Isnin, 28 April 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Food


Denmark’s Noma regains crown as world’s best restaurant

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 06:42 PM PDT

April 29, 2014

Danish restaurant Noma was crowned the world's best restaurant on Monday, pipping last year's Spanish winner to reclaim the influential title it held for three straight years that guarantees a waiting list for diners.

Noma's chef-owner Rene Redzepi, 36, with his new Nordic cuisine, knocked Spain's El Celler De Can Roca into second place at an award ceremony at London's Guildhall attended by influential chefs and food writers from around the globe.

Noma in Copenhagen won the top award for three years from 2010 until 2012, with its menu boasting original dishes such as sea urchin toast, beef tartar and ants, and pear and kale.

"Redzepi's meticulous attention to detail, innovative approach to foraging and experimentation with fermentation, all driven by passion and a relentless curiosity, has once again brought his restaurant to the pinnacle," the organisers said.

Spain's El Celler de Can Roca, run by three brothers, slipped back into second place. The list featured seven Spanish restaurants including Mugaritz at No. 6 and fellow San Sebastian establishment Arzak remaining at No. 8.

Avant-garde Italian chef Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana in Modena kept third place for a second year running.

New York's Eleven Madison Park moved up one spot to No. 4 to claim the Best Restaurant in North America.

The top 50 list featured seven US restaurants, including Alinea in Chicago, Per Se in New York, and newcomer Coi from San Francisco, The US restaurant Saison in San Francisco scooped up The One To Watch Award.

For the first time, Britain had two restaurants in the top 10 with London's Dinner by experimental chef Heston Blumenthal (pic) in fifth place, up two spots from a year ago, and Brett Graham's The Ledbury in London's Notting Hill rising three spots from last year to 10th.

Alex Atala's D.O.M in Sao Paulo placed 7th this year to once again be named Best Restaurant in South America with Atala also receiving the Chefs' Choice Award for 2014.

Helena Rizzo from Mani in Sao Paulo took home the Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef Award while her restaurant rose 10 places to 36th spot.

Asia had seven restaurants on the list with its top eatery Nahm in Bangkok, Thailand, run by Australian chef David Thompson in 13th place while Gaggan, also in Bangkok, a modern Indian restaurant, was ranked 17th.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants list organized by Britain's Restaurant magazine and sponsored by mineral water company S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna was only launched in 2002, but is rivalling the culinary stars awarded by the Michelin guides.

The Michelin guides were founded in 1900 as handbooks for motorists, but became the benchmark of good food after introducing a star-rating system in 1926, publishing regular updates on thousands of restaurants in a list of countries.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards, owned by Restaurant magazine publisher William Reed Business Media, is just one list a year compiled by about 900 key leaders in the restaurant industry, but its awards are now coveted in the industry. – Reuters, April 29, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports


Real Madrid will feel Bayern’s heat, says Robben

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 05:38 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

Arjen Robben (pic) says Real Madrid can expect to feel the heat at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena tomorrowon Tuesday allowing the holders to make home advantage count in the Champions League semi-final, second-leg.

Madrid arrived in the Bavarian capital holding a slender 1-0 lead from the first-leg after Karim Benzema's winner in Madrid last Wednesday.

Real have never won in Munich after eight defeats and a draw, but Bayern must score at least twice to progress.

Madrid also have a terrible overall record in Germany with just two wins, 19 defeats and six draws, but Real eliminated Bundesliga sides Schalke and Borussia Dortmund en route to the semi-finals.

With Bayern bidding to reach their fourth Champions League final in five years, the visitors can expect a warm welcome from the home fans in the cauldron of the 70,000-capacity Allianz Arena.

Robben, who spent two seasons at Real before moving to Munich in 2009, says Madrid will be under no illusions about what to expect in Bavaria.

"It is clear they will have lots of confidence because of the result in Madrid but they know it won't be easy here," said Robben.

"We won't be giving anything away tomorrow.

"Of course they won't be worried, but they also know it won't be easy.

"The Arena in Munich will be on fire.

"We will give everything. We need our fans and the support.

"All 11 players on the pitch and seven on the bench will give everything and we have lots of confidence."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has turned up the heat for the Munich match by suggesting away "teams think they are in hell" at the Allianz Arena.

But Real coach Carlo Ancelotti retorted: "We hope the trees will burn on Wednesday, not Tuesday, when we leave" after his side's impressive 4-0 Spanish league win at home to Osasuna on Saturday.

Real's Gareth Bale started on the bench in the first leg, but with the Welshman having recovered from flu, Ancelotti is expected to play his lethal BBC in attack – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, who proved his hamstring injury is behind him with two goals against Osasuna.

"It won't be any easier for us if Ronaldo and Bale are playing from the beginning," added Robben.

"We were all surprised about their defensive play in Madrid.

"We have to focus on playing offensively and scoring goals but we also have to take care of their counter-attacks."

Having failed to progress from the semi-finals for the last three years, Real are desperate to reach the final in Lisbon on May 24, while Bayern are bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League title.

"We are all motivated enough," said Robben.

"We know Madrid wants the 'Decima' (their 10th European triumph). We are still hungry and we know we can write history with this team so we are as motivated as they are. The two teams have great aims." – AFP, April 28, 2014.

Guardiola banking on ‘angry Ribery’ to pip Real Madrid

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 03:49 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola (pic) is counting on Frenchman Franck Ribery's anger to power them past Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg tomorrow despite the winger's recent slump in form.

Ribery had a sparkling season until Bayern clinched the Bundesliga title with seven games to spare.

The team has since looked like a pale shadow of its former scintillating self that broke record after record en route to the league title with Ribery having lost his spark down the left wing as Bayern notched just two wins in their last five league games.

"Franck Ribery is extremely important for this club, for the team," Guardiola told reporters today ahead of the second leg following their 1-0 defeat in Madrid last week.

"He was playing angry against Bremen (in Bayern's 5-2 win on Saturday). Franck needs this aggression, he needs to play angry.

"He keeps fighting and that is why fans love him. He is one of the best players in Bayern history, he has always performed at the highest level and we need the best Ribery."

Bayern were again unconvincing for much of the game against Bremen before an explosive second half saw them charge past their opponents with Ribery also on target.

Guardiola, in his first season in charge, is looking to lead Bayern to an unprecedented back-to-back Champions League win and should they make the final they would equal Juventus' record of having reached three consecutive finals in this competition (1996-98).

They will, however, need to score against a team that last week successfully managed to keep the Bayern attack under complete control despite the Germans' overwhelming possession.

"I cannot imagine that (Real coach) Carlo Ancelotti will set up his team in such a way as to just keep the result," said the Spaniard. "That would be difficult to maintain. Obviously it is clear what we need to do. We need to score more than one goal."

"Real are a quick team so we always have to be positioned well when we lose possession. The best is to keep them a long way away from our goal."

Guardiola refused to speculate on the participation or not of Real's Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, with the former twice on target in Saturday's 4-0 win over Ossasuna following a minor knee injury and the Welshman missing that game with a flu.

"To me it makes no difference whether Real have Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale available," he said.

Ribery's teammate Arjen Robben said they would not be surprised again by a defensive Real formation.

"Real are coming here with a lot of confidence but they also know that nothing is for free here," Robben told reporters.

"It will not be easy for them. We have to play quickly forward and score but we have to be careful of their counter attacks. We were a bit surprised by how defensive they were in the first leg."

"We are still hungry and we want to make history and reach the final," he said. – Reuters, April 28, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Features


Enjoy a taste of Latin America on May 18 at bbpark

Posted: 27 Apr 2014 07:31 PM PDT

April 28, 2014

Delicious food from Brazil. – The Malaysian Insider pic, April 28, 2014.Delicious food from Brazil. – The Malaysian Insider pic, April 28, 2014.Get a taste of Latin America on May 18 with the 6th Latin American festival at bbpark, Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The Embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, together with the Low Yat Group, have joined forces to offer Malaysians their music, food, dances and handicraft.

All the proceeds from the festival will go to charities.

As Brazil prepares to host the World Cup in June, the Latin American countries have also gathered to celebrate the sport.

The continent hosts football's biggest event after a 30-year gap and to complete the Kuala Lumpur celebration, a lucky person will walk away with a round trip to Latin America.

Each Latin American Embassy will have a stand in the event. You will find typical food and beverages, original handicrafts and tourism information.

Highlight of the day includes cultural performances with their multi-coloured costumes and Latin American flavours.

The festival takes place at bbpark, Jalan Bukit Bintang, May 18, from noon to 8pm.  – April 28, 2014.

Try the tango in Argentina.  – The Malaysian Insider pic, April 28, 2014.Try the tango in Argentina. – The Malaysian Insider pic, April 28, 2014.

Berthing pains for Asia’s rich put wind in the sails of marina developers

Posted: 27 Apr 2014 07:16 PM PDT

April 28, 2014

Private yachts are moored in the waters of ONE15 Marina Club on Sentosa island in Singapore April 22, 2014. – Reuters pic, April 28, 2014.Private yachts are moored in the waters of ONE15 Marina Club on Sentosa island in Singapore April 22, 2014. – Reuters pic, April 28, 2014.Marina developers in Southeast Asia are racing to build berths to address the latest problem vexing Asia's rapidly growing ranks of ultra-rich: insufficient parking lots for their superyachts.

Yacht sales in Asia currently account for 9% of the global market share, according to consultancy Wealth-X. While the number falls behind North America's 44% and Europe's 34%, industry experts expect sales to pick up rapidly within the next few years as the number of multi-millionaires in the region increases.

The boom has far outstripped infrastructure growth, resulting in some awkward moments when boats pull up to moor.

The shortage is most acute in Hong Kong and Singapore where space, whether on land or on water, is scarce and the number of multi-millionaires among the highest in the world. Singapore's ONE15 Marina Club, where monthly berth rentals cost S$10,000 (RM26,000) for a 40-metre boat, is currently at full capacity. Hong Kong's Discovery Bay Marina Club, where berth rentals start at S$6,000 for a similar sized yacht, is also full.

"There's always been a big dream to have an 'Asean–ian' concept in competition with the Caribbean and Mediterranean," Bill Green, technical projects director for Camper & Nicholson First Eastern told Reuters, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) which groups several Southeast Asian countries.

"But there's no real day sailing going on in the region at the moment because there just aren't enough marinas," he said. The distance between the marinas currently in the region makes day trips unviable, he added. Camper and Nicholson First Eastern specialises in designing and making luxury yachts in Asia.

The dearth of berths is providing an opportunity for developers such as Malaysia's largest listed property developer UEM Sunrise, which is building facilities in Malaysia's Iskandar region.

The area neighbours Singapore and is already home to the Puteri Harbour development.

Further north, the city of Melacca, a world heritage site, is planning to build Southeast Asia's biggest private marina, with some 1,000 berths, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said last month. And in the popular Malaysian tourist resort of Langkawi, property firm Tradewinds Corp Bhd is developing Perdana Quay, a marina project slated for completion within the next decade.

Thailand, home to the 300-berth Ocean Marina Yacht Club, is also investing in new marinas in resorts including Krabi, hoping to lure more super-rich, big-spending tourists to its shores.

Yacht brokers estimated that the number of yachts visiting Thailand will increase 31% from this year to hit approximately 2,100 by 2016, according to the tourism authority.

Of that total, the number of superyachts, or those more than 24 metres long, is set to grow from 110 currently to more than 190 in the next two years, generating significant income.

There are also expansion plans for existing marinas in Indonesia, said Alan Pickering, managing director of yacht broker ProMarine.

"Indonesia has such a wonderful cruising ground that the potential for them is enormous," said Pickering. "But they need the marina facilities to support the growth of that industry."

It costs around US$15 billion (RM49 billion) to build a marina, industry experts say, though estimates vary widely depending on factors including shore side conditions and seabed material.

The growth prospects for yacht sales in Southeast Asia, currently among the highest in the world, are encouraging developers to make the investment.

Asia's ultra-wealthy individuals, defined as having at least $30 million in net assets, are forecast to add US$3.3 trillion to their combined assets in the next five years, more than any other region in the world, according to Wealth-X.

Another report by CapGemini and RBC Wealth Management last year said the population and wealth of Asia-Pacific's millionaires grew by up to triple the rate for the rest of the world over the last five years.

"Asia is experiencing a faster growth than most parts of the world, with different markets and different levels of maturity in yachting, but all in any case with high potential," said Carla Demaria, president of yacht maker Monte Carlo Yachts.

"We have markets like Malaysia and Indonesia where there are many marinas and luxury waterfront developments being built, so we see that there are a lot of extremely wealthy people," she told delegates at the recent Singapore Yacht Show, Asia's biggest industry event. – Reuters, April 28, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz


Indonesian violin maestro Idris Sardi dies

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 04:23 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

The Indonesian entertainment world has lost a music legend, Idris Sardi, 76, who died this morning after suffering a lung ailment.

The Indonesian violin maestro who had spent most of his life playing the violin, died at the Meilia Cibubur Hospital, Jakarta, at 7.25am.

Friends described the passing of the legendary musician as a major loss to the Indonesian people because there was no comparison for his love for the arts.

Famous musician and singer, Katon Bagaskara, said the late Idris was not only skilled in playing the violin, but also had extraordinary talent in music arrangement to the extent that anyone who listened to his music could feel the beat.

Another famous singer, Bob Tutopoli said the late Idris whom he knew was an artiste who always placed importance on perfection in his works.

"If there is anything that did not suit his liking, he (Idris) could become angry, especially if it carried the Indonesian name, he would become very sensitive," said Tutopoli.

Born in Jakarta on June 7, 1938, Idris began to play the violin at the age of six and by the time he was 10 years old, the artiste had held his first solo performance in Yogyakarta which attracted much attention.

The father to famous actor, Lukman Sardi, Idris established close relations with Malaysian artistes and had produced an album of new arrangements of Tan Sri P. Ramlee's songs. – Bernama, April 28, 2014.

Coppola, Bernal join Campion on Cannes festival jury

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 03:58 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

US film director Sofia Coppola and actors Gael Garcia Bernal and Willem Dafoe will join Jane Campion next month on the Cannes film festival jury, organisers said today.

Coppola, whose second feature film "Lost in Translation" was nominated for four Oscars, is no stranger to the festival.

The 42-year-old's third film "Marie-Antoinette" competed at the festival in 2006 and "The Bling Ring" opened the new talent section last year.

Mexico's Bernal shot to fame with his role in the Oscar-nominated film "Amores Perros" and his role as a young Che Guevara in "The Motorcycle Diaries" earned him a Bafta nomination. He is also a director and producer.

US veteran actor Dafoe has acted in some 80 films – the most recent being "The Grand Budapest Hotel" – and was twice nominated for an Oscar.

Also part of the jury will be Chinese director Jia Zhangke, whose gritty depiction of life in the Middle Kingdom has won him acclaim but also drawn the ire of the country's censors.

Other jury members are French actress Carole Bouquet, Iranian actress Leila Hatami, South Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon and Danish director and producer Nicolas Winding Refn.

The jury, headed by New Zealand director Campion, will award the coveted Palme d'Or to one of the 18 films in competition at the May 14-25 festival. – AFP, April 28, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Books


‘The Paris Book’ finally published after 60-year wait

Posted: 27 Apr 2014 05:12 PM PDT

April 28, 2014

In 'The Paris Book', readers follow a bird-like character's adventures through the French capital in the 1950s. Here, the character observes Parisians in their natural habitat: a café. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, April 28, 2014.In 'The Paris Book', readers follow a bird-like character's adventures through the French capital in the 1950s. Here, the character observes Parisians in their natural habitat: a café. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, April 28, 2014.In 1952, Marian Parry presented her editor Curt Valentin with "The Paris Book", a series of illustrations depicting the French capital during the early 1950s. But the project fell by the wayside after the editor's death the following year. Over 60 years passed before the book was resurrected thanks to an independent publisher, Un-Gyve.

After blowing out the candles on her 90th birthday cake, American illustrator Marian Parry has another reason to celebrate: "The Paris Book", a volume consisting of 20 of her watercolour illustrations.

The adventure began in 1952, when Parry's friend, the American painter Ben Shahn, encouraged her to create the book and present it to Curt Valentin, who was known for publishing limited editions of poets' and novelists' works illustrated by contemporary artists.

Long before her friend's suggestion, Parry had come up with a story about a character fascinated by Europe and by the French capital in particular, brought to life through illustrations in her watercolour sketchbook. The character, which has the head of a bird and the body of a human, is seen strolling through 1950s Paris among artists in berets, ladies in fur coats and people enjoying the city's famous cafés. The illustrator presented these images to the editor, who died a year later, leaving the project in limbo.

Marian Parry had a personal fondness for the project, having spent part of her childhood in Paris, where her family moved due to her father's work. As an adult, she returned several times to the city, which continued to occupy a special place in her heart, as seen in her poetic renderings of Parisian life. And fortunately, the illustrations were not destined to remain in obscurity.

By a stroke of luck, "The Paris Book" got an unexpected second chance thanks to the Nemrow sisters, Julie and Lisa, the heads of the independent publishing house Un-Gyve.

One day, while visiting their friend Christopher Ricks – a literary critic, professor and occasional advisor for Un-Gyve – they noticed a post card on his mantel. On one side was an illustration from "The Paris Book", and on the other, a message from Marian Parry and her late husband wishing him and his wife a happy new year and announcing that they would soon leave for Paris.

The Nemrow sisters were struck by the level of detail in the illustration and immediately asked about the artist. And it turns out they have a good eye: Marian Parry is an accomplished illustrator whose work is found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, at the Houghton Library at Harvard University, and in the Smith College Rare Book Room. A writer, poet, illustrator and watercolor painter, Parry is known primarily for her children's books.

The next year, the three women met and decided to work together.

It took the team at Un-Gyve two years to faithfully reproduce "The Paris Book", working from Parry's original watercolour notebook, which had grown "yellow with age", Julie Nemrow says. In consequence, much of the work consisted of recreating the original colors as closely as possible.

Un-Gyve expects to launch the book before this summer in a limited edition of 333 copies, each numbered and signed by the author (a task that took her three days). The launch will be celebrated through several events organised with the Boston Public Library, which houses the majority of Marian Parry's archives.

Though she spent most of her life in the US, the artist never forgot the city she fell in love with in her youth. As Julie Nemrow tells it, "The first time she returned to this city as an adult, she realised that the recurring dream she had been having until then was about the Paris metro. So the images of Paris, her childhood memories, stayed with her; and she dreamed of this city without knowing it was Paris." – AFP/Relaxnews, April 28, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion


Hudud: Kesan penentangan DAP pada persepsi orang Melayu

Posted: 27 Apr 2014 06:10 PM PDT

April 28, 2014

Penulis adalah seorang jurutera semikonduktor, wartawan freelance, penerbit dan editor buku motivasi yang suka mengikuti perkembangan politik Malaysia

Hudud sekali menjadi isu hangat yang diperdebatkan di persada politik negara berikutan hasrat kerajaan negeri Kelantan untuk membentangkan rang undang-undang persendirian (private member's bill) bagi membolehkan Enakmen Kanun Jenayah Syariah II Kelantan 1993 atau undang-undang hudud dikuatkuasakan di negeri pimpinan PAS tersebut.

Walaupun usul tersebut masih belum sampai di perkarangan Parlimen, bantahan keras terhadap hasrat PAS itu sudah menjadi semakin kencang dan agak berlebihan, terutamanya daripada DAP.

Hujah dan serangan DAP kepada PAS

Alasan DAP adalah konsisten, bahawa hudud adalah bertentangan dengan perlembagaan yang ada. Justeru, ia tidak wajar dikemukakan.

Bagi mereka, PAS perlu menggugurkan hasrat ini jika ingin terus bekerjasama dalam Pakatan Rakyat.

Penentangan hudud menjadi semakin beremosi sehingga ahli Parlimen Seremban daripada DAP, Anthony Loke mengeluarkan kata-kata yang ditunggu Umno-BN selama ini, apabila beliau menyuruh PAS keluar daripada Pakatan Rakyat sekiranya ingin melaksanakan hudud.

Apa yang beliau dan DAP takutkan pada hudud sehingga kini tidak dapat dikenalpasti selain daripada hujah bahawa hudud bertentangan dengan Perlembagaan.

Namun yang pasti, bilangan orang Melayu yang memandang serong DAP sedikit sebanyak meningkat apabila Sinar Harian mengambil kenyataan beliau sebagai muka depan akhbarnya Sabtu lalu.

Bukan itu sahaja, 'fobia' DAP terhadap hudud juga menyebabkan Setiausaha Agongnya, Lim Guan Eng melakukan sesuatu yang luar biasa.

Selama ini, DAP yang menyarankan agar Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak tidak mengikuti cara Mahathir dalam bermain perkauman di dalam politik dan juga pentadbiran - tetapi dengan kontroversi hudud, tiba-tiba Guan Eng bertukar nada dan meminta Najib mengikut kata-kata Mahathir.

Berlain dengan bapanya, Lim Kit Siang cuba menyakinkan PAS bahawa hudud tidak membantu untuk memenangi pilihan raya dengan memberikan fakta secara berdata.

Cara Kit Siang secara tidak langsung menunjukkan DAP mementingkan kemenangan pilihan raya berbanding segalanya, seperti parti politik yang lain.

Dalam kata lain, baginya, parti politik tidak seharusnya melakukan sesuatu yang tidak memberikan keuntungan politik.

Apa yang Kit Siang katakan itu adalah logik, tapi ia tidak boleh digunakan dengan PAS.

Perlu diingatkan, PAS bukan sahaja sebuah parti politik, ia adalah satu gerakan Islam.

Daripada kefahaman penulis, ahli PAS lebih takut melakukan sesuatu yang mengundang azab Allah daripada segalanya; sebagai contoh, tidak berusaha melaksanakan hudud apabila sudah berkerajaan.

Hak demokrasi PAS dan DAP sebagai penjunjung demokrasi

Sebenarnya, walaupun tanpa penentangan keras bertalu-talu atas pelaksanaan hudud, pihak umum tahu DAP tidak menyokong hasrat PAS untuk melaksanakan hudud.

Dalam kontroversi hudud kali ini, PAS mengambil langkah tidak membelot, tidak membelakangkan kawan mahupun rakyat jelata dengan mengumumkan hasratnya secara terbuka, tanpa sebarang sembunyi untuk menghantar usul undang-undang persendirian ke Parlimen.

PAS menggunakan hak demokrasi yang diperuntukkan oleh Perlembagaan untuk mencuba nasib bagi mendapatkan kelulusan untuk melaksanakan hudud di Kelantan, yang menjadi sebahagian daripada manifesto mereka terhadap rakyat Kelantan selama ini.

Apakah tindakan PAS untuk menunaikan janji manifesto dan mencuba nasib di ruang demokrasi yang tersedia ini satu tindakan yang tidak demokratik?

Boleh difahamkan penentangan DAP terhadap hudud ini ada kaitan dengan pertarungannya dengan MCA untuk menjaga undi bukan Melayu.

Tetapi sebagai sebuah parti yang menjulang demokrasi seperti namanya 'Democratic Action Party', DAP perlu bertanya apakah wajar menyerang PAS yang mengambil langkah demokrasi untuk merealisasikan cita-citanya untuk melaksanakan hudud?

Daripada sudut prinsip demokrasi, penulis berpendapat DAP tidak patut menyerang dan membantah tindakan PAS untuk membawa usul rang undang-undang persendirian untuk diundi di Parlimen.

Itu adalah hak demokrasi PAS yang perlu dihormati.

Cukuplah sekadar mesej pada PAS bahawa tiada seorang pun daripada 39 ahli Parlimen DAP yang akan menyokong usul tersebut di Parlimen.

DAP juga boleh berkempen agar ahli Parlimen lain menolak usul yang dibawa oleh PAS seperti mereka.

Tetapi untuk mengkritik dan menghalang PAS untuk membawa usul tersebut ke Parlimen, ia satu pencabulan terhadap hak demokrasi PAS yang tidak wajar dilakukan oleh sebuah parti yang bernama 'Democratic Action Party.'

Tidak perlulah ugutan seperti yang dibuat oleh Anthony Loke, dan Lim Guan Eng yang menyarankan Najib mengikut kata-kata Mahathir terhadap hudud yang menyinggung ramai umat Islam.

Serangan bertali arus keras ini menghantar mesej yang salah pada orang Melayu, bahawa DAP menjadikan agenda penentangan terhadap hudud, satu kewajipan yang tidak boleh ditolak oleh seorang yang beragama Islam, jauh lebih penting daripada menumbangkan Umno-BN.

Barangkali kerana tersedar hal ini, semalam Kit Siang mengeluarkan kenyataan agar semua pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat tutup mulut mengenai kontroversi hudud.

Nasihat

DAP sudah sedia maklum hudud adalah sebahagian daripada perjuangan PAS sejak penubuhannya.

Apabila duduk bersama, DAP juga sedar bahawa PAS tidak akan menggugurkan cita-cita ini.

Ketika isu hudud bergema di 2011, bukankah PAS dan DAP mencapai persetujuan untuk 'setuju untuk tidak bersetuju' dan masing-masing menghormati hak untuk memperjuangkan agenda parti sendiri secara bersendirian, tanpa melalui Pakatan Rakyat?

Mengapa lupa pada persetujuan itu?

DAP tidak perlu berlumba dengan MCA dan Gerakan untuk menunjukkan siapa hero untuk melawan hudud.

Tidak perlu berlumba mengeluarkan kenyataan kerana permainan kejar-mengejar ini mudah menyebabkan diri terperangkap.

Perkara yang wajar diberi pujian ialah meskipun DAP keras menentang pelaksanaan hudud, sehingga kini tiada pemimpin DAP yang menghina hudud, bukan seperti penentang-penentang hudud di BN yang tidak dapat membezakan antara zina dan rogol dan memahami bahawa intipati hudud ialah "biar salah lepas, jangan tersilap hukum."

Akhirnya, hudud ialah agenda PAS sendiri dan bukan Pakatan Rakyat.

Biarlah PAS sendiri yang menentukan nasib cita-citanya di Parlimen. – 28 April, 2014.

* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

Kisah Datin Jaliji

Posted: 27 Apr 2014 04:18 PM PDT

April 28, 2014

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.

Datin Jaliji mahu dipuji dan dipuja. – Gambar ihsan Uthaya Sankar, 28 April, 2014. Datin Jaliji mahu dipuji dan dipuja. – Gambar ihsan Uthaya Sankar, 28 April, 2014. Kisah mengenai Datin Jaliji (bukan nama sebenar) muncul semasa saya dan rakan-rakan sedang berbual pada 14 April 2014 mengenai seorang individu yang muncul hampir setiap 15 minit menerusi iklan ucapan Tahun Baru Tamil di sebuah stesen radio tempatan.

Siapakah wanita ini yang melanggar etika dan peraturan iklan, tetapi dibenarkan bersiaran menerusi sebuah stesen milik kerajaan?

Seolah-olah seluruh negara mengenalinya secara peribadi sehingga tanpa menyebut siapakah dia, orang akan tahu sekadar dengan mendengar nama sahaja.

Mungkin hanya saya yang tidak mengenalinya! Selepas perkara dan kekeliruan ini dipaparkan menerusi Facebook, seorang rakan mengirim mesej peribadi berserta pautan bagi akaun Facebook seorang individu lain yang namanya hampir sama.

Bagaimanapun, memandangkan wanita itu khabarnya pengasas dan presiden sebuah syarikat media, tentulah dia tahu syarat dan peraturan penyiaran iklan menerusi media.

Saya yakin bahawa mereka bukan orang yang sama.

Topik perbincangan dan perkongsian mesej peribadi mula beralih daripada "budak iklan" itu (Gitanjali Ji) kepada Datin Jaliji yang nampaknya mempunyai kisah tersendiri.

Namanya sendiri mengingatkan saya kepada "Datuk Guluji" yang kisahnya pernah saya paparkan menerusi makalah "Mari Mengenal Datuk Guluji".

Mungkin sahaja tiada sebarang hubungan antara Guluji dan Jaliji, tetapi kedua-dua individu ini nampaknya amat mengimpikan puji-pujian dan puja-pujaan.

Pelbagai taktik, manipulasi dan penipuan juga ditangani secara licik oleh mereka untuk mendapat tempat di tengah masyarakat.

Sementara pengikut setia dan juak-juak yang ada kepentingan peribadi terus memuja-muja Jaliji, beberapa individu yang pernah menjadi mangsa wanita itu mengirim mesej untuk berkongsi cerita.

Mereka membenarkan kisah-kisah itu dikongsikan di sini dengan syarat identiti mereka tidak didedahkan.

Mereka tentulah bimbang jika Jaliji (seperti juga Guluji) ada "kaki pukul" daripada kalangan "pemuja tegar" yang mungkin mengapa-apakan mereka.

Secara umum, nampaknya ada Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT), pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) kaum India, seniman dan usahawan muda menjadi mangsa Jaliji.

Bagaimanapun, selama ini mereka memilih untuk membisu kerana tidak berani melakukan pendedahan secara terbuka.

Tabur janji merata-rata demi publisiti

"Sebuah NGO mengadakan majlis makan malam pada April 2013 di sebuah hotel terkenal di Taiping, Perak. Seorang tokoh pemimpin terkemuka dari India sepatutnya menyampaikan ucap utama. Maka saya dan kawan-kawan pun membeli tiket dan pergi dengan penuh gembira.

"Bayangkan betapa terkejutnya kami apabila tiba-tiba Jaliji mengambil alih tempat pemimpin itu dan menyampaikan ucapan propaganda selama 45 minit. Dalam masa lima minit sahaja, rakan-rakan saya meninggalkan tempat acara kerana terlalu menyampah," kata seorang rakan yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Gobal.

Mengulas lanjut, pemuda itu mengatakan bahawa beberapa minggu kemudian, beliau bertanya kepada seorang lelaki India-Muslim yang menerajui NGO terbabit.

Rupa-rupanya Jaliji menjanjikan sumbangan ikhlas RM25,000 sekiranya diberikan peluang berucap menggantikan pemimpin dari India.

Lelaki India-Muslim itu pun khabarnya menerima tawaran Jaliji dengan gembira.

"Pengerusi NGO itu mengesahkan bahawa sehingga sekarang, Jaliji masih berkeras tidak mahu memberikan walau satu sen. Alasannya adalah bahawa dia tidak pernah berjanji dan tidak ada sebarang bukti atau saksi bahawa dia pernah menjanjikan sumbangan itu," katanya.

Ternyata minat dan topik perbincangan kami sudah beralih terus daripada "budak iklan" di stesen radio kepada kisah Jaliji yang nampaknya amat menarik untuk diteroka secara lebih mendalam.

Saya mempelawa lebih ramai rakan Facebook mengirimkan mesej untuk berkongsi cerita.

Seorang guru dari SJKT Ladang Siru Kambam mendedahkan bahawa pada tahun lalu, Jaliji pernah menjanjikan sumbangan RM2,000 untuk sekolah yang kurang dikenali itu.

"Dia datang merasmikan Karnival Sains dan Kolem di sekolah saya. Dalam ucapannya, dia berjanji akan memberikan RM2,000 demi membantu pelbagai projek di sekolah ini. Sehingga hari ini, guru yang bertugas masih gagal menghubunginya untuk menuntut janji.

"Apabila pejabat wanita itu dihubungi, pelbagai alasan dan cerita karut diberikan. Akhirnya guru yang bertugas itu sudah putus asa. Kami sudah kenal wajah sebenar wanita ini yang mengharapkan nama dan publisiti murahan tetapi tidak menepati janji," kata seorang guru dalam mesej yang dikirim.

Beberapa individu yang mengenali Jaliji sejak usia kanak-kanak dan remaja turut menghubungi saya untuk berkongsi kisah.

Rata-rata mereka tidak hairan atau terkejut dengan segala penipuan, manipulasi dan kempen mengangkat bakul sendiri yang dilakukan oleh wanita ini.

"Saya mengenali Jaliji sejak zaman sekolah. Dia memang gilakan perhatian dan sanggup buat apa sahaja untuk dipuji dan dipuja orang ramai. Di Facebook juga ada beberapa akaun yang dikendalikannya untuk mengangkat bakul sendiri," Rajan menulis dalam mesej peribadi kepada saya.

Personaliti murahan, penuh kontroversi?

Rajan berkata, Jaliji memang sanggup mengeluarkan belanja besar untuk iklan dan publisiti murahan di mana-mana media.

Dia juga gemar menjanjikan bantuan itu dan bantuan ini apabila berucap pada mana-mana majlis.

"Malangnya semua itu hanya janji manis; janji yang tidak ditepati. Jaliji memang suka bermimpi dan mengimpikan untuk menjadi wanita paling dikenali di Malaysia; mengatasi isteri Perdana Menteri, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

"Sebab itu dia muncul di mana-mana, sama ada majlis perkahwinan, pelancaran buku, makan malam atau apa sahaja. Impiannya hanya untuk menjadi terkenal dan dipuja ramai. Tidak mustahil dia akan memasuki MIC selepas ini untuk menjadi idola ahli parti politik itu," katanya lagi.

Apabila membaca segala kisah ini, saya tertanya-tanya juga bagaimana saya tidak pernah mendengar mengenai Jaliji.

Mungkin juga kerana tumpuannya hanya pada kelompok berbahasa Tamil dan pengunjung kuil Hindu.

Atau mungkin saya terlalu kagum dengan Rosmah sehingga terlepas pandang akan kewujudan Jaliji.

Wanita itu juga khabarnya pernah memenuhi undangan ke Kuil Sivaperuman di Siru Kambam tidak lama dahulu.

Kisah ini disampaikan seorang penduduk yang bertemu Jaliji semasa majlis berkenaan. Pemberi maklumat hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Chitra.

"Jaliji menderma RM25,000 untuk Kuil Sivaperuman. Sebagai balasan, dia dijemput sebagai tetamu kehormat dan diberikan peluang menyampaikan ucapan. Kedatangannya lebih meriah berbanding kedatangan presiden PPI," katanya sambil merujuk kepada presiden Pertubuhan Politik India (PPI) yang hanya dikenali umum dengan nama 'Datuk'.

Menurut Chitra lagi, Jaliji datang menaiki kereta mewah berharga dua juta ringgit (berbanding 'Datuk' yang hanya menaiki Kancil Era).

Sejumlah pengawal peribadi dan jurufoto pula mengiringinya di dalam sebuah lagi kereta mewah.

Agak menarik bahawa seorang pemuda Melayu yang segak memakai kot diberikan tugas khas memegang dan mengangkat beg tangan Jaliji.

Pemuda itu dikatakan selalu kelihatan seolah-olah mengalami dilema tetapi tidak mampu bersuara.

"Saya rasa pengawal peribadi Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan isterinya pun tidak seramai ini. Majlis yang dihadiri Jaliji berlangsung di Dewan Besar Siru Kambam. Ucapannya yang panjang berlangsung lebih 45 minit. Tidak sampai 15 minit, ramai yang keluar dari dewan kerana terlalu bosan dan menyampah," Chitra menceritakan.

Kebanyakan mesej yang dikirim menggambarkan modus operandi dan pengalaman yang hampir sama.

Kiriman mesej bukan hanya dari Taiping, Perak tetapi juga dari Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka dan Johor.

Maknanya, Jaliji memang mempunyai rekod negatif di serata tempat.

"Dia hanyalah personaliti murahan dan penuh kontroversi. Tidak perlulah membazir masa menulis artikel mengenainya. Tetapi elok jugalah dilakukan pendedahan supaya orang ramai yang belum tahu akan lebih berhati-hati." demikian kata seorang individu yang hanya mahu dikenali sebagai Mary.

Diva yang mahu jadi politikus

Khabarnya Jaliji pernah mendapat peluang berlakon memegang satu watak kecil dalam sebuah drama Tamil tempatan sekitar tahun 2007.

Penggambaran dilakukan di Siru Kambam, dan Jaliji hanya memandu kereta buatan Malaysia ke lokasi pada waktu itu.

"Tetapi cara dia bercakap dengan kru macamlah dia pelakon hebat dari Tamil Nadu, India. Apabila disapa penduduk kampung, cara dia menjawab seumpama orang bandar yang baru pertama kali masuk ke kampung serta tidak fasih bercakap Tamil.

"Pendek kata, dia memberikan gambaran seolah-olah dia memang ada semua kriteria untuk diberikan gelaran 'diva' dalam industri seni, sedangkan dia baru sahaja diberikan peluang untuk memegang watak kecil dalam sebuah drama. Drama itu pun terbantut separuh jalan dan tidak disiarkan," Mary menceritakan.

Mary mengaku pernah bekerja dengan Jaliji serta mengikutnya ke lokasi penggambaran drama itu.

Katanya, wanita yang gila nama itu memang suka bercakap dengan memetik nama-nama politikus, artis, seniman dan usahawan ternama.

Jaliji seolah-olah berusaha keras untuk memberikan gambaran kononnya dia bukanlah orang biasa; sebaliknya orang istimewa yang mengenali dan dikenali semua tokoh penting di Malaysia, termasuk kerabat diraja.

"Hasil pergaulan dengan Jaliji, saya mengandaikan bahawa dia seorang individu yang inginkan segala kekayaan dan kemewahan dengan apa cara sekali pun. Dia bermimpi mahu keluar daripada kehidupan biasa dan hidup senang-lenang sebagai seorang tokoh yang dipuji dan dipuja ramai," Mary berkongsi pandangan.

Jaliji juga khabarnya sudah berkahwin, tetapi identiti lelaki terbabit disembunyikan.

Pendedahan ini segera mengingatkan saya kepada seorang personaliti televisyen dan pengacara radio tempatan yang khabarnya juga "bermain" dengan misteri yang serupa.

Bagaimanapun, harap maklum bahawa saya tidak berminat dan tidak mahu masuk campur urusan peribadi personaliti televisyen dan pengacara radio itu.

Bagi saya, kisah Jaliji lebih menarik dan penuh misteri untuk diteroka.

Hasil maklumat yang diterima menerusi mesej peribadi daripada begitu ramai orang menunjukkan bahawa mungkin saya seorang sahaja yang tidak tahu mengenai kewujudan Jaliji selama ini.

Kisah, maklumat dan pengalaman yang dikongsikan pemberi maklumat hampir sama. Sebahagiannya dimuatkan dalam makalah ini tanpa mendedahkan maklumat peribadi.

Apa yang pasti, Jaliji seorang 'diva' yang mahu dipuja lelaki dan wanita.

"Saya dapat maklumat bahawa dia mahu memasuki politik dan bermimpi menjadi senator. Kita nantikan pula bagaimana sikap diva selepas dia menjadi politikus. Tahulah kami apa yang perlu dilakukan," kata seorang individu yang mengaku memegang jawatan agak penting dalam PPI. – 28 April, 2014.

* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa


Peniaga jual peranti ceroboh talian Internet didenda RM15,000

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 03:23 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

Seorang peniaga didenda RM15,000 oleh Mahkamah Sesyen di Kuala Lumpur selepas mengaku membekal dan menjual 47 unit peranti yang tidak diperakui Sirim bagi menceroboh sistem jalur lebar milik pengguna lain.

Hakim Azwarnida Affandi menjatuhkan hukuman itu selepas Tung Lun Tak, 44, mengaku melakukan kesalahan itu di rumahnya di Bandar Damai Perdana, Cheras pada 12.30 tengah hari 22 Okt tahun lepas mengikut Seksyen 239(1)(c) Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998.

Tung, yang mengaku membekalkan lima unit High Power Signal King, tujuh unit Sinmax dan 35 unit WiFiSky, dihukum mengikut Seksyen 239(1) akta sama yang membawa hukuman maksimum penjara dua tahun atau denda RM100,000 atau kedua-duanya.

Mengikut fakta kes yang dibentang Pegawai Pendakwa Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia (SKMM) Zairulnahar Zakaria, kegiatan Tung dikesan selepas seorang pegawai SKMM membeli seunit "WiFi Cracker" melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas dan membuat pembayaran dalam satu transaksi perbankan Internet.

Seminggu kemudian, pegawai itu menerima WiFi Cracker' daripada Tung Network Trading sebelum menghantar alat berkenaan untuk ujian Sirim, yang mendapati ia tidak pernah diluluskan serta dilarang penggunaannya di negara ini.

Terdahulu, Tung dan pendakwaan mengemukakan rayuan serta hujahan secara bertulis sebelum mahkamah menjatuhkan hukuman. – Bernama, 28 April, 2014.

Tiga pelajar UIAM kritikal akibat kemalangan bas kini stabil

Posted: 28 Apr 2014 02:54 AM PDT

April 28, 2014

Keadaan bas membawa pelajar Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia yang terbabit dalam kemalangan semalam. - Gambar fail The Malaysian Insider, 28 April, 2014.Keadaan bas membawa pelajar Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia yang terbabit dalam kemalangan semalam. - Gambar fail The Malaysian Insider, 28 April, 2014.Tiga pelajar Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) yang parah dan kritikal akibat kemalangan bas semalam, kini dilaporkan stabil.

Penolong Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Komunikasi Korporat UIAM, Abdul Latif Abdul Rahman berkata ketiga-tiga pelajar itu sudah dipindahkan ke wad biasa manakala semua mangsa yang cedera ringan dibenarkan keluar dari wad.

Beliau berkata pemandu bas terlibat juga dilaporkan sihat serta bebas daripada sebarang pengambilan dadah dan alkohol.

"Pemandu terbabit disahkan negatif dalam saringan air kencing dan alkohol serta disahkan sihat. Dakwaan orang ramai bahawa beliau tidak sihat adalah tidak benar," katanya.

Sementara itu, Pemangku Pegawai Turus Siasatan dan Perundangan Trafik Kuala Lumpur ASP Mohd Fadhli Daud berkata siasatan pihaknya mendapati ketika kejadian pemandu itu juga didapati tidak mengantuk atau pitam seperti yang didakwa.

"Berdasarkan siasatan, kejadian dipercayai berlaku apabila pemandu cuba mengelak sebuah kereta yang menukar laluan secara mengejut sebelum terbabas ke tapak pembesaran jalan," katanya.

Dalam kejadian kira-kira pukul 9.30 pagi semalam, tiga pelajar UIAM dilaporkan kritikal selepas bas universiti yang dinaiki hilang kawalan lalu terjunam ke tempat takungan air sebuah tapak pembesaran jalan di KM25.1 Lebuhraya Utara Selatan arah utara di Kuala Lumpur.

Lima pelajar lagi dilaporkan parah manakala 23 yang lain termasuk pemandu bas hanya mengalami cedera ringan. – Bernama, 28 April, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com
 

Malaysia Insider Online

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved