New Straits Times articles from August 2001

New Straits Times archives from August 2001

RTD to curb fraud with tech initiatives (HL).
August 31, 2001... THE Road Transport Department (RTD) is allocating RM45 million on information and communications technology (ICT) initiatives during the Eighth Malaysia Plan period. Its director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Shahar Sidek said the initiatives...

Optimistic outlook for B2B e-commerce market.
August 31, 2001... THE future looks good for the business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) segment in Malaysia despite the overall negative sentiment linked to the Internet. IDC Market Research (M) Sdn Bhd's analyst Linus Lai said...

SAP targets SME market.
August 31, 2001... SAP Malaysia Sdn Bhd aims to make more inroads into the local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under its electronic business (e-business) initiatives on the mySAP. com platform. To do that, the company has established a...

TMTouch awards messaging contract to Logica.
August 31, 2001... TELEKOM Cellular Sdn Bhd, operator of the TMTouch cellular service, has signed a messaging platform contract with Logica. The contract is to upgrade TMTouch's existing Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) infrastructure to Logica's latest...

Value-i-Store in services push.
August 31, 2001... E-COMMERCE and systems solutions provider Value-i-Store Sdn Bhd hopes to record RM7 million in turnover by year-end. Its chief executive officer Leng Kean Meng said the company is banking on its Web-hosting service under the iRepublics.com...

Mimos extends registration for @my2001.
August 31, 2001... MIMOS Berhad has extended the nomination for the @my2001 Malaysia Internet Awards to Sept 30 following requests from Internet players who are in the midst of revamping or updating their Web sites and contents. The event recognises the...

Low security awareness among SMEs.
August 31, 2001... THE level of awareness pertaining to electronic business (e-business) security among many businesses, especially small and mediums-sized enterprises (SMEs), is still low compared to those in the finance, securities and insurance industries....

ICH Comm invests in product research.
August 31, 2001... ICH Comm Sdn Bhd is investing significantly in product research and development for the current fiscal year as part of the commitment to its newly-acquired Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status. The company's chief executive officer...

Enhancing credit card security online.
August 31, 2001... MOST Malaysians will come up with Amazon.com when asked to name an electronic commerce (e-commerce) Web site. Few would be able to name a Malaysian e-commerce site. So much for e-commerce in Malaysia. In a way, we are lucky to have...

For face-to-face chat over the Net.
August 31, 2001... CHATDEBOX (video-conferencing utilities) Publisher: Remote Vision Pte Ltd Enquiries: SysCom (M) Sdn Bhd (Tel: 03-7036468) Price: RM438 GOOD news for Internet chatters. You are now able to see the person you are chatting with over the...

Celebrating the iMac computer.
August 31, 2001... CONTEMPORARY digital technology has penetrated almost every fold of the human society, no matter how remote, thanks to its ability to offer new solutions to many old problems at a low cost. And that includes even the abode of monks high in...

AMD announces one-gigahertz Duron chip.
August 31, 2001... TO mark the second anniversary of the AMD Athlon processor, Advanced Micro Devices has announced the one-gigahertz (GHz) Duron processor for desktop computers. The new enhanced processor, which supports the upcoming Microsoft Windows XP...

Confused over on-board display systems.
August 31, 2001... Q: According to Intel, all its i810 on-board display systems have 11 megabytes of display random access memory (RAM). But on the PC Partner's Web site, it says that I have only 4MB. Which is true? A: Both are, depending on how you look at...

Creative's new line of PC cameras.
August 31, 2001... CREATIVE Technology Ltd has introduced a line of PC (personal computer) cameras with a new form factor and features. Available in Asia at US$149.99, the PC-CAM is the first in this new line of compact portable digital cameras that connect to...

Into the thick of action.
August 31, 2001... Title: Green Berets Publisher: Take 2 Interactive Availability: Ebgames.com Price: US$19.90 (RM76) (excluding handling and shipping) THERE is something about the Vietnam War that scarred the American psyche so deeply that it shows. And it...

Tailored business solution for SMBs.
August 31, 2001... SMALL and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) usually face problems in choosing a business solution that meets their needs. It is common for such companies would have to buy packaged solutions and get accustomed to them. Aware of this, Compaq...

New PDA-cum-mobile phone.
August 31, 2001... WHAT is a similarity between the Nokia Communicator and Motorola Accompli? Both are mobile phones with personal digital assistant (PDA) functions. However, both phones give more emphasis to the phone features rather than the PDA's....

AutoCAD 2002 with intelligent features.
August 31, 2001... THE latest AutoCAD 2002 comes with a set of features that reflect Autodesk Inc's focus on creation, collaboration and commerce. According to the company, the new release is the most powerful computer-aided design (CAD) version and has a...

Cultivating open computing in e-business.
August 31, 2001... OPEN and standard-based computing is the way to go in the electronic business (e-business) frontier. According to IBM Software Group's senior vice president and group executive Steve Mills, such a platform fits in better in the new...

Using the Internet for a fruitful venture.
August 31, 2001... LAST year during a missionary trip to India, Spencer Wing of the well- known Spencer Azizul Advertising agency discovered a taste for Indian and Pakistani mangoes. What he also discovered as he continued to travel to other countries such...

Selangor to curb crime with more RT sectors.
August 31, 2001... THE Selangor Government will establish more Rukun Tetangga sectors to help curb crime and promote co-operation and integration among residents in housing estates. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said in view of the shortage...

Pay-n-display company rapped for poor services.
August 31, 2001... THE Selayang Municipal Council has taken to task pay and display parking system company Suasa Efektif (M) Sdn Bhd for providing unsatisfactory services. The issue was discussed during the council's monthly fullboard meeting recently. ...

Stylish reception for SEA Games Torch Run squad welcome.
August 31, 2001... SINGGAHSANA Hotel in Petaling Jaya welcomed Kuala Lumpur SEA Games Torch Run participants with a traditional Malay wedding reception upon their arrival at the hotel premises recently. The torch was handed over to a new team of runners at...

Highway of Merdeka fun.
August 31, 2001... THERE they were shouting and plastering cars with flags. But it was all done in the right spirit - to celebrate National Day. Organised by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Berhad, the Merdeka Carnival at the Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge...

Private school donates RM1,000 to group.
August 31, 2001... SEKOLAH Sri Garden recently donated RM1,000 to the Dyslexic Association of the Federal Territory and Selangor. Sri Garden principal Lim Chong Guan handed a cheque for the amount to Sariah Amirin, the president of the association, at a...

Engineering student wins scholarship award.
August 31, 2001... STUDYING hard and smart had paid off for Chay Yuen Meng who was awarded the KDU-Standard Chartered Bank Merit Scholarship Award at Kolej Damansara Utama's sixth graduation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently. Chay, 24, who is pursuing a...

Agents raise RM50,000 for heart fund.
August 31, 2001... AMERICAN International Assurance agents have raised RM50,000 for a fund for needy children waiting to undergo open-heart surgery in the country. Their contribution for the "AIA Have-A-Heart Fund" was raised from the collection of RM1...

New sports line from Oris.
August 31, 2001... MUCH like Formula One, steel and rubber are the quintessential elements of the new TT1 sports line from Swiss watchmaker, Oris. For these mechanical TT1 watches, a special top ring with vulcanised rubber surface was developed, providing a...

Saying prayers for unity.
August 31, 2001... THE Bahai Community of Kuala Lumpur organised a prayer service in conjunction with National Day celebrations at the Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur last Sunday. About 300 Bahais and guests from all walks of life and those representing various...

New Year Eve promotion.
August 31, 2001... CELEBRATE the coming New Year's Eve at Ascott Kuala Lumpur and take advantage of its attractive promotional packages. For a four-day/three-night stay, the promotion rates start from RM780++ for a one-bedroom Deluxe to RM1,500++ for a...

Eden's special deals.
August 31, 2001... EDEN Garden Hotel Johor Baru has come up with a special room package to commemorate the country's 44th National Day and the XXI SEA Games next month. The Merdeka package is valid until tomorrow while the SEA Games package takes effect...

Triple joy at Mid Valley mall 'Let's Celebrate' attraction.
August 31, 2001... IT was a very colourful celebration at the Mid Valley Megamall when the three-in-one fair themed "Lets Celebrate", incorporating the forthcoming Merdeka Day, the nationwide Mega Sales and the XXI Sea Games, was launched. Organised by the...

Treat for seniors.
August 31, 2001... FERRINGHI Beach Hotel in Penang will be offering 50 per cent discount from the normal RM28 nett for the Merdeka buffet lunch to senior citizens and children below 12, To enjoy the offer, make reservations two days in advance by calling...

Buffet deals at Bistro.
August 31, 2001... BISTRO Coffee House at Park Avenue, Sungai Petani is offering "Merdeka Eve Buffet" and "Merdeka Hi-tea Buffet" in conjunction with the 44th Merdeka celebrations. The high tea buffet offers local delights such as gado-gado, bergedel ayam,...

Merdeka offers at Century Mahkota.
August 31, 2001... NATIONAL Day celebration will go into full swing at Malacca Century Mahkota Hotel tomorrow with freebies, promotions and contests. At Cafe Mahkota, high tea is free for Merdeka "babies" whose birthday falls on the day while senior...

Womad fest kicks off.
August 31, 2001... WOMAD Singapore is back. Experience an explosion of sights, sounds and taste at Fort Canning Park in Singapore during the four-day festival from today until Sunday. Organised by Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance) and the Womad...

A knight's heady quest.
August 31, 2001... WHEN writer, producer and director Brian Helgeland decided to make A Knight's Tale, a new Columbia Pictures movie set in the 14th century, he knew it had to stay fair to the period but feel contemporary. "For a movie to work, the...

Vidyasagar works his magic.
August 31, 2001... * POOVELLAM UN VAASAM - Vidyasagar/ Alai Osai Productions Sdn Bhd: Composer Vidyasagar, who did a neat job in his comeback album Dhill (released in June), repeats his magic through the six-song Poovellam Un Vaasam. Expectations are high...

Philips innovations.
August 31, 2001... EARLIER this month, consumer electronics giant Philips made a prominent contribution towards the future of TV, DVD and audio systems with the introduction of three breakthrough innovations, all of which are expected to boost the company's...

Seize the opportunities.
August 31, 2001... IN the days leading to the proclamation of Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957, lawyer Abdul Aziz Zain, who was then 35, was preparing for his trip home from England. He had trained as a special prosecutor at the office of the Director of Public...

The bitter war years.
August 31, 2001... WITH the rumblings of war, the British were recruiting young Malayans for its Volunteer Force. Abdul Aziz Zain had just joined the Kedah civil service as a "magistrate". While his immediate superior, the chief magistrate, was inducted as...

Proposal to set up a police station at KL Sentral Station.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A proposal to set up a police station at the Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station will be considered once the Kuala Lumpur International Airport rail service goes full steam. Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad executive...

Vehicle tampering scam.
August 31, 2001... SEREMBAN, Wed. - Police have detained a 50-year-old rubber factory owner believed to be involved with a syndicate that has been falsifying the registration and chassis numbers of lorries and tankers. The man was picked up in a raid at...

Lawyer's bid to cite Najib for contempt of court dismissed.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - The High Court today dismissed an application by lawyer Karpal Singh to cite Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak for contempt of court following his recent media statement on the Government's proposed tabling of...

RM2.5m daylight heist at watch dealer's shop.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - Three men, two armed with pistols, staged a daring daytime robbery at a watch dealer's outlet at Lot 10 in Jalan Sultan Ismail-Bukit Bintang, before fleeing with branded watches worth RM2.5 million. Dang Wangi police...

Penang not consulted on link-up sites.
August 31, 2001... PENANG, Wed. - The State Government was never consulted on the link-up sites for Penang's proposed RM2 billion second link, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahaya said today. "Prior to Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's...

Finding new dumpsite for waste.
August 31, 2001... KUANTAN, Wed. - The State Government today instructed the Bentong District Council and District Office to identify a site within the district to accommodate waste dumped in the landfill near Sungai Semantut, blamed for contaminating the...

Sime to send out Palmco offer documents soon.
August 31, 2001... SIME Darby Bhd will send out the offer documents for its voluntary general offer to acquire all the issued and paid-up shares and warrants of Palmco Holdings Bhd to the latter's shareholders within the next few weeks, group chief executive...

Malaysia faring better than Singapore in electronics slump.
August 31, 2001... GLOBAL economic analyst, JP Morgan reveals that Malaysia is faring better than Singapore in the current electronics slump despite a similar exposure to electronics. In its Asia Economic Viewpoints report dated Aug 20, the Singapore-based...

Companies on Silicon Island spell out Budget 'wish-list'.
August 31, 2001... FACED with consolidation, restructuring and other challenges to maintain their competitiveness, Silicon Island firms are looking forward to an investor-friendly Budget 2002 in October, amid attempts to ensure Penang's global competitiveness,...

Company posts RM1.13 billion group pre-tax profit.
August 31, 2001... SIME DARBY Bhd posted a group pre-tax profit of RM1.13 billion for the year ended June 30 2001, slightly above analysts' expectations of RM1 billion. Group chief executive Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Yaacob expressed satisfaction with the...

Intelek issues RM1b bonds.
August 31, 2001... A GOVERNMENT-backed company, Intelek Perkasa Bhd, yesterday issued bonds worth RM1.03 billion to buy additional shares in national carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd. The five-year zero coupon redeemable secured bonds were issued with a yield...

Bumiputera chamber to boost its membership.
August 31, 2001... THE Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) sees a crucial need to increase its membership in order to strengthen its position in the nation's economic arena. Deputy president Datuk Syed Amin Aljeffri said that of the 200,000...

Renong posts group pre-tax loss of RM145.51m.
August 31, 2001... RENONG Bhd posted a group pre-tax loss of RM145.51 million for the year ended June 30, 2001, just a year after it made a pre-tax profit of RM380.31 million. Turnover declined to RM339.49 million from RM499.81 million. Renong said that...

Lower pre-tax profit of RM621m achieved by RHB, RHB Capital.
August 31, 2001... RHB Capital Bhd and Rashid Hussain Bhd announced lower pre-tax profits of RM621.5 million and RM267.7 million respectively for the year ended June 30, 2001. The lower profits were due primarily to the higher provisions made by RHB Bank...

New township for automotive industry to be in Kelantan.
August 31, 2001... A NEW township dedicated to the manufacturing and trading of the automotive industry will be set up in Kelantan in view of the anticipated expansion in the industry following market liberalisation as a result of the Asean Free Trade Area in...

DRB-Hicom posts RM29m pre-tax profit in first quarter of 2001.
August 31, 2001... DRB-Hicom Holdings Bhd recorded an unaudited group pre-tax profit of RM29.21 million for the first quarter ended June 30, 2001. "The Malaysian economy is moderating in line with the slower global growth. Recognising this, the Government...

Sri Sutra Travel plans to expand nationwide soon despite small profit margin.
August 31, 2001... THE profit margin of a travel agency may be quite small but this does not stop Sri Sutra Travel Sdn Bhd from spreading its wings. From the present two offices in Kuala Lumpur, the firm wants to make its presence felt throughout the...

'Croatia a gateway for Malaysian products'.
August 31, 2001... DESPITE its small domestic market, Croatia is promoting itself as the gateway for Malaysian exports to the rest of Central and Eastern Europe, said Croatian Chamber of Economy president Nadan Vidosevic. "Croatia is at the centre of a...

Gateway to slash jobs worldwide.
August 31, 2001... PREVIOUSLY aggressive computer maker Gateway Inc is planning to slash a large portion of its international operations, closing almost all its overseas factories including one in Malaysia. The computer maker which has robustly captured the...

KLCI futures contracts settle softer.
August 31, 2001... THE Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) futures on Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed lower yesterday. A dealer said futures investors were uncertain of the cash market's direction in the immediate months. At the close, spot-month...

RM2m robbery: Police pick up five more Indons.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - Police detained five people last night in connection with what is believed to be the country's biggest household robbery, bringing to nine the number of arrests over the past 48 hours. City police chief Deputy...

The beauty of milk.
August 31, 2001... TALK about the goodness of milk, and everyone will automatically assume you're referring to how nutritious it is as a drink. But there is another side to it, as a beauty aid. Ancient Egyptians (we've all heard about Cleopatra's goat milk...

A spa-kling experience.
August 31, 2001... RUSHING to meet deadlines, stress at work as well as at home, can take its toll on us. Thus, visiting a spa can return the vigour and help us to de- stress. One such place is the Aromatique Spa at the Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Feringghi,...

Painting a harmonious future.
August 31, 2001... THE recent outbreak of violence in Kampung Medan, Kuala Lumpur threatened the peace and tranquillity of the nation and shocked everyone. After so many years of living in harmony, such an outbreak was certainly unexpected. It was this...

Lake Club turns 111 in style.
August 31, 2001... THE Royal Lake Club Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1890, organised a Founding Day Celebration Charity Event and Merdeka Exhibition in conjunction with its 111th anniversary recently. Guest-of-honour was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah...

Shedding light on smart living.
August 31, 2001... HEALTH is wealth. There is no truer saying than this, especially when one is ill. In line with this belief, the Ministry of Women and Family Development recently held a seminar on health and social issues in Kuala Lumpur as part of its...

Breukelen's Kojak looks promising.
August 31, 2001... JOHANN Breukelen-trained Kojak looks the pick of the two Class 1 newcomers entered for the Penang Turf Club's (PNTC) four-day Sprint Trophy meeting starting in Penang on Saturday. The five-year-old brown New Zealand gelding by Kreisler...

Landers loses appeal.
August 31, 2001... NEW Zealand trainer Nigel Landers failed in his appeal against a one-year disqualification imposed by the Stipendiary Stewards, which was heard by the Racing Stewards of the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) last Monday. He was charged under MRA...

Passes for foreign spouses (HL).
August 31, 2001... PETALING JAYA, Wed. - From next month, foreign men married to Malaysian women can stay longer in this country under the new immigration rulings. At the same time, foreign wives who are either estranged or divorced from Malaysian men will...

Skipper, eight crew members hurt as two tankers collide off Port Klang.
August 31, 2001... PORT KLANG, Wed. - Nine crew members of an oil tanker, including the captain, were injured when two oil tankers collided 11.5 nautical miles off Pintu Gedung here at 3.06am today. All the injured men, one seriously, were from a...

Dr M: Sarawak election likely to be held next month.
August 31, 2001... PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - The Sarawak election is likely to be held next month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today. However, no date had been fixed, he said. Dr Mahathir said Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib...

MCA Petaling Jaya Utara EGM called off after compromise.
August 31, 2001... PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - The MCA Petaling Jaya Utara extraordinary general meeting has been called off as the opposing factions came to a compromise after almost a month of public bickering. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is...

DTC fire report handed over to Bukit Aman.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - City police handed over their report on the Dewan Tunku Canselor fire to Bukit Aman yesterday. City police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Meor Che Hussein Mahayuddin said that the investigation team was led by...

Abdullah Ahmad appointed NSTP Group editor-in-chief.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad today announced the appointment of Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad as its Group Editor- in-Chief effective today. His appointment was announced in a statement released about 7pm....

Police nab Tabung Haji staff over fraud.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A Tabung Haji staff was arrested last night following a fraud case where RM7.725 million was siphoned from two personal accounts over the past month. It was learnt that the man in his 30s was detained in the Klang...

Papers to declare polls void filed.
August 31, 2001... KOTA KINABALU, Wed. - Defeated Parti Bersatu Sabah candidate Dr Chong Eng Leong today filed a petition seeking a court order to declare the election of Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Yong Teck Lee in the July 21 Likas State by-election null...

'People's loyalty ensured success'.
August 31, 2001... PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said Malaysia is prosperous and able to attain rapid development because of the people's loyalty and willingness to work together. The Prime Minister said the people realised they...

Abused two-year-old dies on the way to hospital.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A two-year-old toddler, believed to have been allegedly abused by his babysitter, died last night. The toddler was found to have a severed intestine. There were also old and new injuries on his back. The victim,...

Nanyang chief crime reporter found dead.
August 31, 2001... TAPAH, Wed. - Nanyang Siang Pau's chief crime reporter at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Lee Yat Leong, 42, was found dead in his car at Kuala Bikam near here today. Batang Padang district crime chief Assistant Superintendent Hasadid...

Two lucky students tell Dr Mahathir their aspirations for Malaysia.
August 31, 2001... PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - It isn't often that young people get a chance to tell the Prime Minister their aspirations for Malaysia, but two students did just that today. Johann Ghazaly, 15, and Pong Yu Ming, 16, won the opportunity to meet Datuk...

Putrajaya caught up in Merdeka spririt.
August 31, 2001... PUTRAJAYA, Wed. - The spirit of Merdeka spread to the country's administrative capital today when 19 organisations and schools presented giant Merdeka cards to the Prime Minister. Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Datuk Seri Dr...

DPM: We have to interfere.
August 31, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. - A little market intervention is necessary for the Government to play a role as the engineer of economic recovery, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tonight. The private sector was hit hard in...

Magnum and Minardi tie the knot for synergistic relationship.
August 31, 2001... EUROPEAN Minardi F1 have made an official announcement of Magnum Corporation Berhad's inclusion as a major sponsor of the team. The Kuala Lumpur-based company, whose primary business is operating four-digit numbers forecast betting, was...