New Straits Times articles from June 2002

New Straits Times archives from June 2002

World class audience we're not.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Shareem Amry "WORLD class" is what we're often told we must aspire to be. In the meantime, we have to content ourselves by watching others who have already earned that accolade, in the hope that some of their greatness will rub...

Something to suit every palate.
June 30, 2002... WHAT do you like? Whatever, you'd probably find it at The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel's Sixth Annual Food Festival which runs till July 7. With participation of all its five outlets, you'd hardly not find something you'll enjoy. ...

A spot of Greek.
June 30, 2002... DESPITE the wide range of foods available in this country, Greek cuisine does not quite spring to mind when one's pondering where to eat. Thus may I be forgiven for crinkling up my nose when My Best Friend suggests a spot of Greek food for...

Honest Hill.
June 30, 2002... LAURYN HILL: Unplugged (Columbia) FOUR years after Lauryn Hill won five Grammys for her solo debut album, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, the former Fugee has learned a little more about herself - and proudly lays bare her honesty for...

ARC keeps its cool.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Albakry Salehuddin SOME argued that the Japan GT was the hottest race of the year and ARC sales manager and research and development engineer Takashi Yasuda agrees, especially with the Malaysian round. According to him, ARC...

Paying tribute to Mazda.
June 30, 2002... THE Sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment is one of the most competitive markets in the country. And in such a growing segment, various car manufacturers have produced their own versions of SUVs made popular in the US. However, in...

A club for Levin lovers.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Albakry Salehuddin SEVERAL Toyota loyalists have finally started the 4A-G club chapter here that is well known all over the world. "We wanted to unite all 4A-G owners in Malaysia, and in the process support each other in our...

Triple S showroom for Naza-Kia sales - service, storage.
June 30, 2002... Byline: T. Yogendra NAZA-KIA has set a target to be the No.1 vehicle brand by 2005. Managing director Tan Sri Sheikh Mohamad Nasimuddin Kamal Sheikh Mohamad Amin said that the company would adopt a four-pronged strategy to achieve...

Motor clinic.
June 30, 2002... SIMEX Marketing is organising the Dunlop Motorcycle Clinic in conjunction with the Malaysian Cub Prix Championship 2002. The Dunlop Motorcycle Clinic, another community service project by Simex, is organised to educate young motorcyclists...

'Bookie' is legal across the Causeway.
June 30, 2002... IT'S not illegal to place your bet, across the Causeway, on Brazil, or Germany for the matter, to win the 2002 World Cup. "Strike", launched by Singapore Pools last month, allows Singaporeans to bet on foreign matches and bets can be for...

Government departments urged to attain ISO certification.
June 30, 2002... KUCHING, Sat. - Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain wants government departments which have yet to attain the ISO certification to start working for it. He said ISO certification would give them an edge, and show...

Irish medical college picks Malaysia as first overseas exam site.
June 30, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has selected Malaysia as its sole overseas regional centre to hold the clinical parts of the post-graduate medical examination. The written and clinical parts of the Member...

Gold dinar proposal at the OIC Summit, says Abdul Hamid.
June 30, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's dream of seeing the gold dinar to be used in international trade may not be realised before October next year when he steps down. However, the gold dinar is a distinct...

Asean countries urged to work closely with China.
June 30, 2002... PENANG, Sat. - Asean countries must work closely with China to benefit from its emergence as a new global economic super-power. Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon said the 10 Asean members should re- strategise their economic plans to...

Not many can follow PM in voicing one's plan to retire.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Ahmad A. Talib HOW many people will follow Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad to voluntarily announce their retirement? The Prime Minister, forever challenging Malaysians to test their minds against the mundane and routine, has...

A gracious evening after the trauma of the Umno assembly.
June 30, 2002... Byline: DKL TO appreciate what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad did, it is necessary to look back at history. The British administrators did not take Tunku Abdul Rahman seriously as a politician. They put their money on...

UniTek-MARA offering French technical degrees.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Arni Abdul Razak THERE is no doubt a skilled workforce is an important factor in boosting the economy of a nation. Given the current economic situation and the rapid development of the country, MARA has taken another bold...

Indonesia now a viable option for medical courses.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Habsah Marjuni AMONG the countries that Malaysians traditionally go to for high quality medical education are England, Ireland and India. However, with the not so favourable ex-change rate, the cost of sending medical...

Front-page coverage for PM's announcement in local, Singapore media.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Balan Moses DATUK Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sudden decision to resign sent the nation into shock last week with many unable to accept the fact that the father of modern Malaysia would no longer be at the helm. The effect was...

Graduate heads for kampung to rear poultry and teach IT.
June 30, 2002... MOHD Azam Hashim is a businessman at heart. That was why he resigned as a lecturer in information technology after five years at Intan, the National Public Administration Institute, in 2000 to take up poultry rearing and trading! That is...

Ken Barnes trials attract 500 youngsters in Kangar.
June 30, 2002... THE Ken Barnes Soccer Skills trials, which was graced by the the Pemangku Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra in Kangar last month, attracted 500 boys. Tuanku Syed Faizuddin even took time off to play in an exhibition match to kick...

Shalin back at the top of ABF standings.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Rizalman Hammim SHALIN Zulkifli retained her position at the top of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) ranking after winning the Philippines Open. Five other women bowlers and five men also made it into the top-15 list. ...

Impounded cars incident will create awareness.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Arnaz M. Khairul THE impounding of Malaysian Super Series (MSS) race cars by the Royal Customs and Excise Department last week should not hamper the growth of local motorsports but instead, provide a better understanding of...

Mava bids for two world events.
June 30, 2002... TWO women's world championships are being planned for next year as part of the Malaysia Volleyball Association's (Mava) efforts to boost interest in the sport. Mava secretary Huang Soon Fook said the association has submitted the...

OLAK get their act together.
June 30, 2002... SAB College.............. 1 Perak Malays........... 1 Olak-MPK................. 4 YNS.....................1 PJMC......................4 Malay Mail...............0 DB........................ 7 Penang Indians..........0 ...

Singles shuttlers make it all Malaysian final.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Lee Keng Fatt; K. Kandiah DEFENDING champions Ong Ewe Hock effectively wiped off China's last hope in the men's singles by slaying their young Chinese dragon Bao Chunlai in a three-game thriller to set up the much-anticipated...

Electrifying Tenaga just too good for Kerian.
June 30, 2002... Byline: R.G. Raj FAVOURITES Tenaga Nasional Bhd, after leading by a solitary goal in the first half, turned on the power after the break and scored six goals to beat debutants Kerian 7-0 in the MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior League at the...

Andersen sued for RM350m (HL).
June 30, 2002... Byline: Sujatani Poosparajah KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co has been sued by a public-listed company and two subsidiaries for more than RM350 million for failing to detect irregularities in the companies'...

Regulatory bodies to step in to resolve TRI tussle.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Firdaus Abdullah KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today regulatory bodies and other concerned authorities would intervene to resolve the tussle over Technology Resources Industries...

No clear indication on candidates for Pendang and Anak Bukit contests.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Zubaidah Bakar UMNO and Pas, likely to be the only parties contesting in the Pendang parliamentary and Anak Bukit State by-elections, have yet to select their candidates but several names have been making the rounds. Among...

Reaction mixed to Ah Lek's suggestion.
June 30, 2002... Byline: Chow Kum Hor KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - There was mixed reaction from MCA leaders to the proposal that president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik comes up with the schedule for his retirement and when his successor would take over. ...

Call to get MCA Youth panel dissolved.
June 30, 2002... SEREMBAN, Sat. - The three-man committee overseeing the suspended MCA Youth wing will submit a recommendation to the party leadership asking for the committee to be dissolved. Committee Datuk Hon Choon Kim said the committee was happy...

530 hectares identified for Bumi development.
June 30, 2002... PENANG, Sat. - The Penang Bumiputera Steering Committee has identified 1,000 lots of land totalling 530ha which can be developed by Bumiputera companies. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the land belonging to State...

Up to 60 historic shipwrecks in Malaysian waters.
June 30, 2002... MALACCA, Sat. - Fifty to 60 historic shipwrecks, including World War II British warships Repulse and Prince of Wales, have been found in Malaysian waters. Museums and Antiquities Department director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said despite...

Consultant wins beauty contest.
June 30, 2002... IPOH, Sat. - Beauty consultant Lee Mei Jen beat 13 others for the Miss Chinese Universe Malaysia 2002 crown last night. "I am happy," was all she could say. She also won the Miss Elegance Carlsberg. The first runner-up was Chloe...

Clarification.
June 30, 2002... PUNCAK Niaga Holdings Bhd holds a 30 per cent equity stake in Negri Sembilan Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd, the company said in a statement. It said it did not manage the water supply to Negri Sembilan. The statement was to clarify an...

Dadah rehab inmate escapes.
June 30, 2002... AN inmate of Jeli dadah rehabilitation centre escaped on Thursday night, bringing the number of escapees from the centre since early this month to 18. District police chief Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Nordin Jaafar.

Neighbourhood English classes.
June 30, 2002... THE Terengganu Ex-Education Officers Association members will organise a programme soon to teach students English in their neighbourhood after school hours, its secretary, Ismail Awang said.

Upko wants to set up college.
June 30, 2002... MCA's Tunku Abdul Rahman college is an inspiration to the United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation which wants to set up a similar college in Sabah. Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said this at an education seminar yesterday.

Thailand proposes alliance to boost industrial growth.
June 30, 2002... PENANG, Sat. - Thailand wants to tap into Malaysia's expertise in industrial development and is proposing a strategic alliance to enhance growth in the two countries. "The proposed strategic alliance involves planning and networking in...

BCB assigns staff to check ATMs on holidays, weekends.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Bumiputra Commerce Bank Bhd will assign staff to check ATM machines every night, on weekends and extended holidays following the recent spate of illegal withdrawals. BCB communications vice-president Joyce Ha said...

Suspension unwarranted, says Odasaja.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Odasaja (M) Sdn Bhd, the co-ordinator for the Employees Provident Fund's computer purchase withdrawal scheme, said the few cases of minor abuses do not warrant a suspension of the scheme. Its director Major General...

Sheila, style icon.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Dazman Manan SHE wears her clothes with a quiet confidence. The fashion philosophy she has adopted since she began singing in 1985 has enabled Sheila Majid to reach the high notes in what's fashionable. It is safe to say that...

MPs still reeling from Fadzil's death, PM's shock announcement.
June 29, 2002... A SOMBRE atmosphere pervaded Parliament on Monday following the death of Opposition leader and Pendang MP Datuk Fadzil Noor. Many were shocked over the demise of the Pas president as he was reported to be in stable condition after...

WWF praises ban on timber imports from Indonesia.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia today came out in support of the Government's ban on timber imports from Indonesia, and hailed the move as a commitment to sustainable forest management. "It is a step...

Fumbled hype with forensics.
June 29, 2002... MURDER BY NUMBERS Directed by Barbet Schroder Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling, Michael Pitt, Agnes Bruckner, Chris Penn, R.D. Call, Ben Chaplin THE thing to remember about Sandra Dud is... What's that? Miss DREAD-lock? Oops,...

A kooky ride into Americana.
June 29, 2002... INTERSTATE 60 Directed by Bob Gale Starring James Marsden, Gary Oldman, Jane Moffat, Ken Kramer, Christopher Lloyd, Chris Cooper INTERSTATE 60 is one of those movies that comes in quietly, without fanfare, and imparts to audiences hidden...

New range for LV Cup test.
June 29, 2002... SPORTS and style do go hand in hand. Think of the late American sprinter Flo Jo zooming on the tracks in her flashy fitness gear and coloured, manicured nails. Or, Manchester United striker David Beckham in his ever- changing crop. ...

A host of Italy's finest.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Zatashah Idris SINCE the start of the Fifa World Cup 2002, we have been inundated with "Forza Azzuri" Italian football. Not to mention that every year at the Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang, the Ferrari Gestione Sportiva...

Music is her life.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Terrina Hussein MY fondest recollection of Sheila Majid comes from the time when I was studying in Perth, Australia. During my university days, my group of Malaysian friends and I would celebrate Hari Raya by donning baju...

A violin treat with Lin.
June 29, 2002... TAIWANESE-American violin virtuoso Cho-Liang Lin guests with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) tonight and on Sunday afternoon at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in Kuala Lumpur. Under the baton of its music director Kees...

Two PJ, one LRT weddings.
June 29, 2002... BUSINESSMAN Mohd Hanafiah Abd Salim and wife Harrisom Hussein held a reception for their son Mohamed Elisadikin's wedding with Noor Asnizar Rosli at Singgahsana Hotel, Petaling Jaya recently. Another Petaling Jaya reception took place at...

USJ 2 and 6 battle against dengue.
June 29, 2002... RUKUN Tetangga USJ 6 and 2, in Subang Jaya, held a gotong-royong recently to clear clogged drains and other areas which could become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. The clean-up, conducted after two dengue cases were detected in...

State wants MAS to introduce hourly flights to Kuching.
June 29, 2002... KUCHING, Fri. - The Sarawak Government is optimistic that Malaysia Airlines will introduce hourly flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg had discussions with MAS' top...

Local talents leaving for greener pastures.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Koh Lay Chin; Sobana Damodaran KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Having the infrastructure for film and multimedia production will not be enough to keep talent in the country if there is insufficient support for creative projects. ...

Yokohama here we come: ...
June 29, 2002... YOKOHAMA HERE WE COME: All 20 winners of Dunhill's various 'Extended Play One Devotion' contests pose with British American Tobacco's head of brands Alan Morris (standing, fourth from right) at a farewell ceremony yesterday. Each winner won...

Chance to watch soccer finals on giant screen.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Jasmime Kaur CARLSBERG Marketing Sdn Bhd is treating soccer fans to a big-screen telecast of the World Cup finals between Germany and Brazil at Plaza Mont' Kiara in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. Carlsberg area sales manager Alan...

Patriotic song contest.
June 29, 2002... SING a patriotic song in Mandarin to the theme of To Love Malaysia and you stand a chance to win RM3,000. Radio 5 and NV Multi Corporation Sdn Bhd has jointly organised the Mandarin patriotic song contest for its listeners. The...

Proton KR look to Dutch TT for revival.
June 29, 2002... PROTON Team KR heads for the Dutch TT at the Assen Circuit today hoping to revive their fortunes after two lapses in the Italian and Catalunya GPs. The Malaysian-American outfit, based at Banbury, England, are confident of resurrecting...

Giant-killer Lee cracks China's GreatWall.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Lee Keng Fatt LEE Tsuen Seng turned giant-killer when he created a gaping hole in China's Great Wall by ousting World No 1 Xia Xuanze in an upset straight- game win in the Malaysian Open quarter-finals last night for an all-...

Through the father's eyes.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Jennifer Gomez VERY often, we hear of parents struggling hard to realise their dreams of a bright future for their offspring. It is not so common, however, to see people striving to honour their parents by attempting to achieve...

Ex-KFC MD Ishak Ismail claims trial.
June 29, 2002... Byline: Rosnazura Idrus KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Former managing director of KFC Holdings Bhd Datuk Ishak Ismail, who was fined RM400,000 last year for an offence under the Securities Commission Act, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court...

Succession proposal for Ling (HL).
June 29, 2002... Byline: Chow Kum Hor KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - MCA deputy president Datuk Lim Ah Lek suggested today that party president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik take a cue from Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and formulate a phase-out retirement and...

Pas under Hadi is bad news, says Muhammad.
June 29, 2002... ALOR STAR, Fri. - Pas under the leadership of Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is set to become more radical, and this is bad news for the country, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said. Pas, which was already synonymous...

Kelantan Umno's pledge to Dr M.
June 29, 2002... KOTA BARU, Fri. - Kelantan Umno pledges to wrest the State from Pas in the next general election as a special gift for Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad who will be leading Umno and the Barisan Nasional Government until next year. State...

It's back to business for all Malaysians, relieved by Dr M's decision.
June 29, 2002... Byline: his unselfish action, the Prime Minister has once again demonstrated THE dust has settled and most Malaysians are now back at work. News that Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has on his own accord agreed to serve the nation until...

Questions over post, quota system dominates debate.
June 29, 2002... QUESTIONS over the creation of another youth secretary-general's post, the quota system and educational issues dominated the debates on the resolutions at the MCA Youth assembly yesterday. Federal Territory delegate Lee Boon Kok said MCA...

A treat for audio, video buffs next month.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Want to see a pair of Meridian loudspeakers that costs as much as a house in Subang Jaya? Audio and video enthusiasts can see this gadget, among other AV equipment, at the KL International AV Show 2002 next month....

Support for transition of power.
June 29, 2002... THE MCA Youth assembly yesterday unanimously expressed support for the hand- over of power from Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister next year. "We are very sad to lose a highly-respected...

Forum for exchange of info on breast cancer.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The Breast Cancer Welfare Association will organise the First Asia Pacific Reach To Recovery International Breast Cancer Support Conference at the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel on Aug 8. The four-day conference, themed...

Keng Yaik: Create k-entrepreneurs.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia has been urged to create a group of k-entrepreneurs who will be able to be a step ahead of competitors. Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik said...

Slapping incident mars Wanita meeting.
June 29, 2002... A PEACEFUL Wanita MCA annual general assembly ended on a sour note today, when Sabah State chairman Agnes Shim Tshin Nyuk was slapped over a dispute over the movement's list office-bearers. The mother of Tenom branch Wanita head Lili...

ASP pleads not guilty to soliciting RM24,000.
June 29, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - An Assistant Superintendent of Police pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to soliciting RM24,000 from the father of a suspect in return for releasing his son and his three friends. Chen Tek Lee, 49, was...

Paying tribute to Dr M for his leadership in transforming Malaysia.
June 29, 2002... "WANITA MCA salutes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his statesmanship and leadership in transforming Malaysia and setting the pace for Vision 2020," its chief, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, said yesterday. Dr Mahathir's gift to...

Pioneer contest for pre-schoolers.
June 28, 2002... Byline: Anna Yusof THE first nationwide inter-kindergarten talent competition organised by the Kindergartens Association Malaysia and Dutch Lady Nutrition Centre saw pre-schoolers pitting their skills at the atrium of the IOI Shopping...

Special children receive physiotherapy equipment.
June 28, 2002... Byline: Barbara Foong UNITED Parcel Service recently handed over physiotherapy equipment worth RM95,000 to Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Hulu Langat, Selangor. The donation is made possible through UPS Foundation, the charitable arm...

Puchong baby wins Pampers diapers.
June 28, 2002... LUCKY Muhammad Zulhelmi, 14 months, got himself a two-month supply of Pampers diapers when the mobile camera team of TV3's Kuci-Kuci Pampers Hey 4 programme dropped by his house in Puchong, Selangor recently. The mobile camera team,...

Minister: Translate love for PM into votes.
June 28, 2002... KOTA KINABALU, Thurs. - Voters in the Anak Bukit and Pendang constituencies should translate their love for the Prime Minister and support for the Government by voting in the Barisan Nasional candidate in the coming by-election. Umno...

Umno division supports, respects PM's decision.
June 28, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The Kubang Pasu Umno division which held a special committee meeting today expressed its respect and support for Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to resign within the stipulated time-frame. Its vice-head...

'No change in British-Malaysian ties'.
June 28, 2002... SEREMBAN, Thurs. - There will be no changes in bilateral ties between the British and Malaysian governments when Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi takes over as Prime Minister from Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad next year. British High...

Pas to exploit plan to use English in schools.
June 28, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Pas is expected to capitalise on the Government's plan to introduce English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics next year to win support in the two upcoming by-elections in Kedah. Its deputy Kedah...

Fascinating 'weddings'.
June 28, 2002... THE Bhangra beat was just overwhelming and some people in the crowd got up to dance. The tourists were fascinated and so were many others at Central Market on Thursday night to witness an enactment of a Punjabi wedding ceremony. Central...

Rafidah: Be thankful for peaceful transition of power.
June 28, 2002... KUALA SELANGOR, Thurs. - Malaysians should be thankful that the country is peaceful despite the impending transfer of power in 15 months. Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said the country was lucky to have leaders who were not...

MIC pledges full co-operation to ensure smooth transition of power.
June 28, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - The MIC central working committee today pledged to give its full co-operation to ensure the smooth transition of power from the Prime Minister to his deputy. Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the MIC...