BATU PAHAT: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today verified that his vice chief Khairul Azwan Harun lodged the police report, claiming conspiracy by certain quarters to topple the prime minister, in his personal capacity.
"The youth vice chief lodged the report as an individual," he told reporters who asked him about Khairul Azwan's police report.
Earlier, Khairy who is also Youth and Sports Minister launched Johor Phase II FIT Malaysia at Batu Pahat Stadium here.
He said Khairul Azwan had also explained that he made the report based on information he had, which he also shared with police in a statement.
"We leave it to the police to conduct an investigation; as what the prime minister had said, the police report was made (by Khairul Azwan) as an individual."
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said Khairul Azwan acted in his personal capacity and not for the party when lodging the police report and that it was the Umno Youth vice chief's right to do so.
Inspector-general of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was reported as saying that Khairul Azwan's statement was taken at Bukit Aman police headquarters yesterday morning and investigations were being conducted.
On Tuesday, Khairul Azwan lodged a report against former Attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz and outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, alleging conspiracy by the three to topple Najib and the Malaysian Government.
Singapore's central bank said on Saturday it is examining the extent of Goldman Sachs' (GS.N) local unit's involvement in bond deals for Malaysian state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
"MAS supervisory examination into the extent of Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte's involvement in the 1MDB bond deals is still ongoing," a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) spokeswoman said in an email statement to Reuters.
The MAS has been questioning banks and financial institutions since last year as part of investigations into possible money laundering in the city state linked to 1MDB..
A Goldman Sachs' spokesman in Hong Kong declined to comment on the Singapore inquiry. 1MDB has said in the past it is not a party to the civil suit, does not have any assets in the United States of America, nor has it benefited from the various transactions described in the civil suit.
The Wall Street bank's work with 1MDB is under the spotlight after the U.S. government alleged this month that billions of dollars were diverted from bond deals arranged by Goldman for the personal use of officials and some people associated with the state fund.
Goldman Sachs, which earned close to $600 million to arrange and underwrite the 1MDB bonds, has not been accused of any wrongdoing by U.S. authorities.
(Reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Denny Thomas and Christopher Cushing)
In her own words: Dr Siti Hasmah focuses on brief recollections, moments and impressions in her memoirs ‘My Name is Hasmah’.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali marks her 90th birthday with the release of her lively and delightful memoirs.
THE birthday girl looked as lovely as I have always known her to be. It was hard to believe she was all of 90 years old.
Indeed, the years have been kind to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and I am convinced how she looks simply reflects her inner beauty, kindness and good heart.
As I sang Happy Birthday to her with family, friends and many, many admirers, I thought back to 1996, when I scored one of my proudest scoops as a journalist: an exclusive interview with her.
As the wife of the Prime Minister, she was immensely popular with the public who respected her as a doctor and admired her quiet elegance, grace and dignity.
While everyone knew her public persona, little was known about her personal life. I had covered Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad extensively and had always wanted to write about her, too. Finally, with the help of her daughter Datin Paduka Marina, our long-time columnist, I secured the interview.
It was the first she had granted to a journalist, and I was excited and nervous in equal parts: here was a chance to get never-before revealed nuggets into the lives of the Prime Minister, his wife and their family and I didn’t want to flub it.
Fortunately, I didn’t and I had enough material for a two-part series which was published in The Star on March 4 and 5, 1996.
I wrote about her early years, how she and Dr Mahathir met as medical students – a wonderful love story that has lasted 70 years – his rocky road to prime ministership, their children and her values and thoughts on various issues.
But when we touched on a few sensitive subjects, she asked me to be discreet about some of the details.
I had another coup when she granted another exclusive interview on the rather perilous and exciting holiday she and Dr Mahathir had in the Antarctica and Argentina in 2002.
I would interview her again – when Dr Mahathir retired in 2003 – which allowed me to write about her one more time.
Fast forward to late May 2016. I received an e-mail from Marina’s office asking me to save the date on July 20 for her mother’s 90th birthday. Not only that, she would be launching her own memoirs on that day.
The birthday-cum-book launch with a pretty, floral theme, held at the amazingly creative event space called the Glasshouse at Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur, was a joyous lovefest led by her close-knit family in which we, the guests, were delighted to be part of.
All of us got a copy of the hardcover memoirs titled My Name is Hasmah. I started reading it the moment I got home.
It’s immediately engaging because it’s very well designed and thought out.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah with the writer.
There are lots of photos, listicles and whimsical illustrations (although I didn’t think the one showing a dissected frog was necessary!) that match the cheerful and accessible tone of the writing.
In her introduction, Dr Siti Hasmah explains that rather than write a full-blown “exhaustive account of every last detail of my life, I have decided instead to focus on brief recollections, moments and impressions that capture the truth of who I am”.
And who is this woman? She reveals herself in six parts: as daughter and sister, doctor, wife, mother and grandmother, prime minister’s wife and finally, as so-called retiree.
Some parts of the book are familiar to me as they recall my own articles on her but they are still a pleasure a read. Written in an informal and personal style, I felt as if I could “hear” her voice in those pages.
She covers much ground, including a brief and measured foray into friendships wrecked by politics, but predictably, the most interesting bits are on her relationship with Dr Mahathir.
Even though I knew their beginnings, she shares more details which are touching and romantic.
Dr Siti Hasmah, the only Malay girl in her batch of medical students at the University of Malaya in Singapore, struggled with her studies and she candidly shares that she “became known among my classmates as the girl who had to sit for exams every six months, repeating the subjects that I had failed ...”
But it was because she had such difficulties that Dr Mahathir stepped in like “my knight in shining armour” to tutor her.
That was the start of their life-long love for each other, which is in Part 3 of the book, appropriately titled ‘Sayang’, meaning love in Malay.
How they dated and how Dr Mahathir confessed his love to her is so sweet that it could have been right out of one of my Korean dramas.
But he is, she writes, also exceedingly shy and avoids any display of affection in public. Even now, she adds, with her very poor eyesight, he will not hold her hand in public.
If Dr Mahathir is famous for his sarcastic sense of humour, Dr Siti Hasmah’s wit is a lot gentler and self-deprecating. She shares many adventures and misadventures which are so funny, I laughed out loud.
One surprising revelation from the book is that Dr Mahathir is diabetic and asthmatic, although it is unclear whether he was so when he was prime minister.
Dr Siti Hasmah also writes about the adoption of their two youngest children, Mazhar and Maizura, in 1984 from Pakistan. It was an open secret but she asked me not to make public the details 20 years ago, possibly because the two were still young even though they already knew of their adoption.
Throughout her long and eventful life, Dr Siti Hasmah seems to have a very clear sense of self. She has her own remarkable achievements as a government doctor and advocate for causes she believes in but her most important role was that of a supporting one to her husband.
To her, the Prime Minister’s wife “was expected to be a role model, a positive influence, an inspiration to the people”.
She adds that to do that, one had to “really take a good hard look at yourself first”. And the one quality necessary to fulfil the role is humility because “If you are humble, the people will accept you”.
And that is the secret to her success and why she remains much loved, no matter how the political winds blow. Her name is Hasmah. Remember that!
Aunty finds herself very moved by this line in the book: ‘I have osteoporosis, so if you hug me, please hug me gently.’ My Name is Hasmah is available in all major bookstores at RM80. Feedback: aunty@thestar.com.my
KUANTAN: A 59-year-old Datuk Seri accidentally rammed his car into his wife while making a U-turn, causing her death.
It is learnt that he was making a detour after exiting the guard house at the Bukit Istana residential area, where they lived, and heading towards Kuantan town.
Just then, his 57-year-old wife was about to arrive home from shopping.
She was in another car with her son-in-law and when they reached the guard house, she spotted her husband’s Range Rover.
She asked to be dropped off and then made a dash for her husband’s car as she wanted a lift.
However, she was hit as the Datuk Seri could not avoid her in time.
The victim, who was flung away from the Range Rover, was bleeding from the nose and mouth as well as suffering from broken bones.
She was rushed to a nearby medical centre by her husband and son-in-law but died a few hours later.
Both the victim and her husband were managing directors of a mining company.
“According to the witness statement, she was on her way to a religious programme at about 9pm on Thursday. She was already late so she tried to wave down her husband’s car.
“However, her action was sudden and her husband did not see her as it was dark because the streetlights were blocked by trees,” state Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department chief Supt Mohamad Noor Yusof Ali said yesterday.
He said a post-mortem conducted at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan showed that she died from head and chest injuries.
State police chief Comm Datuk Seri Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said the accident was due to carelessness and there was no criminal element.
He urged the public not to speculate about the tragedy.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte announces during his visit to Camp Morgia in Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on July 29 that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is being given a deadline until 5:00 p.m. of July 30 to reciprocate a ceasefire from their side. Otherwise the President will lift the unilateral ceasefire he declared for the communist rebels during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25. RENE LUMAWAG/PPD
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday night recalled his ceasefire order after a 5 p.m. deadline he had set passed without a response from communist insurgents.
But Jose Maria Sison, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), said that although refusing to be bullied, the insurgents had planned to declare a truce at 8 p.m.
“But since Duterte had already lifted his ceasefire order, then there’s nothing we can do,” Sison told ABS-CBN News Channel, speaking from Utrecht, the Netherlands, where he is living in self-imposed exile.
The ceasefire, which Mr. Duterte declared during his inaugural State of the Nation Address to Congress on Monday, lasted less than a week.
“Let me announce that I am hereby ordering the immediate lifting of the unilateral ceasefire that I ordered last July 25 against the communist rebels,” the President said in a statement.
Mr. Duterte also ordered the military and the police “to withdraw the operation guidelines they had issued” after his truce declaration.
He directed government forces to be on alert for threats to national security.
“I am ordering all security forces to be on high alert and continue to discharge their normal functions and mandate to neutralize all threats to national security, protect the citizenry, enforce the laws and maintain peace in the land,” the President said.
Mr. Duterte had made friendly overtures to the insurgents, then issued the ceasefire order to encourage peace talks.
Two days after his announcement, however, communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas ambushed militiamen returning to their base in Kapalong, Davao del Norte province, killing one and wounding four others, angering Mr. Duterte, who threatened to scuttle his ceasefire order unless the rebels showed their readiness to match his truce declaration.
Insurgents planned truce
Mr. Duterte initially threatened to recall his ceasefire order by Friday but extended his deadline after the rebels said they were investigating the guerrilla attack.
On Friday, the President gave the rebels an ultimatum, saying he would scuttle his ceasefire order if they would not declare their own truce by 5 p.m. the next day.
The deadline passed on Saturday with no indication the rebels would declare a truce.
In his television interview, Sison criticized Mr. Duterte for giving the insurgents an ultimatum.
Calling the President a “bully,” he said Mr. Duterte could never tell the revolutionary movement to do whatever he wanted.
“He is so thuggish, he immediately wants a fight. If he doesn’t want peace, so be it,” Sison said.
He said the ceasefire order from the CPP was a public notice from the information department of the party’s central committee, and was recommended by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political arm of the local communist movement.
“Four hours ago, there was an announcement of a ceasefire order from the revolutionary movement at 8 p.m. It was they who would decide whether to release or hold it,” he said.
Sison said he was not in a position to order the insurgents to declare a truce.
No real ceasefire
Even the military was not enforcing Mr. Duterte’s ceasefire order, he said.
“He should not give us an ultimatum. We asked for only a little time. What we are trying to resolve here is a real war that has lasted for decades,” he said.
Earlier Saturday, a spokesperson for the NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command said the military, militiamen and the police showed no signs they were observing a ceasefire even after President Duterte had declared a truce.
“The NPA and the people’s militia are ready to defend [themselves against] enemy troops who are actively present in almost all villages in Southern Mindanao,” Rigoberto Sanchez, the rebel spokesperson, said.
“These are not troops implementing innocuous ‘civil-military operations’ but are implementing combat operations, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence and psychological warfare in civilian communities,” he said.
Sanchez said government forces continued military operations in Magpet, North Cotabato, after Mr. Duterte’s truce declaration.
“On July 27, platoons of the 84th [Infantry Battalion] were deployed in far-flung communities in Toril, Davao City. In Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, troops of the 2nd Scout Rangers Battalion conducted combat operations on July 29,” he said.
Earlier, the NPA admitted the attack on militiamen in Kapalong, but said it was a counteroffensive.
Peace talks
On Saturday, Sanchez said the firefight in Kapalong was proof of continuing government operations against the NPA.
He said military officials opposed to peace were spinning lies to derail the peace negotiations.
Sanchez said it would be difficult for the NPA to reciprocate Mr. Duterte’s ceasefire declaration if there were military officials who refused to follow the President’s order.
In his television interview, Sison said he remained open to peace talks with the government.
“As far as I’m concerned, what has been decided—that the two sides will meet for talks—is still on,” he said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said Saturday night that peace talks with the insurgents would continue even with the lifting of the truce order.
Speaking on state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Dureza said there was no “intervening factor” that would affect the resumption of peace negotiations.
Earlier yesterday, Dureza said peace talks with the insurgents would proceed even if President Duterte scuttled his ceasefire order.
“We’re pushing through with it as originally scheduled,” he said.
He said the talks, to be held from Aug. 20 to 27 in Oslo, Norway, had been set before Mr. Duterte declared a ceasefire during his inaugural address to Congress last Monday.
“[The lifting of the ceasefire order] will not in any way affect the peace talks because we know, even when we agreed to resume peace negotiations, we have tabled as an agenda item the discussion on the current ceasefire. At that time, we did not even consider that a unilateral ceasefire would be called by the President,” he said.
“So it is not a factor at all in the planned negotiations,” he added.
A bilateral ceasefire could be discussed during the peace talks, he said.
“We can fine-tune the ceasefire arrangement there because when you come up with a bilateral negotiated ceasefire, the mechanisms and the other collateral arrangements will be discussed across the table during that particular time,” he said.
As for the statement of Sison asking the President for more time to study a ceasefire, Dureza said he respected the statement.
But Sison should also respect the position that Mr. Duterte had taken, he said.
He said that the President declared a unilateral ceasefire to bring peace, protect communities, and provide an enabling environment for peace negotiations.
But the President, he said, had also expected the communist groups to reciprocate with their own truce declaration. With reports from Yuji Vincent Gonzales, Inquirer.net; and Karlos Manlupig, Inquirer Mindanao/TVJ
The activities suspended include Orientation Week, also known as O Week, a five-day event that was scheduled to happen next week.
It was to be the final orientation camp before the school semester begins.
The unexpected measure follows the controversy over how some of the games at the orientation camps had become sexualised.
The last straw appears to be a video that surfaced yesterday, showing students conducting dunking and ragging activities at Sheares Hall on Wednesday (July 27).
In the video, four students can be seen grabbing a limb of another student and dunking him into a body of water repeatedly while singing.
This was also carried out on a female student.
Another segment of the video then showed topless male students crawling on the floor while chanting obscenities.
NUS has since confirmed the video.
In a strongly-worded statement to the media on Friday (July 29), a spokesman for NUS said such activities were not condoned but were still carried out despite previous instructions on the matter.
“We are deeply disappointed that some of our students have flouted the rules and behaved in an unacceptable manner in organising freshmen activities,” she said.
“Dunking or any other form of ragging is strictly banned under the university’s guidelines for student activities.
“The university takes a very serious view of this breach and is currently conducting an investigation.”
The spokesman added that all student-organised team-building activities for freshmen have been suspended until further notice.
The New Paper understands that ongoing camps were stopped halfway because of the suspension, and the participants were told to go home.
The suspension and video come in the wake of current investigations of the union camp and arts camp at NUS.
In the report, one freshman told TNP that she was asked whose bodily fluids she would drink, while another watched her peers re-enact an incestuous rape scene as part of a forfeit.
On Friday, the NUS spokesman said that those responsible will be brought before the university’s board of discipline.
“The instances of unacceptable behaviour and activities that have surfaced this week play no part in a university education,” the spokesman said.
“The university is conducting thorough investigations into these unacceptable as well as unauthorised activities.”
EXCEPTIONS
However, some activities for the freshmen are to continue.
The spokesman said: “The freshmen inauguration ceremonies, welcome receptions by deans, heads of department and masters, as well as faculty and department briefings, will continue as scheduled.
“The Nussu Rag and Flag activities, which raise funds for 22 Singapore charities, will continue.”
NUS undergrad Janella Ooi, 21, is a committee member of one of the events that was affected by the suspension.
She said they had spent about half a year planning the event and a lot of their own money.
“We are really sad because our juniors put in a lot of effort and now it is completely undone,” she said.
“But personally, I understand (the decision to suspend activities), and I was extremely appalled by the forfeit that promoted rape culture.”
She added that Orientation Week was to be a time for freshmen to get used to university life, but that opportunity has now been taken away.
She said: “I feel that NUS could perhaps have some official who could oversee the activities to ensure that these rules are adhered to strictly.”
Miss Hui Yan, 26, a marketing executive and NUS alumna, said she was previously a camp facilitator and feels that the rest of the school is being punished for the actions of just a few.
“It is an incredibly superficial and shortsighted move on the school’s part, thinking that removing a one-week event will solve deep-rooted issues of sexual harassment and misogyny once and for all,” she said.
“Careful planning has gone into the logistics in terms of ensuring overall safety and modesty at most of the camps.
“And organisers will feel frustration and betrayal by the school authorities for seeking a short-term solution instead of formulating a proper resolution in view of the amount of time (that has) gone into planning.”
LABUAN: A 33-year-old woman lost a total of RM18,000 after being lured through Facebook that she had received a gift and cash amounting to USD600,000 from abroad.
It all started when the woman, a sales advisor accepted a 'friend' request and got to know the person purportedly named Yong Liu.
On July 10 before ending their chat, the man told her that he would be sending her a gift.
Two days later on July 12, she received a call from an unidentified woman at 10.38am informing her that a package had arrived for her from abroad and that she was required to make customs tax clearance for it.
She received a text message from the same number instructing her to pay RM4,500 to an individual account. Unwittingly, she made the bank transaction at about 12pm the same day, said Labuan police chief Supt Adzhar Othman Saturday.
He said the victim received a second call from the same person at 1.30pm the same day, asking her to pay another RM13,500.
"She was informed that the package was being kept by Customs because it contained US currency, which is illegal under the law. She again credited the money into the same account.
"On July 13, the victim received another call from the same person who told her that the package contained USD600,000 and asked her to bank in RM150,000 into a companys account.
"Finally the victim suspected that something was amiss and immediately called Subang Jaya Customs Department. She was told that it was a scam and was advised to lodge a police report," Adzhar said.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. - Bernama
HULU SELANGOR: Police are hunting down a trio of thieves who made off with some RM15,000 worth of jewellery from a store in Kuala Kubu Baru.
The 33-year-old business owner and her assistant were manning the counter when a man entered the store at about 11.10am Friday on the pretext of purchasing jewellery for his wife and daughter.
Hulu Selangor OCPD Supt R. Supramaniam said on Saturday that the man asked the storeowner to show him a necklace from the display case.
“He told the owner he wanted to buy a necklace each for his wife and daughter.
“The owner took out a necklace from the display case for him to hold.
“She told him that the necklace was worth between RM11,000 and RM15,000,” he explained.
The man told the owner that he did not have that much cash on him and said that he will return in the afternoon.
He came back to the jewellery store at around 1.05pm, accompanied by a woman.
Supt Supramaniam said the man asked to see the same necklace again, to which the owner obliged.
“He told the woman who was with him to go into the car and take money.
“That was when another man came into the store and took the necklace from him.
“All three of them took off with the jewellery and made away in a silver Perodua Myvi,” he elaborated.
According to Supt Supramaniam, the car’s registration number ACK 988 was false.
Police have retrieved the closed ciruit television (CCTV) footage from the store.
Those with information on the case are requested to come forward and assist in investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft.
AUSTIN, Texas, July 30 (Reuters) - At least 16 people were feared dead after a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed in a pasture near the central Texas city of Lockhart on Saturday morning, according to federal and local authorities.
"It does not appear at this time that there were any survivors of the crash," Caldwell County Sheriff Daniel Law said in a statement, according to his office.
Emergency responders in Texas said the fire hit the basket portion of the hot air balloon.
"Right now, we have a number of fatalities," a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said from the scene, adding a Federal Bureau of Investigation team was being dispatched to help in evidence gathering.
The NTSB did not offer any details on what may have caused the accident, which occurred on a clear day. It said it believes the balloon belonged to a tour group that offers hot air balloon rides.
The accident is likely to be one of the deadliest hot air balloon crashes on record. It comes about three years after 19 people, mostly Asian and European tourists, were killed in a hot air balloon crash in Luxor, Egypt.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the Lockhart crash, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Austin. It did not offer any information on fatalities but said at least 16 people were on board the balloon.
The Caldwell County sheriff's office said it was working to determine the identities of those aboard.
More than a dozen police vehicles could be seen on pasture land at the site of the crash, in live video provided by Austin TV station KVUE.
The FAA said the crash took place at about 7:40 a.m. (1240 GMT).
Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered his condolences to those killed in the crash.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as the Lockhart community," he said in a statement.
Lockhart is a town of about 13,000 people near state parks and home to a variety of barbecue restaurants considered to be among the best in the state.
The crash in Egypt occurred after a mid-air gas explosion.
A year before that incident, a hot air balloon burst into flames and crashed in New Zealand, killing all 11 people on board in the country's worst air accident in more than three decades. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Steve Orlofsky)
Watch all 51 contestants compete for the title and crown for Miss Teen USA 2016. The finalists will compete in athletic wear, evening wear and final question. Streaming LIVE from the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Saturday, 30 July 2016 | MYT 5:43 PM
CJ calls for separation of Judicial and Legal Service Commission
KUALA LUMPUR: The Chief Justice called for separation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, saying it was a conflict of interest for the Attorney General to have influence over the Subordinate Courts.
The Attorney-General was currently on the panel of the Commision which oversaw the Subordinate Courts that consisted of Sessions Courts judges and magistrates, plus the legal service which includes Deputy Public Prosecutors and Senior Federal Council.
Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria (pic) suggested instead the Chief Registrar should lead the judical services while the Attorney General lead the legal services.
He called it a "conflict of interest" to have the AG lead both, as the AG was under the executive, while judicial officers were under the judiciary.
The three pillars of Government - the legislative, executive and judiciary - are required to be separated to ensure each one's independence.
"If the AG continues to lead both services, I worry it would create a negative perception of the judiciary's independence; an opinion many parties share," said Arifin in a speech at the Judicial Officers Conference here.
During a press conference after, he told reporters that people that disagreed with a judgement might say the magistrates were toeing the line with the AG's chambers as they were effectively the same body.
"Imagine if a senior officer from the AGC or even the AG himself was prosecuting. Lagi menggeletar (they'll be even more nervous)," he said.
Chief Registrar Datin Latifah Mohd Tahar told reporters the papers had been handed to the Commission and might be decided on within the year.
Sheila Majid’s former clerk gets jail for misappropriating company money THE STAR
KUALA LUMPUR: A former clerk of jazz queen Datuk Sheila Majid was jailed four years after the court found her guilty of committing criminal breach of trust involving RM90,000.
Sessions Court judge Zulqarnain Hassan handed down the decision after the prosecution had succeeded in proving a case beyond reasonable doubt against Nasimah Kamarudin, 39.
nasimah kamarudin
Judge Zulqarnain held that the offence was a white collar crime and was serious because it would give a negative effect to the financial system and business, adding that the offence involved company cheques and money which was used for personal gain.
A total of four prosecution witnesses, including Sheila Majid, were called to give their testimony.
Nasimah’s lawyer later applied for stay pending appeal.
Judge Zulqarnain granted the application but increased bail to RM18,000 from RM10,000.
Nasimah was charged on Dec 24, 2014.
Nasimah, who was entrusted with a cheque book belonging to production company Magada Entertainment Sdn Bhd, was said to have cashed five cheques in her name and deposited another eight cheques into her bank account.
She was accused of using RM90,000 for personal gain.
The offence was alleged to have been committed at Magada Entertainment’s office at No. 32, Jalan Balau in Damansara Heights between Nov 1, 2007 and March 28, 2008.
Sheila (whose real name is Shaheila Abd Majid), the company’s managing director, lodged a police report against Nasimah on April 18, 2008.
Nasimah, arrested on April 28, was charged under Section 408 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.
Man arrested in Singapore for taking upskirt shots
A 49-year-old man being held down by passers-by at Westgate in Singapore after being spotted allegedly taking upskirt shots of a woman on an escalator at the neighbouring Jem mall. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
SINGAPORE: Carrying a rolled-up magazine, a man stood behind a woman in a blue dress on an upward moving escalator at Jem in Jurong East here.
While it looked innocent at first glance, another man wearing a navy uniform saw that the man had hidden a mobile phone in the magazine and seemed to be taking upskirt shots of the woman.
He immediately shouted at the man on the escalator, telling him to stop what he was doing.
The suspected voyeur, who was wearing a blue shirt, tie and brown trousers, ran up the escalator and onto the linkway between Jem and Westgate. The navy man gave chase, calling to bystanders to stop the man.
The suspect was later caught at Westgate, where he was pinned down by the navy officer and two others.
His phone was taken away and bystanders were asked to alert the police. The incident occurred at around 1.15pm on Thursday.
Security officers kept a crowd of curious lunchtime shoppers away from the scene while waiting for the police to arrive.
At around 1.30pm, two police officers arrived and led the man away in handcuffs.
"I saw the navy guy chase him, so I helped to stop him," said executive Martin Yeo, 33.
The police said the suspect, 49, has been arrested in relation to the case and they had established that he had possession of obscene materials.
Investigations are still ongoing.
This was the latest reported case of upskirt filming. At least nine people may have been convicted for the offence so far this year.
Those found guilty of insulting the modesty of a woman or attempting to do so can be jailed for up to a year, fined or both.
While many cases of "upskirting" are done to get "thrills", the act can also be associated with mental disorders, said Dr Thong Jiunn Yew, a psychiatrist of Nobel Psychological Wellness Clinic in Ang Mo Kio.
"For example, it may be part of a voyeuristic disorder where the offender frequently takes upskirt footage over a prolonged period of at least six months and derives intense sexual arousal from this," he said.
"The person may also be suffering from depression or anxiety disorders, and such behaviours help him cope with stress and feel better."
He said upskirt victims may also experience increased anxiety, and should consult a mental health professional should it persist for more than two weeks.
"In most of such cases, psychological treatment is enough, but some may need medication if mood symptoms are especially bad or persistent."
Psychiatrist Brian Yeo, who has his own practice, said his clinic usually sees two to three individuals who take upskirt videos a year.
"(The habit) most probably started by watching pornography online, but the stimulation soon becomes insufficient," said Dr Yeo.
"They soon have to associate such pictures with real images in their mind for higher sexual relief, and resort to 'upskirting'." – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
KOTA KINABALU: A Form Four student who went missing two weeks ago is now back with her family but not before going through a hellish nightmare of being illegally confined, repeatedly raped and beaten up.
Police are investigating her claims since she returned home safely on Monday.
Acting on her report, police picked up an unemployed man, aged 22, in Ranau the same day.
Ranau police chief Deputy Supt Mohd Farhan Lee said the girl from Penampang had alleged that she was held against her will by the suspect.
DSP Mohd Farhan said in her report, the girl said she hooked up with a man through the social media (WeChat) about a month ago.
“They had been communicating since then and finally decided to meet on July 11.
“He took her back to his home in Kampung Sinarut Baru and shortly after, they got into an argument. She then asked to be sent home. Instead the man got angry and started to scold and slap her,” DSP Mohd Farhan said.
He said, fearing for her safety, the girl gave in to his demands.
“After two weeks, the suspect agreed to let her go. He dropped her off near a furniture shop in Putatan from where she walked home,” he said.
The girl’s parents had lodged a missing persons report on July 12.
Duterte visits wake of slain CAFGU man as kin call for justice
CAFGU member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army last Wednesday, July 27
Rappler.com
AMBUSH. Members of the government militia were ambushed by the New People's Army on Wednesday, July 27. Photo courtesy of 101D
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, July 29, visited the wake of the government militia member killed in an ambush in Davao del Norte earlier this week, as his relatives cried for justice.
Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army (NPA) last Wednesday, July 27.
His wife, Makiling Komanad, and son Binoy called for justice for Kamonad's death.
The President visited the wake at the headquarters of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
Kamonad was killed while two others were wounded when NPA members staged an ambush around 6:45 am on July 27, in Sitio Kamonuan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
The military claimed that militia members from the 72nd Infantry Battalion were on their way back to their camp at Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan, in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire earlier declared by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July 25.
1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Ricardo Nepomuceno said in a statement that the ambush of their troops who were pulling out from the operational area in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire was deplorable.
He added that they will continue to observe the suspension of offensive operations against the NPA and coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the conduct of law enforcement operations.
Major General Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander, condemned the attack.
He added, “We shall continue to abide with the ceasefire, while we continue to secure the communities, vital installations and ongoing government flagship projects against any possible attack of the [armed lawless groups].”
Earlier, the NPA blamed the military, claiming it was only defending itself from the government troops who were allegedly ignoring Duterte's ceasefire declaration. – Editha Caduaya/Rappler.com
PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa presented road rage suspect Vhon Tanto in a press conference at Manila Police District (MPD) on Saturday morning.
Tanto has been brought to Manila from Masbate.
Dela Rosa chided Tanto for not being able to punch properly when he engaged victim Mark Vincent Geralde in a fistfight before he shot him at point blank range Monday night.
MPD Director Joel Coronel says, during his arrest in Masbate, Tanto attempted to flee, but he was cornered by the Philippine Army and police.
Tanto says, he went to Masbate because he feared for his life.
He also wants to ensure the safety of his family.
Tanto is being accompanied by his wife and children.
He is undergoing police booking and will be subjected to inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice.
Road rage suspect says cyclist was arrogant
ABS-CBN News
Road rage suspect Vhon Tanto admitted Saturday that his temper got the best of him when he shot cyclist Mark Vincent Geralde in Manila.
Tanto made headlines and enraged the public when a CCTV footage surfaced showing him shooting Geralde several times following a fistfight in Manila's Quiapo district last Monday.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Tanto claimed Geralde acted arrogantly. He said Geralde's confrontational stance resulted in their fistfight and the fatal shooting.
Tanto said, the altercation started when his car and Geralde's bike nearly had a collision.
''Binaba ko yung salamin sa kanang banda sabi ko, 'kuya pasensya ka na kasi di ko naman sinasadya at tsaka di naman tayo nagpang abot'. Sabi ko sa kanya dapat mag-iingat kayo kasi dapat ang bisikleta, sa gilid lang. Bigla akong minura, sabi niya 'g**o ka pala eh.' Sabi ko kuya huwag kang magmura. Hanggang sa patuloy pa rin ang pagmumura niya,'' Tanto said.
''Nung sinabi niya na, 'gusto mo basagin ko pa ang salamin mo', dun na ako napikon. Tsaka may dugo na ako noon kasi may tumamang matigas na bagay sa akin. Kaya hilo hilo na ako noon.
''Nag-sorry na ako sa kanya, minumura pa rin ako. Nag-pangabot na kami. Llamado siya, matangkad ba. Hanggang sa nilock niya ako. Makikita naman po sa CCTV."
Tanto arrived at the Manila Police District at 6:52 a.m. following an overnight trip from Masbate where he was taken by the police into custody.
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, a director in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, is the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner.
Dzulkifli’s appointment, which was widely rumoured several days prior to the announcement, was well received by A-G Tan Sri Apandi Ali and senior lawyers.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa ended the speculation yesterday when he announced that Dzulkifli will start as MACC chief tomorrow. His tenure will be until July 31, 2021.
“The appointment is in accordance with Section 5 (1) of the MACC Act 2009,” Dr Ali said in a statement yesterday.
Dzulkifli, 48, takes over from outgoing chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, who officially steps down tomorrow but started his leave yesterday.
Congratulations: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa (left) presenting Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad with his appointment letter to the post of MACC chief commissioner.
Abu Kassim’s contract as chief commissioner was supposed to end on Dec 4, 2018, but the date was brought forward to Aug 1 this year upon his request.
Apandi welcomed the news and wished Dzulkifli all the best. “I hope we can work closer together to eradicate corruption,” he said.
Dzulkifli’s former boss Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail declined to comment when contacted.
During his 23 years in service, Dzulkifli contributed to various divisions before his last post as director in the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team (NRRET).
He started his career as a prosecutor in 1993 where he served in the Commercial Crime Unit for 10 years and was the unit’s chief for another six years.
He was chairman of a special task force and was director of management of criminal cases. He also served in various other units such as the Classified Case unit and forfeiture of property unit.
Dzulkifli also handled several high-profile corruption and criminal breach of trust cases in the past.
This includes the prosecution of two Tabung Haji senior general managers, Mohamad Shafie and Mohamed Amin Sidek, in 2002.
However, Mohamad was discharged and acquitted in 2012 by the Court of Appeal.
He also led the prosecution team when National Feedlot Corpora-tion chairperson Mohamed Salleh Ismail was charged four years ago.
Dzulkifli has a Bachelors of Law Degree and DSLP (Diploma in Syariah and Legal Practice) from the International Islamic University.
He was called to the Bar in 1993. He is married to Datin Bitizela Mohd Bidin and the couple is blessed with a son and a daughter.
Dr Ali also announced that current MACC deputy chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali has been transferred to the Immigra-tion Department and appointed as the new director-general effective Aug 1, replacing Datuk Seri Sakib Kusmi.
The other transfers of high-ranking officials announced were Tan Sri Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur, who was transferred to the Higher Education Ministry as the new secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang as the new Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general and Datuk Dr Mohd Azhar Yahaya as the new Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry secretary-general.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territories Ministry have set new parking rates according to three zones effective Saturday.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (pix) said in a statement Friday that a RM1.50 charge would be levied for the first hour of parking in the city centre and RM2.50 for the second hour, with a maximum parking period of two hours.
"For areas outside the city centre with a high-level of activities such as Sentul, Bangsar and Brickfields, the charge for the first and subsequent hours will only be RM1.
"Charges for areas outside the city centre such as Segambut, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Setiawangsa, Sungai Besi and Bandar Tun Razak for the first and subsequent hours is RM0.80," he said, adding that there would be no parking time limit in these two zones.
Tengku Adnan said parking fees may be paid using coins, Touch 'N Go cards, and a mobile phone application.
He said for those parking long hours on a daily basis, DBKL had introduced monthly passes that could be subscribed online, at very reasonable rates.
Tengku Adnan said the implementation of the new parking rates had taken into account the diverse needs of users and was based on the principle of "moving people", not vehicles.
"It is DBKL's intention that when all the plans are implemented, citizens will enjoy a more smooth and efficient traffic flow," he said.
He said people who wished to purchase monthly passes and find out more information on the services provided by DBKL could visit www.citypark.my. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds attended the funeral service of slain moneylender V. Kandasamy, known also as Kanna, at his residence in Taman Melati Utama, Setapak here.
Roll-up buntings of Kandasamy’s portrait were plastered across the walls of the condominium complex’s front gates, with the words “Presiden Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Sosial De’One” (President of De’One Welfare and Social Club) written at the top and bottom of the fabric.
A tent was set up at the complex’s outdoor parking lot for the comfort of mourners who started pouring in as early as 9am Friday.
The hearst carrying Kandasamy’s body left for Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, at about 1pm.
A 35-year old friend who wanted to be known only as Raj, 35, said Kandasamy – also known as Kanna – had always helped the needy including widows and underprivileged kids during their 20-year friendship.
“He helped needy kids to continue their studies. A lot of people respected him,” said Raj.
Two other mourners who wished to remain anonymous added that Kandasamy was a good person who helped a lot of people, saying that his club sponsored RM10,000 for flood victims in Kelantan.
It was reported that Kandasamy was shot 16 times while driving near Setapak Central on Wednesday afternoon.
At 3.35pm, the 43-year-old was driving along alone near the mall when four men on two motorcycles approached his car at the traffic light.
One shooter went to the left and another to the right of his car before both opened fire.
The shooter on the right of the car fired about three to four shots, while the other fired 12 shots.
Investigations on the body showed wounds at the head, body and leg areas.
City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Rusdi Mohd Isa said that no arrests have been made thus far.
Duterte gives NDF up to 5 p.m. July 30 to reciprocate ceasefire or else.. ]
ASUNCION, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 29 July) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday gave the National Democratic Front (NDF) 24 hours or up to 5 p..m. on July 30 to declare a ceasefire, too, or he will lift the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his 1st State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday.
Addressing the NDF after visiting the wake of a Cafgu member who was killed in an ambush owned up by the New People’s Army (NPA) last Wednesday, a furious Duterte said: “I am asking you: are you ready to declare a ceasefire or hindi?”
He looked at his watch and noted the time. “Alas singko ng hapon.(It’s 5 p.m.). I will wait for that declaration alas singko rin bukas ng hapon (also at 5 p.m. tomorrow). That’ a good 24 hours. If I don’t get a word from you then I will lift the order of ceasefire,” Duterte said.
Duterte arrived at the camp of the 60th Infantry Battalion here at around 4:30 p.m. and landed on the solar drier inside the camp.
President Rodrigo Duterte gives the National Democratic Front up to 5 p.m. on July 30 to declare a ceasefire, too, or he will lift the unilateral ceasefire he declared during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25. The ultimatum was given Friday in the camp of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, after visiting the wake of a Cafgu member who was killed in an ambush by the New People’s Army in Kapalong, Davao del Norte last Wednesday. MindaNews photo by KEITH BACONGCO
The media were not allowed to get near the wake but the President, who declared a media boycott on June 2, later faced the media to issue a statement for nearly 20 minutes, mostly addressed to the NDF.
In his SONA, Duterte addressed the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New Peoples Army/National Democratic Front): “Let us end these decades of ambuscades and skirmishes. We are going nowhere. And it is getting bloodier by the day.”
He announced a unilateral ceasefire “to immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the resumption of the peace talks.”
The ceasefire was to take effect immediately. He called on “our Filipinos in the National Democratic Front and its forces to respond accordingly.”
He also appealed to them that “If we cannot, as yet, love one another, then in God’s name, let us not hate each other too much.”
At the camp here, Duterte opened his statement with an address to the Filipino people, that he decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire “because I know that the Philippines needs peace to survive in the coming generations.”
“I have dealt with everybody in good faith. I’ve never foisted a lie. … I decided to declare a ceasefire with the NDF/CPP/NPA. Nauna ako. And many days ago ang reply ng komunista is parang defensive position. Hindi naman stand down,” the President said.
“That is not a good response,” Duterte said, adding he expected the NDF would respond by declaring a ceasefire, too.
He explained that the NDF knows the situation and does not need to study it further because “all they have to do is to count the body bags nga namatay sa kanila pati yung sa gobyerno.”
“I was expecting that they would also reciprocate my implorings for peace with a ceasefire on their side. At least yun ang sagot sana nila” (that should have been their response).
He wondered “if they are really in it for peace or jina-jamming nila ako. So I’d like to issue this statement. Hindi ko kayo tinatakot (I am not scaring you). Pag ayaw ninyo, okay sa akin (If you don’t like, that’s okay with me). We fight for another generation, okay sa akin.”
“Gusto kong magmura (I want to curse). I’ve dealt with you in good faith. You tell me if you are not ready to deal in the same manner,” Duterte warned.
“God, ilan na namamatay sa Pilipino? Sinong pumatay? Pilipino rin. Ang problema sa inyo (God, how many Filipinos have been killed? Who killed them? Filipinos, too. The problem with you is you carry the element of hate. Diskumpyado kayo (You do not trust) You tell me that I will order the police and military out of the mountains. That is out of the question,” Duterte said.
“I cannot withdraw any soldier or policeman dito sa bukid,” he added.
He called on the NDF to “deal with us, deal with me in government in good faith. Wala tayong bolahan (Let’s not fool each other) Because I have shown already many years ago my sincerity to you. And I have been selling this idea to you: we need to stop fighting,” the President said.
In a statement dated July 29, Aris Francisco, spokesperson of the the NPA’s Comval North Davao South Agusan Sub-regional Command, owned up Wednesday’s ambush in Bagnsakan, Sitio Mulig, Barangay Gupitan in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. of what they claim to be members of the Alamara paramilitary but said the military and Cafgu were “clearly on combat operation and not engaged in ‘civilian’ activities, in direct violation to President Duterte’s ceasefire order.”
A member of the Cafgu Active Auxiliary of the 72nd Infantry Battalion was killed and four others were wounded in the ambush.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, chief of the Division Public Affairs of the 10th Infantry Division, said the Cafgu members were heading back to their camp in Sitio Patil, Gupitan when the ambush occurred. (Keith Bacongco / MindaNews)
Outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed bids his men goodbye before leaving the MACC headquarters July 29, 2016. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 ― In an emotional speech, outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed urged his officers today to support his successor who was appointed from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Without naming his successor Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, Abu Kassim, whose last day as MACC chief commissioner falls on August 1, said support was very much needed for the person heading the anti-graft commission.
"Please give him, who is not an ‘internal man’, your support because without this, it will be very hard to move forward," he said at an event to bid farewell to him and two of his deputies.
Deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali will be transfered to assume the director-general position with the Immigration Department from August 1, while deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull will be attending a course before retiring in October.
Earlier, Mustafar and Shukri had to hold back tears when addressing hundreds of MACC officers, who were also seen weeping when listening to both senior officers speak before them for one last time.
Shukri took a good one-minute pause when he stood before the crowd to speak.
"I just want to say I'm sorry if I had done or said anything wrong that hurt any of you...please forgive me," he said, after standing still for a moment.
"And to you, Tan Sri (Abu Kassim) and Datuk Seri (Mustafar), you are both great men and I wish you both the best," he said.
Shukri also urged MACC officers to work without fear when investigating a case even if it involved high-level officials.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/support-dzulkifli-even-if-hes-not-an-internal-man-abu-kassim-tells-macc-off#sthash.Risdt8zS.dpuf
