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Coffee in a garage Posted: 12 May 2014 06:05 PM PDT BY EMMANUEL SURENDRA May 13, 2014 Garage 51 is located in Bandar Sunway, just opposite Sunway University–College. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014.The Malaysian coffee scene is so saturated you could divide it into three groups. There are the franchises such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Then there are the indie, "hipster" joints such as Artisan Roast and RAW. And then there are places like Garage 51. Literally a ramshackle garage turned speciality-coffee purveyor, Garage 51 has been running strong for about a year. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014.What we have here is literally a ramshackle garage turned speciality-coffee purveyor. It goes beyond serving the normal espresso-based coffee: the buzz here is its premium, single-origin beans. When the garage initially opened, it offered the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Gelena Abaya. But just over the weekend they added two more to their speciality menu: The Kenya AA Tatu Estate Rainforest Alliance and Indonesian Putri Sipinsur. Both live up to their origins: the Kenyan beans deliver the citrusy notes the AA is known for while the Indonesian ones provide typically earthy tones and a nutty aftertaste. All three are fair trade coffee and each is priced at RM15 per cup. Interior-wise, the heritage of the garage is preserved – it sports a high ceiling and a brick wall – and refurbished for an urban edge. The kitchen is the centrepiece: it's located inside a shipping container. Garage 51 is, after all, the brainchild of brothers Kar Heng and Kar Wai, the duo behind Coffee Societe. So, it's obviously a Melbourne-inspired café. The Croissant with Smoked Salmon. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014.As for food, there are the usual desserts such as the Red Velvet Cake and the Oreo Cheesecake which range from RM9.90 to RM14.90; there are the calorie-loaded brunch dishes such as the Awesome Garage Breakfast with chicken slices, hash brown and bagels topped with Hollandaise sauce, and Croissant with Smoked Salmon that are RM20 upwards; and there is an after-six menu for dinner. And speaking of brunch, the garage will also be dishing out new brunch specials for a limited time only. All fans need to do is keep tabs on these through social media. The café latte at Garage 51. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014.Why a kitchen when java joints are now in slim coffee-and-dessert-only shacks? Kar Wai says: "When we started Garage 51, the kitchen was part of it… We wanted families to come here and dine. You can't expect children to drink coffee, right? That would be funny." Right. Also, if you still insist on having an espresso-based coffee, then Coffee Societe blends are available. The clichéd café latte comes with a different spin as it has a lighter body – one that doesn't leave you with a headache. And for chocoholics, there's the signature Mochatella, a magical alchemy of coffee ice cubes, Nutella and milk.The Kenya AA Tatu Estate Rainforest Alliance brew. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014. The only grouse about Garage 51 is its location. As it's located just opposite Sunway University-College, the rush hour schlep is annoying, parking is a hassle, and with the ever-faithful traffic enforcers patrolling the grounds for offenders, grabbing a cuppa is a lot of hard work. The Red Velvet Cake. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 13, 2014.But the chaps behind Garage 51 can certainly rest easy, because they have built a brand from it – it has been running strong for close to a year – and it's very Malaysian for caffeine addicts to go out of their way for that perfect cuppa. To know more about Garage 51, you can click here; or visit them at 51, Jalan PJS 11/9, Bandar Sunway; or holler 03 5612 5618. – May 13, 2014.

Red wine ingredient no magic pill for health, shows study Posted: 12 May 2014 05:57 PM PDT May 13, 2014 A study out yesterday found that resveratrol – one of the highly touted antioxidants in red wine – did not help people live longer. – Reuters pic, May 13, 2014.US researchers may have found a flaw with the "French Paradox", or the notion that people who drink red wine can somehow avoid the pitfalls of a high-fat diet. A study out yesterday found that resveratrol – one of the highly touted antioxidants in red wine – did not help people live longer. Nor did it help people avoid cancer or heart disease, according to the research published in JAMA Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association. "This study suggests that dietary resveratrol from Western diets in community-dwelling older adults does not have a substantial influence on inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or longevity," said the research, led by Richard Semba of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Research on animals has suggested resveratrol, a polyphenol also found in some Asiatic plant roots as well as peanuts and berries, may wield beneficial health effects. Although not proven in human studies, those findings have contributed to a US$30 million (RM97.16 million) per year market for resveratrol supplements in the United States alone, researchers said. The latest study was based on measures of resveratrol levels in the urine of nearly 800 people in two small villages in Tuscany, Italy. Researchers measured their urine for signs of resveratrol, to see if the amounts they were getting through their diet would contribute to improved health. The subjects were 65 or older when they joined the study in 1998. In the nine years that followed, 34% of those in the study died, and researchers could find no correlation between early death and resveratrol levels. Nor could they find any significant links between resveratrol levels and the development of cancer or heart disease. "These data are consistent with other studies that found that the method of alcohol consumption had no effect on outcome or if there is a benefit to red wine it does not appear to be mediated by resveratrol specifically," said Blase Carabello, chair of cardiology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Indeed, some previous research in humans has suggested that resveratrol may not be the cure-all some have hoped, including studies that have shown no impact on blood pressure, metabolism or lipid levels. "Of course the only way to be certain would be through a randomised trial but the current data lend little support for performing such a trial," added Carabello, who was not involved in the study. According to Robert Graham, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, the "French Paradox" is still a mystery. "This study is a great example of how difficult it is to examine the role of 'the magic bullet' for health and longevity, in this case resveratrol," said Graham, who was not part of the research. "As the authors mentioned in their study, studying resveratrol in humans is challenging given different rates of metabolism, utilisation and excretion among different people," he added. "The recipe for a longer, healthier life is still being developed." – AFP, May 13, 2014.

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Hodgson gives England youthful options for World Cup Posted: 12 May 2014 07:17 AM PDT May 12, 2014 Roy Hodgson (pic) has given himself the option to give England a youthful, fresh edge at the World Cup after including Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana in his provisional squad on Monday. There were no surprises as the irresistible late-season form of Everton's attacking midfielder Barkley and Liverpool wide man Sterling made their inclusion an easy choice for Hodgson, despite having only five caps between them. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsenal team mate Jack Wilshere got the nod despite ending the season with injuries, while Shaw was chosen ahead of 107-cap Ashley Cole as left-back back-up for Leighton Baines. Southampton provide three players in Shaw, midfielder Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert, who share only eight caps. Lambert and Manchester United's goal-shy Danny Welbeck were included as back-ups for the probable first-choice strike partnership of Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge, with Andy Carroll named among the seven players on stand-by. Everton centre back John Stones and Liverpool fullback Jon Flanagan, both uncapped, were also named as stand-bys, as was Jermain Defoe. Hodgson will have to name his final 23-man squad by June 2. Hodgson, not known as a risk taker, can also draw on the immense experience of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner and goalkeeper Joe Hart for a tough assignment in Brazil where England face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D. "The balance is quite good," Hodgson told a news conference. "They (the younger players) have imposed themselves and imposed their ability in my thinking. If I picked my squad in October after the last two World Cup qualifiers, then it might have looked different. "I'm not sure Raheem Sterling was getting the game time or making the impact he has had in recent months. "You can't ignore what people are doing week to week in their club sides. "But I think it would be wrong to focus on those who are young and inexperienced. You can't get that experience until you play. "Frank is a very important part of our set-up still," added Hodgson of the midfielder who will turn 36 during the tournament. "In midfield you have many more positions to choose from. It's not a straight choice between two players. "Frank has been captain on many occasions. He still plays a very important role in his club side and his leadership qualities and his ability as a player means he justifies his position." Hodgson also showed faith in Rooney, still awaiting his first World Cup finals goal. "If it's anything to do with desire and ambition, then we've got nothing to fear. "I've told the players to go away for a week and get mentally prepared. "Wayne has decided to take a physio with him because he is so determined to come back firing on all cylinders. "His attitude - spot on, desire - couldn't be better, ability - yes, he has. Now it is all about bringing that to the match on the day. "But it would be wrong to put the hopes of a nation on the shoulders of one man." The squad will travel to Portugal next week to begin their World Cup preparations, before facing Peru at Wembley on May 30. They then play Ecuador and Honduras in Miami before moving on to Brazil. – Reuters, May 12, 2014.

Tax cheat Hoeness wants different jail due to privacy fears Posted: 12 May 2014 05:56 AM PDT May 12, 2014 Pep Guardiola, head coach of FC Bayern Munich greets Uli Hoeness (right), former president of FC Bayern Munich at the official Champions party Postpalast in Munich. – Reuters pic, May 12, 2014.Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, convicted in March of evading US$40 million (RM129.5 million) in taxes, has filed a formal protest about his jail, due to security and privacy fears, a German magazine reported on Monday. Hoeness's lawyers filed an objection to Bavarian state plans to send the 62-year-old to the Landsberg prison because 157 reporters were allowed to tour the 114-year-old facility shortly after his conviction, Focus magazine reported. Hoeness is worried that guards or fellow inmates could peddle information or pictures to media, the magazine said. A spokesman for the state prosecutor's office in Munich said he could not comment on the report. "We don't comment on how prison assignments are carried out," the spokesman said, when asked about the Focus report on Hoeness. "The person concerned will be invited to report to a certain prison at some point." Hoeness was convicted on March 16 of tax evasion in one of the most spectacular cases of fraud in German history. He was supposed to spend the next 3-1/2 years in the Landsberg prison 70 km west of Munich, which once housed Adolf Hitler. Landsberg officials took journalists on a March 31 tour of the prison, where Hitler dictated his book 'Mein Kampf' to Rudolf Hess after being convicted for his failed 1923 beer hall putsch. Its 420 inmates include murderers, drug-dealers and sex offenders. Once Germany's most famous soccer boss, Hoeness was convicted of evading 28.5 million euros in taxes on income earned in a secret Swiss bank account. He hoped in vain his voluntary disclosure would lead to a suspended sentence. Focus magazine quoted sources close to the former West Germany player saying: "It's looking good that Uli Hoeness will not have to go to Landsberg." It said Hoeness could end up in the more modern facility in Landshut that has fewer inmates serving out sentences for violent crimes. The Landshut prison also has single cells, better food and flat-screen TVs, Bild newspaper reported. Focus added Hoeness friends "worry that guards or prisoners (at Landsberg) could be lured by money into selling exclusive information about the nation's biggest celebrity prisoner." The Munich-based magazine said Hoeness believes he will not have to stay in jail long when his term starts in late May. "Uli is confident that he'll be allowed to leave prison during the daytime hours after just three or four months," Focus said, referring to German rules that allow prisoners with good behaviour out of jail during the day to work. Hoeness, who helped West Germany win the 1974 World Cup, resigned as chairman of the supervisory board and president of Bayern Munich a day after his conviction. During his 35 years at Bayern Munich, Hoeness turned the club into a perennial powerhouse that won last year's Champions League and dominates the German Bundesliga. He also owns a Bavarian sausage factory. Journalists who toured the Landsberg prison saw eight-square-metre cells of the type where Hoeness will be locked up. The rooms have just a simple bed, a chair, a closet and toilet. – Reuters, May 12, 2014.

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Hot pink moms take centre stage at Putrajaya Marriot Hotel Posted: 11 May 2014 11:00 PM PDT May 12, 2014 The Hot Pink Mom runway show allowed moms beautifully dressed in the hot pink theme of the day to show off their attire and catwalk skills. – Pic courtesy of Marriot Hotel Putrajaya, May 12, 2014.All eyes were on moms dressed in hot pink when the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel paid tribute to mothers on Mother's Day. The eventful celebration began with moms being treated by their families to a sumptuous lunch at the restaurant of their choice while being entertained by the hotel band and roving Balloon Sculpturist. Upon entering the restaurant, mothers were given door gifts that included product samples, chocolates and a carnation. This was followed by an array of enjoyable activities for the whole family. Moms, dads and children were invited to join competitions that promised exciting prizes such as hotel stays, restaurant dining vouchers as well as pampering vouchers at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel.  The activities began at 1 pm with a Magic Show for the children and the young at heart. After the show, children were invited to the Just for Kids DIY Arts and Crafts corner to make a Mother's Day card or a gift for mom in the form of bookmarks, colouring sheets or a unique work of art. Children were given adorable teddy bears for participating in the activity. At 1.30 pm, the Dress the Cake competition began with a cake decorating demonstration by Chef Aman. Twelve teams of mom and child then decorated their cakes within the timeframe of 20 minutes, making sure that they followed criteria such as creativity and neatness. The winning team, who won a 1-night-stay at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, stood out from the rest with their cake beautifully decorated with a pink-creamed topping. Next was the Fastest Burger Eater contest where 10 dads competed to eat five burgers in 10 minutes. Contestants were told that there was a surprise ingredient in the burger they must eat. With their families and the crowd cheering them on, all 10 dads raced to chow down the burgers with gusto, but in the end, only one Dad managed to eat all five burgers in the allocated 10 minutes, winning himself a 1-night-stay at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel. To work off the excitement built from the 2 contests, the Line Dancing Competition allowed participants to groove to the music and show off their dance skills. This competition was open to participants of all ages and, after being shown some poco-poco and cha-cha steps, participants were invited to dance to the upbeat music. Four of the best dancers and four with the most sporting personalities were selected, winning themselves restaurant dining vouchers or exciting gift items. The highlight of the day was the Hot Pink Mom runway show where Moms beautifully dressed in the hot pink theme of the day showed off their attire and catwalk skills. Their husbands and family cheered them on in the crowd, with some husbands taking their wives' hand and leading them to the stage. The five finalists were then announced and from there, the Best Dressed Mom was selected to win the Grand Prize of a return flight to Miri, Sarawak and a 3-days, 2-night's stay at Miri Marriott Resort & Spa. It was, all in all, a successful celebration as moms were given the special attention they deserve. – May 12, 2014.

Back to basics for Afghan soldiers as Nato allies exit Posted: 11 May 2014 09:01 PM PDT May 12, 2014 Observation Post Sterga 2 in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, which was opened in August 2013, was closed on May 10, 2014 marking an important phase in ending British combat operations in Afghanistan. All Nato troops will pull out of Afghanistan by December. – AFP pic, May 12, 2014.A computer without a power cable, a spy camera with English instructions that no one can read, and water-logged accommodation – life on the frontline can be a long series of setbacks and challenges for Afghan soldiers. In the eastern district of Khogyani, the war against Taliban militants is a day-to-day struggle for control of fields and villages just outside Jalalabad, one of Afghanistan's biggest and most strategic cities. At one post, six soldiers live in a flimsy wooden shack made of planks, plastic sheets and sandbags, on alert 24-hours a day for attack from the surrounding rebel-held mountains. They dry their socks and clothes on a rope, and spend their days on guard duty, listening to radio messages and passing on information to other units in the area. "Of course, we are proud of our job," Shapoor Ahmadzai, 27, told AFP. "We are here to serve our country, and we are hopeful and optimistic about the future. "But this place is an absolute mess – when it rains, water just comes into the room, so nobody can do his job, and we live in darkness when we don't have electricity." Basic issues over equipment, living quarters, food supplies and vehicle maintenance are among the major problems facing the Afghan army as it fights a resilient enemy that controls swathes of the south and east of the country. The 190,000 soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) have largely taken over responsibility for the war against the Taliban after more than a decade in which well-equipped, well-trained Nato troops dominated the battlefield. All 51,000 remaining Nato combat troops will pull out of the country by December. "If they equip us with helicopters and fighter jets, and if they support us properly, we can perform our job the best way on our own," Ahmadzai said. "But we are short of helicopters and planes, and without them it will be difficult for us." Spartan army life Soldiers at the post in Khogyani hang flak jackets by their beds at night in case of emergencies, and keep their sparse personal possessions on wooden beams in living conditions that boast few creature comforts. Billions of dollars of foreign money – most of it American – is spent every year on Afghan security forces in the hope they will be able to secure the country and prevent a return to civil war after Nato troops leave. The army has been built from scratch since 2002, and has made rapid progress, but it remains dogged by high desertion rates, ethnic imbalances and poor logistics. Also looming over the ANA is the ever-present threat of "insider attacks", when soldiers – inspired either by the Taliban or personal grievances – turn their guns on their own colleagues. The ministry of defence declines to give numbers for such incidents, but it became such a problem for Nato troops that "guardian angel" snipers were assigned to oversee joint-patrols. "A few months ago, a soldier wanted to assassinate the general here," an Afghan intelligence officer told AFP. "We were suspicious and tracked down explosives he had hidden in his car. Such a danger exists in all of Afghanistan." The officer, who declined to be named, showed AFP the computer on which he was meant to gather reports. It sat uselessly on a desk, with no power cable, and no electricity to plug it into. He has also been supplied with a high-tech digital camera, but it doesn't have a memory card and no one can work out how to use it as the instructions are written in English. Money matters At the base, joints of meat are butchered and cooked up in cauldrons set over open wood fires for lunch, which is served with rice and vegetables. Soldiers pray at the mosque and attend religious lectures twice a week. "Of course, we are afraid when we go out of the base," said Mursaleen, 21, who like many Afghans uses only one name. "We are afraid of landmines, IEDs and ambushes. They plant bombs under trees where we might sit for a rest." For Mursaleen, a monthly pay cheque of 12,000 Afghanis (RM695) makes joining the army worthwhile. "I belong to a poor family, and could not find any job outside," he said. "Any work we do find pays less than the army. The salary I get, I send to my family." Afghanistan's security forces face a difficult test in this summer's annual "fighting season" as they battle Taliban insurgents with the assistance of fewer and fewer Nato troops. Last year Afghan army and police fatalities topped 100 every week at the peak of fighting, according to US officials. Peace talks with the Taliban may well be explored after the ongoing presidential election, but Afghanistan will still need a professional and sustainable army to impose security in a country at war for more than 30 years. The election campaign and polling day were not hit by any large-scale Taliban attacks – an achievement that Afghan and Nato leaders hailed as an unequivocal sign of the army's growing effectiveness. Among those who express optimism in the local soldiers are the long-bearded American special forces' commandos who maintain a discreet presence at the base. "We're here to give advice and assistance, including air support," one told AFP, declining to give his name. "I'm confident and I'm very impressed. It's one of the more capable forces I've worked with, and that judgement is defined by is what happening here on the ground". – AFP, May 12, 2014.

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‘Neighbors’ grabs top spot at North American box office Posted: 11 May 2014 07:14 PM PDT May 12, 2014 Zac Efron and Dave Franco star in the R-rated comedy 'Neighbors'. – AFP pic, May 12, 2014.R-rated comedy "Neighbors" vaulted to the top spot at the North American box office in its debut weekend, relegating "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" to second place, industry estimates showed yesterday. Starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as new parents who find themselves living next door to a raucous fraternity, Universal Pictures' "Neighbors" raked in $51.1 million (RM165 million) from Friday to Sunday, figures from Exhibitor Relations showed. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," the sequel featuring Andrew Garfield, settled for second, taking in $37.2 million for a total $148 million in the two weeks since release. In a distant third was "The Other Woman," the romantic comedy starring Cameron Diaz, which had ticket sales of $9.25 million in its third week at movie theatres. In fourth place was "Heaven Is for Real," starring Greg Kinnear as the father of a four-year-old boy who wakes up from emergency surgery with a story about going to heaven and back. It pulled in $7 million as it slipped down the charts. Fifth was "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," based on the iconic Marvel superhero and starring Chris Evans, with $5.6 million. It has earnings of $245 million since release. Next up was animated flick "Rio 2," about a family of blue Macaw parrots with voices by Jesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway. It registered sales of $5.1 million. Seventh was PG-rated comedy "Moms' Night Out," pulling in $4.2 million on its first weekend. Rounding out the top 10 was another newcomer, "Legends of Oz" ($3.7 million), followed by "Divergent" ($1.7 million) and "Brick Mansions" ($1.5 million). – AFP, May 12, 2014.

Actor Hartnett takes on mystery and monsters in ‘Penny Dreadful’ Posted: 11 May 2014 05:31 PM PDT May 12, 2014 Cast member Josh Hartnett arrives for the world premiere of television series 'Penny Dreadful' in New York May 6, 2014. – Reuters pic, May 12, 2014.Monsters and murders of the Victorian age come alive in Showtime's new supernatural drama "Penny Dreadful", as actor Josh Hartnett leads a band of gothic mavericks to uncover the terrors that attack the city of London. "Penny Dreadful", premiering on the CBS Corp cable network on Sunday, follows wealthy explorer Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) on a quest to find his kidnapped daughter Mina, as a terrifying creature wreaks havoc by devouring humans in the nighttime shadows of London. Murray enlists the help of eclectic outsiders, some mined from British literature like Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray and Mary Shelley's Victor Frankenstein, while others, such as Eva Green's mysterious Vanessa Ives or Hartnett's Ethan Chandler were developed by the show's creator John Logan. Hartnett, who makes his return to television after a breakout role 17 years ago in the short-lived series "Cracker", said he drew inspiration for the gun-slinging charmer Ethan from gunfighters of the old American West, such as Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. "He's a Russian doll of a character, and I wanted that to come across immediately," he said. "In that first scene, he's wearing a costume over a costume, he's wearing a mustache over a mustache. It's important to me that you know from the get-go that he's not what he seems." The term "penny dreadful" refers to cheap Victorian-era books containing tawdry, graphic stories of monsters and murder, and the show is loosely inspired by the tales of horror that thrilled working-class readers. "Penny Dreadful" is the latest US television show drawing from Victorian England after shows such as NBC's "Dracula" and Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" also resurrected gothic literary characters for the modern-day audience. Hartnett said he saw similarities in the social changes of 19th century England and today, accounting for why audiences may relate to the bygone age. "It was a time that was on the cusp of something new, which I think is kind of an equivalent to what's happening now, there's reverberation of change in everything," he said. The role of Ethan is a welcome return to the spotlight for the 35-year-old Hartnett, who became one of Hollywood's in-demand young stars in the early 2000s, with leading roles in 2001's "Pearl Harbor" and "Black Hawk Down". But after 2006's "The Black Dahlia", Hartnett – who opted not to take superhero roles for Spider-Man, Batman and Superman – stepped away from Hollywood's bigger budget fare, instead focusing on independent film projects such as 2008's "August". "There were a lot of the top directors in Hollywood that I had projects with that we were developing, and for one reason or another, things fell apart," he said. "Instead of doing lesser versions of those projects with other people or just doing something to keep my name out there, I pursued directors that were making really interesting projects that were off the beaten path." Hartnett is the latest actor to embrace television as part of a recent wave of shows that have drawn film-level talent, as networks are now financing mid-level budget productions of US$20 million (RM64.57 million) to US$50 million that Hollywood struggles to make. The actor hopes to step behind the camera himself to direct, saying filmmakers with smaller movies have more options now for releasing through different on-demand platforms. "I worked at a video store when I was younger, and I've always had a fascination with the two-hour format, that's why I've done a lot of film over the last few years," he said. "I would love to take some of the ideas that I come up with and put them into a film, and it's something that I'll hopefully will do in the future when the time is right." – Reuters, May 12, 2014.

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Malindo Air yakin operasi di klia2 berjalan lancar Posted: 12 May 2014 03:08 AM PDT May 12, 2014 Syarikat penerbangan hibrid Malaysia, Malindo Air amat positif bahawa operasi di klia2 akan berjalan lancar dalam tempoh seminggu atau dua minggu akan datang. "Tawaran kami untuk membantu sentiasa terbuka kepada syarikat penerbangan lain kerana kami komited untuk memastikan kelancaran operasi di klia2," menurut Malindo dalam kenyataan hari ini. Malindo berkata AirAsia mengalami sedikit kekurangan tenaga kerja pada hujung minggu dan Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) meminta bantuan pihaknya membantu dari segi urusan logistik. "Kami dengan segera menggerakkan sebahagian tenaga kerja kami untuk ditempatkan di seksyen pemindahan dan pemunggahan bagasi. "Ketika itu, kakitangan kami menggunakan peralatan dan pengangkutan kami sendiri, termasuk satu traktor dan enam troli bagasi untuk membantu AirAsia," katanya. Kakitangan Malindo turut membantu meminjamkan kerusi roda kepada penumpang AirAsia. – Bernama, 12 Mei, 2014.

Ahmad Said letak jawatan, Razif MB baru Terengganu Posted: 12 May 2014 03:04 AM PDT OLEH JAMILAH KAMARUDIN May 12, 2014 Menteri Besar Terengganu, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said (gambar) sah meletakkan jawatannya sebagai ketua eksekutif negeri itu dan digantikan dengan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Seberang Takir, Razif Abdul Rahman berkuat kuasa hari ini kata Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, seperti dilaporkan The Star. Perubahan jawatan menteri besar di Terengganu timbul selepas Ahmad Said menandatangani surat persetujuan beliau akan memegang jawatan itu hanya selama setahun selepas Barisan Nasional (BN) menang tipis pada Pilihan Raya Umum 13 (PRU13). BN hanya memenangi 17 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN), manakala 15 kerusi dimenangi Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang berjaya memenangi separuh daripada lapan kerusi Parlimen. – 12 Mei, 2014.‎ MENYUSUL LAGI

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Bukit Gelugor, mengapa Umno tak bertanding? Posted: 11 May 2014 05:10 PM PDT May 12, 2014 Penulis adalah seorang jurutera semikonduktor, wartawan freelance, penerbit dan editor buku motivasi yang suka mengikuti perkembangan politik Malaysia Jika dibandingkan antara Kajang dan Bukit Gelugor, sebenarnya lebih wajar untuk MCA bertanding di pilihanraya kecil Bukit Gelugor daripada Kajang. Ini kerana PRK Kajang dibuat dengan sengaja untuk tujuan politik PKR, manakala PRK Bukit Gelugor terpaksa diadakan kerana kematian ahli parlimennya iaitu Karpal Singh. Atas nama mempertahankan demokrasi sebagaimana hujahnya untuk mempertahankan Perlembagaan Persekutuan daripada hudud di Kelantan, MCA wajar boikot PRK Kajang dan turun di Bukit Gelugor sekiranya parti ini masih konsisten antara tindakan dengan hujahnya. Ini tidak. MCA memilih untuk melarikan diri daripada berdepan dengan kekalahan yang lebih teruk. Pendirian ini juga bertentangan dengan kata-kata mereka selepas PRK Kajang di mana MCA mendabik dada menyatakan bahawa mereka berjaya meningkatkan sokongan orang Cina kembali kepada BN selepas mengurangkan undi majoriti kemenangan Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Bukan itu sahaja, pendirian tidak bertanding MCA juga melanggar saranan Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang menegaskan Barisan Nasional perlu menurunkan calon di Bukit Gelugor meskipun tahu itu adalah kawasan hitam bagi BN. Memandangkan MCA tidak berani turun selari dengan persepsi awam yang ada pada presidennya Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai dan timbalannya Datuk Wee Ka Siong, mengapa Umno tidak mengambil peluang ini untuk bertanding di Bukit Gelugor untuk mengukur keberkesanan propaganda mereka pada DAP dan juga minda orang Melayu? Di Bukit Gelugor, terdapat 11,880 pengundi orang Melayu yang boleh dijadikan ukuran populariti Umno. Mereka mewakili 14.48% daripada jumlah pengundi di Bukit Gelugor yang berjumlah 82,431 pengundi. Yang selebihnya ialah pengundi bukan Melayu dengan majoriti 74.49% berbangsa Cina. Sekiranya Umno tidak hilang deposit di Bukit Gelugor dan berjaya meningkatkan undi Melayu berbanding PRU13, Umno dikira mendapat kemenangan moral di Bukit Gelugor. Ini sepatutnya sesuatu yang mudah dan dapat dilakukan oleh Umno yang bersenjatakan jentera kerajaan yang banyak untuk menyalurkan maklumat. Lebih-lebih lagi lawannya ialah anak kepada seorang yang terkenal dengan sikap menentang hudud atau undang-undang Islam yang Umno teringin sangat membantu PAS untuk melaksanakannya di Kelantan. Umno sepatutnya gembira bahawa PAS kini betul-betul mempercayainya untuk bersama-sama melaksanakan hudud di Kelantan meskipun duit royalti tidak pernah dibayar sesen pun pada kerajaan Kelantan sehingga kini. Malah, PAS semalam membuat satu keputusan besar untuk menangguhkan hasratnya membawa Rang Undang-Undang Persendirian di Dewan Rakyat. Semua ini dibuat kerana PAS mempercayai Umno betul ikhlas ingin melihat hudud terlaksana di Kelantan tidak lama lagi selepas Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mencadangkan penubuhan satu Jawatankuasa Teknikal antara Kerajaan Pusat dan Kerajaan Kelantan untuk meneliti dan mengemukakan cadangan tindakan ke arah pelaksanaan Kanun Jenayah Syariah (II) 1993 Negeri Kelantan. Dengan bertanding di Bukit Gelugor, Umno boleh menggunakan peluang ini untuk membuktikan keikhlasannya untuk membantu PAS melaksanakan hudud di samping menggunakan ruang kempen PRK untuk menyebarkan kebaikan mengenai hudud sebagai senjata meningkatkan undi Melayu. Secara tidak langsung juga, cara ini dapat membantu memberi penerangan yang tepat mengenai hudud sebagaimana usaha Umno mewar-warkan kebaikan GST. Memandangkan MCA tidak berani turun bertanding atas alasan ingin menumpukan perhatian untuk melawan perlaksanaan hudud di Kelantan, Umno wajib bertanding untuk berbuat sebaliknya. Namun, segalanya nampak macam dah terlambat. Sebab pendirian MCA tidak bertanding ini telahpun disambut baik oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak meskipun bertentangan dengan pandangan Dr Mahathir. Apakah ini juga secara tidak langsung bermaksud Umno menyokong penuh alasan MCA untuk tidak bertanding bagi menumpukan perhatian untuk menentang perlaksanaan hudud di Kelantan? Jika benar, ikhlas ke Umno nak bantu PAS untuk laksana hudud di Kelantan? Lu pikirlah sendiri. – 12 Mei, 2014. * Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

Rasisme memang ‘budaya’ UiTM? Posted: 11 May 2014 04:11 PM PDT May 12, 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. Seminar Kalimah Allah dan Kristologi Nusantara yang berlangsung di Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam pada 6 Mei 2014 turut menimbulkan kemarahan masyarakat Melayu-Islam. Sewaktu saya berkongsi rasa kecewa menerusi laman rangkaian sosial Facebook, ramai yang tampil berkongsi pandangan dan perasaan yang sama. Seminar yang menimbulkan kemarahan masyarakat pelbagai agama. – Gambar ihsan Uthaya Sankar, 12 Mei, 2014.Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa masih ramai masyarakat pelbagai kaum, etnik, agama, kepercayaan dan mazhab yang berfikiran rasional serta tidak sewenang-wenangnya menerima anasir-anasir jahat yang cuba menghancurkan keharmonian dan perpaduan bangsa Malaysia. Seorang guru dari Bayan Baru, Pulau Pinang, Rosihan Amri Md Zakaria meluahkan rasa bimbang kerana polisi kerajaan dalam mentadbir UiTM seolah-olah menyebabkan generasi muda menjadi sangat rasis dan paranoid. "Sangat membimbangkan apabila UiTM dikatakan melahirkan graduan berminda tertutup yang sering menyalahkan kaum lain serta mahu kerajaan hanya membantu kelompok Bumiputera Melayu-Islam," katanya menerusi mesej peribadi kepada saya. Rosihan turut mengimbas pengalaman sendiri yang terpaksa bersaing dengan mahasiswa daripada kaum-kaum lain secara adil dan saksama semasa beliau belajar di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). "Saya bergaul dengan baik dengan kaum-kaum lain kerana kami hidup bersama-sama; bukan hanya bergaul dengan kaum sendiri. Bagi saya, memanglah sesuatu yang membahayakan apabila UiTM didapati menyebarkan propaganda perkauman. Generasi akan datang yang terpaksa menanggung kesan negatif daripadanya nanti," katanya. Seminar anjuran UiTM dengan kerjasama Utusan Malaysia, Kumpulan Media Karangkraf dan TV Al-Hijrah didapati secara terang-terangan bersifat anti-Kristian serta menanam bibit kebencian terhadap penganut Kristian. Penceramah yang didatangkan dari Indonesia dilaporkan menuduh penganut Kristian sebagai mengkhianati Tuhan selagi mereka tidak meninggalkan agama asal dan memeluk agama Islam. Hujah-hujah yang mempersenda, memperlekeh dan menghina Nabi Isa juga dijadikan "senjata" untuk memujuk orang memeluk Islam. Lebih mendukacitakan apabila Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (Mais) didapati mengedarkan buku berjudul 'Pendedahan Agenda Kristian' kepada ribuan peserta yang hadir tanpa mengambil kira sensitiviti kaum, agama dan kepercayaan. Segala perbuatan itu turut diselar rakan-rakan pelbagai kaum dan agama yang mengikuti perkembangan menerusi media cetak, media alternatif dan laman rangkaian sosial. Pelajar jadi mangsa polisi yang "gila" Perzeus James membuat laporan polis terhadap seminar anti-Kristian di UiTM. – Gambar ihsan Uthaya Sankar, 12 Mei, 2014."Islam tidak pernah memaksa; apatah lagi mendesak seseorang meninggalkan ajaran Kristian dan memeluk Islam. Pada saya, bukanlah sesuatu yang harmoni apabila kenyataan seperti itu dikeluarkan pada seminar tersebut," kata Ahmad Fakhrul Syazwan Mohd Yaacob, seorang pelajar dari Bestari Jaya, Selangor. Memandangkan rakan-rakan saya di Facebook terdiri daripada masyarakat pelbagai kaum, agama, ideologi dan latar belakang, maka peluang memang terbuka untuk berdialog mengenai topik-topik yang saya kemukakan menerusi paparan status. Seorang graduan UiTM Shah Alam (2008) yang kini bekerja di Lumut, Perak berkata bahawa apa-apa yang berlaku sepanjang seminar tersebut sedikit pun tidak menghairankan baginya. "Saya pernah belajar di sana. Memang menjadi semacam polisi UiTM untuk 'brainwash' pelajar supaya bersikap etnosentrik dan rasis. Malah, mereka diajar supaya berbangga dengan sikap perkauman. "Pelajar diajar supaya memandang rendah dan menghina kaum lain dan orang bukan Islam. Sepanjang belajar di sana, kempen ini dijalankan secara berterusan bagi memastikan semua graduan UiTM memiliki ketaatan kepada pemerintah dan membenci orang bukan Melayu," kata Adam dalam mesejnya. Menurut pemuda itu, kebanyakan pelajar yang masuk ke UiTM datang daripada MRSM, sekolah berasrama penuh, sekolah vokasional dan sebagainya di mana mereka hanya bergaul dengan kelompok Melayu-Islam. Maka, kerja 'brainwash' yang sudah bermula sejak awal memang mudah untuk diteruskan di UiTM. Masalah kelompok orang Melayu-Islam yang hampir tidak tahu apa-apa mengenai orang bukan Melayu dan bukan Islam turut disentuh oleh T Gopal, seorang guru yang berasal dari Serdang dan kini tinggal di Selayang. "Saya pernah menghadiri kursus anjuran majikan saya di Jerantut, Pahang beberapa tahun lalu. Hampir 30% peserta adalah penganut Hindu. Malangnya kami disajikan masakan daging lembu oleh pihak pengurusan resort terbabit. "Alasan yang diberikan adalah bahawa mereka tidak tahu-menahu orang India-Hindu tidak makan daging lembu! Apabila diselidik, ternyata individu terbabit tidak pernah bergaul dengan kaum lain sejak kanak-kanak," kata Gopal. Guru berkenaan mempunyai pandangan hampir sama dengan Adam; di mana kebanyakan orang Melayu-Islam lulusan UiTM sudah melalui proses 'brainwash' secara terancang sejak kanak-kanak. Maka, katanya, individu terbabit juga sebenarnya "mangsa" yang tidak bersalah. Peluang penganjur "menebus dosa" Penduduk Sarawak turut membuat laporan polis. – Gambar ihsan Daniel, 12 Mei, 2014.Seorang lagi graduan UiTM (2005), Hafidz Baharom juga berkongsi pandangan menerusi Facebook. Aktivis ini yang tinggal di Shah Alam sedikit pun tidak terkejut dengan isu seminar anti-Kristian yang berlangsung di institusi pengajian tinggi tersebut. "Saya tidak akan terkejut jika pelajar yang menghadiri seminar itu diberitahu bahawa mereka wajib hadir jika mahu lulus subjek tertentu. Memandangkan bekas perdana menteri Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hadir sama, maka tidak hairanlah pelajar beberapa sekolah menengah dibawa masuk untuk meramaikan peserta," kata Hafidz. Pada pandangannya, penganjur seminar tersebut perlu disiasat dan diambil tindakan yang sewajarnya mengikut undang-undang. Selain itu, Mais selaku penerbit buku Pendedahan Agenda Kristian perlu turut dipersalahkan kerana mengedarkan buku itu kepada para peserta seminar. "Kalau ada orang Kristian atau Islam yang mahu membuat laporan polis berhubung penganjuran seminar itu dan pengedaran buku berkenaan, saya akan turut serta," Hafidz menekankan. Dua hari selepas seminar berlangsung, saya (pengamal multifaith) dan Perzeus James (penganut Kristian Katolik) sama-sama pergi membuat laporan rasmi di Balai Polis Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam. Khabarnya ramai juga orang Islam dan Kristian di Sabah dan Sarawak turut membuat laporan polis. Seperti kata Hafidz, universiti memang wajar dijadikan tempat untuk berbahas, berdialog dan berhujah secara akademik berhubung pelbagai perkara, termasuk topik agama. "Tetapi universiti bukan tempat untuk menyebarkan rasa kebencian dan perasaan takut, serta menyampaikan maklumat yang salah mengenai sesuatu agama yang tidak sepenuhnya difahami oleh penceramah terbabit," tegas penulis itu. Hafidz turut menekankan bahawa kini hanya ada satu cara untuk UiTM membetulkan keadaan serta "menebus dosa" berikutan penganjuran seminar yang terbukti berniat jahat dan mahu menghancurkan keharmonian masyarakat. "Saya menggesa UiTM mengundang sekumpulan penceramah Kristian untuk datang bercakap mengenai isu kewujudan kelompok orang Islam yang sangat prejudis dan sering menghasut orang membenci masyarakat bukan Islam," katanya dengan sinis. Kita nantikan sama ada UiTM cukup "jantan" untuk menerima cabaran itu. Bagaimanapun, memandangkan ia umpama menanti bulan jatuh ke riba, mungkin kita nantikan sahaja sama ada pihak berkuasa cukup "jantan" untuk mengambil tindakan yang adil terhadap penganjuran seminar berkenaan. Malangnya, apakah itu juga umpama menanti bulan jatuh ke riba? Sama-sama kita nantikan perkembangan kes ini (termasuk laporan dari Sarawak dan Sabah) yang khabarnya sedang disiasat Balai Polis Seksyen 6, Shah Alam dan IPD Shah Alam. – 12 Mei, 2014. * Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

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