NEWS : FRIDAY 22 MAY 2009

NEWS : FRIDAY 22 MAY 2009


AMERICAN IDOL 2009: And the winner is...the biggest upset in history!
AMERICA has spoken and the people have voted in favour of Kris Allen,the guy-next-door crooner from Little Rock, Arkansas to be the eighthAmerican Idol. Yet even before the confetti shower has settled, fansworldwide are already discussing on the Internet whether or not theclean-cut soft rocker deserves the accolade.

Snatch theft suspect charged with killing pregnant woman
BATU PAHAT: A jobless man accused of causing the death of apregnant woman in a snatch theft incident in Air Hitam early this monthhad a criminal record, the Sessions Court heard yesterday.

Ex-convict held over murder of 3, including mother and 5-year-old son
IPOH: A murder suspect was run over and nabbed minutes after awoman, her son and their maid were found hacked to death in theirsingle-storey house in Taman Pinji Seni here yesterday.

SPM subject limits to end scholarship controversy
Thenumber of subjects each student can take in the Sijil PelajaranMalaysia examination may be limited to put an end to issues pertainingto the awarding of Public Services Department scholarships. DeputyPrime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the EducationMinister, said today the ministry felt strongly that the number ofsubjects should be streamlined to resolve the perennial problem.

CROOKED BRIDGE ISSUE: Najib to restart talks on new bridge to Singapore
PrimeMinister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will re-start talks today with hisSingapore counterpart Lee Hsein Loong on a suitable bridge to replacethe 85 year-old Causeway. Najib, who arrived in Singapore thisafternoon for a two-day official visit, said “whether it is a crookedbridge, a straight bridge, an underground (tunnel) or overhead(bridge), we will talk about it.

Port Klang Authority awaits Cabinet go-ahead for release of PKFZ report
Thedecision whether to make public the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) auditreport on the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project nowrests with the cabinet, Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman Datuk LeeHwa Beng said today.

H1N1 CRISIS: Malaysia recommends nations screen citizens, travellers at exits
Malaysia has tabled a recommendation to the World Health Organisationthat all nations should screen their citizens and travellers at exitpoints for symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) infection








No slowdown on investment flow to Iskandar, says PM
NUSAJAYA:Iskandar Malaysia – the country’s first economic growth corridor – hasattracted a lot of international interest, and those who have committedto invest are already pursuing their development activities, said DatukSeri Najib Tun Razak.

Cabinet to discuss PKFZ report on Wednesday
KUALALUMPUR: The report on the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)project by an accounting firm will be discussed thoroughly at nextWednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Limit on SPM subjects considered
PUTRAJAYA:Students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination maynot be allowed to take as many subjects as they like in future to makethe scholarship selection process fairer.

Perak MB ruling today
PUTRAJAYA:The Court of Appeal will rule today on whether it will uphold a HighCourt decision declaring Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin as therightful Mentri Besar of Perak.

DPM questions Bar Council’s stand
PUTRAJAYA:The Bar Council’s actions seem to be slanted and their position oncertain issues does not seem fair lately, Deputy Prime Minister Tan SriMuhyiddin Yassin said.

Govt likely to put cap on number of papers taken for fairer PSD selection
PUTRAJAYA:Students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination may notbe allowed to take as many subjects as they like in future.

IC may be needed to buy liquor at 7-Eleven
SHAH ALAM: Consumers wishing to buy liquor at 7-Eleven outlets may be required to show their identity cards.

July 30 date for Anwar to challenge legality of his dismissal
PUTRAJAYA:The Federal Court has set July 30 for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tochallenge the legality of his dismissal from his Cabinet posts.

Liow: Screen passengers at exit points
PUTRAJAYA:Asean countries have suggested the screening of outbound passengers incountries affected by influenza A (H1N1) cases, Health Minister DatukSeri Liow Tiong Lai said.

1,500 Idol fans join local blog for grand finale
PETALINGJAYA: Some 1,500 American Idol fans from all over the world joinedR.AGE BlogChat to give realtime comments on the showdown between thetop two finalists Kris Allen and Adam Lambert.

Hisham: Umno may open doors to ‘friendly’ groups
PUTRAJAYA:Umno is mulling over the possibility of opening its doors to members ofcertain “friendly” associations in an effort to expand its membership.

Triple-murder suspect was high on drugs, confirm cops
IPOH: Police have confirmed that the 26-year-old suspect in the triple murder in Taman Pinji Seni here was high on drugs.

Family and friends shed tears during funeral of slain mother and son
IPOH:Young Mohd Aizat Adren had wanted to be a pillar of strength for hisfather and two sisters who were distraught over the brutal killing oftheir mother and youngest brother.

Academics: Cap on subjects a good idea
PETALINGJAYA: Capping the number of subjects to be taken at Sijil PelajaranMalaysia (SPM) level is a good idea, said several academics.

No new cases of leptospirosis
PUTRAJAYA:The leptospirosis outbreak at the Juru detention centre near BukitMertajam is under control and there has not been any new patientadmitted to hospital, said Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri DrIsmail Merican.

MCA respects appointment of Koh as coalition chief
PUTRAJAYA:The Penang MCA respects the appointment of Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon asthe Barisan Nasional coalition chief in the state, said Penang MCAchief Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Goodbye to The Star’s veteran adventurer
MIRI: He was an ex-commando, active parachutist and scuba diver but The Star’s senior photographer Rapaee Kawi’s first passion was photojournalism.

25 NS trainees being treated
PUTRAJAYA:Two trainees from the Setia Ikhlas National Service campsite aresuffering from respiratory infection called adenovirus infection, saidHealth Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican.

Ipoh council says no to democracy plaque request
IPOH:The city council has rejected the Perak DAP’s application to erect the“democracy plaque” under the raintree in Taman Istana.

Malaysia ready to combat terror threat
IPOH: Malaysia is ready to combat terrorist-related threats.

Chief Sec’s contract extended
KUALA LUMPUR: The contract of Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan has been extended by another year.

SIS wants court to lift ban on book it published
KUALALUMPUR: Sisters in Islam (SIS) has applied for leave for a judicialreview of an order banning a book it published entitled Muslim Womenand the Challenges of Islamic Extremism.

PPP state chief refutes Rajendra’s statement
PETALINGJAYA: A state People’s Progressive Party leader has denied that itsexco members supported the call for party president Datuk M. Kayveas tostep down to make way for new leaders.

Diplomatic corps start anniversary celebrations
KUALALUMPUR: The 35th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations gotoff to an early start with officials from both sides celebrating at theChinese Embassy here yesterday.

Jobs affected if ‘buy direct’ policy implemented
PETALINGJAYA: Insurance agents already provide excellent service to their motorinsurance clients, even to the point of showing up at the scene of anaccident, says a veteran agent.

Veteran artiste wants more people on censor board
KUANTAN: Just three people decide what the rest of the country can or cannot see on our screens.

Car theft ring busted with four arrests
SEREMBAN:Police believe they have crippled a car theft syndicate, which has beenactive in Negri Sembilan and Selangor, with the arrest of four men.

Big plans in store for Fraser’s Hill
LONDON:Malaysia plans to turn Fraser’s Hill into the Little England of theEast as part of its move to develop the country’s parks and gardens astourism products.

G Squad gives out goodies to lucky readers of Galaxie
PETALING JAYA: Galaxiemagazine’s “G Squad” gave away prizes to the lucky ones caught oncamera reading the magazine at select places in Petaling Jaya and KualaLumpur.

All new govt buildings to go green, says Works Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: All future government buildings will aspire to be “green buildings”.

Boycott will stop PKR’s forced by-election spree, says Shahrizat
KUALALUMPUR: Boycotting the Penanti by-election is the best remedy to stopPKR’s “forced” by-election spree, Barisan Nasional Wanita chief DatukSeri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said.

NRD offices closed this weekend
KUALALUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) office in JohorBaru, Kuantan and Kangar will be closed to the public on Saturday andSunday.

Beautician reveals ugly side of queue jumping
KUALALUMPUR: A beautician who boarded a bus at KL Sentral claimed that thedriver ordered her to get down after she was assaulted by a man forjumping queue.

Woman wants payment over defective implant
SEREMBAN:Over a year after a metal plate inserted in her left thigh broke, SiawChok Yen is no wiser as to why it happened but she is much poorer nowbecause she had to pay for another plate to be put in.

July hearing for appeal against illegal assembly conviction
GEORGETOWN: The hearing of an appeal by two PAS leaders and a preacheragainst their conviction and sentencing for taking part in an unlawfulassembly three years ago has been fixed by a High Court here for July21.

Three to vie for PAS No. 2 post
PETALINGJAYA: A three-way fight is likely in the battle for the PAS deputypresident post, with two other nominees pulling out of the race.

Election campaigners caught violating the rules to face the music
BUTTERWORTH: A law spelling out a list of no-nos on polling day will be strictly enforced for the May 31 Penanti by-election.

Madam Dumpling to keep prices low
MALACCA:The price of ingredients and bamboo leaves has gone up, but 62-year-oldGue Siew Mui has vowed to keep the price of her famous homemadeBaba-Nyonya changs low during the Dragon Boat Festival later this month.

Bodies of two seamen found
JOHORBARU: The bodies of two Indonesian crewmen, who went missing after atanker carrying sludge caught fire on Monday, have been recovered.

Gangs may be behind heist
KUALALUMPUR: Police believe the RM8.24mil security van heist in Cheras onMonday might have been carried out by criminals with links to infamousgroups such as the Mamak and Deva Gangs.

Sultan declares Kampar a district
KAMPAR: This former tin mining town has been elevated to district status and is set to become an efficient service industry hub.

Horse unit to rein in Johor crime
MUAR: The police horse unit in Bukit Aman has cantered in for Johor’s community policing programme launched on Saturday.

Three cops held for rape of teen
KUALA LUMPUR: Three police constables were arrested in Serdang yesterday for allegedly raping a 17-year-old Indonesian girl.

MACC: Trend reversal in those caught for corruption
KOTAKINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) is noticing atrend reversal among those caught for graft – 115 of the 203individuals allegedly involved in corruption since January were membersof the public.

Oman looks to Malaysia for English teaching plan
KUALALUMPUR: Malaysia’s Teaching of Maths and Science in English (PPSMI) hasearned rave reviews in the Gulf states and a 12-man delegation fromOman is in town to see how we do it.

UPSR questions online
KUALATERENGGANU: A databank with more than 10,000 past UPSR questions willgo online on a monthly basis into 25,000 digital notebooks to be givento Year Five pupils in the state.

Speed up forest projects or lose rights, licencees told
KUCHING:The state government has warned that more of the 42 planted forestlicences issued will be revoked if the holders are slow to implementthe projects.

Move to lower food cost
MIRI:The Government is looking at ways to reduce the disparity in the priceof essential foodstuff in parts of Sabah and Sarawak and the peninsula.

Police bust syndicate involved in RM6.4mil cheating cases
GEORGETOWN: A syndicate believed to be responsible for more than 210 cheatingcases nationwide involving RM6.4mil over the past year was busted withthe arrest of nine people including seven Chinese nationals in NibongTebal.

‘PI’ says exco member claimed RM148,000 in 13 months
THEKedah government will probe allegations on a blog that a state excomember had submitted claims amounting to RM148,000 over the last 13months, reports Berita Harian.

Actress Carina Lau ready for motherhood
HONG Kong actress Carina Lau Ka Ling, who married Tony Leung Chiu Wai last year, is ready to have a baby, China Press reported.

MIC has not failed Indians, says Subra
THEMIC has not failed in its responsibility to raise problems faced by theIndian community, says MIC secretary-general and Human ResourcesMinister Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam.