Jumaat, 7 Februari 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food

Communist Vietnam gets first taste of the Big Mac

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 09:38 PM PST

February 08, 2014

Four decades after the Vietnam war ended, US fast-food giant McDonald's opened its first restaurant in the communist country today, aiming to lure a rising middle class away from rice and noodles.

The arrival of one of the most potent symbols of US capitalism in southern Ho Chi Minh City – known as Saigon when American troops dramatically withdrew in 1975 – is the result of a partnership with the son-in-law of Vietnam's powerful Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

McDonald's is following US rivals Burger King, KFC and coffee giant Starbucks into Vietnam – a country many Americans associate more with an unpopular war than a newly wealthy middle class.

But with its 90 million-strong population and average per capita income of more than $1,500 (RM4,995), "Vietnam is on the radar now" for US franchises, said Sean Ngo, managing director of consulting firm Vietnam Franchises Ltd.

Critics say that Vietnam's rapid economic growth since "Doi Moi" reforms opened up the country in the early 1990s masks rising inequality and inefficiencies in an economy still dominated by state-owned enterprises.

But signs of the country's rising affluence were on display today as hundreds of people queued at the McDonald's store on Ho Chi Minh City's Dien Bien Phu street – named after the battle that forced the French to withdraw from their former colony Vietnam.

"I like fast-food. I don't like Vietnamese food. I don't like fish sauce," Nguyen Hoang Long, 25, told AFP as he devoured a Big Mac meal, referring to the pungent condiment made from fermented fish and sea salt that is used liberally in local cooking.

A Big Mac costs about $2.85 at the new outlet, while a bowl of traditional pho noodle soup can be bought on most street corners for around $1.50.

The arrival of McDonald's marks a full turnaround for the fortunes of US brands in former wartime foe Vietnam.

Iconic brands such as Coca-Cola were available in US-allied South Vietnam until the end of the war, but the companies pulled out after the communist victory which paved the way for the unification of the country in 1975.

McDonald's local partner, Henry Nguyen, stood outside the store today directing traffic – mostly motorbikes and the odd cyclo – into the drive-thru.

Also known as Nguyen Bao Hoang, he once flipped burgers for McDonald's while growing up in the United States, where his family fled at the end of the war. He returned to his native country more than a decade ago. – AFP, February 8, 2014.

Poon Choy for the festive feasting

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 05:08 PM PST

BY EU HOOI KHAW
February 08, 2014

Poon Choy at Di Wei – a pot full of flavours and textures. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014. There is significance sharing a pot of Poon Choy, which was originally meant for communal feasting, during Chinese New Year.

It's the most important festival of the year and is a time for family reunions and rejoicing. The Yee Sang all tossed up. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014. Poon Choy was created out of necessity during the late Song Dynasty in the 13th century in China when the emperor was forced to flee an invasion.

He landed with his army in the region of Guangdong Province and the New Territories. The local people gathered all the best food, cooked it in wooden wash basins as there were not enough containers, and served the emperor and his soldiers.

"Poon" in Cantonese means basin. Poon Choy is usually cooked in a claypot or ceramic pot now instead of a basin, and layered with ingredients, with a logical, culinary order to it.

At Di Wei in the Empire Hotel Subang, the Poon Choy we had comprised 20 ingredients.

At the bottom of the Japanese ceramic pot were fish balls, fish bladder or yu piu, steamed chicken, mushrooms, prawns, lotus root, radish, crispy pork belly, Chinese cabbage, bamboo pith, beancurd stick, yam, fish cake and beancurd skin.

Layered on top of all these were fish maw, abalone, roast pork belly, Sha Jeng oysters, Japanese sea cucumber, pork shank, prawnTwo brown Nin Ko in the shape of fishes, with gold leaf on them. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014.s, scallops and roast duck.

Of course, all the premium ingredients had to be on top.

Another reason for the assembling order of ingredients is that the juices from oysters, prawns, abalone and scallops would drip down the layers to the bottom of the pot and lace them with their sweet essence.

This elaborate dish apparently needed six hours to prepare and three hours to cook it.

So I started with the small abalone, fish maw and sea cucumber, which I love, and ate them with a little soup from the pot.

It was more like a having a thick soup and I wished there was more liquid in it. I picked Nin Ko deepfried with yam. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014.out the beancurd stick, radish, bamboo pith, beancurd skin and yam, which had soaked in all the flavours of the meat and seafood and enjoyed them. The juicy radish and the soft, sticky yam were my favourites.

This Poon Choy or Fortune Bowl is a protein-rich meal which can fill you up.

Of course, before this we had tossed a Yee Sang which was light and refreshing, and notable for the apple sauce poured over it.

We added to our lunch a Chiu Yim Pai Kuat or Salt and Pepper Fried Spareribs which turned out crispy on the outside, touched with a little chilli, too, and moist and tender inside.

There was flavour in every fibre of the meat.

Ninko in the shapes of fish and imprinted with gold leaf was brought out to be admired before they werChiu Yim Pai Kuat or Spareribs, pepper and salt style. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014.e whisked back into the kitchen.

They came out sandwiched between slices of yam, dipped in batter the deepfried. The ninko was meltingly soft, spilling out at the bite through the crispy batter and the powdery yam. It was scrumptious.

While Chinese New Year ends on February 14, you can still have a feast of Poon Choy, Yee Sang and Ninko at Di Wei till February 28.

The Poon Choy with premium ingredients is priced at RM988++ (for six people), RM1,688 (for 10). You can take the Japanese ceramic pot home after your meal.

Advance booking of a day is required. There is also the other Poon Choy called the Di Wei Treasure Pot for RM428++ (for six) and RM688++ (for 10).

Di Wei Chinese Cuisine Restaurant is at the Empire Hotel, Subang Jaya, and can be accessed through Level 1 of the Empire Shopping Gallery. Tel: 03-5565 1388.

Food that rocks at Chef Choi

Sausages, waxed meat and waxed duck for the Lap Mei Farn at Chef Choi. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 8, 2014.The Lap Mei Farn, cooked with the long-grain basmati rice, rocks at Chef Choi.

This claypot rice was speckled with delicious drippings from aromatic waxed meats, local pork sausages, and the goose liver sausages from the famed Yung Kee restaurant in Hong Kong.

The excellent pork sausages, made locally, even overshadowed the gooseliver ones.

This Chinese New Year dish is a must for any dinner or lunch here at this time, as is the Sar Pei Suckling Pig with its crackling, crispy skin and tender meat, to be eaten with mantou, spring onion "flowers" and sweet sauce.

We also had a Spiced Salt Suckling Pig Ribs that were quite meaty and flavourful, with soft cartilaginous bones.

The Braised Sea Cucumber Fish Lips Soup with Bamboo Shoot is a light, smooth soup, appreciated for the gelatinous ingredients (the first two), and the crunchy bamboo shoot strips.

For the Chinese New Year season, Chef Choi has set menus for 10 at RM988+, RM1,288+, RM1,588+, RM1,888+ and RM3,388+. The more expensive menus have BBQ Crispy Suckling Pig, Yee Sang with Abalone, Steamed Live Star Garoupa and/or Mini Buddha Jumps over the Wall. – February 8, 2014.

Chef Choi is located at 159 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Tel: 03-2163 5866, website www.chefchoi.com.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Son gives Leverkusen another win at Gladbach

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 03:24 PM PST

February 08, 2014

Bayer Leverkusen's Son Heung-Min plays a ball during the German first division Bundesliga match against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Moenchengladbach, yesterday. – Reuters pic, February 8, 2014.South Korean midfielder Son Heung-min's spectacular long-range strike gave Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 win at neighbours Borussia Moenchengladbach on their favourite hunting-ground yesterday.

Second-placed Leverkusen have not lost at Gladbach for 25 years, their previous defeat coming in February 1989.

Son continued his excellent season for Leverkusen in the 62nd minute when he collected a pass around 30 metres from goal, made space for the shot and scored with a dipping effort into the far corner.

Gladbach stirred into life in the final 10 with Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno twice saving from Max Kruse and Juan Arango. Raffael shot over the top and Gladbach had a penalty appeal waved away in the dying seconds.

Early in the game Leverkusen substitute Philipp Wollscheid was booked for throwing a spare ball onto the pitch, halting a Gladbach attack after they had taken a quick throw.

The win kept Leverkusen (43 points) on the trail of leaders Bayern Munich although they are still 10 points behind the defending champions, who visit Nuremberg today.

Gladbach's season is in danger of unravelling. They have lost their last three league games and are without a win in their last five.

The Foals are fifth with 33 points, one behind Schalke 04 who play at home to Hanover 96 tomorrow, and in danger of falling behind in the race for Champions League spots. – Reuters, February 8, 2014.

West Ham fail with latest bid to overturn Carroll ban

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST

February 08, 2014

West Ham failed with a legal challenge to the Football Association's decision to uphold Andy Carroll's three-match suspension yesterday.

The Premier League club were unhappy that England striker Carroll (pic) was sent off against Swansea last week after an altercation with defender Chico Flores and their anger increased when the English FA refused to overturn the decision on appeal

Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan took the case to an independent arbitration tribunal, but they were unsuccessful again yesterday.

The tribunal rejected West Ham's case and Carroll's ban takes immediate effect, starting at Aston Villa today and continuing in fixtures against Norwich and Southampton.

An FA statement said: "An independent arbitration tribunal convened under FA Rule K has dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United and Andy Carroll in relation to the red card received by Carroll in the match between West Ham United FC and Swansea on 1 February 2014.

"The independent tribunal resolved that there was no serious issue to be tried and also awarded The FA its costs."

Carroll was dismissed by referee Howard Webb after catching Flores with a flailing arm, prompting the defender to fall theatrically to the turf, following an aerial challenge between the pair during West Ham's 2-0 win at Upton Park last weekend.

The Hammers, who desperately needed Carroll available to aid their fight to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone, had claimed the FA-appointed panel "did not apply the correct test" under its rules when making the original decision to snub their appeal.

The move to reconsider the upholding of the initial suspension with a further hearing was the last stage a dispute can reach under FA rules.

It is thought to be the first time in Premier League history that a rejected red-card appeal has then been referred to an independent arbitrator. – AFP, February 8, 2014.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

Olympics: Environment loses out in Russia’s race to Sochi

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 07:04 PM PST

February 07, 2014

A picture taken on April 23, 2009, shows stumps of the trees that were cut down in the Sochi National Park to make way for the Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre, one of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic venues. Many environmentalists recount a tale of wrecked habitat and destroyed populations of wildlife as the consequences of a massive programme to ready Sochi for the Olympic Games. - AFP pic, February 7, 2014.Just outside the Olympic Park in Sochi, where the Winter Games opens today, is a green space with benches, artificial ponds and a couple of hides. "Ornithological Park", the sign declares.

The problem is that there is not a bird in sight in the park, which was set up as a replacement for sensitive wetlands that were covered over for the construction of Games venues.

"It's a profanation," said Vladimir Zubakin, president of the Russian Bird Union, of the so-called park.

Criss-crossed by disused irrigation canals, the wetlands were a paradise for up to 65 species of birds including vulnerable Dalmatian pelicans that migrated here for the winter.

Today, the former wetlands lie buried under two metres (6.5 feet) of crushed rock, used to strengthen the spongy ground for the vast Olympic project championed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"They have been lost to the Olympic steamroller," said Zubakin. "They say it looks pretty now, but birds actually prefer mud."

A year ago, Dmitry Chernyshenko, the head of the organising committee for Russia's Winter Olympics, made a proud boast that the games would be "green" and even improve Sochi's environment.

"We are delivering the green games... (and) dramatically enhancing the environmental situation," Chernyshenko said. "This is new to our country. This is the first step to demonstrate that you can build an environment in harmony with nature."

However many environmentalists bitterly reject such talk, bemoaning wrecked habitat, destroyed wildlife populations and bungled attempts to remedy the consequences of a massive programme to ready Sochi for its opening ceremony.

A huge task

Olympstroi, the state corporation overseeing the Olympic construction programme, acknowledges that the work has affected a massive area of Sochi National Park - 8,750 acres in all - but insists that every effort has been made to avoid damage to the environment.

Gleb Vatletsov, head of the company's environmental department, said some proposed venues were ruled out, and some rare species were moved away from certain ski sites.

In addition to setting up the Ornithological Park, Olympic contractors planted 1.5 million new trees - three for every one that was cut down in the Sochi National Park to make way for Olympic sites.

"It was a huge task... we are not ashamed to talk about it," Vatletsov told AFP.

Zoologist Suren Gazaryan, a member of a regional green group, Environmental Watch on North Caucasus, said much of the planting programme had been "pointless".

The planting could never substitute for the loss of established forest, which is a complex ecosystem, Gazaryan said.

"If they planted a forest in an open field of 2,500 acres, then yes, it could theoretically be adequate," he said.

"But in any case, these are ecosystems, not a Lego set that you take apart and then rebuild somewhere else."

Many plantings were done "by unqualified employees with large-scale violations" of methodology, the environment ministry watchdog said in a court decision last year, adding that tens of thousands of rare trees that were planted as compensation were "irreparably lost".

Moreover, certain reptiles and brown bears are no longer present in the area around the mountain venues, according to official reports by Sochi National Park.

The river is the biggest shame

Another hotly contested issue is the fate of the Mzymta, Sochi's largest river, which flows from a lake in a Caucasus reserve down to the Black Sea.

A road and a railway were built along its undeveloped left bank, connecting Sochi's airport with Olympic skiing venues upstream.

Of the damage done to Sochi's wilderness, "the river is the biggest shame," said Igor Chestin, head of WWF in Russia.

The river is the spawning site of one-fifth of Russia's valuable Black Sea salmon.

"Its value as a fishery has been lost due to the change of the shape of the river, and years of pollution" since Sochi was picked as the 2014 Winter Olympics host in 2007, Chestin said.

Geologist Yevgeny Vitishko, another activist with Environmental Watch, said the rugged topography of the area had required a system of tunnels and bridges for the road and rail network. "About 15 years" would have been needed for proper study and building, he told AFP.

During the years of preparation, the Games organisers released millions of trout hatchlings into the river in several batches.

But an official monitoring report last year found no evidence that any of the fish had survived.

It said much of the Mzymta had been transformed from a clean, white-water river into a controlled waterway, tainted by chemical pollutants and debris.

Russian officials have brushed aside most of the criticism. Deputy Environment Minister Rinat Gizatulin recently advised green activists to "stop tying themselves to every tree" in Sochi and instead appreciate the new gas-fired heating plant and sewage treatment facilities.

Meanwhile activists Gazaryan and Vitishko have both been made to feel the force of the law after being convicted for property damage following a protest over a residence allegedly belonging to the local governor.

Gazaryan, who spoke to AFP from Tallinn, has since claimed asylum in Estonia. Vitishko was ordered to serve a three-year sentence in a penal colony and is currently free pending appeal. – AFP, February 7, 2014.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

Top China filmmaker pays RM4 million fine over children

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:46 AM PST

February 07, 2014

China's best-known film director Zhang Yimou (pic) has paid 7.5 million yuan (RM4.1 million) for violating the one-child policy, officials said today, closing a case that had attracted widespread attention.

Following months of rumours that he had fathered up to seven children with different women, Zhang admitted in December he has two sons and a daughter with his current wife, Chen Ting, all from before they were married. He also has a daughter with a previous wife.

The family-planning law, implemented in the late 1970s in a bid to prevent over-population, restricts most parents to one child.

Critics say the law is enforced unevenly and sometimes aggressively, with wealthy and well-connected families better able to pay fines levied for extra children.

"The Binhu district family planning bureau received through bank transfer Chen Ting and Zhang Yimou's payment of 7,487,854 yuan," the district government said through its verified social media account.

The district is part of Chen's hometown of eastern Wuxi city.

The case took nine teams more than six months to investigate and the couple's unwillingness to cooperate was said to have hampered the probes, Binhu authorities said earlier.

They added that the penalty was based largely on the couple's income in the years before each child was born.

The director has said his income varies, and in one year only totalled US$450 (RM1,500) - under 3,000 yuan.

The fine far exceeded most of those handed to violators of the one-child policy, but fell far below the 160 million yuan speculated in previous Chinese media reports.

Exceptions to China's one-policy limit include some rural families whose first child is a girl, ethnic minorities, and couples in which at least one is an only child. – AFP, February 7, 2014.

Amy Adams, Michelle Williams attend Philip Seymour Hoffman wake

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:31 PM PST

February 07, 2014

Actors Amy Adams and Michelle Williams were among friends and family who mourned Philip Seymour Hoffman at a private wake for the actor who died of a suspected drug overdose.

Photographers and fans trying to get a glimpse of the celebrities were cordoned off behind barriers near the Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel on Manhattan's Upper East Side as police escorted the visitors in and out of the building.

Neither Adams nor Williams, who both starred in films with Hoffman, said anything as they entered the building. Williams' former partner, actor Heath Ledger, died of an accidental drug overdose in 2008.

"I came to pay my respects," said Amy Paschold, 40, a financial adviser from Virginia and a long-time fan of Hoffman's work.

"I wasn't surprised," she added about his death. "He fell off the wagon.

Although the body of Hoffman, 46, was found on Sunday in his Greenwich Village apartment with a syringe in his arm, autopsy results to determine the cause of his death were inconclusive. A spokeswoman for New York City's Chief Medical Examiner said further studies were being done.

Four people have been arrested and charged with drug offenses possibly connected to substances found at the actor's home.

The wake will be followed by a private funeral service in New York, according to a representative for the family. Hoffman is survived by three children with his long-time partner Mimi O'Donnell.

A memorial is planned for later this month.

Hoffman, an Academy Award winner for his role in the 2005 biographical film Capote, was considered one of the most gifted stage and film actors of his generation.

On Wednesday evening hundreds of friends and fans paid homage to him during a sombre candlelight vigil outside the Labyrinth Theatre Company in Greenwich Village.

Hoffman had been a member and a former artistic director of the New York company, which is one of the nation's leading ensemble theatre groups.

Broadway also honoured the actor when it dimmed marquees for a minute on Wednesday evening. Although Hoffman is best known for his film roles, he appeared on stage frequently. He earned Tony award nominations for his role as Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman," and for his parts in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and "True West."

On the big screen Hoffman appeared in blockbusters such as "The Hunger Games" series and also garnered best supporting actor Oscar nominations for "The Master," "Doubt" and "Charlie Wilson's War." – Reuters, February 7, 2014.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books

‘The Invention Of Wings’ retains perch atop US best-sellers list

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 08:40 PM PST

February 07, 2014

Sue Monk Kidd's newest novel, "The Invention of Wings," kept a firm grip on the top of the US fiction best-sellers on Thursday for a fourth consecutive week.

The list is compiled using data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide.

Hardcover Fiction

1. "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd (Viking)

2. "The Goldfinch" byDonna Tartt (Little, Brown)

3. "First Love" by James Patterson and Emily Raymond (Little, Brown)

4. "Still Life with Bread Crumbs" by Anna Quindlen (Random House)

5. "Sycamore Row" by John Grisham (Doubleday)

6. "The First Phone Call From Heaven" by Mitch Albom (Harper)

7. "Command Authority" by Tom Clancy (Putnam)

8. "Cross My Heart" by James Patterson (Little, Brown)

9. "Standup Guy" by Stuart Woods (Putnam)

10. "An Officer and a Spy" by Robert Harris (Knopf)

Hardcover Nonfiction

1. "Duty" by Robert M. Gates (Knopf)

2. "The Love Playbook" by La La Anthony (Penguin)

3. "Super Shred" by Ian K. Smith (St. Martin's)

4. "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (Henry Holt)

5. "Things That Matter" by Charles Krauthammer (Crown Forum)

6. "Soul Healing Miracles" by Zhi Gang Sha (BenBella)

7. "The Doctor's Diet" by Travis Stork (Bird Street Books)

8. "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown)

9. "The Body Book" byCameron Diaz (Harper Wave, $25.99)

10. "The Daniel Plan" by Rick Warren (Zondervan, $24.99)

Sony closing North American ebook store

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 07:43 PM PST

February 07, 2014

Sony announced yesterday it was closing its ebook store for North America, and giving its customer list to rival Kobo.

The Japanese company, which earlier unveiled a major reorganisation, said it will close its Reader Store in the US and Canada on March 20.

"Although we're sorry to say goodbye to the Reader Store, we're also glad to share the new and exciting future for our readers: Reader Store will transfer customers to Toronto-based eReading company, Kobo - an admired ebook seller with a passionate reading community," a blog post at the Sony Reader website said.

Sony said customers and their current ebook libraries "will transfer to the Kobo ecosystem" under the change.

"Kobo is the ideal solution for our customers and will deliver a robust and comprehensive user experience. Like Sony, they are committed to those most passionate about reading and share our vision to use open formats so people can easily read anytime and anywhere," said Ken Orii, Sony vice president for digital reading.

"Our customers can be assured that they will have a seamless transition to the Kobo ecosystem and will be able to continue to access and read the titles they love from Sony devices."

Canadian-based Kobo, founded in 2009, sells ebooks and reading devices and says it "offers one of the world's largest ebook stores with nearly four million titles across 68 languages," according to its website.

The news came as Sony announced in Japan it was cutting 5,000 jobs and exiting the PC market in the face of a billion-dollar annual loss.

Sony has pinpointed digital imaging, video games and mobile as the units which it hopes will lead a turnaround in its core electronics business. – AFP, February 7, 2014.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

Six-pointer encounters from Mersey to North London

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 02:53 PM PST

February 07, 2014

As a player, Shebby Singh won everything there was to win in Malaysia football, and represented the country on the international stage.

The top billing for the weekend is not one but two critical matches that coincidentally are Mersey-North London battles.

The more famous of these two battles though will be fought in the city of Liverpool as the Reds host the Gunners (Saturday, 8.45pm).

For the Arsenal, the trip to Anfield is perhaps the start of the most difficult scheduled two-month period in history.

The loss of Aaron Ramsey (injury) and Mathieu Flamini (suspension) is diminished in cruciality as Liverpool will be missing their midfield lynchpin Lucas Leiva.

The comfortable 2-0 home win back in November would not surprise anyone this time around, especially if Brendan Rogers insists on continuing his midfield experimentation. Playing three up front against an away side adept at counter-attacking with pace is not always a recipe for success.

The strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are devastating. However, Arsenal have no real reason to fear them.

After all, the Gunners' defence are the only ones in the English Premier League to have successfully kept a clean-sheet against this prolific striking duo this season. That is, the only one out of 11 matches that Suarez and Sturridge played together this season.

The partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the heart of the Arsenal defence is as steady as ever. They even recently achieved the unique record of going over two years without having lost a single EPL match when partnering each other at the back (for a full 90 minutes, sending offs and substitutions notwithstanding).

It would be vital for Brendan Rogers to emphasise stretching out play – forcing fullbacks Nacho Monreal and Bacary Sagna into one-on-one situations with Raheem Sterling and Sturridge, which allows Suarez the space to operate between the two Arsenal holding midfielders and both central defenders.

Attacking the second ball will be key and one would hope Steven Gerrard finds himself in a position to attack these opportunities, if and when they crop up. His devastating shooting ability from distance could very well make the difference in this fixture – if Liverpool manage to stop the goals from leaking in at the other end, that is.

Six goals conceded in the last four Premier League matches for Brendan Rogers's men (albeit with the caveat of 12 goals scored) is concerning chiefly because the goals came against mid-table sides involved in a massive relegation battle.

In summary, individual errors have to be minimised if Liverpool are to hold out against an organised Arsenal onslaught.

In the reverse North London-Mersey encounter this weekend (Sunday, 9.30pm), my thoughts are if this is a do or die tie for Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in their quest for the 4th spot in the Premier League?

There may still be three more months of football to go, but this is a game Spurs must win. A game that could prove pivotal to the future of the club after all the investment made.

Unfortunately, circumstances count for nought as Tim Sherwood is in charge and will take responsibility, as much as it would be unfair, if results go south.

The game of football at White Hart Lane will be exciting, an offensive 4-4-2 lining up against a ball playing 4-2-3-1, but the result has to favour Spurs or another team from the city of Liverpool will be in the driver's seat for the much coveted ticket into UEFA Champions League qualification.

Looking beyond the lucrative top-four race, at the overall league table, we can see that the top nine has practically been decided and there are now 11 teams battling to avoid relegation. A mere five points separates Aston Villa in 10th and West Ham United in 18th.

And why, you might ask, is the situation so tight at the bottom? Well, it is because owners have been brave in making managerial changes.

Yes, three clubs will still go down but sure as hell, it will be one mighty battle. On the subject of battles, even wilting West Ham United have woken up.

So, hats off to the owners for making brave decisions, with Michael Laudrup being the latest manager to be shown the door. Hopefully, Swansea City will make the right choice in appointing Laudrup's successor as their brand of football has been refreshing despite having Jonjo Shelvey in their side.

Seven managers have been shown the door during this season alone, and six of the seven teams they departed from are involved in a relegation-dogfight for the rest of the season. The Premier League may be lacking in some aspects, but drama and narrative is never one of them. – February 7, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Get that RM1,200, Teresa Kok! – Zan Azlee

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 02:43 PM PST

February 07, 2014

Zan Azlee is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, writer, New Media practitioner and lecturer. He runs Fat Bidin Media www.fatbidin.com

Time and time again I have said it. Malaysians have no appreciation for satire, sarcasm and humour. And that is just so laughable that it just is not funny.

Everyone is now familiar with the parodic Chinese New Year video produced by Teresa Kok, the DAP MP for Seputeh, and her team.

I was very amused by the video and found it hilarious, and quite true too (my Cantonese is atrociously mediocre, but I think I got a bit of the nuances!).

Okay, fine. I can accept the fact that not everyone would understand the video and that many might even be offended by it. That is okay.

These people have all the right and freedom to oppose and object to the video. They can write articles, make statements, or even hold peaceful protests.

Heck! I think the best way would be to actually produce another video to mock or even oppose the video by Teresa Kok and her team.

But then a group of so-called Muslim NGOs came out to prove my thought that Malaysians do not seem to have the intellectual capability to comprehend satire.

By offering a cash reward to commit violence (RM1,200 for anyone who slaps Teresa Kok and provide photographic evidence) cannot be very Islamic.

One of the most common phrases in Islam is "Bismillahirahmanirahim", which means "In the name of God, the most compassionate and most merciful".

That in itself proves that the basis of Islam is about compassion and mercy. And wait a minute! What does "Islam" mean? I think it actually means "peace"!

I am sure that this group, which goes by the name The Council of Islamic NGOs, must be very proud that they are encouraging violence in the name of religion.

But I think I have a suggestion for Teresa Kok to turn the tables around and play another joke. This time at the expense of this so-called Islamic council.

Now hear me out. Their leader, Zulkfli Sharif, has declared publicly that this offer of money to slap Teresa Kok is open to all Malaysians.

So how about Teresa Kok organise a group of underprivileged people to gather and get them each to slap her in the face (lightly!) and take pictures.

Then they can all go and claim their reward. But they better bring their MyKad to prove your citizenship (make sure you know the words to "Negaraku" as well!).

I have got a still camera and a video camera. So if you need my help for that photographic evidence, just give me a buzz. I will be willing to offer my time. – February 7, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

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Video Teresa Kok memalukan masyarakat Cina, kata Teoh

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:56 AM PST

February 07, 2014

Klip video yang dihasilkan anggota Parlimen Seputeh Teresa Kok yang menyentuh isu dan menyindir pemimpin negara baru-baru ini adalah sesuatu yang memalukan masyarakat Cina, kata Ketua Biro Pengaduan dan Perkhidmatan Awam MCA, Jason Teoh (gambar).

Beliau berkata tindak tanduk yang tidak sihat dan negatif seperti ini tidak seharusnya dilakukan terutama semasa sambutan perayaan Tahun Baharu Cina.

"Ya, saya akui sebagai orang Cina saya malu dengan tindakan Teresa Kok itu, langsung tidak menghormati perasaan rakyat negara ini," katanya pada sidang akhbar di Kelab Akhbar Cina Johor Selatan di Johor Baharu hari ini.

Beliau berkata sebagai anggota parlimen, Kok seharusnya berbuat sesuatu yang positif yang boleh diteladani masyarakat.

Video bertajuk "Onederful Malaysia" sempena sambutan Tahun Baharu Cina itu dimuat naik ke dalam Youtube yang menunjukkan Kok menemu ramah tiga tetamu yang menyindir pelbagai perkara termasuk isu keselamatan di Sabah dan kempen Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014 di negeri itu.

Teoh berkata kenyataan mereka dalam video itu jelas bertujuan menggagalkan promosi TMM 2014.

Katanya kebijaksanaan Kok sepatutnya digunakan untuk menghasilkan sesuatu yang mampu mengeratkan hubungan sesama kaum di negara ini seperti yang dilakukan oleh SP Setia Berhad Group menerusi video clip Tahun Baharu Cina syarikat itu.

Sebelum itu, beliau berkata empat individu dan dua badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) masyarakat Cina di Johor telah membuat laporan polis mengenai klip video Kok itu.

Seorang daripada mereka ialah pengusaha industri pelancongan dari Kota Tinggi, Liew Kim Fook, 48.

Liew yang membawa pelawat dari Jepun, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea Selatan dan Singapura untuk menyaksikan kunang-kunang di daerah itu menyifatkan klip video berkenaan sebagai khianat terhadap rakyat kerana memperlekeh tahap keselamatan negara dan boleh menjejaskan pendapatan pengusaha industri pelancongan negara ini.

Mereka mahu Kok membuat permohonan maaf secara terbuka kepada rakyat negara ini berhubung tindakannya itu. - Bernama, 7 Februari, 2014.

Tarikh pengundian lewat bukan perkara baharu

Posted: 07 Feb 2014 01:47 AM PST

February 07, 2014

Sejurus Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) menetapkan tarikh Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kajang, pelbagai tuduhan dilemparkan kononnya suruhanjaya itu sengaja melengah-lengahkan tarikh pengundian dan mempunyai agenda tersembunyi.

SPR dimaklumkan secara rasmi mengenai kerusi yang dikosongkan secara mengejut oleh Lee Chin Cheh daripada Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) pada 27 Januari, sebelum mengadakan mesyuarat khas pada 5 Februari menetapkan tarikh penamaan calon pada 11 Mac manakala hari pengundian 23 Mac, yang mana jarak masa sehingga hari pengundian ialah 56 hari.

Kebanyakan blog-blog pro pembangkang menuduh kononnya penetapan tarikh itu mempunyai tujuan tersirat untuk mensabotaj calon PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, apabila jarak masa itu dilihat 'amat luar biasa' dan dikatakan tidak pernah sebegitu lewat dalam sejarah negara.

Mereka mendakwa tarikh PRK itu sengaja dilengahkan kerana rayuan kes liwat Ketua Pembangkang di Mahkamah Rayuan akan didengar pada 11 Februari ini, selain turut mengaitkan dengan pemberian Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) yang akan bermula pada pertengahan bulan ini sebagai "gula-gula" untuk rakyat.

BUKAN PERTAMA KALI

Hakikatnya, terdapat PRK yang diadakan atas faktor sama iaitu kekosongan kerana meletak jawatan memakan masa lebih lama daripada DUN Kajang.

PRK Bukit Selambau, Kedah yang dikosongkan pada 8 Februari 2009 ekoran peletakan jawatan V. Arumugambukan (PKR), menyaksikan hari pengundian ditetapkan 58 hari kemudian iaitu pada 7 April 2009.

PRK DUN Penanti, Pulau Pinang pula diadakan pada 31 Mei 2009 selepas 45 hari Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, yang juga daripada PKR, meletak jawatan.

Seorang penganalisis politik, Prof Madya Dr Shamsul Adabi Mamat berkata tuduhan jahat seumpamanya tidak harus wujud kerana tidak menjadi kesalahan untuk SPR menetapkan sebarang tarikh asalkan tempoh masa itu tidak melebihi 60 hari dari tarikh kekosongan.

Beliau berkata SPR pastinya memerlukan tempoh masa lebih panjang daripada kebiasaan kerana kekosongan kerusi itu berlaku di luar jangka, selain bagi memastikan persiapan yang rapi dan terperinci dapat dijalankan.

"Memang kebiasaannya dua atau tiga minggu sahaja, tetapi tidak pelik jika ambil masa lebih panjang kerana setiap kawasan memerlukan saiz persediaan yang berlainan," katanya kepada Bernama.

Ketika mengumumkan tarikh PRK DUN Kajang pada Rabu lalu, Pengerusi SPR Abdul Aziz Yusof menjelaskan SPR perlu menyediakan daftar pemilih yang lengkap, tempat mengundi, penamaan calon dan pengiraan undi yang baik, menempah khas dakwat kekal dari luar negara dan sekurang-kurangnya dua minggu latihan untuk petugas SPR.

TIADA AGENDA TERSEMBUNYI

Shamsul Adabi berkata sementara SPR tiada sebarang agenda ketika menetapkan tarikh penamaan dan pengundian, parti pakatan bijak memanupulasi keadaan untuk menghamburkan pelbagai tuduhan terhadap kerajaan dan SPR.

"Anwar sendiri tahu rayuan kesnya bila disebut tetapi sandiwara beliau berjaya membakar sentimen penyokong agar SPR dan kerajaan dilihat seperti mahu mengenakan Ketua Pembangkang," katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Kluster Politik, Keselamatan dan Hal Ehwal Antarabangsa Majlis Profesor Negara Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak berkata tuduhan bahawa SPR mempunyai agenda tersembunyi tidak masuk akal kerana sebagai badan bebas, SPR tidak mempunyai sebab untuk mengenakan Anwar.

Katanya adalah mustahil hari penamaan atau pengundian dijalankan sebelum tarikh rayuan kes Anwar kerana tarikh itu sudah begitu dekat, malah tarikh yang ditetapkan juga jauh dari tarikh rayuan kes, jelas menunjukkan tiada cubaan sabotaj.

Beliau berkata SPR pastinya tidak mahu hari pemilihan atau pengundian bertembung atau berdekatan dengan rayuan kes Anwar, yang telah dinamakan sebagai calon, bagi mengelak suasana politik tegang jika dijalankan berdekatan.

"Pastinya SPR mahukan PRK DUN Kajang ini berjalan dan berakhir dengan lancar tanpa sebarang pertikaian berbangkit, ditambah dengan jumlah pengundi yang
ramai. Maka saya lihat tiada alasan lain (PRK lambat) melainkan keperluan persiapan yang lebih rapi dan berhati-hati," katanya.

MANFAAT UNTUK BN DAN PEMBANGKANG

Mohamed Mustafa berkata parti pembangkang seharusnya bersyukur kerana dengan tempoh masa yang panjang, mereka berpeluang menguatkan jentera parti, begitu
juga kepada Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Tidak dinafikan kelebihan di tangan pembangkang tetapi dengan masa yang panjang, kedua-dua parti mempunyai kelebihan untuk mantapkan jentera... justeru perlu bijak menggunakan tempoh masa itu sebaik mungkin," katanya.

Dalam Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) tahun lepas, Lee memenangi kerusi DUN Kajang dengan majoriti 6,824 undi dalam pertembungan enam penjuru dengan BN, Berjasa dan tiga calon bebas.

PRK DUN Kajang merupakan PRK ketiga dalam tempoh tidak sampai setahun PRU13 diadakan, selepas PRK DUN Kuala Besut, Terengganu dan DUN Sungai Limau di Kedah, yang diadakan berikutan kematian penyandangnya. - 7 Februari, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Jumaat, 7 Februari 2014