PETALING JAYA: Police have a “strong case” against a cop who allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl in a police station in Subang Jaya on June 18.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the investigation report had been sent to the Deputy Public Prosecutor and Bukit Aman for further action.

“Based on our investigations, we have a strong case to charge the officer. He has been suspended since the date of arrest and would also be facing disciplinary action soon,” he said.

Khalid added that police were waiting for the victim's medical report from the hospital .

On June 18, the girl was with her boyfriend when the policeman stopped their motorcycle at 5am.

After finding that the boyfriend did not have a licence, the policeman instructed them to go to the station where they were questioned separately.

The girl from Shah Alam was allegedly forced to undress and was threatened by the policeman that if she did not comply with his demands, he would send her boyfriend to jail.

She claimed she was forced to perform oral sex on the policeman before she was raped in the station.

After 30 minutes, the couple was released but she did not reveal the incident to her boyfriend or family members until several days later.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has proposed an increase to the development allocation ceiling from RM200bil to RM230bil for the mid-term period of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) due to rising costs.

“I would like to emphasise that the Federal Government will continue to implement the 9MP (2006-2010) development projects in all states,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, when tabling the motion on the mid-term review of the plan.

For the latter period of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government would continue to manage the macro economy in a prudent manner to ensure that the economic fundamentals remained strong, he said.

PM’s hour: Abdullah tabling the motion on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysian Plan in Parliament Thursday.

While the global economic growth is projected to moderate at 4.1% for the 2008-2010 period, the Malaysian economy is forecast to expand at an average of 6% per annum.

Abdullah said the policy and strategy framework for the mid-term review would focus on five main thrusts:

> Moving the economy up the value chain by increasing productivity and competitiveness, generating new sources of growth and expanding the markets for the country’s goods and services;

> Raising the capacity for knowledge and innovation and nurturing a first-class mentality. The strategies include improving the quality of education and accessibility, making national schools a preferred choice, creating tertiary institutions of international standing, nurturing quality R&D and enhancing scientific and innovative capabilities and fostering a society with strong moral and ethical values;

> Addressing persistent socio-economic inequalities between ethnic groups, in which six key strategies would be implemented: poverty eradication, improving income distribution, ownership restructuring, achieving balanced development between regions and the development of the bumiputra commercial and industrial community (BCIC);

> Improving the standard and sustainability of life by increasing healthcare services, meeting housing needs and improving urban services, building basic infrastructure, improving transportation facilities and ensuring environment conservation and sustainable management of resources; and

> Strengthening institutional and implementation capacity of the public service delivery system, increasing confidence in electronic-based services and implementing outcome-based planning, monitoring and evaluation.

WHO is the boss in Parliament? That is the question on many people's mind now.

No one seems to know who ordered the ban on media access to the Parliament lobby on Tuesday, which prompted print, TV and online media to immediately unite and boycott lobby news coverage.

The ban not only caught journalists off guard but also Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz, who is in charge of parliament affairs.

Both said they were in the dark about the ban.

Since both were not involved, Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) members took the initiative to remove the red tape barricade that same afternoon.

Deputy BBC club chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin said : “The administration did not inform us of the ban, so we need not tell them we are removing the barricade.”

The media boycott lasted for a day and even the functions of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were not spared.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia called a press conference the next day after news and photos of the media's boycott hit the front pages of several newspapers.

Pandikar said it was a mix-up, a misunderstanding between the press and Parliament administration in the latter’s effort to tighten security.

“There is no winner or loser here, only a mix-up,” he said, while refusing to say if the ban was lifted after the BBC removed the barricade.

However, he said the press was free to move around the Parliament lobby but lines would be drawn against the press who “ambush” certain MPs or ministers.

“I would be the last person to impose a ban on reporters, but could you think again before you put your tape recorder in front of the person you interview. Is he comfortable?” asked Pandikar Amin, who also reminded the press to maintain decorum in pursuit of news stories.

So is that the reason for cracking down on the press?

Reporters cornering ministers at the lobby for stories while cameramen and video crew jostling to get the best angle may have led led Deputy speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to describe the lobby as messy and chaotic.

“There should be more order at the lobby,” said Dr Wan Junaidi.

The administration was also not happy with a birthday celebration of a five-year-old girl brought in by Opposition MPs and the distribution of red eggs to mark the one-month period of becoming MPs in May. The press were there, too.

Traditionally, the lobby has been an area for the press to approach ministers and MPs to clarify and follow up stories as well as a place for impromptu press conferences.

Before the recent national polls, three or four journalists were enough to cover a Parliament sitting but now a bigger number is required.

Ministers have to be in the dewan to make up the ruling party presence and as a result they are less likely to be attending functions outside Parliament. Reporters have no choice but to track them down in Parliament.

With more Opposition members voted into power after the polls, more reporters are needed in the lobby to cover their stories.

MPs and ministers generally like to mingle the press in the lobby and often give unscheduled press conferences.

However, some appear to find the press presence intimidating and appear to feel they have lost their privacy.

Dr Wan Junaidi and those of his ilk may not realise that the local press does not enjoy the easy access to public information as those in Western countries. The entire Parliament sitting is not telecast live here.

For instance, while each MP got a copy of the Mid-Term Review Report of the Ninth Malaysia Plan on Monday before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tabled a motion on Thursday to debate it in the dewan, reporters had to beg and borrow from press-friendly MPs to keep the deadline.

A standard reply from the Parliament administration would be “you are not entitled to a copy. Only MPs are.”

The ban on media access is therefore extremely frustrating for pressmen just trying to do their jobs and many view this as an effort to restrict press freedom in Parliament.

As it is, in the name of security and after the 2004 renovation, journalists covering Parliament no longer share the same entrance, staircase, cafeteria, toilet or even the door into the chamber that MPs use.

Now journalists are only allowed to enter via one of the back entrances, submit press tags issued by the Information Ministry in exchange for a Parliament media tag, hand over an identity card to be screened, go through a scanner to scan bags and laptops and climb two flights of staircase before reaching the media centre.

Therefore, the ban on pressmen entering the lobby was the straw that broke the camel's back.

However, with the barricade down and the boycott called off things are not quite back to normal.

The media ban episode does not end with the boycott being called off.

The BBC and Nazri are at loggerheads now over the removal of the red tape barricade. Nazri called the BBC action childish, unbecoming and gangster-like.

In retaliation, BBC chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Nazri had gone overboard with his harsh comments.

They plan to meet tomorrow to discuss the next course of action.

Nazri has challenged BBC to ask Abdullah to sack him as a minister tomorrow – or shut up forever

The dewan resumes tomorrow.

Thanks to My 'SIL'(Sister-In-Law) who bought for baby Janson...

Baby Janson 1st book - Discovery Farm
and today SIL bought another book for him again~ Baby Touch Peekaboo Book

Cute & quite interesting when I read it
Once got this book my hubby straight away read it for baby Janson...anyway is good for him to learn
hahaha

Thanks to cheh Debbie who gives us for baby Janson before He was born...
is really good to use for him to sleep

Express How COOL You Are!

Hi everyone...please vote for me as I'm joining this contest.
They had extended until 12th July 2008 so I need more votes.
Just simple, go to this link
( http://h30436.www3.hp.com/theGallery.asp?action=vote )
click >>Female Fashionista , it will pop out another window ask you sign up to become voter/Uploader (up to you if u wanna join too..but vote me as well) once you sign up then you go click 'start voting' and now can start to vote for me...you can find me @ page 28 (name: Janice Khan Su Theng)

Be prepared for further petrol price increase (RM 3.15/litre) next month. Statement coming from second finance minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamnad Yakcop

Practical nutrition tips for a hectic lifestyle.

NUTRITION Month Malaysia (NMM) 2008 was launched in April with the theme Eat Right, Enjoy Life! I have summarised the main NMM educational materials in a previous write up of NutriScene (April 20).

In a further write up on NMM 2008, I had summarised the contents of three educational articles that were published to further strengthen the key messages of NMM.

Beans and legumes are not only good sources of protein and dietary fibre, but are also rich in healthful phytochemicals.

In this instalment, I would like to share with readers excerpts from the three remaining articles. I certainly hope they will provide you with further tips on healthy eating and active living.

There’s more to some foods than meets the eye

Nutrition experts are always exhorting you to eat more fruits, vegetables, rice and other cereal products and legumes. This is not merely to ensure that you get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals as well as the all-crucial dietary fibre. Indeed, there are another reasons that may just surprise you!

Something else to chew on

Foods like oranges, cabbage and oats, like all other food, do indeed provide you different nutrients and vitamins. But these everyday foods, however, do more than just that. They also contain numerous naturally occurring components, which are thought to provide physiological and health benefits that go beyond just your basic nutrients.

These components are known as functional components, and foods containing them are called functional foods. In recent years, much attention has been generated on the potential health significance of these components and how they can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart diseases.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain a good amount of bioactive components called phytochemicals, which are compounds found in plants. Carotenoids are good examples of these phytochemicals. These are found in the orange-red pigments of fruits and vegetables.

Some carotenoids include lycopene (in papayas and tomatoes), lutein (in green leafy vegetables), and beta-carotene (many green leafy vegetables).

Other healthful phytochemicals in fruits and veggies are glucosinates (eg cabbage, cauliflower, kai lan, pak choy) and flavones (veggies such as celery, bell pepper and lettuce).

Beans, legumes and soy beans

You may have been consuming soy beans by drinking soy milk, eating tofu, tempeh, taufu- fah, fu-chok, and other beans such as red and green beans in your bubur as part of your daily diet.

But do you know beans and legumes are not only good sources of protein and dietary fibre, but are also rich in healthful phytochemicals?

Some bioactive components identified in the humble soy bean are isoflavones and phytosterols, which have been demonstrated to be able to lower blood cholesterol level.

Tea

Tea contains important bioactive components that comprise a group of polyphenol compounds called flavanoids, which have been linked to lower risks of coronary heart disease and certain cancers.

Yoghurt and cultured milk

Yoghurt, yoghurt drink and cultured milk have been associated as “healthy” beverages because they contain probiotics (added by manufacturers) – friendly and healthy living bacteria that maintain the balance of your body’s intestinal flora and facilitate digestion. They can also contribute to the gut’s resistance to “hostile takeovers” by harmful bacteria. The two “friendliest” probiotics are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Don’t let your emotions eat you up

There’s no doubt that eating habits are sometimes influenced by mood. For instance, you may eat or drink too much during a happy occasion.

On the other hand, you may end up eating or drinking too much when nothing seems right. This could be related to work stress, family or personal problems, or simply because nasty weather has prevented you from going shopping!

Overindulging once in a while is normal. However, things become less healthy when occasional bouts of overeating become habitual.

Disappointment makes me eat

You may dislike having excess flab and decide to lose weight. So you begin to starve yourself, which in the long run is self-defeating and biologically impossible to sustain.

You then eat (perhaps more than you should), but feel guilty for doing so. You may also feel disappointed for having violated your diet regime.

Instead of picking yourself up, you spiral downwards into an all out binge that lasts longer than your attempt to lose weight. You then gain weight and feel bad about your physical condition, which triggers another vicious dieting cycle.

When this pattern becomes a long-term habit, you may end up with a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Eating under pressure

Long-term or chronic stress can also affect your regular eating habits. There may be times when you’re so stressed because of work or personal responsibilities that you turn to food or drink for comfort.

During these times, you also tend to increase your consumption of alcohol, become less active and feel decreasing levels of self-control and self-esteem.

Any attention you may have been paying to what you eat and all other concerns about food and diet go out the window during times of chronic stress. Instead of controlling your food, it controls you.

Beating the bingeing blues

If you are in the habit of overeating, the first thing you need to accomplish is to develop an awareness of your eating behaviour.

Remember, there are so many other enjoyable things that you can do when you’re feeling happy, sad or stressed instead of just eating and drinking!

Shift your focus from food to other feel-good activities. For instance, try exercising (which tones your body and also increases your self-confidence and self esteem), meditating, spending more time with family and friends, going on vacations or taking breaks from work.

Eat right and get moving to keep moving!

You have a busy lifestyle, one that keeps you on your toes most days, dividing your time between work and personal commitments.

On some days, however, you find yourself out of steam, tired and listless. You barely have enough energy to crawl out of bed.

What’s going on? You’re eating, but why the lack of oomph? The food you consume everyday should provide you sufficient energy to keep you on the go, shouldn’t it? Is there something missing?

Eating right is part of it

You may be eating regular meals, but maintaining a busy pace of life day in and day out requires more than just eating on time. You also need to practise healthy eating habits, as the proper nutrition provides you the essential nutrients and other food components that enable you to maintain your hectic pace of life.

When it comes to eating right, it’s crucial to eat a variety of food because different foods provide diverse combinations of energy and nutrients. To ensure you get your daily requirements, eat a varied diet that combines cereals, legumes, fruits and veggies, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products (with an emphasis on the first four types of foods). You also need to cut down on your intake of fats, sugar and salt. And drink lots of water!

Get moving!

Staying active is equally as important as eating healthy to maintain an overall sense of wellbeing. In fact, proper nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand. This is because the right diet provides you the energy you need to stay active.

Among the numerous advantages of physical activity is that it allows you to sustain your energy balance i.e. it burns excess calories to keep you fit and trim, not overweight or obese. It also helps you maintain a healthy body weight and improves your cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility.

Exercise also appears to be especially effective when it comes to boosting your health in various disease-specific areas, including cardiovascular diseases (it helps strengthen heart muscles), hypertension (reducing high blood pressure), diabetes (regulate your blood glucose level), obesity, and osteoporosis.

If possible, you should try to exercise at least 30 minutes daily on most days of the week. If you’re on the heavy side, don’t go all out and start with a 20-minute jog once you begin your exercise routine! Instead, try some light stretching and maybe a 5-10 minute walk.

Once you see the pounds coming off, you can slowly ease into a more vigorous workout programme.

Too busy?

You may find it hard to slot in some time for physical activity. But if you’re really serious about your health, you can always find ways to sneak in some exercise into your daily routine. Here’s how you can stay active.

• Break your exercise sessions into 10-minute bursts, three times a day, say, in the mornings, afternoons or late evenings.

• Do desk exercises (eg stretching, twisting or bending) and walk to your colleague’s work station at the office whenever possible.

• If you need to get somewhere close by, walk instead of driving.

• If you do drive, park further away from your destination and use your legs to get you there!

• Use the stairs and skip the elevator and escalator.

• For every hour you watch TV or read, take a 10-minute exercise break.

• Don’t spend your time inside. Get out more and enjoy the great outdoors!

• Wash your car yourself. You’ll save money and get a good workout!

So you see, if you adhere to a combination of eating right and obtaining a regular dose of physical activity, you’ll not only look great and glow with health, but you’ll also have more than enough energy to work, think, play and continue to enjoy the busy lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to each and every day!

If you have not obtained the NMM Guide book or missed the supplement or the educational articles, or if you wish to obtain more information on NMM 2008 activities, visit the Nutrition Society of Malaysia website: www.nutriweb.org.my.

NutriScene is a fortnightly column by Dr Tee E Siong, who pens his thoughts as a nutritionist with over 30 years of experience in the research and public health arena. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

GIVING a newborn her bath is not just a task to get her cleaned up. It’s also an important routine for her to start learning about hygienic habits and practices.

Instilling such practice in young children goes beyond teaching or telling them what to do, said consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan.

“It should start with sensory stimulation first. Two primary senses of a newborn are taste and smell,” he explained.

When bathing newborn babies, parents can do what is called “classical conditioning to pleasantries”.

“This involves making bath time fun and pleasant by touching, tickling and talking to them. When babies smell soap, they can relate to something happy,” he said.

Jambunathan was guest speaker at a Lifebuoy (Unilever) event on developing personal hygiene habits in children.

Direct parental involvement is a key factor in cultivating such habits, added Jambunathan.

“Be a part of the child’s development and get involved, especially during weekends. Get into the tub with them, play with soap and make it non-threatening, not a chore,” he emphasised.

“Don’t leave it to the maids or babysitter but if you have to, then choose and train (these caregivers) well.”

In teaching hygiene skills to children, it goes without saying that parents have to be good role models to begin with.

“Parents need to have good personal hygiene and habits. They also need to practise good observable habits in front of their children,” said Jambunathan.

“Kids follow what you do. For example, after you wash your hands, don’t touch your shoe and then eat a banana after that,” he said.

He added that parents should start explaining the importance of washing hands using the proper technique even though their child may not comprehend it yet.

“And they need to provide a happy situation when dealing with hygiene. Don’t punish them when they do not wash their hands.

“Make it enjoyable, stimulating and routine. For young children, you can also sing a song with them while they clean their hands,” he said.

One common advice parents give children is to wash their hands after going to the toilet. However, Jambunathan highlighted that it is more important to wash hands before going to the toilet.

“Door knobs, car doors and elevator buttons are some of the things that we commonly touch. However, they are actually very dirty, and if we go to the toilet after touching these things, we transmit these germs and bacteria when we ease ourselves,” he highlighted.

On the other hand, parents should also not overdo it in terms of keeping their children clean.

“Let the kids play in the mud or rain, as long as it is of no danger to them.”

Jambunathan said generally, when children reach pre-school age, they should know basic hygiene practices.

“In primary school, they can be taught the various diseases they can be exposed to and the need to be clean. One example is how good hygienic practices can prevent diseases like the hand, foot and mouth disease,” he said, adding that a good way to teach children about fungus and germs is by using mouldy bread.

Cleanliness is also intertwined with self-esteem, said Jambunathan.

“We like fresh-smelling people, not someone with body odour.”

A disorder whereby the transmission of electrical signals inside the brain is disrupted, resulting on abnormal electrical surges that manifest outwardly as seizures.

EPILEPSY is the name for occasional, sudden, excessive, rapid and local discharge of gray matter, according to John Hughlings Jackson, an English physician who is considered the father of the modern concept of epilepsy.

This classical description and concept of epilepsy as provided by Jackson remains relevant even after the 150 years since it was first coined.

The most common misperception of epilepsy in our society is that it has supernatural causes. Some still believe that the body of a person with epilepsy has been ‘taken control of’, or been possessed by spirits.

To put it simply, epilepsy is a disorder whereby the transmission of electrical signals inside the brain is disrupted. It is sometimes likened to an electrical storm taking place inside the brain.

These abnormal electrical surges manifest outwardly as seizures. Seizures are widely perceived as jerky, violent convulsions, shrieking or falling to the ground, or some combination of the three.

In reality, a seizure can be any abnormal, involuntary movement or behaviour.

There are many types of seizures, and these are classified into generalised and partial seizures. The difference lies in where the seizure originated and how much of the brain is affected.

In generalised seizures, abnormal electrical activity occurs throughout the whole brain, in both hemispheres. The person loses consciousness.

Partial seizures only involve one part of the brain. Partial seizures are divided into simple and complex. During simple partial seizures, the person does not lose consciousness. He might experience unusual emotions or sensations, for example having sudden unexplainable feelings of joy or anger, or altering the way things smell, look, sound, taste or feel.

During complex partial seizures, a person may not be aware of their surroundings, may appear confused or even experience a dream-like state. Chewing, blank staring, pulling at clothing and walking in circles are common signs of this form of seizure.

Tonic-clonic is the most intense of all types of seizure. It is characterised by ‘stereotypical’ signs such as loss of consciousness, stiffening of the entire body followed by repeated jerking of the limbs.

Sometimes, a person experiences a “warning” and is aware that a seizure is about to begin. This warning is also called an aura.

Generalised seizures are divided into four major types: absence, myoclonic, atonic, and tonic-clonic.

Absence seizures commonly occur in children of primary school age, and are usually brief – measured in seconds.

Common signs are blank staring and subtle movements such as fluttering of the eyelids. These brief episodes may pass unnoticed, and sometimes people who have them do not even realise it themselves.

Myoclonic seizures cause brief, shock-like jerks of the arms, legs or upper body. It is somewhat similar to the sudden kick or jerk of a foot experienced by most people when about to fall asleep.

Atonic seizures produce a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing a person to suddenly collapse or fall down.

Tonic-clonic is the most intense of all types of seizures, and is the type that most often comes to mind when people think of seizures. It is characterised by “stereotypical” signs such as loss of consciousness, stiffening of the entire body followed by repeated jerking of the limbs. Loss of bladder control may occur.

If left untreated, epileptic seizures can adversely affect everyday activities such as driving or even bathing or swimming. Falling during a seizure may also cause head injury.

Epilepsy is relatively common: it affects some 0.8% of children and 0.4% of adults. Incidences are particularly high in the first year of life and after 65 years of age.

Epilepsy can affect people of any age, gender, race or social status. In half the cases, no known cause can be found.

However, some of the common causes are infections of the brain (encephalitis, meningitis and so on), conditions such as stroke or tumour in the brain, birth trauma, major head injuries, exposure to toxic substances or drug abuse, and genetic predisposition.

Despite the advances in treating epilepsy, it is still a little understood condition and myths abound.

Due to lack of understanding and awareness, people with epilepsy are still viewed with fear and suspicion, and sometimes treated as outcasts.

Having epilepsy does not mean that a person is “insane” or mentally retarded. Neither does it lead to mental problems. It is not contagious.

The most common misperception in our society is that epilepsy has supernatural causes. Some still believe that the body of a person with epilepsy has been “taken control of”, or been possessed by spirits.

A simplistic way of clearing the confusion and correcting the negative attitudes towards epilepsy is by comparing it to asthma, heart palpitations or even diarrhoea.

The same imbalance or disturbance that occurs in the heart or bowels that cause palpitations or an upset stomach can cause seizures if it happens in the brain.

Therefore, it should be made known that most of the time, the abnormal electrical discharges that cause seizures are eminently treatable.

Better yet, medication to treat epilepsy is readily available at all government hospitals and clinics.

As such, people with epilepsy need not live in seclusion or shame because of their condition. Their family members and caregivers should be made aware that there is a very good chance for a person with epilepsy to enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Dr Hussain Imam Hj Muhammad Ismail is the president of Persatuan Epilepsi Malaysia (Malaysian Society of Epilepsy). He will be speaking at a public forum in Malacca organised by Persatuan Epilepsi Malaysia on June 28, International Epilepsy Day. The forum is made possible through an educational grant by UCB Pharma Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd. Members of the public are welcome.

For more information on epilepsy, please go to www.epilepsy.org.my or www.livebeyondepilepsy.com

PETALING JAYA: Harakah, PAS' official organ has been allowed to publish bi-weekly, more than eight years after it's publication frequency was cut to twice monthly by the Home Ministry.

It's editor-in-chief, Ahmad Lutfi Othaman told mStar Online that the letter of approval was given Monday, adding that the appeal was made three months ago.

He said the management would decide when it would revert to being a bi-weekly newspaper.

Harakah used to have a circulation of more than 300,000 before its frequency was slashed.

The paper's current twice-monthly edition has a circulation of 250,000, according to Ahmad Lufti.

KUALA LUMPUR: Chief editors have lent their support to colleagues protesting restrictive moves imposed by Parliament authorities, saying the decision was an unnecessary hindrance and an insult to the press.

About 100 journalists covering Parliament staged a boycott Tuesday morning after they were denied access to the lobby. They refused to attend press conferences or take down statements, although they covered developments in the chamber.

The barrier was later removed by the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (see Timeline below).

China Press editor-in-chief Teoh Yang Khoon said: “Reporters are never a security threat and we know where to draw the line in respecting the privacy of the Members of Parliament.

“For instance, we do not barge into areas meant for the MPs, nor do we trail the MPs into the toilet. Therefore, respect must also be shown to reporters. The restrictions are an insult,” he said.

The Star group chief editor Datuk Wong Chun Wai, in his chunwai08.blogspot entry titled Fast, Furious and Stupid in KL, said the decision had infuriated the media.

“It is unprecedented. The decision had left reporters stunned and certainly insulted,” said Wong.

New Straits Times Press Group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun said reporters were carrying out their duties and would certainly be hurt if they were harassed or treated like second-class citizens.

“The management did not give instructions to reporters to boycott, but for the sake of unity, everyone (covering Parliament) agreed. The boycott is unfortunate and I sympathise with the reporters and photographers.

“Instead of totally cordoning off the lobby, perhaps the Parliament authorities can issue separate passes allowing for one or two reporters from each organisation to roam in the lobby,” said Hishamuddin.

When told that an aide of a minister had used the Malaysiakini team of three reporters as an example of a sufficiently strong team to cover news in Parliament, the online news portal’s co-founder Steven Gan, said: “I would have sent more staff if I could. We are missing stories but I do not have enough reporters.

“Parliament is a vibrant arena after the March 8 political tsunami and there is need for a larger team of journalists.”

Nanyang Siang Pau

“The restrictions are very sarcastic moves by the Parliament authorities. It does not show respect for the work of journalists, especially in Parliament, the epitome of democracy,” said Chong.

Sin Chew Daily executive editor-in-chief Kuik Cheng Kang said Parliament authorities were wrong to target the media because “the press had never done anything wrong to threaten the security since Independence”.

“There are many other groups of people crowding the lobby, such as ministry officers and lobby groups. Reporters are there to do our jobs, not celebrate birthdays. Please do not punish us for working,” said Kuik.

The Sun consultant editor Zainon Ahmad said the lobby was the best place for the press to get news from Ministers, MPs and other government servants.

Timeline

9.30am: Reporters arrived at Parliament lobby to discover that red tapes were used to cordon off the main part of the lobby and there were security guards around.

Reporters, photographers and camera crew were only allowed to at a small corner where press conferences used to be held. Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) was at lobby and spoke to reporters separated by the red tape.

Consensus reached among pressmen to boycott press conferences held at the lobby.

10.30am: When Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) and Khalid Abd Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) expressed their intention to hold a press conference at the lobby, many refused to attend.

10.40am: Photographers, cameramen and journalists left their “working equipment” such as cameras, voice recorders and notebooks on the floor as a sign to stop covering news events at the lobby.

11.30am: After being told that all press members had suspended their work outside the Parliament chamber, Edward Jules, an aide of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he respected them and would convey the information to his boss.

However, he returned a few minutes later with Dr Rais and held a press conference, which was only attended by a few official media such as Bernama and RTM.

Opposition MPs Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) decided to issue written statements through their aides instead of speaking directly to the press after realising that most reporters were going on “strike”.

But when Ipoh Timor MP special assistant Lim Swee Kuan wanted to distribute some press statements at the media centre, two security guards prevented him from doing so.

“They told me that staff like us are no longer allowed to give out statements and only MPs have the right to do so.

“I then asked them where the directive came from and they told me that ‘we have it in black and white’,” he said.

Noon: Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Jeff Ooi (DAP-Jelutong) were present at media centre to give their statements but the press told them that the ban is on.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s meeting at noon involving the Barisan Nasional management committee meeting held at the committee room was only covered by Bernama.

2.15pm: A group of Barisan Nasional backbenchers marched through the lobby and announced business as usual for all press members by removing all barricades that restricted the movements of reporters.

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said they did not consult the Parliament administration, nor did they get permission from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker before removing the barricade.

Najib’s second meeting – the Cabinet committee on sports development – was also covered only by Bernama.

3pm: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s meeting on palm oil was covered only by Bernama.

3.30pm: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who sent two aides to the media centre to look for press coverage on her 100th day in the ministry, was told “No press coverage at the lobby.”

Unauthorised parallel imports or “refurbished sets” are old notebooks passed off as brand new. Sold at a cheaper price, buying any one of the following units is risky business:
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The above units do not come with a HP warranty as they are more vulnerable to wear and tear. Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn. Bhd. therefore does not provide warranty support or carry spare parts for them in any of its service centres throughout Malaysia.

Protect your investment.
Buy your HP notebook only from
authorised HP resellers.

KUALA LUMPUR: Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd withdrew its application for an injunction to stop the removal of barricades it built at the controversial Bandar Mahkota Cheras intersection.

Counsel Tharminder Singh informed the High Court here of his client’s instructions to withdraw the application, saying the matter had become academic.

However, the main suit against Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah, Selangor Local Government, Research and Development executive councillor Ronnie Liu and the Kajang Municipal Council — in which the plaintiff is seeking a permanent injunction as well as damages — is still pending.

The defendants had no objections to the withdrawal.

Liu’s counsel N.S. Guok said the plaintiff had yet to serve the sealed copy of the suit to the defendants.

Justice Abdul Wahab Patail struck out the application for the interim injunction with no order as to costs.

The intersection made headlines when the public demolished the barricades built by Grand Saga four times this year. On May 30, the Cabinet ordered Grand Saga to tear down the barrier and to keep the access road leading to the highway open, at least until the disposal of the suit between the concessionaire and Narajaya Sdn Bhd, the developer of Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

JOHOR BARU: A Barisan Nasional assemblyman has suggested that Johor take the lead and make it compulsory for all government and political events to be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh (BN-Jorak) pointed out that many people in the country, including assemblymen themselves, were not well versed in the language.

He suggested that Bahasa Malaysia be the only language used at all functions, even if the majority attending the event were Chinese and Indian.

“No interpretation in any other language should be done,” he said, adding that the sovereignty of the national language should be respected.

He urged all 56 assemblymen in the state to take up Bahasa Malaysia lessons to ensure the proper use of the language.

He blamed the situation today on the education system, which, he said, segregated the races from kindergarten.

However, he also urged Malay parents to send their children to Chinese or Tamil schools in order to learn other languages.

“The Government can take the initiative to encourage Malays to send their children to vernacular schools,” he said.

“Perhaps 30% of the Malay students should study in Chinese or Tamil schools so that 100 years down the road, the Malays can also communicate in those languages.”

He told the assembly of his experience attending functions at his child’s school.

“I send my child to a Chinese school but my wife and I can’t understand anything at the school’s functions because these are solely conducted in Mandarin,” he said.

He added that the only Mandarin he knew was “ni hao ma” (how are you) and the only Tamil he knew was “nandri vanakam” (thank you and greetings).

Dr Shahruddin also said commercial signboards should give priority to Bahasa Malaysia and not use other languages only.

“Most consumers are Malays but business owners are not sensitive to them,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: No action will be taken against Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman for saying it was Cabinet that had called off the use of indelible ink in the last general election.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said this was because the Government respected the commission as an independent body.

“If there are differences with the Commission, the Government will explain our stand.

“However, we really hope that the EC would refrain from making statements that can confuse the public, for the sake of its institutional credibility and the integrity of our democratic process and elections,” he said in a written reply to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP — Bagan).

Lim had asked if action would be taken against Abdul Rashid for saying that the Cabinet had ordered him to stop using the indelible ink four days before polling date on March 8. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi then said it was merely a "suggestion."

Nazri said the Cabinet had never ordered the commission to do so despite its warning to the body that the use of indelible ink would not have prevented some unscrupulous people from voting twice.

“However, the decision whether to continue with the use of the ink or not at that time still rested with the commission as a competent and independent authority,” he said.

Related stories:
EC chairman: Cabinet didn't approve of indelible ink
It was only a suggestion, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman, one of the Sabah MPs who had turned down a deputy minister post in the federal government, has come to the defence of Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Anifah said he disagreed with the Prime Minister’s view that Yong had acted out of greed.

“I share all of Yong’s sentiments and views, except for the vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

“For me, Yong is acting out of desperation because the people (Sabahans) are uncomfortable. I have known Yong since my schooldays. This is not about posts. He did not have a post before and he did not make this move then. This is not about greed,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Anifah said Sabah was one of the richest states in natural resources yet it is the second poorest state in the country with poorer roads and facilities than other states.

“One of the reasons for this is that we (Sabah MPs) have not been vocal before. We did not air our grievances because we were either too loyal or too passive,” he said, adding that Parliament was the place to voice the needs of the people regardless of which party the MPs belonged to.

“That means I am a greedy man too. Am I greedy for voicing what is reality? Would it help perception in Sabah by saying that Yong is greedy and all that? Why discredit someone for saying something? You should listen to what he said,” said Anifah.

“How do you define greedy when you are voicing the needs of the people?”

Anifah, who is from Umno, stressed however it was “not proper” for Yong and SAPP to support a vote of no-confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, adding that he thought the SAPP president got “a bit carried away because of the people”.

“But that does not mean that the issues he raised were wrong. We understand each other but our approach is different. You don’t burn your own house,” he said.

He noted that Yong would be seen as a hero in the eyes of Sabahans as the people were fed up and it was pointless to give them economic explanations and jargon.

“At the end of the day, they want to know how they are going to bring food to the table for their children,” he said, adding that some people were even opting to keep their children at home instead of sending them to school because they could not afford a rise in schoolbus fares.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional supreme council will determine the action to be taken against rebel party Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday.

The deputy prime minister said that the Barisan Nasional's management committee, which met yesterday, had come up with several recommendations for the council on the action to be taken against the SAPP.

Najib declined to say what the recommendations were.

“I cannot announce them. They are specific recommendations. We will submit them to the supreme council soon,” he told reporters after chairing the committee meeting at Parliament House. Representatives of all Barisan component parties, except SAPP, which was not invited, attended the meeting.

Najib, who is Barisan deputy chairman, said the committee also decided that the Government should give serious attention and priority to problems involving the people’s interests, including in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Any issue involving the people’s interests in Sabah, Sarawak and peninsular Malaysia should be given serious attention so that the people have confidence in Barisan,” he said.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the date of the supreme council meeting had yet to be determined but said it was expected to be held soon.

“We have to look at a suitable date because the prime minister has to chair the meeting,” he said.

Among the Barisan leaders who attended the meeting were MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Kurup and Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk V.K. Liew.

Only newsmen from Bernama, RTM and international news agencies attended Najib’s press conference at Committee Room II.

Newsmen from several local media organisations stayed away in protest against Parliament's decision to disallow reporters from the lobby area. — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Petrol kiosks were jammed with motorists as panic-buying of fuel was seen throughout Sabah over rumours of petrol kiosks closing down for three days.

The panic was triggered by rumours that petrol kiosk will shut down from Wednesday because protesting kiosk dealers nationwide were demanding higher commissions following the recent fuel hike.

Officials from Shell Malaysia and the Sabah Petroleum Dealers Association stressed that there was no truth to the rumour, and urged people not to resort to panic buying.

"We were told that petrol kiosks were going to close for three days. I rushed from my office to fill my tank,” said motorist Abdul Rashmin Salleh, who said there were also rumours of further price hikes.

Despite being assured that there was no shutdown or fuel hikes, one motorist said that he was not taking the risk.

Most petrol kiosk and roads approaching them were jammed as people waited in long queues to get their tanks filled up; traffic in the city centre came to a standstill during the office rush hour.

In some areas like interior Keningau, queues were as long as 2km, while kiosks ran out of supply.

"Shell retail stations nationwide continue with normal operating hours,” a Sabah Shell spokesman said in a statement.

PETALING JAYA: A policemen was arrested after he allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl who was brought into the police station for interrogation.

The girl was allegedly forced to perform oral sex on the policeman, in his 20s, and was raped at a police station in Selangor on June 18.

It is learnt that the girl was on a motorcycle with her boyfriend at 5am when the policeman, who was on patrol, stopped them. As the boyfriend did not have a licence, the policeman and his colleague hauled the couple to the police station for questioning.

Sources said the boyfriend and the girl were questioned in different rooms.

“During questioning, the girl was forced to undress and the policeman threatened to throw her boyfriend in jail for 20 years if she refused to obey him,” said Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

Fearing for her boyfriend’s safety, the girl agreed to perform oral sex on him before being raped.

After half an hour, the two were released but the girl did not reveal the incident to her boyfriend or family members.

However, two days later she confided in her cousin who promptly told her parents.

Accompanied by family members, the girl lodged a police report at the Putra Heights police station on Sunday.

Khalid said that the policeman, who is married with a child, has been detained and remanded.

“He has been suspended pending investigation,” he added.

Tuesday June 24, 2008

PETALING JAYA: The RM200 reduction in road tax will also be applicable for jeeps and pick-ups with engine capacity above 3,000cc in Sabah and Sarawak.

This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement to extend the petrol and diesel subsidy cash rebate to owners of private vehicles up to 3,000cc in the interior areas of Sabah and Sarawak.

According to a press release by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), owners of these vehicles who have renewed their road tax according to the old rates can apply for refunds beginning July 1.

It said those who had renewed their road tax since June 1 could claim the difference between the old rate and the new rate at the nearest JPJ office or branch.

They will have to provide copies of their bank book, IC or IC of their representatives and fill the application form (JPJ K6 form), which can be obtained from JPJ offices or downloaded from its website (www.jpj.gov.my).

The refunds will be credited to their bank account.

Tuesday June 24, 2008 MYT 5:41:23 PM

KOTA BARU: The municipal council (MPKB) has clarified that remarks on lipstick and high heel shoes in its circular in May, were meant to spread religious activities.

Its public relations director Azman Mohd Daham said the circular was not a compulsory guideline for Muslim female staff to follow but to encourage them to observe the Islamic dress code.

“Muslim women need not be unduly worried. No action would be taken if they wear thick make-up or high heel shoes,” he told journalists.

Azman was responding to a news report that MPKB had banned Muslims from wearing make-up and high heel shoes which generate loud noises in business and commercial premises under its jurisdiction.

Thick make-up and high heel shoes can give rise to cases of rape and adultery while on a hindsight, a strict adherence to proper Islamic attire was to preserve the dignity of women here, the circular said.

The case was among several that MPKB has found itself embroiled in some form of controversy.

Previously, it was criticised for banning outfits deemed to be sexy and made it compulsory for Muslim women to wear headscarves at commercial, trade and tourism premises.

The latest circular also touches on wearing long sleeves up to the wrist, not to wear transparent attire and wearing socks which cover up their ankles.

State Women Affairs Committee chairman Wan Ubaidah Wan Omar was reported to have said that she supported the circular and asked why women should slave themselves to attract men by wearing high heels and excessive lipstick.

She contends that make-up in light portion was allowed and wearing high heels too often was unhealthy as it placed undue pressure on the feet of the wearer.

PETALING JAYA: Rock band Daughtry is slated for a concert in Kuala Lumpur on July 26.

The band is appearing in the region as part of the Sony Ericsson Traffic Jam street party tour, with stops in Jakarta and Singapore next month.

Formed by former American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, 28, the hard rock band received a lot of attention with its American Music Award-winning accolades and four Grammy nominations.

Daughtry’s self-titled debut album was released in November 2006 and reached the No. 1 spot for two non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200.

Like fellow American Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken, commercial success has been forthcoming for the bald-headed North Carolina-born singer Daughtry.

The band’s debut has sold more than four million copies in the United States and was named the No.1 selling album of last year by Billboard.

The first single from the album, It’s Not Over, was the eighth-most played song across all formats on US radio last year, while the band’s second single from the album, Home, was the 10th-most played song in the United States last year.

Daughtry has sold in excess of 6,000 units since the album debut in Malaysia.

Don't play play...and he is watching CSI: Miami/NY (Latest Season) quietly but just for few minute then my sis disturb him.
So far once we switch to CSI episode (AXN channel) his concentrating will on the TV.
My fav. show too...always bring him watch together if he awake.

Yup she is Shermaine that I mention in my previous blog
The gift from our department (CSD) & her department (A&P)
the gift from me, Joshua and baby Janson
Yup yup..there are the gift she wearing now...

He is sleeping on my table
Auntie Audrey taking his picture

This is a Message received from a friend:

I don't know what guys are paying for petrol...but here in Durban, we are also paying higher, up to 47.35 per litre. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every litre.

Here at the Marian Hill Pipeline, where I work in Durban, we deliver about 4 million litres in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline.

One day is diesel; the next day is jet fuel, and petrol, LRP and Unleaded. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 litres.

ONLY BUY OR FILL UP YOUR CAR OR BIKKIE IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN THE GROUND TEMPERATURE IS STILL COLD. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the denser the fuel, when it get warmer petrol expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening...your litre is not exactly a litre.

In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the petrol, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products play an important role. A 1degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

WHEN YOU'RE FILLING UP, DO NOT SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER OF THE NOZZLE TO A FAST MODE. If you look, you will see that the trigger has three (3) stage: low, middle, and high. In slow mode, you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapours that are created, while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapour return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapour. Those vapours are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS IS TO FILL UP WHEN YOUR TANK IS HALF FULL. The reason for this is, the more fuel you have in your tank, the less air occupying its empty space. Petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine. Petroleum storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated, so that every litre is actually the exact amount.

ANOTHER REMINDER, IF THERE IS A FUEL TRUCK PUMPING INTO THE STORAGE TANKS, WHEN YOU STOP TO BUY, DO NOT FILL UP - most likely the petrol/diesel is might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

Hope, this will help you get the maximum value for your money.

DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS! LET'S SHARE INFORMATION AND BENEFIT ALL, FOR THE BETTER OF MANKIND.

Are we have fun in Genting Highland?? please look each and everyone photo..then u will know
Olivia with her colorful ice-creamGuess what I'm holding??
silver girl (Amanda)
Captain Josh & Piggy Pan...ahahaha
Brenda vs Duckie

Ivan was playing his daddy's handphone....
he is SOo CUTE~

WOw~ this is my biggest pride today..ROCK CLIMBING but I scared of height..how I can do it ark???
weird right..haha
anyway I enjoy it very much and even though is tiring (have to exercise already..hehehe)

me, olivia and brenda are joinning rock climbing...she is so fast...too bad both of us can't make it to the top (Brenda not satisfied yet, she tried but still can't reach to top) and I might be planning to find another time to fight my pride again!!!
thanks to my hubby and amanda who snap the photo

Thank God baby Janson nothing happen...the peadiatrician checked and said as long he cry, no bleeding, no vomit that's normal...
phew~ anyway thanks for praying...

Today I blog is to tell everyone who are breastfeeding or anything please DON'T let your baby sleep without the side pillar or wall if not, they will fall!
Early in the morning i breastfeeding baby Janson on my right then on my left(that is no pillar or wall beside, will straight on the fall), that's what happen to baby Janson! But thank God baby Janson everything is ok. no bleeding,nothing...anyway,please pray for him and I'm going to bring see peadiatrician
Thanks~