New Straits Times articles from July 2001, page 2

New Straits Times archives from July 2001

'Kedah Cement RTO not a start of other things'.
July 31, 2001... THE proposed injection of EON Bank Bhd by its controlling shareholders into Kedah Cement Holdings Bhd is "not a prelude" to the disposal of DRB- Hicom's stake in Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd to Proton. EON chairman Tan Sri Saleh Sulong...

Putting it right.
July 31, 2001... OUR article last Saturday on Plantation and Development (M) Bhd awaiting approval from the authorities regarding a proposed corporate restructuring exercise was based on the chairman's statement. The statement was contained in the firm's...

Metroplex's property unit here profitable.
July 31, 2001... METROPLEX Bhd saw its pre-tax loss worsen by 39.2 per cent to RM181.7 million in the year ended Jan 31, 2001, from the previous year's RM110.4 million. It was mainly due to the Group's share of losses amounting to RM12.4 million in its...

Sime Darby ups its stake in Palmco Holdings.
July 31, 2001... CASH rich conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd has raised its stake in Palmco Holdings Bhd by 0.2 per cent to about 24.3 per cent as it continues its bid to wrest control of the oleochemicals maker from IOI Corp Bhd. It said that, through its...

Talasco among three bidding for People's Insurance.
July 31, 2001... TALASCO Insurance Bhd, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Idris Hydraulic (Malaysia) Bhd, has submitted a proposal to bid for the entire shares of The People's Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd. Idris told the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange that...

'UBG, RHB Bank merger by year-end'.
July 31, 2001... THE merger between Utama Banking Group Bhd (UBG) and the banking operations of Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) is expected to be completed before the end of the year. "We have always thought that we want to complete the merger before the end of...

RM1.52b bond issue end-August.
July 31, 2001... TEKNOLOGI Tenaga Perlis Consortium Sdn Bhd (TTPC) and Bank Utama (M) Bhd yesterday sealed an agreement for the issuance and arrangement of Al- Istisna Bonds worth RM1.515 billion, the largest bond issue in the country by a single local...

Mavcap provides new horizon in country's venture capitalism.
July 31, 2001... BAD news has riddled the performance of many local technology companies in the last 12 months. Nonetheless, venture capitalists (VCs) continue to raise fresh funds to invest in the technology, multimedia and telecommunications sectors. The...

Domestic airlines happy with hike.
July 31, 2001... THE country's other domestic airlines such as AirAsia Sdn Bhd and Pelangi Airways Sdn Bhd will benefit from the hike in Malaysia Airlines' fares for routes within Peninsular Malaysia. AirAsia general manager Mohamed Nazri Mahajar told NST...

Our fares still among the cheapest.
July 31, 2001... MALAYSIANS still enjoy one of the cheapest air fares per km despite the increase of up to 51.8 per cent for routes within Peninsular Malaysia. Domestic flights in developed countries such as the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia...

Airline returns to KLIA in a big way.
July 31, 2001... ALL Nippon Airways Co Ltd, one of four airlines which had suspended operations in Kuala Lumpur in the wake of the recent economic slowdown, has resumed flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. ANA celebrated its inaugural flight 917...

Air-India code sharing MAS flights to Los Angeles.
July 31, 2001... MALAYSIA Airlines has offered Air-India Ltd code sharing facilities on its flights to Los Angeles. Air-India manager for Malaysia P.S. Rajgopal said in a statement that starting tomorrow the airline will offer seats under its flight number....

New life for old PCs.
July 31, 2001... EVERYONE knows that old newspapers, aluminium cans, glass and plastic bottles can be recycled. But how many know that personal computers too can be reused? Bepeskom - the Malay acronym for Former Computer Science Students at Universiti...

Passion for polo growing.
July 30, 2001... PASSION for polo is growing amongst Malaysians of all races and classes as witnessed at a three-day tournament organised by the Selangor Polo and Riding Club at the club's grounds recently. Sixty-four polo players took part, including a...

300 attend business seminar.
July 30, 2001... ABOUT 300 people attended Telekom Malaysia's (TM) business solution seminar - "Partnering TM for your communication edge" - at the Hotel Equatorial Penang recently.

Jamal on the upswing.
July 30, 2001... JAMAL Abdillah did not sound too good for the interview. Perhaps he caught the flu or maybe he was just a little stressed-out about his upcoming solo concert on Aug 4 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Well, to be nervous...

The other side of Mulder.
July 30, 2001... UNLIKE many stars who stop short when asked about their personal life, actress Tea Leoni lights up at the mention of her husband David Duchovny. Duchovny has been in the limelight lately, thanks to his latest film, Evolution. In that...

Feast for the eyes and ears.
July 30, 2001... FROM the latest technology to affordable personal products, the Kuala Lumpur AV show at the JW Marriott from July 20 to 22 featured an eyeful of audio-visual products that money can buy - depending on your taste, expectations, and size of...

Scene@ Levi's Best Jeanist Award 2001.
July 30, 2001... THE scene at Rush, Twelve SI, Kuala Lumpur, was one of excitement as people filled the club, anxious to find out this year's Best Jeanists. Levis' "party" kicked off with MCs Paula Malai Ali and Jien announcing the 12 finalists. The...

Scene@ Eh! magazine anniversary celebration.
July 30, 2001... POPULAR Malay magazine Eh! celebrated its anniversary in true festive manner recently with a concert at the newly-created walkway called Fiesta Street @ Sungei Wang in Kuala Lumpur. As expected, the Saturday crowd converged in full force...

TV news.
July 30, 2001... MASKED as miniature workers striving to cultivate their crop, honeybees and their fellow flying friends may look harmless but are armed with a stinger. In fact, the stinger is one of the most effective defence mechanisms designed and the...

Zoning for efficient garbage collection.
July 30, 2001... CITY residents can expect more organised rubbish collection after Alam Flora implements the zoning of areas in Kuala Lumpur next month. Alam Flora chief executive officer Mohd Siraj Abdul Razak said the zoning, which was schedule to start...

'Give developers time to apply for strata titles'.
July 30, 2001... APARTMENT and condominium owners have been advised to give developers sufficient time to apply for, and obtain, strata titles. Land and Co-operative Development Deputy Minister Dr Tan Kee Kwong said the developer could only start applying...

Sungai Wang Plaza offers new sidewalk hangout.
July 30, 2001... THE sidewalk cafe concept has become so popular that it is spreading to other parts of Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur. The latest to join is Sungei Wang Plaza complex which also opened its 'Fiesta Street' amid pomp and grandeur. ...

Charity project at Kajang centre for special children.
July 30, 2001... NET-Linx Advanced Media Services, a local company based in Kuala Lumpur, will hold a "Buddies Care and Fun" project at the Kajang Special Children Centre at Jalan Timur in Kajang, Selangor on Sunday. The project will feature activities...

Approach illegal traders properly, authorities told.
July 30, 2001... THE use of reverse psychology on illegal VCD traders and video arcade operators may just be the right approach to deter them, said Selangor Women's Affairs, Unity and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Paduka Norkhaila Jamaluddin....

Enamels make a comeback.
July 30, 2001... SMALL, hand-painted enamel boxes enjoyed much popularity in 18th century England - the golden era for luxurious works of art. The roots of enamelling can be traced back 5,000 years ago to the Egyptians who had perfected the art of fusing...

Fun-filled Father's Day festival at social club.
July 30, 2001... FOLLOWING a successful Mother's Day celebration last May, Kelab Century Paradise in Kuala Lumpur held a festival recently to mark Father's Day. The one-day affair kicked off with a Western breakfast and dim sum for participants and their...

Dinner for Buddies members.
July 30, 2001... EASTIN Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor held a "Red Hot Affair" dinner at its ballroom for the members of Buddies recently. About 200 members attended the affair. They came dressed in red outfits in line with the theme of the occasion....

Publisher launches second phase of Quran project.
July 30, 2001... TO encourage more people to understand and appreciate the contents of the Quran, local publisher Saba Islamic Media launched the second phase of "Hotel Quran Project '98" at Sheraton Subang Hotel and Towers in Subang Jaya, Selangor recently....

Ensuring flawless and fair skin.
July 30, 2001... UNILEVER (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn Bhd recently launched the new Pond's Lightening Moisturiser, the latest product of its skincare range. Unilever director of home and personal care, Vittavat Tantivees, said Pond's new Lightening...

Mega Sale special at Quality.
July 30, 2001... IN conjunction with the Mega Sale Carnival Celebration next month, Quality Hotel City Centre Kuala Lumpur is offering the Mega Deal Promotion from Aug 4 to Sept 20. The package is priced at RM148++ per room night and includes...

Port Dickson resort on K-enterprise move.
July 30, 2001... ROYAL Palm Springs Port Dickson, in Negri Sembilan, recently kicked off a major effort to create a positive corporate culture and working environment to transform the organisation into a K-enterprise. About 80 employees were involved in...

MiCasa sales blitz.
July 30, 2001... THE management team and second liners of MiCasa Hotel & Apartments in Kuala Lumpur, led by director of sales Mei Liew, recently went on a product awareness blitz in the Golden Triangle. Armed with brochures, flyers and homemade cookies,...

Golden Screen Cinema, F&N offer.
July 30, 2001... IF you going to watch movies at Golden Screen Cinemas, make sure to check out "GSC and F&N Coca-Cola Summer Movie Spectacular" promotions at the concessionaire counters. Just collect GSC ticket stubs and Coca Cola combo receipts to win...

Food 'n' fruits treat.
July 30, 2001... JOHOR Baru's Puteri Pan Pacific Hotel is going festive with food and fruits in conjunction with the nationwide "Food and Fruit Fiesta". Its Selasih Restaurant is offering "Lunch Buffet a la Johor" at RM40 nett per adult and 50 per cent...

Vietnam fest at Equatorial Bangi.
July 30, 2001... IF you have never tasted Vietnamese fare before, you have only a few days left to sample it at Hotel Equatorial Bangi's Coffee Garden Restaurant. The Vietnam Food Festival will end on Sunday. Featuring chefs flown in from its sister...

Up And Up for Sprint Trophy.
July 30, 2001... RACY mare Up And Up, who was bang on target in the RM100,000 Datuk Ronald Khoo Teng Swee Memorial Trophy for Class 1 sprinters over 1400m in Race 7 in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday, is being targetted for the richest sprint on the local circuit....

Sterling Jet can take off early.
July 30, 2001... STERLING Jet looks the pick of the five Class 3 newcomers entered for the Penang Turf Club's (PNTC) one-day July meeting in Penang on Sunday. The three-year-old bay New Zealand gelding by Jetball out of Sterling Gift did not run at two...

EPF computer ownership scheme 'abused'.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Finance Ministry today confirmed that the Employees' Provident Fund computer ownership scheme has been abused and that contracts of 16 vendors terminated for offering contributors cash instead of computer sets. ...

Boy, 9, severely beaten for being naughty.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - For being naughty, a nine-year-old boy was severely beaten, causing ugly scars on his back and buttock. The boy, who is from Cheras, told police he was beaten with a cane wrapped with rubber by his parents and a few...

Grey areas in Kayu Ara.
July 30, 2001... I am quite taken by the don't-beat-around-the-bush pictorial on Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara published in this newspaper on July 10. It proves the validity of the age-old maxim that a picture is worth a thousand words. The written passages...

Dubai dollars and sense.
July 30, 2001... FORMERLY famed for airline pit-stops between Asia and Europe, Dubai is an Arab Emirate (one of seven united, yet each still sovereign, territories) that considers the winds of change as inevitable as those shifting the white sandy beaches of...

Maybank Singapore officially launches new headquarters.
July 30, 2001... MAYBANK Tower, the new headquarters of Maybank Singapore, was officially launched by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong yesterday. The 32-storey building at Battery Road marks Maybank's commitment to...

Asian accents.
July 30, 2001... A HOUSE with an interior that's straight out of a home d'cor magazine, yet exudes a welcoming warmth and comfort from every corner - that's an apt description for the abode of Gerard Ng, owner of furniture gallery Purser's Choice. ...

Various incentives for wafer fabrication investors.
July 30, 2001... GOVERNMENT support for investments in semiconductor fabricated wafers will soon see suitable tax and other non-fiscal incentives proffered to local and foreign investors. This move, while aimed at providing Malaysia better access to wafer...

AMAB still negotiating with Fubon, Citigroup.
July 30, 2001... ARAB-MALAYSIAN Assurance Bhd's proposed rationalisation which involves Fubon Group and CitiInsurance International Holdings Inc was currently going through "due diligence", chairman of AMBG Tan Sri Azman Hashim said. He was asked on the...

Metacorp the latest firm targeted for takeover.
July 30, 2001... TOLL operator Metacorp Bhd, which last week transferred to the KLSE main board from the second board, became the latest company to be targeted for a takeover. Yesterday, MTD Capital Bhd - another toll operator - announced that it wants...

EON, Kedah Cement discuss deal.
July 30, 2001... EDARAN Otomobil Nasional Bhd is ironing out details for a reverse takeover deal with Kedah Cement Bhd that will see an eventual backdoor listing of its banking arm, EON Bank Bhd. It is understood that both parties have engaged a merchant...

Adding value with Blondal's systems.
July 30, 2001... AS property developers become more consumer-oriented, they are recognising the fact that they have to offer more value-added content in their projects to capture purchasing demand. Among the content that should be specified for residential...

Sime Darby raises stake in Palmco.
July 30, 2001... SIME Darby Bhd continued to increase its stake in Palmco Holdings Bhd, buying the oleochemical manufacturer's shares from the open market since Monday. As of Wednesday, Sime Darby has accumulated 41.96 million Palmco shares representing...

It is pointless to halt globalisation, says Supachai.
July 30, 2001... IT is pointless for nations to waste time trying to stop globalisation and people to disrupt various international conferences on the subject by staging violent protests, Incoming World Trade Organisation director- general Dr Supachai...

Textraco's business booms with high quality works.
July 30, 2001... TEXTRACO (M) Sdn Bhd, which commenced business in 1998, takes pride in its ability to satisfy customers by completing its works to the highest quality specifications. The company's main activities are industrial floor coatings,...

E'tho sees good times ahead.
July 30, 2001... The local designer has made a name for himself in the industry with his innovative and fusion designs. E'THO Sdn Bhd, a chain of fashion stores that sells designer batik wear, is seeing good times ahead despite the gloomy outlook in the...

Encouraging response for picture maker kiosks.
July 30, 2001... KODAK (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd expects to instal the Kodak Picture Maker Kiosk at all Kodak Express outlets nationwide soon. Currently, only 20 outlets of the total 419 have installed the kiosk, said Kodak cluster product manager Carol Ong. ...

KLCI futures contracts settle softer.
July 30, 2001... KUALA Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) futures contracts on the Malaysia Derivatives Exchange finished lower yesterday on profit taking activity. Traders said investors also liquidated their positions in tandem with the correction in the...

Omneya out for revenge.
July 30, 2001... OMNEYA Abdel Kawy is ready for her grudge match against world junior champion Nicol David in today's semifinal. "I want to avenge my defeat in the individual final," said the 15-year- old Egyptian. "I may have lost to Nicol last week...

Girl picked out four rape suspects.
July 30, 2001... PENANG, Thurs. - A woman police officer told a rape trial today that a 15- year-old girl pointed to four youths who she claimed had raped her three months ago. Insp Noorsalawaty Saad, 27, told Sessions Court judge Rosilah Yop the Form...

Pakistan crisis has Jahangir worried.
July 30, 2001... PAKISTAN, the fallen giants of world squash, are going through a crisis. And this has got their legendary champion, Jahangir Khan, worried. Jahangir, six-time world champion and winner of a record six straight British Open title,...

'Settle summonses or face difficulties renewing road tax'.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Errant motorists who fail to settle their outstanding traffic summonses may face difficulties when they want to renew their road tax as they would have been blacklisted by the police. Federal traffic police...

Weigang now an outcast.
July 30, 2001... PERAK soccer 'coach' Karl Heinz Weigang has been given until Tuesday to leave the country for violating the conditions of his business visit pass or risk being detained by Immigration officials. State Immigration director Ishak Mohamed...

Government doctors may be able to do private practice.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Health Ministry will study the possibility of allowing doctors in public service to do limited private practice in government hospitals. Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said today he had directed the...

USM unveils solar-powered lamp-post.
July 30, 2001... PENANG, Thurs. - In the spirit of Malaysia Boleh and after three years of research and hard work, Universiti Sains Malaysia has come up with a solar-powered lamp-post. "No wires, no switching on-and-off, no pollution and destruction of...

MNS calls for shark management programme.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Over 100 million sharks are killed each year worldwide and the shark population has dwindled drastically. To prevent this from worsening, shark-fishing nations have been urged to implement a shark management plan to...

MTUC: RM325 wage for estate workers a disgrace.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Malaysian Trades Union Congress today said plantation owners should be ashamed for introducing a minimum monthly wage of RM325 in February this year after 60 years of pressure. Its secretary-general, G....

Selangor gives alternative site.
July 30, 2001... SHAH ALAM, Thurs. - The 10-year tussle between the Selangor Government and the Roman Catholic church over the construction of a church here seems to be nearing settlement with the State Government offering an alternative plot of land. ...

Fresh trading measures.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will introduce fresh measures to develop a healthier and more ethical trading environment. Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said besides protecting the interests of...

Consumers urged to spend more to boost economy.
July 30, 2001... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Consumers should increase their spending to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown in the United States and Japan on the country's economy. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin...

20pc drop in number of illegal parking cases in KL.
July 30, 2001... THE number of cases of illegal parking in Kuala Lumpur has dropped almost 20 per cent since City Hall began towing the vehicles last year. Parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Noh Omar said towing was not an...

Tourists complain about facilities and services.
July 30, 2001... THIRTY per cent of tourists had complained that they were dissatisfied with the facilities and services offered, Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir said. He said the ministry had taken immediate steps to look...

Report: Malaysia's global competitiveness down.
July 30, 2001... ACCORDING to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2001, Malaysia's global competitiveness has dropped from 29th to the 27th position. However, International Trade and Industry Minister's parliamentary secretary Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said this was...

More schools, houses for teachers in Sabah.
July 30, 2001... SIXTY-ONE primary schools and 37 secondary schools will be built at various locations in Sabah under the Eighth Malaysia Plan. Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Mahadzir Mohd Khir said the projects worth about RM691.63 million...

No plan to review ringgit peg, says PM.
July 30, 2001... THE Government has no plan at present to review the ringgit which is pegged to the US dollar, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said the value of the ringgit was supported by strong economic fundamentals while the...

Helicopter ambulance proposed for bridge.
July 30, 2001... THE Government may set up a helicopter ambulance service to handle emergencies on the Penang Bridge. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said an emergency vehicle might find it difficult to reach an accident victim with the increasing...

All Nippon Airways back, Aeroflot considering.
July 30, 2001... FOREIGN airlines which had stopped flights to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang are Qantas, Lufthansa, British Airways and Aeroflot. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said All Nippon Airways, which also stopped...

Fire and Rescue strategy in saving suicidal folk.
July 30, 2001... THE Fire and Rescue Department tried very hard to rescue a girl who jumped to her death from the 16th floor of the DNP Plaza in Johor Baru on April 20, this year. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the...

Takeover of UEM.
July 30, 2001... THE problems plaguing United Engineers (Malaysia) Bhd had to be resolved one way or another because they were hanging like a sword over the capital market, dampening the sentiments of investors. For a company of UEM's size, it is not...

For whom the bell tolls.
July 30, 2001... AFTER 21 months in office it is now Gus Dur's turn to genuflect before Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia's new and fifth President. Helping to confirm her legitimacy from a religious point of view was a statement from the Indonesian...

Need for proper ventilation at this post office.
July 30, 2001... I WAS at the Sungai Petani main post office on the afternoon of July 9. There were not fewer than 80 people in it which is approximately 12 metres in length, 4.5 metres wide and three metres high. The hall was extremely stuffy on...

Dirty toilets a cause for concern.
July 30, 2001... I AM saddened and concerned about the dirty condition of the toilets in Kuala Tahan after reading the comments by Richard Pearson (NST, July 16). I have used toilets in many parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the United...

Illiterate children of illegals may be source of social ills in future.
July 30, 2001... I WAS touched by F. Arif's letter "Illegal immigrants' children deserve our help" (NST, July 20) and his concern for children of illegals in Kota Kinabalu who are forced to work to support their families. I spoke to some of these...

Parents largely to blame for ills.
July 30, 2001... IT is disturbing to note the deep concern and frustrations expressed by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad over moral degradation and crime among our youths (NST, July 21). Their immoral and degrading activities need to be...

Bad attitude of KL Hospital nurse and its doctor, too.
July 30, 2001... ON July 16, I accompanied my four-year-old daughter to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur. She had an appointment to check on see an X-ray taken the previous week and also to undergo a further check-up. I was given a number and a yellow card at...

DBKL on track in creating more parks.
July 30, 2001... THANK you Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). I read with excitement that DBKL is creating four more new parks in the city (NST, July 24) in addition to seven existing ones. They are in Taman Metropolitan Batu, Taman Metropolitan Kepong,...