KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said there is no reason why the police should charge him for sodomy, based on the law and professional standards.

With rumours of his arrest imminent, the de facto PKR leader said he did not know what to expect from the police.

Speaking to reporters at the Federal Territory Religious Department Wednesday, he lashed out IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan. Anwar, whom he claimed had a personal vendetta against him.

"Let me remind the government and authorities that this country is not a police state. The decision must be based on facts and law not based on Musa Hassan's personal wishes and vendetta from 1998 right through 2008.

"If they follow the law, the facts, the alibi, the medical report, why do they even consider? (charging)," he asked.

Anwar has been accused by 23-year-old Saiful Bukhari Azlan, his former aide, of sodomy.

However the initial medical report from the Pusrawi Hospital showed that Saiful had not been sodomised.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that medical report was only one piece of evidence of many pieces the police were putting together.

Anwar also said he had no fear of the Hospital KL's medical report of Saiful and believed that it would vindicate him.

An Indian man died and went to heaven. When he arrived at the heaven Gate Siva the God said, 'Come on in. I'll show you around. You'll like it here.'Walking through the gates, the man noticed clocks everywhere. There were grandfather clocks, wall clocks, watches, and clocks in every corner.It appeared that heaven was nothing more than a giant clock warehouse.Surprised at how heaven looked, the man asked, 'God Siva, what's the deal? Why are all these clocks here in heaven?¨God Siva replied, 'The clocks keep track of things on earth. There is one clock for each person.Every time the person on earth tells a lie, his clock moves one minute.''For instance, this clock is for VK Lingam, the lawyer. If youwatch it closely, it will move.'Click' The minute hand on VK Lingam's clock moved one minute.'Click' It moved another minute. ' VK Lingam must be with some judges right now.' said God Siva. ' The minute hand on his clock moves all day.''Why the minute hand suddenly jumps three times?'God Siva smiles and said ' He must have just said 'correct, correct,correct !'. I see it jumps like that quite often.The man and God Siva continued walking. Soon, they came to a strange looking clock with some springs sticking out.Siva said ' Oh ! That is Paul Augustine 's clock. During theAnwar's trial, the clock span so fast and the springs came out each time he said 'irrelevant and irrelevant'. Now it is moving quitesmoothly'.The man and God Siva continued their walk . They came to a clock with cobwebs on the minute hand.'Whose clock is this?' asked the man.That clock belongs to the Lawyer Karpal Singh.. He is one of thefinest, God-fearing, people on earth. I bet his clock hasn't movedin a year or two.'They continued walking and touring heaven. The man enjoyed watching the clocks of all his friends. When the tour was finished, the man said, 'I've seen everyone's clock but Mr.Samy Vellu's. Where is his clock?God Siva smiled, 'Just look up. We use his clock as a ceiling fan.

GEORGE TOWN: DAP should not "overreact" over the recent Umno-PAS dialogues between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and PAS deputy Nasharudin Mat Isa.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said DAP should not be overly suspicious as Umno had not abandoned its multi racial stance.
"The meeting was more on Islamic and Malay issues. Maybe we should have brought along an MCA representative to attend the dialogues," he joked.
He added that the party would never abandon its stance as it had proven to be effective in uniting people of all races in Malaysia.
Shahrir was speaking to reporters Tuesday after launching a consumers guidebook for school clubs at the Kompleks Tabung Haji in Bayan Lepas here.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang Chief Minister, had said that he was interested to know what was discussed during the dialogues with PAS leaders.
Abdullah had said on Sunday that he met “very high level” PAS leaders three times and their talks had advanced to another stage.
On another matter, Shahrir said he would not be contesting the vice-president’s post in the Umno polls this December.
Several key Umno leaders who had experessed interest included Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and incumbent Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

MIRI: The Sarawak government has been served with a court injunction restraining any of its enforcement agencies from conducting any further demolition works against the homes of the Bakun people who had been issued eviction notices by the State Land and Survey Department.
Bintulu-based lawyer Paul Raja, who is representing a section of the affected folk in Bakun, served the injunction on the State Secretary’s Office and the Sarawak Attorney-General’s office Tuesday morning following his successful application for the order in the Bintulu High Court.
Raja applied for the injunction following urgent appeals from the people in Bakun who had been issued eviction notices by the department. Some of their houses and farm huts had already been demolished.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, some 30 enforcement teams from the Bintulu Land and Survey Department bulldozed houses and farm huts in four different locations some 20km from the foot of the RM6bil Bakun hydroelectric dam project in Belaga district, about 250km from Bintulu town.
The department said the houses in Bakun earmarked for demolition were illegal premises built on state land.
The affected Bakun people, from some 400 families, said they have native customary land rights in the region because they had been staying there for more than 130 years.
On Wednesday, the affected folk staged demonstrations and blockades to stop the enforcement teams from destroying more structures, and also filed a police report against the department, as well as the court injunction.
Lawyer Paul yesterday told The Star the injunction covers all enforcement agencies under the jurisdiction of the state government.

SHAH ALAM: Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib will contest the vice-president’s post in the coming party polls in December.
“On an official note and with much gladness, I offer my self as a challenger for the vice-president’s post in the upcoming Umno General Assembly from Dec 16-20,” he said at a press conference held at the Umno Selangor building here on Tuesday.
The Rural and Regional Development Minister added that his decision was made with a strong desire to strengthen Umno to face an extraordinarily testing time, amid new political challenges.
“For me it will be an avenue to give undivided support to Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he said.
Muhammad Taib, Selangor Mentri Besar from 1986 to 1997, said he wanted to ensure that Malays got priority in development programmes.

KUALA LUMPUR: Non-Muslims should not fear the Umno-PAS muzakarah (dialogue) because the talks will help to lead to national unity and stability, Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said.
While the talks had centred around the issue of Islam and Malay unity, Shafie said it should be welcomed by all Malaysians.
"The talks are a good early step to resolve unity problems among the Malays of differrent political views.
"If that can lead to unity and stability, I'm sure the Chinese and the Indian communities will surely welcome it, because stability will lead to the people's ability to improve their lives," he told reporters Tuesday after opening the 16th International Congress on Archives (ICA) at the KL Convention Centre here.
Shafie said sensitive issues on religion and race should be resolved, or the people would continue to face conflicts, which in turn would cause security problems.
"If the talks can be seen as an avenue to seek solutions, I don't see why they cannot continue.
"As a minister in charge of unity, I welcome (such talks)," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had revealed on Sunday that Umno and PAS have had three high-level dialogue sessions to discuss several issues closely related to religion.
On his bid for the Umno vice-president's post, Shafie said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should be allowed to contest.
"That is his right. I cannot say that he shouldn't contest because I'm contesting due to the fact that both of us are from the same state.
"There are four from Johor who are also contesting.
"It's all part of the democratic process," he added.
Earlier, Shafie, who is Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, said history researchers and archivists should adapt modern digital technology in their work to help them in preserving important documents.
"Such documents will not only be useful for posterity and help impart knowledge to future generations, but the artefacts can help us in resolving conflicts with other countries.
"It's important for us to have proper places for the safe-keeping of our documents," he added.
In his speech, Shafie said records perform important function in the democratic and political process.
"The right to information is an important element in any modern democracy.
"There is also an increasing need to bring the goals and vision of the archiving community to bear on issues such as transparency and good governance," Shafie added.
A total of 1,200 participants from 138 countries are attending the three-day congress, which began Tuesday.

PETALING JAYA: Mior Azam Mior Yahya, the PKR aide who allegedly punched the party's Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne, has been suspended immediately from his duties, said his boss Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Mior Azam, who is Nik Nazmi's personal assistant, had allegedly punched Loh near the right eye during a groundbreaking ceremony for a place of worship at Desa Mentari on Friday. Residents there had protested against the construction of the building.
Nik Nazmi, who is the Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary, said he viewed the incident involving his assistant and Loh with great concern.
"I do not condone physical violence and I have decided to suspend Mior Azam immediately from his duties while the police investigation is going on," he said Tuesday in his blog.
Nik Nazmi said he would leave it to the party leadership to take disciplinary action against those involved by considering all aspects to ensure a fair and just outcome.
"This is important as the incident could have escalated to a more serious issue that would be to the detriment of everyone," he added.
Loh, who did not sustain any bruises, had lodged a police report and had since spoken to the individual.
On Saturday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the alleged assault on Loh was an internal dispute and both men had since apologised.
Khalid also said approvals from local authorities must first be obtained before places of worship were constructed to avoid future misunderstandings.
Former Selangor Mentri Besar and Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had previously said that the incident showed that the Pakatan Rakyat-led government had failed to control its people.

PETALING JAYA: Mior Azam Mior Yahya, the PKR aide who allegedly punched the party's Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne, has been suspended immediately from his duties, said his boss Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Mior Azam, who is Nik Nazmi's personal assistant, had allegedly punched Loh near the right eye during a groundbreaking ceremony for a place of worship at Desa Mentari on Friday. Residents there had protested against the construction of the building.
Nik Nazmi, who is the Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary, said he viewed the incident involving his assistant and Loh with great concern.
"I do not condone physical violence and I have decided to suspend Mior Azam immediately from his duties while the police investigation is going on," he said Tuesday in his blog.
Nik Nazmi said he would leave it to the party leadership to take disciplinary action against those involved by considering all aspects to ensure a fair and just outcome.
"This is important as the incident could have escalated to a more serious issue that would be to the detriment of everyone," he added.
Loh, who did not sustain any bruises, had lodged a police report and had since spoken to the individual.
On Saturday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the alleged assault on Loh was an internal dispute and both men had since apologised.
Khalid also said approvals from local authorities must first be obtained before places of worship were constructed to avoid future misunderstandings.
Former Selangor Mentri Besar and Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had previously said that the incident showed that the Pakatan Rakyat-led government had failed to control its people.

KUALA LUMPUR: The father of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former aide has urged Anwar to give his DNA sample to expedite investigations.
Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s father Azlan Mohd Lazim said Anwar should stop giving excuses and refusing to cooperate with the police.
Azlan’s statement was read out by Mohd Saiful's lawyer, Zamri Idrus, at a press conference here yesterday. Azlan was not present.
Azlan said the family was angry and sad that Anwar was not giving his full cooperation to the police.
Getting ready: Zambri (left) and Uncle Pet discussing a matter before the press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Bernama


“Anwar should stop giving excuses,” he said, adding that Mohd Saiful was ready to swear to the truth according to Islamic ways after the police had completed the investigations.
“Most importantly, we urge the authorities to bring the involved party to justice soon,” Azlan said.
Asked why Mohd Saiful and Azlan were not present at the press conference, Zamri said it was not the time for Mohd Saiful to meet the press.
“Mohd Saiful is in a safe place and under police protection and not under police custody,” said Zamri who declined to comment whether he was still in the country.
On whether he had met Mohd Saiful recently, Zamri said he met him a few days ago and his client was in good spirits.
On allegations that pictures of Mohd Saiful posing with ministers suggested he had conspired with them over the sodomy allegations, Zamri said the pictures did not prove anything because people could take photographs anywhere they wanted and Mohd Saiful was a student leader and met ministers at forums.
On why Mohd Saiful lodged a police report only after being sodomised several times, he replied: “How do you know? I also don’t know because this is still under investigation. I am confident of his statement but it should not be linked with the police investigation.”Zamri said he would defend Mohd Saiful in a civil suit filed by Anwar and would hold a watching brief if there was a criminal trial.

On whether Saiful was gay, he said “no” and declined to comment whether he was forcibly sodomised.
Zamri declined to reveal the content of Mohd Saiful’s police report, saying he did not have a copy although he had seen it.On whether Mohd Saiful was traumatised, an uncle of Mohd Saiful, known as Uncle Pet, said they would depend on Allah and His strength.

PUTRAJAYA: A Special Court, set up to hear cases involving members of the royalty, sat for the first time to hear witnesses in a civil suit brought by a bank against a member of the Negri Sembilan royal house for allegedly failing to pay the bank a sum of US$1mil (RM3.24mil).
The member of the royalty, who was named as the defendant in the suit, has countersued the bank concerned, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad (SCBMB), and sought a declaration that the bank was not entitled in law to uplift his fixed deposit to settle the US$1mil he was to pay the bank.
The hearing is before Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Alaudin Mohd Sheriff, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, and Federal Court judges Datuk Arifin Zakaria and Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.
The suit arose after the member of the royalty had on or about Feb 12, 1999, established through SCBMB a standby letter of credit (SBLC) valued at US$1mil made in favour of the Connecticut Bank of Commerce (CBC) in the United States for credit facilities to be extended by the latter to a US company called Texas Encore LLC (TEC).
The bank is suing the defendant after he had failed to undertake the express terms of the Documentary Credit Application (DCA).In the statement of claim, the bank said the defendant in the DCA had undertaken to indemnify the plaintiff (the bank) against all losses, costs, damages, expenses and demands which it might incur or sustain from the issuance or establishment of the credit. – Bernama.

SHAH ALAM: Karpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for the family of slain Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, has filed a notice of motion to recall private investigator P. Balasubramaniam to give evidence in the murder case.
“It’s an important application and we are asking that the judge invokes his powers under the Criminal Procedure Code Section 425 to recall Balasubramaniam and further examine him as a witness in view of his first Statutory Declaration (SD) made on July 1 where he made several significant declarations whereby naming people in high places,” he said.
The application, which was filed with the Registrar’s Office in the High Court here yesterday, also asked the court to summon Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Brickfields police's criminal division head DSP Musa Safri, CID chief DSP Idris Adul Karim and lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra.
Karpal Singh said the application was made on the grounds of public interest as in the first SD, the former policeman linked Najib to the murdered Mongolian woman.
“On July 4, in a complete turnaround, Balasubramaniam filed another SD retracting the earlier sworn document. We have to get the court to re-evaluate this man’s evidence given in court in view of the conflicting SDs that throws a shadow of doubt over the evidence he gave in court as a key witness,” he added.
Karpal Singh said the court has to ascertain if the evidence given in the first SD was true and if it were, the court has a duty to summon Balasubramaniam and Najib to give evidence.



No offence in Hsien Loong’s remark, says Rais

SINGAPORE: Malaysia does not take offence to a comment made by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the country’s political situation, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
“I can only say that he is making the statement based on his observation from news items appearing in dailies and television,” said Dr Rais.
He said the statement was not “value judgement” in nature, adding that Lee’s comments and observations were sincere and Malaysians should not take them to heart.
Dr Rais was speaking to the media after attending the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) here yesterday.
Lee, in his speech at the opening of the AMM, said that besides cross-border issues, several countries were also preoccupied with pressing domestic problems.
“Malaysia and Thailand have held elections in the last year, but both are still managing unsettled political situations,” Lee had said.
On another matter, Rais said Malaysia wanted to propagate the inclusion of “Asian values” into the Asean human rights body instead of transporting the Western interpretation as a whole.“We have values that we can introduce as part of human rights, such as caring and respective for the elders and our way of musyawarah (consultation),” he said.

SUBANG JAYA: A woman was found dead, stabbed in the chest and with her neck slashed, at a recreational park in Tasik Subang here.
Police believe her assailant may have also tried to rape her, as the woman's pants had been pulled down.
Subang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Rashid said a jogger found the body at about 6.45pm yesterday and alerted police.
He said the woman, believed to be in her 20s, had been dead for about 48 hours before the body was recovered.
“However, police did not find any identification documents on her body or at the scene,” he said, adding that the victim could have known the assailant.He said the body had been sent to Serdang Hospital, and advised anyone whose family member had gone missing to lodge a report at the nearest police station.

Much has been said about the opening up of Malaysia’s civil space and the creation of a civil society. But what does it all mean and how does it impact on people and the state? Beginning today, we introduce a fortnightly limited series on its origins, history and current developments.

THIS is a season for change – or so the recent developments in Malaysia tell us. Malaysians have opted for new members of parliament as well as four state governments. Other than the ballot box, many Malaysians advocate change through the Internet. Long-established social groups are finding themselves equally flushed with enthusiasm. New members bring with them the belief that meaningful change is possible.

Many of these individuals and groups consider themselves as part of “Malaysian civil society”. They often find themselves spontaneously united by a particular cause. Some of these groups are made up of a handful of committed members whilst others have evolved into mass social movements.

The Penang Heritage Trust, which began with a handful of members, have recently found themselves the toast of the town with the Listing of George Town as a world heritage site. In Petaling Jaya, an “All-PJ Residents Coalition” have been formed to improve living conditions. More recently, sprouting up throughout the country, is a spontaneous call for Malaysia to be “plastic free”.

Not all of these civil society movements will be successful but today, rightly or wrongly, politicians and newspaper editors credit civil society for playing a part in changing our political landscape. There is new respect for the social activist. Bloggers are now members of parliament and trouble-making “demonstrators” now make laws.

Yet it is difficult to define civil society. Some social scientists call it the “third space”, the first being the government and the second, the commercial sector.

The fabric that holds civil society together is the view that personal needs and private considerations may best be served by some form of collective action as demonstrated by Kajang residents calling for the opening of an access road to their housing estates.

Michael Walzer, the prominent political theorist, views “civil society” as a “dense network of civil associations”. These associations, he says, make the democratic body stable and effective. They do this indirectly through the “habits of the heart” where citizens mobilise on behalf of public causes. Democracies depend on such private voluntary association to remain healthy.

Civil society therefore operates separately though not exclusively from the state and the market place. Members are not compelled by law to partake in civil society affairs. Instead, civil society is based upon common causes often galvanised by moral, political, and social issues.

Similarly, material profit and economic imperatives do not necessarily drive civil society movements. Lest we forget, civil society comprise of anything from social and environmental movements such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund to community organisations such as your local Rukun Tetangga, PTA or even the Lawn Bowling Club. What provides impetus for all these organisations are a shared interest or a shared cause. Political and social activism, which gets much more publicity, is in reality only a small proportion of civil activism.

Datuk Nazir Ariff may be a lone voice in calling for a ‘plastic bag free Penang’ now but history has shown that advocating an unpopular cause can change public opinion over time.

However, as developments in Malaysia and other parts of the world have shown, civil society movements can, and does have an influential role to play in larger society. But this is nothing new – civil society movements in Malaysia have long had a significant socio-political role to play. The thrust of the remonstration against the Malayan Union, for example, was due to a large part by the activism of various local Malay associations such as the Malay Nationalist Party and many of the earliest welfare organisations, such as the late 19th century Penang Po Leung Kuk were civil organisations.

Another important feature of civil society is that it is often associated with the idea of the “public sphere”. Loosely structured, these organisations are public entities because they bring together individuals who share a common cause. The development of such social networks are critical ingredients of the emergence of civil society organisations.

The fabric that holds civil society together is the view that personal needs and private considerations may best be served by some form of collective action. A sense of necessity and a coalition of interests places our collective welfare over and above personal needs.

Other than empathy, the urge to complain and disagree is equally important. Our collective grouses form the basis for civil debate. The right to challenge and test established norms improves our quality of life. Anyone can participate in a civil debate and the number of causes they take up are endless.

Nothing is too strange or trivial. In a globalised world, these causes transcend national boundaries. Recently, Datuk Nazir Ariff, the northern region chairman of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce, advocated a “plastic bag free Penang”. He was pledging his allegiance to the larger global environmental movement.

Today, Nazir’s lone voice may be in the minority but history has shown that advocating an unpopular cause, can over time, change public opinion. Malaysian civil society movements have their origins in once unimaginable causes. Two examples being the prevention of cruelty to animals and equal rights for women. Both causes have only recently gained acceptance in the last century.

Today, making Penang “plastic bag free” will be inconvenient and would probably generate a lot of hostility from commercial interests. But open debate may attract wider public attention and concern – a key feature in developing solutions to such long standing problems.

Whether it is an international environment movement like Greenpeace or a community organisation like the neighbourhood Rukun Tetangga (below), such bodies contribute to civil activism.

If civil society is made up of various organisations advocating very different causes, they all share in a common aspiration – to make their cause more popular and to advocate change consistent with their views; which may or may not be acceptable to the public at large. This is a critical component of any democratic society, where various forms of public interests and grievances are debated and discussed openly.

This is a broad concept of civil society – where the whole gamut of possible civic action independent of formal political institutions such as service associations, philanthropic groups, cultural entities, religious associations, labour unions, etc – play a role in maintaining and protecting a healthy democracy.

Civil society movements, such as the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) achieve a mass following because it advocates an accepted right, in this case the rights of consumers – an issue familiar to most Malaysians.

As most Malaysians are consumers of one product or another, the views offered by organisations such as CAP help Malaysians to develop a more informed view of the products they consume. Thus we tend to think highly of the dedicated members of the CAP although they may not be always correct.

But some civil society movements have narrower and more specific aims. Sisters-in-Islam (SIS), which advocates equality for Muslim women, courts a lot of controversy and gets a lot of publicity but does not have a massive following.

On the other hand, an organisation such as the Malaysian Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (MACLALS) is little known except amongst its own members.

Civil society movements are popular today for a number of reasons. Better education means more exposure. Malaysians have become exposed to a broader range of opinions and views.

Technological changes leading to the creation of a more open political climate have combined to widen the opportunity for individuals to participate in civil society debates.

Just as it is now possible for everyone to fly, nowadays anyone with access to the World Wide Web can create a blog and be “heard”. Facebook, an interactive social networking website, for example, hosts thousands of civil society causes.

Whilst it may be easier to network and meet people who believe in a similar cause, civil society movements have been with us a very long time. If in the past, change came about gradually, society is now more impatient.We are part of a global consumerist culture. We want instant gratification. More reason, therefore, to take 10 minutes each week to understand our fast-evolving civil society. A social tsunami might be round the corner.

Neil Khor read English at Cambridge University and Khaldun Malek read Philosophy at Oxford University. They both believe that social reform begins in opposing views discussed with civility.

Sure, they are nicer than the old ‘555’ notebooks but what’s the big deal about these ones that cost more than most paperback best-sellers?

WHEN I spotted the sleek and handsome notebook, I was smitten.

The Moleskine (officially pronounced “mol-a-skeen’-a”, though many opt to pronounce it as “mole skin”), as it is called, had a soft, black, oilskin cover, and its pages have rounded edges to prevent them from being dog-eared. An elastic strap can keep a pen firmly tucked in, and on the back cover is an inner pocket which is a handy place to dump ticket stubs, receipts and bits of paper.

It seems like a writer’s dream notebook. Then I noticed the price tag: RM83.66. A notebook priced above RM80? What an audacious concept!

But Moleskines (with a price range from about RM30 to more than RM100) are considered the Rolls Royce of the notebook world not just because of its luxury pricing.

Rafiee Ghani’s Moleskine is filled with sketches and notes. The artist keeps his Moleskine even after he has filled its pages, saying: “They are like my thoughts in writing.

Its many enthusiasts (there are actually Moleskine fansites) say that the book is brilliantly designed and possess a “hip” factor that products such as iPods have.

Could its celebrity status be because it’s touted to be the “legendary notebook” used by creative legends like Earnest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso and Bruce Chatwin? (See The skinny on Moleskines.)

Moleskine advantage

Google “Moleskine” and chances are you’ll stumble on fansites (such as the very popular Moleskinerie at www.moleskinerie.com) and numerous blog posts that praise the little black books.

Californian blogger Diane Patterson of Nobody Knows Anything writes: “I love my Moleskine. It’s not just another notebook. It’s an inspiration.”

Although she calls Moleskine’s legendary status “overblown (or outright made up) propaganda from the manufacturer”, she loves the notebook’s qualities.

“The Moleskine notebook lies flat on the table, waiting for you to write or sketch something brilliant in it. The acid-free paper is fantastic for writing on.

“Cheap paper is rough, an impediment to the ballpoint. But Moleskine paper is smooth and lets your hand fly across the page.

Rafiee Ghani draws and writes notes and reminders on his Moleskine.

“It has that pocket in back, so you can keep receipts, movie tickets, love notes on cocktail napkins, photos of loved ones.

“And no matter how much you jam in that pocket, that elastic band around the notebook is going to keep the whole kit-and-kaboodle together — you won’t lose anything.”

Another blogger, science fiction writer Greg van Eekhout, says in his blog Writing and Snacks: “The Moleskine, as it turns out, is not a decadent pleasure akin to a cigar and cognac in a big leather club chair in front of a roaring fire surrounded by walnut panelling and paintings of mallard ducks. Rather, it’s an extremely useful tool. It fits comfortably in a pocket (pants or shirt), the elastic band holds a pen firmly in place, and it’s just the right size for comfortable writing.”

Malaysian fans

But would Malaysians pay top dollar for an empty notebook?

“I had no hesitation in getting it — even if some people say that it’s too pricey for a notebook,” says Fajar Aidu, 30, a lawyer based in Kuala Lumpur.

She uses her three Moleskine notebooks to keep track of her appointments, to write down ideas and notes and even keeps one as a journal.

“The price may be high but it’s durable and handy. When you chuck it here and there, normal notebooks get torn easily. But I’ve not had any problems with Moleskine notebooks no matter where I chucked them,” she says.

Her friend Irmy Natasya Mohamed, 31, who converted her into a Moleskine fan, agrees.

“People pay extra for quality, whether for handbags, shoes or gadgets. It’s the same for Moleskine,” says the KL-based business writer who started using Moleskine notebooks a few years ago after a friend from Madrid introduced it to her.

Irmy Natasya doesn’t mind paying extra for quality.

“There’s just something very alluring about Moleskine,” she adds.

Says Rafiee Ghani, a 45-year-old artist based in Shah Alam: “Unlike other books, Moleskines have to be judged by the cover, the paper quality, the overall design, and of course, the character of the notebooks.”

Rafiee, who has been using Moleskines for over a decade, uses a pocket-sized Moleskine, and he has a larger one which he slips into his bag to sketch, draw maps and write notes or reminders.

But his Moleskine isn’t just a functional tool – Rafiee, for one, does not throw them away even after he has filled its pages.

No wonder, as some pages from his Moleskine look like works of art! In fact artists around the world pose their “Moleskine art” on the website, ’skine art at www.skineart.com.

“They are like my thoughts in writing,” he explains.

“(When people discover that I use Moleskines) they are often shocked by the price but they also notice how passionate I am about it. And once they have it, they want to keep writing something in it,” he says.

Quality rules

“I think it has to do with the quality of its paper,” says Kinokuniya merchandise supervisor Abbie Hiew when asked about the allure of Moleskine. (Kinokuniya has been bringing in Moleskine notebooks since May, 2007).

“The ivory, acid-free papers which are exquisitely bound are not only classy but a must-have especially for people who have important things to keep, and intend to keep them for a long, long time.

“Besides, try touching the oilskin cover, and you will know how nice it feels – especially the soft cover ones! And the little pocket at the back of the notebook – isn’t it adorable? Honestly, if you put aside the money factor, the majority of us wants to own a Moleskine!” she says.

Still, when brothers Jason and Alvin Chen brought Moleskine notebooks into the Bangsar branch of their family-owned bookstore, CzipLee, in late 2006, they had doubts.

Although the two were Moleskine enthusiasts themselves, having been introduced to them while studying Australia, they were sceptical if Moleskine could do well in their then newly opened bookstore.

“After all, we have not sold such expensive pieces of blank paper before!” says Jason, 29, with a laugh.

But after receiving numerous requests for them, they decided to take the risk.

Their first order of Moleskine – just a box – “hit the ground running”, Alvin, 27, says.

“We have a lot of die-hard Moleskine enthusiasts coming to our store now,” he says. “For example, one customer drives down from Penang to our store just to stock up! There’s also a local Moleskine ‘club’ called MyMole who regularly comes to our store.”

Although they were not the first to carry Moleskine, they were probably one of the first to carry the full range. The most common complain among Moleskine enthusiasts is that they can only get a limited range in Malaysia.

Jason Chen of CzipLee

Jason and Alvin believe that the secret behind Moleskine’s success is its consistency and high quality.

“The worst thing that could happen is to go into a bookshop to get a new notebook, only to find out later that they don’t make them like that any more,” says Jason.

“With a Moleskine, you get the same quality – every notebook is handmade and has been carefully checked for defects. Also, once you’ve filled the pages, they really look nice lined up on a shelf,” he says.

Moleskine, they say, have built a very good reputation for the “durability, quality, functionality and consistency of their products.”

“That’s why people choose to buy Moleskines even though there are cheaper options and imitations out there,” says Jason.

Alvin likens buying a Moleskine to joining a club.

“And membership starts at RM30,” he says, grinning.

Just a fad?

But not everyone is convinced.

“Moleskine is just another fashion fad,” sniffs a commenter in the blog post The Monster Monster Collection of Moleskine Tips, Tricks and Hacks (freelanceswitch.com/productivity/the-monster-collection-of-moleskine-tips-tricks-and-hacks).

“Great, useful notebooks have been around for ages and in a broad variety of styles and structures (and still are!). Much like Starbucks coffee, iPods and Mac laptops, Moleskines are part of the uniform of the supposedly unique, creative, independent thinker of today ... with the environmental issues the planet is facing, the indiscriminate use of paper should be going out of fashion...” she concludes.

When a friend gave Esmeralda Koh, 33, a self-confessed “notebook addict”, a 13 x 21cm 18-month Weekly Moleskine Notebook recently, she loved it immediately.

“My pen seem to sail over the paper,” says the writer.

“It also inspires me to jot down my notes and thoughts on it. More than once I’d get a nice idea for a story I want to write, decide I’d record it later when I have the time, only to forget that brilliant idea at the end of the day! So the book helps someone who is too lazy to keep a diary to maintain a habit,” she says.

But she was absolutely stunned when she found out that her notebook costs nearly RM80!

“The most expensive notebook I’ve bought was a RM45 journal by Paperblanks (www.paperblanks.com). But the cover has a mother-of-pearl-like finish,” she says.

To her, Moleskine notebooks do not look impressive enough to justify the price tag. After all, there are cheaper alternatives, she reasons.

“I’ll get a cheap notebook or write on toilet paper if I’m desperate. Didn’t J.K. Rowling write on napkins once?” she asks, tongue-in-cheek.

NASI lemak without the teh tarik might be a less fulfilling gastronomic experience, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Bearing in mind the effects of the recent food and fuel price hikes on consumer behaviour, Secret Recipe has come up with a RM10 Price Buster Value Meal to enable the public to continue dining out at an affordable price.

“Many of our customers are feeling the pinch. We hope that with this price buster value meal, they will see that it is still affordable to have a normal meal and, at the same time, stretch their money a little,” explained Secret Recipe senior brand manager Jamie Fong at the official launch of the RM10 Price Buster Value Meal recently.

Value for money: Fong with the Price Buster Value Meal set comprising Grilled chicken chop served with fragrant herb rice, fresh garden salad and ice lemon tea.

The RM10 value meal offers three choices of grilled chicken chop, which Fong said was among the top five customer favourites.

Customers can choose from black pepper sauce, mushroom sauce and secret barbeque sauce. All sets are served with fragrant herb rice and fresh garden salad on the side, and accompanied with a glass of ice lemon tea.

The original price of these items if ordered a la carte is RM18++.

The month-long promotion ending Aug 6, is valid for dine-in throughout the day and is applicable at all Secret Recipe outlets in Peninsular Malaysia.

“If the response is good, we may extend the month-long promotion and might even look into a different menu selection,” Fong added.

Baby Janson received more gifts from auntie Phoebe
Thank you...

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament should read and study the proposed amendment to the University College and Colleges Act carefully to see if the Bill really benefits students.
Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR - Lembah Pantai) said as the Bill was only tabled for first reading in Parliament on Wednesday, all MPs, including those from the Barisan Nasional coalition, should take their time to study it.
“Many aspects of the Bill are still unclear. “However, we hope all MPs will prepare themselves to debate on the Bill as it is important that we fulfill the hopes and aspirations of university students,” she told reporters after meeting with members of the Gerakan Mansuhkan AUKU at the Parliament lobby here on Thursday.
The movement’s coordinator Ridzuan Mohammad said its members had yet to fully understand the implications of the proposed amendment.
“We are particularly concerned over one of the clauses that cites that students cannot join an unlawful organisation, under which the minister has the power to determine which body is unlawful,” he said.
Ridzuan said the movement had also met with a group of backbenchers led by Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN - Bintulu), which also included Razali Ibrahim (BN - Muar) and Liang Teck Meng (BN – Simpang Renggam).
“They told us to study the Bill carefully and to tell them which parts we don’t agree with and they promised to speak up for us,” he said.
Among others, the Bill states that university students will only face disciplinary action from their university, and not criminal charges, if they are caught joining a political party or unlawful organisation under amendments to the University and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said that under the Bill, students would still be barred from joining any political party or unlawful organisation or take part in any of their activities outside campus.
The Bill would be debated in the next meeting in August.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim an hour before the 2pm deadline as they feared that he would not show up.
Federal CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said Anwar was supposed to go directly to the Kuala Lumpur headquarters immediately after giving his statement to the ACA in Putrajaya.
“However, we were informed that after he left the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya he re-routed and headed back to his house in Segambut,” he said.
“He was arrested as we had reason to believe that he was not going to show up at the KL police headquarters,” he said.
Anwar, who had left the ACA headquarters at 12.20pm, was arrested for investigation under Section 377C of the Penal Code for carnal intercourse against the order of nature.
He was there from 10am yesterday in connection with reports he had lodged against the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General.
Comm Bakri said police arrested him near his house as they wanted to avoid any untoward incident or commotion had they arrested him at his house.
“We wish to point out that Anwar had initially agreed to meet us on Monday but he failed to keep his appointment,” he said.
Anwar will be taken to the hospital here for a routine check-up which was a required procedure, Comm Bakri added.
He said that besides the check-up for record purposes, the police had also extended other facilities including allowing his family members and lawyers to visit him.
“He is also allowed to go for his prayers. We will accord whatever facility the law allows ... that we can assure

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was charged at the Jalan Duta magistrate's court here for defaming Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Raja Petra refused to enter a plea.
He was arrested Thursday morning under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.
The charge was being made over his June 18 statutory declaration on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.

SHAH ALAM: Azhar Osman, former press secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, passed away at 9.09am Thursday morning after a long illness. Azhar Osman
Azhar, 48, will be buried this afternoon in Shah Alam, according to his wife Marzita Mansor.
He leaves behind seven children.
His remains have been taken back to his home in Bukit Jelutong here.

MUAR: Marine police here recently seized some 4,500 litres of petroleum and detained a tanker driver for carrying the fuel without a permit during an operation near Sungai Mati.
Muar marine police base commanding officer Assistant Superintendent Mohamad Pouzi Abdul Rauf said the 38-year-old man from Sungai Rambai in Malacca, was suspected to have been carrying the fuel illegally.
He said a team headed by Inspector Mohd Naser Marzuke spotted the tanker at about 6.20pm on July 15, and upon inspection found it contained about 4,500 litres of petroleum.
The team then questioned the driver who failed to produce any document or permit to carry the fuel.
"We have handed the man and the fuel-laden tanker over to the Muar Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs enforcement office for the next course of action," ASP Mohamad Pouzi said here on Thursday.
He said the seizure was thanks to cooperation from members of the public who had alerted the department about certain parties ferrying petroleum without permits.

ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his outstanding track record of giving priority to the people cannot be denied.
Stressing that he was neither a weak nor a scared leader, Najib said his achievements reflected his credentials, capabilities and commitment to safeguard the interests of the people.
He said his track record should not be disputed.
“Look at my track record. I am not neglecting the people’s interests.
“I would not have clinched such high votes in the (recent general) election if I had disregarded public interest,” he told reporters after a meeting with Kedah Umno division leaders and the state Umno liaison committee here.
He said this in response to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that people were disenchanted with Najib whom they perceive as a weak leader who could not make his own stand.
Najib said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision to hand over the mantle to him by June 2010 was made with the consent of the Umno supreme council.
“It was not a decision that was reached between me and Pak Lah (Abdullah) but it was a plan accepted by the Umno supreme council.
“Transfer of power should be done systematically,” he said.
On Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s plan to challenge Abdullah for the party president’s post, Najib said those vying for the post should have enough support.
On the PAS-Umno talks, Najib said there should be no pre-conditions for the muzakarah (dialogue).
He said such dialogues could be used as a venue to discuss what is best for the country and the people.
Najib said this in response to PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s statement that such muzakarah could only be held if the request came from Umno grassroots during the branch and division AGMs.
However, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had reportedly expressed interest in discussing with Umno issues related to the Malays and Islam.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arriving at his home in Bukit Segambut on Thursday morning after being released on police bail.

Anwar's statement was taken down to facilitate police investigations into the report lodged on June 28 by his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleging he had been sodomised by the PKR de facto leader.
"He was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) as he was a suspect, and his arrest was made in accordance with the law," Ismail said.
"Police followed every procedure and had even informed him and his lawyers that the warrant for his arrest had been obtained.

Ismail

"He was treated fairly and according to due process of the law, which included allowing his wife (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) to visit him at about midnight," he added.
Ismail said police would continue with their investigations.
He also appealed to the public not to speculate and to allow the police to investigate this case as they would any other case.

At a press conference at about 10am, Anwar's lawyers R. Sivarasa and Sankara Nair said that no charges had been levied on the former deputy prime minister at this time.
He will have to report to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters on Aug 18 however.
They said that Anwar refused to give a DNA sample on Wednesday night because they feared there would be fabrication of evidence, which Anwar had alleged had taken place in the infamous "black eye" incident of nearly a decade ago.
At that time, Anwar was alleged to have committed sodomy too.
He lodged a police report against Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who were the investigating officer and chief prosecutor respectively in that case.

KUALA LUMPUR: Monday's roadblocks caused some law students to miss out on the first paper of the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) exams.
According to an e-mail from a student named Ganesh, which was distributed by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) in Parliament lobby Wednesday, many students had missed the paper which was scheduled for 9am Monday at Universiti Malaya.
Ganesh said he had left his house at 7am and only arrived at UM at 10.30am.
"By that time, it was too late to sit for that particular paper.
"And the CLP examination is such that if you miss just one paper, you might as well resit the whole examination the next year."
Ganesh said this year was the last year for the CLP examinations before it was scrapped for good and questioned how he was going to sit for the examination again.
"To make matters worse, there were no protests at all.”
Ganesh said many law students were now stuck, not knowing what to do.

KUALA LUMPUR: Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek defended his words in the debate against PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
What he said about Anwar in Tuesday night's debate was to criticise the former deputy prime minister’s policy stance during the financial crisis in 1998, said Shabery.
"What I talked about was really his policies and his leadership record so as to question his credibility.
"I just wanted to strengthen my argument that what he says takes advantage of the people's misery which is really caused by what is going on in the world.
"Personal attacks would be more about criticising what he likes, his clothes or his face," Shabery told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesay.
Shabery said Anwar was the one who personally attacked him when he brought up Semangat 46, which he used to be a member of.
Shabery said he was satisfied with his performance and had also received many SMS messages either congratulating him or attacking him.
"Some support me and some are angry with me. But that's normal."
Shabery said he was more interested that the debate was actually something which brought Malaysian democracy forward.
"It is not a question of who won or lost, but that there was a platform to put our views forward."
Shabery said debating was a good and fair way and he hoped that it would be an institutionalised part of Malaysian politics in the future.
He said this would mean the people would not look at a politician based on how much money he had, but based on his ideas and public relations skills.
He added that he did not mind a return match with Anwar on the same topic.

The use of traditional and complementary medicine is becoming more widespread. There needs to be clear regulations to address the many issues surrounding such practices.
TRADITIONAL and complementary medicine (T/CM) is used by many people throughout the world. Its use varies between countries, with about 60% of the Hong Kong population reporting its use and 10% in the United Kingdom, 20% in Canada and 76% in Singapore.
In countries like Vietnam and China where T/CM is an integral part of the healthcare system, about a third of patients receive traditional medicine.
Traditional medicine has maintained its popularity in the developing world and its use is rapidly spreading in developed countries. It is estimated that more than 50% of the population in Europe and North America have used complementary and/or alternative medicine at least once.
The global market for herbal medicines is estimated to be US$60bil (RM192bil) annually and is growing steadily. Traditional herbal preparations account for 30% to 50% of the total medicines consumed in China.
Popular interest
There are several reasons for the increasing popularity of T/CM. The middle- and high-income groups of the population are more health conscious and have adopted a proactive approach to their own health by seeking out different forms of self-care. Aggressive marketing, particularly with the tagline that T/CM products are “natural”, have generated its use.
The lower income group has resorted to T/CM for different reasons i.e. availability, relatively lower costs, cultural and peer influences. A major reason is that modern medicine has generated expectations that cannot be delivered consistently.
The global market for herbal medicines is estimated to be RM192bil annually and is growing steadily. - Reuters photo
There is very limited global data on the number of T/CM practitioners. In some countries like South Africa, they exceed significantly the number of doctors. The number of practitioners is comparable to that of doctors in some countries like China and India, while they are a minority in Europe and North America.
Data from a survey conducted by the Malaysian Health Ministry in 2005 revealed that 69.4% of respondents had used T/CM in their whole life and 55.6% in the preceding 12 months. Of those who used T/CM products for health problems, the modalities used were viz:
·Biologically-based therapy e.g. herbs, vitamins supplement - 88.9%
·Manipulative and body-based e.g. massage, reflexology, chiropractic - 27.0%
·Mind-body medicine e.g. hypnosis, prayer, meditation, yoga, taichi - 11.1%
·Whole medical system e.g. acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, Chinese medicine - 1.9%
The Health Ministry’s Drug Control Authority reported that, as at December 31, 2007, the cumulative number of registered products comprised 18,200 traditional medicines (46.5%) compared to 11,805 prescription medicines (30.2%) and 9,098 over-the-counter medicines (23.3%).
The National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006 provide additional information. It reported that the out-of-pocket expenditure for those above 18 years of age in 2006 was RM3.76bil, of which a whopping RM2.97bil (79%) was for health promotion, as compared to RM0.54bil (14.4%) for ambulatory care and RM0.17 bil(4.5%) for hospitalisation. Of the expenditures, 88.1% were spent at private facilities, 8.5% at government facilities and 3.4% at both.
Terminologies
The terminologies used to describe conventional (or Western) medicine and traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM) is variable. Some terms have additional meanings depending on whether they are used by the proponents or critics of T/CM.
The terms “traditional medicine” and “complementary medicine” are relatively recent terminologies for a range of healing practices that have been practised for hundreds of years, in some instances. Such practices were previously referred to as “primitive medicine” and “fringe” or “marginal medicine”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined traditional medicine “as including diverse health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal, and/or mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises applied singularly or in combination to maintain well-being, as well as to treat, diagnose or prevent illness.
“The terms complementary/alternative/non-conventional medicine are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries.”
The term “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM), which refers to the use of treatments as an adjunct to, or supplementary to, conventional medicine, is widely used. It has been defined by WHO as “a broad set of healthcare practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant healthcare system.”
Some CAM practices are adaptations of traditional medicine. As CAM is a relative concept, its knowledge and practices vary between countries and are time-specific.
The Health Ministry defined T/CM (in 2001) as a form of health-related practice that excludes the medical or dental practices utilised by registered medical or dental practitioners.
The T/CM practices in Malaysia include acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurveda, chiropractic, homeopathy, Malay medicine, naturopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine and yoga.
Efficacy and safety issues
Without evidence of efficacy, it is hard to judge the safety of any practice that impacts on health. This is simply because the risk of an adverse effect, which might be acceptable for an effective treatment, will be unacceptable for an ineffective treatment.
About 25% of medicines are made from plants that were initially used traditionally. Herbal medicines which have demonstrable efficacy like morphine, which is used for pain relief, and vincristine, which is used in cancer chemotherapy, are important in conventional medicine. Their use illustrates the principle that “natural” is not synonymous with innocuous, as their safety margins are narrow.
In general, the evidence of the efficacy of T/CM is limited, as most therapeutic claims remain unsubstantiated. The scientific evidence from randomised clinical trials is only persuasive for many uses of acupuncture, some herbal medicines and some of the manual therapies.
Acupuncture has been proven to be effective in relieving postoperative pain, nausea during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy, and dental pain, with very few side effects.
More research is needed to determine the efficacy and safety of several other T/CM practices and products.
The unregulated or inappropriate use of T/CM products and practices has resulted in negative or dangerous effects. For instance, the herb “Ma Huang” (ephedra), which is traditionally used in China to treat respiratory conditions, and was marketed as a dietary aid in the United States, resulted in at least a dozen deaths, heart attacks and strokes.
Interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicines have also been reported with untoward effects for the user.
The quality of manufacturing may also pose serious problems. If plants are used, the precise chemical content would depend on the variety and the growing conditions, processing, and storage. The concentrations of compounds in T/CM products may vary considerably. Although commercially grown plants can be reliably identified, plants gathered in the wild may not be. Toxic species may be substituted for innocuous ones.
Another risk is the adulteration of T/CM products with prescription medicines e.g. corticosteroids and toxic substances e.g. heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic.
The Health Ministry’s Drug Regulatory Control Authority (DCA), as part of its post-market surveillance programme to ensure continued compliance to safety, efficacy and quality, subjects samples of registered products to testing.
A total of 2,538 registered products were sampled in 2007. Six product batches were recalled within 72 hours and 138 product batches were recalled within 30 days, due to quality defects. The recalls involved 17 prescription medicines (12.8%), 13 over-the-counter medicines (9.8%) and 103 traditional medicines (77.4%). It is noteworthy that the recall rate for traditional medicines is disproportionate to its segment of the products registered (46.5%) by the DCA.

The scientific evidence from randomised clinical trials is only persuasive for many uses of acupuncture, some herbal medicines and some of the manual therapies. - AFP photo

Regulation
Unlike T/CM, conventional medicine is heavily regulated. There are more than 40 health laws that doctors and health administrators have to be conversant with, depending on their practice situations.
One of the reasons for this is historical, as Malaysia inherited the common law from the United Kingdom. The common law right to choose one’s own treatment for illness has hardly been controlled by statutory law. As long as one does not claim to be a doctor or practise protected disciplines like dentistry, pharmacy and midwifery, or supply prescription medicines, any one could set themselves up as a practitioner in any aspect of healthcare.
This situation is unlike that in Europe or the United States where there are few healthcare activities that are permitted without authorisation by the state.
Because T/CM practitioners do not have to submit themselves to authority, it has led to a situation where T/CM is practised without recognisable training, qualification, professional standards or indemnity coverage. In short, there is little or no accountability with T/CM products and practices, until very recently.
The Health Ministry being cognisant of the need for a stronger evidence base on the safety, efficacy and quality of the T/CM products and practices, and the need to promote therapeutically sound use of T/CM by providers and consumers, established a Standing Committee on T/CM in 1998 and launched its national policy on T/CM in 2001. The Drug Control Authority also started to register T/CM products to address safety issues.
The much publicised T/CM Bill is eagerly awaited by many doctors and health administrators. One aspect that is of interest is whether the penalties for non-compliance are similar to that in the Private Health Care Facilities and Services Act.
T/CM products
T/CM products have recently come under the purview of the Control of Drug and Cosmetic Regulations 1984, Poison Act 1952, Sale of Drug Act 1952, Advertisement and Sale Act 1956 and Protection of Wild Life Act 1972.
T/CM products registered in Malaysia have to comply with the safety requirements of the Health Ministry’s Drug Control Authority. However, almost all T/CM products are registered as food supplements or vitamins, which registration requirements are much less stringent than that of prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Whilst registration of T/CM products has ensured that they do not contain scheduled poisons and contaminants, efficacy issues have yet to be addressed. This question needs to be addressed, particularly when health promotion takes up about 79% of out-of-pocket health expenditure.
How effective are T/CM products? Are claims reflected in the reality of the situation in which the T/CM products are used? Are consumers getting value for their money? This is of particular relevance when the economic circumstances demand that there be belt-tightening.
Educational standards, registration and licensing
It is a fact that there are many T/CM practitioners who practise without qualifications or without adequate training. Of those who are trained, the length of training and the qualifications obtained vary widely. Some continue learning as apprentices or through short courses or correspondence courses.
There is a need for regulators to establish objectives of training and define core competencies in T/CM. Although many T/CM practitioners are not likely to face critical diagnostic issues or interact seriously with conventional medicine, others may have patients who choose not to consult a doctor, with some T/CM practitioners encouraging such an approach.
This issue needs to be clarified. If T/CM practitioners claim therapeutic autonomy, then they should have the benefit of a full medical education to equip them to work independently of doctors.
Some T/CM disciplines like osteopathy and chiropractic have developed and moved along the path of self-regulation in some countries, e.g. the United Kingdom and Australia. There are university degree courses in these disciplines with acts of parliament that protect their titles and provide orthodox regulation of their activities.
There are currently no formal accredited courses in T/CM offered by any institution of higher learning in Malaysia. However, there is progress in that the National Accreditation Board of the Ministry of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, has drafted standards and criteria for the offering of such courses. The standards recommended practices that are in tandem with internationally recognised good practices.
There were 7,154 T/CM practitioners registered with the Health Ministry as at December 2007. The criteria and implications of their registration have not found its way into the public domain yet.
Some countries require T/CM practitioners to be registered or to possess a licence to practise. Eligibility is usually determined by evidence of qualification and/or safe practice. Some countries automatically register a practitioner with a recognised qualification while others require the passing of a licensing examination. A robust and independent accreditation system is needed for automatic registration.
T/CM practice
Many T/CM practitioners practise in multiple therapeutic areas. It is important to address the issue of whether the regulations apply to the practice of a single therapy or recognise a varied range of therapies.
Standards of practice and conduct are usually spelt out in a code of conduct. The responsibility for setting standards is usually left to the professional body. The problem arises if the standards are set too low, for various reasons.
The public should be given the opportunity to pursue complaints against T/CM practitioners with the provision of codes of conduct, disciplinary procedures and sanctions. Although this is currently absent, it is the responsibility of regulators to ensure its implementation as soon as possible.
When there is an adverse event in conventional medicine, the patient and/or his representative can complain to the Health Ministry and/or Malaysian Medical Council and/or commence legal proceedings. What is the recourse for the patient and/or his representative when there is an adverse event following treatment by a T/CM practitioner? Worse still, what is the recourse if the adverse event occurred after treatment by a doctor as well as a T/CM practitioner?
The practice of T/CM by doctors is a question that some doctors have raised. The Code of Professional Conduct of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) prohibits doctors from employing or associating with persons who are not qualified or not registered under the Medical Act.
Any doctor who uses a T/CM product or practice has to ensure that it is evidence based and that they have been trained in the practice. Involvement in questionable practices may expose a patient to risks, and even danger, and the doctor to disciplinary proceedings by the MMC.
With increasing societal expectations for greater professional accountability in the medical profession, T/CM practitioners will need to do the same by increasing public scrutiny of their affairs.
Conclusions
Many people consult T/CM practitioners at the same time they consult their doctors. However, many do not inform their doctor for a variety of reasons. As there are efficacy and safety issues with many T/CM products and practices, it is in the interest of the patient for communication between doctors and T/CM practitioners to be enhanced.
There are many aspects to be addressed in the regulation of T/CM which have, to date, flourished without any accountability. It is hoped that the regulation of T/CM will enable the Health Ministry to achieve its objective of ensuring quality and safe use of T/CM practices and products to attain optimal potential in healthcare delivery.
Dr Milton Lum is Chairperson of the Commonwealth Medical Trust. This article is not intended to replace, dictate or define evaluation by a qualified doctor. The views expressed do not represent that of any organisation the writer is associated with. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. 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.

Top 10 causes of bleeding after sex.
THERE are a few things that can ruin a pleasant post-coital haze – one of them is if your partner immediately rolls onto his back and begins snoring. This can be frustrating , but it is surely not as frightening as going to the bathroom and discovering that you are bleeding!
Bleeding after sex can be due to a number of causes, and usually means that either the skin lining the cervix or vagina is thin or inflamed, or that there is a lesion on the cervix.
It is not to be taken lightly, so if you discover that you are bleeding after intercourse, do see a doctor as soon as possible. Below are the ten most common causes of bleeding after sex:
No. 10: Cervical dysplasia
One cause of the bleeding could be cervical dysplasia, which means that there are abnormal cells growing on the surface of the cervix. This is a pre-cancerous condition and could lead to cancer if the abnormal cells are not removed.
You may be at risk of cervical dysplasia if you have multiple sexual partners, have sex before age 18, give birth before age 16, or have had a sexually transmitted disease.
Cervical dysplasia can be detected early if you go for regular Pap smears. It can be treated with cryosurgery or conisation.
No. 9: Chlamydia
Bacteria is a common culprit of vaginal bleeding. Chlamydia is a type of bacterial infection that is usually sexually transmitted. Apart from bleeding, women with chlamydia may also have abnormal vaginal discharge or feel a burning sensation while urinating.
Chlamydia infection must be treated with antibiotics, or it may lead to future problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility. To prevent being infected, be sure to practise safe sex and use condoms.
No. 8: Gonorrhoea
Another sexually transmitted bacterial infection that could cause post-intercourse bleeding is gonorrhoea, sometimes called “the clap”. Just like chlamydia, it can also cause other symptoms like vaginal discharge, burning and pain while urinating, and increased urination.
If the infection spreads, it can cause fever and severe pain in the lower abdomen.
Gonorrhea should be treated with the right type of antibiotics so that it does not cause complications that could lead to infertility.
No. 7: Vaginitis or cervicitis
Inflammation and infection of the vagina, or of the cervix, could also lead to some bleeding. These conditions could be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, which can be treated with antibiotics or antifungals.
Sometimes, cervicitis occurs after inserting a foreign device like a cervical cap or a diaphragm into the pelvic area. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction to contraceptive spermicides or to latex in condoms.
No. 6: Cervical polyps
Sometimes you may have growths in your cervix called polyps. These are smooth finger-like growths that are red or purple in colour. They grow out of the mucous layer of the cervix or the cervical canal, and are extremely fragile.
The good news is, cervical polyps can be removed easily and painlessly by tying a surgical string around the base and cutting it off. The base can be then be removed with electrocautery or with a laser.
No. 5: Trichomoniasis
Another sexually transmitted culprit of bleeding after sex is trichomoniasis, a disease caused by a parasite. It can also cause discomfort during sex, vaginal itching, a greenish-yellow, frothy or foamy vaginal discharge with a foul or strong smell, swelling of the labia and itching of the inner thighs.
Rarely, trichomoniasis can be transmitted through tap water, hot tubs, urine, on toilet seats, and in swimming pools.
This infection can be treated with antibiotics. To prevent from getting it, practise safe and healthy sex.
No. 4: Yeast infection
Occasionally, the bleeding could be due to a very common condition in women – a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. This infection occurs when the normal fungi that lives in the vagina overgrows and upsets the healthy balance of microorganisms in the vagina.
You may note that you have a yeast infection by the other symptoms, like itching and burning in the vaginal area, as well as an odourless, white vaginal discharge with a cheese-like texture.
You should see your doctor or gynaecologist for proper treatment, especially if it is your first yeast infection.
No. 3: Endometritis or adenomyosis
Endometritis is the inflammation of the endometrium, which is the innermost layer of the uterus. Adenomyosis occurs when the tissue of the endometrium attaches itself to the uterus or the ovaries, and grows outside of the uterus.
Endometritis can cause other symptoms like general discomfort, fever, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, discomfort with bowel movement (constipation may occur) and an enlarged abdomen. Adenomyosis causes prolonged, heavy and painful menstrual bleeding.
Endometritis can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but adenomyosis may require a hysterectomy.
No. 2: Uterine polyps
Polyps may also grow in the uterus, which occurs when the endometrium overgrows and protrudes into the uterus. Besides bleeding after sex, you may experience bleeding between periods, excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding, bleeding after menopause and breakthrough bleeding during hormone therapy.
Uterine polyps can be removed surgically, where the doctor will use a hysteroscope to see inside your uterus and cut away the polyps.
No. 1: Fibroid tumours
Although the word “tumour” often means cancer, this is not the case with fibroid tumours. These are solid masses of fibrous tissue that grow in the uterus and are usually benign (non-cancerous).
Although these fibroids can cause post-intercourse bleeding, some women do not experience any symptoms at all.
Fibroid tumours may disappear on their own after menopause. However, they can be treated with various methods such as uterine artery embolisation (cutting off the fibroids’ blood supply), focused ultrasound surgery (using high frequency sound waves to destroy the fibroids), or myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids).
Bleeding after sex is nothing to be afraid or ashamed about. It could be caused by just a simple infection or it could be a symptom of another problem that needs to be investigated.
So, do go and see your doctor or gynaecologist immediately; do not wait and hope that the bleeding will go away on its own.
Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (FRCOG, UK). For further information, e-mail www.primanora.com. 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.

Researchers set out on a study to decipher health trends in ageing Malaysian men.
SCARCITY of data on men’s health has prompted a group of researchers to set out on a 10-year longitudinal study to gain insights into the health trends in ageing, urban Malaysian men in the Klang Valley.
The study, called the Subang Longitudinal Study on the Ageing Men (SAM study), will look at health and social parameters of Malaysian men above the age of 40 who live in Subang Jaya, USJ, Sunway or Kelana Jaya over 10 years to elucidate the causes of health risks associated with men of this age group.
Principal investigator Datuk Dr Tan Hui Ming said that out of the estimated population of 300,000 people who live in those areas, an estimated 90,000 are male adults and about 40,000 are above 40 years old.
The men in the study can get free health screening and have certain aspects of their health looked after. Wives should encourage their hubbies to participate.
The research team hopes to recruit 1,000 adult males above 40 years old to participate in this study.
Over a period of 10 years, men who participate in this study will be followed up on a three-year interval to determine their health status and disease patterns. Baseline data will be collected during a participant’s first visit to the research centre from May to July 2008, with subsequent follow up visits in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
For every three-yearly visit to the research centre, participants are required to fast from 12am the night before. During their visit, they have to undergo a health assessment, do a blood test and complete a questionnaire with the assistance of a trained research worker.
An invitation to have a prostate scan, urine test and flow study will also be extended to participants during the visit. (All blood tests are free and participants will be reimbursed for their travel expenses on the day of visit.)
Dr Tong Seng Fah, a family physician on the research team, said a longitudinal study would enable researchers to observe the new diseases that develop in participants and the causes that contribute to them.
However, the study will focus more on cardiovascular mortalities and also men’s health related problems, including urological conditions such as prostate problems, erectile dysfunction and even hormonal problems.
Dr Tan said although the researchers have factored in the possibility of dropouts, he hoped that participants will continue to participate in the study until it is completed.
”To date we have 900 participants, and we want to close the recruitment at 1,000 (participants). That is why we wish to have more volunteers to participate in our study,” Dr Tan said.
In their earlier studies in 2003 and 2006, the same group of researchers found a high prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart, urinary and sexual problems in men above 40 years old in an urban population. However, they are still unsure of the relationship between the risk factors that led to the development of these medical conditions and the effects of the medical conditions on men’s quality of life.
Therefore, a study that observes the biological changes and behavioural patterns in ageing men would help doctors understand the ageing process and what it entails - physically, mentally and emotionally.
Results from such a study could also be used to develop an effective and pragmatic intervention programme to improve men’s health.
“For example, we want to see whether a prostate disease changes when a man grows older, and whether the prevalence or severity fluctuates over 10 years... There are international data available, but we do not have local data yet,” Dr Tan said.
If you are:
40 years old and above
Live in Subang Jaya, USJ, Sunway or Kelana Jaya (in Selangor)
And willing to spare some time to participate in this study
Please contact Shirley (012-663 9965), Jenny (013-234 1488) or Jeya (016-281 7650/03- 5639 1883) for further details.
This study is approved by the University Malaya Medical Centre Medical Ethics Committee and funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

The message is now overwhelmingly clear: Obesity causes cancer.
OBESITY causes cancer, reads the plaque that greets us as we enter the restaurant. The same plaque is displayed at all school canteens and office cafeterias. Mamak shops are obliged to display this sign before their licences can be renewed.
Far-fetched? Hardly.
How soon? Not soon enough.
A report prepared jointly by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) last year details the findings of the most authoritative investigation ever undertaken into the link between lifestyle, diet and cancer. The message is overwhelmingly clear. “Obesity causes cancer”.
Smoking is the most important lifestyle cause of cancer. Obesity ranks a close second. In other words, after smoking, obesity is the highest preventable cancer risk.
We used to say that one third of all cancers can be prevented if smoking were to completely cease. We can now say that two-thirds of cancers – 12 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year in the world – would not occur if we are all transformed to slim, fit non-smokers tomorrow.
What did the report say about the kinds of food we should not eat to avoid cancer? For starters, we should avoid all processed meats, including bacon (bak kua in our local context) and most sausages. It also advises against eating more than 6gm of salt per day. I can’t imagine what 6gm of salt is but I do not add any salt at the table and I would reject all foods that taste perceptibly salty.
In any case, why do you foodies and food aficionados want to adulterate the pristine flavour of food by sprinkling salt on your food? In the same vein, salted or cured meats are out. There is no clear safe dose for salted and cured meats, says Martin Wiseman, project director of the report.
One reason for avoiding processed meats is that they often contain nitrates – preservatives that may contribute to the production of suspected carcinogens called N-nitroso compounds. Processed meats also contain high levels of salt, which is linked to stomach cancer.
The fat and thin of it all is this. If you wish to avoid cancer – lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cancers of the oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, the list goes on – stop smoking and maintain a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 23 (as per international “European” recommendations) – i.e. the healthy range.
A word or two about BMI. This figure is obtained by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres.
In Asian societies, a woman who is 5 feet tall (1.5 metre) looks suspiciously overweight when her BMI is 23. Endocrinologists and dietitians have come up with our own Asian BMI, which is lower than the accepted BMI.
So, for all you women out there from 15 to 85, please try to achieve a BMI of 18.5 to 21. The nearer the lower figure, the better.
Lots of exercise and a strict low-calorie diet will enable you to achieve many goals: beauty, attractiveness, good mates and a much lower chance of getting cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease.
What then should we eat? Eat five portions of fruit and non-starchy vegetables (brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, mushrooms to name a few) each day and limit refined starchy food. White meat – chicken, turkey, rabbit – is much more preferable to red meat. Most of all, count your calories.
Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Brisk walking is the easiest and most accessible activity. Diet and exercise go together. One or the other will not achieve your goal.
The science is there but the interventional methods to achieve a healthy lifestyle are something else. I don’t have the answers. How do you overcome the virtue of white rice (and lots of it) in Malaysian and Asian societies?
They tell me there is “semangat” (spirit or life force) in rice. White rice is an energy-dense food that is diabetogenic, has a high glycaemic index and a major culprit of obesity and getting cancer?
How do you tell the common folk that their 10 favourite foods are a no-no from the scientific health-wise point of view? Nasi lemak, roti canai, curry mee, wanton mee, burger, doughnuts, fries, char kuay teow, chicken rice and mee goreng are out.
How do you politely reject your mother-in-law’s incessant heaping of seconds on your plate? How do you decouple the Asian-African notion of prosperity and a protuberant abdomen?
We spend billions of US dollars a year on research to treat cancer and rightly so. We also spend millions of US dollars on how best to get people to quit smoking and eat wisely and equally rightly so.
I only wish we were more successful in our second endeavour.
Dr Albert Lim Kok Hooi is a consultant oncologist. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. 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