Kartika - Taken from theStarOnline

Saturday August 29, 2009

Investment, image and Kartika

By VANMALA SUBRAMANIAM

How much has her case affected Malaysia’s attractiveness?

LAST Tuesday was one of those rare days where Malaysia made the front page of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and theFinancial Times. Alas, it was not for another feel-good story about Asia’s astonishing economic recovery, but rather the controversial case of Kartika Seri Dewi Shukarno, the part-time model who had been sentenced to six lashes of the cane for drinking beer in a Kuantan hotel.

The Kartika saga has generated much negative publicity for Malaysia.

Questions have been raised about Malaysia’s image as a moderate majority Muslim nation.

Amnesty International and other campaigners have urged the courts to drop their sentence, calling it “cruel, inhuman, degrading and prohibited under international human rights law”.

This is a time where local and regional economies seem to be switching into recovery mode. Slowly but surely, credit is becoming available.

Investors, both local and foreign are on the prowl, albeit cautiously, for lucrative markets. Economic competitiveness among Asian nations is increasingly intense. Surely this is not the time for negative publicity.

“Definitely not,” says Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, chairman of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).

“Bad publicity leads to poor confidence and lower investment. The Kartika case exposes the ambiguity in our country’s laws. As long as the laws remain unclear, investors will be confused and inhibited about Malaysia. If you feel insecure about a country’s laws, why would you want to put your money here?”

Recent history has shown us that investors are no fans of instability. Bank Negara statistics indicate that the political ruckus that followed the March 2008 election results caused a plunge in foreign direct investment inflows.

Navaratnam’s views are echoed, somewhat, by International Movement for a Just World (JUST) president, Dr Chandra Muzaffar. The prominent political scientist believes that the Kartika caning episode will have an immediate impact upon some business circles, especially in the West.

Others however, beg to differ. The situation is not so bad, they say. An economist for a prominent regional bank dismisses claims of lower investor confidence in Malaysia due to the bad publicity generated from the Kartika case.

“I don’t think it is of overwhelming significance. Foreign investors will invest in a country if they see profitable returns. The recent liberalisation policies of Najib’s government have definitely succeeded in catching the interest of investors. So this caning case will not make a huge difference.”

Chief economist for Ratings Agency of Malaysia (RAM), Dr Yeah Kim Leng also believes that despite the Kartika case being splashed on the front covers of major financial newspapers it is unlikely to affect economic confidence and sentiment.

But the Kartika caning case is not the only incident that has exposed the dichotomy between liberalism and conservatism in this country. What if this becomes a trend?

“If there is a trend, it is quite conceivable that a negative image of Malaysia will begin to form in the minds of some investors from abroad,” says Muzaffar.

Navaratnam, also the former chairman of Transparency International, points out that the frequency of incidents such as the Kartika caning will only serve to dampen potential returns the country might have got from the recent liberalisation policies introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Regardless of the extent to which the Kartika episode has affected investor confidence in Malaysia, the events of the past week bring to light the economic costs of political hue and cry. For an export-led country in a highly competitive region, stability is the name of the game.

“I would want to put my money where my mouth is,” says Navaratman. “Indonesia is a secular country, and increasingly stable. Their government has made a concerted effort to tackle corruption. We cannot afford to lag.”

At the end of the day, are foreign investors going to be deterred from investing in Malaysia over the Kartika case? Perhaps not and probably less if in the end her whipping sentence is not carried out.

But if more such cases come up, they may be a cause for concern, not just for foreigners but for Malaysians themselves who will ask the inevitable question: “How much further?” That has the potential to permanently erode confidence within the country itself, far more damaging than a temporary erosion of the image of the country in the eyes of foreigners.

Michael Dacre Killed in Jetpod Crash - Malaysia - Taken from TheStaronline

Monday August 17, 2009

Inventor killed in Jetpod crash

By RASLAN BAHAROM

TAIPING: A prototype of the ‘flying taxi’ belonging to British-based Avcen Ltd crashed and burst into flames during a test flight from Tekah airstrip, killing its inventor Michael Robert Dacre.

Dacre, 53, who is also Avcen’s managing director, died in the 12.30pm crash yesterday. He was piloting the newly-assembled Jetpod.

Disaster scene: Fire and rescue personnel checking the wreckage of the Jetpod which crashed during the test flight in Taiping yesterday.

Avcen Limited Malaysia is based at Patimas Technology Centre, Technology Park, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur and Dacre had intended for the eight-seater flying taxi to be ready in 2010.

Taiping deputy police chief Supt Syed Abdul Wahab Abdul Majid said Dacre suffered severe burns and injuries and died at the scene.

The incident was witnessed by many residents including retired soldier Halim Hamid.

Halim, 50, who resides at nearby Taman Saujana Jaya said he was scooping shrimps to feed his pet fish at a pond about 50m from where the aircraft had crashed.

“Earlier, I saw it revving down the runway thrice but it could not take off and later another three times in the opposite direction.”

“However, on the fourth run, the jet took off but at about 200m high, it shot vertically to the sky before veering to the left and falling to the ground.”

“There was a loud explosion when it crashed and firemen who were at the scene managed to put out the blaze,” said Halim.

He said the Jetpod, brought in parts in a lorry container, arrived at the airstrip about a week ago.

Police personnel at the scene were seen collecting the pilot’s burnt and dismembered limbs from the wreckage before sending them to the Taiping hospital mortuary.

Some of the residents said a co-pilot had wanted to accompany the deceased on the test flight but the latter was against it and decided to fly alone instead.

Several Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel were at the scene to check the wreckage of the aircraft.

Sabah Borneo Black Pearls

These pearls have been in my possession for quite some time. I bought it for my friend's mom and just realised that I have never posted it to her since promising it several years ago.

Was wondering, should I start selling Sabah Pearls on the net? Sounds feasible and I love doing business.. I think I should reach further to overseas audience in order to make the business feasible..

Several Tests on Teoh were not done?? - Taken from Bernama Online

August 13, 2009 15:26 PM

Forensic Expert Admits Several Tests Were Not Done

SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Several important tests were not done at the place where Teoh Beng Hock's body was found, a police forensic expert told the inquest on Thursday.

Investigating officer Chief Inspector Mazli Jusoh said he also did not examine the body for fingerprints, his clothes and belt worn during the incident.

He also did not take measures to determine where did the chalk marks on the sole of Teoh' s right shoe came from.

"Its not my job to examine the body," said Mazli 31, from Selangor police headquarters forensic branch.

Asked by lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar why no analysis was done on the black stain on Teoh's pants to check if it was a match to the dent in the floor where the body was found, Mazli said: "Not done."

"So, the black stain on his pants was caused by the floor was only an assumption?" Malik asked to which Mazli agreed.

He also testified that no tests were done to compare scratch marks on the window at level 14 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office with the belt worn by Teoh.

Malik Imtiaz: "Was dusting (for fingerprints)) done on the wall outside the window at level 14?"

Mazli: "No, I only checked visually (by looking out the window)."

He said that he took two swab samples from the sofa where Teoh was sitting and lying in the office but did not do polylight test.

Polylight test was also not done at level 5 where the body of Teoh, political secretary to a Selangor Exco member, was found on July 16.

The proceeding before coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas continues tomorrow.

QBar's Special Show - Friday 14th August 2009

Qbar's Upcoming event -Friday Fourteenth August 2009

ALL BLACK NIGHT

The 'Girls' would be putting up a special show.

The Haze is GONE!!

Photos taken from my office

The Haze in Kota Kinabalu seem to have disappeared overnight..

Was it the rain? or we're just blessed?? :D

Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight? Look at the skies.. Hope it doesn't rain

This was taken from the National Post site http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2009/08/11/look-to-the-skies-tonight-annual-meteor-shower-peaks.aspx

Look to the skies tonight: Annual Perseid meteor shower peaks

Posted: August 11, 2009, 5:19 PM by Scott Maniquet

Weather-permitting, tonight and tomorrow night should offer a great chance to see some celestial activity as the annual Perseid meteor shower hits its peak.

The Perseid shower happens when the Earth passes through debris left from the Swift-Tuttle comet which last came this way in 1992.

You can follow meteor sightings on Twitter at #perseid or #meteorwatch.NASA offers some advice for the best viewing. For aspiring amateur astronomers, cnet.com lists some useful websites to help you get started.

* I am made to understand that the best view would be to the NE (North East) Horizon.

Day 6 of Teoh's Inquest - Taken from the Staronline

Published: Wednesday August 12, 2009 MYT 10:08:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday August 12, 2009 MYT 12:17:21 PM

Teoh death inquest: Day 6

Follow the inquest on Twitter

12.05pm: Court resumes and plays the recording before the coroner.

Although the recording showed only Teoh’s back, Insp Mohd Zulaimi identifies Teoh entering Plaza Masalam on July 15 based on his clothes.

Questioned by Tan Hock Chuan later Insp Mohd Zulaimi said there was no recording of Teoh leaving the building.

11.45am: Court takes 15-minute recess to set up white screen and computer to play the CCTV recording of Teoh entering Plaza Masalam on the day he was questioned by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers.

11.35am: Insp Mohd Zulaimi told the court that he was ordered by his superior to review the CCTV recording to check the time when Teoh entered Plaza Masalam.

Based on the recording, he said Teoh was seen entering Plaza Masalam through the lobby on the 4th floor at 18:08:55 hours. The date was, however, not stated.

11am: Court resumes with Inspector Mohd Zulaimi Zubir from the Shah Alam police headquarters’ crime department taking the stand as the 11th witness.

10.37am: Court takes a 10-minute recess to allow the police forensics team time to prepare before taking the stand.

10.30am: Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, appointed by the Government to assist the coroner, said senior consultant pathologist Dr Khairul Azman, 51, and UMMC forensic pathologist Dr Prashant Samberkar who were supposed to take the stand this morning are unwell and are unable to testify.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas said if both men can recuperate by Thursday, they could take the stand then.

SHAH ALAM: The inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock resumes Wednesday.

Tuesday’s hearing stopped at the 10th witness Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, a senior consultant at Forensics Department Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah who said that Teoh died of multiple injuries caused by a fall from a high place.

He had said that the post-mortem showed no signs of a struggle or defensive injuries.

Dr Khairul said the political aide had 22 fractures, abrasions and bruises when the post-mortem was conducted on him on July 17.

Teoh landed on his feet and slanted to the right based on broken ribs, he said.

Based on the bad smell of the body, he said, Teoh could have died less than 36 hours before the post-mortem that was done at about noon.

Teoh, 30, political secretary to Selangor Exco Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead on July 16 on level 5 of Plaza Masalam after giving a statement as a witness into alleged abuse of state government allocation at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office.

Teoh's Inquest Follower Questions - From theStaronline

Wednesday August 12, 2009

Ardent follower stuns inquest with complaint

SHAH ALAM: A member of the public at the inquest into Teoh Beng Hock’s death stunned everyone present when he stood up and told the coroner he could not observe the demonstration on how the deceased fell to his death from where he was sitting.

Self-employed Hor Boon Chung, 51, broke the silence in the room when he told the coroner that he could not see pathologist Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim’s demonstration on how Teoh might have landed on the ground.

The lawyers representing the family, Selangor state government and Bar Council, as well as those assisting coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas, all stared in disbelief when they heard Hor’s complaint.

Thinking that Hor was a member of Teoh’s family, Azmil Muntapha told him to enter the bar area where lawyers sit to have a closer look.

“Please come to this side. He’s a family member, isn’t he?” the coroner asked.

When he was told that Hor was not a family member, Azmil Mun-tapha told him to stand behind the wooden partition that separates the bar area and public gallery.

Within minutes, Hor spoke up again.

“Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas, I can’t see,” he said.

The coroner then told Hor that he could view the video recording of the proceedings once it was uploaded on the Attorney-General’s Cham-bers website www.agc.gov.my.

Hor, who has been attending the inquest since Day One, then returned to his seat.

An ardent follower of the inquest, Hor said in an interview later that it was important to know how Teoh had fallen as that was the focal point of the case.

He said he came to the court on his own to follow the inquest closely.

He carries around a black-and-white poster of Teoh, and often shouts “Justice For Teoh” whenever the media interview any of the lawyers involved in the inquest.

Teoh's Injuries - Taken from MySinChew.com

Teoh Beng Hock's injuries consistent with fall

2009-08-11 18:03

SHAH ALAM: The coroner’s court was Tuesday told that Teoh Beng Hock suffered from injuries consistent with that of a fall and the autopsy showed no signs of defensive injuries or a struggle.

He had broken and fractured bones on various parts of his body, arms and legs. His skull and jaw were also fractured. Numerous parts of his body sustained internal bleeding.

Government pathologist Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, the 10th witness to testify at the inquest, said he conducted the autopsy on the dead DAP political aide, together with Dr Prashan Nareshsandenkar, a medical expert from the medical department of Universiti Malaya, after a request by Teoh’s brother.

“Inspections on all parts of the deceased’s body indicated no signs that the deceased had sustained injuries from self-defence or struggling prior to his death,” Dr Khairul told the inquest.

The findings would, at least for now, quash any allegations that the 30-year-old political aide to Selangor DAP exco Ean Yong Hian Wah was pushed to his death.

Dr Khairul said it was possible that Teoh could have landed on his feet and fell forward after post-mortem showed his ribs were broken.

Earlier, Teoh’s family lawyers, led by Gobind Singh Deo, asked that he read out the autopsy report in English as several significant details had been missed out.

The inquest resumed today after making a second visit yesterday to Plaza Masalam here, where Teoh’s body was found.

The stains found at the stairwell were confirmed not to be human blood by Tan Hock Chuan, who is leading the Attorney-General’s team at the inquest.

However, he said he had no objection to Teoh’s family lawyers studying the four strands of fibre found at the site yesterday.

Teoh was found dead , on July 16 on the rooftop of a five-storey building next to Plaza Masalam, where the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has its Selangor head office on the 14th floor.

He had been taken in as a witness in a probe into alleged misuse of state funds. He was due to register his marriage to his two-month pregnant fiancée Soh Cher Wei the day he was found dead.

Today's session has been adjourned until 10.30am tomorrow as Dr Khairul took ill midway through proceedings. (
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid/themalaysianinsider)

Teoh's Inquest - Language used questioned - Taken from NewStraitsTimesonline

Teoh Inquest: Witness' choice of language questioned

2009/08/11

SHAH ALAM, Tues: Gobind Singh Deo, the lawyer who is holding a watching brief for Teoh Beng Hock's family, today questioned the action of a forensics expert witness who gave evidence in Bahasa Melayu in the inquest headed by coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas here.

Gobind Singh said the witness, Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, 51, senior consultant at the Forensics Department of the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Klang, should give his evidence in English as the his post-mortem report was in that language.

Other then Gobind Singh, the matter was also raised by lawyer Rajpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for the Bar Council and the lawyer for the Selangor givernment, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, on the sixth day of the inquest.

Gobind Singh said several pieces of important information in the report were not stated by Dr Khairul Azman when giving evidence in Bahasa Melayu.

"Another forensic expert, Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar, will give evidence in English so we ask the witness to speak in English or we ask the court to advise the witness (that if he wants to speak in Bahasa Melayu) to provide accurate evidence based on the post-mortem report," he said.

Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, appointed by the government to assist in the inquest, said there was no issue if the witness wanted to give evidence in Bahasa Melayu as the post-mortem report had been marked as evidence and a copy given all sides.

"I admit the witness had left out certain information contained in the post-mortem report but he has nothing to hide. It is up to him to speak in Bahasa Melayu or not," he said.

Rajpal Singh said if Dr Khairul Azman had prepared the report in English and if he wanted to speak in Bahasa Melayu he would have to translate the seven-page report.

Malik Imtiaz said the witness was not forced to speak in English but if needed he should give evidence in English on the most important parts.

Tan then said based on Section Eight of the National Language Act the witness had the right to choose the language.

Azmil Muntapha on hearing the arguments asked Dr Khairul Azman to choose and if he wanted to speak in Bahasa Melayu he was to provide detailed clarification based on his report. -- Bernama

English Please.... Teoh's Inquest further news Taken from theSunDaily.com

Teoh Beng Hock inquest: Forensic specialist gives testimony

SHAH ALAM (Aug 11, 2009): Forensic specialist consultant at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim took the witness stand this morning at the inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

Khairul was the one who performed the post-mortem on Teoh on July 17, together with another doctor who will be called in the afternoon.

After about 90 minutes of testimony, coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas called for a 30-minute recess at about 10.40am as Khairul was coughing badly.

Earlier, Khairul gave an outline of what he found on Teoh's body and his clothes while referring to photographs.

As Khairul had opted to speak in Bahasa Malaysia, Gobind Singh Deo, the lawyer for Teoh's family, pointed out that parts of what he said did not fully reflect what was in the post-mortem report which was written in English. This led to some arguments with the government-appointed lawyer Tan Hock Chuan.

And the investigation continues - Taken from the Staronline

Published: Tuesday August 11, 2009 MYT 9:02:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday August 11, 2009 MYT 9:47:36 AM

Teoh's inquest: Updates (Day 5)

Follow the developments on Twitter

9.30am: Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, 51, senior consultant at Forensics Department Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, called to the stand.

SHAH ALAM: The inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock resumes Tuesday.

Monday’s hearing was cut short to allow pathologists and forensics experts to test two stains on the stairway between level 14 and 15 of Plaza Masalam.

Gobind Singh Deo, who is holding a watching brief for Teoh's family told reporters Monday, that the stains were not blood.

Results of the tests on the stains are expected to be made known in court Tuesday before Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas.

Teoh, 30, political secretary to Selangor Exco Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead on July 16 on level 5 of Plaza Masalam after giving a statement as a witness into alleged abuse of state government allocation at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office.

In other developments, Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Thailand, whose expertise had been requested by the state administration, would not be at the inquest.

She would be represented by her associates Dr Triyarith Temahivong, Chief of Clinical Forensic Medicine at the institute, and Police Lft. Col. Somchai Chailermsooksant, forensic scientist and Chief of the institute’s Crime Scene Unit.

Last week, DNA scientist Dr Seah Lay Hong told the court that it was possible that force was exerted on Teoh just before he died, suggesting that his death could be “not accidental”.

She said it was a hypothesis that force was applied at the tear region of the belt worn by Teoh in order for the rupture to occur.

Dr Seah, of the Chemistry Department, said it was “one of the many possibilities” that Teoh may have been held back by the belt for the tear to have occurred.

Dr Seah also said that swabs from Teoh’s damaged belt had the DNA of two other unknown males apart from his own. One of the unknown males was tagged as Male 1.

The DNA profiles of 157 individuals were compared with that of the two unknown males but none of them matched, she said.

Dr Seah also said that DNA profiles from swabs taken from the back outer side of a blazer consisted of a mix of male DNA types matching that of Teoh and Male 1.

Development on Teoh's Case - Results for Bloodstain - Taken from theSundaily.com

Stains found on stairway not blood
Tan Yi Liang and S. Tamarai Chelvi

SHAH ALAM (Aug 10, 2009) : Preliminary tests on stains found on the emergency stairway between the 14th and 15th floor of Plaza Masalam show that they are not blood but a form of anti-rust paint.

Gobind Singh Deo, lawyer for Teoh Beng Hock's family, told this to reporters today after forensic experts tested samples of the stains.

Earlier, Azmil Mustapha Abas, acting as the coroner, had allowed an application by Gobind for the forensic experts to carry out tests on four stains found during the coroner's visit to the building on Friday.

Among those who conducted the tests were chemist Dr Seah Lay Hong -- who testified at the inquest last week -- a police forensic team and another forensic team from the Chemistry Department.

"They have told us there is a high possibility that it is a form of anti-rust paint which looks quite similar to blood, but this is subject to confirmation after laboratory tests," Gobind, who brought in independent experts Somchai Chailermsook Sant and Amidon Anan to conduct their own tests, said.

"This is what they initially told us and we accept it for now.

"We are satisfied with what has happened today but you must remember that today is nearly three-and-a- half weeks after the incident, so time has taken its effect, and certain things that we had hoped would be done earlier were not done, but we will take up these issues in the course of the inquest when these witnesses are called."

Gobind also said fibres found on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, where Teoh's body was discovered, could have been from Teoh's pants.

"At the scene, we found certain fibres which we believe were from (Teoh's) trousers but the chemists will have to assist us there and they will inform us once they have examined the fibres and the trousers," he said.

He said the tests on the fibres, which could give an indication of how Teoh fell, were expected to be completed today.

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, a lawyer for the Selangor state government, also said many people would have passed through the Selangor offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam.

"I think it is important to note that the significant delay in the tests today, and also considering that the MACC is a public office, a lot of traffic goes through the office and that would have had an impact, so it would be a bit of a miracle to find anything new at this stage," he said.

Azmil Muntapha fixed tomorrow for the presentation of the test results. He also said he would make a ruling on the relevency of the presence of certain witnesses in the court.

Sales of Alcohol in Selangor to Continue - Taken from AsiaOne News online

Khalid: Alcohol sales to continue

Sat, Aug 08, 2009 New Straits Times

By: Mazlinda Mahmood SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA - The sale of alcohol will continue to be allowed in Muslim-majority areas in Selangor but the state will adopt a self-regulatory system to ensure it is not sold to Muslims and minors, starting here. Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced this after a 90-minute meeting with Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officials and representatives of shops selling alcoholic drinks, including 7-Eleven and KK Group of Companies here yesterday. The decision is a rejection of a call by Pas to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in all Muslim-majority neighbourhoods in the state, and renders as null an void the letters sent by MBSA in May to 7-Eleven stores to stop selling alcoholic drinks. It was earlier reported that Pas would propose a draft regulation banning the sale of alcoholic drinks to Muslims and minors in convenience stores in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods in all 12 local councils. "We do not need to have many laws, so this self-regulatory mechanism may be an unexpected decision. "Actually, there is no regulation that says alcoholic drinks cannot be sold," Khalid said after the meeting, adding that the mechanism would also apply to supermarkets and hypermarkets. The self-regulatory approach would be based on market demand and stores would stop selling alcohol altogether if there is no demand from consumers. The approach includes no display of alcoholic drinks while purchase could only be made upon request at the cashier's counter. "7-Eleven has conducted self-regulation, and of the 52 stores they have in Shah Alam, 10 have stopped selling alcoholic drinks. This is because they feel that there is no demand as most of the residents are Muslims, so they do not sell. "Therefore, the state government is of the opinion that it is better if we use the concept of self-regulation instead of imposing more rules and regulations that may not be effective and counter productive," he said. Shops selling alcohol have been given a month to adopt the system. Khalid said the state government would draft a standard formula for the rest of the state next month. KK Group of Companies chief executive officer Datuk Dr Douglas K.K. Chai said the system was a good step but admitted that it would affect business. "I think this is a good step and we hope the system will work out at the end of the day." It was earlier reported that 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive director Ng Su Onn said the company was very strict about its policy of not selling liquor to Muslims and minors below the age of 18 and have fired employees for breaching the policy. MBSA mayor Mazalan Md Noor said the council would adhere to the menteri besar's decision to adopt the self-regulatory mechanism and fully cooperate with retailers to make the system a success. The issue of alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas surfaced after state Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali called for state executive councillor Ronnie Liu, who is also in charge of research and studies, to be stripped of his local government portfolio after he ordered seized beer to be returned to the 7-Eleven outlet in Section 8, a Muslim-majority area. There are about 350 stores in Selangor and, of the total, 17 are in Muslim-majority areas in Section 1 to 24, Shah Alam, while KK Group has over 40 outlets in the state. Meanwhile, about 100 state Umno Youth members gathered at the Shah Alam City Council's office to support its action in seizing the alcoholic drinks at the 7-Eleven store recently. Led by Shah Alam Youth chief Azhari Shaari, they also criticised Liu's interference in the incident. Selangor Pas Youth has accused Umno of politicising the issue. "While we strongly object to Liu's interference, the alcohol issue did not originate from the DAP or the Pakatan Rakyat government but from the failure of Umno/Barisan Nasional's policies which had caused disruption in the state," its deputy chief Ahmad Zaidy Abdul Mutalib said in a statement. --NST

Alcohol Issue in Selangor - Taken from theStarOnline

Saturday August 8, 2009

Set up disciplinary panel to punish Hassan, Pakatan urged

PETALING JAYA: Selangor DAP has called on the Pakatan Rakyat leadership to set up a disciplinary committee to punish Selangor PAS state commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali.

Its deputy chairman, Tony Pua, said Pakatan would face repeated breaches of discipline if the committee was not set up.

In a press conference yesterday, Pua questioned Dr Hassan’s motive in his open rebuke of state executive councillor Ronnie Liu who had done his duty by returning illegally seized goods to its rightful owner.

In another development, the Selangor Umno Youth said it supported the Shah Alam City Council’s move to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in Muslim-majority areas in the state.

“We hope the council would not be afraid of pressure from any quarters while enforcing its laws,” Shah Alam youth chief Azhari Shaa told reporters after leading some 100 people to the council building to present a memorandum to Mayor Mazalan Md Noor yesterday.

Azhari said the youth movement also supported the council’s move to seize 70 cans of beer from a 7-Eleven outlet in Section 8 on July 29.

On Selangor’s move to allow convenience stores to practise self-regulation when selling alcohol, Azahari said the state could do whatever it wanted but Umno Youth would stand by the council’s decision.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) meanwhile weighed in by proposing that the sale of alcohol at 24-hour convenience stores in residential areas be stopped.

Its secretary-general, Muham- mad Sha’ani Abdullah, said children and teenagers would have easy access to alcohol if it was sold openly.

“We are not talking about banning alcohol.

“We are talking about controlling its sale,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Muhammad Sha’ani said the federation has been misconstrued as supporting PAS’ proposal to ban the sale of alcohol in Muslim-majority areas in Selangor.

Update-Update-Update - Taken from Bernama .com

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=430980

August 07, 2009 15:54 PM

Counsel To Request Investigation On Teoh Pushed From Plaza Masalam

SHAH ALAM, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Counsel Gobind Singh Deo, who is holding a watching brief in the inquest on Teoh Beng Hock's death, may request for investigation be conducted on the possibility that the political aide was pushed from Plaza Masalam where he was earlier questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He said he would submit the application to coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas for an order be made to the police to conduct such an investigation.

"So far, the inquest proceeding is directed at an investigation into a theory that Teoh fell or committed suicide.

"However, the possibility of Teoh died after being pushed was not investigated," he told reporters after visiting Plaza Masalam, here, and the spot where Teoh was found dead.

Teoh, 30, political aide to the Chairman of the Selangor State Committee on New Villages and Illegal Factories Management, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam, after giving a statement as a witness in the investigation into the misappropriation of Selangor state government funds, to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Selangor located at the plaza.

Gobind said so far, witnesses in the inquest proceedings were only willing to testify on the possibility of Teoh being killed after falling from the building or suicide.

"There was no investigation on the possibility of Teoh being pushed. It is not that it was not investigated, perhaps it was overlooked," he added.

On Friday, the coroner's court held a visit to Plaza Masalam and also the spot where Teoh was found dead on June 16.

Azmil Muntapha, accompanied by three court staff, arrived in a police pajero at about 9.30am and and then went up to the 14th and 15th floor of the building, where the MACC office is located, before going to the fifth floor where Teoh's body was found.

-- BERNAMA

Cops told to investigate ‘new details’ in Teoh case - from MySinCHew.com

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/27984

2009-08-07 14:29

SHAH ALAM: The police have been asked by a coroner’s inquest to investigate “two new details” which could prove significant in learning how Teoh Beng Hock died, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo told reporters Friday after the court visited Plaza Masalam here, where the DAP man was interrogated by graft busters before being found dead.

But Gobind, who is representing Teoh’s family, stopped short of disclosing what the details are, merely stating that the police have been asked to investigate the newly found evidence.

“I would just leave it for the police to investigate them. That is the appropriate thing to do,” he said.

He explained that investigations into Teoh’s death could still continue even at this point because “police had not embarked on an investigation of murder, or a non-accidental death, which could mean he was pushed.”

Gobind added they were now waiting for a written reply from foreign forensic experts who may be called in next week to aid the inquest.

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who is representing the Pakatan Rakyat-run state government in the inquest, said there were still many questions left unanswered over the circumstances surrounding Teoh’s death.

The state is keeping an open mind on the possible causes of his death and have not ruled out the fact that he may not have fallen to death, as is widely-speculated, he said.

It is for that reason that the state is sharing resources with Teoh’s family, he added.

Malik said they have sent the preliminary reports from the police, including the autopsy and forensic reports to two experts in Thailand and Australia respectively and hoped to receive their written views over the weekend.

The 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah had been questioned overnight at the office tower block which houses the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged misuse of state funds.

His body was found on an overhang nine floors below the next day, July 16, the same day he was to marry his sweetheart.

Magistrate Azmil Muntapha Abas, who is acting as coroner in the inquest, led today’s entourage, which included lawyers for the federal Barisan Nasional (BN) government, the Selangor government and Teoh’s family.

Azmil arrived at the site close to 10am. The group headed first to the MACC office on level 14 before walking up the internal staircase to level 15, to examine the extra rooms occupied and where Teoh may have been taken to before his death.

They also visited the fifth floor to gain entrance to the overhang where Teoh was found, before making their way to the security office a floor below which houses the closed-circuit television (CCTV) screens.

Lawyer Cheow Wee, who is holding a watching brief for the Bar Council, said the visit was important because it helped them “visualise” the surroundings described by the first six witnesses who discovered Teoh’s body and understand better the circumstances leading to his death.

He also told reporters the inquest questioned three to four MACC officers on duty today and noted the coroner had especially directed questions to them. But Cheow declined to elaborate on what was asked.

The inquest will continue in court on Monday with the government pathologists taking the witness stand. (By Syed Jaymal Zahiid and Debra Chong/The Malaysian Insider)

Inquests Group Visits MACC Office - Taken from TheSundaily.com

Teoh Beng Hock inquest: Coroner visits MACC office SHAH ALAM (Aug 7, 2009): The Teoh Beng Hock inquest entered its fourth day with coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas visiting the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office located on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam in Section 8. Azmil, government lawyer Tan Hock Chuan and Gobind Singh Deo, lawyer for Teoh's family and others, arrived at the complex at 9.45am and immediate visited the MACC office, and in particular the room where Teoh was questioned, and where he went after that. At 10.50am, the group went to the balcony at the 5th floor where the 30-year-old political aide's body was found on July 16 to get a better idea of the layout of the place. After spending about 20 minutes there, they moved to the security room at the 4th floor. The inquest is being held to find the cause of Teoh's death. Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor of the building, after earlier being questioned for about 11 hours by the MACC as a witness in a case of alleged misappropriation of allocations for several state assemblymen. Teoh was political secretary to state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. Fifteen days have been set aside for the inquest. On Monday, testimonies of expert witnesses will continue.

Updated: 11:51AM Fri, 07 Aug 2009

Antiviral flu for H1N1 in Malaysian Hospital - Taken from the TheSTaronline

I HOPE THIS IS TRUE!!

Friday August 7, 2009

Hospitals and clinics to get anti-viral drug, says Ismail

Reports by MAZWIN NIK ANIS, YENG AI CHUN, JADE CHAN and JACK WONG

PUTRAJAYA: Starting today, all government hospitals, clinics and selected private hospitals will have the influenza A (H1N1) anti-viral drug Tamiflu, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.

He, however, cautioned that all anti-viral drugs should not be taken as a preventive measure as this could result in the virus developing resistance to medication.

“Pharmacists are also warned not to sell anti-viral drugs to the public without a doctor’s prescription,” Dr Ismail told a press conference here yesterday.

He said that besides all government hospitals and clinics, 22 private hospitals nationwide would be supplied with Tamiflu.

Private clinics would also be allowed to obtain stocks from relevant suppliers.

“The suppliers have given us the assurance that there is sufficient supply of anti-viral medication,” he said.

Dr Ismail also warned doctors not to use anti-viral drugs to prevent a person from getting the flu.

“Not only have such measures been proven ineffective, they will also cause resistance to the medication as reported in the United States, Hong Kong, Mexico, Japan, Denmark and Canada,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the move would also deplete the resources for such medication.

Dr Ismail advised doctors and healthcare practitioners to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to prevent themselves from being infected.

He said that unlike the SARS outbreak where none of the healthcare personnel were infected, the H1N1 flu had caused a few to fall ill.

The death toll from influenza A (H1N1) rose to 14 with the latest casualty being a 57-year-old pensioner who was a diabetic and suffered from hypertension.

He was warded at the Putrajaya Hospital on Tuesday and died of acute pulmonary oedema the next day.

Health authorities also recorded 16 new cases in the 24 hours before 8am yesterday, all being local transmissions, bringing the total number to 1,492.

Abuse Video - NOT Teoh - Taken from MalaysiaToday.com

Video of Teoh being abused in custody is not him

THURSDAY, 06 AUGUST 2009 08:42

As the news of the inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock starts, so have all the speculations and accusations. On Sunday August 2, an SMS were circulating calling for people to check online (YouTube) to view a video that showed how the late Teoh was assaulted and abused during custody. The video showed some five or six officers of which one of them claimed to be a cop beating up a man who was being interrogated. The link then spread like wild fire and very soon thousands have already viewed how badly a person (alleged to be Teoh) is being treated when in custody. While there is no claim in the site that the person in the video is Teoh, it depicts a frightening view of how suspects are being treated when being interrogated. According to the blogger who uploaded the video, “I would also like to present to you here a short video clip sent to me by a reader of this blog which exposes the obnoxious treatment of a suspect in custody.” Reports confirmed that the person in the video was not Teoh but ultimately it is the manner by which the person was treated which raised eye brows. Some point of transparency should be in place to ensure that suspects are treated fairly and that such violence must not be allowed or condoned in any way.