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A feast awaits in Penang Posted: 18 Jul 2011 01:24 AM PDT PML president Najmudeen Kader (second from right) with other PML members and a Nasi Kandar vendor. — Pics by Helen Ong GEORGE TOWN, July 18 — Feeling hungry? How about a bit of Jiu Hu Char with Sambal Belacan, Fish Head Curry, Ayam Masak Rose, Bombay Chicken, Chicken or Beef Rendang, Kari Itik or Claypot Briyani? Then head for Penang, where all these famous Nasi Kandar and Nyonya dishes, and many more, will be featured as part of the month-long George Town Festival's Food Fest. Kari Itik — a nasi kandar favourite. The Nasi Kandar Promotion, launched on July 7 at the E&O Hotel by the Governor of Penang, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Datuk Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas, started with a bang. Over two nights, Queen Street in Little India was closed to traffic and 100 tables positioned along a length of it, transforming it into a colourful, al fresco restaurant for hundreds of diners, served by 15 of Penang's most well-known Nasi Kandar operators. They were also treated to cultural games and dance performances. Ayam Negro, fried chicken cooked with a thick sweet soya sauce, from Restoran Kassim Mustapha. The event, organised by the Penang Muslim League (PML) and supported by the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners' Association (Presma), was aimed at highlighting not just the signature dishes of the participating restaurants, but also to promote their other traditional dishes. "I eat at many of these outlets regularly," said PML president Datuk Najmudeen Kader, "but even I was not aware of some of their specialities." There was Bombay Chicken by Nasmir, and Ayam Kitchap by Pelita. Those who missed the street party can still try the different dishes at the restaurants, where old framed photos will also be on display throughout July. Wash it down with a must-have free Teh Tarik or mineral water for each diner at selected outlets. Try Kapitan Restoran's Claypot Briyani, with its pieces of delicious marinated chicken baked on top of fragrant spiced rice. Proprietor Abbdhul Wahab says the dish was developed by his father, a chef who used to cook for the then Sultan of Kedah. Dawood Restoran has been going since 1936, when the late Sheik Dawood from South India started operating in 61 Queen Street, catering to the needs of shipyard workers and friends. Today, the little café run by his eldest son Syed Aliar continues to specialise in many of his original dishes. One of their most popular curries is Itek Sammah, duck cooked in a thick spicy gravy. At the Ramzan in Lebuh Ah Quee, Mohamad Rawther tells me that their Bryani Ayam is particularly well known. Saleem, at Kassim Mustapha Restaurant, says their Ayam Negro is a must-have. "It's because Penang water is different," he says of the pieces of fried chicken cooked in sweet, dark soya sauce served with ghee rice and dalcha. If Nyonya or Peranakan food tickles your taste buds, you'll want to try The Eastin Hotel's Swez Brasserie, where Penangite chef Lim Teng Kooi cooks up a storm. For July, their daily buffet will include many popular Nyonya dishes such as Lorbak, Kari Kapitan, Inchi Kabin or Jiu Hu Char (cuttlefish fried with julienned round radish). He will also demonstrate how to cook some of these dishes during their HighTea Buffet at weekends and public holidays. Jiu Hu Char, a Nyonya favourite, from the Eastin Hotel. For details, call the hotel on +60 4 612 1111 or check out www.eastin.com. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Denilson set to leave Arsenal as Gervinho hailed Posted: 18 Jul 2011 07:31 AM PDT Arsenal's Denilson (C) celebrates his goal against Stoke City with teammates during their FA Cup soccer match at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England in this file photo of January 24, 2010. – Reuters pic LONDON, July 18 – Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Denilson, who struggled to hold down a first team place last season, is set to return home on loan, manager Arsene Wenger said. The 23-year-old, who did not play in Arsenal's last nine matches of the season being an unused substitute twice, is going back to Brazil although Wenger did not say what club he would be joining. He made 16 Premier League appearances last season, starting just six times, after having been a regular in 2008-09 and playing roughly half the games in the campaign that followed. "Denilson is likely to leave to go to Brazil on loan," Wenger was quoted as saying on the club's website (http://www.arsenal.com). The Brazil Under-19 captain joined Arsenal in 2006 from Sao Paulo and, to date, has played 153 games scoring 10 goals. Meanwhile Arsenal completed the signing of Ivory Coast international striker Gervinho today on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee from French champions Lille. Wenger said: "Gervinho is a player that can play in a number of positions up front. He can play on the right, on the left and through the middle. "He has qualities that I find very important, like his movement off the ball. He has the qualities we like technically. He is good one against one, he is strong and was the best provider in the French league with assists and he scored 15 goals. I think he is a very good addition to the squad." Gervinho added: "It's a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I'm very happy. I've always dreamed to play for this club. I've achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It's one of the most beautiful days of my life." – Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Clarke celebrates all night after priceless Open victory Posted: 18 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland kisses the Claret Jug after winning the British Open golf championship at Royal St George's in Sandwich, southern England July 17, 2011. – Reuters pic SANDWICH, July 18 – Still wearing a grin almost the width of Royal St George's 18th fairway despite no sleep, Darren Clarke was slowly getting his muzzy head around becoming the oldest British Open champion for over 40 years. The 42-year-old Northern Irishman's three-stroke victory earned him £900,000 (RM4.36 million) prize money plus two million pounds from his kit sponsor, who offered him a bonus for winning a major at a time most thought his best days were behind him. Yet it was the realisation his name was now etched on the old Claret Jug perched beside him that provided the most joy after drinking the night away with his manager of 20 years "Chubby" Chandler, a session that lasted until 30 minutes before meeting the media today. "This is beyond price. To get my name on here means more than anything," said Clarke, who has emerged from the darkest days of 2006 when his wife Heather died from breast cancer. "This is going to benefit me hugely financially," added Clarke, who will now qualify automatically for all the majors until the twilight of his career. "But it's more to have my name on here. And what's even more important is when I get home later today my boys (Tyrone and Conor) will have the trophy in their hands and see their dad's name on it." Clarke said he had been celebrating so hard he had not even managed to read all the messages of congratulations that have been pouring in via text and email, although he recalled ones from fellow major champions went along the lines of "welcome to the club". "I have 294 messages, and the writing is far too small for me to look at them in this state. I'll look at them tomorrow at some stage and try to figure them out," he beamed. "It was a very good night last night, quite a few beers, quite a few glasses of red wine and it all continued until about 30 minutes ago." He did not carry out his threat to fill the old Claret Jug with Guinness, however. "Actually there's been nothing in it all night," he said, before adding a perfect description of his natural golf game that shone in the wilds of Kent while many of the younger generation were blown off course. "I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I'm a bit two-iron as opposed to rescue." Clarke's victory will rocket him back into the top 100 in the rankings and he hopes to harness the serenity that steered him through the rough weekend weather to become a regular in the mix for major titles and earn him another crack at the Ryder Cup next year. "I can't put my finger on what's been different this week," said Clarke, who admitted his emotions used to get the better of him in years gone by. "It's just been very comfortable, and hopefully I will find that state of mind at the PGA next month in Atlanta. "I'm definitely a better player than I was 10 years ago." Clarke was being touted as a possible Ryder Cup captain in Gleneagles in 2014 but is now setting his sights on a return as a player next year near Chicago. "Unfortunately these points won't count for the team next year, but in saying that, I'm a major champion, so (captain) Jose Maria (Olazabal) will be paying attention, as he always does, so we'll see where that brings me," he said. "As far as when I'm going to be captain? I don't know. This win may or may not put my aspirations back a couple of years. I would love to be playing on the 2014 Ryder Cup team, never mind anything else." – Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Russia lures Hollywood, raising bar for local film Posted: 18 Jul 2011 03:39 AM PDT Actors Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz pose for photographers in front of the Kremlin during a news conference in Moscow in this file photo of May 11, 2011. Hollywood has been flying silver screen stars to Moscow for red carpet events, to the delight of avid Russian fans. – Reuters pic MOSCOW, July 18 – Russia may not become the next Hollywood, but Tinseltown is definitely coming to Russia, where audience numbers are growing fast and US blockbusters are gaining greater popularity over domestic films. Recognising Russia's potential as a rapidly emerging film market, Hollywood has been flying silver screen stars to Moscow for red carpet events, to the delight of avid Russian fans. Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz visited Moscow for the Russian premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in May, while the world premiere of Hollywood 3D blockbuster "Transformers: The Dark of the Moon" attracted 80 Hollywood names including director Michael Bay. "Moscow is an emerging market, it plays a very important international role," Bay said before the premiere. The film made US$22 million (RM66.33 million) in Russia in its first week, 3.4 per cent of the global box office take so far. Cinema-going is booming in Russia two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union put a night out at the movies out of reach for many. Cinemas made a record US$1 billion in sales last year on the back of 15.2 per cent audience growth. "We're seeing a solidly positive trend, which shows that people feel comfortable. Russians are adopting the lifestyles and consumer behaviours of the developed nations," said Yevgeny Nadorshin, an economist and former government adviser. Foreign movies became Russian favourites two years ago, when their Russian returns first outperformed those of domestic films. Last year, US productions made almost five times as much as the Russian ones. The latest high-profile Russian film "Tired with the Sun-2: The Citadel", heavily promoted at last year's Cannes festival by veteran actor-director Nikita Mikhalkov, flopped, earning less than 4 per cent of its US$34-million budget in its first two weeks. "The problem with producers here is they don't co-produce well with other countries, or with each other, and a lot of them get money too easily. They are not as hungry as foreign producers are, they churn out movies with very little quality," said Russian-based independent film director Johnny O'Reilly. The Russian government invested a record 4.5 billion roubles (US$159 million) in the film industry in 2010, nearly twice as much as the previous year. A similar amount will be put into the industry in 2011, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said earlier this year,. However, the investment will primarily go on doubling the number of cinemas from 2,246, instead of supporting individual production companies as before. Independent industry research firm Movie Research forecasts that even if the project boosts ticket sales by a third, domestic filmmakers may still struggle to find funding. Russian World Studios, Russia's largest independent TV production company, last week obtained a US$42 million loan from ING bank and Sberbank , using its library content as collateral, in the first such funding deal in Russia. And production group Bazelevs launched a fund with broker Troika Dialog last month to raise funds for cartoon film "Smeshariki", which is due for release in December. "This is the first opportunity in the history of the (Russian) film industry when filmmakers can offer their projects to investors directly," Nikita Trynkin, chief executive at Bazelevs, said. But seeking financial backing, especially from foreigners, will not prove an easy task in Russia. Overseas film financiers are used to making money from DVD sales, which have never been great in Russia as most viewers illegally download films online for free. – Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Ivanka Trump, husband welcome new baby girl Posted: 17 Jul 2011 09:40 PM PDT Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump pose at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of ''American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity'' in New York May 3, 2010. — Reuters pic NEW YORK, July 18 — Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald and a judge on his TV show "The Apprentice," has taken on another role — that of mother — as the former model gave birth on Sunday to a baby girl in New York City. Trump, 29, announced the birth of her daughter via Twitter, sharing that she and husband Jared Kushner "welcomed a beautiful and healthy little girl into the world." "We feel incredibly grateful and blessed. Thank you all for your support and well wishes!," read the tweet. Trump and Kushner married in October 2009. The name of the baby has not yet been announced. — Reuters  Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Yoga meets hedonism at California’s Wanderlust Posted: 18 Jul 2011 12:22 AM PDT Yoga practitioners gather in California's Lake Tahoe for Wanderlust, "an epic four-day yoga throwdown". — Pic courtesy of Wanderlust Festival LAKE TAHOE, California, July 18 — One of the biggest yoga parties of the year is ramping up in California as thousands of practitioners head to the mountains this month for four days of Wanderlust. The third annual main festival, held at the peaks of Squaw Valley in California's Lake Tahoe, is all about yoga, music, nature, and all-night parties. The event this year, from July 28-31, is expected to draw more than 5,000 yoga revellers. Celebrity yoga practitioners John Friend, Shiva Rea and Seane Corne are headlining the yoga events, while musicians Michael Franti and Spearhead and Jai Uttal will play concerts. The event had expanded to include retreats in Vermont and Miami Beach, both held earlier this year, in addition to the event's signature event in Lake Tahoe. Wanderlust aims to provide stiff competition to the plethora of American music festivals to yoga-loving crowds. Other similar yoga/party events around the world include Ojai Yoga Crib, Bhakti Fest, and Evolve Music and Yoga Festival. Wanderlust reportedly attracts the largest, most hedonistic crowds. "Sage", a full four-day pass, costs US$450 (RM1,350), and a three-day "Seeker" pass costs US$375. Throughout the year, the Wanderlust event also sponsors smaller urbanised events in major US cities, dubbed Yoga in the City. Upcoming dates include Chicago tomorrow, Santa Monica on July 24, and Seattle on August 4. Wanderlust just announced its own sustainably farmed vintage, produced by yoga practitioner winemaker Greg Martellotto. Bottles are available via the Wanderlust website. Watch a video on Wanderlust here. — Relaxnews Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Girls urged to strip to support Putin as president Posted: 17 Jul 2011 11:53 PM PDT Prime Minister Putin plays the piano in this file photo taken at a charity concert in St Petersburg, December 10, 2010, for children suffering from eye diseases and cancer. — Reuters pic MOSCOW, July 18 — An online campaign has been launched in Russia urging young women to support Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in a presidential vote by taking off their clothes, a lawmaker's site showed yesterday. Called "Putin's Army", it features a video of a blonde student called Diana who struts along Moscow's streets in high heels and a black suit before scrawling "I will tear my clothes off for Putin" on a white top in red lipstick and starting to undo her clothes. Inviting girls to strip off for Putin for the chance of winning an iPad2, the campaign comes ahead of the March 2012 presidential vote. Putin was president between 2000-08 before handing the reins to his protege Dmitry Medvedev. Widely seen as Russia's key decision-maker, Putin may return to the Kremlin next year. "The goal: For Putin to be president!" said a statement on its page on social networking site vkontakte.ru/armiaputina, Russia's answer to Facebook. During Russia's Soviet era, nudity in advertising was taboo but has since become widespread, a fact that has outraged Russian feminists, who say it only intensifies an already sexualised culture where prostitution is common. It is unclear who orchestrated the campaign, which was posted on the blog of parliamentarian Kirill Shchitov, from Putin's ruling United Russia party. In October, a band of journalism students posed in lingerie for a calendar for Putin's 58th birthday. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Insiden Hospital Tung Shin: Kami sedia nanti polis, kata doktor Posted: 18 Jul 2011 01:42 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Julai – Salah seorang daripada 11 doktor Hospital Tung Shin sedia memberi kerjasama dengan polis yang memutuskan untuk mengadakan pasukan khas menyiasat dakwaan mereka bahawa pekarangan hospital itu menjadi sasaran gas pemedih mata dan air berasid, 9 Julai lalu. Dr Ng Kwee Boon, yang bertugas sebagai perunding Obstetrik dan Pakar Sakit Puan berkata, beliau sedia memberi kerjasama jika polis mahu membuat siasatan mengenai perkara tersebut. "Kalau mereka hendak buat siasatan, kami sedia beri kerjasama. Tetapi buat masa ini, mereka masih lagi tidak ada jumpa saya. Saya sendiri akan menyediakan afidavit berkanun untuk tujuan siasatan," kata beliau ketika dihubungi The Malaysian Insider. Pada 9 Julai lalu, dipercayai polis melepaskan gas pemedih mata  ke dalam kawasan Hospital Tung Shin untuk menangani perhimpunan Bersih 2.0. Kelmarin, Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Kuala Lumpur Datuk Ku Chin Wah berkata pihaknya akan menubuhkan dua pasukan khas bagi menyiasat dakwaan 11 doktor Hospital Tung Shin di ibu negara. Satu pasukan khas akan menyiasat dakwaan doktor-doktor manakala satu lagi pasukan akan menjalankan siasatan secara menyeluruh kejadian itu. "Kami (polis) akan menyiasat dahulu perkara yang berlaku termasuk mengambil keterangan daripada doktor, saksi dan petugas-petugas (polis) yang terlibat pada masa itu," katanya. Dalam pada itu, ditanya berkenaan Lembaga Hospital Tung Shin sendiri memaklumkan bahawa insiden pelepasan gas pemedih mata dalam kawasan hospital berkenaan tidak berlaku ketika perhimpunan 9 Julai lalu, Dr Ng berkata, beliau sendiri tidak tahu mengapa mereka berkata sedemikian. "Saya tidak tahu kenapa mereka cakap macam itu. Mereka tidak tahu apa-apa kerana tidak berada di situ," ujarnya lanjut. Dalam satu kenyataan Rabu lalu, sekumpulan 11 doktor menegaskan mereka bersedia untuk menyediakan afidavit berkanun untuk mengatakan bahawa pihak polis ada melepaskan air berasid dan gas pemedih mata ke atas kawasan Hospital Tung Shin dan Bersalin Cina ketika perhimpunan 9 Julai. "Kami, doktor-dotkor yang menurunkan tandatangan di bawah, tidak mahu menyertai polemik perhimpunan Bersih 2.0 pada 9 Julai 2011, tetapi mahu menjelaskan kebenaran tentang keadaan tidak selesa yang wujud (hari itu)," kata mereka. Selain Ng, 10 doktor lain menandatangani kenyataan itu ialah Dr Musa Nordin, Dr Sheikh Johari Bux, Dr Ng Swee Choon, Dr Ronald Macoy, Dr David Quek, Dr Mary Cardozo, Dr Farouk Musa, Dr Mazeni Alwi, Dr Pixie Low dan Dr Steve Wong. "Adalah menjijikkan pihak berkuasa yang diamanahkan tanggungjawab kepolisian menjaga negara dan melindungi mereka yang lemah, tanpa rasa malu menafikan perbuatan mereka secara umum, di sebalik kejadian itu disokong banyak gambar, video dan pengakuan saksi termasuk pemerhati berkecuali," kata mereka dalam kenyataan itu. Bagaimanapun, Dr Musa  enggan mengulas lanjut ketika dihubungi. "Saya tidak mahu komen," katanya lagi. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

Bersih 2.0: Pemuda didakwa pegang pisau mahu saman Berita Minggu Posted: 18 Jul 2011 01:32 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Julai – Seorang peserta Himpunan Bersih 2.0 dari Unit Amal PAS mahu menyaman Berita Minggu milik Kumpulan New Straits Times kerana mendakwa dia memegang pisau semasa perhimpunan di ibu negara, 9 Julai lalu. Abdul Razak Endut, 32, dari Temerloh berkata edisi 10 Julai yang menyiarkan gambarnya dengan tajuk "seorang perusuh membawa pisau dalam perhimpunan haram" manakala tajuk kecilnya pula berbunyi "perusuh guna senjata, batu, lawan polis" adalah tidak benar. Sebaliknya Abdul Razak yang mesra dengan panggilan "Ajak" berkata dia hanya memegang sebatang bendera Malaysia dan bukannya pisau seperti mana yang didakwa. Selain Berita Minggu, gambar sama turut dimuatkan oleh akhbar New Sunday Times dengan tajuk "Peaceful (Aman)?" pada muka depan. "Saya mahu saman Berita Minggu kerana telah menjatuhkan imej saya, disebabkan gambar itu ramai yang bertanyakan hal sama kepada saya. "Setakat ini saya tidak tahu berapa jumlah yang akan disaman, saya akan berbincang dulu dengan peguam saya," kata Abdul Razak kepada The Malaysian Insider. Kelmarin, Abdul Razak yang bekerja sendiri tampil membuat pendedahan berhubung gambar yang disiarkan Berita Minggu. Dia berkata selain tidak memegang pisau, dia juga menafikan membaling batu ke arah pihak keselamatan. Pada perhimpunan Bersih 2.0, Abdul Razak diarah agar menjaga Pengarah Pilihan Raya PAS pusat Dr Hatta Ramli dan peserta perhimpunan berhampiran Menara Maybank. "Apabila polis menembak gas pemedih mata, saya ternampak angin meniup ke arah orang ramai... saya mengambil kanister itu dan membalingnya ke arah sebuah padang dengan harapan orang ramai akan selamat," kata Abdul Razak mendedahkan perkara sebenar dengan berpakaian sama seperti yang disiarkan dalam Berita Minggu. Gambar Abdul Razak berdepan pancutan meriam air dengan memegang bendera negara juga dirakamkan turut disiarkan media antarabangsa sekali gus menolak dakwaan beliau memegang pisau. "Ketika itu (saya baling kanister gas pemedih mata) gambar saya dimanipulasikan. Mana logiknya saya bawa pisau dari Temerloh? Saya terpaksa lalui tiga sekatan jalan (untuk sampai ke ibu negara)," katanya. Sementara itu, peguam yang mewakili Abdul Razak, Ahmad Nizam Hamid berkata pihaknya akan memfaikan saman itu dalam masa terdekat. "Sebelum ini saya telah nasihatkan dia (Abdul Razak) untuk saman NST dan Berita Minggu kerana siarkan gambar palsu... ini satu kes yang bagus kerana melanggar etika. "Tindakan ini perlu diambil kerana ia sangat tidak beretika mereka ubah gambar asal, ia adalah satu tindakan yang sangat tidak bertanggungjawab," katanya. Pada 9 Julai lalu, ribuan rakyat Malaysia telah menyertai Himpunan Bersih 2.0 untuk menuntut pembaharuan sistem pilihan raya. Pada perhimpunan itu, lebih 1,600 peserta termasuk pimpinan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0), Pakatan Rakyat  dan Pemuda Umno ditahan. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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Perginya permata mahal Posted: 17 Jul 2011 06:32 PM PDT 18 JULAI — Nama Dr Lo'Lo' agak sukar dilafazkan kerana ia berasal dari bahasa Arab yang bermakna permata mahal dari lautan. Jikalau dalam Bahasa Arab pun sebutannya susah disebut, tetapi bertentangan dengan tuan tubuh yang benama Lo'Lo' beliau seorang yang mudah dan senang bergaul. Sifat ramah dan tamahnya sesekali sebagai ibu, kakak dan kawan  membuatkan kita amat selesa berada dalam persahabatannya. Lo'Lo' tidak pernah mengecewakan permintaan rakan seperjuangannya dan selalu mendahulukan urusan parti dari kepentingan dirinya malah keluarganya sendiri. Selalu beliau bergurau dengan saya, tatkala saya membuat komplen terlalu sibuk dengan parti. Dr Lo'Lo' menjawab awak takpalah muslimin (lelaki), saya muslimat terpaksa tinggalkan suami di rumah untuk urusan parti. Mendengar gurauan itu, ia benar-benar menyusup ke dada saya tentang kecekalan seorang sahabat dan seorang yang saya anggap kakak saya. Berita pemergiannya menyentap hati dan sanubari kerana suka duka kenangan seorang muslimat Pas yang bernama Dr Lo'Lo' Ghazali. Saya mula mengenali Dr Lo'Lo' semasa dalam kepimpinan pemuda dalam beberapa program parti. Kakak saya Aida Binti Haji Yusof Rawa seorang aktivis muslimat memperkenalkan saya dengan Dr Lo'Lo, malah Dr Lo'Lo' pernah menghadiri perhimpunan keluarga kami bagi meraikan keluarga besar Haji Yusof Rawa. Beliau diberi ruang berucap dan memuju Haji Yusof Rawa sebagai mempunyai keluarga yang besar dan anak-anaknya mampu menghimpunkan seluruh keluarga. Kehadiran Dr Lo'Lo' dalam majlis kami hari itu cukup menyerikan dan saya masih terkenang itulah pertama kali saya mengenali beliau dengan cara dekat. Mulai itu saya menjadi rakan seperjuangannya apatah lagi semasa berada bersama dlam AJK Pas Pusat. Banyak masa bersama Dr Lo'Lo' ialah semasa kempen PRK. Beliau akan senantiasa aktif berkempen secara agresif dan kadang-kadang tak terdaya saya mengejarnya. Selalu beliau akan mengejek saya secara berseloroh: "Macamana ni muslimin (lelaki) dah tak larat, kami muslimat boleh jalan lagi ni" kecuali PRK Bagan Pinang, langkahnya perlahan malah dilihat tercungap-cungap keletihan. Walaupun saya dah biasa dengan Dr Lo'Lo' dalam siri-siri kempen, kali ini saya merasai Dr Lo'Lo' agak keletihan. Beliau menjawab, dia tak berapa sihat, malah dia cuma mampu berada sehari dua sahaja di Bagan Pinang. Saya merasa kekok bila Dr Lo'Lo' tidak hadir malah pernah menaliponnya, lalu dia menjawab tak berapa sihat. Saya pernah bersama Dr Lo'Lo' bermusafir ke luar negara dalam rombongan ahli Parlimen ke Gaza sejurus setelah Gaza di tawan Israel. Semangatnya yang cekal untuk bersama 10 orang ahli Parlimen PAS memang mengkagumkan. Sepanjang perjalanan beliau nampak bersemangat walaupun kami terpaksa beberapa hari di perbatasan Mesir dalam kesejukan. Begitu juga terpaksa melalui jalan darat ke Jordan, Syria, Dr Lo'Lo' tetap bersemangat. Sememangnya semangat Dr Lo'Lo' terhadap perjuangan Palestine memang kental, malah dalam perjalanan beliau membeli mafla bersimbolkan Palestine itu dan memberikannya setiap seorang. Selebihnya saya membeli 10 mafla Palestine untuk saya agih-agihkan pada sahabat-sahabat di Malaysia. Sambil dia mengemaskan saya mafla Palestine dia berseloroh lagi "tak dapat pergi Gaza pun, promosi mafla Hamas pun dah kira pahala tu". Ada juga peristiwa lucu ketika kami tersadai di Lapangan Terbang Damaskus gara-gara imigresen yang melambat-lambatkan kami. Dr Hatta yang terkenal kerana gurauannya yang tak kira tempat, berseloroh dengan kami sambil kami duduk di lantai dewan ketibaan. Kata Dr Hatta sambil menunjukkan tangannya: "Ini orang-orang gaji yang tak ada tuan yang nak ambil depa, yang ini (tunjuk kepada Dr Lo'Lo') mahal sikit sebab dia putih yang ini (tunjuk kepada Dr Maria) murah sikit sebab hitam . . ." Kami tertawa dengan gelagat Dr Hatta dan Dr Lo'Lo' menampakkan wajahnya kemerahan nak tergelak dan marah pun ada. Itulah telatah bersama Dr Lo'Lo' dalam bermusafir ke Mesir, Syria dan Jordan. Dalam Parlimen Dr Lo'Lo' sebagai Ahli Dewan Rakyat Titiwangsa, sememangnya lantang dalam Parlimen khususnya dalam soal-soal menegakkan keadilan dan membela isu Kampong Baru yang hendak diperbadankan. Saya masih ingat semasa kempen GMI atau Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA, Dr Lo'Lo' dilihat mengedar badge GMI di Parlimen termasuk kepada wakil rakyat BN. Apa lagi, marahlah mereka dalam dewan kerana sikap "persuasive" Dr Lo'Lo' berkempen. Termasuk ketegasan Dr Lo'Lo' ialah tentang rokok, saya masih ingat perdebatan hangat di dewan tentang penajaan syarikat tembakau dalam sukan bolasepak. Dr Lo'Lo' bertegang leher dengan Ahli Dewan Rakyat Arau, Yb Ismail Kassim yang bertegas bahawa jika tidak ada penajaan syarikat tembakau maka sukan bolasepak khususnya akan bungkus. Dr Lo'Lo' tetap bertegas bahawa tidak ada bezanya penajaan sukan dan bahaya merokok. Saya turut menyokong soal rokok ini di mana saya pernah mencadangkan supaya Majlis Fatwa mengeluarkan fatwa pengharaman rokok, Dr Lo'Lo' menyokong penuh saranan ini dan telah menjadi berita yang dipetik dalam hampir semua akhbar termasuk akhbar Cina. Semasa sesi Parlimen terakhir baru-baru ini saya terkejut kerana diminta bertukar tempat dengan Dr Lo'Lo' yang asalnya berada di blok hadapan dan saya di blok belakang berjiranan dengan konsensus bebas. Kerana keuzuran, ADR Titiwangsa itu terpaksa berkerusi roda dan kerana itu perlu berada di blok belakang dan tempat saya menjadi pilihan menukar. Saya dan saya yakin, ramai dari kalangan wakil rakyat Pakatan dan BN akan merindui suara lantang Dr Lo'Lo'. Saya yakin pengundi beliau juga akan merindui Dr Lo'Lo' khususnya kebajikan yang diusahakan. Dalam parti Dr Lo'Lo' sememangnya sinonim dengan Lujnah Kebajikan dan tagline Kami Prihatin adalah usaha beliau yang menjadi slogan kebajikan Pas. Termasuk usaha Dr Lo'Lo' ialah memberi makan kepada warga Chow Kit dan usaha itu terus dijalankan hingga hari ini. Dr Lo'Lo' juga cuba untuk memastikan isu wanita menjadi inklusif dalam ruang ligar perjuangan Pas dan sikap keterbukaan Dr Lo'Lo' amat disenangi oleh semua pihak khususnya dalam advokasi hak-hak wanita di Malaysia dan dunia secara umumnya. Saya menulis ketika berita Dr Lo'Lo' meninggal dunia tersebar luas dan saya mahu menjadi orang yang pertama mendapat penghargaan menulis tentang Serikandi ini. Mungkin saya tidak mengenali Dr Lo'Lo' sepenuhnya tetapi saya yakin tidak ada siapa yang akan mempertikaikan jikalau saya mengatakan Dr Lo'Lo' adalah permata dari lautan yang mahal nilainya untuk perjuangan ini. Ramai yang mempunyai nama yang hebat tapi tak ramai yang boleh hidup atas nama masing-masing. Al Fatihah buat Dr Lo'Lo'. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

More rules, more problems Posted: 17 Jul 2011 05:11 PM PDT JULY 18 — Writing this article from Thailand, I find that I could possibly claim that Malaysia has a better electoral system than Thailand. In Thailand, the Election Commission (EC) has extraordinary powers in that it has to certify the candidates who won their respective seats in Parliament before the Parliament can convene its first meeting. In fact it has to certify 95 per cent of the seats before the first sitting. It has only certified around 360 of the 500 seats, two weeks after the elections are over. Even the Prime Minister-elect, Yingluck Shinawatra, has not had her own seat certified though her party won a clear majority on July 3, 2011.  The Thai rules are somewhat different from ours. Other than the wide powers of their EC, candidates for elections have to have a university degree to qualify to stand. If your party does not have the right name, you can be disqualified even if you win as was the case with the Thai Rak Thai party (which translated means Thais love Thais party). Other problems that have recently cropped up are where a party's election promises are deemed undoable or where the winning candidate may have supported the "red shirts" in the past. These sorts of issues can potentially disqualify winning candidates. Of course when it comes to T-shirts we share the same problem with Thailand except that in Thailand yellow is accepted whilst it is not in Malaysia. The Thai authorities just don't like red. Of course when it comes to rules of protest one would find it hard to beat Belarus where simultaneous clapping or setting one's phone to ring at 8pm as a sign of protest has already landed more than 1,800 people in jail. It seems that some sitting governments or authorities around the world are extremely sensitive to even the most trivial of challenges to their authority.  Unfortunately they forget that it is their own people who empowered them in the first place. So many come up with absurd rules and laws that tend to curb both freedom and democracy. Their excuses in prohibiting individual freedoms range from issues of religion, culture and even an orderly society that subscribes obviously to their world view. The hypocrisy comes when certain laws that prohibit the citizenry from doing something do not apply to the elite.  The arguments against democracy is that it doesn't always work as it merely means that majority rules. So some governments don't feel that they have to abide by it as those empowered are richer and smarter than the average citizen and should know better what is good for their nation. Mind you when they put democracy on hold they also tend to crush individual freedoms at the same time. Unfortunately human nature is such that we tend to endure all these rules and many try not to break them. I often see people in Malaysia committing any number of what I would consider misdemeanors such as double parking, littering or smoking where they should not. This to me reflects our rebellious nature and is actually a good sign in a fledgling democracy like ours. We shouldn't get too used to obeying our authorities all the time lest we become too apathetic.  Otherwise we should not be surprised when wearing a yellow T-shirt, carrying salt or driving into town can get you arrested. We should say to our leaders that if you make up lousy rules we will ignore them. If you try to enforce your lousy rules we will ignore you and eventually remove you from office.  Now we all know that Malaysia is not the worst for freedom and democracy when compared to the rest of the world. We tend to be middling on that score. I just don't think that we should simply accept prescriptives either by the government or opposition that are fuzzy and which will later result in them muddling through their administrations. We need clarity from the outset. Those that promise and can deliver the greatest individual freedom and the most representative democracy should get the vote. Am I asking too much if I say we should get rid of all those lousy and useless laws from our statute books? Is my wish that Malaysia becomes a first class democracy where its people are free to do what they like such a threat to the powers that be? We are not that bad but I want better; much much better. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price.

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