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Brewing memories Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:36 PM PST Espresso and customers at Santo Grão Café, São Paulo. — Pictures by CK Lim SAO PAULO, Feb 5 — For some reason I'm rapidly gaining an unfounded reputation as a coffee snob, and café-hopping in Brazil is not helping. I am surrounded by labels: Louis Vuitton, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Giorgio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, Reinaldo Lourenço. The only one I recognise and can afford is Havaianas, but somehow I suspect wearing a pair of flip-flops, even branded ones, isn't the right apparel for coffee here. Waiting for tables at Santo Grão Café. My friend Paowen tells me that Rua Oscar Freire is the Orchard Road of São Paulo. Thankfully there are far fewer cars and even fewer rabid shoppers out for the latest bargains. Instead this tree-lined street feels like an idealised Parisian boulevard where the locals are dressed immaculately and go about their day in an unhurried fashion. After all, where else would they rush off to? They are already here, and they are definitely waiting to be seen. Neil, Paowen's husband, passes his car keys to the valet after we tumble out of his Alfa Romeo. Parking can be a nightmare in the city and the Paulistanos are thus skilled almost from birth to manoeuvre their vehicles into the last square centimetre of available space. Better to let the professionals handle it. There is usually a long line of customers waiting to get a table at Santo Grão, Paowen tells us, but today our lucky stars must be shining on us: we are seated within minutes. There is a light chill in the air and none of us smoke, yet it's an outside table we all want. One of the traditional activities of Rua Oscar Freire is people-watching and we weren't about to miss out on the eye candy. Oscar Freire strikes me as not entirely beautiful in the classic sense (too man-made), but everyone sure is very pretty. Brew your own coffee (left) or buy beans for home-brewing (right). Part of me balks at sitting at this tiny table, surrounded by well-heeled high-society types out for their chi chi afternoon tea. Another part is simply grateful that my friends have elected to take a day off to spend some time with me. What I love best about travelling and finding myself in a new city or country is simply catching up with old friends and new, as though it was only yesterday that we were sharing a bowl of cendol after school, and now we are sipping coffee in South America. I remember how my parents would forbid me from drinking coffee when I was a kid, warning me that the bold, black brew would stunt my growth and make me a midget. Considering I'm the tallest in my family by quite a stretch, my parents and sister must have been sneaking and downing copious cups of kopi-O behind my back during my formative years. My first cup of coffee was an accident, really. My grandfather had taken me out one Sunday morning to his favourite kopitiam, just across the street from our house. Weekend breakfast meant thick toasted chunks of white bread slathered with a lumpy kaya that was redolent of both pandan and santan (even if it wasn't very pretty to look at, what mattered was that it tasted good; something I wonder if my nephew and nieces appreciate in this day and age of plating over palate). Dipping the pieces of toast into soft-boiled eggs (already doused professionally with soy sauce and white pepper by yours truly) was as good as it gets. Until that fateful day, that is, when my grandfather asked me if I would like to have some coffee and before I could answer, ordered me one. To his credit, it wasn't a full-on black kopi-O, which would probably have been too much for me then. Instead I received an easier-to-manage kopi the colour of a lurid watercolour brown when I've mixed too many paints in my brush-washing container. Customers enjoying their coffee and cake. I took a tentative sip. It was bitter and crude, what I would imagine the sludge inside a particularly disgusting longkang might taste like. I made a face. My grandfather frowned and scolded me. Stir it first, silly. Ah. There was a layer of condensed milk sunk at the bottom of the cup. My spoon circled once, twice, thrice, and the dirty brown transformed to a kinder hue. Another sip. Sweeter. Creamier. This was not a safe, chocolatey Milo, nor a wholesome, heart-warming mug of Horlicks. I have had my first taste of coffee, albeit a robust, local brew (probably an Aik Cheong, since very few Malacca kopitiams still roasted their own beans, even back then), and it was a revelation. I didn't like it. It didn't matter though; what I do remember is my grandfather taking me out for breakfast and spending time with me, all these years later, long after he had passed away. The coffee here at Santo Grão isn't especially memorable either. Perhaps the coffee itself is faultless, for how could it compete for attention against conversation amongst friends who have not seen each other in years? You don't need to be a snob or a sage to realise that while coffee isn't everything, it certainly is in service of building memories, good ones that last a good long time. Neil looks at my empty cup and asks, "More coffee?" Definitely, I nod. Definitely. Santo Grão Café Rua Oscar Freire 413, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo 01426-001, Brazil Tel: (+55) 11 3082 9969 Website: http://santograo.com.br * Kenny is not a coffee snob. (No, really.) Read more café stories at http://lifeforbeginners.com/cafestories.

One chef, one ingredient: Christian Garcia talks trombetta zucchini Posted: 04 Feb 2013 05:38 PM PST Christian Garcia: Zucchini fit for a king. — AFP pic MONACO, Feb 5 — If you are what you eat, then it could be said that chefs are what they cook. In Relaxnews' weekly series, some of the top chefs from around the world share their favourite food ingredient to prepare and eat. Be it peas, apricots, or sea urchin, the answers are as varied as the chefs. This week, Christian Garcia, head chef to Prince Albert II of Monaco, chose trombetta zucchini. Garcia is also president of the Club des Chefs des Chefs, an organisation that brings together chefs cooking for heads of state and other world authorities. Relaxnews: Why did you choose this ingredient? Christian Garcia: Trombetta zucchini is a local product grown in the Prince's vegetable garden. It is produced without any chemical fertilizer. R: What's your favourite memory associated with the product? CG: Zucchini was served at the Prince's wedding to Charlène Wittstock in July 2011. HSH Albert II of Monaco is proud that we can offer dishes made using produce from his own vegetable garden. R: When is the ingredient in season? CG: From July onwards, trombetta zucchini is delicious. R: What's the best way to cook it? CG: Steamed with a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. R: What ingredients can it be paired with for a surprising effect? CG: The best recipe for trombetta zucchini is Monegasque-style stuffed vegetables. This recipe combines zucchini, onions, tomatoes and peppers. R: Which wine goes best with this ingredient? CG: A wine from Bellet, in the backcountry near Nice, goes perfectly with trombetta zucchini. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Gascoigne needs 24-hour care, says players’ union boss Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:52 AM PST Paul Gascoigne waving to supporters prior the group J Europa League football match between Lazio and Tottenham at the Olympic stadium in Rome, on Nov 22, 2012. — AFP pic LONDON, Feb 4 — Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne needs 24-hour attention after lapsing in his battle with alcoholism, players' union chief Gordon Taylor warned today. The 45-year-old's agent Terry Baker said at the weekend that Gascoigne needed "immediate help" and called on the English Professional Footballer's Association (PFA) to intervene. "He sounds as if he needs almost a 24-hour watching brief at the moment," PFA boss Taylor told BBC Radio 5 live. "It seems as if he needs somebody with him all the time just to make sure that he's looked after and is not going to do anything silly." Taylor said he had spoken to Gascoigne after the PFA paid for the former Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Rangers player to attend a detox programme at a well-known clinic for sportsmen suffering from addictions. "I've spoken to Paul over the weekend, and he's said it's just a blip. But it really is down to him. We just don't want this to be another George Best tragedy," he said. "He does need a big support system, and he's got it from lots of friends. But there is a frustration that when things look to be improving, it all goes off wire." Taylor refuted suggestions by former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel on Twitter that the PFA had not done enough to help Gascoigne. "There isn't a player we've done more for over my time at the PFA," he said. "In fact, we've been criticised for doing as much as we have, because he has not made the improvements that some of our other members have." Former Manchester United great Best died after a long struggle with alcoholism in 2005. — Reuters

Spanish league president denies doping allegations Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:42 AM PST Real Sociedad players celebrate a goal against Barcelona during their Spanish first division soccer match at Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian January 19, 2013. — Reuters pic MADRID, Feb 4 — The head of Spain's professional football league (LFP), Jose Luis Astiazaran, has denied allegations made in As sports daily today that he was complicit in the provision of banned substances to players while president of Real Sociedad. As published an interview with Inaki Badiola, who had a stint as Sociedad president in 2008, in which he said two club doctors had been given money off the books to buy banned drugs in the six years before he took over and possibly earlier. The LFP published a lengthy statement from Astiazaran responding to the allegations in which he said he had neither knowledge nor suspicion of illegal practices by medical staff during his time as Sociedad president between 2001 and 2005. "Real Sociedad has always, and obviously under my presidency, collaborated closely with authorities charged with testing for doping and there has never been any incident in the numerous anti-doping tests taken," Astiazaran said. "Given the statements and falsities expressed by Mr. Badiola, I reserve the right to begin whatever legal proceedings will be necessary to defend my honour," he added. The Operation Puerto trial in Madrid, into doping in cycling, is being closely watched in Spain and beyond as anti-doping authorities are hopeful it may uncover evidence of illegal drug-taking in other sports. One of the many code names in documents seized in the Puerto investigation was "RSOC" and Badiola told As the initials likely referred to San Sebastian-based Sociedad. In an emailed response from their press office yesterday, Sociedad said they knew nothing about a possible link between the initials and the club. — Reuters

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Johnny Depp to star as gangster in ‘Black Mass’ Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:16 AM PST LOS ANGELES, Feb 4 — US star Johnny Depp will play notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger in the film "Black Mass", to be directed by Barry Levinson, the producers announced Saturday. US actor Johnny Depp. — AFP pic The film recounts the fate of the godfather of Boston's underworld who became an FBI informant to get rid of a gangster rival but was eventually arrested in 2011. Adapted from a book by two Boston Globe journalists, "Black Mass" will be directed by Barry Levinson, who won an Oscar for best director in 1988 for "Rain Man." Shooting will start in May and the film will be distributed by Universal Studios, said a statement from co-producer Cross Creek. Depp, 49, will also play in Disney's "The Lone Ranger" scheduled for release next summer. In June, the actor announced his separation from long-term partner Vanessa Paradis with whom he has two children. — AFP/Relaxnews

Cult musician Wilko Johnson ‘so alive’ as death approaches Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA (England), Feb 4 — Wilko Johnson, cult guitarist from 1970s beat band Dr Feelgood and herald of English punk rock, is on a high — even though he is dying of pancreatic cancer. Wilko Johnson. — Pic courtesy of Getty Images The musician, songwriter and sometime actor has watched with amazement as a planned tour of farewell concerts sold out and interest has surged in almost anything he has touched, including the 2009 award-winning documentary "Oil City Confidential." One British newspaper has even affectionately dubbed him the country's latest "national treasure". "Why didn't we think of this 20 years ago?" Johnson told Reuters, at home a few miles from his Canvey Island birthplace, near where the Thames estuary opens into the English Channel. It is the kind of joke, accompanied by a devilish laugh, that makes death far easier to talk about than expected. Johnson, 65, will happily tell you that learning last month that the end of his life is probably less than a year away has not all been negative, with an almost "euphoric" feeling keeping some of his darker traits seem totally in check. "It makes you feel so alive," he said. "Just walking down the street, man, everything looks really intense. Any little thing you look at, it almost gives you a kind of childlike consciousness. "I'm a miserable so-and-so. I suffer from depression and everything ... but all that stuff whatever it was I used to worry about — it doesn't matter. What's gone, what is and what will be, do not matter." What he fears is not death but getting sick. The concerts lined up for February and March depend on his health. "I'm not going on stage sick. I'm not going to have someone pushing me around in a wheelchair. They'd have to push fast," said Johnson, whose stage presence is frenetic. CHOPPING AWAY Johnson's initial heyday was in the early 1970s when Dr Feelgood was bashing out driving R&B rock in pubs and clubs while others such as Pink Floyd and David Bowie grabbed the headlines with prog and glitter. It was a precursor of the punk music that would soon sweep across Britain's music scene. With a distinctly geeky pudding-bowl haircut and a manic stare, Johnson became renowned for strutting like a musical automaton in front of lead singer Lee Brilleaux, who died in 1994, also of cancer. Johnson's guitar style added to the aura. A left-hander who plays right-handed, he employs an unusual picking and strumming style that allows him to master a staccato lead and rhythm at the same time. "When I was a schoolboy and I started learning to play, I learnt left-handed. Well, I was rubbish. Everybody at school played better than me," he said. He solved the problem by switching to right-hand guitar and learning all over again. The result can be mesmerising. "It is done with choppy chords and chopping off chords short and in doing so you can make percussive patterns with it." Johnson, who is almost always just called Wilko (his name at birth was John Wilkinson), moved on from Dr Feelgood to spend some time with the Ian Dury & The Blockheads and form the Wilko Johnson Band which released its last album in 2005. His eccentricity pretty much stole the limelight in "Oil City Confidential", a documentary about Dr Feelgood and the petrochemical hub that is Canvey Island. It turned out not to be his only foray into film. Sometime after — and as a result of his manic performance in "Oil City", he believes — he was cast in television's "Game of Thrones", playing executioner Ser Ilyn Payne who had his tongue ripped out. "Basically, all I had to do was go around giving people menacing looks. I can do that," he said. But it is the music for which Johnson will be remembered with his passion passed on to his son, Simon, who plays guitar in a band called Eight Rounds Rapid. "Nothing like me," Johnson said. "He taught himself. Well, you don't listen to your dad, do you? "I haven't any botherations about death. So far, so good. Happy." — Reuters

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England’s King Richard III found under carpark Posted: 04 Feb 2013 05:53 AM PST The skeleton of Richard III is seen in a trench at the Grey Friars excavation site in Leicester. — Reuters pic LEICESTER, Feb 4 — A skeleton with a cleaved skull and a curved spine entombed under a car park is that of Richard III, scientific tests confirmed, solving a 500-year-old mystery about the final resting place of the last English king to die in battle. Richard, depicted by William Shakespeare as a monstrous tyrant who murdered two princes in the Tower of London, was killed fighting his eventual successor Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field in central England in 1485. In one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times, a team from the University of Leicester said evidence showed that a skeleton found last year during excavations of a mediaeval friary under a parking lot in the city was indeed that of Richard. After a detailed academic presentation focusing on the life, wounds and physique of Richard III, the lead archaeologist on the project, Richard Buckley, announced his conclusion to cheers and applause. "It's the academic conclusion of the University of Leicester that beyond reasonable doubt the individual exhumed at Grey Friars in September 2012 is indeed Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England," Buckley said. Academics said DNA taken from the body matched that of Michael Ibsen, a Canadian-born furniture maker in London who genealogists said was the direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York. The skeleton showed signs of injuries consistent with wounds received in battle; a bladed implement appeared to have cleaved part of the rear of the skull while a barbed metal arrowhead was found between vertebrae of the skeleton's upper back. While the findings may solve one riddle about Richard, the last Plantagenet king of England remains a complex figure whose life, made famous by Shakespeare's history play, deeply divides opinion among historians in Britain and abroad. — Reuters

Election flags up, ceramahs roll ahead of polls Posted: 03 Feb 2013 08:35 PM PST BN flags can already be seen everywhere in Brickfields. KUALA PILAH, Feb 4 – Political party flags are up all over the country and politicians of all stripes have begun going to the ground in earnest even though no date has yet been set for Election 2013.   And the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government in Selangor has already indicated it will dissolve the state assembly after the Chinese New Year celebrations next week. PR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also been touring the country as part of his Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat ceramah to whip up support for the coalition despite the absence of a formal campaign period. In fact, it has actually been one long campaign for both PR and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government since Election 2008 In tiny Negri Sembilan last week, Anwar spoke at an economic and social forum (Majlis Penutup Dialog Ekonomi dan Sosial) at Kuala Pilah and a Merdeka Rakyat talk in Gemas. Launched last August, the ceramah is a bid to give meaning to Malaysia's independence, and also to educate and meet the grassroots all around the country. It is also literally the vehicle to garner support and gain voters. Negeri Sembilan is an Umno stronghold where PR wants to win and gain an even bigger presence. In light of the Felda Global Ventures (FGV) listing and subsequent share price fall, PR hopes to persuade and gain supporters in Gemas, which has a sizeable Felda community. At the closing ceremony of of the Majlis Penutup Dialog Ekonomi dan Sosial in Kuala Pilah, Anwar addressed the economic woes of the audience which numbered about 200 plus.  Kuala Pilah is one of the many old towns dotting the country, with the odd modern hypermarket and banks stashed in the middle of old shophouses. It is a town that can bloom, but seems sandwiched in time and potential. It, sadly, seems stuck. And perhaps that was why Pakatan supporters and curious onlookers came, to listen to Anwar Ibrahim and other ADUNs such as Anthony Loke, MP for Negeri Sembilan and State Assemblyman for Lobak. They wanted a change in their lives. They wanted to be financially independent. Men and women jostled for seats. A man wearing sunglasses and an Afro wig sat in the front and blocked the view of the audience with his hair. Some sat in to avoid the heat, and stared blankly at Anwar and the other MPs. "We are not a poor country. We cannot compare our economy to Indonesia. But Indonesia has surpassing us – they are able to set a minimum wage for their people. "They have set a minimum wage of RM700. We (PR) suggest RM1500. BN wants RM900. Indonesia's minimum wage is considered high because things are cheap in the country, unlike ours. "This is why our palm oil plantations are hard pressed to hire Indonesian workers because life is so much cheaper there." The plight of the Malay economy in Malaysia has never been discussed properly; the national focus is about how awful the Opposition was, he said. The conversation had never been on the important issues – why was the such high unemployment, and why were the young not being paid their worth, for instance? And yet, the offspring of a minister who had the same qualifications as a poorer youth had better pay and received contracts worth millions of ringgit. He spoke of PR's promises should they take over Putrajaya. The lowering of car taxes and prices. Education being free. Releasing the rakyat of economic burdens. Making sure Felda settlers receive their dues. Anyone else who was expecting a proper discourse on national economics and PR's plans on managing Malaysia's resources from Anwar would be surprised, and disappointed. The truth is that the grassroots aren't interested in all that – they are concerned about bread and butter issues. And the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia had cottoned onto the zeitgeist. He knew what they wanted to hear, and he and the party was going to deliver them. The crowd nodded, and agreed.  When a member of the audience was asked whether Anwar's painful past (of ISA, the beatings per se) should be mentioned at a ceramah, he nodded his head slowly. "Orang kampong perlu tau. We do not know what happened to him when he was jailed. Not all of us have access to news." BN flags have been spotted near Jalan Travers. Gemas Gemas is an interesting township. It is a quaint town, which very little happens. When ceramahs such as this come to town, there is a carnival like feel to it. Hawkers sell all sorts of food, tee-shirts touting the issue of the day are sold – it's all good business for them. And Gemas could very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back.  According to the blogger, Sakmongkol AK47's blog entry, Gemas may well be the tsunami PR needs. It is also where many Felda settlers live. About 9,000 people attended the last ceramah for the night.  Anwar expounded on tolerance and acceptance, and that he and PR will not compromise on the rights of Muslims and Malays. Could it be that the audience (about 9000 strong) being a predominantly Muslim and Malay crowd needed to be assured of their rights? "We (Muslims) must uphold and honour integrity and principles so all of us benefit," he said. Again, the abuse towards Felda settlers was brought up.  The replanting drive ("Projek Tanam Semula") had been a failure – trees were not growing, flowers were not blooming and the earth was not fertile. The Felda Global Ventures has tanked. They have been duped. The Felda Story is a cause PR will champion, Anwar said. The crowd cheered. Reformasi! He rallied. REFORMASI! Takbir! ALLAHUAKHBAR! The crowd was an older crowd. The young who came had followed their families, and many preferred checking their Facebook accounts on their smartphones. One young woman complained to her father that Anwar Ibrahim was dry, "Kalau Datuk Seri lawak, lagi best" (If Datuk Seri is funnier, it would be better). A young man glued to his phone was asked how he felt about the ceramah and whether he wanted changes in his town. He was non-commital, "Ha ah. Kot. Ya. We need change." The older generation echoed all the politicians' sentiments – it was time for change. They were tired of corruption and 'maksiat'. They wanted money; they weren't looking for riches. They just wanted enough to not burden anyone else in their old age. Bread and butter issues were foremost. Syariah came second. All ended by midnight. It was going to take another three hours to reach Kuala Lumpur, and there would be more trips like this to come.

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App helps bring strangers together over meals Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:04 AM PST TORONTO, Feb 4 — Looking for new friends or dinner partners? A new smartphone app is designed to help people connect to others to set up groups for dinners. The app, GrubTonight, links hungry and adventurous smartphone users for dinners, fun evenings and friendship. "We wanted to build a real-time spontaneous app where any night of the week you could go out and eat, because you need to eat anyway, and also have a social outing," said Eddy Lu, CEO and co-founder of Grubwithus Inc, an online community for group meals based in Los Angeles, California. Users can browse group dinners through the app, which works with restaurants to fill open seats. Each night there are three prix-fixe group dinners available. Bookings for the meals, which average about US$20 (RM60), are made through the app. The meal includes a shared appetizer, entree and a drink. GrubTonight is available in Los Angeles but the company's other app, Grubwithus, is worldwide and enables users to attend group dinners that are planned several days in advance and revolve around themes. Users are also able to organize their own public or private group dinners using the app. "When you want to create an event you just select one of our partner restaurants and the menu is already taken care of," said Lu. "People need efficient ways just to meet people. It's a good social way to come together and you need to eat three times a day," he said, adding that most users are between 20 and 35 years old. The company has organized meals in more than 50 cities worldwide but the app has been most popular in San Francisco, New York and Chicago. The motivation for Grubwithus, according to Lu, came from the difficulty he faced in meeting new friends and people to do things with in Chicago. "When you go to dinner parties and meet friends of friends that's when you really connect with people because you're sitting beside them for an hour," he said. "We thought that dinner was just such a good way to connect with people and build meaningful friendships." Although it is not a dating app, Lu said that it has played a part in bringing some couples together. GrubTonight is available for iPhones, but web and Android apps are being developed and the company plans to expand GrubTonight to other US cities. — Reuters

Gold eases as stocks retreat, dollar strengthens Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:57 AM PST Gold players were seen reassessing their positions after last week's mixed US economic data failed to provide a clear direction for the market, analysts said. — Reuters pic LONDON, Feb 4 — Gold edged lower today as investors exited positions after mostly upbeat US data signalled that the economic recovery is gaining traction, while a dip in stock markets and a stronger dollar added pressure. Platinum group metals outperformed, with palladium hitting its highest in 17 months and platinum a four-month high, following strong US auto sales reports for January and a downbeat earnings statement from major platinum miner Anglo American Platinum. Spot gold eased 0.1 per cent to US$1,664.55 (RM5,148) an ounce by 1059 GMT, while US gold futures for April delivery were down 0.3 per cent to US$1,665.50 an ounce. In Japan, benchmark gold on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange hit a record high on the back of a weak yen on expectations the Bank of Japan will continue loosening monetary policy. A dip in stock markets and the euro removed some support for gold, while data released Friday showed hedge funds and money managers had slashed gold's net length in futures and options last week on signs of a steadily improving US economy. Its losses were limited by buying interest in Asia as China approached a weeklong Lunar New Year holiday that starts on Saturday, February 9, but traders said this support was likely to be temporary. "Physical demand is reasonably good because the Chinese New Year is round the corner and will continue to hold the market this week, but next week Asian markets will be on holidays and that source of support will disappear," Bernard Sin, senior vice president at MKS Finance, said. "Markets may react dramatically." Gold players were seen reassessing their positions after last week's mixed US economic data failed to provide a clear direction for the market, analysts said. US payrolls numbers surprised to the downside, triggering a US$10 jump in the metal, but these were offset by strong consumer confidence and ISM manufacturing numbers, and comments from a Federal Reserve official suggesting that monetary easing could be scaled back later this year. "The weaker-than-expected Q4 US GDP data served to prove how negative data could quickly push gold prices higher, but equally the absence of both a solid floor set by physical demand and strong investor conviction shows how quickly gains are surrendered," Barclays Capital said in a note. "Gold is without structural support at the moment, but given speculative positioning remains relatively light, weaker-than-expected macro data could quickly spur prices higher amid global balance sheet expansion." PLATINUM, PALLADIUM CLIMB Platinum group metals posted hefty gains after US automakers reported a 14.2 per cent sales increase in January from a year earlier, with a seasonally adjusted annualised rate of sales reaching 15.29 million vehicles. The metals are widely used in auto catalysts to clean up exhaust emissions. Momentum picked up when major producer Amplats revealed a significant full-year loss today. The company has cut its output target to 2.1-2.3 million ounces a year and has slashed capital expenditure by 11 billion rand (US$1.2 billion). It plans to cut capex by 25 per cent over the next decade to 100 billion rand. Spot platinum rose as much as 1.5 per cent to US$1,705.25, its highest in four months, and was last seen at US$1,695.49, up 0.9 per cent. Spot palladium gained as much as 0.7 per cent to US$759.75, its loftiest level since September, 2011, before settling at US$755.22 an ounce, up 0.1 per cent. Platinum has outperformed the rest of the complex with a nearly 11 per cent gain so far this year, followed by a 9 per cent rise in palladium. Gold is down 0.3 per cent - the only precious metal in the red after a 12-year winning streak. The Commitments of Traders data for the week ended Jan. 29 showed platinum net long positions rising by 171,150 ounces to 2.72 million ounces and palladium net long positions up by 357,500 ounces to 2.6 million ounces. "Palladium net long positions continue to reach new highs, running the risk of a pullback," HSBC said in a note. Elsewhere, silver fell 0.8 per cent to US$31.56 an ounce. — Reuters

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Why I decided to finally tweet Posted: 03 Feb 2013 04:32 PM PST FEB 4 — I never thought I would say that publicly, but the lesson learned is, "Never say never!" "Never's a hard call, isn't it? Never-ish." — Terry Venables Tweeting: Reasons and dangers First, I wanted to understand why people tweeted. Because they have something of substance or importance to say? On hindsight, probably not, because hyper-connectivity updates make a minute ago seem historical! Because they want to connect with "like-minded people?" On hindsight, some of those "minds" should be blocked! Because they want a following? On hindsight, thank God for the ability to block, as this becomes an addiction for some! Because they want to only follow, say, a famous athlete, movie star, etc? Or that they just want to be part of a fad and then drop out when it fades? Second, I wanted to know the "dangers" of tweeting. That which has been tweeted cannot be deleted. Possibly retreated. But from a public relations 101 angle, that which cannot be deleted is a disaster for reputation management.  The 24/7 information download world we live in reminds us more often than not of our missteps and failures than it does our successes. Hence to say "be careful before touching send button" cannot be overemphasised.  The apology tweet cannot undo the damage done, case in point people like Rupert Murdoch and many athletes, politicians, business leaders and why even some spiritual leaders. There is also the danger of pranks played on tweet accounts. Ones opened in your name or those hacking into your account to score a point or to make a statement for individual/group benefit. This has happened to political and spiritual leaders of late. It's interesting to note that politicians, like US President Barack Obama, have a team that tweets on their behalf. Why you ask? These are what you call an "impersonal tweet" driven by careful public relations management. The tweet can bring "rain or sunshine" to the subject matter depending on prominence of the tweeter. For example, during a recent college football game, the sportscaster made remarks concerning the beauty of one of audience members, and she suddenly went from less than 10,000 followers to over 200,000 followers (including a superstar basketball player by the name of Lebron James). So tweets can create overnight fame or notoriety depending on which side of an issue one stands and supports, and the reaction one poses to responses. There are the spam tweets, hence, the nuisance of time consuming blocking comes into the picture.  Third, and probably the most difficult question, what value will I bring into the tweeting wide world? I come from the realms of Islamic finance and halal hence, and, much like TV sitcom actors, we have generally encased ourselves in that narrow arena. But this is what we do, and does not define who we are. At one level, all of us have secret aspirations of becoming superstar athletes, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, top journalists, movie stars, doctors, scholars, can-do politicians, inventors and entrepreneurs, better dads/moms, sons/daughters, even bad guys, etc., where what we say moves companies, markets, voters and arguments. Thus, it seems tweeting is about being the first on headline commenting and/or reporting from the mundane (subjective) to the moving. Exposure and experience The nature of my "calling card", global in title, has made me an international road runner. It has exposed me to so much in the last 15 years, from airline lounges, airlines and journeys of, at times, 17 hours, airports, hotels, taxis, tourist traps, meetings, etc. Thus, at times, I feel like a secret shopper, business development officer (outside my profession), observation tower (of people, marches, events, speeches, natural phenomenon, etc.), roving reporter, etc. I want to share these moments, in the form of 140-character mini op-eds, but never took the first step for a number of reasons (probably intimidated by such media), and, on hindsight, missed the opportunity to connect and learn from others (much earlier). Initially, I would have probably tweeted to connect with fellow practitioners in Islamic finance and halal (large community?), and then expanded to the more pressing issues in the Muslim world, from sports to athletes to policy to tolerance to hypocrisy, and connectivity and perception influence of the non-Muslim world. Lincoln quotes for Muslims Let's start with a tweet for all Muslims and non-Muslims: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the US. How is this even different to the basic teachings of Islam or any other religion? Muslims, including myself, are you reading, understanding, and executing? The non-Muslim world needs to heed the advice of this statesman towards Islam. He also said: "… Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.'" All of us have examples of people we know or can predict who will fail or have failed this character test! The Muslim world is not only cursed with black gold (oil), but also power without accountability still prevails in many parts of its society. Do we thank the colonial geographic boundaries that seem to have created mental barriers? What would I ask in the world of Islamic finance and halal I would tweet the following: Students: they are spending money on courses, diplomas, etc., and want meaningful jobs upon graduation; yet, we talk about shortage of skilled people, huh? Walk the talk, Islamic finance. Scholars: they are entitled to a livelihood to support families, but what is reasonable number of board membership? Man on street: Islamic finance is not Qard Hassan (benevolent loan) or charity, but about profits not profiteering. Where are the imams, as they are the local trusted gatekeepers to the community, and, in Arab Spring countries, it's about the mass retail. Disenfranchised (bulk of the 1.6 billion Muslims): we are still waiting for Islamic finance and many of our Muslim-majority countries are non-co-operative, whom do we turn to? Shadow banking system is the only alternative as only collateral is life/blood? Regulators/public sector: need to establish foundation for market, initially lead market and then regulate market, and cannot be an indefinite market participant as the "crowding out" phenomenon kicks in. Anti-shariah movement: present your evidence on it financing terrorism, Malaysia and Dubai would host such an event to discuss its veracity. Conventional institutions in Islamic finance: are you about absorbing liquidity or providing value and commitment? HSBC Amanah downsized operations in a number of countries where margins are not being met, profits versus commitment (beyond short term). Islamic finance: you have proved you are viable (alternative), credible (non-Islamic institutions involved), durable (better survived the recent external shock, but not by much), but what are your sustainable and scalable growth plans? Halal industry: what is your story (brand)? Why are you even more fragmented than Islamic finance? Don't you realise you're an asset class? Malaysia, you will just lose the halal hub title if you do not focus in building such companies (inorganically) as global brands versus the continued comments of Jakim, HDC, etc. Modern-day lifetime achievement award for Islamic finance: Sh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, VP and Prime Minister of UAE, two words: continued commitment. The rest of the world: what is Islamic finance and how has it changed lives, inspired humanity, or rather where is IF in moments of global tragedies and catastrophes? OIC tweets I would tweet on following: Why do we have "His/Your Highness", "Your Majesty", "Sultan", "Emir", "Prince and crown prince", "Datuk and Tan Sri", "King and Queen", etc. when the Prophet of Islam did not have such references. Yes, we respect our leaders and titles like President, Vice-President, Prime Minister. Why can't we make them more human, approachable and accessible? Aren't these titles creating a mental and social class war/barrier? Is this an effective way to rule in the 21st century? Where is the healthy food in Malaysia? Yet, what little is available tends to be expensive! I have been coming to Malaysia for 15 years, and go to the gym religiously, and rarely see Malaysian men there. Obesity-cum-diabetes is a major issue in the GCC, and Malaysia may not be far behind! (But Malaysian men may be spending time on football pitches and badminton courts — who knows?). We have 57 Muslim countries in the OIC, but what clustering has captured the investing world's attention like BRICS? I suggested SAMI + 3 — Saudi Arabia, Ankara (Turkey), Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria. It could also be MIST + 3, but MIST implies a fog, haze, etc, lack of clarity. To tweet or not When Microsoft started making computers in the '70s, it wanted to put a PC in every home. In less than 40 years the world has changed and today we have a computer in every pocket/handbag. The dangers of tweeting remain. Once you start, it is difficult to get out of it. It may rule your life (i.e. one keeps checking the phones at the expense of real-life human contact). But like everything in life, moderation is key in action.  Need to tweet to connect with a society wired on social media, yet to do so with wisdom, caution and more importantly substance. There are always the red herrings of "committed" tweeting communities that feel the need to share their every move — it is this culture that perhaps still stops those who would/could benefit the world of "tweet" from tweeting. In conclusion, to tweet or not to tweet is no longer the relevant question to being relevant today. Maybe the question should be — do I tweet to share my next appointment or my next meal or my next relationship — or do I tweet to make the world a better place? To do my small part in making that difference? So, for those about to tweet, we salute you (but be careful and responsible). * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

Ponggal Perpaduan dan janji politik Posted: 03 Feb 2013 04:01 PM PST 4 FEB — Nampaknya penduduk kaum India — khususnya yang kekal beragama Hindu — di Malaysia memang amat bertuah sejak Barisan Nasional (BN) berjaya mendapatkan mandat membentuk Kerajaan Persekutuan berikutan Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 (PRU-12) pada Mac 2008. Khabarnya RM1 juta diperuntukkan khusus bagi penduduk yang berebut-rebut bak pelarian Somalia untuk mendapatkan sekampit kecil beras semasa Perhimpunan Semenyih anjuran Parti Barisan Kemajuan India Malaysia (IPF) selaku penyokong tegar BN pada 12 Januari 2013. Terdapat lima akhbar harian Bahasa Tamil di Malaysia. Bagi sambutan Thaipusam di Batu Caves pada 2012, peruntukan adalah RM2 juta tetapi RM1 juta sahaja bagi sambutan sama tahun ini. Kekurangan jumlah "pelaburan" tahun ini ditimbal balik dengan peruntukan khas RM3 juta sempena Ponggal Perpaduan di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur pada 2 Februari 2013. Peruntukan RM3 juta juga dilaporkan bagi "Pesta Ponggal Sayangi Selangor PM Bersama Rakyat" di Tengku Kelana, Klang pada tarikh sambutan Boghi (13 Januari 2013). Sejak beberapa minggu lalu, saya sendiri menyampah mendengar iklan-iklan serba bodoh di Minnal FM dan THR Raaga yang mendesak kaum India mengheret kaum keluarga, sahabat handai dan jiran tetangga ke acara gilang-gemilang di Dataran Merdeka untuk memuja … err … memuji Perdana Menteri tercinta, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Memang tidak adil sama sekali kerana nama "wanita pertama" Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor tidak dipromosikan langsung oleh stesen-stesen radio Tamil berkenaan. Sangat mengecewakan. Khabarnya (ulang: khabarnya) sekitar 500 bas disediakan untuk mengangkut penyokong kaum India — kecil, besar, tua, muda, sedar, nyanyuk — dari seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia ke Dataran Merdeka sebagai "bukti" 99 peratus penduduk kaum India menyokong BN dan membenci PR. Demikian saya mencatatkan pada ruangan status Facebook pada pagi 2 Februari 2013. Ternyata saya tersilap kerana jumlah bas sebenar adalah sekitar 1,400 buah. Bagi setiap bas, khabarnya wakil MIC terbabit diberikan "sumbangan" RM1,500 untuk menampung kos. Sejumlah masyarakat India yang sangat bertuah kerana "terpilih" menyertai konvoi dan ekspedisi ini menghubungi saya menerusi Facebook dan SMS untuk memaklumkan bahawa pakej yang ditawarkan termasuk berseronok di Batu Caves dan Suria KLCC sebelum mereka diangkut ke Dataran Merdeka pada sebelah petang. Selain pengangkutan percuma, "pelancong" terbabit juga khabarnya dijanjikan elaun tunai serta kupon makanan percuma. Ponggal Perpaduan mendapat liputan muka depan semua akhbar Tamil semalam. Terus-terang, saya tidak sabar-sabar untuk membaca akhbar Mingguan Malaysia, Tamil Nesan, Thina Kural, Malaysia Nanban, Makkal Osai dan Nam Naadu pada keesokan hari (semalam) untuk membaca laporan yang "benar, tepat dan objektif" mengenai acara/upacara berkenaan. Akhbar Utusan Malaysia memang sudah dilabel masyarakat umum sebagai "lidah rasmi" Umno manakala kelima-lima akhbar Tamil pula sejak awal tahun ini terbukti sedang berusaha amat gigih untuk mengatasi kehebatan Utusan Malaysia dalam mengampu BN dan sekutu. Pada awal pagi semalam, saya membeli kelima-lima akhbar berkenaan untuk membaca apa yang dilaporkan; khususnya di halaman depan. Apa pun, tentu sahaja saya tidak mengharapkan sebarang laporan mengenai Malam Kebudayaan Ponggal anjuran pejabat Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sri Muda kerana pengunjung tidak disediakan bas percuma, peluang melancong ke Suria KLCC dan sebagainya. Malah, empat bas tajaan MIC yang penuh sesak dilihat meninggalkan sebuah kuil di Taman Sri Muda untuk ke Dataran Merdeka bagi mendapatkan restu Najib demi kesejahteraan kaum India di negara tercinta ini. Akhbar Tamil Nesan melaporkan di muka depan mengenai "janji politik" BN bahawa Kolej Tafe milik MIC akan dinaik taraf menjadi kolej universiti. Tajuk besar yang menggoda dan penuh retorik adalah "janji politik" Najib bahawa kesemua 523 sekolah jenis kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) di seluruh negara akan menjadi sekolah bantuan penuh kerajaan BN secara berperingkat-peringkat. Kata kunci: "berperingkat-peringkat" dan "akan" yang merupakan kata-kata penuh retorik golongan politikus dalam membuat janji-janji manis sejak dahulu. Sejumlah 15 dewan orang ramai serta 15 tanah perkuburan Hindu dengan sistem pembakaran jenazah moden juga dijanjikan di 15 kawasan berpenduduk padat kaum India. Apa yang tidak pula dinyatakan adalah bahawa semua ini adalah janji manis untuk memancing undi menjelang PRU-13.  Orang ramai pasti sahaja boleh bertanya, mengapa selepas lebih 55 tahun diberi mandat memerintah negara, baru sekarang BN terhegeh-hegeh dan berpura-pura prihatin terhadap masyarakat India? Kalaulah tidak kerana kedudukan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang semakin kukuh sejak tindakan "bijak" Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (mantan PM) melucutkan jawatan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada 1998, jangan haraplah BN akan terlebih mesra seperti sekarang kepada pengundi kaum India (kecuali kroni dan juak-juak dalam parti politik MIC). Wakil Makkal Osai menganggap penulis membuat 'tuduhan tidak berasas' terhadap akhbar Tamil. Halaman 16 (akhir) Tamil Nesan juga digunakan sepenuhnya untuk liputan khas Ponggal Perpaduan di Dataran Merdeka. Saya paling suka melihat wanita paling cantik di Malaysia duduk penuh sopan dengan memakai pakaian kaum India warna merah jambu. Amat sedih kerana Rosmah seolah-olah dipinggirkan akhbar-akhbar Tamil sedangkan beliau boleh menjadi contoh terbaik kepada wanita kaum India untuk mampu berdikari sebagai "wanita unggul" tanpa sekadar berlindung di sebalik bayang si suami. Mungkin selepas makalah ini tersiar, akhbar-akhbar Tamil akan berebut-rebut membuat liputan khas tentang Rosmah. Mungkin. Berita mengenai isu filem "Vishwaroopam" juga mendapat tempat di kesemua akhbar Tamil. Maklumlah, masakan masyarakat India-Hindu serta pemilik akhbar Thina Kural, Malaysia Nanban, Nam Naadu, Tamil Nesan dan Makkal Osai mahu berdiam diri lalu tunduk pada desakan "masyarakat India-Muslim" dan "menteri-menteri Melayu" yang khabarnya sedang berusaha menafikan hak kaum India-Hindu menikmati sebuah filem bertaraf antarabangsa dari India. Akhbar Thina Kural pula mungkin (ulang: mungkin) akan menerima amaran pihak tertentu kerana hanya melaporkan suasana di Dataran Merdeka sehingga pukul 6 petang pada Sabtu lalu. Perpaduan dinyatakan sebagai kunci pembangunan kaum India di Malaysia.  Akhbar berkenaan juga berani "melawan arus" dengan melaporkan mengenai majlis pelancaran asrama anak-anak pekerja ladang yang bukan merupakan projek BN. Selain di muka depan, laporan bergambar juga menghiasi halaman 16 dengan dua tajuk yang pro-PR. Memandangkan "rata-rata kaum India kini sudah kembali kepada MIC dan BN" mungkinkah Thina Kural, Makkal Osai, Tamil Nesan dan Malaysia Nanban akan dipulaukan pembaca yang "membenci PR"?  Satu lagi berita yang pasti membuatkan juak-juak Umno dan Perkasa marah adalah gesaan supaya Mahathir memohon maaf secara terbuka kepada masyarakat India (Hindu, Muslim, Kristian, Sikh) berikutan isu kewarganegaraan yang beliau timbulkan baru-baru ini. Bukan isu pemberikan kad pengenalan percuma kepada puak pendatang asing tanpa izin (PATI) dari India dan Bangladesh, tetapi isu pemberiaan warganegara oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman kepada kaum India dan Cina pada tahun 1957. Jangan terkejut jika Perkasa dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) bersikap etnosentrik yang memang banyak di negara ini mengusulkan kempen membakar akhbar Thina Kural, Malaysia Nanban, Nam Naadu dan Makkal Osai selepas membaca ulasan ini. Kalau usul datang daripada Ibrahim Ali, adakah sesiapa dalam BN yang berani menegur? Akhbar Malaysia Nanban pada halaman pertama memaparkan "janji politik" Najib di hadapan para penyokong tegar BN dan MIC bahawa SJKT akan menerima bantuan penuh kerajaan pusat. Pada halaman 16, paparan berbentuk "kau ampu aku, aku ampu dia" mendapat tempat. Maksud saya, Najib memuji Datuk Saravanan kerana berjaya "mengangkut" begitu ramai penyokong dan juak-juak kaum India ke Dataran Merdeka. Saravanan pula memuji MIC sebagai "vishwaroopam" (rupa/wajah sebenar) dengan erti kata, realiti sebenar adalah 99 peratus penduduk kaum India di Malaysia memang sesungguhnya menyokong MIC dan pasti tidak akan mengundi calon lain selain mana-mana calon yang dituding oleh Najib. Begitulah lebih kurang interpretasi saya terhadap kata-kata pujaan beliau. Pelbagai 'janji manis' dan 'janji politik' diberikan kepada penyokong tegar MIC. Oh, ya! Jangan lupa bahawa Ponggal Perpaduan sebenarnya sempena Hari Wilayah (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan dan Putrajaya) dan sebab itulah Saravanan mendapat kredit yang lebih berbanding Presiden MIC, Datuk G. Palanivel yang lemah-lembut dan hanya bergantung pada skrip sepanjang berucap di hadapan penyokong tegar MIC di Dataran Merdeka. Jangan pula ada orang yang tertipu/terpedaya dan menyangka acara itu sebagai acara peringkat kebangsaan semata-mata kerana lebih 1,400 bas dilaporkan mengangkut penyokong tegar MIC dari seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia. Akhbar Makkal Osai sebelum ini "sedikit kecewa" dengan pendedahan saya mengenai realiti akhbar-akhbar Tamil yang secara terang-terangan pro-BN sejak Januari 2013. Seorang individu dari akhbar berkenaan menyifatkan analisis saya di Projek Dialog (23 Januari 2013) sebagai "tuduhan tidak berasas".  Akhbar itu juga tidak ketinggalan melaporkan Ponggal Perpaduan di muka depan. Kanak-kanak kepada penyokong tegar MIC, Umno dan BN turut diberi peluang beraksi bersama sepanduk pelik "1Malaysia cintai PM" untuk dirakamkan foto mereka. Tajuk utama adalah "Bersatu – Maju – Berjaya" iaitu memetik laungan Najib. Halaman 10 juga khusus bagi foto-foto acara itu dengan tajuk "saatanai namadhu kaiyile" ("kejayaan di tangan kita") iaitu lirik lagu rasmi MIC. Memanglah "kejayaan di tangan kita" kerana BN dan MIC yang pada November 2007 menggunakan segala bentuk kekerasan untuk menghalang kaum India berhimpun demi perpaduan dan menuntut hak minoriti tertindas di Dataran Merdeka (dan tempat-tempat lain sekitar Kuala Lumpur) kini sanggup mengupah lebih 1,400 bas khusus untuk mengangkut kaum India (kanak-kanak, remaja, dewasa, tua, muda, tempang, cacat, sempurna) untuk berhimpun di dataran yang sama untuk mendapatkan "restu" daripada Najib yang dipuji, dipuja dan didewa-dewakan secara amat berlebihan sejak belakangan ini oleh parti politik tertentu, NGO tertentu dan media tertentu. Akhbar Nam Naadu pula nampaknya akan menerima amaran daripada "pihak tertentu" kerana bersikap "biadab" tidak mengutamakan laporan bergambar Ponggal Perpaduan di muka depan. Sebaliknya, tajuk utama adalah berkaitan sambutan Hari Wilayah serta perlunya perpaduan antara kaum dan agama. Laporan pesta ponggal pula pada ruangan paling bawah dan di halaman 5; itu pun hanya separuh halaman kerana separuh lagi untuk laporan bergambar majlis jamuan perkahwinan anak lelaki Palanivel. Demikian secara amat ringkas paparan kelima-lima akhbar Tamil semalam — khususnya di halaman depan — sebagai kesinambungan kepada sambutan Ponggal Perpaduan pada Sabtu lalu. Memanglah benar seperti sudah dijangkakan. Rata-rata laporan adalah senada dan amat sesuai dijadikan bahan/modal/propaganda oleh BN bagi menjamin 99 peratus sokongan pengundi kaum India pada PRU-13. Bukankah itu yang dihajati dan diimpikan? Sekarang, saya tidak sabar untuk melihat liputan kelima-lima akhbar Tamil menjelang sambutan Tahun Baru Cina! Mungkinkah akan ada juga foto Najib memakai pakaian tradisional dengan corak yang dikhususkan bagi upacara kematian seperti saya lihat pada bunting di tepi jalan? Sama-sama kita nantikan dengan penuh debaran. * Uthaya Sankar SB bukan ahli/penyokong mana-mana parti politik. Namun, beliau suka akan golongan politikus yang banyak memberi inspirasi bagi penulisan cerpen. * Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis.

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Hentikan bertelingkah dalam isu kalimah ‘Allah’, kata ketua pengarah Jabatan Perpaduan Posted: 03 Feb 2013 10:54 PM PST Hentikan bertelingkah dalam isu kalimah 'Allah', kata ketua pengarah Jabatan Perpaduan KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Feb — Putrajaya hari ini menggesa rakyat Malaysia berhenti daripada pertelingkahan mengenai isu penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh bukan Muslim. Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN) Datuk Azman Amin Hassan berkata perkara itu perlu diselesaikan di mahkamah, merujuk kepada permohonan kerajaan persekutuan di Mahkamah Tinggi pada 2009 yang menetapkan perkataan "Allah" bukanlah hak eksklusif untuk orang Islam. "Lupakan perkara itu kerana ia menimbulkan banyak kekeliruan," kata Azman (gambar) kepada The Malaysian Insider hari ini. "Kita perlu menungggu keputusan akhir (mahkamah) untuk melegakan situasi," tambahnya. Mahkamah Tinggi pada Disember 2009 menetapkan Gereja Katolik mempunyai hak untuk menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam penerbitan berbahasa Melayunya, The Herald. Kementerian Dalam Negeri bagaimanapun membuat rayuan pada Januari 2010. Sehingga kini masih lagi tiada tarikh perbicaraan ditetapkan. Azman, yang juga Pengerusi Ahli Jawatankuasa Mempromosi Persefahaman dan Keharmonian di antara Penganut Agama (JKMPKA) berkata, jawatankuasa itu sedang mengadakan perbincangan, namun enggan mengulas lanjut butiran lngkap perbincangan berkenaan, sebaliknya berkata "kesemua pimpinan agama memahami isu tersebut." Kumpulan pengamal agama Buddha telah menggesa JPNIN menyelesaikan perkara itu selepas kumpulan pendesak Melayu, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Perkasa) baru-baru ini menggesa Muslim supaya membakar Bible berbahasa Melayu yang menggandungi perkataan Allah di dalamnya. Pertelingkahan mengenai penggunaan perkataan Allah antara Muslim dan komuniti bukan Muslim di negara ini, terutamanya komuniti Kristian mula timbul pada 2007 apabila gereja Katolik dilarang menggunakannya dalam penerbitan mingguan mereka, The Herald. Antara kes lain termasuklah penganut Kristian Sarawak, Jill Ireland, mencabar Kementerian Dalam Negeri pada 2008 apabila merampas koleksi peribadi cakera padat keagamaannya yang menggunakan kalimah Allah di lapangan terbang. Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada 4 Mei, 2009, memberikan kebenaran kepada kumpulan etnik Melanau untuk mencabar Kementrian Dalam Negeri, berkata Jill mempunyai hak untuk "memiliki, menerima, mengguna, mengimport, dan mengedar" sebarang bentuk perkataan menggunakan nama Allah. Disebalik pembentukan JKMPKA pada 2011, tidak berlaku pertikaian berhubung isu perkataan Allah, dan Putrajaya telah memberikan kata putus. Dalam 10 resolusi Pentadbiran Najib, Kabinet melalui kementeriannya Datuk Seri Idris Jala, meyakinkan penduduk pribumi Sabah dan Sarawak yang mempunyai populasi Kristian yang besar bebas menggunakan Bible berbahasa Melayu mereka termasuk bahasa pribumi yang lain. Idris turut berkata Bible itu juga boleh dicetak dalam mana-mana bahasa termasuk Iban, Kadazan-Dusun dan Lun bawang. Pada April 2011, satu pekeliling kepada Pengerusi Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Bishop Ng Moon Hing yang ditandatangani oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak menyatakan Kristian dan mana-mana kepercayaan boleh menggunakan Bible dalam mana-mana bahasa, termasuk bahasa Melayu. Pertikaian berhubung perkataan Allah berkemungkinan akan memberikan kesan terhadap pengundi untuk menyokong parti politik dalam pilihan raya yang harus dilaksanakan April ini. Isu tersebut sebelum ini dijadikan kempen politik ketika Pilihan Raya Sarawak 2011 yang mempunyai kumpulan penganut Kristian yang besar.

Rumah terbuka Tahun Baru Cina Ahad ini Posted: 03 Feb 2013 10:23 PM PST Majlis anjuran bersama MCA dan Gerakan Negeri Sembilan itu akan berlangsung selama tiga jam bermula 7.30 malam. – Gambar Reuters SEREMBAN, 4 Feb – Orang ramai dijemput menghadiri majlis Rumah Terbuka Tahun Baharu Cina 1Malaysia Negeri Sembilan 2013 di Dewan Majlis Perbandaran Seremban di sini pada Ahad ini (10 Feb). Majlis anjuran bersama MCA dan Gerakan Negeri Sembilan itu akan berlangsung selama tiga jam bermula 7.30 malam. Pengerusi pengelola majlis itu, Gan Chee Biow berkata Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan dijadual hadir pada majlis itu. "Kita jangka lebih 8,000 orang akan hadir pada majlis tersebut," katanya kepada Bernama di sini, hari ini. Katanya majlis itu akan turut diserikan dengan pertunjukan tarian singa dan naga, persembahan nyanyian artis tempatan dan cabutan bertuah. – Bernama

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