New Straits Times articles from August 2009

New Straits Times archives from August 2009

Sound like no other.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Dick Tan AT a recent Far East tour to celebrate the launch of the Consequence Ultimate Edition speaker system, Dynaudio's founder and chief executive Wilfred Ehrenholz said his 32-year-old company's goal is to control the quality of...

Concert-like performance.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Dick Tan IN conjunction with the opening of its new showroom at Jaya One in Petaling Jaya, Audio Perfectionist held an "audio concert" featuring the two-channel McIntosh audio system. The High-End Audio Concert System comprises the...

Clean and booming audio.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Dick Tan REGA'S seventh-generation CD player took five years to develop. At a hefty 19 kilograms, the new Isis features proprietary K-Power capacitors for the power supply rectification stage. Another design technique involves...

Gritty Western action all the way.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Chris Chan GAMERS looking for a Western shooter will love Bound in Blood. This prequel follows the adventures of the McCall brothers after the death of their father. In the early days, the brothers Ray and Thomas joined the...

Juiced up for fast action.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Edwin Kee InSight USB hard drive * THE Verbatim InSight portable USB hard drive comes in a sleek, durable enclosure with a piano black finish. It has an Always On display that shows the current hard drive name and space in real time....

Building APC brand by building people.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Rozana Sani AFTER years in the mid-market ICT business solutions business, Ng Hon Chun is now focusing on promoting energy efficiency. The new country general manager of APC Malaysia shares about the new challenges in his job with...

Making the most of existing storage.
August 31, 2009... STORAGE often makes up a large component of IT budgets, yet it is one of the most under-utilised IT assets in companies today. Storage utilisation among data centres in Malaysia is only 45 per cent on average, according to Symantec Corp's 2008...

New treadmill makes fitness hip.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Rozana Sani ADVANCEMENT in technology has brought much excitement to today's fitness regime. The new Reebok 9 series treadmill comes with a seven-inch interactive flat-screen TV that lets you watch your favourite programmes while...

New Lumix models get core upgrade.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Lim Yeh Ern IN its half-yearly refresh cycle, Panasonic Malaysia has come up with five digital still cameras and two camcorders. The new Lumix cameras - the DMC-FZ35K, DMC-FX65, DMCFP8, DMC-ZR1 and DMC-GH1 - retain much of the look...

OKI taps multi-function range.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Siti Syameen Md Khalili OKI Printing Solutions aims to get a bigger share of the local managed print services market through its range of ES Series products. It will first bring in the ES8460 MFP desktop and floor-standing models,...

Microsoft opens up to Linux community.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Lim Yeh Ern IN what could be seen as a break from tradition, Microsoft has contributed 20,000 lines of code to the Linux community. The code includes three Linux device drivers aimed at making the Linux guest system communicate...

Banking on SSO to push economic agenda.
August 31, 2009... THE shared services and outsourcing (SSO) industry has been playing a major role in the economic growth of developing countries such as India, China and the Philippines. It not only brings in revenue, but also creates more jobs. Malaysia also...

Changing face of technology.
August 31, 2009... AS we celebrate the nation's independence today, Tech&U looks at technologies that have helped us embrace the spirit of independence and become more free in terms of how we do things, think and say. Powering computing devices The...

From mobile broadband to smartphones.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Rozana Sani TECHNOLOGY, especially ICT, has advanced by leaps and bounds. It is empowering and liberating individuals in ways never imagined before. Rozana Sani finds out which technologies and products are among the most impactful...

New accessories for Macs.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ridzwan A. Rahim RIDING on the increasing popularity of Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, Targus Inc has announced its first line of accessories targeted at Mac users. The new lineup, with its distinctiv Apple-like brown...

One united country, 1Malaysia.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Hizreen Kamal AMP Radio Networks took a mere five days to come out with its own patriotic song that best represents the 1Malaysia concept. Entitled Satu Malaysia, it started out as a rough idea three weeks ago. Now, however, it...

Highway takeover report this year.
August 31, 2009... BUTTERWORTH: The government hopes to complete an in-depth study before the end of the year on its plan to take over toll highways in the country. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the Economic...

Give to charities instead, Malaysians advised.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Public Service and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong confirmed that there had been an influx of foreign beggars, especially those from China. He said his department had received numerous complaints from the public...

Merdeka Theme & Logo.
August 31, 2009... SINCE 1970, Malaysians celebrated Merdeka with a new theme and logo. 1970: Muhibah dan Perpaduan 1971: Masyarakat Progresif 1972: Masyarakat Adil 1973: Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia 1974: Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan 1975:...

30 minutes would have been too late.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Teresa Yong KUALA LUMPUR: Muhammad Adam Haiqal Zaidi's life was hanging by a thread when he was wheeled into the operating theatre at Gleneagles Medical Centre in Penang at 9am on Aug 2. The 37-day-old baby's surgeons were anxious to...

Juadah Ramadan at RM52++ on Merdeka Day.
August 31, 2009... DURING Ramadan, you must be planning to break fast with family, friends or business partners. But look no further than the Palms Cafe in Palm Garden Hotel for a memorable breaking of fast buffet simply named Juadah Ramadan, which is available...

Too harsh.
August 31, 2009... Byline: K.G.K. Nair THE remedy seems worse than the disease where Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno's Syariah Court punishment is concerned. The punitive action to cane her by the court for having consumed alcohol is too harsh. As a dispassionate...

Uncle molests teenage niece.
August 31, 2009... HULU TERENGGANU: A 42-year-old security guard is in police custody for molesting his teenage niece. The incident took place last Thursday while the 15-year-old girl was washing clothes in the bathroom of her house in Kampung Jongok Star,...

Drawing the common people to art gallery.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Estung LAST Wednesday, I received an SMS inviting me to visit the National Art Gallery between then and today. The 51st visitor of each day gets a surprise gift in one of the programmes held in conjunction with the premier gallery's...

Foreign beggars becoming a nuisance.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Noel Achariam KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign beggars are increasingly becoming a regular sight in the city. They can be seen preying on generous Malaysians at popular eateries or seated outside banks, retail outlets, LRT stations and...

Palace of the Golden Horses.
August 31, 2009... THIS year, the Palace of the Golden Horses has put together an enticing buffet for the holy month. The Carousel Cafe Restaurant at the hotel will be serving a lavish Ramadan buka puasa buffet comprising Malaysian and Middle Eastern delicacies...

Racial integration a reality at Felda scheme.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jason Gerald THE year was 1956 - a time when the Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaya joined hands to help the country gain its independence from the British. Looking at boosting the nation's economy, the government then embarked...

Be fair at dispensing corporal punishment.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Halimah M. Said KARTIKA Sari Dewi Shukarno's beer drinking offence under syariah and the sentence meted out to her - six strokes of the rotan and a RM5,000 fine - have been blown out of proportion mainly because of the inefficiency of...

Celebrating beautiful Malaysia.
August 31, 2009... Byline: K. Harinderan KUALA LUMPUR: Over 170 guests attended a Merdeka celebration a week before independence day. The Royal Commonwealth Society Merdeka Dinner and Dance 2009 brought together all races under the theme of "Bunitu...

Najib to break fast with Manik Urai folk.
August 31, 2009... KUALA KRAI: Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants to personally thank the people of Manik Urai for their renewed trust in the Barisan Nasional and Umno next Sunday. Kelantan BN and Umno chief Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said yesterday that Najib, who is BN...

Ong EGM next month for stamp of approval.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Eileen Ng; Lee Keng Fatt KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to shore up support and resolve the political imbroglio in MCA, embattled party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat will convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next month. The...

Ramadan spirit.
August 31, 2009... CELEBRATE Ramadan in a "Muhibbah" way at Hotel Equatorial Bangi's Cafe Lavista. Enjoy a variety of Malaysian dishes from Oriental cooking to a sumptuous Indian selection. Furthermore, there are also Western cuisine, Middle Eastern specialties...

Sex education as subject maybe in future, says D-G.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Joseph Sipalan; Evangeline Majawat KUALA LUMPUR: Telling young students about the birds and the bees may be more important than most people realise, according to teachers. They feel more can be done to educate children about sex to...

It's a different ball game now.
August 31, 2009... Byline: James Loo I BEG to differ with your report that the rift in MCA now will lead to a battle royale ("At the crossroads again" -- NST, Aug 28). There were also insinuations that what's happening today is a repeat of the Team A-Team B...

Facebook support for Chua gathers steam.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: The predicament of former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who has been thrown out of his party, has surfaced on popular social networking site Facebook. Sympathisers have joined the Support Dr Chua Soi Lek, Save...

Police did not stand idly by.
August 31, 2009... Byline: ACP Abdul Jalil Hassan WITH reference to your editorial "No justice in mob justice" (NST, Aug 8), I would like to clarify what happened on Aug 26 in Pandan Indah. Two men attempted to rob a man in Taman Putra Indah but failed and...

Respect, not tolerate, to move forward.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Fauziah Ismail MOST, if not all Malaysians, know Tan Hon Ming's love story. The buck-toothed, spiky-haired and talkative primary school pupil admitted to having a secret crush on his classmate Umi Qazrina. In turn, she shyly...

It's a mistake.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Assoc. Prof Dr Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil THE surprise decision to release Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has been a relief not for me alone but all Muslims who would like to see justice in the name of Islam being done in Malaysia. What...

Keen Ho on course for first national title.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ajitpal Singh TOP seed Moh Keen Ho is on course to lift his first ever National Snooker Championships title after he disposed Ivan Lau 4-0 in his last-16 match at the A-Que Centre in Bandar Sunway yesterday. Keen Ho, a former Asian...

Confidence and flair will do it.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Su Aziz WHEN all else fails, says an expert fashion observer, confidence will prevail. SU AZIZ wears hers like an armour and chats with Nina Garcia. EVERYONE whom I love is stylish in their unique way. Groomed, even. They do not...

Stack 'em up.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Cheong Phin CHEONG PHIN writes on a collection of rings which you can stack up to create unique looks. WHO Selberan WHAT Hand-made stackable rings in 18k white gold from Selberan, a home-grown premier jeweller that belongs to the...

Competition's good for the soul.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ahmad Izham Omar OUR music industry must shed its protectionist attitude and not be afraid of competition if it hopes to go global. AHMAD IZHAM OMAR writes. I CONSIDER myself an optimist. Maybe even a misguided optimist compassed...

Kartika's dad hopes she'll be spared cane.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: The father of Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno hopes his daughter will be spared the cane if her case comes up for review. Shukarno Mutalib said: "I'm looking forward to hearing good news and I have sought the counsel of Perak Mufti...

The distress cuts deep and long.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Mariam Mokhtar EVERY other day we read of sick people like the 47-year-old who allegedly raped his daughters over a period of 15 years ("On the run over rape of 4 kids" - NST, Aug 27). Contrary to popular belief, men who commit incest...

Curfew not the answer to curb virus.
August 31, 2009... Byline: S. Param THE unstoppable spread of the influenza A (H1N1) bug in the country has taken most of us by surprise. Many have highlighted the shortcomings of the authorities in managing the situation while others have been calling for...

Time to bring everyone together.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye MALAYSIA'S 52nd National Day is an opportune time for Malaysians to reinforce their patriotic spirit and sense of belonging to the nation. Equally important, we need to ask ourselves truthfully what our state...

Bigotry must be put down to enhance our unity.
August 31, 2009... Byline: S. Sundareson THE directive by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the police to investigate the protest by a group of 50 people over the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam demonstrates his seriousness. ...

Doing our part.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Shahriza Embi I REFER to the letter from Moaz Yusuf of Petaling Jaya, "Transport operators must do their part" (NST, Aug 17). With regard to helping curb the spread of influenza A (H1N1) in crowded KTM Komuter coaches, KTM Berhad...

Consistent show sends Jazeman into 10th spot in championship.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Arnaz M. Khairul JAZEMAN Firhan Jaafar moved up to 10th in the championship after a consistent showing in Round Seven of the Formula BMW Europe series in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium yesterday. The Malaysian followed up a solid...

Dompok hails 'moderate' do.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: The religious thanksgiving ceremonies for Merdeka this year are somewhat special. Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who attended one such ceremony at St John's Cathedral in Jalan Bukit...

Mutual trust comes first.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday called for the preservation of harmony and mutual trust among Malaysians. In his Merdeka message, he said Malaysians of all racial and religious backgrounds should shoulder...

Enough beds but staff lacking.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: For now, there are enough beds in Sungai Buloh Hospital to accommodate influenza A (H1N1) patients. Consultant intensive care physician Dr Shanthi Ratnam is more concerned about the lack of manpower at the intensive care unit...

Sungai Lembing proud of its diversity.
August 31, 2009... Byline: M. Hamzah Jamaludin SUNGAI Lembing has never failed to fascinate visitors with its colourful history. The former tin mining town, about 42km northwest of Kuantan, was once the richest town in Pahang and known as the "El Dorado of...

Guan Eng all talk, no action, says Koh.
August 31, 2009... GEORGE TOWN: A frustrated Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon lashed out at his successor Lim Guan Eng for just talking instead of working to move Penang forward. The Gerakan president and former chief minister, opening the Gerakan state...

3 flooded villages evacuated.
August 31, 2009... ALOR STAR: The flood in Yan district has worsened, with 503 people from three villages evacuated yesterday. A spokesman for the Yan flood operations room said 338 victims were from Kampung Titi Teras, 103 were from Kampung Teroi Bukit and 62...

52 reports lodged over cow head row.
August 31, 2009... SHAH ALAM: A total of 52 police reports on Friday's cow head incident have been lodged at the Shah Alam district police station as of yesterday. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Noor Azam Jamaludin said police were in the process...

School turns a blind eye to races.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ahmad Fairuz Othman FOUR years ago, Siti Zalina Abdul Karim hopefully applied for a job as a preschool assistant in a Chinese vernacular school without much confidence about her chances. A diploma holder in computer science, she...

Give 5 minutes to Malaysia.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: A group of idealistic young Malaysians hope to make history by rallying close to 900 others to belt out a patriotic song simultaneously nationwide. The Andante Resources' Go for 9! project aims to get 99 companies and...

30 children treated to hi-tea.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Watsons Personal Care Stores Sdn Bhd treated 30 Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih underprivileged children to a hi-tea at Bijou Restaurant in Mont Kiara recently. Before enjoying the spread of delicious food, the children demonstrated...

Nostalgia Ramadan at Oceania Buffet Restaurant.
August 31, 2009... IN conjunction with the festive month of Ramadan, The Summit Hotel in Subang USJ has specially prepared a delicious buffet to reminisce the good ol' kampung way of breaking fast called Nostalgia Ramadan. The buffet price is RM-66nett for an...

Ismail: Keep sick children at home.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Shuhada Elis KUALA LUMPUR: Parents have been advised to keep their sick children at home when school reopens tomorrow after a week-long break. Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said parents should act more...

Brothers all, regardless of colours.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jason Gerald THE 1Malaysia concept that is being promoted by the government is not a new thing at Felda Tun Ghafar Kemendor. Presently, some some 1,000 people comprising Malays, Chinese and Indians call it home. Nordin Mohamad...

Selangor govt 'failed to talk to the people'.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Farrah Naz Karim; Mazlinda Mahmood PUTRAJAYA: The demonstration against the construction of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam, which has threatened to drive a wedge between the Muslim and Hindu communities, could have been averted if only...

TOP two textile stores.
August 31, 2009... ESTABLISHED in 1972, Kamdar is now a household name in the country. It has 21 outlets nationwide, with each store offering a wide range of textiles, soft furnishings and ready-to-wear collections. NILAI-3 wholesale centre in Negri Sembilan is...

Guli-Guli cartoon strips help strengthen racial harmony.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: The Guli-Guli cartoon strips that ran regularly in the New Sunday Times from 1982 to 1987 are presented in an exhibition at Pavilion Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The cartoon strips, were created more than three decades ago,...

Lorry-load of fireworks Malacca-bound.
August 31, 2009... SUBANG JAYA: Police confiscated smuggled fireworks worth RM200,000 after stopping a three-tonne lorry at a roadblock on the Besraya Expressway near Serdang Lama on Saturday. Subang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainal Rashid Abu...

Duo's high life ended.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Lee Shi-Ian KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian men were nabbed in Vietnam recently after police investigations fingered them as the brains behind a counterfeit credit card syndicate. The two men, aged 23 and 29, had entered Vietnam as...

Merdeka parades.
August 31, 2009... 2009 Parliament Square, Kuala Lumpur 2007-2008 Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur 2006 Kuching, Sarawak 2005 Dataran Putra, Putrajaya 2004 Kuantan, Pahang 2003 Dataran Putra, Putrajaya 2001-2002 Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur 2000 Shah Alam, Selangor...

Chef Abbas whips up a storm for Concorde.
August 31, 2009... NOTHING is more satisfying than ending a day of fast with authentic kampung-styled dishes. The holy month of Ramadan Concorde-style as Melting Pot Cafe showcases Chef Abbas Ali's briyani rice with tempting ala kampung dishes. At the Concorde,...

Ramadan sweeteners.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Nurul Huda Jamaluddin KUALA LUMPUR: Cupcakes and doughnuts are becoming the rage among Muslims and non-Muslims here this Ramadan. Specialty shops selling the items have been seeing record crowds, as many people opt for this modern...

United as one in search of better future.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Jason Gerald RECALLING his first days at Felda Tun Ghafar Kemendor, Loh Kai Meng says he had no choice then but to cooperate with his fellow settlers, both Chinese and Malay, to open the settlement. Felda Kemendor, as it was known...

Man killed in crash.
August 31, 2009... PETALING JAYA: A man was killed and his wife and son seriously injured when a lorry jumped a highway divider and rammed into their car. The incident occurred at Km18 of the Federal Highway. Businessman Abdul Karim Abd Aziz, 51, his wife...

Bernice up for a challenge.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan MALAYSIAN skin care brand Nutox Oxyfusion appoints actress Bernice Liu as its spokesperson. Here, the popular Hong Kong actress tells SYIDA LIZTA AMIRUL IHSAN about her career and her love for fashion. Q:...

We are one.
August 31, 2009... WE are one 1Malaysia may be a concept by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but racial unity has been practised by Malaysians even before it was conceived. Life & Times talks to people whose friendships have gone beyond race and...

United we stand.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Meena Sreenivasan MERDEKA has different meanings to various people, but what does it signify to young Malaysians? Here's their candid take on Merdeka and our country in general. MEENA SREENIVASAN finds out. FONG KIN KIT, 13 Q. How...

Babies need urgent heart surgery.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: When Yuvanraj Ramesh was diagnosed with a rare cyanotic congenital heart defect last month, it was the worst news his parents ever received. The month-old infant has total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, which is...

Don't treat us like gangsters, say villagers.
August 31, 2009... GEORGE TOWN: Three committee members of the Kampung Lorong Buah Pala residents association yesterday questioned the motive of the police for arresting them on Saturday. Its secretary J. Stephen said: "The police told us we were arrested for...

Runaway success in fighting social ills.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Nadia Badarudin SELLING radio-controlled (R/C) aircraft, cars, trucks and boats may not seem a serious business to some, but to Roslan Ali @ Romli, his business is his small contribution towards tackling social ills among the youth in...

Devotees appease 'wandering souls'.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Dawn Chan KUALA LUMPUR: The car park area in Jalan Ara Kiri 2, Lucky Garden, Bangsar, was bustling with non-stop activities since Friday. It was the site of the Hungry Ghost Festival, celebrated during the seventh month of the...

After 61 years, 400 families in New Village may be evicted.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Dawn Chan KUALA LUMPUR: Salak South New Village has been their home for the past 61 years but now 400 families are in danger of being evicted because they have no land titles. Without the titles, the families are referred to as...

Living on neighbour's mercy.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: There was a time when 63-year-old Mat Daud Seman of Maran, Pahang, was blessed with the company of a loving wife and 10 children. But that time is long gone. The names of his children are lost in memory or stored away, along...

Rosmah: Do away with myopic attitudes.
August 31, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor yesterday called on Malaysians to do away with behaviour that could destroy the country's unity. The wife of the prime minister reminded all not to have myopic attitudes that could blind them to the...

Gapena wants PPSMI gone by next year.
August 31, 2009... KUANTAN: The Federation of National Writers Associations of Malaysia (Gapena) wants the government to implement the teaching of Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Malaysia next year instead of in 2012. Gapena head Professor Tan Sri Dr Ismail...

How to use the new Citra-Peel Exfoliating Peel Pads.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan WEEKLY scrubbing makes skin fresh and healthy. For those who find it messy and troublesome, the new peel pads make the job easier. Here's how: What you need: Citra-Peel Exfoliating Peel Pads Step 1 and 2,...