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Newcastle threaten deplorable ‘fans’ with lifetime bans Posted: 15 Apr 2013 07:27 AM PDT April 15, 2013 Sunderland's coach Paolo Di Canio (2nd L) and teammates celebrate with David Vaughan (L) after he scored during their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United in Newcastle, northern England April 14, 2013. – Reuters picLONDON, April 15 – Newcastle United will impose lifetime bans on "so-called fans" who created mayhem in the city centre after the team were beaten by arch-rivals Sunderland in yesterday's Premier League derby, the club said today. A statement on the Newcastle website (http://www.nufc.co.uk) said the club were "embarrassed and appalled" by the violence that followed the 3-0 home defeat. "Newcastle United have been working with Northumbria Police, and will continue to do so, in order to identify all of the individuals concerned," the statement added. "The Club will take the strongest possible action against those involved in the disturbances and will impose immediate lifetime bans on all those found guilty. "These deplorable individuals have no place at Newcastle United and bring shame on the Club and the vast majority of its proper, law-abiding fans." Four police officers were injured when trouble broke out, with bottles thrown and rubbish bins set on fire as mounted officers tried to move crowds back to allow visiting fans to be escorted to stations. Northumbria Police said 29 arrests were made during the game which ended in Sunderland's biggest top flight win at Newcastle since 1966 and their first there in nearly 13 years. A police spokesman said officers were studying CCTV footage of the city centre to identify the troublemakers. British newspapers condemned the violence in both Newcastle and at Wembley Stadium on Saturday when Millwall fans fought with each other and the police during their team's FA Cup semi-final against Wigan Athletic. The Daily Telegraph headline ran "English Disease Returns" and the Daily Mail feared a "Return to the Dark Ages". The violence at Wembley started before halftime but escalated during the second half and observers said many fans were either drunk or taking drugs before the fighting began. Fourteen people were arrested at Wembley on Saturday, 12 of them Millwall fans, for offences including affray, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of Class A drugs, ticket touting and assaults on police. Millwall have also threatened life bans against any fans convicted for their actions on Saturday. – Reuters

Motor racing: Wolff to sell stake in Williams Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:45 AM PDT April 15, 2013 Williams Formula One driver Pastor Maldonaldo of Venezuela drives during the Chinese F1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, April 14, 2013. – Reuters picMANAMA, April 15 – Former Williams Executive Director Toto Wolff will sell his 16 per cent stake in the Formula One team now that he has moved to rivals Mercedes, but only when he finds the right buyer. The 41-year-old Austrian left former world champions Williams in January when he was appointed head of motorsport activities at Mercedes, where he will have a 30 per cent shareholding in their F1 team. At the time, Williams said Wolff would retain his shareholding in the team where his Scottish wife Susie is a development driver. Wolff said at the Chinese Grand Prix, before travelling to Bahrain for this weekend's race, that he had given a commitment to Mercedes to dispose of the shares thereby avoiding any conflict of interest. "Even if operationally it is not a conflict, because here (at Mercedes) I am a director and I'm not there (at Williams) any more, it doesn't give a good light," he said. "But I owe Frank (Williams) and the family and the whole team there to do it with responsibility. I cannot just go into the market and say 'who wants to buy these shares?' and that's it," added Wolff. "If I sell, I have to find somebody who is responsible enough, who is coming in for the sport, who understands how the team functions, hopefully a sponsor. And it is not so easy to find somebody who is suitable." Wolff said he was under no time pressure from Mercedes. British-based Williams Grand Prix Holdings, which includes the Formula One team, was listed on the Entry Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in a March 2011 public offering of 21 per cent of existing shares. Wolff has been a shareholder since 2009. The team currently have no title sponsor but their major backer is Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, who arrived with Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado in 2011. "Toto is a big shareholder and he's a great shareholder," Williams deputy principal Claire Williams, team founder Frank's daughter, said. "He worked really hard last year to help with the team. "If he feels there's conflict then he has to make the decision in the best interests of his position and we would respect that. But we'll wait and see what happens. "I think if Toto does sell, he would be responsible as to the buyer he sells it to," she added. "I have conversations with him regularly and I know he wouldn't do anything to harm the team." Williams said the team was still open to a title sponsor, even though PDVSA have enough branding on the car and make a big enough contribution to be seen as one, and was always looking for more budget. "We are doing a good job on the commercial front," she said. "We are financially stable and have a good healthy budget to go racing with. We're not complaining about that and there aren't concerns that we aren't going to be here next year." – Reuters

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Psy’s ‘Gentleman’ video reaches 10 million YouTube hits Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:09 AM PDT April 15, 2013 South Korean singer Psy performs his hit "Gangnam Style" during a morning television appearance in central Sydney in this October 17, 2012 file photograph. — Reuters picSEOUL, April 15 — "Gangnam Style" star Psy's new music video had been watched more than 10 million times on YouTube less than 24 hours after he unveiled his much-anticipated new dance in Seoul, the website showed yesterday. The South Korean pop star on Saturday performed for the first time the new hip-swinging dance aimed at replicating the global success of "Gangnam Style" and its famed horse-riding moves in his latest single called "Gentleman". The video, released a day after the song hit online stores worldwide, registered 10.7 million hits in the 15 hours after its debut at a packed concert in the South Korean capital as curious fans flocked to the video-sharing site. It shows Psy, wearing his signature sunglasses, dancing at various locations in and around Seoul including a high-end clothing store, restaurant and swimming pool. The story line features the singer teasing and playing practical jokes on women, such as pulling their chairs away as they are about to sit, before meeting his match. It was the video of "Gangnam Style", and in particular Psy's signature horse-riding dance, that pushed him to global stardom last year after it was posted on YouTube and turned into a viral sensation. A satire on the luxury lifestyle of Seoul's upscale Gangnam district, it has become the most-watched YouTube video of all time, registering more than 1.5 billion views since it debuted last July. The song topped charts around the world, and inspired a horde of online tributes and parodies, as well as flash mobs of thousands of dancing fans in cities such as Paris and Milan. Reactions to the latest electro-dance song were mixed but video — showing the quirky singer's signature self-mocking humour as well as the new hip-swiveling dance — left more fans impressed. "The beat is quite catchy! I'm sitting here shaking my hips side to side even though i have no idea what he's saying," said one Youtube comment. "Mark my words. This WILL be the second video to make it 1,000,000,000," said another commentator, while some others said "R.I.P, Harlem Shake," in reference to another viral hit that swept the world recently. "Gentleman" contains more English lyrics than "Gangnam Style" in a clear nod to the singer's newfound global audience. "Let me tell you about myself. I'm such a charmer with guts, vigour and humour," Psy sings in Korean before launching into the song's English catch-line: "I'm a mother-father gentleman." — AFP/Relaxnews

Nepalese presenter sets talk show world record Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:02 AM PDT April 15, 2013 KATHMANDU, April 15 — A Nepalese presenter has set the world record for the longest television talk show by staying on air for 62 hours and 12 minutes, organisers said yesterday. A talk show "aimed to spread the message to the world that the Buddha was born in Nepal" stayed om air for more than 62 hours. — AFP picRabi Lamichhane, a 36-year-old based in the US, returned to Kathmandu to stage the "Lord Buddha Was Born in Nepal" programme, which took the Guinness world record late Saturday night. "Our campaign was aimed to spread the message to the world that the Buddha was born in Nepal," said Anil Joshi, Chairman of News24, the television station broadcasting the program told AFP, adding that the programme promoted tourism destinations such as Mount Everest. One hundred guests, ranging from former Maoist rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to the Indian ambassador to Nepal, to Nepalese television celebrities and common people joined Lamichhane during the programme. Lamichhane's performance broke the record previously held by Pavlo Kuzheyev and Tetiana Danylenko for a 52-hour broadcast to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ukraine's independence in 2011. According to Guinness World Records rules, Lamichhane was allowed five minutes every hour for a break. Organizers said he ate some meals while interviewing guests, banked several of the slots for a longer rest period and otherwise survived on energy drinks. The show was recorded in the Nepali language with English subtitles from the News24 studio in Kathmandu, and was live-streamed on the channel's website and several partner websites. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Scientists find Antarctic ice is melting faster Posted: 15 Apr 2013 08:29 AM PDT April 15, 2013 A seal swims by icebergs in the Antarctic. The summer ice melt in parts of Antarctica is at its highest level in 1,000 years. – Reuters picCANBERRA, April 15 – The summer ice melt in parts of Antarctica is at its highest level in 1,000 years, Australian and British researchers reported today, adding new evidence of the impact of global warming on sensitive Antarctic glaciers and ice shelves. Researchers from the Australian National University and the British Antarctic Survey found data taken from an ice core also shows the summer ice melt has been 10 times more intense over the past 50 years compared with 600 years ago. "It's definitely evidence that the climate and the environment is changing in this part of Antarctica," lead researcher Nerilie Abram said. Abram and her team drilled a 364-metre (400-yard) deep ice core on James Ross Island, near the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, to measure historical temperatures and compare them with summer ice melt levels in the area. They found that, while the temperatures have gradually increased by 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.9 degrees Fahrenheit) over 600 years, the rate of ice melting has been most intense over the past 50 years. That shows the ice melt can increase dramatically in climate terms once temperatures hit a tipping point. "Once your climate is at that level where it is starting to go above zero degrees, the amount of melt that will happen is very sensitive to any further increase in temperature you may have," Abram said. Robert Mulvaney, from the British Antarctic Survey, said the stronger ice melts are likely responsible for faster glacier ice loss and some of the dramatic collapses from the Antarctic ice shelf over the past 50 years. Their research was published in the Nature Geoscience journal. – Reuters

Motor race draws world gaze to Bahrain, Arab Spring’s forgotten corner Posted: 15 Apr 2013 12:29 AM PDT April 15, 2013 Protesters carrying Bahraini flags march during an anti-government rally organised by Bahrain's main opposition group Al Wefaq, in Bilad-Al-Qadeem, April 13, 2013. — Reuters picMANAMA, April 15 — On the wall of a home in the Bahraini village of al-Aali, 20-year-old Hassan peered through a black balaclava to admire his latest artwork: a circle around the phrase F1 crossed out in red spray paint. The sentiment is shared by many Bahraini Shi'ites — the majority in this Sunni-ruled kingdom — who say the Formula One Grand Prix race Bahrain will host April 19-21 should be cancelled, as it was in 2011 when authorities crushed pro-democracy protests inspired by the 'Arab Spring'. Two years on daily clashes still erupt, largely unnoticed outside the region. The race will once again draw international attention to Bahrain. The 2012 meeting was accompanied by nightly skirmishes between protesters and security forces. This year, says Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, the signs are that tensions in the kingdom have eased and the risk of protests has diminished. That's a view opposition activists reject. "Of course we're against it," said Amani Ali, a 22-year-old university student dressed in the black garb typical of conservative Shi'ite women, standing a few metres from Hassan at the first of a series of opposition-organised marches. "The race brings money to the regime, which they use to buy weapons and attack us." Many of the companies who help to finance Formula One are limiting their sponsorship involvement, although the firms, including Vodafone and Diageo, say the reasons are operational, not political. Formula One makes most of its money from hosting fees paid by race venues and from television rights. Bahrain pays an estimated US$40 million (RM120 million) annually to be part of the 19-race calendar. Home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, Bahrain has faced unrest since pro-democracy protests broke out in February 2011, pitting a Shi'ite-dominated opposition against the minority Sunni-led government, led by the Al Khalifa family. The protest was crushed, dozens of people were killed and authorities razed "Pearl Square" where mostly Shi'ite demonstrators camped out in central Manama in 2011. Now weekly sessions of a reconciliation effort between government and opposition known as the "national dialogue" take place outside Manama. But daily confrontations between stone-and-petrol-bomb throwing youths and birdshot-and-teargas firing police reflect a bitter political atmosphere. Vehicles travel past a large Bahrain Formula One advertising billboard on main highway leading to Bahrain International Circuit, in Manama April 9, 2013. — Reuters pic Watched by millions Watched by millions around the world, the Grand Prix is the biggest sporting event hosted by Bahrain and authorities are eager to showcase Bahrain in its best light. The protesters know the race will not be cancelled. They feel there is an opportunity to use the media spotlight to highlight what they say are injustices still being committed against them. The Shi'ite majority complain of discrimination in jobs and government while their loyalty in turn is questioned by members of Bahrain's Sunni ruling family, bound by historical and marriage ties to neighbouring Saudi Arabia. For the most part, the opposition feels the West and friendly Sunni-ruled Arab states are ignoring their plight, as more horrific headlines from the civil war in Syria and Egypt's major economic problems dominate media coverage. "People are getting killed. They (the government) wants to show that there's nothing wrong in Bahrain," said Hassan, at the same protest in al-Aali in which thousands were calling for greater freedoms and for the downfall of the king. A drive through the capital Manama and nearby rich suburbs showcase multi-lane highways, glittering five-star hotels, business towers and billboards advertising concerts. It is impossible to ignore the omnipresent pictures of the top three royal figures: King Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman al-Khalifa plastered on malls, schools and billboards across the city. But a few minutes drive into poorer Shi'ite villages, and the skyscrapers are replaced by simple homes, many displaying graffiti that says "Down with Hamad", "The people want the downfall of the regime", and "Death to the Al Khalifa family". Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa is pictured with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in Riffa April 10, 2013. — Reuters pic 'Not a country in crisis' National dialogue talks that began in February have been in deadlock as both sides accuse each other of intransigence. The tensions reflect the sectarian faultline in which Shi'ite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia are vying for influence in a region where traditional alliances are being recalibrated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. The government denies opposition allegations of arbitrary arrests and abuse by security forces. Last month, Hussein, a protest leader, said a group of men accosted him as he drove in his car late at night, and beat him. "They told me say 'Long live the King'," he said. The men asked him if he participated in protests to which he replied that he joined government authorised ones. The men forced him to strip to his underwear and asked him the same question to which he gave the same reply. They then stripped him completely and asked him whether he would join protests, to which he replied no. "This time we'll let you go," he said the men told him. Information Minister Samira Rajab denied security forces would have carried out such an action. On many evenings youths block roads with palm tree trunks and couches, burn tyres and throw petrol bombs and iron rods at police forces who fire teargas and bird shot bullets. Against the backdrop of low-grade violence, Western diplomats acknowledge the challenge posed to the dialogue talks but hope they will eventually progress. "There's a lot of mutual suspicion and they have to get through that," said a Western diplomat in Manama."But both sides recognise that 'We need a dialogue'. I'm reasonably confident that this dialogue will yield positive results. This is not a country in crisis, not a country on fire." — Reuters

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‘Little Prince’ celebrates 70th anniversary Posted: 14 Apr 2013 05:52 PM PDT Sassy schoolmarm By Alan Wong KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Miss Seetoh in the World, which was first published in November 2010, is "a very special book for two reasons", Singapore-based author Catherine Lim blogged."Firstly, it came at ... Read More

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Adik Teoh Beng Hock dan tiga aktivis ditahan dibalai polis Bidor, Perak Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:19 AM PDT April 15, 2013 KUALA LUMPUR, 15 April – Adik kepada Teoh Beng Hock, Teoh Lee Lan dan tiga lagi aktivis telah ditahan dibalai polis Bidor, Perak selepas mengedarkan risalah menuntut perubahan kerajaan dan keadilan untuk pembantu ahli majlis mesyuarat negeri (Exco) DAP Selangor yang mati dalam tahanan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) empat tahun lalu. Koordinator bagi badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) 'Rakyat Malaysia untuk Beng Hock', Ng Yap Hwa merupakan antara yang ditahan mengatakan kumpulan tersebut terserempak dengan sekumpulan polis yang tidak berpakaian seragam. "Kami bertanya apakah kami ditahan, tetapi mereka tidak memberitahu apa-apa. Mereka menyuruh kami bekerjasama dan mengikut mereka ke balai polis untuk penyiasatan," kata Ng dipetik dari sebuah portal berita. Menurut Ng, mereka terpaksa mengikut polis oleh kerana MyKad milik mereka berada bersama polis. Ng percaya mereka akan didakwa di bawah Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan (PPPA) tetapi masih belum disahkan oleh pihak polis. "ADUN DAP A Sivanesan menghubungi pegawai Special Branch apabila mengetahui tentang ini. "Beliau diberitahu kami disiasat di bawah PPPA oleh kerana risalah tidak menyatakan tentang pencetak," kata Ng dipetik dari portal berita Malaysiakini.

Mufti Perlis akan bertanding di Kangar atas tiket PKR Posted: 15 Apr 2013 12:41 AM PDT April 15, 2013 Pengerusi PKR Perlis Mohd Faisol Abdul Rahman mengatakan pencalonan Dr Juanda akan memberikan peluang cerah kepada PKR untuk merampas kerusi Kangar. – Gambar fail KUALA LUMPUR, 15 April — Mufti Besar Perlis Dr Juanda Jaya akan bertanding di kerusi Parlimen Kangar atas tiket PKR pada Pilihan Raya 2013 pada 5 Mei ini. Pengerusi PKR negeri Mohd Faisol Abdul Rahman mengatakan pencalonan Dr Juanda akan memberikan peluang cerah kepada PKR untuk merampas kerusi yang menjadi kuat Barisan Nasional (BN) secara turun temurun itu. "Kangar adalah kerusi Parlimen terbesar di negeri itu dengan kira-kira 50,000 pengundi dan kita optimis untuk menang," katanya dipetik dari The Star Online. Dr Juanda yang berasal dari Sarawak dan rakannya bekas Mufti Perlis Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin sebelum ini dilaporkan antara individu yang cuba dipancing BN dan Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Kerusi Parlimen Kangar disandang Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad dari Umno yang menewaskan calon PKR Tunku Abdul Rahman Tunku Ismail dengan majoriti 13,600 undi pada Pilihan Raya 2008. Sejumlah 13.3 juta pengundi, termasuk 5,200 dari luar negera dijangka akan mengundi untuk 222 kerusi parlimen dan 505 kerusi DUN pada pilihan raya umum 5 Mei. Sarawak telah mengadakan pilihan raya negeri pada 2011.

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Not giving up on Team Malaysia Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:38 PM PDT April 15, 2013 Johan Merican is CEO of TalentCorp. He believes it's great to be foolishly optimistic and good fun to try making a difference. You can give your feedback by emailing [email protected] APRIL 15 — On April 7, the UKEC Graduan career fair in London attracted about 3,000 Malaysian undergraduates and over 30 leading employers from Malaysia.  Many employers had senior representation, with CEOs, managing partners and HR directors engaging young talent on the exciting professional opportunities on offer in Malaysia. In talking about English football with some of the students there in London, I likened being a loyal Malaysian to being a Liverpool fan, a long-suffering one at that.  There are some I noted who supported other football teams in their youth but later on, coinciding with winning ways, suddenly emerged as Manchester City or Chelsea fans. Such is the case with fair-weather friends. As a fan I would assert that there is no denying that Liverpool is and remains a great football club. Liverpool has won the most trophies. However, recent times and form have not been kind, enough to shake the faith of even the most ardent fan. It is noteworthy how in recent years Liverpool continues to be able to perform well against the best of teams and yet stumble against lesser teams.  Nevertheless, hope remains that we will not walk alone and that with more of the right talent like Suarez, Liverpool's fortunes will be transformed. Perhaps a stretched analogy but Malaysia is and remains a great nation. Malaysia has been successful to the extent of being the envy of many developing nations.  The Growth Report (2008) acknowledges Malaysia as one of only 13 countries in the world that has enjoyed sustained high economic growth since 1950. In the World Bank's "Doing Business 2013", Malaysia leaped to 12th position, improving from 18th position in 2011 and 23rd in 2010. Despite a challenging global economic scenario, private investment growth in Malaysia exceeded by 20 per cent in 2012. We have abundant resources, competitive businesses, a strong financial system, world-class infrastructure and top talent (though we could do with more…). In many areas, Malaysia stands tall among nations in the world. Yet, many Malaysians are disheartened. Like Liverpool, we can rise to the occasion, such as overcoming a financial crisis but at the same time lack the consistency to excel in some fundamental areas.  For this reason, the Government Transformation Programme hopes to address areas such as education and crime. Even on the economic front where we continue to advance, many companies are not evolving quickly enough from a low-cost model.  Thus, there remains a significant wage arbitrage that continues to fuel potential brain drain. We are not there yet as a developed nation nor will we get there if we don't have the right talent to see through the nation's transformation. It is perhaps too easy to be negative, focusing on the problems. Perhaps I am too much of an optimist in believing that even Liverpool can be champions again. However, like Liverpool FC, Malaysia has achieved much and has a great deal going for us.  In addition to our internal strengths as an economy, we also have this window of opportunity to ride on the momentum of global economic growth being in Asia. Yes, we have our issues but we have this great opportunity to become a champion among nations. In the same spirit, I was inspired by the last line in an article  I read on this website: "And you know what? If you are not here, you can't make things better."  To add on to that, I would like to also paraphrase Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings during a moment of despair: "That there's some good in Malaysia (world) and it's worth fighting for."  Sam must be a Liverpool fan.  * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

Menjelang tarikh mengundi Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:28 PM PDT April 15, 2013 Uthaya Sankar SB berkarya dalam Bahasa Malaysia. Beliau adalah presiden Kumpulan Sasterawan Kavyan (Kavyan) dan pemilik tunggal Perunding Media, Motivasi dan Penerbitan Uthaya. Selain menulis, membaca dan bercakap, beliau juga suka menonton filem. 15 APRIL — Sebaik sahaja tarikh mengundi untuk memilih ketua panchayat ditetapkan, Pragalath melipat-gandakan kempen untuk memikat hati penduduk. Malah, sebenarnya, dia sudah berkempen sejak dua bulan lalu. Niatnya adalah untuk menjadi ketua panchayat supaya boleh mengaut untung dengan cara menyalah gunakan kuasa. Rakan-rakannya tahu mengenai rancangan itu dan sama-sama berharap akan turut mendapat sedikit habuan nanti. Panchayat adalah majlis timbang tara dalam amalan hidup kaum India yang diwarisi daripada nenek-moyang di Benua Kecil India. Tarafnya lebih kurang seperti mahkamah penghulu dalam kalangan orang Melayu, tetapi tidak sama.  Pada asalnya, panchayat di Siru Kambam diwakili oleh lima (panca) orang warga tua terhormat di kampung berkenaan. Akan tetapi, mengikut peredaran zaman, panchayat mula dipengerusikan oleh seorang sahaja; biasanya ketua kampung.  Sebagai usaha menyemarakkan semangat demokrasi dan memberikan kuasa memilih kepada penduduk, maka sejak puluhan tahun dahulu, pilihan raya diadakan bagi memberi peluang kepada penduduk kaum India memilih ketua panchayat. Pemilihan biasanya diadakan sebulan selepas tarikh pilihan raya umum. Maka, pemilihan pada kali ini ditetapkan pada 2 Jun 2013. Namun begitu, Pragalath sudah mula mengelilingi kampung kecil ini sejak bulan Februari dan berusaha memancing undi. Penduduk perlu memilih ketua panchayat yang adil dan berwibawa. — Ilustrasi oleh Chew Xiong-ieSaya mengenali Pragalath sejak kami sama-sama belajar di Universiti Malaya. Malah, saya mendapat tahu mengenai sikap dan perangainya semasa di maktab perguruan daripada beberapa rakan yang sama-sama belajar dengannya dahulu. Kemudian, apabila Pragalath menjadi guru di Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Ladang Siru Kambam, saya masih berpeluang untuk mengikuti perkembangan dirinya. Ringkasnya, dia seorang individu yang tidak berintegriti dan tidak amanah. Maka, saya sedikit pun tidak hairan apabila mendapat tahu bahawa pemuda itu mula bergiat aktif dalam Pertubuhan Politik India (PPI) cawangan Siru Kambam. Turut sama ialah Laksamana iaitu budak pejabat di SJKT Ladang Siru Kambam. Berbekalkan sokongan padu PPI jugalah Pragalath dicalonkan untuk bertanding jawatan ketua panchayat Siru Kambam. PPI memerlukan "orang"nya memegang jawatan itu supaya mudah dimanipulasi dan diperalatkan demi kepentingan politik. Pada pemilihan lalu (April 2008), Murugan bertanding atas sokongan PPI. Lawannya ialah Sivanesan yang bertanding atas niat mahu meneruskan tradisi panchayat yang menjadi sebahagian budaya kaum India.  Peluang merebut jawatan dalam parti politik Walaupun PPI menggunakan kuasa wang untuk membantu Murugan berkempen, penduduk Siru Kambam memilih Sivanesan bagi jawatan penting itu. Mesej jelas yang dihantar oleh penduduk adalah bahawa mereka mahukan ketua panchayat yang berwibawa, beretika dan berjiwa rakyat. Bagi pemilihan pada kali ini, Pragalath menawarkan diri kerana dia memang pandai membodek dan mengampu pihak berkenaan dalam PPI. Akhirnya, PPI bersetuju untuk menaja kos kempen bagi memungkinkan lelaki itu menjadi ketua panchayat.  Pragalath memang menjadi pilihan utama PPI kerana individu yang korup seperti itu mudah dimanipulasi dan dijadikan boneka untuk mencapai agenda politik di Siru Kambam. Bagi Pragalath pula, dia melihat jawatan ketua panchayat selama lima tahun sebagai peluang baik untuk mengayakan diri dan bersedia merebut jawatan lebih tinggi dalam PPI. Maka, dia bersama-sama Laksamana pergi ke hulu ke hilir untuk memujuk para penduduk supaya memilihnya menjadi ketua panchayat. Mereka memberikan "hadiah" dan "sumbangan" berupa beras, susu dan bijirin kepada hampir semua keluarga kaum India di Siru Kambam. BarU-baru ini, timbul desas-desus bahawa PPI mungkin menyokong Murugan supaya kembali bertanding merebut jawatan ketua panchayat. Sebaik sahaja mendengar khabar itu, Laksamana pergi bertemu lelaki berkenaan dan memberi amaran. "Pragalath sudah mula membuat kempen dengan menggunakan wang sendiri. Awak jangan kacau daun. Saya memerlukan Pragalath menjadi ketua panchayat supaya saya boleh memiliki Ladang Tebu Siru Kambam," kata lelaki itu kepada Murugan. Dipendekkan cerita, pada keesokan hari, Murugan mengumumkan bahawa dia mahu menumpukan perhatian pada kerja-kerja dalam parti PPI dan tidak ada apa-apa cadangan untuk bertanding merebut jawatan ketua panchayat Siru Kambam. Dia tidak mendedahkan kepada sesiapa mengenai ugutan dan amaran yang diterima daripada Pragalath. Pragalath sudah membayangkan dirinya duduk di bawah pohon beringin tidak jauh dari Kuil Sivaperuman dan menyelesaikan pelbagai isu dalam kalangan masyarakat kaum India di Siru Kambam. Lebih daripada itu, dia sudah merancang mempengaruhi jawatankuasa kuil supaya sejumlah wang masuk ke akaunnya secara berkala. Usaha PPI untuk menutup SJKT Ladang Siru Kambam pada suatu masa dahulu menemui kegagalan. Misi tambahan Pragalath adalah untuk memastikan sekolah itu ditutup dan PPI mendapat untung apabila tanah itu dijual kepada pemaju perumahan. Pastilah habuan akan turut dimilikinya. Laksamana pula awal-awal lagi sudah meminta supaya dokumen hak milik ladang tebu terbesar di Siru Kambam ditukar ke atas namanya. Maka, dapatlah dia menjual tanah itu kepada orang luar untuk mengaut untung besar. Sekali lagi, habuan menanti Pragalath. Keyakinan Pragalath untuk merampas jawatan penting sebagai ketua panchayat juga berikutan pengesahan bahawa Sivanesan menghidap penyakit barah. Doktor pakar mengesahkan perkara itu (mengenai penyakit yang dihidap Sivanesan; bukan mengenai keyakinan Pragalath) pada tahun lalu.  Sivanesan dinasihatkan supaya berehat. Namun begitu, lelaki berkenaan terus giat melaksanakan tugas dan tanggungjawab seperti biasa. Umpama memilih Ahli Parlimen, ADUN "Saya tidak patut menjadikan masalah peribadi saya sebagai alasan untuk tidak menjalankan tugas seperti yang diamanahkan oleh para penduduk. Betullah saya disahkan menghidap barah dan mungkin tiada peluang untuk hidup lama. Tapi adakah itu alasan untuk mengetepikan kerja-kerja sebagai ketua panchayat? Tambahan pula, ajal dan maut di tangan Tuhan." Demikian Sivanesan berkata kepada beberapa penduduk yang mengunjunginya sebaik keluar hospital. Sepanjang dia menjadi ketua panchayat, para penduduk memang berpuas hati dengan mutu kerjanya.  Kalau boleh, mereka mahu Sivanesan bertanding lagi dan terus memegang jawatan ketua panchayat. Akan tetapi, mereka sedar bahawa tindakan itu mungkin kurang adil memandangkan lelaki berkenaan menghidap barah. Namun begitu, hasil rawatan yang diterima, keadaannyadilaporkan  lebih baik dan doktor sendiri hairan melihat perubahan positif pada diri Sivanesan. Maka, dua minggu lalu, Sivanesan mengesahkan akan bertanding bagi mempertahankan jawatan ketua panchayat. Tentulah pengumuman itu menjadi tamparan hebat kepada Pragalath yang telah mengharapkan peluang untuk menang mudah. Berbekalkan bantuan dana daripada PPI, Pragalath meningkatkan kempen dan kerja-kerja memberi "sumbangan ikhlas" dan "bantuan" kepada penduduk kaum India di Siru Kambam. Bantuan turut diberi kepada penduduk kaum-kaum lain dengan harapan mereka akan memujuk, menasihat dan mempengaruhi jiran kaum India supaya mengundi Pragalath pada tarikh mengundi. "Terimalah bantuan ikhlas daripada kami. Bukan hanya Barisan Nasional dan MIC yang bermurah hati memberikan beras kepada penduduk kaum India yang miskin di seluruh negara menjelang Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13. PPI juga prihatin terhadap nasib penduduk kaum India di Siru Kambam. Terimalah sumbangan ikhlas daripada kami dan jangan lupa membalas budi apabila tiba tarikh mengundi nanti." Sebagai individu yang ada sokongan padu daripada PPI, Pragalath mampu melakukan apa sahaja demi memastikan kemenangan berpihak kepadanya. Halal atau haram tidak menjadi persoalan. Malah, pengalamannya sejak di maktab perguruan dahulu menjadikannya seorang individu yang tidak amanah, tidak berwibawa, tidak bermaruah, tidak boleh dipercayai dan tidak boleh diharap. Ringkasnya, Pragalath adalah seorang calon politikus yang hebat mengikut kriteria, acuan dan budaya PPI. Kalau dilihat dari segi kempen hebat yang dijalankan, seolah-olah lelaki itu akan menang mudah berikutan tindakan penduduk tampil "membalas budi". Walau bagaimanapun, harapan saya adalah bahawa sebagai kelompok masyarakat yang bijak dan berfikiran waras, penduduk Siru Kambam tidak akan masuk dalam perangkap yang ditebarkan oleh Pragalath dan Laksamana serta konco-konco PPI. Janganlah semata-mata kerana sekampit beras, maruah tergadai. Sebaliknya, penduduk Siru Kambam perlu memberi pengajaran kepada Pragalath, Laksamana dan PPI bahawa mereka tidak boleh diperalatkan dan diperbodohkan. Penduduk perlu membuktikan bahawa jawatan ketua panchayat hanya layak diberikan kepada individu berwibawa dan amanah. Sama seperti jawatan Ahli Parlimen dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN). Namun begitu, sebagai kembar kepada Laksamana, saya tidak dapat berkempen secara terbuka. Saya hanya mampu menulis catatan berupa pendedahan dan menyebarkan maklumat menerusi kertas A4 yang diselitkan pada helaian akhbar. Setiap pagi, anak saya menunggang basikal dan menghantar akhbar ke rumah-rumah di sekitar Siru Kambam. Semoga para penduduk membaca catatan pada kertas-kertas fotokopi yang diselitkan itu lalu menyedari niat sebenar Pragalath dan kembar saya. * Uthaya Sankar SB menulis faksyen ini sebagai sebahagian kempen menolak calon PRU-13 yang korup dan tidak berwibawa. * Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis.

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