New Straits Times articles from March 2009, page 3

New Straits Times archives from March 2009

It's a straight fight between old friends.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Firdaus Abdullah; Sulok Tawie; Nancy Nais; Dennis Wong LUBOK ANTU (Sri Aman): It's a battle between two old friends for the Batang Ai state seat on April 7. Barisan Nasional's Malcom Mussen Lamoh and Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Jawah...

Travel, hotel sectors get creative to stay afloat.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Presenna Nambiar AIRLINES and hotels have packaged many attractive 'stimulus packages' to entice consumers to continue spending on travel and hotel stays, writes PRESENNA NAMBIAR. WHEN the going gets tough, the tough have a sale!...

Teachers' expertise needed in politics.
March 30, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Experienced teachers could further help develop the country if they are allowed to participate in politics. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said: "It is a good idea to allow Group A...

Supporters were boisterous but peaceful.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Firdaus Abdullah; Sulok Tawie; Nancy Nais; Dennis Wong LUBOK ANTU: The crowds began gathering less than 30 minutes after sunrise, with supporters from both sides trading barbs at the mini-stadium. With their flags and...

Turbulent time for docile sport.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Devinder Singh THE docile world of lawn bowls was rocked by allegations of indiscipline and match-fixing recently which will be high on the agenda of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) annual general meeting (AGM) today....

Main contest between BN, PKR.
March 30, 2009... SUNGAI PETANI: A record 15 people, including 13 independent candidates, yesterday filed nomination papers to contest the Bukit Selambau by-election on April 7. However, the real fight is between Barisan Nasional and Parti Keadilan...

'Ganesan can bring about change'.
March 30, 2009... SUNGAI PETANI: Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election, Datuk S. Ganesan, is the best choice to represent the voters and to bring in changes to the people. BN election operations director Datuk Seri Hishammuddin...

Motley lot at nomination centre.
March 30, 2009... SUNGAI PETANI: In the days leading to the Bukit Selambau by-election, there was one chap or other proclaiming his interest to contest. Yesterday, 13 of them turned up at the nomination centre to become independent candidates. And...

The first step to awareness.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Datuk Dionysius AS a conservationist, I am proud and thankful that so many of my fellow Malaysians have voiced their concern about climate change. By supporting Earth Hour on Saturday, we have sent a clear message to the...

PM has contributed to greater transparency.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Jeong Chun Phuoc I REFER to your report on the Umno general assembly "Changing times" (NST, March 25). It is sad to note that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will soon be stepping down as prime minister. Whatever the transition...

Recognition will serve to motivate young athletes.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Mohd Faizal Abdullah DATUK Nicol Ann David, the nation's squash darling, was crowned the 2008 National Sportswoman of the Year -- her sixth sportswoman award and her fourth in a row since 2005. Nicol now tops the list with six...

Seberang Jaya rep pledges loyalty.
March 30, 2009... BUKIT MERTAJAM: Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, once said to be considering joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat, has been inspired by Datuk Seri Najib Razak's leadership to stay put in Umno. He said he did not have to leave the...

Hospital was negligent, says mother.
March 30, 2009... SEREMBAN: A clerk has alleged that medical negligence on the part of a private hospital here led to her newborn being born with disabilities. Cheong Hsiu Tyug, 29, also claimed hospital staff did not attend to her daughter after her...

Maid detained over molest.
March 30, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: A mother was puzzled when her usually bubbly daughter became fearful about attending kindergarten classes. She had a shock when the 5-year-old told her that the maid at the kindergarten centre had been molesting her. ...

2 shot in bid to foil car theft.
March 30, 2009... Byline: V. Shuman KUALA LUMPUR: A father and son were shot in a scuffle with two robbers who had entered their house and demanded the keys to their two luxury cars yesterday. The 60-year-old father, identified only as Mahadi,...

Robbed, raped after stopping to help.
March 30, 2009... KAJANG: A trip to a friend's house in Bandar Mahkota Cheras here turned into a nightmare for a couple after they were robbed at knife point and the woman raped. The couple were driving to visit their friend when they noticed two men by...

Any Humour has the last laugh.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Go-Ram ANY Humour, who cost only A$20,000 (RM50,000), upstaged his more seasoned campaigners to capture the S$200,000 (RM477,000) Chairman's Trophy for Group 3 horses over 1800m (Race 9) at Kranji yesterday. Ridden a daring...

Below-par Roslinda still manages silver.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Devinder Singh IT was just the start to the season Roslinda Samsu (pic) wanted after winning a silver medal at the Taiwan Pole Vault Invitational Championship in Kaohsiung on Friday. Roslinda was content with second placing...

Rachel, Faris maintain unbeaten streak.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Devinder Singh FEDERAL Territory's Rachel Arnold and Faris Daniel Amir were the only players to remain unbeaten after winning their second successive titles in the second leg of the 17th SportExcel-Milo-NSC Squash National Junior...

Terengganu can help Kelantan.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Zainuddin Muhammad THEY may be bitter rivals but Terengganu are willing to help neighbours Kelantan to take the Super League lead by denying Selangor any points at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium tomorrow. Team manager Shaikh...

Economic crisis forces three states to pull out.
March 30, 2009... Byline: Ajitpal Singh THE economic crisis has caused three sepaktakraw teams to withdraw from the 46th Khir Johari Gold Cup on April 7-11. The Perlis, Sarawak and Labuan sepaktakraw associations withdrew their respective teams due to...

Diffusing the situation.
March 29, 2009... THE fate of the Toyota, Williams and Brawn Formula One teams and their disputed diffusers will be decided in the week leading up to the Chinese GP. The three teams are racing under appeal at today's season-opening Australian GP after the...

High quality degrees from Nottingham University.
March 29, 2009... MANY colleges and universities in Malaysia have ties with overseas universities which can be attractive to students and parents. All over the world stand-alone universities are coming under pressure to graduate more students and, possibly, to...

Italian flair and Austrian power.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Azdee Amir THIS year, it seems motorcycle enthusiasts and fans have finally received part of their wish, or rather wish list, as one such bike has already landed in Malaysia. If one is ready to part with roughly RM25,000,...

Pursue diploma in aircraft maintenance at TAFE college.
March 29, 2009... THESE are indeed interesting times for the airline industry, as air travel is no longer the domain of the privileged and is accessible to everyone. So, too, are careers in this exciting industry. You can take your first step towards...

Elephant kills smallholder.
March 29, 2009... GRIK: An elephant trampled to death a man who was working in his rubber smallholding at Kampung Tanjung Rimbun on Friday. Mohd Namidi Mat Piah, 52, his brother Abdul Aziz Jaafar, 46, brother-in-law Hassan Said and a Rela member had...

Modenas' new weapon.
March 29, 2009... NATIONAL bike company Modenas has launched its new weapon, the GT128. Based on the not-so-popular X-Cite kapchai launched in 2006, this GT128 has a 130cc four-stroke engine and is Euro 2 compliant. Modenas claims that the old X-Cite...

Hafiz leads the charge into finals.
March 29, 2009... Byline: K.M. Boopathy HAFIZ Hashim did more than a favour to his struggling career as he reached the final of the India Open with a battling display against China's Chen Long in Hyderabad yesterday. The unseeded Hafiz won 21-18, 19-21,...

Only 100 take up postgrad study offer.
March 29, 2009... KUCHING: Only 100 graduates have applied for the financial assistance provided under the second economic stimulus package to do postgraduate studies. Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said the small number of...

Ramdan, Zulfadli in sight of titles.
March 29, 2009... Byline: T.N. Alagesh IT was a stroll in the park for Selangor duo Misbun Ramdan Misbun and Zulfadli Zulkifli as they moved within a match of winning the boys' Under-18 and Under-16 titles respectively in the 100Plus National Junior...

Shahrizat grateful to mentors.
March 29, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Newly elected Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil paid tribute to "teachers" who had given her valuable lessons on how to become a good leader. They included former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his...

Budding classic talent.
March 29, 2009... Byline: S. Vignesh EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Omenen Raventharan practically forced his mother, Vimala, to bring him all the way from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur to meet Pradeep Lingam, senior advisor of Big Boys Rides Auto Garage. It all started...

End to trigger-happy gang.
March 29, 2009... TAIPING: The three men who died in a shootout with police at the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort on Friday and their three accomplices who were arrested were members of a robbery gang. Known to be trigger-happy and merciless, they would shoot...

Faint Chinese love call.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Philip Lim LOVE stories are often a sure-fire formula for success. PHILIP LIM arrives to find only echoes of love in the hall. It's a poor prelude to a film preview when only four media representatives showed up. Thirty...

Quality engineering programmes at INTI.
March 29, 2009... THE world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano, was unveiled by Tata Motors this week. Priced at US$2,000 (RM7,240), the car is powered by a 33 horse power, 624cc engine and can seat between four and five people. Fuel efficient and economical,...

Enhancing employability of INTI graduates.
March 29, 2009... IF you are among the many students who have just received their SPM results and are confused by the myriad of course options available, and keen to know more about career opportunities in new emerging fields, then visit INTI College Subang...

KBU honours bright sparks at special luncheon.
March 29, 2009... KBU International College (KBU) honoured its high achievers at a special luncheon themed "Glorious 2008" recently. Current and past students who excelled in various fields last year attended the event. Chairman of KBU's Board of...

Anuar sings for Girls Friday.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Tan Bee Hong ANUAR Zain, the singer with the golden voice, will entertain secretaries while funny Dee will leave them rollicking with laughter, writes TAN BEE HONG. It's a lethal combination. Anuar Zain's singing and Dee's...

UKM cultivating architectural leaders.
March 29, 2009... THE Department of Architecture at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to produce more architectural leaders who are creative, cultivated, confident and socially sensitive. The study at the university will also equip them with...

Dragon's The Hornet poised to sting again.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Go-Ram THE Hornet can make it back-to-back wins in Group 3 company when he takes on eight rivals in the S$200,000 (RM480,000) Chairman's Trophy for three-year-olds and above over 1800m (Race 9, 4.50pm) at Kranji today. The...

Cleaning up our public spaces.
March 29, 2009... THE cleansing of public areas and the menace of littering are important issues in solid waste management. The responsibility for maintaining our shared spaces lies with both the waste generator as well as the waste management concessionaire....

Rhydian riding high.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Aref Omar HE'S got the look, the body and a powerful voice. AREF OMAR chats up Welsh singer Rhydian Roberts. First runner-up of X-Factor (Season Four), Rhydian Roberts, has lots to smile about. Although he lost to Leon...

Driving schools told to upgrade circuits.
March 29, 2009... JOHOR BARU: The Road Transport Department wants driving schools to upgrade their driving circuit to provide a better training ground for drivers. It hopes this can be done despite the current economic downturn. "It is imperative that we...

Step into Berjaya U-C world of hospitality.
March 29, 2009... THE study of Hospitality, in an academic context, briefly refers to learning the art of being hospitable and applying the acquired skills in the hospitality businesses, including, but not limited to, Food and Beverage, Tourism, Recreation,...

A treat of words.
March 29, 2009... Byline: James Lochhead "I AM going to read this poem in Arabic". "With your permission, I will read this poem in Bengali." "This is a poem by one of France's best-known poets, and I will read it in French". So it was, as reader...

Allow DNA testing for old cases.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Brendan Navin Siva IN 1982, Sean Hodgson was sentenced to life in prison in England. He was found guilty of raping and strangling Teresa De Simone in Southampton in 1979. The prosecution's case was that De Simone was brutally...

Another dugong dies.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Syed Umar Ariff PASIR GUDANG: Dugong deaths in the waters off Johor are occurring again. Two of the marine herbivores, which are listed as protected species and considered a part of Johor's heritage, have been found dead...

Muhyiddin seeks PM's forgiveness.
March 29, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Newly elected Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday pledged to be a loyal No. 2 to party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak. As the second man in the party leadership, the international trade and industry...

Drug mules used as bait in 'new trick'.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Lee Shi-Ian KUALA LUMPUR: One in 10 Malaysian drug mules is being sacrificed by African drug syndicates to divert the attention of foreign authorities from the other nine who slip through. Police believe this strategy, aimed...

'Spitting' sparks fight in school.
March 29, 2009... MUAR: Two Form Three pupils were injured and another fainted when a group of students from the same school entered their classroom and hurled objects, including stones, at them. The injured were a girl, who was hit on the left temple, and...

Students strut their stuff at Nilai bash.
March 29, 2009... ASK any newcomer to Nilai UC's vast campus about the most startling aspect of the institute and you're likely to get the same answer - the sheer cultural diversity of the student populace. Walking through the halls and common areas of this...

Nursing option at Masterskill too.
March 29, 2009... NURSING is one of the world's oldest professions. It is an increasingly attractive career option for those who have a desire and passion to serve the community. Nurses are highly valued in all countries because of their involvement at all...

RTM urged to air religious shows during prime time.
March 29, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Government broadcaster RTM was yesterday told to show religious programmes during prime time. Debating the motion on education and religion, Umno Youth delegate Syahrin Jamaluddin said while religious programmes were...

Lights off to highlight global warming.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Minderjeet Kaur; Phuah Ken Lin KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Malaysians enjoyed an hour of quiet darkness last night, switching off their lights and other electrical appliances for Earth Hour nationwide from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. In...

Multivitamins vital for a better life.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Rajen M. HERE are some revealing facts for those who do ot believe in multivitamin supplements. A new study conducted by researchers at the United States National Institutes of Health has provided the first epidemiologic evidence...

Splendour in the sun.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Andrew Suresh CLASSIC car gatherings are all about glittering chrome under the sun, proud owners of yesteryear machines and throngs of admirers from all walks of society. Last weekend, the organiser of the Kuala Lumpur...

Best student plans to become a lecturer.
March 29, 2009... PUTRAJAYA: Growing up with a widowed mother and without any siblings, Janina Saheb has not led a charmed life. However, she does not let that keep her down. The bubbly 23-year-old graduated from Mahsa University College as the best...

Equus with no equal.
March 29, 2009... HYUNDAI has launched its new flagship sedan, the Equus, in its home nation. A representation of Hyundai's engineering and design prowess, the Equus is meant to be an import fighter against the luxury liners from Japan and Germany. ...

Best of both worlds.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Andre Lam LAMBORGHINI has been in pursuit of its famous Italian competitor with a well planned strategy that seems more German than Italian. Having been very consistent with its new product introductions, the latest LP560-4...

All praise for PTPL mentor programme.
March 29, 2009... DUE to a burning interest in graphic design, Tengku Ahmad Hazrin Tengku Hassan chose to enrol in PTPL College Shah Alam. This Terengganu lad had previously pursued a mechanical engineering programme at another private university only to...

Zest to see people laugh.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Dinesh Appavu COMEDIAN Andrew Netto likes to see people laugh. "I want too see people laugh, even if it involves me hopping into a pink jumpsuit or a saree," said Andrew, 22. It happened in 2006 when a cousin decided to...

We can make a difference to Earth.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Dzulkifli Abdul Razak 60 EARTH Hour was observed yesterday around the world. It had one mission: an act by the global population in unison to create a new awareness on the state of affairs of planet Earth. Organised by World Wide...

Fists of fury.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Subashini Nair SUBASHINI NAIR takes on Doug Anderson and Jimmy Smith for a no-holds-barred chat about Fight Quest. You can call them psychotic, insane, brave or inspiring but for Doug Anderson and Jimmy Smith, hosting the...

Maths in class - Tech it easy.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Alia Anreen TECHNOLOGY use in the Mathematics classroom encourages students to interact, especially when they are asked to solve real-life problems in groups, writes ALIA ANREEN. Assessment in Mathematics education must change in...

The prince and the golden shower.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Shuib Taib WHEN Prince William, the future king of England, took a break from his polo match last November to direct a golden shower at a fence, he was surely most relieved. But a lurking paparazzo snapped the watery moment...

Joyfully playful and loving it!
March 29, 2009... Byline: Tessie Lim BEING single again at my age is rather interesting. Un-entangled, one sees more clearly... the different styles of loving. Sadly I recognise the most common style: Non-love or the absence of love. As pervasive is...

Students, parents have fun at SEGi's Open Day carnival.
March 29, 2009... IT was a fun filled weekend at SEGi University College in Kota Damansara as visitors and students took part in the festivities of the annual Open Day Carnival. The two-day carnival saw the 10-acre campus transform into a colourful carnival...

Dressing the part important, too.
March 29, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Being a Wanita or Puteri delegate to the Umno general assembly can get rather unglamorous. In fact, it can get quite ugly, wth the long hours, late nights and the pressure. "It's important that we look after our appearance....

Mercedes-Benz opts to stick with Sepang.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Hezeri Samsuri THOUGH local F1 fans can jump with joy as we now have two F1 races in the same region, participating car companies will have to choose one to give their full support. Supporting both amidst the global financial...

RazakSat satellite opens doors.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Michael Sun WITH the set launch of the RazakSat satellite on April 21, Malaysia can offer relevant tertiary Geography Information System (GIS) programmes not only locally, but also to students from West Asia and the European...

Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar offers best of British-style learning.
March 29, 2009... "WORK hard, play hard" is a good motto for getting the best out of your school days. Students at Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar (KTJ) have been taking this to extremes. So far this term, five Upper Sixth formers have received offers from Oxford and...

Joining the campaign to save the Earth.
March 29, 2009... "It was Malaysia's first attempt at Earth Hour, an event that has inspired millions around the world to switch off their lights for one hour, and to be switched on to the issue of global warming. Last night the New Straits Times Press joined...

6-speed auto Chevy Cruze.
March 29, 2009... HICOM-CHEVROLET has confirmed that the Cruze will be introduced here by end July. This Optra replacement uses General Motor's all-new Global Delta platform, designed and engineered in Germany. The platform actually is the foundation...

Time for words.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal FOR single working mum Kow Shih-Li, finding the hours to spare so she could concentrate on writing her book was the hardest part, writes INTAN MAIZURA AHMAD KAMAL. Her bespectacled eyes dance with...

Giving unity a hand.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Rachael Philip HIS life reads like a book and the chapter Michel Anthony likes most is about Malaysia's people and the oneness we share, writes RACHAEL PHILIP. He's in town to attend a niece's wedding. In between the...

UM places emphasis on cutting-edge research.
March 29, 2009... UNIVERSITY of Malaya is emphasising on the quality of cutting-edge research to become a top class research university. Vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Ghauth Jasmon said the university was targeting to develop a research-based culture....

Bitter-sweet moment for grieving husband.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Syed Umar Ariff JOHOR BARU: It must have been hard for Suhaimi Mohamed Dasok. All eyes were fixed on Suhaimi, 38, as he walked onto the stage to receive a scroll for a master's degree at the 42nd Universiti Teknologi Malaysia...

Three pillars at work.
March 29, 2009... Byline: K. C. Boey WASHINGTON loomed large over the past week, among a people to whom the government has stopped kidding over the economy, as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and President Barack Obama warmed to each other in their first...

The president's new men and women ...
March 29, 2009... Byline: Koh Lay Chin UNDER new Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak comes the line-up of recently-elected executive councillors in the party and its wings. KOH LAY CHIN finds out a little more about some of the names on board, some of...

Fight backs, cut offs and payouts.
March 29, 2009... THESE are the top 10 stories on the New Straits Times online site for the week ending March 27 www.nst.com.my 1. Angry wife chops off cheating husband's manhood 2. Road bully cuts off hand 3. Stunning win for Khairy despite trailing earlier...

Dr M to rejoin Umno.
March 29, 2009... KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed yesterday that he will rejoin Umno. "(But) I will need to fill up a form first," he said after a surprise appearance on the last day of the Umno general assembly yesterday, accompanied by...

Focus on those falling through the cracks.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Lilei Chow DEVI, 20, was shocked when she showed up for work on a Monday morning and was told that she would be out of a job by the end of the month. The manager of the clinic, where she earned RM850 a month as a...

Rotary reign of terror.
March 29, 2009... Byline: Dinesh Appavu MANY automakers had tried their hand at the temperamental rotary engine but none have been as successful as Mazda in taming the child of German engineer Felix Wankel. Now into its third iteration, the Mazda RX-8...

("We must resolve to ... ).
March 29, 2009... Byline: A. Kathirasen "WE must resolve to eradicate money politics right down to the roots." Datuk Seri Najib Razak Umno president CHANGE is the mantra on almost everyone's lips. Change is the drumbeat the world is marching to today....