selangor times july 29-31, 2011 / issue 35

community July 29 — 31, 2011/ issue 35

Defying the stigma of leprosy

RCI veRdICt RaIses moRe questIons

p 8 p 14 & 15

RedIsCoveRIng Kuala lumpuR

p 12 & 13

State GLCs under fire over poor performance

By Alvin Yap

sHaH alam: Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) and Selangor Investment Corporation (SIC) have been slammed by a state watchdog for financial mis-management and losses.

Selangor’s Select Committee on State Agencies, Statutory Bodies and Subsidiaries noted that both companies had engaged in bad business planning and unauthor-ised spending under the previous state administration.

PNSB accumulated RM29.12 million in losses from a failed real estate project in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi that was neither authorised by the company’s board nor the Selangor government.

The decision to develop the parcel of land was made between 1995 and 2009.

The first phase of the project was completed in 2005, with 112 units of shophouses and offices built.

However, the development,

worth RM55.73 million, has had a slow take-up rate as only 32 units have been sold so far.

Subsequently, the company rented out 14 of the vacant units with rates ranging from RM700 to

RM3,800 a month from July 2008 to May 2010.

In total, 80 out of the 112 units remain unsold, and the develop-ment does not even have have a Certificate of Fitness (CF) even though construction was com-pleted in 2005.

According to the report, PNSB admitted that it had assumed that the development in KLIA Sepang would spill over and benefit Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi.

The committee found that PNSB had failed to conduct a mar-ket research of the area.

The report noted that the state

investment arm had entered into a series of other unauthorised loss-making ventures, including the sale of six Volvo S70 cars in June 2005 at RM73,000 each.

However, independent valua-tion by the Public Works Depart-ment said the cars were worth from RM73,000 to RM89,500.

The committee pointed out that there could have been fraud as the cars were sold well below market value.

PNSB had also bought 12 lux-ury unit apartments in Mecca worth RM25.5 million in Septem-ber 2007.

PNSB has yet to recover its in-vestment in the 12 apartment units, and is bleeding financially from the hefty management fees.

The subsidiary had further com-mitted RM17.25 million to buy seven other units without approval from the board of directors.

It later sold the seven units at the same price to an unidentified buyer, the report said.

The Selangor Industrial Corpo-ration (SIC), which supplies build-ing materials, was also taken to task for making less than RM1 million in 2009.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim greeting a family during the launch of the Selangorku slogan at Stadium Melawati last Sunday.

• Story on page 8

• turn to page 2

Elimination

No 3-LG-01, Block A, Megan Salak Park, Jalan 2/125E, Taman Desa Petaling, 57100 Kuala Lumpur ☎ 03-9059 1777

2 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

news

phone (603) 5510 4566fax (603) 5523 1188

email [email protected]

EDITORIALCHIEF EDITOR KL Chan

COMMUNITY EDITOR Neville SpykermanWRITERS Tang Hui Koon, Chong Loo Wah, Gan Pei Ling,

Basil Foo, Alvin Yap, Gho Chee Yuan, Brenda Ch’ngCOPY EDITORS Nick Choo, James Ang

DESIGNERS Jimmy C. S. Lim, Chin Man YenADVERTISING Timothy Loh, Ivan Looi

ADVISORS Faekah Husin, Arfa’eza Abdul Aziz

‘Companies failed to carry out market research for products’• From page one

The 30-year-old company was blamed for bad management, which has led to financial losses and low dividends for its parent company, Sel-angor Development Corporation (PKNS).

The report pointed out that SIC was losing out to other large suppliers in the highly competitive industry.

The auditor’s report also revealed that 31 claim vouchers, dated 2007, for payments ranging from RM9,000 to RM1.78 million were made for trips to foreign destinations.

The committee said the unaccount-ed-for and unapproved payment vouchers reflected bad corporate man-agement practice.

In a d d i t i on , S I C ra c ke d up RM800,000 to RM1.46 million in losses through two subsidiaries.

One company, Casic Marketing Sdn Bhd, formed in 1992, was involved in a commercial venture to import tiles from China.

However, the business failed as imported tiles became costlier when the federal government raised import duties on foreign-made tiles to protect local companies.

Module Board Sdn Bhd started to make wood cement panels in 1991, but its products received a poor response in the local market.

Casic Marketing and Module Board have not carried out activities since early 2008, and SIC has suggested the closure of the companies.

The committee said both companies failed to carry out market research for their products before commencing operations.

The select committee which made

the findings include state lawmakers Lau Weng San (Kampung Tunku), Khasim Abdul Aziz (Lembah Jaya) and Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya).

Headed by by Hulu Kelang assem-blyperson Saari Sungib, the report was tabled at the start assembly on July 13.

Meanwhile, at a press conference yesterday, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said he welcomed the committee’s findings, but said there is an inherent risk in business.

“For all business decisions, there are some that profit and some that make losses. We can’t profit all the time, but can only ensure we profit over the long term,” he said.

Khalid, who is PNSB chairperson, said he welcomes questions regarding the performance of state subsidiaries as it is in line with the state's efforts to promote transparency.

Morning

Friday Saturday Sunday

afternoon

night

Selangor WeaTHer

Source: Malaysian meteorological department

State pledges funds for councilsSHAH ALAM: More funds for de-velopment will be allocated to local governments, the Menteri Besar an-nounced following a retreat also at-tended by city mayors and council presidents this week.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said a frac-tion of the RM800 million worth of assets managed by Menteri Besar In-corporated (MBI) will be allocated to the local councils.

Khalid made the announcement after the two-day retreat at Genting Highlands.

“This budget is to help respective

authorities carry out development projects to benefit the public in their area,” he said.

He also requested for both state and local authorities to make a list of pro-posed projects and prioritise all urgent developments first.

The heads of local councils must also be kept in the loop about develop-ment spendings and total costs of each project listed.

“It’s crucial that they are kept in-formed about project costs as it will help prevent unnecessary wastage and minimise costs,” he said.

The District and Land Office along with local councils were also told to ensure proper maintenance of all state-owned assets, especially those involv-ing land.

Khalid also proposed that an officer from each local authority be appointed to monitor, maintain and update re-cords on all state property.

“This step is needed to ensure the state does not waste unnecessary money repairing damaged state-owned properties.

“The money can be put to better use for future developments,” he said.

Ramadan bazaar locationsSUBANG JAYA: The council has confirmed the participation of 1,273 vendors and licensed 1,696 stalls for this year’s Ramadan bazaars.

“All stalls have been rent-ed out and the response was overwhelming,” said council president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi.

The locations of the 25 bazaars were revealed at the Subang Jaya Municipal Coun-cil’s (MPSJ) full board meet-ing yesterday.

These bazaars will be oper-ating throughout the whole month of Ramadan, in and around residential areas.

There will be five bazaars each in Kinrara and Serdang/Seri Kembangan. Nine will be operating around Puchong, and another six in Subang Jaya.

In Subang Jaya, the bazaars

will be on Jalan SS18/6, Jalan U S J 7 / 3 C , J a l a n USJ4/5, Pangsapuri Angsana USJ1, Flat Sri Mutiara Putra Heights, Jalan Pinggiran USJ1/1 and Taman Batu Tiga, Taman Bt3.

In Puchong, they can be found on Jalan Perdana 2, Jalan Prima5/3, Jalan Permai 2/10, Jalan Utama 2/1, Jalan Wa-wasan 2/22, Jalan Bandar 3 Tesco, Puchong Utama, Jalan Permai 1/10 and Puchong Indah opposite Esso.

Bazaars in Kinrara are situated on Jalan BK 5A/1, opposite Gerai UPEN Pu-chong Jaya, Jalan Taman Kinrara 1/1, Jalan TPk 2/1 and 2/2, and Jalan TK 4/13; while bazaars in Seri Kem-bangan are on Jalan 18/35, Jalan 2/10, Jalan PP1/2, Ja-lan PP1B and PUJ 3/2.

Khalid (front row centre) with city mayors and council presidents at the retreat in genting Highlands.

SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ JulY 29 – 31, 2011 ⁄ 3

ALL PRICES ARE QUOTED IN RINGGIT MALAYSIA • PRODUCT PRICES ARE VALID FROM 29 - 31 JULY 2011 ONLY! • APPLICABLE TO GIANT STORES IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA ONLY.All PRICE AND INFORMATION HEREIN ARE VERIFIED CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINT BUT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. GIANT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REPLACE ITEMS WITH OTHERS OF EQUAL VALUE BASED ON STOCK AVAILABILITY. WHILE EVERY CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN PRODUCTION, ANY INACCURACY IS UNINTENTIONAL AND REGRETTED, THUS GIANT SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES ON ALL ITEMS. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO SELL OUR MERCHANDISE TO TRADE PERSONNEL AT OUR DISCRETION. THE NORMAL PRICE (N.P.) INDICATED IS BASED ON HYPERMARKET PRICING.

Join us as a fan!B.PGK.HQ (JM) 2011/207/3

IRANIANSair Dates

3.89per kg

USMedjoul Dates

4.99per 100g

FIRST CHOICETunisia Deglet Nour Dates500g

12.99per pkt

MEDIUM

NO FRILLS Eggs(Grade E)30pcs

5.99NOW

per tray

8.99Before: Kembong/Pelaling 4.39NOW

per kg

7.99Before: Siakap (Sea Perch)(400g - 600g each) 9.99NOW

each

11.99Before:Tongkol/Kayu (Baby Tuna) 5.99NOW

per kg

8.99Before:

Fresh Chicken Boneless Breast(Skin On)

9.99NOW

per kg

13.99Before:

AUSTRALIANChilled Beef Blocks

Ideal For Curry/Rendang✔

2.69NOW

per 100g

2.79Before:

NEW ZEALAND Royal Gala Apples 1kg per pkt

5.99NOW

per pkt

6.99Before:

SOUTH AFRICAN Baby Mandarins1kg per pkt

5.99NOW

per pkt

6.99Before:

JOSAPHINEPineapples

99¢NOW

each

1.49Before:EGYPTSugarone Grapes 12.89NOW

per kg

14.99Before:

GIANTRed Big Onion (Premium)500g per pkt 99¢NOW

per pkt

1.39Before:

Beijing Cabbage

1.99NOW

each

2.49Before:

KING’SIce Cream(Assorted Flavours)1.2lit

MARIGOLDPeel Fresh Juice(Assorted Flavours)1.89lit

AYAM A1Crispy Fried Chicken850g

SNOWNeo SoftSpread320g

4.99NOW

each

5.99Before:

6.29NOW

each

7.59Before:

7.49NOW10.99Before:

8.99NOW10.59Before:

9 556068 594179 8 000500 045565 9 555050 305113

9 556006 024157 8 998866 6042844 902430 270915

9 556126 6183978 852756 3460539 555021 501384

4 800361 349468 4 800060 4126099 556156 040052

1RMSAVE

3RMSAVE

6RMSAVE

2RMSAVE

2RMSAVE

6RMSAVE

1RMSAVE

8RMSAVE

POWER ROOT Per'l Café4-In-1 Coffee 20's x 20g

IBUMIEAlways Mi Goreng Asli5 x 80g

KELLOGG’SCornflakes (Jumbo Pack) 500g

HUGGIESDry Comfort Jumbo Pack Baby DiapersM66/L60/XL54

HUGGIESDry Comfort Jumbo Pack Baby DiapersM66/L60/XL54

PLANTAMargarine2.5kg

YEO’SAsian Drinks(Assorted Flavours)4 x 6 x 250ml

PANTENEShampoo(Assorted Variants)700ml

3RMSAVE

LACTOGEN 3 Milk Powder700g

1RMSAVE

DAIA Fabric Softener (Pouch) (Assorted Variants)2lit

5RMSAVE

FERRERO ROCHERT24

4RMSAVELISTERINE

Mouth RinseOriginal/Fresh Citrus/Cool Mint2 x 750ml

CHIPSMORECookies(Assorted Flavours)180g

CHIPSMORECookies(Assorted Flavours)180g

Offer Price: RM3.29 each

With Coupon:

RM2.29each

Offer Price: RM32.99Normal Price: RM36.99

With Coupon:

RM27.99Offer Price: RM3.99Normal Price: RM4.39

With Coupon:

RM2.99


With Coupon:


With Coupon:

RM4.99


With Coupon:


With Coupon:

RM27.99

Offer Price: RM4.99 eachNormal Price: RM5.49 each

With Coupon:

RM3.99each

Offer Price: RM23.99 eachNormal Price: RM28.89 each

With Coupon:

RM17.99each


With Coupon:

RM9.99

Offer Price: RM14.99 per ctnNormal Price: RM19 49 p r ctn

With Coupon:

RM12.99 perctn

Offer Price: RM27.99 per pktNormal Price: RM31.89 per pkt

With Coupon:

RM23.99perpkt

Coupon Valid 29 - 31 July 2011 Coupon Valid 29 - 31 July 2011 Coupon Valid 29 - 31 July 2011


6 6 6

6 6 6

6 6 6

6 6 6



COUPON SAVERS! Please cut out these couponsto enjoy more savings!

Valid from29 - 31 JULY 2011

4 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

News

Race in Pulau Ketam heats up ahead of Sunday pollsBy Gan Pei Ling

PULAU KETAM: Door-to-door canvassing along with banners, buntings and flyers instead of ceramah are being adopted by candidates vying for Sunday’s village head elections here.

Incumbent Cha Keng Lee is relying on the banners and buntings he has placed around the island to retain his post, while Chua Chin Song has been distributing campaign flyers to villag-ers during the weeklong campaign.

Mugshots of hotel owner Cha, 46, and fish wholesaler Chua, 44, can also be seen on post-ers plastered all over the fishing village.

Cha, previously appointed as the village head after the 2008 general election, is a PAS Support-ers’ Club member, while Chua belongs to PKR.

The state, however, has prohibited candi-dates from contesting on party platforms.

Cha’s banners include slogans like “Please give me a chance to serve you”, “Let’s create a peaceful and harmonious Pulau Ketam”, and “Let’s develop Pulau Ketam’s economic re-

sources and potential together”.He has also printed 1,000 name cards with

the campaign slogans to be distributed when he goes door to door to canvass for support.

Not to be outdone, Chua said he printed 100 posters and 1,000 flyers that contain his slogan “My victory is your victory” and his background, including education qualification (SPM leaver), occupation and experience in community service.

Both candidates said they preferred door-to-door canvassing over holding ceramah, as per-sonal touch matters more in this century-old village populated by around 6,000 people only.

Among the population, 3,568 are eligible to go to the polls on Sunday to elect their own village security and development committee ( JKKK) chief for the first time.

Polling will start at 8am and end at 4pm, and will be held at the JKKK community hall.

The candidates’ photographs will be printed on the ballot papers so that illiterate villagers will be able to vote by recognising the pictures.

Disinterest among women villagers

Location: Pulau KetamPopulation: 6,000Eligible voters: 3,568Main industries: Fishing and tourismVillagers’ main issues of concern:•Decliningfishingindustryduetoharassment

byIndonesiansintheseaandlackofhumanresources

•Lackofpoliticalwill/comprehensiveplantoboostthefishingvillage’stourismindustry

•Outflowofyouthtothemainland

Name:ChaKengLee(JKKKchieffrom2008-2011)Age: 46Occupation:HostelownerPolitical affiliation: PAS supporters’clubCampaign slogan:1.Pleasegivemeachanceto

serveyou2.Createapeacefuland

harmonious Pulau KetamCampaign strategy:Door-to-doorcanvassingVision for Pulau Ketam:TurnthevillageintoathrivingtourismhubPlan(s) for the village:1.Eliminatevillagers’habitoftreatingtheseaasa

garbagedump,andeducatetheyoung2.Requestforstatefundingtomaintainand

buildmorerailingsaroundthevillageforsafetyconcerns

Name: Chua Chin SongAge: 44Occupation: Fish distributorPolitical affiliation:PKRCampaign slogan: NoneCampaign strategy:Door-to-doorcanvassingVision for Pulau Ketam: TurnthevillageintoathrivingtourismhubPlan(s) for the village:1.Promoterecyclingprogrammesandtourism2.Resolvecommunityissues

Facts and FiGures

Candidate 1

Candidate 2

PULAU KETAM: Most women in the more-than-century-old fishing village seem less interested in the upcoming village polls, which they view as a “man’s” issue.

“You should ask my husband, he’s more into politics,” a female shop owner in her 30s told Selan-gor Times in Mandarin.

Although aware that the village elections are underway, she said she would not be voting on Sunday.

“My main responsibilities are to take care of this shop and my chil-dren,” said the woman, who ap-peared uncomfortable discussing the elections and declined to be named.

An elderly woman who was col-lecting tin cans outside the nomi-nation centre last Sunday also said she did not plan to vote.

“ What difference would it make?” asked the 85-year-old.

Her indifference was echoed by other female villagers polled.

“It doesn’t matter which candi-date wins in the election, will they be able to bring more development to our village, revive our declining fishing industry, or stop the out-flow of youths to the mainland?” said one of the vegetable sellers on Jalan Besar.

The woman, in her 40s, said she is earning just enough to survive by selling vegetables as business is slow, especially on weekdays.

Business only picks up when tourists enter the fishing village for its seafood on weekends.

“Locals are moving out; we will slowly be left out of development,” she said.

Incumbent retains Jenjarom

By Basil Foo and chong Loo Wah

SHAH ALAM: The state will recognise the new Jenjarom village chief, who won uncontested in the recent village head elections despite disputes over his candidacy.

“The state will endorse the people’s choice. Whatever the disputes are, just make sure he delivers,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Tan Cheng Hin was the only candidate nominated on July 24, and won the seat as no objection was filed against his candidacy as allowed from 10am to 11am on nomination day.

He was declared to have won the seat uncontested by Kuala Langat acting district officer Siti Amrah, who is the returning officer, last Sunday.

“It is good that there is a person willing to offer his time for this. The reason for this elections is to give people a choice,” Khalid said.

Tan’s candidacy raised eyebrows by some parties as he changed his address in his identity card (IC) recently to take part in the elections.

He went to the National Registration Department to change the address in his IC to the address of his old house in the village, where Tan was born and his father still lives.

“He should be disqualified,” said Kuala Langat DAP division chief Low Chai Eng, who also accused Tan of cheating the voters.

It is stipulated that only residents whose home address is in the Chinese New Village and have resided at least two years there can contest in the polls.

The 55-year-old community leader is currently staying in Jenjarom town, but not within the Chinese New Village’s boundaries.

However, he is set to continue his efforts in improving Jenjarom as its village chief for a second term. “I will continue to work hard to eliminate the drug problem in Jenjarom,” said Tan, adding that it would be his first priority.

State executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah had told the press earlier in he week that the returning officer had accepted Tan’s nomination, so there is no longer any dispute over his candidacy.

“The state exco will officially announce and appoint the village chiefs after all three polls have concluded,” said Ean Yong, referring also to the Pulau Ketam and Padamaran polls.

The three village elections are being run as test cases. If successful, Selangor is mulling elections for all its village security and development committee chiefs in over 70 villages.

The move is seen as a precursor to the restoration of local government elections in Selangor as Pakatan Rakyat had promised to reinstate local elections in their manifesto during the 2008 general election.

Local government elections were suspended and later abolished by the Alliance government in 1965 due to the Confrontation – an undeclared war between Malaysia and Indonesia over Borneo from 1962 to 1966. It was not reinstated after the Confrontation.

Tan (third from right) wins Jenjarom’s

inaugural village chief election uncontested.

Outside the nomination centre in Pulau Ketam on July 24.

5JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

News

Visit by MPs raises controversy

Pandamaran candidates spotted in Pulau KetamPULAU KETAM: Three potential candidates for Pandamaran, which go to the polls in August to elect their village chief, were seen in the fishing village during nominations last Sunday.

Community leader Tan Yu Tiam, 54, from DAP, confirmed with reporters that he would stand in Pandamaran’s village polls, which will be held from Aug 7-14.

“I was told I would be able to get the nomination form from Aug 1 onwards,” Tan said.

Tan, who sits on many temple and school committees in Pandamaran, said he would be observing the polling day in Pulau Ketam with his friends this Sunday as well.

“It’s a historic occasion for Selangor. We want to be there to witness it,” he told Selangor Times in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Another two former Klang municipal councillors, Tee Boon Hock and Ang Mah Chai, were also spotted in Pulau Ketam last Sunday.

Tee, who has been sacked from the local council and DAP due to the support-letters fiasco of 2010, would not confirm with the press if he would contest in Pandamaran’s polls.

He said he would only decide closer to the election dates.

Ang, meanwhile, said he visited Pulau Ketam just to observe the nomination process, but added in jest that he may decide to stand in Pandamaran on a whim.

By Gan Pei Ling

PULAU KETAM: The appearance of politicians during campaigning has raise the ire of a candidate, who lamented that the race is supposed to be free of party politics.

Cha Keng Lee said he has reported the incident to returning officer Da-tuk Bakhtiar Hussin, and executive councillors Ean Yong Hian Wah and Dr Halimah Ali.

“I hope they can attend to the mat-ter as soon as possible,” said the incum-bent village chief.

Cha accused three Members of Parliament – Chua Tian Chang (Batu), S Manikavasagam (Kapar) and Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan) – of campaigning for his opponent and Pulau Ketam PKR division chief, Chua Chin Song.

Cha, who is a PAS Supporters’ Club member, said he had tried to invite Dr Halimah (PAS) to campaign for him but she had declined as the candidates are supposed to contest in the village polls on their personal basis, not as party members.

“Chua has obviously violated the election regulations,” said Cha, who is seeking to be elected for a second term.

However, the three PKR MPs claimed that they had visited the fish-ing village in the middle of the week-long campaigning period merely to “observe” the inaugural village elec-tions.

They said they had not been in-vited by Chua to visit the fishing is-land and campaign for him.

Chua also claimed that he had not invited the three MPs and had no knowledge of their visit prior to their arrival.

After he was informed of their visit, Chua gave the three MPs a tour around the island, while his oppo-nent Cha followed and took photos of the entourage.

Chua’s supporters also took the opportunity to distribute Chua’s campaign flyers to villagers who came to greet the three MPs.

Subsequently, Chua, Manikava-sagam, Tian Chua and Hee all spoke to the villagers using a loudhailer.

Cha was also invited to give a speech, in which he reminded the MPs that the candidates are sup-posed to stand on personal and not party platform.

Manikavasagam said he usually visits the fishing village twice a month as Pulau Ketam is part of his parliamentary constituency.

“We’re not here to campaign for Chua,” said Manikavasagam.

Tian Chua also told reporters that they came to Pulau Ketam to observe the campaign and encourage villagers to vote in this historic oc-casion. Incumbent Cha Keng Lee.

www.selangorku.com

6 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

News

Bersih: Use indelible ink if biometric system not ready

By Gan Pei Ling

SHAH ALAM: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Ber-sih 2.0) says it is open to the bio-metric voter verification system, but has recommended that the Election Commission (EC) use indelible ink if the biometric sys-tem is not ready by the next gen-eral election.

“We’re open to any good system … but will it be ready by the 13th general election? [And] will it be tamper-proof ?” asked Bersih 2.0 chairperson Datuk S Ambiga, at the much-anticipated forum titled What next after July 9? in Shah Alam on Wednesday.

Ambiga highlighted that the biometric system’s data must be of the highest integrity to ensure public confidence, and that there must be transparency in the sys-tem’s implementa-tion, including the tender process.

She adde d that polling centres nation-wide would have to be equipped with the bio-metric system if it was

Hands-on experienceHands Percussion gives audiences a preview of its latest performance titled Knocking today (July 29) from 6pm-8pm. The group. who will perform at the KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) next month, will today feature six brand new pieces composed and choreographed by them. The performance will be held at their studio in Sungai Buloh, Hands Percussion Studio 18, Jalan S.B. Jaya 2, Taman Industri Sungai Buloh Jaya, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor. For more information, call 012-2412532 (Mon Lim) or visit www.hands.com.my.

Sleep deprivation forumTropicana Medical Centre will hold a public forum on Sleep Deprivation on Sunday (July 30) from 10.30am to 1pm. The talk will be held at the centre’s auditorium, 7th floor, Tropicana Medical Centre, 11 Jalan Teknologi, Taman Sains Selangor 1, PJU 5 Kota Damansara. Admission is free. For more information, call 018-2116789 (Ai Lin) or 018-2111055 (Phoebe).

Meditation retreatThe Subang Jaya Buddhist Association is holding a meditation course titled Introduction to Meditation for eight consecutive Fridays from July 22-Sept 9. The course is conducted by Banthe Nyanarasmi from 8.30-10.30pm. After the eighth week, there will be a meditation retreat from Sept 16-18. For more details, call 03-56348181 (Lily).

Understanding Parkinson’sD’Happy Club Activity Centre for Seniors and Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association will conduct a talk titledUnderstanding Parkinson’s on Aug 5 at 10am. It will be held at at Pusat Communiti Touch, 124 Jalan SS 2/6, Petaling Jaya, and will touch on causes and symptoms of Parkinson’s. Admission is free. For more details, call 012-3230560 (Christopher) or visit www.kairosforcommunity.blogspot.com.

Free meditation Kevala Centre will hold a free meditation session for the public titled Healing Breath Meditation on Sunday (July 31) from 6-7pm. Participants will get to learn a simple yet powerful meditation technique to help calm the mind. It will be conducted by Dr Dhilip Kumar. Admission is free, but registration is required. For more information, call Dr Dhilip at 03-56367986 or visit www.drdhilip.com.

Voter registration in TTDIA voter-registration campaign will be held at the Taman Tun Dr. Ismail market on the 30th and 31st July (Saturday and Sunday) from 9am until 6pm. This programme is jointly organised by TTDI residents and the Election Commission (EC). The drive will be held at the ground floor of TTDI market.

EvEnts

to be implemented. “There must be dry runs to make

sure the system works [and would not crash easily],” she said.

She pointed out that indelible ink is the cheapest and most effec-tive way to eliminate multiple voting if the biometric system could not be ready before the next polls.

Responding to the concerns raised, EC deputy chairperson Da-tuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the authorities were carrying out the final stage of study on the biometric system, but he could not disclose whether it would be ready for the next election.

He said it was up to the govern-ment to decide when to dissolve Parliament.

However, Wan Ahmad added that the biometric system is the “best” way to clean up the electoral roll and prevent multiple voting as

each voter has a unique set of finger-prints.

He added that the EC would also brief the political parties and test the new system.

“We will not implement it if we are not confident,” he said.

On the indelible ink, Wan Ah-mad said it is suitable for countries with large populations like India and Indonesia, but Malaysia only

has 12 million voters, albeit with an advanced national registration sys-tem.

His remarks were often inter-rupted by the 300-odd audience. They jeered him to express their distrust of the EC, ignoring modera-tor Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s repeated pleas to stop the heckling.

About 200 people watched the debate via a projected screen outside

the room. The forum was also streamed live on online TV portal MobTV.

The forum was organised by media group Kumpulan Karangkraf, which publishes Malay newspaper Sinar Harian.

Police personnel and banners prohibiting Bersih and Patriot logos could be seen at the entrance before the start of the forum.

(From left) Moderator Wan

Saiful, Wan Ahmad, Ambiga and Prof

Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.

7JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

news

Unlicensed billboards costing MPK RM2mil in revenue loss

An Industrial Business Park revelation awaits you!

FREEHOLD

2 & 3 StoreyIndustrial Business Lot

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACTTEL : 03-5124 9233 / 016-710 0529

FAX : 03-5124 9633

- 23 units Shop Office & 22 units Terrace Factory

- Contemporary and functional facade design

- Premier location, fronting KESAS highway

- 22' feet ceiling height with versatile space

- High visibility and exposure

- Great investment for high capital appreciation

- Individual lift serving each unit

- Free SPA legal fee

- 7% Bumiputra Discount

Fronting KESAS Highway

Bus ness Pa k @ Sh h A am

SUNBUILD DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD. (869056-W)

Developer :

Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor D.E.www.sunbuilddevelopment.com

No. 22-1, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla Q31/Q,

at Kota Kemuning,

Air conditioning units missing during pool visitSELAYANG: The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) here had a shock when it discovered 24 air-conditioner compressors missing from its Seri Siantan swimming complex recently.

MPS staff found the facility stripped of RM50,000 worth of compressors when they conducted a site visit on July 1.

“We have lodged a police report over the missing compressors. We will wait for the outcome,” said councillor Abdul Rahim Abdul Kasdi during the full board meeting on Wednesday.

The council, which is due to take over the swimming pool by end July, had sent its officers to carry out an inspection of the facility near Taman Selayang in Selayang Baru.

MPS handed over the management to a private company two years ago as the council was incurring high maintenance costs to upkeep the facility.

However, the operator increased the swimming pool fees, which led to public complaints as the amount was too high.

Up until March this year, MPS also received numerous complaints from the public over the facility, which has turned into an eyesore.

Leaking water had resulted in mould-covered walls, and only two of the changing rooms were lit.

One bathroom marked for disabled persons had been turned into a storeroom, while other amenities for the public were being used by the management.

Furthermore, MPS found out that the pool was operating with only one lifeguard instead of the required minimum of three.

MPS did not renew the company’s contract when it expired on May 31.

However, Abdul Rahim said MPS has to replace the missing compressors and carry out upgrades and maintenance, all to the tune of RM120,000.

By Alvin Yap

KLANG: The Municipal Council (MPK) here was taken to task for failing to regulate billboards and losing out on an estimated RM2 million in licences annually.

Local councillor Winston Phua pointed out that currently MPK earns a paltry RM250,000 and that the unregulated billboards remain a public safety issue.

He said MPK was moving at a snail’s pace in regulating advertising signage in the municipality.

“We’re moving too slow. There are 2,000 billboards within MPK’s area,” said Phua during MPK’s full board meeting yesterday.

He pointed out that on average, the licensing fee payable to MPK to put up an average-sized billboard is around RM10,000.

Phua said MPK also needed to step up and ensure that all billboards do not pose a danger to the public.

“I don’t want MPK to get the news that a sign had collapsed due to structural failure,” he said.

Phua, who sits on the MPK committee that is supposed to regulate the signboards, slammed it for dragging its feet.

He said he was tired of hearing the excuse that the slow response was due to “land status issues”.

“That’s not an excuse; work with the State Secretariat (in Shah Alam) and the Land Office,” he said yesterday.

Phua said the committee had visited the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in late 2010 to study the latter’s efforts in legalising and regulating billboards

in the city.He also said the committee should be revamped if

it is too slow in carrying out the move.Phua was responding to a report that came out in

an English daily last week that said local councils were not following the rules on billboard placement that the state had set.

Selangor has the largest share of the nation’s billboards, with about 1,300 licensed ones, netting a 30% share of the lucrative RM400 mill ion advertisement industry.

Dark problem on RM30mil flyoverKLANG: The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) has been told to find a solution to frequent thefts of streetlight chokes which endanger night driving on the town’s newly-built flyover.

“We’ve built a flyover for RM30 million, but parts of it are dark come nightfall,” said councillor Gary Tai at MPK’s full board meeting yesterday.

Streetlight chokes have been targeted by thieves since the opening of the flyover in January.

Tai said it would cost MPK RM3,000 to replace all the missing units, but he wants modifications to make them theft-proof.

With the modifications, it might cost RM10,000 to replace the missing units.

Tai pointed out that the upgrades would make it difficult for people to remove units from their casing.

He said MPK should opt to buy the modified units and bill the Public Works Department ( JKR), which built the flyover.

He said MPK must act now as it cannot afford to wait for JKR to replace the chokes.

Fellow councillor Robert Choo said he had found the flyover to be dark and a danger to pedestrians and vehicles alike.

8 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

News

Defying the stigma of leprosy

By Basil Foo

GOMBAK: Children of former leprosy patients came together last Sunday to celebrate the gift of their parents and to remember their life-long ordeal with the disease.

“We are proud of who we are and our heritage,” said Joyce Wong at the Sungai Buloh leprosy settlement.

The Valley of Hope Appreciation Day committee chairperson said although their parents were com-pletely leprosy-free after medical treatments, they still chose to live in seclusion due to prevalent stigma in society.

Wong said the event was held to counter what she described as “mis-information” about leprosy, a disease which has been completely curable since the 1980s.

“We are not shy anymore. If there are any questions, we are glad to tell you our story,” proclaimed the 40-year-old accountant.

The event was attended by mem-bers of the public, who were met with a food and games carnival, performances, and a blood dona-tion drive.

Funds raised from the event will go towards benefiting those at the leprosarium, the Salvation Army,

and Agape homes. Wong, whose mother lives in the

Sungai Buloh leprosy settlement, recounted instances when her peers were ostracised from society.

She said some of them had trau-matic experiences during their schooldays when they were called names, bullied, and shunned com-pletely.

“There are some who still carry the trauma of those experiences. They don’t have the courage to ad-mit to their parents’ medical back-ground,” she added.

Wong’s 67-year-old mother, Chong Yek Lee, arrived at the set-

‘Selangorku’ to instill affection for stateSHAH ALAM: The state’s Selangorku logo, symbolising welfare and economic initiatives for all regardless of race and religion, was unveiled on Sunday night.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the new logo was also to cement the fact that Selangor is owned by all its people.

“In line with that, it is important that the state’s resources be distrib-uted equally to all of its people,” said

tlement when she was a 10-year-old child after being diagnosed with leprosy.

She was initially anxious to be interviewed, and only spoke through her daughter about life in the settle-ment during her younger days.

“As my mother came from a poor family, this was seen as a chance for a better life as they provided medical care and school here,” said Wong.

Chong soon spoke up and said she was happy of her daughter’s suc-cess – an indication that those with the stigma of leprosy could thrive as

Missing drain cover costs businessman RM5,000By Alvin Yap

PETALING JAYA: A businessman was forced to spend almost RM5,000 to replace two tyres because of a missing drain cover near the Rothman’s roundabout.

The businessman’s driver, Idiris Kadim, 58, was on his way to Section 14 when he drove into a 2ft-long uncovered drain outside the Sin Chew headquarters on Jalan Semangat last week.

“There were no signs, no warning flags to warn drivers about the missing drain cover,” said Idiris, who has been working for the busi-nessman for the past 12 years.

He was driving from Jalan Universiti when he turned and stayed on the left lane on Jalan Semangat to avoid vehicles from the right at Rothman’s roundabout, which is undergoing renovations to convert it into a cross junction with traffic lights.

“I then heard a loud bump, and I felt the whole car sinking,” he said.

He continued driving for about 100 metres, but the car was already pulling to the left.

Idiris got out and found that the sidewalls on the left front and rear tyres had cracked due to the impact.

He also walked back to the scene of the incident, and was shocked to find the uncov-

ered two-feet long drain.The two high-performance low profile tyres

cost RM2,500 each. Selangor Times went to the spot on July 19,

but found the drain covered with a grate.The newspaper also contacted MBPJ offi-

cials for an explanation.

the Selangor Menteri Besar during the launch at Stadium Melawati.

Khalid highlighted that his ad-ministration had put in place its people-centric economy or Meraky-atkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) policy in 2008.

MES aims to close the income gap between people living in city and those from rural areas, through vari-ous initiatives including welfare programmes for senior citizens, women and children.

The logo will be used in all official functions involving the state govern-ment and state-linked companies.

“We used the Selangor flag co-lours, which are yellow, red, and white,” said Khalid.

Red and yellow represent the flesh and blood of Selangor’s people, who are instrumental to the state’s growth.

The white crescent moon and star represent the purity of Islam as the official religion of the state.

The Selangorku logo typography replaces the “o” with a heart, which, Khalid explained, symbolises the state always being in its people’s hearts.

Also present at the launch were state executive councillors Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Ronnie Liu, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

contributing members of society.Malaysian Leprosy Relief Asso-

ciation executive secretary general Datuk Seri JJ Raj Jr also spoke dur-ing the appreciation day.

He commended the event, saying settlements in other states hardly had any visitors.

There are 121 leprosy patients in the leprosy control ward and 111 former patients currently living in the area in the settlement.

The settlement was once the second largest in the world, with 2,500 patients at its peak.

Wong (left) and Chong.JJ Raj JrValley of Hope volunteers playing telematch games during theappreciation day.

(From left) State executive councillors Yaakob Sapari, Datuk Hasan Mohamed Ali and Xavier; Khalid, Abdul Hadi, Wan Azizah and Liu.

9JULy 29 — 31, 2011

NEWS

New Zealand Education Fair 2011

For more information:nzeducated.com/myfairOR call 03 2078 4612

Find out all you need to know about studying in New Zealand. Visit the New Zealand Education Fairs and meet with participating

institutions. Please bring along your academic transcripts/school records and/or forecast results.

KOTA KINABALULe MeridienSunday, 31 July 2011Fair Times: 11.30am – 4.30pmSeminar: 2.00pm – 2.30pm

PENANGTraders Hotel, PenangThursday, 4 August 2011Fair Times: 2.30pm – 6.30pmSeminar: 4.00pm – 4.30pm

PETALING JAYAGrand Dorsett Subang Hotel*Sunday, 7 August 2011Fair Times: 11.00am – 5.00pmSeminar: 12.30pm & 2.30pm

Auckland

Wellington

Christchurch

Dunedin* Former Sheraton

By Brenda Ch’ng

PETALING JAYA: Leasehold home owners in Section 2, Old Town, here were delighted after being assured that RM1,000 was all they needed to renew or extend their 99-year leases.

The owners of the terrace homes, many of whom are el-derly and retirees, would have had to pay premiums of up to RM300,000 had it not been for the new Private Dweller Ownership Scheme.

The state scheme, effective June 1, aims to help owners keep their homes without being financially burdened.

The balance of the premium, however, will have to be paid up when the properties are sold or transferred at the later date.

“I can finally extend my lease. I couldn’t do it before because I was told to pay RM110,000 when I tried renewing,” said resident Yong Lek Fah.

The 65-year-old retiree refused to pay the huge sum to the Petaling Land Office, and even appealed for the fee to be re-duced.

The sum was decreased to RM50,000 and he was required to pay it within a month for his lease to be extended.

However, since it was still a huge fee, he decided to delay it.

“I made a right choice in delaying as now I can pay a more affordable sum of RM1,000,” he said.

His current lease will be expiring in 2022.

Echoing his sentiment is Lu Ah Kee, who was also supposed to pay RM150,000 to extend the lease for his home.

“I was shocked when I learnt of the amount. I’m a retiree and I can’t pay thou-sands to extend my lease,” said Lu.

The 86-year-old was wor-ried that he would miss out on the scheme as he did not know how to go about filling in the form to get the RM1,000 renewal rate.

He also finds it a hassle to submit the form at the land office, which has re-cently shifted to Shah Alam Section U5.

As a solution, Petaling Jaya City Councillor (MBPJ) Tang Fuie Koh brought the renewal forms to residents last Saturday.

“I’m here to make sure residents are aware of the new scheme

and to provide them with the proper information and forms,” said Tang.

He said it is crucial that all residents benefit from the new scheme and get their leases extended or renewed while they can.

Joy for elderly leasehold home owners

Tang explaining the new scheme to one of the residents.

KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s Lang-kawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima ‘11) exhibition will showcase a more aggressive commercial, civil aviation and airport focus in addition to established de-fence delegations.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Transport, regional authorities and agencies to bring in commercial customers to Lima ‘11,” said HW Exhibitions Sdn Bhd managing director Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab.

He said a total of 108 airlines operating in ASEAN have been invited to this bien-nial event.

ASEAN is expected to spend upward of US$330 billion on new commercial aircraft alone in the next two decades, and organisers are banking on this to draw in major players to Lima ‘11.

Ahmad Dzuhri said 386 companies from 33 countries have so far signed up to par-ticipate in the exhibition from Dec 6-10.

Some 42 types of aircraft and 30 ships have already confirmed their attendance.

Lima ’11 is expecting to attract 500 com-

panies and more than 50,000 trade and public visitors worldwide.

This exhibition will be the platform for Malaysia to become a major hub for sectors involving maintenance, repair, overhaul and aerospace components manufacturing.

“We are very excited as nearly 20% of the exhibition is filled up with new market com-panies and commercial sectors,” said Ahmad Dzuhri.

By opening up the exhibition to com-mercial sectors, Lima can help provide more opportunities to companies who want to tap into this lucrative market.

Among those that have already confirmed their participation are Airbus, Boeing, Gulf-stream, SAAB, Blohm and Voss, Goa Ship-yard, DCNS and Sikorsky.

Highlights of the exhibition are the Gulf-stream G45 Business Jet, Bombardier, Cessna Caravan, A400M, Su-30MKM, F-18 Super Hornet, Super Lynx and many more.

For more information, contact 019-3236355 (Prem Kumar Nair), email [email protected] or visit www.lima.com.my.

More civil, commercial aviation at Lima ‘11

SUBANG JAYA: Over 33,000 parking summonses have been settled by the public, who took advantage of the RM10 Flat Rate Campaign offered by the municipality here.

The campaign, launched by Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi early this month, is scheduled to end on Aug 31.

“I’m thrilled to say the council has col-lected RM336,238 in less than a month,” said Asmawi.

He thanked those who had settled all their summonses, and urged others to do the same before the end of the campaign.

When this one ends, another campaign

called The Longer You Wait The More You Pay will be launched by the council.

Those who delay summons payments will be expected to pay more, with the minimum fee starting at RM20.

Asmawi said the council is targeting to collect and clear off 62% of recorded sum-monses throughout the duration of the campaigns.

To date, the council has a record of 1,278,388 unpaid summonses, some dating back to the year 1999.

However, the flat rate campaign does not apply to heavy vehicles that park illegally in residential areas, or uncollected old cars found in housing areas.

Overwhelming response to flat rate campaign

10 JULy 29 — 31, 2011

NEWS

By Brenda Ch’ng

PETALING JAYA: One Ramadan bazaar from every local authority will be chosen to participate in the state’s green initiative pilot campaign in August.

The selected bazaars will be advised to stop using plastic bags and styrofoam, and to recycle all cooking oil used.

“This campaign will be launched immediately after the councils provide me with a list of chosen bazaars,” said state executive councillor for environment Elizabeth Wong.

She said this will be the first phase of their Ramadan recycling campaign, and if successful, it will be introduced to all bazaars next year.

According to her, most vendors were notified of the recycling campaign when they applied for their licences from the respective councils.

“It is actually stated in the licence-application guidelines, and vendors have been told to not use plastic bags and styrofoam,” Wong said.

A new feature during the campaign will be the recycling of cooking oil, which will be turned into biodiesel.

Chosen bazaars will be provided with barrels for the vendors to store their used cooking oil.

Residents are also encouraged to bring their used cooking oil to be deposited in the barrels provided.

This is to create awareness among the public and to en-courage them to re-cycle used oil instead of dumping it into drains.

Banners will be created to notif y residents of the cho-sen bazaars in their area.

Althoug h this project is new, Wong hopes it will take off smoothly, and that the selected bazaars will become role models for other Ramadan markets.

“This recycling programme is not only limited to se-lected areas. Other bazaars are more than welcome to join in,” she said.

Greening up Ramadan bazaars

Wong

PETALING JAYA: An iMac computer, electronic products and cash prizes of up to RM2,000 are up for grabs in the Recycle Used Cooking Oil competition ending Aug 12.

The prizes for the competition, which started on July 9, are sponsored by Mammoth Empire Group, and were unveiled by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman last Saturday.

Different sets of prizes will be given to winners of three categories, which are schools, residents and MBPJ depart-ments.

For schools, the prizes are an iMac computer for first place, two Hewlett Packard computer desktops for second and third place, and 10 consolation prizes of RM300 MPH vouchers.

For residents, cash prizes of RM2,000, RM1,500, and RM1,000 await winners of the first, second and third place respectively.

MBPJ department winners will win a flat-screen 32” television, a refrigerator and microwave oven for the first, second and third place respectively.

“I hope these incentives can encourage everyone, includ-ing schoolchildren, to recycle used cooking oil,” said Roslan.

He said two tonnes of used cooking oil have been col-lected so far, with the target of 200 tonnes by the end of the competition.

The oil is from 13 participating schools, 10 residents

associations and Neighbourhood Watch groups, and 10 MBPJ departments.

The used oil is deposited into barrels provided by CGV Industries before being collected and sent to Sime Darby for processing into biodiesel.

In addition to the prizes, participants will be paid RM1.20 per litre of oil by CGV Industries.

“It is important that the public knows that used cooking oil can be recycled into environmentally friendly products like biodiesel, candles and soap,” said state executive coun-cillor Elizabeth Wong.

Wong, whose portfolio includes environment, urged the public to stop dumping used oil into drains and rivers.

She also hopes the campaign will stop the unscrupulous from buying used oil from residents at RM3 per litre, before mixing it with new cooking oil and selling it back to the public.

Wong hopes that other councils will follow in MBPJ’s footsteps by organising similar campaigns.

“My aim is to launch this campaign in the Subang Jaya Municipal Council and the Shah Alam City Council by the end of the year,” said Wong.

She also aims for the campaign to be carried out by all other local governments by the end of next year.

Recycle used cooking oil and win

KLANG: Getting illegal factories here to legalise their operations to help the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) generate revenue is among the aims of local councillor Ismail Arsat.

The three-term councillor says there are more than 350 such factories in the munici-pality.

“This revenue can be used to improve roads and other infrastructure projects,” he says.

The 58-year-old retiree points out that in 2008, the coun-cil’s debt amounted to RM30 million. Licensing illegal fac-tories is one of the measures taken to generate income.

MPK has since managed to pay off its debts and generate revenue totalling RM20 million by legalising just 30% of unlicensed factories.

Ismail is working to increase the number. Since his first term, Ismail has been organising dialogues

and visits to these factories to encourage operators to apply for licences.

His main focus is on illegal factories operating in Meru, Kapar and Telok Gong.

His other challenge is resolving problems facing residents in Kampung Raja Uda and Kampung Tradisi Pulau Indah.

“It was a shock when I first became a councillor. There were so many things to do for the two villages, but most of the villagers did not know where or how to complain,” he says.

During his first visit to the villages, he found that most drains were uncovered and blocked, potholes were a common sight on roads, and the grass was five to six feet tall.

“I’ve never seen such tall grass anywhere. Even a lorry can hide there and no one can see it,” Ismail quips.

He believes in uniting residents in these areas by organis-ing get-togethers and educating them on ways to keep the area clean.

He also engages the village children by having futsal tour-naments and other activities.

Ismail’s other priority is to push for a third bridge in Klang town.

“Two bridges are not enough to accommodate the 1.2 million residents here. We need at least four, but for now I will try to get the third one up first,” he says.

He reiterates that people from Shah Alam, Banting and the many trailers from North and West Port have to drive through the town to reach their destinations.

According to Ismail, the previous government had allo-cated a site behind Gold Coast Hotel for a bridge, but work was stopped in 2008. He hopes the state will look into con-tinuing the project.

Know your Councillor: Ismail Arsat

Receptacle for plastic bottles that will be recycled to raise funds for charity.

Demonstrators showing how used oil can be converted into soaps and candles.

SHAH ALAM: Books are being banned, while much information pertaining government activities are

considered official secrets.There are also controls over what the media can print and

air. Are these restrictions justified?To discuss this issue, the Bar Council Constitutional Law

Committee will host a public forum on Freedom of Information – Your Right To Know today.

The forum will be held at 8-10pm at the Bar Council Au-ditorium on Leboh Pasar, Kuala Lumpur.

Among the guest speakers are Members of Parliament Charles Santiago (Klang) and Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau), as well as Prof Abu Bakar Munir.

The session will be moderated by Masjaliza Hamzah of the Centre for Independent Journalism.

This forum is the first in a series of public discussion entitled MPs in Conversation, featuring MPs and commentators. It is conducted by the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee in collaboration with The Nut Graph, with the support of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Your right to know

11July 29 — 31, 2011

views

Tripping Zero 3 Sharyn Shufiyan

I’m the worst early riser, ever. But on that particular Saturday, I was actually looking forward to it. The plan was for us to gather

in front of SK Sentul Utama. Walking up to the school, I could see the field marshals wearing cute tentacles on their heads, checking in other enthusiasts and assigning them into groups.

People chattered all around me, excited for the big move, and the busy marshals were running back and forth, calling out to each other trying to prepare for the procession. The sun was beginning to burn and sweat trickled down my spine. I had my cap on and was dressed for the occasion. I was ready to do some heavy lifting.

A bright yellow-and-blue kampung house stood patiently as people swarmed around it. The first group positioned themselves around the wooden house, and it wobbled ominously as they hoisted it. Cheers boomed into the bright blue sky.

Accompanied by a band squad, the Mr Potato mascot and his little people led the angkat-rumah procession to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, where the house would find its spot for Urbanscapes, the creative arts festival that city folks look forward to fill their Saturday once a year.

That was Urbanscapes 2010. Four hundred people (or so it was reported, we were too oc-cupied lifting the bloody house to be counting!) carried the wooden structure for a kilometre or so. Passers-by ogled and awed at the sight. Some even came to join the parade.

We met obstacles along the way, but with some gotong-royong spirit, we managed to come through. It was an overwhelming expe-rience, and it truly felt communal. Nothing binds a group as much as a common cause.

The exhilarating feeling lasted throughout the festival, and till this day whenever I drive on Jalan Ipoh, I can’t help but reminisce on Projek Angkat Rumah.

This year’s Urbanscapes was held on July 16 at a larger venue, Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya. There were more vintage clothing, crafts and funky tee stalls set up, and girls with aw-fully sweet teeth selling fancy cupcakes (seems to be the trend now, huh?). It was a day out for urbanites; to chill, enjoy local music and of course shop!

The marketplace is always a treat to find quirky accessories and tidbits, and I always quip about not bringing enough cash. I didn’t mind the muddy grounds so much. It added value to the experience, like battle scars. It showed that you had a great time when you come out of something dirty and all pooped out. Outdoor festivals are always fun and ef-fervescent.

But somehow, I felt like some-thing was missing this year. Perhaps because the venue was spacious and the layout was horrendous; market-place stalls were cramped together along the running track, while food stalls and the arts and creative areas were spread out on the field that it felt disproportionate.

More importantly, Urbanscapes didn’t feel like it was a creative arts festival. For an event which branded itself as such, it fell a bit short of being creative. It is an ambitious feat; after all, creativity entitles you to have originality of thought and expression, which is not easy to do, especially if you’re working within certain restraints. So I couldn’t expect hot naked girls in body paint forming an organic art piece, could I?

But it’s a shame when something wacky and deviant is not encouraged because of corporate influences. And I think a large part of why our creativity is diluted and “safe” is because of the lack of independence from

external forces. It’s a pity that Urbanscapes

turned out to be just another out-door event. Klang Valley’s urban culture is still so young and grow-ing that we can learn from other established creative arts festivals. We often shy away from experi-mental methods that we get too comfortable with cookie-cutter interpretations of what creativity is. We could’ve learned from, say, Overture: South Bank Centre, a work by UK’s The Light Surgeons, or turn to light shows or projector exhibitions other than the typical concert at night. Or bring back Starlight cinema showcasing the works of local filmmakers.

Even the stage setup was boring. I’d love to have seen someone de-

c o n s tr u c t

t h e typical perfor-mance stage and build a platform in the middle of a pool a la Katy Perry’s press conferences (I’m sure some people would have appreciated a dip under the scorching sun), or create a flower bed where people could bring their own colourful umbrellas and prop them up to create a tapestry of colours. It would have been a nice setting for crooning musicians, I think, bringing the performer closer to the audience; that they sing to you, not for you.

The great thing about being a young cul-ture is that we’ve got examples to learn from to create something better. It’s all about de-constructing the norm and creating the new. We can and should be wacky and let our im-aginations run wild because we have so many talented people that we’re not maximising the talent pool to think outside the box and create something phenomenal.

Carrying a wooden house through down-town Kuala Lumpur was of epic proportions. It felt inclusive and the spirit of togetherness was just amazing. I wasn’t just one of the goers appreciating art and performances; I had contributed to a performance. Last year meant so much more.

To be fair, Urbanscapes fares substantially against other outdoor events that we have, and I would keep going and supporting ini-tiatives that feature local talents. But I hope that in time, we will continue to grow artisti-cally and creatively, pushing the boundaries and the conventional each time.

Picking on the right hemisphere

YouThologY Lee Lian Kong

Amy Winehouse was a soul singer from a town called Camden in England. Her powerful voice was first discovered by Simon Fuller, found critical acclaim in

her first album Frank and phenomenal worldwide success in her breakthrough album Back to Black. Her voice was de-scribed as the best Britain has heard in years. She catalysed the growth of future female British singer songwriters. With spunk and style so distinctive, Karl Lagerfeld called her his muse.

But Winehouse was young, talented and troubled. Last Saturday, on July 23, she died from what police believe to be a drug overdose, after her long battle with weight, alcohol and drug addiction.

This isn’t her story alone. It’s the story of troubled youths everywhere.

Our youth’s demographic does not entirely consist of well-to-do college kids sipping sangrias in La Bodega. Society forgets the children growing up in DBKL flats and ghettos. Our education system sidelines them by focusing only on As, not attributes. Our media demonises them with phrases like “sampah masyarakat” (scum of society) and “pembuat mak-siat” (sinners). Judgment is dished out as fast as a McDonald’s burger but understanding is always late, if it appears at all.

We mourn Winehouse’s death and failure to maximise her full potential. Imagine the potential of all the artists, musicians, writers and leaders among our troubled youths that we could have gained from but lost to substance abuse and death. Like it or not, our society is a merciless one.

Some overcome and become stronger, while others aren’t

as lucky or as steely. Their demons are bigger and scarier. And so they find a reprieve, expressing themselves through music and fashion. Some more destructively, in Ecstasy, pills, alco-hol, physical flagellation or suicide. Sometimes they find solace and peace.

Sometimes the happiness is only temporary, and so they spiral into addiction, like Winehouse did. ‘‘The more insecure I feel, the more I’d drink. The more insecure I feel, the bigger my hair has to be,” she’d said. The priority of any addict is to anaesthetise the pain of living to ease the passage of the day with some purchased relief.

Our merciless society has no place for addicts. Addiction is not treated as a disease for which we have to find a cure, but a crime for which we punish by putting them in jails, mental institutions or homes.

And we love it. Tabloids and gossip magazines fly off the shelves, feeding our daily dose for hypocrisy. Voyeurs that we are, we glorify scandals and horrors (remember Datuk Sosilawati?). Teoh Beng Hock is now a business where parties promote his t-shirts and the Royal Commission of Inquest’s report is being sold in bookstores nationwide.

A quick run through Tumblr, today’s social media most representative of young people aged 12 to 25, saw their sympathies and condolences. Some were cruel with their jokes, e.g. “The person who will miss Amy the most is her drug dealer”; “She brought it onto herself ”; “She had it com-ing”. Others called for privacy, for ending our obsession with gossip and for understanding addicts.

Which begs this question: if these young people are capable of such compassion and channelling it creatively and thus, effectively, why not our government and NGOs? Really, is it that hard to figure out how and where to help troubled youths?

Governments and NGOs are looking at all the wrong places and implementing all the outdated methods. It’s always too late. Where education could be used, it isn’t. Textbooks teach us how a nuclear reactor works but they don’t tell us how to use it responsibly. They show diagrams of a cigarette and the chemical composition of alcohol, but not how they are to be used as enjoyment, not dependence. They tell us the wordy definition of “kasih sayang” and make us memorise it, but don’t teach us that a relationship is born out of mutual respect.

None of the governments or NGOs are exploiting Face-book, Tumblr and the internet to keep up with today’s youths. Repeating the same methods is self defeating. It’s exasperating time and again to see one failed campaign after another. Either the governments/NGOs are doing this on purpose to give the illusion of a caring party, or they are really oblivious to it all.

Either way, save us your holier-than-thou attitude. Save shifting all the blame on youths, save your “sampah masyarakat” dogma, save us your alphabet soups, save us all your crackdowns and clampdowns, save us all your mockery.

Who are you fooling?

Lee Lian Kong will exploit her moronic beauty of youth for as long as she possibly can. She welcomes all feedback via [email protected].

Our merciless society

12 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011InsIght

By Gan Pei Ling

Most of us know that Kuala Lumpur, otherwise known as KL, was founded by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy as a mining town during the 19th century. But have you

ever stopped to wonder how KL, instead of older cities like Ipoh and Georgetown, ended up as our capital city? Also, how much do we know about the history of KL?

In order to satisfy its members’ inquisitive minds, Loyar-Burok invited talented writer and director Kam Raslan to conduct a historical tour of the heart of KL on July 17. Kam has been researching the city’s history for his second book and has conducted a few such tours previously.

Starting from the Sultan Abdul Samad building , his 90-minute tour would lead us to discover the forgotten stories and the remnants of the British Empire in the heart of the city.

While we stood beside the Klang River on Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan at the beginning of the tour, Kam told the 11 LoyarBurokkers present that KL was never des-tined to be the capital city of Malaya.

“Even when the notion of a possible independent coun-try started emerging, it was never written in stone that this place would be the capital. We could really be standing in Georgetown, Ipoh or Singapore right now.

“I’ve been trying to piece together how KL came to be the capital,” he told the audience, which comprised lawyers, journalists, students and activists.

The author of Confession of an Old Boy pointed out that

India through the building’s Indian Muslim architecture.

The rationale was that if the British could conquer a huge country like India, then no one would dare to even dream of challenging the imperial power.

“Not that anybody [in Malaya] had such an idea. We don’t have a history of rebellion. The history books may have mentioned a few examples, but actually those can be read as inter-Malay struggle, and usually the side that teamed up with the British won,” Kam quipped.

Post-Independence, the Sultan Abdul Sa-mad building was used to house the superior courts before the Federal Court and Court of Appeal were moved to Putrajaya and the High Court of Malaya to Jalan Duta a few years ago.

The historical building is now home to the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture.

While we stood beside it and looked across towards Merdeka Square, Kam recounted that St Mary’s Cathedral, located to the right of the field, was the spiritual centre of KL, while Selangor Golf Club situated behind the field was the social centre of KL where games and

similar to Selangor, Perak also had many tin mines, an older city and towns. So why was KL selected as the capital, instead of Ipoh?

Remnants of the British EmpireKam is still in the midst of researching, but

he believes that the striking architecture and philosophy behind the Sultan Abdul Samad building was one of the reasons KL was chosen.

The century-old building is now dwarfed by skyscrapers around KL, but when it was first built by the British in the 1890s, the 40m-high clock tower and its shiny copper dome must have looked quite awe-inspiring.

“Ipoh also has some fine buildings, but they only came later,” said Kam.

He revealed that the Sultan Abdul Samad building served a double purpose. Apart from housing important government departments during the British era, the colonisers also wanted to remind the locals that they owned

RediscoveR with Kam Ra

Bukit Aman is the only key image of the British Empire that lives on in KL today.

Kam describes Masjid Jamek as the prettiest building around the area.

Sin Sze Si Ya Temple was founded by Yap Ah Loy in 1864.

The current HSBC building was where Yap Ah Loy was said to have lived.

In Sin Sze Si Ya temple, photos of pioneers lin Yap Ah Loy is also seen among the statues of

fun activities were held.“The Sikh soldiers were so good

that they always won the games, so they ended up having separate games instead … But there was also a biscuit-eating competition, once won by a young Malay.

“I’m telling this story because the history books now try to create an impression that the Malays were in a constant state of rebellion against the British, but I would like to remember this Malay fellow because … he was happy enough to take part in the competition,” said Kam.

St Mary’s Cathedral and Se-langor Golf Club are no longer the spiritual or social centre of KL today.

“The only key image of the British Empire that still lives on in this area is Bukit Aman,” Kam said, pointing towards the police headquarters towering above Merdeka Square.

“It was where the police and army were, and it’s still where the [national] police [head-quarters] are today, reinforcing the image of control and mystery,” he said.

He explained that as the British were outnumbered, the colonisers had to rely on “smoke and mirrors” to maintain a psycho-logical advantage over the locals. The tower on Bukit Aman created an impression that the authorities were watching the people and knew more than they really did.

Another significant point raised by Kam was that the British settlements were inten-tionally separated from Chinatown by the Klang River.

“If anyone (rebels) were to cross the river, they would also have to cross the field (Merdeka Square) and the troops would have a clear field to shoot. Worst comes to worst, the British could retreat into Bukit Aman,” Kam said.

He added that there used to be a gun at the top of the hill on Bukit Aman. It would be fired loudly every hour to intimidate the locals and remind them of Britain’s military power.

Young migrants: Past and presentMoving on to Medan Pasar, we stopped in

front of United Overseas Bank. Many young Bangladeshis, Nepalese and other nationali-ties could be seen hanging around the street.

One could imagine around a century ago, young men from China were hanging around in the same spots after work.

“It’s essentially the same; they were here in search of a better life,” said Kam. But, he added, the Chinese men were mostly treated as slaves at that time.

The employer, or Kapitan, would pay for the workers’ trip from China to Malaya. As a result, the workers were already in debt before they started work.

To add insult to injury, the workers were only paid every six months or a year, so they would have to buy everything – food, opium amd other stuff – on credit for the year.

“In the end, the workers would usually discover that they owed more money to the Kapitan than they had earned that year, so they were trapped in this cycle and were es-sentially slaves,” Kam recounted.

The system was only abolished when the British Empire enforced a law to ban slavery throughout its colonies.

Across Leboh Pasar Besar is HSBC Bank,

the site where the founder of KL, Kapitan Yap Ah Loy, used to stay.

“During the civil war, I heard Yap Ah Loy set up a table outside his house and offered a silver dollar for each head of his enemies …But after awhile, they dis-covered that the same head kept turning up, so they abandoned the practice,” he said in jest.

Every river system was control le d by a Malay leader who would team up with a Chinese leader to exploit tin. During the Selangor Civil War in the 19th century, one Malay-Chinese gang would fight

with another Malay-Chinese group to wrest control of the rivers and tin mines.

Our last stop was the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple on Jalan Tun HS Lee. Founded by Yap Ah Loy in 1864, the temple was built to com-memorate Yap’s former employer, Kapitan Shin Kap.

According to legend, Kapitan Shin’s blood was white when he was beheaded, so the Chinese began to worship him.

One of the oldest temples in KL, Sin Sze Si Ya was once very popular. It used to hold processions through the streets during religious festivals but no longer does these days.

“We’ve forgotten our river”

Earl ier on at the beginning of our tour at the Sultan Abdul Samad building , we also saw Masjid Jamek across the river.

“It was built by the British for the Selangor Sultan because the Brit-ish wanted to maintain

the impression that they were [merely] gov-erning the state on behalf of the Malay ruler,” Kam said.

Kam described the mosque, located at the point where the Klang and Gombak River converge, as the “prettiest” building around the area.

Constructed in the early 1900s, Masjid Jamek sits on a cemetery and was the city’s main mosque before Masjid Negara came along.

Before the river embankments were built, Kam said the river used to lap around the bottom of the steps of the entrance to the mosque.

“In fact, there used to be sloping grass along the riverside that stretched all the way down the river. It was beautiful, but now we’ve pretty much forgotten about our river, treating it as a sewerage,” he lamented.

The Central Market, situated further down the river, has always been the market.

Believe it or not, Kam was told that Yap Ah Loy used to post men with guns to shoot crocodiles when animals were being trans-ferred ashore from boats as the predators used to roam the river. But he has yet to find out when the last crocodile was sighted.

We would definitely appreciate our coun-try’s complex and unique history better if only our history lessons were taught during walks like these, involving the narratives of the past and present.

ing KL asLan

Kam (right): The Selangor Golf Club behind the Merdeka Square used to be the town’s social centre during the British colonial period.

Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad has the grandest architecture in KL. ne the wall, while a statue of f other deities.

Convergence of Sg Klang and Sg Gombak.

14 July 29 — 31, 2011

views

By Marcus van Geyzel

As the news filtered in last week that the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Teoh Beng Hock (RCI) had issued its

findings, the conclusions seemed straightforward enough.

The RCI had concluded that Teoh had been driven to commit suicide due to interrogation by three Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) officers in a manner that was “aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous”.

The newspaper reports of the findings were sim-ple – after considering the evidence (70 witnesses, 750 pages of written submission, 19,200 pages of written testimonies, and 256 exhibits) before them.

If I had stopped at reading those reports, the RCI findings would have finally cleared up the mystery. But I did not stop at reading these con-venient summaries.

Blatant deceptionAfter downloading the RCI report and discussing

it with people who followed the case closely, things were not as simple as they seemed. It is not an exag-geration to say that the conclusion that Teoh had committed suicide is in fact blatantly deceiving.

The RCI, to its credit, adopted a purposeful and unflinching attitude when it came to the extraction of information at its hearings. During the course of proceedings, the media played its part in highlight-ing important issues and inconsistencies in the MACC’s version of events.

Why, then, did the RCI commit unforgivable errors of fact, and further decided not to take into account or appreciate the “killer points”? Consider these 10 points for yourself:

1. Time of deathThe Commission held that Teoh’s death occurred

from 7.15 to 11.15am on July 16, 2009, relying on the evidence of Dr NS Prashant and Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim. Estimating time of death is not an exact science, but Dr Khairul said the time could be narrowed down to as early as 6.30 to 7am. In fact, the MACC’s expert, Dr Peter Vanezis, said it could have been as early as 11pm to 12am on July 15.

Why did the Commission then say the earliest time of death was to have been 7.15am? Was it to “match” its theory that Teoh was driven to suicide after the fourth interrogation ses-sion after Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim and investigating officer Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus had left the MACC building?

2. Raymond’s evidence as to the sighting of Teoh at 6am

The Commission rejected MACC officer Raymond Nion’s evidence that he saw Teoh at 6am:

With the rejection of Raymond’s evidence, it must follow that there is little to suggest consistency with the time of death between 7.15 and 11.15am, as the Commission itself points out in the paragraph above.

Without any further record of Teoh’s movements after 6am, how could the Commission then reject Raymond’s evidence and yet say Teoh died after 6am?

3. The death window, and avoidance of it from 3.30am onwards

The Commission held that there was a fourth interrogation session of Teoh after about 3.30am. The interrogation was conducted by Hishamuddin, Mohd Anuar Ismail and Ashraf.

What the Commission failed to do was to buttress this finding by also holding that every MACC officer, for the strangest of reasons, “avoided” the window from which Teoh fell from 3.30am onwards. For example, one officer whose room was near the window said he crammed into and slept with another officer in the latter’s room that was far away from the window.

The Commission failed to hold that pursuant to the fourth interrogation, Teoh was brought to the window for whatever that might have taken place there that led to him falling, by design or accident, out of it. Otherwise, why would everyone distance themselves from the window in the wee hours of July 16?

4. Cause of death: the fourth interrogation sessionOn the evidence of the

MACC, Hishamuddin left the building at about 6.15am (and returned at about 7.55am); Anuar was sleeping throughout until 8.30am, and Ashraf left at about 5am. If so, then surely Teoh would have been free to go by 5am when Ashraf left, or 6.15am when Hishamuddin left. Would any person who was finally relieved and free to leave the building exit via the window in a sudden act of suicide, or walk out to his car and drive home? The Commission does not deal with this but assumes that after the fourth interroga-tion, Teoh suddenly gives up

and jumps.Surely if the Commission held the view, as it had

done in this case, that the fourth interrogation oc-curred, something must have happened to Teoh directly caused by his interrogators for him to have fallen either by design or accident, i.e. it was murder or homicide, and not suicide whether driven or voluntary. The time of death of about 6.30 to 7am (allowing for a small margin of error) corroborates this argument because the Bar had pointed Hisha-muddin as the main culprit, and he left the building at 6.15am without stamping his punch card.

5. Role of Zulkefly AzizOn July 15, a MACC Klang officer by the name

of Zulkefly Aziz was one of those specially called in by Hishamuddin to assist in the 52/2009 operation. Zulkefly is Hishamuddin’s junior in the MACC.

At about 9.45 to 10pm, Zulkefly, along with two others, brought Tan Boon Wah back to the MACC Selangor office. Zulkefly then returned to his MACC Klang office at about 10.15pm to collect his car, and drove to the MACC Selangor office. He reached at 11pm and went to sleep at the surau. (One wonders why Zulkefly went back to the office only to go to sleep.)

At about 3.15am on July 16, Zulkefly woke up only to go to another surau on the 13th floor to change his trousers, and stayed there. In his earlier statement to the police (taken shortly after Teoh’s body was found), Zulkefly said he had gone home at about 3.15am. Zulkefly had to change his story before the Commission because the Bar revealed CCTV footage showing Zulkefly only leaving the MACC Selangor office at 7am.

So what was Zulkefly actually doing from about 3.15 to 7am on the 16th? Why did he lie to the police that he went home by 3.15am? And notice that key suspects Ashraf left the building at 5am, followed by Hishamuddin at 6.15am, and finally, Zulkefly at 7am.

6. Time the MACC knew of Teoh’s death: Zulkefly Aziz

The significance of Zulkefly’s role in the puzzle is much clearer after he left the MACC Selangor office at 7am. On oath, he testified that he went back to his office, stamped his punch card and immediately returned home. He did not return to work the whole of the 16th. To date, Zulkefly has not ex-plained why he did not work that day.

The MACC official line is that Teoh’s body was only found at about 1.35pm on July 16. But the evidence presented at the RCI showed that MACC officers – namely, Azhar, Amin, and Fauzi Shadollah – had already been speaking about Teoh’s death before or at about 1pm! How could officers at the MACC Klang office be talking about a death in another office miles away even before Teoh’s body had been found?

The answer lies here. Amin in particular said that at about 12.45pm, he overhead a group of officers at the MACC Klang office talking about Teoh’s death. He said that the information about Teoh’s death came from a MACC Klang officer who was at the MACC Selangor office on the morning of July 16,

More questions raised from

If this was true, then TBH must have committed suicide after 6am on the 16th. This would fit into the estimated time of death of TBH, which was between 7.15am and 11.15am on the 16th, as determined by the forensic pathologists. However, despite this, we entertained grave reservations over Raymond’s evidence.”

15July 29 — 31, 2011

views

RCI verdict

and returned to the MACC Klang office that morning. Zulke-fly is as described. By 7am, he already knew that Teoh fell from the window and died.

Why did the MACC hide the fact they knew of Teoh’s death by 7am? The Commission failed to appreciate and deal with this crucial area that nails the MACC coffin of its sui-cide story.

7. The MACC cover-up started by 7 to 8.30am: Anuar and Hairul

Lee Wye Wing testified that between 7 and 8.30am, he went to Sachi’s room at the MACC Selangor office to ask for his handphone and if he could return home. Sachi was asleep. Wye Wing then proceeded to Hairul’s room to ask the same of him. He saw both Anuar and Hairul in discussion over a computer. But Anuar at all times at the hearings said he was sleeping at the particular time.

If one accepts that Zulkefly already knew of Teoh’s death at as early as am and Anuar was part of the fourth interroga-tion, coupled by Anuar having to lie that he was sleeping at that time, the only available inference to be drawn is that Anuar and Hairul were discussing Teoh’s death between 7 and 8.30am.

8. The MACC cover-up blownThe Commission disappointingly failed to act on the clear

instances of cover-up by the MACC of Teoh’s death alluded to by MACC officers’ own testimonies.

Among others, evidence elicited at the RCI hearings showed how the MACC and AG top brass had meetings to “streamline” the statements of MACC officers and “coach” them, to build a wall of silence (i.e. not to freely offer informa-tion and not to reveal too much), and to distance Hishamud-din from the 52/2009 operation. The extent of the cover-up initiated by the MACC even had its own officers, namely Azian and Azeem, expressing their unhappiness and uneasiness at the state of affairs.

Why did the MACC plan this elaborate cover-up?

9. Misadventure not exploredThe Bar’s alternative theory of misadventure by accident

finds support in Dr Vanezis’ testimony who said:

• that he could not rule out that Teoh was held by a neck hold with the forearm.

• that such a neck hold may not show bruising.• that one could be restrained without having obvious

marks on the body.• that without marks found on the window, one could

exclude the possibility that Teoh climbed out the window himself.

The Commission failed to consider that Teoh may have been asked to and/or helped onto the ledge of the window as a means to threaten him into confessing during the fourth session. Held by a neck hold, an accident occurred which led to his death. DNA evidence of an unknown person was found subsequently.

10. Positive factors to live “transformed” into negative factors to die

It does not take a rocket scientist to surmise that Teoh had everything going for him in terms of his personal life – a baby was on the way, he was getting married, he was planning to leave his job to move back to Malacca and spend more time

with his family, he had no history of mental illness, he was of strong character, organised and had a good relation-ship with his employer and friends, etc. In rela-tion to the 52/2009 op-eration, he as a seasoned political activist was pre-pared to be investigated, and had by then also in-formed his colleagues to be ready with documents. The positive list in favour of Teoh goes on.

Mullen unequivocally said that suicide is a rare cause of death and Malaysia has a particularly low rate, being one of few countries w h er e th e rate is lower than that of homicide. His opinion was that Teoh was firmly in the lowest-risk group, where the chances of sui-cide are extremely small. How the RCI construed to pick and choose Mullen’s report to fit its pre-judgment theory of “driven suicide” is most unprofessional. Even Badi’ah and Nor Hayati’s report showed how hard-pressed they were to conjure up reasons for Teoh to commit suicide without implicating the MACC.

I leave you to decide if the RCI deliberately or by design chose to ignore the 10 points above.

The big question – murder or suicide?MACC argued that it was “voluntary suicide”. The Bar

argued that it was murder, or at least homicide not amounting to murder, by causing Teoh’s death by misadventure during the interrogation.

Looking at the conclusions of the RCI summarised in the previous section, the RCI had completely rejected the version of events given by the MACC’s key personnel regarding what happened on the evening of July 15 and the wee hours of July 16, 2009. The MACC’s defence of “voluntary suicide” – which had rested on the testimonies of its officers – was therefore completely demolished.

Neither the MACC nor the Bar at any time pursued the “driven suicide” theory.

Cue the findings of the RCI then – driven suicide. The RCI somehow concluded that Teoh had committed suicide, having been driven to do so by the intense interrogation tactics em-ployed by the MACC’s officers. As I mentioned, the MACC did not run the “driven suicide” theory during the RCI pro-ceedings. The MACC must be as baffled as the Bar and any reasonable person as to how the RCI managed to come up with that conclusion.

The applicable standard of proof in these RCI proceedings is on a balance of probabilities tilting towards beyond reason-able doubt. Looking at how the RCI had rejected the MACC’s version of events, it should have had no other option other than to adopt the Bar’s contention of murder, or homicide not amounting to murder. The MACC’s evidence was demolished,

and there was therefore no evidence – absolutely none – to support a finding of any kind of suicide.

What happened?The purpose of the RCI was to reveal

the truth. Looking at the chronology of events, the findings of fact made along the way, and the sudden and inexplicable conclusion, it is obvious that it has failed to reveal the truth behind the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

I am in shock. The five Commis-sioners are respected experts in their fields, and are held in high regard. There seems to be no reason to doubt their integrity. The way the report was written points to only one logi-cal conclusion – murder, or at the

very least culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

But suddenly, without any basis, without any evidence (and in fact with evidence pointing to the contrary), the RCI turns all its key findings on its head with one fanciful and speculative paragraph.

Here is the relevant paragraph:

Malaysia is going through some interesting times. Our ju-diciary is failing us. Our government is failing us. Our politi-cians and leaders are failing us. Our police force is failing us. So many of our institutions are failing us. With their finding of “driven suicide”, the RCI has most certainly failed us. It was supposed to reveal the truth, but instead has thrown up even more deception and doubt.

Marcus van Geyzel is a corporate solicitor in Kuala Lumpur who tweets as @vangeyzel. His interests are varied, but he has a penchant for debates about culture, politics, football, and the idiosyncrasies of human interaction.

For the full article, go tohttp://www.loyarburok.com/2011/07/25/teohbenghock-rci-a-sham-that-deceived-malaysia/

Tormented by this predicament, TBH experienced a change in his state of mind. And in a matter of hours, this change transformed him from being in the low-risk group for suicide into the high-risk group. The doubts, extreme emotional conflict and the immense feeling of guilt were all intolerable. Finally, precipitating the irreversible crisis that happened to him between 3.30am and 7am on the 16th, was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Finding no viable strategies to surmount the hurdle of accusations leveled, he found himself unable to escape from the suffocating quagmire in which he was trapped. Losing all hope, TBH would have felt trapped and have succumbed to despair. Since the window on the 14th floor was either open or could be easily opened and it was conspicuous and easily accessible near where he was on the sofa outside Nadzri’s room, TBH would have found that the only way for escape from the torment he was undergoing was by jumping out the window, even though it meant taking his own life.”

16 JULy 29 — 31, 2011

NEWS

Devotees light candles at St Anne’s Church on Tuesday.

By Alvin Yap

KLANG: Pilgrims and families returned to the church where the annual St Anne’s Feast is celebrated, but this year’s celebration holds extra meaning as the church turned 50.

The Feast is being celebrated as part of the church’s Golden Jubilee, as St Anne’s Church in Port Klang was opened in 1961.

A novena on Tuesday night saw 500 parishioners and pilgrims from all corners of the country joining in the event, which is part of a week-long celebration honouring the maternal grandmother of Jesus Christ.

Victor Francis Kupusammy and his family of four drove from Beserah in Pahang on Tuesday morning to join his siblings for the special Mass.

“This is the parish where my two brothers and sister [and I] grew up. Every year, I always take leave around this time to come back to Port Klang for the Feast,” said the 57-year-old shipping clerk.

“The church teaches us about tradition, and this is our own family tradition to honour our lady (St Anne) and the church,” Victor said.

When asked how his family celebrates the Feast day at home, Victor said his family members recite thanksgiv-ing prayers around an altar lit by candles.

During the mass, parish priest Rev Father Lawrence Andrew SJ pointed out that the celebrations this year were made all the more special as the congregation had “multiplied” since its founding 50 years ago.

St Anne’s church began operations when the area was called Port Swettenham.

Customs officer Ann Marie Dass said the celebrations were meaningful for the tightly knit community of In-

dian, Malay and Chinese here in Port Klang.“Society needs grace between all ethnic communities

to weather bad and good, as we’re all Malaysians,” she said.

The 47-year-old civil servant pointed out that St Anne’s – which also serves as a community centre – is open to youths regardless of ethnicity. Ann Marie said the parish, being in the middle of a housing scheme, was called to be people-centric in its interaction with the community.

St Anne’s runs the Parish Human Integral Develop-ment Council, which has ministry of the poor, educare, migrant ministry, women’s charter, kindergarten and fertility awareness services.

A Filipino domestic worker who wished to be known only as Jacinto had asked her employer for a two-day leave. She hopped on a bus from Johor Baru on Monday night for this pilgrimage to St Anne’s.

Jacinto, 36, came from Manila four years ago to work for a Chinese household in Masai.

“It’s a pilgrimage because I was born into a Catholic family but never really celebrated the Feast,” the pint-sized woman said.

She pointed out that she was attending the mass in honour of St Anne for the first time, but rued that she could not stay for the entire week.

“I’ve to go back to Johor soon and can’t stay the whole week,” she said.

St Anne’s will be having a Healing Mass tonight at 7.30pm.

The Jubilee Day main celebration service will be held tomorrow ( July 30) at 6.30pm. It will include Mass, procession and benediction. For details, call 03-31688530 or visit www.stanneportklang.com.

Feast draws devotees to Klang

BANDAR BARU SALAK TINGGIBANDAR BARU SALAK TINGGI

PERMODALAN NEGERI SELANGOR BERHADTingkat 25, Wisma MBSA, Persiaran Perbandaran, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor. Tel: 03-5510 7105 / 7233 / 7234 Faks: 03-5510 7232

www.pnsb.com.my Tel: 03-5510 7105 / 7233 / 7234

Pusat Perniagaan

HARGA DARIRM600,000.00

Untuk Keterangan Lanjut Sila Hubungi Cik Shereen

45 Minit dari Pusat Bandar Kuala Lumpur20 Minit dari KLIA15 Minit dari Cyberjaya/Putrajaya10 Minit dari Bandar Nilai10 Minit dari SerembanBerdekatan Litar Sepang F1 Berdekatan Kolej MIAT

KEDAI PEJABAT 4 & 5 TINGKAT UNTUK DIJUAL/SEWA

PETALING JAYA

KUALA LUMPUR

SHAH ALAM

KLANG

PUCHONGUSJ

SERDANG KAJANG

CYBER AYAPUTRAJAYA BANGI

NILAI

TO SEREMBAN

DENGKIL

BANDAR BARUSALAK TINGGI

Pusat Perniagaan

SUBANG JAYA

17JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

food

Fusion fare in Taipan USJ

By Basil Foo

N aili ’s Place, named after the proprietor ’s daughter, serves up a fusion of Western and local cuisine in a relaxed seaside atmosphere.

Their outlet in Taipan looks like a beach restaurant with palm trees and surfboards, while the inside is divided into indoors and verandah seating.

Naili, which means “achievement” in Arabic, looked very much like a haunt for regulars as it was packed with diners who kept the waiters on their toes, even at 9pm.

Service was quick and friendly, with the wave of a hand and a quick glance at the menu confirming our suspicions about this being another self-styled fusion café.

Lush and romantic décor aside, the dishes were typi-cal of food courts across the Klang valley, with your chops on one side and fried rice on another.

From the eastern and local fa-vourites portion of the menu, we ordered a dish of Butter Prawns (RM25) and the Temasik Rice Spe-cial (RM13.90).

We unanimously agreed that the prawns could have been larger, but

the thick and savoury butter sauce was enough to win over our taste-buds.

The rice came with fried chicken, beef rendang, and sambal prawn, the latter being a letdown as it was merely prawns placed onto sambal

and not cooked together.The beef rendang stood out from

the rest, with tender cutlets bathed in rendang chili paste, providing an especially good combination with the garlic butter rice.

While considered more expensive than the usual casual dining outlets,

Naili’s Place probably owes its high customer turnout to its beach theme and laidback atmosphere.

Our overall dining experience for the night was a pleasant one, but it would still require more trips to the restaurant to unearth more afford-able culinary delights.

We ordered the Black Pepper Steak (RM25.90) after being won over by its menu description of grilled sirloin imported from New Zealand.

It received mixed reviews from our table of three. Some appreciated the delicious black pepper sauce, while others disliked the slightly tough texture of the meat.

While no option of having the steak medium rare or well done was offered to us, we still concluded its quality was better than most as it came meaty without many tendons or fat.

It also came with coleslaw and a generous helping of potato wedges to sate our hunger.

The Fish & Chips (RM18.90), labelled as golden deep fried fish fillets, in fact came as only one big chunk of fried fish fillet.

Despite the ambiguous descrip-tion, the dish was tasty and fulfill-ing; its fillet was encrusted in suffi-cient batter, which broke apart in a satisfying crunch.

Butter Prawns.

Temasik Rice Special.

The verandah seating at Naili’s remains packed past dinnertime.

A signpost showing the directions to well-known beaches.

Black Pepper Steak.Fish & Chips.

18 JULY 29 — 31, 2011

travel

The last week of July leading into the fasting month of Ramadan is a busy time at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex. The Aidilfitri Craft Promotion,

which started on July 21 and ends on July 29, showcases local handicraft, traditional cakes and cookies, metal prod-ucts and cultural performances.

Last year’s craft promotion was such a big success that the KL Craft Complex decided to hold this event again. This year’s promotion features more than 200 participants from all over the country, including master craftspersons from Sabah and Sarawak.

In conjunction with the Aidilfitri Promotion, there is also the Metal Craft Heritage Exhibition held on the first floor of the Craft Museum, where more than 50 metal-art craftspersons are displaying their works in various forms. These include brass bowls, trays and other utensils, either for decoration or for utility purposes.

For such an exhibition, the bladesmiths or knifemakers are out in full force. On display and also for sale are hun-dreds of keris, golok, parang and other beautifully engraved sheaths and hilts.

Traders from Sabah and Sarawak have made a beeline for this crafts promotion by exhibiting some of their finest blades with carvings that are rarely seen in the Peninsula.

Mat Ariffin Ibrahim, from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, has re-turned to KL to exhibit metal products like golok, badik and keris. He was present at the National Craft Day in March with a generous display of his works.

Mat has a factory back home, where he employs a num-ber of workers to hand-forge some of the sturdiest golok

ever seen in the west coast of the Peninsula.

A true Kelantanese with a jovial personality, Mat has brought about 30kg of buah salak from his own garden to distribute to his friends at the exhibition, including me. The salak fruit, when ripened on the tree, has a distinct sweet taste that rivals most imported fruits. I am astounded by its sweetness and freshness.

In another corner of the complex are cooking demonstrations of tradi-tional Malay cookies. Of particular interest to me is kuih loyang (honey-comb cracker), which is one of my personal favourites.

A woman of regal composure from Sungai Petani discloses that her skill in making kuih loyang came from a Thai woman who had written the recipe in her own native language. She has had the recipe translated, of course.

From her demonstration with a special mould for shaping the cookie in a wok filled with boiling oil, the process looks quite straightforward. But only a loyang virtuoso can make it look so deceptively simple. I marvel at the magic of the dough transforming into a flower-shaped cracker in a matter of seconds.

The friendly Kedahan tells me the secret is actually in the dough. Dipping the mould in the hot oil is just the final step of a long process.

At her stall, she has already made a number of honey-comb crackers in different colours. A couple of free samples later, I am totally convinced that the art of making kuih loyang is not only alive but is also thriving in the capable hands of a woman who has spent decades perfecting her admirable cooking skill.

A few steps away is a stall making kuih bahulu. This Malay cookie is particularly popular during Hari Raya, when it is offered as dessert for guests during the Malay open house.

Under the shade of the outdoor tent where traditional cooking demonstrations are taking place, two women are quietly turning tiny white “discs” into putu piring.

If there is anything that is easy to digest after a satisfying

Splendour of Aidilfitriarts and craftThe rich heritage of Malaysia is expressed through the beautiful artworks that are currently on display at the KL Craft Complex. LIN ZHENYUAN takes to heart all that are small, wonderful and meticulously crafted

Poster welcoming guests and visitors to the Metal Craft Heritage Exhibition at the Craft Museum.

The Kedah woman who deftly turns a lump of dough into a beautiful honeycomb cracker or kuih loyang.

Traditional cooking demonstrations are held in this tent.

Kuih bahulu is made and sold by women who have a long acquaintance with this traditional food.

Aluminium apparatus where putu piring is mass produced.

19JULy 29 — 31, 2011

travel

Have you cHecked your electrical switcHes before leaving Home?

Ibu pejabat polIs Daerah subang jayaTel: 03-5637 3722 Fax: 03-5631 9815

Take 5 minutes to fill this form up and drop it off at the nearest police station to have regular checks at your house while you are away.

Borang maklumaT Memaklumkan tentang meningalkan rumah kediaman untuk bercuti.

Kepada Kawasan pentadbiran balai polis

..............................................................................................

BuTiran penduduk:

nama: ..................................................................................

alamat: .................................................................................

..............................................................................................

..............................................................................................

nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ........................................

nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ................................

..............................................................................................

tarikh meninggalkan rumah: ................................................

tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ...........................................

Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar kenderaan).

1. ..........................................................................................

2. ..........................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................

lain-lain maklumat:

..............................................................................................

✂

...............................................tandatangan

.......................................tarikh

Before leaving your home for a holiday, have you checked all your electrical switches and turned off your gas tanks?

Call the SS17 BomBa for advise at

03-5634 9444

meal, it is putu piring , which is also known as steamed cake with palm sugar filling.

Inverted aluminium cones are used in mass pro-duction of putu piring. Sold in a set of four pieces for RM2, this steamed cake is produced in a matter of minutes when steam rises from underneath to mature the combined ingredients into little cakes.

These cakes are then wrapped in pieces of banana leaf, ready to be sold and gobbled up in a matter of seconds. You really need about four or five to derive culinary satisfaction from putu piring.

The Aidilfitri Promotion is an eye-opener for members of the public who are unfamiliar with the different processes of making art objects and tradi-tional Malay cakes and cookies.

As with most live demonstrations, one gets to try free samples from stalls that sell their fresh edibles to guests and visitors, local or foreign.

Even the humble wooden coconut grater is on display to reveal how womenfolk in villages extract shavings from coconuts to make santan or coconut milk for their curries and other dishes.

In my early years before the process of extracting coconut shavings became automated, I used to help my mother with the coconut grater. It was simple, and one didn’t have to leave the house to buy a packet of this item from the kedai runcit to make coconut milk.

Children and adults who are long-time residents of big cities should make it a point to spend some time at exhibitions like the Aidilfitri Promotion.

It is a learning experience to walk through the corridors and halls of the KL Craft Complex. One can never discount the value and privilege of knowing more about the various cultural and traditional arts that still exist in this country.

A cultural performance of keroncong and dondang sayang music.

Colourful ceramic pendants of various designs for those who truly appreciate homegrown art.

Shiny brass candlestands and containers all handcrafted by some of the country’s oldest and finest coppersmiths.

20 JULy 29 — 31, 2011

FICTION/MEDIA

Fiction by Fadzlishah Johanabas

He looks distant today, she thought. Distant but calm, which was a good sign. She watched him as he kept his head down studying his thumbs as they rubbed against

one another. His serious demeanor made him look all the more like her dead husband, may his soul rest in peace. She reached out for him, her hand hesitant and shaking.

He pulled away. Her heart broke with his rejection. She wanted to cry, but

not here, not in this hospital surrounded by strangers. Not in front of her own son, who saw her as a stranger.

“Razifi, remember what today is?” She was almost cooing in her attempt to not scare him.

Silence. “It’s your birthday, Sayang. You turn thirty today.” Small rocking movements, but more silence. “Look what I’ve brought you,” she said, taking out a large

square album from her bag. She ran her hand across the worn plastic surface. The pastel flower prints were dull, and the edges were blunt. She opened the album, wincing at the slurp-ing sound as the plastic covering on the hardboard pages

parted. She stopped at the picture she loved the most, of her son, newly turned nine, with his arm slung across

her husband’s shoulder. Even their grins were identi-cal. They had cake topping smeared on their faces.

They looked like the world belonged to them. It was a perfect moment. A fat drop of tear splashed onto the clear plastic surface.

She wiped both eyes before more tears could come. She held the album within her son’s sight. At first he kept his stare onto the floor beyond the album, but after a few moments, he pointed at his picture.

“Razifi,” he said. She felt her heart skipping a beat. “Yes, Sayang. That’s you.

Do you remember who this is?” She pointed at her husband’s picture.

His lips parted, but he did not answer her. “Please, try to remember. Please.” Without warning, Razifi roared and slapped the album off

her hands. He lurched toward her but the attendants were faster. It took two burly men to restrain him. She saw his eyes, his wide, unrecognizing eyes. She was

horrified, not because of his sudden outburst, or the danger she was in. She was horrified because she shrank away. What kind of mother was she, afraid of her own son?

She stayed glued to her seat as the attendants dragged her trashing son away. She let the tears flow freely. She didn’t care anymore. He was her only family left; she was a stranger to him.

“Puan Faridah,” came a voice from her left. She kept her eyes on the still-swinging door. “Puan Faridah, I am sorry about the outburst.”

She looked at the man standing a few feet away from her. Belatedly she recognised the middle-aged man with receding

hairline as her son’s attending psychiatrist, Doctor Bala. “No,” she whispered. “It’s my fault. I was trying to force him

to remember.” “Don’t be too harsh on yourself.” He bent to pick up the

album. “May I hold on to this? I’ll show it to your son once he’s calmer.

She nodded, but she dared not hope.

THAT night, when Razifi had finally settled down, Doctor Bala showed him the album. He leafed through the pages with deliberate slowness. Razifi rocked in his chair but seemed to not notice his surroundings. The doctor persisted.

Razifi showed sudden reaction again, but this time he thumped his finger on the same picture his mother had showed him earlier.

“Razifi.” “Yes. Razifi. That’s you.” A long pause. “Abah,” he added. Father.

FARIDAH had just finished washing the dishes when she received a phone call.

“Puan Faridah, this is Doctor Bala speaking.” “Yes?” “It’s your son.” “What’s wrong?” “He remembers his father.” She knew the receiver slipped off her hand. She heard

the muted voice of the doctor. But she wasn’t paying at-tention.

Thirty years ago, God gave her a son. That night, God gave him back.

She felt the seeds of hope taking root in her heart.

The Seeds of Hope

By Basil Foo

KUALA LUMPUR: Ton Ka Choon has won the first Malaysian-made lithi-um-powered bike after purchasing over RM100 in a single receipt and winning Metrojaya’s Go Green contest.

“I am happy to have won the motor-cycle. We took about 15 minutes just sitting at The Curve’s Metrojaya cus-tomer service counter and thinking of the slogan,” said the 30-year-old engineer.

His slogan about wanting the electric motorcycle to conserve the environment for future generations was made more meaningful by the presence of his one-year-old daughter at the prize presenta-tion on Tuesday.

Ton also received a surprise gift from Metrojaya executive director Pel Loh: a two-year Metrojaya card membership with preloaded 200 points.

“Shopping with us will always be full of surprises,” said Loh.

Loh said they had received over-whelming response to the contest from customers at their six department stores

in East and West Malaysia.Loh, who spoke during the prize-

giving ceremony at Metrojaya Mid Val-ley Megamall, said the Go Green nature conservation campaign was launched on May 5.

The campaign was to express Metro-jaya’s support for the government’s ef-forts in promoting green technology.

Also at the event were Ministry of Energy Green Technology Sector senior undersecretary Mohd Rosli Abdullah and Eclimo director Woo Kok Boon.

Woo spoke at length about the elec-tric motorcycle manufacturers’ environ-mentally-friendly undertaking.

“The motorcycle has obtained quali-fication from Germany and we expect its registration for Malaysian roads in the coming weeks,” he said.

The Eclimo electric motorcycle has a top performance of 110km/h, but has been programmed to only hit 80km/h for safety reasons.

Its range is 100km for a standard battery-charge session, which lasts three hours.

Engineer wins nation’s first electric bike

Ton (third right) receiving a mock key from Mohd Rosli and Loh while Woo (left) looks on. With him are his wife Gan Hong Hoon and year-old daughter Jeun Lyng.

SHAH ALAM: New Zealand has emerged as the new education hub for countries whose education systems share similar traits with the British system.

Besides quality and affordability, their edu-cational system is also based on the British sys-tem, so qualifications gained in New Zealand are recognised and transferable around the world.

It offers a safe and regulated learning envi-ronment, which provides excellent study op-portunities and pastoral support to interna-tional students.

For students looking to expand their educa-tion horizons at an earlier stage, schools or foundation studies are an excellent option that can lead seamlessly through to high-end under-graduate and other tertiary studies.

Alternatively, students seeking a more practi-cal, vocational training that equips them for advanced employment in the likes of service and health industries will find top-class internation-ally recognised courses and qualifications avail-able to them.

A wide range of courses are available in aca-demic, professional and vocational studies at universities, polytechnics and institutes of tech-nology, colleges of education (teacher training), private education providers and secondary schools.

International students can earn qualifications ranging from certificates and diplomas to un-dergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Most of New Zealand’s universities perform well in international rankings, so whichever institution students choose, they will get a qual-ity education.

Also, the government uses the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to monitor the quality of programmes across a wide range of providers.

Standards are high at every type of institu-tion.

Many Malaysians decide to study overseas to get a high-quality education in an English-speaking country. New Zealand offers that op-portunity, and a lot more.

Students who spend time in New Zealand often find that their experiences outside of school are just as rewarding as what they learn in the classroom.

You can find out what courses and degrees are offered by by visiting www.nzeducated.com/myfair or talking to representatives at New Zealand education fairs.

The fees and living costs for international students are less expensive than with those in Australia, US or the UK.

International PhD students pay the same fees as domestic students. Scholarships are also avail-able.

Some international students are permitted to work with a student visa for up to 20 hours per week, and can work fulltime during the holidays.

There are also permits available that will allow graduates to look for work for up to a year after they complete their education.

Students can explore their study options at New Zealand education fairs in Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Petaling Jaya from July 31-Aug 7.

The fairs will bring together representatives from 17 New Zealand’s universities, other ter-tiary providers and secondary schools.

For further information, visit www.nzedu-cated.com/myfair or contact Bridget Mirandah at 03-20784612, or email [email protected].

New Zealand – the preferred choice

21July 29 — 31, 2011

MEDIA

KLANG: As early as 6.45am on a lazy Sunday morning, more than 2,500 avid runners assem-bled and were flagged off in Centro Mall’s Klang Historical Run.

Runners, some as young as 10 and as old as 73, came from all over the country to compete in three categories. The categories were 12km for adults, 6km for schoolchildren, and a fun run of 6km for others.

The run was flagged off by executive council-lor Elizabeth Wong and Centro Properties Group Sdn Bhd director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok.

Prior to the run, CHi Fitness & Gym led the runners in a warm-up session. There were also various stage games and prizes organised to keep

the runners and their friends and families enter-tained.

In line with this year’s theme, Centro Mall also invited a special runner from Singapore. Shariff Abdullah, an amputee ultra marathoner in Asia and also known as Singapore’s first Blade Runner, to compete in the 12km run.

The run was organised by the Klang Pacers Athletic Club.

According to Centro Mall senior advertising and promotion executive, Joanne Teh, this year’s event was overwhelming as people are more will-ing to participate in healthy-lifestyle activities.

“Events such as these definitely bring the com-munity and families together for a good time of fun and enjoyment,” she said.

More than 2,500 take part in Centro Mall run

PETALING JAYA: Leong Kin Wai, 33, has absolutely no regrets shopping and participating in a contest as his efforts paid off handsomely when he was named the lucky winner of a brand new Hyundai Sonata 2.0L worth a whopping RM143,888 in The Curve’s recent Drive the Hyundai Home contest.

Sponsored by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd and in conjunction with The Curve’s Fashion Week 2011, the contest was open to all shoppers who spent just RM100 and above in a maximum of two receipts.

Shoppers then had to obtain a contest form from the concierge, answer three simple questions and guess the exact number of The Curve and Hyun-dai logos in the picture of the car on the form.

Lady Luck must have been smiling on Leong, because he guessed the exact amount of logos in one of his three entries.

Leong said: “I did not think very much about entering the contest, but little did I know that it would be so easy for me to win.”

“I would like to thank my wife, Koh Pay Li, who helped me with my contest entries. I often take part in The Curve’s contests but have not won anything until today. As such, I am planning to give her the car.

“We will definitely continue shopping here and enter more contests in the future,” he said.

The Curve centre manager Adele D Flores said: “We would like to con-gratulate Leong, our grand prize winner in our recent Fashion Week contest. At The Curve, we strive to provide shoppers with a memorable and refresh-ing shopping experience in line with our tagline A Breath of Fresh Air.”

For more information about The Curve’s activities, contact their custom-ers care officers at 03-77106868.

Sonata bliss for lucky shopper

Leong (centre) is presented with the grand prize of a brand new Hyundai Sonata 2.0L by Hundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd head Kelvin Chuah (left) and D Flores.

SHAH ALAM: MSIG Insurance, one of the largest general insurers in Malaysia and Gold Sponsor of the recent Standard Chartered KL Marathon, has doubled its donation for the victims of Japan’s tsunami relief fund and raised a total of RM28,000.

The initial donation of RM100 was raised to RM200 for each participant that took part in the MSIG Ekiden relay race. Overall, there were 140 people from 28 teams that registered for the race on June 26.

Originating in Japan, Ekiden combines the Japanese characters for “station” and “transmit”, and is a term used to describe a long-distance relay running race.

In the MSIG Ekiden, each runner in a team ran from one “station” to the next, and then handed off a cloth sash – or tasuki – to the next runner.

“MSIG is happy and proud to have raised the donation to help the survivors in Japan as they deal with the destruction caused from the recent tsunami and earthquake. The first Ekiden race was a trial race, but we were truly excited with the response and participation from the 28 teams.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the amount raised today,” said MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) chief executive officer Chua Seck Guan.

“We would like to congratulate MSIG Insur-ance on their success of raising the funds to help those affected by the recent disaster in Japan, and thank them for their support during the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011.

“The Ekiden race was a great success and plans are underway to make this a timed race starting 2012,” said Golazo Sdn Bhd project director Rainer Biemans.

Golazo was the project manager for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon.

The New Balance team won first place with the time of 1:19.07, while Pacesetters Athletic Club team came in second place with the time of 1:30.33.

Coming in third place was the Kembara Negara team with the time of 1:43.11.

The Ekiden relay race was a test event in the marathon this year and was by invitation only. Groups that were invited to participate in the Ekiden included MSIG Insurance, New Balance, Petronas, Astro, Standard Chartered Bank, Kembara Negara and Pacesetter Athletics Club.

The donations to Japan will be channelled through the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur ( JC-JACTIM Donation Funds Account). This is a joint initiative by the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur and the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia, and will be administered by the Red Cross Society of Japan.

MSIG raises RM28,000 for Japan

Chua (centre) presenting a cheque to Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry (Malaysia) secretary-general Eiji Nagase (left), as MSIG executive director Toshiyuki Tsukada looks on.

Runners beginning their run from Centro Mall Klang last Sunday.

22 JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

Gallery

State executive councillor Elizabeth Wong pouring used cooking oil into a device that will recycle it into biodiesel, as part of green efforts by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Looking on are councillor Chan Chee Keong, mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman, and Subang Member of Parliament R Sivarasa.

Children playing a ball-tossing game at the Valley of Hope Appreciation Day carnival in Sungai Buloh last Sunday, which was held to commemorate those who had suffered from leprosy.

The Storm, a children’s violinist group, led by musician and cancer survivor Brian Tan (in purple) during the Relay for Life event held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bangi on July 16. The event saw 300 cancer survivors getting together to share stories on their personal battles.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim breaking the ice during launch of the Selangorku slogan in Stadium Melawati last weekend.

Devotees lighting prayer candles to celebrate St Anne’s Feast, which honours the maternal grandmother of Jesus Christ, at St Anne’s Church in Port Klang.

23JuLy 29 — 31, 2011

Culture

Steppin’ to the good side

Compiled by Nick ChooSend your events to: nick@selangortimes.

Art Caged/Uncaged

Exhibition; Wei-Ling Contemporary @ The Gardens Mall, Mid-Valley City; until July 30; www.weiling-gallery.com; free admission

Featuring 10 Malaysian artists, Art Caged/Uncaged was inspired by classic Southeast Asian bird-singing competitions, recreating the outdoors inside the gallery space and by providing an interactive experience with the artworks of Hasnul Jamal Saidon, Jeganathan Ramachandran, Lim Kok Yoong, Kojek, Khairul Azmir Shoib @ Meme, Shia Yih Yiing, Tiong Chai Heing, Umibaizurah Mahir, Wong Chee Meng and Yap Sau Bin. Artworks hanging from the ceiling provide a unique viewing experience, and sound works enhance the viewing of the cages created by the artists. Curated by Rachel Jenagaratnam.

Figure in Paint – Contemporary Watercolour

Exhibition; Galeri Petronas Suria KLCC; until Aug 24, Tuesdays to Sundays; 03-20515634 (Rashidah) / www.galeripetronas.com.my; free admission

A showcase of contemporary watercolour works by 30 Malaysian artists. The medium is looked at from different angles through new approaches and ideas, seeking to dispel the misperception that it is only for painting quaint pastoral sceneries and flowers – Figure in Paint proves that watercolour can also be effectively applied onto current and contemporary images. A 160-page exhibition catalogue is also available, containing images of all exhibited watercolour works and essays by art writers Kelvin Chuah and Zanita Anuar.

The Real Inspector Hound

Theatre; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; July 28-31; 03-40479000, www.klpac.org; RM10

KLPac’s Theatre for Young People Programme (T4YP) presents The Real Inspector Hound, a comedic one-act play by Tom Stoppard which follows two theatre critics, Moon and Birdboot, who have come to the remote Muldoon Manor to review a murder mystery. Unexpectedly they are thrown into the foray of a real murder and have to use their wits to solve the puzzling case.

Aku Cinta XXX 2011

Theatre; The Actors Studio @ Lot 10; July 27-31; 03-21422009, www.theactorsstudio.com.my; RM28 / RM20

Aku cinta aku lahir pada zaman 80-anAku cinta aku masih hidup di Malaysia pada tahun 2011Aku cinta cari diriku yang tak terhingga dalam 20 tahun yang lepasAku cinta masa depan kitaAku cinta kerana aku cinta

Directed by Amelia Tan, featuring Ceci Yong, Easee Gan and Jinnie Lim. Performances are in Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

Pluck! Musical Arson – Reignitied

Music/Theatre; PJ Live Arts @ Jaya One; July 21-31; 012-2690375, www. gardnerandwife.com.my; RM44-RM77, RM224 / RM432 (packages)

Pluck returns to Malaysia with Musical Arson – Reignited, featuring the talents of Kit Massey on violin, Flora Allison on cello and vocals, and Brooke Day on viola. The world’s funniest string trio will pluck your heartstrings in a concert that goes wrong in every way it possibly can! These award-winning festival favourites are ready to delight old and new fans with their quirky combination of classical music skills and laugh-out-loud comedy routines. Special school performances are available on weekdays at 10am.

REVIEWBy Terence Toh

WHO among us has never dreamed of stardom? Glitz and glamour, the high life, crowds shouting your name, cheering at your feet? Wealth, fame, legions of fans, everything you’ve ever dreamt of. Everybody wants to be a celebrity, but what price are you willing to pay to get it? Are you willing to sacrifice family, friends, and values to achieve it? And what happens when reality gets in the way?

This is the theme of the beloved musical Dreamgirls, written by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, which was made into an Oscar-winning film starring Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx. Recently, Dreamgirls made its debut on local shores: produced by Broadway Academy Productions, the musical was performed at Istana Budaya from July 14-24.

It featured an all-star predominantly Malaysian cast, with Elvira Arul, Cheryl Samad, Azura Zainal, Tony Eusoff, Indi Nadarajah, Ruzana Ibrahim, Dafi, and Dina Nadzir, as well as American Broadway actor Kris Coleman. Featuring incredible vocal performances and amazingly well-inspired sets, the production was a triumph, electrifying from beginning to end.

(Note: in the performance viewed by this reviewer on July 16, many of the main roles were played by alternate cast members, and thus, this review will make reference to their performances.)

Dreamgirls focuses on the Dreams, an aspiring Motown girl group looking to make it big. The group encounters charismatic soul star James ‘Thunder’ Early, and are eventually signed by sleazy manager Curtis, who repackages them to break into the very fickle music industry.

Caught up in sudden fame, the group finds themselves having to make sacrifices to stay popular, and this eventually strains relationships between them.

Director Joanna Bessey did a fantastic job with the staging, with all scenes being visually and musically arresting. Her production captured perfectly the glitz of 1960s America, where soul and disco ruled the airwaves. Particularly well done is the opening scene, a talent show, where despite many things

happening simultaneously, the action was well coordinated, your attention always drawn to the crucial parts of a scene.

Whether through colourful costumes, inspired lighting, massive backdrops, pyrotechnics or props (even a scale model of a Cadillac at one point!) every number was memorable. Dreamgirls was the kind of show where you sat at the edge of your seat, awestruck, wondering how anything could top what you’d just seen, and then the next musical number comes and blows you away completely.

The cast did a terrific job, belting out the musical’s Motown numbers with great aplomb. This was highlighted in the group numbers Steppin’ to the Bad Side, Dreamgirls and the disco rendition of One Night Only. Another high point was the emotional duet When I First Saw You, performed by Eusoff and Ibrahim, their voices complementing each other’s perfectly.

Coleman was wonderful as Early, impressing with his smooth voice and spirited dancing, while Eusoff delighted in his portrayal of the unscrupulous Curtis. Understudy Joy Shamini Victor also did an accomplished job as Dreams member Lorell White, her powerful soulful voice shining on numbers such as Move and Cadillac Car. Nadarajah, however, was slightly wooden at times, and while Ibrahim did a decent performance as the lovely

Deena Jones, her soft voice was frequently drowned out by the show’s music.

The undisputed star of the show, however, was Elvira Arul, who was amazing as talented yet frustrated vocal powerhouse Effie White. Arul seems born to play White, stepping into her role very naturally. Infusing her character withsass, Arul was delightful, and her incredible singing was truly the stuff of goosebumps. The highlight of Dreamgirls was her rendition of And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going: singing in the spotlight, on an empty stage as the trappings of her fame and fortune all rose out of her reach, Arul’s performance was simply mesmerising.

Acting was generally passable, and dancing well done. True to the spirit of the musical, all the cast adopted American accents, which wavered as the musical progressed, even disappearing completely in some cases. This minor nitpick, fortunately, did not detract from the feel of the musical.

All in all, a magnificent musical with infectious charm, which will have audiences humming and snapping their fingers long after they’ve left the theatre. If this and the recent other musical Cabaret are any indication, Malaysian theatre companies are more than capable of handling well-known, big-budget epic musicals, and this bodes very well for the local performing arts scene.

CALENDAR

Published by Selangor State Government and printed by Dasar Cetak (M) Sdn Bhd No. 7, Persiaran Selangor, Seksyen 15, 40000, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

selangor times july 29-31, 2011 / issue 35

Documents