in the event we find the debris or the black box... what do we do? This is being taken into consideration right now," said Hishammuddin.

He said he had a meeting with Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Government of China, Zhang Yesui, yesterday. Zhang, who also met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had conveyed China's commitment to continue and intensify the search operations.

He said Malaysia also had provided Zhang and his delegation with a full update on the latest information from Inmarsat, as well as a comprehensive briefing from the international technical team.

He said both countries would work together to resolve issues involving the Chinese families of MH370 passengers who, on Tuesday, held a protest in front of the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.

"Our embassy has informed us that the situation is now under control. I have also informed Zhang and his delegation on the developments, and (we have agreed) that China and Malaysia will sort it out."

Hishammuddin acknowledged that many families could not accept the loss of their loved ones aboard MH370, despite all evidence pointing to the aircraft's end in the southern Indian Ocean. However, he hoped the families would exercise restraint in the face of a unique situation.

"It is very difficult for me. I am a father, brother, and I know what they are going through. Until we find the debris and confirm that it belongs to MH370, we cannot provide answers to the questions they are asking.

"Until we find debris linked to MH370, people will continue to look to Malaysia. But I think history will judge us well."

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (centre) answering questions at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With him are Malindo Air CEO Chandran Ramamurthy (left) and director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman. Bernama pic

China committed to aid search for plane

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

27 March 2014| last updated at 12:06AM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak met Special Envoy to the President of China Zhang Ye Sui at his office in Parliament building here yesterday for 45 minutes.

The two talked about the search mission, which was now focused in the southern Indian Ocean.

Najib, in a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, said China had committed to send 11 ships, of which three were already at the search area.

The prime minister said the Chinese government would work closely with Malaysia as it considered the latter as as one of its most important global partners.

"China and Malaysia is also committed to elevate the existing strong bilateral ties to a higher level."

Najib also assured Zhang that Malaysia would provide information on the technical aspects of the search and would improve communication and cooperation in the matter.

He said foreign experts involved in the search would brief Zhang and the Chinese delegation of their analyses and findings.

Later, at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2014 at Istana Budaya here, Najib, in his speech, expressed his sympathies to the families of the passengers and crew members aboard MH370.

"My deepest and sincere condolences to the family for the loss of their loved ones," he said, after welcoming the athletes who attended the annual event.

Najib praised the global sports figures and Laureus, which comprises a foundation, academy and the annual awards. Laureus is a universal movement that celebrates the power of sport and brings people together as a force for good.

"We could learn a lot from the spirit of the sportsmen, their perseverance and determination to excel and get good results."

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak meeting Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the President of China Zhang Yesui at his office at Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Zhang met Najib to discuss the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Bernama pic

New pool of writing talent

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

27 March 2014| last updated at 11:47PM

The awards was for pre-teen and young adult writers who had contributed in the NST's Niexter and School Times supplements.

New Straits Times Press Group managing editor Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid said the awards were testament to NST's young talent development programme.

"Niexter and School Times are good platforms for youngsters to showcase their talent and express themselves. They have the opportunity to experience world-standard education in the process, and improve their writing and language.

"The programme helps them gain confidence and most importantly, they have made many new friends along the way," said Jalil during the awards ceremony at Balai Berita yesterday.

He said School Times would be revamped and renamed as the New School Times, with the similar NST abbreviation.

Niexter, which is an "edu-tainment" pullout for teens, would end its five years of publication and shift online. It would be re-branded as Niexter Online.

Some 30 young writers took home awards in 15 categories in this year's NST Young Writers' Award.

Akhilesh Magendra, 12, won in four categories, and took home the 'Young Writer of the Year' under the primary school category.

"Writing is my hobby, and I hope to use this success to spur me to write more this year," said the of SK (1) Jalan Batu Tiga pupil, who is inspired by his surroundings, parents and friends when he writes.

Nadeem Kamarul Bahren, 18, was pleasantly surprised to bag the 'Young Writer of the Year' secondary school category.

"It involves a lot of hard work, you have to rack your brains for good story ideas. I did not expect this."

Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid presenting the NST Young Writer of the Year (Primary) award to Akhilesh Magendra yesterday. Pic by Zunnur Al Shafiq

Sultan orders flags flown at half mast

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

27 March 2014| last updated at 12:00AM

KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah yes terday ordered the Jalur Gemilang and state flags at all  government and private buildings to be flown at half mast as  a mark of respect for flight MH370 passengers and crew  members.

 In a statement issued by tThe state Information Department yesterday said the  sultan said the directive should be adhered to for three days  until tomorrow (Friday).

 "It is as a sign of the state and people's sorrow over the  tragedy and to express condolences to the families of those  involved," he said.

  The Malaysia Airlines jetliner went off radar on March 8  and on Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said  satellite data confirmed that the Boeing 777 with 239  passengers and crew members had ended in the Southern  Indian Ocean.

    The Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) has also postponed  entertainment programmes in the state capital as a mark of  respect over the MH370 tragedy.

   Its president Datuk Zulkifli Yaacob said MPK would put on  hold applications to organise entertainment events for the  time being, and urged organisers who are planning up coming entertainment events to consider the feelings fam ilies members of the flight's passengers and crew mem bers.

  "Our sympathies go to the people on board MH370 and  their families," Zulkifli told reporters after chairing a council  meeting.

   In Ipoh, a giant Perak state flag at the Ipoh Padang, the  city's historic field in Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam and another  giant flag at Dataran MBI here were flown at half mast  yesterday as a mark of respect and sympathy for the  passengers and crew of flight MH370.

  The state flags at the iconic Ipoh Railway Station were also  flown at half mast, following a decree from the Perak Regent  Raja Dr Nazrin Shah on Tuesday that all government agen cies, institutions, schools and the private sector should fly the  state flag at half mast for a day on Wednesday.

  The decree was issued to show the state's solidarity and  empathy towards families of passengers and crew of the ill- fated flight.

  In Putrajaya, the Jalur Gemilang and Federal Territory  flags were flown at half mast at the Everly Hotel.

 The hotel had been providing accommodation and as sistance to the next of kin of the 38 Malaysian passengers  onboard MH370. The families had stayed at the hotel from  March 8 to 21, before they were given accommodation  elsewhere. However, six families have since extended their  stay at the Everly.

  The myriad of state and Barisan Nasional component party  flags at the compound of Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala  Lumpur were also flown at half mast.

  PWTC's management is believed to have decided on the  move to honour the 239 people on board MH370. Many  people streaming in and out of PWTC were seen taking  photographs of the more than 100 flags that were flown at  half mast.

 The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil  Services (Cuepacs) president Azih Muda also urged gov ernment servants not to spread speculation via social media  regarding the MH370 tragedy.

  He said there were many false information being shared  widely through Facebook and Twitter in the past weeks, and  urged authorities to take action against civil servants who  spread such things.

 "Irresponsible parties have also posted rumours and  negative messages without considering feelings of the fam ilies of MH370 crew and passengers," he said after holding a  dialogue with the administrative assistants in Kuantan.

The Perak flag is flown at half mast yesterday throughout the state as a mark of respect and sympathy for the passengers and crew members of MAS flight MH370.

Protecting personal data

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

27 March 2014| last updated at 11:51PM
By ZAFIRA ANWAR | news@nst.com.my

Personal data refers to data which can identify an individual like a person's name, identity card number, home address and mobile number as well shopping behaviours and brand preferences are easily collected and transmitted through cyberspace.

The Personal Data Protection Department of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry has enforced the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010 (Act 709) and those flouting it face a maximum fine of RM500,000 and/or three years jail.

The introduction of PDPA is an important milestone for Malaysia as it bridges the gap between our laws and international trends on personal data protection.

The commission has been tasked to administer and enforce the Personal Data Protection Act and since the implementation of the PDPA in November 2013, the department has undertaken various activities with stakeholders to help organisations and the public to understand the new legislation.

Personal Data Protection Department commissioner Abu Hassan Ismail said the department had been holding workshops for policy makers from 11 business sectors, namely those from the communication, banking or financial institutions, insurance, health, tourism and hospitality, transportation, education, direct sales, services, real estate and utilities.

The workshops are aimed at equipping industry players with the necessary information on PDPA.

"We provide information related to processing information, including collection, use, retention and disclosure of personal data from which an individual can be identified," Abu Hassan said, adding that more than 20,000 organisations had registered with the department.

He said the department would continue to actively engage with the public and organisations through long-term education and outreach programmes, which started in 2012.

He added that it was important for companies to understand the law in order to adopt good data protection practices.

Abu Hassan said the department planned to hold more educational workshops on a quarterly basis from the second quarter of this year.

He said several other initiatives like dialogues, seminars and training programmes would also be undertaken to facilitate exchange and sharing of information on matters relating to data protection.

" It was vital for every organisation to protect personal data at the highest levels and designate an officer to discharge such responsibility," he said

He added that data users must also comply with the main thrust of Act, 709 that is based on seven principles which are general principles, notice and choice, disclosure, safety, storage, data integrity as well as access.

"This act makes it an offence for data users to disclose personal data to third parties without the consent of the data owner," he said, adding the authorities were working and cooperating with their counterparts overseas to ensure Malaysia was in the list of countries that had implemented personal data protection laws.

Participants at the Personal Data Protection Act workshop at the National Archives in Kuala Lumpur. Pic by Halimaton Saadiah Sulaiman

Trauma of loss may last 3 months, say experts

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:01 AM PDT

27 March 2014| last updated at 12:01AM

    THE next of kin of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370's passengers may experience psychological trauma for up to three months when dealing with the loss of their loved ones.

Clinical psychologist Dr Siti Raudzah Ghazali said psychological trauma was common during events where the lives and safety of loved ones were affected.

"They are likely to experience psychological trauma for about three months," she told the New Straits Times yesterday.

She said the trauma could trigger flashbacks of events, grief, depression, fear and anxiety.

"When the emotions remain unstable after more than three months, it turns into post-traumatic stress disorder."

She said people closest to the passengers were the ones who would be most affected and should be cared for.

"It will, of course, be difficult to accept the loss and adapt to their non-presence. Sometimes, it will take over a year," she said.

Dr Siti Raudzah said the best that relatives could do was to offer support.

"Just being with them so they do not feel alone and listening to them is good enough."

She also stressed that it was important not to give them false hope and they should be given space to express their feelings.

On MAS pilots and cabin crew who might experience anxiety, depression or fear of flying, she said forming a support group could stabilise their emotions.

Malaysian Psychological Association president Associate Professor Dr Rozmi Ismail said it was common for relatives to experience anger and frustration because of the many rumours and theories on the fate of the aircraft.

"They will not only be depressed but also confused."

He added that they would not want to accept any emotional help from others at this point and it would be best to give them time before approaching them.

However, he noted that family members should keep a close watch on those who were severely emotionally disturbed.

Associate Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said the recovery time would vary from person to person. He said it was also important for others to understand the symptoms of grief, including shock, disbelief and anger.

"They would start to think why they did not stop the passenger from going, why they did not say 'I love you' for the last time."

He said those unable to manage their grief might experience a complex mourning process, which could last years and develop into clinical depression.

Those affected, he said, would need support from family and friends; comfort in faith and most importantly to care for themselves and those depending on them.

Psychiatrist Dr Vincent Wong Choong Wai said family members might continue to experience the stress of uncertainty or ambiguity.

"They may experience a prolonged period of denial of the loss, anger, blame, guilt or depressive feelings."

He added that if the physical or emotional state of a family member deteriorated medical or professional help should be sought.

Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof fastening a sticker on his car calling on people to remember those aboard MH370.