7 die as Ukraine cargo plane crashes in Sahara

7 die as Ukraine cargo plane crashes in Sahara


7 die as Ukraine cargo plane crashes in Sahara

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 06:08 PM PDT

ALGIERS: A Ukrainian cargo plane crashed in the Sahara desert early on Saturday (Aug 30), killing all seven people on board, Algeria's transport ministry said.

The Antonov 12, which had come from Glasgow in Scotland and was bound for Equatorial Guinea, came down near Tamanrasset airport at around 2:40 am (0140 GMT), a ministry statement said.

"Unfortunately, rescue teams did not find any survivors at the scene of the crash," the statement added.

The aircraft had been transporting petroleum industry equipment. It had made a stopover for unspecified technical reasons at Tamanrasset, an Algerian city deep in the Sahara 2,000 kilometres south of Algiers. Previously, it had made another technical stop at Ghardaia, 600 kilometres south of the capital.

Rescuers found debris from the aircraft in a mountainous area, local officials said.

An inquiry into the crash has begun, Transport Minister Amar Ghoul said. - AFP

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McCartney urges Scots to stick with UK

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:58 PM PDT

LONDON: Paul McCartney has signed a letter urging Scotland to stick with the United Kingdom in next month's independence referendum, organisers said on Saturday (Aug 30). The Beatles star has put his name to the Let's Stay Together campaign as organisers sought support on the streets of his native Liverpool in northwest England.

More than 200 British celebrities, including Mick Jagger, Stephen Hawking and Judi Dench, have signed the letter. Oscar, Grammy and Nobel Prize winners, Olympic gold medallists, lords, knights of the realm, professors and novelists are among the signatories.

Only people who live in Scotland get to vote in the September 18 referendum on whether to end the 307-year-old political union with England. The letter signatories calling for a "No" vote – Scots included – do not have a vote but are hoping those who do will keep the union together.

"The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone," the letter says. "Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom. We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them. What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."

McCartney released the hit song "Mull of Kintyre" in 1977 with his band Wings. The song was a tribute to the area in Scotland where he has owned property since the 1960s.

Other signatories from the world of music include Bryan Ferry, World War II forces sweetheart Vera Lynn, Cliff Richard, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sting. - AFP

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Bureau: Orphans can succeed if they’re spunky

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 12:00 PM PDT

MIRI: Over the years, five orphans under the care of Masjid Darul Ehsan Piasau's Orphans Welfare Bureau successfully pursued higher education in religious studies in Indonesia.

This shows that orphans can go far in their lives if they have the drive to succeed, said the bureau's secretary, Mohd Sabri Lampan, yesterday.

Speaking at the mosque's Hari Raya cum National Day eve celebrations, he said orphans must make it a point to prove they are strong and able to face the challenges of life in the absence of their parents.

"For us, we are only able to help them financially and in kind. Emotionally, they (orphans) need to be tough and strong."

Mohd Sabri said the cash donations given to the orphans from time to time only served to motivate them to study hard.

Present at the gathering was Masjid Darul Ehsan Piasau chairman Datuk Wan Morshidi Tunku Abdul Rahman.

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Identiti 9 mangsa dibawa pulang 2 Sept belum dapat didedah: Rohani

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:58 AM PDT

KUCHING: Identiti sembilan mangsa nahas pesawat MH17 yang akan tiba di tanah air pada 2 September ini masih belum dapat didedahkan kepada umum sama ada membabitkan mereka yang berasal dari Sarawak.

Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim berkata, identiti itu masih tidak dapat didedahkan kerana mengambil kira sensitiviti keluarga yang terlibat.

Menurutnya, lima jenazah dan empat abu mayat dijangka tiba pada jam 8.30 pagi di Kompleks Bunga Raya Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) dari Amsterdam.

Malah, jumlah rasmi jenazah yang akan dihantar pulang hanya dapat disahkan selepas mesyuarat akhir berlangsung hari ini.

"Setakat hari ini (semalam), jumlah jenazah dan abu mayat yang akan dihantar pulang Selasa depan masih sama iaitu sembilan orang," katanya ketika dihubungi, semalam.

Insiden pesawat malang itu mengorbankan tujuh penumpang dari negeri ini termasuk enam sekeluarga dan mendiang Meling Mula, 48.

Dua daripada tujuh mangsa iaitu Allahyarhamah Ariza Ghazalee, 46, dan anak sulungnya, Allahyarham Muhammad Afif, 19, telah selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Semariang pada 22 Ogos lalu.

Bagaimanapun, jenazah suami dan tiga lagi anaknya iaitu Tambi Jiee, 49, Muhammad Afzal, 17, Marsha Azmeena, 15, dan Muhammad Afruz, 13, masih belum diketahui termasuk mendiang Meling yang berasal dari Bintulu.

Beliau menjelaskan, pihaknya hanya dapat memaklumkan kepada waris mangsa sejurus menerima maklumat pengesahan daripada Lembaga Pengenalpastian Identiti Mangsa MH17 sebelum mereka diterbangkan ke Amsterdam untuk tujuan pengecaman.

"Setiap kerja mengenal pasti jenazah adalah berlandaskan Prosedur Operasi Standard oleh pihak lembaga.

"Saya juga ingin menasihatkan waris mangsa yang terlibat untuk menerima sesiapa sahaja ahli keluarga mereka yang telah dijumpai kerana jenazah yang telah dikenal pasti tidak dapat disimpan terlalu lama di Amsterdam berikutan faktor-faktor tertentu," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, kementerian tersebut telah menambah lima sesi intervensi kaunseling daripada 35 kepada 40 sesi yang bertujuan untuk menenangkan waris mangsa nahas pesawat tersebut.

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MPOB: We’ll accept credible explanations

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:56 AM PDT

KUCHING: Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) yesterday said replies from those issued with show-cause letters would be vetted in accordance with the law.

Recently, MPOB issued the letters to millers, dealers, and smallholders for suspected breach of licensing regulations.

"As of today, MPOB has issued show-cause letters to a miller and 11 fresh fruit bunch (FFB) dealers for buying from doubtful sources. We have also issued a show-cause letter to a smallholder for selling FFB that exceeded the acreage stipulated in the licence," said a MPOB spokesman in a statement.

"The show-cause letters were to get additional information from the mentioned miller, smallholder, and FFB dealers with regards to the buying or selling of FFB from doubtful sources."

The statement was issued in response to Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (Soppoa)'s recent call to MPOB to assure everyone on the validity of allegations made against those issued with show-cause letters.

Soppoa was reported saying in a news report on August 28 that the allegations included illegal harvesting of FFB, trading in stolen FFB, and buying fruits beyond permitted levels.

One MPOB allegation that affected mills and dealers, according to the association, was that smallholders were selling FFB beyond the expected yield based on their planted acreage.

Stressing that millers should not be punished, Soppoa said MPOB should verify practices at the mills before resorting to drastic action against them.

Meanwhile, on Soppoa's call to its member mills to assist all smallholders/farmers who are located within their vicinities by accepting their crops when delivered, MPOB said it supported such call, but it must "only accept FFB from licensed smallholders".

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Voices urging Sabah to secede will affect unity — Muhyiddin

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 11:54 AM PDT

SIPITANG: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said voices urging that efforts be made to take out Sabah from Malaysia will adversely affect the spirit of cooperation, security and unity of the people.

The government did not want to hear voices raised by a small group stridently claiming there was no development in Sabah and urging for efforts to take Sabah out of Malaysia.

"The effort is opposed to the national and state constitutions.

"It is seditious in nature and if allowed to go on will affect the prevailing spirit of cooperation, security and unity in Sabah," he said when officiating at the Sipitang International Gata Festival here yesterday.

Also present was Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Sipitang MP Datuk Sapawi Ahmad.

In this regard, Muhyiddin said the voices should not be tolerated and stringent action would be taken against them for trying to create such a situation. — Bernama

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LCW buru hadiah hari merdeka

LCW buru hadiah hari merdeka


LCW buru hadiah hari merdeka

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 02:59 PM PDT

PEMAIN perseorangan negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei mara ke final selepas menang straight set ke atas Viktor Axelsen dengan keputusan 21-9, 21-7, pada Kejohanan Badminton Dunia 2014 di Copenhagen, Denmark, hari ini.

Chong Wei tidak berdepan masalah langsung untuk menewaskan lawan dari Denmark yang juga pilihan ke-14 itu dalam perlawanan memakan masa hanya 34 minit.

Lawan final pilihan utama dari Malaysia itu adalah sama ada menentang pemenang Chen Long dari China atau pemain Indonesia, Tommy Sugiarto.

Kejayaan itu meletakkan Chong Wei dalam laluan terbaik bergelar juara dunia untuk kali pertama dalam kariernya.


Dia adalah satu satunya wakil negara yang tinggal mengibar cabaran pada kejohanan badminton berprestij itu.


Semalam, Chong Wei mara ke separuh akhir kejohanan selepas menewaskan Wang Zhengming dari China 21-8, 21-11.

Pada aksi suku akhir itu, Chong Wei tenang mengawal permainan terutama di set pertama dan menang dalam 39 minit.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/08/30

Bujang 'kurang senang'

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 02:58 PM PDT

Petra Jaya: Sebuah kenderaan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) terbakar manakala dua unit kereta peronda ditolak ke parit berikutan suasana tegang penyokong di Stadium Negeri apabila Sarawak gagal melangkah ke suku akhir Piala Malaysia, malam tadi.

Terdahulu, beratus penyokong Bujang Senang yang dikatakan tidak berpuas hati apabila skuad mereka seri 1-1 menentang Perak, bertindak memasuki stadium selain membaling mercun dan suar.

Keadaan semakin tegang apabila anggota keselamatan terpaksa berkampung di tengah padang bagi menghalang penyokong Sarawak.

Insiden ini berlaku sebaik wisel perlawanan ditiup apabila rata-rata penyokong bertindak liar membaling objek ke padang.

Foto

Suasana di Stadium Negeri Petra Jaya selepas Sarawak tersingkir di peringkat Kumpulan B.


Ini juga menyebabkan pemain dan pegawai pasukan Perak terpaksa berkurung dalam bilik persalinan atas faktor keselamatan.


Sehingga 1 pagi ini, pemain dan pegawai pasukan Perak masih berkampung dalam stadium atas faktor keselamatan.

Keadaan di luar stadium masih kecoh sehingga memaksa anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) melepaskan peluru pemedih mata.

Pada masa sama, polis terpaksa menambah anggota FRU bagi mengawal keadaan.

Pada perlawanan penentuan ke pusingan seterusnya, Sarawak mendahului Perak 1-0, melalui tandukan Hairol Mokhtar pada minit ke-60.

Gol berkenaan yang hadir pada babak kedua dilihat bagaikan membuka ruang buat Sarawak untuk lolos ke suku akhir.

Bagaimanapun, Perak menyamakan kedudukan pada minit ke-76 menerusi Marco Lopes Silva dan sekaligus mengikat kedudukan itu sehingga tamat perlawanan.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/08/31

Lori pasir tagih nyawa

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 02:56 PM PDT

Dengkil: Nyawa lebih 2,000 penduduk Kampung Bukit Changgang, di sini, boleh diibaratkan seperti telur di hujung tanduk apabila kenderaan dinaiki mereka sering berselisih dengan lori pasir dipandu laju ketika melalui jalan raya kampung itu.

Difahamkan, lebih 10 lori mengangkut pasir dari tapak lombong di depan sebuah stesen minyak untuk tujuan aktiviti pembinaan di kawasan sekitar menggunakan jalan kampung berkenaan hampir setiap hari.

Tinjauan mendapati, lori pasir itu keluar masuk di simpang berhampiran sebuah stesen minyak seawal jam 7 pagi dan difahamkan beroperasi pada masa tertentu sehingga jam 5 petang.

Lori itu didapati menggunakan jalan utama kampung terbabit, sekali gus mengundang bahaya kepada penduduk, terutama pelajar sekolah yang menunggang basikal dan berjalan.

Foto

LALUAN lori pasir menyebabkan keadaan berhabuk dan berdebu mulai jam 7 pagi hingga 5 petang.


Lebih membahayakan apabila lori pasir itu berselisih sesama sendiri menyebabkan satu daripadanya terpaksa mengambil ruang di tepi jalan.

Dapatkan akhbar Metro Ahad untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/08/31

Selamat pulang

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 02:00 PM PDT

'Selamat Pulang Wahai Pejuang'. Itu antara kata-kata yang terzahir bagi penduduk Gaza sebaik melihat kelibat anggota pasukan Briged Izudin Al-Qassam yang kembali berjumpa dengan ibu bapa, anak isteri dan sanak saudara sebaik peperangan tamat, minggu lalu.

Kepulangan pejuang jihad ini sememangnya dinantikan oleh orang tersayang. Bukan orang yang mengenali mereka saja yang menanti, sebaliknya semua lapisan masyarakat menunggu kepulangan mereka. Merekalah 'wira hitam' yang sangat digeruni Zionis.

Saya merasai suasana hiba itu. Saya melihat seorang lelaki usia emas memeluk anaknya dengan linangan air mata sambil anaknya itu masih memakai pakaian seragam tentera hitam milik briged berkenaan.

Mereka ini berjuang, tidak mengira siang malam. Tidur mereka hanya beralaskan batu bata sambil mimpi malamnya hanya lintasan percikan api roket, mahupun bunyi letupan.

Foto

ANGGOTA pasukan Briged Izudin Al-Qassam yang kembali berjumpa dengan orang tersayang.


Inilah kebanggaan rakyat Gaza. Pejuang mujahidin ini tidak pernah kenal erti mengalah, bagi mereka biar nyawa dikorbankan, namun tidak sekali-kali akan membenarkan musuh menjejak kaki di tanah tercinta, bumi Syam.

Dapatkan akhbar Metro Ahad untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/08/31

Semai jiwa patriotik

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 01:18 PM PDT

Malaysia Di Sini Lahir�nya Sebuah Cinta menjadi tema sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan ke-57. Uniknya, ia dipetik daripada lagu Warisan dendangan Allahyarham Sudirman Arshad yang menjadi siulan wajib setiap kali tiba tarikh keramat, 31 Ogos.

Tema itu sangat bersesuaian dengan suasana semasa yang diselubungi kepiluan berikutan dua tragedi besar menimpa negara.

Dugaan perit kehilangan pesawat penerbangan MH370, diikuti insiden MH17 yang ditembak jatuh baru-baru ini, membangkitkan penyatuan dan rasa cinta rakyat terhadap negara.

Tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama, semua sepakat bangkit mempertahankan maruah negara yang menjadi titik tumpu negara luar.


Sempena edisi khas Merdeka, SELEBRITI menggandingkan pendatang baru yang kian menempa nama, Amyra Rosli dan bintang terkenal, Yana Samsudin bagi membicarakan rasa kecintaan terhadap negara.

Dapatkan akhbar Metro Ahad untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/08/31

Kenapa masih belum bertindak?

Kenapa masih belum bertindak?


Kenapa masih belum bertindak?

Posted:

PENDEDAHAN demi pendedahan yang dilakukan oleh akhbar ini berhubung kegiatan mesin judi haram seolah-olah belum mampu menggerakkan pihak berkuasa khususnya polis dan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) bertindak...

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Najib garis tiga Amanat Merdeka

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Mewariskan sebuah Malaysia yang makmur lagi sejahtera untuk generasi akan datang adalah antara tiga Amanat Merdeka yang digariskan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak demi kesinambungan negara...

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Tindakan tegas ke atas penyebar

Posted:

SIPITANG 30 Ogos - Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengingatkan rakyat negeri ini agar tidak mudah termakan hasutan pihak tidak bertanggungjawab yang mahu melihat Sabah keluar dari Malaysia.

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PPS: Guan Eng minta KPN 'fikir masak-masak'

Posted:

PULAU PINANG 30 Ogos - Dalam keberanian yang boleh disifatkan sebagai 'luar biasa', Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng memberi amaran kepada Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar supaya berfikir semasak-masaknya...

Penjawat awam mesti ada empat nilai murni

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, penjawat awam di negara ini perlu memiliki empat nilai murni di dalam diri masing-masing iaitu setia, berdedikasi, cekap dan berintegriti. Perdana...

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Penstrukturan semula pastikan MAS terus beroperasi

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Penstrukturan semula secara komprehensif terhadap Malaysia Airlines (MAS) perlu dilakukan bagi memastikan syarikat itu terus beroperasi. Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak...

Tindakan mencabar disifatkan pertikai kuasa PDRM

Posted:

KOTA TINGGI 30 Ogos - Cabaran Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng terhadap Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar berhubung isu Pasukan Peronda Sukarela (PPS) di Pulau Pinang dianggap seolah-olah...

Nepotisme PKR terus diselar

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Selepas membidas keputusan Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang menamakan isterinya, Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail sebagai calon tunggal jawatan...

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Bantahan ahli akar umbi Pas terus meningkat

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Gelombang bantahan ahli akar umbi Pas terhadap keputusan Pas Pusat yang mencalonkan Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail dan timbalannya, Azmin Ali...

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Arahan Rafizi kepada ADUN PKR satu penghinaan

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Sri Muda, Shuhaimi Shafiei mempersoalkan tindakan Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Rafizi Ramli yang mengarahkan ADUN PKR Selangor menarik...

Khalid Ibrahim buat pengumuman Rabu ini

Posted:

SHAH ALAM 30 Ogos - Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim akan membuat beberapa pengumuman tentang kedudukan beliau sebagai Menteri Besar pada Rabu ini. Abdul Khalid bagaimanapun berkata, buat masa ini beliau tidak...

Video buli: 7 lagi ditahan

Posted:

MUAR 30 Ogos - Tujuh lagi pelajar sekolah menengah ditahan bagi membantu siasatan berhubung penyebaran klip video 'Bu­dak Kena Pukul di Muar' di Air Hitam, dekat sini semalam. Ketua Polis Daerah, Asisten...

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Interpol belum sahkan suspek ditahan

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) masih belum dapat mengesahkan dakwaan mengenai penahanan dua suspek utama kes kecurian dua bentuk cincin bernilai RM1.5 juta di ibu negara baru-baru ini...

Lelaki ditahan bersama submesingan 200 peluru

Posted:

ALOR SETAR 30 Ogos - Cubaan seorang lelaki bersenjata api untuk meloloskan diri daripada ditahan polis gagal apabila dia akhirnya diberkas di jalan menghala ke Tol Sungai Petani Utara, dekat sini semalam.

Teruskan dasar AP terbuka

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 30 Ogos - Kerajaan diminta mempertimbangkan cadangan untuk tidak menghapuskan dasar Permit Import (AP) terbuka seperti terkandung dalam Dasar Automotif Negara (DAN). Presiden Persatuan Orang...

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Bekas menteri India dan hartawan Malaysia didakwa menyeleweng

Posted:

MUMBAI 30 Ogos - Polis Persekutuan India semalam memfailkan dakwaan terhadap bekas menteri dan adiknya serta seorang hartawan Malaysia berhubung kes penyelewengan dalam pengambilalihan syarikat telekomunikasi...

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Lagu cari makan dan musik

Lagu cari makan dan musik


Lagu cari makan dan musik

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:58 PM PDT

31 OGOS — Saya sebenarnya pening dengan cerita politik dan MB di Selangor. Dari mula kemelut berlangsung sehingga ke hari ini, saya give up. Seperti kata seorang kawan, " siapapun MB, kita masih macam ni juga, yang untung tetap mereka dan yang berkepentingan juga mereka. Lainlah kalau mereka mampu menyelesaikan masalah hidup kita".

Oleh itu lupakanlah sekejap tentang politik, lebih baik kita bercerita tentang muzik. Kepala pun tak akan pening.

Selain bermain muzik, saya juga seorang guru mengajar gitar. Saya bersyukur sebenarnya sebab segala penat lelah merapu, melalak tepi tembok, menyanyi siang dan malam, menghafal lagu-lagu orang putih dan Melayu dengan membeli buku buku lagu Inggeris dan Melayu waktu zaman sekolah dulu, akhirnya mendatangkan hasil dan saya mampu hidup dan menanggung keluarga dengan bermain muzik (walau tak kaya).

Saya ingin memberi nasihat dan pandangan kepada anak anak muda hari ini juga kepada mereka yang mahu menjadikan muzik sebagai satu kerjaya. Tidak kira samada mereka bercita cita mahu menjadi pemuzik jalanan, pemuzik di pub dan hotel mahupun menjadi seorang 'sessionist'.

Kebanyakan anak murid saya umur mereka masih di peringkat belasan tahun. Maka itu citarasa muzik mereka tentulah muzik dan lagu lagu popular di zaman ini. Malah saya mendapat info tentang lagu lagu hari ini pun melalui merekalah.

Sewaktu saya mula belajar bermain gitar pada awal tahun 80an dulu, lagu lagu yang saya belajar adalah lagu lagu yang mudah seperti lagu "Biarkan Bunga Berkembang" atau "Mimpi Sedih" nyanyian Broery atau lagu lagu yang sezaman dengannya.

Ianya berkesan kerana dari segi melodi dan counting, lagu itu mudah, hanya 3 kord sahaja. Countingnya standard 4/4. Jadi untuk kita yang baru nak belajar main gitar, lagu lagu yang seperti itu sangat berkesan untuk meningkatkan kemahiran kita dalam permainan gitar.

Sepatutnya untuk kita belajar muzik, perlu di awal umur lima tahun lagi kerana di waktu itu kita akan diajar untuk mengenal apa itu muzik, bukan apa itu lagu.

Kanak kanak di usia begitu mereka akan ikut apa saja jenis melodi yang guru mereka ajar. Mereka belum terdedah dengan muzik yang pelbagai jenis dan rentak. Mereka hanya mengenal melodi.

Itulah yang kebanyakan sekolah muzik akan lakukan. Umpamanya kita belajar gitar untuk genre klasikal contohnya. Segala silibus sudah tersedia mengikut susunan dalam buku latihan megnikut gred.

Pelajar tidak punya pilihan selain mengikut apa yang guru mereka ajar mengikut silibus yang ditetapkan.

Masalahnya saya pula mengajar mengikut apa yang anak murid saya minat dan suka. Pernah saya syorkan supaya mereka belajar lagu yang mudah seperti lagu Biarkan Bunga Berkembang nyanyian Broery itu, nyata mereka tidak berminat. Mungkin sebab lagu itu di zaman saya, bukan mereka.

Mereka malah syorkan saya lagu yang mereka minta ajarkan. Biasanya lagu lagu zaman sekaranglah. Jadi pendekatan saya pula, saya tak mahu syok sendiri dalam bab mengajar. Saya mahu mereka enjoy dan bila mereka praktis lagu yang mereka minat, mungkin akan lebih berkesan dan selalunya begitulah.

Apabila mengajar, saya cuba untuk memahami apa yang mereka suka dan minat. Dalam masa yang sama kita akan lebih memahami level mereka dalam permainan.

Lagu lagu zaman sekarang ni ada yang mudah dan ada yang complicated. Sebabnya dari segi melodi tidak banyak yang menarik, muzik sekarang lebih pentingkan arrangement yang berbelit belit manakala melodinya tidaklah menarik sangat.

Untuk mereka yang berminat menjadikan muzik sebagai punca rezeki pula, perbanyakkan lagu lagu evergreen Inggeris mahupun Melayu. Melalui pengalaman saya tidak kiralah samada kita bernyanyi di jalanan mahupun di hotel, lagu evergreen lah yang tetap menjadi pilihan atau lagu top 40 atau lagu pop semasa.

Padamkanlah minat anda jika mahu serius dalam muzik. Kerana jika anda ingin menjadi pemuzik, anda akan melayan kehendak pengunjung yang datang ke pub untuk minum dan enjoy.

Mereka akan minta anda mainkan lagu "Wonderful Tonight" 10 kali untuk satu malam dan jika anda enggan melayan kehendak mereka, bermakna kontrak anda bermain di tempat itu mungkin akan ditamatkan.

Mungkin anda seorang gitaris dan minat akan lagu lagu yang mencabar seperti lagu rock, blues, reggae dan jazz kesukaan anda. Nasihat saya lagu lagu anda minat itu tidak ada tempatnya di pub mahupun di jalanan.

Saya boleh namakan lagu rock yang menjadi pilihan di pub. "Hotel California" dan "Highway Star"? lagu blues pula "Still Got the Blues"? Lagu reggae pula "No Woman No Cry"? Atau lagu jazz "Autumn Leaves" mahupun "Fly Me to the Moon"?

Lagu lagu yang saya sebutkan ini bukanlah untuk pemuzik suka dan minat. Pemuzik mungkin sudah bosan sangat dengan "Hotel California". Mengapa tidak lagu "Lyin Eyes", "Tequila Sunrise", "Desperado" atau "The Long Run"? Bukankah banyak lagi lagu lagu Eagles yang lebih berkualiti dan menarik selain "Hotel California"?

Masalahnya pendengar bukanlah pemuzik. Inilah kenyataannya. Tidak kira samada di pub, hotel mahupun di jalanan, pendengar akan hanya melekat dengan lagu lagu yang mereka minat, yang majoriti menyukainya. Kita sebagai pemuzik kalau nak syok sendiri, payahlah sikit.

Bak kata pujangga, Cinta Perlukan Pengorbanan. Begitu jugalah dengan pemuzik. Korbankanlah apa yang kita minat atau sekurang kurangnya yang kita minat itu kita layanlah seorang diri di rumah. Untuk mereka, kita jamukan ramuan yang menyelerakan mereka, kerana mereka bukanlah kita dan kita bukanlah mereka.

* Pandangan di atas hanyalah pandangan peribadi penulis dan tidak mewakili pandangan Malay Mail Online.

Guatemalan village expels Jewish group (VIDEO)

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:50 PM PDT

GUATEMALA CITY, Aug 31 — Some 230 members of an Orthodox Jewish group have begun leaving a village in western Guatemala after a bitter dispute with the local indigenous community.

The Lev Tahor members were asked to leave San Juan La Laguna after meeting with elders of the village.

The edict to leave was delivered on Wednesday after Lev Tahor and the Council of Indigenous Elders were unable to negotiate a solution to their disagreements.

Over the last several days, Lev Tahor members were seen packing their belongings on trucks in preparation for their departure.

Lev Tahor members, who practice an austere form of Judaism, also said they had received threats that water and electricity would be cut off if they stayed in the village.

Locals said a bus full of Lev Tahor families left for Guatemala City on Thursday and a second bus left on Friday morning.

Village elders said the Jewish members "wanted to impose their religion" and were undermining the Catholic faith that was predominant in San Juan La Laguna. — Reuters

Members of a Jewish community are seen at their home in the village of San Juan La Laguna August 25, 2014. A few months after moving from Canada to a remote part of Guatemala to find religious freedom, the group have been forced out of their homes in a bitter conflict with hostile villagers. — Reuters picMembers of a Jewish community are seen at their home in the village of San Juan La Laguna August 25, 2014. A few months after moving from Canada to a remote part of Guatemala to find religious freedom, the group have been forced out of their homes in a bitter conflict with hostile villagers. — Reuters pic

Next Media Video: Jewish group expelled from Guatemalan village

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:48 PM PDT

Duration: 00:45, Published 31 Aug 2014

Some 230 members of Orthodox Jewish group, Lev Tahor, have begun leaving a village in western Guatemala after a bitter dispute with the local indigenous community. — Reuters

Nasi lemak: The one dish that unites us all

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:39 PM PDT

Tuck into the delicious rice with individual grains enriched with coconut milk, together with telur Bali, sambal sotong, the slow cooked sambal, cucumber, crispy ikan bilis and peanuts – Pictures by Choo Choy May and Steven K.E. OoiTuck into the delicious rice with individual grains enriched with coconut milk, together with telur Bali, sambal sotong, the slow cooked sambal, cucumber, crispy ikan bilis and peanuts – Pictures by Choo Choy May and Steven K.E. OoiKUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Every morning, the same scene is played out all over the country: people milling around their favourite stall to pack their nasi lemak for breakfast or early lunch.

This fast and hearty breakfast with its wallet-friendly price has been fuelling us Malaysians every morning since... well, it feels like forever. No longer just limited to early birds, night owls can also satisfy their nasi lemak cravings from stalls that open till late at night. You even have 24-hour stalls that peddle nasi lemak bungkus (a small portion wrapped with banana leaf and newspaper) for a quick snack.

In Malaysia, any time is nasi lemak o'clock.
The basic serving of nasi lemak consists of a portion of rice cooked in coconut milk and served with a dollop of spicy sambal.

On the side, you will also have sliced cucumbers together with crunchy fried peanuts and ikan bilis. Your dose of protein is a piece of hard-boiled egg. The size depends on the generosity of the stall owner. Some stalls prefer greasier fried eggs.

Going beyond the basic serving, there is very often these days a choice of add-ons from a buffet of dishes like sambal sotong, ayam rendang and the list goes on.

While it is originally a Malay dish, there are many variations to the ubiquitous nasi lemak now. Sometimes the changes are made due to health constraints — like the lack of coconut milk in the Chinese variant of nasi lemak. Other times it is reflective of the bountiful produce from that particular area.

For instance, fried small fish is a popular add-on in nasi lemak found near seaside villages since fresh catch is readily available. Some add-ons like kangkung remain an unsolved mystery. According to Malacca-born Debbie Teoh, a well-known Peranakan chef, the locals in that state believe that nasi lemak is not complete without kangkung. "It's just a Malaccan thing to be obssessed with kangkung."

When it comes to tracing the origins of this dish, you find all kinds of stories or even legends about its beginning. Wikipedia cites its first appearance as far back as 1909 when it appeared in a book titled, The Circumstances of Malay Life by Sir Richard Olof Winstedt.

One of the oldest known (and still standing) nasi lemak stalls in Kuala Lumpur is Nasi Lemak Tanglin. According to its third generation owner, Fazaitul Akhma, 30, the stall started out in 1948. That was the year, the Federation of Malaya was formed.

It was Fazaitul's Javanese grandmother Suriati Jawirunah who started the stall under the tree. She was assisted by her husband who relocated from Singapore. The stall's nasi lemak quickly gained favour with many, including those who went to Tanglin Hospital, one of the earliest hospitals in the country which was built in 1890, next door.

Burhainnurdin Zainal Abidin and Fazaitul Akhma Zainal Abidin continue their grandmother's legacy at Nasi Lemak Tanglin 3. Keep calm and queue for your nasi lemakBurhainnurdin Zainal Abidin and Fazaitul Akhma Zainal Abidin continue their grandmother's legacy at Nasi Lemak Tanglin 3. Keep calm and queue for your nasi lemakOne of their most prominent customers was Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who used to ride his bicycle to the stall when he was a child. He lived in one of the government quarters nearby.

Even though Suriati died in 1996, her son Zainal Abidin Hassan is faithful to her legacy by using the same recipe to prepare the nasi lemak. Every day, the rice goes through an arduous 10-12 hour process where it is painstakingly washed, soaked, dried and steamed in two stages. Coconut milk is slowly mixed with the partially steamed rice, since any excessive stirring may cause the delicate rice grains to break. Moreover, coconut milk is sensitive to overmixing as it will curdle.

Traditionally, the rice is steamed in a wooden bucket. Nowadays, it's impossible to steam that way since they cook a whopping 85 kilogrammes of rice every day. Their compromise is a custom-made stainless steel steamer. Even their sambal takes a few hours to cook over a low fire, and you will notice it is darker in colour than other places. They prefer to use dried chillies, rather than processed chilli boh even though it's a lot of work as they believe you can taste the difference.

Your plate of nasi lemak can be your choice from an array of dishes Your plate of nasi lemak can be your choice from an array of dishes The family retains the same selection of dishes from long ago; two types of eggs, three types of chicken like a gulai, sambal and ayam merah, beef rendang, cow's spleen, cow's lung and sambal sotong. Some items bear Suriati's Indonesian heritage, like the begedil or potato cutlet more commonly found in Nasi Padang.

They also do telur Bali, Suriati's version of hard boiled eggs fried and cooked in a spicy sambal. The only item omitted from the original menu is sambal kerang or cockles, since they don't have the manpower to painstakingly shuck the cockles.

Opting for pre-shucked cockles is a no-no, as many customers complained about the quality. Quality and their name is very important for Fazaitul's family who decided to stop a franchised restaurant in Bangsar, after they received complaints about the food served there.

Faizatul, the eldest in the family, gave up a desk job to run the family business after her father persuaded her that it is her heritage. She tries hard to maintain the taste of the food like yesteryear but it's a mammoth task since some ingredients are no longer produced, like a particular brand of belacan or even soy sauce.
Their customers who flock here every morning is a multi-racial crowd — Malays, Chinese and Indian or what Faizatul calls, "1

Keep calm and queue for your nasi lemakKeep calm and queue for your nasi lemakMalaysia crowd." Loyal customers even bring their children, introducing them to the taste of the nasi lemak; something they were first introduced to by their parents.

While nasi lemak is generally considered unhealthy because of the rich coconut milk the rice is cooked in, Meeta Sheth from The Ganga Cafe has managed to make it not only healthy but meat-free. Her good-for-you vegetarian nasi lemak comes with a light fluffy rice cooked with a little coconut milk, lemongrass and ginger. "The rice does not sit in your stomach like a rock." She practises a little Ayurvedic magic by adding her secret ingredient to the rice; it is supposed to help with digestion and diabetes. The rice is also cooked in small batches to ensure it's fresh.

Her preservative-free sambal uses a pure vegetarian soy base with no gluten or flour and is cooked with dried chillies, garlic and onions. She also substitutes mushroom stems for the ikan bilis, which gives the sambal a bit of bite and an umami kick. A plate of her all-day available (except Sundays) nasi lemak is at a reasonable RM3.50, with a choice of mock meat on the side.

Up in Penang and Alor Setar, the Indian Muslims serve nasi lemak that bear a closer resemblance to nasi kandar. The rice is flooded with a sweet spicy sambal that is almost like a rich curry. In Alor Setar, the locals frequent places like Nasi Lemak Royale and Nasi Lemak Haji Ali where they serve rice flooded with a mix of curries. The rice at Nasi Lemak Royale is tinged yellow and has a mix of spices.

Meeta Sheth prefers a healthier approach for her Indian vegetarian nasi lemma (left). The Ganga Cafe's nasi lemak is a combination of light fluffy rice paired with sambal cooked with mushroom stems, mock meat, peanuts, cucumber and a crunchy pappadum (right)Meeta Sheth prefers a healthier approach for her Indian vegetarian nasi lemma (left). The Ganga Cafe's nasi lemak is a combination of light fluffy rice paired with sambal cooked with mushroom stems, mock meat, peanuts, cucumber and a crunchy pappadum (right)In Malacca, the Chittys or Indian Peranakans are a unique hybrid community of mixed cultures — Indian, Chinese and Malay. Their descendants are Indian traders who travelled to Malaya and married local women. They held fast to their Hindu religion but dress like the Peranakans in kebayas and sarongs.

Unlike the Indian Hindus, the Chittys perform a ceremony known as Parchu Boogie during Ponggal to honour their ancestors with food offerings like nasi lemak, a tradition borrowed from the Chinese culture. The steamed coconut milk rice is presented on a banana leaf with an array of traditional Chitty delicacies. Some of these dishes include acar cili or pickled chillies, sambal telur belimbing where the sourish belimbing buluh is cooked with fish eggs, and itik tim.

The Penang Peranakans love to add creamy coconut milk to their rice. According to Debbie Teoh, whose mother is a Penang Nyonya, some would even soak the rice grains in the coconut milk. "It's so rich that sometimes you can't eat it." Usually their nasi lemak is served with assam fried fish, assam prawns and sambal with belacan.

Black Man Nasi Lemak's big pull factor are their delicious side dishes like potatoes cooked with pork ball, and tender pork chop (left). In Penang, the Nyonya nasi lemak (back) is fragrant with coconut milk and paired with assam prawns and fish, while the Indian Muslim version (front) is served with a watery sambal similar to curry (right)Black Man Nasi Lemak's big pull factor are their delicious side dishes like potatoes cooked with pork ball, and tender pork chop (left). In Penang, the Nyonya nasi lemak (back) is fragrant with coconut milk and paired with assam prawns and fish, while the Indian Muslim version (front) is served with a watery sambal similar to curry (right)But it's a 360-degree turn for the Chinese who avoid coconut milk in the rice as they believe it gives them "wind." Usually ginger is added to counteract the effect of the coconut milk. Combined with ginger, pandan leaves and lemongrass, it gives a nice aroma to the cooked rice. For Patmund Sor, 35, who runs Black Man Nasi Lemak, he prefers to use the more expensive Bentong ginger for his rice since it gives a stronger fragrance.

The enterprising man originally started selling cooked noodles in front of his home in Jinjang. Later, he chose to sell nasi lemak since anyone can cook up the dishes. Previously he was a sales executive for a wine trader, and on occasion he used to work as a bodyguard for visiting Hong Kong singers like Aaron Kwok.

The unusual name for his stall is a nickname people gave him in Hokkien due to his dark skin tone. He realised that most famous stalls have their own nicknames, hence he decided to adopt it for his stall. Every two months, Patmund also donates his sale collection to charity. Usually, this is to help raise funds for people who need funds for urgent surgery.

Patmund Sor sells nasi lemak just in front of Restaurant Double One Patmund Sor sells nasi lemak just in front of Restaurant Double One With the Chinese variant of nasi lemak, the emphasis is placed on the side dishes, rather than the basic combination of rice and sambal or even the rice with coconut milk. In the early days, Patmund remembers that most stalls served nasi lemak with stir-fried long beans and Hakka char yoke or belly pork with wood-ear fungus. Another popular dish is sang chee yoke or wild boar rendang.

Since his stall is relatively unknown, he tries to attract customers with his unusual side dishes, like potatoes cooked with chee yoke yeen or pork balls and his signature tender marinated pork chop. For weekends, he offers a fragrant appetising mix of choy poh or preserved radish fried with har mai or dried shrimps. He also offers different dishes at night; double fried chicken and fried pork with spices. The self-taught cook gets the recipes for his dishes from cookbooks and adjusts the recipes to suit his customer's tastebuds.

When it comes to nasi lemak, Meeta sums it up perfectly. "Everyone has a different way with nasi lemak." Even with our cultural differences, everyone sits down in the morning — or throughout the day — to tuck into a plate of nasi lemak. With that one dish, we're truly united despite our differences.

Nasi Lemak Tanglin, Gerai no. 6, Kompleks Makan Tanglin, Jalan Cenderasari, Kuala Lumpur. Open:7am to 12.30pm. Closed for 1 week during Hari Raya.

The Ganga Cafe, 19, Lorong Kurau, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 8.30am to 9.30pm. Closed on Mondays.

Black Man Nasi Lemak, Restaurant Double One, Jalan 3/62A, Bandar Menjalara, Kepong. Open: 8am to 10.30am. Restaurant 1313, Jalan Metro Perdana 3, Kepong. Open: 5pm to 10pm. Closed on Mondays.

10 things about: Malaysia, our home

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:38 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Despite all the noise and simmering racial and religious tensions, many of us are proud to call Malaysia our home and would not have it any other way.

The theme for this year's Merdeka Day, "Malaysia, Where Love Grows", not only symbolises the love of its citizens towards the country, but also the fraternal love between the people.

CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGESometimes we forget that the road towards keeping Malaysia together has not been — and will continue not to be — easy, but it is this love for our country which always saves the day.

There are contradictory ideas, clashes of opinions and very often a coming together as one to celebrate, to grief. Much like a family, we have good times and bad times with each other.

To remind us, here are 10 choice quotes from our leaders over the years.

Come what may, I am a Malaysian at heart — Dharm Navaratnam

Posted: 30 Aug 2014 05:38 PM PDT

AUGUST 31 — A few days ago I was at a function where a former minister was the guest of honour.  During her speech, she mentioned a lot of things, one of which was the fact that patriotism seems to flourish around August every year.  It almost gets into a frenzy and then it dies down only to get resurrected the following August.  The said ex-minister also talked about the term "tolerance" and how we as parents, leaders and teachers should teach our children "acceptance" and not tolerance.

How true that statement is.  After 57 years of independence, we still talk about tolerance and we still insist on looking at our differences based on our racial backgrounds rather than the common uniting factor. That we are Malaysians.

Two telco companies recently launched their Merdeka advertisements that were almost identical in their message.  The advertisements played on how we all refer to each other, even complete strangers, as family — Kakak, Aunty, Abang, Annai, Macha, Bro, Tai-Koh, Ah-boy, Aunty and the list goes on.  That is something quintessentially Malaysian.  I don't see this in any other country.  So it appears that the typical Malaysian regards other Malaysians as family.  It's really nice.

But in reality does it seem as if this is just an appearance?  What lies on the surface so to speak?  When we look at the news each and every day, we seem to be bombarded with all that is divisive.  Racial divisiveness, religious divisiveness, even division based on our social standing.  Where were our "family values" when we decided that soup kitchens and those it fed should not be allowed to function?  I suppose as long as we call them Makcik, Poh Poh and Paati it still means we care for them as family even if we are not supposed to feed them?

Where are our family values when we have political parties championing causes based on race whilst simultaneously denigrating other races?  Where are our family values when we actually still have race-based parties that are really only interested in serving their own ethnicity.  What happened to the concept of doing what is right for the entire family and not just a favourite child?

Every second day seems to be someone or other making a power play.  Someone or other comes up with racial or religious statements that stoke tension.  Someone or the other is charged for sedition.  Is the concept of criticism so wrong that every dissenting statement is considered seditious?   Relating this back to the family, does it mean that if our children disagree with us we should lock them in their rooms?  We are even so fearful of comments made on social media that we consider banning social media altogether.  So much resource seems to be spent on making sure there is no dissent, resources that can surely be spent on better things.

It is said that values start at home.  By the same token, racism and religious extremism start at home too.  If your children are taught from a very early age to discriminate between others, be it from a racial, religious or even social perspective, then they will never learn acceptance and they will run the risk of turning out to be bigots.  If on the other hand, they are taught to accept each other for their differences and even to celebrate these differences, imagine what kind of people these children will grow up to be. 

I also believe it is our duty as citizens of this great country to speak up when we think that someone has said, or done, something wrong. It is our duty to speak up to effect change and it is also our duty to stand up and applaud when something right is done. Not speaking up is a far worse crime than speaking up for something that you believe in. And it sure beats grumbling in the coffee shop and not doing anything about it.

You may disagree with some of the things I have said.  Heck, you may disagree with everything I have said.  But therein lies the beauty of it.  You are allowed to disagree with my point of view.  At the same time it is my prerogative to say what I want.  You have the right to stand up and say what you want as well. 

So yes, even families have problems.  Things are not always smooth sailing and you get into arguments with your parents, your children, your siblings.  You don't run away from your family and you don't just complain about them.  You don't run away from home and go to your neighbour's house just because you think they have it better there. You don't tolerate your family, you accept them for what they are.  You celebrate the good and you try to improve the bad.  You sit down and try to work things out.

And so it is with our extended family of Malaysians and so it is with our country.  Because no matter what anyone says, or may want to say, I am Malaysian.  I have a birth certificate to prove it, an identity card to prove it and a passport to prove it. But more important than these documents, I have a heart that says that I am Malaysian.  I know no other country to call my own.  I love no other country.  This is my country.  I am Malaysian.  Many Malaysians may not be stuck with this country, but Malaysia is certainly stuck with me.

Happy Merdeka!

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.