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Tuesday, July 03, 2012 | Latest | Other News & Views |

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DPM: Malaysia never claimed Mandailing culture as its own

JAKARTA: Malaysia's plan to register the Mandailing culture under the National Heritage Act is aimed at preserving the heritage and not to claim it as its own.

Murder accused in Sosilawati trial says nothing unusual at farm

SHAH ALAM: The second accused in the murder trial of cosmetics millionairess Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others told the High Court he did not see anything unusual at Ladang Gadong, Banting on the night of the murders.

Special police team probes RM1.17mil ATM heist

KUALA LUMPUR: A special team has been set up to investigate the RM1.17mil heist from four automated teller machines (ATM) at a Carrefour hypermarket in Wangsa Maju here on Sunday.

Former construction firm director charged with RM1mil CBT

KUALA LUMPUR: A former executive director of a construction company pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal breach of trust involving more than RM1mil.

PM assures writers of freedom to pen ideas

PUTRAJAYA: The government has assured local writers that they will be given ample freedom in pursuing their work.

Penang Govt chided for twisting truth on free-port status

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) has chided state government leaders for having twisted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s statement regarding the reinstatement of the state’s free port status.

Gun-for-hire Rela man nabbed

KUANTAN: A Rela (People's Volunteer Corps) member was arrested for allegedly hiring out a revolver at RM500 a time.

Cleaner jailed six months for stealing purse

KUALA LUMPUR: A cleaner was jailed six months by the Magistrate’s Court Tuesday after she pleaded guilty to dishonestly keeping the purse of a salesgirl on Sunday.

DAP reps stage walkout

MALACCA: A question posed by Barisan Nasional to DAP assemblyman Betty Chew over a purported “abrupt transfer” of a female senior staff member in the Penang Chief Minister’s office has turned into a controversy with the wife of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng staging a walkout with four of her party assemblymen from the state assembly sitting here.

Terengganu offers land to non-pensionable ex-servicemen

KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government has offered housing and agricultural land to ex-servicemen, who were not eligible for the pension scheme, to ease their burden.

Klang Valley water crisis imminent, says ministry

PUTRAJAYA: The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry has again warned of an imminent water crisis in the Klang Valley.

Saifuddin: UIAM ready to achieve research university status

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIAM) is ready to be acknowledged as a research university, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah. He said the status of the university, believed to have been audited recently, would be announced soon.

Six foreign workers die in two house fires

KUALA LUMPUR: Five Bangladeshi men and an Indonesian woman died in two separate fires in Taman Puchong Perdana and Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh here early Tuesday morning.

Moneychanger robbed of RM100,000 in daring heist

JOHOR BARU: A moneychanger was robbed following a daring heist by a group of armed robbers just opposite the state police headquarters here.

High Court fixes Oct 1 for lawyer's suit against Gobalakrishnan

KUALA LUMPUR The High Court here on Tuesday fixed Oct 1 to hear a RM2.5mil defamation suit filed by veteran lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon against Padang Serai MP N.Gobalakrishnan, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (TV3) and two others.

Former MB: Federal govt has never marginalised Kedah's economic sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has never marginalised the efforts to improve Kedah's economic sector, said former Kedah Menteri Besar and State Opposition Leader Datuk Mahdzir Khalid.

MCA challenges Selangor to explain RM1bil Talam Corp deal

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has challenged the Selangor government to explain a RM1bil questionable deal with debt-ridden Talam Corporation.

Govt aims to put 90% of services online by 2015

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is aiming to put 90% of all its services online by 2015 via its myGovernment portal, said Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa on Tuesday.

Written judgment on Anwar's sodomy acquittal released

KUALA LUMPUR: The written judgment on the acquittal of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his sodomy charge has been released.

Sarawak registers 12% drop in crime for first half of 2012

KUCHING: The state recorded a healthy 12% drop in crime rate for the first half of the year, said Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

PM announces five measures to promote domestic direct investment

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday announced five new measures to further promote domestic direct investment.

Save water now, people told

PETALING JAYA: As the debate continues over when the Klang Valley will be hit by a water shortage, the Government has issued a call for the public to conserve the precious commodity and use it wisely.

Simple steps we can take to conserve water

PETALING JAYA: Some conservation methods may seem insignificant but you’ll be surprised at the amount of water you can save with a few simple steps.

Country can’t run on fuel subsidy forever, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: The country cannot rely on fuel subsidy-driven consumption to prop up the economy in the long run, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Go beyond the ‘business as usual’ mindset, civil service told

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the civil service must adopt six principles and go beyond the “business as usual” mindset.

We must promote faith globally, Muslims in SEA urged

KUALA LUMPUR: It is high time Muslims in South-east Asia stepped forward to promote the faith globally, said Prof Dr HM Din Syam-suddin, the leader of one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisations.

Faridah is the acting PSD chief

PUTRAJAYA: Public Service Depart-ment deputy director-general Datuk Faridah Mohd Ali will assume the top position there until a decision is made over its new head.

Firefighters suffer from mental stress, says department D-G

KOTA BARU: The Fire and Rescue Department is monitoring the increasing number of its personnel who are suffering from mental stress.

Anzalna apologises for defaming Neelofa

PETALING JAYA: The month-long controversial spat between local starlets Anzalna Nasir and Neelofa has finally ended with the former issuing a public apology for defaming Neelofa in a newspaper article in June.

Jazz artiste Harvey to perform at KLPAC

KUALA LUMPUR: Jazz enthusiasts are set to be thrilled this evening when Indonesian jazz singer Harvey Malaihollo goes on stage at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre for a one-night performance.

Jakim will not compromise on halal logo and display of certificate

KUANTAN: The Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will not compromise with eatery operators who have still not applied for the Jakim halal logo and certificate for display at their premises as they have been given ample time to do so.

Ammar is Asia’s rep for Brain Bee contest

KOTA BARU: Seventeen-year-old Ammar Ahmad Mokhtar never thought he would ever have the honour of representing Malaysia in an international competition.

Over 1.5 million students to benefit from discount card upon enrolment at varsities

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has introduced a special discount card for local university students where they can enjoy discounts of up to 60% on a wide range of items, including food and services.

Matriculation offer for Indian students

PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is giving a one-off offer to Indian students who want to enter the third intake of the matriculation programme for the 2012/2013 session.

20 paid RM4,888 each for ‘certs’

NIBONG TEBAL: Twenty people paid RM4,888 each to a syndicate that sold fake Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) degrees, police investigations revealed.

Changing Govt is not like changing your clothes, says Chua

RAUB: Changing the Government is not as simple as changing clothes, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Nigerian held in Customs drug bust

SEPANG: A Nigerian drug mule was arrested with about 400gm of syabu in capsules that she swallowed.

Bar calls for law reform commission to study new laws

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar said an independent law reform commission should be set up to undertake research, legal policy development and make recommendations to Parliament without fear or favour.

139 ‘stuck’ on plane

GEORGE TOWN: About 140 passengers arriving on an AirAsia flight from Jakarta were stuck in the plane for 35 minutes because of a power failure at the Penang International Airport’s international departure hall.

Idle land given to private sector to build affordable homes

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal land is being used by the Government to develop affordable housing for middle-income households earning less than RM5,000.

Suhakam given memo on 45 ISA detainees

KUALA LUMPUR: The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) presented a memorandum to Suhakam on the plight of 45 detainees still held under the Internal Security Act.

MP: Return Perak Man to us

LENGGONG: It is time for the Perak Man to come home.

Footie fans go back to reality

PETALING JAYA: Employees recovering from a month of late-night matches were expected to call in sick, take leave or simply not show up for work, no thanks to the Euro 2012 fever.

120 experience Euro in a totally different way — in 3D

SUBANG JAYA: Some football fans were thrilled to catch the Euro 2012 final in 3D.

Cop shot four times while arguing about Italy-Spain match

JOHOR BARU: A policeman is fighting for his life after being shot during a telecast of the Euro 2012 final at a pub in Nusa Bestari, near here.

Hunt for man in kidnap bid

JOHOR BARU: Police are looking for a man involved in the attempted kidnapping of a Singaporean family early Sunday morning.

NiE pullout for schools in 10 states, thanks to 1MDB

PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Berhad, in acknowledging the importance of English in nation-building, has contri- buted RM100,000 to bring 125,000 copies of The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) pullout to secondary schools in 10 states.

Psst ... come over for a motor carnival sneak peek

PETALING JAYA: The inaugural Star Motor Carnival will be held from Sept 14 to 17 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Penang folk now have until Sept 30 to peruse hill projects’ papers

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) is extending the public viewing of hill development documents by 10 weeks till Sept 30.

Khalid defends Pakatan leaders on Unisel board

SUBANG JAYA: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has defended the move to put Pakatan Rakyat leaders on the board of Universiti Selangor (Unisel).

PKR trio slapped with additional charge

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and two party colleagues have been slapped with an additional charge relating to the April 28 rally here.

SMK Bukit Jambul team on song for mighty win

GEORGE TOWN: Using the appeal of a hit song by boy band One Direction, the team from SMK Bukit Jambul stayed focused in their quest and came out winners among upper secondary schools in the Penang challenge of the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds competition.

Address environmental problems, MCA tells PAS

PETALING JAYA: PAS state governments in Kedah and Kelantan should stop ignoring the environmental problems caused by logging in the two states, MCA said.

Clouded leopard caught on camera in Sabah forest

KOTA KINABALU: The elusive clouded leopard has been caught on camera as it roamed the Malua Forest Reserve close to the well-known Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu.

Uproar over Penang transfer

THE state assembly was in an uproar after a Barisan Nasional representative brought up the matter of an “abrupt transfer” involving a female senior staff member in the Penang Government.

Rosmah lauds scheme for troubled youngsters

BANGI: Many troubled Malaysian teens have turned over a new leaf, thanks to the Perkasa Youth Programme, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Investors turned off by deplorable conditions at factory areas

PETALING JAYA: Deplorable conditions at industrial areas in Selangor are chasing away investors, said Selangor State Investment Centre (SSIC) CEO Hasan Azhari.

Egyptian held over ATM heist

KUALA LUMPUR,: An Egyptian man has been detained over the RM1.17mil heist from four automated teller machines (ATM) at a hypermarket in Wangsa Maju.

Duo hurt as lorry plunges 6m

JOHOR BARU: A lorry driver broke his leg while his assistant sustained minor injuries after the former lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge 6m from the Pasir Gudang Highway onto a smaller road below.

Learn why we held on to power-sharing, youth told

MUAR: Young Malaysians have been urged to learn about the nation’s post-independence history and why the country has remained harmonious and progressive.

Inaugural MAS flight lands at Heathrow

LONDON: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) began its inaugural commercial flight for the London-Kuala Lumpur route on the new Airbus A380 with the arrival of the plane at Heathrow Airport.

Dozens hurt in two crashes

IPOH: A van carrying 10 mentally disabled trainees collided with two lorries at a traffic light junction near Changkat Larang here.

Firefly to ply two new routes

PETALING JAYA: Firefly will introduce two new routes, Kota Baru–Singapore and Penang–Koh Samui, from Aug 10 and 11 respectively.

MCA slams hudud proposal in Johor

PETALING JAYA: MCA has slammed a Johor Umno assemblyman’s proposal to implement hudud in the state.