Chief steward's daughter gets Livepool jersey

Chief steward's daughter gets Livepool jersey

Chief steward's daughter gets Livepool jersey

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:03 AM PDT

14 April 2014| last updated at 01:23AM

The 17-year-old, who had captured the attention of many when she posted heartbreaking tweets on the disappearance of Andrew, a Liverpool fan, yesterday received a heartwarming gift in the form of a Liverpool jersey, signed by the club's manager and players.

On her Twitter account yesterday, she expressed her appreciation to three Malaysian Liverpool fans who had flown to the club's home ground, Anfield, to get the jersey signed by the team.

The fans had watched Liverpool play a match against Tottenham Hotspurs and got the jersey signed.

Maira, who dedicated the gift to her father, also uploaded a photo of her wearing the jersey, which bore Andrew's name.

She wrote: "Dear Liverpool, I want you to know that I have received this gift from you.

"Big thanks to the three Malaysian Liverpool fans who actually went through a few obstacles to just get this jersey signed by Liverpool players and their manager!"

Maira said she would frame the jersey and dedicated it to her father.

"Dad, this is for you. I bet you're the happiest person on earth right now.

"May Liverpool always be on top of the chart, and hope you will win this season for daddy, for us, and for the fans. God bless and thank you so much! I could not ask for more."

Maira also felt that her father would have been proud of the club, which beat Manchester City 3-2 yesterday to move a step closer to winning the Premier League title.

"Liverpool is truly a family," she wrote.

Maira Elizabeth Nari showing the jersey that was signed by the Liverpool players and manager on via Twitter yesterday.

Monorail trial run a breeze

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

14 April 2014| last updated at 11:33PM

 THE trial operation for RapidKL Monorail's new signalling system over the weekend proceeded   successfully, with   early   phases of tests     completed ahead of schedule.

The 52-hour continuous trial, conducted under the RapidKL Monorail Fleet Expansion Project (RKLFEP) and its contractors from Portugal-based Thales, began at midnight on Saturday.

RKLFEP project manager Muhammad Isom Azis said the trial started with a 14-hour test of the main line's normal operations with 10 two-car trains.

It proceeded with a second phase on degraded mode for 12 hours before going into a third phase, involving a nine-hour continuous test on normal and degraded modes for monorail depots.

"For the second phase on degraded mode for MainLine, we completed the tests four hours ahead of schedule.

"For the third phase on normal and degraded modes at the depots, we completed the tests five hours ahead of schedule.

"We are very satisfied with the results and the running of the tests. I would like to thank all parties involved in the exercise," said Isom in a statement.

He said despite minor problems at the beginning of the trial on Saturday, the issues were overcome swiftly, with close cooperation between bus traffic controllers, RapidKL monorail customer service staff and officials from Prasarana's Group Communications and Strategic Marketing Services.

"We have received commendable response on shuttle bus services.

"I would like to thank our colleagues from Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, especially the drivers and traffic controllers.

"We hope that they continue their good work," said Isom, who is also executive vice-president for Rolling Stock of Prasarana Integrated Management and Engineering Service Sdn Bhd (PRIME).

PRIME is a subsidiary of Prasarana, or Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, the asset owners of the RapidKL monorail and bus services, as well the Rapid Penang and Rapid Kuantan bus services.

The trial operation is slated to be completed by 4am today. The RapidKL Monorail Line is expected to resume normal services by 6am today.

Results of the tests will be submitted to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for the approval and certification of the new signalling system.

Upon SPAD's approval, the RapidKL Monorail Line will utilise the new Automatic Train Control (ATC) Thales system, which is widely used by leading train operators in Europe and Asia.

This will allow for the inclusion of new four-car trains in service, scheduled to start with the first pair of cars to be used by the third quarter of this year.

RapidKL's preparations ahead of the weekend monorail closure paid off, as commuters in the city got around without much hassle.

A check by the New Straits Times at several monorail stations found that commuters lined up for the shuttle service, with RapidKL staff and auxiliary policemen on hand to assist commuters.

Leaflets with information on the shuttle service and a map of the buses' routes were handed out to commuters.

"I knew about the closure since last week, so it is okay," said Siti Aishah, a retail shop assistant who was waiting to board a bus at the Titiwangsa monorail station.

"Since it is the weekend, it is not much of an inconvenience, as there is less traffic on the roads," she said, adding that the buses came every 15 minutes as advertised.

Christopher Lim said he did not mind that the monorail was closed for the weekend, as the upgrading would benefit the public.

Lim, who was was waiting to take a bus from KL Sentral, said he did not have to wait a long time for the bus to arrive.

Engineers monitoring the trial for RapidKL Monorail's new signalling system at Wisma Monorel in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Pic by Surianie Mohd Hanif

Protest over dearer water

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

14 April 2014| last updated at 11:41PM
By BALVIN KAUR | news@nst.com.my

KEPALA BATAS: A GROUP of disgruntled residents protested yesterday against the impending hike in water rates.

The group of 50 residents, known as Wakil Himpunan Anak Penaga, said the tariff adjustment would further burden them as a 100 per cent water conservation surcharge (WCS) had been levied on heavy users in the state.

Representative Mohd Sukor Mohd Yusoff said the state government should take into account low-and medium-income groups that would be most affected.

"In the last election, the DAP had promised us that it will not increase water tariffs if it continues to govern the state. It is not honouring its promise," he said in Penaga yesterday.

Sukor said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA) had never recorded a loss since its formation and the hike was just to "enrich" its coffers.

"The hike will benefit the state government as it has 50 per cent stake in PBA. We demand the state government to do away with the hike. Do not punish us."

Recently, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng gave permission to PBA to study a water price hike as a last resort to reduce water usage in Penang.

Wakil Himpunan Anak Penaga protesting against the impending hike in water tariffs in Kepala Batas, Penang, yesterday. Pic by Amir Irsyad Omar

UAE ties growing stronger

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

14 April 2014| last updated at 11:43PM
By M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN | hamzah@nst.com.my

DUBAI: CLOSE ties between Malaysian leaders and their foreign counterparts are   the main reason why they are  willing to help Malaysia during difficult times, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Like the iconic skyscrapers adorning the beautiful city here, the strong relationship between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates is unique as many of the infrastructure projects were built by Malaysian companies and workers.

He said the UAE government had also provided RM32 million in financial aid when the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia was affected by floods in December.

The UAE government, through two aircraft, was also helping in the search-and-recovery mission for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

"Malaysian leaders are not only focusing on economic benefits when visiting other countries but also give priority to enhancing the relationship between the governments and the people," he said on the last day of his six-day working visit to the UAE here on Saturday.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, has held meetings with UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Culture, Youth and Social Development Minister Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan and Education Minister Humaid Mohammed Al-Qatami.

Muhyiddin expressed confidence that the ties between Malaysia and the UAE would become stronger with the frequent visits of top leaders from both countries.

"I, myself, have met UAE leaders and top businessmen during my visits and all of them have high regard of Malaysia. We hope that the the Malaysia-UAE Joint Business Council will continue to work hard to boost trade and investment opportunities between the two countries as there is a huge opportunity in both regions," he said, adding that the bilateral trade between the two countries had increased to RM28.5 billion last year compared with RM26 billion in 2012.

The areas that the UAE companies were involved in Malaysia included the oil and gas industry, real estate, tourism and Islamic finance.

The UAE companies, Muhyiddin said, had also promised to increase their investments in Malaysia, with many of them showing interest to invest in Iskandar Malaysia and the Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrated Development project in Pengerang, Johor.

Muhyiddin's personal relationship with the founder of Lulu International Group has also prompted the biggest operator of hypermarkets in the Middle East to invest RM647 million in the opening of its hypermarkets in Malaysia.

Muhyiddin, who also attended the Annual Investment Meeting and the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition 2014, said that Dubai-based GEMS Education, which operated a chain of private schools in 151 countries, had also agreed to open a private school in Malaysia.

During his meeting with the Malaysian diaspora in UAE, Muhyiddin said many had expressed their concerns on the need for the Malaysian government to further improve the education system and security.

"This shows that they are keeping abreast with the latest development in Malaysia, with many of them willing to contribute and join in the transformation process that is taking place in Malaysia."

There are 5,514 Malaysians registered with the Malaysian embassy in Abu Dhabi, many of whom are professionals and skilled workers in the construction, oil and gas and financial sectors.

 

PM: Positive results from 'nambikei'

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

 KUALA LUMPUR: DURING the auspicious month when   Indians  usher in the  New Year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak took the opportunity to reiterate the government's commitment to continue efforts to uplift the community.

In a message to commemorate the Tamil, Malayali and Sikh New Year, Najib said the government and Indian community's journey together, based on nambikei, or trust, had produced positive results and brought changes towards improving their quality of life.

"The month of April marks the beginning of a New Year for many in the Malaysian Indian community, with the Tamils ushering in 'Chitirai Putthandu', while Malayalis celebrate 'Vishu'.

"The Sikh community will celebrate 'Vaisakhi', which marks the birth of 'Khalsa'.

"On this occasion, I reiterate the government's commitment to continue focusing on uplifting the Indian community, based on an inclusive approach, towards ensuring a better quality of life for the current and coming generations," he said in a Facebook posting.

Najib called on all Malaysians to join their Indian brothers and sisters in celebrating the special festivals.

He said in welcoming a new beginning with family and friends, Malaysians should take a moment to remember and continue praying for those on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and their families.

"I take this opportunity to wish 'Chitirai Putthandu Vaalthukal' and 'Vishu Ashamsakal' to the Tamil and Malayali communities, respectively.

"To the Sikhs in Malaysia, 'Aap Sab Nu Vaisakhi Di Lakh Lakh Vadai Hovey'."

In Ipoh, more than 3,000 Sikhs are expected to throng Gurdwara Sahib Buntong in Jalan Bombay, Buntong, here, for today's Vaisakhi celebration.

The religious festival marks the finalisation of the saint-soldier concept in the Sikh religion through the culmination of the "Khalsa" order in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, which saw the introduction of a new initiation service, as well as the order for all initiated Sikhs to use Singh and Kaur at the end of their names.

While Vaisakhi is not the actual name of the event, which is actually called "Khalsa Sajnaa Diwas", the term became popular as the event takes place in the month of "Vaisakh", which, for Sikhs, normally begins on April 14.

Gurdwara Sahib Buntong management committee president Dalip Singh said the occasion was being celebrated with a three-day celebration, which began on Saturday with the raising of the "Nishaan Sahib" (the Sikh holy flag).

The congregation then partook in a 48-hour recitation of the Sikh holy scripture, known as "Guru Granth Sahib".

The scripture, which contains the hymns of six guru, four Sikhs, 11 bards and 15 saints, was bestowed with guruship by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708.

"Five sewadars (volunteers) are taking turns to continuously recite the scripture from 8.30am on Saturday.

"The recitation is expected to finish at 9am on April 14 (today).

"When the recitation is over, we will hold religious talks and sing hymns.

The temple will also organise a health camp for the local community, in cooperation with Pantai Hospital Ipoh," said Dalip at the temple grounds yesterday.

He said Sikhs also prayed for the recovery of the ill-fated MH370.

The celebration included an array of vegetarian food served throughout the Vaisakhi weekend, ranging from traditional Punjabi fare like rijwaa saag (mashed spinach) and capati bread to Malaysian dishes like cendol.

Dalip said volunteers from the local community were involved in the cooking and serving of the food in the spirit of sewa (service), adding that community service was an important part of the Vaisakhi festival.

Temple priests commencing a 48-hour recitation of the Sikh holy scripture, known as 'Guru Granth Sahib', at the Gurdwara Sahib Buntong in Ipoh yesterday. Pic by Farhan Najib

WWF to refloat Malacca turtle sanctuary plan

Posted: 13 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

14 April 2014| last updated at 12:10AM
By KELLY KOH | kelly.koh@nst.com.my

 MALACCA:   WILL parts of  the coast along the Straits of Malacca be gazetted as a  turtle sanctuary?

The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), via the Malacca Fisheries Department, is planning to resend the proposal to the state government.

WWF team leader Lau Min Min said the idea to gazette certain stretches of beaches in the state, was first mooted in 2012. The idea is being revisited as efforts were being made to secure these beaches as nesting habitats for hawksbill sea turtles.

Pulau Upeh is the largest hawksbill turtle nesting ground in Peninsular Malaysia, and the second largest in the country after the Sabah Turtle Island.

Lau said half of the country's population of hawksbill turtles nested in Malacca, and there was a need to gazette certain beaches.

"Despite Pulau Upeh having the largest population of hawksbill turtles in Peninsular Malaysia and second largest in Malaysia after Sabah Turtle Island, none of the beaches (on the island) have been gazetted as a sanctuary.

"There is a conflict of interest in terms of beach use between tourists, anglers and conservationists.

"Human activities are carried out at night, which make it difficult for turtles, that prefer dark spaces to lay their eggs."

Lau said this could be solved with discussions on ways to strike a balance between human activity and conservation.

Besides Pulau Upeh, other locations identified as hawksbill landing spots are the beach between Tanjung Bidara and Kuala Linggi, Padang Kemunting, Kem Terendak, Parit Batu, Pasir Gembur, Tanjung Serai, Meriam Patah, and Tanjung Dahan.

Lau said tourism could be spurred with the existence of wildlife sanctuaries if the authorities sat down with stakeholders.

"For instance, we could allow tourist activities to be carried out only until 6pm, and after that time, the beaches should be cleared for the comfort of turtles.

"Tourists can watch turtles in secluded areas.

"It could be a win-win scenario for both parties."

Lau said in the case of Padang Kemunting, there was no buffer area between the beach and coastal developments as chalets, restaurants and recreational parks were built close to turtles nesting sites.

In November 2012, WWF through the Malacca Fisheries Department had appealed to the state government to gazette the beaches as sanctuaries to help in the conservation of hawksbill turles.

However, the state government did not reply to the appeal.

"We are exploring new ways to reach out to the state government and we are also open to collaborating with them to help in the conservation of the hawksbill turtle," said Lau.

"It is of utmost importance as the population of hawksbill turtles in Malacca is half of the country's. We hope the state government can look into this and approve our proposal as soon as possible."

This year, the Fisheries Department has recorded 59 nests and collected 8,725 hawksbill eggs. The figure is expected to increase during the peak nesting season, between April and September.

A hawksbill turtle nesting in Pulau Upeh. The island is the largest hawksbill turtle nesting ground in Peninsular Malaysia. File pic