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So what do chefs like to talk about? Posted: 10 Dec 2012 09:17 PM PST Teepees set up on Smiths Beach for the launch party. KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 — Ask any chef what inspires him/her and nine out of 10 will very likely say, "The ingredients!" And so it was at the inaugural Margaret River Gourmet Escape — a four-day food and wine festival — in Perth where the talk among the celebrity chefs present was mostly about the amazing produce of Western Australia. Rene Redzepi of Noma in Denmark, well-known for his food foraging expeditions and absolutely inventive menus, went out on an excursion with the Aborigines before the launch party and had the time of his life. Rene took the heart of a tree they found and cooked it. Delicious! Serving up Tempura Shark Bay Whiting Fillets (right) and Green Pea and Pecorino Tartlets. New York's David Chang of Momofuku could not get enough of marrons, a kind of crayfish found in Western Australia. "I think it's the pinnacle of all crustaceans, it's so sweet. The shellfish and fish here are second to none," he said. Tony Howell, executive chef of Cape Lodge in Margaret River, couldn't agree more. "If there's one ingredient to cook, it's the marron. It's sensational!" The Margaret River Gourmet Escape was chockablock with the biggest names in the culinary world. The starry line-up included Alex Atala from D.O.M. Restaurante in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tetsuya Wakuda of Tetsuya's in Sydney; Alvin Leung of Hong Kong's Bo Innovation; Sat Bains of Sat Bains in Nottingham; Andre Chiang of Singapore's Restaurant Andre; Matt Stone from Perth's very own Greenhouse; Matt Moran (you will recognise him from "MasterChef Australia"); Peter Gilmore of Quay in Sydney; Neil Perry from Sydney's Rockpool;, Kylie Kwong of TV fame; and George Calombaris of "MasterChef Australia". A.A. Gill, "the fiercest food critic in the world", master of wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown, and wine writers Ch'ng Poh Tiong and Nick Stock were also in attendance. The headliner of the festival was to be Heston Blumenthal of the Fat Duck in Bray, UK (many of the big-name chefs from far-away Europe and the United States were there because Blumenthal asked!) but a few days before the festival, two of his chefs died in a traffic accident in Hong Kong. Still, Heston's presence was very much felt at the festival; a toast was made at the launch of the festival to him and the two chefs who died, and then of course there was the formal dinner, where his fellow chefs paid tribute to him. Rottnest Scallops with Bumbu Satay of Jarrahdene Pork at the launch party... absolutely delicious. The launch itself was held at the stunning Smiths Beach in Margaret River where teepees were set up, a band played and everybody feasted on oysters, tempura Shark Bay whiting fillets, Rottnest scallops with a Bambu satay of Jarrahdene pork, Pepper & Salt 7 spiced Butterfield beef ribs and South-West fish sashimi, Asian omelette and sushi rice. Wines from Ashbrook, Stella Bella, Woodlands, Fraser Gallop and Trevelen Farm accompanied the fabulous feast. Even a freezing wind did not dampen the joie de vivre of the evening, with the affable Western Australian Tourism and Health Minister Kim Hames, who launched the event, going round greeting everyone. At the press conference the next day at Cape Lodge in Margaret River, Rene spoke about how excited he was to cook the abalones from Western Australia. "Cape to cape, coast to coast, the climate, weather, ingredients here are different. I have already discovered jewfish," he said, laughing about the politically incorrect name of the fish. The jewfish is a kind of grouper. He was also happy to have discovered the monitor lizard, called goanna, in Australia. "The green fat is delicious!" Peter Gilmore, the award-winning executive chef of the Quay in Sydney, spoke about the six seasons of the year in aboriginal culture that affects migration of animals and fishes spawning. David Chang and Rene Redzepi lamented that the Australian dining public didn't want kangaroo on their plates. "You should get the meat on a regulated basis. Kangaroo tail is delicious," said Chang. "Kangaroo meat is banned in New South Wales," said Gilmore. "Also, the supply chain is not guaranteed." Hot chefs: Front row (from left): Matt Wilkinson (in shorts), Adam D'Sylva (with beard), Peter Kuruvita (head down), Rene Redzepi, Kylie Kwong, Tetsuya Wakuda, George Calombaris, Tony Howell, Matt Stone. Back row (from left): Justin North, Sat Bains, Alvin Leung (in black), Alex Atala, Peter Gilmore, Jock Zonfrillo, A.A. Gill, Matt Moran, Andre Chiang, David Chang. Redzepi who had tasted emu meat said, "It's mind blowing. I love a good steak, but this is so good to eat. Travelling anywhere you would want to eat something distilled from the place you are in. I wouldn't travel to Singapore and have a French meal. Back in Scandinavia we are exploring seasons and cultures to better understand the future. Delicious things are happening where it's cold five months of the year. "French food is astonishing but it's about cooking delicious food and contributing to your culture. Indigenous tribes teach us and put it in the culture we are in so that it becomes richer." As Gilmore said, "The world is large and we should embrace everything." George Calombaris, Australian chef, restaurateur and judge on "Masterchef Australia" and "Junior Masterchef", talked about how the past five years have been absolutely amazing for him. "Sixteen years ago I was peeling shallots. It's moments like these that I cherish, the ability to exchange ideas and taking them to my chefs. They are on Cloud 9! I just spent time in India where I saw poverty and know how lucky I am." The festival was a fabulous chance to get to know the chefs, what they are thinking, and what makes them tick.

Food viruses can be spread by kitchen knives, scientists find Posted: 10 Dec 2012 05:55 PM PST PARIS, Dec 11 — People preparing food are advised to wash their hands to prevent the spread of disease, yet an unseen threat may well lie on their kitchen knife, a study says. An unseen threat may lie on your kitchen knife, study shows.©shutterstock.com Researchers at the Centre for Food Safety at the University of Georgia used new knives and graters on six types of fruit and vegetables that had been smeared with minute doses of hepatitis A virus and a "vomiting" bug called norovirus. More than half of the utensils became contaminated by this contact — and in turn often handed on virus to non-contaminated produce. The experiment was conducted on cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots and cantaloupe and honeydew melons. The type of knife, whether serrated, sharp or dull, did not matter, according to the paper, published in the latest issue of the journal Food and Environmental Virology. Co-author Marilyn Erickson told AFP the findings could be important for people with a weak immune system. As for recommending what to do, she acknowledged that it could be impractical to wash a knife or grater between each vegetable. However, "it would be wise to wash (the knife) carefully between meals rather than leaving it on the counter, thinking it's not that dirty", using a dishwasher or at dishwater-type temperature, she said. Previous research into contamination of kitchen utensils and surfaces has focused on bacteria, not viruses. A 2011 study found that the norovirus is the leading cause of food-borne illnesses in the United States. Ingesting as few as between one and 100 norovirus particles can cause vomiting or diarrhoea. — AFP/Relaxnews

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West Indies beat Bangladesh by 18 runs in one-off Twenty20 Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:38 AM PST DHAKA, Dec 10 – West Indies beat Bangladesh by 18 runs in a one-off Twenty20 International at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka today. Scores: West Indies 197-4 in 20 overs (Marlon Samuels 85 not out) v Bangladesh 179-1 in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 88 not out; Mahmudullah 64 not out.) – Reuters

Milan are learning to make do, says Barbara Berlusconi Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:03 AM PST PARIS, Dec 10 – AC Milan are learning to live within their means and will concentrate on using home-grown talent rather than buying in expensive, big-name players, club director Barbara Berlusconi said today. "The club has to be able to rely on its own resources," Berlusconi (picture), daughter of club president Silvio Berlusconi, told French newspaper L'Equipe. Milan, once bankrolled by former Italian prime minister Berlusconi, upset fans with an austerity drive that led to them selling frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic and centre back Thiago Silva to Paris St Germain for 62 million euros ($80.15 million) in the off-season. Barbara Berlusconi said cutting costs was the only way forward for the Serie A club. "I understand (the fans) but we have to explain to them that we have followed the only possible path," she said. "We have grown up thanks to an excellent business model – a passionate sponsor pouring money into the club – which does not fit today's situation," she said. "Soccer has kept on developing but it has lived on credit. We have seen recently at national level what excessive debt can lead to." Milan, seven times European champions, began the season in poor form but have recovered some ground in recent weeks, rising to seventh in the league after three successive wins and qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League. Berlusconi said Milan could nurture their own great players, such as Italy international Stephan El Shaarawy, rather than buy them in. "We can raise great champions at home. We let Ibrahimovic go but we have found El Shaarawy, a gifted young player," she added. "When I talk about a home-made champion, it doesn't only mean he comes from our youth academy. El Shaarawy doesn't, but we bought him when he was quite young and we've helped him mature. We have the experience to allow his talent to blossom. "When a champion leaves, we just grow another," she added. El Shaarawy is the league's top scorer, with 13 goals in 16 appearances. – Reuters

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Work not yet over, Ali Hamsa tells civil service retirees Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:53 AM PST PUTRAJAYA, Dec 10 — Retired civil servants have been urged to continue their contribution to the nation through community activities or through non-governmental organisations, said Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa. He said civil servants who are widely experienced can also contribute through creative writing that can become reference material in their respective positions when new staff is appointed. "The experience of retired civil servants, including senior government officers cannot be replaced because what they have gone through during their long years of service cannot be seen or heard," he said in his speech during the "Majlis Khidmat Bakti Jabatan Perdana Menteri" here today. Ali said knowledgeable civil servants cannot be produced through reference from academic books but through years of experience in their respective field. During the appreciation ceremony, 43 senior government officers who retired and 16 new officers appointed were feted. Retired civil servants could also disseminate correct government policies to the people around them, he said. — Bernama

SUHAKAM commends Najib on pledge to boost democracy Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:51 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) has welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's assurance to initiate more democratic changes as a positive and constructive response to the growing demand for civil liberty. Its chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, cited the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance, Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, Banishment Act 1959, Restricted Residence Act 1933, amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Police Act 1967 and Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, and enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. "SUHAKAM also welcomes the setting up of the Permanent Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights as an important mechanism to further strengthen parliamentary democracy in the country." He said this at the Human Rights Award 2012 presentation ceremony in conjunction with International Human Rights Day 2012 which carries the theme, "My Voice Counts", here, today. Hasmy said everyone had a role to play in building the community, whether in the economic field or public service, or taking part in the election process to form the government. — Bernama

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US-Mexican singer Jenni Rivera dies in plane crash Posted: 09 Dec 2012 08:35 PM PST Federal policemen take a break at a base set up near the plane crash site in the municipality of Iturbide December 9, 2012. – Reuters pic MEXICO CITY, Dec 10 – Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera died in a plane crash after the small jet she was travelling in went down in northern Mexico, her father said yesterday. A spokesman for the state government of Nuevo Leon said investigators had found the remains of Rivera's Learjet, which disappeared from the radar 62 miles from the northern city of Monterrey at about 3.30am local time/4.30 a.m. EST. Speaking after the wreckage was discovered, the singer's father, Pedro Rivera, told Telemundo television all seven of the people on board the plane, including two pilots, had died. "Everyone was lost," Rivera said, flanked by two sons. Investigators are still searching the crash site in the municipality of Iturbide, south of Monterrey. The transportation and communications ministry said the wreckage was strewn so far and wide that it was hard to recognize anything. It was not clear what caused the crash. Rivera, 43, was heading for the city of Toluca in central Mexico after a concert in Monterrey on Saturday night. Born in Long Beach, California, to Mexican immigrants, Rivera sold some 15 million records in her career, won several awards and received Grammy nominations, her website said. A mother of five, Rivera was a renowned performer of the Nortena and Banda musical styles. – Reuters

‘Amour’ named best film by LA critics Posted: 09 Dec 2012 05:52 PM PST Director Michael Haneke receives the European director award for the film 'Amour' (Love) during the 25th European Film Awards ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta December 1, 2012. – Reuters pic LOS ANGELES, Dec 10 – The French movie about an aging couple, "Amour," was the surprise choice for best film of 2012 by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association yesterday, while Joaquin Phoenix was named best actor for his role as a troubled outsider in the cult drama "The Master." In a list that broke ranks with early movie award picks in New York, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association named Paul Thomas Anderson best director for "The Master" and the film's Amy Adams best supporting actress. "Zero Dark Thirty," the thriller about the killing of Osama bin Laden, took just one award, for best editing. Last week, "Zero Dark Thirty" picked up two best picture accolades from the New York-based National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle. Nominations are to be announced later this week for the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards, in what are likely to be leading indicators for the Oscars in February. The 60 or so members of Los Angeles Film Critics Association showed wide-ranging tastes and little agreement with awards industry watchers. Emmanuelle Riva, 85, who plays a retired piano teacher who suffers a stroke in the Cannes film festival winner "Amour," ("Love") was named best actress in a tie with American Jennifer Lawrence, who plays a young widow in the quirky comedy "Silver Linings Playbook." Supposed Oscar front-runners like actors Daniel Day-Lewis ("Lincoln"), Jessica Chastain ("Zero Dark Thirty") were shut out by the Los Angeles critics, along with much-anticipated musical "Les Miserables" and epic fantasy "The Hobbit." Newcomer Dwight Henry won best supporting actor for playing a beleaguered father in mythical indie film "Beasts of the Southern Wild," and the Los Angeles critics gave the best screenplay award to Iran hostage drama "Argo." Nominations for the Critics Choice awards come tomorrow, with the Screen Actors Guild announcing their nominations for the best movie and TV performances in the year on Wednesday. Organisers of the Golden Globes unveil their picks on Thursday. Nominations for the Oscars - the highest honors in the movie industry - are announced on January 10, with the Oscar awards ceremony set for February 24 in Hollywood. – Reuters

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Should breast cancer patients skip the pre-op MRI? Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:48 AM PST A study finds that women who had a pre-operative MRI might have more of their breast tissue removed. — Reuters pic NEW YORK, Dec 10 — Using magnetic resonance imaging to "stage" a woman's breast cancer before surgery might do more harm than good, according to an Australian and US study. MRIs produce a much clearer image than X-rays and ultrasound, and are recommended for detecting early tumours in women at increase risk for breast cancer, but routinely using the technology once any woman is diagnosed may lead to more radical surgery without any benefits, the researchers said in the Annals of Surgery. They found that about 26 per cent of women who had a pre-operative MRI to help determine the extent and severity of their tumour ended up having their entire breast removed, compared to about 18 per cent of those whose surgeons only used traditional methods of characterising the cancer. "I wasn't surprised by the results at all. What I am surprised by is the strength of the data," said Monica Morrow, the study's senior author and the chief of breast service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Because MRIs are more sensitive than mammograms, some doctors think they are a good tool for identifying the precise outlines of cancerous tissue. Others, however, have begun to question whether the imaging led surgeons to remove more breast tissue than necessary. Moreover, women who have MRIs before breast surgery seem to be no less likely to need a second surgery to remove additional cancerous tissue. A study published in September, for instance, found that among more than 300 women who underwent breast cancer surgery, just as many of those who had an MRI before the first surgery ended up having a repeat operation. For the study, she and her colleagues pulled together data from nine previous studies to see if MRIs influence the number of women who had their breast removed or who had a second surgery to remove additional cancer. From the nine studies, they had information on 3,112 women who had breast cancer surgery. Overall, the team found that about 16 per cent of the women who had an MRI ended up having the entire cancerous breast removed during their first surgery. That's compared to about 8 per cent of women who did not have an MRI. They also found that having an MRI before surgery did not influence whether women would need additional surgery to remove more tissue. In each group, between 11 per cent and 12 per cent had to have more surgery. After taking into account the initial surgery and second operations, the researchers calculated that about 26 per cent of those who had an MRI ended up having their entire breast removed, compared to 18 per cent in the no-MRI group. "It causes more mastectomies to start with, but it doesn't decrease the number of women who started out wanting a lumpectomy and needing a mastectomy," said Morrow of the preoperative MRIs. The study did not look at long-term outcomes, nor did it examine the use of MRI to screen the opposite breast for signs that cancer had spread, while the results do not apply to certain subgroups of patients, including women with genetic mutations that predispose them to cancer. "There may be select circumstances where we'd use it to solve a problem, but for most women with breast cancer they don't need an MRI for their evaluation," Morrow said. — Reuters

Knee replacement linked to weight gain, says study Posted: 10 Dec 2012 03:20 AM PST A study finds a knee replacement surgery may raise a person's risk of gaining weight. — AFP pic ROCHESTER, Dec 10 — Being overweight is known to increase the risk of needing a knee replacement, but a new study finds that knee replacement surgery may also raise a person's risk of gaining weight, according to a US study. Researchers, whose findings appeared in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, analysed the medical records of nearly 1,000 knee-replacement surgery patients, and found that 30 per cent of them gained five per cent or more of their body weight in the five years following surgery. One possible explanation for the counter-intuitive results, experts said, is that if people have spent years adapting to knee pain by taking it easy, they don't automatically change their habits when the pain is reduced. "Patients who undergo knee arthroplasty are at increased risk of clinically important weight gain following surgery," wrote study leader Daniel Riddle, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Future research should develop weight loss/maintenance interventions particularly for younger patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight prior to surgery, as they are most at risk for substantial post surgical weight gain." Riddle's group used a patient registry from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which collected information on 917 knee replacement patients before and after their procedures. The researchers found that five years after surgery, 30 per cent of patients had gained at least five per cent of their weight at the time of the surgery — at least 5kg or more on a 100-kg person, for example. In contrast, fewer than 20 per cent of those in a comparison group of similar people who had not had surgery gained equivalent amounts of weight in the same period. "After knee replacement we get them stronger and moving better, but they don't seem to take advantage of the functional gains," said Joseph Zeni, a physical therapy professor at the University of Delaware, who was not part of the study. "I think that has to do with the fact that we don't address the behavioural modifications that have happened during the course of arthritis before the surgery." Riddle's team explained that this degree of weight gain can lead to "meaningful effects on cardiovascular and diabetes related risk as well as pain and function." Part of the explanation for the weight gain could be the age at which patients get surgery. People in their 50s and 60s tend to gain weight anyway. Still, in light of the lower rates of weight gain in the comparison group, which was also middle aged and older, Riddle said something else may also be at work. Indeed, the team found that patients who had lost weight before their surgery were slightly more likely to gain weight afterwards — perhaps because when people lose weight in anticipation of an event, such as surgery, they are more likely to put it back on after they're achieved the goal. Zeni said that to help people stave off weight gain after surgery, health care providers need to address the sedentary lifestyle people often adopt to accommodate their arthritis. "We need to encourage patients to take advantage of their ability to function better and get them to take on a more active lifestyle," he said. — Reuters

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Startup merges comic books, digital journalism Posted: 09 Dec 2012 05:32 PM PST NEW YORK, Dec 10 — Do comics, serious journalism and tablet computers mix? The founders of the new illustrated tablet magazine startup Symbolia think so. Symbolia is described as "a tablet magazine of illustrated journalism that pairs incendiary reporting with thoughtful illustration and comics." The project is funded by The International Women's Media Foundation, the McCormick Foundation and J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism and seeks "to provide an immersive, engaging experience for a new generation of newshounds." The magazine can be read on a tablet or as a PDF file on a computer. It costs US$2.99 (RM6) per issue or US$11.99 for six issues. The premiere edition includes "Secret Spies in the Congo," which explores fish species in the Congo River, "The Rollerblades of Sulaymaniyah," a dispatch from Iraqi Kurdistan, and a profile of an African rock group, "Ask Me About Psych Rock in Zambia." "Powerful, thoughtfully crafted images represent a strong future for journalism," said co-founders Erin Polgreen and Joyce Rice. "Comics and illustrations not only give audiences a unique experience, they are ideal for social sharing. Comics journalism stands out." "Symbolia is the first US publication dedicated exclusively to 'comics journalism,'" says Jessica Weisberg in an article for the Columbia Journalism Review. "While serious graphic novels — like Maus or Persepolis — have proven that comics can handle difficult subjects, serious nonfiction comics are still rare." — AFP/Relaxnews

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Dakwaan 300,00 India tanpa dokumen bermotif politik — Hishammuddin Posted: 10 Dec 2012 02:07 AM PST PUTRAJAYA, 10 Dis — Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (gambar) menyifatkan dakwaan terdapat 300,000 kaum India tiada dokumen pengenalan diri atau tidak menjadi warganegara Malaysia bermotif politik. Katanya dakwaan itu bertujuan meniup perasaan benci terhadap Barisan Nasional (BN) menjelang pilihan raya umum ke-13, selain cuba mencetuskan konflik kerana hanya membabitkan satu kaum. "Mengapa dibawa sekarang, mengapa jumlah itu dibesarkan sehingga 300,000, ia merupakan jumlah yang tidak ada asas langsung," katanya kepada pemberita selepas sesi Perjumpaan Menteri Bersama Peserta Kursus Outreach Top 5 Bagi Pegawai Kumpulan Pengurusan dan Profesional KDN, di sini hari ini. Katanya tindakan segelintir pemimpin pembangkang untuk berdemonstrasi di hadapan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara pada Rabu ini juga menunjukkan mereka tidak ikhlas dalam usaha kononnya untuk menyelesaikan isu tersebut. "...kalau betul 300,000 beri kepada kita, kita uruskan. Nak berdemonstrasi dan berkisar pada perkauman di mana satu kaum sahaja, saya tengok ada matlamat-matlamat tertentu," katanya.      Menurut Hishammuddin, melalui kempen MyDaftar yang dilancar khusus untuk menyelesaikan isu dokumen pengenalan diri kaum India, sebanyak 9,529 mendapatkan borang permohonan dan 7,061 menyerahkan permohonan lengkap. Daripada jumlah itu, 6,612 mendapat kelulusan dokumen pengenalan diri dan program tersebut masih berlangsung, katanya. "Jumlah ini yang kita dapat dalam Program Mydaftar Kebangsaan yang dijalankan di sembilan buah negeri. Kalau tak jelas mereka (pembangkang) boleh datang jumpa kita," katanya. Semalam Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak ketika berucap merasmikan Perhimpunan Agung Tahunan MIC ke-66 menafikan dakwaan pembangkang itu dengan menegaskan ia bertujuan mempengaruhi rakyat agar membenci kerajaan. — Bernama

Ada ahli politik di belakang Ramli Yusuff, kata Musa Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:30 AM PST PETALING JAYA, 10 Dis — Tan Sri Musa Hassan (gambar) mencadangkan hari ini terdapat tokoh politik yang tidak dinamakan menyokong pengkritik dan bekas rakan sekerja beliau Datuk Ramli Yusuff dalam 'perang mulut' antara kedua-dua bekas pemimpin tertinggi Polis Di Raja Malaysia (PDRM) itu. Menurut bekas Ketua Polis Negara (KPN) itu, Ramli diberi platform untuk mengkritik beliau dan menunjukkan imej PDRM dalam keadaan baik. "Kelihatan seperti beliau adalah penyelamat PDRM…. Dan saya adalah penjahat yang memusnahkan PDRM," kata Musa dalam sidang akhbar disini hari ini. Menjawab soalan oleh wartawan tentang bagaimana Ramli boleh mengumpulkan kekayaan ketika hanya memegang jawatan Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersil (JSJK), Musa berkata Ramli "mungkin mempunyai pautan di beberapa tempat". "Beliau harus menjawab kepada orang awam... bagaimana dia mempunyai begitu banyak harta dan kekayaan," kata Musa. Musa juga menuduh bekas panel Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) Tan Sri Robert Phang menyalahgunakan kuasa untuk memindahkan seorang pegawai polis, dalam usaha untuk mempercepatkan projek yang disokong olehnya. "Dia (Phang) telah mengugut pegawai ini, kalau tak komisyenkan, kamu akan ditukar tempat dalam 24 jam. Kalau seorang awam boleh mengugut seorang pegawai polis ... Jadi berkuasalah," tambah Musa. Musa minggu lalu bertegas dengan pendiriannya beliau tidak pernah menyalahgunakan kuasa semasa 41 tahun berkhidmat dengan pasukan polis walaupun Ramli secara konsisten menuduh bekas KPN itu mempunyai kaitan dengan kongsi gelap di Johor. Bekas KPN itu memberitahu beliau tidak melakukan apa-apa kesalahan dan bersedia untuk disiasat oleh Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) untuk membersihkan namanya. Ramli, bekas pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersil (JSJK), berulang kali mendakwa bekas pemimpin tertinggi polis itu mempunyai hubungan rapat dengan sindiket bawah tanah Cina semasa berkhidmat sebagai ketua polis Johor. Ramli, bekas rakan sekerja bertukar pengkritik lantang, baru-baru ini membangkitkan khabar angin tahun 2006 yang mengaitkan Musa dengan Goh Cheng Poh atau lebih dikenali dengan nama "Tengku Goh" — dikatakan sebagai ketua kongsi gelap Johor selepas bekas KPN mendedahkan terdapat campurtangan eksekutif dalam tugas-tugas polis. Dokumen mahkamah difailkan oleh Tengku Goh dan menjadi pengetahuan umum dalam perbicaraan sensasi pada Ogos 2007 telah menyemarakkan lagi spekulasi hubungan khas beliau dengan Musa yang sudah menggantikan Tan Sri Mohammed Bakri Omar sebagai KPN selama hampir setahun. Dalam afidavitnya, Goh dilaporkan berkata: "Saya percaya KPN tidak diberitahu tentang penangkapan dan penahanan." Musa juga disiasat oleh agensi anti-rasuah kerana disyaki terlibat dengan tiga ahli sindiket perjudian haram sejurus selepas kenaikan pangkat menjadi KPN pada September 2006, akan tetapi Peguam Negara Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail dilaporkan telah mengarahkan fail siasatan ditutup pada Julai 2007 kerana kekurangan bukti.

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Thunder Demons Posted: 09 Dec 2012 10:13 PM PST 10 DIS — Saya sentiasa memilih untuk membaca karya — cerpen dan novel — serta menonton filem atau siri televisyen yang memanfaatkan "narrative hook". Aspek "pancing naratif" merujuk pada kemampuan penulis/pengarah menarik dan mencengkam minat pembaca/penonton menerusi bahagaian awal karya berkenaan. Malah, pada setiap bengkel cerpen yang saya kendalikan sejak 1994 — dan bersama-sama Kumpulan Sasterawan Kavyan (Kavyan) sejak 1999 — teknik menulis perenggan awal cerpen memang diberi penekanan. Dipika tetap bimbang jika kandungan novelnya dilihat sebagai karya politik. Teknik "pancing naratif" yang digunakan oleh Dipika Mukherjee dalam novel sulungnya, "Thunder Demons" (2011) menjadikan karya berkenaan menarik minat saya sejak halaman pertama. Selain daripada teknik "pancing naratif", pensyarah linguistik di Universiti Pengajian Antarabangsa Shanghai, China ini turut memanfaatkan unsur-unsur intertekstual yang menjadikan novel setebal 272 halaman ini begitu menarik untuk dibaca. Seperti kata Preeta Samarasan (pengarang "Evening is the Whole Day"), Dipika berjaya mengadunkan kisah keluarga, kesetiaan, kenangan silam, cinta dan kasih sayang, serta pengaruh politik dalam kehidupan manusia biasa. Novel "Thunder Demons" pasti membantu kita untuk membuka mata dan melihat "hantu-hantu petir" (syaitan yang dikenali?) yang menguasai masa depan rakyat dan negara. Kali pertama saya bertemu wanita berkaliber ini adalah sewaktu kami sama-sama diundang menyertai "Writers Unlimited Tour" di Kuala Lumpur pada Jun 2011. Pada sesi membaca teks di Universiti Taylor's, Subang Jaya dan The Annexe Gallery, Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur, beliau membacakan dua petikan berbeza daripada novel berkenaan. Dipika mengakui bahawa beliau terasa agak bimbang untuk membaca petikan "Thunder Demons" kerana kisah yang diangkat dalam novel berkenaan — malah, sejak halaman pertama — mungkin mencetuskan kontroversi di Malaysia. Kontroversi yang dimaksudkan bukanlah kerana adanya unsur seks, ganas dan perkara-perkara yang menyentuh sensitiviti kaum dan agama. Sebaliknya kerana menyentuh mengenai politik dan politikus. Novel ini masuk senarai panjang Man Asian Literary Prize 2009. Sewaktu kami bertemu pada Jun 2011, novel berkenaan yang memasuki senarai panjang Man Asian Literary Prize 2009 belum diterbitkan oleh Gyaana Books, Dehli, India untuk diedarkan di India, Pakistan, Bangladesh dan Sri Lanka. Maka, saya hanya sempat membelek-belek naskhah pengarang yang beliau bawa bersama. Akhirnya, saya menerima senaskhah "Thunder Demons" apabila saya dan Izni Rahim bertemu Dipika di Taman Tun Dr Ismail pada 21 November 2012. Maka, dapatlah saya mendalami novel penuh kontroversi itu sepenuhnya. Dipika yang membacakan petikan prolog novel itu kepada khalayak di Kuala Lumpur pada Jun 2011 turut mengakui bahawa beliau bimbang jika ada pihak yang cepat melatah selepas mendengar petikan karya fiksyen itu. Kisah bermula dengan watak Kolonel S — saya andaikan namanya "Syed" — yang bersiap-sedia untuk melaksanakan tugas yang diamanahkan oleh ketuanya. Turut hadir adalah watak "seorang menteri kanan dalam kabinet" serta "isterinya yang berdarah diraja, bertubuh gempal dan berambut merah". Walaupun Dipika menegaskan bahawa "Thunder Demons" hanya sebuah karya fiksyen yang tiada kaitan dengan mana-mana watak sebenar, bagi menghasilkan novel ini, beliau melakukan kajian mendalam mengenai sejarah dan isu-isu semasa di Malaysia menerusi pembacaan dan perbincangan bersama rakan-rakan. Babak dalam bahagian prolog menampilkan peristiwa seorang wanita yang muda dan cantik diseret keluar dari sebuah kereta. Wanita itu khabarnya seorang penterjemah dan pakar tujuh bahasa.  Wanita yang jelita itu diikat matanya dan dibawa ke kawasan padang terpencil di Shah Alam. Sedikit demi sedikit, pembaca dimaklumkan bahawa juru bahasa itu pernah bersama-sama sekumpulan kroni kerajaan apabila mereka menguruskan tender pembelian sebuah kapal selam di Paris dan Madrid. Maka, saya tidak hairan apabila Dipika pada Jun 2011 melahirkan kebimbangan apabila diminta membaca prolog novel ini pada acara di The Annexe Gallery. Tidak mustahil bahawa pembaca tempatan akan segera mengaitkan fiksyen ini dengan apa-apa insiden sebenar yang dikatakan berlaku dalam negara. Untuk berlaku adil, biar saya nyatakan secara jelas bahawa watak wanita jelita yang diseret keluar dari dalam kereta itu adalah warga Tibet. Bahan letupan C4 dililit pada leher dan tubuhnya oleh Kolonel S sambil diperhatikan dengan penuh minat oleh isteri kepada menteri kanan tersebut. Bahagian prolog berakhir dengan peristiwa tragis yang sudah dapat kita bayangkan: Wanita jelita itu ditembak sebelum tubuhnya diletupkan sehingga mayatnya berkecai dan bertaburan.  Dalam bab pertama, kita diperkenalkan dengan watak bernama Agnibina yang bergegas ke Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa KL (KLIA) — Dipika melakukan kesilapan menulis "KL" sebagai "Kuala Lumpur" — kerana terdapat insiden seorang lelaki tua yang muncul tiga kali seminggu atas tujuan yang tidak diketahui. Satu sesi semasa Writers Unlimited Tour pada Jun 2011. Kisah pada bab kedua berlaku dua bulan selepas jelitawan Tibet dibunuh dan mayatnya diletupkan di Shah Alam. Diperincikan bagaimana kes itu ditutup hasil campur tangan politik. Turut disentuh tentang Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) yang digunakan untuk "menutup mulut" sesiapa yang berani memperkatakan mengenai insiden itu. Pembaca diberitahu mengenai hubungan antara Kolonel S dan Profesor Jay Ghosh. Jay yang berumur hampir 50 tahun dan tinggal di Boston akhirnya akur pada pujukan Kolonel S supaya pulang ke Malaysia. Jay juga sebenarnya ada agenda peribadi untuk kembali ke tanah air. Dia teringat akan Shanti yang merupakan rakannya sejak zaman kanak-kanak. Sedikit demi sedikit — khususnya bermula halaman 28 — pembaca akan tahu apa yang dimaksudkan dengan "thunder demons" yang dijadikan judul novel ini. Apakah kaitan dan hubungan antara Kolonel S, Jay, Shanti, Agnibina, Manjula Sharma dan Abhik dalam kisah kompleks ini? Malah, pasti sahaja pembaca akan terus "terpancing" untuk mengetahui kisah yang melibatkan seorang menteri kanan dan isterinya serta beberapa politikus yang bebas melakukan apa sahaja demi kepuasan diri. Watak-watak pelbagai kaum dan agama ditampilkan secara adil menerusi novel ini yang ditulis dalam Bahasa Inggeris tetapi diselitkan pelbagai frasa Bahasa Malaysia. Konsep "Bumiputera" dan "Bumiputeri" serta beberapa demonstrasi melibatkan laungan "Freedom Rakyat" dan "People Power" (Makkal Sakthi) juga digambarkan secara berjaya menerusi fiksyen ini yang boleh dibaca dan dikaji pada pelbagai lapis makna. Malah, boleh dijadikan teks kajian sosio-politik pada peringkat universiti. Novel 44 bab ini dibahagikan kepada tujuh bahagian yang dilabel sebagai "Monday", "Tuesday" dan seterusnya. Maka, bagi pembaca yang merungut tidak ada masa, bolehlah membaca satu bahagian sehari dan masih mampu menghabiskan pembacaan novel ini dalam masa seminggu. Atau boleh juga dibaca dalam masa 45 hari (termasuk bahagian prolog). Bagaimanapun, Dipika menangani novel ini dengan "pancing naratif" yang sangat berjaya sehingga rata-rata pembaca tidak akan puas selagi belum menghabiskan keseluruhan novel. Novel ini sudah dan sedang hangat diperkatakan di China, India, Thailand, Amerika Syarikat dan beberapa negara lain. Dipika turut mengadakan sesi bersama pembaca di beberapa universiti tempatan sewaktu datang ke Malaysia pada November lalu. Saya memilih untuk tidak mendedahkan terlalu banyak "rahsia" mengenai kisah-kisah dalam novel ini. Biarlah Dipika terus memancing perhatian anda menerusi naratifnya yang memukau. * Nota: Novel ini boleh dibeli secara dalam talian menerusi laman sesawang Amazon atau hubungi uthayasb@yahoo.com.my untuk maklumat lanjut. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

It’s the economy, stupid! Posted: 09 Dec 2012 04:22 PM PST DEC 10 — A health director-general is demoted for khalwat, two non-Muslims are summoned for the same, underage girls are legally married off, Hindu altars are demolished by non-Hindu officials in Selangor, fatwas on poco-poco are passed, guidelines on LGBTs are issued, Obedient Wives Clubs are organised and even the use of the word Allah is politicised. In the meantime, corruption is on the rise, the cost of living is outpacing the growth in salaries, the number of bankruptcies is at an all-time high, affordable housing availability is on the decline, there are no English schoolbooks available for those wishing to continue with PPSMI and the drop in crude palm oil (CPO) prices is having a dramatic impact on export numbers. In a multicultural, multi religious society, some amount of religious conflict is inevitable, as it is in the rest of the world by and large. But when politics and government place greater emphasis on policing the morals of the community than improving their economic and educational well-being, it is because they believe that is what their electorate wants. But is this true? In the furore over hudud, khalwat and the like, it is the politicians who have been doing all the talking. But in the case of Lynas or Dong Zong or PAGE, in the face of official apathy, it is the ordinary voter who has been worried enough to take their issues to the streets to ask for justice. Religion is truly the opiate of the masses. When times are good economically and the future looks even better, religion is largely a personal matter. In the boom years of the late '80s to the early '90s when the media was supine but real incomes were rising fast, religious matters were largely on the back burner. Every race knew what sensitive issues to avoid while trying to carve a better economic future. But when real incomes stagnate and the media wakes up, all the economic mis-steps of the government become the focus of public anger. That is when politicians turn to religion to distract and segregate society. The religious bogey is immensely helpful in changing the focus of political debate from the economic betterment of all citizens to which political coalition can best safeguard the rights of various religious combinations. The Jasmine Revolution and the Arab Spring were not about asking for more moral policing and religiosity in government, but an end to economic and social oppression under brutal, despotic dictatorships. The fact that traditionally conservative Muslim women were in the forefront of these movements is testimony to the level of anger. The conservative Christian Mitt Romney was no match for the gay marriage embracing Barack Obama, simply because the real issue in the election was not religion, but the economy. The lesson here is that voters today are increasingly demanding that the primary role of government is to help advance the economic agenda through providing citizens with access to world-class education, effective impartial policing, transparent governance and economic opportunities equally, while making sure that all citizens are allowed the freedom to practice their faith as they see fit. If the Malaysian electorate as a whole is on the same page, expect a major setback for the hudud-first PAS government in Kelantan as well as for the party as a whole. Perceived weaknesses on the economic front as well as the backing from Perkasa should also lead to setbacks for BN at the federal level. Insistence on Ketuanan Melayu and Malay-first NEP-style rhetoric, which shifts affirmative action from the truly needy to those of a particular race, will not help either. At the federal level it may be a battle between BN and PR, but at the state level the next election will be a contest between all six major parties and their economic and religious worldviews. Bread-and-butter issues matter now than ever before. Those political entities that have ignored them may be in for a rude shock soon. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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