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Messi back in training and available for Osasuna game Posted: 26 Jan 2013 07:55 AM PST Reuters file picture of Barcelona player Lionel Messi. MADRID, Jan 26 — Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has returned to full training and is available for Sunday's La Liga game at home to Osasuna, the club said on Saturday. The World Player of the Year missed training and needed physiotherapy on Friday after coming off as a precaution late in Thursday's King's Cup quarter-final second leg win at Malaga. "The Argentine forward will be available for selection for the next league fixture," Barca said in a statement on their website (http://www.fcbarcelona.es). The La Liga leaders are looking to get back to winning ways against Osasuna after their unbeaten start to the campaign was ended last weekend by a 3-2 defeat at Real Sociedad. They still have an eight-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who play at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with champions Real Madrid a further seven points back in third. Jose Mourinho's Real side, who this week lost captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas to a broken hand, host Getafe on Sunday before Barca visit the Bernabeu on Wednesday for the first leg of their King's Cup semi-final. — Reuters

Westports Malaysia Dragons go down fighting Posted: 26 Jan 2013 06:18 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 – For the second time in a week the Westports Malaysia Dragons have gone down fighting to an Indonesia Warriors team that is looking more and more like the defending champions from last season. A strong and boisterous crowd were on hand to welcome the Dragons into MABA stadium for the first time this season. However, the Warriors used a big 3rd quarter to take the advantage over the home team in another close finish. Gavin Edwards played the entire game for the Dragons and flirted with a triple double scoring a team high 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 blocks on just 11 shots. It was tough going early for the Dragons as they turned the ball over and consistently found themselves on the wrong side of foul calls, which saw the Warriors in the bonus midway through the first quarter. The Dragons were able to use some hot shooting and a 12-5 rebounding advantage to overcome their 7 first quarter turnovers, connecting on 7 of their 11 shots including all four of their 3-point attempts. Cedric Bozeman picked up his 3rd foul in the first 30 seconds of the second quarter and was forced to sit out the rest of the half, leading the way for Shee Fai Loh to enter the game. Shee Fai connected on a 3 with his first touch of the ball and scored 10 for the quarter on 4 of 5 shooting. As the Dragons started finding some consistency in their offense, the calls began going their way and they able to begin building a lead. Much like is counterpart did in their previous match-up on Tuesday night, it was Ban Sin Ooi's turn to  become the aggressor and his attacking offense had the Dragons up by 16 after forcing Canada to sit with his 3rd foul and then finding Shee Fai on the next play for a transition lay up. The Warriors were able to reduce the deficit to single digits before the half after Steven Thomas failed to convert a 3 point play and the Warriors capitalised with an offensive rebound and 3 pointer for a 5 point possession, sending the Dragons into the half with a 45-36 lead. The 3rd quarter belonged to the Warriors. The visitors closed the gap early as they opened the second half with back-to-back 3's before Patrick Cabahug opened his scoring account at one end and Edwards picked up his 6th block at the other end. The Warriors were able to take the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter when John Smith hit his teams 4th triple for the quarter midway through the 3 rd. The Warriors finished the quarter with two more 3's and despite a 30 point quarter were only up by 8 heading into the final term. A tight fourth quarter saw the Dragons chip away to tie it up at 68-68 piece, after Edwards connected from downtown, and then again a couple of minutes later after baskets from Moala Tautuaa and Edwards. But it was the Warriors ability to get to the free throw line that was the difference as Mario Wuysang iced the game from the line in the final minutes and hang on for a 79-72 win. Despite the loss, Dragons Coach Ariel Vanguardia remained positive after the game. "We'll bounce back. We know what needs to be worked on." "Turnovers and rebounding are our major concerns. We are facing teams with big imports and we need learn how to match up with them." "We're making them miss, but teams are getting 2nd chances". Defensively the Dragons had held all of their opponents to below 40 per cent shooting this season, but have also taken fewer shots than their opponents in all of those games. The Westports Malaysia Dragons next game will be at MABA stadium on Saturday 2nd of February against the Chang Thailand Slammers. Pre-game entertainment begins at 2.30pm and tip-off will be at 3pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at http://www.tickethotline.com.

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Porsche officially announces prices for flagship hybrid supercar Posted: 26 Jan 2013 08:11 AM PST Prototype Porsche 918 Spyder Martini racing design – Copyright Porsche LOS ANGELES, Jan 26 – The eagerly anticipated Porsche 918 Spyder which combines V8 performance with electric-powered environmental responsibility will retail for US$845,000 (RM2.57 million) when it officially goes on sale next year. Designed to evoke memories of its Le Mans-winning 917 racecar while acting as a new benchmark as to what is possible in terms of power, fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility even in an out-and-out supercar, the Porsche 918 Spyder will set new standards in engineering, performance and price when it finally goes on sale in 2014. The world's first hybrid super race car, the 918 Spyder uses a 4.6-litre V8 engine coupled with two electric motors – a 90KW module on the rear axle and an 80KW module on the front axle which, when working in conjunction with the V8, deliver 770 horsepower. This division of weight and power ensures optimum handling and road-holding (the wheels that need the most traction at any moment will get the majority of power) whatever the conditions, while achieving fuel consumption figures of approximately 76 mpg. In terms of straight-line speed, the 918 can go from 0-100kpm in an astonishing 2.9 seconds (almost as fast as a Bugatti Veyron) and, where conditions allow, on to a top speed of 210mph (337kph). But this performance comes at a price. The entry-level model will retail at US$845,000 while the 918 Spyder Weissach Package (Porsche is yet to specify what said package entails) will cost US$929,000 when it goes on sale in 2014. But potential owners beware; the car is called the 918 because only 918 examples will ever be made. – AFP/Relaxnews

Health Ministry to speed up DNA test on boy’s remains Posted: 26 Jan 2013 08:07 AM PST MELAKA, Jan 26 – The Health Ministry will speed up the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test on the body of a boy believed to be William Yau Zhen Zhong, 6, which was found in Port Klang on Thursday to provide closure to the family. Its minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the results would be known at least 72 hours after the test was conducted. "I'm not sure when the test was done, but I will check tomorrow whether it can be speeded up. I will help speed up the report. "If possible, we will try to get the results by Tuesday to ensure the body is that of William for we do not want his family to encounter problems later," he told reporters after lighting up decorative lights in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration in Jalan Tokong here, today. Liow said he hoped the police would be able to find out how the body ended up in Port Klang. He called on the child's family to be strong and patient in facing the test and would continue to take care of their remaining children. William Yau's parents have identified the body found in Port Klang as that of their missing son based on scars on the back of the head and forehead and the short and underpants worn by him. The boy went missing on Jan 16 after he left the family car in search of his parents who had left their children behind to enter an electrical shop to look for a washing machine in Jalan Putra Mahkota, Putra Height, Subang Jaya. – Bernama

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Hotels use new technology to help pamper guests Posted: 26 Jan 2013 03:13 AM PST The Moodpad gives guests total control over everything in their hotel room from the mood of the lighting to the music playing and the temperature of the air conditioning system. – Copyright Philips LOS ANGELES, Jan 26 – From tablets that double as remote controls to ambient lighting and soundtracks that enhance wellbeing and aid recovery from jetlag, technology – especially touch interface technology – now plays a crucial role in providing guests with a perfect hotel experience. Hotels and new technology do not always make good bedfellows, as British entrepreneur Simon Woodroffe whose ventures include Yo!Sushi and now YOTEL explains: "I use technology only when it is the best way to do the job – If I want to turn a light on I use a switch – everybody knows how that works but if I want to set a mood I will use something that thinks that out for me but I'll still try and use the switch. My point is (when designing a hotel) don't try and be too far ahead of the game, wait till people know how to use things before you install them or give them a simple alternative. I've been in rooms where I couldn't turn the light off to go to sleep it was so complicated. That is also why I find a proven technology in another field and transfer it to what I'm doing so it is only new in that arena." In the case of hotels, this proven technology is the touch interface that has been made ubiquitous by the smartphone and tablet boom and it is a technology that is rapidly opening the doors to a new level of technological integration in hotel rooms and to new levels of customisation and service for hotel guests. Apple Today, a number of exclusive hotels, including the Plaza in New York have embraced the iPad and have developed their own interfaces for the devices that give guests full control over every element of their stay from ordering dinner to summoning the concierge. Before the device's launch, the Plaza had its own touchscreen system in rooms but it was limited and confusing for guests – the opposite of the iPad. And while the iPad has made this connectivity mainstream, Microsoft, through its Surface 1.0 and PixelSense software devices was actually the first major technology company to experiment with how touch screens and computers can add to a hotel guest's experience. Microsoft Since 2008, the Sheraton group has been using the 30-inch table-top PCs in its lobbies and communal areas to help guests research local attractions, share travel and sight-seeing advice with other hotel guests and for playing multi-player games with their children while waiting to be served. Likewise, the computers have become a fixture in Las Vegas where a number of casino and resort bars have been using them as interactive tables where clients can order drinks, pick the next track on the jukebox and even flirt with those sitting at other tables. Philips Philips' expertise straddles the disciplines of consumer electronics, healthcare and wellbeing and for years has been working with hospitality companies to understand the best ways of combining these technologies for the benefit of guests. As company spokesperson Santa van der Laarse explains: "We increasingly see a trend in hospitality lighting of mood lighting according to the time of day or activity type, and personalization of lighting by guests. In the hospitality area we thus offer lighting solutions that follow daylight rhythms, for instance breakfast or dinner light settings in hotel restaurants, or different light settings for different times of day in hotel lobbies and meeting rooms. We are also working on guest management control systems to allow guests to personalize the light settings." For example, though its work with the citizen M hotel in the Netherlands, it has developed lighting and connectivity technologies that are designed to personalize every element of a guest's stay from what music is playing in their rooms to whether or not the curtains are open or closed. Using something called a MoodPad ambient controller, guests can control the character of the ambient lighting in their room according to their mood or the atmosphere they want to create. At the touch of a button, they can switch from warm colours, closed blinds, ambiance music and a cosy temperature, to more functional lighting and ambiance for mobile working. The MoodPad also doubles as a TV remote control and a device for surfing the net. The technology is based on years of research into how lighting can play a role in helping guests not only relax but recover from the effects of jetlag and improve overall wellbeing. In recent years Philips has run trials with a number of hospitality companies, including NH Hotels and Best Westin, where a number of features such as blackout blinds, a dedicated meditation channel on the TV and running maps have become standard for guests who have travelled across two time zones and need to recover from their journey. – AFP/Relaxnews

Subway sandwich scandal inches into court Posted: 25 Jan 2013 09:11 PM PST Fred DeLuca, president and founder of sandwich maker Subway with the 'Footlong' bun, which is part of the franchise's signature, but some customers are alleging that it doesn't measure up. – AFP pic NEW YORK, Jan 26 – Sometimes if you don't give an inch, you'll wind up in court. Angry American diners want to take a bite out of the Subway fast food chain over what they say are too short "Footlong" sandwiches. The bulging lunch bun is Subway's signature offering. But ever since a keen-eyed Australian discovered earlier this month that his "Footlong" measured only 28cm, and not 30.5cm, the US-based global franchise has been on the back foot. In what appears to be the first related lawsuit, two New Jersey men filed a complaint Tuesday in New Jersey, alleging that Subway deliberately and systematically shortens its sandwiches to 11 or 11.5 inches. The plaintiffs "submit that Subway's conduct is an unconscionable business practice," the suit alleges. "While it may not be the end of the world that consumers got an eleven-inch sandwich instead of the twelve-inch sandwich promised, the simple fact is that these consumers were promised one thing and received something less." The suit highlights that McDonalds is clear that its famed "Quarter Pounder" burger only weighs that much before cooking, yet "Subway provides no similar warning to consumers." The controversy, which Subway says is just the result of inconsistencies in applying corporate rules at some franchises, became a viral Internet sensation after the Australian expose. – AFP-Relaxnews

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Director Abrams to helm new Star Wars, fans say force with him Posted: 26 Jan 2013 01:22 AM PST Reuters file picture of sci-fi filmmaker J.J. Abrams. NEW YORK, Jan 26 — Sci-fi filmmaker J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Wars: Episode VII", Walt Disney Co said after days of speculation, giving hope to many long-suffering fans who were disappointed by the last three installments in the iconic franchise. The announcement was greeted with celebrations on online networks by the films' army of enthusiasts who have already watched Abrams rescue the aging "Star Trek" series with a high-grossing prequel in 2009. Disney said late on Friday Abrams would work under the leadership of producer Kathleen Kennedy, the former president of Lucasfilm, and the script would be penned by Oscar-winning writer Michael Arndt. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise," Kennedy said in a statement on starwars.com. Fans were equally enthusiastic. "JJ Abrams to the rescue!!! Yes!! #starwarsVII," wrote Jonny Radtke  on Twitter. "Great news about JJ Abrams directing Star Wars. Might just rescue the brand...," added Alastair Brookshaw  . Rumours that Abrams, one of Hollywood's most successful directors and producers, would take stewardship of the films filled industry publications and online forums over the past week. The 46-year-old made his name with TV shows "Alias" and "Lost" and earned his stripes as a director of effects-laden blockbusters with "Super 8", "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" and another widely-expected Star Trek film "Star Trek Into Darkness", due out later this year. The Star Wars franchise, which was created by George Lucas' Lucasfilms Ltd, has grossed more than US$4.4 billion (RM13.4 billion) at the global box office since the first film was released in 1977, making it the third most successful movie property after the "Harry Potter" and "James Bond" series. Star Wars characters such as Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and the anti-hero Darth Vader have become a staple part of pop culture, along with the catch phrase "May the force be with you". The Star Wars films were acquired by Disney after they bought Lucasfilm for US$4.05 billion in October 2012. They announced then that three new installments would be made, starting in 2015. Lucas, 68, gave Abrams his blessing on Starwars.com, saying the director was "an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands". Abrams said his new role was "an absolute honor". Disney had previously said Lucas would remain a creative consultant on the series. Lucas himself said in October he had story treatments for Episodes 7, 8 and 9, which he would hand over to Kennedy, who assured him that she would adhere to his ideas. — Reuters

Shah Rukh Khan tops Forbes India celebrity list Posted: 25 Jan 2013 06:19 PM PST MUMBAI, Jan 26 — Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan tops the first Forbes India Celebrity 100 with annual estimated earnings last year of US$37. 7 million (RM115 million), the magazine said yesterday. Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan. — AFP pic In the list — a ranking of the country's biggest entertainers based on income and popularity — fellow actor Salman Khan came in second with estimated earnings of US$30 million. In third place was India's cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni with US$25 million. "Both Salman Khan and Dhoni are ahead of SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) in terms of popularity and fame," the magazine said. "But 'King Khan' came out tops courtesy of his earning power, mainly riding on massive income from brand endorsements," the magazine said, referring to Shah Rukh Khan. Actor Akshay Kumar came in fourth place while veteran Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan came fifth. The highest-ranked woman on the list was actor Kareena Kapoor in seventh place. "The list is an attempt to rank the most powerful and the most popular of the players who are at the centre of this sector," Forbes media and entertainment editor Deepak Ajwani said. For the wealth estimates, Forbes said it got independent assessments from multiple sources, including talent agencies, film and TV producers, publishers, sports consultants, advertising agencies and celebrity managers. To track fame, their methods included looking at media and Internet visibility as well as social media followers. Most on the Indian list were aged between 30 to 50. The Forbes special edition, which ranks celebrities across eight categories including actors, musicians, models and sportspeople, was due to hit newsstands today. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Murray joins the elite Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:46 PM PST JAN 26 – Just how good is Andy Murray? It's a question that has long been debated, without a firm conclusion being reached. For a few years, it appeared that the Scotsman might have been destined to follow the same path as Tim Henman: clearly by far the best British tennis player, but not quite good enough to be classed amongst the world's elite. Murray's task in breaking into that elusive world class bracket was made much more difficult by the unfortunate presence of three of the greatest players the game has ever seen: Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Although Murray has always been good – very good indeed – he always fell short at the final hurdle, unable to haul himself up to match the astonishing standards set by the Holy Trinity in the tournaments that mattered the most. After all, Murray won his first tournament on the senior tour way back in 2006 – so he has been around for a long time. He then reached his first Grand Slam final in 2008, losing to Federer in three sets in the US Open. Further final disappointments followed in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and none of those matches were even close. When it came to the crunch, Murray was nowhere near the level of the three giants above him. With Djokovic hitting new heights and Federer enjoying a glorious resurgence, many people were wondering whether Murray would forever be forced to endure a frustrating career as the nearly man, the best player never to win a Grand Slam. But in the last six months, Murray has turned that perception on his head and demonstrated that he will be capable of going toe to toe with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic for many years to come. Forget the Holy Trinity – soon we might have to start talking about the Fab Four. Murray finally ended his long wait for a major in September by claiming the last Grand Slam of 2012, the US Open, defeating Djokovic in a five-set thriller. That was just after he'd won Olympic gold – not a Grand Slam, but a tournament of almost equal stature nevertheless. And in the last couple of weeks he's been at it again, charging his way to the semi-final of the Australian Open without breaking sweat. Throughout those early rounds, he looked a class apart from his opposition – none of whom were slouches – as he raced through game after game, match after match without dropping a single set along the way. Yesterday presented an entirely different challenge as Murray took on Federer for a place in the final. A year ago, it would have been the end of the line for Murray. As TV commentator Frew McMillan put it during yesterday's match: "Federer used to bully Murray in these Grand Slam tournaments." Not anymore. In fact, during the first set the roles had been reversed and Murray was doing the bullying, exerting relentless pressure on the Swiss legend's serve and refusing to give away any easy points. Murray ended up winning the first set 6-4, but in reality it was nowhere near as close as that. Federer raised his game in the second set to take it on a tiebreak. That would have killed Murray in the past, but he's made of tougher stuff now. Both players were performing at, or near, their peak, but Murray was ultimately good enough to prevail after five sets. It was a mammoth effort between two equals and, whatever happens in Sunday's final against Djokovic, it's pretty clear that Murray is now right up there with the best. So what has happened in the last year? What has allowed Murray to join the elite, rather than forever be stationed just below them? I believe it's all mental. He has always had the full range of shots and he's always possessed astonishing athleticism, allowing himself to retrieve even the most hopeless of lost causes. But now Murray has added a mental maturity and durability to his game that has allowed him to regard Federer as an equal rather than an unconquerable giant. In the past, when things went wrong on the court – as they're bound to during any tough match – it affected him. His shoulders would droop and he'd start muttering darkly to himself, throwing his racquet around and generally wearing the demeanour of a man who thought the whole world was against him. That kind of attitude usually becomes self-fulfilling: if you think circumstances are conspiring against you, they will; if you think the other guy's getting all the luck, he will. Focussing on the things you can't control is a sure way of losing your rhythm, getting yourself out of 'the zone' that sportsmen seek to find. A lack of mental toughness, mental consistency, was always Murray's chief defect. Remember, though, that he was a young man – only 21 years old when he reached his first Grand Slam final. A little youthful petulance can be perfectly excused, but now the on-court tantrums have become pleasingly rare and a new-found genuine inner belief is palpable. Some of the credit must go to Murray's new coach, Ivan Lendl, whose time at the Scotsman's side has coincided almost exactly with the improvement to his game. But more than Lendl's influence, the chief cause for Murray's ascent is probably nothing more complicated than the simple natural process of maturing. Murray has grown from a boy into a man, and he's now dining at the game's top table. He should stay there for many years to come. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

A shortcut to Hollywood Posted: 25 Jan 2013 02:32 PM PST Jan 26 – Obviously I'm not a Hollywood director nor am I someone who's "made it" in Hollywood, so you can take everything I'm about to write here with a pinch of salt. But, being a movie geek as big as I am, I'd like to think that I'm observant and alert enough to notice a few patterns or two on how things work over there. And since I'm one of those people who are completely enamored with the "auteur theory" (in short, we put the highest value in the director, for he is the one whose vision we finally see on screen), I've always paid attention to directors more than actors or producers. With the regrettable exception of quite a majority of the film directors in Malaysia, most directors in other parts of the world will usually turn out to be people who care for the craft and art of making films, even successful Hollywood directors. Most of them will have watched (and loved) more than just Hollywood movies, and know quite a bit about film history. So even if their films turn out to be no different from the works of Hollywood hacks, it's more as a result of having not quite enough talent rather than a lack of passion for cinema. There are many paths to take if you're a film director (aside from raking in the big bucks making dumbed-down films for the local market, that is), from consistently churning out B-movies to establishing yourself in the arthouse filmmaking scene (especially in Europe) and making a living out of it from the countless funds and co-production opportunities available there right to the very top of big time Hollywood filmmaking. As much as any film snob would turn their noses at the supposed corruption of the art of film in Hollywood, I don't think many would resist the town's charms should money be made available by the Hollywood money men for them to make a film. Deep down, everyone would love to make a film in Hollywood, I'm pretty sure of that. The only important question is whether the film will be any good and whether their artistic vision will not be corrupted. Going to movie screenings at the local cinemas, as per my usual routine, I began to notice an interesting pattern emerging with the release or upcoming release of 3 films this and next month – of non-American directors (two of them from Korea) making their Hollywood debuts, and having already seen two of these and very much sure of the unmistakable talent of the third director whose film is yet to be released, and making films that stay true to their artistic vision and are not crap. Their names – Kim Jee-Woon ("I Saw The Devil", "The Good The Bad The Weird", and recently released "The Last Stand" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), Tommy Wirkola (who made the Nazi zombie movie "Dead Snow", and who just released "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters") and Park Chan-Wook ( "Old Boy" and the whole "Vengeance" trilogy, and who's coming out with "Stoker" starring Nicole Kidman in February). Critically acclaimed Asian directors have tried making their Hollywood debuts before, but I think it's safe to say that most of them failed miserably, both in terms of quality and box-office. Palme D'Or winner Chen Kaige ("Farewell My Concubine") ended up making the terrible erotic thriller "Killing Me Softly" as his Hollywood debut. Even a respected action director like John Woo only got it right on his second try with Broken Arrow, having made the hilariously bad "Hard Target", starring Jean Claude Van Damme. Andrew Lau, having gained fame with "Infernal Affairs", ended up making the so-so "The Flock". And the list goes on. There's something about the committee filmmaking approach in Hollywood that often doesn't sit well with directors with strong vision, especially when English is not that director's first language. But as I'm sure I've mentioned before in one of my columns, there are many way for you to get yourself noticed internationally. Winning awards at international film festivals will of course get you noticed, but even festival favourites like Theo Angelopoulos and Raul Ruiz didn't manage to do so well with their American debuts. Another way to get noticed is to make genre films, just like Kim, Wirkola and Park did. Of these 3, only Park could be considered a festival favourite, and even then Old Boy, the film that made his name was an astonishingly well made revenge movie and not your typical festival film. The reason why genre films can get you noticed by the Hollywood money men is simply because there's a proven market for genre films.  Horror, spaghetti westerns, revenge movies and the lot, all of them have a proven cult audience. And when there's a proven market, the financial risks will seem lower, and more people will be brave enough to take a chance on you. Kim was handpicked by Schwarzenegger to direct the movie because of the films he's directed and Wirkola surely got Will Ferrell and Adam McKay excited to executive produce his movie because of his zombie comedy "Dead Snow" (as one-note as it was, it still got tongues wagging in fanboy circles). And I'm sure Timo Vuorensola, director of the quite lame (but cool in concept) "Iron Sky" is fielding offers from Hollywood now. I've been harping on the lack of Malaysian genre movies before so again, I implore all you Malaysian filmmakers out there – please make a cool Malaysian genre movie, send it to Fantastic Fest or Toronto International Film Festival's "Midnight Madness" section, and see interest in it build up. Who knows, you might even get to make the next Schwarzenegger movie because of it! * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

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Keluarga Sugumaran akan berdemonstrasi depan Bukit Aman, tuntut bedah siasat kedua Posted: 26 Jan 2013 02:38 AM PST Keluarga Sugumaran akan berdemonstrasi depan Bukit Aman, tuntut bedah siasat kedua Ahli-ahli protes tentang kematian C Sugumaran. — Gambar oleh Boo Su Lyn KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Jan — Keluarga C Sugumaran dan penyokong akan berdemo di hadapan ibu pejabat polis di Bukit Aman pada 29 Januari ini untuk menuntut bedah siasat kedua diadakan selepas pihak polis enggan memberikan kerjasama ke atas tuntutan mereka, kata peguam N Surendran. Naib presiden PKR itu berkata, beliau sudah menulis surat kepada Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar tetapi tidak menerima balasan. "Pihak keluarga Sugumaran kecewa tentang perkara ini kerana pihak polis masih menghalang post mortem kedua. "KPN pula masih enggan membalas surat menuntut post mortem kedua dijalankan," kata Surendran apabila dihubungi The Malaysian Insider hari ini. MENYUSUL LAGI

Muhyiddin enggan ulas IPCMC selepas Hisham mendiamkan diri Posted: 26 Jan 2013 01:58 AM PST SUNGAI BESAR, 26 Jan — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin enggan mengulas mengenai Suruhanjaya Aduan dan Salahlaku Polis (IPCMC) yang dicadangkan selepas dakwaan polis membunuh seorang pengawal keselamatan. Timbalan perdana menteri adalah pemimpin tertinggi yang enggan mengulas selepas Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein menolak untuk memberi komen, walaupun Majlis Peguam, badan bukan kerajaan serta parti pembangkang sejak 2006 menyeru agar IPCMC ditubuhkan untuk mengubah institusi polis. "I'm not gonna answer that (Saya tidak akan jawab soalan itu). Soalan lain," katanya (gambar) pada sidang media hari ini apabila ditanya apakah IPCMC perlu diadakan selepas kematian C.Sugumaran Rabu lalu. Saksi berkata pada Khamis lalu polis menggari Sugumaran sebelum dikatakan diserang oleh sekumpulan lebih dari 20 orang di rumahnya di Batu 12, Hulu Langat pada Rabu lalu. Ketua polis daerah Kajang ACP Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab mengatakan tidak ada siasatan polis ke atas kematian Sugumaran di mana bedah siasat menunjukkan beliau mati akibat sakit jantung. Tetapi Hishamuddin menolak kenyataan Abdul Rashid dan mengatakan mungkin ada siasatan berasingan tentang kematian misteri Sugumaran. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz memberitahu Parlimen Jun lalu bahawa kerajaan tidak merancang untuk menubuhkan IPCMC. Kematian Sugumaran dikaitkan dengan kematian yang melibatkan polis seperti kematian Chang Chin, A. Kugan dan R. Gunasegaran pada 2009, serta kematian kanak-kanak Aminulrasyid Amzah pada 2010, serta kematian yang melibatkan polis dalam dua tahun ini. Kumpulan Kerja Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu mengenai Penahanan Sewenang-wenang 2010 (United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 2010) melaporkan pada 2011 bahawa antara 2003 hingga 2007, terdapat 1,500 tahanan mati ketika ditahan pihak berkuasa. Peguam keluarga Sugumaran N. Surendran dan Latheefa Koya mahu siasatan berasingan untuk pembunuhan. Peguam dari PKR itu berkata keluarga Sugumaran akan ke ibu pejabat polis Bukit Aman Selasa hadapan bagi menuntut bedah siasat kedua dijalankan. Polis nafi memukul Sugumaran, dan berkata mereka menggarinya dengan bantuan 10 orang dari orang ramai, selepas Sugumaran didakwa mengamuk dengan sebatang besi. Polis turut menafikan menaburkan serbuk kunyit ke muka Sugumaran, walaupun di gambar terdapat serbuk kuning di muka lelaki tersebut.

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