Selasa, 7 Januari 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books


James Franco, Jonathan Franzen in ‘Little Failure’ book trailer

Posted: 07 Jan 2014 02:42 AM PST

January 07, 2014

James Franco's his pink-robed husband, Jonathan Franzen's the distracted shrink, and Alex Karpovsky (of Lena Dunham's "Girls") his literate barista: meet the trailer for Gary Shteyngart's latest work.

In it, we learn why his memoir is called "Little Failure" and not, at Shteyngart's suggestion, "The Portrait of the Young Man as a Mensch" or "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Jewness", thanks to the interventions of his editors Rashida Jones ("Parks & Recreation") and David Ebershoff (author of "The 19th Wife" and real life Random House word cleaver).

Plus there's a glimpse into the hot fuss surrounding Franco's supposed autobiography, "50 Shades of Gary".

Feted by literary critics, Russian-born Shteyngart has lived in the US since 1979, following up his 2002 debut "The Russian Debutante's Handbook" with "Absurdistan" and "Super Sad True Love Story".

"Little Failure" publishes January 7. - AFP/Relaxnews, January 7, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion


How Indonesia got it right

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 03:57 PM PST

January 07, 2014

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim founded Malaysia's largest law partnership before focusing on politics. He was a minister in the Abdullah administration, was in Umno, PKR and last in KITA as its president.

Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, which probably led the late Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) – the former Indonesian president and an enlightened ulama – to predict confidently that his country would shape and determine the future global Muslim agenda.

According to him, other Muslim countries, even those in the Middle East, would not be as capable as Indonesia in this area and it's no exaggeration to say that Islamic discourse, whether in politics, theology, or cultural practices, is gaining widespread currency throughout the world.

In Indonesia, just as in Malaysia, there are many groups and organisations spreading their views and trying to determine and shape the future of Islam in the respective countries.

In Indonesia, these groups range from liberals (such as the Jaringan Islam Liberal) to ultra-conservative Salafis.

Some say that the "smiling face of Islam" is no longer present in today's Indonesia. This refers to the rise of attacks against liberals and so-called deviationists such as the Ahmadiyya movement and Shias.

The city of Solo is a hotbed of conservatism, as is South Sulawesi. Committees for overcoming "threats of apostasy" are sprouting like mushrooms. Even the Muhammadiyah, long regarded as a bastion of moderate Islam, is changing its face and is becoming increasingly like the Wahabbis of a certain desert country.

Former Muhamadiyah leader Dr Amien Rais tried to give more traction to the development of political Islam by declaring that the Pancasila should not be the sole Weltanschauung or worldview for Indonesia, nor should it constitute the founding principles of the nation.

He didn't gain much support for this view and, like all opportunists, he slowly faded away from the scene.

Today, despite the apparent growth of conservative Islam, the Indonesian government has not faltered and still strenuously advocates the need for a secular democratic system with Islam as its guiding principle.

Democracy is alive in Indonesia and gains strength each day. The freedom of the press is there for all to see. Political parties with strong religious elements are allowed to participate and campaign on whatever platform suits them.

They can seek popular support for their opinions and there is a multitude of viewpoints from which to choose. 

These organisations are not above the law of the land. Not surprisingly, the religious parties are not frontrunners in this year's general election and I doubt that they will do well at the polls.

Whatever the case, I hope that Gus Dur's liberal aspirations will come to the fore again.

In Malaysia, however, the "Islamisation" process involves not just non-governmental organisations or social and religious activists but the very core of the government as well, and the ongoing attacks on the Christian use of the word "Allah" give credence to the view held by political experts that, at the next general election, the contest will be about who can play the Islamic game better.

"Political Islam" is gaining a momentum in Malaysia at a rate unheard of before. This means that democracy and the rule of law in Malaysia grows increasingly fragile while authoritarian rule lurks around the corner.

I hope that the leaders of political parties in Malaysia, especially those in the Barisan Nasional, will take this development seriously. I exclude Umno from this because it is probably already too late to expect anything progressive from that quarter.

The unwillingness of Umno leaders to find a peaceful solution to the "Allah issue", for example, is a clear sign of the march towards authoritarian rule.

Invoking the name God is just a ruse to gain support for a new dictatorship.

PAS, I hope, will be the last bastion preventing the death of democracy in this country. Who could have imagined such a thing 20 years ago? But the way the PAS president has formulated his principle with regard to the issue of "Allah" is exemplary.

He said that as long as the word "Allah" is not abused but used in prayers and in holy books, PAS has no objection at all.

This is not merely correct, in principle, it is an excellent practical solution.

If the government has any sense left, it should know that it is impossible to continue confiscating Bibles and the Guru Granth Sahib. And if anyone insists that non-Muslims are barred from using "Allah" in any context, then surely that insistence includes the singing of state anthems containing the word "Allah".

Such a ban is patently ridiculous and impossible to implement. Furthermore, barring someone from saying or singing "Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku" ("God grant long life to his highness"), for example, can be interpreted as an act of treason.

As such, the government should not renege on the 2010 cabinet decision and should instead explain that decision carefully and clearly so everyone understands it.

I shall leave it to them to find the courage to do so.

Meanwhile, troublemakers have had all the attention and, in the process, the government is now stuck with a ban it can't possibly enforce.

Why do I say that Indonesia got it right? The institutions of state must be preserved and protected by the founding principles of that nation. Indonesia has steadfastly held on to this.

Operating in a democracy, the Indonesian government continues to allow the various political and religious aspirations of the nation to be aired and canvassed with all the enthusiasm adherents can muster. At the same time, no one is ever allowed to transgress the defining parameters of the Constitution.

In Malaysia, we think we are smarter.  We think we can redefine and reformulate the founding principles of our nation – or even violate the Constitution outright – just because the government or some privileged interest group feels it is politically expedient to do so.

We've got it all wrong. – January 7, 2014.

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

How to turn a good year bad, a plan to fail at Old Trafford

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 03:36 PM PST

January 07, 2014

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

The biggest nonsense I heard in 2013 was the phrase "calendar year"!

Absolute bull in my opinion! Who gives two hoots about calendar year in football? It is the "football season" that matters.

The gongs are handed out in May. Nobody wins anything in January or December. If you play great football from January to December and yet not win anything, then it is like falling between two stools.

Anyway, the new year started off where the old year left off, with Manchester United seemingly at a dead end.

The FA Cup exit at home to Swansea City has certainly meant the end seems nearer than the beginning. It takes three seasons to start winning some respectability if a team is rebuilding.

Will we see Sir Alex Ferguson making a comeback soon? The global damage being done to the brand might force a rethink at Old Trafford. And do not trust SAF to choose his successor!

A successor should have been groomed. If Tito Vilanova had not been ill, he would most certainly have been in charge at Barcelona to continue the legacy of Pep Guardiola.

However, it is Tata Martino in charge and he is doing a good job. The injury to Leo Messi came as a blessing in disguise because for now Martino has shown he can win without the Argentine maestro.

The credit for keeping the squad motivated too has to go to Martino. And there was plenty of motivation and desire on display against Elche on Sunday night.

The battle for starting positions in attack – and Barca always play with three – has begun in earnest. There is only one place left unfilled, and with Messi and Neymar certain to start once fit, the battle between Pedro and the Chilean Dart, Alexis Sanchez was the highlight of the game.

It was an Alexis hattrick that caught the eye and Pedro's assist for one of the goals was unselfish. However, Pedrito, did score one himself and his industry wore down the Elche defence. Watch this space!

The biggest challenge to Barca comes from Madrid but the El Clasico this weekend will feature Atletico and not Real.

The red-and-whites of Madrid believe they can win the title but certainly not on their shapeless showing against Malaga on the weekend. They looked lopsided… David Villa could not be bothered while Diego Costa was a beast, as usual.

But this match-up is certainly one not to be missed. Will Atletico get physical in the mould of their tough guy Argentinian manager Diego Simeone or will Martino's motivation work to separate the two at the top? Absolutely mouthwatering!

Elsewhere in the Primera Liga, the playmaking skills and vision of Ivan Rakitic ensured three very comfortable points at home to Getafe. Will Manchester United look at poaching the Croatian, as he sure can and will make a difference alongside Michael Carrick in central midfield?

The Theatre of Dreams would welcome the Sevilla playmaker. He is ready for a step up and most certainly his agent would be anticipating a call. Or will nepotism get in the way? Go figure.

Well, happy to note that Spurs will not have the FA Cup to worry about anymore. The Gunners, meanwhile, need to win at least one pot this season and they are hanging in there for the time being.

The Spurs, however, need to qualify for the Champions League and a good run in the Europa League does provide for good preparation for the Champions League proper.

It is just one step at a time for Spurs. – January 7, 2014.

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

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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Paderi Lawrence disiasat bawah Akta Hasutan

Posted: 07 Jan 2014 02:18 AM PST

OLEH MOHD FARHAN DARWIS
January 07, 2014

Pengarang akhbar mingguan Herald, Paderi Lawrence Andrew (gambar) hari ini dipanggil pihak Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) untuk membantu siasatan berhubung kenyataannya dalam laman portal The Malaysian Insider baru-baru ini.

Menurut peguamnya, Francis Pereira, Lawrence disiasat di bawah Seksyen 4 Akta Hasutan.

"Polis soal siasat saya berkenaan kenyataan saya dalam artikel di The Malaysian Insider.

"Mereka soal siasat berkenaan apa yang saya telah katakan dan saya memberikan penjelasan berhubung perkara itu," kata Lawrence ketika ditemui pemberita di Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Selangor di Shah Alam.

Beliau sebelum ini telah mengeluarkan kenyataan bahawa gereja di Selangor tetap akan menggunakan kalimah Allah dalam upacara keagamaan di gereja atas alasan Perlembagaan Persekutuan memperuntukkan kebebasan beragama di Malaysia.

"Saya jelaskan kepada mereka kita telah menggunakan perkataan Allah dalam Buku Doa Harian, yang juga petikan daripada Bible berbahasa Melayu sejak sekian lama," katanya, yang turut membawa sebuah terjemahan Bible berbahasa Melayu lama berusia lebih 100 tahun ketika sesi soal siasat tersebut.

Kenyataan Lawrence telah direkodkan oleh pegawai penyiasat ASP Effandi Main.

"Saya turut memberikan salinan (kitab) ini kepada polis," katanya lagi, dan menambah kitab berkenaan juga bertarikh 1905.

Beliau telah menerima kritikan dan tekanan pelbagai pihak selepas kenyataan berkenaan disiarkan ekoran ia bercanggah dengan titah Sultan Selangor yang melarang komuniti bukan Islam menggunakan perkataan Allah.

Selangor turut memperuntukkan Enakmen 1998 Agama Bukan Islam di Selangor (Kawalan Penyebaran Agama Kepada Orang Muslim) yang melarang penganut agama lain menggunakan 35 perkataan termasuk Allah, Nabi dan Injil.

Tindakan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) menyerbu Persatuan Bible Malaysia (PBM) minggu lalu turut menerima reaksi negatif banyak pihak.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tetap hal Ehwal Islam, Permodenan Pertanian dan Pembangunan Desa Selangor, Sallehen Mukhyi bagaimanapun berkata pihak berkuasa agama itu menjalankan serbuan mereka berlandaskan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP).

Tindakan Jais itu juga jelasnya dibuat berlandaskan aduan orang ramai dan serbuan berkenaan adalah untuk mencari bukti.

Sallehen ketika sidang media bersama Andrew di pejabatnya di Shah Alam berkata, pihaknya akan mengkaji dan memperkemaskan semula SOP Jais dengan mengkehendaki badan penguatkuasa agama berkenaan memaklumkan kepada exco terlebih dahulu berhubung isu antara agama.

"Jais ikut SOP sedia ada. Dari segi sekarang tindakan Jais itu betul," katanya kepada pemberita, dan menambah serbuan yang dilakukan Jais adalah berdasarkan aduan orang ramai.

Sallehen turut berkata, titah Sultan Selangor berkenaan larangan penggunaan perkataan Allah oleh kumpulan penganut agama bukan Islam juga perlu dipatuhi.

"Tuanku sebagai ketua agama. Maka, sebarang tindakan berkaitan enakmen itu, maka ianya terpakai dalam konteks negeri Selangor, kita ikut titah Sultan Selangor," kata Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabak itu lagi. – 7 Januari, 2014.


 

Petunjuk tahun baru buat Najib

Posted: 07 Jan 2014 02:07 AM PST

OLEH THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
January 07, 2014

Najib dianggap perdana menteri paling halimunan, tiada kelihatan di waktu rakyat betul-betul memerlukannya. - gambar The Malaysian Insider, 7 Januari, 2014. Najib dianggap perdana menteri paling halimunan, tiada kelihatan di waktu rakyat betul-betul memerlukannya. - gambar The Malaysian Insider, 7 Januari, 2014. Hari ini Januari 7, 2014. Seminggu sudah berlalu dan suasana di Malaysia masih seperti tahun lepas.

Perbalahan yang sama, isu yang sama dan penyelesaian yang sama. Tiada kemungkinan berterusan, atau "Endless Possibilities", di sini.

Nampaknya Putrajaya perlu menukar atau meluaskan pandangan.

Berikut disertakan beberapa petunjuk bagi Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak yang akan meneraju

tahun 2014, lapan bulan selepas memenangi Pilihanraya 2013 dan jawatannya sebagai  presiden Umno yang masih tidak tercabar.

1. Sila duduk di rumah

Bagi mana-mana ahli politik, hanya tunggu masa sahaja sebelum mereka menjadi bahan lawak rakyat. Tun Abdullah Badawi sendiri dapat merasakan masanya akan berakhir sebaik sahaja beliau mula dipanggil kaki tidur, 'Mr Sleepy',  'Slumberjack', dan sebagainya.

Pedulikan yang beliau menghidap apnea tidur. Di minda rakyat, yang membezakan era Abdullah ialah kenyataan bahawa beliau sering tertidur ketika bertugas.

Dalam masa yang singkat, pihak yang berkecuali juga turut menggunakan pelbagai panggilan untuk merujuk

Abdullah. Sejak itu, perdana menteri pada masa itu meluangkan lebih masa mempertahankan dirinya daripada

tugas mentadbir.

Najib sudahpun hampir ke tahap itu. Pengkritik menganggapnya perdana menteri paling halimunan, tiada kelihatan 

di waktu rakyat betul-betul memerlukannya. Walaupun belum sampai ke skala pemberontakan penuh, tetapi penyokongnya sendiri tertanya-tanya tentang tabiat menghilangnya setiap kali adanya krisis di Malaysia.

Beliau suka melancong. Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Monaco, Sydney, London. Kebanyakan masa, untuk urusan rasmi, tetapi beliau juga mempunyai kecenderungan untuk bercuti luar negara atau menyambut tahun baru di luar

Malaysia.

Jadi apabila isu seperti serbuan Jais ke atas Persatuan Bible Malaysia meletup, beliau tidak dapat

dihubungi. Bila beliau akhirnya membuka mulut, masanya sudah terlambat, dan terlalu banyak kata-kata provokatif sudah dilemparkan.

Para pengkritik juga setuju, walaupun Najib ada di Malaysia, beliau terus membisu dalam berhadapan dengan isu sensitif, takut terkena penangannya. Sedih tapi benar.

Namun, tak perlulah kita berangan. Sebagai permulaan, cuba kurangkan bercuti dan melancong supaya apabila bercakap tentang sesuatu isu, tidaklah kedengaran seperti pelancong.

2. Usahlah bercakap seperti pelancong.

Akhirnya Najib bersuara tentang serbuan Jais ke atas Persatuan Bible Malaysia. Beliau menyeru untuk bertenang

dan berdialog. Baiklah. Lebih baik lagi jika beliau dapat angkat gagang telefon dan sampaikan pesanan tersebut

kepada timbalannya, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin, yang tampak terlalu gembira menggalakkan perangai samseng

Umno Selangor.

Ketenangan dan dialog. Setiap seruan untuk berdialog diketepikan Umno, Perkasa dan jabatan Islam di bawah kawalan Umno.

Perdana Menteri meminta rakyat menunggu keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan atas isu kalimah Allah, dan

akur kepadanya. Di sinilah masalahnya.

Selapas Mahkamah Rayuan memutuskan bahawa akhbar mingguan Katolik Herald tidak boleh menggunakan kalimah Allah, bukankah beliau sendiri berkata keputusan itu hanya melibatkan Herald?

Jika mengikut hujah tersebut, keputusan yang bakal dibuat Mahkamah Persekutuan tidak akan mempunyai kesan terhadap tindakan pegawai Jais yang merampas 300 Bible Bahasa Malaysia.

Apa yang jelas adalah: dengan menyerbu dan merampas kitab suci, Jais telah melanggar penyelesaian 10-perkara

antara kerajaan Najib dan penganut Kristian. Tiang perjanjian tersebut adalah keputusan kerajaan yang

membenarkan impot dan pengedaran Bible Bahasa Malaysia.

Jadi adakah Najib sudah terkeliru atau beliau lupa tentang isu sebenar di hadapan Mahkamah Persekutuan dan

kesan serbuan Jais? Apapun alasannya, perdana menteri kita umpama pelancong yang baru berjinak

dengan isu-isu Malaysia.

3. Barisan Nasional (BN) jauh terasing dari rakyat biasa

Mereka tidak peduli. Inilah menteri dan ahli politik yang berbelanja mewah dengan majlis dan

jamuan. Mereka tidak dapat faham apa hebohnya, dan mengapa portal berita dan rakyat Malaysia terkejut dengan perbelanjaan majlis perkahwinan mahupun sambutan harijadi yang memakan belanja beratus-ratus ribu ringgit.

Beginilah cara mereka hidup sekian lama. Cerut berharga beribu ringgit. Jam tangan RM300,000. Kereta mewah

RM1 juta. Apartment RM10 juta di London.

Tiada rasa takut apabila rakyat Malaysia bertanya soalan asas ini: bagaimana menteri dengan gaji

RM20,000 sebulan dapat hidup dalam kemewahan seperti bintang Hollywood, atau David Beckham?

Mereka tidak merasa jelak atau berdosa berbelanja besar sedangkan sebuah keluarga biasa ditimpa beban peningkatan kos sara hidup.

Pemimpin Umno/BN, dari peringkat paling rendah sehingga yang paling tinggi, merasakan diri mereka kebal kerana pilihanraya umum dan pilihanraya parti  sudah berakhir dan mereka bergelumang dalam kuasa untuk tiga tahun lagi.

Kelak mereka akan mula melontarkan janji manis mereka, sambil berkempen untuk kembali berkuasa penggal seterusnya. Sehingga itu, mereka akan berada di Putrajaya sementara rakyat Malaysia bergelut mengharungi tahun 2014. 

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Isnin, 6 Januari 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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West Ham owners give full support to manager Allardyce

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:34 AM PST

January 06, 2014

The joint owners of West Ham United sent an open letter to fans of their beleaguered club today backing manager Sam Allardyce (pic) following their 5-0 thrashing at Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

The London club are also second from bottom in the Premier League, having won just one of their last 13 games, and face the imposing task of a Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Normally a vote of confidence from a board spells the imminent departure of a manager but West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan appear to have absolved Allardyce of any blame for their plight.

The pair said the manager could hardly be expected to cope in the third round at Forest yesterday with so many players out injured.

"We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham a great Premier League club," Gold and Sullivan said in the letter published on the club website.

"These may be tough times for everyone at West Ham but no one at Upton Park is panicking yet. Sullivan and Gold mean what they say. Both of them believe, and have believed all season, that Allardyce is the best man to keep them up.

"Premier League survival is paramount. The club have done all the figures on staying in the top flight and will spend again in January with that in mind."

The Hammers have been badly hit by a series of injuries with record signing Andy Carroll sidelined all season because of a foot injury.

Gold and Sullivan said West Ham were close to strengthening their squad in the transfer window.

"January is not an easy time to do business but we are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one of our key striking targets," the pair said.

"A defender is high on the list of priorities as well and progress is being made on that front."

Allardyce, who has been at Upton Park since June 2011, said he was forced into fielding a young and largely inexperienced side at Forest, making nine changes from the team beaten 2-1 at Fulham on New Year's Day.

He is currently without Kevin Nolan (suspension), Mark Noble (calf injury), James Tomkins (groin), James Collins (calf), Winston Reid (ankle), Ricardo Vaz Te (dislocated shoulder) and Carroll.

"Many key players are out injured and Sam has been handed a near impossible task of coming through three crucial games in the space of six days with a squad of only 14 fit and available senior players," read the letter.

"This is not an excuse, it is a fact. We are under no illusions as to the seriousness of our current predicament in the Premier League.

"But on the board we have a combined talent of running football clubs and we will draw on all of our nous to get West Ham United out of this situation.

"We are all working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our slump in form." - Reuters, January 6, 2014.

Witness says he inadvertently filmed Schumacher’s accident

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:19 AM PST

January 06, 2014

A message to mark the 45th birthday of 7-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher is projected by fans on the facade of the CHU hospital emergency unit in Grenoble, French Alps, where Schumacher is hospitalised. - Reuters pic, January 6, 2014.A message to mark the 45th birthday of 7-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher is projected by fans on the facade of the CHU hospital emergency unit in Grenoble, French Alps, where Schumacher is hospitalised. - Reuters pic, January 6, 2014.Formula One legend Michael Schumacher remained in critical condition yesterday a week after his skiing accident in the French Alps, which a German eyewitness said he inadvertently caught on his smartphone.

Investigators are focusing on the retired racer's speed when he fell and slammed his head on a rock on a small off-piste section of the Meribel ski resort, prompting his evacuation by helicopter to the Alpine city of Grenoble.

They are hoping that a helmet-mounted camera Schumacher was wearing will provide some clues, as will footage by a 35-year-old German steward who says he was filming his girlfriend on the slopes when by chance he captured the moment when the retired driver fell.

In the background, a skier is seen descending an unmarked run between two groomed pistes before falling, news magazine Der Spiegel reported.

According to the witness, who spoke to the magazine, the seven-time world champion was descending the slope at a "leisurely" pace – "a maximum speed of 20 kilometres an hour". He plans to hand over the footage to French investigators.

This would corroborate claims by Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm, who said he could not have been going fast "because it appears he helped a friend who had just fallen".

But in a press conference last week, doctors who treated Schumacher said he had been skiing at great speed when he fell on December 29.

Edouard Bourgin, a specialist on accident claims, said there could have been "a catapult effect that explains the violence of the shock, even in the absence of excessive speed".

Prosecutors are also looking at whether the limits of the ski runs next to the accident site were correctly marked and whether the rock in question was lying close enough to the piste to require some kind of protection or signage.

In addition, they are examining whether the safety releases on Schumacher's skis operated properly in a probe aimed at determining responsibility for the accident.

Schumacher turned 45 on Friday, and fans marked the birthday with a silent vigil outside the facility, part of which was organised by Ferrari, Schumacher's former team.

His wife Corinna and two teenage children have been at his bedside throughout, and other family members have come to visit, including his father Rolf and his brother Ralph, who is also a racing driver.

Kehm said Schumacher remains in a "critical but stable" condition after he underwent two surgeries earlier in the week to ease pressure and bleeding in the brain.

No further press conferences were scheduled before today, and prosecutors and police probing the circumstances of the accident will brief journalists around the middle of the week, public prosecutor Patrick Quincy said yesterday.

The accident has shocked legions of fans and racing stars used to seeing Schumacher cheat death on the track.

Mika Hakkinen, the double Formula One world champion who suffered a near fatal crash during a practice session for the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, wrote to his former rival wishing him a quick recovery, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported.

"Your accident is now just another challenge. You have to fight hard again, just like we both used to do on the track," the Finnish driver said.

"Do me a favour: just this once don't try to beat the clock. You don't have to post your best time in this race. You have to take all the time you need."

It is not known whether the miniature camera Schumacher had strapped onto his helmet filmed the accident, or whether images have been damaged by the impact of his fall, which was so hard it split the helmet in two.

Any usable images should shed light on the circumstances of the accident on the small, seemingly innocuous off-piste section of Meribel located between two ski slopes – one classed as easy and the other as intermediate.

Police have also obtained eyewitness testimony from Schumacher's 14-year-old son Mick, who was skiing with his father at the time, as well as a friend.

Schumacher, who made his debut in 1991, dominated Formula One during his career, winning more world titles and races than any other driver. He retired in 2012. - AFP, January 6, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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‘12 Years A Slave’ actress Nyong’o in line for Bafta

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:52 AM PST

January 06, 2014

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o (right), poses with her brother Peter at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California January 4, 2014. - Reuters pic, January 6, 2014.Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o (right), poses with her brother Peter at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California January 4, 2014. - Reuters pic, January 6, 2014.Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o (pic) was nominated today for Bafta's Rising Star Award for her role in "12 Years A Slave", in a further sign that it is heading for Oscar glory.

Nyong'o is considered the frontrunner for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts award alongside French actress Lea Seydoux, the star of the intense lesbian love story "Blue Is The Warmest Colour".

British actors Will Poulter, star of "We're The Millers" featuring Jennifer Aniston, and George MacKay – who got his big break starring alongside Clive Owen in "The Boys Are Back" – were also among those shortlisted.

Nyong'o made her movie debut in "12 Years", based on the true story of a free African-American man who was kidnapped in the 19th century and forced into slavery.

Directed by British filmmaker Steve McQueen, the movie has seven nominations for the US Golden Globes, 13 at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and four for the Screen Actors Guild awards.

Seydoux joined Poulter and MacKay in London to celebrate their nominations.

The French actress, who has admitted how difficult she found it to endure the long sex scenes in "Blue Is The Warmest Colour", said that starring in the highly acclaimed film had changed her life.

"It was a big success in France and all over the world," she said.

"So all the people are very touched by the film, and I'm very proud of the film and the fact that everybody loves it."

Poulter, 20, began acting as a child and made his name in 2007's "Son Of Rambow" but admitted it had been a new experience for him to star in the big-budget "We're The Millers".

He said: "I remember my first film being a very small British independent and the second one being a big American studio shot in Australia and I was very young then, and that was my only experience of big-budget films.

"So when 'We're The Millers' came along I really didn't feel I was even capable of it. I was like 'I've only ever done this once before, I don't think I can do it again, I just scraped through the last time'.

"But it was fantastic to be involved in something like that and a real dream come true to work with the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis. I was very, very lucky."

The nominees were selected by a group of jurors including "Quantum of Solace" actress Gemma Arterton and film critic Mark Kermode.

The award is decided by public vote and the winner will be announced at the Bafta award ceremony on February 16. - AFP, January 6, 2014.

New Bruce Springsteen album ‘High Hopes’ goes online

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:32 AM PST

January 06, 2014

Bruce Springsteen's 18th studio album "High Hopes" went online yesterday in the United States, nine days before its general release – and on the 41st anniversary of The Boss's debut outing.

Television network CBS had announced it would host the Internet-only pre-release after the conclusion of this week's episode of "The Good Wife" at 0300 GMT (11am MYT) yesterday in a unique tie-in with the top-rated legal drama.

But American fans of the New Jersey-born rock 'n' roll voice of blue-collar America - whose first album "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." came out on January 5, 1973, two years before "Born to Run" established him as a musical powerhouse - were delighted to discover the audio stream unexpectedly going online earlier in the evening.

Initial reviews were upbeat.

"Once again, Springsteen is the minister in the chapel, offering guidance, sympathy and, occasionally, a raised fist of solidarity with the dispossessed," wrote pop music critic Tris McCall of the Star-Ledger newspaper in Springsteen's home state.

"By the time that track draws to its haunting conclusion, you'll likely find that despite the rocky start, the album's familiar themes of hope, redemption and love's ability to trump adversity have worked their magic the way they do on any good Springsteen release," added Pete Chianca at Blogness on the Edge of Town, a blog devoted to the 64-year-old rock icon.

As a CBS spokeswoman told AFP this week, the online stream is available only in the United States, ahead of the general release of "High Hopes" on January 14.

In Paris, only the title track – released in November as a video – could be heard on the website; the other 11 songs came up as "currently not available".

Cryptically, Springsteen's Twitter feed said yesterday: "More advance album streams to be announced soon."

Some lucky fans already have "High Hopes" – Springsteen's first album since "Wrecking Ball" in 2012 – on their personal digital players after it briefly leaked out on Amazon.com as an MP3 download last weekend. No explanation has been given for the apparent snafu.

Springsteen's label is Columbia Records, a Sony Music Entertainment subsidiary formerly owned by CBS that was behind the surprise online release of Beyonce's eponymous fifth album on December 13. That record remains on top of the Billboard 200 chart, having sold more than 1.3 million copies.

Eagerly anticipated, "High Hopes" is a mix of cover versions, studio outtakes and re-recordings that Springsteen - who has concerts upcoming in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand - has called "music I always felt needed to be released", although he's already played many of the numbers live.

Three songs will feature on next week's episode of "The Good Wife", after yesterday's programme – which ran in the same time slot as the season premiere of "Downton Abbey" on public television – ended with an invitation to viewers to log on to the audio stream.

Nine tracks on "High Hopes" feature Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, who stood in for guitarist Steve Van Zandt on Springsteen's tour of Australia last year, and two include Clarence Clemons, the much-loved E Street Band saxophonist who died in 2011 at the age of 69.

"Down in the Hole" has Springsteen's children on backing vocals – including his youngest Sam, who turned 20 yesterday.

Springsteen's visit to the Vietnam war memorial in Washington inspired "The Wall", while "American Skin (41 Shots)" recalls the now virtually forgotten killing of a 23-year-old unarmed immigrant from Guinea, Amadou Bailo Diallo, by New York police officers in 1999.

Among the three cover versions, Springsteen takes Suicide's "Dream Baby Dream" and makes it so much his own, it's hardly recognizable from the minimalist original released in 1980 by the seminal New York electropunk duo. - AFP, January 6, 2014.

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Itu kereta peribadi saya bukan milik kerajaan negeri, kata Mukhriz

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:22 AM PST

January 06, 2014

Kedah menafikan laporan sebuah blog pro-pakatan pembangkang yang mendakwa kerajaan negeri membeli sebuah kereta baru sebagai kenderaan rasmi Menteri Besar.

Menteri Besar Kedah Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (gambar) berkata Mercedes Benz S300 yang digunakan beliau di Kuala Lumpur dibelinya dengan wang sendiri dua tahun lepas bagi mengurangkan kos kerajaan negeri.

"Tulisan dan lambang Menteri Besar Kedah pada nombor pendaftaran kenderaan itu bertujuan memudahkan saya memasuki pekarangan Istana Negara atau lain-lain urusan rasmi," katanya kepada pemberita ketika menghadiri perhimpunan bulanan staf Wisma Darul Aman di Alor Setar hari ini.

Mukhriz berkata kerajaan negeri tidak membeli kenderaan baru untuk kegunaan beliau atau anggota Exco selepas pilihan raya umum tahun lepas.

Beliau berkata Mercedes Benz S350 menggunakan nombor KCX 8 yang digunakan sebagai kenderaan rasmi dibeli ketika Allahyarham Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak menjadi Menteri Besar manakala Mercedes Benz S320 dengan nombor pendaftaran KBV 8 dibeli bekas Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid pada 2006. – Bernama, 6 Januari, 2014.

Mujahid dan Marina diserang pertubuhan Islam kerana didakwa bela Kristian

Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:15 AM PST

OLEH MD IZWAN
January 06, 2014

Pertubuhan Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) menyifatkan perpecahan umat Islam di dalam negara berpunca daripada sikap umat Islam yang menyokong agama Kristian, termasuk sikap pemimpin Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof (gambar) dan Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir yang disifatkannya menyokong Kristian.

"Hujahnya membuat orang awam jadi keliru, atau menerima saja kerana tidak ada neraca syarak untuk menilai. Sangat pelik dan ajaib pendirian itu untuk dipakai bagi pembela yang mengaku menjadi pemimpin Islam," katanya lagi yang merujuk kepada kenyataan Mujahid.

Isma juga kesal dengan tindakan umat Islam yang ke gereja untuk membela Kristian.

Beliau merujuk kepada anak bekas perdana menteri, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir serta rakannya yang menyertai hampir 1,000 penganut Kristian di himpunan hari Ahad di Gereja Katolik Our Lady of Lourdes di Klang.

"Jika setiap kali ada pihak Islam yang ikhlas, berani dan lantang cuba untuk mempertahan kedudukan Islam, mereka akan dihentam.

"Tetapi sebaliknya jika perlakuan Kristian yang mencabar agama Islam termasuk kes kedegilan pihak gereja untuk terus menggunakan kalimah Allah, ada pula orang Islam yang membelanya. Beruntung sungguh mereka (Evangelis) itu," bidas Naib Presiden II Isma, Rahman Mat Dali terhadap sikap orang Islam yang memperlekehkan agama sendiri sehingga menguntungkan pihak Kristian dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Isma, pertubuhan konservatif Islam, merujuk kepada tindakan Marina memberikan bunga kepada penganut Kristian di gereja berkenaan Ahad semalam.

Selain Isma, kumpulan pendesak Melayu Perkasa juga mengecam tindakan penganut Islam termasuk Marina kerana menyokong tindakan gereja yang bertegas mahu menggunakan kalimah Allah di Selangor.

Dalam pada itu, Marina yang ditemui hari ini selepas Majlis Perundingan Perpaduan Nasional (MPPN) enggan memberikan komen terhadap kecaman Perkasa terhadap dirinya.

"Saya tidak mahu ulas tentang Perkasa. Mereka banyak cakap perkara sampah," kata Marina.

Kontroversi kalimah Allah mendapat perhatian umum kembali selepas Pengarang Herald, Paderi Lawrence Andrew berkata gereja Katolik di Selangor akan terus menggunakan kalimah Allah dalam perhimpunan mingguannya yang menggunakan Bahasa Melayu walaupun Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) telah menghantar notis peringatan mengenai larangan penggunaan kalimah itu oleh orang bukan Islam.

Jais, pada minggu lepas, turut mengambil pendekatan merampas Bible dalam serbuannya ke atas premis Persatuan Bible Malaysia di Selangor. – 6 Januari, 2014.

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Mercedes Benz, isunya kemewahan, bukan harga berpatutan

Posted: 05 Jan 2014 04:27 PM PST

January 06, 2014

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

Kalau ada rumah sendiri, mengapa nak tidur di rumah kerajaan? Kalau ada jam tangan Casio yang berfungsi dengan baik, apakah perlu membeli jam tangan Rolex walaupun diberi diskaun?

Kalau ada tiket tambang murah mengapa pilih penerbangan yang lebih baik walaupun ianya adalah satu 'entitlement' atau peruntukan untuk jawatannya?

Kalau ada kereta Camry yang masih baru, mengapa perlu tukar ke Benz?

Bagi seorang pemimpin yang selalu menggambarkan dirinya sebagai seorang yang bersederhana, persoalan-persoalan di atas perlu sentiasa dijadikan keutamaan dalam tindak-tanduknya.

Lebih-lebih lagi kalau pemimpin ini selalu menjadi juara menyerang pihak lawan yang sekian lama memilih kemewahan untuk keuntungan politik.

Apabila rakyat melihat pemimpin yang pada mereka sepatutnya bersifat sederhana ini memilih Benz, yang jauh lebih mewah daripada Camry yang berusia dua bulan, hati mereka dihentak seperti cermin kereta terkena batu.

Hentakan itu bukan sahaja menyebabkan cermin kereta tersebut cacat kerana berlubang, malah hanya menanti masa untuknya merebak dan meretakkan seluruh cermin sehingga hancur.

Inilah yang terjadi pada Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang dan Setiausaha Agong DAP Lim Guan Eng dalam isu pembelian Benz.

Jawapan-jawapan daripada kerajaan negeri mengenai betapa berbaloinya Benz yang dibeli untuk kegunaan Guan Eng sebagai ketua menteri tidak berguna, kerana Benz dilihat sebagai satu kemewahan berbanding Camry.

Bagi rakyat, mereka merasakan Guan Eng adalah seorang pemimpin yang sepatutnya berkata:

"Memang ada peruntukan untuk saya menggunakan Benz sebagai ketua menteri, tapi saya menolaknya kerana Camry yang disediakan masih baru. Duit yang ada lebih elok saya gunakan untuk manfaat rakyat."

Itulah Guan Eng yang rakyat kenali, bukannya Guan Eng yang mempertahankan tindakannya membeli Benz.

Bagi penyokong Guan Eng yang menjawab serangan dalam bentuk – "Guan Eng selayaknya boleh menggunakan Benz kerana kecemerlangannya mentadbir Pulau Pinang" – diharap berfikir semula.

Pertama, berjuang dalam politik ini bukan untuk ganjaran seperti menaiki Benz. Ganjaran yang ada hanyalah kepercayaan rakyat untuk memberikan undi majoriti untuk mentadbir semula 5 tahun akan datang.

Sekiranya alasan tersebut layak digunakan, apakah Najib tidak layak menaiki jet peribadi kerana berjaya mengekalkan kecemerlangan BN mempertahankan Putrajaya buat kali ke 13?

Mengapa harus Najib menggunakan penerbangan MAS, sama ada penerbangan kelas pertama mahupun bisnes, kerana beliau layak menggunakan penerbangan yang lebih mewah?

Nasi telah menjadi bubur.

Rakyat memilih Pakatan Rakyat kerana menganggapnya berlainan daripada BN, terutamanya dari segi menolak kemewahan. Namun, kini ia makin dilihat tiada kelainan.

Ingatlah, tindak-tanduk pemimpin mesti serasi dengan persepsi yang dibinanya pada minda rakyat.

Kesilapan Guan Eng kali ini agak parah sebab tindakannya tidak selari dengan persepsi sederhana yang dibinanya sejak pra-2008.

Ia hampir sama dengan tindakan Najib yang tidak selari dengan kata-kata 'wasatiyyah'nya tatkala rakyat mempunyai persepsi yang mendalam pada keborosannya yang begitu menjolok mata.

Cermin kereta PR kini sudah berlubang. Jika tidak berhati-hati, lubang itu akan merebak ke seluruh cermin kereta.

Namun, kalau PR terus meniru tindakan serong BN, mungkin PR juga turut percaya, berlubanglah cermin kereta sebanyak manapun, cermin tetap tidak akan retak (BN menang dah 13 kali).

PR harus sedar, di sebalik cermin kereta BN yang teguh itu, berbillion duit rakyat tertampal untuk menahannya dari retak.

Apakah itupun turut ingin ditiru PR? – 6 Januari, 2014.

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

Finding the ‘yes’ behind a ‘no’

Posted: 05 Jan 2014 04:03 PM PST

January 06, 2014

Ying Hooi is attached with a local university. Her research interests cover the fields of civil society, social movements, protests, political participation, human rights and democratization.

For the first article in 2014, I am focusing on this inspiring story of Chilean history.

This is about how former Chilean dictator Gen Augusto Pinochet was voted out of power in the 1988 historical plebiscite. The plebiscite was to determine whether Pinochet, who had ruled the country since 1973, should extend his term for another eight years.

Under his repressive military regime, tens of thousands Chileans disappeared, were tortured and killed while hundreds of thousands were forced into exile.

After 15 years of repression, Chileans were – for the first time – asked to decide with the vote a straight choice of "yes" or "no".

Because of international pressure and at the risk of losing his political legitimacy, Pinochet finally agreed to the plebiscite.

A "yes" vote meant Pinochet could remain in power. While a "no" vote meant free elections to replace Pinochet.

Surprisingly, the "no" option received 55.99% of the votes and the "yes" option only received 44.01% of the votes. The result later paved the way for democratic transition and to elections.

I am particularly attracted to the idea of a "no" campaign.

The Pinochet regime has considerable financial and tactical advantages in its "yes" campaign, which also included media monopoly.

However, the opposition, simply known as "NO" coalition was given 15-minute airtime in midnight for its "no" campaign.

The "no" campaign was granted access to television for 27 nights before the plebiscite. The campaign stressed on harmony and joy in a reunited Chile. The idea was mainly to drive Chileans to see a brighter future with its catchy slogan, "Chile, happiness is on its way." American celebrities, such as Christopher Reeves and Jane Fonda, also endorsed the "no" campaign.

Since then, the "no" campaign and the referendum have been considered emblematic instances of the use of electoral means to defeat dictators. To counter this, the Pinochet regime backed advertisements warning voters of the violence and chaos that will follow if the opposition won.

In the months leading up to  October 5, 1988, the voting day, supporters of the "no" option also launched a massive voter registration drive.

The voting process was orderly. However, the Pinochet regime kept delaying the release of official results.

As reported, after much negotiations and a failed effort by some government officials to provoke street violence as an excuse to cancel the plebiscite, at 2.40am, government television finally announced that the "no" option had won and the Pinochet regime was officially being thrown out.

The "no" campaign was arguably one of the most effective political campaigns in history. Apart from being able to achieve its goal, the campaign also saw a more than 90% voter turnout.

This remarkable campaign became the basis of a Chilean film in 2012, which was simply titled "No". Directed by Pablo Larrain, the film reminds us of the power of optimism in the face of tyranny. After all, an important element of the "no" campaign was to create optimism in order to inspire the citizens to voice their opposition to Pinochet's regime.

"Even in a dictatorship, the worst mistake is to not participate," argued Genaro Arriagada, who directed the "No" campaign. For Arriagada, it was important to engage in elections, even in unjust conditions.

At a glance, the "no" campaign sounded negative and there was no candidate from the opposition to replace Pinochet. Using the rainbow as a backdrop, the philosophy behind the "no" campaign was to promote the idea that Chileans could live together in peace after years of polarisation.

Many of who appeared in the "no" campaign advertisements were intimidated and threatened during the campaign. But such is the spirit of collective decision that many people stood up publicly and inspired the nation.

There are two key messages in this article. First, the Chilean public was given an opportunity to decide whether their de facto leader should be allowed to stay in power or to leave office. Second, the Chilean story proves that people power works.

Now, isn't this story inspiring? – January 6, 2014.

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

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