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Food Bites: A food market to savour Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:05 PM PDT bakingbarn: Lemon Kisses cupcakes (left); Nigel A. Skelchy of Baking Barn and Just Heavenly fame (right). — Pictures by CK Lim KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Some of us drive here. We circle the near-full car park like prowling predators till we find a free slot. Some of us walk here, which seems an appropriate approach, given the nature of the event. Food markets are meant to be neighbourhood affairs, are they not? Inside, the main square of the Jaya One commercial complex is transformed. Where there were only empty streets, there is now a haphazard maze of stalls and lines of yellow triangles criss-crossing overhead. It's a little past midday, and the afternoon sun is beating down relentlessly. Which means, though there are many stalls offering wares from exquisite batik to handmade accessories, everyone is heading straight for the food vendors, specifically the cold drinks and the ice cream. But these aren't ordinary bottles of juice or scoops of ice cream. Everything sold today is handmade, artisanal and, well, gourmet. Nothing mass-produced. Fresh and natural are the buzzwords of the day. Welcome to Food Bites, the most happening outdoor gourmet food market in town. espressolab: Heidi Seow, the Fräulein Barista of espressoLab cooks up some Spicy Mango Latte. What exactly is it all about, though? What on earth does "artisanal"  mean? And isn't gourmet food only available at fine dining restaurants, preferably those with a few stars awarded by some foreign guide? Call me dumb or call me jaded, but surely you've had this thought too, especially after reading one "organic" or "hand-crafted" label too many, that, quite possibly, it's a whole lot of crock. Or at the very least, it's just being a tad too precious or pretentious. Food is simply food, isn't it? All these labels and dressing things up — do they really make a difference? But first: It's far too hot to stand around philosophising about food and drink without actually consuming some, preferably something cold. I make a beeline for The Potong stall. The trio of Ivan Lee, Tee Reei Toh and Victor Tee uses only natural and preservatives-free ingredients for their icy popsicles. Ivan recommends the seasonal flavour Spicy Pineapple, made with pineapple, chilli and lime. It's cool (thankfully!) with a tangy kick that's the perfect pick-me-up given the heat. fortylicks: Tat Wei of Forty Licks Ice Cream scoops while companion looks on (left); Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate flavours. Tee Reei asks me if I would like a boozier popsicle, and really how could you say no to that? She gamely shows me the proper way of to eat a Prosecco Pop – first holding a glass of bubbly elegantly in one hand while dunking a mini Potong into it with the other. And then lick and slurp. Ah… thirst quenching in every possible way. Next my friends and I drop by The Baking Barn, where the always affable Nigel A. Skelchy tells us the bad news: they had sold out their "See, Salt!", a vanilla cake drenched in rosemary syrup and garnished with fresh rosemary and Maldon sea salt flakes. We try some of his Mango Tango, a thyme-infused crème pâtissière in buttery shortcrust topped with a fresh mango gelée and fresh thyme. Delicious. We can't resist getting a couple of his Lemon Kisses (moist cupcakes filled with lemon curd and topped with a lavender-infused meringue buttercream) for later. Skelchy's neighbours are the two lovely ladies from Smooshie Juice – the cheerful Wan Chiun Low and Lin Lee — with their ready smiles. They have big huge plastic trays filled with ice cubes in front of them – all the better to keep these 100 per cent natural fruit juices cool. The Watermelon, Cucumber & Mint really does, if you'd forgive the cliché, keep us as cool as a cucumber. Lin Lee tells us the juices should also help cleanse our bodies of harmful wastes and toxins. My favourite is their Green Apple, Lemongrass & Rambutan which is a nice balance of tart (the Granny Smith) and sweet (our local rambutan) with a whiff of fragrant lemongrass. smooshie: Wan Chiun Low and Lin Lee of Smooshie Juice (left); Green Apple, Lemongrass & Rambutan and Watermelon, Cucumber & Mint (right). If there were an award for the most beautifully decorated stall, it would likely go to Karen CP Tan's. Tarts both large and petite are filled till almost overflowing with fresh fruits and berries. This gorgeous display of her #TartArt offerings reminds us that sometimes food shouldn't just taste good; why not have it look good too? Trekkie humour comes across splendidly with The Starfruit Enterprise, where grilled starfruit and pineapple glazed with gula Melaka butterscotch dance on a bed of clove and almond frangipane. The most beautiful tart may be Karen's I ♥ Tart, where yellow orbs of physalis covered with Chinese-lantern-like leaves rise above a strawberry (and raspberry and blackberry and blueberry) field. Time for a little mid-afternoon stimulant and our drug-of-choice has to be the always dependable shot (or two) of caffeine. The famous Fräulein Barista of espressoLab, Heidi Seow, has got something new up her sleeve for me, she says with a mischievous wink. Instead of the usual caffè latte, she has concocted a Spicy Mango Latte that's redolent of the ripest Pakistani mangoes in season with quite a surprising bite. I have my latte iced, of course, and Heidi smiles as this is likely not the first time she's heard a customer grumbling about the weather. tartart: Karen CP Tan of #TartArt and her beautiful creations. More ice cream, my friends plead as we finish our little food tour. (Pity the food vendors offering the hot and sizzling foods.) Something creamier this time round. Tat Wei of Forty Licks has just the thing — scoops of rich and dense French-Style ice cream. We devour our cups of Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter (bonus points for thick nuggets of peanut butter!) and Dark Chocolate (the most intense we've had recently), until nary a lick is left. So good. Am I a convert, then, to artisanal, gourmet food? Curb-side or otherwise? thepotong: The Potong menu (top-right); the Spicy Pineapple Potong (top-left); Tee Rei demonstrates how to enjoy a Prosecco Pop (bottom). Well, what I have come to realise is that these are ordinary bottles of juice and ordinary scoops of ice cream. Food is food. What we're asking is simply: Does this taste good? Is it made with care and love? Does it matter to the people who made what we ate that we enjoyed the fruits of their labour? This is ordinary, wonderful, simple and good food, whatever the labels. It is made special by those who hone their craft, who are continuously doing so, who are trying their best to enliven our tastebuds and educate our palates, who want us to eat better and healthier and most of all, those whose greatest satisfaction comes when we turn back to their stall to tell them we really enjoyed what we had. Food is about people, and looking at all the smiling faces around me, I know everyone is having a great time. And that's a fine, fine thing. Now, who wants another popsicle for the road? Food Bites Food Bites is a food market dedicated to and celebrating gourmet food, street-style. For further information: info@asianageholdings.com Website: http://www.facebook.com/FoodBitesPJ/ * Kenny is not a food or coffee snob, no matter what his friends may tell you. Repeatedly. Enjoy more of his edible musings at http://lifeforbeginners.com

One chef, one ingredient: Hilton Little, chef to the president of South Africa, on Kingklip Posted: 07 Oct 2012 11:55 PM PDT One chef, one ingredient: Hilton Little, chef to the president of South Africa, on Kingklip Chef Hilton Little, chef to the president of the Republic of South Africa, chose the kingklip fish as his favorite ingredient. — AFP-Relaxnews pic PARIS, Oct 8 — If you are what you eat, then it could be said that chefs are what they cook. In an exclusive series from Relaxnews, some of the top chefs from around the world share their favourite food ingredient to prepare and eat, every week. Whether it be peas, pumpkin, or sea urchin, the answers are as varied as the chefs themselves. This week, Relaxnews interviews Hilton Little, chef to the President of South Africa. Little has been a member of the Club des Chefs des Chefs since 1997. Like its name implies, members are chefs to the most powerful people in the world: heads of state. In an interview with Relaxnews in Paris recently, Little shared his favorite ingredient, the Kingklip (Genypterus capensis), a long, slender fish species native to South African waters. The species can reach up to 1.5 m or 5 feet and weigh up to 50 lbs or 23 kg. When cooked, it becomes a firm white fish. R: Why did you choose this ingredient? Hilton Little: Because there are a million things you can do with this. R: What's your favourite memory/anecdote associated with the product? HL: I prepared this for President Nelson Mandela and I heard him turn to his guests and say, 'You have to taste this, it's so good.' The dish was made with paprika and leeks, and in the cross-section of the fish I made a map out of South Africa. R: What's the best way to cook it? HL: Marinate it in lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Add lots of herbs like basil and parsley. Pan-fry it and put it in the oven. You could also barbecue it. Fill it with onions, garlic, nice herbs, cover it in foil and throw it on the fire. R: What are the most common mistakes people make when cooking this ingredient? HL: Overcooking it. Fish should flake away. R: What wine is best paired with it? HL: A nice Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. — AFP-Relaxnews

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Shelvey and Bertrand added to England squad Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:39 AM PDT LONDON, Oct 8 – Liverpool's uncapped midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and Chelsea's left-sided player Ryan Bertrand have been added to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Poland. The English FA said in a statement that left back Kieran Gibbs had been ruled out of the squad with injury, prompting Bertrand's callup following two previous caps. Regular left back Ashley Cole, charged with misconduct by the FA today for a foul-mouthed Twitter comment about the organisation, joined up with the squad as normal ahead of the San Marino game at Wembley on Friday and the Oct. 16 trip to Poland. England coach Roy Hodgson raised eyebrows when calling up uncapped duo Raheem Sterling of Liverpool and Adam Lallana of Southampton for last month's Group H qualifier against Ukraine and Shelvey's addition this time is another surprise. – Reuters

Ronaldo to join Portugal after serious injury ruled out Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:54 AM PDT Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo grimaces as he is helped up by the referee after falling to the ground during their Spanish first division soccer match against Barcelona at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, October 7, 2012. – Reuters pic MADRID, Oct 8 – Cristiano Ronaldo's shoulder injury is not serious and he will join up with the Portugal squad later today, his club Real Madrid said. Ronaldo hurt his left shoulder attempting an overhead kick in the second half of yesterday's 2-2 La Liga draw at Barcelona and although he appeared in some discomfort he played on until the end of match. "The Real Madrid forward was examined by club medical staff at his home this morning and a serious injury was ruled out so further tests at a hospital are not necessary," Real said in a statement on their website (http://www.realmadrid.com). "Real Madrid have already informed the Portuguese football federation of Cristiano Ronaldo's situation and he can join up with his national team in Obidos," the statement added. Ronaldo would remain under observation but should be available for Portugal's World Cup 2014 Group F qualifiers away to Russia on Friday and at home to Northern Ireland four days later, Real said. Ronaldo turned in another imperious display against Barca, netting twice to become the first player to score in six consecutive 'Clasicos' against Real's arch rivals. Barca's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi also netted a double as the pair continued their personal goal-scoring duel in a thrilling clash at the Nou Camp. "I have only admiration for him," Real director Emilio Butragueno said of Ronaldo in a post-match interview with Spanish TV. "He is a born winner and he wanted to finish the game despite being in pain," the former Real and Spain striker added. "Few players bring so much to a team as he is doing." Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, appears to have put behind him a period early in the season where he refused to celebrate his goals and admitted to feeling "sad" without specifying why. Unsourced reports in local media suggested he wanted more money and he was linked with a move away from the Spanish capital to clubs including big-spending Paris St Germain. – Reuters

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Tim Burton recalls dark childhood in ‘Frankenweenie’ Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:24 AM PDT LOS ANGELES, Oct 8 — Black and white, old-fashioned stop-motion animation but in 3D: cinema's past and future combine in Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie", which the Gothic filmmaker says was inspired by his childhood. His first animated feature since 2005's "Corpse Bride", the movie tells the story of a boy who brings his cherished dog back to life, only to open a Pandora's box of terrifying back-from-the-dead monsters. "Frankenweenie" tells the story of a boy who brings his cherished dog back to life, only to open a Pandora's box of terrifying back-from-the-dead monsters. — AFP/Relaxnews The movie, out this weekend in the United States, is based on a short film of the same name which Burton made for Disney in 1984 — but which was never released because it was deemed too frightening for children. Almost three decades later, having made his name in Hollywood with hits including "Alice in Wonderland" — which has earned over US$1 billion (RM3.1 billion) worldwide — the quirky director was given carte blanche to remake his early work. The story is the same: Victor Frankenstein, a bit of a loner and obsessed with science, sees his pet dog Sparky killed by a car — but brings him back to life in high-voltage Frankenstein fashion. The "miracle" is difficult to keep secret, especially from classmates who are curious and jealous of his discovery, and one thing after another leads to havoc in the town. While Burton's 1984 short told the story with real actors and actresses, the new version uses stop-motion animation techniques — where objects are moved in small increments between individual frames. It is also in black and white — which the filmmaker says was crucial. "It had to be stop-motion and it had to be black and white. It's hard to put into words but for me it makes it more emotional," Burton told reporters, presenting the movie before its release. "I felt so strongly about it that if the studio had said 'We'll do the movie but it has to be in colour,', I just wouldn't have done it. It was that important." Burton had already used stop-motion — one the oldest animation techniques, and one of the most laborious — in "Corpse Bride," and earlier in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 1993. The characters are articulated figurines, which have to be moved onerously, frame by frame — 24 movements per second of film — to create the illusion of movement. "There is something about it that can't change: you have to take puppet and moving it 24 times for one second of film. That goes back to the beginning of cinema," he said. "There's something about the old-fashioned technique ... It's tactile, it's tangible. Some of the people that like doing it love the fact that actually nothing has changed technologically." The movie also pays tribute to classic horror flicks that Burton grew up with as a child in Burbank, a Los Angeles suburb: Frankenstein, but also Godzilla and actors like Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre, evoked in the movie. "I grew up feeling, which probably most kids do, like you're alone, no one understands you, you're different, all those kinds of feelings. At the same time, I remember feeling quite normal, whatever that means," he said. "I didn't feel like a weirdo." The original short was "based on real feelings about when I was a child with a dog, the Frankenstein movies and mixing those up," he said. "As the years went on... I started going back to other memories about that time, remembering other kids at school, the weirdness of the way kids are, and the new teachers, and other monster movies. "So after years of thinking about it, it just sort of made sense to kind of do stop-motion black and white 3D, it just made it feel like a whole different project. "I tried to personalise everything. You can't do that with a lot of projects but this one was so much based on all sorts of memories." — AFP/Relaxnews

Britain’s BBC apologises over sex abuse scandal Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:05 AM PDT Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, during the Conservative Party annual conference, in Birmingham, central England, October 7, 2012. — Reuters pic LONDON, Oct 8 — Britain's BBC today apologised to a group of women who allege that one of the state-funded broadcaster's top entertainers sexually abused them decades ago, a scandal that has raised questions about the BBC's judgment then and now. The man accused of using his status as a celebrity and prominent charity fund raiser to commit the crimes is Jimmy Savile, an eccentric BBC presenter who died last year aged 84. Instantly recognisable for his shock of blonde hair, Savile was famous for his larger-than-life personality and for his love of smoking cigars, donning tracksuits and coming out with catchphrases that sometimes became part of the national lexicon. The former DJ travelled around London in a Rolls-Royce and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his charitable work in 1990. When he died last year, he was buried wearing a tracksuit after his gold-coloured coffin was put on public display in a hotel. His reputation was called into question last week, however, after a documentary shown by the BBC's rival ITV channel aired a slew of sexual assault allegations against Savile, triggering a media storm that has raised awkward questions for the BBC. Today, the BBC's new boss, George Entwistle, promised the corporation would co-operate fully with the police to investigate the allegations. "The women involved here have gone through something awful and it's something I deeply regret," he told BBC radio today, the first time the BBC had said it was sorry for what it is alleged to have happened. "I would like to apologise on behalf of the organisation to each and every one of them for what they have had to endure here." "A culture of sexual abuse" Some women said Savile had abused them when they were as young as 12 and described a culture of sexual abuse inside the BBC at the height of Savile's fame in the 1970s and 1980s. Some also alleged that they had been attacked on BBC premises. The scandal has seen critics accuse the BBC of mishandling or even covering up the case, particularly after an investigation into the allegations by its own flagship TV programme was axed by its editors last December. Prime Minister David Cameron has waded into the scandal, calling on the BBC to conduct an internal investigation, saying the allegations were "truly shocking". "It seems to me it is very important that the organisation, the BBC, does that itself," he told a BBC program on Sunday. "But also, if there are questions that should be pursued by the police and other organisations, everyone has to ask themselves the question: 'Is there new evidence that needs to be looked at?'" Entwistle — who became Director General of the BBC less than a month ago — said all questions would be addressed, but only after police had finished their own investigation. In an attempt to distance themselves from the sex abuse claims, charities set up by Savile are now considering dropping his name altogether, local media reported. Last year, an investigation by Newsnight, the BBC's flagship news show, was shelved, prompting suggestions that BBC bosses had known about the allegations but kept quiet. The BBC has denied that. Newsnight's editor Peter Rippon said his decision not to run its story was because the claims against Savile could not be substantiated. — Reuters

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‘Superfoods’ may not be as beneficial as once thought Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:13 AM PDT Broccoli may be described as a superfood but a group of scientists say they may not pack as much of a punch as previously thought. – shutterstock.com LOS ANGELES, Oct 8 – Foods like broccoli and blueberries which have long been described as superfoods may not pack as powerful a nutritional punch as long thought, after researchers found that antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties may not actually make it past the gut. The new findings out of London's Kingston University may debunk exaggerated health claims and challenge the purported health benefits of certain fruits and vegetables touted as superfoods, scientists say. That's because while polyphenols may work well under laboratory conditions, in the human body they may be less efficient if they're unable to get past the gut membrane and to the rest of the body, explained lead author Lucy Jones. For the study, researchers used a model that mimics the small intestine where nutrients are taken up and assessed whether or not nutrients are able to penetrate the membrane. The model used, the Caco-2, is made up of a single layer of cells that mimics the characteristics and function of micro-hairs which work to help in the absorption process. So far, the research team has tested herbs such as parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme – herbs which have been touted for their anti-cancer properties – and found that while they may have a local effect in the gut itself, their impact on the rest of the body was negligible. Despite the results, fruits and vegetables are good sources of fibre and other nutrients. In another study out of the US last year, researchers suggested teaming broccoli up with spices like mustard, horseradish or wasabi to help with absorption in the upper part of the digestive system and enhance the cancer-fighting properties. – AFP/Relaxnews

Major changes await the Botanic Gardens Posted: 07 Oct 2012 10:32 PM PDT The expansion of the Gardens is an opportunity to make use of the new space to meet new challenges. GEORGE TOWN, Oct 8 — In March and July this year, the state Town and Country Planning Department (JPBD) called for a public consultation on the Special Area Plan (SAP) for the Penang Botanic Gardens. This was in accordance with Section 13 of the Town and Country Planning Act—the public's feedback has to be taken into consideration before such a plan is gazetted. The Penang Botanic Gardens, sometimes known as Waterfall Gardens, is a 72-acre garden established in 1884 on an old granite quarry. As beloved as it is though, its management has faced plenty of criticism from the public due to what has been described as ad hoc development within the Gardens, done without a proper development plan. "Part of the problem is due to poor planning and implementation of projects, especially in the last 20 years or so," said Datuk Dr Leong Yueh Kwong, a botanist and a member of the Botanic Gardens' management committee. Indeed, in some cases, the projects have been downright befuddling. The most notorious of these were the concrete arches at the Gardens' entrance which were erected in 2010 and eventually demolished that same year after widespread criticism and ridicule. Among the most significant changes the SAP is proposing is turning the Botanic Gardens into a major biodiversity centre. The SAP is aimed at changing all that. The SAP is a detailed master plan that will guide the Gardens' future development. Such a plan is set up for a designated area that needs special and detailed treatment either for development, redevelopment, improvement, conservation or management practices covering either part of or the whole area. If it works, it will give the Botanic Gardens some much-needed direction and focus. But can it accomplish this? Among the most significant changes the SAP is proposing is turning the Botanic Gardens into a major biodiversity centre, focusing on scientific research and the conservation of plants. It is also proposed that the Gardens be expanded to a whopping 242-hectares , which would make the Penang Botanic Gardens the largest of its kind in the country. According to the draft SAP, "The expansion of the garden into its surrounding hill forest with large numbers of forest trees is a tremendous asset for a natural arboretum, which can be promoted as a botanical garden with a natural tropical rainforest." With the new plan come exciting new opportunities. "The expansion of the Gardens is an opportunity to make use of the new space to meet new challenges, such as biodiversity conservation, education, horticulture and recreation, in the coming decades," said Leong. The expanded area, he added, can also act as a safeguard and buffer zone to protect the Gardens from future development. The proposed new attractions will be a significant boon to Penang's tourism sector even as money flows in from the federal government. "The SAP will ensure that the Penang Botanic Gardens will be allocated the necessary funding for the proposed projects," said Botanic Gardens assistant director Salasiah Yusop. The SAP isn't perfect, however. Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat, an architect and former chairman of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, believes that not enough justifications have been provided regarding the proposed recommendations. "The presentations made so far give an impression that there has been inadequate study of the problems affecting the Botanic Gardens, such as user statistics and the implications of the last changes that happened in the garden," he said. "Like the arches." Salasiah admits that the proposed expansion plan will be quite a challenge for the Botanic Gardens, especially when it comes to supervision. However, she believes that the currently ongoing upgrades in the management staff and the eventual recruitment of more professional staff (if the SAP is gazetted) will ensure the Gardens is more professionally maintained and managed in the future. A more immediate concern for residents and business owners on the neighbouring Penang Hill is the fact that the jeep track to the hill will be absorbed by the Botanic Gardens as part of the SAP. Would residents still be able to access the track? "The road leading to the track should remain publicly accessible," said Lim. "The jeep track should be an important access to the hill, not as an alternative route." According to Salasiah, a special permit can be given to the public to access the jeep track through the garden. This is a good short-term solution, but over the long term, a realignment of the road may need to be done. "One earlier proposal was for JKR to realign the road to be outside the Gardens," said Leong. The expanded area can also act as a safeguard and buffer zone to protect the Gardens from future development. "The SAP should look at short and long-term solutions if the Botanic Gardens is to maintain its integrity." Another criticism of the SAP is its failure to fix long-running problems, or past mistakes. "The SAP has not identified the key issues, such as traffic, and did not make any attempt to rectify the mistakes done by the previous management," said Leong. "The fundamental issue of the traffic management was not addressed properly," Lim agreed. There needs to be a comprehensive traffic study that takes into account a wide variety of situations, such as the traffic conditions during peak hours and special occasions and events like Thaipusam and music festivals that sometimes take place in the Gardens. "The SAP gave a figure of 100 to 120 parking lots to be created near the new office," said Leong. "What is the basis of such a figure? Has there been a traffic study? If so, is there a separate technical report available for review?" Federal Department of Town and Country Planning officer Nazrina Mohd Haniffa confirmed that no traffic studies have been conducted. All told, there are 13 proposed projects under the SAP, including a herbarium, visitor centre and treetop walk, as well as four programmes: human resource training and recruitment of new staff; conferences and publications; marketing; and publicity and awareness campaigns. Each will need detailed feasibility studies before any implementation can take place. According to Salasiah, the Gardens received plenty of feedback from the public and various organisations, including the Malaysian Nature Society and the Penang Heritage Trust, all of which will be collected by the JPBD for a revised version of the SAP which will then be presented to the State Planning Committee for approval. Lim said that the SAP has to be utilised by a proper management board instead of bureaucrats. The Gardens' management, he argues, should not continue as a government department but should be placed under a properly constituted board with enough autonomy to recreate a truly significant botanic garden. Clearly, there are positive and negative aspects to the proposed SAP, hence the need for public opinion as well as a review by experts. This will ensure that the Penang Botanic Gardens can be sustained for future generations, even as its role and scope evolves over the years. Mohd Firdaus Habib Mohd is a research analyst at the Penang Institute and has participated in various projects involving urban planning, local governance and housing. He is currently pursuing his Phd in Ecotourism. This article is taken from the October 2012 issue of Penang Monthly.

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Nobel Literature prize to be announced Oct 11 Posted: 08 Oct 2012 03:06 AM PDT Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem, presents a prize to Japanese writer Haruki Murakami (R) during the 24th International Book Fair in Jerusalem in this file photo of February 15, 2009. The Japanese novelist is the bookmakers' favourite to win the Nobel Literature award. – Reuters pic STOCKHOLM, Oct 8 – The 2012 Nobel Literature Prize will be announced at 1100 GMT on Thursday, organisers said, with Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami the bookmakers' favourite to win the 8 million crown (RM3.68 million) award. Other hotly-tipped names include Bob Dylan, Chinese writer Mo Yan and reclusive US novelist Thomas Pynchon. Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer won last year, pleasing many in the prize's homeland which had not celebrated a winner since Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinson took home the prize in 1974. Past winners include US writer William Faulkner, France's Albert Camus and Colombia's Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The last Japanese writer to win the prize was Kenzaburo Oe in 1984. The award-giving body The Swedish Academy, which announced the date of the literature prize today, is due to announce the winners of its coveted science prizes this week. –  Reuters

Lonely Planet releases guide for the food-loving globetrotter Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:55 PM PDT LOS ANGELES, Oct 8 — Travel guide Lonely Planet has released a hardcover book dedicated to the best food destinations in the world, ranging from Italy, France, Mexico and the US. The Food Lover's Guide to the World includes 50 recipes, special themed features dedicated to chocolate, cheese and coffee, the world's top food markets, and a guide on different customs and how-to-eat etiquette tips. Meanwhile, the Lonely Planet edition is just one in a string of culinary travel books for the gourmet globetrotter, including National Geographic's Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the World and Ultimate Food Journeys by the DK Eyewitness series. Foods profiled in the Lonely Planet version, meanwhile, include a short history of the dish's origins, history and culture. High-profile food writers such as Mark Bittman of The New York Times, Saveur magazine editor James Oseland as well as British chef and The Independent columnist Mark Hix also make contributions to the book, as do chefs Eric Ripert and Martin Wishart. Lonely Planet's Food Lover's Guide to the World was released this month and retails for US$39.99 (RM122). —  AFP-Relaxnews

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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Complacency Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:07 PM PDT OCT 8 — This was the word which came to my mind when I saw the picture of the silent and empty chairs of the government benches in Parliament during the opposition's reply to the presentation of Budget 2013.  Save for a few responsible backbenchers braving to answer some of the assertions and contentions raised by the opposition leader, the rest of the YBs of the Barisan Nasional coalition were conspicuous in their absence. Where were they? Were they in the Parliament canteen digging into their nasi lemak and teh tarik kurang manis? Did they consider it a waste of their time to be there in the august chamber to listen to the opposition leader's response to the Budget and participate in a debate or at the least defend the Budget? Apparently, passing the Budget was going to be a done deal anyway and whatever the opposition had to say about it wouldn't matter. No need to defend it, right? One couldn't be blamed for thinking that was the thought behind the no-show of the government's senior ministers and backbenchers. No need to bother.  If anyone needed any evidence to answer the question whether the Barisan Nasional government had learnt any lessons from the outcome of the March 8 general election a couple of years ago, here it was in all its technocolour glory. Apparently, either very little was learnt or none at all. Complacency was still in evidence. Just look at the empty seats. Lest the Barisan Nasional government has forgotten, the people on the other side of the aisle were also elected by the people of Malaysia in their respective constituencies. You have a constitutional duty and a parliamentary obligation to listen to what the other side has to say about the issue at hand. Also strangely, rather than stand tough and demonstrate commitment in support of the Budget in the face of the opposition arguments and contentions, the government benches decided to instead cower away in some corner somewhere and not be there. I didn't think the opposition leader's response was altogether breathtaking but what does it say about members of Parliament who just couldn't be bothered to hear the views of other elected representatives on an issue as important as the Budget? Isn't it parliamentary courtesy and good form to listen to the views of others other than your own? This is what being a mature democracy is about. To the Barisan Nasional parties taking part in the upcoming elections: you want our support? Don't use gifts of money. Demonstrate to us how you are willing to change and improve the stewardship entrusted to you by being serious about corruption, improving respect for human rights and increasing the overall quality of life of Malaysians. Shadow Cabinet business Firstly, let's admit to something. Let's admit that the boys and girls of the opposition benches screwed up when they neglected to set up a shadow Cabinet four years ago. Stop spewing out excuses upon excuses as to why, after the euphoria of denying Barisan Nasional a two-thirds majority, Pakatan Rakyat didn't proceed to provide the rakyat with a vision of how an alternative government could look like. Not only would it present itself as an alternative model, it would also provide the opportunity to the shadow ministers involved to build their capacities in their respective portfolios. I am tired of hearing some of the arrogant and defensive replies and excuses which includes how other countries in the region don't have the practice of setting up shadow Cabinets; of how in Australia and the UK, these setups have funding and support. The rakyat isn't interested in whining and excuses. Why should you take the cue from Barisan Nasional whether or not to establish a shadow Cabinet? So, stop it and just do a mea culpa. There has been and continues to be too much politicking among the opposition parties and not enough investment in building the confidence of the ordinary citizen in a future Malaysia not governed by Barisan Nasional. Perhaps there has been too much complacency and taking for granted the support and goodwill from four years ago? To the Pakatan Rakyat parties taking part in the upcoming elections: demonstrate to us how the opposition is more than about one man trying to become prime minister. Prove to us how the quality of Pakatan Rakyat representatives is far higher than that of the Barisan Nasional representatives. Show us why we should consider you to be a credible and trustworthy alternative choice to the current status quo. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

Raising children to know right from wrong Posted: 07 Oct 2012 04:42 PM PDT OCT 8 — It was Saturday night and I was waiting for my turn at an ATM, behind a woman with a small boy, perhaps about two years old. His mother preoccupied with the ATM, the boy was snacking out of a pack of Twisties. Then one small piece fell onto the dirty floor. His mother was still focusing on the ATM. The boy picked it up, put it into his mouth, and then stared briefly at me before hugging his mother's right leg as he continued eating. At that point his mother was done and led him out of the petrol station, none the wiser about what had happened just seconds before. As I withdrew some cash, it struck me how that incident exemplifies the fact that no matter how vigilant parents are, there will always be times when their kids are alone, when those kids will have to make choices on their own. With a baby on the way, that left me with some apprehension. To a large extent, we are the product of our upbringing, and that extends to how we make decisions and choices. We live in a country with an exam-oriented education system — hardly conducive for developing the cognitive abilities to the necessary level for making good decisions. That means a big part of learning how to make good choices come from home, especially from the parenting we receive. And parenting, I imagine, is never easy. Diapers and milk bottles aside, it involves nurturing and shaping a child's mind from birth to adulthood. To me, that sounds like an impossible task to get perfectly right. How do we go about it then? Pondering the question, I brought it up in a conversation with two acquaintances. "You have to let them make some mistakes and learn from it," says Wade, father of two boys aged 11 and 12, explaining that "if you shelter them too much they will not know what is wrong." But what constitutes "sheltering" when it comes to our children? "Making all the choices for them and not allowing situations that present choices to arise, in my opinion," answers Wade. "I'm saying that we need to protect them, but not too much." Wade further explains that children need to learn by making their own choices in a controlled environment, where consequences of the wrong choice are limited. "When the child in a controlled environment makes a bad choice, ask him why he did it and explain what the right decision should have been and why." On the other hand, Bartlomiej, whose son is 3½ years old, believes that children are natural-born pleasers. "I try to comment on both the good and bad behaviour of my boy so he knows when I'm proud or disappointed," says Bartlomiej, adding that sometimes the worst punishment for kids is letting them know that the parents are unhappy because of what they did. "So patiently explaining why you're upset or why you're pleased will help your kid learn what is the right thing to do." "This works in the early years, but I believe it will translate into their later years in life," he states. Agreeing with Bartlomiej's approach, Wade adds that using examples from adults also helps children learn to make good choices. "With me, my ex-wife makes so many bad choices so I simply use some of the things she did wrong as examples to them so they understand better," admits Wade, hesitantly adding that "for example, they saw her shoplift a while ago... when they told me about it, I let them watch a programme on TV where shoplifters get arrested and go to jail." A little harsh, perhaps, and when I commented as much Wade agreed, but at the same time he pointed out that it was necessary. So that's how two of my acquaintances do it. How do you educate your children on what is right and wrong? * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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Anifah terima kunjungan hormat rakan sejawat dari Thailand Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:56 AM PDT PUTRAJAYA, 8 Okt — Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Anifah Aman menerima kunjungan hormat rakan sejawatannya dari Thailand Dr Surapong Tovichakchaikul di pejabatnya, di sini hari ini. Turut hadir Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Luar Thailand Sihasak Phangketkeow, Duta Thailand ke Malaysia Krit Kraichitti serta Menteri dan Kuasa Usaha di Kedutaan Thailand di Kuala Lumpur Songsak Saicheua. Dr Surapong berada di sini dalam rangka lawatan dua hari ke Malaysia bermula hari ini. Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas pertemuan selama sejam dengan Anifah, Dr Surapong berkata mereka berbincang mengenai pembangunan ekonomi, bandar raya getah dan juga hubungan tiga hala antara Malaysia, Thailand dan Indonesia berhubung penstabilan harga getah pada masa hadapan. "Kami juga berbincang mengenai apa yang akan kami lakukan ketika mesyuarat jawatankuasa bersama di Thailand bulan depan atau sebelum hujung tahun ini, serta persediaan untuk rundingan tahunan kelima pemimpin," katanya.  Mengenai isu di selatan Thailand, Dr Surapong berkata mereka menghargai sokongan Malaysia terutama dari segi pendidikan termasuk biasiswa yang disediakan Malaysia untuk penduduk di wilayah itu. "Kami mengharapkan sokongan Malaysia untuk membolehkan Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC) memahami situasi di Thailand bahawa kita sedang berusaha membawa keamanan di situ," katanya. Sementara itu menurut kenyataan Wisma Putra, Dr Surapong dijadual melakukan kunjungan hormat ke atas Perdana Menteri hari ini.  Antara lain, pertemuan itu dijangka memberi peluang kepada kedua-dua pihak berbincang mengenai usaha sedia ada dan inisiatif baharu bagi terus memperkukuhkan hubungan dua hala yang mesra antara dua negara tetangga tersebut. — Bernama

PBT diminta pantau penggunaan Bahasa Kebangsaan pada papan tanda Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:53 AM PDT KUCHING, Okt 8 — Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud hari ini meminta pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) di Sarawak memantau serta memastikan papan tanda di tempat  awam menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan. Beliau berharap Sarawak dapat muncul sebagai negeri yang secara nyata memancarkan citra budaya bangsa dalam merealisasikan cita-cita bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa yang besar di dunia menjelang 2020. "Penggunaan bahasa, baik pada papan tanda niaga, nama kawasan perumahan mahupun papan penunjuk arah tidak harus menggambarkan bahawa kita seolah-olah berada di Hong Kong, Miami ataupun di Hawaii," katanya pada majlis pelancaran Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan 2012, peringkat negeri, anjuran Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), cawangan Sarawak di sini. Teks ucapan beliau dibaca  Menteri Perumahan dan Pelancongan Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg.  Menurut Taib, kerajaan Sarawak akan terus bekerjasama dengan kerajaan pusat, khususnya DBP, untuk bersama-sama membina negara bangsa Malaysia melalui pemartabatan dan pemerkasaan bahasa Melayu bahasa rasmi dan bahasa kebangsaan. — Bernama

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