Ahad, 23 Mac 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Australia’s hockey team outclass Malaysia to claim eighth title

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 08:55 AM PDT

March 23, 2014

Australia triumphed in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup today, claiming their eighth title by smashing home team Malaysia 8-3.

Both teams are World Cup-bound, and this tournament signals their preparations for the event to be held from late May.

But there was no question that the Australians – defending champions and two-time World Cup winners – were far superior to all the other teams in this year's meet held in Ipoh.

The world number one was in fiery form from the start in the final as they took a 3-1 first-half lead against the world number 13.

Chris Ciriello slammed in two penalty corners in the fifth and 17th minutes to set the pace. Eddie Ockenden was also on target in the 11th minute of the match, which often had the Malaysians backpedalling in defence.

Late in the first-half the Malaysians hit a purple patch, which saw them earn three penalty corners.

The effort in the 24th minute bore fruit with Shahril Saabah scoring from close range.

Malaysia, who have made it to four cup finals but never won, then started off the second-half strongly with a goal in the 40th minute through Rashid Baharom.

But Ciriello was on target for his hat-trick in the 42nd minute to keep his team in control. Nick Budgeon scored in the 46th minute before Ciriello hit home his fourth goal in the 53rd minute.

In the 65th minute Matt Gohdes scored the seventh goal, while Fitri Saari reduced the deficit with a field goal two minutes later.

Tristan White earned the final goal for the Australians in the 68th minute to cap their triumph.

Besides Australia and Malaysia, among this cup's teams, South Korea and South Africa have also qualified for the World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.

South Korea grabbed the tournament's third spot Sunday with Jang Jong-Hyun's last gasp penalty corner conversion, which allowed them to edge out China 3-2.

Jang scored a brace in the match, and it was his second with just three seconds on the clock that allowed South Korea to take the match.

Earlier, Canada beat a fast tiring South African side 2-0 for fifth place.

Canada, who were beaten 2-3 by the South Africans in the preliminary round match, were aided by the wasteful South African forward line.

For the first time this year, India and Pakistan did not participate in the annual event.

India had opted out saying that it will affect their World Cup preparations, while the Pakistanis cited lack of funds for declining the invitation.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever and will also miss the Commonwealth Games later this year. – AFP, March 23, 2014.

Dortmund captain Kehl to retire in 2015

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 06:50 AM PDT

March 23, 2014

Borussia Dortmund's veteran captain Sebastian Kehl (pic) has said he will retire in June 2015 having just signed a year's contract extension.

The 34-year-old, who made the last of his 31 appearances for Germany at the 2006 World Cup, joined Dortmund in 2002.

Kehl scored for Dortmund in last Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Zenit St Peterburg as Borussia went through to the Champions League quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate having won the first leg 4-2.

"Borussia Dortmund, our wonderful team, fans and the city of Dortmund has been my home for many years, so I have decided to continue my stay," said the defensive midfielder.

"The decision to end my active career in 2015 has been growing and I hope to still experience some unforgettable moments and great success with the team until then."

Kehl has made 289 appearances in the Bundesliga and was part of the teams which won the Bundesliga title in 2002 and 2011, plus 2012 when Borussia won the league and cup double.

He was in the squad which lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League final at Wembley.

"Sebastian is an important leader for us with his huge amount of experience and, on top of that, he is a valuable role model," said Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc.

"We are very happy that he wants to stay with us until 2015 and wants to end his impressive career in the Dortmund shirt."

With both defensive midfielders Sven Bender and Ilkay Gundogan injured, Kehl has been a regular in the Dortmund team this season, forming a partnership alongside ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin. – AFP, March 23, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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Rolling Stones plan Paris gig after postponing tour Down Under

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 06:53 AM PDT

March 23, 2014

The Rolling Stones (pic) today said they will play Paris' Stade de France in June for the first time since 2007, after postponing a tour Down Under due to the death of Mick Jagger's girlfriend.

The British band will play a single gig in France's national stadium in Paris on June 13 as part of their "14 On Fire" tour, according to a statement from their French promoter.

The Stones already have a string of dates planned across Europe for June, including in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.

Their promoter today said several more European concerts would shortly be announced for May, June and July.

The news comes after the Stones postponed their tour of Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday after the shock death of Jagger's girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

The grieving frontman is being comforted by his daughters in Los Angeles after the former model turned fashion designer was found hanged in her luxury apartment on Monday.

The band has promised to reschedule dates in Australia and New Zealand "as soon as possible".

The iconic rock outfit returned to the stage in late 2012 after years of absence to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of concerts in England and the United States. – AFP, March 23, 2014.

‘Kam’ for laughter and support a cause

Posted: 23 Mar 2014 02:54 AM PDT

BY NICK CHOO
March 23, 2014

Catch Joanne Kam's latest show at the PJ Live Arts from March 26 to 30, 2014.Illyana Rasputin, also known as Magik. Phoenix — "not the original, but later on, when she died and was resurrected as her daughter".

Storm. The White Queen. And (not of the Marvel universe) Witchblade.

These are some of Joanne Kam Poh Poh's favourite superheroes. Apart from the obvious fact that they are all female, a common denominator is how they are all strong characters "with a sinister edge".

"I grew up reading comic books, and I realised that the characters that I like are not the goody-two-shoes but the darker ones who are still good," the comedienne, radio personality and manager of her own event company says.

"I think it's the same with most people – you're a little bit of good, a little bit of bad, but you can still aim to do good."

True to the notion, this week, Malaysia's queen of funny will be seen "fighting crime" alongside Daphne Iking, Shamaine Othman and international sidekick Sharul Channa from Singapore in "Super Kam 2: The Second Kam-Ming", two years after they triumphantly swooped in and saved the day in "Super Kam & The League of Extraordinary Femmes".

And although you will only see them kicking butt during a special 10-minute movie screening at the start of the night, Kam promises action will continue as the awesome foursome perform side-splitting skits and raucous stand-up comedy.

The Super Kam movie is written and directed by Gavin Yap, and serves as the launch of a series of the same concept soon to hit the internet. Comedian Papi Zak features in the role of the villain and will also host the run of performances from March 26-30 at PJ Live Arts, Jaya One.

Beyond the laughs, however, the show will serve a more noble purpose: Kam teams up with Alice Teoh, chief executive of emma lizs Salon, whose corporate social responsibility arm Women of Power and Passion is presenting a special charity night on March 27 to raise funds for the Vineyard Outreach Foundation.

The main purpose of the organisation is to prevent girls from Chiang Rai, Thailand, from being forced into early marriage and prostitution. Kam puts it matter-of-factly: "They aim to get the girls before they are sold to pimps."

"Over in Chiang Rai, the parents are given RM1,000 and the girls will be sold to the black market. And once that happens, it's very different to get them back. So this foundation, founded by a pastor (Randall Chee), aims to help them before they reach that stage," Kam says.

She hopes more people will support the charity event so that more funds can be channelled to the foundation, which will provide housing and education for the girls, as well as protect them from syndicates.

It is a moment of seriousness from Kam, who is best known for her naughty humour – cheekiness being a trait that she would consider one of her "super powers".

Kam says this comes from growing up a plus-sized kid – "My mum had to buy 40-year-old men's clothes because only their pants would fit me" – and from discovering early on that "fatness was my appeal". And through her early roles, she learnt that her strength was in playing cheeky.

Indeed, Kam says she is drawn to women who are "not afraid to show off what they have". Of her real-life superheroes, there are many; but, put on the spot, Bette Midler and Wanda Sykes come to mind.

Two performers who inspire Kam through their uproarious comedy-cabaret acts, and for daring to speak out for what they believe in.

Then there's Datuk Michelle Yeoh.

"I was performing during a festival in Sabah recently, and she was there with her niece," recalls Kam, who cites mind control and the ability to walk through realms a la Marvel's Magik as comic-book super powers she would like to have.

"Datuk Yeoh sat in the same chair the whole night even though she was offered other seats.

"I like women like that – who are strong but who are humble at the same time."

The Super Kam 2: M.A.D. (Make A Difference) charity premiere will be held on March 27, 8.30pm at the PJ Live Arts, Jaya One.

Tickets priced at RM288, RM388 and RM488. Ticket holders will also qualify for emma lizs facial treatments worth RM680, RM780 and RM980, depending on ticket price.

The RM488 ticket holders will be invited to an exclusive supper, including a meet-and-greet session with the stars at Chulo Spanish Restaurant.

For tickets, call Alice Teoh (017-373 3303), Irwin Cheong (012-307 9777) or Jessica Wong (012-637 4777).

Tickets for the "Super Kam 2: The Second Kam-Ming" are priced at RM58 and RM68. To purchase, call 03-7960 0439 or visit www.tix.com.my. The show is only open to those aged 18 and above. – March 23, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

Kehilangan MH370: Pengajaran besar kepada Malaysia

Posted: 22 Mar 2014 04:40 PM PDT

March 23, 2014

Amin Iskandar adalah penerima anugerah zamalah Asian Public Intellectuals (API) bagi sesi 2009-2010. Kini merupakan Pengarang Berita bagi The Malaysian Insider. Beliau "berkicau" di www.twitter.com/aminiskandar.

Kehilangan pesawat Malaysia Airlines MH370 yang sudah masuk lebih dua minggu memberikan pengajaran besar kepada Malaysia dalam pelbagai perkara daripada sistem radar, keselamatan ruang udara, dasar pertahanan, dasar imigresen dan pengurusan media.

Kalau dahulu jika anda ke kota Moscow dan membeli akhbar, jarang sekali berpeluang membaca tentang Malaysia, kini jika ke kawasan polar sekalipun, hampir setiap hari liputan diberikan kepada kehilangan pesawat Boeing 777-200ER (9M-MRO) bersama-sama dengan 239 penumpang serta anak kapal itu.

Belum sempat pasukan mencari dan menyelamat menjumpai objek-objek ditemui satelit seperti diumumkan Perdana Menteri Australia Tony Abbott, semalam Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein mendedahkan beliau diberitahu kedutaan China bahawa negara itu menerima imej satelit yang berkemungkinan serpihan pesawat MH370 di koridor selatan.

Pemangku menteri pengangkutan itu yang kini setiap hari berada dalam liputan media tempatan dan antarabangsa mengatakan Malaysia tidak akan berputus asa dalam usaha pencarian pesawat MH370 meskipun tiada perkembangan terbaru mengenainya termasuk usaha mencari serpihan di Lautan Hindi yang dikatakan ada kaitan dengan kehilangan pesawat itu.

Dalam usaha terus mencari pesawat MH370 yang hilang sejak 8 Mac ketika dalam perjalanan dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) ke Beijing, reformasi ataupun perubahan secara besar-besaran perlu dilakukan bagi Malaysia dalam pelbagai aspek.

Seharusnya Parlimen memberikan tumpuan kepada kes ini bagi membenarkan Barisan Nasional dan Pakatan Rakyat bekerjasama dalam berdepan dengan krisis ini, akan tetapi ini tidak dilakukan.

Malaysia masih tidak berani untuk memberi peluang anggota parlimen parti kerajaan dan pembangkang untuk bekerjasama dalam berdepan dengan isu besar seperti ini.

Kehilangan pesawat MH370 juga membuktikan betapa pentingnya ketelusan dan amalan pentadbiran baik atau "good governance" diamalkan di Malaysia.

Jika Jabatan Imigresen mengamalkan pentadbiran baik, tidak mungkin dua warga Iran yang menggunakan pasport curi akan berjaya melepasi pemeriksaan keselamatan sebelum berjaya menaiki pesawat MH370 yang masih hilang itu.

Ketika Malaysia menjadi tumpuan dunia akibat kehilangan pesawat Malaysia Airlines itu, masyarakat antarabangsa turut sama menyaksikan pelbagai kelemahan negara.

Selama ini agak mudah bagi Putrajaya menguruskan rakyat Malaysia yang tidak begitu "banyak songel", kini pegawai-pegawai kerajaan merasakan sendiri pengalaman "dimaki hamun" keluarga penumpang daripada China kerana gagal memberikan maklumat tepat kepada mereka.

Putrajaya sebelum ini dengan "gembiranya" menyekat wartawan-wartawan portal berita independen seperti The Malaysian Insider, Malaysiakini dan lain-lain dalam majlis-majlis mereka kerana dikatakan "pro pembangkang" kerana tidak bertanyakan soalan-soalan membodek.

Kini Hishammuddin dan pegawai kerajaan lain merasakan sendiri bagaimana sukarnya untuk menjawab soalan-soalan daripada petugas media antarabangsa yang tidak akan berputus asa bertanya selagi tidak mendapat jawapan.

Jika wartawan-wartawan tempatan dibenarkan bebas untuk bertanyakan soalan-soalan kritikal dan bukan sahaja soalan-soalan membodek, sudah pasti segalanya akan menjadi lebih mudah.

Sekurang-kurangnya Hishammuddin banyak belajar daripada krisis ini berbanding Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak yang sehingga kini masih "dikutuk" akibat daripada tidak membenarkan sebarang soalan ditanya ketika disidang media khasnya minggu lalu.

Apa-apa pun, Malaysia kini sudah menjadi lebih masyur walaupun kerana sebab yang tidak sepatutnya berlaku.

Faktanya, Malaysia lebih dikenali dunia berbanding sebelum ini. Apabila sudah terkenal bermakna negara akan terus diperhatikan.

Oleh itu Malaysia juga perlu berubah agar berjaya mencapai standard dunia.

Jika tidak, kita akan terus ditertawakan masyarakat antarabangsa kerana kebodohan kita.

Dalam pada itu, kita harus terus berdoa agar MH370 dapat ditemui dan segala kesedihan, kepedihan dan ketidakpastian akan berakhir. – 23 Mac, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Ahad, 23 Mac 2014