Tuesday January 8, 2013

Top 10 stories of 2012

VARIOUS news events caught the eye of the public in 2012. The year also saw different personalities being thrust into the limelight. The following are the Top 10, Most Viewed stories, on The Star Online in 2012.

1. Live Updates: Protesters disperse but police remain at Dataran (April 28)
The Star Online's on-the-scene live coverage of the Bersih gathering rose to the top spot, thanks to pictures, videos, and detailed play-by-play updates from different areas of Kuala Lumpur. For more than 12 hours, the news team was on the ground, giving constant updates to give readers a comprehensive coverage of the gathering.

2. Sodomy II: Anwar acquitted (Jan 9)
The news of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim being acquitted of charges of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan made international headlines. As early as 4.30am on the day of the decision, supporters and protesters congregated at the Jalan Duta Court Complex. In making his ruling, High Court judge Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah held that the court could not be certain if the DNA samples were not compromised.

3. Nayati found safe, back with family (May 3)
The kidnap of young Dutch boy Nayati Shamelin Moodliar touched the hearts of Malaysians across the country and people around the world. Only 12, Nayati was kidnapped while walking home from school. When he was returned, the outpouring of joy and relief was overwhelming.

4. Budget 2013: Tax breaks, affordable housing and cash for the needy (Sept 28)
Budget 2013 was a boon for many Malaysians, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak unveiling various incentives and revealing a reduced fiscal deficit. It contained various measures and efforts to better the lives of everyday Malaysians. Najib said the Budget was to thank and repay Malaysians for their trust in the Government.

5. Writing a formal letter (Sept 20) - (Education)
In the era of email, Twitter and Facebook, writing professional, proper letters has become uncommon knowledge. This comprehensive guide proved to be an invaluable tool for those needing to write a formal letter.

6. Vivian Lee defends postings of her erotic pictures and videos with boyfriend (Oct 18)
Controversial sex blogging couple Vivian Lee and Alvin Tan made waves with their explicit photos and videos. The scandal saw Tan, a National University of Singapore student, getting into hot water with his university. Girlfriend Lee called the erotic images “a work of art” and said the couple merely wanted to share how “pretty” it was.

7. Pictures of sex act go viral (May 2)
Another sex scandal made waves when photos of a man resembling PKR deputy president Azmin Ali engaging in a sexual act with a woman surfaced.

8. Porn blog' couple causes furore (Oct 17)
Porn bloggers Vivian Lee and Alvin Tan hit the limelight for the wrong reasons with their website Sumptuous Erotica. Tan told the media that he and his girlfriend had been approached to endorse sex toys while lawyers claimed Tan could be arrested for breaching the Singaporean Films Act.

9. Nayati's dad loses job (May 29)
As though the near-loss of his son was not enough, Shamelin Moodliar, the father of kidnapped Dutch boy Nayati, was dealt another blow when he was fired for refusing to leave Malaysia. The 41-year-old consultant said the family had to remain in the country to ensure the prosecution of the kidnappers went through and they were put behind bars. He claimed that his company was attempting to get rid of him for defending his Malaysian colleagues in work-related matters.

10. Chong Wei's dad causes stir (June 11)
National badminton ace Lee Chong Wei's father Lee Ah Chai, 59, caused a furore when he suddenly stopped his car at the Penang Bridge in a suicide scare.

News

Tuesday January 8, 2013

Top 10 stories of 2012