Work should be enjoyed, says Rosmah

KUALA LUMPUR – A person has to enjoy a task entrusted to him or her and carry it out with sincerity to achieve personal satisfaction, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister.

She said as the wife of the prime minister, she must enjoy what she did everyday and be committed to it.

“To me, we should enjoy our work without feeling pressured into doing it, otherwise we will feel tired and stressed out. I like to interact with the people ... it is a personal satisfaction for me,” she said in an interview in the VIP Awani programme anchored by Suhaimi Sulaiman over the Astro Ria channel last night.

She said she always motivated herself to be positive in fulfilling her responsibility to the people who had chosen her husband Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the prime minister.

Rosmah, who is chairman of the National Permata Policy Executive Committee, said a positive attitude kept her focused in her social welfare activities as she is also the Bakti president and patron of the Girl Guides Association Malaysia.

She said she reminded her children to have a similar attitude and not take things for granted although their father is the prime minister.

“Although our family has heavier responsibilities with tight schedules, we have to carry out the tasks for the good of the people, nation and religion,” she said.

Rosmah said as the wife of a national leader, she must be able adapt to situations, whether in an urban or rural setting, and had learned to cope from Najib.

She hoped for continuous support for Najib as the prime minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and prayed that he would succeed in administering the country fairly and with dedication.

On the Permata children’s centre, she said it provided child care and early education to children aged five years and below and the programme would be extended nationwide in stages. – Bernama

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Dr Khir slams govt over toll issue in Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: The government must view proposals to reduce toll rates substantially very seriously or even abolish toll so as to avoid criticism from the people, said former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.

"Some are saying that if the government had the interest of the people at heart, some of the toll collection in the Klang Valley must be abolished as it results in hardship and traffic congestion," he said in his blog www.drkhir.com.

He added that the pressing toll issues involves a number of toll highways in the klang valley, especially those in densely populated areas which cause massive traffic congestion while toll collected for short stretches, are high.

Among them are the Lebuh Raya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Lebuh Raya Bertingkat Ampang, Lebuh Raya Sungai Besi (Besraya), Lebuh Raya Cheras-Kajang and Lebuh Raya Shah Alam (Kesas).

Apart from traffic congestion and high toll rates, the collection of toll in the klang valley where people have to use highways like Kesas and LDP to work daily, was also not sustainable and becomes a burden to the people, he said.

"The people are willing to share part of the cost for using facilities and infrastructure like the North-South Expressway which provides a comfortable ride whenever they used it.

"But what really irks the people is whenever they leave the house for work or other purposes daily, they end up paying toll at two or three places and then again the rates are high. Some may have to make a few trips daily," he said.

Dr Mohamad Khir who is also the Sungai Panjang state assemblyman said on average, a worker spends about one-third of his earnings on toll and petrol, every month.

"That is excluding maintenance for children, house, car, education, increase in price of goods, electricity tariff. All these certainly takes its toll on the people and that is the cause of their frustration and anger towards the government," he said.

For a worker who stays in Shah Alam and uses the Kesas to work in Bukit Jalil, he or she would have to spend RM8.40 a day for toll for one round trip and that amounts to about RM200 a month, while those staying in Sunway and work in Putrajaya, end up paying RM6.40 a day.

"That is excluding petrol, car maintenance and food," he said. (Bernama)

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BN will not contest in N12 Penanti By Election

KUALA LUMPUR-BARISAN Nasional will not field a candidate for the Penanti by-election, Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak announced today.

The BN supreme council, he said, had unanimously decided on skipping this by-election as the coalition believed the vacancy “is not provided for in the Constitution” and the situation was being used by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to resolve its internal problems.

Najib, who is also Umno president, was speaking at a press conference, after chairing his first BN supreme council meeting since taking office on 3 April. The meeting at Menara Datuk Onn in Kuala Lumpur lasted more than two hours. Najib said the matter had been discussed 'at length' and all the BN component parties had agreed on the decision.

"The Supreme Council made the decision as the seat fell vacant not because it was due to a provision in the constitution, that is, the vacancy was because Parti Keadilan (Rakyat) wants to resolve its internal problems. ... it is also a political ploy by the opposition."

“Because the BN gives priority to serving (the needs of) the people and on efforts to revive the country's economy, we have decided not to field a candidate to contest the Penanti by-election," he announced.

The BN decision today was unanimous although earlier there were BN component parties which had expressed differing opinions on the matter, he said. "We decided through consensus...we don't want to dance according to the tune of others, because we know that this is a political game," Najib said.

Asked whether BN's non-contesting was a sign that it feared being defeated, Najib said it was untrue as BN would still have to face voters in Penanti come the next general election. He also said this was not the first time BN was not contesting a by-election. In 1975, it did not put up a candiate for the Menglembu by-election.

On the reaction of traditional BN supporters in the constituency, the Prime Minister said, "We will still serve the voters in Penanti and Permatang Pauh according to our channels. I know they (BN voters) understand. The interest of the party as a whole is greater," he said.

Asked if the BN would boycott the by-election, he said: "No. It's just that we are not fielding a candidate in Penanti."

The Penanti by-election was called following the resignation of PKR assemblyman and former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, who resigned on 16 April. Two day after, Najib had said there was a possibility of BN not contesting the by-election, stating it was a political ploy by the opposition and “a sheer waste of public funds”.

The BN chairman then said he would get the consensus of the BN component parties on the matter before any decision was made. Fairus, citing his resignation as “in the interest of the party”, had also said he wanted to pursue further studies. He had stepped down from his Deputy Chief Minister post on 8 April following allegations of non-performance in public office as well as corruption claims.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated and cleared him of any alleged links to illegal quarrying activities.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has sold four nomination forms for the Penanti by-election, said its director, Morat Pora. "The forms are sold for RM20 each. However, we don't know who these forms are for because anyone can buy them," he told Bernama here today. He said one of the forms was bought by Aminah Abdullah, who had declared that she would contest in the by-election.

He was unsure if PKR candidate, Dr Mansor Othman, was among those who had bought the forms. Nomination is this Saturday with polling on May 31.— BERNAMA

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Zaid accept Rais challenge to debate anytime, anywhere

KUALA LUMPUR, - Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Datuk Seri Rais Yatim today and says that he is ready to debate the new Minister of Information, Communication and Culture.

The maverick politician's only conditions are that Rais has to specify exactly what he wants to debate and that it has to be televised.

"Yes, I will debate Rais on any subject he wants, anytime and anywhere," Zaid told The Malaysian Insider.

"But RTM must show it otherwise it is a waste of time."

Bernama today reported that Rais challenged Zaid to a public debate over his allegations against Najib, as the former minister has been often quoted in the foreign media.

Rais also accused the foreign media of trying to topple prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"However, we must study (the situation) and if I have the chance, I want to have a debate with those trying to implicate our leader with unbecoming and nonsensical words," Rais said.

The veteran minister has been reported as blaming the media for various troubles that plague Umno and the Barisan Nasional ever since he was appointed to his current portfolio earlier this month.

Zaid quit the government and Umno last year over disagreements on political reforms. He remains an independent politician but is expected to join an opposition party. (TMI)

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Speaker claims defamation over notice of Perak Assembly sitting

IPOH : Perak State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar today claimed he was subjected to defamation over the instruction to issue a notice for the state assembly to sit on May 7

He said he was shocked over a report in The New Straits Times (NST) newspaper yesterday that he had been informed of the assembly sitting before the notice was issued. Sivakumar had said earlier that the notice was issued without his knowledge and approval.

"I will not allow this. It is another attempt to undermine my image and credibility.

"If the allegation is true, why are the people who issued the statement not bold enough to identify themselves in the daily? Why just say it (the source of the news) is someone associated with the office of the menteri besar?" he said in a statement here.

Sivakumar reiterated that he was not informed before the notice on the assembly sitting was issued by assembly secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri last Friday.

Abdullah Antong Sabri

He said his meeting with Abdullah, as reported in the newspaper, was held after the issuing of the notice by Abdullah without any consultation earlier with him (Sivakumar).

"I was told that a notice had been sent to my office at about 10am. A similar notice had been sent by the assembly secretary to all state assemblymen. I saw the notice at about 1pm.

"I only met Abdullah at about 3pm, after he had returned from Friday prayers," he said.

The NST reported yesterday that "Sivakumar had full knowledge of the issuance of the notice for the May 7 sitting of the assembly" before the notice was issued to all the 59 state assemblymen.

- BERNAMA
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Mukhriz suggests EC to fine MP who resign unreasonably

KOTA BAHARU, -- The Election Commission (EC) should fine state assemblymen or Member of Parliament (MP) who resign without just cause or a valid reason.

Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said resignation of assemblymen and MPs has become a trend among the opposition, apparently to continuously hog the limelight.

Such action however, is a loss to the people and community, results in a waste of money as by-elections should be held while raising the animosity among the parties and people, due to such by-elections, he said.

"The Permatang Pauh episode is one good example whereby a by-election was called merely because former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail decided to give up the post to her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"What the fine should be will depend on the EC. We cannot see a valid reason that can be accepted for such action, including what has happened in the Penanti state assembly seat," he said.

Mukhriz who is also Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Deputy Minister also welcomed his father, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's suggestion that Barisan Nasional (BN) should contest the Penanti seat.

The Penanti seat fell vacant following the decision by former Penang deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who won the seat under PKR, decided to resign, following allegations of corrupt charges brought up against him.

"Although there isn't a clear indicator as to whether BN can win or not, may be we should contest after all, because we still have supporters in Penanti," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had earlier said that BN might not contest the by-election for the Penanti State seat as it must first consider whether it would benefit the people or otherwise.

-- BERNAMA
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Shahrir submit resignation letter

PUTRAJAYA, -- Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad handed in his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Cabinet meeting here today.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the Perdana Putra building here, Shahrir said he tendered his resignation as a Cabinet minister effective on April 8.

Abdullah, who will relinquish his post to his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, chaired the meeting for the last time.

Shahrir decided to step down as a Cabinet minister after he failed to defend his seat in the Umno Supreme Council on April 26.

-- BERNAMA
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RPK's defamation case, court to decide on friday

KUALA LUMPUR, — The Sessions Court will decide on Friday whether or not it has the discretion to hear blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin's defamation case.

Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat deferred decision after hearing submissions from both parties today.

This week was fixed for the trial but Raja Petra's counsel, Manjeet Singh Dhillon, made a preliminary objection yesterday asking the court to send the case back to the magistrate's court for trial on the grounds that the magistrate's order was illegal, void and contrary to the law.

On Aug 15, magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham allowed the prosecution's application to transfer the case to the Sessions Court on the ground that it involved public interest.

Raja Petra, the Malaysia Today editor, is alleged to have defamed the deputy prime minister's wife, Datin Rosmah Mansor, acting Kol Abdul Aziz Buyong and his wife Kol Norhayati Hassan in his statutory declaration made at the Civil High Court in Jalan Duta here at 10.25am on June 18.

If convicted, he faces up to two years’ jail or a fine, or both, on each charge under Section 500 of the Penal Code.

Manjeet informed the court today that he had filed a notice of motion, supported with Raja Petra's affidavit, to the High Court seeking an order to transfer the case back to the magistrate's court or to refer it to the Federal Court on the constitutional issue.

However, deputy public prosecutor Anselm Charles Fernandis said the defence application had no effect as the High Court on Sept 11 stated in a letter that the magistrate's order to transfer the case to the Sessions Court was right according to law principles.

The decision, in the letter from Justice Suraya Othman, was in response to the defence application for a revision of the magistrate's order, he said.

He cited two cases decided by the Federal Court that under Article 145 of the Federal Constitution, the Attorney-General had vested power to choose any court to initiate proceedings against a person.

This, coupled with the High Court decision, showed that the Sessions Court had the discretion to hear Raja Petra's case, Fernandis added. — Bernama

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US predator strikes in Pakistan killed at least 32

AFP Photo

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Suspected US missiles struck two deadly blows Friday killing 32 mainly Al-Qaeda operatives and injuring a key Taliban commander in a Pakistani tribal area near the Afghan border, officials said.

The two strikes within a few hours were the latest in series of attacks that have raised tensions between Washington and Islamabad. In the first attack two missiles hit a pick-up truck and a house west of Mir Ali, a town in the troubled North Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan, killing 20 mainly Arab militants, officials said. They told AFP the strike targeted an Al-Qaeda financial coordinator known as Abu Akasa Al-Iraqi and that there were unconfirmed local reports that he was among the dead. Two further missiles fired by a suspected US drone at a militant hideout near Wana, the main town in neighbouring South Waziristan, killed 12 suspected rebels soon after, a senior security official said. They included "foreigners", the official said -- using the term by which security services refer to Al-Qaeda operatives. Officials said top Taliban commander Mullah Nazir was wounded in the strike. "Nazir sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital by Taliban. We are not sure about the seriousness of injuries to him" a top security official told AFP. "In the two strikes the majority of those killed were Al-Qaeda operatives and some Taliban local commanders."

Local administration official Mowaz Khan also confirmed Nazir, who leads the Pakistani Taliban faction accused by the United States of sending fighters across the border, was wounded in the attack. Officials said 30 militants, mostly Taliban fighters, were injured in the attack. The attacks came just two days after Pakistan, a key ally in the US-led "war on terror", summoned Washington's ambassador to Islamabad to deliver a strong protest over a number of similar strikes. "Some 20 militants were killed in the attack and most were Arabs. It was a successful strike," another security official told AFP on condition of anonymity, referring to the first attack. Local residents said the strike hit the house of a Pakistani tribesman named Amanullah Dawar. It was not immediately clear whether the house or the vehicle, a pick-up truck, was blown up first, officials said. Officials in North Waziristan said al-Iraqi was believed killed but added that they were still seeking confirmation. He was known locally as Abdullah and officials said that while he was not part of the top Al-Qaeda hierarchy he played an important role as a financial "lynchpin".

Friday's attacks were the 17th and 18th such strikes in the past 10 weeks, according to an AFP tally. All have been blamed on US-led coalition forces or CIA drones based in neighbouring Afghanistan. A strike on Sunday killed senior Taliban commander Haji Omar Khan, a lieutenant of veteran Afghan Taliban chieftain and former anti-Soviet fighter Jalaluddin Haqqani. The attacks have sharply raised tensions between Washington and nuclear-armed Pakistan. Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that it called in US envoy Anne Patterson over the strikes. "It was underscored to the ambassador that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the missile attacks which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property," the ministry said in a statement. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has promised zero tolerance against violations of his country's sovereignty. The attacks have also become an election issue in the US presidential campaign. A New York Times report last month said Pakistan's national security adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani made an unannounced visit to top White House officials after a strike in early September to voice his anger in person. The attack on September 3 led to civilian casualties.(AFP)

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Altantuya - Razak Baginda released

SHAH ALAM, Oct 31 -- Abdul Razak Baginda acquitted, while Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar ordered to make their defence against the charge of murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin gives the verdict upon finding no prima facie case against Abdul Razak at the end of the prosecution case.

However, the two special action squad members, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, were called to enter defence.

Both of them chose to testify under oath.

Azilah and Sirul Azhar were charged with murdering Altantuya at Mukim Bukit Raja, Selangor, between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am the following day.

Abdul Razak was charged with abetting them in the murder of the beautiful 28-year-old translator.

He was seen leaving the court at 10.10am with his wife and daughter. He did not give a press conference outside the court building.

"I just want to go home," said Abdul Razak briefly to the press.

It has been slightly over five weeks since the prosecution closed its case and the court is expected to decide on the fate of all three accused today.

The trial had gone on for 151 days from November 2006, during which 84 prosecution witnesses testified.

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Altantuya - Verdict on Friday - Malaysiakini

Kuala Lumpur (290ct):The Shah Alam High Court will be at the centre of attention this Friday when judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin delivers the verdict on the sensational murder trial of a Mongolian women, Altantuya Shaariibuu.Mohd Zaki’s verdict will not only decide the fate of the three accused - Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar (both members of the Special Action Unit, UTK) and a renowned political analyst and strategist Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda - but will also end wild speculations and rumours relating to the case. This high profile case has generated a big following especially when there were rumours of a public figure linked to the murder, revelations of intimate involvement of one of the accused with the victim and some shady business dealings.

The trial on the gruesome murder of Altantuya who body was blown up using explosives to cover up the crime went on for almost two years with the prosecution winding up their case on June 23.

If the court’s decides a prima facie against the trio, they will have to make their defence or if otherwise they will be discharged and freed.

KEEPING UP THEIR HOPES
When inquired by Bernama on the sidelines of the court proceedings what they would do if they were freed, Azilah, 32, who has an adopted child stated that “there are too many things to do, but above all I want to cuddle my child and hold a thanksgiving feast”. Sirul Azhar, 36, when asked the same only offered a smile, typical of this fomer aide de camp for VIPs who is known to be discreet. On the dock he sits quietly and once in a while he turns toward the members of the media sitting behind him to ask for sweets and pickled fruits.

Meanwhile Abdul Razak, 48, the Executive Director for Malaysian Strategic Research Centre wants to take a break overseas with his only daughter Rowena when everything is over.

Throughout the trial, Abdul Razak was accompanied by his wife Mazlinda Makhzan, his parents and close family members. However, at the initial stages, Mazlinda’s presence made Altantuya’s father, Shaariibuu Setev frown as he claimed she had verbally abused him and court officiers went all out to keep them apart.

Even when Mazlinda was asked on the fate of her husband, she replied:

“I will leave it to Allah. Razak is innocent.” Yet the drama did not end there. The 151 day proceeding witnessed many bizarre and hilarious incidents. Apart from this there was also a change in the presiding judge and the clash between two counsels on who should be representing one of the accused.

BIZARRE INCIDENTS
Abdul Razak caught the attention of the media with some of his antics in the courtroom. He has been noted to throw tantrums and even went to the extent of kicking the dock and cursing others. He kept pushing his counsel Wong Kian Kheong to speed up the trial without any deferment and this certainly incensed Deputy Public Prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah who ticked of Wong by saying that Abdul Razak is not the only person in prison.

The media hype had certainly attracted the wrong type of crowd into the courtroom as well. It was obvious some wanted to take advantage of the media coverage to be on the limelight, but for the wrong reasons.

Readers would probably recall the presence of a women dressed like a counsel claiming that she was a representative of peace organisation and had the authority of the police and the Attorney-General’s Department.

She wanted the media attention and would closely follow the cameras and even refused to take a back seat. When there were no seats available she would insist the court officials to make special seating arrangements for her. Her presence was unwelcome and she even dared to intercept the judge.

When her behaviour became intolerable, not only because of her constant nagging but also her handphone that rings often, a police report was made and she eventually disappeared.

During the initial stages of the hearing there appeared another women who claimed that she was a representative of a women’s right organisation carrying a placard condeming Abdul Razak for the brutal slaying of Altantuya. The one women demonstration did not go down well with the police as it was seen as disturbing the public order and the police gave her a warning and told her to leave the court compound.

However, the women in her late 40s remained unfazed and instead shouted back at the unarmed policemen, “I have the rights, you police can stop me using your firearms, let the public be the witness”. 151 DAY TRIAL Azilah and Sirul Azhar who covered their faces using the ’ninja’ mask set a new trend for accused in other cases and when inquired by Bernama why they did so Azilah had this to say: “Life is long way to go, there are something best kept secret.” Another drama that unfolded at the 151 day trial is that a policeman stationed at the courtroom Lans Corporal Othman Abdul Rahman, 47, collapsed when accompanying the three accused to the courtroom and was later confirmed dead due to heart failure. Azilah and Sirul Azhar were alleged to have murdered Altantuya between Lot 12843 and Lot 16735 Mukim Bukit Raja, Shah Alam, between 10 pm 19 Oct and 1 am 20 Oct 2006. The duo were well versed in the use of explosives and are said to have taken the plastic explosives, detonator cord and CLC (cutting liner charge) from the UTK storeroom.

Abdul Razak who is alleged to have abetted with the two UTK members, is said to have committed the crime on Oct 18 2006 at his office at 10th Floor, Bangunan Lembaga Getah Asli Malaysia (LGAM), Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur and the motive of the murder is due to demands and threats from Altantuya.

Based on the evidence adduced from the prosecution witness Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Koey Abdullah, the explosives were probably placed on the victim’s mouth or the upper torso and the impact reduced her bones to fragments. On the puzzle why no traces of the victim’s clothing was found, Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood, the Head of the Forensic Medical Department at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), explained the victim was probably stripped of her clothing before being blown up.

JUDGE TO PORE OVER 6,000 PAGES OF PROSIDING NOTES

However, lawyer J. Kuldeep Kumar and Datuk Hazman Ahmad who represented Azilah were persistent that their client was no way involved in the murder and the Azilah was not the one who led the police to the crime scene.

Sirul Azhar’s counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, Hasnal Redzua Marican and Ahmad Zaidi Zainal pleaded their client’s innocence and stated that he was victimised just because Altantuya’s jewellery were found his home. On Atlantuya’s blood stained snickers found on Sirul Azhar’s four wheel drive, they claimed anyone could have left it there as the vehicle could be accessed by others as well.

Wong who represented Abdul Razak held that his client had nothing to do with Altantuya’s murder and throughout the trial there was no proof that the murder was carried out under Abdul Razak’s behest. He also questioned the failure of the prosecution to call several senior police officers during the trial.

Nevertheless, Mohd Zaki will make his decision based on the evidence provided by the 84 witnesses that has been compiled into 6,000 pages of proceeding notes.

Prior to delivering the decision on the main charge, Mohd Zaki is expected to decide on the prosecution’s application to challenge the credibility of Lans Corporal Rohaniza Roslan (Azilah’s girlfriend), the decision on trial within trial on Altantuya’s jewellery found at Sirul Azhar’s home and on the statement by police that Azilah is the one who led them to the crime scene. Nonetheless, all the allegations and speculations will be put to rest on Friday when Mohd Zaki delivers his verdict. (NST)


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Lombok issue - Noor Fadilah finally united with her family

NUSA TENGGARA BARAT (Mataram), Oct 29 (Bernama) -- After 54 days of separation, Noor Fadilah Ahmad finally was united with her parents in an emotional meeting here Tuesday.

She met her father, Ahmad Abdul Hamid, 46, and mother, Masitah Abdullah, 42, at the Mataram district immigration office after they were brought there by Umno Youth's caring society secretariat.

In the 1.45pm reunion, Noor Fadilah hugged her father and tried to dissuade him from looking for Nasrudin Dahrom, the Lombok Timur youth who brought her here.

The tense situation became very emotional when Masitah alighted from the car and hugged her eldest child and cried watched by more than 50 people including secretariat chairman, Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

"Don't you love me," Masitah asked her child who sobbed loudly even as she asked for forgiveness.

The emotional meeting took 10 minutes before they entered the immigration office to settle Noor Fadilah's travel documents as she had entered Lombok illegally on Sept 6.

Noor Fadilah from Bagan Serai, Perak, followed Nasrudin to Lombok leaving Malaysia on Sept 3 without her parents' blessings as they did not approve of her love affair.

The couple is said to have married in Batu Belik, Aimal, Lombok Timur, on Oct 11 against the wishes of her father.

"We are matched and this is our destiny. I ask for forgiveness from her father. If necessary I will kiss his feet," said Nasrudin to reporters outside the immigration compound.

On Sept 4, Ahmad had made a police report asked for help to bring back Noor Fadilah and the Umno Youth secretariat had responded.

According to Indonesian law, anyone entering the country illegally can be jailed for six years or fined 30 million rupiahs.

However, as a result of negotiations between the secretariat represented by Abdul Azeez and the head of the Mataram district immigration's head of surveillance and action, M.Adnan, Noor Fadilah was allowed to go free.

"What is important is that all parties learn from this and that it does not happen again. This is a small effort of the secretariat to help people," said Abdul Azeez.

Earlier, Abdul Azeez who was mobbed by a crowd, including Nasrudin's family members, advised him to resolve the matter using Malay law and tradition.

"Do not separate them," said Nasrudin's mother, Rumini, 55, who wanted the matter to be resolved amicably after Noor Fadilah was detained by immigration since Oct 16.

Nasrudin who was allowed to meet Noor Fadilah's mother at the Silaparang airport at Mataram repeatedly asked forgiveness from Masitah for the couple's actions.

The secretariat team is expected to return to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 11.30pm.

-- BERNAMA

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Latest list of nominations for UMNO election

KUALA LUMPUR: The following is the list of nominations for key posts in the Umno Supreme Council after 18 more divisions held their delegates' meetings Monday (27 Oct).

PRESIDENT
---------
(Quota: 58 nominations)

1. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (98 nominations)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
----------------
(Quota: 39 nominations)

1. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (63)
2. Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (22)
3. Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib (13)

VICE-PRESIDENTS
---------------
(Quota: 20 nominations)

1. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (82)
2. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (59)
3. Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (49)
4. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (44)
5. Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (20)
6. Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad (8)
7. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (8)
8. Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (6)
9. Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik (6)
10. Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis (5)
11. Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (3)
12. Datuk Seri Musa Aman (2)
13. Tan Sri Annuar Musa (1)
14. Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (1)

NOMINATIONS ACCORDING TO DIVISIONS
----------------------------------
LUMUT
President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

KUALA KANGSAR

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin

PETALING JAYA UTARA

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar

JOHOR BAHARU

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar

PERMATANG PAUH

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik

KLUANG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

PARIT SULONG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

SRI GADING

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

SIPITANG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin

PARIT

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

JELUTONG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar

SEMBRONG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim

BUKIT MERTAJAM

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar

KULAI

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

SABAK BERNAM

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

PULAI

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

SERDANG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

GOPENG

President
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy President
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Vice-Presidents
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin
Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (Bernama)

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PSD - No plan to retrench 50,000 contract employees

PUTRAJAYA (24Oct): The Public Services Department (PSD) has rubbished talk that more than 50,000 contract employees in the civil service would be retrenched by the end of this year due to budget constraints.

Its chief, Tan Sri Ismail Adam, said there was no such government policy on the matter.

He was responding to claims by the Congress of Union Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) that some contract workers were expected to be retrenched by the end of the year.

Ismail said all government agencies, be it at the federal or state level, as well as statutory bodies, recruited contract staff independently, based on their need for manpower.

He said it was the prerogative of these agencies to take in the employees or terminate their services when the need arose.

Cuepacs chief Omar Osman, meanwhile, when contacted, said that although it was the right of the agencies to end the services of their contract workers, they should consider the welfare of the group.

Cuepacs, he said, had long been fighting for the employees to be absorbed into the civil service as permanent staff, but to no avail.

He said scores of union members who were attached to several government agencies had reported that they had been given a month's notice to leave the civil service.

Omar added, the employees had told him that the excuse given by their respective agencies was that there was not "enough budget to accommodate them".

Some, he said, had been employed on a contract basis for up to 20 years and had recently been given a notice of termination.

"We are appealing to the government to consider the plight of these people who have been of service to the government.

"This is especially so during these hard times, when they have mouths to feed and bills to pay."

Asked to name the agencies, which were supposedly terminating their contract workers, Omar said the complainants did not want to name their employers as they feared repercussions, adding, however, that it involved government agencies across the board.

Omar said Cuepacs could not accept the excuse given by the government agencies that they could not afford to retain the services of the employees.

He said Cuepacs had sent a letter of appeal to the PSD to retain the workers, adding that he had also asked for the department to either re-deploy them or absorb them as permanent workers.

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Cockroach flavored murtabak shock

SHAH ALAM, Oct 23 -- A simple meal ordered from a nearby Indian Muslim restaurant this morning has left Selangor Information director, Saptuyah Senson, with a bitter taste in her mouth when she found a cockroach in her food.

Recounting the incident, she said she had asked her personal assistant to buy murtabak (a type of pancake) from the restaurant but found a baby cockroach after a few bites.

"I found the cockroach while I was separating the onion slices from my murtabak. Imagine my shock when I saw the pest with one of its legs gone.

"I think I may have eaten its leg and I immediately vomitted. I brought the murtabak back to the restaurant for an explanation, but a worker there had the cheek to say that the cockroach must have been from my office and not the food," she told reporters when met at the restaurant.

Saptuyah, 53, said she went into the restaurant's store room and found more than 10 cockroaches crawling on sacks of flour and onions, despite the eatery being graded Category A (excellent) for cleanliness.

"I asked the restaurant owner for an explanation, but he blamed the pest controller, who he said did not come during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. He (restaurant owner) did not cooperate, and when I said I would talk to the media, he told me to get out saying that she could not talk to the media in the restaurant.

"I immediately contacted the Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) Health Department to complain, and what disappointed me was that MBSA took such a long time until I had to contact Shah Alam Mayor, Mazalan Md Noor, regarding the matter," she said.

Saptuyah's call prompted the mayor to see the restaurant's condition for himself.

Commenting on Saptuyah's report, Mazalan apologised for the delay in action and assured that a detailed investigation would be conducted on the restaurant's cleanliness and would direct the restaurant owner to clean the premises.

"Although this is an isolated case, it is not an excuse to not conduct checks because we need to stress on restaurant cleanliness at all times. An MBSA Food Sanitation Unit will conduct periodic checks to monitor the cleanliness of each restaurant. "If this restaurant does not comply to the orders to clean up its premises, we will issue a compound under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 and review the grade system because grades given are not static, it can rise or fall. This restaurant has been compounded before and it should be in clean condition at all times," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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Govt budget constraints would cost 50,000 Civil Servants To Be Retrenched

KUALA LUMPUR, (Oct 23) -- About 50,000 contract employees in the civil service are expected to be retrenched by the end of this year due to budget constraints, according to the Congress of Union Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs).

But Cuepacs is not buying the lame excuse because the government could well afford to retain the services of these employees, its president, Omar Osman, told Bernama on Thursday.

He said Cuepacs had sent an urgent appeal to the Public Service Department (PSD) to help retain these staff, most of whom had served between five and 10 years and some have even served for 20 years.

These workers who were on a year-to-year contract spread among all departments and ministries nationwide did not enjoy the perks of permanent staff and yet performed the same tasks, he said.

Cuepacs had suggested that the PSD either redeploy these staff or absorb them into the permanent establishment.

Omar said Cuepacs officials would go round the country to assist these workers. The first meeting would be Kota Baharu on Nov 6.

The Congress would also discuss this issue during its delegates conference next month.

The PSD was not available for comment.

-- BERNAMA

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Pressure on Shahrizat whether to accept on challenge to Rafidah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Pressure is building up in Wanita Umno as more and more divisions have called on deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to go for the movement’s No. 1 post.

This runs smack against the power transition plan from Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Abdul Aziz to Shahrizat in June next year, three months after the party elections.

Shahrizat, who had declared that she would not be going for the No. 1 post, has already secured the required quota of nominations to mount a challenge.

She has obtained 41 nominations out of 118 divisions which have conducted their meetings while Rafidah has garnered 78 nominations. The qualifying quota is 39 nominations.

Some members are puzzled why Rafidah will only hand over the reins three months after retaining the post.

Despite the outcry, Shahrizat is keeping mum on the turn of events. She has so far received 78 nominations for the deputy chief post.

Bandar Tun Razak Wanita chief Salmah Pin said there was no way of curtailing the tide from the grassroots.

Six of nine divisions in Federal Territories Umno have picked Shahrizat for the Wanita Umno chief post while the rest including the Bandar Tun Razak division back Rafidah.

Salmah, who is also Federal Territories Umno Liaison Committee secretary, said Bandar Tun Razak division supported the transition plan.

“What is happening is shocking as one day before the Federal Territories divisional meetings, Shahrizat told all division heads to back the transition plan. But this is what the grassroots wanted,” she told Bernama.

Jerlun Wanita chief Datuk Maznah Abdul Hamid said members do not want the No. 1 post to be contested to avoid disunity.

"Actually, when we give our nominations, it does not mean that we are goading the candidate to contest. It is an indication to Rafidah and Shahrizat to sit down and discuss again for the well-being of Wanita," she said.

The Jerlun Wanita Umno division nominated Shahrizat for the Wanita chief post and Kuala Kangsar Wanita chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim as deputy chief.

Maznah said her division had proposed Rafidah as Wanita Umno adviser to enable her to continue to contribute to the wing.

"I hope Shahrizat will state her stand and take the risk as she has the support of the grassroots," said Maznah.

Permatang Pauh Wanita chief Normala Abdul said the nomination for Shahrizat was out of sincerity from members who wanted her to go for the No. 1 post.

"There will not be much changes if she (Shahrizat) were to take over the reins three months after the party elections. It is better to hand over power to her right away.

"However, it depends on Shahrizat to make the decision but it is our hope at the grassroots' level that she agrees with us," said Normala, adding that if the transition plan was followed, Shahrizat would be acting Wanita chief without a deputy for three years before the next party elections. — Bernama

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AFC Should Respect Tunku's Noble Intentions - Sultan Ahmad Shah

KUANTAN, Oct 21-- Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Sultan Ahmad Shah says the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) should give due respect to the noble efforts of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, 40 years ago, by retaining the AFC House here.

The Sultan said the AFC had over the years achieved tremendous success since its inception here more than 40 years ago and the AFC House in Bukit Jalil had been well accepted due the availability of very good facilities.

Sultan Ahmad Shah who is the immediate past president of the AFC added that since Malaysia was located in the epicenter of the Asian continent, it was a convenient and ideal location with excellent air, ground travel plus very efficient telecommunication facilities and infrastructure.

"If AFC wants to shift to any other location, it is their prerogative...but they (AFC) must respect what Tunku Abdul Rahman had done more than 40 years ago to see the AFC continue to progress," he said after a briefing on the flood conditions in Pahang, here today.

The Sultan was responding to efforts by the AFC to shift its headquarters from Bukit Jalil, by calling for bids from its 46-member countries.

The AFC secretariat which started functioning from Hong Kong after the formation of the governing body in Manila, Philippines, on May 8, 1954, moved to Penang, Malaysia, in 1965 after Koe Ewe Tek took over as its General Secretary.

The secretariat moved again 10 years later, this time to Ipoh when Datuk Teoh Chye Hin became the general secretary while Datuk Peter Velappan who took over the reins in 1978 set up the office in Kuala Lumpur and 22 years later, in 2000, the AFC got its own building in Bukit Jalil.

Many leaders, including Peter had claimed that AFC was what it is today due to the leadership, hard work and contributions of Malaysian leaders and the support from the government.

Tunku who was Malaysia's first Prime Minister had served as its president for 24 years, followed by Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah for 16 years and Sultan Ahmad Shah for eight years before Mohamed Hammam took over in 2000.

-- BERNAMA

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PM dept blames employers for excessive foreign workers in the country

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 -- Employers taking the easy way out by preferring to hire foreigners rather than locals is the reason why the nation is deluged with foreign workers, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator T. Murugiah.

Murugiah said that although foreign workers caused a variety of problems like shirking their responsibilities, playing truant or absconding altogether, employers still gave priority to them than locals.

"I do not see any initiative on the part of them, like advertising vacancies, holding job fairs or going to the kampungs to hire more Malaysians.

"Instead, they prefer the easy way and go to the Home Ministry to solve their labour needs," he told reporters at Parliament's lobby today.

Murugiah said this in commenting on a news report in Utusan Malaysia today that said one in five workers in Malaysia now was a foreigner.

He added that the low wage factor was the primary reason why employers opted for foreign workers and hoped the Human Resources Ministry would take the necessary action to ensure Malaysian workers got a fair deal.

-- BERNAMA

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Rais -It's hard to get rid of money politics in UMNO

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim who is eyeing the post of party vice president, said today that it was difficult to rid Umno of money politics.

Money politics, he said, had become an Umno culture for a long time but not many were willing to admit it.

"It is better if we admit it and the people can then judge us so that they will in the end see this political party is clean.

"I feel that if there is no end to money politics, it's better if Umno were to hold an open tender -- those with the highest bid become leaders," he said.

Rais who is Foreign Minister said, it was not impossible to wipe out money politics but the main obstacle was getting the evidence and Umno did not have sufficient resources to closely monitor the practice.

"The best way probably we can see in our friends from MCA and Gerakan. They do not impose strict conditions (on eligibility to vie for posts) but generally, they are free from all these practices.

"I may be wrong but I believe transparency is the best teacher and we should learn from past experiences especially when the past experience we had gone through tasted bitter," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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