Khamis, 27 Mac 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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Catch Pusaka’s wayang kulit show on Saturday

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 02:59 AM PDT

March 27, 2014

PUSAKA honours Earth Hour this Saturday by presenting a wayang kulit performance for the public. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 27, 2014PUSAKA honours Earth Hour this Saturday by presenting a wayang kulit performance for the public. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 27, 2014Pusaka, a non-profit organisation dedicated towards  the researching and archiving of traditional performance in Malaysia, will be presenting a wayang kulit (shadow-play) performance for the public at Publika this Saturday in conjunction with Earth Hour. 

The play will be performed by Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Pusaka from Machang, Kelantan, one of the most accomplished troupes in the country.

Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Pusaka, founded by the late Tok Dalang Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollah Baju Merah), is now steered by two of Pak Dollah's senior disciples, Tok Dalang Nawi, and master musician, Abdul Rahman bin Dollah.

The troupe has been actively involved with Pusaka's training projects, demonstrating their commitment to the transmission of complete Wayang Kulit knowledge to succeeding generations in Kelantan.

Wayang kulit is a form of traditional theatre found throughout South-east Asia in which the shadows of carved leather puppets are projected onto a screen.

In Malaysia, the most well-known style of wayang kulit is the Wayang Kulit Siam, practiced principally in the north-eastern state of Kelantan as well as in the Patani region of southern Thailand.

Wayang Kulit Siam is performed in the Kelantanese-Patani dialect of Malay. The principal performer in the Wayang Kulit Siam tradition is the dalang (master puppeteer). Besides animating the puppets with action and speech, the dalang provides narration and commentary, leads the musical orchestra and attends to the ritual aspects of a performance.

Pusaka conducts research and creates a comprehensive documentary archive of traditional performance in Malaysia, while strengthening the viability of these traditions at the community level. Its aim is to establish a deep interaction with aspects of history and contemporary ideas while providing an intellectual context for the contemplation of broader aspects of culture, tradition and ideas.

Admission for this Saturday's performance is free. For more information of Pusaka's Wayang Kulit for Earth Hour, please email pusaka.matters@gmail.com . – March 27, 2014

PUSAKA presents wayang kulit for Earth Hour this Saturday

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 02:59 AM PDT

March 27, 2014

PUSAKA honours Earth Hour this Saturday by presenting a wayang kulit performance for the public. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 27, 2014PUSAKA honours Earth Hour this Saturday by presenting a wayang kulit performance for the public. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 27, 2014Pusaka, a non-profit organisation dedicated towards  the researching and archiving of traditional performance in Malaysia, will be presenting a wayang kulit (shadow-play) performance for the public at Publika this Saturday in conjunction with Earth Hour. 

The play will be performed by Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Pusaka from Machang, Kelantan, one of the most accomplished troupes in the country.

Kumpulan Wayang Kulit Pusaka, founded by the late Tok Dalang Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollah Baju Merah), is now steered by two of Pak Dollah's senior disciples, Tok Dalang Nawi, and master musician, Abdul Rahman bin Dollah.

The troupe has been actively involved with Pusaka's training projects, demonstrating their commitment to the transmission of complete Wayang Kulit knowledge to succeeding generations in Kelantan.

Wayang kulit is a form of traditional theatre found throughout South-east Asia in which the shadows of carved leather puppets are projected onto a screen.

In Malaysia, the most well-known style of wayang kulit is the Wayang Kulit Siam, practiced principally in the north-eastern state of Kelantan as well as in the Patani region of southern Thailand.

Wayang Kulit Siam is performed in the Kelantanese-Patani dialect of Malay. The principal performer in the Wayang Kulit Siam tradition is the dalang (master puppeteer). Besides animating the puppets with action and speech, the dalang provides narration and commentary, leads the musical orchestra and attends to the ritual aspects of a performance.

Pusaka conducts research and creates a comprehensive documentary archive of traditional performance in Malaysia, while strengthening the viability of these traditions at the community level. Its aim is to establish a deep interaction with aspects of history and contemporary ideas while providing an intellectual context for the contemplation of broader aspects of culture, tradition and ideas.

Admission for this Saturday's performance is free. For more information of Pusaka's Wayang Kulit for Earth Hour, please email pusaka.matters@gmail.com . – March 27, 2014

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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Fox signs John Green’s ‘Paper Towns’

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:35 PM PDT

March 27, 2014

The author of "The Fault in Our Stars" has seen a second novel go to Fox Pictures, with the former's supporting actor Nat Wolff in line for the leading role in "Paper Towns."

Even if "The Fault in Our Stars," which also stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, isn't due in theatres until June this year, Fox is evidently feeling good about its prospects, acquiring an earlier novel by the same author.

John Green has a well established online presence as the host of YouTube channels VlogBrothers, Mental Floss and Crash Course.

He's to reunite with the two producers and pair of screenwriters behind "The Fault in Our Stars" movie for "Paper Towns," reports Deadline.

Two characters drive "Paper Towns." Quentin, to be played by Wolff, was childhood friends with Margo. When they are both teens, Margo recruits Quentin for a night of justice and revenge, righting personal wrongs under cover of darkness – and breaking into a bank and a theme park for the fun of it.

But Margo vanishes again, this time for good, and Quentin is left to put together the clues she left in order to track her down. – AFP/Relaxnews, March 27, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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Nik Razman, flamenco dan indipenden

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 04:33 PM PDT

March 27, 2014

Meor Yusof Aziddin adalah Malaysian folk singer/songwritter yang telah menghasilkan 10 album indipenden sejak tahun 2000 sehingga 2011. Juga penulis untuk buku tentang kehidupan, "Sembang Tepi Jalan" dan "Syurga Yang Hilang." Memblog di www.pestajiwa.net. Berkerjaya sebagai "professional busker" di KL Sentral di bawah pengurusan KTMB sejak tahun 2010 sehingga ke hari ini.

Nik Razman bersama gitarnya, pejuang muzik flamenco.Nik Razman bersama gitarnya, pejuang muzik flamenco.Ramai kawan baik saya merupakan insan yang hebat-hebat belaka di bidang masing-masing. Baik di bidang penulisan mahupun muzik. Banyak yang saya belajar daripada mereka. Untuk menjadi insan yang hebat bukanlah mudah.

Asasnya adalah bakat dan untuk memastikan ia berkembang, tidak ada jalan lain melainkan praktis tanpa jemu dan jika dalam penulisan, membaca dan terus membaca.

Saya akan memperkenalkan mereka yang saya kenal ini satu persatu kepada pembaca kerana penting untuk kita lebih mengenal mana kaca, mana permata.

Mungkin mereka tidak berpeluang ke arena arus perdana atau atas sebab prinsip juga, kerana di sana tempatnya untuk bergosip dan berhibur, bukan cerita tentang muzik dan pengisiannya.

Kita tidak punya pilihan melainkan melebarkan kelompok komuniti indipenden yang kita bina. Saya gembira melihat perkembangan dunia indipenden hari ini berbanding 10 tahun lalu.

Baru-baru ini saya terlibat menjayakan persembahan dan turut mengundang Nik Razman dan Amin Iskandar dalam satu program kesenian indipenden yang dinamakan 'Pesta Rabak', berlangsung di Publika pada 22 Mac lalu, bersempena pelancaran buku terbaru saya, 'Sembang Kehidupan' terbitan Merpati Jingga.

Apa yang menarik sambutan anak-anak muda yang semakin faham dan memberikan sokongan kepada program berbentuk ilmiah, rugged dan bijak. Ada baca sajak, seni persembahan, menyanyi, bermuzik dan berbagai lagi.

Temanya santai dan sambutan terhadap program sebegini sangat menggalakkan. Tahniah kepada penganjur.

Kita cuba menjadi Indonesia iaitu setiap genre muzik yang mereka perjuangkan seperti heavy metal, rock, blues, jazz, fusion, folk dan country dan western contohnya, tetap punya pengikut dan hasilnya pemuzik-pemuzik di sana mampu terus hidup dan berkarya mengikut cara dan acuan mereka tanpa perlu beralih ke arena pop dan arus perdana.

Kelebihan Indonesia kerana jumlah penduduknya yang seramai hampir 250 juta ditambah pemahaman muzik dan tamadun mereka lebih maju daripada kita. Penduduk di negara kita pula hanyalah kira 27 juta, yang mungkin dengar muzik mungkin 2 juta orang.

Yang mengikuti muzik arus perdana penuh kilauan dan materi mungkin 1.9 juta orang. Maknanya jangan tanya mereka ini tentang muzik yang selain pop dan berteraskan hiburan, memang mereka tidak minat untuk ambil tahu.

Jadi mungkin yang minat muzik atau benda berilmiah hanya 100,000 orang, pun itu sudah mencukupi jika mereka turut menyokong yang bercorak ilmiah.

Cuma produk indipenden memerlukan sokongan kelompok komunitinya, untuk mereka lebih bersemangat terus berkarya.

Saya kenal seorang anak muda, Nik Razman atau nama sebenarnya Razman Shaharin bin Hadi (lahir 22 Mei 1974) sejak awal 2000 dulu. Nik bagi saya antara pemain gitar flamenco terbaik di negara kita ini.

Beliau mula bermain gitar pada 1999. Saya pula mula bekerja di Yamaha Music pada 1996. Di sana saya kenal baik beberapa guru gitar klasikal yang hebat seperti Cikgu Omar, Shahrom dan Izat.

Cikgu Omar masih menjadi tenaga pengajar di Yamaha Music dan di sekolah muzik lain juga. Shahrom dan Izat pula merupakan pemuzik profesional yang masih aktif membuat persembahan.

Mereka merupakan kenalan baik Nik yang pernah mendalami ilmu gitar klasikal dengan Cikgu Omar. Saya juga pernah berguru dengan Cikgu Omar.

Jadi awal tahun 2000, saya mula mengenali Nik. Cikgu Omar, Shahrom dan Izat sering bercerita pada saya tentang Nik dan dunia flamenconya.

Beliau memang dilahirkan untuk muzik flamenco yang sedang digaulinya sejak mula mengenal gitar. Seperti legenda flamenco dunia, Paco De Lucia dan Tomatito, Nik juga tahap penghayatannya sampai seperti mereka. beliau juga sanggup untuk ke Sepanyol demi mendalami genre muzik tersebut.

Seperti katanya selepas ditanya apa yang membuatkan beliau minat untuk mendalami flamenco?

"Radar flamenco yang mengesan diri saya, sehingga diri terasa terdorong ke arahnya seperti ada tindak balas chemistry," katanya.

Saya tahu ramai di kalangan pemuzik terutamanya yang dalam genre klasikal dan akustik mampu memainkan muzik flamenco, tetapi untuk mendapatkan 'feel' atau penghayatan, ianya adalah sukar dan bukan boleh dibuat-buat.

Nik melalui perjalanan seninya seperti berjalan di lorong yang suram dan sunyi, dan beliau tetap bermuzik walau hanya segelintir yang mendengar.

Terbaik dalam kariernya apabila beliau turut terlibat sebagai 'sessionist' dalam album M Nasir, Phoenix Bangkit pada 2001.

Berbual-bual dan bertukar pandangan dengannya baru-baru ini, beliau nyata masih punya harapan agar muzik flamenco akan diterima ramai seperti katanya, di negara-negara Asia sudah mula menerima genre muzik tersebut, mengapa tidak Malaysia?

Nik turut memperkenal satu genre muzik baru - Cool Malay Flamenco (CMF) demi meuniversalkan irama flamenco agar lebih diterima ramai terutamanya untuk pendengar di negara kita ini.

Maknanya elemen tersebut digabungkan dengan nilai pop, jazz, blues,rock dan sebagainya. Ini seperti yang dilakukan oleh Gypsy Kings mahupun Ketama, yang muziknya masih berteraskan flamenco, namun penuh dengan elemen jazz dan fusion di dalamnya.

Saya bersetuju dengan pendapatnya. Cuma saya tidak pasti sampai ke mana mimpi ini akan kita bawa. Apa pun usaha beliau bagus dan harus dipuji. - 27 Mac, 2014.

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

BN dan Umno perlu belajar jadi pembangkang selepas PRK Kajang

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 04:20 PM PDT

March 27, 2014

Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed is a three-term MP for Pulai and the new PAC chairman. Apart from being in the new politics, he also writes for The Malaysian Insider while debating other matters at www.jazlan.net

Seperti yang diramal semua pihak, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, isteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, presiden PKR dan bekas ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh memenangi kerusi DUN Kajang (N25), Ahad lalu, sekali gus mempertahankan kerusi yang dimenangi PKR pada Pilihan Raya Umum (PRU) ke-13 Mei lalu.

Tentangan sengit yang cuba diberikan Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, naib presiden MCA, bekas timbalan menteri dan bekas ahli Parlimen Petaling Jaya Utara terhadap Dr Wan Azizah seharusnya diberikan pujian kerana Chew sebenarnya, berdepan dengan Anwar yang mengepalai jentera Pakatan Rakyat.

Dengan strategi PKR yang menamakan Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Kajang ini, dengan pelbagai gelaran seperti 'Langkah Kajang' atau 'Rencana Kajang', kemenangan Dr Wan Azizah sebenarnya, tidak mengubah apa-apa status quo dalam DUN Selangor dan begitu juga sebaliknya, jika Chew menang di Kajang.

Kemenangan Dr Wan Azizah ini, juga bermakna Pakatan kini mendahului BN sebanyak 2-1 dalam PRK selepas PRU13, apabila sebelum ini, memenangi PRK Sungai Limau manakala BN mempertahankan kerusi DUN Kuala Besut.

Apa yang menarik mengenai PRK 'olok-olok' Kajang adalah kerusi ini, sengaja dikosongkan PKR pada 27 Januari lalu, kononnya untuk menguatkan parti berkenaan sebagai kerajaan memerintah daripada serangan Umno Selangor selain permulaan untuk menakluki Putrajaya pada PRU14 yang selewat-lewatnya perlu diadakan pada 2018.

Ia secara tidak langsung turut dijadikan medan ujian PKR terhadap sokongan pengundi Selangor sama ada pengundi akan terus memberi kepercayaan kepada mereka walaupun alasan untuk diadakan semula PRK bertujuan untuk mendamaikan Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim dan Azmin Ali.

Namun, ia juga sebenarnya ujian kepada BN terutama sekali Umno Selangor dalam menentukan sama ada sokongan rakyat negeri itu sudah kembali kepada mereka, sekurang-kurangnya itu yang sering diperkatakan kepada Datuk Seri Najib Razak oleh para penasihat rapat beliau.

Pertandingan satu lawan satu antara MCA dan PKR di kerusi DUN yang mempunyai komposisi pengundi 48% Melayu , 42% Cina dan bakinya, kaum India dan Lain-Lain kaum sebenarnya, amat penting untuk BN terutama sekali Umno Selangor.

Ia berikutan kegagalan menawan semula Selangor pada PRU13 lalu, walaupun diketuai perdana menteri selaku Pengerusi Umno Selangor dengan membawa peruntukan besar dan luar biasa semata-mata untuk memenangi semula negeri paling maju di Malaysia.

Bagaimanapun, harapan itu tinggal harapan untuk Najib apabila jumlah kerusi yang dimenangi BN di Selangor merosot kepada hanya 11 kerusi DUN daripada 22 kerusi.

Berikutan itu, PRK Kajang sebenarnya, adalah cubaan terbaik untuk BN menterjemahkan strategi baru serta menguji sama ada benarkah pengundi Melayu di kawasan pinggir bandar seperti Kajang, sudah beralih arah kepada BN terutama sekali Umno seperti yang didakwa pakar-pakar di Putrajaya.

Walaupun, peratusan keluar mengundi pada Ahad lalu, menurun kepada sekitar 72% berbanding lebih 80% pada PRU13 lalu, dan majoriti yang diterima Dr Wan Azizah lebih rendah daripada yang diterima Lee, Mei lalu, BN tidak boleh mendabik dada bahawa mereka memperoleh kemenangan moral atau menang dalam kekalahan.

Presiden PKR itu menang dengan majoriti 5,379 undi selepas mendapat 16,741 undi, manakala Chew berjaya memperolehi memperolehi 11,362 undi manakala undi rosak  pula sebanyak 176.

Tanpa disedari BN sebenarnya, kehilangan 1,385 undi dan kiraan ini, dibuat berdasarkan jumlah undi pada PRU13 iaitu sebanyak 12,747 undi berbanding 11,362 undi pada PRK Kajang.

Pada masa sama, PRK Kajang ini, juga terus menyaksikan penurunan sokongan undi Melayu pada BN terus merosot apabila hanya dua peti undi berbanding 16 peti undi yang ada dalam DUN Kajang.

Memang benar bahawa peratusan keluar mengundi merosot pada PRK Kajang tetapi penurunan undi BN amat membimbangkan dan ia sekali gus menunjukkan penyokong setia BN dan Umno tidak rela untuk keluar mengundi bagi membantu kemenangan Chew.

Secara langsung, PRK Kajang ini, jelas menggambarkan sokongan penyokong setia BN dan PKR tanpa ada penambahan sokongan pengundi luar yang jelas tidak berminat untuk membantu parti dalam pilihan raya yang penting ini.

Mungkin ramai sudah lupa bahawa kawasan DUN Kajang ini, dalam Parlimen Hulu Langat merupakan kubu kuat untuk Umno dan BN sebelum 2008 tetapi dalam tempoh enam tahun berlaku perubahan drastik di kalangan pengundi sehingga mengakibatkan BN serta Umno gagal mendapatkan sokongan rakyat di kawasan berkenaan dan kini, ia menjadi kubu Pakatan.

Seharusnya, pemimpin BN terutama sekali Umno Selangor sebenarnya, perlu mengkaji semula mengapa berlaku perubahan drastik sokongan rakyat kepada parti dan beralih kepada parti lawan.

Walau apa pun, Chew tetap kalah dan seperti biasa pemimpin Umno dan BN mendabik dada memberi alasan, mereka dapat mengurangkan majoriti undi pembangkang. Sampai bila pemimpin kita mahu menggunakan alasan ini, sedangkan seharusnya kita menerima hakikat itu dan bermuhasabah mengapa terus gagal menarik semula sokongan rakyat dan ahli parti sendiri.

Jika itu, sifat dan sikap yang ditunjukkan pimpinan serta jentera BN, ternyata mereka berada dalam keadaan 'denial' serta terus dilambung keseronokan di puncak kuasa tanpa memikirkan kesan yang akan diterima pada PRU 14 akan datang.

Dalam sistem dua parti yang akan berlaku di Malaysia, tiada parti yang boleh berkuasa lebih dua penggal dan memenangi kemenangan menguasai Parlimen dengan kedudukan kerusi dua per tiga.

Jadi, bagaimanakah Umno mahu membuat perubahan dan strategi untuk kembali berkuasa sekiranya, kalah dalam PRU14 nanti. Selagi Umno Selangor tidak boleh meninggalkan cara lama dan merancang berfikir serta bertindak macam pembangkang, saya tidak nampak bagaimana Umno Selangor dan BN mahu kembali semula berkuasa di negeri itu.

Terus terang saya katakan bahawa keputusan PRK Kajang adalah 'mimpi ngeri' buat Umno Selangor yang terpaksa bertindak sendirian memikul parti komponen kerana mereka terus gagal untuk mengembalikan undi orang Melayu kepada BN.

Satu kesimpulan yang saya boleh simpulkan adalah Umno tidak boleh hidup sekiranya hilang kuasa dan sumber kewangan.

Ketika MCA mendabik dada selepas PRK Kajang dengan menyatakan sokongan masyarakat Cina kini sudah mula kembali kepada parti itu, apabila mendapat sokongan 25% berbanding 18% pada PRU13, Umno Selangor yang kini diterajui Datuk Seri Noh Omar selaku Pengerusi Perhubungan terus hilang rentak dalam mengembalikan semula keyakinan masyarakat Melayu di negeri itu kepada BN.

Kegagalan dalam menangkis dakyah Pakatan yang mengeksploitasikan pelbagai isu nasional termasuk kehilangan pesawat MH370 kepada isu bomoh di KLIA sehingga penyokong PKR membawa kangkung pada hari pengundian, jelas memperlihatkan kegagalan Umno untuk menjangka perang psikologi yang akan digunakan PKR dan Pakatan dalam PRK Kajang.

Jentera BN dan Umno terus dengan pendekatan lembut dan 'bertahan' dalam setiap asakan yang dilakukan PKR sepanjang 12 hari berkempen sehingga menyebabkan pengundi bosan dengan strategi parti dalam PRK Kajang.

Walaupun, jentera BN yang dikepalai Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin membawa Najib dan mantan Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ketika berkempen, ia tetap gagal mempengaruhi pengundi Melayu untuk beralih sokongan kepada BN.

Selain itu, rata-rata pemerhati politik juga mendapati bahawa kurangnya kerjasama antara sayap parti di peringkat bahagian itu dalam melakukan gerak kerja serta strategi berkempen sehingga dilihat banyak orang luar yang sebenarnya, melakukan kerja berkempen.

Bukan saya mahu menidakkan kepimpinan rakan saya, Datuk Johan Aziz dalam memimpin Umno Bahagian Hulu Langat kerana beliau tetap cuba memberikan yang terbaik walaupun menyedari bahawa tugas berlawan dengan PKR di gelanggang mereka bukan mudah.

BN dan Umno berterusan memikirkan bahawa mereka mengetahui apa sebenarnya yang dimahukan rakyat sehingga tidak responsif terhadap apa sebenarnya, yang dimahukan rakyat daripada sebuah kerajaan.

Ketika PKR dan Pakatan berterusan menyerang kerajaan BN dengan isu-isu lapuk seperti rasuah termasuk memperlekehkan usaha kerajaan dalam mengendalikan tragedi pesawat MH370, tiada pemimpin BN yang tampil bersemuka dengan pengundi menerangkan apa yang sudah dilakukan kepada rakyat.

Cara lama berkempen dengan 'menjual' projek pembangunan serta menjanjikan 'gula-gula' politik selain sikap 'poyo' pemimpin pusat BN jelas menyebabkan pengundi dan masyarakat setempat di Kajang meluat.

BN berterusan menganjurkan majlis bersama rakyat yang sebenarnya bukan untuk rakyat setempat sebaliknya lebih kepada pemimpin BN untuk 'memoyo' antara satu sama lain jelas menyinggung hati masyarakat setempat serta memperlihatkan terdapat jurang antara pemimpin BN dengan rakyat.

Adalah lebih baik sekiranya BN dan Umno menggunakan strategi menyerang pemimpin PKR dan Pakatan di Selangor yang sebenarnya, mempunyai 1001 masalah sesama mereka.

Kebergantungan kepada media arus perdana untuk terus memperlihat 'wajah' baik BN dan pemimpinnya tidak lagi berkesan kerana pengundi dan masyarakat sudah sedar bahawa siapa sebenarnya di belakang media-media ini.

Seharusnya, pimpinan tertinggi BN mengembleng semua pemimpin parti komponen yang ada untuk turun berkempen dan mengadakan ceramah bagi menerangkan dasar kerajaan serta menangkis dakyah pembangkang.

Jadual kempen yang membabitkan pemimpin BN perlu disusun dengan lebih intensif dan diwarwarkan kepada masyarakat setempat dengan menampilkan tajuk-tajuk ceramah yang bersifat menyerang pemimpin-pemimpin Pakatan serta pentadbiran mereka.

Banyak isu yang boleh dieksploitasi BN ketika berkempen dalam PRK Kajang kerana kita adalah pembangkang dan tugas membangkang adalah mendedahkan segala kelemahan dalam kerajaan PKR Selangor.

Namun apa yang saya perhatikan, pemimpin BN masih mempunyai sikap seperti mereka yang memegang tampuk kerajaan negeri yang memerintah dengan tidak mampu untuk menyedarkan masyarakat serta pengundi Kajang, mengapa mereka harus menolak PKR.

Pengajaran daripada PRK Kajang ini, membuktikan BN dan Umno masih terus gagal menyelami perubahan demografi masyarakat berikutan proses urbanisasi selain tidak dapat melihat jurang serta perbezaan antara kaum tidak lagi menjadi isu utama dalam pemikiran rakyat terutama sekali di kawasan bandar.

Sebaliknya, isu penting untuk masyarakat kawasan bandar dan pinggir bandar adalah disebabkan berlakunya jurang antara golongan kaya, pertengahan dan miskin yang semakin melebar sehingga menimbulkan persepsi bahawa Umno dan BN membolot segala-galanya.

Saya sebenarnya, bimbang dengan kesan daripada PRK Kajang ini, kerana ia sekali gus menunjukkan bahawa perubahan sikap pengundi bandar serta pinggir bandar untuk kembali menyokong BN langsung tidak menampakkan sebarang tanda positif.

Mungkin sudah sampai masanya Umno dan BN belajar taktik pembangkang sekiranya diperlukan selepas PRU 14. - 27 Mac, 2014.

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

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa


Penahanan Kassim bercanggah syariat Islam, kata Sisters in Islam

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 02:52 AM PDT

OLEH HASBULLAH AWANG CHIK
March 27, 2014

Aktivis Dr Kassim Ahmad menyifatkan tindakan undang-undang terhadapnya sebagai undang-undang hutan rimba. – Gambar fail.Aktivis Dr Kassim Ahmad menyifatkan tindakan undang-undang terhadapnya sebagai undang-undang hutan rimba. – Gambar fail.Sisters in Islam (SIS) hari ini menyelar penahanan dan perbicaraan bekas aktivis politik, Dr Kassim Ahmad dan menyifatkannya satu perbuatan yang bercanggah dengan syariat Islam.

Dalam satu kenyataannya hari ini, SIS berkata penahanan Kassim menunjukkan sistem syariah yang tidak efisyen dan sikap pilih kasih jabatan agama Islam.

"Mengejutkan bahawa Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi) boleh merentas sempadan menahan lelaki berusia 81 tahun dengan masalah kesihatan. Kassim disoal siasat hingga jam 3 pagi.

"Semasa dituduh di Mahkamah Syariah Putrajaya pagi ini, peguam syariah meminta tidak diberikan ikat jamin dan mahu Kassim ditahan selama seminggu," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Kassim hari ini selepas perbicaraan menyifatkan undang-undang yang disabitkan kepadanya sebagai undang-undang rimba dan tidak sesekali berasa gentar berdepan pendakwaan.

Katanya, apa yang ditakutkan hanyalah kepada tuhan dan Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) juga akan disoal di akhirat berhubung penahanannya.

"Ini hutan rimba punya undang-undang! Gila! Cakap kepada mereka, gila, gila, kamu gila! Saya tak peduli kepada siapa. Saya takut pada tuhan! Saya jawab pada tuhan!

"Jakim pun kena jawab pada tuhan juga. Habis cerita!" katanya seperti dilapor Malaysiakini.

SIS menggesa agar tuduhan ke atas Kassim ditarik segera kerana bertentangan dengan prinsip demokrasi seperti mana yang dijamin dalam Perlembagaan.

Katanya, Al-Quran sendiri memberi jaminan kepada umat Islam kebebasan untuk melontarkan kritikan dan bantahan atau jadal tidak kurang 25 kali di dalam Al-Quran yang menceritakan tentang kecenderungan manusia.

"Dalam surah Mujadalah terdapat ayat yang menjamin hak individu, wanita, berhujah masalah dengan Nabi Muhammad. Jika umat terdahulu boleh berhujah dengan nabi, apatah lagi hak kita untuk berhujah dengan jabatan agama?

"Hak untuk berbeza pandangan juga didukung dalam hadis sahih sebagaimana sabda Nabi Muhammad, 'Khilaf itu rahmat'," katanya.

SIS juga menggesa agar Akta Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah 1997 dipinda agar selari dengan hak kebebasan bersuara yang selama ini diperjuangkan.

Kassim hari ini didakwa di bawah Seksyen 7(b) dan Seksyen 9 Akta Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah (Wilayah Persekutuan) 1997.

Dia mengaku tidak bersalah dan dibebaskan dengan ikat jamin RM3,000 untuk setiap kesalahan. – 27 Mac, 2014.

Keadaan di Kedutaan Malaysia di Beijing terkawal

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 02:42 AM PDT

March 27, 2014

Ahli keluarga penumpang MH370 mengadakan protes di hadapan Kedutaan Malaysia di Beijing Selasa lalu. – Gambar Reuters.Ahli keluarga penumpang MH370 mengadakan protes di hadapan Kedutaan Malaysia di Beijing Selasa lalu. – Gambar Reuters.Kedutaan Malaysia di Beijing tiada tanda-tanda ketenteraman awam dijadikan isu untuk mengeruhkan keadaan, kata Duta Malaysia di China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.

Keadaan itu, katanya, jauh berbeza berbanding pada Selasa dengan keadaan agak tegang apabila lebih 200 anggota keluarga penumpang penerbangan Malaysia Airlines MH370 berarak ke pintu kedutaan itu susulan pengumuman penerbangan itu berakhir di Lautan Hindi.

Pada 8 Mac lepas penerbangan MH370 dari Kuala Lumpur ke Beijing yang membawa 239 penumpang dan anak kapal termasuk 145 penumpang warga China hilang daripada skrin radar kira-kira sejam setelah berlepas dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa KL.

Iskandar berkata urusan antara pegawai kedutaan dan orang awam berjalan seperti biasa dengan pergerakan para pegawai kedutaan dan anggota keluarga mereka juga tiada perubahan.

"Ini juga menunjukkan usaha yang telah, sedang dan akan terus dilakukan oleh kerajaan Malaysia dalam menenangkan keadaan menunjukkan hasil," katanya kepada wartawan Malaysia di Beijing pada Khamis.

Ditanya tentang pasukan peringkat tertinggi dari Malaysia, Iskandar berkata satu persefahaman telah dicapai antara kumpulan itu dan anggota keluarga penumpang MH370 di China.

Pasukan peringkat tertinggi itu yang diketuai Panglima Operasi Udara Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia Lt Jen Datuk Seri Ackbal Abdul Samad memaklumkan perkembangan terkini setiap hari kepada keluarga warga China berhubung tragedi MH370 itu.

Pasukan itu turut mengandungi wakil dari Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Kementerian Luar, Jabatan Penerbangan Awam dan Malaysia Airlines.

Iskandar berkata beliau akan berusaha sedaya upaya untuk menghadiri taklimat harian itu, ataupun, seorang pegawai dari Kedutaan Malaysia akan hadir bagi pihaknya.

Berhubung perhimpunan keluarga warga China di hadapan kedutaan itu pada Selasa, Iskandar berkata Kedutaan Malaysia telah memajukan tuntutan sanak saudara penumpang pesawat itu ke Kuala Lumpur.

Bagaimanapun, beliau tidak mengulas lanjut tentang tuntutan itu.

"Sebaik sahaja pegawai kami terima memo daripada ahli-ahli keluarga, keadaan kembali tenang dan mereka bersurai selepas itu.

"Tidak ada apa-apa yang tidak diingini berlaku, dan tidak ada apa-apa bentuk ancaman keselamatan terhadap pegawai yang berada di kedutaan itu," katanya. – Bernama, 27 Mac, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Rabu, 26 Mac 2014

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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Anthony Bourdain to open international food hall

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:49 PM PDT

March 27, 2014

Anthony Bourdain plans to set up an international food emporium in New York which will feature 50 stalls. – AFP pic, March 27, 2014.Anthony Bourdain plans to set up an international food emporium in New York which will feature 50 stalls. – AFP pic, March 27, 2014.​Fans of Anthony Bourdain will be happy to learn that the celebrity food and travel host plans to parlay his globetrotting food adventures into a global food hall.

Modelled after Singaporean street hawkers, the international food emporium set for New York will be home to up to 50 food stalls which will focus on one or two specialties, Bourdain tells Departures magazine.

Given that Bourdain is a stickler on authenticity, expect ethnic specialties like Vietnamese pho, Chinese lamb noodles, Iberico ham and laksa as it's made in Kuching, Malaysia, all sold in the same spot.

Stalls will be helmed by big name chefs and rising stars who specialize in the dishes sold, adds Departures.

The market will be divided into three parts, Bourdain said. The Asian food hall will feature Singaporean and Malay dishes, an international section will sell gourmet street foods like Mexican tostadas and American barbecue and a third section will serve as a quarterly pop-up hall spotlighting a different city, country or region every three months.

In keeping with the street food idea, dishes will be priced at $5 to $25. Though Bourdain and his business partner Stephen Werthen remained mum about the exact location and opening date of the food market, rumours are rife that the venture will end up at 3 World Trade Centre.

Bourdain would join fellow celebrity food TV host and chef Mario Batali in building a sprawling food emporium. Batali has lent his star power to Italian food hall chain Eataly, which started in Italy and expanded to the US, Japan, Dubai and Turkey. – AFP/Relaxnews, March 27, 2014.

Klingon-themed suds and stout made with brains create buzz

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 12:04 AM PDT

March 26, 2014

Tim Man Brewing in Indiana is producing a Klingon-themed beer that will be available in Canada and US later this year. – AFP pic, March 26, 2014.Tim Man Brewing in Indiana is producing a Klingon-themed beer that will be available in Canada and US later this year. – AFP pic, March 26, 2014.It's been a particularly interesting week in the beer world, with the release of a Star Trek-themed Klingon beer as well as a brew made with smoked brains.

You read correctly, smoked and roasted brains.

Here's the back story. Apparently, brewers over at the Dock Street Brewing Co. in Philadelphia are obsessed with the AMC show "The Walking Dead," a post-apocalyptic horror drama filled with flesh-eating zombies.

What better way to celebrate the show's season finale, than to create a brewsky in its honour? The Dock Street Walker is described as an American Pale Stout brewed with wheat, oats, flaked barley, organic cranberries and smoked goat brains, which are supposed to lend the beer "intriguing subtle smoke notes."

The cranberries were included to lend the beer a "sinister bloody hue."

The beer will be released to coincide with the show finale on March 30.

Star Trek fans have also been buzzing about the new Klingon-themed beer being produced by Tin Man Brewing in Indiana.

According to StarTrek.com, Klingon Warnog's aroma is dominated by mild banana, clove and sweet malt to create a "unique and rich flavour."

The Star Trek – themed beer will hit Canadian and US shelves later this year. – AFP/Relaxnews, March 26, 2014.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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Vettel and Franklin take Laureus Awards in sombre Malaysia

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:21 AM PDT

March 26, 2014

​Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel (pic) and American swimming sensation Missy Franklin were named Laureus Sportsman and Woman of the Year today in a ceremony filled with tributes to those affected by the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

Nearly all of the seven winners at the lavish awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur remarked on flight MH370, which went missing 18 days ago with 239 passengers and crew on board after leaving Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing.

Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak opened the ceremony, after a moment's silence, and talked about the strength his nation could take from the achievements of the nominees. Satellite images have shown possible debris of the missing plane in the southern Indian Ocean, miles off course.

"Sport reflects what is happening in the world," Razak told the audience. "But for millions of people sport is also an escape, from hardship, from poverty, from conflict. In the hardest times we look for heroic feats to inspire us. For Malaysia this is one such time.

"At this difficult moment we draw strength from individual stories of perseverance, of generosity, and endurance. The nominees here tonight display those values."

Malaysia had stepped in to host the ceremony – which featured a performance from Grammy-winning singer and actor Jamie Foxx and was hosted by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch – after Rio de Janeiro was dropped amid local reports that the Brazilian state government owed Laureus money.

Franklin, 18, collected the first award of the night in recognition of her stunning efforts in the pool in 2013 as she became the first woman to win six golds at a single world championships in Barcelona in August.

The four-times Olympic champion gushed at her surprise in winning the award, presented by compatriot and swimming great Mark Spitz, ahead of five others including American tennis player Serena Williams and Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Vettel enjoyed similar dominance of his sport by winning 13 of 19 Formula One races, including the last nine, in 2013 as he took a fourth consecutive world championship and constructors' title for Red Bull.

The German, in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, beat athletes Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, American basketball player LeBron James and tennis player Rafa Nadal to the prize.

"It's a big honour. It's one of the most special trophies I have received," Vettel said after being selected by the Laureus Academy, featuring 46 sporting greats including former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, who handed him the award.

Spaniard Nadal completed a hat-trick of Laureus awards after he took the Comeback of the Year prize after bouncing back from a seven-month absence to win the 2013 French and U.S. Opens as well as five ATP Masters titles.

"How tough the year before with my injury? I never thought I would have the chance to come back as I did so for that reason this Laureus means more," he said in a recorded message.

Bayern Munich were named World Team of The Year after the German side completed a treble by winning the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup, while MotoGP champion Marc Marquez took the Breakthrough of the Year prize after taking the title in his rookie season.

Marie Bochet, the French paralympic skier, was named sportsperson of the year with a disability, with Jamie Bestwick named World Action Sportsperson of the Year. – Reuters, March 26, 2014

Formula One party arrives in mourning Malaysia

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:11 AM PDT

March 26, 2014

The F1 race in Sepang this weekend is expected to be muted as the country grieves over the recent loss of flight MH370. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 26, 2014The F1 race in Sepang this weekend is expected to be muted as the country grieves over the recent loss of flight MH370. – The Malaysian Insider pic, March 26, 2014The world of Formula One descends on Kuala Lumpur for the often dramatic Malaysian Grand Prix with excitement around the Sepang circuit unusually muted as the country mourns the disappearance of flight MH370.

The Sepang circuit is a stone's throw from Kuala Lumpur International Airport where the Malaysian Airlines flight carrying 239 passengers and crew departed 18 days ago and has since become the home for many associated with the story.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said earlier this week that the Beijing-bound flight had crashed into the southern Indian Ocean with a search for debris ongoing some 2,500 km (1,550 miles) southwest of Perth in Western Australia.

While the Laureus Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur today opted to scale down their week of events in response to Najib's announcement, the Formula One party has continued as normal for the 16th staging of Malaysia's premier sporting event.

That meant Chinese relatives of the missing MH370 passengers were forced to change hotels to make way for those involved in the glamour sport, which started its new season in Australia two weeks ago.

The drivers have been quick to offer their support and Lewis Hamilton also has a "#PrayForMH370" message on the side of his Mercedes car this week and he will be hoping it is on display for the entire 56 laps of Sunday's race after only managing a brief three-lap run in Melbourne.

The season opening race was won by the Briton's team mate Nico Rosberg after the German overtook pole sitter Hamilton before the first turn and eased to the chequered flag.

Mercedes appear to have been quickest in adapting to the new V6 turbocharged hybrid engines that have levelled the playing field after years of Red Bull dominance but they remain wary of being labelled championship favourites.

"While we were pleased to come away from Melbourne with a win, we were also left with plenty to think about," Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe said.

"As is to be expected with such new technology, we are learning more about the car with every lap. This inevitably brings more problems to the surface, all of which require careful management.
"Our priority has therefore been to arrive in Malaysia in better shape mechanically than we left Australia."

Encouraging pace

One driver in greater need of major progress is four-times defending world champion Sebastian Vettel, who failed to finish in Melbourne after reliability issues dashed his hopes of a 10th race win in a row after only a few laps at Albert Park.

Vettel's pre-season had been struck by big question marks over the Red Bull's Renault-powered unit but the German saw a few shoots of optimism ahead of the Malaysian race which he won in controversial style last year after defying team orders.

"We still have a lot of work to do with the car but it was encouraging to see that our pace was better than expected in Australia," said Vettel, who won 13 of last season's 19 races.
"Hopefully we can build on that and start collecting some strong points in the next two races."

His new team mate Daniel Ricciardo thought he had sealed a brilliant second place finish on his Red Bull debut at his home grand prix but the podium place was taken away from him by the FIA after the Australian was deemed to have broken fuel rules.

Red Bull have appealed the decision with a verdict due after next week's Bahrain race in the Manama desert.

McLaren's Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen was promoted up to second in Melbourne following Ricciardo's disqualification with team mate Jenson Button joining him on the podium in a bright start to the season for the team that had a 2013 to forget.

However, the Briton said the car lacked race pace to challenge for victory on the notoriously quick Sepang circuit where afternoon thunderstorms are again predicted, which could play havoc on the undulating track.

"Even if we don't yet have the pace to take the fight to the front runners, we should have a car that's decent in every sector, and which we'll be able to hustle through the race," the 2009 world champion said." – Reuters, March 26, 2014

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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Global box office for films rise 4% in 2013

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 07:38 AM PDT

March 26, 2014

The global box office receipts from all films released in 2013 rose 4% to US$35.9 billion, due to a 5% increase in international box office, according to the Theatrical Market Statistics Report for 2013.

The Chinese box office grew 27% to US$3.6 billion, becoming the first international market to exceed $3 billion in box office, according to the report released by the Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA).

The United States, Canada box office was US$10.9 billion from US$10.8 billion a year earlier.

Box office collections in the Asia Pacific region reached US$10.9 billion, surpassing EMEA as the top region in international box office, the report said.

The report also said that over 80% of the nearly 135,000 cinema screens around the world are now digital. – Reuters, March 26, 2014

Emma Watson on how Hogwarts prepped her for ‘Noah’

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 05:21 AM PDT

March 26, 2014

Emma Watson is starring in the biblical blockbuster 'Noah', which will open this Friday in cinemas in the US and Canada. – Reuters pic, March 26, 2014Emma Watson is starring in the biblical blockbuster 'Noah', which will open this Friday in cinemas in the US and Canada. – Reuters pic, March 26, 2014After spending a decade at the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the "Harry Potter" film franchise, actress Emma Watson put her magical training to good use for her first big budget post-Potter role, in biblical action blockbuster "Noah."

In director Darren Aronofsky's movie, out in US and Canadian theatres on Friday, Watson plays Ila, the wife of Noah's eldest son, Shem, who is played by Douglas Booth.

The film distributed by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures stars Russell Crowe as the ark-building Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Naameh, in a dark, psychological reimagining of the Old Testament flood story.

Three Arab countries have banned the Hollywood film on religious grounds even before its worldwide premiere and several others are expected to follow suit.

Oxfordshire, England-native Watson, 23, spoke to Reuters about how the "Harry Potter" films prepared her for the physically punishing role, the challenge of realistically portraying childbirth on screen and working with a cast of veteran actors.

Q: "Noah" marks your return to large-scale spectacle films, do you approach your role any differently than you did while making the "Harry Potter" series?

A: I remember being on set and Darren was saying, "Okay, the water is going to be cold, we're probably going to be here for a full day, try and conserve your energy between takes, like keep warm and make sure you eat properly. This is going to be physically very demanding." For a minute I felt very intimidated and then there's something about having done those "Harry Potter" films and they were very physical. We did a lot of stuff in Scotland. It was freezing cold, filming at four in the morning, working crazy hours.

It's kind of comforting in a way to know that in some senses, nothing will be as hard as that again, and I'm pretty prepared for most things people can throw at me, whether it be animals, water, stunts, CGI (computer-generated imagery), whatever it is. It was a very good school in a way and set me up very well for this kind of environment and this kind of pressure.

Q: Did you do any reading on your character of Ila outside of the script?

A: I actually didn't do a lot of reading, but I did a lot a research because I become a mother in the story, and obviously have never given birth myself. That required quite a lot of careful thinking. Darren and I had this conversation where we both agreed that in so many films, women give birth and it looks like they're barely breaking a sweat. We wanted it to feel very raw, very real and so I took it pretty seriously.

Q: Did you talk to anybody about what it's like to give birth?

A: Any pregnant woman anywhere, I'd be like, "Can I talk to you? Can I talk to you about your experience?" I spoke to my own mother a lot, obviously, and then I watched a lot of YouTube videos of natural births, lots of documentaries, spoke to midwives, just any information I could get my hands on, really.

Q: Ila is unable to conceive initially, but then is made fertile by a miracle. Was there anything in particular you tried to emphasize of her psyche?

A: I guess just her self-doubt. ... Ila is barren, she can't have children, and she doesn't want to deprive her future husband of being able to have kids and to have a family. There's this real wrestling match within her. She's so in love with him and she kind of sacrifices her own happiness for his, and that struggle and self-doubt felt very relatable to me.

Q: What attracted you to the role in the first place?

A: I was a huge fan of Darren's films. I loved "Requiem for a Dream." "The Fountain" is one of my favorite movies of all-time, "The Wrestler," "Black Swan." So, you know, even before you read the script, you're intrigued because his work speaks for itself, really.

And then having read the script, I loved my role. She's got such a huge heart. She's very wise, very relatable, and then you hear about the cast, it's like Russell Croweand Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Connelly and Ray Winstone. And you realize that it's the opportunity to work with people who really are at the top of their game. – Reuters, March 26, 2014

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