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The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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Dubious honour for most searched fast food brand on Bing in 2012 Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:06 PM PST Pizza Hut's pre-US election stunt made it the top searched fast food term on Bing this year. — AFP-Relaxnews pic NEW YORK, Nov 29 — Pizza Hut has emerged as the most searched fast food brand on Bing in 2012, but for reasons the folks at the Microsoft search engine surmise are less for their Cheese Lover's Pizzas and more for an election marketing campaign stunt gone terribly wrong. It's that time of year again, trendspotting season when search engines Bing and Google release a snapshot of the past year with a list of the most searched-for terms across categories like celebrities, musicians, movies and fashion. In Bing's annual Top Searches of 2012 Report released this week, Pizza Hut topped the fast food brand category following a PR campaign that tried to capitalise on the US election by challenging presidential debate attendees to plug the chain in exchange for a lifetime's supply of pizza. The question fans were dared to ask in the town hall debate? "Sausage or pepperoni?" What was supposed to be a high-profile marketing campaign riding high on US election fever turned sour, however, when the public fired back, slamming the ploy for making a mockery of US politics. The backlash eventually forced the company to back down and pull the campaign altogether. Instead, the company opened the question to the public at large. Meanwhile, rounding out the top five fast food brands on Bing were Papa John's, Subway, McDonald's and Taco Bell. The most searched holiday food, meanwhile, turned out to be turkey, followed by apple cider and ham. The most popular desserts included sugar cookies, followed by fudge and gingerbread. Google likewise releases an annual Zeitgeist list that includes the top search terms over the last year. For the full Bing list, visit http://binged.it/V30uQ3. — AFP-Relaxnews

Irrawaddy Fine Foods: A deli-ghtful addition to Penang Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:46 PM PST Chef Tommes invites you to try some of his home-made pizzas. — Pictures by Helen Ong GEORGE TOWN, Nov 29 — Although Penang is already chock full of all kinds of places to eat at and indeed things to eat, Chef Tommes (yes, he goes by one name only) wanted to bring to Penang something different. Started a year ago, Irrawaddy Fine Foods is sort of a cross between a European deli and, as he lived there for eight years, a New York-style one. Their most popular sandwich: Tuna on square oregano bread with home-made mayo and Emmental cheese. "The food here is traditional and old school," he explained, giving as an example their chemical-free breads which are made in-house daily. "It's somewhere for people to come and get food like Grandma used to make. They can eat it here, then buy the stuff to take home." Located in a an old semi-detached house in Jalan Irrawaddy, the tree-lined road parallel to and situated between Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Burmah Road, the tiny place is a gourmet cook's paradise.  Although his original intention was to stock specially-imported items that the expat community misses, it's since moved on, and display shelves now compete with food counters and eating space. According to Tommes, who with his trademark blond crew-cut and semi-Mohican black quiff is instantly recognisable as the co-host of the popular AFC "Chalk and Cheese" food show, the deli concept isn't that well-known in Penang.  "People purchase the food, then seem to want to stay and eat it here, so we took out some storage units and added a couple of small tables and chairs." The "Breakfast Corner", situated in a small ante room at the back, consists of a long table with benches either side, and allows for larger groups. A quick perusal of the shelves reveals items which you don't usually see in supermarkets here: sauces, condiments and food from Europe. In the cold cut chiller, you can spot different cheeses, pastries and even imported deer sausages.  The popular fresh food counter at the deli. They have also recently started "The Penang Pork Company" (Tel: +6016 456 0611) which makes a selection of all-natural sausages and other barbeque products. "We don't use scraps, and only 30 per cent fat," said Tommes. However, it is their fresh food counter which is proving the biggest hit: freshly-baked pizzas sold by the slice, a square of creamy chicken lasagne or mini quiche and salad to go with a cup of their home-made soup. Or a sandwich made with one of the six breads that are produced in the bakery upstairs, including the original BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato), the New York-style Reuben, corned beef and sauerkraut on rye bread, or their most popular, the Tuna Sandwich on square oregano bread ("so we can get more filling in!") with home-made mayo and Emmental cheese. Everything is quite reasonably priced, so it comes as no surprise that canny Penangites like to meet there to eat, starting from as early as 10am for their Full English Breakfast priced at just RM11.90 or a snack, then stay on to chit chat over a cup of brewed coffee in the friendly, conducive ambience. In fact, 90 per cent of their customers are locals, a fact which Tommes finds rather surprising but endearing. "Old couples who live around the neighbourhood have never seen anything like this, and they are quite curious and come in to explore." The fact that their breads are sold off at half price after 5pm may have something to do with it! The deli is set in a small semi-detached house on Irrawaddy Road. Not content with being a celebrity chef and the responsibility of running two outlets – together with wife Louise he is also co-proprietor of another place in Jalan Chow Thye a couple of streets away – (yes, it's "That Little Wine Bar"!) Tommes is also keen to pass on his massive knowledge about food and cooking.  His cooking classes cover the gamut from making real bread to professional cooking skills. Having a party? Why not make it truly different? They will not just cater unique food, saving you the hassle of cooking, but give you the kudos of having Asia's latest celebrity chef present at your do! For details or more information, contact them at info@irrawaddyfinefoods.com. Irrawaddy Fine Foods 4 Jalan Irrawaddy 10050 Penang, Malaysia.  Tel: 04-228 6360 Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm Mondays to Saturdays

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Malaysia revive semifinal hopes with emphatic 4-1 win over Laos Posted: 28 Nov 2012 08:04 AM PST Malaysia's Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor celebrates after scoring the team's third goal against Laos during their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B soccer match in Kuala Lumpur November 28, 2012. – Reuters pic KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 – Malaysia revived its AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal hopes after scoring an emphatic 4-1 win over Laos in a Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here tonight. The national side lived up to national head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal's prediction that his boys would bounce back against Laos after an embarrassing 0-3 defeat to Singapore in their opening match. As expected, Rajagobal wielded the axe on goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat whose butter fingers was responsible for Malaysia's second goal against Singapore. Rajagobal took a bold step by introducing Mohd Farizal Marlias in goal and Mohd Shakir Shaari in midfield. Skipper Safiq Rahim broke the dead lock in the 15th minute with a superb free kick from the edge of the box to give the 20,000 odd supporters every reason to forget Sunday's disappointment. However, a lapse in defence saw Laos equalise through Khonesavanh Sihavong whose shot in the 39th minute deflected off a defender and sailed above the outstretched arms of Farizal. Though the first half ended 1-1, the second half was a totally different ball game as the Malayan Tigers had a better 'bite' of the game with Mohd Safee Mohd Sali missing a number of good opportunities. The Pelita Jaya striker however, made amends in the 67th minute after an excellent cross from Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor gave him an easy task of beating Laos goalkeeper from close range. Wan Zack then got into the act by heading in a measured cross from the left by S. Kunalan in the 75th minute. Not contended with the scoreline, Rajagobal pulled out Safee and introduced Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri and the move paid off handsomely when the striker struck just a minute after coming on to put Malaysia 4-1 up in the 79th minute. Malaysia must however, beat Indonesia on Dec 1, to have any chance of making it to the semifinals and onwards to defend the title while Laos and Singapore will play their match at the Shah Alam Stadium simultaneously. – Bernama

Scolari to be named Brazil coach Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:03 AM PST BRASILIA, Nov 28 – Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to be named as the new coach of 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil on Thursday, a source close to Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said today. Scolari (picture), who led Brazil to their last World Cup title in 2002 and was heavily favoured to take over, will replace Mano Menezes who was sacked last Friday. Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Jose Maria Marin confirmed he had chosen a new coach but declined to give a name. "We did a thorough evaluation and what we need is someone with the right skills, dedication and experience. I am absolutely certain that the fans will be happy with our choice," CBF president Jose Maria Marin told reporters at an event in Sao Paulo. "Pressure will be great at the World Cup, and that's understandable, and we need someone who can cope with that," said Marin, who added that the announcement would be made on Thursday but did not give a time or place. "We need everyone to get behind the new coach," he added. Marin had previously said the coach would be named in January but decided it would be better to make the decision before Saturday's draw in Sao Paulo for the Confederations Cup, which Brazil hosts next year. "This shows that there is no crisis, that everything is under control," he said. Brazil will be under huge pressure to win a sixth world title in 2014. Scolari also coached Portugal at Euro 2004 and 2008 and the 2006 World Cup. While Marin was making the announcement, national teams director Andres Sanchez said in a statement that he had handed in his resignation. Sanchez had already said he was opposed to sacking Menezes and had not been consulted. – Reuters

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Malaysia revive semifinal hopes with emphatic 4-1 win over Laos Posted: 28 Nov 2012 08:04 AM PST Malaysia's Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor celebrates after scoring the team's third goal against Laos during their AFF Suzuki Cup Group B soccer match in Kuala Lumpur November 28, 2012. – Reuters pic KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 – Malaysia revived its AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal hopes after scoring an emphatic 4-1 win over Laos in a Group B match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here tonight. The national side lived up to national head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal's prediction that his boys would bounce back against Laos after an embarrassing 0-3 defeat to Singapore in their opening match. As expected, Rajagobal wielded the axe on goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat whose butter fingers was responsible for Malaysia's second goal against Singapore. Rajagobal took a bold step by introducing Mohd Farizal Marlias in goal and Mohd Shakir Shaari in midfield. Skipper Safiq Rahim broke the dead lock in the 15th minute with a superb free kick from the edge of the box to give the 20,000 odd supporters every reason to forget Sunday's disappointment. However, a lapse in defence saw Laos equalise through Khonesavanh Sihavong whose shot in the 39th minute deflected off a defender and sailed above the outstretched arms of Farizal. Though the first half ended 1-1, the second half was a totally different ball game as the Malayan Tigers had a better 'bite' of the game with Mohd Safee Mohd Sali missing a number of good opportunities. The Pelita Jaya striker however, made amends in the 67th minute after an excellent cross from Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor gave him an easy task of beating Laos goalkeeper from close range. Wan Zack then got into the act by heading in a measured cross from the left by S. Kunalan in the 75th minute. Not contended with the scoreline, Rajagobal pulled out Safee and introduced Mohd Khyrill Muhymeen Zambri and the move paid off handsomely when the striker struck just a minute after coming on to put Malaysia 4-1 up in the 79th minute. Malaysia must however, beat Indonesia on Dec 1, to have any chance of making it to the semifinals and onwards to defend the title while Laos and Singapore will play their match at the Shah Alam Stadium simultaneously. – Bernama

Saudi king appears for first time since November 17 surgery Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:53 AM PST JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Nov 28 — Saudi King Abdullah has appeared on state television today for the first time since his 11-hour operation to tighten a back ligament on November 17, helping assuage fears over his health. In footage broadcast on state television, the monarch, who is in his late 80s, appeared to be in good health as he sat in a chair receiving members of the royal family and officials at the National Guard's King Abdulaziz Medical City in the capital Riyadh. Saudi stability is of global concern. The pivotal Gulf US ally holds more than a fifth of world petroleum reserves and is the birthplace of Islam, where millions of Muslims flock to perform the annual haj pilgrimage. "It should put to rest all the rumours that were circulated by unknown people," Jamal Khashoggi, an influential Saudi commentator said after footage of the king appeared on television. "He looked okay for his age," he added. Saudi media did not say when the king was expected to leave hospital. Because power in the world's top oil-exporting country is concentrated in the hands of the king and top princes, their health is closely watched. Rumours that the king's recovery was not going well circulated over social media networks sending the index to a 10-month low yesterday. The market rose 1.1 percent today. Top Saudi royals have repeatedly visited the king in hospital since the royal court announced the surgery in his upper back on November 18 a success, according to state media. Saudi analysts have said it was understandable that recovery would take time, given the king's advanced age. Saudi state media have been reporting visits by members of the royal family and senior officials to the hospital and Crown Prince Salman has twice come out to reassure Saudis about the king's health. But the lack of pictures of the monarch has only fuelled social media speculation about the king's health. King Abdullah underwent a similar operation in October last year and had back surgery twice in the United States in 2010 for a herniated disc, after which he spent three months outside Saudi Arabia recuperating. Two days after his back operation last year, Abdullah appeared on state television and was released from hospital within five days. The crown has passed down a line of sons of the kingdom's founder King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, who died in 1953. King Abdullah - who took power in 2005 — named his brother Prince Salman, 13 years his junior, heir apparent in June after the death of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz. Salman, who deputises for the king, was shown on television last week meeting visiting US officials. He had chaired two weekly cabinet meetings since the surgery. — Reuters

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Mobile devices may boost fitness levels: study Posted: 28 Nov 2012 07:31 AM PST NEW YORK, Nov 28 — Consumers have options galore when it comes to portable fitness trackers and smartphone apps. But do they actually motivate you to work out harder, longer? Maybe, at least according to a new analysis of 11 studies. Published last week in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, researchers from the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana looked at studies involving a total of more than 1,350 subjects. Eight of the studies used text messaging to offer motivation, four relied on smartphone apps, and two used self reports on PDAs. In terms on how the studies measured physical fitness, the tools vary from self-reports on the number of days a week spent walking to pedometer step counts and accelerometer counts per minute. While three of the studies the researchers examined showed no effect, the others did show a boost in fitness, especially with the SMS-based intervention, study author Jason Fanning told Mobihealthnews. Still, since the data was too slim to draw statistically significant conclusions, he added, more research needs to be done on products such as Fitbit, Jawbone's UP, and BodyMedia's FIT armband.  According to research firm ABI, the market for wearable fitness devices is expecting to explode, and consumers can expect to see 90 million shipments of such gadgets in 2017. A new survey from Pew Internet Project finds that a fifth of Americans are tracking their health and fitness using an app, mobile device, or website.  Access the study: http://goo.gl/Q5TPZ — AFP-Relaxnews

British Fashion Awards: Stella steals the day Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:16 AM PST Polish model Anja Rubik presents a creation by Stella McCartney during the Spring/Summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection show on October 1, 2012 in Paris. — AFP pic LONDON, Nov 28 — Stella McCartney took home two top prizes at Tuesday's British Fashion Awards. The London-based designer and daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney was named Designer of the Year and Designer Brand 2012 at the awards, held at the luxury Savoy hotel. Stella McCartney has had one hell of a 2012: first her time in the spotlight this summer as designer of the Olympic and Paralympic uniforms and Team GB kit, then a series of successful runway collections shown in Paris, and the announcement this fall that the brand has seen substantial growth from 2011 to 2012 -- sales were up 19 percent to £21 million ($34 million). The year will have ended on a high, as McCartney was announced as the winner of two major gongs at the 2012 British Fashion Awards. Stella picked up Designer of the Year and then took to the stage again to accept the Designer Brand 2012 on behalf of her namesake label. McCartney shared an anecdote with the attendees regarding the label's origins after she left an unnamed Parisian design house (most likely the Chloé label she headed from 1997 to 2001) where she had been told by a"top man at this brand" that she would fail. As the Telegraph reported, it was this challenge that spurred her on: "I couldn't be more determined to prove him wrong. And with this award I feel like I am at the start of doing that." Hosted by Gemma Arterton and Nick Grimshaw, the awards welcomed stars from around the world including Amber Valletta, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, the UK Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron, Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton, Christopher Kane and Alexa Chung. Young catwalk star Cara Delevingne took home the prize as Model of the Year, beating off competition from Jourdan Dunn and D&G man David Gandy. The 20-year-old Delevingne burst onto the scene this fall, walking in shows by Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and Stella McCartney. Menswear Designer 2012 went to Kim Jones, former designer at Dunhill and now in charge of the men's collections at Louis Vuitton.  Full list of winners: Designer of the Year- Stella McCartney Designer Brand - Stella McCartney Special Recognition - Harold Tillman Outstanding Achievement in Fashion - Manolo Blahnik Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Professor Louise Wilson Accessory Designer - Nicholas Kirkwood New Establishment - Erdem Menswear Designer - Kim Jones Emerging Talent Award - RTW - J.W.Anderson Emerging Talent Menswear - Jonathan Saunders Emerging Talent Award Accessories - Sophie Hulme Model - Cara Delevigne Red Carpet Award - Roksanda Ilincic British Style Award - Alexa Chung — AFP-Relaxnews

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Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart back on board for next ‘X-Men’ flick Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:52 AM PST Ian McKellan. — AFP pic LOS ANGELES, Nov 28 — The original actors that portrayed Magneto and Professeur Xavier are back on board for the next film in the popular X-Men saga, X-Men: Days of Future Past, revealed its director Bryan Singer. Bryan Singer turned to his Twitter account to break the news. In the plot for X-Men: Days of Future Past, one of the X-Men returns to the past in order to prevent a ghastly future for mutants. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart will roam the set alongside Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy, who already played younger versions of Magneto and Professeur Xavier in X-Men: First Class. That film, released in 2011, was set in the 1960s and featured Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique as an adult). Bryan Singer also announced the comebacks of Nicholas Hoult and Jennifer Lawrence, who respectively portrayed The Beast and the younger version of Mystique in First Class. Production of X-Men: Days of Future Past is scheduled for next year, with Fox Studios looking at a launch in July 2014. — AFP-Relaxnews

A minute with: Pop star Ke$ha on new album ‘Warrior’ Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:39 AM PST Ke$ha performs "Die Young" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California November 18, 2012. — Reuters pic LOS ANGELES, Nov 28 — Pop star Ke$ha made a name for herself with infectious dance-pop hits but the singer-songwriter is stepping out of her Auto-Tune comfort zone on "Warrior", out this week. Ke$ha, 25, stormed the charts with hit songs about drinking, partying and having a good time, such as "TiK ToK" and "Your Love is my Drug" from her 2010 platinum-selling album "Animal". Ke$ha talked with Reuters about the pressures of following up the success of her first album and responding to her critics. Q: Did you feel additional pressure while working on this album after the success of your debut, "Animal"? A: "Everybody keeps asking me about pressure, and I think a lot of other people maybe are feeling pressure about this record, but I just want to make a good record. If I sat around trying to make a number one record, I'd just be too consumed with that. I just want to make an awesome, kick-ass record that I love and that my fans love." Q: Was there anything that you weren't happy with on the first album and that you wanted to change for the second? A: "I just wanted to make sure my entire personality was presented more accurately. I feel like people really got to know the super-wild side of me but then sometimes a more vulnerable side. I didn't really feel comfortable expressing it. So this time I kind of forced myself to express a little bit more vulnerability, less Auto-Tune, less vocal trickery. It's a little more raw." Q: You received a lot of criticism for your use of Auto-Tune, masking your true singing voice. Was that a valid criticism for you, when many others use it? A: "I remember having this conversation with my producer, and him saying, 'We're using a lot of vocal tricks,' and I said, 'People will get to know me as my career goes on, I just want it to sound really weird and cool and clubby right now, and super electronic.' I made a conscious decision to use Auto-Tune for effect, as ear candy, and vocoders and chop up my words. "This time around, I have heard so many different people say I can't sing, it's quite frankly irritating, so I ... made a five-song acoustic EP ('Deconstructed', out on Dec. 4) that's kind of like my middle finger to all those people that said I couldn't sing, and there's more of my voice on this record. You know, haters are going to hate, you just have to do what you want to do." Q: Talk us through some of the collaborations on "Warrior". There's quite a variety, such as with Iggy Pop and Ben Folds. A: "Ben Folds is a friend of mine. He gave me a giant glitter grand piano that's in my house, so that one was natural. The Flaming Lips was probably surprising for a lot of people because we're two super-different genres of music but we had the most fun and we made so many songs, it was super insane. We're like best friends, we text everyday now, so that kind of came naturally. The one that I really have been working on for years was a collaboration with Iggy Pop. He's one of my favorite musicians and artists of all time, so that was super exciting for me, because I respect him so much." Q: You've written tracks for Kelly Clarkson and Britney Spears, and you've written all the songs for "Warrior". What did you want to bring out in your lyrics this time round? A: "I definitely wanted to maintain the irreverence, because that's why my fans like me. It's because I'm super honest, not always PG rated ... but I didn't want to let the haters somehow cramp my style or get the best of me, so I maintain my irreverence ... I also really wanted to show the other side of my personality, which kind of is more nerve-wracking to show people, being a real person and the vulnerable side of my personality and voice. So there are tracks on this record that are super vulnerable and were hard even to write. I had to force myself to sit down and write these songs." Q: You've carved a distinctive image and also just launched your latest collaboration with Baby-G watches. How do you want to evolve your career in the future? A: "I think that with this record, I really wanted to show that there are no rules or boundaries in art, at all, like I sing and I can use crazy Auto-Tune vocoders and I can rap and I can do a song with Iggy Pop. You can do all these things that make sense. You don't have to just be one thing, like, you don't adhere to any sort of stereotype or any boundaries or any rules, so for me it's really fun to break down these boundaries." Q: You came in at the forefront of the electronic dance music explosion in the pop charts two years ago. Why do you think EDM is doing so well? A: "Dancing is one of the ways we, as adult human beings, still get to play and it's socially acceptable. Little kids play all the time, but as we grow up, we're supposed to just not play anymore, so our version of that is going out and dancing, and I think it's one way people are still visceral and animal-like." — Reuters

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Free Nook reader app comes to the UK Posted: 27 Nov 2012 03:15 PM PST The availability of the app follows the official launch of Barnes & Noble's range of Nook e-readers and tablets. ― AFP pic LONDON, Nov 28 ― The free Nook app is finally available for UK readers who want to access their existing Nook e-book purchases on an iPhone, iPad or Android device, or to search for and buy new titles. The Nook Store, part of US bookseller and digital content company Barnes & Noble, currently offers over 2.5 million books, magazines, newspapers and comics and until now, customers beyond the US needed one of the company's Nook e-readers or tablets to buy and read its content. However, after the Nook app's success in the US, Barnes & Noble has chosen the UK as the next territory for the app's launch. The availability of the app follows the official launch of Barnes & Noble's range of Nook e-readers and tablets, which hit UK shelves earlier this month and have won praise from the tech community for the quality of their screens, their lightweight construction and their competitive pricing. The supporting app will give users the freedom to try Nook Store content without having to buy a Nook device. "Our popular collection of reading apps have been downloaded millions of times in the US, and now UK customers can enjoy the flexibility to shop our vast digital catalogue and enjoy titles from their Nook Library anywhere they go, whether they're using one of our award-winning Nook products, an iPad, iPhone or Android device," said Jamie Iannone, President of Nook Media LLC. The app's launch is the latest in a number of steps taken by Barnes & Noble to extend its reach beyond the US and to challenge Amazon's dominance in the e-reader and digital publishing market. Amazon also offers a range of competitively priced e-readers and tablets and its own Kindle reader app is historically one of the most popular free downloads on the Apple App Store. ― AFP-Relaxnews

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The women haters in Parliament Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:07 PM PST NOV 28 — So, we now have rules in Parliament to stop lawmakers from saying sexist things. You can stop them saying sexist things but it doesn't change their mentality. It doesn't change the fact that both Umno and PAS have chauvinists in their ranks who demean women with their words and actions. It's not just Kinabatangan boor Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin. Let's not forget PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat who said, "Padan muka kena rogol" (Serves you right for being raped). This is also the same man who said attractive women shouldn't work as they can get husbands, unlike their "uglier" brethren. If I were to tell one of our chauvinistic MPs to his face that he hated women, he would probably reply, "Of course, not! I love women!" Of course you do. You love having women in your kitchen. You love having women in your bedroom. You love women when they tell you you're right. When they agree with you. When they're meek, pliable and not nearly as good at anything you do. And when some woman tells you off for something like sexism or chauvinism, you brush her off as some "man-hating feminist." There's a big difference between chauvinism and chivalry, but to some Malaysian men, they seem to be one and the same. You don't have to be an MP to be sexist. Take former Umno Kota Kinabalu protem head, Roselan Johar Mohamed, who is famous not because he is current chair of the BIMP-Eeaga Malaysian Business Council but for saying "If you cannot fight rape, better lay down and enjoy it." He claims he got that from a proverb by Confucius. I counter with a real quote from Confucius: "To subdue one's self and return to propriety, is virtue." Or, in other words, the right thing to do is have enough self-control to conduct yourself properly. By that measure, too many of our politicians are very un-virtuous indeed. It's not just the way our male politicians talk about women but the way female politicians are treated in this country. Why the need for separate women's wings? Why, for instance, can't a woman contest for leadership positions against men in our political parties? Why must there be separate wings and positions just for the women? Why can't, say, a woman be the division head for Umno Selangor? Heck, why can't a woman be the mentri besar? Why aren't any of the mentri besar women? Where in our constitution does it specify that a woman cannot be head of state? The reality is that sexism and chauvinism are entrenched in our local as well as political cultures. Telling our MPs to be "good boys" in Parliament isn't enough because all our men need to be taught to acknowledge women as equals. Sexism, like racism, is something that will never really go away. But it doesn't mean that we can't do our level best to fight them. You can start small by gently reprimanding someone like Bung by saying, "That's a sexist thing to say." Mentally, feel free to imagine hitting him about the head with a rolled up newspaper. Even virtue has its limits. (The writer would like to emphasise that she suggested to "imagine" and not actually perform acts of violence, no matter how tempting.) * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

To boycott Israel, we first need ties Posted: 27 Nov 2012 03:48 PM PST NOV 28 ― The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be an emotional matter to many Malaysians. While there are diverse opinions on the conflict, the pro-Palestinian sentiment is firmly in the majority in Malaysia. Each time the conflict between Israel and Palestine flares up, the pro-Palestinian side will egg the public on to do at least two things. One, they will organise a demonstration in front of the United States embassy on Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur. The other is a boycott against products sold in Malaysia that the pro-Palestinian side believes has something to do with Israel. McDonald's has been on the receiving end of the call to boycott, but in a brilliant public relations move involving free burgers, I think the boycott died prematurely. The truth is the demonstrations and boycotts generate more heat than light. It does nothing practical and significant to affect the situation in Israel and Palestine. The reason for that is this: Malaysia has no traction with Israel because Malaysia does not maintain any significant relations with Israel. There is no real direct leverage that any Malaysian can use against Israel in the conflict. To Israel, Malaysia is just that little trading country far out on the other end of the world that has little to do with Israel. Malaysia probably does not even exist to most Israelis, maybe apart from that one time when former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad claimed that the Jews ruled the world by proxy at a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference hosted in Kuala Lumpur in 2003. If Malaysians truly want to have some traction on Israel, then perhaps Malaysia needs to find some leverage on Israel. One of those leverages may involve having an official relationship with Israel, which includes significant trade ties. The power of a boycott is that it gets to where it hurts when it works, which is the pocket. At the moment, however, there is really no way a boycotting Malaysian  can hurt Israel. A successful boycott at the very best hurts those who have ties with Israel and not Israel itself. That has the potential of making more enemies than friends. And influence comes from making the right friends. As always, the boycotts and demonstrations against Israel are really directed against the United States and anything related to the US. The rationale is that the US is Israel's greatest ally. Yet, making an enemy of the US is not the best thing to do for Malaysia given how China looms to the north and countries in South-East Asia sorely need a power to balance Chinese influence in the region. Never mind that the US is one of Malaysia's biggest trade partners. That means there are a lot of jobs in Malaysia created by US-related corporations. Look at the boycotters' favourite target: McDonald's. Who do they employ? They are mostly Malaysians. In fact, who owns the McDonald's franchise in Malaysia? Malaysians. So, the ones who would have been hurt by a boycott launched by the pro-Palestinian camp are Malaysians first. Israel itself is probably somewhere down the list, receiving the least brunt of all, if any. With significant economic ties with Israel, perhaps Malaysians with strong opinions on the matter can do something more practical. With such links, the threat of a Malaysian boycott has a real and direct impact on Israeli interests. With interests in Malaysia which are susceptible to a Malaysian boycott, maybe then Israel may want to take Malaysian voices more seriously. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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Pakatan bidas Muhyiddin, dakwa beliau kurang idea baru Posted: 28 Nov 2012 02:11 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Nov — Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat (PR) membalas kritikan  Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (gambar) sebagai mencerminkan parti pemerintah itu kekurangan idea baru untuk negara dan jelas membuktikan Umno terdesak untuk memenangi undi orang Melayu-Islam menjelang pilihan raya umum ke 13 nanti. Semalam, timbalan presiden Umno itu menuduh PAS berbohong dalam perjuangan Islam dan mendakwa bahawa perjuangan parti Islam itu tidak disokong oleh sekutunya DAP dan PKR. Ahli parlimen PAS (Kuala Selangor), Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad berkata serangan ke atas partinya adalah kerana Umno takut kehilangan undi daripada masyarakat Melayu-Islam. "Jelas sekali apa yang Umno lakukan sekarang adalah bertujuan untuk memancing undi Melayu Islam," kata Dzulkefly. Beliau menambah Umno terpaksa menggunakan taktik itu kerana parti itu sendiri tidak lagi memiliki sokongan di kalangan pengundi, terutamanya apabila isu kontroversi seperti Pusat Fidlot Nasional (NFC) dan Zon Perdagangan Bebas Pelabuhan Klang (PKFZ) memberikan persepsi Umno adalah sebuah parti korup. "Sebab Umno berdepan dengan PAS, jadi dia (Umno) kena rosakkan imej dan kredibiliti PAS. Sebab itu perkara utama yang dia hentam adalah PAS, tidak DAP atau PKR. "Kita adalah satu lawan satu dengan Umno. Yang akan menggantikan Umno adalah PAS dan juga orang Melayu dalam Umno." "Jelas nampak dia serang kita (PAS) sebab dia tahu bahawa PAS berada kedudukan yang cukup kuat untuk menggantikan mereka," tambah beliau. Selain itu, ahli parlimen  DAP (Bukit Bendera) Liew Chin Tong menegaskan tindakan pemimpin Umno cuba mewujudkan rasa takut ke atas musuh politik mereka bertujuan bagi menarik sokongan pengundi Melayu. "Saya fikir kedua-dua Muhyiddin dan Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hanya bergantung kepada sokongan orang Melayu. Jadi mereka cuba mewujudkan rasa takut kepada PR supaya dapat menarik sokongan orang Melayu. Mereka (Umno) lakukan ini kerana hanya yakin boleh menang dengan sokongan orang Melayu," kata beliau. "Mereka tidak faham bahawa negara ini banyak berubah. Rakyat boleh membandingkan kedua-dua belah pihak. Semua rakyat Malaysia tanpa mengira kumpulan etnik mahukan kerajaan yang baik serta berintegriti dan tidak rasuah," katanya. Beliau menyifatkan Muhyiddin sedang bekerja keras bersama MCA untuk menekan PAS dan DAP bagi memperoleh sokongan tradisi kaum masing-masing kepada mereka. "Pakatan menembusi zon selesa mereka, terutamanya PAS dan DAP," kata beliau yang merujuk kepada sokongan orang Melayu dan bukan Melayu. Liew menegaskan PR berbeza dengan BN kerana mereka tidak bergantung kepada pengundi sesuatu kumpulan etnik tetapi berusaha untuk memenangi sokongan semua rakyat bagi membela nasib mereka. "Kita mahu menjadi sebuah gabungan yang boleh diterima semua rakyat Malaysia," katanya, sambil menambah bahawa serangan tersebut adalah semata-mata satu cubaan untuk mengganggu PR daripada menumpukan isu-isu tadbir urus yang baik dan integriti. Dalam pada itu, Naib Presiden PKR Nurul Izzah Anwar berkata beliau sangat mengecewakan melihat Muhyiddin yang juga timbalan perdana menteri hanya tahu menakutkan rakyat tetapi tidak menawarkan idea baru kepada negara. "Ini adalah perkara biasa; setiap pilihan raya umum, mereka akan guna politik ketakutan, kebencian, ketaksuban, (ia adalah) yang sentiasa digunakan oleh Barisan Nasional dan Umno," kata beliau. "Saya rasa lebih baik timbalan menteri perdana untuk mempamerkan keupayaan kepimpinan beliau dengan menjelaskan apakah visinya untuk Malaysia. "Hal ini kerana saya merasakan beliau kurang daripada aspek itu, ia lebih baik daripada hanya menyerang PR," kata ahli parlimen Lembah Pantai itu.Liew berkongsi pandangan Nurul Izzah dan berkata: "Umno tidak mempunyai idea-idea baru lagi terhadap PR dan apa yang mereka boleh lakukan ialah memusnahkan kredibiliti PR sebagai sebuah kerajaan campuran pada masa depan".

Taklimat di Singapura kerana sekatan kerajaan, kata MP Pakatan Posted: 28 Nov 2012 01:31 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Nov — Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat (PR) menolak tuduhan oleh Umno semalam yang mengatakan kerajaan Singapura cuba campur tangan urusan negara, sebaliknya menjelaskan taklimat Scorpene di negara jiran tersebut berpunca dari sekatan kerajaan Malaysia. "Taklimat semalam amat berguna dan kami kecewa dengan sikap Speaker yang menghalang peguam Perancis, Apoline Cagnate daripada memberi taklimat di Parlimen. "Malahan Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein juga tidak memberi apa jaminan akan membenarkan peguam itu masuk Malaysia hingga memaksa taklmat dijalankan di Singapura," kata ahli parlimen (MP) Subang (PKR), R Sivarasa (gambar). Dalam laporan The Malaysian Insider semalam, pemimpin Umno mengecam kerajaan Singapura kerana membenarkan peguam Perancis memberi taklimat isu kes mahkamah Scorpene kepada ahli parlimen (MP) Pakatan Rakyat. Speaker Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia dalam satu surat kepada ketua pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tidak membenarkan peguam Perancis mengadakan taklimat di Bilik Taklimat, bangunan Parlimen. Walaupun halangan daripada kerajaan Malaysia, peguam Perancis tersebut masih sedia untuk datang ke Malaysia, menurut MP Batu (PKR) Chua Tian Chang. "Peguam Perancis menyatakan mereka masih telus untuk memberikan taklimat di Parlimen. Kalau ada perkembangan terkini, mungkin pada Januari atau Februari mereka akan datang. "Cuma saya harap kerajaan bersikap terbuka dan membenarkan peguam Perancis masuk negara," kata Tian merujuk kepada kes William Bourdon yang dihantar pulang sebaik tiba di Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). MP Shah Alam (PAS), Khalid Samad turut senada dengan rakannnya sambil menyatakan penerangan oleh Apoline adalah jelas dan serius. "Kes ini sangat serius dan bukan remeh sepertimana yang didakwa oleh Umno dan Barisan Nasional ini. "Saya harap selepas ini kerajaan perlu memberikan kerjasama dan bukan hanya bersikap seolah-olah ia tidak serius," kata Khalid. Semalam, Apoline dalam taklimatnya di Kota Singa berkata akan menggabungkan perbicaraan pembunuhan warganegara Mongolia, Altantuya Shaariibuu, dalam siasatan Scorpene. Apoline turut mendedahkan dua Hakim iaitu Roger Le Loire dan Serge Tournaire kini sedang meneruskan siasatan terhadap kes berkenaan di Mahkamah Tribunal deGrande Instance Perancis. Selain itu, tujuh saksi dinamakan termasuk perdana menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak; menteri pertahanan, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi; penyiasat persendirian, P Balasubramaniam, Abdul Razak Baginda, isteri Razak, Mazlinda Makhzan, pembantu kanan beliau, Jasbir Singh Chahl serta Ahli Perniagaan, Lodin Wok Kamaruddin. NGO hak asasi manusia itu secara aktif telah mengikuti skandal Scorpene di mahkamah Perancis, dan berazam untuk mendedahkan dakwaan rasuah kerajaan dalam pembelian kapal selam berbilion ringgit pada tahun 2009 dan mungkin membuka semula kes pembunuhan model Mongolia Altantuyaa yang dikatakan ada kaitan dengan perjanjian itu.

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