Rais: University students should have good virtues

Rais: University students should have good virtues

Rais: University students should have good virtues

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 11:51PM

He said most university and college students today lacked basic virtues, such as being well-mannered and helpful.

"Nowadays, our focus is more on the pursuit of worldly knowledge through the Internet and such, to the extent that we have forgotten basic virtues.

"University students today are no longer taught basic virtues; there is no syllabus on basic virtues in the university," he said after officiating the "Kembara Akar Budi" programme of the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in Kampung Baru Salong, here.

Rais, who is also the IIUM president, said IIUM was drawing up a syllabus on basic virtues in its induction programme.

"We, in IIUM, are drawing up the syllabus so that our students will be well-mannered and have good values, so that the Malaysian civilisation can be revived."

On the four-day Kembara Akar Budi programme which began on Thursday, Rais said it was being held for the first time and, would be expanded to other states in the future.

He said besides the gotong-royong and foster child programmes between IIUM students and villagers, the programme would also include cooking demonstrations by famous chefs and religious talks. Bernama

Social and Cultural Affairs Advisor to the Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim taking a 'selfie' with Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia students. Bernama pic


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Nozula still warded, wife laid to rest

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 12:03AM

PALOH assemblyman Datuk Nozula Mat Diah, who was involved in a serious traffic accident along the Kampung Raja-Simpang Pulai road on Thursday evening, is in stable condition, but doctors are still concerned over the severity of his injuries.

Nozula, who is being treated in the high-dependency unit at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here, sustained seven broken ribs, as well as chest and lung injuries.

The hospital's general surgeon Dr Basel Ebernesen said Nozula, 57, was being treated with painkillers and was semi-conscious.

"The injuries to the lungs are of concern as it could lead to infection.

"He will also be put on chest physiotherapy to enable him to function normally and heal faster.

"Nozula's brain faculties are normal and he is breathing normally without the aid of a respirator," he said yesterday.

Nozula and his three children, aged between nine and 23, escaped with injuries in the accident.

However, his wife, Datin Maziah Din, 57, died.

The family was on their way to Kuala Lumpur from Gua Musang in their sports utility vehicle at 6.30pm when the incident occurred.

The vehicle, driven by their eldest daughter, Norfatin Nabiha, had rammed into a hillside before landing in a ditch.

Maziah, who was in the front passenger seat, was sent to KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Her remains were brought back to her residence in Bandar Chiku in Gua Musang, Kelantan, and buried at the Felda Chiku 5 cemetery yesterday.

When met at the funeral, Norfatin, who was clearly distraught, said the car spun out of control due to the rainy surface.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in a Twitter post, offered his condolences to Nozula and his family over the tragedy.

Norfatin Nabiha Nozula pouring scented water over the grave of her mother Datin Maziah Din (inset) at the Felda Chiku 5 Muslim cemetery in Gua Musang, Kelantan yesterday. Pic by Ramli Ibrahim

Ex-armed forces chief heads Perak honours list

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 11:54PM
By JASPAL SINGH | jaspal@nst.com.my

IPOH: FORMER Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin heads the list of 803 recipients who will receive the state honours in conjunction with the 86th birthday of Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak today.

Zahidi, who is also Affin Holdings Bhd chairman, is the sole recipient of the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Sultan Azlan Shah Perak Yang Amat DiMulia, which carries the title Datuk Seri DiRaja.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa will receive the Seri Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini which carries the title Datuk Seri, while four others will be awarded the Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak which carries the title Datuk Seri.

They are Perak State Secretary Datuk Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong, Orang Kaya Besar Maharaja DiRaja Datuk Abd Rahman Zainuddin and Orang Kaya-Kaya Adika Raja Shahbandar Muda Datuk Mohd Othman Zainal Azim.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar will receive the Seri Panglima Taming Sari which carries the title Datuk Seri Panglima.

Three state executive councillors will receive the Dato' Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini which carries the title Datuk. They are Dr Mohd Nizar Zakaria, Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi and Dr Muhammad Amin Zakaria.

Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, who is Changkat Jong assemblyman, Dr Zabri Abdul Wahid (Trong) and Rashidi Ibrahim (Pasir Panjang) will receive the Dato' Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) which carries the title Datuk.

New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad group managing editor Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, Penang Umno liaison committee legal adviser Abu Bakar As-Sidek Mohd Sidek, state Barisan Nasional legal adviser Badrul Hishah Abd Wahap, state MCA vice-chairman Chang Chun Cheun and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir's adviser, V. Elango, will receive the DPMP.

The DPMP will also be bestowed on state Agriculture Development Corporation chief executive officer Ahmad Rizal Abdul Rahman, MB Incorporated chief executive officer Aminuddin Zaki Hashim, Yayasan Perak general manager Dr Zulkapli Mohamed, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital director Dr Raja Lope Ahmad Raja Ariffin, National Heart Institute (NHI) consultant anaesthesiologist Dr Sharil Azlan Ariffin, NHI Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care deputy head Dr Thiru Kumar, Kuala Lumpur Hospital Respiratory Institute director Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Abdul Muttalif and Selayang Hospital Department of Surgery head and consultant general-surgeon (colorectal) Dr H. Fitjerald.

Mahir Holding Sdn Bhd executive chairman Ahmad Redza Ahmad Khairuddin, Boustead Estates Agency Sdn Bhd senior general-manager Shoib Abdullah, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) deputy chief executive officer Steven Wong Cheng Meng, Dr Shyamala Devi Alagendra, Albert Chang Si Fock, Khairuddin Sidek, Gnasegarah C. Kandaiya and K.T. Rajan Krishnan will also be awarded the DPMP.

Three people will be bestowed the Dato' Pahlawan Taming Sari which carries the title Datuk Pahlawan. They are Royal Malaysian Navy First Admiral Khairuddin Mohd Arif, state police Special Branch chief Assistant Commissioner Burhanuddin Ijab and Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital general-surgeon Dr Shabbar Husain Fazle Abbas.

Two media personnel who will receive the Ahli Mahkota Perak award are Perak Bernama bureau chief Muna Khalid and China Press chief reporter, Leong Oi Yin.

The Pingat Pekerti Terpilih will be awarded to New Straits Times' Sylvia Looi, Sin Chew Daily's Ting Choo Hing, Astro Awani's Azman Bakri, Sinar Harian's Normawati Adnan and Malaysian Nanban's P. Sandrasegar.

 

'No Vaisakhi in respect of Karpal'

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 11:59PM
By BALVIN KAUR | balvinkaur@nst.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: TODAY'S state-level Vaisakhi celebrations have been cancelled as a mark of respect for veteran lawyer Karpal Singh who was killed in a road accident near Ipoh on Thursday.

Wadda Gurdwara committee president Balvinder Singh said the celebrations, which were supposed to be held at Penang Times Square, were cancelled in respect of Karpal's passing, one of the most prominent members of the local Punjabi community.

He described the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament's death as a great loss.

"We lost a great Sikh and Punjabi. All Punjabis grieve over Karpal's passing."

Penang Club member Terlochan Singh said a similar Vaisakhi celebration, organised by the Penang Sikh Association for next month, had also been cancelled.

Meanwhile, an elaborate plan has been drawn up to accord the "Tiger of Jelutong", as Karpal is fondly known, a state funeral tomorrow.

The cortege will leave his Jalan Utama residence here, for Dewan Sri Pinang at 8am, where his body will lie in state for the public to pay their last respects.

En route to the hall, the hearse will be driven past his alma mater, Saint Xavier's Institution, the George Town High Court where he was first called to the Bar in 1969, his legal firm in Green Hall and the state Legislative Assembly building along Lebuh Light where he first took the oath as Penang state assemblyman for Bukit Gelugor in 1978.

State Funeral Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the public could pay their last respects between 9am and 10.30am. State dignitaries, representatives from political parties, associations could do so after 10.30am.

Family members would perform prayers before the cortege leaves for the Batu Gantung crematorium at 11am.

Meanwhile, Karpal's eldest son, Jagdeep Singh Deo, thanked the public for their wishes and prayers.

"In his lifetime, my father had never asked for any recognition or accolades for all the sacrifices he made and for his works and contributions. So, this is a big honour for him and our family. " said Jagdeep, who is Dato Keramat assemblyman.

Family members of the late Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Karpal Singh reciting hymns from the 'Guru Granth Sahib' at his residence in Jalan Utama, Penang yesterday. Pic by Ramdzam Masiam

Spell-It-Right contest is back

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 12:02AM

THE RHB Banking Group and the New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) renewed their partnership to organise the country's biggest spelling competition for the seventh year running.

The RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge 2014 kicked off recently with the RHB New Straits Times Junior Spell-It-Right Challenge (Junior SIR) on March 14 in Kuala Terengganu.

"It has been our privilege to have witnessed the growth and success of the competition for the last six years and to have been able to produce winners.

"We look forward to seeing more new faces this year and are equally delighted to welcome back familiar ones.

"I would personally like to encourage those, who have not participated, to come forward, take up the challenge as part of their journey of self-development and to seize the opportunity of having an enriching life experience", said RHB Banking Group's chief governance officer Norazzah Sulaiman.

The Junior SIR is open to those aged seven to nine from all states. For 2014, the challenge will be held at three more locations in Johor Baru, Alor Star and Shah Alam.

"Out of the 3,084 primary pupils who participated last year, less than three percent were aged 7 to 9. Our aim this year is to encourage those from the lower primary category to experience the competition," said NSTP marketing general manager Putri Shireen Syed Othman.

In the Junior SIR, the champion will receive RM500, with the runner-up receiving RM400. The third prize winner will get RM300, fourth prize winner RM200 and fifth prize winner RM100.

For 2014, the SIR challenge will continue with the qualifying round through a preliminary written spelling test.

The top 100 will then compete in the state challenge and the state winner will go on to the national challenge.

For the state challenge primary school category, the state champion will receive RM2,000 in cash. The second prize is RM1,500, third prize RM1,000, fourth prize RM800 and fifth prize RM500. Five consolation prize winners will get RM100 each.

As for the state challenge secondary school category, the state champion will receive RM3,000 in cash.

The second prize is RM2,500, third prize RM2,000, fourth prize RM1,500 and fifth prize RM1,000. Five consolation prize winners will get RM200 each.

In the national challenge primary school category, the national champion will receive RM10,000 in cash. The second prize is RM5,000, third prize RM4,000, fourth prize RM3,000 and fifth prize RM2,000.

In the national challenge secondary school category, the national champion will receive RM15,000 in cash. The second prize is RM10,000, third prize RM8,000, fourth prize RM5,000 and fifth prize RM3,000.

The competition is divided into three stages -- preliminary written spelling test, state challenge and national challenge.

The nationwide state challenge, which starts in Sabah and Perlis on May 3, will end on Augt 24.

The national challenge is scheduled to be held here on Sept 27.

Some of the young participants at the RHB New Straits Times Junior Spell-It-Right Challenge (Junior SIR) for the northern zone held at Star City Hotel in Alor Star, Kedah yesterday. Pic by Sharul Hafiz Zam

Funeral procession to make 3 stops

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

19 April 2014| last updated at 11:57PM

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who heads the Penang funeral committee for Karpal, said the stops would be at the Penang High Court complex, where he had practised law; the Penang State Legislative Assembly Hall, where he began his political career; and the St Xavier's Institution, his alma mater.

The stops, decided by the funeral committee, were to allow for photography sessions as these had been significant places for Karpal, he told reporters.

The procession would begin at the Dewan Sri Pinang at 11am, he said.

Karpal was killed at 1.10am yesterday in a road accident involving the MPV he was travelling in and a lorry on the North-South Expressway, near Gua Tempurung in Perak. His personal assistant, Michael Cornelius, 39, was also killed in the accident.

The cortege is expected to leave at 8.15am for the Dewan Sri Pinang from Karpal's residence, at 144A, Jalan Utama here, where the wake is being held.

At the residence earlier yesteday, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang led a group of party members to drape the casket with the party flag.

Chow said members of the public could also pay their last respects at the Dewan Sri Pinang on tomorrow.

He said Sikh prayers would be held at the Dewan Sri Pinang.

Jagdeep Singh Deo, Karpal's eldest son, said the family was thankful to the state government for the state-level funeral.

"Penang's recognition will make my father proud as, in his life, he had never asked for anything from anybody after what he had sacrificed for the party and the country."

He said the family house would be closed to public visits at |11pm daily to allow family members to rest.

After the cremation, Karpal's ashes will be scattered in the sea on Monday morning. Bernama

The Penang flag flying at half mast as a mark of respect for the late DAP leader and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh. Bernama pic