Berita Network | What Happen In Malaysia Today?

KD Lekiu sertai misi pencarian di Lautan Hindi

KD Lekiu sertai misi pencarian di Lautan Hindi
Jangan leka keselamatan
100 hari tempoh reda ketegangan psikologi
Permohonan Ribbeck Law ditolak
Najib lawat Perth dua hari tinjau operasi SAR
Zuckerberg raih AS$3.3b melalui saham pilihan
JDT hanya didenda RM30,000
Karpal 'disingkir' bukan letak jawatan?
Nenek mati dipukul cucu
Koperal cedera di lengan kiri dilibas parang
Telefon bimbit Zara Eleena dalam beg tertuduh
Tahanan mati akibat Pulmonary Embolism
Nafi naikkan kadar faedah
Jurang majikan, pekerja Malaysia agak besar
Abdel Fattah pemusnah demokrasi
Tiga maut serangan bermotifkan politik di Aceh

KD Lekiu sertai misi pencarian di Lautan Hindi

Posted:

ROCKINGHAM, Perth 1 April - Kapal Diraja KD Lekiu milik Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) yang tiba di pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Australia (RAN) HMAS Stirling di sini semalam akan menyertai operasi...

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Jangan leka keselamatan

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Persatuan Pengangkutan Udara Antarabangsa (IATA) menggesa semua negara dan pemain industri untuk memberi tumpuan kepada usahasama, analisis data serta keselamatan landasan dalam memastikan...

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100 hari tempoh reda ketegangan psikologi

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Tempoh 100 hari adalah jangka masa yang munasabah untuk individu kehilangan orang tersayang mencapai ketenangan. Pakar Psikologi Kaunseling (Terapi Tingkah Laku Kognitif) Universiti...

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Permohonan Ribbeck Law ditolak

Posted:

NEW YORK 1 April - Mahkamah Illinois semalam menolak permohonan sebuah firma guaman Amerika Syarikat (AS) untuk memperoleh reka bentuk pembinaan pesawat daripada Boeing Co. dan Malaysia Airlines (MAS) berhubung...

Najib lawat Perth dua hari tinjau operasi SAR

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak akan mengadakan lawatan kerja ke Perth, Australia selama dua hari bermula esok (Rabu) untuk meninjau operasi pelbagai negara dalam pencarian pesawat...

Zuckerberg raih AS$3.3b melalui saham pilihan

Posted:

SAN FRANCISCO 1 April - Ketua Eksekutif Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg meraih keuntungan sebanyak AS$3.3 bilion (RM10.89 bilion) tahun lalu setelah menjalankan saham pilihan dalam syarikat rangkaian sosial tersebut...

JDT hanya didenda RM30,000

Posted:

PETALING JAYA - Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) hanya dikenakan denda sebanyak RM30,000 oleh Jawatankuasa Tatatertib Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) atas 'insiden terowong' manakala tindakan ke atas individu...

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Karpal 'disingkir' bukan letak jawatan?

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Mungkinkah bekas Pengerusi DAP, Karpal Singh disingkirkan? Perkara itu ditimbulkan oleh bekas Naib Pengerusi DAP, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim berikutan peletakan jawatan Karpal...

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Nenek mati dipukul cucu

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Hanya kerana ingin menyamun barang kemas milik neneknya, seorang cucu berusia 18 tahun sanggup memukul bertalu-talu kepala neneknya dengan batu sehingga mati. Dalam insiden menyayat...

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Koperal cedera di lengan kiri dilibas parang

Posted:

JERANTUT 1 April - Seorang anggota polis berpangkat koperal cedera akibat dilibas dengan sebilah parang oleh pemuda yang hendak diberkasnya dalam kejadian di sebuah rumah di Felda Kota Gelanggi Dua, di...

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Telefon bimbit Zara Eleena dalam beg tertuduh

Posted:

SHAH ALAM 1 April - Telefon bimbit milik pensyarah Bahasa Inggeris Kolej Teknologi Antarabangsa Cybernatics (KTAC), Zara Eleena Omar Peter yang mati dibunuh di rumahnya, ditemui dalam beg sandang milik...

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Tahanan mati akibat Pulmonary Embolism

Posted:

KAMPAR 1 April - Mahkamah Koroner hari ini memutuskan kematian M. Ragu, banduan yang ditemui mati dalam lokap di Balai Polis Kampar, 10 Mac tahun lalu berpunca daripada Pulmonary Embolism iaitu kehadiran...

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Nafi naikkan kadar faedah

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) menafikan telah memberi arahan kepada institusi perbankan tempatan supaya menaikkan kadar faedah pinjaman untuk pembelian kereta. Jelas bank pusat itu di...

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Jurang majikan, pekerja Malaysia agak besar

Posted:

KUALA LUMPUR 1 April - Malaysia dianggap antara negara yang mempunyai jurang hubungan majikan dan pekerja yang besar di dalam sesebuah organisasi, mengikut ukuran Power Distance. Power Distance dipopularkan...

Abdel Fattah pemusnah demokrasi

Posted:

KAHERAH 1 April - Pergerakan Islam Mesir, Ikhwanul Muslimin memberi amaran bahawa kemenangan bekas ketua tentera, Jeneral Abdel Fattah al-Sisi dalam pilihan raya Presiden Mei ini, akan menjerumuskan negara...

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Tiga maut serangan bermotifkan politik di Aceh

Posted:

BANDA ACEH 1 April - Seramai tiga orang awam termasuk seorang bayi maut apabila dua penunggang motosikal yang bersenjatakan pistol melepaskan tembakan rambang di tengah-tengah bandar Aceh, Indonesia, kata...

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Sambung solat lepas bunuh

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Johor Bahru: Seorang lelaki yang mengelar leher rakannya sehingga mati ketika sama-sama menunaikan solat Maghrib berjemaah di sebuah masjid di Tampoi, di sini, sempat mencuci tangan berlumuran darah sebelum masuk semula ke saf dan meneruskan sembahyang bagi mengelak perbuatannya dikesan.

Dalam kejadian jam 7.15 malam kelmarin, Ahmad Syukri Abu Bakar @ Mohamed, 41, ditemui dalam keadaan terbaring dan berlumuran darah di beranda masjid sebelum meninggal dunia beberapa minit kemudian.

Difahamkan, kedua-dua lelaki itu bekas pesakit mental di Hospital Permai, di sini, dan hanya mereka berdua berada di saf paling belakang ketika solat, menyebabkan apa yang berlaku tidak disedari jemaah lain.

Seorang saksi yang enggan nama disiarkan berkata, mangsa dan suspek mula bergaduh ketika menunaikan solat Asar dan pertelingkahan mereka turut disedari jemaah lain.

ISTERI mangsa mengiringi jenazah suaminya ketika dibawa ke Kuantan, Pahang untuk dikebumikan.

MASJID tempat kejadian lelaki dibunuh ketika solat Maghrib berjemaah.

"Bagaimanapun, kami tidak menyangka ia berlarutan sehingga ke waktu solat Maghrib dan akhirnya menyebabkan kematian seorang daripada mereka," katanya yang turut menunaikan solat Asar dan Maghrib berjemaah bersama suspek serta mangsa, sebelum kejadian.

Dapatkan akhbar Harian Metro untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/04/02

Tiada perkara mustahil

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 11:43 AM PDT

Kuala Lumpur: Harapan untuk mengesan kotak hitam penerbangan MH370 di Lautan Hindi tetap ada walaupun sesetengah pihak termasuk saintis laut dalam berpendapat ia seolah-olah mustahil.

Pakar Ukur Hidrografi dan Pemetaan Dasar Laut, Fakulti Geoinformasi dan Harta Tanah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Prof Dr Mohd Razali Mahmud berkata, peluang untuk menemui kotak hitam itu tetap ada dengan syarat serpihan atau objek milik MH370 ditemui.

Menurutnya, langkah paling penting sekarang ialah mengecilkan kawasan pencarian, sekali gus membantu usaha melakukan imbasan dasar laut.

"Untuk mengecilkan kawasan pencarian, serpihan atau objek dicerap satelit sebelum ini perlu ditemui dan disahkan milik MH370.

PEGAWAI Pemerintah kapal KD Lekiu Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) Komander Jamsari Tahir (tengah) meninjau bilik kawalan pusat teknikal di pangkalan HMAS Stirling Rockingham, Australia, semalam.

"Walaupun jangka hayat bateri kotak hitam berakhir, kita masih mempunyai harapan jika objek atau serpihan ditemui disahkan sebahagian daripada MH370," katanya yang dihubungi semalam.

Dapatkan akhbar Harian Metro untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/04/02

Peragut panik dalam lubang

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 11:29 AM PDT

Kuala Lumpur: "Tolong selamatkan saya." Itu jeritan lelaki berusia 28 tahun selepas terperangkap dalam lubang di Sungai Klang berhampiran Pasar Seni di sini, semalam.

Dalam kejadian jam 12.15 tengah hari, lelaki berasal dari Pekan, Pahang itu dilaporkan terjun ke dalam sungai berkenaan untuk bersembunyi apabila dikejar orang ramai selepas meragut beg tangan milik seorang wanita berusia 35 tahun juga kakitangan sebuah bank di kawasan berkenaan.

Menurut sumber, suspek menjerit meminta pertolongan daripada mangsa dan beberapa orang awam lain bagi membantu mengeluarkannya daripada lubang berkenaan selepas kakinya tersangkut. Suspek dilaporkan panik apabila air sungai berkenaan tiba-tiba naik mendadak.

"Mangsa yang bersimpati dengan nasib penjenayah terbabit segera menghubungi polis dan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) sebelum usaha mengeluarkan lelaki terbabit dilakukan. Usaha mengeluarkannya mengambil masa sejam sebelum lelaki terbabit terus ditahan polis," katanya.

SUSPEK dibawa keluar dari dalam lubang di Sungai Klang berhampiran Pasar Seni.

Ketua Polis Daerah Dang Wangi Asisten Komisioner Zainuddin Ahmad ketika dihubungi berkata, kejadian berlaku apabila suspek meragut beg tangan mangsa yang berjalan bersama rakan di Lebuh Pasar Besar, di sini.

Dapatkan akhbar Harian Metro untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/04/02

Terjunan Nazreen berbaloi

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 10:05 AM PDT

Petaling Jaya: Persatuan Penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM) semalam mengumumkan penerjun sensasi remaja Mohd Nazreen Abdullah dan Persatuan Renang Amatur Malaysia (ASUM) sebagai pemenang anugerah 'Atlet Muda' dan 'Pasukan Paling Dinamik' 2013.

Penerjun berusia 16 tahun dari Kuala lumpur itu mencipta nama di Sukan SEA Myanmar pada Disember lalu apabila meraih dua pingat emas acara 10 meter individu dan seirama, berpasangan dengan Ooi Tze Liang.

Nazreen membuat kejutan besar dalam sukan itu dengan menampilkan persembahan jitu di peringkat antarabangsa, termasuk menduduki tempat kesembilan Kejohanan Remaja Dunia di Adelaide dua tahun lalu. Dia juga bersaing di Piala Terjun Asia di Singapura, Sukan Remaja Asia (Nanjing) dan Festival Remaja Olimpik (Sydney).

Nazreen akan menerima anugerah itu ketika Atlet Tahunan 2013 dalam majlis di Petaling Jaya Hilton esok. Acara itu akan disempurnakan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar.

MOHD Nazreen (kanan) penerima anugerah 'Atlet Muda'.

Sumbangan akuatik kepada negara dalam melahirkan atlet bertaraf dunia turut menyaksikan menyebabkan ASUM dianugerahkan Persatuan Paling Dinamik 2013.

Dapatkan akhbar Harian Metro untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/04/02

Rakam semula lagu Hetty Koes Endang

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 07:24 AM PDT

Pengacara, pelakon serta penyanyi Iesya Toh mengakui namanya lebih dikenali di Singapura berbanding negara sendiri.

Malah, kata pemilik nama sebenar Nor Iesyatirradiah Sanny Toh ini, bukan saja album pertamanya mendapat sambutan, dia juga tidak menang tangan memenuhi undangan persembahan di Singapura hingga sekarang.

Menurut penyanyi berdarah kacukan Thailand, Cina, Arab dan Melayu berusia 30 tahun ini, album pertamanya berjudul Impian juga mendapat sambutan daripada peminatnya di Singapura sebelum ini.

Album mini yang mempertaruhkan lagu Semanis Janji juga menjadi lagu tema drama bersiri tempatan.

Secara peribadi, kata penyanyi kelahiran Johor Bahru ini, dia berasa bangga kerana bakat seninya dihargai orang luar.

Dapatkan akhbar Harian Metro untuk berita selanjutnya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2014/04/02

Volkswagen applies to set up first Thai auto unit

Volkswagen applies to set up first Thai auto unit
Asian shares quietly encouraged by Wall Street record
Powerful quake hits Chile, tsunami warning, officials say
Automakers score US sales gains in March
Kirchner to be godmother of lesbian couple’s daughter
Euro boosted by Yellen speech, yen sinks on small Tankan gain

Volkswagen applies to set up first Thai auto unit

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:50 PM PDT

Volkswagen is seeking to participate in a Thai government programme offering tax exemptions for automakers investing at least THB6.5 billion in local manufacturing. — Reuters picBANGALORE, April 2 — German carmaker Volkswagen AG has applied to set up its first plant in Thailand to help narrow the gap with Toyota Motor Corp, Bloomberg reported late Tuesday citing people familiar with the matter.

The manufacturer is seeking to participate in a government programme offering tax exemptions for automakers investing at least THB6.5 billion (US$652.7 million) in local manufacturing.

Carmakers had until March 31 to apply for the programme which includes vehicle assembly, components and engine production, according to a ministry statement from October.

People told Bloomberg that Volkswagen has not made a final decision on producing vehicles in Thailand as the exact terms and conditions may still change.

Volkswagen could not be reached for a comment outside of normal business hours.

Volkswagen sees a "strong market opportunity" in southeast Asia, Hans Dieter Poetsch, chief financial officer of the multinational automaker said in a presentation published on the company's website last week. — AFP

Asian shares quietly encouraged by Wall Street record

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:41 PM PDT

SYDNEY, April 2 — Asian share markets were looking to extend their recent rally on Wednesday as investors chose to accentuate the positive in a mixed bag of global economic data, pressuring safe havens such as the yen and government bonds.

Even sluggishness in China is now considered favourably since it adds to the case for stimulus, and there are signs Beijing is hastening infrastructure spending in response.

In early action, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan crept up to a fresh four-month high, while Australia's market added 0.2 per cent.

Nikkei futures pointed to an opening rise of perhaps 0.5 per cent.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 ended Tuesday up 0.70 per cent and just off a record intraday high. The Dow rose 0.46 per cent, while the Nasdaq bounced 1.64 per cent.

The FTSEurofirst 300 added 0.56 per cent, helped by merger activity and improving French factory data. MSCI's world stocks gauge was up 0.6 percent.

The US economic news was generally supportive of risk appetite. The manufacturing ISM climbed to 53.7 in March, from 53.2, with production showing a marked expansion from weather-induced weakness in February.

Likewise, new vehicles sales rose to a surprisingly brisk 16.4 million annualised in March, ending three months of softness and supporting the view that demand is recovering now that the worst of the winter weather has passed.

The arrival of Spring is also why the market is wagering the US payrolls report on Friday will show employment picked up to 200,000 in March.

The brighter tone in the data pressured the long-end of the US Treasury curve, where yields on 10- and 30-year paper rose around 4 basis points.

Shorter-dated debt fared better in the wake of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's comment that extraordinary stimulus would be needed for some time to come.

Will they, won't they?

Investors have also been speculating that the European Central Bank would soon take further steps to loosen policy, though officials are blowing hot and cold on the issue.

On Tuesday, ECB vice-president Vitor Constancio told a news conference that low inflation was a concern and could drag on economic growth. Euro zone inflation slowed to an annual 0.5 per cent in March, its lowest since November 2009.

But Constancio then went on to deny any risk of deflation, saying inflation was set to pick up. That was taken as diminishing the chance of an easing at the ECB's policy meeting on Thursday and gave the euro a modest lift.

A Reuters poll of 22 euro money market traders found 18 expected no change in the 0.25 per cent main refinancing rate.

The single currency was steady at US$1.3795 (RM4.50) on Wednesday, having edged up for a third straight session on Tuesday. It also gained on a broadly softer yen to reach 142.93, while the dollar was up at ¥ 103.62 (RM3.26) and near a three-week top.

Among commodities, Brent crude was quoted at US$105.62 a barrel having shed over 2 per cent overnight on the possibility of a jump in supplies from Libya after rebels blocking eastern oil ports hinted at a deal with Tripoli.

US crude was off 9 cents at US$99.63 a barrel in early trade, after also losing around 2 per cent to expectations for a build in domestic inventories.

Spot gold was sulking at US$1,280.36 an ounce, having touched a seven-week low of US$1,277.29 on Tuesday. — AFP

Powerful quake hits Chile, tsunami warning, officials say

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:39 PM PDT

Locals stand in the street following a tsunami alert after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast, on April 1, 2014 in Iquique. — AFP picSANTIAGO, April 2 — A powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast on Tuesday, sparking a tsunami warning for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, US officials said.

The quake struck at 846 pm local time (2346 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), 83 kilometres from Iquique on Chile's northern coast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning.

Chilean authorities also issued a tsunami alert after the quake, which they registered at 7.9.

Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and a large earthquake has long been expected in the north of the country.

In February 2010, central and southern Chile were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8-magnitude followed by a tsunami that devastated dozens of towns.

The quake left more than 500 dead and US$30 billion (RM97.9 billion) in damage to infrastructure. — AFP

Automakers score US sales gains in March

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:33 PM PDT

A total 1.54 million vehicles were sold in the United States in March, an increase of 5.7 per cent from March 2013, according to industry specialist Autodata. — Reuters picWASHINGTON, April 2 — Automakers on Tuesday reported US sales gains in March, pointing to a spring rebound from weakness in the prior two months that were hammered by severe winter weather.

A total 1.54 million vehicles were sold in the United States in March, an increase of 5.7 per cent from March 2013, according to industry specialist Autodata.

General Motors, the largest US automaker, said total sales rose 4.0 per cent in March from a year ago, to 256,047 vehicles.

GM retail sales were up 7.0 per cent in March, offsetting a 5.0 per cent drop in fleet sales that was due to a planned reduction in deliveries.

Kurt McNeil, GM's US vice president of sales operations, was upbeat about pent-up demand from consumers after the brutal winter that gripped large areas of the country.

"We expect to see solid economic growth in the months ahead, with the job market, household income and consumer spending all showing positive signs," McNeil said in the sales report, which was delayed for several hours due to a computer systems problem.

The report came as GM chief executive Mary Barra testified to Congress in a hearing over why the company ignored a faulty ignition problem for a decade despite numerous accident reports and 13 deaths.

Analysts have speculated the trouble could cost the company billions of dollars in penalties and damages, in addition to the costly vehicle recalls.

Ford, the number-two US automaker, said total sales in its home market rose 3.0 per cent in March year-over-year, to 244,167 vehicles.

"March sales turned noticeably higher mid-month and finished strong," said John Felice, Ford vice president, US marketing, sales and service.

Heading into selling season

Ryan Brinkman of JPMorgan said that Ford's pickup in sales was "an encouraging sign for the industry as we head into the spring selling season."

Chrysler, which was fully acquired by Italy's Fiat in January, posted a robust 13 per cent year-over-year increase in US March sales to 193,915 units.

The unit of Milan-based Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has clocked in 48 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains in the United States.

"We are entering the spring selling season on a high note as our Jeep and Fiat brands recorded their best sales months ever," said Reid Bigland, head of US sales.

Fiat brand sales leaped 24 per cent in March, the best sales month since the Italian auto brand returned to the US market in 2011.

Japanese giant Toyota sold 215,348 units, an increase of 8.9 per cent from a year ago.

The world's leading automaker said that March capped a first-quarter sales gain despite an unusually harsh winter.

"Toyota dealers had their two best sales weekends of the year late in the month, and we're optimistic that momentum will spring us in into April," said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president.

Japanese rival Nissan said US sales jumped 8.3 per cent to 149,136 vehicles, its best month ever.

Honda said March sales fell 2.0 per cent from a year ago, to 133,318 vehicles.

South Korea's Hyundai reported a 1.9 per cent fall in sales, to 67,005 units.

Germany's Volkswagen sold 36,717 units, down 2.6 per cent from March 2012. — AFP

Kirchner to be godmother of lesbian couple’s daughter

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:29 PM PDT

Pope Francis talks to Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during a private audience at the Vatican, March 17, 2014. — Reuters picBUENOS AIRES, April 2 — Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner has agreed to be godmother to the baby daughter of a lesbian couple, one of the mothers told AFP yesterday.

The couple said they asked the president — a mother of two herself — over Facebook.

"Cristina has agreed to be godmother. What a great gesture! I hope she can come to the (baptism) ceremony and does not send a representative. It's a dream come true for us," Karina Villaroel said from Cordoba, 700 kilometres (450 miles) north of Buenos Aires.

The office for the centre-leftist president, who pushed same-sex marriage legislation which was approved in 2010, has not confirmed if Kirchner will attend the baptism — believed to be the first time that a child of an Argentine lesbian couple has been baptised.

Villaroel's partner, Soledad Ortiz, underwent in-vitro fertilisation and Umma Azul was born on January 27.

"We come from Catholic families but do not go to church often ourselves," said Villaroel. "We want to baptise her and then the baby can decide what she wants to do, and follow her own heart."

About 75 per cent of Argentines are Roman Catholic.

Argentina in July 2010 became the first Latin American country to legalise same-sex marriage. Homosexual couples can also adopt.

Argentine-born Pope Francis opposed same-sex marriage when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. But at the time he criticised clergy for not baptisng the children of single mothers and gay people. — AFP

Euro boosted by Yellen speech, yen sinks on small Tankan gain

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 05:26 PM PDT

Janet Yellen's maiden speech as Federal Reserve chair on Monday emphasised on the need to bring down unemployment significantly, reinforcing expectations that the federal funds interest rate would not begin rising until late next year. — Reuters picNEW YORK, April 2 — The euro gained against the dollar Tuesday after a dovish speech by Fed chief Janet Yellen, while the yen fell on a disappointingly small rise in the Tankan business survey.

Yellen's maiden speech as Federal Reserve chair on Monday, with its strong emphasis on the need to bring down unemployment significantly, reinforced expectations that the federal funds interest rate would not begin rising until late next year.

That put a sell sign on the greenback, which was backed up by some improved manufacturing data from Europe.

At 2100 GMT, the euro was at US$1.3793 (RM4.50), compared to US$1.3772 late Monday. Earlier it jumped over the US$1.38 level.

"The talk is that this move was primarily fueled by stronger-than-anticipated economic data out of the (European) region as well as follow-through from dovish comments made by Yellen," said Jonathan Terela at Western Union Business Solutions.

The Markit Eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers index for March fell to 53.0 from February's 53.2, but for market-watchers it demonstrated that the regional economy is holding up.

The euro's move higher came two days before the European Central Bank reviews its policy, with the market dropping earlier expectations of a move to ease rates to address low inflation.

"Although there has been some talk around a potential rate cut in order to fight deflation, the market has all but priced this possibility out," said Terela.

The yen suffered after the quarterly Tankan index of sentiment at large manufacturers crept up to 17 from 16, less than expected and showing that Japanese businesses remain cautious about the future.

The closely watched survey pointed to tepid investment among major firms and slumping sentiment for the April-June quarter, possibly due to Japan's sales tax rise, which came into effect on Tuesday.

The dollar rose to ¥103.66 (RM3.26) from ¥103.22, while the euro traded at ¥142.98, compared to ¥142.15 late Monday.

The British pound slipped to US$1.6628 from US$1.6664, while the dollar fell to 0.8833 (RM0.03) Swiss franc from 0.8844. — AFP

Disbelief, outrage over water rationing

Disbelief, outrage over water rationing
India travel magazine honours Malaysia
PM: Subsidy savings to fund growth projects
6.7 million people face water cut
Old Malay manuscripts to 'return' home
'Prevention of Crime Act shows proof of govt zeal'

Disbelief, outrage over water rationing

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:01 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIANS reacted with a mixture of disbelief and outrage over the announcement that even more water cuts would be headed their way beginning this Friday.

Having been forced to change their lifestyles to weather the water crisis, residents and business owners alike were demanding that the authorities figure out a way to improve the situation fast.

"It's frustrating. We had to change our lifestyles to suit this never-ending rationing," said Shannon Selvaraju, 26, of Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar.

Her family, she said, had to take drastic measures, including using disposable underwear and sending clothes to the laundry, to limit water usage at home.

"We had to eat out more as the limited water we stored at home was for bathing and cleaning."

Her reaction came in light of yesterday's announcement by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) that, come Friday, the next phase of water rationing would be implemented.

This time, it would affect 6.7 million people in a continuation of the water crisis, which had plagued mostly Selangor residents since March 2.

The move will affect households in nine districts -- Gombak, Petaling, Klang / Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang. An additional 620,237 households in Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur will also face water cuts this Friday.

Helen Fernandez, a legal assistant from Segambut, said her family-of-three spent more on food delivery and mineral water.

She said it was annoying to be forced to be cautious about water usage.

"It's ridiculous and embarrassing when we have visitors and worry if they would want to use the toilet."

Salak South resident C.C. Tan said the water rationing would be acceptable if the authorities kept to the schedule.

"Unfortunately, our experience over the past month showed they don't always keep to the schedule, nor do they do it in a timely manner," said the 39-year-old.

Business owners were also being pushed to the brink. Kelly Wong, a hair salon operator in USJ6, Subang Jaya, predicted that her business would suffer drastically.

"Every aspect of my business needs water. I will have no choice but to limit my services to just haircuts. I don't see the point in storing water to wash hair because I would need the supply to come from a shower head.

"It won't be acceptable to use water scoops to wash my customers' hair. I need both warm and hot water to wash hair."

The Malaysian Employers Federation believed that if the crisis continued, it could lead to potential investors shying away from Malaysia in the long-run.

Its executive director, Shamsuddin Bardan, said it was ironic that an important utility like water repeatedly faced shortages as the nation moved forward towards a fully-developed status.

"Numerous large industries need constant water supply for their production and manufacturing needs. It would be not only inconvenient but costly for them to purchase water from other sources as it would drive up their overhead and operating costs."

He called on all quarters to look for alternate ways to harness the resources in the most efficient way possible. Otherwise, the water shortage could deter investors.

"All our efforts to woo them will be wasted." Additional reporting by Dawn Chan and Halim Said

Hair salon operator Kelly Wong, attending to a customer in her shop in Subang Jaya, says the water cut would affect her business. Pic by Nurul Shafina Jemenon

India travel magazine honours Malaysia

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT

02 April 2014| last updated at 12:45AM

Malaysia was named the best green destination for the second consecutive year, Langkawi was crowned runner-up as a honeymoon destination and the KL International Airport was declared a joint runner-up with Heathrow Airport in the best airport category.

"It is a regional recognition for Malaysia and we will continue to promote places like Taman Negara as well as Sabah and Sarawak," Tourism Malaysia director (Mumbai) P. Manoharam said.

Malaysia expects tourist arrivals from India to increase from 650,989 last year to between 780,000 and 800,000 this year. India is Malaysia's sixth largest source of visitors.

Manoharam said Langkawi was popular among Indian and South Asian travellers not only for honeymoon but also as a family destination.

"Langkawi is runner-up as a honeymoon destination after Maldives, which is a high achievement," he said after receiving the awards here.

The readers' poll was conducted through the magazine and online last year over five months.

The magazine's editor-in-chief, Payal Kohli, said the third edition of the India's Best Awards boasted the biggest number of winners as the competition was close in many categories, resulting in a number of joint winners and runners-up.

PM: Subsidy savings to fund growth projects

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said savings from subsidy rationalisation initiatives will be channelled to development programmes that benefit the people.

He said such gains would also be used for supplementary projects, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

"When the revenue base expands, many projects, including infrastructure development, can be implemented. The government is committed to carrying on with subsidy rationalisation to boost the economy."

Speaking at Dewan Rakyat, Najib said the annual development allocation was now RM46 billion, while subsidies had reached RM43.3 billion.

He said such figures showed it was clearly an inequitable budget and this could not continue.

"As such, it is only proper for the government to implement sustainable subsidy rationalisation," he said, adding subsidy rationalisation would ensure only targeted groups enjoyed subsidies while leakages were reduced.

Najib, who is also finance minister, was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin), who wanted to know whether the government would continue with its subsidy rationalisation and what measures had been taken to that effect.

Najib said subsidies given before the rationalisation were offered in bulk and this had led to much wastage and leakage, with the high-income group benefiting more than low-income and lower middle-income groups. As such, he said, the government now gave subsidies targeted at needy groups, such as the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), and was looking to improve this.

To a question from Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong), Najib said in implementing subsidy rationalisation, the government must ensure consolidation of the social safety net so that the low-income group did not feel the pressure from the higher expenses they faced.

Najib said part of the savings from subsidy rationalisation would be used for the social safety net to improve economic growth and ensure the people's wellbeing.

He added that part of the savings would be used to finance development that could raise the national productive capacity, such as infrastructure development including rural and urban roads, hospitals and housing.

The savings would also enable the government to build more schools and educational institutions and provide training for human capital development, he said.

Najib added that many countries had opted to undertake drastic measures to reduce their fiscal deficits, but Malaysia would take the gradual approach in managing its fiscal deficit for sustainable economic growth.

He said subsidy rationalisation was necessary as subsidy expenditure was increasing because of rising price of world crude oil and an increase in the number of vehicles.

Citing an example, he said, in 2010, the government spent RM23.1 billion or 15 per cent of the operating expenditure to finance subsidies, aid and incentives.

"Last year, after three years, the amount rose to RM43.4 billion or 21 per cent of operating expenditure. Too large a subsidy will undermine the country's financial position and render it not sustainable for the long term."

As such, Najib said, fiscal reform was important to strengthen the financial position and ensure that the targeted fiscal deficit remained at 3.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year and three per cent next year and a balanced budget was achieved in 2020.

Najib said the government was committed to ensuring that the national debt did not exceed 55 per cent of GDP.

"Subsidy rationalisation has been implemented with care to ensure minimum burden on the people, particularly those in the low-income and lower middle-income groups.

"It also took into account various aspects, including the rate of inflation, cost of living and global economic position as well as the target mechanism."

Najib said that overall subsidy rationalisation and direct aid reflected the government's serious intent to implement reforms to ensure that the country achieved a high-income developed nation status and the people enjoyed a better quality of life.

6.7 million people face water cut

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT

In a desperate bid to manage its dwindling water reserves, the Selangor government has further slashed the volume of water released from the Sungai Selangor dam by an additional 500 million litres daily.

This is in addition to its previous reduction of also 500 million litres daily, effectively bringing the total reduction to a billion litres daily since the water crisis began on March 2.

Unveiling the next phase of water rationing yesterday, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) said the move is expected to affect 6.7 million people in nine districts - Gombak, Petaling, Klang / Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang.

Also not spared were 620,237 households in Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, who would also face water rationing.

SPAN chairman Datuk Ismail Kassim described the situation as "critical" and said the next phase of rationing was necessary.

The Sungai Selangor dam, he said, provides 60 per cent of the Klang Valley's water source.

"Given the present situation, the Selangor government had no choice but to reduce the water output from the Sungai Selangor dam.

"If the dam's water levels are not carefully maintained, its reserves will deplete and its impact on Selangor, the Federal Territory and Putrajaya will be severe," he told a press conference at SPAN headquarters here, yesterday.

Ismail said the recent rainfall had not improved the situation at the seven dams - Sungai Selangor, Sungai Tinggi, Sungai Semenyih, Sungai Langat, Klang Gates, Tasik Subang and Sungai Batu, which supply water to treatment plants in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

"Although it has been raining in Klang valley since March 16, the amount of rainfall is still low. Aside from that, the rainfall this year is lower, coupled with the increased production of treated water compared to the previous years.

"Despite the rainfall, water levels have only increased slightly in the dams. The rain did not fall in the required catchment areas," he said, adding that this has prompted the authorities to implement the next phase of rationing.

Ismail said the next phase of rationing for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya residents will begin at 9am this Friday until April 30.

The areas would be divided into four zones and water supply would be provided based on the the two-days on, two-days off system.

Consumers can refer to the distribution table provided in the SPAN website (www.span.gov.my) to identify their respective areas.

On days when areas are scheduled to receive water, supply would begin at 4pm. After the two day period, water would then be cut off at 9am.

"Some places such as high areas or areas at the end of the distribution system would receive their supply three to four hours late," he said.

Ismail said water rationing will continue until the end of the month, unless the situation improves.

Meanwhile, the scheduled water distribution in Taiping, Perak and its surrounding areas will start on Thursday (April 3).

Ismail said SPAN had approved the application by the Perak Water Board to carry out the programme involving 27,982 accounts following the drop in water level at the Taiping Headworks water treatment plant.

Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd would also proceed with the scheduled water distribution in Mersing as the water level at the Congok dam was at 4.22 metres, below the critical level of 4.50 metres. He said the schedule would be reimplemented at the Lok Heng and Waha Felda settlements, and other areas in Sedili, Johor.

A woman huddles under a plastic sheet during a downpour in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Despite the rain, the water level at Sungai Selangor Dam has not improved. Pix by Asyraf Hamzah and Mohd Fadli Hamzah

Old Malay manuscripts to 'return' home

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT

02 April 2014| last updated at 12:15AM

By HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN | shamira@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: THE National Heritage Foundation is collaborating with Leiden University in the Netherlands to identify Malay relics in the university's collection which will be brought back to Malaysia in digital form.

Social and Cultural Affairs Adviser to the Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said there were no fewer than 14,000 old Malay manuscript titles, in addition to old photographs in digital form, at the university, which were related to Malaysia's colonial era.

"Among the relics at the university are old Malay manuscripts in the form of writings, religious texts, literature, letters, material and other relevant documents related to the daily life of an earlier society.

"Some of the research documents at Leiden University are related to adat pepatih, adat Temenggong, the history of the Malay rulers and Misa Melayu manuscripts," said Rais, in a statement issued from Amsterdam in the course of his working visit to the Netherlands, beginning yesterday.

He had earlier attended a briefing at Leiden University's library. The university was established in 1575.

Rais, who is also the founder of National Heritage Foundation, said the historic documents from the Dutch varsity would be duplicated digitally so they could become a source of research for local institutions that were interested in heritage.

"The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) also plans to forge a collaboration with Leiden University in the field of old Malay studies, research on knowledge development as well as the spread of Islam in the Nusantara region," said Rais, who is also President of IIUM.

Rais' working visit schedule included a visit to the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, a research body related to knowledge and expertise in international and cultural cooperation.

Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim says the historical documents from Leiden University, the Netherlands, will be duplicated digitally.

'Prevention of Crime Act shows proof of govt zeal'

Posted: 01 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Act 2013 (PCA), which came into force today, is reflective of the government's commitment to fight organised and serious crime.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the fight against organised and serious crime, which had now been extended to Sabah and Sarawak, would see more effective action by the police.

He called on the authorities to ensure that it was justly implemented in the interest of ensuring law and order in the country while taking into account elements of human rights.

The passage of the amendments in Parliament last October and its enforcement were in response to the public's concern and their desire in wanting to see more effective action to combat crime, Lee said.

The act will, among others, see:

Formation of a Prevention of Crime Board consisting of members appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who, after considering the report by the inquiry officer, can detain a person for up to two or more years under Section 19A;

Board members under Section 7B and 7C will consist of a chairman, who is a qualified judge or former judge or is still a judge, and two other members, serving for two years and not more than two terms;

Members will determine whether to issue a detention order under Section 19A in the interest of public order, public security or prevention of crime or a supervision order under Section 15 of the act;

There shall be no judicial review in any court of, and no court shall have or exercise any jurisdiction in respect of, any act done or finding or decision made by the board;

The Sessions Court judge shall order the person to be attached with an electronic monitoring device for a period as determined by the judge;

Section 9A allows access by the inquiry officer to detainees or prisoners, whom he has reason to believe to be connected to or has any evidence of any offence whether detained under any other written law or in prison;

Under this Section, no representatives of the subject or advocate are authorised to be present at the place of detention; and

Another new Section 21A states the board or any member of the board or any inquiry officer are not required to disclose any information which they feel might be against public interest or could compromise the protection of a witness or those related.

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, an expert on constitutional law, said unlike the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), the detention order under the PCA does not lie solely on the shoulder of the home minister but on the board members.

"The PCA Board, consisting of qualified members, are the ones who will carry out the detention orders. It is an improvement because the order isn't solely on the discretion of just one single person.

"But from the human rights point of view, it is disappointing that the jurisdiction of the court isn't there as justice comes under an administration."

He added that people would have to wait and observe the enforcement of the PCA for its intended purpose of tackling hardcore criminals and masterminds.

Former Bar Council president K. Ragunath said detention would be carried out under the administrative appointment of the board instead of a judicial capacity.

He said the order to detain would not be made by a court of law and without going through the Penal Code.

"There won't be anymore court process to detain people, so this can be abused by certain parties to have people arrested just like the ISA.

"The government has given the same assurance with the PCA as it did with the ISA but how can we be sure since there isn't a judicial process."