Berlian yang tidak diketahui nilai dipamerkan

Cora Sun Drop, hingga tidak boleh dinilai.
Kini dipamerkan di Muzium Semula Jadi di London.

LONDON - Sebutir berlian sebesar ibu jari orang dewasa yang harganya tidak dapat ditentukan kerana ia amat jarang ditemui kini dipamerkan di Muzium Semula Jadi London, lapor sebuah akhbar semalam.

Berlian itu yang diberi nama Cora Sun Drop dipamerkan setelah ia dipinjamkan daripada syarikat Cora International.

Kurator muzium itu, Alan Hart berkata, dia tidak pernah melihat berlian berwarna kuning seperti itu yang amat bercahaya.

Menurut Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Cora International, Suzette Gomes, berlian yang berwarna itu amat sukar dihasilkan kerana ia melibatkan kerja-kerja pemotongan yang rumit.

Pelajar cedera Ashley Cole tak sengaja lepas tembakan dengan .22



Ashley Cole

LONDON: Pemain bola sepak England, Ashley Cole secara tidak sengaja menembak pelajar berusia 21 tahun dengan raifal berkuasa tinggi di pusat latihan Chelsea dan menyebabkan mangsa cedera.

Akhbar Daily Mail melaporkan pemain bola berusia 30 tahun itu tidak sengaja menembak Tom Cowan, 21, yang hanya berada 1.5 meter darinya ketika cuba bermain dengan senjata berkuasa tinggi .22 itu di pusat latihan kelab itu. Laporan itu memberitahu mangsa cedera dan diberikan rawatan perubatan dengan segera tetapi dua hari selepas itu kecederaannya masih belum sembuh dan beliau kemudian dirawat semula. Sumber memberitahu akhbar itu. “Tidak dapat dibayangkan bagaimana pemain bola Liga Perdana membawa senapang ke padang latihan. Tetapi Cole mengambil senapang itu daripada kotak dan mula bermain dengannya di bilik persalinan.

“Cole tidak tahu senjata itu berisi peluru dan ia adalah memalukan”.

Kejadian itu dipercayai berlaku pagi Ahad lalu apabila pemain bergaji AS$110,00 (RM335,884) seminggu itu tiba di pusat latihan Chelsea Cobham di Surrey membawa senjata lengkap dengan muncung dan teropong malam.

Senapang udara .22 adalah senjata berkuasa dan boleh dimiliki di United Kingdom tanpa lesen dan jika disalah guna boleh membunuh.

read more @ berita harian:
http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/PelajarcederaColetaksengajalepastembakan/Article

Mesir : Kedah taja kos pulang, wang saku pelajar

p/s: Bukan negeri pertama berbuat demikian, Melaka negeri pertama buat pengumuman dan kemudian MARA pula berbuat demikian untuk pelajar tajaannya.

ALOR SETAR: Kerajaan Kedah akan menaja kos penerbangan pulang selain memberi wang saku RM500 seorang kepada lebih 800 pelajar Kedah di Mesir yang pulang ke tanah air menerusi Ops Piramid 3 hingga 11 Februari lalu.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, berkata kerajaan negeri sudah menyewa tiga kapal terbang Egypt Air untuk membawa pulang kumpulan pelajar berkenaan menerusi empat penerbangan bermula 5 hingga 10 Mac ini dengan kos keseluruhan bernilai RM2.5 juta. Beliau berkata, kerajaan negeri turut menyediakan tiga bas untuk membawa kumpulan pelajar yang akan berkumpul di Dataran Wisma Darul Aman sebelum ke Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) sebelum diterbangkan ke Kaherah. “Perkara ini akan diuruskan Yayasan Islam Negeri Kedah (YINK) bermula 5 Mac ini dengan setiap penerbangan membawa kira-kira 222 pelajar selain memberi wang saku RM500 kepada mereka.

“Semua pelajar berkenaan boleh mendaftar di YINK untuk menyemak tarikh penerbangan masing-masing dan mengambil wang saku berkenaan,” katanya pada sidang media selepas Majlis Perjumpaan Pelajar Kedah di Mesir di sini, semalam.

Azizan berkata, Kerajaan Kedah menjadi kerajaan negeri pertama yang melakukan penghantaran terus pelajarnya ke Kaherah tanpa perlu ke Jeddah, bagi memudahkan urusan pelajar terbabit.

“Justeru, kita berharap selepas ini semua pelajar Kedah di Mesir supaya mendaftar dengan YINK kerana ia penting bagi memudahkan tindakan sekiranya berlaku konflik dan ketegangan di negara berkenaan,” katanya.

Azizan berkata, pelajar tajaan MARA dan Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) dikecualikan daripada menerima tajaan kos pulang ke Mesir berkenaan kerana dua agensi berkenaan sudah menyediakan perancangan untuk pelajar tajaan mereka.

Difahamkan, secara keseluruhannya seramai 1,116 pelajar Kedah menuntut di Mesir.

Air Asia : Rafidah Aziz to be AirAsia X’s chairman

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz is expected to be appointed as AirAsia X Sdn Bhd’s new non-executive independent chairman this week.

The former International Trade and Industry Minister, will take over the reins from current chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun.

“It is an honour and privilege for me to hand over and make way for someone of Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz’s stature, and we are confident that under her chairmanship, AirAsia X will continue to grow into a Malaysian global champion in aviation,” said Kamarudin, who is AirAsia Bhd deputy group chief executive officer.

The Board of Directors will convene on Mar 3 to formalise the appointment for the post, which had been earlier accepted by Rafidah.

The current Board of Directors of AirAsia X Sdn Bhd comprises seven directors representing the shareholders of the companies, namely AeroVentures Sdn Bhd (52%), AirAsia Bhd (16%), Corvina Holdings (10%), Orix Corp (11%), and Manara Consortium Ltd (11%).

Gutsy teen refuses to let the pain take over her life

KUALA LUMPUR: Chia Wei Yin may have suffered from constant pain and immobility as a child but the gutsy teenager refuses to let Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) stifle her life.

The 19-year-old has, since the age of two, been living with JIA which affects the joints or connective tissues in children below the age of 16.

Chia Wei Yin, 19, is determined to lead a fulfilling life despite living
with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) since the age of two.
With her are (from left) her mother, Leow Mee Ling, 41,
father Chia Woon Loon, 52, and brother Chia Wei Yang, 10,
who are looking at her inspirational story in the MY WIRA coffee table book.

It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can damage the lining of the small joints in the hands and feet, causing painful swelling, bone erosion and joint deformity.

Before the pre-Law student received proper treatment at the age of 10, pain, stiffness and swelling were part of her life.

Despite the deformities of her hands and feet, she strives to be independent and is able to drive a car.

Wei Yin strives to excel in everything she does, including the simple task of writing.

“Sometimes what others do, I can do better. You know, my handwriting is very legible,” she said.

Wei Yin is optimistic about the future and dreams of becoming a criminal lawyer or family lawyer.

Wei Yin, one of the unsung heroes who wrote her inspiring story in the MY WIRA (Malaysian Women in Rheumatoid Arthritis) coffee table book, was at the launch of the MY WIRA campaign yesterday to raise awareness about RA among women.

The campaign was a joint effort of the Malaysian Society of Rheumatology, Health Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Abbott Laboratories Malaysia.

At the launch, Malaysian Society of Rheumatology president Dr Gun Suk Chyn said about 140,000 Malaysians are suffering from RA.

“However, only less than 10% seek medical treatment and many of them see us when it is too late as they have developed joint deformities,” she said.

read more @ the star:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/27/nation/8150376&sec=nation

Philanthropic : Vincent Tan pledges to donate half his wealth

p/s: hope some of the pledged spill to small NGO such as PDK Selayang.

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan has pledged to donate at least half of his wealth to charity.

The announcement was made by Tan during an impromptu speech at the launch of the Berjaya Founder’s Day event, where he spoke about his decision to join “The Giving Pledge” that was initiated by Bill Gates, his wife Melinda and Warren Buffett.

His announcement was greeted by loud applause from guests at the event and shoppers at Berjaya Time Square yesterday.

To kickstart his plans, Tan will donate RM20mil this year to various charities that will be announced soon.

“I will also channel to the Better Malaysia Foundation to honour my country.

“Eventually, I would like to give away half of my wealth and I hope it will inspire more wealthy Malaysians to donate money for charity,” he said.

According to a recent Bernama report, Tan is the nation’s 12th richest person with assets worth RM2.43bil.

He is ranked 828th on the Forbes 2010 world billionaire list with a net worth of US$1.2bil (RM3.66bil).

Tan also donated RM1.5mil to match the RM1.5mil fund that was raised from the Founder’s Day carnival for 28 selected non-governmental organisations and charitable organisations.

The Founder’s Day event was initiated to honour the philanthropic efforts of Tan in conjunction with his birthday on Feb 23.

A special coffeetable book chronicling his charitable works titled A Legacy of Care was also presented to him yesterday.

According to Berjaya Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Robin Tan, Founder’s Day will be held in February annually.

read more @ the star:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/27/nation/8150222&sec=nation

New Zealand Quake : Search goes on for missing Malaysian

Sandra Hii or call as Jen Jin too.

  

Sandra Hii in other Image, work in

CTV Building Christchurch

 KUALA LUMPUR: The search and rescue team in Christchurch is constantly on the move to locate missing Malaysian, Sandra Hii.

Hii, from Sarawak's Sibu town and a King's Education College employee, is reported to be the only missing Malaysian following the eartquake that jolted Christchurch last Tuesday.

A Christchurch earthquake operations room spokesman in Wellington said the team would continue with its efforts to look for missing Malaysians.

"We are facing difficulties because some did not get themselves registered," she told the News Straits Times yesterday.

She said communications had also been breaking down because of the disaster and hampering rescue and monitoring efforts.

"We have been calling up Malaysians here to check on their safety and to find out whether there are more missing," she said, adding that Hii was the only Malaysian officially registered as missing.

"For now, there are no reports of other missing Malaysians."

Hii was reported missing by her friends on the day of the earthquake.

There are 636 Malaysians in Christchurch, including 390 students.

Read more: Search goes on for missing Malaysian http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15nz2/Article#ixzz1FCSN7Zvg

UAE Orange Alert : Malaysians in UAE told to register

UAE in Orange Alert

DUBAI: Malaysians living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have yet to register with the Malaysian embassy in Abu Dhabi or the consulate-general here, have been urged to do so as soon as possible.

In an email to Malaysians living in the nation, the mission said this was in view of security concerns because of protests in the Gulf region.

"The embassy of Malaysia is taking precautionary measures for the safety of Malaysians in the UAE."

It pointed out that Malaysians must register either with the embassy or the consulate only to avoid any duplication of registration.

The registration form can be downloaded at http://www.kln.gov. my/web/are_abu-dhabi/forms.

They can provide any new information by sending an email to mwabudhabi@emirates.net.ae / admin@malaysianembassy.ae (for Abu Dhabi), or consulate@malaysianembassy.ae / maldubai@kln.gov.my (for Dubai and northern emirates). -- Bernama

Read more: Malaysians in UAE told to register http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15uae/Article#ixzz1FCRSNox3

New Zealand Quake : NZ offers free stay to survivors

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of New Zealanders are offering help, including free accommodation and transport, to survivors of the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake which shook Christchurch on Tuesday.

Malaysian student Khairul Anuar Kamaruddin, 36, a postgraduate accounting student at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), said he found more than 2,400 free accommodations arrangements from Bluff to Auckland being offered to the quake victims on the Internet.

He said the assistance was also extended to tourists and emergency personnel.

"I am really impressed with what the Kiwis are doing," he said in an email to Bernama here yesterday.

Spencer on the Byron Hotel spokesman Carl Corbett said: "This offer to help is for individuals, couples or students, or small families who can be accommodated together in a single bedroom suite in the hotel on Auckland's North Shore's Takapuna Beach.

"The offer is open for two weeks from today, or until the Malaysian operations centre in Christchurch or the New Zealand Welfare Centre takes over the responsibilities.

"We are also arranging for 'return transfers' from Auckland International Airport to the hotel to traumatised Malaysians who take up this offer."

Corbett added that it was the hotel's way of returning the goodwill extended to it in the past during business travels and operations in Malaysia.

He said funds allocated for the assistance, if not taken up by Malaysians, would be donated to the Red Cross.

Corbett can be contacted at 064-09-488 9300 or 064-21-503034 after office hours.

Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand First Secretary Nor Ayuni Zainal, meanwhile, welcomed such moves, especially in these difficult times.

She suggested that Malaysians needing a break from Christchurch to take up the offer to stay in Auckland.

The quake is the deadliest to hit New Zealand since a 7.8-magnitude quake killed 256 people in the Hawke's Bay region in 1931. -- Bernama

Read more: NZ offers free stay to survivors http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15nz/Article#ixzz1FCQp6qqv

Culture Exchange : 19 Danes in Sabah for adventure



A Danish participant with her new-found friend in a previous
organised by Adventure Heart programme.

PENAMPANG: A group of Danish youth will soon be travelling in mini buses, live in wooden houses and probably even learn how to speak Kadazan here.

The 19 arrived here yesterday for a two-month programme organised by Denmark-based Adventure Heart.

Coordinated by local company Dynamic Tours, the programme is endorsed by the education ministry as it includes voluntary teaching of English and Geography in selected schools.

Ben Golimbi of Dynamic Tours said the programme covered experiences involving tour, language, adventure activities, education and volunteerism.

"In the first half of the programme, the participants will tour key attractions in Sabah and at the same time, move around on a budget mode."

The second half of the programme will see participants living with foster families here, giving them the opportunity to interact with the local community.

Golimbi said the group's activities would also help the local community widen their knowledge via exposure to foreign culture.

This is the third consecutive year Adventure Heart is bringing in groups under the programme to Sabah and the number has grown over the years.

Established in 1984, Golimbi said there had been individual participants who visited Sabah from as early as 1997, but not in groups.

Read more: 19 Danes in Sabah for adventure http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/20FRIEND/Article#ixzz1FCPkFJGu

PDK Selayang : Perkhemahan Remaja@Pangkor (Siri 3)

Pada hari Khamis iaitu hari kedua mereka di Pulau Pangkor dalam Perkhemahan Remaja @Pangkor beberapa aktiviti telah dirancang uutuk mereka.


Aktiviti Jelajah Pantai


Selepas sesi 'Rollcall' pagi pada jam 7:00 pagi, diadakan sesi senaman ringan dan diakhiri dengan senamrobik pada jam 7:30pagi.


Antara Hidupan yang dijumpai


Selepas itu mereka menuju keluar dari Palma Beach Resort untuk mencari gerai/kedai makan untuk bersarapan pagi.



Gamat atau Timun Laut



Semua nak cuba sentuh, tetapi bagi yang penggeli pasti terlompat-
lompat kegelian, tetapi tidak bagi mereka.



Selepas itu mereka balik ke resort untuk persediaan ke acara yang mencabar iaitu acara 'Jelajah Pantai', iaitu mereka akan berjalan disepanjang pantai yang panjangnya hampir 3 batu (hampir 5 km), ini bagi memberi peluang kepada mereka untuk mengenali pantai dan mengetahui apa-apa hidupan dan tumbuhan yang boleh ditemui di sepanjang pantai tersebut. Ini bermakna pergi dan balik mereka telah berjalan hampir 10 km dalam masa 4 jam.



Mengumpul cengkerang siput untuk dibawa balik ke PDK.



Selepas makan tengahari, aktiviti Khidmat Masyarakat pula mengambil tempat yang mana mereka perlu bergotong-royong memungut sampah sarap tinggalan pengunjung (sampah sarap buatan manusia) dan mengumpulkannya dalam plastik sampah.

Aktiviti selama 2 jam yang bermula jam 3 petang itu berjaya memungut sebanyak 8 beg plastik besar sampah.



Makan tengahari, mereka perlu bayar sendiri harga makanan.



Minum petang



p/s: (Pantai tersebut agak terurus kerana beberpa hotel dan resort di sepanjang pantai tersebut bekerjasama dengan membuat pembersihan pantai setiap minggu, oleh itu jumlah sampah yang dipungut agak kurang-satu usaha yang baik untuk diadaptasi oleh lain-lain pengusaha hotel dan resort di Malaysia dalam menangani pencemaran pantai oleh sampah sarap yang ditinggalkan oleh pengunjung-pengunjung yang tidak bertanggungjawab dan tiada kesedaran sivik).

PDK Selayang : Perkhemahan Remaja@Pangkor (Siri 2)

Selepas daftar masuk, mereka dijamu dengan minuman "Selamat Datang" oleh pehak resort dan selepas menyimpan barangan mereka, pada jam 5:00 mereka telah berkumpul di lobi resort tersebut dan bergerak bersama-sama ke pantai untuk mandi (boleh kata mandi selamat datang).


Turun dari feri di Jeti Pangkor Laut

Pertama kali mandi laut



Berani

Takut (pertama kali ke laut) (pelatih berbaju jingga)

Memberanikan dan membiasakan diri

 Semasa mereka sedang mandi, lebih kurang pada jam 5:45 petang salah seorang dari Pelatih Remaja yang dibawa telah diserang sawan (memang akan dijangkakan beliau akan kena sawan), mungkin disebabkan oleh kepenatan. Encik Shahrulikram dan Encik Mohd Shah mengusung pelatih tersebut ke biliknya lebih kurang setengah jam kemudianpelatih tersebut pulih sepenuhnya dan boleh melakukan aktiviti semula.


Tiga peserta remaja ini gembira selepas selesai makan malam.

 Pada jam 8:00 malam mereka berjalan keluar untuk makan malam di gerai makan berhampiran.

Pada jam 10:30 malam satu sesi 'rollcall' diadakan bagi mempastikan semua peserta dan pengiring ada dan mereka dibenarkan masuk tidur pada jam 11:00 malam.

PDK Selayang : Lawatan dari pelajar jurupulih carakerja KSKB.

Seramai 35 orang pelajar kursus jurupulih carakerja dari Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu Sungai Buloh telah melakukan lawatan ke PDK Selayang pada 16hb Februari 2911.

Tujuan lawatan mereka ialah sebagai pendedahan kepada mereka mengenai program Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PDK).

Mereka telah diberi taklimat oleh Puan Jamaliah Ahmad selaku Pembantu Penyelia PDK Selayang.

Seterusnya mereka telah dipecahkan kepada 6 kumpulan iaitu 3 kumpulan untuk 3 kelas harian EIP, 2 kumpulan untuk 2 kelas harian LPV sementara 1 kumpulan untuk kelas pemulihan anggota.

Mereka membantu Petugas PDK untuk melakukan aktiviti di dalam kelas dan kemudiannya mengadakan satu persembahan khas untuk pelatih-pelatih PDK.

Mereka bergerak pulang ke KSKB pada jam 12:40 tengahari.

PDK Selayang : Lawatan tidak rasmi dari guru pendidikan khas SRK Taman Seri Gombak 1 & 11

Seramai dua orang guru pendidikan khas masing-masing seorang dari SRK Taman Seri Gombak 1 dan seorang lagi dari SRK Taman Seri Gombak 11, telah mengadakan lawatan secara tidak rasmi ke PDK Selayang pada Jumaat 25hb Februari 2011 yang lalu.

Tujuan mereka ialah untuk berbincang untuk menwujudkan kerjasama dua hala antara guru-guru pendidikan khas dan Petugas-Petugas PDK Selayang yang mempunyaimntujuan yang sama iaitu memberi pemulihan, pembelajaran, latihan kepada pelajar-pelajar OKU.

Mereka telah berbincang dengan Puan Noraini Othman iaitu Penyelia PDK Selayang dan Puan Siti Nor Azila Saari Jurupulih Carakerja PDK Selayang.

Mereka akan mengadakan beberapa siri perbincangan lagi untuk sama-sama melakukan penambahbaikkan kepada perkhidmatan yang mereka sama-sama dipertanggungjawabkan.

Bird Watcher : You've New Venue to Visits

PERAK, with some 500 species of birds, is well placed to attract bird watching tourists.

Perak State (Red) Malaysia

“Malaysia has not woken up to the potential of bird watching as tourism although it is one of the top 12 megadiversity countries with some 700 species of bird,” he said in Ipoh recently.


Lim said high bird diversity could be found in the lowland forest at Royal Belum Park, mangroves at Kuala Gula, montane forest in Bukit Larut and the wetlands at Kinta Nature Park.


He said Royal Belum had all 10 species of hornbills, which were much sought after by foreign bird watchers while Kuala Gula was known for its shore birds flying in during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.


Lim said Bukit Larut had birds found only in the mountain and Kinta Nature Park, with its 150 species, was a good place for foreign bird watchers to start on local bird life.


The Malaysian Nature Society (Perak Branch) recently organised a photography exhibition on bird life at Kinta Valley with the Kinta Heritage Group and the Perak government.


Lim said the exhibition of 60 photographs was to show the eco-tourism potential of many bird-watching sites in the state.


The photographs were taken by bird-watcher Ooi Beng Yean, mainly in the Kinta Nature Park in Batu Gajah and the Kek Look Tong temple in Ipoh.


“Many of the birds are found in freshwater ponds on ex-tin mining land, gardens and at the edge of secondary forests.


“Birdwatching is a healthy hobby and you get to go outdoors to enjoy the fresh air,” said Ooi, 58.


The exhibition, at the Garden Villa in Jalan Raja Nazrin Shah, is until Feb 28.













Penang Island : Rightfully takes spot in Yahoo!’s top 10 island ranking

PENANG, Yahoo!’s 10 top islands to explore? Really?



Pulau Pinang / Penang



WHEN my good friend Haida Daud told me about this article and Penang’s ranking, I thought she was joking. And because she now lives in Zurich, I thought she was either too homesick or (bless her!) a tad delusional.

And then I went to catch the opening of the musical Terima Kasih Cinta in Istana Budaya and some new friends I met during the show’s intermission told me about this ranking as well.

Automatically, all these questions started running in my head:

Why on earth would Yahoo! Travel name Penang as the world’s top 10 islands to explore before you die? No offence to other Penangites, but were there errr...no other islands around the world to feature?

My eyes quickly scanned the article and through the rankings. The islands whom the author Gary McKechnie listed are as follows, listed from the top spot: Bali in Indonesia, Vieques in Puerto Rico, Easter Island in Chile, Ischia in Italy, Chiloé in Chile again, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Key West in Conch Republic.



Then there it was at number eight, Penang in Malaysia, followed by Galápagos in Ecuador and the Palm Islands in Dubai.

Never mind scenic beauty and luxury of The Bahamas, Hawaii, St. Kitts, Fiji, Boracay or even Sipadan Island!


Penang has emerged ahead of them all! How on earth did Penang beat these tourism giants? And then I saw the factor that set these 10 islands apart from everywhere else.

Each of these places offers something that you can’t find anywhere else, from the largest man-made archipelago to hot springs so therapeutic they’ve been popular since Roman times. Here are 10 one-of-a-kind islands where you’ll discover every item on your wish list, from overwater bungalows and pristine wildlife to sublime street food and mysterious cultural monuments,” stated the article.

 One-of-a-kind. Every item on your wish list. Now that sounds quite like Penang.

This statement alone reminded me of the question I was asked by Sham (Hisham Hamzah), then a DJ with MixFM during the grand finals of Miss Malaysia World back in 2007.



Georgetown; The Capital of Penang, view from Bukit Bendera

He asked me “Among all the tourist destinations in Malaysia, which would you recommend most to tourists and why?”.

The answer was so simple. Of course I would say Penang! And no, it’s not only because it’s where I’m from, but more so because of a major keyword: variety.

Penang can have everything and anything to make everyone and anyone happy.



Historic and Iconic of  Bukit Bendera Train

I forgot the exact answer which I gave on stage, but this is the gist of it: If you want a city, you’ll get a city. If you want the beach, you’ll get a beach. If you want to explore the jungles and forests, there’s plenty to choose from. If you want the hustle and bustle or quiet time being one with nature, you have it all in this idlyllic little Pearl of the Orient.

Not forgetting the fact that it’s the food capital of Malaysia, with choices that range from hawker centres to fine dining.


Clock Tower

 Heck, even my Convent Green Lane Secondary School canteen has better food than most shops by my office! Penangites are very protective and defensive about their cuisine (more about that another day!).

And since we’re on the subject of rankings, just thought I’d mention that my favourite fine dining restaurant in the island, The Feringghi Grill in Rasa Sayang Resort Hotel in Batu Ferringhi has been named as the top 5 restaurants in Malaysia by the 2010/2011 Miele Guide.


Masjid Negeri

Anyway, McKechnie pointed out Penang boasts a fusion of cultures. I know this is more than any other state, and something we Penangites tend to take for granted.

He commended the local architecture, which include modern high-rise buildings to schools and banks built by 19th-century British colonialists.


Another Masjid in Penang

We also tend to forget the existence of fishing villages, fruit orchards, vegetable farms, as well as temples, mosques, churches and synagoges which co-exist in harmony, as it has done so for the past hundreds of years.


Kek Lok Si Temple

So let’s be reminded of Penang’s beauty and old world charm. After all, we really can’t find anything quiet like this island, anywhere else around the world.

Paperless ticketing system for RapidKL buses

p/s 1: At last, but it's to late compared to Japan Bus Ticketing System (they was using Bus Card while I've been in Japan on Mac 1999, it's seem we're 12 years left). Hope this is not last development we learn from the Look East program.

p/s 2: What happened to paperless hospital that used more paper rather than normal system hospitals.

RAPIDKL, a subsidiary of Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana), will be introducing a new paperless ticketing system on RapidKL buses which operates on the Touch ‘n Go concept.

The new system will be introduced in stages, starting tomorrow, with the buses plying Putra Perdana, Puchong, Jalan Klang Lama and Subang, and will be fully installed in all buses by March 26.

Prasarana Bus Division group director Datuk Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussain said the new ticketing system was aimed at providing a faster and more efficient public transport service, improving the passengers’ comfort and safety and creating a flexible and integrable payment system.

The ticketing system requires customers to use a Transit Card for fare payment.

The card operates via the Touch ‘n Go e-purse platform.

The purchase of each Transit Card includes a RM2 deposit that is refundable upon return of the card at designated bus hubs.

Passengers can buy and reload the cards in the buses.

On how the system works, Mohamed Hazlan said: “When a passenger swipes the Transit Card on the scanner upon boarding the bus, the maximum fare for the route will be deducted from the card.

“When the passenger alights from the bus, the passenger has to swipe the card again for the actual fare to be deducted, and the balance will be returned into the card.

“The system’s built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) allows for accurate fare deduction based on passenger origin and destination.

“The new ticketing system also accepts normal Touch ‘n Go cards. The Transit Card can also function as a normal Touch ‘n Go card, and is accepted at all Touch ‘n Go service providers, except tolled highways,” he said.

Hence the Transit Card can also be reloaded at ATM machines, convenience stores and other locations with Touch ‘n Go reload facilities.

It is also integrated and can be used for monorail, LRT, and park- and-ride facilities operated under RapidKL.

“The Transit Card allows for multi-boarding (of more than one passenger), but the cardholder is required to inform the bus driver to facilitate this transaction,” said Mohamed Hazlan.

“RapidKL is offering concession cards for primary and secondary school students, senior citizens and the disabled.

“Those who are eligible for concession cards can submit their applications along with their photo ID,” he said.

“The ticketing system will be installed in the 1,090 buses in our fleet as well as the 450 new ones that we have ordered. Each bus is equipped with three card readers.”

Mohamed Hazlan said RapidKL planned to phase out the existing cash payment system when most passengers had migrated to the new ticketing system.

On what happens if a passenger forgets to swipe his card upon alighting from the bus, Mohamed Hazlan said he would lose his balance refund but the card would not be affected.

During the transition phase from Feb 27 to May 31, RapidKL is offering a 20% discount on bus fare, including concession fares.

New Zealand Quake : Rescuers find only dead in quake city, toll 145

CHRISTCHURCH (Reuters) - Violent aftershocks hampered desperate efforts to find survivors in quake-hit Christchurch on Saturday as the death toll climbed to 145 and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key called for a two-minute silence for the nation to grieve.

Rescue teams from New Zealand and six countries including the United States, China, Japan and Australia scoured ruined buildings in the central city and suburban areas hardest hit by Tuesday's 6.3 tremor -- but found only bodies.

"We expect that number to rise as the search and rescue teams progressively find more and more deceased among the ruins," police commander Dave Cliff told reporters.

The dead include people from 20 nations, including dozens of students from Japan, China, India and Taiwan who were in Christchurch, one of New Zealand's most attractive cities, to learn English in view of the country's dramatic southern Alps.

Hopes of finding people alive five days after the quake were dimmed by aftershocks of up to magnitude 4.4 which brought down masonry and sent rescue teams scrambling for safety.

Key called for a two-minute national silence on March 1 as a sign of unity for the people of Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city, and to grieve for people killed in the country's worst natural disaster for 80 years.

"For now we must do all we can to show its people that all of New Zealand grieves with them," said Key, who met with the families of those still missing.

"They fear the worst but there is still a glimmer of hope," he said. "The urban search and rescue crew made it clear that this was still very much a rescue effort, not a recovery.

No survivors have been rescued since mid-afternoon on Wednesday. The number of missing remains at more than 200, but police have said it is likely that the number includes recovered bodies that have yet to be identified.

read more @ the star:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/27/worldupdates/2011-02-26T121654Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-551367-11&sec=Worldupdates

Biro Bantuan Guaman Negara : Easier access to legal aid for low-income earners

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians earning less than RM25,000 a year can now get legal aid for their case including help in posting bail, thanks to the Government’s new National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the foundation aimed at providing legal aid for the low-income group right from the day they are charged with an offence until the trial stage.

The foundation, set-up under a joint initiative by the Government and the Bar Council, would provide assistance in criminal, civil and Syariah cases, except for those carrying the death sentence, he said.

“Legal aid will be provided, regardless of whether an accused can afford legal representation, during the arrest, remand and hearing for bail.


“Checks on whether a suspect can afford a lawyer or is eligible for legal aid will only be made during the trial,” Najib added.

The legal aid service which was currently provided by the Legal Aid Department (under the Prime Minister’s Department) and the Malaysian Bar Council’s Legal Aid Centre (LAC), was now complete with the setting up of the foundation, added Najib.

“The setting up of YBGK will ensure that those facing criminal proceedings will receive a fair and transparent trial,” he said during the launch of the foundation here yesterday.

The foundation will be led by a 12-member board of directors with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as chairman and Malaysian Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan as deputy chairman.

Najib said the need for the foundation was brought to his attention by Ragunath in January last year as 80% of those charged in courts for criminal cases were unrepresented because they could not afford the legal fees.

The Cabinet then agreed to provide a RM5mil initial grant for the foundation, which would operate as an independent entity in the form of a charitable company.

“I believe the foundation will meet the government’s desire to ensure justice to all Malaysians without exceptions to whether they are rich or poor, educated or not, or urban or rural dwellers,” he said.

read more @ the star:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/26/nation/8146194&sec=nation

Malaysian tiger in Germany first in the world to get artificial hip

BERLIN: An eight-year-old Malaysian female tiger in a German zoo became the first tiger in the world to get an artificial hip.

The tigress, called Girl, who suffered from severe arthritis in her right hip, is recovering but veterinarians say that it was too soon to determine if she was out of the woods.

They and the zoo caretakers say the next six weeks were critical for the healing process.

The tigress, now in the Halle Zoo in the East German state of Saxony-Anhalt, went through a complex three-hour surgery performed recently by medical experts from the University of Leipzig.


The Operation in Progress

At one point in the surgery, her heart stopped beating but she was revived.

A representative of University of Leipzig's Veterinary Medicine Faculty told Bernama in a telephone conversation that Girl received a prosthetic hip originally designed for dogs, with some modifications.

Dr. Peter Boettcher, a member of the medical team that performed the surgery, is satisfied with the condition of the 'patient' but said that great care was needed in looking after the tigress as she now faced a high risk of hip dislocation. Female Malayan tigers can live up to 20 years.

Because Malayan tigers are considered an endangered species, there has been great public interest in Germany in Girl's recovery.

Girl's hip-replacement procedure was very expensive but because the Malayan tiger is an endangered species - it is estimated that there are only 500 such tigers left in the wild - the zoo did not hesitate to foot the bill for the life-saving surgery.

Girl’s artificial hip was originally designed by Pierre Montavon, a professor at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, in cooperation with the Swiss company Kyon.