The Malaysian Insider :: Food
The Malaysian Insider :: Food |
| Noma co-owner to open restaurant in Bolivia Posted: 24 Mar 2013 07:10 PM PDT Put some colour into your chicken dinner |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Food To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Mercedes appreciate Rosberg’s obedience Posted: 24 Mar 2013 07:25 AM PDT  Mercedes Formula One driver Hamilton and team mate Rosberg congratulate each other after their 3rd and 4th respective positions during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix SEPANG, March 24 — Germany's Nico Rosberg would have stood on the Malaysian Grand Prix podium had he taken a leaf out of compatriot Sebastian Vettel's book and ignored his team's orders on Sunday. Instead, the Mercedes Formula One driver finished a frustrated fourth behind Lewis Hamilton but earned his team mate's thanks and recognition. "I don't feel great sitting here. I think Nico deserves to be sitting where I am now," Hamilton told reporters at a post-race news conference for the top three. "I guess the team thought that with the positions in the championships, it was logical to stay in the positions we were in. I have to give congratulations to Nico as he drove a smarter, more controlled race than I did today." Triple world champion Vettel had earlier ignored Red Bull instructions and roared past team mate Mark Webber to steal a contentious victory at steamy Sepang that left the two drivers barely speaking to each other. Rosberg had repeatedly asked his team to tell 2008 champion Hamilton to let him through, since he was faster, but the request was denied and he accepted the need to conserve fuel and go easy on the tyres. While the bad blood between Webber and Vettel is likely to have ramifications for Red Bull, Rosberg's obedience was warmly received by Mercedes and he clearly appreciated the importance of banking points. "It's an important day for us, that's for sure. We've had such a tough time in the past years. To be third and fourth, fighting the Red Bulls is such a milestone," said the German, whose win for Mercedes in China last season was their sole success in the past three years. "We need to put in some consistency, so to bring it home third and fourth, fully understandable. "I know that if it had been the other way round they would have done the same thing. So that's okay. For sure, there will be time to fight also between team mates in the future." Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff said the decision to hold position may not have been the most popular among spectators but the team were determined to get both cars home safely. "Obviously as a racing driver and from a sporting point of view you can question is that what the spectator wants to see or not?" the Austrian asked. "But the team came from a very miserable second half of the season and it's about bringing it home, scoring a solid result. And we had a problem with the fuel, so both cars were told to back off a little bit. Hearing Nico, I think he understood." — Reuters |
| Vettel apologises to Webber for winning by ‘mistake’ Posted: 24 Mar 2013 06:40 AM PDT  Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates after winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix. — Reuters picSEPANG, March 24 — Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel apologised to Red Bull team mate Mark Webber on Sunday after ignoring orders and stealing a Malaysian Grand Prix victory from the angry Australian. "I am the black sheep right now...all I can say is apologies to Mark," the German, seemingly contrite, said after a win that gave Red Bull a one-two finish and him the lead in the championship after two races. "The pass was deliberate, obviously I wanted to pass him...but I didn't mean to ignore the strategy or the call. I made a mistake, simply." Webber had driven a masterful race to climb into the lead from fifth on the grid and was told by his team to ease off in the closing stages to protect the car and tyres as he led Vettel and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. Triple world champion Vettel was supposed to do the same but instead attacked and passed his shocked team mate after a ferocious battle with 12 laps remaining to seal a 27th grand prix victory. The Australian made his feelings evident afterwards, saying only "Multi-21, Seb. Multi-21" - a reference to the team instruction - and giving the German the cold shoulder before they went on to the podium. "He's not a happy camper. How he deals with it down the line we'll wait and see. He'll be frustrated and kicking a few doors around tonight," his father Alan told Britain's Sky television. Wrestling with his emotions, with the occasional heavy sigh, Webber said it would take time to absorb what had happened. "It's still very raw at the moment because we had a plan before the race as we do for most grands prix as to how things will be in a certain scenario," said the 36-year-old, who has accused his team in the past of favouring Vettel. He alluded to the Turkish grand prix of 2010, when the pair collided while fighting for the lead and threw away a lot of points, and said he would take time out to go surfing in Australia ahead of the next race in Shanghai on April 14. "I think this will be good medicine for me," he said. "But there was a lot of things in my mind in the last 15 laps of the grand prix to be honest. So whether the medicine is enough, we'll see." The Australian said he had turned his engine down, looked after the tyres and had been "completely reassured twice that we were not going to abuse the cars on each other." Team principal Christian Horner said the matter would be dealt with internally. Race drivers "As far as the drivers are concerned, we let them race up to that last pitstop and then from a team's perspective, with the issues we've had this weekend, we wanted to control the race and manage the tyres to the end of the race," said Horner. "But at that point the drivers' interest became bigger than the team's and they took it into their own hands to start racing each other which was obviously uncomfortable for us. But they are race drivers. "We'll sit down with them and discuss it as a team. They've raced each other hard before. They are very competitive. They are both race car drivers, It's difficult." Horner recognised there was a "conflict of interest" between the team's aims and that of the driver but said the team was paramount. "You are still part of a team and at the end of the day everybody has to do their bit within the team and it's difficult to watch. And the risk in a situation like that is that you give up 43 points," he said. Vettel appeared ready to soak up the criticism. "I am not really too worried, I don't really care about the criticism that is coming up now. I owe an explanation to Mark and the team. And that's it," he said. "Everyone else obviously has the right to have their own opinions but for sure it is not a victory that I am very proud of because it should have been Mark's." — Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz
The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz |
| Kate Winslet joins upcoming young adult film ‘Divergent’ Posted: 23 Mar 2013 11:09 PM PDT  Winslet will play the leader of the Erudit. – Reuters pic LOS ANGELES, March 24 — British Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has been cast in upcoming young adult film "Divergent," boosting the profile of the latest adaptation from a best-selling novel to the big screen. Film studio Summit Entertainment said on Thursday that Winslet, 37, will play the cold and unlikeable Jeanine Matthews in the film set in a dystopian future. "Divergent," based on the first of a trilogy of novels by Veronica Roth, is set in a society that is divided into five factions that define how a person lives their life. The Abnegation people are selfless, while the Erudite devote themselves to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Winslet will play the leader of the Erudite, Summit said in a statement. The studio previously announced the casting of rising star Shailene Woodley, 21, and British newcomer Theo James, 28. "Divergent," due for release in March 2014, is the latest young adult novel to be translated to the big screen following the conclusion of lucrative franchise "The Twilight Saga" and the success last year of "The Hunger Games," starring new Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence. The five "Twilight" films, which followed the romance between a vampire, human and werewolf, grossed more than US$3.3 billion (RM10.27 billion) at the global box office and put studio Summit into Hollywood's big leagues. Film studio Lions Gate Entertainment, which acquired Summit for US$412 million last year, released "The Hunger Games" in March 2012. It grossed more than US$690 million worldwide. The next instalment of the "Hunger Games" franchise is due out in November this year, while "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," another adaptation of a young adult novel with supernatural and dystopian themes, is due in US theatres in August. – Reuters |
| Kristen Stewart, One Direction win twice at Kids Choice Awards Posted: 23 Mar 2013 08:39 PM PDT
Stewart, 22, escaped the slime but plunged her hands into the green goo, saying she "felt like I have finally found my kindergartner self," as she accepted trophies for movie actress and favourite female butt kicker. Organiwers said more than 350 million votes were cast online in more than 20 categories, spanning film, television, books, music and sport for the stunt-filled annual award show on youth channel Nickelodeon. Hosted by "Transformers" actor Josh Duhamel, who is married to singer Fergie, the show in Los Angeles featured performances by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera, as well as Ke$ha. Johnny Depp and Katy Perry accepted orange blimp-shaped trophies for favourite female singer and movie actor respectively and both stars had words of wisdom for the audience of kids and young teens. "This is such a cool award ... stay safe, stay in school, don't do drugs," Perry told them. Depp said he was "truly honoured and humbled. Thank you for what you are, which is the future." Selena Gomez, 20, the ex-girlfriend of pop star Justin Bieber, took the female TV actress award for her Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place," even though the show came to an end more than a year ago. Bieber, who is on tour in Europe, was voted favourite male singer and was among several stars who did not make it to accept their award in person. No-shows included One Direction, who are also on tour and who won for favourite music group and song for "What Makes You Beautiful," "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell (favourite villain), and Ross Lynch, 17, who was named favourite TV actor for Disney Channel's pop star series "Austin & Ally." Sandra Bullock, Neil Patrick Harris, Duhamel, Pitbull, Nick Cannon, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and dozens of audience members got covered in slime gushing out from water cannons, presenter's podiums, ceilings, and even the tail of a fake gymnastic horse. Other awards went to Nickelodeon's "Victorious" for top TV show, "The Hunger Games" for favourite movie, "Wreck-It Ralph" for top animated movie, and race car driver Danica Patrick and basketball player LeBron James for top athletes. The Kids Choice Awards will be broadcast around the world in more than 25 languages, Nickelodeon said. – Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views
The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views |
| Police: Crime reduction NKRA progressing well, new initiatives introduced Posted: 24 Mar 2013 09:14 AM PDT
PDRM Crime Reduction National Key Result Areas (NKRA) Secretariat chairman Datuk Wira Ayub Yaacob said the implementation of the initiatives in the GTP 2.0 would involve the participation of the people, especially women, and the private sector. For example, he said the recently launched 1Aman Go-to-safety Points Campaign, which aimed at providing assistance to crime victims, involved the participation of seven outlets of 7-Eleven convenience store and two post offices around Bukit Bintang. "Trainings (to handle emergency cases) given by the police to the participating quarters include crime prevention assistance, such as in arresting a member of the public, the right to defend themselves, lodging police report and police network that can be contacted," he said in an interview in conjunction with the 206th Police Day. Besides, he said PDRM had also set up a special unit, known as Aman Wanita (Amanita) to collect information on unreported crime-related activities, by forging close cooperation with housewives. "We acknowledge that sometimes housewives do have important information, especially about crime-related activity, which they shared with each other during their 'gossip sessions,'" he said. Therefore, he said for a start, 152 female police officers had been identified to participate in the unit. Ayub also described the move as recognition for the women who played the most important role in their families, especially in advising their husbands in making decisions. "We are confident that women can play an equal role in keeping public order and maintaining peace in the country," he said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when tabling the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) Annual Report 2012, said that the crime rate in the country had been reduced by 27 per cent over the past three years. Among the crime reduction NKRA initiatives implemented in the GTP 1.0 were improving voluntary patrol scheme (SRS), setting up the Crime Awareness Team (CAT), establishing additional courts and organising various operations including the anti-motorcycle theft operation, dubbed Ops Lejang. "The people have now realised that the presence of police in the Omnipresence programme can reduce their fear, thus changing their perception of the security level in the country," Ayub said. In the GTP 2.0 which began from 2013 to 2015, the NKRA initiatives to reduce crime index would include preventing house break-ins and vehicle theft, which would also see efforts being taken towards prisoner and drug addicts rehabilitation and skills improvement, as well as formation of dedicated burglary control team. To increase the Safety Perception Index, the government would increase police presence, such as through the Rakan Cop programme and the introduction of a Panic Button application on smartphones. To increase the number of investigation papers (IPs), the government would reduce the ratio of investigating officers to IPs to 1:5 per month, while to increase public satisfaction with the police service, the police response time would also be reduced from 15 minutes to eight minutes. The PDRM has a huge target, which is to reduce the crime index by five per cent per annum, to reduce house break-in cases by five to 10 per cent and to increase safety perception index to 65 per cent, Ayub said. "Police are also aiming to increase the prosecution rate for each investigation paper opened to 35 per cent," he said. — Bernama |
| Euro zone bailouts harder to agree, say policymakers Posted: 24 Mar 2013 08:46 AM PDT SAARISELKA (Finland), March 24 — Euro zone bailouts are getting tougher to agree as opposition within creditor nations grows and indebted states struggle to persuade citizens to back austerity, policymakers said on Sunday. At a meeting in Finnish Lapland this weekend, attendees including Ireland's Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton and host Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen sounded confident that Cyprus would secure a bailout deal to avoid financial collapse. But they added the crisis was a reminder of the work needed to make sure EU member states stand by shared fiscal targets. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, president of Estonia which joined the euro in 2011, said many saw bailouts as unfair. "The result has been, over time, a decreasing willingness on the part of governments to go along with bailing out because their publics are not wiling to go along with it, and so their parliaments are not going along with it," he said. "It's going to get harder and harder to get things such as EFSF and ESM (bailout funds) passed in parliaments if we don't see more responsibility taken by those who need assistance." In Finland, one of the few remaining countries in the euro zone to be rated triple-A by all major credit rating agencies, the anti-euro Finns Party has become a major opposition force, with voters viewing bailouts of countries such as Greece and Portugal as a reward for profligacy. "When it's a union of values, it means that we have to have a strong sense of fairness," Katainen said. "One of the reasons we are in a crisis is that everybody did not follow the rules." The small Nordic economy endured a wave of bankruptcies and years of austerity after a banking crisis in the early 1990s. That experience, as well as the rise of the Finns Party in 2011 elections, has forced the broadly pro-Europe government to take a tough stance on bailouts. Finnish European affairs minister Alexander Stubb said the Cyprus deal, expected to "bail in" top bank depositors, would mark a step away from previous rescue packages by forcing investors to share the burden, as countries such as Finland and Germany have demanded. "We're going towards the system of a bail-in, and I think that's the message that's being sent in this particular rescue package," he said of the Cyprus bailout. Stubb said the worst of Europe's debt crisis was over, although he didn't rule out some flare ups. "We are going to get a few market turbulences still, it's quite clear, but it's not as fundamental or systemic as the ones we had when we had other countries on the brink," he said. Ireland's Creighton said the experience in Ireland, which is expected to exit its bailout programme this year after over two years of fiscal reforms, proved that bitter austerity medicine worked when applied with honesty. — Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: ALL To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| Posted: 23 Mar 2013 05:10 PM PDT
Here is the story of one returnee. Philip Anthony was based in the US for 20 years working in technology development, before participating in TalentCorp's Returning Expert Programme. The timing was just right: His children were in college, and his wife and he wanted to be with their families. It was time to reconnect. They have been home for almost a year now, and have not looked back since. The transition was made even easier when the company he worked for asked him to open a South-East Asian hub. Rofin-Baasel, which specialises in laser technology, wanted to expand into the region. Philip contacted TalentCorp, and the rest is history. He started out with Rofin upon graduation in the UK, before moving to the US when the industry waned in Europe. When he thought of coming back to Malaysia, the company asked whether he would be keen to start Rofin up in the region. "It was a new experience for the company. The technology was already in South-east Asia, but it was bought from the US, Europe or multinationals that purchased it already. Going direct to the consumer was a new ballgame." Once he started thinking of coming back, he approached TalentCorp and asked about the incentives they offered for Malaysians like him. Because of his experience with laser technology, TalentCorp considered him an expert. "I haven't exercised any of the incentives yet... that's not the reason why I came back."
He has kept abreast of all things political when he was abroad, and was aware of the changes. "Malaysians are more aware that they now have a choice. That some of the less than pleasant or fair ways of doing things (policies) ― there are alternatives. And this has brought some positive changes. "I don't sense that there is much of a change in inter-racial integration. It is particularly unfortunate that Malaysians continue to be insular. This nonsense of maintaining vernacular schools ― I don't get it! We're Malaysians! I find it divisive. "I do have two pet peeves and they are litter and corruption. I've visited more congested and populated cities like Jakarta and Bangkok, and they're supposed to be poorer than us (Malaysia) but they are clean! Bangsar, which is supposed to be upper-middle class, has stinking rubbish at all corners. I've even witnessed how our natural spots are also littered with plastic bags. What is wrong with Malaysians?" He has not witnessed corruption first hand, though. He has heard from friends and colleagues, and "corruption steals from people. It has to be stopped." Though his children consider Ann Arbor, Michigan to be their true home, Philip Anthony is happy to be back. |
| Bum knee? PT may save you from the knife Posted: 23 Mar 2013 04:37 PM PDT
In the study, half of 351 participants aged over 45 suffering with meniscus tears or osteoarthritis were randomly selected to undergo knee arthroscopy with the other half getting several weeks of physical therapy. After six and 12 months, the knee function of participants was assessed and showed similar levels of improvement, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The lead author of the research, Jeffrey Katz, Professor of Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard University, said the study suggested there was "no single 'best' treatment." "Since both the patients who received physical therapy and those who received surgery had similar and considerable improvements in function and pain, our research shows ... there is no single 'best' treatment," Katz said. "Patients who wish to avoid surgery can be reassured that physical therapy is a reasonable option, although they should recognize that not everyone will improve with physical therapy alone." He noted that one third of patients who received physical therapy ultimately elected to have surgery, often because their conditions had not improved with therapy alone. More than 450,000 arthroscopies are performed each year in the United States, commonly for treating meniscus tears. The cost of the operation is around US$4,500 (RM14,000) compared to around US$2,000 for a course of physical therapy. — AFP/Relaxnews |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Features To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 23 Mar 2013 05:00 PM PDT
24 MAC ― Kehidupan ini memang tidak akan adil untuk penghuninya. Ada yang cantik, buruk, kaya, miskin, cacat, sihat, sakit dan segala macam bentuk, gaya dan ragam para penghuni dunia yang boleh kita tatap dan lihat. Cuma yang penting, bagus jika kita memanfaatkan setiap peluang dan ruang yang kita miliki. Cerita dunia adalah tentang siapa kalah dan siapa menang. Atau kita boleh saja tidak indah akan siapa menang atau siapa yang kalah. Itu kita katakan apabila telah sampai tahap redha kita dalam menerima takdir dan hukum alam. Atau mungkin juga atas sebab itu menjadi pendorong untuk kita menjadi seorang manusia yang ingin meninggalkan nikmat dunia dan ceritanya. Kebanyakan pujangga sufi asalnya adalah dari mereka yang kecewa dan hampa dengan kehidupan. Seperti Rumi yang kecewa dengan kematian gurunya Syamsi Tabriz, beliau bangkit dari kekecewaan sehingga menjadi tegap dan mantap dari segi pemikiran dan jiwa, namanya menjadi panduan bagi mereka yang dahagakan kasih sayang Tuhan dari zaman berzaman. Kita di sini tidak lebih hanyalah sebagai penduga sahaja. Kita hanya mampu menduga atau mengagak akan takdir cerita kita mengikut versi dan bijaknya kita dalam mentafsir makna alam. Saya pernah mengeluh dan sangat kecewa tentang takdir yang menimpa anak saya yang dilahirkan cacat dari segi mentalnya. Sebagai seorang bapa dan juga ketua keluarga, itu perkara yang paling saya takut untuk menghadapinya. Tapi itulah juga, apabila ia terjadi, kita terpaksa belajar untuk menghadapi kenyataan atau kita akan menjadi manusia yang kecewa dan menanggung sesal seumur hidup. Anak saya yang autisma itu umpama kitab hidup yang menjadi bacaan dan renungan untuk saya setiap masa. Banyak yang saya pelajari darinya sejak dari hari lahirnya sehinggalah usianya mencecah 14 tahun hari ini. Seperti nasihat dari seorang kawan saya bila saya mempersoalkan tentang keadaan anak saya itu suatu masa dulu, katanya jika kita lihat di Ethiopia lebih lagilah keadaan yang menyayat hati yang boleh kita tonton setiap hari, kebuluran, badan kurus kering seperti mayat dan berbagai lagilah..... Kecewa dan kalah memang sering dan akan selalu kita tempuh selagi bergelar manusia, itu lumrah. Persoalan demi persoalan kita panjatkan ke langit sana untuk jawapannya. Pun jika kita menghayati makna kecewa itu rahmatnya tetap ada di mana-mana selagi ada percaya dalam diri kita. Yang penting selagi ada daya untuk menghadapinya, selagi itulah kita akan terus hidup dengan semangat yang menyala. Baru-baru ini seorang lelaki datang dekat ketika saya sedang berlagu. Lagu "You're my everything" (Santa Esmeralda) yang saya nyanyikan nyata mendatangkan rasa kagum lelaki yang langkahnya agak longlai seolah patah harap dalam hidup itu. Umurnya 28 tahun dan baru saja berhenti kerja sebagai Pengawal Keselamatan di Pasar Seni, katanya. Selesai lagu yang saya nyanyi itu, dia minta saya nyanyikan lagu "Kisah Seorang Biduan"(Broery Marantika) pula. Kebetulan saya tahu lagu itu dan saya pun lagukanlah..... Katanya cerita dalam lagu itu memang kena dengan apa yang sedang dilaluinya sekarang. Saya pun tidaklah hairan malah telah memahaminya mengapa apabila kita sedang kecewa, kita suka layan dan ubatkan lagi rasa kecewa itu dengan lagu-lagu sedih yang segala-galanya malap dan patah harap belaka. Lelaki itu baru putus tunang. Tunangnya seorang guru dan katanya dek kerana taraf hidup yang berbeza, keluarga tunangnya minta putuskan tunangan. Katanya lagi bila dia baca di akhbar tentang kisah para lelaki yang sanggup membunuh bekas tunangan mereka lantaran kecewa seperti yang sedang dilaluinya, seakan dia faham dan menyokong tindakan mereka itu, dan apabila dia mahukan pendapat dari saya, saya pun cuba untuk meneutralkan rasa kecewa dalam dirinya. Pun itu tidaklah semudah dan selancar kita membaca A, B dan C. Saya menasihatinya agar melupakan bekas tunangnya itu dan mulakan hidup baru. Lelaki itu pun ada rupa dan badan pun masih sihat walau sinar dari matanya semalap mendung yang menanti ribut melanda. Nyata dia kecewa dengan nasihat saya. Saya katakan itu kerana dia sangat asyik melayan kecewa dan jiwa kacaunya. Katanya lagi kerana tunangnya lah dia kini menjadi penagih dan putus harap untuk terus hidup. Saya bertegas menyatakan tentang kehidupan yang nyata ini ada di hadapan kita dan sepatutnya kita raikanlah dengan semangat untuk terus hidup ke depan, bukan ke belakang. Saya pun berfikir mungkin malang kerana lelaki itu dibesarkan dengan lagu-lagu yang meleleh dan tangkap jiwang. Apabila kecewa, dilayannya pula sedih dan kecewa itu dengan lagu-lagu Melayu slow rock kesukaannya yang bernada kecewa dan putus harap seperti "Sampai Hati"( Spring), "Sembilu"(Ella) dan banyak lagi... makanya hidupnya akan menjadi bertambah longlai dan tidak bermaya untuk terus ke depan. Nyata lelaki itu kalah dalam permainan hidup yang kitalah para watak yang menjadi pelakonnya. Selepas puas meluahkan rasa kecewanya yang amat dengan kehidupan ini, lelaki itu berlalu pergi. Hanya ada dua pilihan baginya, meneruskan hidup dan lupakan semalam, atau melayan kecewa sehingga menjadi penagih tegar yang akhirnya mati dalam kekecewaan. Atau mungkin juga akan datang semangat ke dalam diri lelaki itu untuk lebih mendekatkan dirinya dengan agama dan Tuhan, mudah-mudah itu yang ditempuhnya. Kita tidak akan mampu untuk mengubah takdir dan cerita dunia. Kita di sini untuk menghadapi dan belajar untuk menerima walau apa cara sekalipun cabarannya. Kita semua juga berhak mengecap kebahagiaan dalam versi yang kita percaya. Dalam tempoh beberapa bulan ini, banyak perkara yang berlaku di sekeliling kita. Ramai para wira kita terkorban dalam kekacauan yang berlaku di Lahat Datu, Sabah. Peperangan bukanlah pilihan yang terbaik walau apa cara sekalipun kerana ia melibatkan banyak nyawa, namun apabila kita tidak punya pilihan, dengan semangat juang yang tinggi, kita pun mara ke hadapan. Dan yang paling penting, selagi hidup kita akan pastikan semangat dalam diri itu sentiasa menyala kerana tanpa semangat, kita umpama manusia yang kehabisan bateri, maka perlulah di charge selalu. Semangat itu adalah perlambangan bagi roh, ia hidup di dalam diri kita selagi ada nyawa di badan. Roh adalah rahsia bagi zat yang maha kuasa. Selagi bernyawa, pastikanlah kita sentiasa punya semangat untuk terus hidup. * Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis | |
| Mampukah ‘gentleman politics’ diamalkan di Malaysia? Posted: 23 Mar 2013 04:57 PM PDT
24 MAC ― Pentas politik ibarat jalan pintas ke puncak kegemilangan dan kemasyhuran. Bagi mereka yang ingin menikmati saat-saat indah itu, inilah masa dan peluangnya untuk berbuat demikian. Apa tidaknya, jika anda mempunyai rangkaian rapat dengan orang-orang kenamaan dan disokong oleh mereka, maka segalanya menjadi mudah. Pada permukaan, segalanya cukup indah dan baik-baik belaka. Tetapi hakikatnya, langit tidak selalu cerah. Tanggapan umum bahawa politik merupakan sesuatu yang indah, jauh sekali meleset. Di luar sana, wujudnya si antagonis dan protaganis masing-masing mempunyai agendanya tersendiri; baik mahupun yang kurang baik. Dalam kalangan individu yang berjawatan tinggi, kehadiran individu lain yang dilihat berpotensi adalah satu ancaman besar kepada kelangsungan mereka. Justeru, individu-individu sedemikian perlu dicantas, kalau tidak pun dihapuskan terlebih dahulu. Demikianlah dilema dan penyakit yang melanda pentas politik negara. Gentleman politics dan politik bersih yang menjadi kemahuan semua nampaknya hanya akan tinggal impian semata-mata. Politik Malaysia sejak beberapa dekad lalu telah melalui satu fasa gelap. Gutter politics, caci-mencaci dan tuduh-menuduh sudah menjadi satu kebiasaan seolah-olah ia sesuatu yang biasa. Isu seks dan soal peribadi nampaknya menjadi terus modal utama musuh politik. Keadaan ini menjadi lebih malap selepas Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12. Tidak hairanlah mengapa satu ketika dahulu Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang pertama, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj pernah melabelkan politik sebagai sesuatu yang kotor. Namun apa yang sebenarnya yang menjadikan politik itu kotor ialah si pelaku atau manusia sendiri. Justeru, hanya mereka yang mempunyai daya ketahanan serta kemampuan untuk berubah mengikut keadaan, akan bertahan dalam dunia yang penuh jijik itu. Yang pasti, survival atau kelangsungan diri mengatasi segala-galanya. Itu sebabnya kita jarang melihat pemimpin-pemimpin politik negara jarang melibatkan diri dalam diskusi dan politiking yang membina. Sebaliknya, apa yang dapat kita lihat ialah sikap kebudak-budakan dan kebodohan pemimpin politik dalam menyerang antara satu sama lain. Serangan itu tampil dalam bentuk yang pelbagai, bersifat peribadi dan serangan ke atas moral seseorang pemimpin. Medium yang digunakan pula tidak kurang hebatnya dengan media sosial, YouTube dan Facebook kini menjadi pentas untuk mengaibkan musuh-musuh politik. Terbaru, klip video seorang lelaki yang dipercayai seorang politikus terkenal terlibat dalam aksi songsang dengan pasangannya. Ini bukan kali pertama pendedahan tersebut dibuat dalam media sosial. Soal motif dan modus operandinya… hanya mereka yang menyebarkan video tersebut boleh menjawabnya. Dan ini membawa kita kepada persoalan pokok dalam isu ini… apakah era "gentleman politics" sudah berkubur di Malaysia? Ataupun "gentleman politics" sebenarnya tidak wujud di Malaysia? Mengapakah begitu sukar "gentleman politics" begitu sukar bertapak di negara ini? Adakah pemimpin-pemimpin politik kita masih tidak begitu matang dan sukar untuk meninggalkan pendirian partisan mereka? Mungkinkah juga mereka sebenarnya tidak berniat langsung untuk berubah kerana sebarang perubahan hanya akan mengugat kedudukan mereka? Jika laporan media dan kenyataan demi kenyataan yang dikeluarkan pemimpin politik kita dijadikan sebagai penanda aras, boleh dikatakan tidak ramai pemimpin politik negara yang dapat digolongkan dalam kelas yang gentleman. Apa tidaknya, apa manfaat yang akan diperolehi mereka jika berlaku adil dan jujur dalam politik? Tidak semestinya orang yang berlaku adil dan jujur akan menang dalam perjuangan politik malah dalam banyak ketikanya, ramai yang tersungkur bukan kerana kelemahan mereka tetapi atas faktor lain. Dalam dunia politik, semuanya berkisar kepada survival dan untuk meneruskan survival, harus ada perancangan untuk memastikan musuh anda tidak terlepas. Bagi mereka, gentleman politics hanya untuk mereka yang lemah dan enggan berhadapan dengan realiti. Individu yang gentleman lazimnya tidak mendapat tempat dalam dunia politik. Sering kali, mereka akan digelar tidak berkarisma terlalu berhati-hati, lemah dan tidak berprinsip. Ramai yang berpendapat, sikap gentleman hanya akan membuka ruang dan peluang kepada musuh politik untuk kembali menyerang. Maka kerana itu, adalah lebih baik jika musuh politik dimatikan terlebih dahulu. Itulah doktrin yang pernah diajar oleh strategis perang terkenal, Niccolo Machiavelli dalam karyanya "The Prince". Agak mengecewakan bilangan pemimpin politik negara yang mengamalkan "gentleman politics" adalah amat rendah. Jika ada sekalipun, bilangannya tidak ramai. Ramai yang lebih cenderung untuk menjadi pak turut dan mengikut telunjuk bos besar mereka. Semuanya dibuat dengan harapan periuk nasi mereka terjamin. Sebagai pemimpin yang dipilih rakyat, mereka sepatutnya menggunakan masa terluang untuk membahaskan isu-isu yang bersangkut-paut dengan kebajikan rakyat. Untuk mendapatkan penghormatan daripada rakyat, pemimpin politik kita haruslah berpegang teguh kepada prinsip perjuangan sejati mereka dan bukannya berjuang mengikut keadaan semasa. Bagi penulis, ini adalah pemimpin politik yang oportunis dan tidak bermaruah. Ini juga kumpulan pemimpin politik yang tidak harus mendapat dalam hati masyarakat. Pemimpin jenis ini wajar ditolak. Sikap gentleman yang penulis maksudkan tidak bermakna pemimpin-pemimpin politik perlu senyum dan tidak membuli setiap hari di hadapan orang. Tetapi sikap gentleman yang penulis maksudkan lebih merujuk kepada kematangan pemimpin-pemimpin politik kita untuk berpolitik. Tetapi bersediakah pemimpin-pemimpin politik kita untuk berbuat demikian? Adakah mereka sudah matang untuk mengetepikan sikap partisan yang semakin menebal dalam isu-isu tertentu membabitkan kepentingan rakyat? Sikap pemimpin-pemimpin politik kita sudah berada pada tahap yang meloyakan. Sudah sampai masanya untuk mereka membuang sikap yang kurang baik itu. Jangan mengadu-domba dan jangan sesekali meletakkan rakyat dalam keadaan yang sukar dan jangan biarkan penghormatan rakyat terhadap pemimpin politik hilang begitu sahaja. Jika tahap persepsi rakyat terhadap pemimpin politik sudah mencapai ke peringkat tersebut, maka segala-galanya mungkin sudah terlambat. Jangan pula menyalahkan rakyat jika mereka membuat keputusan yang sebaliknya. Tidak hairan mengapa pada mata rakyat, pemimpin-pemimpin politik kini hanya dikenang sebagai individu yang oportunis, tidak bermaruah dan palsu. Bermakna juga, gentleman politics yang penulis sebutkan tadi pun tidak berguna lagi. Apakah harapan yang tinggal untuk rakyat kita? Apakah kita perlu menahan gelagat pemimpin politik begini untuk satu tempoh yang panjang lagi? Mereka harus sedar bahawa gelagat buruk sebegini tidak akan dikompromi lagi. Sama ada pemimpin politik negara berubah ke arah kebaikan ataupun bersedia untuk diubah. * Ini pandangan peribadi penulis. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa
The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa |
| Kerajaan N.Sembilan masih sah walaupun DUN terbubar Selasa ini, kata MB Posted: 24 Mar 2013 02:40 AM PDT PORT DICKSON, 24 Mac — Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan sedia ada masih sah mengikut sistem demokrasi berparlimen atau Westminster yang diamalkan di negara ini, walaupun selepas Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) terbubar secara automatik, Selasa ini. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan berkata menerusi sistem tersebut, kuasa pemerintahan sama ada negeri atau persekutuan terbahagi kepada tiga bahagian iaitu perundangan, kehakiman dan pentadbiran atau eksekutif. Katanya jika DUN mencapai tempoh genap lima tahun, hanya perundangan iaitu kuasa oleh wakil rakyat yang akan terbubar sementara kehakiman dan pentadbiran masih ada dan perlu dijalankan. "Kita mengamalkan pemisahan kuasa dan apabila sampai tarikh itu (26 Mac) hanya DUN iaitu perundangan yang akan terbubar tapi eksekutif dan kehakiman masih ada," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas menyampaikan Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) kepada pesara tentera dan merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung Kelab Bekas Anggota Perisai Kuala Lumpur di Kem Sunggala, di sini hari ini. Beliau diminta mengulas mengenai kenyataan pakar perlembagaan Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari yang menyatakan kerajaan negeri ini akan menjadi kerajaan haram jika terus beroperasi selepas 26 Mac, seperti disiarkan beberapa portal berita pembangkang, baru-baru ini. Mohamad berkata kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh bekas pensyarah Universiti Islam Antarabangsa itu adalah tidak tepat dan boleh mengelirukan serta mencetuskan kebimbangan rakyat. Katanya selepas DUN terbubar, kerajaan sementara di bawah kuasa eksekutif atau pentadbiran akan tertubuh di mana fungsinya untuk meneruskan pentadbiran dan pengurusan kerajaan negeri dan isu kerajaan negeri ini akan menjadi kerajaan haram selepas DUN terbubar sepatutnya tidak timbul. "Jangan suntuk sangat pandangan. Memang benar dia (Abdul Aziz) adalah pakar perundangan dan perlembagaan tetapi dia tidak nampak di sebalik apa yang sepatutnya diadakan iaitu kerajaan sementara," katanya. Mengikut Undang-undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri, DUN Negeri Sembilan akan terbubar dengan sendiri Selasa ini apabila mencapai tempoh genap lima tahun iaitu bermula persidangan pertamanya selepas Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12 lalu. Pada majlis berkenaan, seramai 30 bekas tentera yang berkhidmat semasa zaman darurat pertama dan kedua menerima pingat PJM yang disampaikan Mohamad mewakili Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. — Bernama |
| Nor Mohamed: Sokongan kaum India kepada kerajaan ikhlas Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:45 AM PDT  Nor Mohamed berkata ketika ini, sudah ramai orang India yang telah mengecapi keselesaan hidup. – Gambar fail TASEK GELUGOR, 24 Mac — Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop yakin sokongan kaum India terhadap kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) adalah ikhlas kerana mereka sedar kerajaan begitu prihatin membantu mereka menerusi pelbagai usaha. Beliau berkata kerajaan melalui pelbagai mekanisme telah membantu kaum tersebut dari aspek ekonomi, pendidikan serta sosial agar mereka juga dapat menikmati manfaat daripada kemajuan negara. "Kita (BN) buat ini tujuan ikhlas untuk bantu komuniti India, bukan untuk semata-mata undi BN, jadi apabila mereka (kaum India) tahu keikhlasan BN mereka dengan sendirinya dapat berfikir secara positif tentang kebaikan kerajaan. "Oleh itu mereka dengan sendirinya dan rela hati menyokong BN tanpa sebarang paksaan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan program 'Bonding For Success' anjuran Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) di perkarangan Flat Taman Tasek Rethina, Tasek gelugor di sini hari ini. Program yang telah dimulakan sejak 2008 itu bertujuan meningkatkan semangat kerjasama dan keharmonian di kalangan masyarakat India serta memupuk semangat berdikari dalam aspek pendidikan. Nor Mohamed berkata ketika ini, sudah ramai orang India yang telah mengecapi keselesaan hidup dan mereka juga banyak yang berjaya dalam pelbagai bidang, namun begitu kerajaan terus komited membantu mereka yang masih kurang berjaya. "Usaha ini bertujuan menjadikan semua komuniti dalam negara ini hidup sebagai satu bangsa yang maju dalam sebuah negara yang maju seperti yang dihasratkan dalam Wawasan 2020," katanya. Beliau berkata hasrat Wawasan 2020 kian jelas dan berdasarkan statistik ia mungkin dapat dicapai dua tahun lebih awal iaitu pada 2018. "Jangkaan ini berdasarkan kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi negara yang berjaya dicapai sebanyak 5.6 peratus pada tahun lepas. "Selain itu banyak program transformasi yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak yang telah menampakkan kejayaannya contohnya peningkatan dalam pendapatan negara, pendapatan isi rumah bulanan serta pengurangan dalam kadar kemiskinan, inflasi dan pengangguran," katanya. – Bernama |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 — Malay cuisine is known to be flavourful, thanks to the addition of fresh spices and herbs.Ayam masak merah, a dish I always look forward to during Malay functions, especially Hari ... 
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is confident that the introduction of new initiatives under the second phase of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP 2.0) Reducing Crime will be able to bear fruit as seen in the first phase (GTP 1.0). 
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 ― All of us know of at least one friend who has decided to leave Malaysia and make a life somewhere else. But what about those who have decided to return?
Socially and on a personal level, coming home has been a positive experience for Philip (picture). He has caught up with relatives and old schoolfriends but he is not blind to his country's faults.