New Straits Times articles from August 2008

New Straits Times archives from August 2008

Build on 'bonds that bind us'.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Sonia Ramachandran MALAYSIA has long prided itself on being a peaceful country, its citizens of different races and faiths coexisting harmoniously in tolerance and unity. Is this truly the case? There are slight problems but...

Speed Ranger springs a surprise.
August 31, 2008... SPEED Ranger, who last won two years ago, upset all calculations to score a comeback win in the RM63,000 Da Ma Cai Stakes for Class 2 sprinters over 1200m (Race 7) in Penang yesterday. Ridden a daring front-running race by apprentice Tai...

20 NS trainees in scuffle.
August 31, 2008... JOHOR BARU: A pebble-throwing incident resulted in a fist fight among 20 National Service trainees at Kem Desaru Gerak Khas in Kota Tinggi, near here last Thursday. Sixteen youths were in one group and four in another in the 7pm scuffle. They...

Different races, shared passions.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Sulaiman Jaafar; Ridzwan A. Rahim; Prasanna Raman THE assimilation of cultures is not only evident in the obvious scenarios of Malays eating thosai and chappati, Chinese eating nasi lemak and rendang and Indians savouring...

'Don't mortgage freedom to others'.
August 31, 2008... PEKAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday called on Malaysians to continue safeguarding the country's sovereignty that was achieved through independence 51 years ago. He said the independence gained in 1957 should not...

From one contractor to another.
August 31, 2008... FINANCIAL and employee problems as well as an inability to complete work did not prevent City Hall's procurement board when choosing a contractor to build the Datuk Keramat Market Complex. Even though these problems had been detected by...

Stop bad-mouthing one another and rally together.
August 31, 2008... KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA hopes that the 51st National Day celebrations today will mark a new era in unity and harmony in the country. In a statement yesterday, president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting expressed the hope that this milestone would...

'Hitman' strikes outside eatery.
August 31, 2008... SEREMBAN: The question of whether a paid killer is at work here has cropped up after a second person was shot dead execution-style on Friday. The 46-year-old was shot at point-blank range by a masked gunman outside a restaurant in Taman...

How was the X-ray contract awarded?
August 31, 2008... THE Health Ministry's purchase of three X-ray machines at a cost of RM33 million has raised questions on how the contract was awarded. Through direct negotiation with the Health Ministry, Syarikat Glotel Sdn Bhd was given the contract to...

Keglers need to polish up their act.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Ajitpal Singh THE Men's World Championships will be forever etched in the Malaysian bowlers' memory as an event where they slipped and fell over the long oil conditions at the SF Strike Bowl in Bangkok. No doubt, the bowlers...

Puspakom scandal may explain hike in road fatalities.
August 31, 2008... KUALA LUMPUR: Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said on Friday it was possible that faulty vehicles passed by Puspakom could have contributed to road accidents in the last five months. Commenting on the arrests of...

Community centres in state of disrepair.
August 31, 2008... CRACKED walls, leaky ceilings, sinking floors, collapsed fencing and a generally dirty and unkempt surrounding filled with undergrowth. These are the conditions of 10 out of 11 Community Development Department resource centres audited...

The Net is not in a legal vacuum.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Sonia Ramachandran THE Internet doesn't give you the licence to shoot your "dirty" mouth off and get away with it, experts tell SONIA RAMACHANDRAN. You have your very own blog, an online journal where you express your...

'Hello, hello, when is my bus coming?'.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Tan Cheng Yean GEORGE TOWN: From tomorrow, all commuters need to do is call 04-2381313 to know how long it would take for the next Rapid Penang bus to reach their stop. Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad...

Thai woes 'internal matter'.
August 31, 2008... PEKAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak hopes there would be a solution to the problem of anti-government protests in Thailand. He said as far as Malaysia is concerned, what is happening in the neighbouring country is its...

Unity takes centre stage.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Francis Dass DATUK FARIDAH MERICAN Theatre doyenne Datuk Faridah Merican, co-founder of The Actors Studio and manager of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, says the beauty of theatre is the mingling of people, writes...

Cuepacs can make an appeal, says Najib.
August 31, 2008... Byline: B. Suresh Ram PEKAN: Cuepacs should not be disheartened for not getting all its demands fulfilled in the Budget 2009 tabled on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said. He said the umbrella body representing...

How the crocodile fooled the pangolin.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Michael Sun NIGEL Thean captivated the audience with a mature and soulful rendition of the cello duet - Ernest Bloch's Prayer from Jewish Life - with Vivian Chua at the piano in Musical Jamboree 2008, the recent Malaysian...

Jeanne lauds move to help Thais.
August 31, 2008... IPOH: Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, lauded a Malaysian initiative to help south Thailand develop its human resource capital, especially among the youths. "Such programmes will...

Music that's right up your Alley.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Hafidah Samat ALLEYCATS Non-Malay band Alleycats has survived for 40 years in the music business because its themes of love, hardship and relationships appeal to all races, writes HAFIDAH SAMAT. Alleycats frontman David...

Bail for 3 cops in extortion case.
August 31, 2008... KOTA BARU: The three policemen, including an assistant superintendent, who were detained by the state Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) on Wednesday, were released yesterday. The three, aged between 20 and 30, were released on bail about...

Food the uniting factor.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Su Aziz FOOD can fill an empty stomach. It can also create bonds in society as the act of offering food is a sign of hospitality, friendship and affection, writes SU AZIZ. An hour before sunset on Sunday, a crowd gathers at...

Revenues end up in wrong ministries.
August 31, 2008... IF you think that all revenues from driving licences went to the Road Transport Department, you're wrong. Some of them actually ended up in the Prime Minister's Department and the Health Ministry. It does not end there. Though the...

PTPL hones diploma students' practical skills.
August 31, 2008... INDUSTRIAL training programmes are designed to enhance students' skills and to enrich their industrial knowledge by keeping them updated on the industry developments. Industrial training gives students a practical exposure to the theory...

SEGi marks Merdeka with unity workshop.
August 31, 2008... MERDEKA as we all know stands for independence and Merdeka Day every Aug 31 marks our freedom from colonial rule. However, "merdeka" today carries a wider meaning as it commemorates the multicultural unity and peace we enjoy today - the...

Useless.
August 31, 2008... THE Auditor-General has, in his report for 2007, found that in some areas, manpower and training in financial management were lacking, and monitoring and supervision was absent. The 'New Sunday Times' delved deeper into the A-G's report and...

New heights for Ferrari in Malaysia.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Dinesh Appavu NAZA ITALIA, the sole authorised distributor of all things Ferrari in the country, held a gathering last week together with the Ferrari Owners Club (FOC) for a special screening of the European Formula One race held...

Persona personified.
August 31, 2008... THE Persona Special Edition (SE) was launched by Proton in Kuala Lumpur recently featuring new enhancements with distinctive design. It looks more elegant and exclusive, thanks to comprehensive re-styling on both the car's interior and...

On track for another high.
August 31, 2008... THIS should be the second time that vehicle sales exceed 500,000 units, the first being in 2005 (when vehicle sales hit a record 551,042). With total vehicle sales at 277,973 in the first half of the year, the Malaysian Automotive...

MPYO stays in tune.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Michael Sun IT was no wonder that the audience were riveted to their seats at the recent ninth public performance by Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO). Under the baton of principal conductor Kevin Field, the student...

Abdul Kalam taken in by Penang's splendour.
August 31, 2008... GEORGE TOWN: Former Indian president Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam beamed after being given a first-hand view of multicultural Penang yesterday. The statesman, who may have been reminded of the wealth of heritage in his own...

Hydrogen boost to Chevrolet.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Jay Leno IF you've ever had British wine you could understand why Prince Charles is running his Aston on the stuff. Those kinds of things are interesting but they're really not viable. It's like those people who run a car on...

Pirates hijack another Malaysian vessel.
August 31, 2008... KUALA LUMPUR: Another Malaysian tanker, Bunga Melati Lima, was hijacked by pirates in international waters off the coast of Yemen on Friday night. The vessel has a crew of 36 Malaysians and five Philippine nationals. It is believed...

The nullity of zero-sum equations.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Rehman Rashid THE morning after the Permatang Pauh by-election, I banged off an SMS to Parti Keadilan Rakyat secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim. It is my privilege not to divulge the content of that message, though you...

Job that keeps them on their toes.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Fauziah Ismail MALAYSIA Airports managing director Datuk Seri Bashir Ahmad shares the company's expansion plans and the challenges it faces with FAUZIAH ISMAIL. Malaysia Airports manages and operates 39 airports in the...

Hyundai goes the distance.
August 31, 2008... ALL new Hyundai and Inokom vehicles purchased under the Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors banner will now enjoy a five-year or 300,000km warranty at no extra charge to the consumer. The extended warranty package is part of the continuous vehicle...

Interesting facts about KLIA.
August 31, 2008... * KL International Airport is part of the Multimedia Super Corridor. It links Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. * The KLIA, costing RM9 billion and covering 10,000ha, is 50km from Kuala Lumpur. It has a passenger space of 479,404...

Redress at the Consumer Claims Tribunal.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Andrew Suresh VEHICLE owners are generally reluctant to resolve disputes in court due to high legal costs and the inherent delay that regularly haunts the judicial system in the country. Sadly, many valid and legitimate...

Bond's perfect match.
August 31, 2008... WELL, it will not exactly be James Bond himself behind the wheel of the 2009 Ford Ka that is slated to make an appearance in the upcoming 007 flick, Quantum of Solace. While the suave super agent will be in his mighty Aston Martin DBS...

Never-ending lessons.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Rachael Philip ALTHOUGH he retired some 20 years ago, there is still a glow in the eyes of art teacher T.K. Karan when he talks about new discoveries in painting techniques, writes RACHAEL PHILIP. "As an art teacher you have...

On track to 'green' status.
August 31, 2008... THE midstream sector of Malaysia's rubber industry is facing a shortage of raw material supply, environmental issues and is labour-intensive in the field of rubber processing technology. However, the Malaysian Rubber Board is addressing...

Wholesome future for our children.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Mellissa Lee THE New Zealand region of Canterbury comprises the Canterbury Plains and the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps. I was captivated by this area which is akin to something out of the pages of a storybook. The area...

Be a Waverly than a June.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Joan Lau ARE you the kind of person who feels guilty when you spend any money (or even time) on yourself? In the movie The Joy Luck Club, June (played by Ming-Na Wen) is praised by her mother for being self-less... for being the...

Koo-Tan in last chance saloon.
August 31, 2008... Byline: K.M. Boopathy TROUBLED pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will be split by national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky if they fail to do well in the China Masters (Sept 23-28) and Macau Open (Sept 30-Oct 5). Kien Keat-Boon Heong have...

Best three years of her life at KDU.
August 31, 2008... EMBARKING on a tertiary education is a big step and most of the time, the college or university experience plays a tremendous role in shaping students' lives. Class of 2008 valedictorian, Noor Asyikin Sabaruddin, knew the weight of her...

We are all mixed and one.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Zuhaila Sedek TAN SRI KHOO KAY KIM & EDDIN KHOO Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim and his son, Eddin, are a picture-book example of a true Malaysian family, writes ZUHAILA SEDEK. Having grown up in a mixed...

Diversity brings unity to life.
August 31, 2008... UNITY is such an abstract notion that we need to put a face to it - or faces, as we have here - to make it recognisable. This segment features people who move easily between cultures and ethnicities and make Malaysia a melting pot. Take...

Schooled in friendship.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Prasanna Raman ASK anyone above 50 about the good old days and they will reminisce about their carefree childhood, good neighbours, inexpensive food, picnics by waterfalls, school funfairs and wedding kenduri. Speaking about...

Respect, understanding matter the most.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Kasmiah Mustapha AS older folks rave about friendships of the 1950s and 1960s, KASMIAH MUSTAPHA finds friends in their 30s and 40s who have good ties with friends from other races. For years, there has been debate and...

Music freely Throne Away.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Lin Mei Zhen THRONE Away has a new album out called Terminals and wants everybody to hear it. So the band has released the entire collection of songs for free online at www.purevolume.com/ throneaway. "We released the album...

Laughing all the way to togetherness.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Francis Dass JO KUKATHAS Actress Jo Kukathas says people can achieve unity by talking to one another, writes FRANCIS DASS. Jo Kukathas often reminds me of a Sang Kancil. You immediately sense her nervous energy when around...

Hafiz's poor run continues.
August 31, 2008... Byline: K. Kandiah VETERAN Roslin Hashim put another dent in Hafiz's already stagnant career by beating him for the Penang Open title in Georgetown yesterday. Roslin, the third seed, won the title after beating his brother 21-9, 18-21,...

Law degrees with a difference at Stamford.
August 31, 2008... FOR more than 50 years, Stamford College has been providing a premier law education and has successfully produced numerous scholars as well as prominent figures in practice. The University of London Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at...

It's a fuel saver.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Dinesh Appavu THERE are many reasons why many motorists go for a compact car, either as a second family car or daily commuter. The main reason behind the compact car's popularity is the cheaper running and maintenance cost....

LCCT-KLIA looks to maximise passenger comforts.
August 31, 2008... THE Low-Cost Carrier Terminal KLIA (LCCT-KLIA), which currently services AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, AWAIR, Cebu Pacific Airways and Tiger airways, celebrated its second anniversary in March. Malaysia Airports chairman Tan Sri Dr Aris Othman...

Easier said than done.
August 31, 2008... IPOH: The prediction by Perak Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali that the Pakatan Rakyat state government would fall today was not made to topple any government but to show how difficult it was. Tambun MP Datuk Husni...

Global player won't rest on its laurels.
August 31, 2008... FIFTY-one years after independence, Malaysia has come a long way in terms of defining itself in the world of aviation. And in its short 16-year history, Malaysia Airports has become one of the best-known airport operators in the world. ...

Future of education.
August 31, 2008... FIFTY-ONE years of educational experience will form the basis for the next five decades of educational excellence, say educators as they express their hopes for the future. Report by SUZIEANA UDA NAGU, SUBASHINI SELVARATNAM, SHYLA SANGARAN,...

Amusing answers to A-G queries.
August 31, 2008... THE following are some of the responses to points raised by the Auditor-General in relation to queries raised in the 2006 report. Mardi's research management of Intensification in Research Priority Area (IRPA): Query: The balance from the...

Feast of a fest.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Subhadra Devan DRAMA and emotions held sway in Edinburgh, writes SUBHADRA DEVAN, as she gives you a sampling of Scotland's August arts festivals. BURNING UP FOR THE BARD I CAUGHT Loving Burns, a Edinburgh Fringe 2008 event,...

MAHSA meets its mission.
August 31, 2008... MAHSA College, also known as the Malaysian Allied Health and Sciences College, was established in response to the growing need for allied health professionals in the country. The college opens its doors to all who aspire to play an integral...

Umno to purge 'enemy' members.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Hamidah Atan PUTRAJAYA: Umno has embarked on a "cleansing" drive to get rid of members who have joined opposition parties. All divisions will have to submit their new membership lists to party secretary-general Datuk Seri...

Tailor-made for MUET.
August 31, 2008... JARINA Abdul Rahman from SMK Taman Ehsan, Kepong, Selangor prepares students for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). With the first test set according to the new MUET specifications just around the corner, Jarina finds Effective...

Pensioners welcome increase.
August 31, 2008... ALOR STAR: Pensioners were delighted with the announcement that their minimum monthly pension would now be RM720. A retired school general worker, Mohd Said Saad, 59, said the new pension rate would increase his household income and reduce...

'Merdeka!' It's what you perceive it to be.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Aniza Damis WHAT does 'Merdeka!' mean to a man who has been promised a life behind bars for the rest of his life? ANIZA DAMIS talks to two natural-life prisoners in Kajang Prison, and learns that freedom is what your mind makes...

Nissan powers ahead.
August 31, 2008... IT has been a busy two years for the Nissan brand in the country. The flurry of activities included the launches of new vehicles (namely the Latio, Grand Livina MPV and Sylphy sedan), a visit by Renault-Nissan Alliance head Carlos Ghosn...

Police report lodged against Umno man.
August 31, 2008... GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan Tanjung Youth division yesterday lodged a report against Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail for likening the Chinese to squatters in the country. Its chairman, H'ng Khoon Leng, lodged the report at...

'No reason to stop Umno-Pas talks'.
August 31, 2008... BANGI: There is no reason for Umno and Pas to stop their muzakarah (dialogue) despite the fact that Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the opposition leader in Parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department...

Message from Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
August 31, 2008... I AM pleased to be given the opportunity to say a few words in conjunction with Malaysia's 51st Merdeka Day celebration. The rubber industry has come a long way. Since its beginnings in 1878 when the first trees were planted in Kuala...

Four dengue deaths last week.
August 31, 2008... PUTRAJAYA: Although there were four dengue-related deaths last week, the number of cases reported nationwide fell by 36 compared with the previous week. Health Ministry disease control (surveillance unit) deputy director Dr Zainudin...

R&D the main focus.
August 31, 2008... FOR rubber and rubber-based products, R&D activities in processing, manufacturing, engineering applications, testing and services are the main focus. Research and development includes technical advisory services to the manufacturing...

KLIMS set to soar next year.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Dinesh Appavu THE largest motor show in the country, the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS), will make a return next year for the seventh time after a three-year hiatus. Set to be held from May 29 to June 7 next...

'Focus is on helping the people'.
August 31, 2008... BUTTERWORTH: Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop yesterday dismissed claims that the Budget 2009 was politically motivated. He said the budget was prepared with the people's burden in mind as the government was sincere in...

BAC student bags King's law award.
August 31, 2008... IT takes commitment and support to churn out world-class students as evident at Brickfields Asia College (BAC). Chan Mun Fei, a first-year University of London external law degree student at the college, is the recipient of this year's...

Looking good with Rush.
August 31, 2008... WHEN the Rush was launched, critics said it was no more than just a rebodied Avanza with a hefty sticker price. Many motoring scribes were not impressed. However, Toyota is a champion in making vehicles for the masses - not for...

Pole clocks 850,000km in a Carnival.
August 31, 2008... POLISH entrepreneur Marek Pekala didn't expect his visit to a car show in Dusseldorf to end in such strong brand loyalty towards his Kia Carnival (sold in Malaysia as the Naza Ria) nine years later. It was in Germany where he first...

This B stings.
August 31, 2008... BRABUS really thinks that there are those out there who want a nastier version of the mundane B-Class, and for them, Brabus whips out the B T1, the B that stings. Yes, it is actually a kitted up B-Class, which means you can still ferry...

Weaving tales of little people.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal HE may have started his foray into writing pretty late but judging from Matthew thomas' first literary outing, it's definitely worth the wait, writes INTAN MAIZURA AHMAD KAMAL. "The silver tailed...

A rubber-stamp of approval.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Zulita Mustafa THE Malaysian Rubber Board has been at the forefront of science and technology of rubber, trading and regulating the rubber industry, writes ZULITA MUSTAFA. As the nation celebrates its 51st Merdeka, the...

Festive 206 promotion.
August 31, 2008... WITH the Hari Raya celebrations around the corner, it is that time again with an influx of festive promotions by car companies. Leading the way is Naza with its Naza Trade-In Campaign for those keen on getting their hands on the Naza 206....

Taste of village fare.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Tan Bee Hong SELERA Kampung-ku is the theme for this ramadan's berbuka puasa buffet at the Marble arch Cafe, writes TAN BEE HONG. Last year's Selera Kampung-ku Ramadan buffet at the Marble Arch Cafe was such a success that...

BHPetrol reveals X-Factor Fuel.
August 31, 2008... BHPetrol recently revealed the true identity of the fuel used in a blind test that tested 60 participants who took part in the X-Factor Fuel Challenge last June. The X-Factor Fuel Challenge blind test involved participation from members...

Spectre of money politics, factions looms over MCA.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Zubaidah Abu Bakar THE impending MCA party election is threatening to be riddled with money politics as well as factionalism, concerned observers tell ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR. It is more than a noisy war of words between party...

Yasmin focuses on emotions in 'Talentime'.
August 31, 2008... Byline: Sharmila Billot IPOH: Renowned film-maker Yasmin Ahmad is back in her directing shoes for her new feature film called Talentime. Currently shooting in Ipoh, the movie is about a inter-school talent competition among...