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Monday, June 25, 2012 | Latest | Government Transformation Programme | Other News & Views |

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Foreign Ministry summons Indonesian envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the Indonesian Embassy's charge d'affaires to express the government's regret and concerns over violent acts by protesters at Malaysian buildings in the republic and provocative comments against Malaysia by an Indonesian politician.

PM wants more job opportunities for the disabled

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday urged the public and private sector to provide job opportunities for disabled persons so that they can lead dignified lives.

PSD offers 12 King’s Scholarships for post-graduate studies

KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department (PSD) is offering 12 people the chance to pursue their post-graduate studies under the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship programme this year.

PLUS to close some R&R stops, lay-bys for two days

PETALING JAYA: Several rest and recreation (R&R) stops and lay-bys along the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed from Tuesday to Thursday for maintenance work.

Malacca MCA dismisses rumours about its Wanita chief

MALACCA: Malacca MCA has dismissed unfounded postings in the cyberspace that it has ousted its Wanita chief Datuk Kian Sit Har for supporting Bersih 3.0 rally that was held at Dataran Pahlawan here on April 28.

No divorce for 278 couples after 2nd honeymoon programme

KUALA TERENGGANU: The troubled marriage of 278 couples did not end up in divorce after they went through the Second Honeymoon-Smart Start programme, organised by the Terengganu Family Development Foundation (YPK) since it started in 2009.

‘Protests against Felda listing just a ploy to confuse settlers’

KUALA LUMPUR: Certain parties who were still protesting Felda Global Venture Holdings (FGVH)’s upcoming listing on the Bursa Malaysia were doing so in an attempt to confuse Felda settlers before the upcoming general elections, Felda Group Chairman Tan Sri Haji Mohd Isa said.

Taib’s ex-daughter-in-law’s divorce claim adjourned to Sept 24

KUALA LUMPUR: The Syariah High Court here has adjourned to Sept 24 the trial of a divorce claim involving Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's former daughter-in-law Datin Seri Shahnaz A. Majid against his eldest son.

Kedah govt asked why low cost flats turned into student hostel

ALOR SETAR: Kedah Gerakan has taken the state government to task for turning the Flat Seri Impian in Megong Industrial Area here into a hostel for Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN) students.

Federal Court dismisses Uthaya’s application to declare Sedition Act unconstitutional

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court maintained the Court of Appeal decision to dismiss lawyer P. Uthayakumar's application to declare the Sedition Act unconstitutional.

M’sia spent RM221.81bil on food imports over last 10 years

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia spent RM221.81bil on food imports in the last 10 years, the Dewan Rakyat was told Monday.

Smart Tunnel to close Wednesday for maintenance

KUALA LUMPUR: The SMART highway here will be closed to traffic from 11 pm on June 27 to 6 am on June 28 for maintenance, Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir & Terowong Sdn Bhd said Monday.

Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib appointed KL mayor from July 18

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, 58, has been appointed Kuala Lumpur mayor for a two-year term starting July 18.

Accountant fined RM2,000 after her dog kills man in Subang Jaya

PETALING JAYA: An accountant, whose dog mauled to death a 74-year-old senior citizen in Subang Jaya last month, was fined RM2,000 or, in default, two months' jail by a Magistrate's court here on Monday.

Proposal to double maximum fine to RM2,000 for those who drive without licence

KUALA LUMPUR: Those who drive without a licence may be fined up to RM2,000 if an amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 is passed.

Two charged over assault on national boxer

JOHOR BARU: Two men, including a VIP, were charged in a Session's Court here Monday over the assault on 24-year-old national boxer Muhamad Farkhan Mohd Haron in May.

Police cripple drug syndicates

KUALA LUMPUR: Police from the anti narcotics division crippled various syndicates in a series of raids over three days including a mini Syabu drug lab operating out of an apartment complex.

One more suspect nabbed over kidnapping of sand supplier, worker

SHAH ALAM: Police have arrested another suspect believed to be directly involved in the kidnapping of a sand supplier and his worker in Ijok, Kuala Selangor.

KL Court orders extradition of Iranian bomb blast suspect

KUALA LUMPUR: A Sessions court here has ordered the extradition of an Iranian suspected of being involved in an alleged bomb plot against Israeli diplomats in Thailand and detained here, AFP reports.

Actor Saiful Apek, friends acquitted of drug charge

PETALING JAYA: Actor and comedian Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusof, better known as Saiful Apek, and his three friends have been acquitted and discharged by a Magistrate's court here for consuming cannabis in 2010.

Perkasa hands protest note to Singapore High Commission

KUALA LUMPUR: About 200 Perkasa supporters gathered outside the Singapore High Commission at Jalan Tun Razak to hand over a protest letter.

Trekkers found safe after phone coverage available (Update)

KUALA LUMPUR: Three men who lost their way while trekking in the Taman Tun Abdul Razak forest hills in Ampang Jaya, Sunday night, were found safe by a rescue team at 10.55am on Monday.

PKR's Rafizi confirms contesting for parliamentary seat in next GE

PETALING JAYA: PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli has confirmed that he will be contesting a parliamentary seat in the next general election.

PM: Companies to get 100% tax rebate on expenses for holding Family Day events

KUALA LUMPUR: Private sector companies will get a 100% tax rebate on expenses to hold their 1Malaysia Family Day celebrations in conjunction with the national-level celebration in November this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Borders allowed to challenge Jawi's seizure of controversial book

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd has been allowed to challenge the raid and search on its Borders bookstore and seizure of Irshad Manji's controversial book from the store by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) last month.

Big drive for cabbies

KUALA LUMPUR: Taxi drivers can rake in better earnings now that a new model aimed at enabling more drivers to get individual permits is being put in place.

Tyre subsidy and insurance scheme brighten up taxi drivers’ day

KUALA LUMPUR: Taxi drivers rejoiced at the announcement of the RM520 tyre subsidy and gave the thumbs up to the personal accident insurance scheme.

Deluge of newborns creates demand for confinement ladies

PETALING JAYA: The deluge of newborns by aspiring parents in the Year of the Dragon has created a demand for confinement ladies which has made them “precious commodities”.

Yet another lone woman attacked and robbed

KUALA LUMPUR: Lone women approaching their cars appear to be the target of armed robbers.

EC: Register as voters now

PETALING JAYA: There are only five days left to ensure you get to vote if the general election is held between August and November.

Mat Rempit crackdown: A traffic police officer recording the details of the motorcycles seized during an operation in Ipoh, Perak. Police arrested 108 people and seized about 50 motorcycles during the pre-dawn operation to nab Mat Rempit on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman during Ops Bersepadu Motorsikal.

Business rivalry may be motive behind parcel bomb blast

SUNGAI PETANI: Business rivalry is believed to have been the motive behind the parcel bomb blast that killed a 49-year-old housewife at Taman Angsana Sari here.

400 types of licences to be abolished

BATU PAHAT: The Government is planning to abolish over 400 types of licences as part of efforts to boost Malaysia’s competitive edge, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Indonesian envoy to be summoned over attacks

KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra will summon the Indonesian embassy’s charge d’affaires to express the Government’s serious concern over the violent acts by protesters at Malaysia Hall and provocative remarks by an Indonesian politician in Jakarta.

MIC reaches out to youths via FB

KLUANG: MIC wants to reach out to the youths through the social media such as Facebook.

PM: Allocations and aid meant to help those who deserve it

KUALA LUMPUR: All allocations and aid given by the Government are meant to help those who deserve assistance, regardless of race and religion, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Man stabs teen to death at shopping mall over fight with friend

BATU PAHAT: An argument between two friends on Facebook spilled over from cyberspace and led to the killing of a teenager outside a shopping complex here.

Compensation sought over nerve injury

KUALA LUMPUR: A 28-year-old physiotherapist claimed that a botched blood test at Penang Hospital has injured the nerve in her right hand, causing severe pain.

Missing divers rescued after 21 hours adrift

KUANTAN: Six divers who went missing after a trip off Pulau Tioman have been found safe after 21 hours adrift at sea.

BN banks on youths for election campaign

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is banking on youth volunteers to jazz up its election campaign.

Other factors need to be considered before taxes can be reduced, says Ahmad Husni

IPOH: The reduction of corporate and individual taxes requires more than just a discussion with focus groups, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said.

News portals target political fence-sitters

PETALING JAYA: With the 13th general election approaching, local socio-political blogs and news portals are continuing to see a rapid growth due to a high demand for online commentary and views on Malaysian politics.

Liow: Assure people Lynas is safe

KUANTAN: All agencies involved must immediately look into the 31 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Lynas rare earth plant, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Creative lamp stand grabs top spot

KUCHING: RHB-The Star Mighty Minds Sarawak state challenge upper secondary champions from SM Lodge showed that a lamp stand can use a “biological concept” and still be a creative piece of art.

Getting hitched on the fast lane

SEPANG: A couple’s desire for a really special wedding saw them getting hitched on the fast track when they became the first couple to host their wedding at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Political temperature cooling off with Euros

PETALING JAYA: The Euro 2012 tournament is helping to cool general election fever in football-crazy Malaysia.

Boyfriend proposes to runner after marathon

KUALA LUMPUR: It was the biggest prize for marathon runner Scully Pak when her boyfriend, kneeling in the middle of Dataran Merdeka and watched by a huge admiring crowd, proposed to her at the end of the race.

Hassle-free UTC a big hit

MALACCA: Barely a day after its opening, the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Jalan Tan Chay Yan here is already a hit among Malaccans.

Boy ‘transforms’ into colourful artist after watching TV shows

JOHOR BARU: Nine-year-old Mohd Raffi Yan has the best excuse to stay glued to the TV and watch The Transformers.

Dwindling water levels causing anxiety among Klang Valley folk

KLANG: Frequent water disruptions and extremely low levels at treatment plants are causing anxiety among consumers in the Klang Valley.

Former CID chief wants to know who rammed into his wife in hit-and-run

JOHOR BARU: For more than two months, a former top policeman comes to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital daily and sits by his wife’s bedside to hold her hands and soothe her.

Man shoots himself dead while riding m-cycle

KULAIJAYA: A villager who saw a motorcycle lying atop something by the roadside rushed to lift the machine and was shocked to see a body with gunshot wounds on the neck and chest.

Minister: 14% dividend for Armed Forces co-op members

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced a 14% dividend for the 2011 financial year for Armed Forces Cooperative members.

International participants join locals in three-week Permatapintar programme

BANGI: The Permatapintar programme marked another milestone by organising an All-Girls Summer Camp participated by Saudi Arabian and Indonesian students at its centre in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia here.

Probe into theft of endoscopy machines from three hospitals

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have formed a task force to investigate the theft of hospital medical equipment from three hospitals amounting to over RM5mil.

Man found dead at water plant

KUALA LUMPUR: A mob allegedly attacked a man and left him dead near a water treatment plant in Batu Caves, near here.

MACC officers monitoring allegations against Faekah

KOTA BARU: Anti-corruption officers are monitoring the allegations of power abuse by political secretary Faekah Husin, who is said to be embroiled in a spat with Selangor PKR bigwigs.

Cops wrap up dead toddler case

GOMBAK: Police believe that with the arrest of the 26-year-old mother of the two-year-old girl who died of suspected abuse, they have solved the case.

Government Transformation Programme

85 KR1M stores by end of 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (Mydin), which is the managing company of the government-initiated Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) outlets, plans to set up at least 85 stores nationwide by end of this year.

Proposal for govt soft loan transparency

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has put forth the proposal for requiring ministers and civil servants to declare to the Cabinet, should their family members apply for any government facility.

Ministry to extend joint patrols to cover school vicinity

KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry will extend its joint patrol programme to all school compounds including international schools in the Klang Valley.

RM707.6mil distributed through 1Azam programmes

BUTTERWORTH: The government has, to date, spent RM707.6mil in carrying out various 1Azam programmes since its introduction.

Ensuring a right start in education

PUTRAJAYA: As part of the Education NKRA, there is a strong focus on ensuring that every Malaysian has access to quality and affordable pre-school education.

Four-car trains for KL Monorail in November

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of overcrowding, which is a common occurrence aboard the KL Monorail will soon be a thing of the past with the introduction of four-car train sets that are scheduled to make its debut in November this year.