New Straits Times articles from February 2007, page 6

New Straits Times archives from February 2007

Don't let the bores get you.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Amir Muhammad WHILE the rest of the world celebrates the Year of the Pig, Malaysia is stuck with the Year of the Bore. The year may be only a few days old, but checks by this worthy organ...

Ah Long den gives cops ample proof.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Lee Shi-Ian SHAH ALAM: It looked like a normal family home in a cosy neighbourhood. However, closer scrutiny revealed it was the base for an illegal moneylending outfit. Following...

It's only fair to bridge the divide.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Bulbir Singh IT is good to know that more funds and facilities are being directed to rural schools ("Bridging the great divide" - NST, Feb 16). The rural masses must be treated fairly...

Gentle methods are not enough.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: William Dennis NO number of safety campaigns or other efforts by the government will reduce accidents and deaths on our roads if motorists and motorcyclists do not change their attitude...

Tourists getting more than a good view.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: R.S. Kamini KUALA LUMPUR: The "Eye on Malaysia" is attracting more than tourists. Representatives from "charity homes" have been harassing visitors to the latest tourist attraction in...

We are losing to crime daily.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: J.D. Lovrenciear THE disclosure by the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan on the crime scene in the country is baffling and worrisome. It was reported that there were...

'No peep squads, only informants'.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government has again denied that it is setting up a Mat Skodeng (Peeping Tom) squad to spy on couples for khalwat (close proximity). "No such squad. We only have...

A promise of clean water, always.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) PUTRAJAYA: Piped water 24 hours a day, seven days a week - even in the advent of a crisis. This is the assurance from new National Water Services Commission (Span) chairman Tan Sri Zaini Omar. ...

Public security must be the priority.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Dr A. Soorian I SUPPORT the plan by the Inspector-General of Police to house foreign workers in kongsi at their work sites and monitor them in their free time ("Proposal to confine foreign...

In a spot over misspelt name.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Nazlenee Aziz I WENT to the Immigration office recently to renew my passport. I was impressed that I could get it in two hours. When I collected my passport, I noticed that the name on the...

Take suggestion seriously.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: S.S. Maniam RETIRED director-general of Education and chairman of the Education Service Commission Tan Sri Rafie Mahat knows what he is talking about when he says, "Allow retired teachers...

All sides should benefit.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Dilip K. Ghosh THE much awaited low-cost airline service between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore has not materialised despite months of negotiations. The chief executive officer of Malaysia...

Gang attacks 3 in clear case of mistaken identity.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) ALOR STAR: A man was slashed on the head and his two friends suffered bodily injuries after they were attacked by a group of youths in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. The group...

(What I saw on telly).
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Debra Chong IT'S Chinese New Year season; nobody really watches TV during the first few days of Chinese New Year. There are far more important things to do, particularly if you're single...

Weed out illegal slimming products.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: S.M. Mohamed Idris THE Consumers' Association of Penang is disturbed that the slimming drug, Kintop, is still available in the market although the Health Ministry banned it in August. This...

Comedian to undergo heart bypass.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: Comedian P. Paramasivam, or better known as Param, will have a heart bypass soon. The 53-year-old comedian, in the same genre as A.R. Badul and R. Jaafar, was warded at the...

State took us for a ride, say bus companies in Penang.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) GEORGE TOWN: After years of failing to buck up, bus companies in Penang are now pointing the finger at the state government for the messy public bus service on the island. They have accused Chief...

Bait and trap for tiger snares a black panther.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KOTA BARU: Wildlife officers were surprised to find that a trap, set up to catch a tiger which attacked a grandmother in November, instead snared a male black panther. No reports had been received...

Oil spill off Tanjung Piai to be cleared by weekend.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: R, Sittamparam JOHOR BARU: The oil spill off Tanjung Piai will be cleared by this weekend. The sea stretch was hit by an oil spill when an oil tanker collided into a container vessel...

Air force 'bullies' may face expulsion, criminal charges.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Hamidah Atan PUTRAJAYA: Those involved in the torture of air force trainee Muhammad Hazim Ahmad Azman may be expelled or could face criminal charges. Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Jen...

American presence in Cuba illegal, says envoy.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Koh Lay Chin WHY is the US-run Guantanamo Bay, where international terror suspects are detained, in Cuba? This is a question that has often been asked by people when they meet Cuban...

Trainee's torture raises perplexing questions.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: The torture of a trainee air force pilot in Alor Star recently has raised several questions. Top most is what has happened to the "strict guidelines" on ragging which were introduced by...

Fairuz gets licence to race in F1.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Arnaz M. Khairul FAIRUZ Fauzy celebrated being granted his Super Licence to compete in Formula One bydriving home a time faster than the Spyker F1 team's first driver Christijan Albers in...

It cuts costs and beats bird flu virus.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Jaspal Singh IPOH: A new way to disinfect people after visits to livestock farms could save the industry and the Veterinary Services Department millions of ringgit. The Personal...

Lin Dan hurdle for Choong Hann.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) WORLD No 1 Lin Dan of China is in Wong Choong Hann's way but fast improving doubles pair Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock look good to secure their first final appearance in a grand prix tournament - the...

Rexy challenges duo.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: K.M. Boopathy WINNING the All England title, especially on their debut, is the hallmark of true champions. And coming from national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky, who as a player won the...

Dad's not seeking revenge.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) ALOR STAR: "Let justice prevail. If they deserved to be sacked, so be it." Those were the words of Ahmad Azman Ghazali after he heard Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's assurance that those...

Wish upon this old tree and see dreams fulfilled.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) MALACCA: Hoping for love, health or prosperity? Just wish upon a banyan tree and your wish may come true. A small Taoist temple in Bukit Beruang attracted about 50 hopeful people early on the first...

Malaysia headed for a debacle.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Devinder Singh MALAYSIA, if they hope to avoid an embarrassing Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Kuala Lumpur next February, need to improve by leaps and bounds. The recent HSBC Under-19...

Fantastic view, but fewer going up.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Melissa Darlyne Chow GEORGE TOWN: With its natural beauty, Penang Hill already has a lot going for it. Tourists from all over the world extol the breathtaking view and enjoy exploring the...

Man gets back at attacker.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) BESUT: A contractor punched a man in the Besut police station after lodging a report that he had been assaulted. The contractor had just lodged a report that he was attacked by four men at a...

MMCA: We only mean to serve.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Vijesh Rai THE Malaysian Malays Cricket Association (MMCA) is not an affiliate of the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA). MMCA, said secretary Rosmanizam Abdullah, is a national body...

MB: We're watching cabbies.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) SEREMBAN: No metered taxis for Seremban, but taxi drivers were warned not to fleece passengers. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he was aware of mounting complaints that taxi operators were...

Disabled jailed for overstaying.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) PETALING JAYA: The magistrate's court yesterday sentenced a deaf and mute Indonesian to three months' jail for overstaying. Ekdison Limi, 31, pleaded guilty before magistrate Azroul Hisham Azulan...

Hard to tell if your medicine is genuine? Use the decoder.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Annie Freeda Cruez KUALA LUMPUR: From next month, patients can verify if the medicines they buy at pharmacies are genuine. The over 3,000 pharmacies nationwide will be equipped with a...

ABF, MTBC settle differences.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ajitpal Singh IN an about turn, the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) has decided to lift its sanctions on the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC). President Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan said...

M-cycle theft ring crippled.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) MARANG: He was a jobless 18-year-old who had a penchant for bringing home a different motorcycle every now and then. This was enough to arouse the suspicion of neighbours whose tip-off led to the...

Charity at heart.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KOTA KINABALU: The organisers of the 2007 Miss Sabah/ Malaysia/World pageant hope to raise more than RM10,000 for the SOS Heart Fund through their gala dinner show. The SOS Heart Fund is a...

Brand names and logos should be out of the picture.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Amir Muhammad THE prevalence of nude photos of gullible women has made the media all worried, and it's no wonder: Many of these pictures accidentally display prominent trademark logos....

Chief Justice questions lawyers' motives.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Syed Umar Ariff KOTA BARU: Malaysia's top judge is unhappy with those who have proposed an independent judicial commission to oversee the selection and promotion of judges. Chief Justice...

Foundation told to help teachers.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry wants the Malaysian Teachers Foundation Bhd to help improve the working environment and welfare of teachers. Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein...

Thais must decide on form of help.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) PUTRAJAYA: The Thai government has to decide on the form of assistance that Malaysia can provide to defuse violence in the country's southern region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak...

In dire need of kidneys, but few are donating.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Annie Freeda Cruez KUALA LUMPUR: In the last 18 months, the number of people waiting for kidney transplants has trebled from 5,000 to 15,500. With the number of transplants in the past...

EPF: Revise nominations after tying the knot.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Anis Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR: When non-Muslims register their marriage, past nominations of the beneficiaries of their EPF savings may automatically be revoked. Contributors to the Employees...

Two die on way to help friend.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Mimi Syed Yusof; Shahrul Hafeez IPOH: A decision to help a biker friend involved in an accident in Thailand proved fatal for two friends from Singapore. They were killed in an accident...

No, USM is not going bananas.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) GEORGE TOWN: A banana tree can do more than produce healthy fruit and leaves for your favourite Indian meal or kuih. Universiti Sains Malaysia has produced a versatile type of paper from its trunk. It...

Mediators to help clear backlog of legal cases.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: V. Anbalagan PUTRAJAYA: Civil- and family-related cases, which usually take up a lot of time, can now go through a mediation process before they reach the courts. The Legal Aid Bureau...

Stop the snoops.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) IN March 2005, despite the strong backing of the state's chief minister, the Mat Skodeng of Malacca were forced to disband. It was perhaps the distaste at the very idea of a motley crew of high-minded...

One to crow about for triumph-starved Bush.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Frank Ching FOUR months after Pyongyang detonated a nuclear device and was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme reached...

A good time to instil values.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: M.A. Nair CHILDREN are best exposed to the significance of road safety, energy conservation, recycling, staying away from illicit drugs and smoking, love for the environment and cleanliness...

Appellate board has the final say.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Azhar Md Nadzri WE refer to the letter from A.J. Patrick of Ampang ("Socso rules unfair to member" - NST, Feb 9). He finds it unfair that Socso should appeal to the Appellate Medical Board...

Get lucky with a Nissan X-Trail 2.0.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) IN ushering the lunar new year, HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad is giving its credit cardholders a chance to win a Nissan X-trail 2.0 Luxury Model when they shop in The Curve, Cineleisure or Ikano shopping...

Celebration in full bloom.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ashreena V. Krishnan Pillai USHER in the year of the Boar this Chinese New Year at Mid Valley Megamall's Spring in Full Bloom Festival till Sunday with fun activities the whole family will...

Sweet aromas of nasi lemak.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ashreena V. Krishnan Pillai THE Sheraton Subang Hotel and Towers are all aromatic this month as both Cafe Aroma and Japanese restaurant Miyako are having an irresistible delectable spread....

Chill out with Planter's.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) CHILLl out and sip on a Planter's Punch at the Chereza Lounge, Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur till Feb 29 as you enjoy the cosy ambience and live entertainment. Planter's...

Easy Go Lucky on comeback trail.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Go-Ram FORMER top class galloper Easy Go Lucky showed a return to form in a workout in Ipoh yesterday and should score a comeback win in the Class 3, Div 2 - 1200m on Saturday. Taken...

Ibrahim, Patrick have it in them to come good.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ajitpal Singh IBRAHIM Amir and Patrick Ooi will be the dark horses when they roll off in the US$320,000 (RM1.1 million) Asian Nine-Ball Tour. Both will begin their quests in the first...

Armstrong inspires Glasbrenner.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Devinder Singh IF able-bodied triathletes find the Langkawi Ironman Malaysia gruelling, spare a thought for American Jeff Glasbrenner, an amputee who plans on going the full distance in the...

Perlis taste season's first defeat.
February 22, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) PERLIS suffered their first defeat in the Super League, when they went down 1-0 to Kedah at the Darulaman Stadium yesterday. Despite the defeat, Perlis still lead the standings with 20 points, two...

Seek out a friend as counsellor.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) FIND a counsellor within the family or among friends if you are facing marital or family problems. This is Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's advice...

For this Penang couple, almost nothing goes to waste.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Nisha Sabanayagam KUALA LUMPUR: Imagine producing only one bag of rubbish per month, per household. Impossible? Not for Penang couple Mylene Ooi, 59, and her 69-year-old husband, Don...

Hard nuts to crack on the way to a deal.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Deva Mohd Ridzam WITH pressure looming for an accord on the free trade agreement with the United States, there is a need for both sides to show imagination and ambition to achieve a...

Watching the workers.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) MALAYSIA'S population of low- and semi-skilled foreign workers, initially brought in to overcome an acute labour shortage in our plantations, has over the last two decades ballooned to 1.8 million. A...

Unmanaged anger a ticking time bomb.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: Anger has to be managed or it will consume anything in its path - including children. Paul Jambunathan, a consultant clinical psychologist with the International Medical University,...

Why parents kill their children.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ranjeetha Pakiam; Nurris Ishak KUALA LUMPUR: These are children who went to an early grave at the hands of their parents. Lee May Shan, 10, and her brother Wei Shen, 9, Seah Siew Cheung,...

He told wife of affair, now their kids are dead.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Adie Suri Zulkefli GEORGE TOWN: "I told him to end the affair. But he went a step further, he told his wife about it." Azizan Said, a close friend and colleague of the lorry driver whose...

RapidPenang to run bus service.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) GEORGE TOWN: The public bus service in Penang will be managed by RapidPenang, which will be established under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. The establishment and functions of RapidPenang...

(What I saw on telly).
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Subhadra Devan FROM trading places to switching bodies, the theme has surely been explored to reach the standards of Arthur C. Clarke in the cinema. I've always found the films Trading...

'Seri Endon' keeps disaster at bay.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Jassmine Shadiqe PONTIAN: Quick action has prevented what could have been a major disaster for Tanjung Piai National Park and aquaculture farms along the Johor coast. The Seri Endon, a...

Fish dish nets big prize.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) IN conjunction with Chinese New Year, Mines Shopping Fair in Seri Kembangan, Selangor held a Prosperity Chinese Cooking Competition recently. The event was held in collaboration with Pensonic (main...

Scarred for the rest of her life.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) SHANA (not her real name) was 19, totally in love with her high school sweetheart, John (not his real name), and willing to do his bidding. They had been together for five years and had many intimate...

Right or wrong, women at losing end.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: The woman always loses - even if a police report is lodged or civil action pursued against men who blackmail them with pictures of intimate moments. The damage is done the moment she...

Rolling fine on brand excellence.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) TYRE manufacturer Goodyear emerged as Asia Pacific's Best Brand for brand excellence in the automotive category at the recent Brand Laureat e 2006-07. The inaugural regional award is a recognition of...

Paying a heavy price for that intimate pose.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Nurris Ishak KUALA LUMPUR: It would have been an intimate moment at the insistence of a lover or husband. And the woman would have bared all - only for his eyes, and the camera or...

Bring it back.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Y.C.W. ON behalf of my friends (fervent listeners and ardent followers) of Golden Traxx, a programme aired only on Sunday nights from 10pm to 1am, I would like to express our utmost...

Keeping everyone informed.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Eka A. Suripto WITH reference to the report "Boatloads of poisons come from Indonesia" (NST, Feb 8), I wish to say that it is the government's duty to inform its citizens of the existence...

A first in women-only games.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Syed Umar Ariff KOTA BARU: Nurul Farhana Azmi felt comfortable without the presence of men during a volleyball game last week. Clad in her tudung and loose sports uniform, she had no...

Employers against thumbprint move.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KUALA LUMPUR: Most employers are against the idea of their thumbprints being taken for employing foreign workers. Three out of four employers interviewed said it would be unfair to them as only the...

On the road to safe and easy riding.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Minderjeet Kaur; Mazlinda Tengku Mahmud KUALA LUMPUR: Almost nil. These are the chances of survival for a motorcyclist involved in an accident while travelling at 50kph. The impact of...

Problems! Problems! Problems!
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Ajitpal Singh IN ICE SKATING: THE Ice Skating Association of Malaysia (ISAM) wants answers from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for allowing the Malaysian Ice Hockey Association...

8 warships in biggest naval exercise in Sarawak, Sabah.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) KOTA KINABALU: They tracked an area of over 100,000 sq km over the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea in the biggest ever naval exercise in Sabah and Sarawak last week. Some 500 Royal Malaysian Navy...

Problems! Problems! Problems!
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Devinder Singh IN CRICKET: TWO cricket bodies have sent in proposals to the National Sports Council (NSC) to prepare a team for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup next year. The proposals...

Hold them to their pledge.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Samuel Yesuiah FIRST, it was the prizes offered as incentives for Malaysians to change their MyKad. Instead of fining them for not being responsible citizens, they were rewarded for their...

Maddening congestion.
February 21, 2007... (From New Straits Times (Malaysia)) Byline: R.M. KUALA Lumpur City Hall, not long ago, promised heaven on earth for us Kampung Baru folk, especially regarding the streets where the stalls were built without any supervision. ...